The ecstasy of suffering

"Cora ,this is not what we agreed," Michael frowned.

Michael stared down at the dinner table unimpressed. It was set extravagantly with all the flourishing laid out. The candelabras were brightly lit amongst a bouquet of fresh flowers , the food and wine were piled high on delicate silverware. Only one thing was amiss. Instead of two settings, there were four. Cora sat dressed in an embellished blue dress, somewhat toned down from the other dinner and it suited her far better. And there, squirming uncomfortably beside her, Darius smiled awkwardly.

He had been dressed in a formal suit which he tugged at uneasily finding Michael's icy glare upon him.

"She told me it was a dinner party," Darius murmured glumly.

"Yes, a dinner for two." Michael stated flatly.

"Only, you expect me to sit silently while you ignore me all night,"Cora complained, "It's only fair I get a date too"

"A date?" Darius' eyes widened in trepidation.

"Cora, you are here on Silthus' behalf, not to wine and dine Darius,"Michael shook his head with annoyance. However, sensing the futility of the conversation, he nevertheless took a seat.

Cora smiled triumphantly," My best friend will surely welcome me,"

"Your best friend?" Michael's eyes twitched suspiciously.

"Ah, here she is!" Cora chimed.

At that moment, Veretta was hastened into the room. Her pearl skin was draped in a rich satin ruby dress. It fell loosely around her shoulders. Her hair was pulled back in cascading raven curls. Despite her obvious hesitancy, she looked all the part of a rich noble woman.

Cora leapt from her seat excitedly. She linked her hands through Veretta's ecstatically, "Doesn't it look gorgeous? I told you it would!"

"I don't know, Cora," Veretta smiled sheepishly," I think it's too grand to suit someone like me,"

"Nonsense,"Cora enjoined dragging Veretta to the table. She paraded her in front of others, " Doesn't she look beautiful?"

Darius looked up shyly. His cheeks turning punk,"Indeed, you look very elegant,"

"This Darius who I told you about," Cara grinned," the one who failed miserably,"

Darius shifted embarrassed," yes, that is me," he said defeatedly, taking a sip of his wine.

In a natural pause, the group turned to Michael expectantly. He was staring at Veretta but turned his face away.

"I SAID," Cora rose her voice petulantly," Doesn't she look nice?"

" Beauty is not important,"he replied indifferently.

"That isn't an answer," Cora returned sharply.

"That's alright, Cora," Veretta said taking a seat," Michael's opinion matters little to me,"

Michael glanced over with an unreadable expression. Cora gave a loud grunt of disapproval and finally the entire group was gathered.

"Since when are you such good friends? " Michael asked with a hint of derision, "I was only gone a week,"

"Since I realised Cora was far better company than you," Veretta answered with a cold smile.

" Is that so?" Michael smiled quietly.

There was a long awkward pause. Then, Cora gave a laugh," Well said,'' She added smugly and began to fill her plate.

The group joined her and the meal began with Cora's loud boisterous laughter hanging on Veretta's every word. At the other side of the table, Darius turned to Michael.

"So, how did you meet the lady?"

"Hmmm, " Michael glanced up catching Veretta's eye, "I suppose it was when she summoned me from the dead to be her slave,"

Veretta's fork hit her plate with a clatter, "That is not what happened!"

" She is the witch who brought you back to life?" Darius almost choked on his soup.

"I gave you a choice," Veretta argued hotly, "you were never forced to do anything!"

At once, she rose from the table. She cast glance to Cora apologetically and stormed out of the room.

" I guess there are some women immune to your charms?" Cora let loose a boisterous cackle.

Michael in turn set his fork down beside his half-eaten meal and left the room. He had intended to give chase, but stopped short upon finding a line of cloaked figures blocking his way. He didn't need to ask what they wanted. He followed apathetically without question.

He soon found himself at Silthus' door. He sauntered inside in unceremoniously. His expression of disguised irritation, was greeted by Silthus' self-satisfied smile.

"Have I disturbed your evening?" Silthus smiled, "I told them to wait until you were finished with your dinner party, "

"It wasn't a dinner party..." Michael frowned.

"You didn't invite me, " Silthus Interrupted," I felt quite left out,"

"Did you need something?" Michael's eyes narrowed.

"Just your conversation."

Michael gave an audible sigh and resigned himself to a seat across from Silthus. They sat beside the roaring fireplace under the shadow of the grotesque painting above. Michael glanced up at the burning depiction with faint disapproval.

"You have poor taste,"

"You don't like it? " Silthus grinned, " I think it is a very moving piece. I believe it captures the ecstasy of suffering quite well,"

" Is there such a thing?" Michael remarked doubtfully.

