The Severaine

Chapter Nine Crystenia-4

His heart swelled and the words that tried to leave him froze. What he was witnessing was surely impossible. He had thought she had faded. There had been no afterlife awaiting her, only the promise of nothingness, of non-existence, as she sacrificed herself for them, for him. His breathing shallowed, and all at once the only thing that mattered was taking her in his arms. She lay still, her breath barely visible. He feared in this moment Night could ask anything of him and he would agree. The deep growling of the two guards brought his focus back to the god. Their eyes met and for a few moments no words were needed.

“Night, to what to we owe this unexpected pleasure?” Seiken made a quick gesture as he cleared his throat, and the guards uncrossed their spears at his request, but not so Night could enter, their home was still protected.

“I have journeyed to Hades' kingdom in hope to save my daughter, but she is unlike the other life-forces. The other echoes who find themselves there retain consciousness but she may soon fade into nothingness. I have tried everything within my power, as did Hades and Persephone before me, but it seems even the power of the Gods is failing. Nothing reaches her. That she still exists is a miracle in itself, as well you know.” Seiken listened carefully, but their previous encounter and his own role in the fate which befell the person held within Night's arms made him hesitant to approach. Despite this, the need for caution did not still his urge to embrace the fading figure before him, to hold her one more time. But doing so recklessly could jeopardise all she had sought to protect.

“You took her shade from Hades in hope to save her?” The disbelief in Seiken's voice rang true, after all, it was Night himself who had ensured she had no choice but to sacrifice her life for his goal.

“I did, but as you know echoes can only take physical form in places outside the boundaries of the material world, such as my home.”

“And here,” Seiken added. He now understood Night's intention and, much to the surprise of Abasi and Fenyang, he stepped through the field separating himself from Night. He heard their disgruntled growls.

All became silent, the air itself seemed still as Seiken raised his hand to reach out to gently caress the pale features of the sleeping figure. His eyes, his attention was all consumed by her presence, so much so that the guards had become uncomfortable with his level of distraction. As their heir looked upon the figure of their saviour, he was unaware of anything else which transpired around him.

Seiken's heart swelled, despite her condition just seeing her brought such contentment, such peace, and the slightest contact stirred a deep longing within him. Now that he had seen her again, he would do anything, anything, to keep her.

“So what is it you seek from me?” Realising this sent a cold sweat down Seiken's back as he wondered what this god could possibly want. There was no doubt in his mind that Night knew how he felt, that aside from the safety of his people and their lives, there was nothing he would not have done, nothing he would not give or surrender for her. He was concerned, had he known that with her at stake he would offer Night almost anything? The endless possibilities circled his mind relentlessly as he questioned what price he would pay. There was a long pause until Night spoke.

“I need you to watch over her. I know there is much this place can do, much your people can do. If she fails to survive it will be despite every effort.” He looked down to the figure who lay limp, almost lifeless, in his arms. Her time was nearing its end, and from the pain hidden deep within his eyes, it was clear Seiken knew this too.

“If she survives, if she wakes, she would become one of us,” Seiken stated, and he moved to touch her once more but pulled back. 'If she survives, she would become one of us,' he thought again to himself as he heard the words he had spoken. With her essence as fractured, as broken as it appeared, any energy she consumed would help sustain her by knitting itself together with the very fabric of her being, changing her in ways they could only imagine. Changing her very form to mirror their own. She would wake as an Oneiroi, as one of them, but could he ensure she would awaken?

“I know.” He gave a sigh. He knew he had taken a risk bringing her here. Under normal circumstances any Oneiroi would refuse even attempting to convert a mortal into one of their kind and had done so countless times in the past. Regardless of the circumstances the act itself went beyond treason. Worse still, the enormity of forcing someone to undergo this hypothetical transformation without their consent was immoral, the dangers unfathomable. What would the repercussions be of having one amongst them whose name did not appear on the pillar of life? Night had to force such thoughts from his mind before he continued to speak. “But it may be the only way to save her.”

“Very well.” Seiken attempted to remain calm as he took her. Night looked to him in surprise, Seiken had not even paused for thought before agreeing to break the foundational laws of his people, by this alone he knew she would be safe. This Oneiroi held her above all else. Last time he had been placed in a similar situation, a choice between her and his people, Night had ensured he had no option but to choose his people, but the decision had not been easy. That was why bringing her to him seemed the most logical step. “We will do our best for her; our race owe her a great debt. She saved our people and our world.” This wasn't strictly true. An agreement between Seiken and Night had ensured that, even if Zo had failed to keep her promise, his people would still be safe, but this was a fact of which only a few were aware, and since her plan had worked, Seiken had ensured everyone knew of her sacrifice for them.

Seiken was prepared for the arguments and whatever disciplinary actions his decision would cause. He was willing to suffer whatever punishment they would bestow upon him. Even without her consent, without their consent if need be, he would do this. Regardless of what his actions cost him, he knew with all his heart, all that he was, that it was better if she lived. A world, any world, with her was better than the alternative. If they refused to aid him, he would remind them why she was placed in this situation. Who could still refuse her this passage after what she had sacrificed for them?

“Thank you.” Night bowed his head to Seiken before touching his daughter's face for the last time.

“I'm not doing this for you,” he stated coldly.

“I know, but please accept my gratitude.” Seiken nodded as he turned and walked away. The barrier faltered briefly, just long enough for Seiken to step through holding Night's daughter.