Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Time Out

Chapter 38: Time Out

As Joe and Marius make their way back towards home, two men follow them. Two men, who have seen much. Brothers in arms, who just want for the nightmare to end. A nightmare, that took them 1,000 years, but for everyone else, it just took but 5 minutes.

During this miserable rainy night, I wonder just why do these two always get out of the tavern when the rain begins.

 My partner, Alfred, and I, keep on asking this question. Just why can't we listen to more rip-offs of the same songs, from the last show in the world?

Now, if anyone is listening to what goes on in my brain, you must be confused. My name is Alex, and I have been stuck in a time loop for the past 1,000 years.

What triggers it? The death of the reincarnated demon lord Marius.

Together with Al, we have tried everything. Yet, each and every time, the mugging happens. Marius ends up stabbed in the neck, and Joe, the Lich Lord, remembers his powers.

It is never a pretty sight, when the Wish Granter manages to wish back his Lich powers.

"Why does it have to be so cold?" Al asks, and I nudge him in the ribs, so he can keep quiet. The last thing I want, is for the two we are following to bolt. They seem to be talking about the performance, but it could also be an act.

"Alex, just where are we supposed to find the muggers? Did the two managed to get out earlier than usual?" Al asks me. I look around at all sides. I see him.

The homeless man on the cartoon mat. He is awake, his eyes shining in the darkness. A mask for the demon lord. Making a split-second decision, I run up to the two horrors from another age.

"Hey, hello. Do you have a lighter?" I ask the Lich Lord, who blinks at me.

"Do I know you?" He asks, and then seems to be looking at me from top to bottom. "You seem familiar."

"I have been to your shop, occasionally," I tell him with a winning smile. I rake my brain for a way to make them not pass by the demon lord. Just what can I do? I am not strong enough, to go toe to toe with him.

"Ah, that is from where I know you. Anyway, I don't smoke, sorry," Joe says, and then looks at Marius. "Do you smoke?"

"No. Stopped months ago," Marius says, and Joe gives him a blinding smile.

"That is great. What made you stop?" The former Hero of Ultimate Fate seems to have forgotten about me. His entire attention is on the demon lord. The same demon lord, he locked in a tower, until the man jumped from it. Wanting to feel the sea one last time.

The story of Joe and Marius is a tragic one. But do you know what is more tragic? The world being overrun by zombies, as a Lich Lord does his best to hunt down a demon lord.

The deal is as follows: Alfred and I wake up at this night, at the tavern, after the final human being dies. For us, life doesn't go on. I don't understand why we were picked up, but I know that, if Marius survives the night, the nightmare will be over.

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"Mr. Connors told me you didn't smoke, and he might have suggested that if I quit, I would have bigger chances with you," there is a tenderness in Marius's eyes. I don't remember the legends about those two.

Many things must have been left private. Suddenly, I decide to bite the bullet.

"I wish a brick fell on top of that demon lord over there," I say, and Joe blinks. He whips his head around when we hear a thud. The homeless man falls down, blood gushing from his head.

"Oh my God," Joe says, stunned.

This is the first time I have even spoken to him, so, it was a gamble. After all, there was no telling if he hadn't already granted his two-wish quota for the day. I go to the demon lord, and check for a pulse. There is none, and the illusion he put up wavers.

I, with more than a little glee, pulse mana inside the man, and watch, as he completely turns back to his real form. To the form of an imp, no bigger than a toddler.

"What the hell?" Joe yells, when he makes it to me.

"I have a story for you, one you might not believe," I tell the Lich Lord, and then tug him back towards the tavern.

"What story? You tricked me into killing," Joe is more than a little afraid. I wave Alfred over. Behind him, Marius is trailing. His gorgeous blue eyes moving from the back of my partner, to me.

"Joe, that thing was waiting for us, or a Hero of Ultimate Fate," Marius says, as he falls into step with Joe. He takes a hold of his hand, and gives it a squeeze. "We are in this together. Just like old times."

He blinks at his words, and then looks at me. Confused. I smile, and then point at the tavern.

The rip-off singer is singing some old 80s song for the loving crowd, and I spill the beans to the two. Who they used to be, how the world went to the dogs, after the death of Marius.

"If you tricked me into killing, then others can as well," Joe seems to be hung up on this. I smile at him, and pull out a sword. This is something I had to steal from Prince Allyn, an eternity ago.

"This is your sword. It will help you protect yourself from random wishers. The two of you can have a bright new beginning, at the Island of the Forsaken. Lord Marius can go back to being a merman, and you can go back to being a regular Joe, who goes around, using a hero sword, to break open coconuts," I suggest, and then wait until Joe takes a couple of more sips from his drinks.

"I suppose, it is too dangerous, for me to remain in here," Joe agrees, the alcohol doing its part.  

On the Island of the Forsaken, two lost souls found their way home. Marius is more than happy, to be able to swim to the depths of the ocean. While Joe is more than happy to fish all day, to feed himself and his cat.

And if the two minded the old, weathered squirrel who came one day, his eyes wide, and tears down his fluffy cheeks… Then neither said a thing, even when they both learned to forgive the sins of a past life.

A fix-up for Joe and Marius. Because they deserve a happy ending.

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