My eyes fluttered open. I was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. I slowly rose from the bed, my bones creaking. From my condition, it had obviously been quite a while since I'd last been awake. I looked around my surroundings; it was the medical wing in the palace. Just as I went to get up, I noticed a layer of pink hair covering the sheets of my bed.
Liliana's head suddenly snapped up from the sea of pink, immediately jumping on me. Her eyes were wet, pounding her fist into my chest, and I heard muffled grumbles coming from my chest until she repositioned herself.
"Evernight! I'm glad you're okay. You've been asleep for two weeks! Wa! You scared me, don't ever do it again or I'll hurt you!!!!" shouted Liliana.
I gently patted her head, attempting to calm her mind, but more to stop her relentless attack on my aching body.
"Thank you, Liliana. It was you who stopped me, wasn't it?"
The past events appeared in my mind, clear as day. Liliana had appeared and calmed my mind. If I had continued in that state, I'd have risked death by exhaustion. The bliss clouded my mind. I now understand that without Liliana's aid, I would have never been able to come back.
Liliana's face popped up from my chest, her crimson eyes peering at me curiously, her face tilting slightly, and her mouth hanging agape.
"What do you mean? I wasn't down there from what I saw. You just collapsed after that pillar of light disappeared. You must still be confused, but I'm glad you were thinking of me before you collapsed."
"Huh?"
I swear I saw Liliana's pink hair blowing in the wind as her palm touched my temple, sending my feelings into a deep slumber. I looked at her, obviously baffled by her words, and she just giggled at me, finding my expression to be funny.
"It wasn't me. I don't have wings; it'd take me an eternity to reach you down there. Hehe, you're so funny, Evernight. Stop worrying about the past," exclaimed Liliana.
"Yeah, I'll try to stop…"
My speculation was interrupted by a sudden crash as someone burst into the room, their legs being the first thing that caught my eye. Liliana jolted upwards, turning around, and she pushed up against my body. Her hands were shivering as they met mine.
The intruder soon entered my room; it was someone semi-familiar. He had been the one who stopped Helios from reaping Lilia's soul. I didn't know exactly who he was, but he'd have to be strong to withstand Seraphina's pressure.
The man hurried towards me, drawing his sword and pointing the tip at my neck.
He had long gray hair with a few braids running in between; his eyes bore the same colour, devoid of any colour or meaning, like the man standing before me was a mere musk being carried along by the tide. His cheeks were gaunt, and his swordarm was hollow and frail.
But despite his appearance, I could still sense a dangerous, uncontrolled aura pouring out of him in waves.
"Stop! Leave Evernight alone, he just woke up!" shouted Liliana, trying to push him away, but to no avail.
He didn't even share her a glance, his dead eyes focused squarely on me.
"You nearly killed that First String girl. Could you offer me the same pleasure? Oh, how I'd love to be slain by the shining embrace of light. Please! Fight and kill me!"
His voice slowly got higher with each word, his cheeks flushing scarlet at the thought of death.
This man was deeply disturbed, which was a fact any angel could testify to.
"Um, who are you?" I asked, pushing the tip of his blade away from my throat. He didn't protest, swiftly putting the sword away.
"I am Divine String, Julius Croft, or in other words, your new superior. Divine String, Evernight."
"Divine String, but I'm just a Third String."
"Not anymore! You have been promoted for your valor in battle against the Primordial Terror and for beating back the Horsemen of Pestilence. Making you more than qualified to take my life!"
"I'm sorry, Evernight, he's a bit of a weirdo. No wonder no one likes him," said Liliana.
Julius' face twitched with annoyance and shock, taking a step back, looking totally stunned.
"How… How dare you? You should have more manners for a woman. No, that's wrong, a little child would be more accurate."
Julius stuck his tongue out at Liliana, who didn't appreciate his words, mouthing off multiple excuses about maturity, beauty, and respect. I hadn't seen such a reaction from her before; I could already tell this would repeat itself for as long as these two lived.
Liliana kicked and punched at Julius, sticking to his leg like some parasite. He merely grasped the top of her head and flung her backwards onto a small couch. Her small body was spinning mid-flight.
"Hey!"
Liliana quickly raced back to me, depositing herself on my bed and shielding me with her arms.
"But I didn't beat back anyone, the Horsemen left on her own volition, I couldn't have stopped her overwhelming malice."
"Don't look so sad. That is what happened, and that's that. If you get any sadder, you won't be able to kill me! Yes, yes, yes, kill me!"
"Evernight, what this weirdo fails to say is that it doesn't matter if you couldn't beat the Horsemen. In the eyes of the public, you, a wingless, pushed a Horseman of the Apocalypse back into Faravos. Whether it's true or not isn't a concern."
"I suppose so."
"You see, right? Even though you're wingless, people are starting to adore and fear you. It was apparently the Custodian's idea to give you the credit. Primordial Terrors aren't common knowledge, so that wouldn't work. They needed a threat that everyone knows of, and who better but the Horsemen of the Apocalypse."
"Wait a minute! You called me a weirdo again, didn't you!? You insolent little brat, I'll beat you for that!" roared Julius, flinging Liliana's small body into the couch again.
Liliana's logic was understandable, while I was weak at the moment; no one knew exactly what happened when I met with Pestilence, apart from me. My fear at that moment isn't for anyone's ears but mine.
I didn't need to worry about past events, just as Liliana said. I was different now, I'd successfully adapted to Seraphina's soul awakening on my own. Now I need to focus on her advice, integrate mine and hers soul into one, then I can work on refining my own weapon.
Seraphina was still imprisoned by Eldros. If I wanted to free her, then I'd just have to shatter my own expectations and rise to true divinity. Anything else just won't cut it in this game of deities.
"So, Evernight, when can we schedule my death?" asked Julius.