Helen stared at the ceiling, enjoying the soft touch of the hand roaming over her body. She turned her head to look at the naked woman who was lying on her belly beside her. Helen received a playful smile from the other woman, who looked about her age. She reached out for her arm and ran the tips of her fingers over her smooth caramel skin. She took her hand and intertwined their fingers, running her fingers over the back of the other woman's hand. She stared into her olive eyes, mimicking her smile as she signalled her to come closer.
The other woman didn't hesitate to do as she was bid and lay down on Helen. She stared into Helen's golden orbs for a moment before leaning in to press her lips on Helen's. The council member didn't hesitate to return her kiss, running her fingers over the raven-haired woman's back. "I could do this all day," Helen said between tender kisses.
The other woman couldn't help but laugh softly. "I can't hold that against you. Sex is so much fun, especially with such an attractive and experienced woman as you are."
Helen chuckled. "I can only return the compliment." She caressed the slender woman's cheek, kissing it right after.
"Although I'm not as experienced with women as you are."
"Despite your lack of experience, you did well," Helen whispered into her ear before she gently nibbled on it.
"I appreciate the compliment," the other woman said between giggles.
"I'm only speaking the truth."
"And I love that about you. You do not hesitate to say what comes to your mind, even if it's to your disadvantage."
If only I could find the courage to tell Cebast that it is over between us, Helen thought regretfully. She felt terrible about not having told him already. She was ashamed that she always found an excuse not to tell him what was on her mind for quite some time. She had said to herself that she wanted to spare him any pain by protecting him from the truth. But the more often she hooked up with different people, the more she delayed it, the more she would hurt him. She was aware of that, but she couldn't find the courage to tell him. It would be best if he would never find out.
"I really love doing this with you, Naira," Helen said as she placed another kiss on her lips. Naira lay beside her and ran her fingers over Helen's belly. "You are pregnant," she stated after observing the curve of her belly and the shape of her breasts much closer than she had done during their act of lovemaking.
"Nothing seems to avoid your eye," Helen said after a loud sigh escaped her lips.
"I used to be the leader of the Unseen for a reason. Nothing happened without my notice. I had so much influence with the information I had...But now I'm nothing but Superion's trophy wife, whom he only visited privately to satisfy his basic needs. And since he visits you much more often these days, he rarely visits me in return," Naira explained, running circles over Helen's belly. "At least you pay me regular visits, so I do not have to go without sex at all."
Helen wasn't sure whether she should smile at the other woman or apologize to her. She felt bad for her. Ever since Naira gave birth to her and Superion's firstborn child, Superion has done everything he can to keep her inside Tenaria. She was no longer allowed to leave the borders, and all she did for work ever since was to ensure the Tenaria's citizens had enough food, water or other necessary goods. Her current job was less exciting than travelling through Xevas and discovering what the different kingdoms were up to. Not to mention, it didn't keep her quite as busy as her previous profession. No wonder Naira was often bored and sought out her company to kill time and do something she enjoyed at least.
"I assume my husband is the father," Naira said, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.
Helen nodded. "I hope you don't mind."
A deep chuckle escaped Naira's full lips. "Not in the slightest. I do not care if Superion gets half of the female Tenarian population pregnant. The love between us was extinguished dozens of years ago. We just stay together for the public and rarely speak to one another unless he wants me to do something or if he just wants sex. But only if he wants it. I will have more chances of seducing a wall of bricks than to initiate any form of intimacy with him. I mean, it's not that I do not want to do it with him; he is still a very handsome man and phenomenal in bed. I'm happy to have him between my legs. It just feels like I'm only his mistress and not his wife. But I have gotten used to that. I appreciate any form of intimacy, and when I get horny, and he doesn't want to have sex, I seek you out instead. It's his loss and not mine."
Helen wrapped her arm around the shorter woman and pulled her closer until Naira's breasts were pressed against her side. "It's similar for me and Cebast. We are only together for our daughter and public appearances. I no longer feel the same about him as I used to." He may not know that yet, but I am still together with him for the sake of Celeste, she thought to herself.
"And you are certain the child is not his?" Naira asked curiously.
"We haven't been intimate for quite a while."
Naira nodded but said nothing else in return.
"Does Superion know about us?" Helen asked eventually.
Naira put a strand of hair between her right ear, biting her bottom lip nervously. "Not exactly, but since he and you have an affair, I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed to have the same. I told him it was okay for me if he sought out other women. He may not have said the same in return, but it would only be fair, wouldn't it?"
