“Do you normally remember your dreams?”
“Yeah. I’m eager to spend time with you in a setting where you won’t be cold to the touch. She pressed a hand to his sculpted chest and rubbed his frozen pectorals. Her breath caught as she imagined wrapping his body in hers and expressing her love for him at the most intimate of levels. Aerigo shuffled closer and Roxie could feel the cold emanating from him, and he enveloped her in his arms, locking her with his blue-eyed gaze.
“Aw, how cute,” Daio said. “The two lovebirds are at it again. Ow!” He clutched the back of his head and popped Sassy a guilty grin.
She said, “Give them privacy. They have only so much time together.”
“I know. I just like seeing them happy.”
Ron folded his arms and narrowed his four eyes. “Your sense of propriety is lacking.”
“Oh lighten up. I wasn’t trying to be polite.”
“All the more reason to apologize.”
Daio gave him a flat look. “Your sense of humor is nonexistent.”
Roxie said, “He meant no harm.” She looped the wrist strap to her shield over the hilt of her sword and let the shield hang at her hip. She was tired of it getting in the way. She stuck her hand under her arm to warm it up, and Aerigo let her go.
Only Ron and his Numina from all the others had stayed, the Numina looking like his twin. Only energy sprites and milling Numina filled the expansive chamber. “Where did the others go?”
Ron unfolded his arms and stepped forward. “The tug of death’s journey pulled many away. Even I struggled to resist, but I’m determined to give you some happiness. The others wanted me to let you know they will seek peace for your sake, as well as theirs. You’ve helped us all, including myself, realize that we’ve been clinging to so much negativity for so long. We thank you for the enlightenment.” He waved her over. “Now come.” Ron and his Numina began leading them along the chamber, parallel to the gates.
Aerigo said, “I’d offer you my arm if I weren’t freezing cold to you.”
Roxie threaded her fingers in his. “I’m not wasting a single moment with you.” Aerigo brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, making her smile again.
“Then I’ll do the same.”
Hand in hand, they followed Ron with Sekiro and the rest in tow, their footsteps making a light patterning on the stone tiles.
There was something calm and peaceful about the chamber. Sure, energy sprites were darting about but they felt like the only things with abundant energy in this place. The dozens of Numina moved quietly and purposefully, their footsteps as noisy as a whisper. The vine-covered gates stood tall and proud, radiating how ancient they were. There was a magic to this place that invoked quietness, like a library.
“So did you talk with Firsos about your options?” Roxie said softly. She felt both eager and afraid of hearing what he might say. She wanted to be with him, both of them happy, but there was only so much they could do.
“We did,” he said. “I’ve reached a decision I hope you like, but if you don’t, I can share what we discussed. However, I believe I’ve chosen the best path.”
“What did you decide?” Her heart began to race.
“I’d like to become your spirit guardian.”
It sounded so sweet and thoughtful, yet sad. “It sounds great but what exactly does that mean?”
“I’ll always be with you, watching over you. I have to finish my personal journey here first, but after that I’ll always be there for you in spirit, protecting you from certain kinds of dangers and guiding decisions you make. It’d make me very happy to watch you grow older and wiser, to fall in love with a deserving soul, and to help others. It’d bring me peace and happiness.” He squeezed her hand and she squeezed back.
“I think it’s fitting,” Roxie said. She didn’t care so much about falling in love all over again with someone new. The idea was too close to the loss of Aerigo, but at least hearing him want that for her made her feel good. He was preparing to let her go like her father had. As hard as it would be, she’d do her best to let Aerigo go so he could become her spirit guardian. “I’d be honored to have you as my spirit guardian.”
“You sound sad.”
Roxie’s throat constricted. “I just want you alive but I understand I can’t have that. It’s hard to accept, even though I know I must. This doesn’t mean I don’t want you as my spirit guardian. It’d make me very happy to know you’re still with me over the years, and you happy as well.”
Aerigo leaned closer and planted a frozen kiss on her temple. “Thank you. So much.”
