Chapter 58: A Conversation

Lights shine like stars yet again . . . this time, from their side as they face each other on the destroyed graveyard of all the destruction that occurred. The ground beneath them cracks from the fear of their battle.

His legs shaking, Neo straightens up while holding Charlotte's head in response to what Adora said, but he doesn't drop his guard and two of his tails lurk close-by.

His hands tremble as he sees burning ashes float by, and he sees Adora turn her head to look in the direction of the lights, making him instinctively turn his head as well.

The lights are ever prettier and more colorful than the last time.

Neo calms down a little seeing them.

They watch as the wind brings in more and more ashes from the direction of the lights, the rain of ashes starts to flow on the battlefield . . . nay, the entire island.

"Where did you get those tails from? They look pretty," asks Adora, still looking at the lights.

Neo shifts his head and looks at her, as the ashes pass by her holding his sword.

". . . They are not mine. Someone lent them to me,"

"Oh . . . and who might that be?"

". . . Xzina Ardour," Neo pauses for a second.

"I made a deal with her that I will help her with something if she helps me here and now . . . that's all I can tell you," he says, looking down at Charlotte. For some reason, he feels much calmer right now as he talks, and his legs stop trembling.

He feels something welling up in him for some reason, some state of being that he has never experienced before.

"I see . . . are you on Zahtan's side?" asks Adora, still looking at the lights fading in and out from afar.

A single blue burning ash catches her attention, passing by her as it falls. She catches it with the fingertips of her left hand, looking at it as it withers away into a blue ember.

". . . No. All of this is purely from my intention," Neo takes a deep breath, "Is there a chance you can give me your properties so that I can make the wish?"

Adora scoffs, ". . . you ask me after you stab me? I think you the answer to this question. You knew all along, that's why you struck, is it not?"

"Indeed . . . a loud part of me just wanted this to resolve as quickly as possible without fighting or hurting you much, if at all. I wanted to do this much, at least . . . now I can silence it with comfort . . . and the rest of me may live on knowing that there was no other way, so in a particular and weird way . . . from that side I . . ." he trails off, sadness etched on his face.

. . .

Adora takes in a deep breath, "You said you wanted to use the wish to obtain everything. What do you mean by that? And how will you use the wish to go about doing so?"

"In a game of monopoly there is but one winner, and the rest no longer pose any threat to him, forget the idea of even challenging him . . . " starts Neo, looking at Adora.

"My pain, sadness, weakness, struggles, fatigue, boredom, dissatisfaction, limitations, and all my variabilities . . . that I know of, and I do not know of . . . time and whatever it brings . . . and far more of what I am to discover . . . I want to bend it all to what I want," he says, closing his eyes in a state of focus and contemplation.

"Objects, concepts, ideas, and whatever it is that my current form cannot comprehend, I want my will to bend it all to what I want, to be perfect and no longer hurt by a burdensome existence. Only then, will I have had enough," he breathes in deeply.

"This is what I have chosen,"

"And how is it that you intend on going about that?" asks Adora.

"I don't know fully yet . . ."

"You don't know fully . . ." repeats Adora, lifting her hand towards Neo, "How about you come with me then? To the rope? There, you can learn and grow more, and take your time,"

. . .

Neo looks at her extended arm and contemplates.

. . .

"Let me help you see that there is a different path where you will have enough in," offers Adora.

Neo recalls the times he spent with Zahtan.

Come with me, I will show you more!

He takes a deep breath in and exhales slowly, "Perhaps there is . . . perhaps there isn't. All I know is right now is,"

"I will search and discover on my own, and this dream shall stand firm for now,"

. . .

"You may not stay human if you pursue it . . ." warns Adora.

"If that's what it takes to obtain everything, so be it," says Neo, opening his eyes.

Adora shakes her head slightly, "I didn't mean that in a good way. Obtaining everything is impossible for us, Neo. I fear that you will reach the dead wall at which you will be something very horrid, without realizing it,"

Neo shrugs, "Maybe . . . but that's for me to find out,"

"What do you even plan to wish for?"

". . . I do not know yet. I'm stuck between one of two things, I'll take my time to think about it after obtaining monopoly . . ."

"Pet?" asks Adora.

"Yes . . . that is all I can tell you," says Neo as the four tails start to crystalize slowly.

"What about Charlotte?"

"I cannot place her anywhere, I think you already know why. In my arms is her safest place until she speaks again . . ." he says, looking at the ground and seeing the flowers that bloomed around him.

Adora tightens her grip on the sword, and it bursts into flames.

She thrusts it into the ground.

This should ensure that no one can use it.

She extends both her hands, face down. And flames rise from them, from which twin daggers emerge. They look like they are made from Haco's sharp and piercing teeth, she grabs them and prepares for battle.

I wish I had a speech as good as yours, Daki. I tried to end things with peace, my beloved. And I failed, I am sorry. Maybe this situation would have been different . . . all I can do now is my follow my heart again . . . and it's telling me to win this fight and return to my daughter.

. . .

Are you sure you don't want me to take over?

Yes . . . this is the path that I have chosen. I will borrow your tools, but it is mine to pave . . . I must learn to iron my heart. Had I not hesitated in the first strike and went for the head . . . maybe this would have been over already . . . yet I let my fears of seeing her like that take over . . . I must win.

Xzina smiles.

Alright, as you wish.

I'm surprised you caved in, thought you might want a jab at her because of your vendetta.

My gripes are with her husband. He is the one who sealed me, not her.

Neo smiles a little.

One last piece of advice, you only have my tails. Your body has no part of me in it and if at all, you are probably a goner. Stay on the defense and see what she is capable of. Let her show you more and more of her cards and wait for the perfect moment to strike all in. And then keep striking to exhaust her regeneration.

Thanks, glad you are looking out for me.

. . .

Neo cracks his back and neck, shivers running across his body as he feels his heart in his throat. His tails become fully crystalized and stand at attention.

Adora's strength creates pressure around her.

Neo's hair and clothes fly in the wind she creates, and the ashes float by.

He feels time going by slowly.

Shivers run through to this core as he feels himself there, a sensation he has never experienced before.

Everything is just . . . flowing through.

Adora takes a step forward.