Chapter 8: The Lie of Truths

’How long...’

Peace knew the Eye of Truth had a time limit, but he didn’t know exactly what that limit was.

It was bound to be different from the game, after all.

Time ’moved faster’ in the game, so technically, it lasted a full hour when one used it, but in reality, it was about five minutes.

So... Peace had no idea if he had to BS for five minutes or an entire hour; the best he could do was focus on what was in front of him.

"First question... Are you a remnant of the Night Parade?"

Peace couldn’t show that he was trying to waste time, so he answered nearly immediately.

"No."

A second passed, and then the blue light of the crystal shimmered and glowed with a greenish hue.

Ashren jotted something down, waited for the crystal to return to its blue state, then asked her next question.

"Have you consumed a corrupted Wisp?"

"No, I haven’t even consumed a single Wisp; I posses no Resonances."

Once again, the light shone green.

The lady smiled at his answer, tucked a strand of her dark blue hair behind her ear, and leaned back.

’So, she’s human. I thought she might be an elf with that hair color. Not to mention her beauty...’

She was almost beautiful enough to make him forget his woes for a second. Though Peace doubted someone whose beauty could cure him existed.

"What is your affiliation?"

’Tch...’

Peace was walking a thin line with this question, but at least he knew what she meant.

In the game, at least, one’s affiliation referred to one of five things: the clan one was in, the noble family one worked for or was involved with, if one was tied to the church, whether one worked for the imperials, or, if a Diver, simply whether one was registered at the Dungeon Divers’ Guild.

Peace responded a little slowly, making the words come out as bitter as possible.

"I’m an outcast... I have no affiliation."

The inspector narrowed her eyes with a devious grin, then leaned forward, placing both her elbows on the table.

"While that’s not any reason for suspicion... a lot of Night Elves are outcasts now. This does beg the question of how you haven’t been spotted before. I refuse to believe this could be the first time this situation has happened in the last decade. So, where have you been? And if you were in hiding, then why did you only now come out?"

Peace smiled at her, then looked toward the wall and let the corners of his mouth slowly drop.

"Ah, that’s simple, really... I wasn’t hiding in the truest sense. But I’ve been holed up taking care of my sick sister. Thankfully, my mother was able to provide for us, so I never really had to leave her side..."

’I even took online classes, so I never really had to leave the house.’

Peace felt an unexpected pain in his chest as he thought of not only his sister but also his mother... His mother, who’d just lost both her children on the same day.

Peace had been a little blinded by the prospect of reuniting with his sister; the thought of his mother took a little while to take hold in his mind, but once it did, he was torn.

Even if his sister did exist here... his mother didn’t.

For all intents and purposes, he could only pursue reunification with one, at least at the moment.

And, in that holding cell, Peace had come to a ruthless decision.

He’d only look for a way home once he found his sister. He’d decided getting back to his mother wasn’t his priority.

If, in the end, his sister weren’t there and he never returned to his mother, then maybe he’d come to regret this decision. But for now, as harsh as it was, it was a truth that he’d cast his mother aside.

Peace continued after a brief pause:

"As for why I came out now... Well, my sister died, so I didn’t really have a reason to stay. Then, my mom could no longer provide for me, so I had to earn my keep in my own way... You should know the position of my people. I couldn’t really get a job in a tavern or something..."

’I’m underage.’

As for the other part...

’The hospital bills... were adding up.’

Peace brought his gaze back to Ashren and continued:

"With the twelve coins I have, I was going to buy a weapon and attempt to make a living as a Diver. Or die as one."

It took a couple of seconds, but eventually, the crystal shone green, showing he hadn’t uttered a single lie.

Ashren’s gaze narrowed even further before she finally relaxed her expression.

"I truly do pity your kind... but you should know the labyrinth is a death sentence for you. There are many Divers who’d kill you on sight — especially with your appearance... Speaking of that, what is the reason for your uncanny features?"

’Uncanny? Well, that was a bit rude.’

Peace let his displeasure show on his face, but he didn’t let his emotion go overboard. Then, he let out a small laugh.

"Well, I was born."

Ashren stared at Peace.

Peace didn’t know if it was his imagination, but the corner of her ear seemed to redden.

Ashren shook her head a little, then sighed.

"I don’t suppose you have an ID? You look a bit young... even for an elf."

Peace smiled.

"I do not."

Ashren seemed to drop all suspicion, but Peace could tell it was a bluff; she hadn’t asked that question yet.

"We can make you one, but we will need your name and age. So, what is your name? How old are you? If you don’t know your age, please approximate."

Peace had thought in that cell for a long time, thinking about this... his name. He had no idea what this Night Elf’s name was. That wouldn’t typically be an issue if he could just lie about it.

However, he had to tell the truth... And, if a person from Earth gave their usual name, it would probably be an announcement that they were a ’Soul Stealer.’ Elf NPCs tended to have weird names, after all.

Though... his case was a little unique.

His name was Pax, Pax Garnier.

A weird name — not even his mother knew why she’d named him that.

"I go by Peace... but my name is Pax. Also, I’m eighteen winters old..."

Ashren tilted her head as the crystal’s light shone green once again.

"Quite the unusual name... do you have a family name?"

Peace barely held back a gulp.

"Garnier..."

This was dangerous to share...

This was because there were typically records of surnames, so he was leaving at least one bit of evidence of his origin.

Ashren let out a slight laugh.

"Alright then, Peace... I only have one more question; then you’ll be free to go. After we get you an ID, of course... or else you’ll be right back here. In any case, don’t be offended by this question... It’s a customary question asked of anyone who comes through here..."

Peace tried his hardest to calm his nerves.

He’d already realized he was going to be let go. However, she hadn’t inquired too much about ’where’ he’d been living. It seemed his initial conjecture that they might try to follow him could prove correct. He was anything but off the hook in that regard. Who knew? They might truly want to recapture him for experiments after learning more about him.

But that wasn’t what was causing his current anxiety...

Ashren’s lips drifted apart and mouthed words that spawned dreadful agony deep in his soul.

"Are you a Soul Stealer?"