Wandering Eternal: Brothers of War

Nova the Unconventional

“When you fell from up there,” she looks and points up, “you landed in fountain, sinking down the heart of the tree. Then Ezma sits on you and even hugs you having full skin contact with your wet clothes and body. So I wanted to study her to see the effects the water to her body. I forgot to say that the water also causes the personality of the human to increase exponentially,” she lowers them down allowing them to step off of her hand. Zee steps down first offering his hand to Ezma, she takes his hand standing up while her ankles weaken and her legs start to wobble. Zee holds her hand helping her stay balanced and Nova motions for them to follow her. She drifts around the room then down a flight of stairs to the right of the vine veil doorway. Zee holds Ezma’s hand as they slowly make their way around the fountain while Zee advises her on how to walk steadily when she wears heeled shoes. Once they reach the stairs he picks her up cradling her then he walks down stairs. The room below has an enormous bed, book cases lining the wall with a large assortment of books which are of the most vast variety, and the heart of the tree which lights up the entire room with a blue hue. Nova continues to float across the floor then down another flight of stairs. Zee decides to pick up his pace since he is carrying Ezma instead of putting her down so she would not slow him down. He follows Nova down the stairs which lead all the way down to the ground floor spiraling through the inside of the tree. They reach the end and Zee sets Ezma down looking around the room at all of the decorations. There is a stream of water coming from the ceiling pouring into a trough beside a doorway in the back of the room. Nova is petting Vesper who is drinking from the trough and Zee helps Ezma walk over to them, “Ixions are a special breed of horses that are born here and travel to your world when they are needed by a human that has proven themselves worthy,” she looks over at Zee smiling at him then she turns and struts to the doorway grabbing the top of it. She turns her head looking over her shoulder at Zee eyeing him down seductively then she beckons him to follow her by curling her index finger towards her a few times. He feels overly compelled to follow her without any resistance until he looks over to Ezma standing next to Vesper. He walks over to her and hugs her tightly with passion. He looks back to Nova who is still beckoning him to follow her.

“Stay here with Vesper while I go with Nova. Please do not follow behind me, I will be back soon enough and we will rest for a while before trying to find a way back,” he bends over kissing Ezma on her forehead then walks over to Nova petting Vesper as he passes by her. As he approaches Nova, she turns around facing him while floating backwards through what looks like an endless garden inside the tree. Zee saunters forward at a leisurely pace through the array of the brobdingnagian pearl and ebony pergolas enveloped in vast clusters of blossoming vines. She realizes that she is moving faster than he is and her hair suddenly wraps around him picking him up. He decides to swim with the tide instead of struggling, knowing it would be to no avail.

“I have some questions for you, and my continued involvement depends on your answers,” she smoothly comes to rest on a marvelous iridescent crystal throne draped in a disparately colored throng of flowers. The vines around her body unwind joining the garden as its home unveiling her body completely. Her hair gently sets Zee down then recedes to its aqueous free flowing form.

“I will answer any questions you have for me, but I do have a few requests before we begin,” he looks around studying the garden. The pergolas start from the door and end just behind where he is standing. There are rows of cherry trees, rose bushes, azalea trees, plum trees, and the pergolas are blanketed with a wide variety of vines. There are four small protrusions filled with water from the tree’s heart on either side of the throne spaced out enough to be able to have thrones in their place. There are variously sized vines with white orbs of light blooming from pink flowers randomly growing along the ceiling.

“What requests do you have? As long as they are within certain parameters, I am very sure I will grant them,” she raises an eyebrow looking at Zee impatiently.

“First of all, would you mind covering yourself up?” He stares into her eyes avoiding the rest of her gigantic body. She gains a frustrated look on her face then she crosses her legs and arms covering herself, “I mean you no offense, you are unbelievably attractive. It is just difficult to concentrate with your body exposed like that,” he walks towards her then paces around the garden admiring everything.

“That is because you humans are too narrow minded and think that expression of one’s own body is shameful,” she watches him as he studies the garden.

“My second request is simple, allow us to rest here if you do not mind. This place seems to be safe and we would very much appreciate a nice quiet place to relax without the fear of being attacked,” he turns to look at her with one arm crossed and the other holding his chin.

