The Soul Keeper

Before I could even utter her name, she had reached me. She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. "Oh my god, you're really ok!" I could hear her voice crack as she whispered. "He let me know, even told me to tell Asher and Lucius, but I still had my doubts…" 

I wrapped my arms around her as well. "I'm fine, Mona." I said, a bitter smile on my lips. My emotions threatened to overwhelm me, but I somehow pushed them back. 

It took a few moments for her to let go of me. When she did, she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry," She said with bright smile. "I'm just really happy that you're ok." 

"Thank you," There wasn't much I could say. She had taken me by surprise and had sent my mind spinning. "And I'm sorry for worrying you." I looked away. "I was arrogant, I thought I could handle anything they threw at me."

She shook her head. "Neither of us were there to help you and a demon did this." She gently squeezed my hand. "There was nothing you could have done."

I hesitated. Did she not know of what Alina and Joshua did? After a moment of consideration, I decided to hold my tongue. Perhaps Fetheion hadn't told her for a reason. I didn't want to disrupt whatever plan he had. Though, not telling her of the Divine and of Alina and Joshua's betrayal felt wrong too.

"We should go inside," She said after a moment of silence. "I still have to give something to him."

I nodded, though I couldn't help but wonder what that something was.

I led her to the entrance, and then to the library, where Fetheion was reading something. As soon as we stepped inside, he put it away. I hadn't gotten the chance to see what it was.

"Oh, Mona. Welcome." His voice was a lot more formal speaking to her than it was when he was speaking with me. "Have a seat."

"Thank you," Mona said as she sat at the edge of the couch. I took my place besides her without thinking much. She seemed quite nervous as she fiddled with the end of her cloak. "I found it," She said and placed a small box on the table. "And I have something to report."

I could see Fetheion's ears perk up. "Oh?" He said, a gentle, professional smile on his lips. Fake. 

Mona took a deep breath. "The Divine Matriarch has announced the death of her Champion." I flinched as she glanced at me. "She blamed it on the Demon Lord. She's turning Kai and the name 'The Pale Demon' into a martyr to rally people. I don't know what's going on exactly, but I know that this set several plans in motion." 

I notice how Fetheion clenched his fists. He was quick to hide them beneath his cloak, but even then, I could see he was on edge. His usual carefree attitude was nowhere to be seen.

"What about the group you're travelling with? The Paladin, Rogue, Priestess and Fighter?" He was choosing his words carefully. Mona shook her head. "Still devastated. Erik, uh, the paladin, I mean, has been working to increase his power. He said he wants to kill the Demon Lord himself, to avenge Kai."

I clenched my fists. 

"I see." Fetheion sighed. "Spend the night here, and make sure you return tomorrow." He motioned to get up, but Mona's voice stopped him. 

"What about Kai?" She asked, her voice trembling slightly. I could see it in her eyes, she didn't trust Fetheion completely. 

"He hasn't completely healed yet." The crimson haired Ereth said, glancing at me. "I don't want to take a chance right now. He'll join you once he is able to." His eyes met mine, and the look in them made it clear to me that saying anything to contradict his words would be unwise.

"I'll be fine here, Mona." I said, hiding my clenched fist under my cloak. "He's right – I'm still pretty weak after everything that happened." Her shoulders dropped as she listened to my words.

"I see." She sighed, then slowly got up. "In that case, I'll gladly spend the night here. Demon activity has increased, especially during the night." She turned towards Fetheion and bowed slightly. "Thank you."

"Any time Mona. Kai, would you mind waiting for a moment?" I nodded as he led her to her room. I remained seated on the couch, pondering about what I had learned. What Aelith was doing was frustrating on its own, but what annoyed me more was the fact that Mona still falsely believed it was a demon who killed me.

It didn't take long for Fetheion to return. He closed the door behind him and then lightly touched its surface. I noticed the magic spreading from his hand. 

"Something to give us a little privacy," He explained as I shot him a questioning look. "Mona is a good person, but she's not a good liar." He sighed and sat back on the couch.

"Is that why she still believes I was killed by demons?" 

He nodded. "I don't believe she would willingly tell your secret to anyone, but we're up against the other Divines. The less she knows, the safer she is."

I sighed. "You're not wrong," My gaze lingered on him. "So, what does that make you, Divine? You're the thirteenth, aren't you?"

His eyes opened wide. I could see I was right from his reaction. "I knew it!" I said, clenching my fist. "What exactly do you want from me?" I hissed through my clenched teeth. Though I had this assumption for quite some time now, the fact that Fetheion didn't even bother to try and protest annoyed the hell out of me. "Why did you really help me?"

He sighed. "You're so needlessly dramatic." He let go of his braid and took a deep breath. "I know you don't trust my kind – I don't blame you one bit. I share the sentiment in fact." A faint smile appeared on his lips. "I don't have any ulterior motives and I'm not going to trick you."

He was looking me straight in the eyes and he wasn't fiddling with his long hair at all. I still hesitated. Despite his words and actions, I simply couldn't bring myself to trust him completely. I did wholly believe he didn't hold any ill intent towards me, yet I was sure as hell he was hiding something.

"I know you're not like Aelith," I said with a sigh as I got up. "But I've learned my lesson – I can't trust anyone. Ever." I opened the door as he lifted his spell. I glanced at him before closing the door behind me. There was a look of sorrow on his face.

I shook my head. He was a Divine. I couldn't trust him, his actions or expressions. Yet why did I have this lump in my throat?

"Kai?" Mona's voice pulled me away from my thoughts. I quickly put a smile on my lips and turned towards her voice.

She was standing at the door to the room Fetheion gave her. "Are you ok?" She asked hesitantly. I nodded. "Yeah, just a little tired." 

She seemed conflicted as she clearly searched for something to say. I waited a moment, then decided to take the initiative. "I was just going out for some air; would you like to come along?"

A smile, bright as the dawning sun, spread across her face. I could see her eyes glitter with glee. "Of course," She said, almost hopping towards the exit. 

We soon left the underground home and stepped outside. The cool evening breeze blew our hair back as we stepped on the lush green grass. "It's a nice evening," She whispered as her steps carried her forward. She turned and smile at me, cheerful as always. "I'm really glad to see you're alive." She stepped closer and took my hand in hers'. 

"I thought I'd never get to see you ever again." She quickly looked away and wiped her eyes. "When we found Alina and Joshua, they were badly wounded," Her expression twisted with pain. "I healed them just in time, I think. Joshua didn't remember a thing about what happened, but Alina did remember a demon, and she also remembered seeing you die." 

I gritted my teeth. That treacherous girl had played Mona like a fiddle. I wanted revenge now more than ever. How dare they use Mona's kindness and goodwill like this?

"When we arrived at the place where you should have been, we couldn't find your body anywhere." She sniffed. "We thought the demon that killed you had taken you away."

I forced a smile. "Please don't blame yourself, Mona." 

She shook her head. "There was so much blood." She squeezed my hands. "There was no way anyone could survive losing so much blood. The ground was all messed up too – the floor was broken, and the ceiling was about to fall down."

I shook my head. "I know – it was a tough fight." It took effort to not show my anger. "But I'm here now – alive and almost healed. I'll be back with the group before long too, ok?"

She looked at me for a while, then nodded with a teary smile. 

The setting sun's last light illuminated our surroundings. "Can we watch the sunset?" She asked with a sheepish voice.

"Of course,"