[...]
We've encountered a few setbacks, but it's nothing we couldn't handle.
Finally, after a few hours of struggling and sometimes deviating from initial plans, I have everything collected and extracted.
I know that without Melaina's help, this would've taken a lot longer. I want to make sure that I properly thank her for this.
Without the Asphodel flowers lighting up the area, it's a lot harder to see anything properly.
My eyes flit from one spot to another. I try to scan through the crowd in search of Melaina.
Because I don't find her immediately, I end up standing on my tiptoes every once in a while as I drag a sack full of dried up asphodel flowers. These were what's left of after every bit of magical essence has been drawn out of them.
The condensed forms of its energy are already inside its respective bottles, so I'm practically done with this errand. FINALLY!
I'm short of pumping my fist into the air in celebration, but I stop just when I see some movement out of the corner of my eye.
Without any hesitation, I spin around, only to almost bump face-first into Melaina.
I take a step back and make sure it's her before I end up telling the wrong person about something embarrassing. Though I'm not sure how she'll take this, however, I still need to give credit where it's due.
Swallowing a bit of saliva, I do my best to thank her in the most simple and direct way possible, "Melaina, you were an immense help. Of course, because you cooperated, I completed this in the least headache-inducing way possible. I also didn't expect to finish this quickly, so, thank you VERY much..."
I pause, wondering if I should try opening up to her a little.
She hasn't said anything strange or reacted weirdly so... After scrutinizing her some more, I decide to just to go ahead and ask her what she truly thought of at the time, "Uh, I think we started on the wrong foot, so I'm wondering if you'd allow me to ask you a few things?"
Looking slightly puzzled, Melaina seems surprised as she responds with, "Sure? What did you want to ask me about?"
"Well, remember the first time we met? It was when you dropped a t-"
She interjects before I finish my question, "... A tray of sweets and a teapot set?"
"Mm."
Melaina looks off to the distance, as she muses a bit before laughing awkwardly, "Well, it was because it was the first time I've felt such chills while I looked at someone, you know? Like, I even wet myself a little..."
As if she's a shy little girl, she looks at me with a hint of redness on her cheeks and glassy eyes.
This scene may get some people's hearts pounding, but I've never felt as threatened as I do now. I'm just as surprised as back then. Feeling awkward, I let out a cough to clear my throat.
And for the first time since I've suddenly found myself in this world, I am truly glad that I am a capable being.
I know in my heart, that there is nothing to fear. I'm not in any real danger here. In the end, I will somehow be able to break free of whatever it is Melaina might have in store for me. That is if she ever intends to enact some kind of crazy trap on me one day.
Regaining some confidence, I straighten up my back and hold my head high.
I'll definitely be alright and perhaps, during this journey, I can get to know Melaina a bit better.
At the detriment to my safety, I proceed with my query, "By... getting chills, did you mean uh, not just something lewd though, right? There has to be something else to that?"
I bite my lower lip, wondering what could possibly be making her feel that.
Melaina looks at me with lust in her eyes as she also bites her lips in turn, "Well... it's just... when I look at you. Oh, my goodness... this darkness that could almost swallow me whole, the vacuous emptiness that never seems to be be filled, all this blood of everyone you've perished by your own hands and so much more that my words can't even begin to describe... Ahhh...!! It enticessss me so!"
She parts her mouth open in such a seductive manner. Melaina huffs hunches over slightly as she twists her thighs together. She's wearing a slightly revealing dress with layers upon layers of lavender chiffon for the skirt.
I can still make out what she's doing as it forms a silhouette amidst the glowing dust motes as they continue to light up some of the darkness.
As a knee jerk reaction, I look away from this public display of salaciousness. It's definitely not something I'd like to see - especially from someone who isn't even my lover. But I had to ask, her reaction was just odd and something about it kind of bugged me.
I don't know how I came to being so it was odd when she started reacting that way. Somehow, I instintively knew that it had something to do with 'myself'.
The self I don't know very well.
... Either way, this is enough. I shall put a stop to this before she gets strange ideas.
"Ahem." I clear my throat once again, hoping she'll snap out of her daze quite soon as we need to get going.
"Thank you for answering me, Melaina. I'm sorry if that was a bit callous of me for prodding you further despite... the effect it has on you." Pulling on my knapsack, I pull out a cloth and enlarge it. I turn back around and with both hands, I present the plush cloth to her, in case she needs it.
"Hehe, how sweet. It's okay, my goddess. I do not need it."
"It's okay. I insist."
"... Very well then. Please give me some time."
I nod and turn back around as she walks towards a huge boulder behind us. The sound of her steps grow increasingly hard to hear as Melaina goes behind it.
...
Now that I've gathered the Asphodel essences, we need to leave this somewhere for safe-keeping. I've decided to enlist demi-god Byrka's help over at the Elysian Plains. I trust him the most after all, so it makes sense to leave my stuff over there.
Besides, by the time I'm done with my task over at Tartarus, I need to collect whatever's left of the Heroes' Tears. By then, a lot of the Asphodel flowers should've grown back.
Much easier to regroup and I can at least see him again before I leave the underworld for a long while again.
[...]
The next stop is Tartarus!