Standing at the bottom of the staircase with arms crossed, is Kerse. She glances up as they come down to greet her. Zye is surprised to see her there already.
“That was quick.”
“You called. I can’t ignore an Infernal’s request.”
Zye elbows back at Jace with a grin. “Here that? Goes for you, too.” The smile Jace gives him in return has Zye satisfied and giving Kerse his attention once more. “So, mind running an errand with me?”
Both Kerse and Jace look at him as they stand in a circle and reply at the same time. “Errand?”
He shrugs at Jace. “You have things to do, right?”
“I do. I’ll be with Orion if you need me.”
“Which is why I’ll take care of mine and we can get together afterward. Besides, you two are the smart ones. When you need me, just yell.”
Jace gives a nod and moves away from them. As he does, Zye levels Kerse with a smirk. “Ready to go?”
“Where and do I have to?”
“Talk and walk, you’ll know when we get there.”
“I don’t like that.”
“Go back to what you were doing. I don’t need company. Figured you could explore with me.”
Zye starts walking for the corridor with Kerse hurrying after him. She keeps her strides slow to match his. A few Stars and Dark Stars pass by them before Zye speaks up.
“What all did you do? Any tips for this weird ass job?”
“Job…huh. Take care of yourself.”
“Seriously? That’s it?”
“Yes. We all pushed ourselves too hard for whatever reason. Charm, Hax, and Orion… And train more. You’re still weak.”
Zye shakes his head but says nothing in return. He understands the concern. Considering three of the original souls are gone, Kerse must be thinking about pacing herself better. As he should, too. He doesn’t want to squander what he’s been given.
Nearing the end of the hallway, Kerse clears her throat. “Are you going to resume the usual activities?”
“Only if you tell me what they are. Remember, I have no idea what the hell was normal here.”
“That could be a good thing. The new recruits have been learning from each other and whatever old souls have dared to stick around. A lot of them went into hiding since being here longer meant they were expected to choose a side.”
“And will they come out now?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
“So, the old guard takes care of this. I don’t think I’m a good teacher. Why don’t you keep doing it? Might as well since you skipped out on it for a while there.”
The cheeky grin has Kerse huffing. She lightly punches his arm. Zye winces and rubs where her knuckles made contact. Even so, she mutters a “Fine,” in response.
Right on time in fact.
They reach the end of the hall and step to the side. Stars of both kinds trickle past them with plenty more going up and down the stairs. Zye waits a moment before slipping around the other side, heading to one person’s room in particular.
“Hey, Kerse? What about the worlds that need to be reset, can you tell me about those?”
“Only Infernals and Celestials can handle the amount of raw energy that gathers in a world nearing its end. It steadily makes the little ones tired and sick. Keepers are a mild exception.”
Zye glances over at her, “Little ones?”
Her pale complexion can’t hide the stark red that colors her cheeks. “Ch-Charm called them that. Now shut up and tell me where we’re going.”
“I have friends I want to check up on and you should meet them.”
“Why?”
“If you’re going to be sticking around, you should. Maybe they can help you out.”
“I don’t need help. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”
Zye stops before a door and rubs at the bridge between his eyes. There’s a headache on his horizon, he just knows it. “Okay, how about you do this with me and I’ll treat you one day when we’re both free.”
“Treat…me?”
“Yeah. Have you ever been down to one of the worlds for anything that isn’t work?”
“Of course. Haru showed me around plenty.”
“Then something like that.”
Reaching out for the door, he doesn’t get a chance when it swings open. Standing in the doorway is Callua with her head turned slightly as she talks over her shoulder.
“Sure! I’ll be back later. Thanks ah— Zye?”
“Hey.”
She raises a brow and settles her hands on her hips. “You two should have been gone longer. Did something happen? I swear if there’s trouble in paradise I—”
“N-no it’s fine, swear. There’s a group of crazy people we had to check on. Can’t lay in bed all week and pretend things are fine.”
Callua huffs and lifts a hand toward him. She pokes hard at his chest. “The rest of the day would have been fine. I— we need you well rested in the head, too.”
“I’m fine. Swear, it was great. The wine and extra robe are in Jace’s room.”
Her eyes light up. Zye quickly steps to the side and lets her slip past them. “I’ll catch you both later then! Try to have fun Kerse!”
Kerse huffs. Zye sighs. They both glance at each other and Zye has to stifle a laugh. He does so by poking his head in the door Callua left open. “Hey, Aster? You in?”
“Come on in, you’re already there.”
