Chapter Text
Doom is not foolish enough to completely trust the three, no matter their help. They could easily be a trap, a trick to lure the Resistance into a false sense of security. However, they have helped the land recover, they survived the three day trial, and they have helped Dain when they could have easily left him.
Of course, if they are grade threes or humans who forfeited their humanity, they do not need to worry about the trial, and helping Dain could easily be another way to gain the Resistance’s trust.
Dain certainly seems to place his faith in them.
A part of Doom is relieved that Dain has found people he trusts, but he cannot help but find it foolish that of all the people Dain has chosen for help, he chose people who do not stand with the Resistance, and instead choose to carry on their own personal quest.
Perhaps that is why Dain chose to throw his lot with them. They are not part of the Resistance, and not loyal to Doom, who has denied Dain’s requests to see Tora again and again. Dain has never been close to anyone within the Resistance. Perhaps it is for the best that Dain leaves.
That does not mean that Doom needs to be happy about it.
Dain went alone with people he barely knows, who have made it clear they do not stand with the Resistance, and who carry potentially deadly secrets with them. Doom had taught Dain better than to take such risks. Deltora itself should have taught Dain better than to take such risks.
Perhaps it is Doom’s fault for trying to shelter him so.
Dain could be dead or betrayed, sold to the Grey Guards for coin or passage. He could be walking to an ambush or cruel trap, to be caged and tortured, and yet all Dain seemed to have focused on was getting to Tora.
Even if he gets to Tora, the loss will break him. There is no one waiting, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that Dain views his parents with something akin to worship. The idea that not only would they be lost, but all of Tora was, any remains of Dain’s family, and anyone who knew them also was, would shatter him.
He announces that he will be meeting Steven south of Tora, and no one disagrees. Neridah volunteers to join him, and Doom accepts, despite being certain she has ulterior motives. Better she travel with him than anyone else, if that is the case.
When Doom arrives at Tora, he looks at the three and Dain. From their expressions, they’ve been out of Tora for long enough to return to themselves. They all have their hands on their weapons, and are clearly ready to fight.
The only one who does not is Dain, who looks unsteady on his feet, with little light left in his eyes. Despite that, he’s standing next to the three instead of safely behind them.
He already knows from the look upon Dain's face that he knows what lies within the walls.
“So, Dain, you are where you wanted to be.” Doom sees Dain move slightly further from the city, tensing as Doom speaks, “Are you satisfied?”
“You knew!” Dain yells, lurching forward slightly, and Doom shifts his feet, prepared to move if Dain does anything too reckless, “You knew all along what Tora was, Doom. You lied to me!”
“Of course,” Doom does not bother lying, nor giving his voice false emotion. If Dain wants honesty, then Doom will speak truths, “For what else was keeping you strong but hope? Has seeing that your hope was in vain made you feel better or worse?”
Dain’s expression twists, and Doom nods as bitterness rises in his throat.
“Ever since you came to the stronghold I have been seeking your parents, Dain.” Any tiredness that would reach his voice is smothered by his spite. Even now, Dain clings to the ghosts of his parents as if they are the only thing giving him meaning, “I had hoped to be successful before you could find out that they were not in Tora. But you could not wait.”
“No, I could not!” Dain shouts, “But that is not my fault. I did not know the truth of things. I am not a child, to be protected and fed with fairy tales! You drove me to what I did by deceiving me!”
Dain’s voice has steel in it that Doom has never heard before, and even though he is clearly exhausted, he glares at Doom with a spark in his eyes that almost makes Doom feel relieved.
“Once, you would not have spoken to your elders that way,” Doom allows himself to sigh, recalling such things, “Such a polite, obedient child you were, when first I met you.”
“I am not a child!” Dain’s voice bursts from his throat, frustration clear in it.
Doom cannot help but feel a strange mix of sadness and fondness at that. Hearing Dain oppose him so plainly… It almost comforts him, knowing Dain will no longer fold at the slightest justification, nor would he forget it for praise.
“No, it seems you are not,” Doom agrees, “Perhaps…”
Dain has grown, that is clear. He has found out the truth of Tora, but the light has returned to his eyes. There is a strength to his stance and pride upon his face that was not there before. It is clear that Dain does not need comforting lies, and that the comfort has done nothing to help nor prepare him.
Dain is no longer a child.
He has grown, away from the shelter the Resistance offers.
“Perhaps I was wrong,” Doom says simply, feeling his lips twitch at the words. It is not something he can usually afford, but he has a feeling this is what Dain needs to hear, “It does not happen often, but it is possible. If I beg your pardon, will you return to the stronghold with us? You are sorely missed.”
Dain stares for a moment, clearly surprised by the offer, but hesitates, swaying.
Doom remains silent most of the trip. He sees no reason to speak, as he has said everything he wished to. From the corner of his eye, he can see Dain glance at him before looking down several times. Doom does not point it out- if Dain wishes to speak of what happened, he will. Doom has no intentions of guiding Dain though a conversation if Dain does not wish to speak.
When they have walked a fair distance, and Tora looks small in the horizon, Dain finally talks. “…I left the Resistance,” His voice is soft, as it usually is, but Doom can hear the hint of steel in it that remains.