“Thank you, too.” She tugged on his hand, coaxing him to lean even closer, and kissed him on the lips. It was like kissing a gel ice pack but she didn’t care. Aerigo was too wonderful a soul to avoid kissing. The way he smiled made her heart melt and the discomfort worth it.
Shuffling behind them drew Roxie’s attention. Daio and Sassy were walking hand in hand with their Numina on either side, Daio moving with his head bowed, mouth ajar, his form transparent, and one hand clutching his chains. Sassy’s eyes glowed blue as she held his arm, trying to hold him up.
Roxie pulled to a halt and Aerigo stopped with her. “What’s wrong?” she asked Daio.
He looked up and popped a wan smile. “Feeling a little tired. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Wanting to make Sassy happier and Daio’s trek easier, Roxie walked up to him and held out a hand, palm up. “Take some more energy. You look like you lost everything you took earlier.”
“The other Aigis beat it out of me. I’ll get it back over time.”
“Take some again.”
“Thanks, kid, but I don’t deserve it.”
“I don’t care. Take some. I don’t hate you, Daio.”
He reached for her hand but stopped himself. “I don’t deserve such kindness, Rox.”
“It’s my energy, and I’ll be the judge of that.” She held her hand closer to his stomach.
Daio eyed her hand longingly. “You really don’t mind?”
“I’m not happy with what you’ve done while alive, but I forgive you for your mistakes. Plus Sassy looks really worried about you. I think it’d make her feel better if you took some more energy.”
Daio turned his tired gaze to Sassy and stroked her cheek with his fingers. “You want me to?”
“Please,” Sassy said.
“Alright, babe,” he said and reached for Roxie’s hand, plunging it in ice. He siphoned off enough energy to solidify his form and let out a relieved sigh. “Thanks, Rox. That feels so much better.” The fatigue melted from his face and he stood up straight.
Roxie nodded and returned to Aerigo’s side, clasping his frozen hand. He treated her with a contented smile and a whisper of thanks.
Ron gave her a disapproving frown. “You should’ve let him suffer. He deserves no less.”
“Maybe he does,” she said, “but that’s not the kind of person I am.” Sure, Daio had done many horrible things, including trying to kill her, but she believed him when he said he’d been commanded against his will, and that he was sorry about everything. He’d also been genuinely reluctant to take more energy. His mental demons were making him suffer enough.
“How noble,” Ron said earnestly. “You have such a gentle heart. I pray you are up to the task of defeating a god.”
“I am,” Roxie said automatically, then thought about what both she and Ron said. Was she hardened enough to take on Nexus? She might have to bring herself to kill him, like she’d unintentionally done to the Elf assassin Kabiroas. That was a steep order when she wasn’t a trained soldier. She wasn’t one hundred percent confident she was up to the task but, no matter what, she had to try.
“Oh, she is,” Daio said. “She’s as tough and she is kind.”
“I’m going to face Nexus and do everything I can to stop him and his war. I have to try.”
“No one could ask more of you,” Ron said. “Hopefully your time
with Nero will bear more fruit than your time with me and the others.”
“Who’s Nero?”
“One of the first Aigis ever created. He’s the one keeping the knowledge of Frava alive, so to speak. I’ll let him explain the rest.” Ron and his Numina walked up to a stone gate covered in wild, oversized vines that looked like they’d been fed way too much fertilizer. The vines had to be as thick as Roxie’s arms, with leaves as long as her legs branching off them. Ron craned his neck. “Welcome to Thracken’s spirit world gate. I hope you find my home world beautiful, Roxie.”
“The vines are huge,” she said, walking up beside him with Aerigo standing behind her.
“Thracken’s air is oxygen-rich, allowing for lush wildlife.” His Numina spread his arms and the gate swung open with an earthy rumble and the rustle of oversized leaves. The two led everyone into a dirt clearing lining a vast, grassy plain that made Roxie feel like she’d shrunk to the size of an ant. Each corn-yellow blade was taller than her and broad as her torso.
Ron gazed at the peach-colored sky, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, visibly relaxing. He marched up to the golden grass and tested several blades with a foot before walking up one and standing atop it. He stared out into the distance with the joy of returning home as his Numina picked a choice blade and stood atop it as well.
