EXIII Round II - Ambidexterity - Epilogue

This room was not unlike Satan’s office. It was full of smoke and gave Hayden the impression that less people left than entered. Even though it was a small and dark hideaway, with Nikolaj Ballas seated at the desk on the far wall, it was no less intimidating than the grand chamber in his warehouse had been. Showmanship was important, but in the end, all one man needed was presence. The old soul had enough presence to bring an army of demons to their knees. Hayden had seen it, himself. Whatever had happened to make Ballas so angry, Hayden knew that it wouldn’t be enough to stop his tyranny. From where he stood, staring at his feet and trying desperately not to make a sound, Hayden wasn’t so sure it hadn’t only been worsened.

Ballas leaned back in his seat, making it squeak underneath the force of his great, old body. “State your purpose, boy,” he said. His voice was a rumble of thunder. “Your instructions were simply to return when you have acquired the mortals. I see no mortals. So, you have not done this, yes?”

Hayden mumbled and fidgeted in lieu of a response.

Ballas silenced him with a cough. “Use your words,” he said. “I do not like my time wasted.”

“I didn’t bring any mortals,” Hayden admitted, stammering. “I’m, um, still working on it, though! I’ll get them, just like you said you wanted me to do, I promise!”

“I still do not hear your purpose.” Ballas leaned forward, resting his hands flat against the desk. “Have I not given you time? Returning to me so soon and so unprepared, I feel, has been a very foolish decision.”

“Sorry.” Hayden shuddered. His hands tugged at his hair. “I thought you’d like this thing I found. I thought it would help, so I’m sorry and please don’t be mad!”

Ballas leaned back again, folding his hands neatly on his middle in a silent gesture for Hayden to get to the point. Hayden complied, fidgeting only once more before reaching his hand into his coat and pulling out a single, thin file. He thrust it out in front of him, his head ducked, but when Ballas made no movement he darted forward to place it against the desk.

“What is this?” Ballas asked. Hayden opened his mouth immediately to answer but Ballas waved for him to be silent as he reached for the file.

A moment passed. The only sound was the turning of paper until Ballas began to laugh. Hayden jumped and shook and stumbled as if he had been caught in an earthquake. His feet itched to run and his fingers tensed, ready to make a portal that would take him away from here—but he stopped himself. He hadn’t been dismissed and he knew he’d get in trouble. Expecting a reprimand, Hayden held his breath, but Ballas only slapped the file back onto the desk and tapped its surface with a finger.

“Good,” he said. “This is very good.”

Ballas stood, his limbs creaking and groaning as he rose higher and higher. Hayden only felt himself grow smaller, his knees coming together and his shoulders tensing against the sides of his neck.

“Very, very good,” Ballas said. Each lumbering step brought him closer to Hayden, who could only stare up at him, his expression torn between worried and hopeful. He squeezed his eyes shut as Ballas reached him, bracing himself for the beating that never came. Ballas put a hand on Hayden’s head and patted him like an animal. Hayden opened his eyes but couldn’t find the strength to lift them from his own feet. He felt as if his stomach was full of stones.

“You have proven your loyalty well, bringing this to me.” Ballas let his hand stay on Hayden’s head, pressing and insistent and heavy. “Now I can be sure the mortals cannot escape.”