Loopbreaker

Stenson’s eyebrows had almost become one connected layer of hair.

Francis had seen this expression multiple times in all his deaths, but this particular one was different. There was nothing more than a tiny narrowing of the brows, just barely brought closer and the general’s lips curled in slightly. His jaw didn’t show the tightness it sometimes held; instead, it barely reflected anything beyond teeth held together.

It was moments like this that Francis had been sent to the Spires, or when he had been told to attempt something new, that had resulted in leaps of improvement.

“How long do these conversations go?” Stenson asked. “I mean, I think they must get longer each time.”

“I try to keep them as concise as possible,” Francis replied. “Over a few thousand deaths, one learns what’s important and what’s not. Still, we’ve been talking for almost two hours and you’re at the point where the questions you ask often repeat, or occasionally a new one comes along. Each time I mention a new skill or how these last few major fights went, I’m not always certain what you’ll say. I could try and repeat them as exactly as possibly, but I think I get more from you when I don’t.”

Francis intertwined his fingers and leaned back in his chair. “This next part was something we discussed only two times in all my deaths,” he lied.

He had spent the day traveling with Michael and the others, working through a few things that had bothered him. No matter what he did, there was a wall he couldn’t climb alone. Today would be a day others were called in to help scale this mountain.

At least my ability to lie has grown… I guess one day I’ll find out if there’s a skill for that.

“We need to convince Baxter to join us on the battle line. The time has come to see what happens when no one holds back. That means I’ll make sure Priscilla joins us on the front line as well.”

Stenson frowned and sat there for almost a minute, not saying a word. Finally, the older man spoke. “You’re telling me that I said this would be a good idea?”

“To attempt, yes,” Francis lied again. “Even if we don’t win, we’ll finally see what we can do against this enemy we face. If we win, I’m willing to learn from our successes and failures so that we can improve. That way, we can plan on how to win the battle with the fewest casualties. You also mentioned we won’t tell Baxter about this but this one time. Only you and I will know the true potential of what I can do.”

The stony expression on the general softened slightly and Stenson started to nod his head. “The plan has merit. With what you shared about me being able to survive the one I faced, you being able to stand up to the panther one… I think if you and Kels work together, the two of you could bring it down. Baxter will be able to handle one if not two on his own. And if Priscilla does join the battle… we could possibly end this fight tomorrow.”

“And all I ask is that you keep my brother safe,” Francis said. “He stays back. I know it sounds stupid, but that’s what I need more than anything.”

Stenson’s teeth showed as the man smiled. “You never change on that one point, do you?”

“No, I don’t,” Francis replied. “My family first, the kingdom second. Now then, tell me, what do we need to do to convince Baxter to fight beside us?”

A chuckle came from Stenson, who rose from his seat, motioning for Francis to do likewise.

“Oh, that won’t be a problem. Trust me. He’s been itching to join since the moment we arrived.”

***

“Finally!” Baxter roared, pounding his palm against Stenson’s shoulder. “It’s about time I get a chance to wet my blade with their blood!”

“Dear,” Queen Auri said slowly. “Perhaps you should take a moment and consider the risks of such an action.”

Francis watched as the king spun, his red eyes almost glowing as they locked in on the woman standing next to Francis.

“Did he lie?” Baxter asked, pointing a finger at Francis.

“No, he–”

“Then what is there to fear?” The king asked. “If I die, he’ll die and we’ll reset the loop! If we win, he’ll do the same thing again so that we can learn what we can improve upon. You tested him! You know that he isn’t lying!”

“It’s not that,” Auri replied. “What if he doesn’t restart the loop? What if something happens and you stay dead? What if–”

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“What if we stay here, never take a chance and lose everything?” Baxter asked, moving to stand before his wife. “I’m tired of this game. I’ve watched our people and our kingdom suffer. If the gods have given us a chance to win and then help the others, you and I both know what that means.” The king leaned in close, placing his forehead against his wife's. “You know that we could finally be free of this rope that threatens to hang us all.”

She sighed, standing on her toes; Auri kissed him. “I know… just… be safe.”

Baxter laughed, picked her up, and spun Auri around the tent. “That’s what I’m talking about!” When he was done celebrating, Baxter turned and smiled at Francis. “So, now what? You’re certain you can get Priscilla to join the fight? I’m not sure she will even if I ask her to.”

“I can and I will,” Francis said. “And if I can’t this time, I’ll just die and repeat it until I learn how to.”

The king chuckled and gave Francis a tap on his shoulder that showed him a reminder of the moment Baxter had killed him with a single hand long ago.

“You are an amazing gift, Francis. When we win, I will make sure your family is rewarded for your service.”