“You did,” Doom acknowledges when it is made clear Dain is waiting for him to speak.
He hears Dain take a breath, clearly unsure, but carrying though, “You are not angry at me?”
“I denied you the truth of Tora. It is natural you would take matters into your own hands.” Dain startles at that, but gives Doom a half smile. It is clear that Dain did not expect Doom to agree with him, let alone admit to agreeing with him.
He sees Dain shiver out of the corner of his eye, “…I am still angry about that.”
Doom simply nods at the confession, letting the silence settle over them for a few minutes. He looks to the trees briefly, ensuring that they have not been followed, nor are there any Ols intruding on them.
“I will try to repair your trust in me.”
Dain is withdrawn as they travel to Withick Mire. While he has always been quiet, preferring to listen to others, this is different. He has been withdrawn ever since it was revealed that the Belt of Deltora is whole again, that the heir still lives. Doom can hardly blame Dain for his shock, considering the revelations also shaken Doom.
The moment he saw the Belt, complete with its gems and shining from the firelight, Doom had forgotten to breathe for a moment. Something within him had felt right in that moment, sitting around the fire.
He can only assume it felt the same for everyone there.
For a second, lost in his thoughts, Doom has the feeling he is being watched. When he glances around him, though, he notices nothing. There are few animals close, and none that have the traits that they need to watch out for. Zeean and Fardeep are half glancing at each other, while Dain is firmly staring ahead, a glint in his eyes.
They continue in silence, and Dain only speaks when they stop to rest, and their companions are asleep.
“Do you-“ Dain swallows, almost as if trying to keep the words from reaching the surface, “You-“ He closes his eyes, rubbing his chest, “You- do not believe it is right for- for a parent to harm their child, correct?”
Of all the things Doom expected Dain to bring up, this was not one of them. Thankfully, the answer is simple, “No, I do not.”
“Even,” Dain winces, and rubs his chest again, taking a calming breath. It is clear that even the subject is stirring panic within him, “Even when they have certain- expectations that their- child fails to meet?”
Something curls in Doom’s gut, boiling until he forces a, “No, I do not,” from his lips. It comes out harsher than intended, and Dain gives a flinch as Doom forces himself to calm down. It is difficult, as one look at Dain makes the helpless rage rise within him again.
He can do nothing except make sure Dain’s parents never touch him.
Forcefully, he turns his thoughts to that of their current mission, his older, more familiar anger replacing the newer one.
“Do you-“ Dain sighs and Doom once again clamps down on his fury before it can become too obvious. It is not difficult, since Dain is well aware that Doom’s rage towards the Shadow Lord drives him, “Is there any reason that you believe it justified for a parent to harm their child?”
Doom hesitates for a moment, biting back any comforting lies. He had promised Dain honesty, and he intends to keep to his word.
“If it is necessary to stop them from harming someone or taking a life,” Doom settles on replying. It is an honest answer, and the closest he can come to a fair one. If someone becomes a threat, they need to be stopped, no matter the relation.
He watches as Dain takes in the answer, looking down and nodding. His earlier tenseness is gone, and he is clearly tried, but he has not lost the dignity he usually carries himself with.
“I-“ Dain swallows again, and looks at Doom with too many emotions to name before they smooth over to determination, “I do not want for this to end.”
Despite Dain’s expression, his voice comes out almost pleading, and Doom gives Dain a smile, “Do not worry. There will always be work for the Resistance.”
It is only after the Belt is truly restored, and Lief is crowned king that Doom learns the truth.
Doom cannot shake the emotions within him. Dain is an Ol. Dain is an Ol, and has been right under the Resistance’s nose for over a year. Dain was able to successfully lie to their faces and pretend to be human. He was able to enter Tora-
If Doom had discovered Dain, he would have killed him without hesitation. If anyone within the Resistance discovered Dain, they would have tried. Dain would have been dead, had Doom found out, and the very image of that makes Doom feel ill-
Doom shakes himself out of it, and changes his thoughts before they have the chance to overwhelm him.
What Doom finds the most strange about Dain no longer hiding he is an Ol is that Dain is still Dain, even if he no longer pretends to be human. He is still somewhat reckless, eager to please, foolish, and yet, still kind.
Dain’s betrayal of his former master is proof of that.
Dain’s recklessness is something that Doom is certain Dain gained from Jasmine or Lief. He never did take such actions before- at least, not to such a degree. Dain made mistakes, but never deliberate ones. He has become more cautious recently, but Doom has a very strong feeling that will wear away in time again.
He has a strong feeling that Dain’s eagerness to please Doom is either a remnant of Dain’s service to the Shadow Lord or an attempt to prove he is trustworthy. Dain openly looks confused whenever he leaves a scolding unharmed, and acts as if Doom strung the sun into the sky if he praises him. Perhaps he should be worried of the power he now wields, but Doom has never been foolish enough to fear such things.
Doom knows that kindness is not natural to Ols, not natural to Dain. He knows that Dain’s emotions are not the same as what a human would feel. However, Dain chose to side with them, just as he chooses to be kind. It is not an inherent kindness, and is practised and maintained for another’s benefits, but it is kindness nonetheless.
Despite everything, Dain is still Dain, and Doom has taken the place of his master by becoming his father.
He has no intention of losing the position.