Zye gestures for Kerse to enter first. Once she has, he steps in and shuts the door behind them. Standing in front of the couch is Aster and not quite as dolled up as usual. His hair, of course, is on point as always.
He dons a simple, baby-blue tank top and gray slacks. As always, he has a pair of gloves on. Today they’re off-white and are cut short around his wrist. Aster places his hands in his pockets and turns.
“Hey Zye, what do you…what’s she doing here?”
“Aster this is Kerse. Kerse, this is Aster.”
“You idiot. I know who she is.”
“Oh. That makes this easier then.”
“And you brought her here why?”
Butting in, Kerse crosses her arms once more. “I can wait outside until you’re done.”
“Nope, you’re not leaving my sight. You said you’d come with me, remember?”
“I’m not a child.”
“Then prove me wrong. Both of you.”
“Dick.”
Zye stares at her. A stare that slowly melts into a glare. He wants to respond but instead bites back the urge to be crude. The amused smile on Aster’s face is worth it nonetheless.
“I brought her to meet everyone and ask about clothes. Specifically, if I asked for your opinion on a jacket that’s not plain black and long, you’d say?”
“You don’t want to talk to Yue do you?”
“Pff, she’s great. She just wants to design my wedding and I’d rather dodge that right now.”
At that, Aster laughs. He plops down on the couch and kicks his heels up onto the coffee table. “Now that I believe. Sure, I’ll do it if you can tell me why.”
“Because I have the creativity of a peanut and I have a creeping suspicion that you helped Orion with his…what he’s got going on.”
Kerse smirks over at Zye. “Pity you have one of the most creative powers then.”
“Can’t you behave for two minutes?”
“Can’t believe you brought me here for clothes. It doesn’t matter what you wear as long as you can fight in it.”
“Says the woman that’s dressed like a sloppy pencil pusher.”
Kerse turns her gaze to Aster and the smug expression on his face. “A what?”
“A peon.”
“You shit—”
Zye takes a step forward, physically putting himself between the two of them. “Yes or no? You wanna help me or not?”
Aster gives a wave of his hand and on the other side of the table materializes his Mark. They’re almost Aster’s height with broad shoulders and a bit round in all their features. It almost resembles an action figure in Zye’s opinion.
It walks up to Zye and lifts its head. There on its face are two vertical ovals for eyes; one sky blue, one dark blue.
“You have permission. Make the type you want and I’ll use it as a base. Can’t promise anything great. You’d do better with Yue even still.”
Zye places his hand on the Mark’s head. “I doubt that. The small ones are always the ones to watch out for.”
From behind him, Kerse chuckles. She turns away while Zye finishes up. He takes his hand away as the coat folds out over the Mark’s outstretched arms. The second Zye is done, it moves over to Aster.
“Are you staying?”
He shakes his head, “Nah. Got a couple of more stops.”
“Then I’ll bring it to you later. It’d help if you could tell me colors or theme.”
“Uh…Nothing super bright, please? Blue, purple, things like that. You see what I’m wearing.”
Kerse scoffs at that. “We’re modeled after things called dragons and you pick blue. That doesn’t inspire the visage of power.”
Zye spins around. “For your information, in my world, they aren’t even real. But even in our fantasies, they could be whatever color they wanted.”
“Relax, that’s enough for me. If I can work with Orion, I can handle this. He had no input whatsoever.”
Kerse is already moving for the door. Zye begins after her while also glancing back at Aster as he goes. “Thanks, really. Let me know what you want—”
“No can do. It’ll be a gift and you’ll take it. That way if you don’t like it, I won’t feel bad.”
Aster sits back up as the Mark steps aside with the jacket. He ushers them to the door and holds it open. As he does, Kerse bumps his shoulder as she walks out. While it’s not intentional, it does have Aster recoiling slightly.
Watching it, Zye waits for Kerse to step outside before lowering his voice to Aster. “You okay?”
“She’s a bit rough around the edges, hm?” He sighs softly. “I don’t care for people touching me. Even something like that…”
“Oh, shit, I’m sorry. I’ll—”
“Don’t. I’m trying to get through it. Besides, you remind me of one of the younger guys that was in my group. Just as hotheaded. Seems you’re cooling down a bit, though.”
“Haah, probably all of the bullshit that just landed on my plate.”
“I’m sure that doesn’t help. I’ll let you know before I head that way. But, can I ask you something?” Zye nods and Aster continues. “Why ask me?”
