Chapter 123: Breath Held

Chapter 123: Breath Held

Chapter 123

Breath Held

She appeared like a ghost, with no signs or foretelling noises. Appeared like a phantom and stood silent amidst the ghastly corpses. Sylas forced a grin, realizing once and for all just how far away from her he was. She didnt actively embody energy, yet his own seemed to wither and die whenever he thought of using it to attack her. There seemed to be a wall that transcended the nature of energy surrounding her, sky-tall, impregnable.

Her eyes were like the piercing spears that saw right through him, though paused on Agnes behind, eyebrows arching and lips pursing into a smile.

Oh my, she said softly. Had I know we were being graced by the Gods own, I would have rolled out the drummers and welcomed thee. Then again, she added. Your blade seems quite restless, Prophet.

... Agnes, though, didnt speak, her fingers tightly clutching Sylas shirt, shaking.

"My little princess is quite shy, I'm afraid," Sylas said with a peal of boisterous laughter. "So, though beneath you it may be, you'll have to talk to me, I'm afraid."

Youve killed one of my favorite creations, she said, bending over and picking up a few pieces of armor. Ive woven a lot of love in these threads. Was one of my first, you know? The Stitch.

"Ah, I remember my first," Sylas said. "Ria Bekowski. Was the tallest girl in my class, almost fuckin' five-five at fifteen. Insane. Played ball. Both on and off the court, aye. God, she just jumped me after school one day and had her way with me. Told me she'd rip my cock in half if I told anyone. And you know what? I trusted her. Shit, this is the first time I've told anyone that story! Haah, feels good to get it off my chest."

Ive never seen your Way before, she said. You two pique my interest. Come.

... huh? it was Sylas time to stutter with words. Youre... not going to kill us?

What for? she asked with a faint smile. Its still on the table, but Im far too curious to simply let you walk.

Fair enough, Sylas shrugged and grabbed Agnes hand. Lead the way.

How did you find us? she asked as the two joined her, walking side by side through the misty, fogged streets of the city.

Business led us north, Sylas replied. And we eventually reached the membrane.New novel chapters are published on

Was that business perhaps her visions? she glanced at Agnes.

"No," Sylas shook his head. "Her visions are mostly of me naked--ugh," he groaned in pain as he felt an elbow dent his ribs. "I mean, of us fully clothed with a respective distance between us. Yeah."

Ha ha ha, the woman woven in the melody of shadows laughed keenly for a moment. You two are quite entertaining, arent you?

We try. What about-- Sylas paused as he suddenly realized... they were no longer in the fog. In fact, they werent even in the streets. They werent outside, that is. They were in a spherical room, its floor interconnected, obsidian-dyed stone boards that were akin to bridges, forming squares with holes between each that led to darkness down below. Assortment of furniture decorated the room and it was strangely well lit, what with several, silver chandeliers hanging from the far-high ceiling above.

It signifies a birth of our new Emperor, she explained. In many ways, it is no different than humans coronation ceremonies. We call it Attha-bun, Eve of the Emperor, and it has nothing to do with the living. I can hardly blame you, however, she added, leaning back. You live in a desolate corner, fighting a misted nightmare of a hand that youve been dealt, trying to swim through a swamp of lies and mountains of deceit. I cannot give you answers, Im afraid--in part because I have no reason to, and in part because I myself am ignoble of many.

For instance, during the last grand war of humans in your corner of the world, many of my kin have indeed been bought. By whom, why, and where they ended up... I havent a clue myself. You have seen it yourself, little human. We are not invincible. We arent gray shadows creeping up toward the human lands, monsters wanting to swallow you. If you wish to point fingers at anyone, point them at the gods you worship.

... you dont? Sylas quizzed.

Just a God," she smiled yet again. "But in their perennial pursuit of entertainment, we are merely tools of ambition. You, me, yours, and my Emperors. Even their own child, that little Prophet by your side. A long, long, long ago, before the realms were cleaved and separate, she would have been much, much more. Ask yourself this--in a world of sublime magic, why is there so little diversity for your kind? Why is all magic... almost exactly the same? Wars are mirrored--like how a poet's description of a destructive force mirrors his own life."

Youre quick to hand out pointless hints, Sylas sighed and took a sip of wine. Im tired of those. Ive plenty of hints. Yet, how come I still know fuck all about this world? Tell me at least whats the Imporiums Cairn.

"Oh? Where'd you hear that one? Curious. Quite curious."

So, you know what it is?

It is a--well, it used to be a Wayward of Worship, she replied. A delicately-woven bridge connecting your world to Gods.

...

...

I aint gonna get anything more, am I?

Mull over it, she said.

Haaah, theres a higher chance it seems of a porcupine fucking my ass than there is of anyone giving me a straight answer. Fine, Ill mull over it. Thank you. Right, can you sell me--or, well, loan for now cause Im fucking broke--a few bottles of these?

"Have at it," she chuckled, summoning a whole basket of them. "You intrigue me, little human. Just as how your kind uses mine as mercenaries, I'd like to use you as well. I'd pay you handsomely."

What do you need me to do? he asked.

... there is a group of humans that are capable of entering my realm without detection, she said. They sneak in and kidnap some of our... important ones. If you could be so kind to locate them for me, Id be more than happy to hand you enough wine to buy yourself an Empire.

Ill see what I can do, he said. How do I find you? Do I just come back?

Do knock next time, she laughed as she waved her arm, summoning a sea of mist to swallow the two of them. Good luck, little human.

Sylas desperately forced his eyes open and saw the trees rise around him--shed somehow sent them out completely, back into the forest, just near the membrane. He sighed and looked at his feet where he saw a basket of bottles sitting there.

Shes dangerous, he mumbled into his jaw and looked up to the sky. Wayward of Worship, huh? Champion of Gods... destroying the Cairn... but why would they destroy it? Are those shadowy thingies in the anti-gods faction or something? Fuck... Im getting a headache again...