Kyrie lays Ophelia down on her bed, tucking the little girl gently. As she tosses and turns, reaching for something, Kyrie spots a stuffed grey dragon large enough to nearly tower over her and places it next to the sleeping girl. Ophelia immediately latches on, cuddling it and finally relaxes to sleep. With a kiss on the princess’s forehead and a pat on her cheek, Kyrie leaves the room as quietly as she could.
On the way out, Kyrie wondered when she had become accustomed to this home. It felt nostalgic and homey, like she had lived here her entire life, but knowing very well that wasn’t true. Still, it was more than enough to lift her spirits with the thought alone.
“Sweet thing. Out like a light. What didja do to her old man?” Kyrie closes Ophelia’s door as quietly as possible, tip toes behind his couch, her earlier wounds noticeably healed.
Nothing crazy. My little sweetie is just not used to so much action in a day, so she wore herself out. That and a strict sleeping schedule for skin care.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” Syrus leans forward on his couch with his hands on his knees, waiting for Kyrie. “Get me a drink Girly.”
“Y’know, I’m the guest around here.” Despite that retort, she reluctantly heads for the fridge, grabbing him a random black jug.
“That ended when you started squatting.”
“I decided? Ya really knows how ta piss someone off, dontcha.”
“Language and blame the one who taught me.”
Kyrie swaps out the jug and hands him a black jug from her satchel filled with poison as a joke and he drinks straight from it indifferently.
“Yer gonna leave any for the rest of us, or should I wake Ophi?”
“Ophi can always make more.”
“Man, takin’ advantage of ya kids’ good heart like that. Who’s really the parent here?”
He rolls his eyes and when the jug is half empty, he gently sets it back on the table.
“Sit down, we have much to discuss tonight, like why were you desecrating a grave for that device and satchel or why you put on that defenseless act of yours?”
“I just gotta get my satchy, I mean, it has all my stuff in it. Like weapons and food.”
“Food?”
“Yep yep. I got a year’s supply of spider eyes in here.” Kyrie reaches into her satchel, pulling the spongy springy ruby gem dripping with black sludge. “Want some?”
Syrus snatches it out of her hand, gobbling it down.
“Tastes like strawberries yet feels like steamed pork. Odd yet satisfying.”
“I know, right? Fills ya up like meat, too.”
“You like this stuff?”
“I have to love the stuff.” Kyrie took another pearl out and bit into it, pulling its fleshy pulp apart, revealing a liquid center similar to a meaty center of a coconut. “So,” Continuing chewing on the eye, “Talkative today, aintcha.”
She went to sit on the ground when he gestures her to sit beside him and even pours her a glass to drink, which creeps her out.
“Okay, what’s up?” She said, slurping the innards.
“Hm?”
“Look, I dunno much about ya, but yer ain’ exactly one for hospitality unless it’s for a reason, so just spill it.” He raises a brow, then lets out a scoff, only making him look more suspicious.
“Right to the point, then don’t mind me if I dive right in. What are your intentions concerning my daughter? After you rejected my offer, you showed up at my door and if not for Ophi’s goodwill, I’d have sent you away. What is your aim?”
The man was as serious as when he saved her earlier tonight. Less malicious, but just as sharp. Still, because she experienced the jarring two sides of him with Ophelia and him with literally anyone else, she was unfazed. Despite all the tension as sticky and dense as molasses filling the room, Kyrie swigs the rest of the eye in a single gulp, then lets out a sigh of disappointment.
“Man, I can’t believe Sasha was right about ya.”
“What does that confounded woman have to do with any of this?”
“Touch a nerve?”
“Striking. So, keep off.”
“Looks like the almighty unstoppable Syrus has a weakness after all and its itty bitty wittle girl named Ophi.”
“A headache you are. Answer me or.”
“Or what? Gonna keep threatenin’ to kill me? Y’know that works on the rest of ‘em but not gonna on me, right? This interrogation stuff is gonna go a lot easier if ya just ask nicely.” Tossing him another eye.
