Chapter 23: We are here for you!

Mike POV:

When I found Lars, drenched to the bones, his feet still in slippers, I just knew that something was wrong. Nothing could have prepared me for the possibility that Nate had just upped and left. I used an old trick, which my father taught me as I was still a toddler, to find Nate.

It was easy, since he was the only one with demonic mana in Lergo. One thing I couldn't explain to myself. Why was he with those two robbers from earlier?

"Nate!" I called out, as soon as I saw him. The first thing I noticed was the bottle in his hands. I took in a sharp breath, and marched to him. "What? Where did you get that?"

"It is just tea, no worries," the purple-eyed Halfling said, as he relaxed against the redhead. "It is simply that... he heard bitter things. I just wanted him to get a small measure of comfort." 

Which was good to hear. I knelt next to Nate, embraced him gently. The two robbers had tried to steal our food, something which the guards had ended up confiscating, but they weren't evil people.

Sure, the purple-eyed one had a strange sense of humor, but the redhead seemed level-headed. 

"Do you want to speak about it?" I asked Nate who still shook lightly.

"My mother was a monster," he uttered, almost too quietly for me to make out the words. "She killed my father. She wanted to destroy the world. But... she loved me enough to spare me. Why did she do it?"

I didn't understand him. Shouldn't he find closure in that little mercy?

"What do you mean?" I heard Lars from the doorway. He must be freezing right now, for he didn't even have a jacket on. 

"If she was completely evil. If she had killed me. Or at least tried to, then I could have killed her," Nate said, and I sighed. He was right.

Still, it was naive of him to expect that the world would be black and white, just so he could have an easier life ahead of him.

"People do things just because it fits their worldview," said the purple-eyed Halfling. "She carried you for nine months under her heart. Could feel every kick, every heartbeat. Mothers love their children. Those who don't are sick."

Bluntly said, but I couldn't think of any better word to share with Nate.

"But she didn't have the right to love me! She wanted to destroy the world!" Nate tried to rise his voice. If my shirt was not already wet, then maybe I could have felt his tears. As things stood, I could only figure out that he was crying because his voice was shaky.

"Everyone has the right to love, Nate. Even people who are monsters in their hearts," I said. The memory of the Queen was something my father had asked me to keep pristine and respected in my heart. I had no idea what the two Halflings had told Nate, but one thing was clear to me.

His worldview was shattered, and I was not equipped to handle something like that. 

"Not her! She had no right!" Nate tried to get out of my embrace, but I held him in my arms. I tried to calm him down. Had no idea from where these new muscles had appeared on him. He was shorter than me, but as he struggled, I could feel that I couldn't hold him for long. "And Lars doesn't want me as a soulmate. The people of Lergo hate me! I just... I think... I should go to the demon realm."

It spoke volumes about his conviction that he wanted to go to such a desolate place. Where only the damned could thrive. Where screams replaced the chirping of birds. Fire the trees. Acid the water. Poison the air.

"Well, then we are going with you," said Lars, as he edged towards us. Slowly, carefully. His drenched slippers made funny noises; his face was grave. It was a strange picture. Made even more strange by the fact that we were in a half-destroyed building.

The storm raged around us; Nate inhaled sharply.

"Why? You think I would give you crabs and yellow fever, whatever that is," I blinked a couple of times. Did they speak about... sexually transmitted diseases?

"No, I mean, I just wanted that we all go to get a health check. I didn't want to say that you will give me crabs, I mean, oh, I am such a dumbass," Lars made several more steps towards us. The floor was wet, he was drenched too. I saw, as he fought to keep his balance, but he still started falling. The next thing I knew, I was shoved to the side, and Lars was safe in Nate's arms.

In a bridal style, to boot. That was the moment when all of the puzzle pieces clicked together in my head.

"Careful," said Nate, as he held Lars close. "You could have broken something."

"I am coming with," insisted Lars, as he took a hold of Nate's arm. "You can't get rid of me so easily. In fact, you can't get rid of me at all!"

"And if I give you crabs because I don't want to feed Arkano's economy?" He asked, his nose twitching. Whatever the Halflings have told him, had not changed his mind too much, it seemed.

"You will wear a condom, Nate!" Spoken in a shrill tone, voice full of indignation. "It is for our health! Besides, you eat food, don't you?"

I knew what Lars would say next, started to shake my head. Lars had no way of seeing me, since his eyes were locked on Nate. Which... was not good.

"Yes? What, am I supposed to photosynthesize?" Nate asked, his nose twitching.

"Most of the food which the people of Lergo eat, is imported from Naschestan," said Lars, sealing Nate's doom. Or, better said, the doom of his high horse. "Or haven't you noticed that our fields are poisoned and left to ruin?"

I would have worded it better, but I had no time to do that.

Nate gave out a shrill scream, and took off with Lars still in his arms. For some reason, that reminded me of the story about the Beauty and the Beast. Well, I just hoped it won't end the same. 

The Beast did end up dead at the end, the Beauty inherited everything, and the village strongman ended up the new ruler of the country.

Our fairytales were really awful and hopeless, now that I think about it.