Tit For Tat

'Of course, he decides to ask me that.' She thought, expecting nothing less from a mere human.

"I've been hanging on for so long and yet I still do not seem to have the answer." The King turned to Zeya; his voice much softer. Almost pleading.

"I first saw you when I was only eighteen, when you confronted Father of what he had done." The man reminisced, looking off into the far distance. "You look exactly like the day I've met you, while I've become nothing but an immobile burden."

"Humans were always fragile creatures to begin with." Zeya reasoned, shrugging her shoulders. "Even if your soul somehow manages to handle the amount of power that's being forced to absorb, that is not always the same case for the body."

"You knew it as well, didn't you? That your body wouldn't be able to handle his magic. There aren't even that many immortals who are able to withstand their magic, let alone humans." She shook her head. "I must say you are incredibly lucky to be alive."

"... I thought my youth will remain with me forever when I signed the agreement with that Kaxarene. After all, he was born with royal blood so it seemed as though my weak body wouldn't be an issue for his magic to work like I wanted it to." He looked at his old, liver spotted hands that trembled violently. "Now, even breathing has become laborious. My body is slowly failing to go on, while my soul has returned to when I was a young man."

"If you think I can make you any better, you are wrong, Vulcan." She made it clear, not wishing to give him any false hope. "If this is the best Varen can offer you, I'm afraid I cannot do any better. Healing was never my forte, as it is for most Roseabelles."

"Asking you for such a favor would make me no better than my own father." He lowered his head, coughing into his already bloodied handkerchief before continuing. "I simply asked for you to tell you what you needed to capture that creature."

Just as he finished his sentence, Vulcan began to cough violently again but this time it seemed much more serious. The coughing fit turned into frantic attempts to breathe as he held onto his neck, seemingly chocking.

As Zeya tried to get closer to see what the matter was, the bedroom door burst open, revealing none other than the Kaxarene Emperor standing menacingly by the door. Behind him, by his feet, laid the frail and motionless body of the human princess Kaari.

"Are my eyes beginning to deceive me? How is it that I am seeing you here, Empress?" For once, there was no amusement in his tone, only pure authority, demanding an answer.

"Just visiting an old friend... as you can see." Zeya answered light-heartedly, not fazed by Varen's threatening aura. "I was just about to leave actually, so if you could excuse me-"

"You are not going anywhere." He objected, closing the door behind him with a thunderous thud. "Not until I get a clear answer."

"... He told you about the hidden library, didn't he?" He questioned, his eyes piercing.

"... I don't know what you're talking about." She feigned ignorance, holding Varen's intense stare. "Perhaps you've mistaken me for someone else."

Strangely, Zeya found Varen's current state amusing, finding herself unable to contain her enjoyment.

Her amusement however, slightly faltered when she realized something important. The room had suddenly turned unstirring. The steady flow of Varen's magic in the room had been completely cut off. And Zeya could no longer hear Vulcan breathing.

"You... killed him." Zeya whispered in surprise, realizing the lengths Varen was going through. Varen on the other hand, remained grim faced, fully aware of what he had done.

"He broke his part of the contract." He explained with no remorse. "Therefore, this will be the consequence of his decision."

Zeya looked past the Kaxarene, eyeing the limp body of the human princess. She, however, was still breathing, though it was faint.

"That book might be our only chance to kill this creature." Zeya tried to reason, curious as to why Varen was trying so hard to hide this fact. "Don't tell me you were intending to keep this from me forever?"

"So, he did tell you everything." He pushed on, getting closer.

Just then, a familiar darkness engulfed the room before appearing between the two monarchs. A deep, feral growl escaped from Nox as it warned Varen to stay away. Varen, on the other hand, remained unfazed as he held his ground with the creature. Zeya noticed Varen's hand reach for something behind his back, seeing that as her cue to put a stop to this hostile environment. She knew Nox was strong, but Zeya knew what Varen was capable of and to be frank, Nox stood no chance against him.

Zeya quickly tapped Nox on its head as she whispered something under her breathe, turning it into the small harmless cloud from earlier.

"Do not be confused, Nox." She patted its head affectionately before placing it on top her shoulder. "I just don't want you to die to him, that's all."

Without a word of rebellion, Nox simply obeyed and nuzzled against her neck though it was still glaring threateningly at Varen.

"This could be the breakthrough you've been seeking so desperately and yet I see you hesitating to even consider the idea."

"I am merely considering the outcomes it'll bring. Your mother was the ruler of the shadows. The knowledge she keeps hidden in that place could destroy us all if it goes to the wrong hands."

"Do you truly belief that ignoring the existence of this place will guarantee our safety?" Zeya got closer, holding his glare with indifference.

The silence that followed her question was all she needed to prove that she was right.

"You knew your army wasn't strong enough alone, so you decided to keep this information from me when I refused your offer. Then, you tried to find another way to kill it but all that lead to were dead ends." She stated, noticing Varen's stoic manner falter slightly. "Did I miss anything?"

"Are you perhaps... scared?" Zeya flashed an all-knowing smile, her eyes glowing bright gold with excitement. "You're scared of what that creature might do to you if it ever got its hands on you."

"If there is anyone that is fearful, it is you, Zeya." Varen retorted, his anger clearly taking over. "Don't you dare accuse me of being a coward when you are one yourself."

Zeya merely smirked at the remark, knowing that it was a cheap attempt to offend her.

"I figured you would be worthless to me but now... you knew far more than you had let on." She said more to herself that to Varen, thinking deeply. "You might be of use to me after all."

"I don't like that look on your face at all." Varen frowned, inching closer until their faces were almost touching.

"Since you still seem to have trouble deciding... Why don't I make it easier for you? That alliance you wanted so desperately... let's make it happen." She offered, watching as Varen's eyes widen. "It is what you wanted all along, is it not?"

"... Why so suddenly?" He interrogated, rightfully suspicious of Zeya's intentions. "You've refused every offer I made so far but why the sudden change of mind now?"

"Because I pity you." Zeya replied truthfully, shrugging her shoulders with a smirk. Something sinister glimmered in her golden eyes, making Varen's stomach turn. "And you killed the son of my mother's murderer. As much as I do despise you, you did get your hands dirty for me."

"Who do you think you are to give me your sympathy?" Varen snarled; his eyes filled with anger.

"Would you prefer I treated you with hostility instead then?" Her smiled instantly dropped after her sentence, clearly displeased by Varen's behavior. "We both know how that went so why must you always be so... ungrateful?"

"Back then, you had nothing that I needed to catch this thing but now, it's obviously different. You want my militia and I want access to Imnolyn." She explained. "And who knows, maybe that'll actually help us catch that creature quickly, just like you claimed."

"I'll give you till dawn to think about it." She said, pointing at the nearby window, the moon glowing brightly amongst the clear night sky. "If you choose to accept my offer well, you'll know where to find me. I'll be waiting."

Without another word, Zeya left the room, leaving Varen with a mess to clean up and an aching migraine.