Chapter 6: Choice

Due to me being sick and overworked, this chapter was delayed immensely and I had to revise and re-write certain sections a number of times just to get it to the point where I thought I could put it out for others to look at it...not that many will.  Anyway, I'm going through some tough times right now.  I feel about as burnt out, worn out, and stressed out as anyone probably can, so I'm taking a short break from writing.  I should be back in a week or so.  Expect Chapter 7 or at least some kind of update in about two weeks.  I hope you can enjoy this chapter.  It's a little heavy.

Chapter 6: Choice

            Nerise bowled Daryl over and the purple haired girl let out a short grunt.  The sleep faded from her eyes and a scowl started to form on Daryl's face, but as the little girl hugged her and rubbed her face against Daryl’s cheek, she couldn't help but smile.  “Come on, get off me, Nerise!” She laughed.  "What are you doing out here, anyway?"

“Huh?” Nerise raised her head and gave Daryl a confused look.  “I'm hugging you,” she said matter-of-factly.  “I missed all of you,” she nodded to Mina and Celine, shaking with excitement.  "Haha, it’s been years since I had friends my own age to play with!”

“Looks like she’s a keeper, eh, princess?” Celine snickered, helping Daryl and Nerise to their feet.  While she was lending the two girls a hand, the undead apocra sauntered over to her and began to lick Celine with all three of its tongues.  “Gah!  Stop it!  That’s gross!” Celine giggled, losing her balance and toppling over from the tongues' assault.

“Awwww, Cere likes you,” Nerise squealed.  "That's adorable!  Usually, Cere's wary of newcomers."

“Celi’s always been good with apocra,” Mina whispered to Nerise, "Even undead ones."

"H-hey, cut that out!  You're gettin my dress all soggy!" Celine called, trying to squirm away from apocra's tongues.

“Okay, Cere, that’s enough.  Let her up,” Nerise grunted, running over to the apocra and pulling Celine away from him.  When the undead beast began slobbering all over her as well, Nerise took out her toy scepter and gently bopped the apocra on each of its three noses.  “No!  Bad boy!  Heel!”  A piteous whimper rose in each of the apocra’s throats and it slowly backed away before falling flat to the ground. “There.  Now that’s a good boy,” Nerise mumbled, patting the creature’s skeletal paw.

A gasp escaped Mina’s lips as the pain in her extremities intensified and her heart began to throb violently.  When her friends turned to look at her, Mina let out a nervous chuckle and nudged Daryl in the side.  “S-So much for the big bad necromancer, huh?”

“Would you shut up?!” Daryl averted her eyes from Nerise as color rose to her cheeks.  “When we saw her in the forest, all I was paying attention to were the undead.  How was I supposed to know she was so…so..."

“Cute?” Celine snorted, wiping excess drool from her dress.

“Hey!" Nerise exclaimed, "Will you come over to my house for a snack?!” her eyes lit up and she stifled a fit of giggles.  "I made some cakes before I went to bed."

Mina’s stomach let out a low gurgle, but she put her hand over it and cleared her throat.  “A-actually…I need to see Aeon.  Is he here?” Mina’s body trembled as she spoke.

“Huh?” Nerise tilted her head then nodded.  “Oh, right!  For the treatment!  Yeah he’s here.  Hop on,” she patted Cere’s back before hopping onto the undead apocra, “We’ll take you there.”

The trio examined the apocra for a moment, holding their noses as the stench of decay wafted over them.  Mina and Celine wrinkled their noses but quickly got behind Nerise, smiling as best they could despite the smell.  Daryl joined them a moment later, holding her hand over her mouth.

“Uggh!  How can you stand that stink?!”

“Hmm?” Nerise sniffed the air, while Cere whimpered and drooped all six of its ears.  “What do you mean?  I don’t smell anything.”

“Why am I not surprised,” Daryl sighed.  “Just…get going, will you?”

“Okay!” Nerise smiled and patted Cere’s neck.  The apocra bobbed its heads up and down before taking off towards Aeon's crystalline tower at a leisurely pace.

As they passed by the edge of the forest, Celine said, “Hey, Nerise.  It just occurred to me that you seem a little young to be a lich's servant.  What gives?  Are you an orphan, or-”

“No, I had a mommy.  But she didn’t love me like Aeon,” Nerise lowered her eyes.  “I...don’t like to think about what happened before he saved me.”

“Oh!” Celine's eyes widened and she rubbed the backs of her ears.  “Umm, sorry, I...er...”

“It’s okay,” Nerise flashed her an innocent smile before scratching her chin, “But do I really look that young?  Hmm…I guess I age gracefully,” she laughed.

Another wave of pain came over Mina and she suppressed a cry.  Looking over at the smiling face of Nerise, she couldn’t help but smile in return, though it was a little half hearted.  “So, how old are you, Nerise?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

“About two hundred and ninety two…give or take,” Nerise shrugged.

“C’mon…if that were true, we’d all be pushing four hundred,” Celine said.

“Hehe, you’re funny,” Nerise giggled.

“Goddess…” Daryl sighed.  “She’s being serious, vagabond.  Though don’t ask me how that’s possible.”

“Y-you’re kidding…” Celine grunted.

“It doesn’t seem that weird, considering everything else that’s happened this week,” Mina said.  “If you’re that old, how long have you been with…with Aeon?”

“For as long as I’ve been happy!” Nerise replied.  “He and Weissy taught me everything I know about everything.”

“Weissy?” the three girls muttered in unison.

“Sure!  He was my first real friend.  OH!  Look, look!  We’re here!” she called when Cere slowed to a halt and hugged the ground so the four of them could get off.

Jaunting over to the door, Nerise raised her scepter to knock, but before she could, the door was pulled open by Vincent.  The teythen's pale skin almost glowed in the darkness, outlined by a silken red undershirt and black trousers.  Rubbing his eyes, he pulled at tangles of his hair underneath the white bandana he always wore and a small patch fell out of the bandana and covered his left eye.

