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“Is this the way to the kingdom of the Red Dragons?”
The poor human who had been stopped by Eternity to ask such a question looked mortified at just the mere mention of dragons.
“...I-I don't know….please, please spare me.”
“We are not here to harm you, sir,” Melly rushed in to tell him.
The man remained frozen and shaking in fear, watching the two unnatural beings in front of him. Melly sighed, lifting her staff and murmuring a spell underneath her breath. A trail of shining blue dust drifted from her staff to the man, who promptly fell asleep.
Melly looked at him. At least he was sleeping on the cart of hay he had pulled up in and not on the dirt road.
“Lady Eternity,” Melly tried her best to keep her tone respectful, “Humans are anxious creatures. Talks of supernatural beings and magical beasts scare them. Please refrain from mentioning such things to them.”
“Such a fragile mind,” Eternity murmured as she watched the sleeping man, glancing briefly at Melly, “But you, my dear companion, seem to be an exception.”
“A very rare one,” Melly admitted, “But yes.” She then turned towards the road leading ahead and lifted her staff, closing her eyes as several blue flames gathered around it and condensed into a bright, sparkling flame pointing towards their left.
Melly put her staff down and pointed in the other direction, “This path,” She said, “Will lead us to the kingdom of Red Dragons.”
*****
Fortunately, the destination wasn't the land of the red dragons itself, which would have been a major issue. Given the hostile nature of dragons towards humans and witches.
They stopped at a cave hidden away in a mountain pass, on the very edge of the dragon continent. The inside was pitch black and barely discernible.
“It is a tumultuous time for dragons and humans,” Melly told her companion, “Since the war broke out between the Red Dragons and the White Dragons, the humans who worshipped them got caught in the crossfire,” She explained, “....the white dragons are declining, and their followers are retreating into hiding. As a result, the red dragon clan is wary of any new humans approaching their territory.”
“A war?” Eternity thought about it, “Where did it begin? The East?”
Melly seemed surprised, “So I've heard. That's where the Kingdom of the White Dragons is, or used to be.”
“Ah,” Eternity hummed in contemplation, “Very well then. I must pay a visit to that land as well then.”
Melly wasn't sure if she should ask, but she did want to know who Eternity was looking for here. So she looked at the knight of death and inquired, “Forgive my audaciousness, but who exactly lives here?”
“One of my brethren,” Eternity replied, “He must be around here. I shall go look for him-”
“Wait, Lady Eternity,” Melly stopped her, “It's dangerous to roam around just like that in these parts. Perhaps we should map out–”
Melly froze, a chill trickling down her spine. The serene sunny afternoon seemed to vanish in an instant, clouds gathering overhead while a distant cackle of crows resounded, followed by the flutter of their wings as they took flight to the sky. A heavy pressure swept across the area, and an inexplicable, pungent stench replaced the airy summer breeze. Eternity remained unaffected, but Melly was on the verge of breaking out into a cold sweat.
With a sharp breath, she turned around. Towards the source of that dreadful feeling of terror emanating straight into her very bones. Within the darkness of the cold, black cave, shone two bright orbs. And as Melly watched, unable to move, a series of slow, sluggish footsteps reached her ears, as the glowing orbs in the cave approached them closer. A low, rumbling voice accompanied the action, along with what sounded like the rustle of several feathers.
Although frozen in terror, Melly tightened her grip around her staff, standing her ground in front of Eternity, as ridiculous as that maybe, given she was a mere human in front of an angel of God.
She opened her mouth, about to ask Eternity to be careful, when the knight herself spoke first, addressing the figure in the darkness, “Brother Piety.”
The ominous aura immediately vanished, and the air grew lighter as Melly felt like a burden was lifted off her shoulders. She looked up, realising that even the skies had cleared…..everything went back to normal within an instant.
“Sister,” Said a low, gurgling voice. The source of it was the figure that had stepped out of the cave. Donning robes with a silver sheen etched into the very fabric, and a bird-like mask resting atop the titanous body, there were feathers of gray and black stretching out from underneath a tiny white hat resting atop this figure’s head.
