Dank Darkwick - FROSTHEIM SECRET PASSAGE

Zero sat with his knees tucked up to his chest in the narrow passageway, the dim light from his phone casting his face in shadows. The air in the passage was cool and still, the faint sound of muffled voices from the dorm beyond barely audible over the pounding of his heart. The stone walls pressed in around him like the weight of the world, but he stayed in place, gripping his phone in one hand while the other twisted a loose thread from his sleeve. Wickhive was abuzz, each notification a twist of the knife. Zero didn’t want to look—knew he shouldn’t look—but he couldn’t help himself. His thumb hovered, hesitating for just a moment before scrolling back up. The messages blurred together in the soft glow of the screen. Zero clenched his jaw so tightly it ached. His eyes scanned the words over and over, letting them burn into his brain. The concerned ones didn’t help. The insults didn’t hurt the way they usually might—no, the real pain wasn’t from the flames or even the pity. It was from the fact that he had let this happen. He pressed his back harder against the wall, as if trying to disappear into the stone. His fingers trembled as he scrolled further, hating himself more and more with every passing moment.

12:26 AM

Well, he had done it hadn't he? He'd made sure Kamiyama was okay. At least in some sense of the word. For a brief, stupid moment, as he'd helped Zero study, he thought they might've had something beyond their usual back and forth. Zero thought he saw a bit of himself in Kamiyama. That maybe although the guy was a bit abrasive at times, there was someone in there that was worth being concerned about. “Why? Why the hell would he do this?” The thought rattled in his mind, looping over and over. He knew why, sort of. He knew the image of Kamiyama was meant to be aggressive and inflammatory. What he couldn't understand was why the guy felt the need to do that. To relentlessly drive people away. Especially when his other persona was the picture of kindness and respect. He wasn’t dumb—he knew people were shit sometimes. People were selfish, careless, cruel. But he hadn't thought Tomosei was someone who’d go this far. The questions twisted in his chest, tight and relentless. Zero tried shoving it away. None of it mattered. None of it would change the fact that Tomosei was hellbent on... whatever it was he was hellbent on. (edited)

12:26 AM

And he had no one to blame but himself. He'd let this happen. He'd handed Tomosei the ammo. He hadn't been as diligent in studying as he should have been. His throat burned, and he pressed his head against his knees, shutting his eyes tight. The passageway around him felt safe—hidden, tucked away from the storm of voices outside. Somewhere no one could follow, where no one could see him crack. Well. Kamiyama was right. Zero was stupid. Just not in the way Kamiyama thought. But Zero didn't have the energy to defend himself. He let out a sharp breath and shoved his phone into his pocket. He’d sit here, in the quiet, where the weight of the stone felt safer than the weight of his own thoughts. Tomorrow, he told himself. He’d deal with it tomorrow. But for now, he’d stay here, chewing on the question he knew wouldn’t have an answer: Why?

He shuffles into the passageway. He knows it well. He also knows he shouldn't be doing what he's doing. Either option he chooses hurts Tomo, doesn't it? Wasn't that the opposite of what Zero wanted to do? Nonetheless. Ask selfish questions, reap selfish consequences. He waits for Aslan. Shokupan. Whoever. The demon.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't huh, kid? *He tilts his head and grins, strolling in a step behind him just as promised. He could've just waited here. Could've. That's less fun though. He holds a fistful of fries in one hand and a soda in the other, and as he speaks he offers a couple of his bountiful harvest to Zero.* Neat little place you've got here.

A demon eating fries? He genuinely chuckles. "I'm not really a fast food guy. Thanks though." Aslan looks like his wickchat photo. Except. Maybe just a tad off. He can't put his finger on it. Doesn't try to. "I want to change my question. I've decided that even if you did tell me yes, I don't think I'd believe you."

More for me, then. *He shoves them all into his mouth at once. It's really almost impressive. Almost. He raised his eyebrows at the sudden admittance that Zero wouldn't believe him anyway, which he already knew, but was still surprised to hear. He says something. You can't understand it with all the fries in his mouth.*

He sighs. What was he even doing here? He should've left Aslan blocked. "Will you let me change it or were you calling me braindead through those fries?"

*He swallows and tries so, so hard not to laugh. You can tell he's trying in how he laughs really loudly.* Thinking about him, huh? Nah, I said 'shoot, kid'. What's the new question? For posterity sake, obviously.

Tch. Posterity. Hmph. "Why does it hurt him to be seen?"