Allowing a yawn to escape his pallid lips, Vincent glowered at the four girls.  “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Night…time?” Nerise mumbled.

“Hehe,” Vincent cracked a smile and knelt down next to Nerise.  “I suppose that is technically correct,” he ruffled Nerise’s hair.  Vincent's nose twitched a frown crossed his lips.  Turning to Mina, he seemed to see right through her and she shuddered. “I believe I know why you're here.”

“How did you know we were coming?” Celine narrowed her eyes at him.  “Were you watching us?”

“In a manner of speaking.  I am Aeon’s retainer, after all.  It is my duty to know what goes in within and without the walls of Acacia,” he said, brushing back his hair to reveal that he was missing his left eye.  The girls gasped as something behind them let out a shrill squeal.  Mina and the others turned and saw a small rodent with leathery wings fly into Vincent’s left eye socket and transform into his crimson eye.

“Show off!” Nerise giggled, hugging Vincent’s leg when he stood up.  “You’re only being all mysterious cause our new friends came back to visit!”

To Mina’s surprise, color rose to Vincent’s cheeks and he stammered, “N-no, that is not true, Nerise.  It is my duty, to...ugh," he groaned, "Why are you even up?  It's quite late.”

“I...had a bad dream,” Nerise pouted her lips at the teythen.

“You are a big girl, Nerise,” Vincent sighed.  “Besides, unlike Aeon, I do require sleep at some point.  I can't check up on you every time you want a playmate at midnight.”

Feeling her legs begin to give out, Mina took a deep breath and stepped forward, trying to hold herself steady as she did.  “Umm-”

“Nerise, perhaps you should give our guests a tour of Acacia.  I can guide Mina to Aeon,” Vincent quickly cut her off.

“No fair!  I wanna see him too!” Nerise puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms.

“Let me ask you again.  Do you have any idea what time it is, Neri?” Vincent patted her on the head.

“Oh.  Oh!  OH!” Nerise exclaimed, giggling to herself.  “Okay.  I understand.  Say hi to Kina for me!”

“Ummm…what?” Daryl raised an eyebrow at the pair.

“Nothing,” Vincent replied, blushing slightly.

Taking Mina’s hand, Celine squeezed it tightly.  “Hey…would it be alright if I went with Mina?  I…I’m worried.  She’s been-”

“It would be wisest if you went with Nerise,” Vincent interjected.  “I will look after-”

“She’s my sister,” Celine said adamantly.

“Celi…” Mina’s heartbeat quickened and she struggled to stay on her feet.  “You don’t need to worry about me.”  Trying to make her voice sound stern, Mina added, “I mean, I’m not a baby!  Go on and see Acacia with Nerise.  And try not to fight with Daryl,” she sighed.  "Remember, we're guests here."

“But-”

“It’s settled then!” Nerise grabbed Celine and Daryl by the hand and pulled them back over to Cere.  “We’ll be back to pick you up by morning, okay?  Have fun!” she waved at Mina and Vincent from the back of the apocra while it trotted off into the forest.

Putting his arm around her shoulder, Vincent quickly ushered Mina inside and shut the doors.  The walls of the crystalline citadel glittered with an otherworldly light, which rose and fell like snow on a crisp winter morning.  However, this time it was not empty.  A long, rectangular, dining table made of glass filled the hall, with enough chairs on either side of it to accommodate at least ten people.

“It’s alright now,” Vincent said, “You can collapse if you need to.”

No sooner had had he spoken than Mina’s legs gave out and she dropped to the floor, panting and wheezing.  Holding her hand over her heart, the fourteen year old girl furiously tried to slow its rapid thumping.  Vincent carefully scooped her up and deposited her in one of the glass chairs, which was decorated with black cushions on the seats and backs.

Raising her chin with his hand, Vincent gazed into Mina’s eyes.  “You’ve gotten much thinner.”  The only answer Mina could give was a curt nod.  “Rest for a moment and catch your breath  Would you like some water?”

"Y-yes, please," Mina croaked.

Vincent nodded and closed his eyes.  His skin seemed to ripple and undulate underneath his undershirt.  A head covered in shaggy black fur, with an elongated muzzle and bright red eyes, forced its way out of the teythen's shoulder.  Large paws on the ends of long, sinewy legs emerged from around the head and pulled the creature out, leaving a small hole in Vincent's shoulder.  It landed on four legs and circled around Vincent for a moment, shaking its fur and swishing its bushy black tail back and forth.

A nod from the teythen sent the creature racing out of the hall.  It turned and headed in the direction Mina had come from after meeting Raschid before disappearing from sight.  The creature reappeared less than a minute later with a decanter clenched between its jaws.

Taking the decanter, Vincent held it to Mina’s lips and she drank thirstily, spilling a little water down her cheek as she did.  When she had finished, Vincent laid the decanter down and the creature leapt into his shoulder, dissolving into his skin and filling the hole.

“Th-thank you,” Mina coughed, wiping her lips.  “But…how did you know?”

“Your blood has a sickly scent to it,” Vincent replied, taking a seat next to her.  “and it was clear to me from your body language that you were hiding it from your friends.”

“I...wanted to come at night so they wouldn’t find out how bad it was getting,” Mina muttered, reaching for the decanter.  Vincent nudged it in her direction and she took another long drink.  “I didn't think it would get this bad in only four days..."

“Aeon expected you to return sooner,” Vincent said with a far off look in his eyes.

“Is…is he still going to treat me?” Mina squeaked.

“Of course,” Vincent nodded, “But he was…concerned for you.”  A shudder ran through Mina’s body and though Vincent saw it, he said nothing.  “We should get going.  I am unsure of how long the treatment will take.”

“R-right…” Mina stammered.  She jumped out of the chair and nearly lost her balance when her feet touched the floor, but managed to keep from toppling over.  Vincent put his hand on her shoulder to steady her and offered a reassuring smile.

“You do not need to be afraid.”

