The Enigmatic Guest
Edward slowly rises from the couch. Kiara felt a sense of unease as Edward slowly walked over to her direction with his arms crossed together. Evander leans his head next to Kiara's ear.
"What's with the tension?" Evander whispers with a low tone.
Kiara felt goosebumps form around her arms as her senses went into shock. It's like her nerves lit up like alarms. Her body shudders a bit as she tries to stand up tall. It felt like a bad ASMR. She jerks her arm next to Evander's side to push him back but she hurts herself in the process.
"That is my Grandpa," Kiara whispers to Evander, rubbing the side where the shared pain happened. "Don't say anything. I'll do the talking…Also, don't kill my Grandpa."
"Kiara. I know today was a hard day because of what happened with the council," Edward utters, his tone low and somber, "You can't just sneak out of the house without telling me especially when tomorrow is school."
"Well. I just needed to clear my head," Kiara gives off a smirk, raising her hands dramatically, "I thought walking around the city could do that."
Silence.
Edward's eyes didn't leave Kiara's face. His eyes don't shift, his mouth doesn't twitch. He didn't believe that lie one bit. He is not angry. Just trying to maintain a calm situation.
That's the story she is going with, Edward raises his eyebrow, looking over towards Evander, She didn't even explain who this man is.
"My name is Evander Mr. Edward," Evander randomly cuts in, extending his right arm. A gesture of tradition and respect. Kiara places her hands on her head, her eyes wide open in shock. Edward, maintaining his distance, awkwardly grabs the first two fingers of Evander's hand and shakes it.
Evander looks confused as Edward awkwardly shakes his hand. He freezes up, clearly taken aback. He glances towards Kiara who doesn't make eye contact. Evander slowly awkwardly pulls his hand back into his pouch. Very disrespectful to shake a warrior's extended hand.
"Can you please tell me who Evander is?" Edward asks politely, his tone gentle and composed. "He looks like a person who graduated college and became homeless."
Kiara turns her gaze to Evander. Due to the Elusive battle, she didn't get a chance to look at Evander's facial features. He looked pretty good for a couple thousand-year-old deity. His messy unkempt hair falls on his forehead and covers his eyes.
Her mind races trying to hide the truth without raising any further questions. She keeps her expression neutral as she clears her throat.
"He's a man that has been very lost in life, Grandpa," Kiara calmly explains with her hands gesturing all over the place. Evander scoffs at Kiara's explanation, leaning his head to the side, and resting it on his shoulder. Kiara steps on Evander's foot trying to get him to be quiet.
"He just needs a place to stay for a while to get back up on his feet," Kiara says, forcing a serious yet casual tone. "He is just trying to find his way, that's all."
Edward eyes her skeptically. His gaze flickers to Evander, detecting the massive surge of energy radiating from him. It crackles in the air like mini fireworks. Edward's posture stiffens but he doesn't comment on his suspicion. Kiara, noticing the change in Edward's demeanor, rushes to cover her tracks with a grin.
"Kiara," Edward says slowly, shifting his tone ever so slightly, "You're telling me Evander… is a regular person yet he has this level of spiritual energy."
Kiara struggles to keep her composure but she knows Edward is reaching closer to the truth. Edward doesn't press too hard but it is obvious something more is going on. Kiara, feeling the pressure, tries to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"Grandpa, you've always said to help those who are struggling, give them second chances. I promise it's just for a little while," Kiara says with an open mind, "You don't have to worry as I'll keep an eye on him. I'll make sure he is not a threat that will disrupt everything."
Edward sighs, his eyes skeptical but softened with concern. "You trust this stranger that much?"
While I don't have a choice. I do actually need to keep an eye on him. Kiara thinks to herself, adopting a pleasant smile.
As Kiara taps her foot on the ground, an idea pops up in her head. It might be convincing enough to let Evander stay for a while. The only problem is if Edward is reluctant enough to agree to it.
"You know, Evander actually knows a lot about fighting. I was thinking…maybe he could help me train," Kiara casually shrugs her shoulders. Evander's face contorts with mild disbelief and confusion about what Kiara is trying to say. "Evander could help me learn things that you may not have the time to do. Maybe you can pick up a hobby or whatnot."
Edward darted to the TV playing the late-night show. He raises his eyebrow, considering her plea. "You trust him to teach you? So he's a warden or at least knows the spiritual arts?"
