The Mist and the Lightning. Part 19

“Nik… when you complete all your Missions here and turn this world upside down, and this will happen soon, because in the West you have already changed everything. There is no more Western limit of the unclean, and the Farm is in complete decline… Lis will now change everything in the East, and only the Black City will remain. When you leave and take me and Arelwith you, let the human go. I want to help him, really. I don’t blame you for your cruelty to him, I understand that you are both bound against your will. Restore him the same way as Lis, and send him upstairs to his Rosa.”

“Do you also believe, like Karina, that she is sitting at the Portal and waiting for him?”

“Yes. For some reason I believe in it. After all, I myself loved Inness for many years. Only I had no hope, but Rosa does. Let him go to her.”

“If I do everything here as I was ordered, I will let him go. I don’t wish him harm, I will restore his body and let him go. I don’t make people slaves without their consent, as you do. Mara made him a Demons’ Slave, and I was simply ordered to be in this body, that’s all.”

“Will you let him go? Or are you saying you can let him go?”

“I'll let him go.”

“Thank you!”

“Deceiver! Pretender!” Kors began to furiously throw things from the bedside table, on which boxes of Nik’sand Arel’s cigarettes, a comb, several assorted glasses and bottles were placed. Everything flew to the floor. Kors approached the table and brushed his precious goblet off the tabletop, but to his surprise, Arel’s gift didn’t break. Unable to calm down, Kors kicked over the laundress’ basket and chair, continuing to destroy everything around, until Nik finally shouted:

“Vitor, stop it! What’s happening with you? Are you crazy?”

Breathing heavily, Kors turned to him.

“What’s happening with me?! What’s it, huh, Nik?!When I asked you, there in the cave, I asked you to fulfill my wish. You agreed! I asked that my human son be released when you have completed all your Missions here. You agreed. You said, ‘I’ll let him go.’ Already having bitter experience, I clarified: ‘Are you saying that you can let him go, or will you let him go?’

And you said, I’ll let him go.’

But there was a catch! You knew that without Black Water and your support, he wouldn’t live a day! You knew that, in fact, he is dead, and letting him go is just killing him! But you didn’t explain anything to me! You promised to grant my wish! And you always keep your promises! In my ignorance, I asked you to kill my son!”

“You have to be careful with what you wish for…”

“Especially when you ask the Demon! Yes?”

Nik was silent.

Kors grabbed a bottle of wine from the table, and, throwing it hard up, took several large sips at once right from the neck:

“I killed my son!”

“When you didn’t save your pregnant wife or when you made a wish?” Nik said and smiled.

“Are you kidding?!” Kors tossed the bottle at him. Made of thick glass, it withstood the impact, falling near the bed and rolling across the floor with a clang.

“It’s all because of you! Deceiver Demon!”

Nik leaned over a little and looked at the burgundy puddle of grape wine. It continued to flow from the heavy bottle lying on its side. Nik looked at Kors.

“Vitor, why are you so worried? Maybe it will be better for your son, because, according to you, he died a long time ago. Then he is tormented, as they say, huh?”

“You are a cheater! Deceiver!” Kors couldn’t stop.

“I didn’t lie to you! You motherfucker!” Nik hit the bedspread with clenched fists: “Remember before you make a drama! I said I would restore his body and let him go! Do you remember?”

Kors froze.

“But is it possible?”

“It is impossible for a human, but everything is possible for his Creator!”

“What?..”

Nik rose from the bed, awkwardly stepping on the spilled wine.