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“I do not stand with the Regime.”
Ewron’s voice echoed through the waves. The ocean surrounding them fell silent. For a moment Ash could only stare at him, but Ewron’s gaze did not falter. A void of water that was separating their meeting spot from the nearest land grew larger, just like the aching pain in the middle of Ash’s chest.
“You said you were dedicating your life to me.” Coldness washed over his body, even though the setting sun was still trying to burn a hole through his back. “Why betray me now?”
“I never said I was on the Regime’s side, did I?” Ewron almost laughed, but he quickly got rid of that expression. Then, he placed a hand over his heart. “I am on your side.” He kept staring at Ash, his deep blue eyes imitating the waves that were slowly pushing their boats apart.
“I am the Regime.” Ash clenched his fists, suppressing the emotion that was trying to make him lose control. “If you’re the Regime's enemy, you are my enemy.” Only a whisper managed to escape his lips.
“That's not what we agreed on though?” Ewron tilted his head to the side, an almost curious gesture that was so improper to the situation they found themselves in.
“What do you mean?” He snarled.
“You see…” Ewron pretended to ponder for a while, but Ash was sure he had this entire conversation planned out, with all the possible outcomes. He always did. “On the very first day, after we met, you asked me whether I wanted to help you kill everyone, right?” He waited for Ash to nod. “I agreed back then. I even gave you my moss as a sign of trust!” He raised his hands above his head, as if he was exasperated that he had to remind Ash of their history. “But now it doesn't seem like you really want to act this way,” Ewron lowered his voice. “You got too attached to Tubbo and Haiper.”
“Speak for yourself.” Ash stood straighter, looking down at him. “I see you becoming friends with every person that comes your way.”
“You don't understand the way I act,” Ewron sighed. “I really hoped you would.”
“Then enlighten me, if you really feel oh-so-superior.” He rolled his eyes.
“I am not the same kind of fighter that you are. I do not strike people with threats the moment they lay their gaze upon me, no.” Ewron smirked, looking towards the main island. “I give them gifts. Items that are useless to me, but allow them to form emotional bonds with me. I compliment them, tell them how much I appreciate them until they lower their guards. And once they do that?” He pulled out a blade that was previously hidden near his wrist. “They won't expect a knife in the back.” He pressed the blade to his finger, til a small droplet of blood fell into the ocean. “That's the assassin's way.”
Ash had seen him act like that with other people before. Ever since they arrived at the island, Ewron approached everyone with the same enthusiasm that was impossible to ignore. Inserting himself into every conversation, making people automatically pay attention to his words. He smiled and laughed loudly, making jokes and funny remarks. He gave away so much, without wanting anything in return. He was seen as selfless and always willing to help.
A perfect disguise full of trust. And now that Ash had his words as a confirmation that this was nothing but an act, he suddenly thought back to their first interaction. Ewron greeted him loudly just like he did to everyone else. Has all of this been just a lie? Was their alliance just another play of Ewron’s? The moss he was given was no different from any other gift now, was it? It probably meant nothing to Ewron. Ash gave it back to him, when they sealed their alliance here on those very boats. Ewron probably threw it into lava the moment he went back to Polski Cave.
“Have you been doing this to me as well?” Ash lowered his voice. “Is today the moment of the knife in the back?”
He gripped the axe tighter and brought it forward. If it came to a fight, Ewron stood no chance against him. Regular diamond armor layering his assassin robes could be sliced like cardboard. And that unsharpened sword of his wouldn't do more damage than a fist.
For the first time in this entire conversation Ewron looked genuinely shocked. He blinked a few times before speaking up.
"Would I tell you my tactic if I was using it on you as well?" He surrendered his hands upwards, and made a step back. "Besides..."
He took an oar and brought his boat closer, till it gently collided with Ash's. A lilypad was soon placed on water, as a support block for an ender chest. He opened it for Ash to see inside. Their moss block was placed in the middle, among the most prized possessions of the Pole. At the same time it was shielded from all sides with wool, protecting it from any sharp objects that could damage it.
"It was never something useless to me." He took the ender chest back into his inventory.
The sun was even lower on the sky now, but Ash felt like a big portion of his body's coldness started to melt away. He lowered his axe, suddenly feeling almost remorseful. Almost. Because there were still so many things left unanswered.
"Okay," he said gently, allowing his voice to bounce softly on the waves. "Ewron, I still want to kill everyone with you," he promised. "But my goals have evolved into so much more. I have to achieve them before we set out on our cause. I need The Regime as a means to an end."
This wasn't a lie, but not the whole truth either. He had to omit some of it, because Ewron didn't know what the Federation was. Only a few islanders did, and that knowledge came with a cost. Even now, they could be spied on, even in the middle of the ocean. And if the Federation heard he was plotting something with Ewron, they would take action. As long as they thought Ash was only a tyrannical leader of a new government, he had the freedom to do something. To destroy the Federation for good on his own terms.