“I can’t help it.  In my head, I know that...that he saved me,” Mina shuddered as they took their first step up the stairwell, “But my heart won’t stop pounding!  I keep thinking about…about…” she glanced up at Vincent, whose face had become a mask of worry.  “N-no, it's nothing.  I’m sorry.  He’s your lord, so I…I shouldn’t say such things.” 

Vincent did not reply.  Lowering his eyes, he carefully stamped his foot down twice.  The staircase shuddered for a moment before an audible click reached Mina's ears.  There was a low rumble underneath them and the staircase began to ascend, carrying them up the long and winding path to the top of the tower.

Several minutes passed without either of them speaking a word.  The only sound that accompanied their climb was clinking and whirring underneath the staircase as they were carried upwards.  Finally, Mina let out a sigh and asked, “Can you tell me how this is possible?  Is it magic, or…it’s been driving me crazy since I first got here!”

A wry smile came to Vincent’s lips and he allowed a tiny chuckle to escape his throat.  “It's neeg machinery, designed by Yuka and Merkel.  An invention of theirs dubbed, the escalator.”

“Neeg machinery, huh…” Mina mused, kneeling down and watching as the stairs continued moving towards the top of the spire with the two of them on top of it.  “Wait, who’s Merkel?  I don’t think I met him the last time I was here.”

“Not surprising,” Vincent shook his head and sighed.  “He is rather…temperamental.  Yuka’s uncle prefers to stay in his tower and work on his inventions to almost anything else.  He seldom ever comes down to meets our guests."

“Yuka has an uncle?”

“Yes.  He's a brilliant inventor to be sure, but quite rude and very irritable,” Vincent replied.  “However, one cannot fault his ethics.  Devices like this were created to help people.  His escalator and elevator were created for those too weak or sickly to climb a traditional stairwell.”

“He sounds like a nice man,” Mina said.

“He isn’t,” Vincent smirked and the two of them shared a chuckle. 

The escalator deposited them in the middle of the circular walkway that spanned the perimeter of the tower's top floor.  Mina started towards the wooden doors of Aeon’s laboratory but Vincent grabbed her shoulder and shook his head.  Guiding her over to the door of solid ice opposite the laboratory, Vincent pressed his hand against the ice and pushed forward.  The ice retreated a few paces before parting completely, opening the way for the two of them.

“So this is Aeon's room, huh? Mina murmured, glancing about when they entered a spacious room with high ceilings.

A large carpet with a mural of countless people of all races standing around a black crystal covered much of the floor.  The room’s back and right walls were filled to the brim with arcane tomes, while a stately marble fireplace occupied the center of the left wall.  A rusted broadsword was laid out on top of the fireplace in a position of respect, while a podium with a locket on display rested in the far left corner.  A king sized bed, richly decorated with red velvet sheets and blankets was next to the fireplace.  The center of the room was occupied by a large, cushioned armchair opposite a sofa, with a low table in between them.  The back wall had a pair of glass doors which opened up to an outside balcony.  Through the doors, Mina could see a pair of silhouettes embracing.  One looked like a normal man, while the other appeared to be a curvaceous woman with demonic wings and a tail.

Mina started towards the glass doors, but stopped when Vincent grabbed her shoulder.  The teythen shook his head before guiding Mina over to the sofa, where he and Mina took a seat.  "It would be...unwise to disturb them," he muttered, blushing slightly.

Looking from the glass doors to Vincent, Mina said, “Is that…Aeon and Miss Kinana?”

“They should be done soon,” Vincent said, averting his eyes from the door.  He pulled a small flask out of his undershirt and took a long draught.

Minutes ticked by slowly and Mina began to shiver.  Glancing behind her, Mina noticed that the ice door had reformed, barring any warmth from entering the room.  Her breath turned to mist before her eyes and the balcony's glass doors began to frost over.  Turning her head, she saw that Vincent seemed relatively unbothered by the frigid air, however he furrowed his brow when he saw her trembling.

"There are logs in the fireplace and flint next to Aeon's old sword.  If you are cold, I am certain Aeon will not mind."

Nodding gratefully, Mina jumped off the sofa and scrambled over to the fireplace.  There was a large chunk of flint in front of the rusted sword and a matching piece of steel next to it.  Quickly grabbing them, Mina knelt down next to the fire and scrapped the chunk of flint against the steel.  Sparks leapt off the steel onto the logs, but they refused to light. 

"Dammit!" Mina groaned when she saw frost caked onto the wood.  With a sigh, she returned the flint and steel to the top of the fireplace and rubbed her shoulders with her hands.  While she was rubbing herself to stay warm, Mina took a step back and nearly tripped over the edge of the carpet.  Though she managed to retain her footing, Mina stumbled over to the podium and grabbed it to brace herself.

"Didn't work, huh?" Vincent sighed.  "Well, Aeon usually lights the fire with magic, so..." his words trailed off and Mina noticed that his tranquil red eyes had widened significantly.  Glancing over her shoulder, Mina saw the locket on the podium and turned towards it. "Mina, come back and wait with me," Vincent called, patting the seat next to him.  "It won't be much longer."

"S-sure," Mina said, her teeth chattering.  She turned around to return to the sofa, however stopped when she saw something golden sticking out of the locket.

"Mina, don't!" Vincent called out, already halfway across the room when he saw her hand reach for the tiny hunk of metal.  However, both he and Mina froze in place when a raspy voice called out from beyond the glass doors.

“I wouldn’t…”

Mina slowly turned her head towards the balcony doors.  The silhouette in the doorway no longer belonged to a man.  Instead, the outline of a cloaked figure floated several feet off the ground with the woman's arms wrapped around his neck.  Pushing the doors open, Aeon glided into the room with his hands folded behind his back.  Kinana followed after him, dressed in a black leather outfit that accentuated her curves.  The succubus’s eyes lit up when she saw Mina.

“You came!” she cried, skipping over to Mina and hugging her.  “I was worried…” Kinana added, gingerly stroking Mina’s hair.

