"I can't tell you that yet I'm afraid."
"And why is that?"
"Because she told me not to." Muir couldn't help but find humor in Varen's unimpressed frown. "I'm sure it is for a good reason."
"... You seem to be enjoying yourself quite a bit, aren't you?" Varen said in an annoyed tone.
He knew he could not get anything out of him since Muir could not lie.
"My, was it that obvious?" The Toyahan chuckled at the sight of Varen's expression growing ever dourer.
"Worry not, you will be able to see her when it's time." Muir tried to reassure the uneasy appearing Kaxarene. "As of right now, you wouldn't find her even if you flipped the entire place upside down."
"Hah, so she knew all along that I was on my way here." Varen said to more to himself than to Muir, finding the entire situation amusing.
"Perhaps." Muir stated simply, ignoring Varen's burning glare. "Let's just say she needs a bit more time by herself, Varen. You understand, don't you? So, why don't you take a seat and calm yourself down for now?"
"... You're lucky that we're friends, Muir." Varen stated grumpily obviously not pleased by the current situation.
Surprisingly, Varen obeyed to his request as he took the seat directly across Muir's. He was obviously upset but remained calm as he closed his eyes and waited like he was told to.
"I am quite aware of the privilege I hold, Varen." Muir replied nonchalantly as he observed Varen closely.
He noticed that Varen's overall complexion had become brighter than the last time he had seen him.
Despite the obvious positive outcomes Muir was seeing in Varen, he couldn't help but feel worried for what was about to unfold between the two in the next three days.
"She told me that you've been pushing the limits with her." Muir scolded her with the tone similar to one of a disappointed parent. "I get that you're thrilled to see her come back well and alive but, try to show some bit of self-restraint, will you?"
The Kaxarene had always had an unhealthy habit of being possessive towards those that he believed belonged to him.
Muir witnessed this scene firsthand as Varen underwent a manic episode after Zeya's death, and he intervened multiple times to stop Varen from ruining himself in the process.
He had always been reserved when it came down to expressing himself.
The first time they met was because of Zeya, who wanted to help Varen become more accustomed to making friends.
It was awkward at first but thanks to Zeya's intervention, the two quickly became friends over their passion for sword-fighting.
Despite the two species having a close bond with one another, it was still rare to see a Kaxarene and Roseabelle be in an intimate relationship, especially when it came down to those that carried noble blood.
It was tradition to have the family pick a fitting suitor for their offspring and usually, both the Kaxarenes and Roseabelles found the idea of interspecies marriage deeply unfavorable.
Even as adolescents, it was obvious to Muir that Varen's affection towards Zeya was sincere and profound, making their separation even more tragic.
Strangely enough, their friendship grew stronger after the news of Zeya's supposed passing, and remained in touch despite their busy schedules that came with becoming ruler of their respective nations.
Back then, the humans were still new to the world compared to the other creatures that had walked the earth for eons.
Yet, their greed for power was cosmic, contrasting sharply with the impermanent lives that were gifted to them.
They were tyrants in their own way as Muir recalled how his father had described them when the news of the great war reached Toyah.
Varen was eventually left to fend for himself after the two nations had split up to fulfill his father's wishes.
No one knew what was going on Raziel's mind when he decided to side with the humans but that was a decision that had disrupted the peace between the immortals, creating the hostile conditions that had unfortunately endured until today.
Unfortunately for everyone else however, this marked the emergence of Varen's new temperament, one that was darker and more ominous.
As the years passed, rumors of Varen's unprovoked aggressiveness began to spread throughout the empires, striking fear into the hearts of any potential brides, deeply upsetting his father.
The allure of the young and dashing Kaxarene still managed to captivate many women despite his flaws, and his father took care to entertain each one who showed a willingness to marry him in the future.
Even when presented with willing suitors however, Varen refused to be intimate with any of them, often shutting himself away using his work as an excuse until they eventually grew tired of his behavior.
He would still to attend these social gatherings with these women at his father's behest, even with the war raging back home. Yet, Muir recalled observing him in solitude, his gaze empty of any emotion.
Muir knew of this simply because of his father gloating about it every chance he could get whenever they would cross paths, not knowing that he was slowly killing his own son from within.
Varen had truly become his own father's puppet, doing whatever that was ordered of him even of it meant to hurt those he cherished dearly.
Muir had made personal attempts to contact Varen, but Varen's father maintained a strict control over him, keeping the Kaxarene isolated from any influence that might weaken his loyalty to the late emperor.
To his astonishment however, on the day that Zeya's funeral was held, Varen was back in Toyah awaiting Muir's return, intoxicated beyond reason.
He wouldn't stop crying as he dragged himself towards Muir, asking if Zeya was truly dead.
For the first time, his facade was completely broken for everyone to see the damage that had been done.
Muir had offered to take Varen to the gravesite if he wished but Varen quickly refused, knowing that it would only cause him more grief.
Varen stayed there for a few days, drinking away the grief that would wash over him before he was eventually taken away by his father's men.
Ever since that day, Muir vowed to take care of Varen's well-being as best as he could, hoping that it would do him some justice.
To Varen, Muir was the only one left that he could consider his friend and Muir tried his best to be there for him whenever he could.
Muir felt a sense of relief when he learned of Raziel's death. Varen was finally free from his father and yet Muir was oblivious to the extent of his own transformation after years of his father's jurisdiction.
The two men sat in silence while one in particular started growing more and more impatient by the minute.
"She told me everything that has been happening." Muir revealed to end the silence between them. "Why did you not consider asking me for help?"
"Your father was an obstacle." Varen stated simply, his eyes still closed by his legs ceased from shaking. "And I did not wish to bother you with more trouble. You already have so much to deal with yourself."
"How considerate." Muir said in a half sarcastic tone with a faint smile. "And yet here we are, two of the greatest warriors in my home as guests seeking a book capable of stopping a carnivorous shadow monster that went rogue after its master's death."
"Is our presence being a burden, Muir?" Varen said with an offended look, disapproving Muir's tone. "If so, just give me the word and we will be on our way back to Exousia. I've been wanting to leave since-"
"And torment poor Zeya to your heart's content again?" Muir argued back with a frown, taking Varen by surprise. "She already has her father's passing to deal with let alone you. Can't you find it in yourself to show at least an ounce of decency?"
"... It's been a while since we've sparred." Varen said out of the blue with an indefinable look on his face, completely ignoring Muir's lecture. "Why don't we go a couple of rounds instead of waiting around like some idle servants? I'm sure it'll be fun."
"There you go again, ignoring everything you wish not to hear." Muir sighed, having grown used to Varen's difficultness. "You haven't changed one bit, though I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing."
"I'm still awaiting an answer from you, Your Majesty." Varen had already stood up now, waiting for Muir to agree to his offer. '"Or is it that you're scared to lose against me in front of all your beloved servants?"
"... Bold of you to assume that I'm scared." Muir challenged, slightly offended by Varen's words. "I'll have you know that I trained under the best marksmen when I was younger."
"Well, prove these skills of yours in the battlefield then."