Pieces of Sonder

“What if some of what he said was true?”

Freya held her breath. A gentle breeze blew between them. The shaman on the side of the road raised an eyebrow. However, Indrek immediately dismissed the idea.

“Demons cannot mimic humans. Even if they could, a demon would never hesitate to kill if it had the power. Kamdale pointed out one of his so-called demons to me before, and it was definitely human.”

“What made you think that?” Freya asked.

“It was in the middle of a village. If it were a powerful demon like he claimed, everyone would have been dead.”

“What if they’re super intelligent? Maybe it was biding its time.”

Indrek gave her a disapproving look and shook his head, “If they’re that intelligent, then perhaps there’s a way we can find a way to live together.”

Freya’s heart rose. A mix of emotions swirled inside her body. She glanced at Kamdale’s group disappearing in the distance. Heart-beat pounding in her head, she made a snap decision.

She pointed at the wandering shaman they just met, “Your full name is Gawen Borlase, right?”

“Uh, yes. That’s right,” Shaman Gawen said uncertainly. 

Both Indrek and the shaman gave her a questioning look.

“We haven’t met before,” Freya answered before the question could be asked. “I can see your name written above your head.”

“What?” Shaman Gawen patted his head and looked above him. 

She paused to let that sink in. Then she asked Indrek, “We left Corrin without any fresh fruit, right?”

“That’s right,” he said haltingly.

Freya reached into her item box to pull out an apple. From their perspective, it must look like it appeared out of thin air. She tossed it to him. Indrek slowly turned the unblemished, red apple in his hand. 

“I know information I shouldn’t know. I can store things I shouldn’t be able to. I can quickly travel to places on the other side of the world, although I can’t demonstrate that right now because that would be complicated,” Freya scratched her head.

Indrek dismissively shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. He straightened in his saddle and asked, “Are you a magician? A special kind of magician?”

“No, I don’t think so. It’s more complicated than that. Let me say first; we aren’t demons. Or at least not demons that can only think of killing. Not all of us are good, but not all of us are bad. I think we can understand each other and help each other.”

Freya looked down the road again to make sure Kamdale’s group was out of sight. She pulled up the messaging system and began typing.

“Before I explain more, I’m afraid Kamdale’s heading into a trap. Or he’s setting up a trap. I’m still not sure which. I’m going to ask one of my friends to follow him.”

Indrek and Shaman Gawen could only blink in confusion at the rapid turn of events. Freya cocked her head to the side as she realized something. Hmm, instead of typing everything, I could just tell him everything in person.

A few moments later, a person appeared. Freya watched the non-players’ reactions. Their eyes glazed over, then slowly focused on the new arrival in bewilderment.

“Are you alright? What happened?” Nightscythe asked, standing in between Freya and the others.

He had a short dagger out and something else in his other hand. Freya appreciated the sentiment, but she probably would have called someone else if she were in danger. Nightscythe had stopped following them the last few days. It was difficult for him to keep up with them on horseback while staying hidden. Freya reassured everyone he didn’t need to tail them. If she were in danger, she would still let them know. 

“I’m okay. I decided to reveal myself.”

Nightscythe raised an eyebrow and pointed above her head, “Your Misidentify is still on.”

“Well, I revealed that I’m one of the ‘strange people’ Kamdale’s been talking about,” Freya clarified. She mentally sighed. Taking off her Misidentify would only add another layer of complexity. It would shift her gender and overall appearance. There was already too much to explain to Indrek.

“Anyway, that’s not important right now. Kamdale and the others split from us. They heard there might be other game players up ahead. But I think it might be a trap for them. Or they’re going to plan to set up a trap for game players.”

“Hm,” Nightscythe pulled up his map. “There is a dungeon up the road.”

“Could you check the dungeon again? I don’t-” Freya swallowed and glanced at Indrek. “If there is a trap waiting for them, maybe we should tell them. Or warn game players that they’re headed that way.”

Just as Nightscythe agreed, Indrek spoke up. Her mentor asked in a sad, strained voice, “Do you think the demoniclasts that died in this region were killed by your kind?”

Sweat ran down Freya’s back. She didn’t expect him to put everything together so quickly. She wanted to portray a better impression of game players first. But she didn’t want to lie. 

“... It’s likely.” 

Freya clenched her fists as she answered. She quickly added, “I think it might have been in revenge. Before the trials, some game players were killed by demoniclasts. They said it was unprovoked. But I don’t know for sure who started it.”

Indrek looked down at the ground, deep in thought. Nightscythe took a step away from him. Biting her lip, Freya didn’t move. From their time together, she knew Indrek did not make rash decisions. He would at least listen to them further. But if he decided they were enemies, he was a level 20 demoniclast, four levels higher than Freya.

“Why did you decide to become a demoniclast apprentice?” Indrek asked.

“I had some selfish reasons,” Freya admitted first. “I wanted to become a stronger fighter. Demoniclasts are the strongest people in this world, so I wanted to learn from you. But I was also aware of this conflict. I wanted to know more about it. And if possible, how to peacefully resolve it.”

Her mentor watched her carefully as she answered. Freya held his gaze. 

Indrek exhaled. The stiffness in the air broke. 

“Okay, I believe you for now. Please tell me more about your kind, these ‘game players.’” 

Freya smiled in relief but also felt a heavy burden on her shoulders. 

How do I start to explain?