UKKO

ELYSIUM, THE HOUSE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

''You are finally here'' Ukko's superior rolled his eyes in anguish, almost bored. The young man murmured a yes and followed him toward one of the royal chambers. They scoffed as they tried to look at Ukko from behind. ''Honestly kids like you...''

Ukko ignored them and stared at the paintings around the light cream golden walls. Each one of them was telling a story. More interesting than his superior’s whining. How the spirits had fallen. Humans started drinking their blood to gain power and destroy everything. And that's how the warlocks got created. The ones who did not seek power by stealing something sacred started making inventions so they could defeat them. Thanks to iron, the world was in balance.

But then there was another painting. It was showing a dark wave surrounding a huge area of buildings. People were holding their children tight, and some of them tried to escape. This place was now Diyu, the forsaken area, and next to it was the area of punishment, Naraka. That dark wave caused the area to be separated from the ground, just because instead of mud, there was dark water surrounding both of the areas and there were bridges to walk towards those.

''Either you have a rich parent or..'' Their tone became lower. ''A general and expect everything to go as you want''

Ukko didn't say a thing and continued looking around. The train just came late. He lied to himself. But he could also speak for the hundreds of reporters and cameras outside the gate, waiting for the Great Ruler to appear.

His eyes looked around seeing the royals chatting alongside the guards and servants, showing their green or bluish clothing, a symbol of their house as their reddish hair was dazzling upon the shades of the sun.

Every guard or servant was working for a royal. Or was a spy for another one? None could keep a secret around the stone-cold walls of the Elysium.

As he was following his superior he didn't realize that stepped on a green sharp heel, making the wearer let out a squeal. He jumped back with his eyes looking at the red hair and emerald green eyes. Every inch of her, her hair, her clothing, her breathing, her great height and broad shoulders. Everything made her look like a warrior with a suit of armor. Her Castleton green velvet dress was now around his heavy iron boots. He held his breath and took a step away as he kneeled. He felt a wave of pressure placing him down on his knees as her smile twitched within an instant, the sun playing with her curly locks making it as if she was wearing gold and silver jewels.

He realized slowly that her red crimson hair was tied up to golden threads as if those jewels were her helmet for battle so she could lead an army with her tall and great presence. And yet she also looked beautiful, gentle, and kind.

''Apologizes Great Ruler'' He shouted with a shaking voice. He made his right hand a fist, as his mind wandered all around this moment.

She halted with her hand and smiled, fixing her metal green fabric. ''At ease'' She answered with a sweet laugh. Ukko didn't stand up. He just watched the short man that was behind her. ''I apologize to you too doctor Thoth'' He finally stood up and looked at the great Ruler's green eyes.

''My niece had spoken about you, Ukko correct? I heard that your father is also one of the generals..'' She asked with a soft smile upon her light complexion. Ukko nodded a yes and cleared his throat while his superior was still standing. Her green eyes stared at his dirty and ripped clothes with a slight emptiness around her presence.

. ''What happened?'' She asked, concerned. Ukko let out a chuckle. She played with her ring and cleared her throat.

''I allow you to continue. Seems reporters about the new event need my answers for their questions’’ She almost leaned to him.’’But I am pretty sure, you will have a bright future ahead of you'' She announced and walked away slowly with intense footsteps. Ukko could smell the strong perfume that almost made him nauseous.

''I hope that we will have a better conversation later.'' She hummed with a narrowed gaze at him with a warm but prideful smile again.

He has met the Great Ruler a few times before, talking with an extremely skinny girl. He could see the kind and gentle way she was treating her. But he could also see the way she was treating her child which was completely different from the way that she treated her niece.

And he also hoped that he wouldn't have a proper conversation with her. It is only because of my father. He thought and rolled his eyes.

''Here'' They stopped and showed a closed room with a maid right in front of it smiling and dazzling.

Ukko saluted to his superior and held his breath till they were gone.

''You are late'' The maid with the name Hestia implied with her burned voice. Ukko exhaled heavily, lowering his shoulders.

A small grin found his face with his lips twitching. ''Did you worry about me?'' He asked childishly.

Hestia rolled her eyes and jerked her head to the door.

''She is troubled'' She explained.

''Broken heart?''He asked mockingly.