“This place brings back not-so-fond memories,” Daio said with a frown as he fiddled with a length of chain.
Sassy said, “Let’s put those memories to rest.” She brought Daio’s hand to her cheek.
“That’s what I hope to accomplish,” Ron said, his gaze still on the field. “I have so much hate and anger that need letting go of.”
Daio tested a few blades of grass and climbed one, Sassy joining him on one next to his.
Aerigo picked a blade near Sassy and, taking Roxie’s hand, guided her up one blade while walking up another. Roxie cautiously walked up hers, expecting it to snap under her weight, but it held firm like a plastic children’s slide, feeling a little sticky under her greaves. The grass bounced and swayed a little, and the whole field shimmered in the light breeze, their tapping against each other sounding like rainfall. Firsos and Kiowa curled up on the soft dirt, and Sekiro and Huldra kept them company.
Ron and his Numina led the group in sitting cross-legged. “Roxie,” Ron said in his whispery voice, “I hope this conversation puts your heart and thoughts at ease so you may focus on your task. I wanted to leave with the others, so you would have no choice but to focus on your own journey, but your desire to experience something positive in the Realm of the Dead stayed my soul. I don’t promise you my full release from inner turmoil, but at the very least to witness progress towards peace and rest.”
“That’s more than enough for me,” Roxie said. Thracken’s spirit world had its own energy to it that felt like she’d walked into a spa, and that was her cue to start relaxing. The pitter patter of the swaying grass sounded like a whisper of a lullaby, a tune sweet, slow, and gentle.
Ron frowned. “More punishment was dealt while you rested. Even I participated. At first, the punishment felt good. We were all making Daio pay for deceiving and murdering every last one of us. However, we soon conceded that our actions weren’t bringing us the peace or happiness you wished for us. We only felt hollow despair. No amount of punishment could undo our deaths or change the unfolding events. What’s done is done.” He looked at Daio. “I believe you’re truly sorry for your transgressions, and that you were commanded against your will, but I still struggle to find it in myself to stop despising you.”
“I can live with that,” Daio said, fiddling with his chains. “Well, not literally but you know what I mean.”
“You spent years earning my trust, along with that of the people I was protecting and watching over, just so you could betray and kill me one day. Years and years of effort for the sake of murder.”
“I know.”
“I thought you were a good friend, an honest friend, but all those smiles and words of kindness were all lies, a deception.”
“But I meant them.”
“And then you had the gall to carry my mangled body back to my family after killing a cambrog and using its claws to kill me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I tried so hard to let my family know what you’d done so they could avenge me, but my soul was in so much turmoil that I wasn’t able to collect myself before they all died of old age. After recovering from that truth, I hunted your soul from world to world, only to find you perpetuating your deceptions with more Aigis and killing them one by one. No one knew to suspect foul play in the others’ deaths, and no one suspected foul play was involved in mine because it was a cambrog.”
“May I ask what a cambrog is?” Roxie said.
Ron said, “A giant, serpentine lizard small enough to hide in this grass, yet big and powerful enough to kill a beast like Firsos.” He pointed to the bear. “Cambrog move very fast and are strong enough to break an Aigis’s bones. They are patient ambush predators. A population of them was encroaching on where I lived. Daio and I were battling their numbers with care before I was murdered.” He shook his head. “At least he stuck around years after to finish whittling down their numbers enough to encourage the population to move.”
Daio swallowed and Sassy said, “What is it?”
His eyes glowed blue. “I fed the cambrog population for years so they would become a problem. Sticking around after was a poor attempt at relieving my heavy conscience.”
Ron gaped, eyes glowing red. “You...” He clenched his fists. “Dozens more died because of you. Livestock devoured, farmland abandoned, and whole towns living in fear because of you!”
“I’m sorry.”
Ron’s Numina put a hand on his arm. “Ron,” he said in calm yet firm voice. Ron turned on him, eyes blazing. “It can’t be undone. You must bring yourself to let it all go.”