“Give her space, Kinana,” Aeon murmured, taking a seat in the cushioned arm chair, “This is undoubtedly unsettling for her.” 

Kinana pouted her lips at Mina, but reluctantly pulled away.  She brushed her hand against Vincent's face.  Though color rose to his cheeks, the teythen's face appeared to be carved of stone.  He put his hand on Mina's shoulder and gently guided her back to the sofa.  Kinana took a seat on the arm of Aeon’s chair, leaning her head against his hooded skull while Vincent and Mina stopped in front of the sofa.

“Please,” Aeon nodded to Mina, “Be seated.”

Mina’s heart pounded in her ears and her body trembled at the sight of Aeon, however she did as she was bidden and took a seat next to Vincent, who gave her hand a reassuring pat.  “Aeon, it is quite cold in here,” Vincent said, “Perhaps-”

“Of course,” Aeon nodded, "Forgive my rudeness."  He held out his hand towards the fireplace and a tongue of flame burst out of his palm.  It curled around the logs in the fireplace and soon the logs were ablaze, engulfing the entire room in a gentle glow.

Warm air wafted over Mina's skin and she let out a sigh of relief.  "Th-thank you," she said, swallowing hard.

 “You are here for the remainder of your treatment,” Aeon stated, rather than asked.  Mina opened her mouth to speak, but could only nod numbly at the sight of the lich.  “Very well.  Then we should begin.  You may leave us, Vincent.”

“I think Mina would be more comfortable if I stayed,” the teythen replied, nodding in Mina’s direction.  Though Vincent's hand was like a chunk of ice against her fingers, Mina squeezed it and gave him a grateful smile.

“Perhaps,” Aeon said, “However, before we can begin I must speak with her about a personal matter.”

“I...I don't know what you're talking about,” Mina stammered.  “I thought you were going to-” she tried to get up, but nearly fell forward onto the table in between her and Aeon.  Vincent caught her and laid her down on the sofa.

“Mina, you shouldn't get too excited.  Your body is…”

“Yes.  It has weakened significantly,” Aeon interjected.  “You have felt pressure on your chest and pain in your extremities, correct?”

“Y-Yes,” Mina spat out, averting her eyes from the lich.  “Please…I just want to get this over with!  My friends are worried and I…look, can we just get started?  I'll need to be home by morning.”

“I understand,” Aeon said.  “It is possible to finish before morning, if you are ready.”

“I…I’m ready,” Mina stammered.

“Are you indeed?” Aeon rested his bony chin on his knuckles.  “For this surgery to succeed, you will need to trust me.  And I sense that you do not.”

“You can hardly blame her,” Kinana frowned at Aeon.  “You scare her.  And with good reason.”

“She’s right,” Vincent nodded, “Though we know better, at first glance you are..." he stopped and cleared his throat.  "Quite fearsome."

"Understandable.  However, it is for that very reason that I must speak with her alone," Aeon said.  "This surgery cannot proceed if she does not trust me.

Slowly rising from her spot on the sofa, Mina held her chest and grimaced at Aeon.  “I came here for the surgery like you told me to!  What more can I do?!” Mina shouted, leaning against Vincent for support.  “Do you want me to beg?!  Is that it?!”

“Mina, Aeon’s not like-” Vincent started to say.

“Why do you fear me, Minava?” Aeon mused, green flames springing to life in his eye sockets.  “What have I done to earn your scorn?”

“You’re a lich,” Mina spat, feeling her heartbeat quicken as she spoke.  “Your kind are the vilest, most evil creatures on Serano.”

"Are we indeed?" Shaking his head, Aeon sighed.  “Minava, a lich is no more wicked or virtuous than anyone else.”

Lowering her eyes, Mina hung her head and sniffed back a tear.  “Tell that to my parents.”

The flames in Aeon's eyes flickered brilliantly at Mina and her gaze was drawn back to them.  “I am not the Molten Zombie,” he said, his voice remaining calm and steady.  “I am not the one who killed your parents.”

Mina’s mouth dropped open and she fell silent for a moment, glaring at Aeon.  “H-how…how do you-” she stuttered, looking from Aeon to Kinana, who averted her gaze from the fourteen year old girl.  Her breathing quickened and Mina began to hyperventilate.

“Mina!” Vincent grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.  “Mina, you have to calm down!”

“Move!” Kinana grunted, floating over to Mina and sticking her tail into the girl’s neck.  Mina felt warm fluid flow into her veins.  Her heartbeat slowed and she managed to gain control of her breathing, but Mina’s eyes were still wide and fixed on Aeon.

An awkward silence overtook the room, broken only by the steady flow of fluid into Mina’s neck and the crackling of logs in the hearth.  After several minutes had passed, Mina turned towards Vincent and said, “Vincent…can you please leave us?”

“Mina, that’s not a good idea right-”

“I’ll play by your rules,” Mina stammered, looking back at Aeon, “So…tell me what you know.”

“Maybe we should just go through with the treatment,” Kinana mumbled, glancing over at Aeon.  “She’s not doing well.”

“Please…tell me what you know!” Mina growled.  “I…I don’t even know why my parents were killed!  What was Agni looking for?!  Why didn’t the Telnumbrans punish him?!  Why did his forces attack Gesthal?!”

Vincent got to his feet and looked from Kinana to Aeon.  The lich and the teythen exchanged a curt nod before Vincent turned back to Mina.  “No matter what happens, remember…Aeon is not your enemy,” Vincent said.  “He will not hurt you.”  He lingered for a moment to glare at Aeon before his body dispersed into a swarm of black winged beasts and fluttered out of the open balcony window.

Sitting Mina against one of the sofa’s cushions, Kinana took a seat next to her and held the girl’s hand while she addressed Aeon.  “There.  He's gone," Mina snorted. "Now-”

“I know less than you think,” Aeon muttered.  “I do not know why Agni killed your parents.  Or even why he is attacking your hometown.”

