The Magician of Miracles

[Ash perspective]

My plan to win Vinsen's sympathy failed. I expected him to be suspicious, but I didn't expect him to react so aggressively to me outright. He didn't show even the slightest trust in what I said; all along he had been throwing me suspicious looks while playing cards with that crow and the other man. This isn't the usual depressed Vinsen I know.

At first I began to suspect Nila wasn't lying when she said he might be under the other Masked one's control. But now it's clear that's not the case. I didn't know he was this clever.

Why do I have to be this unlucky?

I remember two days ago when the Masked and the crow left together to somewhere. I finally got some respite then. But the crow ordered me not to leave the storeroom. Of course I tried to run, but every time I tried to leave, my body wouldn't respond. I tried. In the end I gave up and lay back down on the ragged cloth in the corner.

I got bored of staring at the ceiling, so I got up and paced. As I kicked the scattered stones on the floor in frustration, Mork appeared before me with Nila.

I didn't move I wondered whether what I was seeing was real or a hallucination. It took me a few minutes to process what was happening.

Then I offered a hesitant greeting while trying to compose my features:

"Vice sir…"

I hadn't expected anyone to come looking for me; I'm just a regular member. Even the Claw's gifted people don't usually get much attention most of them die within months from random explosions or sudden burns but having the Second in Command himself here made me more worried than reassured. I'm not an idiot; there must be another motive for his visit.

Mork's little smile never left his face as he said:

"Ash, right?"

I felt insulted by the way he said my name. I wanted to correct him, but I held myself back and answered:

"Yes, sir."

He spoke with obvious arrogance:

"You're lucky. You'll get a chance to make a great sacrifice for the Claw. Are you ready?"

I kept my face impassive and asked:

"Sir, if you please what is this sacrifice?"

He didn't hide anything. He said simply they would use me as bait to find the other Masked one. At first I was shocked that there was another Masked. What shocked me more was that this other Masked is connected to the one who enslaved me. And the surprises didn't stop: apparently that other Masked also kidnapped Vinsen! He didn't say it outright, but honestly there's no logical reason the depressed Vinsen would go with them of his own will. Maybe he sold his soul too?

I said very submissively:

"Sir, may I speak to Nila for a moment?"

He waved his hand dismissively, then Mork vanished from in front of me. I don't know why he did that, but I didn't complain.

I turned immediately to Nila:

"Why didn't you come to look for me earlier?"

She gave a half smile and said:

"And why do you think I didn't?"

"Obviously you didn't, or you wouldn't be here now with the Second in Command himself."

She shook her head:

"Maybe I'm the one who convinced him to come look for you."

"So to use me as bait to find a lunatic. And what if they kill me?"

"You've survived so far."

"And why should I try to survive a few more days? What if I die in this operation?"

The merriness vanished from her face and a dark expression I'd never seen before took over:

"You have to try. That lunatic manipulated Vinsen. He also wiped out everyone Augustus… Crawfield… Mira."

Augustus died? He told me not long ago he was expecting a child; hearing of his death hit me a bit. But still, my life matters more than avenging someone I barely talked to outside work. If someone wants to avenge him, let his son do it.

I forced my voice to sound sad and affected:

"That's awful to hear he didn't deserve that. But I don't want to die either."

Nila didn't answer. She stepped forward and stood behind me; when I turned, Mork was standing there, his annoying little smile still on his face. He motioned with his hand and Nila vanished from the spot immediately. Then it was only the two of us left.

I tried to look nervous and pitiful as much as possible, hoping it would stir a little sympathy:

"S... sir, can't we find another way besides this…?"

He cut me off, still smiling:

"No need to get worked up. I'll be frank and direct: you'll die anyway. Better for your death to have some value at least."

This time I asked with genuine panic:

"What do you mean?"

He walked up and stopped right in front of me, then leaned in and whispered in my ear:

"The Masked took your soul it's a soul contract. Once you die, your soul leaves your body too. The only way to survive is to cancel the contract. I don't think she'll do that, so be useful."

He turned away with his back to me, waved his hand, and disappeared.

So he's saying I'll die no matter what? There's no use trying to save me? Who does he think he is?!

A thought of betraying them crossed my mind at once reveal everything to the Masked and turn the tables on them. But if I betrayed them and they captured the Masked, I'd die in the worst way; if I don't betray them, I'll die anyway.

…

For now I returned to my corner in the room and sat on the floor, my back against the wall. I looked up at the ceiling.

Now I've officially betrayed the gang by failing to convince Vinsen to help me. I only have one option left: hope the Masked's team survives that trap, whatever it is.

I covered my face with my palm.

"Why am I this unlucky?"