"Yes," Evander leans forward awkwardly, his eyes not breaking any contact with Edward. Kiara nods earnestly, her discomfort clear on her face.
Edward's mind drifts with the implications of Kiara's words.
Perhaps this revelation could finally let me make some headway on my research. Edward stifles a sigh, realizing how long he has sidetracked many of his major projects while worrying about Kiara. He can now focus more on the Elusives, the council, and the mysterious disappearances with more attention. Maybe I can focus on things I've been neglecting. A little break from the constant juggling.
"He can stay but I want you to keep a close eye on him. You have to make me trust him to make him stay longer," Edward slowly turns around, walking back to his study room. Before Kiara can celebrate to herself, Edward gives one last request before closing the door. "Can you please give Evander a tour of the house and bathroom? He needs to tidy up and I will give him some pajamas for the night."
"Alright. Thank you," Kiara celebrates with a dramatic smile, overly enthusiastic about what's to come in the future.
"I'm going to get myself killed because of your antics," Evander walks around Kiara's house, looking over the photos and decorations surrounding the living room.
"Let's get you to my room," Kiara directs Evander to the stairs as she moves up the stairs with a childlike playfulness, running up the steps quickly. Evander walks up the stairs with his hands in pouches.
Kiara's room is cluttered with books and training gear on the wooden floor. The walls are filled with posters of her favorite idols and a few worn-out stuffed animals tucked in a corner. Her bed is surprisingly neat, contrasting that, her desk is piled with half-finished schoolwork and notes.
"Woah it's very bright," Evander comments, his eyes straining from the bright light of her ceiling fan. He walks over to a taped-together cardboard cutout of a young idol with bleached white hair with blue ends.
"Yeah that's my favorite idol," Kiara says with a smile, laying on her bed as she absorbs the soft mattress material. The softness is a major remedy against the pain and tiredness she is in. "He arrived creased and my friends accidentally ripped him in half. He's very fragile."
"I see," Evander gently taps the cutout's head, accidentally breaking a hole in the idol's face. His eyes widened with panic as he realized what he had just done. Glancing at Kiara to make sure she is not paying attention, he shuffles the cutout back into her closet. He slowly shuts the door as if nothing ever happened.
"Alright. How do you think life is compared to how long you were gone for?" Kiara stands up, looking over her scattered schoolwork. Evander wanders Kiara's room- comfy, cozy and massive. He looks over Kiara's bookshelf. The thick layer of dust catches his eye.
"It's very different, I gotta say," Evander says with a low and calm tone. He crouches down to see each and every one of Kiara's collections. Each shelf is filled to the brim with novels, comics, and manga. He gently brushes against the spine of one of Kiara's novels.
"Liora's life was ordinary until she found a sock underneath her bed. Turns out it belonged to one of the richest, most powerful men in the world- Darren Montgomery," Evander begins reciting out loud, amused. He lowers the novel, giving Kiara a dirty side eye as he continues reading. Kiara, hearing the description, her face turns beet red as she sees Evander reading one of her books.
"Ahh. You can't read that." Kiara pounces like a spring trying to smack the book away from Evander's hand. Evander just extends his other arm, stopping Kiara before she can reach him. She pouts anyway, trying to grab the book. It made him more determined to start what he started.
Evander, now interested in the book, continues reading with a loud and dry tone. His eyes never leave the text as Kiara tries to distract Evander.
"Liora is sucked into a world of luxury, private jets, parties, and not most of all– awkward sockless moments," Evander reacts with mild disgust, his eyes darting between the description synopsis. Kiara collapses onto the ground dramatically covering her face to hide her embarrassment. Evander skims through the synopsis, raising an eyebrow.
"He claims their bond is tied like the wind. Liora doesn't trust him but his icy…cold..smoldering looks that gleam in the moonlight…make her question everything she knows." Completely unaffected by Kiara's embarrassment, Evander clears his throat.
He slowly puts the book back on its shelf with gentle care. He looms over an embarrassed Kiara, her face bright red from embarrassment, covering her face with her hands.
An awkward silence falls between the two.
"That was the most awful thing I've ever read," Evander tells Kiara with a teasing grin. "You need better entertainment like executions. Those were popular in my days."
Kiara peaks through her hands, still red in her face. She bites her lips, her posture a mix of embarrassment and defiance.