Mina’s wide eyed stare narrowed into a venomous scowl.  “Then…then why did you say you did?!  Why did you trick me like-”

“I do not know everything, Minava,” Aeon said, “But I do know you.”

“Wh-what?”

“In order to purge you of the soul satchern, I had to sift through every bit of your soul.  I know all that you know.  I know all that you are,” Aeon slowly spelled out.

Silence once again filled the room.  Mina's mouth hung open and she glared at Aeon in some feeble hope that the lich might burst into flames if her stare lingered long enough.  Stumbling to her feet, Mina pulled Kinana's tail from her neck and trembled with rage.

“How…how dare you?!” Mina screamed.  “You…you can’t even begin to understand what I’ve been through, yet you have the gall to ask me to trust you simply because you glanced into my heart?!  How would you like it if I-?"

“I am sorry,” Aeon bowed his head, instantly silencing Mina.  “I know I had no right to.  However, I could not simply let you die.”

The energy born of her anger fled Mina's body and she fell back onto the sofa, slumping against one of its cushions.  “If you know all that I am…then you know why I fear you.  Why’d you even bother asking…?” she stammered, a tear dribbling down her cheek.

“It is because I do know you, child,” Aeon replied.  “And it is not in your nature to hate a person because of the actions of another.  Since our last encounter, I had hoped you would take my advice and choose for yourself whether or not I was the same as Agni.”

Lowering her eyes, Mina mumbled, “I wouldn’t be here if I thought you were the same as that…that monster,” she gritted her teeth and spat out the last word.  “But how can I trust you?  You’ve invaded my most private thoughts!  You’ve threatened promises from me!  You’ve-”

“Saved your life,” Kinana added, a touch of bitterness in her voice.  Though she patted Mina's hand, the succubus averted her gaze from Mina.

“I have been honest with you, Minava,” Aeon said.  “I had hoped that would be enough.”

“I…” Mina stammered, wiping tears out of her eyes.  “Just get on with the treatment?!  I…I can’t be sick!  I don’t want to be a burden anymore...not ever again!”

Interlocking his bony hands, Aeon leaned back in his chair and glared at Mina from behind steepled fingers.  "The only one who sees you as a burden, Minava, is you."

"That's a lie," Mina sniffled, "I couldn't even come here tonight without Celi and Daryl tagging along.  I didn't want them to worry, but-"

"It is only natural to worry about those you hold dear," Aeon said.  "If the roles were reversed, you would have done exactly as Celine did."

"Well, sure, but-"

"And the furthest thought from your mind would be that she was a burden."

Biting her lip, Mina lowered her eyes and nodded.  "You're right...you really do know me," she added bitterly.

"Minava," Aeon said, floating out of his chair, "It is only natural for friends to help one another.  You need not do everything on your own."

 “He's right, Mina.  You don’t have to deal with this alone,” Kinana whispered, putting her hand on Mina’s shoulder.  “Let us help you."

Placing her fingers over Kinana's, Mina leaned against the succubus for support.  "Thank you, Miss Kinana." 

Turning her gaze towards the lich, Mina wanted to shudder at the sight of his ivory skull, the green flames flickering violently in his eye sockets.  However, she forced herself to gaze directly into his eye sockets.  "You're right, Aeon.  It's natural for friends to help each other.  But you're not my friend.  I fear you...I...I hate you..." she bit her lip, but continued.  "So why...why did you save me?"

"Hmm?" Aeon crossed his arms and scratched his chin, the flames in his eye sockets dancing with something akin to amusement.  "What does it matter?  It will not change your circumstances."

"You said you'd be honest with me.  Even if it doesn't change things, I...I need to know."

The lich nodded.  "Very well.  If it will set your mind at ease, know that I saved you for two reasons, Minava.  The first is that I have a mission to accomplish here.  And if you were to be hurt or go missing, it would complicate that mission.  Possibly even revealing my presence to the villagers.  That must be avoided at all costs."

The pressure on Mina's heart momentarily increased and she let out a soft gasp.  Clutching her hand to her chest, she nodded.  "Makes sense..." she croaked.  "What's the other reason?"

"The other reason..." Aeon paused for a moment and turned his skull to face the podium in the corner which held the metal locket.  " When I was...much younger, I was saved by a young woman," Aeon said, returning his gaze to Mina.  "When I asked her why she would save a stranger, she replied 'You don't need a reason to protect someone.  In this world, every life is precious.'  That is the other reason I saved you."

"Are...are you serious?" Mina stammered, staring at the lich with her eyebrows raised.

"You do not have to believe me," Aeon said, "However, I have been honest with you.  I have put my trust in you," the lich held out his hand in Mina's direction,  "Will you do the same for me?"

Mina glared at the hand for a moment.  Looking down at her own hand, she curled and uncurled her fingers.  Tentatively, she reached out and took hold of Aeon's hand.  “I…I can’t promise I won’t be scared…or angry…” she said, shivering from the clamminess of Aeon's bones. “But…I’ll try and have faith in you.”

Aeon gripped Mina's hand tightly, the green flames in his eye sockets staring into her own eyes.  When she began to shiver from his clammy touch, he finally, released her and said, “Then we may begin.” Turning to Kinana, Aeon gave her a curt nod.

“Breathe slowly,” Kinana cooed in her ear.  The succubus's tail pierced Mina's neck once again.  Warm fluid poured into her and her vision began to blur.  Her legs gave out and she fell into Aeon’s arms.

“Would you prefer to sleep through this treatment, as you did for the last?” he asked.  Mina shook her head slowly.  “As you wish,” Aeon said, gingerly placing her on the table in between the sofa and the armchair.  “Kinana,” he looked back at the succubus.

Reluctantly climbing to her feet, Kinana knelt down next to Mina’s head and whispered in her ear, “Just relax and enjoy this.  It won’t hurt.  I promise.”