Rather than get into a discussion on how that wouldn’t be worth anything, Francis just bent his neck slightly. “Thank you, my King. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a mage to convince to fight in a war she doesn’t want to be a part of.”

***

“You speak of things that you shouldn’t know,” Priscilla stated, her complexion looking paler by the second. “I… I find it hard to believe, but there’s no other way for you to know what you do.”

“Which is why the King is willing to join the fight tomorrow, and you must as well,” Francis said. “I’m playing a game that I cannot win without your help. The good news is you’ll be getting one over on Stenson by going along with my plan.”

“And yet how do I know you won’t just use all this to your advantage upon the next death?” Priscilla asked. “You’re telling me you just need to die and you’ll relive this moment again. No one but those you tell upon each death knows anything. What’s to stop me from believing you haven’t attempted this moment before?”

“Nothing,” Francis said. “Except that I allowed you to verify that what I said was true.”

“Only that phrase,” she replied, frowning. “Which means there are things you don’t want to verify.”

Francis nodded, smiling as he pointed to the cup nearest to him. “Are you wanting to tell me what that glass is laced with? I know it has something inside it and that it’s not the liquid I pour into it.”

Her cheeks reddened and the mage clenched her eyes shut before opening them a second later. “You… keep saying things you shouldn’t know… just adding more weights to the scale that already tips in your favor and paints me in a bad light.”

“And yet,” Francis said, leaning forward. “I’m here, being honest and telling you I know what it is like to be bound to something you can't escape and wishing you could, but only if the conditions to escape mean getting what you want. I will die as many times as I must, no matter how horrible they are, until my brother is permanently safe and this kingdom survives.”

Francis moved his hand to his belt and slowly pulled a knife from it, keeping it sheathed.

“I could use this, threaten you with it. You could try and use magic to end my life but all that would do is cause you pain and potentially make me stronger. Each time we could do this dance, until the day comes when you cannot harm me. How many deaths would it take? A thousand? Ten thousand? There was a moment I considered this path, but I do not take joy in killing someone I don’t believe deserves it.”

Putting the knife back, he kept his eyes on Priscilla, watching the light in her eyes dim slowly.

“I killed a man who deserved it over a hundred times,” Francis stated. “I used him as a crucible to make me stronger and prepare me for the battle that I need to win. But I haven’t done so in so long. Why? Because his death means nothing anymore. A day will come when I hope the war can be won, and on that last attempt to take it all, I’m going to kill him again, because he deserves it. Because…” Francis leaned forward, locking eyes with her. “The world is a better place without him. Only those who show the world is better off without them need to fear me.”

“That… feels like a threat,” Priscilla said slowly. “Yet… I know it’s not.”

Shaking his head, Francis laughed. “I’m not threatening you. If I wanted, I could kill anyone. Even the King,” he replied. “But I wouldn’t see this kingdom being in a better place because I took that action. Sure, I might get stronger from doing so, but I don’t have that kind of drive in me to kill those who don’t deserve it. So when the army gathers and the battle begins, I need to know who cares more about winning a war that saves the entire kingdom than their own petty things? Baxter is willing to fight, has wanted to fight, and my ability gives him the chance to do what he wants for a moment without the fear of dying.”

“You don’t think he fears death?” Priscilla asked. “Everyone fears death?”

Francis laughed and shook his head. “Think about it for a moment and see it from his eyes. Forget everything you know about death, Priscilla. Let’s say the battle goes against us, and you die? Then what? If I die, you’re back, never knowing the pain of what you felt in that moment. There’s no memory of whatever claimed your life. Even if it’s more painful than you can imagine, you’ll come back to a moment days before now, unaware of it.”

Smiling, Francis leaned forward and raised both of his eyes playfully. “Tell me, Priscilla Obsterano, mage bound to King Baxter. Wouldn’t you for once like to walk across that battlefield and show everyone around you the true power you possess?”

Her blue eyes sparkled, not with magic that Francis could sense, but with what he guessed was finally understanding what he was offering.

A smirk appeared on the woman’s face, and yet Francis knew it wasn’t directed at him.

“A chance to finally let go of all the rage, anger, and frustration I hold inside me?” Priscilla asked. “Why, if I didn’t know better, we’ve had this conversation before, Sage Francis. It seems you know more about what I want than I could ever imagine.”

The pair laughed as Francis rose.

“I look forward to seeing what you can do,” he said. “Perhaps it might make me less likely to test myself against you anytime soon.”

This time, light appeared in those eyes, and the mage’s skin glowed white.

“Fear not, Sage Francis, I’ll show you the true power I possess.”