Chapter One Hundred Twenty Four: The World's Mistrust

Ember finally pulled herself out of the mediation and there she was, Princess Aurora. She had been there with her, for quite some time. They stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like hours, saying nothing.

They both knew that they had bonded, and that on some level, they needed one another. Aurora needed Embers guidance and support and Ember needed Aurora's understanding. This was hard for the both of them but together they could possibly make things better for one another.

" I am still going to help you figure out how to stop the reset" Aurora promised. " But I have to make sure that you are ready for that. Because right now, your emotions are all over the place. And in the meditation, I could sense that you wanted to harm that girl..but that's not the answer. We both know that it will never be the answer" Aurora spoke softly.

" Then what is the answer? " Ember questioned.

" The Answer is us. Working together. In more ways than we have before because we need one another" Aurora placed her hand on Embers shoulder. " But you need you need Penny..don't you? " Auroras question, upset Ember but she thought long and hard about how to best provide the correct answer.

" I don't need her..we all need her" Ember answered finally. " She is the only one who can get everything right.." Ember weaped.

" I believe that she definitely is someone that can do those things but I don't believe she's the only one that can do those things. If people had worked together to begin with and she would have never been needed. But she is here now, Though she doesn't even want a responsibility. This is all becoming too much for her. Just like it became too much on my daughter in Gabriel. The weight and pressure that has been put on their shoulders has always been far too great. But there have been people that can handle that pressure even if they were immature. I am one of those people" Aurora assured.

" What are you saying? " Ember was growing slightly uncomfortable.

" I am suggesting that you should let me do what I can to ensure we don't have to reset. And let Penny rest on her responsibility, so she can be happy. If you think Penny should be the one, then I will respect that. But, I am willing to do what it takes without pushing you away" Aurora was trying to be as respectful as possible but she could sense the discomfort from Embers expression.

" It has to be Penny.." Ember finally responds.

" Okay, and I'm fine with that" and with that, Aurora dropped the subject entirely, not wanting to get into it any further. Though now, Ember was concerned. Was Aurora trying to go back to her old tricks? Ember didn't want to believe that this was the case but she would have to keep her eyes even more open and be far more careful on how close she allowed Aurora to get to her.

" Please don't tell me this is you trying to manipulate me. " Ember questioned bluntly, which Aurora had expected to happen.

" No, I'm not trying to manipulate you. I know why you'd think that but that's not what this is. I'm just trying to help in all honesty" Aurora sighed.

" I told you that I changed and I'm hoping that you can see that I have. That change came because of you and all that you've done for me. And I just want to make this easier for us" Aurora answered.

Ember weighed Aurora's words in her mind though she still had her doubts. She wanted to trust Aurora, she sounded so genuine but that was something that made Aurora the perfect manipulator. The perfect monster of the Underworld. And Ember knew this all to well, she had watched Aurora since her conception hundreds of lifetimes ago. She had seen Aurora rise and fall hundreds of times and yet, this Aurora seemed different.

She was smarter, stronger, and far more kind than she had ever been and that made her dangerous in her own way. " I want you us to be on the same side..but don't screw me over Aurora..dont..just don't" Ember was practically pleading more than threatening at this point.

" I would never do that to you..I'm pretty sure you could end me if I tried anything but I would never do that to you. I care....about you" Aurora maintains eye contact despite how much she wanted to look away. " I care about you too" Ember confessed to Aurora.

" I know " Aurora smiles, and hugs Ember tightly.