Mina couldn’t keep herself from trembling as Kinana opened her mouth and pressed her lips against Mina’s.  Her body began to buck uncontrollably, but Kinana grabbed her hands and closed her eyes, holding Mina down, against the table.  Mina began to breathe in and out of her nose rapidly.  The scent of Kinana's violet hair, which fell over her face, mingled with her sweat to form an intoxicating aroma, which made Mina's head swim with pleasure.  Slowly, her eyes began to roll backwards as the pressure on her heart eased up.  Color rushed to her face as she felt Kinana’s tongue slither down her throat.

Looking up, she saw Aeon stoically watching their embrace, his hands calmly folded behind his back.  Feeling Kinana’s tongue pulling on something near her stomach, Mina’s throat bulged out and she had to resist the urge to vomit.  Planting her hands on the edges of the table, Kinana pushed herself up, pulling a long, silvery wisp out of Mina’s mouth as she did so.  Her tongue coiled around the wisp and held it in place, while Mina collapsed on the table, unable to move.

Mina saw Aeon move towards her.  He slipped his hands into the wisp as if it were no thicker than water and felt around within it.  When Aeon pulled his hand out for the first time, Mina’s body bucked in pain.  It felt to her as if her body was on fire and sweat blossomed on her skin.  She resisted the urge to cry out.

Focusing her gaze on Aeon, she saw the lich drop something green into a tray of ice which rose out of the floor.  He continued sifting through the silvery wisp, pulling out globs of green slime from time to time.  Mina’s body bucked and tingled each time he did.  No matter what happened, however, Mina refused to close her eyes.

After what seemed like an eternity, Aeon finally nodded to Kinana and her tongue slowly unwound from the silvery wisp.  Lowering it back into Mina's mouth, Kinana only let go after it was all the way inside.  Afterwards, the succubus fell backwards into Aeon’s waiting arms.

“You did well, Kinana,” Aeon whispered, stroking her cheek with his bony hand.

Swallowing hard, Mina forced the wisp back down her gullet.  When she had swallowed it completely, she gulped in air through her mouth and lay back on the table, unable to move.  Shifting her gaze to the right, she saw Kinana cradled in Aeon’s arms.  Though her body was covered in sweat and she was panting hard, she looked perfectly content within the lich’s bony embrace.

“It was more difficult for her since you wished to remain awake,” Aeon murmured, as if he could read her mind.  “She had to exert more energy to keep your body from suffering undue stress.”

“I’m…ugh…sorry,” Mina grunted, slowly sitting up. 

Her joints were stiff and creaked as she moved, however the pain which had coursed through them a few hours before had disappeared entirely.  Putting her hand to her chest, Mina could also feel the pressure on her heart letting up.

“Feeling better?” Kinana panted, as Aeon carried her over to his armchair and took a seat, still holding the succubus in his arms. 

Blushing slightly, Mina lowered her eyes and nodded.  “Th-that’s it then?  I won’t get any weaker, right?” she asked, taking a seat on the sofa.

“No, you will not,” Aeon replied, “However, soul satchern can exact a heavy toll on its host and leave side effects not readily apparent following treatment.  It would be wise to speak with a physician after a month's time has passed, just to be safe.”

“G-great…just great…” Mina sighed, putting a hand over her face and wiping sweat off her forehead.  Taking a deep breath, Mina rubbed her eyes for a moment and leaned back against the sofa.  A slurping noise caught her attention and she pulled her hand away from her face.  Across from her, Kinana was kissing the side of Aeon's head.  Her long tongue slithered over the cold bone and twisted into his eye socket.  Blushing deeply, Mina held her hand over her mouth and let out a short gasp.

The succubus looked over at her and let out a short laugh.  “Haha, I suppose we can’t start from where we left off while she’s here, can we?” Kinana said, snuggling closer to Aeon.

“I suppose not.  It would be best if you returned to Goetia anyway.  Strong as you are, your body has been through quite a lot,” Aeon replied, reaching out his hand and gingerly brushing hair out of Kinana's face with his long bony fingers.  "I am certain you could use the rest."

“Y-you don’t have to stop on my account,” Mina stammered, averting her eyes from the pair.  “I…I should get going,” she got to her feet and stumbled past the two lovers, but stopped in her tracks when she felt Kinana’s tail wrap itself around her waist.

Pulling her tongue out of Aeon's skull, Kinana floated over to Mina, and knelt down behind her.  “You won't be back after today, will you?" she mumbled, wrapping her arms around Mina’s shoulders.  "Even though we only knew each other for a short time, I’ll miss you, little Mina."

“Me too, Miss Kinana,” Mina mumbled, her shoulders drooping.  “You’ve been…very kind to me.”

“So…does this mean we’re friends?” Kinana nuzzled her cheek against Mina’s.

A smile slowly crept onto Mina’s lips and she stifled a giggle.  Kinana’s hair had fallen over her face and was tickling Mina’s cheek.  “Of…of course we are,” Mina said, turning around and hugging Kinana.

Rising from his seat, Aeon put his hand on Kinana’s shoulder.  The succubus gave him a mournful look, but released Mina and sighed.  “Try not to be so cold to her,” Kinana murmured, leaning against Aeon’s ribcage.  “She’s a lady, after all.”  Aeon nodded and embraced Kinana.  When they broke from their embrace a circle of light containing a heart shaped emblem within a pentagram appeared at Kinana’s feet.  Folding her wings around her body, Kinana sank into the circle and disappeared.

An uneasy silence filled the room.  Though the fire crackled in its hearth, Mina felt cold and uneasy.  Aeon floated in front of her as stoic as ever, his hands calmly folded behind his back and his eye sockets filled to the brim with green flames.  It seemed as if he was waiting on something.

“Th-thank you” Mina said, trying hard to quiet her beating heart.  Aeon did not speak.  He merely inclined his head to acknowledge that he’d heard her.  “I…I should go.”

“Do you want to see the ocean, Minava Gren?”

Mina’s heart skipped a beat.  “Wh-what?”

“I have business in the bay of Bendak this night.  It is on the far side of Telnumbra and connects to the ocean.  If you wish, you may accompany me there.”

