The day of Zeiss's travel arrived, cloaked in a bittersweet atmosphere. Even though Eleven tried mightily to suppress her tears, fearing they would worry Zeiss, she failed woefully.
Her face was red and sticky with tears, her eyes puffy, and the rims a vivid crimson.
"If you keep crying, you're going to make me stay," Zeiss said with a small smile as he approached Gianna, who cradled Eleven in her arms. He playfully pinched her cheeks.
Eleven shook her head vehemently, wiping her tears with the back of her hands. "It's just that I'll miss you. Very much. Nita will too."
Zeiss chuckled softly and glanced down at the wolf pup climbing eagerly on his leg, yearning for the same affection Gianna bestowed upon her owner. "I'll miss you too, and because of that, I'll come back very soon for you, okay?" He gently rubbed her hair and wiped her tear-streaked face. "While you're at it, learn a lot of things that you're going to teach me when I return, all right?"
Eleven bobbed her head vigorously in agreement. "I'll learn a lot of things that I'll teach you once you return, Zeiss. So come back quickly, okay?"
Zeiss nodded and leaned closer to her, patting her hair affectionately. In an unexpected moment of boldness, Eleven leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, dangerously near his mouth, then pulled away to wipe her tears.
Zeiss widened his eyes in surprise at her action; the feeling was mutual among all present in their space. He chuckled softly and nodded. "Goodbye, little girl," he said before turning to leave the house, Lincoln trailing closely behind him.
Once outside, Eleven turned and buried her head in Gianna's shoulder, weeping freely and staining the woman's cloth with her tears.
★
"Is this it?" Zeiss asked as he surveyed the foreboding entrance of a cave atop a black rocky mountain, its jagged edges silhouetted against the bright sky.
"Mm. This is the highest and most desolate mountain in Vylon," Lincoln replied with a nod as he scanned their surroundings. "Let's go in." And they ventured forth into the shadowy cave.
They moved deeper into the cave until they came to a halt before an imposing black coffin. "Interesting," Zeiss remarked, his interest piqued.
"Right? The whole setting is perfect," Lincoln said with an approving look before clearing his throat. "There's a soft mattress inside the coffin for safe sleeping."
"Woah," Zeiss fully turned to face him, eyebrows raised. "Who would believe you are so excited about me hibernating for twelve years?"
"Don't put words in my mouth, Zeiss," Lincoln retorted with a small smile.
"I can't wait to get out," Zeiss said with a hint of impatience. "If not for upholding the rights of being a God of Death, I would've never been here." He grumbled as he began to remove his dress shirt.
"Please tell me you're not taking off your pants," Lincoln said hastily as he turned away upon witnessing Zeiss shedding his shirt.
"Don't act all prude; you'll be cleaning me," Zeiss stated matter-of-factly.
"No thank you," Lincoln replied firmly, shaking his head as he shot Zeiss an incredulous glare.
"I wasn't asking. You'll do it. I don't want to smell when I'm finished sleeping," Zeiss insisted.
"That is going to be hectic," Lincoln groaned but ultimately agreed anyway.
Zeiss left his trousers on and lay inside the six-foot coffin. Lincoln began reciting the incantation that would usher him into slumber. As Zeiss fell into an enchanted sleep, Lincoln wished him well before closing the coffin and departing from the mountain.
★
The next day after Zeiss's departure, dawned bright yet heavy with unspoken farewells. Gianna packed the few clothes Eleven owned into one of her small bags.
"Where are we going, Gianna?" Eleven asked in a voice that was squeaky, as she cradled and petted Nita in her arms.
"We're traveling too," Gianna replied as she zipped up the bag and set it down gently on the floor. She had already dressed Eleven in their traveling attire.
"To Zeiss?" Eleven asked, her wide eyes gleaming with hope.
"No," Gianna shook her head gently. "Not to Zeiss. We are going to my grandma's place."
Eleven's shoulders drooped in disappointment as she huffed softly. "Why?"
"Because this place is not safe without Zeiss—especially for you. But rest assured, we'll return before he does," Gianna reassured her as she lifted the bag onto her shoulder and took Eleven's tiny hand in hers as they exited the room together with Nita.
"Gianna," Eleven called softly as Gianna paused and turned at the sound of her name. "How long is Zeiss going to be away?"
Gianna sighed deeply and crouched down to meet Eleven's gaze at eye level. "Let's say when you grow up and become a big girl — then Zeiss will return." She smiled warmly and ruffled Eleven's hair affectionately.
"So I should grow up quickly for Zeiss?"
"Mm-hmm! Grow up quickly for Zeiss," Gianna affirmed as she kissed Eleven's forehead before they continued their journey downstairs.
The hall was filled with servants and maidservants alike; even Lincoln stood among them.
"I'll miss the hell out of you, Gia," Morissette said with a pout as she enveloped Gianna in a warm embrace.
"Me too," Gianna replied as she parted from Morissette using one hand while holding Eleven with the other. Lincoln helped carry their bags toward the awaiting carriage.
They unloaded everything into the boot of the carriage while Gianna led Eleven outside the compound where she stood beside the carriage. "I'll see you in twelve years."
Lincoln nodded solemnly; his red eyes sparkled like hers under the sunlight. "I'll miss you too; you're quite the entertainment here," he chuckled lightly as she joined him in laughter.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" she teased playfully, raising an eyebrow at him.
He shrugged nonchalantly before she bit her lip nervously; then she rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him fully on the lips. "Goodbye, Lincoln."
"Goodbye Gianna."
With that final farewell, Gianna slipped inside the carriage and instructed the coachman to commence their journey. "The ride is going to be long, El dear; so you can sleep if you wish."
"Okay," Eleven nodded obediently before turning to gaze out of her window at the trees whizzing by like fleeting memories while she petted Nita. "Gianna?"
"Hm? El?" Gianna turned back to look at the small girl whose head remained turned toward the window.
"Do you know why my mama named me Eleven?" Eleven asked as she turned and blinked innocently at Gianna.
"No, why?"
"Because I was born on the eleventh of the eleventh month, November. She said it's fate and that she loves me." A smile graced Eleven's lips as a reminiscent sparkle danced in her eyes.
"Oh dear, I'm sure she did," Gianna replied softly as she pulled Eleven close against herself, letting the beast lay too on Eleven's body. "Your mama and papa love you every day, okay?" She patted the girl's back gently until sleep finally claimed Eleven's weary eyelids.
A Year After.
A year had passed since Zeiss's hibernation commenced beneath that ominous mountain. King Hudson of Vylon paced restlessly within his chamber, hand covering his mouth in deep contemplation. His eyes narrowed upon the ground as he moved restlessly before standing at his window, observing his guardsmen training diligently below.
"Your Royal Majesty," Hade announced respectfully upon entering Hudson's chamber with a deep bow. "Zeiss has indeed gone away for an extended period as you requested me to find; however, I have also uncovered additional news from the witch."
At this revelation, King Hudson turned sharply to face his loyal advisor. "And what is this other news from that witch which she neglected to share with me?"
"She presumed you were already aware," Hade replied cautiously as he drew in a deep breath to steady himself before divulging further information. "Prince Zeiss is a God of Death."