“I do not see any problem with that. I was actually going to invite you both to sleep here, in my bed, with me,” her glaring returns to a soft and inviting expression.

“Lastly, when we are ready, I would ask that you return us back to our world. I do not understand how it operates but I do have a destination in mind and would ask that we could be placed there or somewhere near it,” he continues to pace around the garden staying near the throne.

“It would take more time than I would care to spend to explain it. But yes, I will make sure you are returned closer to your objective. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?” She uncrosses her legs and places her hands on the arms of the throne.

“I believe that is all for now, but I would like to ask you something before we begin,” he turns to look at her again and notices she was exposed and diverts his attention to the pergolas. She scoffs at him rolling her eyes then she holds her left hand up in the air and snaps her finger. The vines wrap back over her body in the same position as before and she wiggles her body shuffling the vines into place, “do you live here alone? Or are there more fairies that live around somewhere?”

“I am the only fairy in the forest right now, but there are plenty of fairies all over. Why do you ask?” Her face turns to concern and curiosity.

“I understand that the flora and fauna are all alive and probably your friends. But it just seems lonely here in the tree and the whole forest,” he looks up her and reads solitude from her expression.

“You eventually become accustomed to it,” her face falls to gloom, “so tell me how you survived the purge,” she grins at him with curiosity. He explains what happened to the best of his ability without sounding ridiculous, “that...you...wait...how...okay, you know what? I’m just going to leave it,” she laughs at how unbelievable his story was then finds her composure, “why do you look away when you see a woman who is nude, or exposed in any way?”

“I try to be respectful to women, even if I do not know them. I believe that women deserve that respect especially if they still have their innocence. There are monsters who would steal innocence from girls who aren’t even old enough to understand it. The answer to your question is respect,” he starts to feel woozy and exhausted. He slowly makes his way to the front of the throne and lays on the floor realizing that the floor is carpeted with soft lush moss.

“Is there something wrong? You don’t look well,” she leans over looking at him and he turns his head to her.

“Is that one of your questions?” He laughs softly.

“Not exactly, but I am concerned for your health because you seem like you are unwell,” she pushes off from the throne hovering over him, then picks him up with both hands cupped and raises him up to her face, “my last question is why you are traveling, but you do not have to answer it now. I can see from here that your Ixion, Vesper, is asleep and Ezma is almost asleep. She is reading a book sitting next to Vesper,” she rises up to an upright position and floats across the garden through the pergolas into the front room, “Ezma dear, you look so tired. Come, let us all go to my bed and rest. I know you both need some real sleep and I could also go for a good nights rest,” she picks Ezma up and hauls them both up the winding staircase gliding through the air with haste. She enters the room circling it a few times gradually slowing her speed so she does not cause any harm to them. She pulls the covers up with her toes then lays down comfortably then releases the covers while lowering her legs so it falls slowly. Once settled, she lays Zee and Ezma on her chest between her breasts and they both fall asleep almost instantly. She snaps her finger and a black silk veil with silver stars dotted around it falls over the heart of the tree. With the light dimmed and her guests fast asleep, she pulls the covers up tight and drifts off to sleep. All of the flora that was glowing and dancing around the area falls to their normal places and lose their luster. The moon fades the blue sheen and continues its path across the sky. Soon everything is peaceful and quiet aside from the running water spewing from the fountain above.

Zee walks along the pine forest just outside of the tree line with the Snow Fang on his right side. He is wearing the black leather bandolier harness with the kunai loaded into their holsters. The strap under his right arm has a loop attached to it that holds two chain strands that are connected to Snow Fang. The chains are connected by trigger clasps on the guard and on the broad side of the blade. He is wearing a white Vest with silver snowflakes embroidered all around the frontside while the backside has a black dragon embroidered on it. It is covering a black satin dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up just past his elbows. His pants are white linen with cyan ice spikes sewn on to the bottom of the legs, and a black silk sash as a belt that is tied on the right side with the ends hanging down to his knee. He finally reaches the edge of the cliff and stops a couple of feet shy of the edge and looks out across the ocean.