"It’s hard to trust you when I don’t know what your plans are, Ash," Ewron sighed and started playing with his sleeve.
"It's hard to trust you, when you're openly trying to stand against me, Ewron," he countered, ignoring the tightness in his chest.
"We really are the same, ey?" Ewron smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Lying and testing each other which makes us stuck in the constant state of not knowing what the other person wants? Pretty much." Ash averted his gaze, placing his interest on two otters that were swimming together only a few meters away. "We are used to never being fully honest with people. It always worked in our favor, but now we found our match."
"And it's not enough to build a lasting relationship." Ewron nodded, solemnly.
"Unless we start being truthful to each other," Ash said, his own hypocrisy stinging his tongue like needles, even though it never used to happen before. He never felt like this while lying.
"I'll start. Completely honest, okay?" Ewron stepped forward, until he was standing at the edge of his boat. "There is something that keeps bringing me back here, no matter how far I try to go." His eyes felt like a sky now, vast and truthful. Ash really hoped that was the case. "Us, the Poles, keep figuring out new stuff and during those moments all I can think about is sharing those achievements with you." He winked. "Like the cannon. Or the tv..."
"Amazing achievements that will help us conquer the world, alright,” Ash deadpanned.
"Come on, man, I was trying to lighten the mood!" Ewron relaxed his shoulders and then put the weight of his body on one leg, leaning forward. "You are the first person I met here. Your presence is the most captivating thing I ever experienced in my life. That's why I dedicated my service to you."
The stars started to appear in the early night sky, but Ash felt somehow warmer than a few minutes ago.
"You are the first person I met that can relate to how I feel." He allowed some of the emotions to flow upwards to the surface. "Not once have you shown any fear around me..." He closed his eyes, fighting a battle against his heart and mind at the same time. Ewron really could be a great ally against the Federation. He wouldn’t falter under their threats. But… "Can you promise me that you won't back down from that decision, even when you learn the whole truth?"
"I promise."
“And that you won't try to destroy the Regime in the meantime.” Ash raised an eyebrow, because that was the topic that started this whole conversation.
“Okay, okay! Tubbo is a nice kid, I can tolerate him for now. Pinky promise! I won't try any tricks in the near future.“ Ewron extended the pinky finger of his right hand. Ash felt like they somehow regressed from being war criminals to kindergarteners at that moment. “But I’m not gonna lie and say that I magically support the Regime now. I still hate the idea.”
"Okay.” That was progress. He could accept that. “Now, my turn. Being completely honest, I..."
"Wait!" Ewron shushed him. Ash didn't have time to get mad at him before he whispered with a very serious expression. "Someone is there..." He pointed behind Ash.
He snapped around and scanned the waters. At first he saw nothing but waves, but then he noticed a moving object, heading towards their general direction. It was a boat, hidden in the twilight’s mist, dancing on the horizon line and slowly getting closer. Sitting inside it was certainly a white creature.
Ash acted before he could think anything over. He jumped into Ewron's boat and pulled a teleportation stone from his inventory. He quickly grabbed his hand and chose their destination. Soon after they stood on the lavender fields, near a little white bench, engulfed in moonlight. Only then did Ash acknowledge how fast his heart was beating.
That was too close. How long have the Federation been lurking around them? He got too careless. They almost heard everything he wanted to hide. If it wasn’t for Ewron’s sharp eyes, he would have been done for.
"Wow. That was quick." Ewron swirled around, scanning the scenery. "But I need an explanation. ASAP." He faced Ash and his expression said that he wouldn't give it up. “Out of your reaction I assume they are our enemies?”
Our? With that one word Ash swallowed all the fear. He couldn’t be afraid anymore, because being afraid only caused more tragedies. “Have you seen them before, Ewron?” he asked. “Not counting that one time when they greeted us all on the ship.”
“The one with a smiley face, Cucurucho, right? It was watching me.” Ewron didn't sound worried enough according to Ash’s opinion. It was going to change soon, once he learned the truth. “It took out a spyglass and pointed it at me. Two seconds later it was already diving underwater and gone.”
So the Federation was already targeting him, even though he knew nothing? Was that because the two of them were already working together?
“Earth to Ash!” Ewron waved his hand in front of his eyes. “I'm waiting for the explanation.”
“Take a seat with me.” Ash walked to the bench and sat in his usual place.
Ewron soon appeared on his right, carefully avoiding stomping on the lavender flowers. He couldn’t have known how special this space was for Ash, but still acted this way. That somehow made Ash relax more.
“It’s going to be a long story,” he said. “And not the most pleasant one. You’re ready?”
“Sure. We have a lot of time to spare.” Ewron smiled.