"It was a gift from my friends," Kiara says, embarrassment clear on her face. "It is the first in the series…Also, human executions are kind of frowned on."
"This is a series?" Evander voices like a high-pitched squeal, his face contorts with confusion. He flips the back of the book. His finger skims through the synopsis of the novel. "23 book series? Over a sock? Who's actually reading this?"
"It goes in a different direction as it goes into a crime thriller," Kiara says sheepishly, trying not to make eye contact with Evander."
Evander's expression turns into pure disbelief, his voice with sarcasm.
Kiara huffs, her face still burning with embarrassment. Evander crosses her arms, as Kiara practically sinks in her mattress, wishing to disappear.
"You're sleeping on the cold, lonely wooden floor," Kiara says bluntly, her tone clearly done with Evander's antics.
"Alright. It's your decision after all," Evander shrugs his shoulders, rolling his eyes in the other direction.
Kiara lets out a deep breath. She pulls her blanket over her head. Evander gives Kiara a playful nudge, accidentally poking her in the eye.
Kiara peeks out under the blanket, rubbing the eye that Evander just poked.
"Are you going to explain why you are so calm when you learn that you are linked to me?" Evander's presence looms over Kiara. His voice is quieter yet heavy on Kiara's consciousness. A major shift in tone from their earlier banter. Kiara smacks her lips, trying to come up with an answer.
"What do you want me to say? Yay, we're soul buddies," Kiara folds her arms, avoiding his eye contact. "It's not every day you find out you've been tied to a thousand-year-old deity that looks like he is a homeless man."
"I have reigned over your planet for centuries with the help of my comrades. We crushed rebellions and empires alike," Evander warns, his voice low and gravely. "It took the world everything just to seal us away. Not destroy. Seal. You think you're taking me lightly?"
"Cool…You have an interesting story," Kiara chuckles to herself awkwardly, tapping her hands on her thighs. "Do you ever consider not doing that? Maybe you can be a better person when you're with me."
"How will you excuse that my spiritual energy creates more Elusives by leaking out to your world?" Evander questions, his eyes cold and calculating. "I am a threat to Warden society by just existing."
"Well then I'll be the idiot that will be standing next to you keeping everything in check," Kiara declares with a heartfelt but grounded approach.
Something tells her that maybe–just maybe– Evander hates more what he is than anyone else.
"You're such an idealist. When they are such a blabbermouth like you, they get put in the dungeons where they will either get crucified or iron-bulled," Evander lifts his arm up, sensing his spiritual energy flaring up. Kiara raises her hand, fidgeting with her fingers with a playful motion.
"Oooh. The iron bull," Kiara mocks with an exaggerated sweetness. She notices Evander looking tense as he examines his spiritual energy. "What are you looking at?"
"The Soul-bound is nearing its end. It's been taking its time while trying to balance everything out between me and you," Evander explains, his face looking on with grim worry. "Did you feel your speed increasing or your skills?"
"Yeah," Kiara utters, covering herself with her warm blanket.
"You're lucky that everything is being balanced out because if it weren't your body would have exploded like a watermelon due to the increased speed and agility," Evander sweeps the dust off of Kiara's bookshelf with his hand.
Kiara winced at the idea of her body instantly imploding itself as she was fighting the swarms of Elusives. She let out a low weak groan, shuddering at the prospect.
"So…you're getting weaker while I'm getting stronger," Kiara inquires, trying to scrutinize the possibilities.
"Imagine a fledgling blacksmith with basic skills randomly picks a weapon from the gods," Evander pauses, his eyes narrow as he looks at Kiara, "It's sharp and more powerful than anything he has ever swung. Yet without the strength and experience to wield it properly, it will likely shatter him in time."
Kiara stares on, interested in Evander's analogy.
"That's you- you're the blacksmith. Right now, your body is very fragile and will shatter like any blade resulting in both of us ending up in the afterlife," Evander rubs the back of his neck, leaning his head to the side.
"A friend said that the Ascendant while not like the deities they were in the past could outmaneuver and beat most wardens," Kiara reminisces on Adam's warning, "Can you likely still beat most wardens in a fair fight?"
"I have no idea. I have to wait until this spell finishes itself out." Evander says with an uncertain tone, "I need to see how much I lost and gained due to our link. That obviously includes strength, speed, agility, and durability."