“You finally came back huh?” The man walks to the edge and Zee looks over to him.

“You seem overly excited for a simple family reunion,” Zee reaches for Snow Fang with his left hand and unlatches the chains with his right.

“The score is 554 to 555. Would you like to try and make it even?” The man pushes his black trench coat back behind him revealing a white dress shirt and black linen pants with crimson colored flames sewn on to the bottom of the legs. The trench coat has a has a white dragon embroidered on the back. He reaches his hand high into the air holding his hand open as if he is planning to catch something.

“I just wish you would stop fighting and starting wars. You were always happy and full of life...” a large heavy halberd falls from the sky landing in the man’s hand.

“Do not lecture me on life! I have lived for far too long, this curse is a horrible punishment,” they both strike simultaneously with all of their strength and their weapons clash together making a shrill ear splitting clang.

Zee suddenly springs to life waking up in a fit rising up quickly and head butts Nova’s breast unexpectedly, “oh...it was a dream. How odd,” he looks around noticing Ezma and Nova are both still comatose and peacefully unaware of him. He stands up cautiously trying not to wake them and walks carefully across Nova’s torso. He jumps off of her then the bed and walks downstairs to Vesper who is awake eating from another trough beside the one holding water.

“I am guessing you slept well and I can see you are eating well too,” he pets her on the head and neck while looking for his bags and notices them by the front door as well as his hat, Ezma’s bag, and a small glass bottle filled with amethyst colored sparkling sand crystals. He reaches into the saddle bag and pulls the crystal dagger out putting it in his waistband. He walks over and opens his courier bag taking out the pocket watch, his pipe and tobacco, his journal, the lighter, and the pen then closes it up. He stands up looking at the massive door then puts his right hand on it attempting to push it lightly trying to be cautiously quiet. After several attempts at pushing the door open carefully, he decides to put some strength into it putting the items away in his pockets. He puts both hands on the door taking a deep breath closing his eyes, then lets it out in a long wispy sigh, another deep breath. Then just as he starts to exhale he opens his eyes, bends his knees then thrusts forward pushing the door and swings wide open. He loses his balance as the door quickly moves from his hands causing him to fall forward face planting on the ground, “well, that worked,” he pushes himself off the ground standing up and dusting himself off. He walks over to the door and grabs it pulling it to leaving enough space to pull it open when wanted to return. He takes the pocket watch out of his pocket opening it and his eyebrows furrow in confusion. All of the hands on the watch are spinning furiously making him confused about about what was actually powering it. He puts it back in his pocket then takes the pipe and tobacco out filling the bowl up packing it tightly then takes the lighter and lights it while looking around. He puts the tobacco and lighter back in his pocket while puffing slowly and lightly trying to enjoy the sweet unique taste and smell. The sweet smell of floral life blends with the tobacco creating a wonderful aroma throughout the lightly foggy morning air as the suns light breaches through the canopy. The mist from the fountain is carried along by a cool breeze blowing from the south creating a rainbow along the canopy. He sits on a moss covered log taking his journal and pen out and crosses his right leg over the left. He writes down everything that has transpired feeling as if the events were along the process of a few days. He also sketches a few of the scenes he has witnessed before wrapping up and finishing the last of the bowl dusting it out. He returns to the tree closing the door behind him quietly and puts the journal, pen, and watch back in his courier bag then walks upstairs to check on the girls. As his head peeks over the clearing of the room, he looks over to the bed seeing them both still there sound asleep. He smiles looking at how peaceful they seem as he strolls around the room looking at the vast collection of books that are well organized on the uniquely crafted shelves carved into the tree. Every few steps he pulls a book out opening it at a random place to see almost every book is written in an odd language using a vast arrangement of symbols and hieroglyphs. He notices a single book surrounded by two metal cubes, that resemble the scroll tube in his courier bag, on the nightstand to the right of the bed. He walks over still trying to be silent and picks up both of the cubes studying them with childlike curiosity but is not able to figure them out at the moment. He sets them back on the table and lays the book down opening it to discover that it is a lexicon for the odd language that the rest of the books are written in.