Looking up at the skeletal figure who floated before her, Mina could only respond with silence.  She narrowed her eyes and tried to decipher a motive. However, Aeon's bones were as stoic and immovable as stone.  A minute passed with neither of them saying a word.  Finally, Mina opened her mouth, but the only thing that came out was a strangled, “What?”

“I shall not ask again,” Aeon said.  “You may join your friends in touring Acacia or you may join me.  I care not which you choose.”

“Wh-why do you need to go?” Mina’s lips trembled as she spoke.

“I require reagents for my experiments.  You know the ones.”

A shudder ran through Mina’s body at the memory of the clay woman on Aeon’s work table and the hag submersed in the soul satchern.

“You need not fear.  I will protect you,” Aeon said, drawing near to Mina and placing his hand on her shoulder.  “I give you my word.”

For a moment, Mina’s trembling ceased and she gazed into the green flames which flickered in Aeon’s eye sockets.  Slowly, her head fell forward, then backwards, then forwards again and Mina realized she was nodding.  Clearing her throat, she added, “Back by morning.  I have to be-”

“You will be.” Aeon held out a bony hand in Mina’s direction.  “However, you must trust me.”

“I…I trust you,” Mina said, taking his hand.

A flicker of a smile came over Aeon’s lipless mouth.  “Hmmm...I believe you do."

Holding the palm of his free hand down, Aeon's eye sockets blazed with green fire and blue light radiated out of his hand.  A circle made of blue light formed underneath them with a six sided star appearing in the center.  The mystic circle grew larger and larger until it nearly filled Aeon’s whole room and as it grew larger, runes Mina could not read began to fill themselves in around the edge of the circle.  When the circle was large enough for Mina and Aeon to stand in the center of the star, walls of light rose out of the edges of the circle, forming a giant cerulean tunnel around them.  The ceiling disappeared from sight and all Mina could see was another circle far above her. 

Turning her gaze towards Aeon, she saw his body being slowly pulled apart, bit by bit, with the pieces traveling up through the tunnel, as if they were caught up in a colossal whirlwind.  Looking down, Mina saw that she too was being unwound.  A sense of nausea and light headedness overcame her as, in the blink of an eye, she was pulled apart, shot through the tunnel of blue light, then pieced back together.

Mina’s legs wobbled and she fell to the ground, pressing her hands against a stone floor and panting hard.  Sweat had formed on her face and she held a hand over her mouth, gulping back a wave of vomit.

Facing Aeon, Mina narrowed her eyes and gasped “What was-?!”

“A teleportation spell,” Aeon quickly cut her off.

Grunting and holding her sides, Mina stumbled to her feet and glared at the lich, any trace of fear vanishing from her eyes.  “You should have warned me!”

“My apologies,” Aeon bowed his head before calmly folding his hands behind his back.

“Eh?  Whassat?” a crotchety voice came to Mina’s ears.  Glancing up to see who it belonged to, she noticed that she and Aeon were no longer in his private chambers.  They were on top of what appeared to be a metal structure that supported a giant crystalline flower in full bloom, with a section of the roof pulled back to reveal the stars.  Beneath her feet was a stone platform that had a large blue glyph of a six sided star inside a circle etched into the center of it.

“Merkel, I have need of your services,” Aeon called out.

“Dammit, if it ain’t one ting it’s another…” a short stubby man garbed in a white coat that was far too long for him with a leather apron on underneath ambled into sight.  His warty green skin indicated to Mina that he was a neeg, however she wrinkled her nose at the sight of him.  Two yellowed tusks jutting up from the bottom of his mouth, which was full of blackish-yellow teeth.  Wrinkles lined the neeg's face and his wiry white hair stood on end, framed only by a pair of red tinted goggles strapped to his forehead. 

The stench of the neeg almost made Mina gag.  He smelled as if his entire body had been rubbed down with a hunk of rotten meat that had been cooked until it was burnt.  However, the creature Aeon had called Merkel took no notice of her disgust.  Putting a gnarled finger into one of his pointed ears, the stubby little man pulled out a clump of earwax and flicked it aside before sauntering over to Aeon and staring up at him contemptuously.

“Thought ya’d be busy plantin that frozen sord ah yurs in the Gotan hoar,” he spat.  “Whya botherin me?”

“I require transportation for two to the Bay of Bendak, Merkel” Aeon calmly replied.

“Merkel?” Mina raised an eyebrow when she saw the grotesque figure turn to face her.

“A girl?  Tchh…ya jus keep pickin younger an younger pets, doncha?” the green man snorted.  “Fine, whatever…beats stickin with that idjit niece ah mine.  She actually wanted me ta meet some new pals ah hers,” Merkel spat.  "Can ya imagine...?"

“You’ve gotta see this,” a voice far below Mina called. 

Looking down from the edge of the stone platform, Mina saw that it was suspended in the air, supported by a metal frame that was connected to the walls of what appeared to be a tower made of giant stone bricks with metal bands running up and down the interior.  Below her, the tower was full of spinning gears and grinding machinery, with platforms and walkways sticking out at odd angles.  One platform in particular was rising at a steady pace towards the stone slab she was standing on.

Mina suppressed a gasp when she spied Yuka, Nerise, Celine, and Daryl standing on the rising platform.  Nerise and Yuka were chatting like old friends while Daryl had taken an interest in their surroundings.  Celine, however had her arms crossed and was glancing about uneasily.

“Your friends approach.” Aeon’s voice snapped her back to reality.  “This is your last chance.  Will you come with me or would you rather stay with them?”  Spinning around, Mina saw Aeon hovering over the blue glyph in the center of the stone platform. 

Merkel was tapping his foot impatiently off to the side, next to a console which connected to the metal structure holding up the flower.  “We ain’t got all day, ya idjit girl!” The ugly little man spat.

Looking from her friends to Aeon, Mina took a deep breath and ran over to the lich’s side.  “Let’s go!  Just don’t tell-”

“Yah, yah, whatever,” Merkel snorted pulling a big lever on the console.