Zye shrugs and steps over the threshold. He glances around until he can spot Kerse a few feet away. “Your clothes are so colorful. I like it. Shae always got onto me, that I needed flavor and variety! That sounded like you to me.”
Aster grins and for a moment, Zye can see it. The pop idol in him brimming with pride. He steps back, preparing to shut the door.
“Fine. You win. I’ll make it something even I would wear.”
Zye clasps his hands together in a prayer as he backs away. “Just no sparkles, please?”
“Everything is better with sparkles…But alright, I can do that. Now go before she wanders off.”
The door shuts and Zye swiftly spins back around. He hurries over to where Kerse is standing, arms crossed and a frown on her face. When Zye gets close enough she scoffs. “You really like what he wears?”
“On him, it looks good.”
“And compared to him, I’m sloppy?”
“Keke, relax. You can wear what you want. Don’t take his opinion for how you should feel.”
The nickname helps calm her down enough to hear the words he’s saying. Zye glances over at her as he begins to lead her toward the next person they plan to visit. She avoids his eyes and he takes that as a sign to leave her be.
At least until they make it to Ilista’s door.
“Now where are we?”
She’s immediately given her answer when the Mark from inside opens the door. It gives a perfect view of where Xerxes sits on the couch further in. In front of him, on the floor, is Ilista. She sits between his legs with her head tilted forward ever-so-slightly while Xerxes braids her long hair.
While he seems to be dressed in pajamas, a lime green shade, Ilista is in the opposite. They look to be formal pants and a white button-up on her long frame. The shirt has short sleeves that jut out over her shoulders.
She tries not to turn her head while Xerxes finishes. “Hey there. Sure she’s cleared to be up and moving?”
“Yeah, she’s fine. Healed and everything. If anything she’s more of a bodyguard. Oh Kerse, this is Ilista and Xerxes.” He replies while gesturing to them in turn.
“As long as she’s not starting trouble it’s fine with me.”
Kerse huffs at her, “Worried I’ll kick your ass again?”
Ilista grins, impatiently waiting for Xerxes to finish. “You didn’t kick anything. Last I check, our match is unfinished.”
“Then maybe we should fix that.”
“Any time. I’d love to go toe-to-toe with you again. Was an actual challenge.”
Xerxes ties off the end of the braid and pokes her shoulders. As he does, Zye begins to walk over with Kerse eagerly following behind him for a change. While Ilista stands and moves aside, Xerxes scoots over on the couch and pats where he had been.
Zye happily takes the seat beside him. Xerxes keeps his eyes on Zye and not up at the intimidating woman idling at the edge of the couch. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Told you it’d be fine.”
“But…it’s not over either.”
“No, but we’ll handle it. How are you settling in? Still doing alright?”
“Mm…I think so.”
Zye leans back against the cushion. This way Xerxes doesn’t have to look up at him. They’re a bit closer to eye level this way.
“The path is connected so you can come visit any time. Just because you’re not a kid anymore doesn’t mean we can’t play board games.”
“I-I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to bother—”
“Xerxes, please. You’re not. You never have been.”
Ilista laughs and goes around the side of the table she had pushed out. “Good. Because I’ll be bothering you all plenty. I’ve never been to Solis and I’d love to train with you all sometime.”
Kerse shakes her head. She doesn’t understand the allure. “It’s no different than here.”
“Says someone that’s been to both.” Ilista struts over to Kerse and lightly jabs at her shoulder. “Name the place and time, I’m up for a rematch.” Then proceeds to hold out her hand, intending to share a link with Kerse.
“Don’t want to eat dirt right here?”
“Break anything in my room and I’ll kill you.”
“Not if you’re on the ground already.”
The banter continues. Although, Zye does notice that Kerse takes Ilista’s hand nonetheless. While they do, he leans over to Xerxes and lowers his voice.
“Are you sure you’re fine?”
“Maybe…a little overwhelmed still.”
“Then relax. Chill on the training and stuff for a bit.”
“But—”
“Besides, it’ll be a bit before Orion and Jace think we’re ready to go. We can catch up. You never did finish telling me about that one guy in your…shit…I don’t remember the class. The guy that was hitting on you, him.”
Xerxes flushes and dips his head down, eager to keep the conversation between them while Ilista and Kerse continue their exchange. “Maybe next time? We’re about to meet up with Cal.”
