Skinned Water

I gasp for air and leap to a seated position, waking up to Remington's sphere of influence already being long gone. My ass is placed on a blanket inside my father's shack. Glancing around, I find no one nearby. I bite my lip as I call for Blodwyn, only to figure out that he is deep in his slumber.

My fleshy hand wipes away the tiredness from my face as I stand. While I slowly move around, I take in my surroundings. Only now that I am alone do I genuinely note the insides of this shack. It appears to have been abandoned for less than a year, and unlike most lost places, it isn't covered in cobwebs, only dust. Everything is clean, absurdly clean, but upon a close view of the walls, I spot countless spots of blood.

Swallowing, I spin, my eyes suffused with Insight as my vision strengthens. With the empowered view, I find enough blood just on the inside of this place to fill a hundred bodies. Furthermore, it is not splattered randomly like a battle. It is purposeful as if it were written for a reason.

Despite the fact it is my father's home, the many incongruencies and lack of anyone nearby make my heart race. Wanting to find my friends, I stride toward the feeble door, opening it with my hand. As the wood swings open, Lily speaks to me from her holster.

"Hey... I feel something within the river. Could you check it out? It's kinda warm."

I raise an eyebrow and step out of the shack. Before my heel even touches the ground of the Underworld, though, I notice Virgil standing at the shore of the Cardinal. He doesn't turn back to me as I approach, as if he's too focused on what's inside of it.

Or who.

From where I stand, I can see a flickering light under the currents of the waves. Squinting, my stride accelerates, a hidden, lingering worry rising far beyond what I should feel so soon after waking. One, two, three, four, I reach Virgil in less than a second, my breathing already heavy.

"What's wrong—"

I see it. I see him. Fire rages beneath the waves of the Cardinal, a war of water against flame. Oh no. My eyes, ever so slowly, reach Virgil's face. And then my heart sinks as I witness the despair in him. He is heartbroken, with a trembling lip and furrowed brows, and his mind is most certainly thinking of a solution, any solution.

"What do we do?"

My friend sighs, sliding his hand against his face. It's a slow, gradual motion, as if he's already given up on Bonfire. Still, his teeth chafe as he shouts with far more emotion than he usually lets fly.

"There's not much we can do. He's in the fucking Cardinal, Wyatt!"

Speechless, I stare back at the faltering flames.

"How... how did he get in there?"

Virgil remains quiet. Then, he opens a palm, light beginning to emerge from the insides of his hand. Before the radiance spreads any further, I slap his hand, preventing him from injecting it into his heart to initiate Shadowless.

"No! You'll just die!"

The hand that I strike, however, does not give up easily. An unnatural strength that I was not aware Virgil had meets mine. Tightening my grip, I bend his hand, staring at him to back down.

"Stop. Where is everyone else?!"

Virgil grimaces, still unable to overpower me, as Ether flows through my now fully awake mind. He answers through gritted teeth.

"Your mother is training with the Codex, locked inside until she earns some progress with Soulful Ether. Lennon and Silas are off with the Devil. The other three are investigating the graveyard nearby. Apparently, there are close to a hundred thousand demons laid to rest there. It is just me. And you. Let me do this. If it weren't... Fucking dumbass. Who walks into the Cardinal!?"

A bit of his words are left unsaid, but I leave them be for now. There is something more important. Dropping a hand to my side, I draw out Lily, firing a round into the glassy beach without hesitating for a second, lowering the round count further.

"Hey! Oh yeah! I finally get to see it! It's been so long! Hey, do you know where Aniwye is?"

I lay a hand on Lily's shoulder and point out into the waves as the little girl materializes beside me. With a decent amount of force against her phantasmal flesh, Lily calms down a bit and grows serious at my words. Virgil stares at her with equal parts relief and suspicion.

"Bonfire is in the Cardinal. We need to save him. Is there anything you can do?"

Lily taps her feet, shuffling from side to side as she holds a finger to her chin. With a hum, she creates an answer painfully slow. The flames in the water gradually increase in increments between luminances.

"Ummm... Yeah. I can try! Let's see here... I've been practicing with my Ether a whole bunch just for when we got here! Let me show you what I can do!"

Instinctively, I backstep as Lily reaches out a dainty pale hand to the waves striking the beach. Virgil follows my lead without question, getting some distance between us and the waters of the river. The black waves, upon contact with Lily's alabaster nails, warp and distort, enclosing around her hand.

The Cardinal fits like a glove around her as she smiles with such a grin that sends a shiver through my soul. I know, for the first time in my life, what others must feel when they are afraid, but this is different. Pride fills my lungs despite Bonfire's condition as Lily takes a long stride out into the waves.

And the river parts for her.

With a mere gesture of her hand, the waves obediently rise to either side, creating a narrow path for her to pass through. It's not wide enough for Virgil nor me, but for a petite one such as her, it is possible to cross.

Despite her movements, the darkness of the river is impenetrable, its depths shrouded in mystery and foreboding. Yet Lily, with a wave toward me, moves forward with jubilation, her form illuminated by the flickering lights that dance within the center of the water's flow.