The ground beneath Mina began to radiate with blue light and another tunnel formed above her.  Scrunching her eyes shut, she leaned against Aeon for support.  The lich placed a hand on her shoulder and steadied her as a wave of nausea overcame Mina before vanishing almost as quickly as it had appeared.  Her feet sank into soft dirt and a thousand alien smells invaded her nostrils.  Tentatively, Mina opened her eyes.

It was light out and Mina had to blink to adjust to the sudden brightness.  When she could see clearly, she saw that her feet had been almost totally swallowed up by warm sand and that small, spiny bushes dotted the landscape around her.  In the distance, she could see tall trees that were completely leafless, save for wide fronds on the top, under which hairy fruits grew.  A noise beyond the trees caught her attention.  It sounded like an apocra snoring in a gentle rhythm.

“This way,” Aeon said, floating forward.

“W-wait!” Mina grabbed his hand.  “Can’t you hear that?  There’s something large up ahead!”

“Indeed…” Aeon’s voice contained the shadow of a chuckle, “There is.”

Mina kept a few feet behind Aeon, but followed him towards the sound nonetheless.  Though she walked carefully, the sand threatened to engulf her shoes with each step she took and eventually, she pulled them off and carried them in her hands, letting the hot grains of sand spill through her toes.  When they passed the trees, Mina froze in place and her mouth dropped open.

Before her lay an endless pool of water that undulated as if it were alive.  Waves bore down on the shore with frothy white tops that crashed into the sand, only to be pulled back out seconds later.  Looking all around, Mina saw that the water contoured to the shape of the land and stretched so far into the distance that it seemed to fuse with the horizon.  It almost appeared to swallow up the sun, which sat on the edge of the sky, painting the heavens a deep orange and making the water look like a sea of molten fire.

Her shoes fell from her limp hands as Mina staggered forward.  She dropped to her knees amidst the shallow waves that crashed against the shore.  Digging her hands into the wet sand, she let it squelch through her fingers in clumps before scooping up more.  Thrusting her hands into the lukewarm water, Mina sniffed them and recoiled at the briny smell.

“This is…” she stammered.

“The ocean.” Aeon finished her sentence for her as he floated over the sandy dunes to join her.

“G-goddess…” Mina whispered, holding a hand over her mouth and fighting back tears.  “It’s…it’s even more beautiful than father said.” 

Wiping away her tears, Mina smiled and a cry of joy burst from her throat.  Kicking up a cloud of sand, she began to take the dry and wet sand a build a tiny castle from it.  Until a wave washed over her, transforming her castle into a misshapen mound of sand.  Despite her clothes being soggy and her hair caked with sand and spray, Mina laughed heartily, drinking in the sight of the beach, the trees, and the ocean, which seemed to sprawl on forever.  She ran headlong into the surf with joyous abandon, playing in the sand and the waves until her dress was soaked through.

After an hour, Mina retreated from the tide to a small sand dune and watched the water lap at the shore before it was pulled out once again.  Though the sun was setting in this tiny bay, it's rays were warm and she was not cold, despite her wet clothing.  However, when she looked around for Aeon, she noticed that the lich not moved an inch since she had begun her play.  His eyeless sockets were fixed on the distant horizon.

Feeling the elation in her heart slowly fade, Mina called out to him.  “Aeon!  Is it okay to just sit and wait here?  I thought you came here for something!”

Turning to face her, Aeon floated over to Mina’s side, as another wave licked at the bottom of his black cloak.  “One does not call on the Aquillans.  One waits for them.”

“Aquillans?  Do they live here?  Are they apocra?  Are they nice?” Mina asked, her enthusiasm fast returning.  To her dismay, her inquiries were met with nothing more than a single nod from the lich.

Sighing to herself, Mina kicked her feet about absentmindedly.  Running her fingers through her emerald hair, she said, “You know…my mother said that on a sunny day, the ocean would look a dark shade of green.  Not as pretty as my hair, but…” her voice trailed off and she fixed her eyes on Aeon.  “But…you know all that, don’t you?  You know my parents planned to take me here for my seventh birthday.  That we were going to have a small bonfire here with the other caravaners.  We were going to roast fish, tell stories, sing songs, and sleep under the stars.  I wonder what they would say if they saw me sitting here with a lich.”

“They would smile,” Aeon said, his icy voice cutting through the sound of a large breaker hitting the beach.  “Your parents hated no one.  To them, all were merely travelers on the road of life.  I imagine we would get on splendidly.”

Mina stifled a chuckle.  “That sounds like them, alright.  You…you know them as well as I do, don’t you?”  A frown crossed Mina’s lips and she held her head in her hands.  “You know everything about me…but I know nothing about you.  Aeon…why did you bring me with you?”

Aeon glanced back at her, his eye sockets swirling with green fire, but his mouth did not move.  Only silence greeted Mina’s inquiry.

“It’s not that I’m ungrateful…this is…it’s like a dream,” she said, climbing to her feet despite the sand’s attempts to make her fall backwards.  “But…after everything I said to you...I can't help but wonder."

“Simple,” Aeon replied, “I-” he stopped mid sentence and glanced back at the water.  A patch of bubbles had formed near the shore.

Mina let out a squeak of surprise when Aeon flew over to her side and threw her behind the dune.  Before she lost sight of Aeon, however, Mina saw a tentacle burst out of the water and grab him by the wrist.

Climbing over the sand dune, Mina had to suppress a gasp of horror when she saw several highly concentrated blasts of water shoot out of the ocean and pierce through Aeons's ribcage.

“Aeon!  Oh, goddess, are you alright?!” Mina cried, running over to his side.

“Get back!” he hissed, his eyeless sockets swirling with green flames.  The lich pushed her down onto the sand just before a trident crashed through his skull.

No…” Mina screamed.  Scooting away from the lich’s shattered body, Mina began to tremble and her eyes widened.  “AEON!”