Entering the temple, I went to where Danuva was right away while carrying Elena.
The Goddess was floating in silence as usual. Alyssa, Lapia, and Yolin were ditating in front of her, probably receiving so guidance.
“Oi,” I called out to her, patting Elena's back. “This lunatic got out and went full moron on , so I slapped so sense into her.”
Alyssa sighed, stood up, and walked to .
I offered the unconscious Elf.
“You broke her jaw,” the Luzo comnted with a sigh and glowing eyes, taking the knocked-out woman in her arms while healing her. “And a few vertebrae.”
I shrugged. As long as the outco wasn't instant death, no injury had real weight in my eyes. That's not to say that pain and fear go away, which ans they can be exploited with greater results if one would be inclined to do so.
“It didn't work,” Shorvanna spoke up, still on . “I knew it wouldn't.”
“She wanted to try regardless of outco,” Danuva replied in a tone that implied she also knew 'it' wouldn't work.
I sighed, feeling a headache forming. “What didn't work?” I asked, feeling a suspicion that Elena wasn't that stupid after all.
“Elena wanted to see if putting herself in danger would make Yulianna co back,” Danuva summarized. “You are easy to anger.”
I nodded with the confirmation. “So you are a moron as well, Danuva,” I told her with a frown. “What were you thinking?”
“Mortals' freedom of action is more important than anything,” the Divine being replied. “If they aren't allowed to do whatever they desire, how will the fittest co out on top?” She pointed out. “Besides, I did not encourage her, young Halve. Do not treat unfairly based on wrong assumptions.”
My eyebrows went up at her words. “That's cold,” I pointed out while shaking my head. “Still stupid, though. You have the power to stop her. Inaction is still wrong.”
Elena coughed and ca to, then looked around. Her eyes focused on , and she sighed with disappointnt while averting her eyes.
Alyssa let the ancient Elf go and let out a sigh that implied she didn't quite agree with Elena's way of doing things.
“You're a moron,” I told the Entomancer. “What kind of toxic behavior is risking your life to get a bitch back?”
“Worth a try,” Elena sighed with sadness in her eyes. “If anything, I learned sothing new.”
“Yeah,” I agreed with a scoff. “Fuck around and find out is what you learned, so shut the fuck up.”
Alyssa nodded several tis while humming in agreent to my words.
I turned to my girlfriend. “And you,” I sighed and shook my head. “What's this? You on this make my girlfriend angry plan?”
The Luzo raised her hands to communicate her innocence ,and her expression turned complicated. She gestured at Danuva with a nod. “I had nothing to do with this, Natasha. You walked in a few seconds after I finished with ditation.”
I nodded. “Alright. I jumped to conclusions. I'm sorry, Alyssa,” I told her and ran a hand through my hair.
“All good,” she replied with a smile. “I'd be angry too.”
I crossed my arms and stared at Elena. “Well? Does the moron have anything to say for herself?” I demanded.
The Faeton Elf sighed. “Can you bla ?” She questioned with a sigh, looking up at . “I know you're a violent one, and Yulianna is...” she closed her eyes for a few seconds to hide the pain and sighed “..or was very protective of . Maybe you slapping would have activated the enchantnts on the plaques she gave , letting her know I was in danger, which would make her co...”
I closed my eyes, pinched the bridge of my nose, and let out a long sigh. “So you are stupid,” I concluded. “Shouldn't you be, like, super wise and emotionally in control or sothing? Considering you're over three thousand years old?”
Alyssa turned to and gave a look. “Don't be so an, Natasha. Have you forgotten what she has gone through? Lost Perculis, Yulianna left, Changelings mind-controlled her, you erased over half her mories, then everything cos back at once.” She placed a hand on Elena's shoulder and gave her a reassuring nod. “While not the smartest thing to do, I don't bla you one bit, Elena.”
I bit my lower lip and stared at the ceiling. She has a point... but would desperation make her do sothing like that? I understand if she's close with Halves to the point of not caring about Gods and their suggestions, but fucking hell... “Haaa...” I massaged my temples to ease the headache. “Okay, let's do it like this,” I started and faced Elena. “Do you know anything about Yulianna's departure?”
Elena t my eyes and nodded with a sad frown. “Perculis' death was a heavy loss for us, but much heavier for Yulianna. They knew each other for a very long ti, which made their bond that much deeper. She cried for a week straight after he passed, then refused to speak for another. She cares a lot about those around her, so we did our best to be there for her. When things started looking better she told us she needed a bit more ti and left.”
“Well...” I tried my best not to be a bitch. “I'm sure she'll co back. Nilenna is looking for her so... let's hope for the best. We all mourn at our own pace.”
The Elf nodded, still wearing a sad expression.
“Ahem,” I cleared my throat. “I don't an to downplay the circumstances at hand, but I hope you understand I am more interested in the Changeling matter,” I told her with my friendliest tone. “Could you tell more about that?”
Alyssa squinted her eyes at , probably disapproving how quickly I changed subjects.
The Goddesses were silent and still, probably thinking deranged things about how beautiful mortality is for being capable of dying and feeling such strong emotions, and also going 'none of our business'.
“I t Yugulari a good while ago,” Elena started with a long sigh. “They told they could help find Yulianna, and I was... vulnerable at the ti...”
I bit my lips and held back a sigh.
“I took their invitation, ignorant of what was going down in Lumin Kingdom,” she continued. “Miraztor had told Yulianna about the attempt at his life, but the way he put it made think it was banditry instead of insurrection when I heard of it, so I never thought of Yugulari as a suspicious individual since there was no way to connect them to such a life with how they conducted themselves,” she explained with a shrug and a short chuckle. “It started with little, nonsensical questions that soon turned into seeds of doubt. Yugulari would hint at so places that could have soone who knew about Yulianna's whereabouts, and I would go there to gather information... but there never was. I was just a spy of sorts for them. After a while I started harboring ugly thoughts about Yulianna, feeling betrayed, left behind, useless, and worse. The desire to find her was turned into wanting to harm her. Whenever I so much as hinted that I would returned to my normal behavior, Yugulari would cut with words so sharp I would doubt myself even in my sleep. I was told a new Halve had showed up to replace Yulianna, and that all my efforts would be in vain if I didn't kill you myself.”
“I see,” I muttered with a nod. “I assu the organization is smart enough to change locations after I got you out of there?”
“Definitely,” Elena nodded. “They had a vast number of locations, and we never t at the sa spot twice. Also...” she averted her eyes. “I told them your party's composition before you broke my mind. I assu Nerissa and Zalan did the sa right before you killed them.”
“Well, fuck,” I blurted out, recalling the information I spilled before taking their lives. The cold hand of regret gripped my soul. “Holy shit.”
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