The discussion went on for what seemed like hours. They discussed particular memories—the time they crept into the deserted amusement park and Orced persuaded the security guard they were lost youngsters, the night Florka stayed up helping Orced study for a test he had forgotten about, the way Orced's popularity had opened doors that Florka could only observe from afar.
Orced discussed the long hours he spent working several jobs, the burden he placed on his parents to create something permanent, the anguish of losing them yet the need of it for the larger good. He spoke of the late-night phone conversations that transformed strangers into brothers, the internet forums where he met his first actual allies, the moment Sky Boys went from a concept to a reality on this quite very island.
In return, Florka related his own experience, including his leaving the city, his struggle through the wilderness, and his acquisition of his own devoted following who found strength in his quiet resolve rather than flash. He talked about making Karkas from scratch, about learning to use curses instead of getting rid of them, and about making a safe place for people who didn't fit into the strict world of Hedonas.
Their cups' tea went chilly, but neither moved to fill them. Sensing the need of the moment, Eriky softly shooed away the rest of the squad who poked their heads in from time to time.
Orced at last bent back, the weight of the dialogue resting comfortably between them. "Florka, we are not adversaries. We never were. We are really just heading for the same place on different paths. Safeguarding individuals. Improving the world in our personal way."
Florka met his eyes, a little, knowing smile on his mouth. "Perhaps. Perhaps our roads are about to cross in unexpected directions for both of us."
For a while longer, the two elderly buddies sat quietly; the kitchen was still save for the faint chuckle of the crew in the other room. The past was exposed, the present felt charged, and the future, whatever it held, was all at once far more complex.
Outside, the wind kept singing across Sky Boys Island, carrying on its breath possibilities and secrets.
All at once the kitchen lights seemed too bright, the air too thick, the ginger tea in their cups too chilly. Sensing the change in attitude, Eriky had minutes before quietly claimed she was checking supplies. Remaining just outside the entryway in the main room, the rest of the team pretended to be working but obviously listening in. Macker was for the third time cleaning his knuckles. Nix acted as though he were changing his gauntlet. On his computer Ema was just scrolling over nothing. Aftor was balancing one finger with his knife. Sano stood like a statue by the window, shield ready but eyes fixed on the kitchen.
Sitting opposite from one another, Orced and Florka regarded the table between them as a battlefield instead of a spot for old pals to catch up.
Florka's fingers closed around his mug till his knuckles went white. When his voice came, it was deep and almost casual at first, but the edge beneath was as sharp as one of his own blades.
"You know what I came to understand when I was creating Karkas?" Florka asked, his gaze never leaving Orced's face. "I began to despise you, Pronak"
Orced stared at Florka and said, "Don't call me that"
Florka pushed back "Well, Orced. You're not the youngster you were before. Not the person who lured me into every dumb escapade. The man you grew into. The one who smiles like the world owes him everything and really thinks it is. Your way of thinking never always escapes me. All I see is a guy who poisoned his own parents for money and then acted the sad orphan so well that the world gave him a cult on a silver plate. You refer to it as sacrifice. I refer to it as handy."
The words fell like rocks into calm water. Outside, the squad froze. Macker stopped polishing in mid-motion. Nix's gauntlet clicked once too loud in the abrupt quiet.
Orced did not tremble. He sipped his tea slowly, gently set the mug down with a clink, and settled back in his chair. Though he still had a smile, it had evolved, sharper now and laced with something scornful and frigid.
"Oh, Florka," he muttered, voice light but saturated with sarcasm. "To be honest, I wasn't very fond of you either. Weren't you always the quiet one in the background? The dependable sidekick always fell somewhat short of the limelight. You were helpful, thus I pulled you along. Good at the mundane things. Planning. Waiting. The things I didn't care about. But what about you? You constantly required someone to follow. You show up on my island looking like you're my equal even now, but we both know you're still pursuing the same shadow you couldn't flee back then."
Florka tightened his jaw. The room seemed to be getting colder.
Florka asked, voice rising just enough for the crew to hear every word, "You really believe your own nonsense, don't you? You made a stepping stone out of losing your family. You gathered some lost spirits online and declared it fate. I see you, though, Orced. You've always been visible to me. You made the bored youngster bleed just to feel something since he wanted the world to amuse him. I find your transformation repellent. And I despise having ever believed we were identical."
Like a live wire, the tension broke.
Macker sprang to his feet, his brass knuckles sparkling. With a low crimson glow, Nix's gauntlet came to life. Ema had arrow nocked, bow half-drawn. Aftor's knife was out and the blade was catching the light. Sano's shield was raised; his body was positioned like a wall separating the team from the kitchen.
Florka got up deliberately, chair scratching sharply on the floor. His fingers danced close to the blade's hilt at his side, yet he refrained from pulling it. His gaze stayed constantly on Orced.
The crew responded immediately.
Arms were raised. Curse energy flicked through the air.
"Easy," Orced responded, voice level and steady, slicing through the abrupt storm like a knife through silk. He stayed seated. He kept his voice down. He simply examined his crew with the same effortless assurance he had from day one. "Lower your weapons. Everyone of you. Let him go."
At first, nobody moved.
Aftor's eyes were locked on Florka like a predator, blades already half-drawn. "Boss... are you sure about this?"
Orced's eyes darted to Aftor for a split second, unwavering and unquestionable. I said "Lower them. He started to chat. He is going out the same manner. Tonight in my kitchen there is no blood."
Reluctantly one by one the team cooperated. Macker's knuckles shadowed. Nix's gauntlet whined with letdown and powered down. Ema dropped his bow. Aftor gently clicked his knife into its sheath. Sano let go of his stance, but his shield stayed up.