Hestia scoffed and lowered her head. She was one of the people that Ukko could find pleasing around this suffocating place. Something that he was looking forward to seeing daily as she was mostly honest with her feelings around everyone. Her amber eyes were piercing with emotions as her bright smile did not disappear or was hidden, exposing her deep dimples. Her hand found a few papers inside of her pocket skirt and gave it to Ukko.''You have to see for yourself''

His eyes zoomed into the papers to realize that they were small portraits by a photograph machine showing me. Suitors. And Ukko could admit that they were all...

‘’Old, Old’’ He said, looking at each of the photographs slowly. ‘’Young, an infant. I know him, his family is way too poor.’’

‘’That is what she said too, but her aunt insisted.’’Hestia agreed with him and laughed. ‘’And then, like a puppy, she agreed to meet him. It was more terrible than I thought it would.’’

She’s a black ship. Of course, she would agree with the Great Ruler.

‘’Well, did she babysit the infant one?’’ Ukko asked.

Hestia tilted her head showing the door once more as she opened it wide.

His eyes blurred with the bright light of the room. No matter how many times he entered, the sudden change of bathed sunlight around the room was always surprising.

The palace had light gold walls or sky blue. This room had cream silver and pink with thistles painted all over it. The palace smelled of thick perfume. The room smelled of flowers and cotton.

There was a bed twice as heavy and puffed as the one Ukko used to with light pink shades all over the sheets. A small table filled with untouched sweets and a piano with a girl playing a soft harmony. Or it was supposed to be a soft harmony. The girl’s fingers were pressing hard on the keyboards as if she wanted to kill the piano. Usually, the melody was not like this. It was the harmony of a songbird. Now it was a war zone.

Ukko found a bookshelf filled with hard old documents. On the shelf above the books, there were small statues made of crystal. The one that was right at the edge of the shelf, the one that was showing the most was a snake made of pink crystal.

His gaze narrowed as he saw the girl once more and got on his knees.

''What is that you desire, your Grace?'' Ukko asked mockingly. The music stopped with a snap and the girl pulled herself out of the chair she was sitting in. Skinny like bone, bandages wrapped all around her fingers.

Royals were wearing mostly green and sometimes the open sky blue. The girl had a silver light gown with dark gray threads making tulips all over it with a green smaragdi decorating her left ring finger as long as both of her ears. Almost every Royal had crimson or at least a shade of red on their hair. Her curls, long till her waist in the shade of golden brown now pulled away twisted, and wrapped around themselves with a smaragdi sharp hairpin holding it up from her neck. Almost every royal was blessed with green eyes. Now, Lilac eyes are piercing upon Ukko's soul. Her dark olive hooked nose had a small scar that was fading within seconds.

Royals have been perfect since birth. Cracks were happening but one was paying attention to them. But she had to cover them or prevent them.

Her gaze was deadly, strict, and spoiled, pushing everyone away. Just a Royal should be. Ukko had seen faces like these a thousand times when he was wandering to the Royal halls. But the soldier was capable of breaking her act with a grin. The girl laughed and lowered her stiff arms.

''You look awful'' She said mockingly. Her voice and accent were elegant and clear. It was true as he was hardly breathing. She was trying to hear what was happening from outside. She wanted to know who was outside. At least that is what Ukko thought it was that she wanted to do. She did not trust anyone in the palace, not along with her own relatives. Never asked why, never intended to.

''You are the one to talk'' He finally said and walked towards her, opening his arms wide. The girl laughed and moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around his firm body.

''You are late'' She complained and pulled her body away from him. His eyes then turned to Hestia who was restraining her grin.

‘’Why are you laughing?’’ The girl asked with a pout. ‘’I didn’t give you permission.’’ She rushed to her side and stared at her with her big round eyes.

Hestia blinked and moved her great height down to the girl. ‘’I apologize your Grace’’She said with a mock, moving her hand close to her chest.’’I simply forgot how Great you are and forgot my manners.’’

The girl’s brow twitched and Hestia burst into a loud laugh, showing off her dimples.

‘’Why can’t you do as you told’The girl shouted with her face turning red and looked at both Ukko and Hestia. They shared a single glance and then Ukko replied with a smirk.

''What will they do if we don't? Burn us?''

The girl held her breath so she could cover her frignten laugh. Ukko rolled his eyes and played with her curly head.

Hestia’s amber eyes narrowed as she let out a deep breath. And then a frown.Ukko lifted his eyes and looked at her with a big grin. ''What?'' He asked, noticing how upset, how skeptical she was.