Zye flashes him a smile and shoves himself up to his feet. “That’s fine. Let me know when—”
The way Xerxes grabs at his sleeve has him glancing back down. It sends him a million miles away— years in the past when a younger Xerxes had done the same thing. It certainly doesn’t help that the words hit a bit deeper than he expects.
“Can we…visit home together?”
Zye’s smile falters. It falls into a much softer version that reflects in his eyes as much as his mouth. He places a hand atop Xerxes’s head. “Yeah. Let’s plan for it.”
Xerxes flushes as he tries to get Zye to stop patting his head. As he does, the words tumble out in a rush. “And, um, Ilista took me there before the big fight and, um, it was around your birthday so I got you something. If that’s okay.”
Sheathing his hands into his pockets, Zye steps back and around the women who have finally quieted down. They’re watching them instead.
“You dummy, you don’t have to get me anything. Birthdays don’t matter—”
“They do!” Xerxes’s eyes glance about before settling on the ground. He worries his lip between his teeth before hurrying to his room. A new addition that Zye hadn’t noticed— a single added door. “Don’t leave yet.”
Ilista coughs to get Zye’s attention while Xerxes scurries off into his room. “Let him. He spent forever trying to decide.”
“Sure but—”
“Take it. Make him happy. I don’t think you realize how much you mean to him.”
Zye looks away when she says that. He finds a spot on the wall that’s far more interesting and doesn’t bring up emotions. All the while, he mumbles back at her. “Didn’t say I wouldn’t take it.”
A few seconds later Xerxes hurries back out. He’s careful when rounding the table before holding out the gift. Zye looks down at it, something small folded up in his hands.
“S-sorry I didn’t wrap it. I was going to wait, but you’re here, and I…”
They both know where he’s going with that. The fight is on the horizon and there’s no sense waiting. No reason to take a chance when either of them might not come back from it. Zye in particular seeing as he’d be at the front of it all.
Zye gently takes the gift into his own hands and begins to unfold them. They’re nothing glamorous or anything like that. A simple pair of gloves that are a dull blue on the inside and black on the outer.
He’s happy when he looks up from them to have Xerxes meeting his gaze. Considering how long it took for the man to be comfortable with it, he feels so lucky. Lucky to have someone who never stopped caring.
Especially considering they resemble a similar pair he used to have. Ones that he had given to Xerxes upon picking him up at school one winter afternoon. Noticing he had no gloves on and his fingers were freezing, Zye had simply given him his.
“You remembered what kind of gloves I gave to you… Kid, you’re killing me.”
“I know it’s not—”
Despite the onlookers and their own inhibitions, Zye grabs Xerxes. He yanks the shorter man into a tight hug that has Xerxes stiffening at first. The initial surprise wears off and he returns the hug.
While the women behind might see it happening, Zye keeps his voice low just for Xerxes. “Thank you…for everything. You don’t know how much you’ve really done for me.”
As he stands back up, patting Xerxes’s shoulder, he flashes a smirk instead. “Now I’ll have to see what I can get you to make up for missing all those years.”
“Maybe…hang out? Like old times? I could come to Solis for a bit.”
Zye chuckles and turns, stepping away to make his way around Ilista. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll let you know the second Jace says I can go out to play.”
Ilista, seeing that the visit is nearing its end, gestures to Xerxes. “Don’t forget we’re meeting Callua. I’d get changed unless you want to wear that.”
Hurrying back to his room, he pokes his head back out before shutting the door. “Don’t forget, Zye.”
Zye nods to him and as he does, he notices the way Kerse is staring at the gloves he’s gingerly holding onto. He meets her eyes and waits, giving her a chance to ask before he pries.
“What’s a birthday?”
“Uh…the day you came into the world I guess.”
“Why is it important?”
“It celebrates you being alive. I never really cared for them but Xerxes was still a kid when I died. And kids are big on that stuff.”
Ilista chuckles and plops onto the couch. She crosses one leg over the other and raises a brow at the look Zye gives her. “I don’t think that’s quite it.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. You should get going. We have places to be and you have another stop to hit, am I right?”
“Guess you heard from Aster.”
“I did. So, run along. Next time, Kerse. I look forward to it.”
Zye shrugs and begins for the door. Kerse almost mechanically follows after him. Before he leaves, he waves over his shoulder. “You two have fun!”
Together, the two of them slip back out of the room and into the hallway. There’s still a bit of bustle as people are moving through the realms. It feels livelier— better. Even with his dislike for crowds, it’s nice to see.
“Ready for the last one?”
“Finally.”
“Then let’s go.”
ns 15.158.61.48da2
