Aether blinked a few times, not expecting to receive affection from the…. so-called Mother.
“There is no need to be surprised, The Lost One….. I am a little grateful that you saved my child,” The mechanical voice echoed, its tone carrying a hint of warmth despite its robotic voice.
“Ah! I see… Maelona,” Aether nodded in understanding. She was the last of her tribe which was created by Mother.
“Yes, you saved my child,” the mechanical voice continued, then murmured, “Even though you are the cause to begin with…”
Aether’s lips twitched, “What do you mean by that?” he asked.
“Anyhow, since you won the trial, you can ask me any one question you want,” the mechanical voice said.
Soon, Aether’s sternum shone, and a beautiful, glassy white spider lily appeared, floating before him with an ethereal glow.
‘Fuck, it’s beautiful!’ Aether thought, staring at the flower, a deep longing stirring within him. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the delicate petals, feeling a connection to its mysterious allure.
The flower then gently floated towards the centre of the circular pillar where a bright light was emanating, casting intricate shadows on the walls.
“What are you going to do with that?” Aether asked with a curious expression. He wondered about the flower’s purpose, its significance… for the trial.
“Is that your question?” the mechanical voice inquired.
“Tsk,” Aether clicked his tongue with an annoyed expression. ‘What should I ask?’ he wondered.
He never expected he would win the trial, much less have the opportunity to ask a question of such importance.
Aether closed his eyes and pondered…
To be honest, he had a lot of questions….. He wanted to know who Mother really was, the true identity of Arcane, and the mysteries surrounding his Log.
Why was he forced to seduce and save others instead of gaining power himself?
How would he survive after seducing others?
Did he have a place in Hell? Did Hell even exist in the first place?
He had so many questions, each one a tangled thread in the tapestry of his mind, pulling him in different directions.
However, there was one basic thing he wanted to know, a very core question he needed to understand….
“Who am I?” Aether asked with a serious face, his voice slightly trembling.
“Hmm… That’s quite an unexpected question,” the mechanical voice responded, a note of surprise evident.
“Unexpected?”
“Well, I thought you would ask how to save Maelona for your beloved’s sake or something,” the mechanical voice explained.
Aether gently smiled, a bittersweet expression crossing his face, “Yes, I would love to ask that, but I know you are bound by the law just like Arcane. So there is no point in wasting the question. I will do whatever is necessary to keep Aria’s smile and Maelona’s life.”
“Hmm…” the mechanical voice hummed, contemplating his words.
Seeing the prolonged silence, Aether’s expression hardened, his mind racing. ‘It seems what I thought might be correct?’ he pondered, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling within him.
What did he think?
Of course, just like anybody who reads novels, Aether thought with a little excitement, or maybe over-excitement, that he was some kind of reincarnator. He imagined a grand past life where he was a powerful entity, one who governed over nature’s order. He envisioned power-hungry (Mother and Arcane) who betrayed and killed him.
But he, being stronger, used some ancient reincarnation method, vowing to return and reclaim what was his. The Log, he believed, was a remnant of his past powers, guiding him back to his true self.
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‘Then why is Arcane helping?’ he wondered. Though there were some plot holes in his theory, he believed the story should be like that, right?
However,
“You have quite an imagination,” the mechanical voice said with amusement, breaking his reverie and bringing him back to the present.
“Is that not it?…. Wait, how did you know I was thinking—” Aether had a shocked expression.
“The Lost one, you are in my sanctuary,” the mechanical voice said with pride, cutting him off.
Aether understood she was reading his mind. ‘Fuck! I cannot think anymore…’ he thought, his frustration mounting. Hesitantly, he asked, “So, it’s not?”
“Of course, it’s not!” the mechanical voice declared.
“Tsk,” Aether clicked his tongue, his disappointment palpable, “Then tell me, who am I?”.
“Well, then… you are Aether, the one and only Aether… before or after, Simultaneously!”