Helen hesitated to nod. "I would still talk to him about that just to be certain. You should know better than anyone else that he can be...difficult to deal with sometimes."
Naira sighed. "You have a point. I talk to him once he returns to Umbral."
"You should do that," Helen replied, running her fingers over Naira's modest chest.
"Do you have any idea what you will do about it?" Naira asked as she ran her fingers over Helen's slightly swollen belly.
"Do about what?" Helen asked irritated
Naira raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly. She moved her fingers in circles over her lover's belly again to make it more obvious what she was talking about. No words were needed to let Helen know what Naira meant. "I guess I have to find an excuse to leave Umbral for the next six or seven months, just as I have done before."
"I should come with you. I can take care of the baby as well. No one will ask any questions, and even if they do, I just say it's a child of one of Superion's mistresses. It's common knowledge that he has many, and they will immediately stop asking questions. They will never find out that you are the mother."
A happy smile appeared on Helen's lips. "That would be great if you do that. I'll owe you."
Naira returned the smile. "Perhaps I will ask you for a favour in the future, but since you are my lover, you owe me nothing except to give your best whenever we lie together."
Helen chuckled. "I always give my best."
"I would feel insulted if you didn't."
Helen caressed the caramel-skinned woman's cheek but said nothing in return.
Naira cleared her throat, and the look on her face became a bit more serious but not severe enough to worry Helen. "How was the council meeting yesterday?"
"Long and exhausting. I told you about Nevi, didn't I?"
"The handsome brunette man that wears nothing but scraps?"
"He is auburn-haired, to be exact, but you are right about the other part. He can't even afford decent armour but has still put it in his head that he wants to stop the Sinister Sins. For some reason, he is highly convinced they are about to rise again," the blonde woman explained.
A thoughtful look appeared on Naira's comely face. "I haven't heard anything of them since my dear husband slew two of their chosen and wiped the battle-stained ground near Cealuna with Sonder the Sunderer. Now that I think about it, he slew three chosen."
"He showed me his notes, but everything he noted sounded like pure coincidence. I have known Nevi for quite a while. He is a bitterly obsessed man who has still not gotten over the fact that the Sinister Sins were responsible for the death of his love interest. He doesn't want to stop them for the sake of Tenaria or Xevas but for his own petty satisfaction of vengeance. He is reaching for any straw and going after every hint he believes could lead to the Seven Sinister Sins. If you want to hear my honest opinion, I highly doubt the Sinister Sins ever get the chance to return again. We weakened them too much when we slew their last Chosen over forty years. With the death of the monster Sonder the Sunderer, the Sinister Sins' hopes of ever having any influence in Xevas again vanished. They are creatures from ancient times; it has long been forgotten when they revealed their existence to the world, and it is only a matter of time until no one will remember them."
"I trust your judgment," Naira responded as she cuddled up to the taller woman. "What did this Nevi do then?"
"He was not pleased when I convinced the council that he made up everything he claims to know about the Seven Sinister Sins to appear important. He behaved like a defiant child and lashed out, hurting the guards when they dragged him out of the hall. I have no idea what he did after. I'm certain he left Tenaria to convince anyone else of his follies."
"Let's hope no one falls for his lies," Naira replied.
Helen could only nod agreeingly.
---
The towering central column-shaped building was broken in multiple places with enormous chunks missing as if it had been shattered by a colossal force. It was once the most prestigious building in the Kingdom of Dragdom, built over decades to claim a height of almost a thousand feet. Cerestus the Monstrous had it constructed to brag about his wealth but later turned it into a military base. It had been sufficient to host the entire Yxal army and grant each of Cerestus' lovers a whole floor.
That was what the history books said, at least. Superion had no idea whether that was true since he didn't have insights into Cerestus' mind, but he didn't care whether it was true. It didn't matter to him what purpose the building had served before it was heavily damaged during the Third Great War. He had been there when the first boulders crashed into the stone walls and the thin glass of the windows. The building's beauty couldn't prevent its destruction. Nothing but ruins was left of the once most significant building of Dragdom.
No one has ever tried to rebuild it since the battle over a hundred years ago. These days, the building once known as Dragdom's Pride was only known to the Tenarian population as the Shattered Spire. The remaining Yxal population, split into several clans, didn't have the resources to rebuild it, and they would never agree on what to do with it. Also, it was very likely that they had no use for the building in the first place. The Yxal population had been decimated over the past two hundred years.
