“Whatever I thought Oliver was is not the truth.”
“The story… The story made him seem like he was intelligent, even witty. Is that how he seemed to you, too?” Not some mindless, mustache-twirling villain, right?
“Oliver was a persona adopted by a powerful demon lord. He was not real.”
“Well, his persona then. What was it like?” Crafting a persona requires intelligence and wisdom, right? Wouldn’t that mean… he could be reasoned with?
“It doesn’t matter what it was like! He never existed! To spend even one moment considering his past influence only adds to his demonic power!” Aleph slammed his war hammer into a nearby tree, splitting the trunk with a resounding crack.
I swallowed hard, frightened by his uncharacteristic rage. “I…” I took a few steps back, and Aleph’s eyes widened in sudden remorse.
“Little one, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“No, no, I was just startled, that’s all. I’m sorry.” I scratched my right wrist absently at first. Once I realized I was doing it, I tried to stop but had little luck. “I shouldn’t have–”
“I am the one who wronged you. Do not apologize.”
“You should apologize to me!” a soggy voice called out from the treetop. “Knock softer next time!”
“Vernie?” Aleph shouted upwards in surprise. “Is that you?”
