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“Tranquility, you seem preoccupied throughout this gathering.” Alice’s icy fingers traced the engravings on the box in her hand.
Four figures sat on the round table, representing humanity’s apocalypse. Only little time was left before they were to descend. Back then, it was to grant blessings as humanity appeased those who observed them—gods and angels alike. Now, it was to bring the apocalypse and deliver divine punishment to the sinners that now ruled a once-peaceful society.
‘Orpheus’ paid no mind, his gaze locked at the black mist that continued to emanate from the silver box, whilst Leo stared at Joseph at the corner of his eyes, calloused fingers rubbing against the golden chains of his scale. Joseph turned his head to Alice with a practised smile, with his gaze that was hard to read through.
“It’s been a while since we are to descend, Eternity. Forgive me for my inattentiveness. I knew that this fate would come, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon,” Joseph responded, his fingers fiddling with the silvery card that would briefly remind the others of hellfire.
“You were always so indifferent, Figure of War,” ‘Orpheus’ responded, his husky tone interjected with brief whistles. “You appear to be in high spirits.”
“I didn’t know you paid such close attention to me, Piety,” Joseph followed, followed by a small chuckle.
“I’ve spent almost each day with you and the others. It would be humiliating if I did not notice such a difference.”
“Haha, I’m quite touched to know that my fellow gods are looking after me.” Joseph adjusted the red pendant around his neck.
“I can sense that you have further agenda once we ascend, Tranquility,” Leo immediately brought up—Joseph suddenly fell silent.
“Whatever could it be, I hope it will not impede your judgement,” Alice added.
“Fret not, I shall tend to my duties swiftly before going after my other endeavours,” Joseph placed a gloved hand over his chest.
Shortly after, the four gods had parted ways.
Joseph was sitting on the ruined throne. His head was resting on his hand. The quiet surroundings are accompanied by the breeze and wildlife. However, a tranquil environment such as this wasn’t made to last forever. Weeks from now, Alice prophesied that flames would rain down and war would become rampant once more. Instead of going back to the heavens above and watching events unfold before descending once more, he stayed behind.
Was it because he wanted to help like before?
No. He had lost hope long ago.
“Joseph, are there any others like you?”
Aesop’s voice had snapped Joseph back from his thoughts.
“Like me? Goodness, are you trying to see if you can serve someone better perhaps?” He teased.
Aesop flinched at the accusation. He shook his head. “Not like that at all, no.”
“Worry not, it was a mere jest.” Joseph chuckled. “To answer your question, yes, but it’s best if you do not seek them. They will not treat you the same.”
“Do they know?”
“Do they know of what, Aesop?”
Joseph slightly turned his head around. He could feel a slight tug on his hair.
“Of our connections. Not everyone is able to be so close to a god like this, after all. On top of that, I am not some kind of cardinal or priest, I’m just… a devotee.”
Aesop’s voice fell.
“They do, but fret not. The four of us are tied closely with one another.”
Before Aesop could respond, Joseph grasped his wrist. “It’s best if we drop the topic now, beloved. I’m not exactly fond of it.”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, you were simply curious, but unfortunately I cannot answer most of them.”
“I understand. There are things that are likely better if I remain ignorant.”
“You don’t seem at all dismayed, why is that?”
There was a brief silence between the two of them. Aesop kept his gaze low, fixated on Joseph’s hair. His fingers divided his hair into sections of three, braiding them as a way to pass the time while on his side.
“I don’t know. A feeling in my gut, like it happened before yet I couldn’t recall.”
Joseph’s expression fell, but he laughed.
“A dragon having a bad memory? Quite unheard of. You are a young one too.”
“I’ve read in a book that if a human suffers a traumatic event, their memories may become locked up. I wonder if it is the same case with dragons. Even so…”
“Can be, yes,” Joseph responded with a slight nod. “I wouldn’t think less of you even if that were the case.”
“What good does it bring you to be with a possibly flawed dragon? I still fail to grasp why you chose to seek after me.”
“Someday, I’ll be able to answer that.”
“Why not now?”
Joseph pulled away from Aesop’s grasp. His hair was now braided, adorned in silvery scales that came from the dragon. His fingers gently stroked the braids, his gaze faltering as if he was reminiscing. Aesop stood there, staring at him, waiting for an answer whilst his fingers fidgeted.
“If I did, it would bring you great agony, my love.”
He spun from the throne. He embraced Aesop from behind. His head rested on his shoulders, taking a deep breath. Aesop’s body was as cold as ever, but it was as Joseph expected it to be.
“Am I —!”
Before Aesop could speak further, Joseph hushed him with a finger.
“Enough questions for now. I don’t want to sour our moods further.”