Melly wasn't sure what she was looking at. Did God's angels also look so–
No, no. She mustn't. She mustn't disrespect the divine.
“Sister Eternity,” The figure rumbled again, approaching Eternity, “Is it truly you? You have finally awoken.” Melly did not know if she imagined it, but there was a hint of happiness in that droning voice.
“It is I indeed,” Eternity nodded, “Rest assured, this is my companion.” She spoke while referring to Melly.
Piety looked at Melly, not a hint of emotion could be discerned from the mask resting atop his face, or wait, was that actually his face–
“What is your name, human?”
Melly hesitated, “Melly,” She replied, composing herself. She shouldn’t be this intimidated by him….she had been travelling with a divine being for so long after all.
Piety gave a hum of approval and then turned back towards Eternity, “Come. I shall show you my domain. Within this cave.”
Eternity blinked, “Brother Piety,” She asked as she followed him, “How long have you been living among the mortals? And what has happened of the Others? No, rather…..what business might you have traversing the mortal world?”
“We each awoke at different times,” Piety told her, “You are the last to wake.”
Eternity seemed surprised, “How could that be…”
“It is because Judgment Day is still further away,” Piety said, “So we three decided to investigate the mortal world while we await it.”
The chill in the cave grew colder as they went in. The other two beings likely didn’t notice, but Melly had to light a small flame on her staff to keep herself warm.
“Much has changed through centuries,” Piety was saying, “The humans, witches and dragons. Chaos thrives even without our influence. We only ever interfere in their affairs so very rarely- be it for boons or banes, I fail to recall the last time I delivered divine punishment or granted a miracle.”
They arrived at a wide space within the cave, unlike the outside, the inside was actually fashioned into a laboratory. Huge and filled with equipment and chemicals in bottles, steam was brewing out of certain vials and a bubbling pot of green liquid was standing in the corner. Manuscripts and books decorated the wide and tall shelves, and half-finished notes and diagrams lay scattered across a long wooden table in the midst of all the equipment and bottles.
“This is my laboratory,” Piety declared proudly, “With the mortals busy in their own affairs, it has left me with much time to explore the art of alchemy and science. There is no end to the discoveries one can make in this field. I am in the midst of drafting all my findings into a collection. Would you like to see?”
Eternity, evidently surprised, blinked, “I….suppose I could….” She said, unsurely.
Piety nodded, walking away and picking up a large stack of papers, “This is the most recent chapter. The experiment is still in progress, so I do not have a conclusion yet.” He was telling her.
Eternity took it in her hands, but did not read it yet, looking at Piety and asking, “Brother…..what of your duties?”
“Hm?” Piety scratched his mask, rumbling, “I’ve been doing my duties, Sister. Rest assured.”
Eternity frowned, not quite convinced, “I do not understand…..as angels of the Lord, are such luxuries allowed for us? We are not the same as mortals, our hearts are divine and our actions a testament to the Supreme. Brother, I fear you have strayed from the path carved for us by our Lord.”
Melly felt a sudden drop in the temperature of the room. She huddled closer to the burning stove, apprehensive of the shift the conversation had taken. She really hoped she wouldn’t get caught in the midst of a disagreement between two divine beings.
Piety did not seem angry, despite the unhappy gaze Eternity was looking at him with. Instead, he took the stack of papers from Eternity’s hands and put them aside, speaking calmly, “Sister, you have been asleep for much too long. The world is not as it used to be. Wherein we would be sent down to bestow blessings to the faithful and indiscriminately punish the sinners. The Lord hasn’t spoken to us in centuries. As always, we await their command. We are always ready. But to just lay in endless wait is an unnecessary exasperation. Therefore, it is no sin for us messengers of the Divine to also participate in leisure-”
“How can that be?” Eternity could not comprehend it, “We are the angels of God, we are not allowed-”
“And why is that?” Piety interrupted her, “Our God does not forbid us from it. We have committed no mistake to be deprived of pleasure.”
Eternity faltered, “But…..”