The bossy maid shook her head and chuckled. ''It is ...Nothing'' She mumbled and looked around. She bowed and looked at her mistress. ''I have a business to attend to. Please, both of you'' She lifted her body and stared at them with a cold but also concerned gaze. ''Do not get out without me returning''

After that, she closed the door and both of them waited for a few seconds before they burst into laughter.

‘’She seems that she got used to you’’He laughed.

The girl rolled her eyes. ‘’She always did you were blind to notice'' her lips made a wide grin.

Ukko stretched his arms and gave her from his pocket a bag of sweets.

‘’Do you have time?’’ Ukko arched his brow with a smile.

‘’History lessons start in twenty minutes’’ She said and snatched the bag from him and took out one of the baked sweets.

''I got lectured again'' He announced with boredom. The girl started eating the sweets with tears in her eyes made of joy.

''They are so good'' She said with relief and crumbles fell down her dress. ‘’You have no idea how much I missed eating sweets’’

‘’You have muffins with white frosting and green mint sprinkles’’ Ukko reminded her. ‘’And you miss this?’’ He laughed, watching the half-burned sweets being devoured by her sharp teeth.

‘’They also have iron dust’’ She reminded him with a muffing smile.

‘’Your turn’’ Ukko jerked his head with a smile.

She swallowed hard with her hand covering her delicate mouth.

'' I almost got caught '' She explained to him and tried to move slowly as her clothes were burning her light brown complexion. Ukko noticed that there were a few burn marks around her collarbone and underneath the skin which was covered by her dress.

The girl told him that the other day nobles entered the Elysium to talk with the family. Ukko wasn't that day as he got into another trouble. That meant that the girl had to manage to remain calm, walk to the gardens, and talk with her annoying cousins while her aunt was talking about errands. Then someone appeared out of nowhere and offered his hand to her.

''I was walking to the gardens with a suitor'' She explained and took another baked sweet.

She sat down on a chair and crossed her legs. Ukko grinned at her and started teasing her.

''Was he cute?'' He asked mockingly, letting the pictures to the table. ‘’Or was it the baby?’’

She didn't answer. Just frowned. Oh, he was handsome. ''We just talked...'' She started walking around with dancing steps while her hands seemed like she was sword fighting.

''.... but he touched my face, close to my nose with elegance...'' She mimicked the movements of the noble's hand.

''He was wearing gloves with iron dust'' She played with her locks and then with her ring. Ukko just stared at her, so that she would continue her story.'' He saw my skin bleeding...and I '' She placed both of her hands to her face and groaned. She finally sat down and shoved all the sweets into her mouth. Well, that explains the scar at least. Ukko muttered.

''I ran.'' She told him with more crumbles falling to her dress. But the fact that nothing happened after that was weird to her. He probably thought that she was overreacting as usual cause one had heard a thing.

‘’I wanted to keep it a secret for none to find out that I ran from a gentleman like a rabbit.’’ She took one long pause so she could stretch her iron ring.

''But dear old aunt found out that I made a fuss '' She took another bite and smiled with satisfaction. ‘’You are old enough for a ring’’ She mimicked the Great Ruler’s voice. ‘’Your cousin’s have already been wed, why haven’t you?’’ Her face heated dark red. ‘’Because’’Her voice returned to normal. ‘’I will get caught, caught.’’

Ukko stayed silent for a while trying to think about her problem. But the way he could make her rest was to tease her.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

''Yes the rumors will spread around'' Ukko lifted his left leg stepped to one of the chairs and forced his body to rise even more.

''Hey there is a warlock in the royal family. 'scandal''' He said with a dramatic voice and laughed.

The girl snorted.''What if you get caught?'' The girl asked, pointing at him. He nodded a no.

''I am three years older than you. That means I got more experience in survival''

Her lilac eyes rolled back with annoyance.

''And beisdes.''Ukko crossed his arms.''Your aunt already favors you. If you tell her to stop executing warlocks she might do-''

Then she arched her brow.''She loves me and her kingdom as much as she loves watching magic dying''She sighed.''She won't do it.'' The girl mouthed as she lifted her hand up as if she was trying to reach something.