Fortunately, only a fraction of the inhabitants of the former kingdom of Dragdom still polluted the world with their very existence. In Superion's eyes, the world was better without those wicked creatures. He had to cleanse Xevas from this corruption. The other eight councillors didn't have the guts to do it. They were too afraid to risk a war they would undoubtedly win. They were afraid and weak. But Superion was not like them. He was the one who would get rid of this threat and make the world a better place.
He spread his wings and rose in the air until he reached the middle section of the broken building. He didn't hesitate to land on what he assumed was the thirty-sixth floor, which was taller than three of the regular floors inside the building combined. He only needed a short time to reach the colossal hall he sought. He stopped once he saw the massive statue in the middle of the hall; his eyes didn't leave it as he slowly walked over to it.
He put the flowers he had brought on the floor between the two creatures. His gaze went to the winged woman first, who pointed at the other creature; her other hand grasped something. The remains of a shattered great sword to her right. The expression on her face was clear enough to let Superion know she was determined to fight the hulking creature to her left.
The platinum-haired man's gaze wandered to the creature, and an amused smile appeared on his lips. He had visited this place many times, and it always amazed him how the bards and storytellers always heavily exaggerated when they spoke about Cerestus' size. Even today, they still depict him as big as mountains, but he was anything like that. He was much taller than any Yxal Superion had ever seen but not even close to the size people were granting him. Superion guessed Cerestus was not much taller than twenty-three feet.
Neither his imposing, massive physique nor armour, a heavily decorated blackened metal masterwork, had saved him. The glowing runes carved into the armour had not served their purpose of blocking any kind of magic. His expensive armour had not saved him from Gayle's spell that petrified him and her.
Most people believed that Gayle succumbed to her wounds after she slew Cerestus. The bards and storytellers made up a false story for entertainment purposes. Superion was one of the few who knew the truth. He had witnessed his mother's act of desperation. Despite having outnumbered him, his mother and her troop had not been strong enough to kill Cerestus.
He clearly remembered it as if it happened yesterday. Most of the soldiers that had stormed the hall with him and his mother were dead or dying when she conjured the circular artefact out of nowhere and began to chant in a language unknown to him. He had bought her the time to complete the spell that turned Cerestus and herself to stone.
Superion could clearly feel the magic radiated by the statue. He had the impression that the condition his mother and Cerestus were in was temporary and not permanent. There might be a way to undo the spell, but he was uncertain if that was possible without the artefact that had also been turned to stone since his mother had not stopped grasping it.
"Don't worry, I will get you out of there one day," he said, regarding the statue for a few more moments before he turned around and rose in the air again, flying towards the hall's exit. He exited the building through the same hole in the outer walls he had entered and flew down until he reached the ground.
His gaze fell on the tiny figures in front of the walls surrounding the vast area on which the Dragdom's Pride had been built. The distance between the spiral building and the walls was enormous; abandoned houses and such remains were scattered throughout the even landscape. Tens of thousands of people had once lived there and worked to supply those who inhabited the spire. The Shattered Spire had once been the second-largest fortification in Dragdom. Only the former capital Morghalith had been more significant.
These days, both cities were in ruins and not inhabited by anyone; that was what Superion believed. No activity has been detected in these regions in recent decades. They were totally abandoned, and he preferred it to stay that way. He would crush anyone who would dare settle down and try to rebuild these monuments of Yxal history.
Superion let his gaze wander through what remains of the buildings around the spire. Most buildings were in ruins, but there were even a few dozen here and there that were still sufficient for anyone to live in if they did some repairs. He would tear down every single one of them as soon as he got rid of the Yxal plague. The same counted for the Shattered Spire. He will bombard it and watch with pleasure as it collapses. He was looking forward to that moment.
For now, he had to deal with the remaining clans. Less than a handful were left; he would have to deal with them one by one before they could unite against his kingdom. He surprised the Man-Eater Clan, but now the other Clans were warned. They would be more careful and perhaps even send each other reinforcements. He assumed they would only get reinforcements from clans of the same territory. So, in the case of the eastern clans, he would have to either attack the two remaining clans simultaneously with divided forces, or he would have to attack one with his entire army and hope to leave the settlement in ruins before the other clan could react.
Attacking the eastern clans was not the only thing that didn't leave his mind. There was another potential threat in Dragdom. Someone whose existence, especially their potential knowledge, could threaten his plans. Someone he had already sent another one after.
"You are late," Superion announced as he noticed the presence of a familiar aura. He didn't even make the effort to turn his head to give the man a proper look. Instead, he looked at him from his side eye.