“… I see…” Aether smiled quietly, a fleeting warmth filling his heart as he remembered Selene’s words. She really told the truth…. But then he frowned, puzzled. “Simultaneously?” he repeated, trying to grasp the full meaning, “H-How is that possible? If I am the Aether here, then why couldn’t I—” Before Aether could finish, the mechanical voice interrupted him abruptly.
“Why don’t you just die?” the mechanical voice said, the words cold and final.
“H-huh?” Aether stammered, his mind reeling from the sudden and jarring shift in tone.
“You… You are destined to die… no, you should already be dead by now. The dead should not walk, and yet…” The mechanical voice turned irritated, an edge of anger seeping through,
“Let me warn you, your fate has already been altered. I have seen your pain, Aether. Believe me, what you have gone through is not over… and what you are about to go through is going to be worse. As a Mother, the creator of every child, I want my children to be happy.
I will give you eternal sleep. Come to Mother’s embrace, child… come, I will embrace you with warmth and gentleness.” Suddenly, the mechanical voice softened, transforming into a soothing, feminine one.
“What are… y…” Aether’s body suddenly went lifeless, moving on its own as he neared the pillars.
“Yes, come to me, child.
You don’t need to force yourself to seduce others.
You don’t need to care for other women.
You don’t need to worry about their deaths; it’s not in your hands.
If they die, then it’s their problem… no one can avoid death.
A death should be dead!!”
Step, step…
Aether, with lifeless eyes, was about to step on the bright light inside the middle of the circular pillars when,
Trrrrr…
The cave trembled violently.
!~Ding~!
Aether’s eyes turned pure black before returning to normal. He blinked a few times, disoriented, looking down.
“WHAT THE!!” he shouted, horrified, when he saw a creepy, brownish-black hand trying to touch his hovering leg.
He immediately jumped back, heart pounding.
“Tsk,” the mechanical voice clicked its tongue in annoyance.
Aether’s face was drenched with sweat. It wasn’t just the sight of the creepy hand that terrified him; rather….. he felt that if he touched it, he would cease to exist… a primal fear gripped him, emanating from the very core of his soul!
“YOU BITCH!!” Aether shouted, his anger boiling over. He had wanted to speak respectfully and find some common ground, but now, “This fucking bitch! You almost killed me!”
The mechanical voice simply replied, “You are already dead. You are just a H#########. Come to me, or you will suffer.”
Aether gritted his teeth. “Suffer? You bitch! You don’t know how much I’ve suffered!!” His voice echoed throughout the cavern, filled with pain, anger, and defiance.
“That’s why I am telling you to come.”
Veins bulged on his forehead, “To die?”
“Incorrect! You are already dead.”
Aether shook his head vigorously. “Nothing you say makes any sense at all. Why do you care whether I die or not?”
“It is my duty to balance everything. That’s my purpose and also…. Arcane’s.”
“Tsk, I don’t care. It’s my life. I will decide when to die or live. If you dare to pull this stunt again…”
“What can a weak being like you do?” the mechanical voice mocked, a sneer evident even without a face.
‘Weak… ah?’ Aether suddenly smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes, “They call you Mother, right? Of course, you must be a woman; otherwise, why would they call you that… Unless you are into gender bender…” Aether slyly smiled, leaning into his provocation. “Hehe… ‘Duty,’ you say? Then it’s my duty to teach a bitch like you a lesson.”
“You have been disrespecting me,” the mechanical voice said, but there was a noticeable hint of irritation now.
Aether laughed bitterly, “Disrespecting? You’re worried about that?”
Aether had an amused expression on his face, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. He then leaned in closer with a wicked grin, “You know, if I ever see you, I’ll show you who your ‘Daddy’ is.
I’ll smack your ass until you can’t sit on anything other than my dick. Bitch!!
I’ll make sure you beg me to fuck you….. You’re going to moan under me, you little bitch!!!”
!~Ding~!