And there was it. The colors around her fingertips became brighter as threads of light came together, creating the shape of an orb. Bright like a star. She started coughing and covered her mouth with her other hand and the light vanished from the tip of her fingers. Ukko exhaled. He was weaker at using incarnation than her. But he didn't care much. Nothing matter when they would be against iron.

''I heard that you were sick'' Ukko's eyes stared at the girl's dark circles. She stopped eating and placed the sweet on a pink china plate.

''My corset was hurting, making me bleed, that is all'' She hummed.

''Is that so?'' Ukko asked, arching his brow with confidence.

The girl nodded and looked at her wounded fingers.

''If this keeps up I will not find someone to''She placed her hands together and licked her lips.

''Is this what you want?''Ukko asked with a frown. ''Marriage'' He started laughing.

''Not now…''The girl muttered. Ukko knew it from the start. The girl did not care about marriage but she wanted to find love. But her mind was determined to fulfill her aunt's expectations and survive every day. ''But I am sixteen. I need a suitor'' She implied by rolling her eyes out of boredom. ‘’I told you, Aunt is pushing way too hard. I love her but…’’

I understand. Ukko thought. He had seen the way she was looking at her aunt and the way the Great Ruler was looking at her. Like a rare jewel. An unpolished diamond, ready to shine.

Three years since her coming-of-age ceremony happened. She was wearing expensive jewelry and a green gown. The main priest offered her a golden cup of red Nektar as each of her relatives and a few of the nobles offered her gifts for her celebration. But that also meant suitors from each corner ready to take her hand. The ones that were filled with iron.

Ukko knew a few things about the girl's ideals. Even if she could see herself being with her fairy tail soulmate for life, the girl would prefer to play music in peace...even having a crown at the top of her brown curly locks. She could even imagine herself having all three at her fingertips if she wanted to try.

He shrugged and lowered his eyes to the floor.‘’ Well,’’ he exhaled. ‘’Good luck to anyone who can survive your torment’’

‘’I hope for you the same’’She rolled her eyes, pressing her lips together.

Ukko went close to the window and saw the great ruler Boudica taking a stroll. Seemed that the reporters were walking away too with faces filled with disappointment.

He saw her green prideful eyes burning from enjoyment. She played with her iron ring and continued walking around the gardens, trying to keep her smile in check. He then turned back to the girl. ''Your aunt seems happy''

She played with her ring finger and the light orb disappeared. ''She said that the scientist had good news'' She followed her friend and started from the window at the great wall that was miles away but everyone could see it. None knew what was after that. Some people said that it was completely dark. Some others said that it was just a giant forest. And others that the wall was there to protect them from the monsters.

'' Yes I heard that Thoth will make an event to Aztlan tomorrow'' He pulled out his coat and stayed with his dark turtle neck. He then pulled out the gloves and sighed in relief. The girl felt that there was something wrong with all of that but she didn't know why or what.

‘’I think’’Ukko took a deep breath and admitted his thoughts. ‘’That she wants me and you..together?’’ He looked at her with a stupid smug on his face.

The girl’s eyes opened wide and spat the sweets out of her mouth. She then gagged cleaning her face with her wounded hand. ‘’I mean, you are a wonderful person but...’’ Her eyes darted and she slowly moved her hand into her mouth.

‘’Yeah, I figured.’’He laughed confidently. ‘’I hate this idea too.’’

''Aren't you....'' She faced the other way, ashamed. ''Tired ?''

Ukko smiled. ''No, I have a lot of energy'' He showed the mulches of his firm arm. The girl chuckled, keeping her hand covering her mouth. ''You know what I mean'' She took a deep breath before she finished her sentence''...of hiding''

Both of them stayed silent for a while. He never thought about that...he never talked about that. Not even with her.

Both of their families didn't know what they were. They did everything to keep it a secret for all those years. Their status didn't matter. If they were found out they would go to Naraka and burn at a stake. And besides, they both had their part to play in this place.

But the girl was tired. Ukko could see that in her skinny and pale face. Her dark circles were deeper and darker than usual. The tip of her fingernails looked dark red. The tight dress seemed to cause her a lot of pain and hardly breathe.

Ukko took a deep breath and saw Budica running back to the castle.

He ignored it completely as he saw the girl pouting from boredom.

Ukko looked at the cold walls and how empty the place was without Hestia's help tormenting the girl as she was fixing her precious brown curls.

''Where did she go?'' He asked.

The girl's face turned red from shame.

