Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

EDJ entered the control room and went up to the tech keeping an eye on the monitors. The door to Hanna’s room was still closed and the guards were still there. “Any change?” he asked. 

“None, sir,” the tech answered. 

EDJ nodded. “Ack!” He suddenly gripped the back of the chair as he felt a surge of pain in his head. 

“Sir? Are you okay?” the tech asked, turning to check on him. “Are you injured?” 

EDJ shook his head. “No. Of course not!” He straightened. “I’m fine. But…” he paused. “Purely to cover all our bases, have one of the medics on standby.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

EDJ turned and started walking away. “I’m going to rest. Do not disturb me unless something crazy happens.” He didn’t wait for the tech’s response. He went to a private room and locked the door behind him. 

While EDJ’s home was a proper castle on the outside, he did not include many things typically associated with a castle in the interior designs. For instance, in place of a proper throne room, EDJ had a fully decked out control room that could easily pass for the bridge of a starship. While anyone would expect the king’s bedchamber to be luxurious and exquisite, EDJ was no king and his personal chamber resembled a university dorm room. Not that anyone else was ever allowed inside. A twin bed sat in the corner of the room against the wall. A simple desk opposite the bed held various mechanical gizmos, hand drawn diagrams, and an ocarina. A weapon stand full of swords stood near the foot of the bed. Bookshelves full of books and video games took up the rest of the wallspace. 

EDJ trudged to the bed and sat on the edge of it, hunched over. He tried rubbing his temples for a few minutes to dull the pain. As the pain slowly subsided, he reached over and picked up a guitar leaning against the nightstand next to the bed. Leaning back and resting his head against the wall, EDJ strummed the strings of the instrument with his eyes closed. E. G. B. E. B. G. E. G. B. E. B. G. The rhythm was calming. Soothing. Soft. Sad. His fingers effortlessly moved along the frets as he played. One, two, three, four, five, six. One, two, three, four, five, six. Easy as breathing. So close… “SHUT UP!” EDJ screamed at no one as he jolted forward and threw the guitar across the room. The instrument hit the door with a cacophony of noise as it fell into a pile on the floor. EDJ let out a frustrated sigh. He got up to walk to the door and picked up the broken guitar. “Cody,” EDJ called as he opened the door, damaged instrument in hand. 

“Eoin, sir,” the assistant answered.

“Right,” EDJ muttered, shaking his head. He handed the guitar to the assistant. “Get me a new-”

“Already on it, sir,” the assistant interrupted. Eoin’s eyes widened, realizing he just interrupted the boss mid sentence. “I...I mean, I’ll have a new one sent in as soon as possible, sir.” Eoin grabbed the guitar and swiftly saluted. EDJ narrowed his eyes at the assistant for an uncomfortably long minute before nodding and going back to the room, door locking again behind him. Eoin let out a nervous breath and glanced at the pitiful guitar in his hand, or what was left of it. A few of the other assistants, techs, and guards in the room glanced at each other, but kept their heads down and continued working in silence. The door opened again and EDJ stuck his head out. “Eoin.” 

The assistant jumped and turned to salute again. “Yes, sir?” 

“Thank you.” EDJ ducked his head back inside and the door shut again. 

*******************************************************

The guards brought DJ to another room similar to the last one he was in. There were chairs, tables, and a tv screen, though this screen was turned off. Lui was already here, sitting in one of the chairs. He stood when the door opened and DJ was tossed in. DJ landed on the floor with a hard thud and the door slammed shut behind them. 

“DJ!” Lui rushed to his side and helped him up. “Are you okay?” Not being restrained himself, Lui helped take the tape off DJ’s hands to free him. 

“I should be asking you that,” DJ answered, rubbing his wrists and the still recovering arm he landed on. 

Lui nodded. “My ribs hurt, but I’m okay. What happened in there?” 

“Nothing. We just talked,” DJ said, taking a seat. 

“Talked?” Lui tilted his head and sat on a nearby chair. “Did you ask him about the cloning stuff?” Lui asked. 

“Uh, no. I forgot to ask about that…” DJ shook his head with a sigh. He looked at Lui. “The video of Hanna was pre-recorded. Iul already knew the outcome and knew we couldn’t do anything to change it.” DJ frowned. “He was trying to trick us again.” 

“Oh…” Lui said in disappointment. He looked to the side and hung his head. “So we’re no closer to helping her… and fighting him didn’t matter.” Lui sniffled. 

“Hey.” DJ leaned forward to look Lui in the eye. “Of course it mattered. It was brave.”

Lui made a face. “It was stupid.”

“Funny how often those two coincide,” DJ offered with a reassuring smile. DJ stood up and put a hand on Lui’s shoulder. “You did good. Iul didn’t know what hit him. We’re going to help Hanna, alright?” DJ looked around the room. “Iul said she’s resting so she’s still in the castle somewhere. If we can get out of this room, maybe we can find her.” He looked back at Lui. “Eyes up. We’ll find Hanna. We’ll beat Iul. And we’ll all go home. Sound good?”

Lui grinned. “Sounds great!”

DJ patted Lui’s shoulder as Lui stood up to help find a way out of the room they were locked in. DJ could probably kick the door out again, but didn’t want to risk another fight with the guards just yet. Not unless they had no other options. They started moving the chairs and tables. DJ’s smile faded as they looked around. “Did you really see it?” he asked quietly, mind still on the events and conversation in the previous room. 

“Hmm? See what?” Lui turned and blinked at him. 

“Iul,” DJ clarified. “Is there still light in him?”

Lui stopped what he was doing and nodded somberly. “It’s faint,” Lui answered. “But it’s there. I’m sure there’s still good in him.”

DJ nodded slowly in response. “Good enough for me.” He gave a short smile and resumed his task. 

Lui watched him for a moment. “You still seem worried.”

DJ paused again, pursing his lips before speaking. “It’s been so long, buddy… He has this chaotic look in his eyes now… Like… the face of a madman.” 

Lui nodded in agreement. “With the hair of a supermodel,” Lui added.  

DJ looked at him with a puzzled expression. “What?” Lui asked. “You’ve seen it, it defies gravity! And what’s with all the black and the cape? It’s so cringey.” 

DJ broke into a laugh. A long, hearty laugh that broke the tension and put him at ease. DJ’s laugh died to a chuckle and he shook his head with a smile. “You’re one to talk.” Lui giggled and ran a hand through his own unkempt hair.