I was outside the Temple of Urd again, but Ronan was nowhere to be found. He'd left and left a letter saying he'd be back soon. The problem with this letter was how much effort he'd put into it.
The letters were beautifully designed, with line patterns along the edges giving it an artistic touch. The paper had a symbol at the top that ant Pride, and he even waved his na at the bottom. His full na was too large, and I refused to see it all, folding the letter before returning it to its place.
"Since he's not here..." ()
Breathe in...
Breathe out...
Breathe out...
Breathe out...
Breathe out...
Sigh
I cald my mind and raised my hand. Hades was inside the Temple of Urd and didn't notice my Will crossing our connection before grabbing sothing inside him.
It was like a small, ethereal Serpent. It was weightless, colorless, almost formless, and made of pure energy, a programd curse, interesting, and yet infinitely inferior to Hades, who is a Living Curse.
"I've got you..." ()
Ssssrrrrrrr!!!
The Serpent was grabbed by my virtue and dragged into my outstretched hand, unable to resist. Starfire glowed around my fist, preventing this small Serpent from fleeing or attacking .
"Yaffe, I know you're listening, so co to . I need to talk to you." ()
The Serpent dissolves, leaving a bubble that warps until it bursts. Space distorts, and a wet Yaffe appears, lying on the table and half-naked, with her snake-like eyes fixed on .
"Hello, Zenos..." (Yaffe)
"Were you taking a shower?" ()
"No, I was swimming in the desert... of course I was taking a shower." (Yaffe)
"I can wait for you to get ready..." ()
"" (Yaffe)
Snap
She snaps her fingers, and strips of cloth appear from one of her rings, draping her body, which is soon revealed to be dry and well-dressed. She sits on the other side of the table, where she's poured herself a cup of tea.
"How long have you known about my curse in Hades?" (Yaffe)
"Since forever, did you really think I wouldn't notice sothing strange inside my Herald?" ()
"You wouldn't have even made it if I hadn't given you permission." ()
"Should you be grateful, then?" (Yaffe)
"Yes, you should be grateful, and I know you are, so don't treat like an idiot." ()
"Let's also be honest, your interest in Hades crossed the line of interesting a long ti ago, we both know that." ()
"What's not to like? A Dragon, such a beautiful body, such an open mind, so loyal, and most importantly, he's a Curse from the Spark of Existence to his fingertips..." (Yaffe)
"No drooling, please." ()
"Okay, let's be more serious." (Yaffe)
"Does he know what I did?" (Yaffe)
"I didn't tell him, and I'm not sure he realized it either." ()
"Now that you've cleared up your doubts, how about we talk business?" ()
She refilled her teacup. It was a sickly green color. She sips her tea without answering , just staring at as if waiting for to say what I want.
"I want..." ()
I talked to her about hunting an Avatar. I didn't talk about Ronan, and I just wanted to know if she would agree to go after an Avatar. But no matter what I said, she showed no reaction. She remained silent, listening to my words, and in the end, I waited for her answer.
Davoth was right, she was important. I'm not an expert on Curses, I understand even less about the Curse Entity. She understands both of these topics well, whether from her extensive studies or from being pursued by this Entity for so long.
"How about we talk about my reward~..." (Yaffe)
That damn snake is trying to steal sothing from . I expected it, and I know exactly what she thinks and what she wants.
"I can give you the chance to remain at Hades' side for as long as you want." ()
"Don't anger , boy." (Yaffe)
This ti she was angry, her patience shorter than I'd imagined. She straightened her clothes, and the few drops of water still on her body dried quickly as her Serpent eyes sharpened, locking onto .
"I'm much older than that Blood Goddess you call Mother, so don't treat like a commoner if you want to keep breathing." (Yaffe)
"I've never treated you like a commoner, and I'm not afraid of you either." ()
"But don't feign anger. You understood my words perfectly, and I know Hades is the only thing that piques your interest." ()
"My anger isn't as false as you think. It irritates that you treat like a woman hunting for a mate." (Yaffe)
"Don't try to fool . I know you don't like Hades romantically, but that will only be a matter of ti." ()
"The hungry way you look at him, the many tis you ambush him to fall into his arms, the way you tease him whenever he's around... tell honestly that you've never thought of him in an inappropriate context, and I'll think of another reward." ()
"Romance and teasing are two different things, boy." (Yaffe)
"I don't love your Herald, but he's physically attractive beyond his identity as a Living Curse; I could study him for eternity." (Yaffe)
"The things I could learn from that body... so many possibilities..." (Yaffe)
"Please don't start drooling over my Herald in front of ." ()
Her gaze grew opaque as her incredibly long tongue licked her snake-like lips. It was easy to imagine what was going through her mind. I know she doesn't love Hades, but her interest will change if they continue interacting. From her own words, I know Hades is everything she's ever wanted, the living embodint of her theories about the Curse.
"Let's focus on the matter at hand. The reward will simply be permission to be near him. You can approach him as you wish, and I'll give you opportunities to interact together." ()
"How magnanimous of you." (Yaffe)
"I could very well be threatening you with a ban on ever seeing each other again. Hades would accept it without blinking, just like any order from ." ()
As soon as I said this, his carefree deanor shattered, and his presence beca a monstrosity; his bloodlust was abhorrent.
"I'm not threatening you, don't get wrong. I would never forbid those who serve wholeheartedly from doing sothing they don't want to do, or try to control their private lives." ()
"But that doesn't an you're a priority either. I'm always busier than I'd like, and so his ti is also short." ()
"The answer is no. If you want to buy off with such a small reward, then you'll have to increase it." (Yaffe)
"What do you want?" ()
"I want your help with sothing in the future. You can refuse if it goes against your ideals or whatever, but you can't ask for rewards and you should help if you don't encounter any stupid moral impedints. What do you think?" (Yaffe)
"I accept, but you must promise never to harm or those close to ." ()
"I accept, I have nothing against you~." (Yaffe)
Convincing her was a long process, and I may have lost, but I can't afford to lose her help this ti, an Avatar of the Curse, because it's difficult for .
Even though I have an affinity and resistance to Curses, going up against soone who possesses the power of the Concept of curses isn't sothing I would do if I had a choice.
---------------------
Pov Ronan:
I was in a room made of gold, but it wasn't ordinary gold; it was a Golden Tree of the Firmant, at least a copy of one I created as my personal communication device.
In front of , one of the tree's branches had its leaves spliced together, creating a screen that revealed a throne room where an Elf stood practicing hand strikes.
"(These attacks have destroyed planets in the past, what kind of Elf practices like that...?)" ()
"Mother, why did you ask to summon ?" ()
"Ronan, you piece of shit, how dare you steal your brothers' work again!?" (Mother)
When I spoke, it was as if she finally noticed the screen beside her. Her eyes locked on , and I felt my strength draining away, the pressure in my body ridiculous as ever.
"I was tired of the sa old spying and intelligence-gathering missions, always so monotonous." ()
"I've been doing a good job too. You must have seen my reports on Ghanor's death, as well as the alert about the traitor who escaped." ()
"Kid, I'll give you a chance. Bring results that make up for your lies, or you'll train with for 10 years, just like we did when you were a kid..." (Mom)
"(Please no! I don't want this! I don't want this nightmare...!!)" ()
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