''You don't know?''He gasped dramatically. ''Your own servant.''

''I think that she has someone special in her heart''Her eyes faced the ceiling disappointment. ''She always seems to go in hide at the same place and...'' Paniic grew and turned to her guard with a flushed face.

''What if she gets engaged? Will she leave? Can she leave? Will my aunt find anyone else?''

Ukko let out a laugh and moved himself to her side. His hands patted her shoulder and calmed her slowly down.''Do not worry, I don't think that Hestia is that person.''

''I am so cruel to her' She whispered shakily.''Like last night I was joking about the way her hat was placed on her head and...''

''Oh, you are a tyrant''Ukko rolled his eyes. ''But she won't go away''

His eyes searched around the room and a grin of devious skims appeared.''What if she does though?''He asked. His boredom found its limit. He had to do something until the girl's lessons and the infinite torment of studying history and religion lectures.

The girl faced him confused.

''What if she has someone dear in her heart and tries to meet them in the moment we speak.''

''She might, she goes to the place frequently.''

Ukko imagined the girl spying on Hestia between the walls as she was vanishing into the darkness and then whining from instant failure.

''We can see''He suggested with a pout.''f it's a good match for her''

''Which they aren't''The girl followed with a smile.''So, we must help her by telling her it's wrong''

''And it would be better if we were in front of the mystical suitor of hers.''

Both of the grinning warlocks walked outside in secret, trying very hard for any guard servant of relatives of the girl to find them in such poor condition.

Ukko followed the girl's steps by making infinite turns. Then, she said that she did one wrong and another.

''Are you sure we are going right?''He asked, watching the stone-cold walls turning darker and broodier. The girl stopped walking as she found a dark door right in front of them. Ukko turned back noticing that he had never been in that part of Elysium. The flowers were so few just like the cream walls had vanished. Maybe that part did not want to be seen. The girl held the doorknob and tried to open the door but there was no reaction to it.

Ukko moved on her side and coughed dry. She stepped away as he lifted his heavy leg kicked the door and opened it with a loud sound. He grinned at the girl proudly as if she replied with an eyes roll and she was the first one to walk inside the dark staircase.

''Thank you so much Ukko,'' he said, mimicking her high-pitched voice, and took one step, feeling how cold the new room would be with a heavy smell entering his lungs.

''I do not speak like that'' she whispered as her hands touched the wall.

Ukko did too and noticed how wet the stone was. They kept walking to the darkness and now he wondered if the girl knew where they were going. Did Hestia walk here? Was she actually visiting someone?

Then, they found a safe ground but the smell kept growing stronger.

‘’Where are we?’’ Ukko asked her in a panic whisper with the girl keeping her steps calm and right to the sudden light of the peculiar dark room.

A small drop of liquid fell to Ukko's wavy dark brown hair from the ceiling. It was dark so he couldn't see what it was. The girl took a step front and covered her nose. Ukko managed to smell the rotten scent of meat and covered his mouth so he wouldn't throw up.

''I should have known'' A familiar proud voice echoed.

The girl gasped in silence as she heard her aunt's voice.

They walked slowly toward the voices. Both of them felt that something was going extremely wrong. And they both had to figure out why.

''You thought that you would succeed?'' She said mockingly. Someone was breathing heavily.

Ukko and the girl hid behind one of the walls, close to the light. They could see the Great Ruler Boudica talking and playing with her ring towards a maid. Not just any maid.

The maid was holding a bottle with a strange red liquid. She was just standing down. The girl's lilac eyes started shaking as she realized that the maid was Hestia.

''Please'' She stood up and started begging. She showed with her now dark red from the blood hand, a small bottle filled with a red liquid.

Boudica was just staring at it with a small grin.

''What's the matter?'' She walked closely to Hestia.

''Your grace you have to understand'' She tried to speak but then she started screaming from the pain.

One more drop of liquid made the guard iritated and moved his gaze up. The l light from the room made sure that he could now see what it was from above and he wished he couldn't.

Ukko's sharp hazel eyes were now darting from fear. He and the girl slowly raised their heads and saw a body that belonged to a woman, which was wide open. They could see her guts and remaining organs moving slowly like it was trying to heal themselves while the blood was falling onto the girl's face. Ukko covered her mouth with his right hand and with his left, he covered his before one of them tried to scream.

That’s it. I am dreaming. Ukko prayed.