Now that's a question. Alright, kid. My terms'll change too. *He grins. Stands up a little straighter. Still doesn't drop the soda, though.* Two options again kid. Either, *He takes an obnoxious sip.* You learn that information the hard way. Or, *Another one.* Someone loses the ability to truly see him. Someone that isn't you.

Immediately Gen comes to mind. He doesn't owe Gen anything. But he certainly doesn't Not owe him anything either. "Different question. Does he feel safe with me?"

Same deal. *How many obnoxious sips can he take? Probably quite a few. It's a pretty big soda, after all, and he's got plenty of time and lung-power.* You learn that the hard way, or he stops feeling safe around somebody.

God that soda was annoying. If he wasn't certain he'd be the one cleaning it up later, he'd knock the damn thing out of his hand. "No chance at the original terms, huh?"

Sorry kid. I work in equivalency here. *He doesn't seem the least bit sorry. Not even a little.* Information's a powerful thing. I'm sure you understand how that sorta thing works. You tell someone a detail about yourself, a past history, and then...? *Squeak squeak squeak. He's making that terrible sound with his straw, staring at Zero with a lazy grin. Is it annoying you? That's too bad. Too, too bad. He doesn't know, really.* Can't tell you the future, but I'll say this. My meddling won't put either of you in danger. How's that?

"I'm not going to do something at a cost to him. I've taken enough from him already." He thinks for a moment. "What if I ask 'Was Hatch ready to die?' What's the cost then?"

There's always the hard way. *He doesn't seem too fazed either way. He does, however, stop his Drink Harassment, seriously considering Zero's new question.* I'll tell you that, but I'll take something in exchange. A truth you already know. Consider it... an eye for an eye. *He could do this all day. It's pretty entertaining, even. He's almost jealous of Flauros.*

A consequence squarely on himself. That seemed fair. Unless the truth taken is related to someone else. "Do I get to know what truth you're taking before I make my final decision?"

*He nods.* You'll forget how you felt about her. Won't lose your memories of her, though. Just the feelings attached.

He considers this for a length of time unknowable but to him and Aslan. He'd keep the memories. But he'd forget the warmth and the joy and the admiration inherent within them? He'd forget the care, the patience, the comfort? The love? He'd forget the very reason he'd made his pact in the first place? And for what? To know if a dead man had been ready for the fate that was already etched in literal stone? Zero snatches the drink from Aslan's hands and pulls off the top. He vomits into the cup and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. "Ok. This is my last try. And then I'll leave you alone. What would the cost be to tell me if I've met my father?"

Aw, man. *He looks at the cup and frowns. Like really frowns. Tch. ................. He. No, sorry, the god of Aslan doesn't let him finish that thought. He sets the cup on the floor and leans against the walls of the passageway, looking at Zero with a slightly upset frown.* You owe me a new soda, kid. *Maybe he's not jealous of Flauros after all.* ..... Since you did that to my drink, I'll tell you that tid-bit, in exchange for someone without any relation to you having a moment of clarity. You won't get to know anything more than that. (edited)

He looks unamused. "I mean it was either contain it or ruin our shoes but y'know. Sorry I'll do better next time?" Moment of clarity? That could mean so many things. No relation to him but you never knew which dominoes were next to which. "Sorry for wasting your time. I think I'll pass. How much do I owe you for the drink?"

Figured you might. *Aslan grins, seemingly very interested in his refusal. And he is. Interested.* Let's take stock, huh? You asked if that Tomo kid loves you like you love him. Then asked why it hurts to be seen. Then if he feels safe with you, then if someone was ready to die, still with me?, and then whether or not you've met your father? Yeah? And my terms weren't good enough for any of them. But I like you, kid, you're funny. So how's this. An answer, to one of them, free of charge. The answer to one of those questions there? Yes. *He winks, pushes off the wall, and begins walking past Zero further into the passage, before stopping for just a moment.* You don't owe me anything for any of it, kid. Pleasure doing almost-business with you. I've got a date to get to now, if you don't mind.

He doesn't reply to Aslan. Knows it doesn't matter if he does. Aslan would know whatever he kept from him anyways it seemed. He sinks down against the wall and pulls his knees to his chest. Yes. Yes to one. It was probably the question about Hatch, right? Because Hatch could have easily killed Zero instead. Easily. Did that mean the rest of the answers were No? Or maybe they were all Yes? No. He doesn't believe that. Can't let himself believe it. He leans his head down and presses his forehead against his legs. Maybe it was better not to know. Maybe the hard way was better. In a way, Zero had gotten an answer to a different question though. If he had the chance to make a deal with a demon again, would he? No. No he wouldn't.