No more than a few minutes after he left the store, Damien took a detour. He spotted an unoccupied bench nestled within a nest of greenery and made a beeline toward it, flopping down with a relieved groan. He stretched out as much as he could, his eyes nearly rolling into the back of his head at the sense of relief.

“You look like a cat in heat,” Henry said.

Go pound an anthill. Wait – why do you even know what that looks like? Is that seriously something you spent time observing?

Henry didn’t respond immediately.

“No,” he said, but the joking tone was gone from his voice. “I didn’t. But others did.”

Others? The other void creatures?

“Yes. Most of us were mostly interested in humans, but there were a few that enjoyed watching the wildlife as well.”

So, you knew them well? You shared information with them after all.

Damien spoke carefully, keeping his thoughts as empty as he could.

“There aren’t – weren’t – many of us in the void to begin with,” Henry replied. “It was hard not to know them.”

Idiot.

Damien’s eyes lit up. Henry grimaced within him. The boy’s thoughts had shifted when he’d spoken, and the companion knew that Damien had caught his mistake.

So then you must recognize the other void creatures on the Mortal Plane.

“I do,” Henry said after a long pause. “I know what you’re thinking, boy. Knowing them won’t stop them. We might be colleagues within the void, but on the mortal plane, all bets are off. We’re all working towards our own goals.”

I still don’t understand why you’re fighting if you’re working towards the same goal. In fact, you keep saying you want to destroy the world, but the more I think about it, the less it makes sense. You learn your magic from humans. In fact, it doesn’t seem like you do anything other than watch us. What’s the point of destroying your only passion?

Henry didn’t respond. Damien’s eyebrows furrowed.

You aren’t telling me something, Henry. I don’t understand what the point of hiding this is. If you aren’t actually trying to destroy the world, then why not just say that? By the Planes, I might even want to help you if your goals don’t involve the demise of humanity.

“Stop. No more questions,” Henry said, his voice firm. “I liked it better when you were meek.”

Too bad. Are you going to explain or not?

“No. I will not,” Henry said, his tone firm. “There are reasons that I have not revealed my true intentions. Some things cannot be spoken of, even within our thoughts. The mere mention of them can draw attention of beings that you cannot even fathom.”

Like you?

“Nothing like me. You do not understand the slightest bit of what you are getting into.”

And that’s your fault. We’re stuck together, Henry. I’m getting into this whether I want to or not. Don’t I deserve the truth?

“The truth is dangerous. Just knowing something can be enough to bring its attention onto you.”

I’m already in danger. What’s a little more?

“Enough, Damien,” Henry said, angrily. “Do not press me.”

Damien pressed his lips together. He sat up straight, then paused.

You used my name.

“What of it?”

You’ve never done that before. Is that you being sincere, or just another manipulation tactic?

Henry let out a defeated sigh.

“Damien, I promise you on all my power, this is far more dangerous than anything you can imagine. I’m not just protecting you – I’m protecting myself.”

Hm. And you’re sure I’m not already involved? I’m going to go out on a limb, Henry. The time for lies is over. I’ve discovered that someone interfered with my summoning. Something messed with my rune circle while I wasn’t watching.

“Wait, what?” Henry asked, shocked. “What do you mean?”

That’s all you're getting until you start sharing some of your own secrets. We’re stuck together, Henry. If I die, you go back to the void and this is all for naught. Time to make a decision. I’ve already made mine.

Damien stood up. He cracked his neck and yawned, shifting his weight from foot to foot to try to get the blood flowing in them again.

You don’t have to answer now. You can think on it. But think carefully. Read my thoughts, Henry. I’m dead serious about this.

The companion didn’t respond, and Damien was fine with that. It meant that Henry was actually thinking about his words.

The conversation had taken enough time for Damien’s legs to recover just enough for him to stand on them again, so he set back off towards the Treasure Pavillion. Luckily, the Dean had pointed it out, and Damien remembered what it looked like.

The building in question resembled the library, with similar beautiful carvings adorning its exterior. It was slightly smaller than the aforementioned building, and positively teeming with dangerous looking people.

Damien approached the entrance, which was flanked by two large men carrying spears. He didn’t know what the point of a spear was when they had magic, but the scowls on their faces didn’t seem very welcoming of questions.

“Ah… can I go in?” Damien asked.

“Name?” the first man asked.

“Damien.”

“Full name.”

“Damien Vale,” Damien said. “First year.”

“Noted. You may enter. Don’t cause any trouble or you’ll be banned.” the man said with a nod before waving for him to enter.

Damien stepped past them, doing his best to not crane his neck to look up at the glistening spear points. He pushed the beautiful stone doors of the Treasure Pavilion open and stepped inside.

It was beautiful. The walls were covered with gold murals and the ground was made of shimmering blue tiles.

To his left was a large obsidian board with dozens of slips of paper hanging from hooks on it. There were several guards on the other side of the room, flanking another closed door. Overlooking it all was a large desk at the far side of the room. A short woman with greying hair sat perched on a stool, shuffling through some papers. She sat before a large door made of what looked to be solid gold. It was covered with so many runes that it almost looked blurry.