Stung by the girl’s upfront nature, Syrus sat silently postulating his next move. He used to interact with others so familiarly, but the face with Kyrie's rough casual tone left him feeling nostalgic. Thus, he humored her.
“Fine.” He took the fresh eye from her hands and bit into the red pupil, mimicking her.
“Hey!”
“I’ll drop that for now and ask you nicely. So, why are exactly are you here?” She raises a brow, nudging his shoulder. “Please.”
“Beats me. Ask yer kid.”
“And it’s just like a silver mirror of that idiot.”
“Funny, I was thinkin’ the same thing.”
“That creature and I have nothing in common.”
“Wow,” Kyrie giggles, “she said the same thing too. It’s funny, but also kinda creepin’ us out.” Kyrie reaches for the gallon to pour herself another cup, only to be slapped away by the petty man. “Quit hoggin’ it.”
“Answer me seriously.” He points to her, keeping the drink hostage.
“But I already did.” She jabs his arm.
“I can’t with you. Tell me already, before I blow my hypothetical brains out.”
Kyrie shakes her head giggling before answering, “Okayokay, so y’know how I went to stop Sophi after we talked?”
“Yes, I was there and aware.”
“Well, you see Sophi ran away, and I was like ‘that sucks’ but then Ophi was just lyin’ there all helpless so…”
“You knew I was there.”
“Freakin’ called it.” She sighs. “Anyway, I felt like I couldn’t leave her alone and carried her home.”
“Ophi has that feel around her, so I don’t blame you.”
“I know right? Like is she just made of a protect me aura and softness or what? Sigh. I miss my girls…”
“Then what happened?”
“Then she invited me over, then poof the present. Wait, weren’t ya watchin’ the whole thing? Why am I wastin’ my time recappin?”
“I-Is that really it?”
“Hey, like father like daughter, and yeah, pretty much. Sasha said not to mess with ya or Princess, so I was gonna avoid ya both, but, well, ya saw it.”
“So. Just one coincidence after another.”
“Pretty much.”
“Ugah…” Syrus deflates defeated and drained hands the dastardly girl the rest of drink while absorbing the view of the ceiling above to calm himself. “Worried for nothin’.”
“Lucky me.” Kyrie cheers, then washes down the last half of the jug and slams the empty thing back on the table like a drunk at the bar.
“What is this stuff, anyway?”
“It’s the cataclysmic black widow spider venom. Lethal for most creatures and apparently superb as a soup base.”
“Ah. Where from?”
“Localized deep in the Château caverns near the unused Elven mines.”
“No wonder it tasted so familiar,” licking his lips.
“Ah yea, those guys kept me going till now.”
“Interesting.”
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“What?”
“My wife said the same thing when she first tried them.”
“Ah okay”
Then silence.
As smooth as their conversation went, was as quickly as it disappears. The two sat on that couch for nearly three hours, awkwardly staring at the decaying wood boards above without so much as glancing at each other. Kyrie finally broke the quiet when she ran out of patience.
“So, uh, can I ask ya somethin’?”
“Only if I get to first.”
“Ya really playin’ me like that.”
He playfully shrugs.
“Fine.”
“How have you not fallen like the other?”
“Whatcha on about?”
“I stabilized Ophi, but you still carry that defect, correct? How are you still?”
“Alive? Just say it, old man. Ya wanna know why I ain’ dead, right?”
“Correct.”
“Soul bond is a heck of a spell, y’know. Ever since then, I haven’t had a wink of sleep plus a bunch of other stuff. Longer life just happens to be one of perks, I guess.”
“I see. I assume you are married then.”
“Yup.”
“How has the pointed ear ruined you? From Sasha reports, all previous romantic relationships with those creatures end in ruin.”
“Outside of the wreckage we make in the bedroom, not much. We’re pretty normal from my perspective. Well, normalish.”
“I see.”
Before another uncomfortable silence appears, Syrus jumps in with a question.
“So soul bond. I’m surprised that an elf would do such a spell considering their…how do I put it?”
“Big assheadbitchiness.”
“I was going to say stubborn.”
“Sure ya were. Yep, that’s what they all say till they actually meet one. Ani’s the insane one for doin’ that kinda thing, but well…I can’t really blame her, y’know.”