Piety shook his head, “Do not think so hard, Sister. You must consider about yourself as well,” He turned around, grabbing a paper and scribbling something on it. Then he rolled it up and passed it to her, “Here you go. This is the way to Brother Tranquility and Brother Satiety’s abodes. I am aware that simply hearing it from me must not be enough to convince you. But once you meet them, and speak to them, I am sure you will understand as well.”
Eternity looked at the scroll in her hand, unsure of what to say. Melly, standing nearby, was a bit taken aback, given she had never seen Eternity look so lost and confused. She felt the urge to go closer and comfort her, but resisted, knowing this was not her place to meddle in.
Piety patted her shoulder, “Don’t look so disturbed. Here.” He handed her a cloth doll, dressed in white clothes and golden hair…..almost resembling….
“I made this while you were asleep,” He told her, “Perhaps you can keep it with you. As a traveling companion.”
On the sidelines, Melly couldn’t help but raise her eyebrow. Was this a jab at her?
Eternity continued to stare at the doll, while Piety continued, “Do convey my regards to our brethren. I send them letters frequently. Satiety answers to me. But Tranquility, all alone in his lone castle in the winterlands, thinks himself too high to reply to me,” Piety sounded a little bit annoyed, “Do let him know I am still awaiting a reply to every letter I send that way.”
“I….” Eternity mumbled, “I….will…..”
“Oh, and one more thing,” Piety cleared his throat, “As we decided to roam this mortal world and observe the behaviours of the creatures of our lord, we decided to give ourselves names in a similar fashion.”
Eternity looked at him, “Pardon?”
“Names, Sister Eternity,” Piety repeated, “They hold power. I am sure your companion here would know,” He cast a discreet glance towards Melly, who remained still as he continued, “So we gave ourselves names resembling mortals. To communicate better with the mortal world while disguised as one of them.”
“I see,” Eternity seemed intrigued, “What name did you give yourself?”
“The name I gave myself,” Piety spoke, a hint of pride in his voice, “Orpheus. What do you think?”
“Orpheus,” Eternity tested the word by saying it out loud, and then nodded her head, “ ‘Darkness of the night’ It suits you, my brother.”
“Orpheus” seemed content on hearing that. He nodded his head, “As for Satiety and Tranquility, you must ask them yourself. For it will ruin the surprise if I tell you.”
Eternity breathed out, “My initial objective of this journey was to revive the sense of duty of my brethren. But now, you seem to be imploring me to do the opposite.”
“Orpheus” chuckled and shook his head, “I think you will understand my decisions once you see for yourself how the mortal world has changed,” He looked at Melly, finally addressing her, “My gratitude, kind witch, for assisting my sister’s journey through the mortal realm.”
Melly froze, “Your welcome,” She said, “....my lord.” She added as an afterthought.
“You must choose a name for yourself too,” He told Eternity, and then held up his hand, a crow appeared out of black mist on his arm, “My birds are everywhere. Should you encounter any trouble, simply call out to one and send me a letter, I will be sure to help you in any way I can.”
“A name for myself,” Eternity mumbled, “....a name….”
“There is no hurry,” Piety reassured her as he led her out, “For time is no hindrance for us. Think carefully and choose, my sister.”
Eternity nodded, “I understand.”
*****
The journey down the mountain was a quiet one. Which wasn’t unusual to say, given how Eternity always seemed much too intrigued by the changes in her environment to talk all that much. But this time, the angel of death wasn’t even looking around, her gaze fixed on the dirt road as she walked without uttering a word. It unnerved Melly a little bit.
“Lady Eternity,” She called out once they were a significant distance away from Piety’s lair, “Do you wish to rest?”
Eternity paused, turning around to look at Melly, “Rest? I have no need for that. But I am aware that you do. If you are tired, then I do not mind resting.”
Melly sighed, “Yes, I am tired. Let us rest.”
They sat down by a riverside, on the rocky bank, Eternity seemed content to focus her gaze on the rushing waves and let her thoughts wander, but Melly wanted to talk,
“Are you okay, my Lady?” She asked in one go, aware how blunt her question may have been, but knowing it was the only way Eternity would understand her concerns.