Step by step, she gets closer and closer to Bonfire's flames.

As she moves, I remain rooted to the spot, mesmerized by the sight unfolding before me. I knew Lily's connection to the river was profound, but I didn't know it was this absurd. This had to have been my father's plan. There is no other explanation for her ability to control the river. Is it her Virtue? Her Power? Or is it just an innate ability? Is that where all her earlier Sigils are focused on?

There are no answers to my question as the waves fall behind Lily, cascading and covering her form. As she disappears into the darkness of the river, I am left standing alone with Virgil, grappling with the profound sense of worry for both her and Bonfire.

I know that she is built for this. But still, River Cardinal is one of the most mystical locations in the world, incomprehensible and unknowable. Furthermore, Bonfire's time is running dry. Is there anything I can do?

Virgil's hands clench and release their tension repeatedly with every second we watch this. Surely I can do something. The cool steel in my hand calls my attention as I stare down at the chains around the artifact, the Arca.

Looking down at the Blooming Spider Lily, my Living Manacles fall upon it. And with a push of my will, I loosen her chains. The moment I do, the waves practically explode into motion, circularly around the center of the river like a whirlpool.

The water recedes from the shores several feet, losing an inch every second as the waves heighten further and further. Looking closely with Insight, I find the little girl offering a hand to a flaming figure.

********************

Blooming Spider Lily

"Hey? You alright?"

Smiling, my favorite gesture other than twirling like a blossom, I toss out a claw to this... fire-guy? I've seen him before. Hmm... what was his name? Ah! Bofir! No...

That's not it.

Right! Bono! That's gotta be it!

Bono is less than other humans. Physically, I mean. I'm not sure where his limbs went. Or his head. Or his lungs... or his ribs... What is left?

It's that thing little brother Blodwyn uses! A... a... a... heart! Right! He's just a flaming heart! That's not good, right? Don't humans need a heart?

Well... Father doesn't. Neither does Wyatt. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I lean in with my nose, taking back my hand as Bono doesn't have one to shake with. He's got some bad manners. I feel like humans need their hearts. Wait! He's got a heart! Ah, I'm so dumb. But is that all they need?

The waves circle us both, and I smile, feeling the sensation. There's a near-physical connection between the waves and me. It's awesome! It's like I finally have real hands now! I can touch things! But... I shouldn't touch Bono or anyone else. Sister Cardinal doesn't treat the living very well.

She tends to melt flesh, souls, and bones, melding them into her being. Kinda like me!

Hahaha! Where was I?

Right, Bono!

"Bono? You okay? Is there anything I can do for you? Wyatt wanted me to save you, so..."

I rub my hands together as I start to feel bad. Wyatt rarely asks things of me. Typically, it's the other way around. I'm always so hungry, and he feeds me! I should help him back! It's only fair! Plus, we're family! Family is family!

Despite my ask, Bono doesn't reply. My lip quivers as I crouch beside his flaming heart. I'm pretty sure he's still in there. After all, I still sense lifeforce within him. Wyatt wouldn't like it if I took it. Bono's his friend, a close one at that.

Lifting a finger, I poke the heart, curling my hand so the sharp nail doesn't touch the flesh. I don't want to cut Bono. He's a friend!

Nothing happens. Aww!

"Come on, Bono! Speak to me! Even little brother Blodwyn is more talkative than you!"

Still, not a thing. Darn.

I poke him again. Still nothing. Hmm... Oh... his lifeforce is draining. Why? Oh, the fires. The flame is eating away at his life. I see. Without the flame, though, the waters will devour him.

Well, I don't want him to die. And... there's plenty of life in big sister Cardinal. Let's try that! I'm sure she won't mind helping!

Big sister!

I wave my hand, and the waters of sister Cardinal come to my aid. A sphere of liquid concentrates itself around my palm. It's kinda like a ball. Ha! Waterball! But I don't need the deathly parts.

Sister Cardinal is good at both creation and destruction. All that she takes, she inevitably returns. I do the same, only I give it all to Wyatt, not the world.

I'm worried destruction will ruin Bono's heart. Even if his flames feel akin to that very same destruction, with how he is now, I don't think he can handle it. Bono is just a guy, after all. He's not like big brother Wyatt! He's not as tough. No one is!

I wish Wyatt could talk to Cardinal! They'd get along! I'm sure of it! She's kind, even if strict. It's hard to put into words since she can't speak. It's all just feelings.

With my other hand's crimson nails, I stab into the ball my big sister gave me. The penetration is effortless despite the unmistakable strength of the water. But it's no matter! She lets me pass without issue! She's big sister, after all.

I swirl my hand around, calling for all the deathly parts, and an equal part size of the remaining ball flows out. The colors change slightly, with the creation section having light fragments within it into specks of red while the other segment is divided into pieces of blue.

My grin widens, the flesh on my face stretching to my ears before I 'normalize' the act. Wyatt says it scares people. I don't want to scare Bono! He needs help!