"Yes, I have given it much thought," Silthus chuckled, " Humans exist in a state of dualism. Between happiness and sadness; pleasure and pain. We cannot know one without the other. But where is the line? When do we descend or transcend? Isn't it possible to be both things at once?"

"Dualism is about separation," Michael answered categorically, " They may exist parallel but one always dominates the other,"

"So it isn't possible to both love and hate someone at the same time? "

"Are you talking about Ace?" Michael asked flatly.

"Oh, am I so transparent?" Silthus laughed.

"When you want to be,"Michael replied stiffly.

"I'm in a quandary, you see," Silthus leant forward thoughtfully, " Ace's army remains at our doorstep. He refuses to withdraw them,"

"Why not just kill them?" Michael interrogated, " I thought that was your intention all along, "

"It was," Silthus' eyes twitched," but now his ally has arrived and is making things difficult,"

"His ally?" Michael questioned.

" Your successor, Leva Veral. The tenth grand Grand wizard," Silthus gave a cold smile," She's turned against me. She's using her magic to prevent my wizards from reaching Ace's army,"

"And you think Ace will be able to convince her to stand down?" Michael smirked, "there is no one more stubborn that your little red general. Convincing him will be near impossible,"

" So it seems," Silthus mused," but then I remembered his equally stubborn master,"

"What do you want me to do?"Michael's jaw clenched.

"Use your Imagination or feel free to rid us of your successor yourself," Silthus shrugged, "in any event we're in no rush. Bora and Darius' armies will soon arrive. Hopefully, just in time for you to convince Leva Veral to lower her barrier,"

"It will be a massacre," Michael surmised gravely.

"Precisely," Silthus chuckled, "I look forward to it,"

"Does that mean I can see Ace?" Michael tapped the armrest in deep thought.

"By all means," Silthus smiled darkly, " I'm relying on you, Michael,"

***************

The following week, Michael chose not to visit Ace right away. He had a few more things to arrange before then. Not to mention, he was dealing with another issue...

"This is our fifth dinner, but I've yet to understand their purpose, "Veretta interrogated.

"Oh, you're talking to me now?" Michael grinned, "And here I thought with your new friend you had forgotten all about me,"

"As usual, your answer is another diversion," Veretta glared, "Why can't Tomas and Yona eat with us as well?"

"Yona doesn't need to eat," Michael shrugged, "and Tomas is occupied with an extracurricular project,"

"What project?" Veretta exhaled angrily.

"I'm sure he would tell you if he wanted to," Michael smiled smugly.

Veretta took a sip of wine hostilely. How long had it been since she had seen Tomas? Michael said he was free to wander the castle, then where was he?

"I think you're lying," Veretta muttered at length.

"If I am, then you wouldn't know either way," Michael shrugged indifferently.

"It sounds like you two just aren't seeing eye to eye," Cora smiled darkly.

This dinner, Cora had been quieter than usual. Though she appeared to be relishing every moment of their bickering, it Darius uneasy. He had attempted on several other occasions to broker peace without success. Nevertheless, he tried once more.

" Maybe we ought to let them talk, Cora," Darius injected.

"I'm not going anywhere," Cora grinned, "this is just getting interesting,"

"Enough, Cora," Michael sighed.

"Perhaps we should change the subject," Darius suggested hopefully.

"But the topic of lies is so interesting," Cora giggled malevolently.

Michael eyed her suspiciously. He had long suspected some ill intention during these dinners, but now he began to wonder if it was more than her usual malicious temperament.

"I know a fun game!" Cora declared, "Why don't go around the table and play a round of truth or lie?"

"Truth or lie?" Darius' brow furrowed.

"For instance, Michael has been keeping a secret from Veretta. Truth or lie?" Cora clasped her hand together with glee.

"I'm not playing this game," Michael stated menacingly.

"What do you think, Veretta?" Cora turned to her with a wicked grin.

"What secret, Cora?" Veretta faltered.

"Guess!" Cora squealed delighted.

Darius gave a nervous laugh noticing Michael's expression darken, "I don't think we should play this game,"

"No one cares what you think, Darius," Cora dismissed, "I'm asking Veretta?"

"It's about Tomas?" Veretta asked fearfully.

"Nope! Try again!" Cora laughed gleefully.

"I don't know..." Veretta frowned, "please tell me what it is, Cora,"

"Oh, I thought you would try harder," Cora pouted with disappointment.

"Cora.." Michael warned severely.

" So many secrets..which one to choose," Cora tilted her to one side with a grin, "I think we should start with the fact Michael has been tampering with Verretta's magic,"

"What are you talking about?" Veretta questioned looking at Cora surprised.

"I was wondering what purpose these dinner's had," Cora grinned, "but during the time we spent together, I realised your mana was unstable, Veretta. It's because someone has taken a bite out of your magic ,"