"I have to apologize," Crownwell replied between loud, heavy breaths. He had evidently sprinted the rest of the way to not keep his superior waiting any longer. The heavy armour he wore was not to his favour in this case. "I was delayed. The members of my group were harder to track down than expected."
"I assume you took care of everyone," Superion replied, an expectant look decorating his handsome facial features.
Crownwell hesitated for a moment to answer. "Everyone but one. I wasn't able to track down Celeste Featherwind yet."
"Let me guess, you have no idea where she is." It was a statement and not a question.
Crownwell gulped and suppressed the slight panic that had risen in his body. "No, but I will track her down, I promise."
"I hope you won't leave me on empty promises for your sake. You are still aware that her potential knowledge puts you and me in trouble. I don't need to remind you that you were the one who killed Parcu, do I?"
Crownwell nodded. "I'm aware of that, master."
Superion's strict expression didn't change at all as he spoke. "To guarantee your success, I asked an old acquaintance of mine to help you out." His gaze wandered to a spot behind Crownwell. The sergeant turned around to follow Superion's gaze. "She will track down the last member of your group," Superion explained.
Only a few feet away from Crownwell stood a creature that combined the features of two familiar races. "A half-breed?" Crownwell asked; his voice was a mix of irritation and curiosity.
The prominent horns and significant eyes of a Yxal were conspicuous; the light reddish skin colour could be considered a characteristic of a Yxal but also of a Crimson Sylph. Her ears were too long for a Yxal, and the pointy fangs spoke for a Crimson Sylph. No member of any of the Yxal Clans had pointy fangs. The members of the Man-Eater Clan had bigger and sharper teeth, but all of their teeth were shaped that way, not only the upper eyeteeth. Crownwell was convinced that the woman was a mix between a Yxal and a Crimson Slyph.
"Got any problem with my parentage, bastard? Yes, before you ask, I know who your parents are."
Crownwell was too surprised by her reply to answer, so the woman continued. "I don't even need to taste your blood to know you are a child of an affair. Your blood reeks of illegitimacy. You should clean your armour at some point; the stench disturbs me."
"Don't mind her manners. Her father left her mother after finding out she was pregnant, and her mother was rather busy whoring around than raising her properly," Superion told the sergeant.
The woman rolled her eyes. "That's not even close to the truth, but whatever." She regarded Crownwell curiously and turned her nose at him a few times before she spoke to him again. "You can call me Dravina if you want."
"And what if I want to call you something else?" Crownwell asked.
"Depends on what you call me, I'll hit you or not."
"I rather want to avoid that," Crownwell replied honestly.
"Then call me Dravina, and we will be fine."
Crownwell nodded. "So, you will track down my target for me. How are you planning to do that?"
Dravina's gaze wandered to Superion and returned to Crownwell once she received a nod from him. "I need your blood to do so."
His eyes widened in surprise. "My blood? Why would you need my blood?"
"I'm aware you know of your bloodline as well as your target's."
"I am."
"Do I need to elaborate on this? It's quite obvious, isn't it?"
"You are right," Crownwell replied agreeingly.
"Give me your hand," Dravina said demandingly.
Crownwell did as he was told, not wanting to receive another mocking comment by asking more questions. He removed his left gauntlet and stretched out his arm so Dravina could grab his wrist and pull him closer. Her body was not extraordinarily muscular, but she still managed to move him despite him wearing heavy armour. She was much stronger than she looked.
Before he could say anything, she had already buried her fangs in his wrist. At least his uncomfortable expression could not be seen by her or Superion since he was still wearing his helmet. He ignored the pain and the uncomfortable crawling of his skin as a portion of his blood was sucked out of the vein. She let go of his wrist after a few seconds, and a satisfied expression could be seen on her plain face. He almost had the impression she was in some form of ecstasy as she started chanting in a language he could not understand.
He regarded the scene in front of him with a curious expression. The way she moved her body wildly back and forth reminded him of a creature being possessed by something evil. As if she had lost control over her entire body. He had seen many sorcerers, or witches as Tenarians preferred to call them, moving like this when casting a spell. It was almost eerie for him.
Suddenly, she stopped moving; her widened crimson eyes stared at him, even through him, as if they were trying to look through his soul. "I have seen three visions. The first was this very place. The second was in a big hall of white marble walls decorated with golden symbols. I saw a beautiful woman with golden hair in a revealing white dress."
