The Aetherloom’s Embrace

Iris tries to invoke her shield, but the second she creates it, it crumbles into a million pieces. Iris looks down, her face filled with fear. She knows it's a dream, but she can't forget that this will be one of her realities. She looks at the little elf girl whose soul has already left with the blade stuck in her chest.

The creature walked up on top of Iris, its mouth releasing blood, licking its lips towards Iris.

…

Iris wakes up, her body covered in sweat, her heart wanting to leave her body. She grabs her chest, taking deep breaths to calm down. She knows it was all a dream, but she begins to doubt if waiting for her house to form will be worth it if she will have those dreams until it is finished, doubting if her heart would be able to survive. 

After relaxing herself, she looks down and sees the hands of the mysterious being still radiating its characteristic color. Looking at it with surprise, Iris begins to slowly descend as her wobbly limbs are making it harder to not fall down.

Reaching the floor, she carefully walks around the hand. Looking at how its darkness fluctuates, she feels compelled to touch it. Her only fear is that she will become one of them if she touches it.

She then remembers that she is unable to learn anything else aside from the butterfly movement and subsequent abilities that her race is able to produce. 

Iris grabs the hand.

Thump!

Iris feels a heavy pressure enter her body, causing her to fall on her knees. The pressure increased; she tried to release the hand, but her hand was grabbing it with full strength.

She slowly feels her consciousness dwindle, her vision being covered by a thick, deep black smoke.

…

Iris I truly don't know what you intended to do. It was dumb, but it somehow worked.

"Did I cause something wrong?" Iris whispers, feeling her body weightless, her consciousness cleared.

Not really; you managed not to be corrupted by the hand. You got lucky with the laws of equal exchange. That was smart thinking. 

"He-he-he. I knew it would work—but why am I here? Why did I pass out?" 

Since I am not an all-knowing being, I couldn't know what was going to happen until you began to lose consciousness. But in your exterior, something very interesting happened. 

"But why do you know so much, and yet your knowledge is limited? Also, did my clothes become like one of them?"

It will be dumb for me to hide it, but I am Apatura's butterfly. I am in your body to guide you until Apatura returns; then I will leave your mind.

"When will Apatura return?!" Iris exclaimed with joy.

I truly don't know, but I can feel that her energy is getting stronger. All of my knowledge comes from Apatura. If she knows something, I also know it. Also, your clothes did become like theirs. I am very surprised that an anomaly will happen.

Surprised Iris asks, "An anomaly?"

Yes, normally you wouldn't be able to be anything else except what the laws of equal exchange dictate, but it appears that you can use their looks.

"So, does that mean that I can use a portion of their abilities?"

Unfortunately no, I have searched your body, and I sense nothing different. Also, if you were possible, then you would instantly die.

Iris nervously nodded.

Iris, now that you know partially of the truth, have faith that it will work out. Free your thoughts and watch them fly.

…

Iris wakes up seeing the beautiful night sky. The stars and moon are shining. She also looks with her peripheral light purple smoke. She stands up and begins inspecting her body only to see it covered with a dark purple cloth. 

Phwwwwwht

Iris sees a white fog appearing; the smell of marshmallow in the air pleases Iris.

Another being appears, its clothing a metallic grey color. 

"Lady, why are you here? You know that it is too dangerous for you to be here without anyone looking for your well-being," said a soft yet commanding voice of a woman.

"..."

The being looked strangely at Iris, trying to recollect her memories of someone that looked like Iris. 

"I am sorry, but what is your name? I am growing old, and I can't remember the names of the young generation."

"M-my name is Ivy. I don't remember anything. All I remember is that I just woke up." Iris raises her voice by a pitch to create a more youthful sound.

The creature looked at Iris strangely. She had never heard that name before, but she has heard stories about people randomly appearing without any memories, and they are normally victims of abuse.

"Don't worry, Ivy. You will soon remember." She walks closely to Iris, "We are the Aetherloom. We have beautiful long clothing, and each of our species has a unique color." The woman said in a calm voice.

Extending her hands, "This is our unique ability. We create a fog, and the color represents us. Also, we each have a unique smell… How rude of me; my name is Lan."

Iris looks around, trying to reason about her situation. Every time she has encountered an Atherloom, they have been hostile and cartoonishly evil, but meeting Lan is making her question herself. She knows they are evil, but Lan is welcoming her with open arms and treating her as if something bad has happened to her. 

Lan sensing Iris's hostility, in a soft voice, she says,. "My child, I know you are confused, but don't worry. The trauma that you unfortunately went through will leave you. Don't be afraid of us, and we will make the people who did this to you pay. So don't be hostile, and let's return home." 

Iris' heart ached; she hated them for everything that they did for Apatura and her, causing them to be in this situation where Iris is all alone and Apatura is in her cocoon. She can't find it in herself to forgive them for all of the damages they have caused.