Aisha returned with two bottles, and three glasses. She put it all on the table in front of us, and then grabbed the chair, pulled it closer, and finally sat with us.
- Three of the first batch of people in one place. That's rare - said Will.
She smiled.
- I can agree. It's kinda sad though.
- Why? We survived, that's something to celebrate - he grabbed a bottle, and poured himself a full glass of wine. - Especially considering what we managed to survive. Monsters, a bunch of murderers taking over the city, war, werewolves attack, more monsters, invasion of monsters, and some more monsters.
His words made me laugh.
- Do you have something against monsters? - I asked him.
- Yes. I don't like to be beaten or eaten, and since they tend to do that, I generally don't like them. Why can't they be peaceful? Like... - and he changed his voice to a way squeaky one. - Oh, great mister hunter. This is a crystal for you, please take it. Have a good day mister hunter. Safe travels!
- You are nuts Will - said Aisha, not trying to hide a big smile. - But yeah, maybe it would be nice to not have to fight every day.
- At least we started to fight in one team - I pointed out.
Aisha winced a bit.
- I didn't have anything against you in mind - I quickly added.
- It's fine. I'm paying for what I did. It's funny, isn't it? I used to be afraid you might be the next tyrant after Mark, but now I am absolutely positive you won't. Didn't expect to change my mind like this.
- Fear makes us do stupid things - Will pointed out, then looked at me.
I nodded. I knew exactly what he was talking about. All the stupidity I brought with me from the earth. The thought that I just had to fight alone, because others would betray me on the first occasion. Or whatever else it was. I didn't know anymore.
It was long gone, with a lot of my past self. It had to die for me to evolve, for me to survive. It all happened because of Aisha. The very moment Mark took her, and I decided to fight properly, despite knowing how slim my chances were.
I struggled every day, and little, by little gained the power to overcome everybody. Now the gap was so tremendous that probably only a few people were in the same realm as me. It was a crazy thought.
p
Aisha smiled a little. We changed a topic for some time and got few more glasses of wine. The bottles got emptied, and Will went to grab some more.
-So... What's with you and Zoë? - I asked her.
For a moment she froze, thinking.
- It's a tough one. I don't know - She took a big sip from her glass, almost emptying it.
- She was quite strongly signaling there is something.
- Look, Peter... No. You know what? I'll be honest with you. I think you deserve it, after what we have been through. I used to like you, a lot. But then Mark happened, and I started to hate you, just to be saved by you. It was quite funny, don't you think?
I nodded slowly. I didn't want to break her line of thoughts with my words.
- I thought that maybe we can rebuild our relationship, but there was something really bugging me about you. Maybe I lost my trust? Mark actually made me quite scared of other people, and your secrets didn't help. So I backed out and started to do everything to protect myself, and the girls. It just made me crazy, now when I think about it... I got obsessed.
Suddenly she started laughing.
- I even told Nadia to seduce you, and then got jealous of her! - few tears just slid down her cheeks as she spoke those words. - Can you believe it? And when she really feel for you, and even tried to go against me, I kicked her out. It's all my fault...
She tried to wipe the tears several times, but they just kept coming out. Her lips were trembling.
- I hated myself after she... After she... I just couldn't take it. And Zoë just was here, all the time. She always supported me. And one day she kissed me, and I kissed her back.
- So... What you are trying to say is that you don't love her?
- I don't know anymore, Peter - she tried to smile, but just couldn't hold the mask. - I'm so confused, and alone...
- I'm here if you need me.
- That ship sank long ago, Peter.
- I know, but if you need a friend, then I'm here.
- I don't need a friend, Peter. I need something more. Way much more.
- And you don't think that's Zoë?
She needed a moment to think about it. I waited patiently for her.
- No. She is a great person and loves me very much, but I don't think that's her. I just... I just don't want to hurt her. She has been there for me every time.
I nodded, again.
- I'm not gonna pretend that I have an answer for that, but... Just do what will make you happy. Even if she won't be. If she really loves you, then she will understand.
She wiped her tears quickly, and then there was this awkward silence between us. Fortunately, Will entered the room with more wine and winked at me. I immediately knew that bastard was eavesdropping from behind the door.
We continued the party, eating, drinking, talking about silly things, and cracking jokes, especially Will. He did everything he could to make this night amazing. At some point, it had to come to an end, though. I returned to my room in barracks, redying my mind for tomorrow, which was the first day for the next month of hunting in the woods.
The luxuries of the cities made me lazy. When there was no difference in life between here and there, it was way easier to go out. Now, I found myself struggling to leave not only the bathhouse and warm, cooked food but also my friends.
The day came to an end with 13 271 090 points remaining on my account, and forty-two class points.
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