“Do you regret it?”
“Bzzzzzzzt only one question at a time.”
“Technically, I asked two.”
“Ya sees, that’s just not my problem.”
“You really are like her, aren’t you? In this aspect at least” Syrus clicks his tongue visibly annoyed, then gestures with his hand to go ahead.
“Speakin’ of which, what was Mum like? I know ya can’t go into much but give me somethin’.” Kyrie flashes him a cheeky tooth filled smile.
Syrus sighs again, “What’s there to tell? Kynth is intelligent enough to make Progressia exist, and we traveled everywhere like you to find inspiration for it.”
As Syrus spoke, he had a mood about him that for Kyrie seem so authentic for the first time since they met. A tired, pained man unable to even this child as he spoke and felt trap in a home of his own creation.
“What was her personality like?”
“Bzzzzzt. So, where did you end up?”
And just like Syrus had before, Kyrie clicks her tongue in frustration.
“A flowery, fruity mountain under a sky waterfall where a bunch of now dead guys raised me. I even got a special staff when I finished trainin’ but I kinda lost it when I speared a bear into the sun.”
“Sounds eventful. A staff from apes huh, then I must’ve missed them.”
“As if ya didn’ know.” She prods.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Old man, they all knew way more about me before we even met and Sasha also suck at keepin’ secrets, so y’know, a big hunch I guess.”
“You knew all that? Unfortunate.”
“Yeah, it was still rough, but thanks for that.”
“Think nothing of it. I’m surprised you lived through all that. Though that means that monkey is long gone now. I will miss his shenanigans.”
Then even more silence.
The two both feel the pressure of speaking to one another, yet neither is confident enough to start up the conversation again. A couple more hours being at silent war with one another, Syrus spoke.
“So why are you a g-.”
“Not answerin’ that. Ask somethin’ else.”
“Foowey. So, you mentioned Sasha. Did you meet the others as well?”
“Yup, kicked all their asses.”
“As expected of one of mine.”
“Persè was fun to play with and Robin was really nice like a second dad…the other two were, uh, preoccupied.”
“Still?!” Syrus yells, scaring Kyrie off the couch.
“Shhh Princess sleepin’ y’know. Just cause we ain’ need sleep, don’t make it right to ruin hers.”
“Y-yes. To be fair, their continual marital intermingling caught me off guard. By this point, I assume they’d grow tired of one another’s, ehem, bodies.”
“Nope. Heck, they made it two seasons long.”
“You must be kidding.”
“Swear on my heart Ani. Oh, come on Ani, it’s just a sayin’.”
“What are those two doing over there?” Syrus sighs.
“Whatever it is, it’s workin’. Even Ani and I had a rough time dealin’ with their disciple Mimi in my weak form. Well, I did. Ani didn’t enjoy fighting at all. She’s super into the being girly part of me.”
“Did you defeat them?”
“Well yeah. Just who do ya think I am?”
“Really. If that is the case, then believe it’s the opposite.”
“Hm?”
“Those individuals have consistently been superior to others, but if you experience a challenging period while being physically weakened, then that is a significantly more concerning circumstance. Was there any other notable individual present? Maybe ones closer to Persè’s child level.”
“Can’t say for sure but Ani remembers those two had a falling out with their kid and she left somewhere with her boyfriend, slave, or I dunno.”
“At the rate of those two breeds, just how many spawns should I expect?”
“Just two if ya can believe that.”
“Really? I don’t believe it.”
“Told ya, boy, and a girl, too.”
“I know of them; why so little offspring considering…”
“Somethin’ up?”
“No, at least right now.”
“Well alright. Hey old man.” Kyrie's tone changes. Compared to her usual ramming demeanor, her presence felt shallow and diminished, unsure yet careful of her next statement.
“What?”
“Let’s get the big one out of the way already. What am I to ya? Like family wise.”
The question didn’t surprise him, any child would have question about their parent’s thoughts on them whether they understood it and because of how important it was Syrus took a moment to think and when he found his answer, he let out a final sigh and answered.
