The match between Robert and Nedra drew a fair bit of attention, but the way Nedra had mopped the floor with him had drawn even much more attention. Even then, most of the attention was not on the fight itself, but Nedra’s mature form.
“Is she a little girl, or a big momma?”
Those were the words going through everyone’s minds. Who exactly were these people? The dark skin handsome, and the petite beauty. No one knew where they had come from, but when they retraced what had happened that day, they soon realized that he two did not come alone. Most people looked at the small group that was beside Leon and Nedra.
“Come with us, Elena. You’re too vulnerable a target when you’re alone.” Leon proposed, and the red haired girl nodded. The group then went back into the inn to handle their accommodation.
.
.
A week earlier…
Ring… Ring…
The sounds of a bell ringing slowly and rhythmically sounded through the large room. Several candles were placed all around the room to light it up, giving the place a calm, but heavy mood.
A lean form was seated in the middle of the room with a ring of candles around him. Wavy, white hair rolled down the shoulders of this figure, and long, wrinkled fingers stretched out from the person’s pale hands.
Rustle…
A gust of chilly wind blew by, rustling the page of the grimoire that was placed before the white haired person. The person’s hands stilled just as they were about to ring the bell again, but it only lasted a moment, and the bell rang once more.
“It has been a long time since I was visited by your kind. What may I help you with, Lady Asteria?” An old, wise, and ancient voice croaked.
“Ah, Baba Yaga, you are as sharp as always.” A sonorous voice chuckled, and Asteria’s form materialized outside the magic circle that the candles around Baba Yaga formed. “I need your assistance in sending someone to Skyland.”
“Oho? Is that so, now? Who’s love life do you want to meddle in this time?” A chuckle came from Baba Yaga as he gently put down the bell in his grasp.
“Someone you are quite familiar with.” Asteria replied teasingly.
“Elena.”
A tense silence enveloped the pair for a few moments before Bab Yaga’s voice croaked again. “What made you take notice of her?” He asked.
“Well, she ran into someone I already had my eyes on, and there were some… sparks. Now, I need to make sure they stick together, but I can not do that if I do not have your help.” Asteria explained, her ton turning serious and not flirtatious for once.
“I see… Tell me about the one that you wish to pair Elena with. I am quite fond of the girl, and can not let her get thrown into the arms of some brute.” Baba Yaga said.
“Hmm…” Asteria thought for a moment before stretching out her hand and showing an image of Leon. The image showed two people, but both of them were Leon. There was Leon from Earth, as a human, and Leon presently, who was an Obsidian Skeleton.
“…” Baba Yaga stared deeply at Asteria. “…You want to pair Elena with an undead?” His lips twitched uncontrollably.
“Ahem, it’s not as bad as you think. Leon, here, is already an Undead Noble, which means he can gain a human form or whatever form he pleases soon enough. Plus, he was human a while back, so he does not lack emotions.” Asteria raised her index finger, as if to make a point.
“Even still, how can I agree with such? Even if I do agree, who can say if Elena would?” Baba Yaga shook his head.
“I don’t expect them to hit it off at once, but trust me, they will. I can feel it. After all, this is my field of specialty.” The red haired Goddess reassured.
“Fine, then. But you will have to pay me in full before anything else, and I expect you to pay dividends in form of Faith for the next twenty years.” Baba Yaga held out a hand and and made a gesture.
Asteria’s face turned ugly when she heard Baba Yaga’s demands. While she had expected he would ask her to pay in full first, handing over the power she gained from her faithful followers for the next twenty years was far too much!
“Do you think it is that easy to rob me, Baba Yaga? We both know that it is impossible for me to hand over that much to you for this small matter.” She snorted in a very un lady like manner.
“Hahaha!” Baba Yaga laughed deeply, “Oh, but it is a fair trade, Asteria. You plan to take away one of my followers and make her fall in love, is it not fair to receive something equally valuable in return?” He raised a white brow.
Asteria’s frown grew deeper as she continued to haggle back and forth with Baba Yaga. The two powerful beings argued for over four hours more before finally coming to an agreement that both of them were satisfied with.
Asteria sighed deeply as she left Baba Yaga’s mountain cabin. Her eyes were fiery and she already thought of all the ways she could make Michael pay her back for her loss today. Indeed, Baba Yaga was a shrewd old man. He had wrung out a very favorable deal for himself. Asteria had to part with fifty percent of the divine power that she would gain from her followers over the next two years. Not only that, but she also gave him a hefty sum in the form of the offerings given to her in her many temples all over the world.
“That sniveling old man. He’s lucky he is so powerful, or else, I might have just beaten him up.” Asteria cursed once more before sighing and shaking her head helplessly.