“Ah,” Eternity furrowed her brow, “You must have noticed my anxiousness. Forgive me…..I am just a little bit bewildered.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Melly said, “I know it’s not my place, but that conversation seemed to elevate your worries.”
“It did,” Eternity admitted, “I….have never associated the words ‘leisure’ or ‘rest’ with someone such as myself. These were creations the God bestowed upon the hardworking mortal realm. For us messengers, who are always on duty, who have been gifted with the honor to serve our Lord…..such terms are unfamiliar, foreign. Because it is not meant for us.”
“Why not?” Melly challenged her, “Why should you not be subject to rest and leisure? The Lord’s angels must tire out too, no? I think Lord Piety is right, it is no sin to indulge oneself, my Lady. Be it an angel or a mortal, the quest for happiness is an inherent longing within all of us.”
Eternity breathed in, as if unable to believe Melly’s words, “Do you….think so?”
“I do.” Melly told her, “But I also understand that it is not a belief one can instill overnight. You must give yourself time to think and consider, my lady, There is no rush, and for a being such as yourself, perhaps stopping every once in a while amidst your endless sense of duty and honor to sit down and admire the gift of nature isn’t so blasphemous of an act, is it?”
Eternity looked at Melly in surprise, and Melly only realised belatedly how boldly she had spoken. She looked away, apologising, “Sorry…that was too audacious. What I mean to say is that….it should be okay, to stop and relax every once in a while.”
Eternity did not say anything, and that worried Melly. She looked up, at the face of the angel, and found her smiling. It was a soft smile, full of understanding and gratitude. Her golden eyes regarded Melly with affection, and as she stood up and approached her, Melly couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat.
“You are a fascinating woman,” Eternity said as she stopped in front of Melly, leaning down to say, “I wish to give you something.”
“Me?” Melly asked, surprised.
Eternity’s smile brightened, and she held her hands out in front of the witch. As Melly watched, trails of golden light and silver sparkles danced around the angel’s fingers and morphed into a condensed ball of light within Eternity's hands. Soon, it settled down and took shape into a creature with wings…..a moth. Melly found the sight so captivating her breath hitched, but Eternity wasn’t done yet. As Melly watched, ornate carvings appeared onto the moth’s wings, and a glowing green gemstone embedded in the midst of it shone brilliantly under the pale moonlight.
It was a silver brooch. In the shape of a moth.
“I-it’s beautiful…..” Melly found herself saying, unable to take her eyes off the beautiful ornament.
“I am glad you like it,” Eternity said, “I made it for you.”
Melly looked up, alarmed, “I, no, no, my lady. I couldn’t possibly–”
“I insist,” Eternity said, “It is a return gift, in exchange for the robe you gave me.”
The cloak? But that barely cost a few silver pieces,,this accessory looked like it was worth way more than that. Not to mention it was crafted by the hands of an angel–
“I….” Melly was looking for a way to reject it as politely as possible. She couldn’t accept it….it was, it was too much….
Eternity’s face fell, “Do you not like it?”
“No no, I do,” Melly hurried to say, “But my lady….this gift…..is not fit for a humble traveler such as myself.”
“Why not?” Eternity asked, in the same challenging tone as Melly earlier, “Do humble travelers not deserve beautiful accessories?”
Melly blushed, a little lost on any more rebuttals. Eternity took the silence as her win, smiling as she handed it to Melly, who had no choice but to accept it.
Melly stared at the ornate silver moth in her hand, breathing in as she noticed a new detail of craftsmanship in every glance, “Exquisite…..” She mumbled.
Eternity looked at her, continuing to smile as she asked, “Will you wear it?”
“N-now?” Melly wasn’t sure why, but there was embarrassment rising within her, and she couldn’t bring herself to look at Eternity properly.
“Yes?” Eternity replied.
Melly hesitated, but ultimately decided it should be fine. Keeping her staff aside, she reached up and uncovered the veil framing her face, carefully taking it off and placing it on her lap. As soon as she did so, she felt an intense gaze on her. She looked up, catching Eternity staring at her with wide eyes.
