My Necromancer Wife

Xian Xi

Everyone freezes at my words.

"You don't actually mean that, do you? Let it go. She's not worth your freedom". Rames says.

I know he's right, but I won't know any peace until she is dead.

Seeing the resolve on my face, Rames resigns his attempt to dissuade me from my suicidal path.

"Well", Valen claps. "If we have a shot at freedom, I don't think we should waste anymore time. We should start evacuating the people".

Choi stands up, instrument in hand.

"Something feels too easy about all of this". His voice is low, but urgent.

Arcane, who had been leaning on the wall, nods his assent.

"This feels like a trap."

I understand their doubts, but we can't pass up this opportunity because of fear.

The clock on the wall chimes softly.

"Who's coming with me? I'll understand perfectly if you choose to stay".

They all hesitate. Rames is the first to raise his hand. Slowly, the others start raising their hands.

Arcane is the last to raise his hand.

"We don't know what to expect out there. Even if this is a prison, I've had my happiest moments here. If you all leave, there'll be nothing left".

"Then, come with us." Kross says, his voice pleading.

Refusing to indulge the sentiment, I start snapping orders at everyone - like I once did.

To my surprise, no one balks at my authority. Everyone nods, leaving to attend to their given task.

My destination is the study. The grim hallway, once familiar, now seems to cast shadows on my decisions.

The only life I have ever been responsible for has always been my own. I never had to cater for anybody - yet ironically, I have to help about twelve thousand people escape.

The role is daunting - failure is not an option.

Even if we manage to make it out of here, there's hunger to worry about, water to drink, and more importantly, crossing the ocean.

Maybe, I'm being impulsive. I wouldn't have to worry about any of this if I just leave on my own.

What would Arya do in this scenario?

The bulky oak door looms before me. I push it open.

As expected, Fargo is slumped over a chair, a half-empty cup dangling from his hands.

He isn't dead drunk - not yet.

His eyes flicker, acknowledging my presence before they roam aimlessly around the room.

"I'm glad to see you looking stronger". He says, his voice groggy and raspy.

The smell of alcohol in his breath wafts across the room, wrapping around me sickeningly.

His eyes are heavily hooded, like he is fighting to stay awake.

Silence settles over the room as I ponder on the best way to break the news.

No matter how drunk Fargo gets, nothing can steal away his ability to always make good decisions - I hope that will be the case.

Deciding to pace, I walk along the book shelf, running my hands over the neatly arranged scrolls.

His eyes struggle to follow my movements, but give up as his head droops even lower.

"Arya is dead".

His head tilts, his spectacles casting shadows over his wise eyes.

The cup slowly drops out of his hand, clattering to the ground.

I stare down at the broken glass and spilled liquid - as if it could somehow give me an answer to the questions disturbing my soul.

"I should have seen it coming". Is all he whispers, his voice full of self-condemnation and guilt.

"Where is her body?" He asks.

I halt in my tracks. The fact that I haven't seen her body makes me want to cling to hope, no matter how thin. But, it would be pointless.

"I don't know". My voice cracks.

His eyes snap to mine, intense and fully awake.

"Then how are you certain?"

I don't respond.

He staggers to his feet, nearly slipping twice.

"Well, some people aren't meant to stay in our lives, Xian Xi. Some come, stay for a while and leave. The question is, what have you gained from the little time you spent with her?"

I lean back on the bookshelf absently, pondering his question.

"Nothing". I whisper.

Fargo coughs, covering his mouth as spasms ripple through his chest.

"That's a lie, my friend. I've known you for the longest time - it would be hard to fool me".

I heave a long sigh, all self-preservatory instincts evaporating with the exhaled breath.

"She made me feel... less alone. She was a friend - something I never had, and never thought I needed".

Fargo's eyes soften.

"Then, I believe that my work as a mentor has been accomplished".

"Wait. It hasn't". I say, in a bid to keep him with me.

His brows arch up.

"What is left?"

"We found a way out of here. You can come with us."

He taps the edge of the table playfully, measuring his words with the calm precision he always did everything.

"You don't need a mentor anymore. This is your chance to find the fulfilment you have been searching for all your life. And now, you understand that you can't do it on your own".

He awards me a watery smile.

I know what comes next but it doesn't make me ready for it.

He starts burning up. The flame is unlike anything I've ever seen - beautiful and without smoke.

His face is the last thing that burns. His smile never wavers.

I watch the man I had admired so dearly crumble to ash before my eyes.

His eyes hold unspoken promises.

My knees give way and I slide to the ground. The bookshelf remains solid against my back.

I don't know how long I remain there, but by the time I reach my room, the awaiting queue takes me by surprise. People are still arriving.

I squeeze past, relieved to see Kross, Rames and Arcane waiting for me inside.

"He isn't coming?" Kross asks after a careful study of my expression.

"No".

The simple word gives them the details I cannot bring myself to say.

Kross had lost his mentor the day he overcame the fear of his sword. I never really understood the reason, but they played a huge part in our development.

My mentor was the last to leave among all of us.

"You should start expanding the hole. The people might start getting agitated if we waste too much time".

Arcane holds me back by the shoulder.

"Are you sure it's going to work?"