''Your act was beautiful'' Boudica walked around Hestia. Ukko saw blood falling from her body. ''But it's time for the curtains to fall right?'' She asked her bitterly.

Hestia scoffed and groaned from the pain. ''I would have said the same thing to you'' She admitted.

The girl was shaking from fear around Ukko’s body.

''I am here to take it'' She said with a rough cough. Boudica exhaled deeply and grabbed a light blue pistol and was ready to hit her. She grinned and pulled the trigger.

The girl bit Ukko's hand to let her go and rushed as fast as she could toward Hestia.

''Wait'' Ukko said that it was too late.

''Stop'' The girl was now in front of Hestia and screamed. The bullet crossed her left arm. and she yelled out a cry.

Boudica's face started panicking, lowering her guard and weapon, as she saw her niece bleeding and breathing heavily.

Hestia too as she moved closer to the girl.

''You stupid girl what did''Her fingers tried to reach for her but Boudica barked.

''Stay away from her.''

''Please...'' The girl begged. The Great Ruler gasped frightened as her eyes shook a no, looking at her nice standing at a place she was not supposed to be, defending a person that she had to stay away from.

Ukko approached them and felt the need to throw up and cry out loud. The girl too.

He had seen bodies being burned to Naraka. He had seen people dying from hunger in cages. But he had never seen so much blood. There were slashed bodies everywhere. Brutally opened with a sword or a scalpel. The hideous smell was rotten organs and blood. One of the bodies belonged to a kid. There was an old couple holding hands while their eyes and tongues were missing. For someone even the entire flesh, living the woman naked in the shade of bright pink and yet seemed to be rotten. She was a warlock and she did not even manage to heal.

''Not again'' She whispered with fear. She wanted to scream and cry but she just turned back at Ukko who walked closer to her.

Again?

''They are warlocks'' Hestia informed them while blood kept falling from her body. Ukko saw that her leg was injured but it was trying to heal.

''You are...'' Hestia told him to keep quiet and gave the bottle to the girl from behind without Boudica realizing it.

The Great Ruler snapped lowering her gun and faced her niece.''Are you alright?'' She smiled softly and tried to walk closer to her but she took a few steps far away. Hestia groaned and was now in front of both of them. She moved her lips all around trying to say something.

Boudica stared at Ukko and ordered him to arrest Hestia. ''What are you waiting for?'' She took another deep breath and tried to shoot her but the girl screamed a no.

''I am sorry Your Grace'' Hestia snapped her fingers. ''I am not getting caught that easily'' Her hand slipped in her pocket, showing off a lighter. As she snapped it open and flame escaped, her fingers twitched, making it grow into a wildfire between them and the Great Ruler.

Boudica screamed while the girl started running with Hestia and Ukko far away. His vision became blurry after this and her ears were ringing.

They were now on the stairs trying to go up. Hestia spits blood into the girl's dress. But she didn't stop walking as she turned back to the stairs and snapped her fingers, creating fire so none would go outside or inside. The girl gave her back the bottle.

Soldiers approached them with guns right on their side, ready to shoot Hestia. She pushed Lucifer and Ukko behind her side and with her free hand, she took a red crystal out of her pocket and placed it upon her wrists. shoving it deeper ''Ah,'' She screamed with pain. A blast of fire snapped around her fingers with the lighter keeping it still open. Swinging her palm close to the light candles, the fire ate every spark of them, becoming stronger as it tended to the soldier's faces, one by one. Her palm rose slowly, and the fire became stronger before it returned to her hand and became dark smoke.

Ukko discovered that her wrist was bleeding and covered with burn marks when she lowered her hand. Then, she jerked her head, ordering them to follow her steps.

''Hestia what?'' Ukko asked but then she saw the woman interrupt him. ''Stay inside'' She growled and sat down on the floor with her back leaning against the wall. ''I told you to do one simple thing and you did not''

She then took out of her pocket two letters one of them she burnt with the palm of her hand Ukko noticed that her dark complexion had burn marks, especially right on her palms that were becoming worse and worse.

''You have to...'' She shakily explained. Ukko started asking questions. He didn't know Hestia well but she was always sweet and calm. He didn't...he couldn't understand what was happening.

The young man turned back and saw the girl and Hestia getting weaker. Ukko moved closer to Hestia and gave it to her. ''Damn it Hestia'' He growled and grabbed her white collar band from her white shirt and pulled her closer.