“That should be obvious.”
“Spell it out then, I mean, if I’m as dumb as ya say, then I won’ get it unless ya do.”
“I see. We can’t have you misunderstanding, can we? Then do you remember back when we met in the classroom room?”
“Yeah?”
“To put it simply, you were nothing to me.”
“Ah ha that makes sen—” Kyrie tries to brush it off only to be stopped by Syrus putting both his hands on her shoulder.
“I’m not finished. Whatever’s going on in your mind is 100% mistaken.” Eyes burden by pain told her everything she needs to hear and most of all, he was finally looking at her in her eyes for the first time since they started talking. “Ya said I had a motive to make Ophi your friend, but that assumption was incorrect. I wasn’t there because I had to care for Ophi at the time and at the time I was unwilling to leave her alone because of…”
“Yeah, I get it now. Yer a pain. Why the heck did she ever choose?” Tears of black poison ran down her face as relief washing over her. “Shut up Ani I know already.”
“Guessing your partner was the one who put you up to this?”
“Aaaaand scene. Enough of this dramatic stuff.”
“Agreed.”
“Yeah. Ani thought I needed closure ‘bout my identity and stuff, and I guess she’s right, as always. To think I thought you’d hate me.”
“Looking back, I should’ve kept all three. I do admit that was a low point in my life, but things change. I change.”
“For better or worse?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“That’s screwed up. But thanks.”
“At first I’d thought you’d come to take revenge on Ophi, so I hope you understand my cause for concern.”
“I still can!” She punches his arm. “Nah, if things turned out different from yeah, maybe.”
“Long story?”
“Oh yeah, a really long one.”
“Well,” Syrus got off the couch grabbing another void black drink from the fridge, “We have all night, don’t we?”
“Fine Daaaad.”
“Oh me, don’t ever call me that.”
“Why do ya say ‘me’?”
“Because what other god is there beside myself.”
“And there’s the ego I heard about.”
“Fools bare an ego. I am confident about my position. Tell me about your time outside.”
And the two did.
For the rest of the night unbeknownst to the resting Ophelia, another pair of child and parent laughing their bellies dry until the warm welcome of the sunrise.
“An-and then I tell her.”
“Ye-yeah?” Syrus on the edge of his seat suppressing his laughing fit.
“Ya can’t even turn me on, even if ya use flamburse.” She says in a mocking tone.
“Nooo, how’d the pointy one takes it?”
“Well,” Kyrie stands up, “she fell to the ground like this.” she falls back on her butt. “Looking all shocked, like soul drained. To. The. Core.”
Syrus rolls onto the floor, exploding into weezing fit. “If-if-if only I was there to witness that.”
“Ye-yep, and ya wanna know the best part?”
“It couldn’t?” Wiping his joyful tears.
“But it does.” She leans closer to him. “The high priestess.”
“She didn’t?”
“She did. That wench saw all of it. Her face was brighter than Ophi’s hair!”
Syrus grabs the girl’s head vigorously, rubbing it.
“Excellent.”
“I ain’ done yet. After all that, I went off on that shitty god and remodeled his innards. His core is all kinds of fucked.”
“This I must hear.” Syrus leans in to listen.
“I’m gettin’ to it. So, after he starts pleadin’ for his life—shh Ani, I’m getting’ to the good part. Anyway, so I’m holdin’ my Ani in my arms like this, sitting on his own throne after swirlin’ his guts, mind you.”
Syrus nods.
“I kick in his face with my boot grindin’ on his face on the ground like this, then I tell him ‘I’m takin’ yer girl and makin’ em into my woman.’ And boy the look on his face. Man. Ya had to be there.”
“Humiliation, domination, and irreparable mental devastation. Exactly how I expect an Akachi to win.”
“Thanks, then as I left them and went west and I, oh. Well, look at that. We’re out of time.” She says noticing the sunrise. “Still dunno how you get sunlight here.”
“Till tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow it is.”
They clink glasses of wine and swig it down in a single gulp.
“So how should we greet Ophi?”
“Oh oh! I gotta idea. Listen. The Princess…”