"That must be the Sanctuary of the Nine. This description sounds like Helen the Holy," Superion concluded as he regarded Dravina with interest. "Celeste won't be there."
"What is the third vision about?" Crownwell asked curiously.
"I saw an enormous hole covered by something...living...It was pretty dark there..."
"That sounds like the Shadowgulf," Superion commented as he walked around the woman. "What else did you see?"
"A camp or a settlement. I also saw a bronze warrior speaking to four women. One of them is the one you are looking for. The two others, I do not know. One of them reminds me of you," Dravina said as she turned her gaze to Superion, whose face reflected surprise. So did his voice. "She reminded you of me?"
Dravina nodded. "She looks similar to you. Maybe it's just the hair. It was platinum like yours."
"That can be pure coincidence. Many people want to look like me, but only a few dare to. She can't be related to me. All my children are in Tenaria, and I don't have any other relatives left."
Dravina didn't miss the way Crownwell glared at Superion as he said that. Interesting, she thought to herself.
"But I wonder what she does in the Shadowgulf and what this camp is about." Superion's gaze wandered to Crownwell. "You will tell me everything about this camp once you get rid of Featherwind's foul spawn and return to me. The Yxal with her must die as well. She could have seen it as well."
"I won't fail you, master," Crownwell lowered his head and bowed deferentially.
"Dravina will lead you to the camp. From there, you will have to act on your own unless you convince Dravina to help you," Superion spoke. Crownwell's gaze wandered to the half-breed, who shrugged at him. "Maybe if you give me more of your blood," she responded. Crownwell looked at his wrist, noticing that those biting marks had already started to get smaller. His wound was healing quickly.
"I have already something in my mind that should work."
"Should or will work?" Superion asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Will," Crownwell corrected. He was confident he could see the ghost of a smile on Superion's lips right before he rose in the air and flew towards the eastern wall where his soldiers were waiting for him.
---
"I know you won't be able to talk to me because you are still unconscious, and I'm not even sure if you can hear me, but I could really use someone to talk to. I have again spoken to the ones who saved us. I thought they would give me answers, but now I have more unanswered questions than before. I never liked Superion, and I never really knew him that well. My father dislikes him, and my mother has always spoken of him in the highest tones. It's almost as if he is her role model. They had often gotten into an argument because of Superion.
Perhaps my mother is slightly biased towards him because he was her first love. Things didn't work out between them, but they are still fond of each other. Perhaps my father is a little jealous of Superion. He never was of the jealous kind, but sometimes I get that impression, considering how much time my mother still spends with Superion. They are still close friends and colleagues as well.
Tenaria was at peace with your people for over forty years; why should Superion suddenly risk war? He doesn't want our people to suffer; he doesn't want any unnecessary deaths. The Nine didn't send out an army once they heard of the artefact's existence. Instead, they sent my group out to steal the artefact so that no unnecessary blood would be shed. They could have ordered a full attack on Narvashok, but they didn't. Superion cares for my people, so I doubt he would risk war.
On the other hand, I don't see why this Rion should lie to me. To be fair, I don't know much about him or his intentions. Perhaps he made up this lie to convince me to help him get rid of Superion so he could take his place. Or maybe he is telling the truth and knows more about Superion than he shared with me. It is possible that Superion is not the one he claims to be. I would need more information to make a decision.
For now, what he told me is not enough for me to make a decision. I need to know who he is and all he knows about Superion. I may still not know if everything is true, but I could figure out if the narrative he is trying to sell me makes sense. I need specific proof that the annihilation of the Man-Eater Clan was Superion's doing if the clan got annihilated in the first place.
I talked to Rion in private this time. I asked him if he could tell me more about Malcoroth. Aside from the fact that he is a member of the Shadowfell Clan, ruled by an ancient Yxal family that was the most influential family after the royal family while the Kingdom of Dragdom still existed, I didn't learn much. But Rion is not sure about that either since he said this creature changed his name and appearance very often. He believes the backstory of Deamoen was only made up."
"I wish you would be awake so we could talk about everything. I'm thrilled to know what you think about everything. I could use a second opinion because I'm still trying to figure out what is right and wrong, and I'm still unsure what to do. What might also be important to know is that Rion claims that ever since Superion became the unofficial leader of the Nine, more Anxoyals have been created.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't tell you about this, but I must admit I have started to trust you ever since you forgave me for trying to steal the gemstone from you to get rid of the bracelet and flee. You didn't treat me very well in Narvashok, but I believe you had no choice. Your sister would have treated me much worse. So, with you, I had the lesser evil in a way. Ever since we left Narvashok, you started to treat me much better. Maybe not as an equal, but I assume I couldn't expect that from you back then. But at least you treated me as best as possible. I have to give you credit for that.
