Cry Me a River pt.2

She took a breather and repeated the process while controlling her breathing and relaxed her muscles. The nightmarish visions flooded in without mercy, her eyebrows crinkled in pain. Wrath's fist tightened as the memories pounded on her temple, sweat droplets trickled down like rain, she gritted her teeth as she felt a nosebleed coming.

"Master!" Eros shook her shoulders.

Wrath gasped for air, "I need to overcome this."

"You're not thinking straight, don't rush the process."

"I only have another day to figure this out, Pride ne– "

"Take as much time as you need, Pride will be fine. And so will Lust. Focus on yourself."

"I know that," she sighed and wiped the blood off her face, "but something doesn't feel right about it. I've never failed before."

"Take a short walk with me outside," he teleported.

The moonlight serenaded the cave with its gentle rays, Lust's bike looked tame under the serene spotlight. The General had disappeared from the area to complete other tasks he was assigned with. He was like the supervisor of every spirit under Wrath's command. This included the safety of her house and anyone in it.

"You were in your prime years when you had just started. Even then, you never encountered such strong challenges. You've always had some help along the way, remember? And let's be honest, you were never great at self-control."

"I guess you're right. I just wanted to prove to Lust that I'm capable of so many things, now that he's my pupil."

"Hey," he lifted her chin with his hand, "you got this. I would've left you ages ago if I didn't know you'll survive it."

Wrath elbowed Eros' stomach, "*sshole."

He smiled softly as his master's mood had lifted significantly from their banter. Her face looked younger under the dim white light of the moon. Eros knew that he would not be able to forgive himself if something were to happen to his master when he could prevent it. His unconditional love for her was the sole reason he had stuck by her side through many mortal and spiritual dangers that might jeopardize his life as well.

"Head back in when you're ready. I'll be out here," he said with a straight face.

"Thank you, Eros," she hugged him and went back inside.

'If you only knew,' he thought.

**********

- 9.30 A.M. -

Lust and Wrath profusely sweated through their garments from the intense concentration they both endured. They both had overcame their own individual goals. Lust's being able to set aside temptations and distractions, while Wrath finished the puzzle pieces of memories that was required to gain better understanding of Eliza. Being able to relate and speculate a spirit's actions, the master would decrease the risk factors and maximize the benefit of their guidance or power.

"You did great for a beginner," Wrath broke the silence.

"Thanks, it still feels unnatural. But I'm not giving up. What happened to you? Is that dried blood?" he tried to wipe her face.

"I'm fine, let's wash off and have some breakfast," she stood up.

They headed to a waterfall about a mile away from their base camp and took a dip after hours of isolation. The water was colder than most water bodies around the hill, the sound of water crashing down filled the air, the crystal-clear water allowed them to see the riverbed.

"Ahh!" Lust exclaimed.

Wrath laughed as her friend hesitated to submerge his feet, she sprinted and jumped into the river. The water splashed unto him, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Come on, p*ssy!" she brushed her hair.

"You'll regret this!" he smirked and joined her.

"Atta boy," she patted his wet hair.

He scrunched his nose and put a cheeky smile on, he inched closer to her and extended his arms to hold her.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" she paddled away, "You know I'm not a great swimmer. Are you trying to kill your cute and beautiful teacher slash roommate?"

He ignored her statements and continued to pursue her into the deeper end of the riverbed.

"Woah, woah easy there. We're getting real deep here," she struggled to held her head above the water, "C'mon! Quit it!"

Her feet slipped on a rock she had tip-toed on and she flailed as the ground disappeared under her feet. Lust swooped in under her and position himself in-between her leg. He boosted above the water and carried her on his shoulders.

"I got you, calm down."

"You're f*cking crazy! I could've choked or something," she folded her arms in annoyance.

"C'mon, it was kinda funny. You were always too serious and angry. Let me have a poke of fun at you," he held unto her legs and walked towards the waterfall.

"Hey! Where are you going now? Put me down!" she grabbed his hair.

"Ow! Don't make me drop you. What can you do if I put you down anyway? Doggy paddle to the riverbank?"

"Hmpf… Just don't drop me on my head," her face turned red.

"Like that would make any difference," he chuckled.

Wrath hit his forehead with her knuckles, "Rude."

The two of them relaxed their muscle under the powerful waterfall. It had been some time since either of them went on a vacation together since their first paychecks after moving in together. They barely had time to hangout, Lust was busy with his musical career and Wrath had businesses to resolve with the undead. But they both had a thing in common other than their many endeavors to maintain an acceptable standard of living (A.K.A busting their asses off for money), love for nature.

- 10.45 A.M. -

Wrath sat on the shallow end of the river with Lust's head leaning on her left shoulder. The leaves fluttered above them as whistles of wind glided in between the gaps. Lust had just collected berries from a nearby bush as sustenance to get them through the day.

"I need to show you something," Wrath stood up and led him to the top of the waterfall.

It stood about 30 feet from the water surface overlooking the greenery that surrounded them as far as their eyes could see. Various types of vegetations were visible, each gracing the canopy with their distinctive colors and shapes.

"Woah, it's really pretty!" he gazed at the scenery.

"Catch me!" Wrath somersaulted over the cliff into the deep end of the river.

"Wrath!!!"