The room goes silent for a moment. Kiara furrows her brow, absorbing Evander's words carefully. The weight of his words doesn't escape her but her face only shows a growing sense of determination.
"It's very late. I'll try not to disturb anyone while I train and you will find a way to free us," Evander's eyes narrow, his expression unreadable. He stood still for just a moment, his spiritual energy still rippling around him.
"Before you clean up and get into some pajamas, can you talk about the other Ascendants?" Kiara leans herself back against her wall, her head creasing on one of her idol posters.
"What do you want to know about them– we ruled the world, taught you humans everything important including spiritual arts," Evander reminisces, his eyes flickering with nostalgia. His hands slowly leave his pouches, and putting around his waist. He stares out into the cold desolate neighborhood. "You went into war with us. We lost. We're then sealed into our prisons."
Kiara shifts herself slightly, interested in the glimpse of Evander's past.
"You really taught us everything? You were like pulling the strings from the shadows," Kiara muses, her voice steady yet curious.
"We didn't teach you everything. We were like stepping blocks, you all had to do the heavy lifting," Evander snaps back, his gaze hardening as he focuses on Kiara. "We held the world together, and offered you all protection from the Elusives."
A faint memory of Edward's telling a tale of the Ascendants echoes in the back of Kiara's head. In humanity's darkest hour, they bowed down to powerful warriors known as the Ascendants. Representation of our worst sins. We offered to worship them for protection against the threat of the Elusive.
"You did it just to keep us in check…protect your own self-interests," Kiara says slowly, probing for more answers.
A sharp edge creeps in Evander's voice. "We kept your world safe. We provided order against the chaos that ravaged the lands, consuming everything to satiate its hunger. Every last one of your species would have been killed so long ago."
Something is unsettling in the way Evander's eyes flicker as if deciding how much to unravel. She fidgets with her fingers, tapping on her thigh to process this new revelation. Exhaling sharply, Evander's energy crackles in the air.
"We're representations of the primal aspects of humanity. You still fail to see the weight of the situation you are in. " Exhaling through his nose, an edge creeps up on Evander's voice.
Kiara tilts her head, intrigued yet cautious.
Speaking in a low tone, Evander speaks as if feeling the gravity of his past. A flicker of something ancient crosses Evander's face. "I represent war. You get many similar beings like me–"
Fear.
A shot of Lilith floats over towards Kawata placing her soft gentle hand on his forehead. Her soft ghostly hand brushes against his forehead with an eerie silence.
Disease.
Hirano stands out in the frigid, desolate desert staring off into the city lights. The soft sound of the unseen breeze disturbs the stillness.
Lust.
Kawata awkwardly tries to wrap her arms around Hirano, a gesture that met with a sharp push. Kawata falls onto the ground with a dramatic loud thud.
"Those are some of the more obvious ones. You also have to worry about the other primal instincts," Evander steps closer, his presence looming as he continues, "You have to reckon with: guilt, pride, and wrath…. The human impulses you try to hide in the back of your mind. Of course, there are ones I haven't even named yet. We came into this world with no memory of the beyond. Only one certainty- one purpose.."
"You thought you had one purpose," Kiara lazily lays her face on her arm, "Yet I am going to give you a new one. You are going to change and be a better person."
Evander smirks to himself, his eyes flickering with amusement. He turns around to open the door, his footfalls heavily on the wooden floor. Each step felt more resolute than the last.
"Try not to get yourself killed during our training," Evander warns, his eyes narrowing into a cold silence. Kiara just sits on her soft mattress, still wrapped around herself with her massive blanket like a cocoon. She doesn't pay any attention to Evander's warning.
"I'll try not to, roommate," Kiara smirks to herself, flopping back onto her bed like a dead fish. She lets out a theatrical sigh, clearly savoring every moment of her absurdity.
"I'm going to say this again–you are still way too calm about this," Evander chuckles to himself, hiding the smile tugging on his lips. He makes his way to the restroom to take a shower and a nice change of clothes. He mutters something to himself, though a small laughter lingers.
"How do you take a shower with this thing?" Evander questions Kiara from the restroom, eyeing the unfamiliar shower head and knobs with confusion. Kiara smiles to herself, shrugging her shoulders like she just realized how dumb everything is going to be from now on. She walks over to the bathroom to teach Evander how to turn on the showerhead.
This is going to be a long couple of weeks for the both of them.