Anyway, I wanted to say that Rion told me that back when he was still a member of the Nine, every few years, only one Keristian was given the honour of becoming an Anxoyal. Only the best suitable warrior was allowed to ascend. I would have to ask my mother about that. If I ever see her again. Rion didn't tell me how many years he has been hiding outside Tenaria, but he must have been in exile for at least a hundred years since I don't remember ever having heard that only one Keristian is allowed to ascend every few years. For as long as I can remember, they always chose at least a dozen every few years.
If what Rion said is true, this could only mean that Tenaria is preparing for war or considering war a possible outcome. They would need every Anxoyal they could get if another war between the kingdoms broke out. And they haven't gone to war in over forty years. The Nine could have started a war much earlier, but they didn't. And I believe they never intend to do so. I'm unsure about Superion; I don't want to judge him too quickly without more information. I need to convince Rion to tell me more. I cannot trust his word unless he tells me who he is and everything he knows. So far, I see no other option. Either he tells us, or we will leave when you get better."
Celeste let her gaze roam over Cruxia's body again, noticing that the colour of the veins spread all over the affected tissue was changing. It seemed to her that it had changed from pitch black to dark grey in an irregular rhythm. The way they were pulsating caused an unpleasant feeling in her stomach. It was an understatement to say she was worried about the other woman. Her condition unsettled her.
"You might not be able to see it, but your condition has not gotten much better. Phione and the other healers and sorcerers have been looking into this corruption that affects your body. You live so far, and you don't seem to be in pain, but you still haven't regained consciousness. I'm also worried what will happen once the corruption taints the last cell of your body. I'm afraid it will kill you, whether you believe me or not, but I don't want that to happen. We've been through so much; I can't lose you. I may not know what we do if you wake up, but..."
Celeste had no idea what she would do once Cruxia woke up. If she would. She couldn't take her to Tenaria, not if she wanted to avoid Cruxia ending up in chains. Or worse. Cruxia was not safe in Dragdom either. The clans were still after her, especially because she was not victorious in her trial. She may not have lost, but she had not won it either. She was about to lose when Rion and his followers showed up and saved her from Malcoroth. She had no idea how the Yxals would regard this matter. Despite being forced to stay with them for months, Celeste learned little about the Yxal culture and mentality. She didn't know enough to guess how the other clans would act if they caught Cruxia again.
Perhaps Cruxia and her could stay in Rion's camp for a while. At least until Celeste made a decision. She was hoping Cruxia would wake up to help her with that. She hated the idea of making such an important decision on her own. A decision that would have consequences. It could change their lives for the better or the worse. She could only pay her respects to those in important positions who would have to make such hard decisions regularly.
She was not sure if she would ever be able to forgive herself if she made a wrong decision that would negatively affect others or even cost them their lives. These people must be under constant pressure, and she wasn't sure if she could carry such a burden. But she didn't aim to become a leader or an essential figure in the Tenarian military. She could live with serving Tenaria as a mere soldier. But for now, she had other things to worry about.
"I'm praying to the Lady of Light to bless you. I doubt she will since you don't believe in her, and you are not a Tenarian either, but perhaps your gods will save you. If I know who to pray to, I might consider doing so. I don't care if my people would call me a heretic as long as it saves you. But since I don't know which of your many gods is responsible for saving you from this corruption, I don't pray to any of them.
Aside from that, there is little else to say. I met many of Rion's followers over the past two days; I haven't seen the black-winged Anxoyal with the halberd yet. I forgot to ask Rion what happened to him. I hope he survived. He may not have killed Malcoroth, but at least he saved us from him. I should ask him the next time we talk; I'm not sure when that will be since he has been quite busy today, according to Phione. I have not seen Nocturiel anywhere today; perhaps she was busy too. Maybe they were hunting animals, collecting mushrooms and plants or doing something else outside the camp. I don't know, but I will have to speak to them before I can finally make a decision. I only hope you will wake up in the meantime."
Once Celeste was done talking, she got up from her chair and leaned over Cruxia. She put a haste kiss on her forehead, asking herself not more than a second later why she had done that as she made her way to the room's exit. She found no answer. She had just felt the urge to do so, and her will to resist the desire had been too weak at this very moment.