Page 278 of The Wishing Game

My eyes stray from him to the dry and arid environment, made even more unbearable by the red, blazing sky that emits an unnatural heat. The atmosphere is thick and heavy, making one want to crawl instead of walk. And as I get a better view of a quarry nearby, filled with souls emitting a dim glow, I realize that's the purpose. They toil on their hands and knees in an attempt to achieve a task that would be easily done in normal conditions. In another gallery, a few meters over, there's another group of souls that attempt to work, only to be lashed and hit by a guardian watching from the sidelines when they fail to deliver results.

"Who are those?" I point to the guardians, the only ones moving normally, not crawling.

"Those are the Custodians. They ensure that the damned perform their tasks."

"Who are you?" an angry voice bellows from behind. We both turn and come face to face with one of those Custodians. He's dressed in a gray linen tunic that's held together at the waist by a thick belt housing a number of weapons. His hand is already on the hilt of a knife, withdrawing it and brandishing it in front of us.

Ze tilts his head to the side, a breeze blowing his long hair from his face to reveal the tattoos that mar one side of his body.

The Custodian's eyes widen, and he immediately lowers his head, his gaze on the floor.

"Forgive me, Commander. We were not expecting you," he murmurs in a subservient voice. "And this..." He slowly turns his head toward me, though he does not raise his gaze.

"This is my female, but you will not mention a word of her presence. Is that clear?"

The Custodian bows to me, bending so low, his body trembles from the effort exerted. He might be immune to the toxic atmosphere of Katras, but he is not immune to Ze's frightening tone.

"At rest, soldier," Ze intones. "This is an informal visit, and I would like it to be kept that way."

The Custodian wobbles up, though he keeps his eyes on the ground, not daring to glance at either of us.

"Of course. Whatever you need. I am at your service," he mentions, placing his open palm against his chest in another light bow.

Ze's lips curl up, no doubt satisfied with the deferential display.

"I am looking for a certain damned soul. Mayhap you could help me track him down."

The Custodian nods immediately.

"I am pleased to help you, Commander. Who is it that you are looking for? I shall help you to the best of my ability."

Ze opens his palm to reveal a small, black sphere that travels from his hand to the Custodian.

"Thisdamned soul. I would also require a vial of Jì."

The Custodian falters for a moment.

"Commander..." he trails off in a tremulous voice. "You must be aware only the deities of the House of Psyche may use Jì."

Ze's expression tightens.

"I will not breathe a word of it if you do not," he mentions as he manifests a pouch in his hand. Metal rattles inside and I get a vague idea of what he might be offering the Custodian.

The man raises his gaze just enough to see the pouch, and indecision battles over his features. He swallows hard, and after a moment of deliberation, he extends his hands to receive the pouch.

"If you will follow me," he adds in a subdued voice. He swivels, leading us deeper into the hellish dimension that is Katras.

"Did you just bribe him?" I ask Ze in a whisper.

He keeps his features blank as he gives me a barely perceptible nod.

My eyes widen.

"Aren't you supposed to enforce the law, not break it?"

He purses his lips.

"It was necessary."

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