The Man Who Dies for Fun

A Truth

Chapter Five: A Truth

Halina looked at me, eyes wide. "I don't understand."

"I'm the last Necromancer. The last of my race." I sat down, everyone looking away except Halina. "There's no more of us. Just me."

I knew the others were trying their best to not make eye contact. This is a sensitive subject to me. No one really liked talking about it. I just hoped Halina would drop it and move on.

"But how is that possible? What happened?"

God dammit.

"How do I explain this? You see Halina, when major human events occur, there's usually a Hidden counterpart going on as well." I drank deep from my cup. The beer is a hard brew, sort of like a punch to the gut. It gave me a buzz. "When World War One happened, while the human sides were the Germans and Austrians versus Britain and France, in the Hidden realm, it was the Magi versus the Necromancers. The Necromancers went on a power grab, hoping to reclaim the Light Layer for themselves. As a result, they were nearly wiped out."

Fina decided to speak. "It was a terrible war. It unleashed the true powers of each side, and caused mass destruction in the Hidden world. Every race had to pick a side. And most joined the Magi."

"All joined the Magi," I corrected.

"But, you're still here though. So they were clearly not extinguished at the end of the war," Halina said. What a smart girl. This book of her's will not miss any details.

"You're right. Only about a thousand necromancers survived." I stared at my drink, watching bubbles form. This story is one I think about everyday. "Then World War Two happened. And history repeated itself. Without much kindness on the loser's side. After the war, only five families remained. But time has not been so pleasant. Now I'm the last one."

It felt like a great silence had overtaken the room. No one said anything. I didn't blame them. I never enjoyed talking about this topic either. It made me feel depressed. What a world, where I can't be happy all the freaking time. It's not fair.

"Maybe you should ask about something else, dear," Sasha said, finishing off her wine. "I think this is a subject best discussed by Ditto alone."

Halina looked like she wanted to cry. I do hope that doesn't occur, I can't deal with other's emotions well. Not that I'm cold hearted, but living alone and not having family makes it difficult to invest myself in other people. It's not as if I don't want to try, yet trying isn't the same as doing good. Like oil on a fire.

"Hey, I'll give you a more detailed explanation tonight," I said, taking a sip of beer, only to see that it's gone. "Just don't go feeling bad for me or anything. Now ask something else."

"Cheer up, love, Ditto is a hard nut. He'll open up eventually," Fina added, rubbing Halina's shoulder. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Fina's not much of a comforter either.

"Alright. Well, that aside, what relations then do the Witches and Warlocks have with the rest you all?" Halina peeked at me, then went back to typing. The questions I'd be getting tonight, my head is already hurting. I guess that's what I get though. Keep things in, and you pay the price.

"Ah, witches. The greatest race to grace this layer," Sasha said with deep satisfaction. Everyone else groaned, but Sasha continued. "The Witches are the best negotiators within the realm. We are constantly being asked by others to be mediators. This usually puts us in good terms with the other Hidden."

"They are tended to be disliked by the Fae," I said, messing with my mug. The condensation made it more slippery on the table. "Since the Fae are primarily female, there's constant competition between them over beauty. Fae males tend to be left in the dust."