''Answer...'' His eyes darted while the woman placed the bottle in his pocket. Her eyes were slowly losing their light. She leaned closer to his ear and whispered to him, shakily what they both had to do.

Her amber eyes found the girl and she moved her head a breath closer to her.

‘’I do not regret being at your service.’’She panted.’’ Remember this. Just this.’’

Her lilac eyes darted as Hestia pushed her away with her bleeding hand.

''Run'' She growled. ''Please go to Diyu...'' Tears shed on her face. ''There will be someone with a mask, trying to find you...'' She sniffed and looked at the last letter she was holding. ''A white mask. The mothe's followers'' Her tongue ran out for words with her mind seeming to lose everything.

'' I never wanted to involve you in any of this mess. Please believe me'' She stood up and walked closer to the balcony. She placed her free hand in front of her while the hand that had the letter was right behind the other, aiming at the sky. He focused his eyes on the letter and he saw a blue crystal wrapped around the paper.

Her fire eyes turned to the young warlocks. Ukko saw the girl try to move closer to Hestia but he grabbed her hand tight, making her unable to move.

''Ukko let me go. I command you'' She struggled around trying to get free, kicking the air with her legs, letting out her short screams and tears.

‘’Someone is’’The girl cried, gasping for air as her eyes stared at the sky.

''Please'' Hestia mumbled. Ukko saw her hands getting surrounded by fire. Blood fell from her eyes and mouth and her skin started burning. Her eyes were soft as she looked at them, facing the last thing her mind could see.

''It was not your fault''

She let go of her hand with the letter and the blue gemstone. She moved her hands around creating a fire that was flying away like a shooting arrow, a shooting star, trying to return to the sky. But that wasn't the part that shocked Ukko, no. The part that shocked him was that the woman, as her body was now just burned flesh, still had this smile. The smile that she was always wearing upon her face.

''She is..'' The girl mumbled in a broken voice,

Ukko bit his lip as his eyes saw that the fire was gone. ''We do not have time'' He rasped and started running away with her.

They managed to go to the girl's room. She was whipping the blood and tears. The bullet escaped from her arm, down to the marble floor making a loud bleeding echo. Ukko saw the flesh slowly getting healed underneath her skin but not as everyone was expecting as a naive almost faded scar remained. Ukko locked the door so one would try to open it. He then sat down in front of the door and prayed. The young girl stared at the bottle that Ukko had taken out from his pocket forcefully.

''What is this?'' Ukko asked with fear. He knew that the girl had a secret, that she knew that something was happening. That something was happening.

'What was this place? Why did Hestia...your aunt tried to..''His head was spinning around from the multiple questions he had. He was working at Elysium for a few years. He knew Lucifer a little more than that. But he also knew that she was keeping secrets. Secrets that he didn't mind asking what they were. But...

''The scientist made it'' She admitted.

Ukko scoffed. ''Thoth? I thought that he was making machines not...'' Lucifer interrupted him. ''Not that scientist...'' She opened the window and tried to see if there was any soldier around. Ukko had enough and grabbed the girl's shoulders with all his strength. There had to be a logical explanation. He was certain that his friend was hiding something. Every time she was hiding something from him. He showed the bottle with a furious face.

''What are you talking about?'' He yelled. Someone was knocking on the door with all of their strength. They had nowhere to run.

''I swear'' She bit her lip and played with her ring finger.

''I will tell you everything I know just..please. You have to understand that after you learn everything there is no return'' Ukko heard her whimpering for the first time. She was afraid. She shoved her shaking fingernails into her fists. Ukko looked at the shaking door. Everyone saw them. There was no turning back.

A smile spread across his face as he took a deep breath. After that, he bowed. ''As you wish my Grace, '' The girl smiled nervously and walked closer to the balcony and she fell with her back. She could see the afternoon sun falling down with her. The cold air showered on her face wiping away all of her tears

In the midst of the pressure, Ukko could feel his back burning. Then he closed his eyes and waited for his body to hit the ground.

They both waited for a while on the wet grass, to heal and breathe properly. His eyes turned to the bottle made of glass. No crack. He then turned to the girl who was trying to hold back her tears. ''Everything'' Ukko panted shakily, trying to catch a small breath of cold air. ''Everything will be alright. Don't you worry, Lucifer''