“What are you doing over there? Are you trying to learn the language of The Chronicle Wardens?” Nova looks at him from the bed then her hair slithers under Ezma picking her up then lays her on the pillow next her gently. She rolls over on her left side and curls up staring at Zee with curious naïveté.

“The Chronicle Wardens? I don’t think I have ever heard of them,” Zee breaks his attention to look at her. He notices that she is staring at him with a very curious expression.

“They are legendary keepers of tales and stories. A group of immortal beings that record the events of all existence,” she smiles gleefully and starts floating upward off the bed.

“All of existence? You mean from our world and yours?” He looks back at the lexicon flipping through the pages glancing at the content.

“Yes, and all of the other worlds as well,” her expression changes to jealousy when he turns back to the lexicon.

“Other worlds? How many are there?” He closes the book and picks up one of the cubes looking back at her hovering just over the bed.

“That is a complicated question with an even more complicated answer,” the glowing smile returns to her face and Zee smiles when he spots the dimples on her cheeks brought upon by the gleaming smile, “it’s kind of difficult to believe but there is an infinite amount of worlds. They are connected almost like a tree, with one center world being the anchor, and the limbs and branches are pathways to the worlds like the leaves. I hope you can understand that,” she moves to the edge of the bed and sits down on the floor next him crossing her legs.

“I do understand, it is awfully hard to comprehend, but I see your point. Also, it’s very entertaining to watch you fly like that, it’s an impressive ability. I know that most humans tend to anger you because of their actions and demeanor, and that Ezma and I are trespassing rudely...”

“It is truly nothing to worry about,” she interrupts him while slightly blushing.

“I appreciate the humility, but I had a point I was leading to,” he chuckles scratching the stubble on the back of his head, “I was going to say that even though you despise humans and we are humans, I wish that you would smile more often,” he walks over to her stopping at her crossed legs, “you have one of the most adorable smiles I have ever seen when you smile like that,” her blushing increases dramatically covering her entire face and she draws back in surprise, “speechless? I’m being completely honest here. When you smile like that, you have these dimples in your cheeks that are simply adorable,” she is beaming at this point as her entire face is glowing and she puts her hands on her cheeks in embarrassment.

“Stop it! Stop it! You are too sweet!” She squeals shaking her head.

“I apologize,” he laughs, “Do you have a smaller copy of that book? I would like to be able to borrow it so I can learn the language and read some of these books you have,” he turns around and attempts to walk away but her hair catches him then pulls him up to her face.

“How can a human be so kind, respectful, open minded, humble, and even selfless? It is astonishing to witness,” a tear rolls down her cheek.

“I am who I am, I lost the majority of my memories a while back so I do not know. Could you hold your hand below your chin and allow me to stand on it please?” He never blinks while staring into her eyes. She opens her hand resting it below her chin then her hair sets him down on her hand.

“Why did you want to be up here...”

“For this,” he takes a step forward grabbing her by the chin then kisses her on the lips. Her eyes light up in surprise then she closes them in a feeling of bliss. Zee pulls back and jumps off of her hand walking to the nightstand to put the cube back.

“I have read so many stories about romance, l**t, and courting but have never experienced them myself. Speaking of books,” she attempts to change the subject, “I do not think a smaller version of the lexicon even exists, but I can change the size of it,” she points at the book with her index finger sticking her thumb up mimicking a g*n, “pew pew pew,” she imitates the sound of a small g*n while acting like she is actually shooting a g*n and she winks each time she shoots. Zee watches her in confusion then looks over at the lexicon and his jaw drops in disbelief that it is actually smaller.

“That is amazing, what else can you do if you do not mind me asking?” He turns back to Nova and notices Ezma has woken up.

“Good morning,” Ezma says while yawning and rubbing her eyes smearing her makeup.

“I believe it is a good morning, how did you sleep?” He walks over to the bed holding his arms out then motions for her to jump down. She leans over the edge to judge the height and loses her balance tipping over the side. She squeals while tumbling down spinning in the air then she lands in his arms, “that was not so bad now was it?”

“I can’t believe you both woke up and left the bed without waking me up or saying something at least,” she has an ashamed look on her face then she realizes his hand is on her bare bottom and she looks up at him smiling. He looks at her then realizes it as well and quickly removes his hand dropping her on the floor.