“As expected,” Said the angel, eyes never leaving Melly’s face, “You are even more beautiful than I had expected.” Her low voice coupled with the softness in her frost-tinted eyes, as she leaned down, reaching out to touch a strand of Melly’s hair…..it made the witch freeze in place, unable to help the heat rising to her face.
Eternity did not hold onto that strand of Melly’s hair for long, withdrawing when she noticed the frost of her fingers reaching out towards her hair. She straightened up, watching Melly carefully as she asked, “I hope this isn’t rude. But may I put the accessory in your hair?”
Melly’s heart was already racing a mile in a minute, but such a request from Eternity….how could she refuse it?
“I-I don’t mind….” Melly said, reaching up to untangle her silvery white hair from the bun she had tied it into. It fell down, cascading over her face and her back, strands of it escaping to the front.
Eternity moved to stand behind Melly, reaching out to brush her icy cold fingers over the witch’s thick white hair, taking her time sorting through the strands, “Your hair is very lovely.” She commented, admiring how easily they slipped through her fingers when she parted them.
“Thank you….” Melly said, hoping Eternity wasn’t aware of the mess of emotions her heart was in right now. Melly swallowed, feeling Eternity’s cold hands gather all her hair into a mass at the back of her head, gentle fingers brushing through the strands. When she felt a lingering touch of Eternity’s frosty fingers against her bare shoulders, Melly breathed in, feeling a warmth creep onto her face. And then, when Eternity’s hand brushed against her face, to pull back the strands framing her temple, Melly’s breath shook, but she remained still.
Eternity leaned down, calm and collected, arranging Melly’s hair while leaving behind featherlight touches of her cold fingers, breathing out a frosty mist next to Melly’s ear as she spoke, “Is there a reason your face must be covered at all times?”
Melly shivered as she felt her words vibrate against her very bones, trying to keep her voice even as she replied, “It’s a rule of my coven,” She answered, “And a personal choice.”
“Then is it okay?” Eternity asked, almost done braiding Melly’s hair, hands nimble and slow, and voice still tickling Melly’s ear, “For you to unveil in my presence?”
Melly felt warmth on not just her face, but her shoulders and neck as well…..she was sure every visible part of her body was flushed all over. She swallowed, replying, “It should be fine…” She mumbled, “After all you are…..” Melly’s words were swallowed into a gasp as she felt a chilly touch trail down the middle of her shoulder bones, making her flinch and freeze in place.
“Forgive me,” Eternity laughed, low and amused, “I did not expect you to be that sensitive.”
Melly blushed, “Please refrain from doing that again, my lady,” She said, visibly flustered.
Eternity laughed again. Melly’s braid was done, now she was twisting it to rest it at the base of her neck, holding it securely as she finally embedded the moth-shaped accessory into Melly’s hair.
Eternity let go, admiring her handy work. There were bits of frost hanging off pf Melly’s hair due to the prolonged contact with Eternity’s fingers….but it should be fine, Eternity was sure they would melt away soon. (And even if they didn’t….it would be nice, to watch a hint of Eternity’s touch remain affixed onto her companion’s hair….)
The moth brooch looked absolutely sublime on Melly’s hair, glimmering with a silver shine under the tranquil moonlight.
Melly turned her head partially, to look at Eternity, opening her mouth to ask, in a hesitant tone, “Does it….look good?”
“Perfect.” Eternity declared, reaching out to tuck a strand of Melly’s hair behind her face, once again sending the witch’s heart into a frenzy, “Thank you for letting me braid your hair, and accessorise it as well.”
“I—” Melly blushed, trying to sit up straighter and compose herself, “No, my lady. The pleasure is mine.”
“Melly,” Eternity said suddenly, “Must you call me by that title?”
Melly stared at her, “Pardon?”
Eternity blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, “No, it is nothing….” She smiled at Melly, straightening up and reaching out a hand, “Shall we be on our way, then?”
Melly, slowly and cautiously, accepted her hand, standing up as she replied, in a gentle tone,
“Of course, my lady.”
++++