So, I push that ball of creation toward him. The Ether within is hard to describe. In fact, it might be impossible. It's so dense that it's way beyond what Mother and Wyatt practiced. I wonder what kind of Ether it is. Is it even Ether? I dunno. Big sister won't tell me.

The ball of swirling abyssal liquid with red flakes within graces the flesh of the heart. Then, the water slides around the flesh, covering the entirety of the beating organ and dousing the flames.

Oooooooooooooooooo.

That's not good. Turn back on, fire! On! Flame on! Hot! Black fire! Inferno! Heat! Heat! Darn. Nothing's working. Eh, it can't be that bad, right?

The fire's gone, but Bono's lifeforce isn't weakening. His Vigor is actually rising! Yes! It worked! Lifting a hand to my chin, I stare at the beating heart.

Seconds pass, at least, I think they are seconds. I'm not all that good at tracking time. Some more. And some more. Hmm...

Oh, Bono's lifeforce is sinking again. Precipitously, this time, too! Aniwye taught me that word! Uh... more, maybe?

I repeat the trick of only removing the creation aspects of the water and shoveling them back into the heart. It beats again, but the fire doesn't reemerge. Frowning, something I hate, I continue staring at the heart. Again, the Vigor stabilizes, but it drops again, faster than last time.

That's not good. Once again, I imbue the creation into the heart. Yet, just like before, shortly after, the Vigor lowers again within Bono's heart. Shrugging, I pick up the organ and walk toward the shore. Surely, big brother Wyatt can help! He's awfully smart! He's not as brilliant as Earl, but he's smart!

The waves recede as I walk, the heart taking up both of my hands. When I reach Wyatt, he seems disturbed by what I hold. Even the shadowy man doesn't look all that happy.

"I tried to help! But... his Vigor keeps sinking. The waters only do so much to help... I don't know what to do..."

I explain what I've done to help. I'm sure Wyatt understands, though his eyebrows are furrowed. As I hold the heart to them, a blindingly dense Vigor signature appears beside us out of nowhere.

Glancing at it, my teeth show on their own, but I quickly put them away. It's that God. The one that Father had to sign a contract with. I don't like him. He took Father away from us. Still... I'm scared.

My hands shake with Bono's heart in my hand. My knees tremble with quivering motions while my eyes fall to the floor. Nevertheless, I don't back away or hide within my Colt. I keep my eyes down and listen.

"The time is now, Wyatt. I have seen enough. You three shall suffice. Virgil Boone. You may follow if you dare. Lights do not last long within Hell. As for that man there... He is not yet dead. He embarked on a path ibwas not expecting. Intriguing. May you hand the heart to me, little girl?"

I quake and tremble, but I take those short steps toward the God. I can't say no. Wyatt is yelling something, but I can't hear. Even Blodwyn is pissed. But Virgil, the shadowy man, simply stares at the floor like me. Two gnarled palms cover mine before ripping the heart away.

Shuffling back, I retreat as I sense Bono's life nosedive. But I don't move. I can't. I'm scared. I don't wanna die.

"Hmm... Creation? How does he have Conceptual Ether already? He is only a Power; that should be impossible. Even he couldn't... Your whole group is quite something, Graves. It seems as though strife proves her worth again as a teacher. Nevertheless, there is little I can do beyond what I've already done. Lily. If you wish for him to live, continue your efforts. Eventually, he should stabilze. His... being reminds me a creature I have seen since my childhood."

A heart is tossed in my direction, but I can't move to catch it. River water shifts in my time of need, but I panic, stretching out and grabbing the heart before the water can touch it. Then, I immediately shove more creation within it.

Little brother Blodwyn speaks directly to me as the others gather around. Aniwye returns, holding the Codex in her hand, while Birdie, Marion, and Otto return with a skeleton of bones. Weird. I don't like bones. But Blodwyn's more important. Oh, what did he say?

"Take extra water. It lets you sustain yourself, no? The more the merrier."

Ah, right! I didn't even realize! Thanks, big sister! Diving a hand toward the river, I amass a large amount of the water. My Ether twists bitterly to do as I ask, but it accomplishes the task nonetheless. Then, the liquid turns into a stream, and I grab it with my hands. Remembering what Mother was learning, I grip onto the Ether with my hands, tightening it until the water becomes solid.

So cool! Lifting the strip of flower-like-fabric-thing, I wrap it around my neck. Then, I remember Bono. Right!

Ripping a thread out of the scarf, I separate the creation, placing the destruction back. Then, I deliver Bono the creation, helping his Vigor. It's all so confusing, to be honest. I thought I knew a lot about Ether until I met big sister.

A voice calls to me, and I jump from the noise. The Devil stares at me, offering a hand. Placing Bono's heart in my armpit to hold easier with my hand still gripping it, I cautiously reach out to the Devil. A broad smile greets me, and I grit my pointy teeth to bear it all. I wasn't paying much attention, but I know he took the rest already.

"Are you coming, little flower? Your friends have already left, and that fledgling in your arms wants to go, too."

I nod. And he nods back.