The Fourth Secret: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Divine Apostasy Book 4) by A. Kay (best short books to read .TXT) 📕

Niall faced Ruwen, his eyes still wide.

“Do you have a mop, or a shovel?” Ruwen asked.

Niall looked back at the bodies. “Go child, I will clean this horrific sight.”

“Thank you, Niall. I’ll go fetch some terium so we can try again.”

Niall just gazed at the massacre and didn’t respond, so Ruwen left him.

Ruwen checked his map to see if it still had everyone’s locations. It did, and he headed toward Hamma’s room.

Do you feel any guilt for killing those people? Rami asked.

Ruwen took a moment to examine his feelings. No.

That was a gruesome death.

Listen, I wouldn’t have chosen to do it that way. But they forced me into making a quick decision by attacking me. In a way, I’m glad it happened. And I’ll do it again if needed.

I understand the need for decisiveness, and I’m glad you are finally showing some. But their last memories were of being obliterated, and now you did it again.

They obviously have a traumatic past with each other, but we don’t have time for that now. I need them to focus on the present. When we’re safe, they can argue all they want about the past.

Yes, that makes sense. You have shown them your power. It may be wise to temper that with sympathy now.

Ruwen contemplated Rami’s words. As he neared Hamma’s door, he replied. I can see how this power might turn me into a monster. While I still think that display was useful, in the future I’ll listen whenever I can, and not just force my will on others.

Ruwen’s neck and chest warmed.

As Ruwen turned down the hallway to Hamma’s room, he slowed. His attempts at helping her had not gone well earlier, and he didn’t want to make things worse. But he needed terium, and Hamma kept all their money. They had each left the Spirit Realm with a small bag of terium coins looted from the Plague Siren’s lair. A vast fortune, which Ruwen, until now, had not needed.

Standing in front of Hamma’s door, Ruwen blew out a breath and lightly knocked.

No one responded and the door didn’t open.

Ruwen knocked again, a little louder this time. “Hamma? It’s Ruwen.”

After a few seconds, Ruwen was about to knock again when Hamma spoke. “Go away.”

Ruwen stared at the ceiling for a few seconds. Why couldn’t anything be easy? “I can’t. I need help.”

“Oh, that figures.”

Hamma sounded angry, and Ruwen wondered how he’d managed that by just asking for help. He placed his head against the door. “I’m sorry.”

The door jerked open and only his Gold Fortified reflexes kept him from falling forward. Hamma didn’t just sound angry, she looked it.

“You’re sorry?” Hamma asked. “For what? For disappearing all day? For sticking your stupid face in my business? For coming here only because you needed something?”

Ruwen had only thought of the “stupid face” reason, not the other two. He’d assumed she’d spent the day trying to unlock her Healer Sub Class. It hadn’t dawned on him she might want to see him as well. Focusing on one task for long periods came easily to him, but he knew not everyone could do that. Disappearing for the entire day had probably surprised her. No, not probably, obviously.

The “only needing something” statement confused Ruwen, too. Hamma acted like she didn’t want to talk to him, but that comment made him think she’d wanted him to come here for some other reason.

All this swirled in his head, and he decided on what he hoped was a safe answer. “Yes, I’m sorry for all that.”

Hamma stared at him for a few seconds, looked up at the ceiling, and then walked to her bed. She sat down and put her head in her hands.

Ruwen sat next to Hamma and put his arm around her. They sat that way for a few minutes.

“I’m sorry, too,” Hamma said. “Your time is your own. I’m not usually passive aggressive. It’s just—”

Ruwen remained quiet, giving Hamma time to get her thoughts out.

Hamma looked up at Ruwen. “Niall isn’t who I thought he was. Or, if he is and is just lying, he’s not someone I want in my life.”

“What happened?” Ruwen asked.

Hamma shrugged, and tears filled her eyes. Ruwen pulled her close.

“He said he doesn’t have a family,” Hamma said. “He isn’t my dad.”

Ruwen’s shirt absorbed Hamma’s tears.

Lir, do you have access to your sibling’s records?

I do, Architect Starfield.

Maybe there were two people with the same name. How many Niall Blakrock, living, queued, or dead, exist.

One.

That was quick, are you sure?

The only Niall Blakrock in birth or Ascension records is the male revived here earlier today.

The birth reference gave Ruwen an idea. Can you tell if two people are related?

I can.

Ruwen didn’t ask the obvious question immediately. He had become leery of secrets and information he might not be ready for. Everyone had made it clear this wasn’t his business. But if they weren’t related, he could give Hamma immediate relief.

Is Niall Blakrock Hamma’s father?

A moment later, Lir responded. Yes.

Ruwen’s hopes fell. How could Niall lie to Hamma? Could he really be such a monster he’d deny the existence of his wife and daughter? The man seemed genuinely nice and sincere. Maybe his Charisma was high enough to fool Ruwen, but that didn’t seem likely. Something didn’t feel right about this.

Hamma wiped her face and looked up at Ruwen. “Maybe he isn’t my dad. When he told me he didn’t have a family, I kind of went into shock. I never asked him any questions. He doesn’t even know our last names are the same.”

Ruwen bit his cheek. He knew that wasn’t the case, and it felt like lying to not tell Hamma. But he just couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth. At least not right now. He gave a tiny nod.

“I feel better,” Hamma said. “Thanks for listening.”

Ruwen felt terrible for giving Hamma false hope. His stomach filled with acid, but he still couldn’t bring himself to say anything. He nodded again.

Hamma