“But that weak excuse for an Aigis killed me and so many others!”
“No amount of wrath will change that. The worlds still turn and life goes on. Let it go. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
Four eyes narrowed, Ron silently fumed until he was able to calm himself enough to get his eyes to stop glowing. He closed them and bowed his head. “You’re right, Tenimus. I hate feeling so powerless to do anything. My soul hasn’t been able to rest all these years because of how desperately I wanted to thwart Daio’s efforts to kill other Aigis.”
“It’s natural to want to control more than what’s feasible,” Tenimus said. “It’s difficult to accept that we can control nothing and no one but ourselves, but embracing this truth will help your soul find peace.”
“I know. You’ve been saying that for a long time.” He looked up. “Roxie hinted at this lesson in her own words. It’s finally sinking in.”
“Sometimes it’s the messenger; not the message,” Tenimus said.
“We are in accord.” Ron looked at Daio. “I don’t know how I’ll let go of my hate for you, but I know I must.”
Daio said, “If it makes you feel any better, I stuck around after your death because I wanted to end the cambrog chaos. I didn’t have to but I felt a need to. You were a good man, and everyone on Thracken were kind people. It was the least I could do as an apology. I’d considered you a good friend, even though I knew I’d come to kill you from day one.”
“How did you ever live with yourself? Your conscience must be fleeting.”
“I wish,” Daio said unhappily. “When you live with so many lies, you end up lying to yourself, but I wasn’t very good at believing my own lies. The truth is, it was and still is very hard to live with myself, hence all these chains.”
“Then we shall talk much after Roxie is free from the spirit realm.” He gestured to Sassy and Aerigo. “You clearly have a loyal friend and devoted lover. Only one possessing redeeming qualities can obtain such priceless things.”
“Oh, I’m full of charm,” Daio said lightly.
Smiling,
Sassy elbowed him in the gut, making him let out an “oof!” and grab his side. She said to Ron, “I’d gladly join you two if you’d have me.”
“I would,” he said, nodding. “There’s much I must let go of before I’m able to find peace. I welcome all the aid we can give each other.”
“Thank you.”
“Looks like I have another babysitter,” Daio said.
Ron turned to Roxie. “This isn’t a storybook ending to my turmoil, but does this suffice to bring you some happiness?”
“It does.” Roxie didn’t expect them to hug and make up after one talk, but hearing Ron admit he needed to let go and wanted to do that made her feel better. Ron was going to strive for peace and rest for his soul. Knowing all that was enough.
Chapter 16
Nero
Sekiro led the ten of them down the vaulted chamber, passing gate after gate. Roxie walked hand-in-hand with Aerigo, enjoying his company. Yes, his hand was freezing but she didn’t care. Their time together was running out.
Roxie noticed that the gates weren’t moving in sync with how fast everyone walked. The stone tile floor kept up with them, but they were passing by the gates faster, as if they’d stepped onto a moving sidewalk.
“Are my eyes playing tricks on me?” Roxie said.
“I’m not sure what’s going on,” Aerigo said.
“Just keep following me,” Sekiro said without looking back, sounding unbothered. “This is supposed to happen.”
The gates sped by faster and faster, making a whup noise as vines and leaves whipped by. It was like driving by idle traffic with the windows down. The scores of Numina, oblivious to their presence and whipping by like the gates, vanished from sight and Roxie’s footsteps faltered.
“Keep moving!” Sekiro said, waving her onward. “Don’t stop.”
Roxie hopped back into motion and put Aerigo’s frozen hand in a death grip. The gates whipped by even faster, until they became a blur and it felt like they were being propelled through a tunnel. They walked inside streaks of grey and green and the end of the tunnel grew bright enough to make Roxie squint. Right as she shaded her eyes with a forearm, the light exploded like fireworks and streaked over their heads with a sigh. The gates vanished, giving way to a brown, rocky plain ending at an ocean. The overcast gloom turned into a pale blue sky with silvery clouds and a blushing horizon. Far out in the water rose a lone mountain, tall and jagged, with the sun behind it, making the mountain look black, and the water a sparkling mirror.
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