“Hey?! What was that for? Oww...” she rubs her bottom in pain.

“I am sorry, I did not intend to drop you like that,” he holds his hand out offering to help her up. She looks up at him with a hurt look as she remembers what he said the day before and she slaps his hand away, “what is wrong? I said I was sorry for dropping you.”

“You can be such a jerk sometimes ya know,” she says standing up then she dusts herself off.

“I am not sure what you mean, but your makeup is smeared, if you want I can...”

“Hey Nova? Where can I wash my face? I also really need to pee,” she interrupts Zee while looking up at Nova still sitting on the floor.

“Come with me,” Nova floats up off of the floor then moves towards the staircase leading to the fountain above them. She snaps her finger and the curtain around the heart of the tree rolls up filling the room with blue light. Ezma takes her shoes off and runs over to Nova following her up the stairs. Zee stands silent with a confused expression on his face. He watches them disappear to the room above then he opens the lexicon and starts reading. Nova pulls a veil of vines open revealing a branch modified with several holes in it, “just sit on the hole and release,” she smiles at Ezma then floats over to the fountain. She twirls her fingers around in a circular motion then snaps her finger and a deep purple bottle appears on the side of the fountain. She plucks a strand of her hair and places the end into the bottle. The hair starts glowing then changes to the same color as Ezma’s and then it spins wildly curling up into a spiral then it stops suddenly holding its shape. It starts glowing brighter and brighter until it becomes blinding then it fades becoming solid and crystal like. Ezma walks through the veil and over to Nova, “oh you’re finished, here,” she points to a large bowl near the stairs with a washcloth next to it, “use that to clean your face. Then when you’re done I have a gift for you,” she smiles at Ezma while hiding the bottle as she walks over to the bowl and washes her face. Nova watches her for a moment feeling nostalgic then she looks back down at the bottle which has finished solidifying. The bottle itself is octangular crystal, small diameter on the bottom and large at the top. There is a pink metal wire spiraling from the stopper to the bottom, and the stopper is a pink crystal heart connected to a silver ring holding a rubber cork. Ezma finishes cleaning her face and walks over to Nova.

“You have a gift for me? But, why?” She walks over and sits on the edge of the fountain.

“Because you are sweet, innocent, and very caring, but you have too much frustration for the things you cannot change. So I am giving you this so that one day you might use it and realize how special you really are,” Nova smiles at Ezma while her hair picks the bottle up giving it to her.

“Wow! It’s so pretty! Thank you, but what is it?” Ezma studies the bottle turning it in her hands watching the liquid inside defy normal physics.

“It is a special type of water that reveals the truth. But only for someone who is hiding their true self,” she caresses Ezma pushing her hair behind her ear and holding her chin, “you truly are a very special girl, it’s just that neither of you realizes it yet,” she smiles then leans over until she is face to face with Ezma and gives her a kiss on the lips. Ezma is shocked and blushing brightly while Nova blushes slightly then she flies downstairs.

“I have somewhere I need to be, I just remembered that I am supposed to go to the tallest mountain and meet someone there,” Zee says as he watches Nova enter the room, “do you think you can get me close enough so I can go there and see why I am being called to it?”

“Yes, but I would rather you go alone. Go and pack the things you need and let me know when you are ready,” she floats down the stairs to the ground floor while Zee runs to keep up with her.

“Also please do not tell Ezma where or why I am leaving please,” he stops at his bags putting the lexicon in the courier bag. He contemplates for a few moments then grabs the backpack and walks over to Vesper. He changes out a few things packing a water skin and the blue flask. He takes the bandolier and puts it on then he unties the box Wuo gave him then opens it taking the sword out securing it on his right side. He dives back into the saddle bags searching for the jacket he got from Shu and finds it holding the gold he had packed away. He pulls it out of the saddle bag then puts it on leaving it open. It is a long white leather jacket with black fur with white spots and stripes dotted around it lining the inside. He takes a black handkerchief and ties it around his head then walks through the garden to Nova who is bent over one of the protrusions whispering, “I am ready Nova, let’s do this.”