Lyden must deal with Lisa's passing, if he's going to be able to face the challenges before him. A promise to fulfill, friends to keep safe, and a fated meeting with the Pillar of Earth await Lyden in this chapter.
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Chapter 28
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The Earth Mother
A slight buzzing sound becomes insistent, growing steadily into alternating noises, which in turn become voices speaking insensibly. After a bit, the voices become understandable.
". . . been asleep for over a day."
"The Pillar of Earth is expecting us."
"I tried to see if he'd let me into his mind while sleeping, but instead I just had nightmares about that mountain stronghold."
"He needs to recover from saving us. It took a lot out of him. I don't know how he's going to handle Lisa's. . . ."
I'm not ready to hear the rest of that yet, and force myself deeper into my own consciousness.
"You need to face it sooner or later," an unknown, but slightly familiar, voice informs directly in my mind.
"What the—" I sit up, looking around. It takes me a bit to recognize the inside of the Orange Bubble due to a couple changes. A burbling fountain is new, and there is now a large metal cage in one corner, Emmet huddled up in the bottom, hugging his knees, his foot heavily bandaged.
"You're awake," Brooke says carefully, leaning over me in the large bed, and placing the back of her hand against my forehead. "How do you feel?"
A piece of something I'd heard floats through my mind, and I answer, "Like I've been asleep for over a day." Gently I brush the assassin's hand away, and begin rubbing my temples. My whole body aches, and my head throbs, but I force myself to deal with it. I have more important things to do right now.
"Lyden. . . ." Brooke's voice trails off hesitantly, and she refuses to look at me as I crawl out of bed. Someone had at least seen fit to put me in a pair of boxers.
"I know," I tell her. "Lisa's gone." Walking over to the wardrobe, I'm glad I decided to restock it with some normal clothes, as I get dressed. "Areth, when does Gaia expect me?"
"She told me to come when you were ready," the pixie states, poking her head out of the pool at the bottom of the fountain. Even she seems to be walking on eggshells around me. Is she worried that I'll be angry about her changing my car even further after I'd told her not to? Angela abandoned me again. As long as the only changes are necessary, then I can't find it in myself right now to object. Part of me wonders what the succubus felt when the fountain was created inside a portion of her soul.
"Look everyone—" I start, but Brooke cuts me off.
"Lyden, you need to grieve. Acting like this isn't healthy." Brooke's hand grips my shoulder and she tries to pull me into a hug.
Pulling away, I hold her at arm's length.
She's right son. You need to take some time—
"I'll grieve when I have time," I tell her firmly, and mentally cut off the voice of my father. "Lisa asked me to be strong. I know I've been a bit down and hard to live with, but thanks to Lisa, I realize how selfish I was being."
"Lyden, no—" Jennifer states, stepping forward.
"Stop, all of you, just stop," I state, raising my voice, trying to stamp down the emotions that are threatening to overwhelm me. "Inside I'm torn up and empty at losing Lisa. I loved her, just as I love all of you. I'll deal with that loss when I have the time. Right now, Aldol is trying to destroy both worlds, and I need to meet with Gaia in order to get her help in stopping it. What is it, Areth?" The whole time I'd been speaking, she'd been trying to interrupt.
"Gaia wants all of us to go, not just you," the golden fairy informs me, taking to the air and dripping water below her.
I glance at those around me, noting that everyone who'd been a part of the ordeal with the Paladonic Knights is here. Jewkes and Jennifer are standing next to the cage with Emmet, guarding him. Brooke is slowly moving her hand through the water in the fountain.
"But the laws against humans going to your world," Becky states, talking for the first time since I woke up. Her eyes are bloodshot, and it's obvious she's been crying a lot. Walking over to the short brunette, I pull her into my arms. Her arms pull me tighter to her, as she presses her face against my chest. Brooke frowns at me, and I realize I'd turned away her hug. I know I'm going to pay for that later. As Becky cries silently, I look to the fairy, waiting for an answer to Becky's question.
"Gaia said she wants all of us," she says, surprisingly landing on Becky's shoulder, getting it wet and patting her head consolingly. What's gotten into the fairy while I was asleep? When did she begin caring? "The Earth Mother even wants these giant humans for some reason."
Becky actually laughs slightly at the fairy's remark, and pulls away from my arms. For a moment the emptiness had been a little less empty while she'd held me, but as she steps away, my emotions threaten to overwhelm me again. I stamp them down, locking them away for later.
Son—
"What are we going to do about him?" I ask, looking to Emmet and ignoring Shemhazau.
"You might as well kill me and get it over with," the man states, lifting his balding head and glaring at me.
"I'm not going to kill you," I tell him firmly. "You helped me escape and we're not sadistic monsters, no matter what your order might think."
"But you're a monster from the other world. You killed the Grand Meister, and were going to kill my brethren," he protests weakly.
"They were trying to kill me," I remind him. "When given another option, I spared them. I might be able to turn into a monster, but that doesn't make one."
Emmet turns away from me, ignoring my statement.
"He's been like that ever since you released him," Jewkes says. "We can't leave him behind while we're gone, and we can't let him go. He's too dangerous."
"Have you been able to go home?" I ask him, and then turn to look at everyone. "Have any of you?"