Aether Beasts

Chapter 228

My eyes snapped open and I let out a groan. My mind felt fuzzy and I tried to remember what had happened as I moved a hand to the bridge of my nose. The haze over my mind slowly cleared and as I remembered what had happened, I shot up to my feet and quickly got into a fighting stance, but it was pointless as there was nothing around me but a landscape of pure white, and I don't mean that there was a lot of white or that it was bright. I mean that there was nothing but white, It was disorienting in a way, though I also found it odd that I was able to somehow tell the floor from the rest of the place.

The last thing that had happened had been my fight with Pate and his odd attack at the end. He'd touched my forehead and then I'd felt something familiar,

My eyes widened as I realized what it had been, and I quickly tried to call out to Zirnai, but then I also realized I couldn't. The bond was still there, but something was stopping me from calling out to her. I focused in on it and saw that I could get rid of it, but just as I was about to, a familiar voice rang out.

"Not just yet," the lost queen said as she suddenly appeared at my side. "Let us speak in private first."

I backed away and narrowed my gaze at her. 'Did you you do this?"

I waved at the endless white expanse.

She smiled. "You mean save you from that parasite you were fighting, yes, I did."

"Parasite?" I shook my head. "Pate?"

The lost queen sighed and snapped her fingers. Two chairs and a rather ornate glass table appeared. "Sit and let us speak, or would you rather continue to stand and stare like a fool."

She looked just as she did last time, extremely beautiful, and attractive with an aura of dread around her, though it was clearly diminished somewhat. She really was very beautiful and if not for the situation I was in and her personality then I might have admired her further.

"How do I know I can trust this?" I asked as I slowly walked close to her.

"Simple," she replied. "Check our bond. I am as open as can be, at least for the most part. I can't let you see everything now can I."

As I took a seat and focused on my bond with her, I saw that she was telling the truth. I could see into her memories and such, but I could see into her surface thoughts and her emotions. I could tell if she was lying or not. In this case, everything she had said was true, at least she believed it to be true. Zirani had once told me that mind-reading wasn't so simple because oftentimes information wasn't reliable as the person could very well believe what they thought was the truth, but that didn't mean it was factually the truth.

"Don't try to overthink things," the lost queen said, then sighed. "And as much as I like being referred to as the lost queen, just call Aneva. It is not my true name, but one I have used many a time, and it will od for a lesser such as you to use."

I snorted. "Lesser, huh. And here I thought we were passed the petty insult. Now that the hell had happened and where am I."

"That Pate," Aneva began. "Is the one responsible for the strings. He is a parasite or is being controlled by one, and from what I surmised, the parasite has been with him since birth, so I doubt the host is actually still alive."

"And he tried to kill me?" I asked.

Aneva shook her head. "No, that would have caused all sorts of trouble for him. He was trying to end the fight by discreetly using horror aether to put you into a state of unconsciousness, but of course, I noticed and ended him. As for this palace, it is a mental creation of sorts. A world created using my power in which I can do anything, within limit."

"Well, thank you, but why bring us here?" I questioned. "You could have just let me continue the fight."

"I could have, but firstly you should know that when you wake, either Pate will be dead, or will have the mind of a child as the parasite will be gone. Actually, there is a third outcome, but that is rare, and in any case, it doesn't matter. As for why I brought you here. Well, I wished to talk."

"About what," I said warily. "I'm not letting you go.":

She scoffed. "I'm well aware that you wish for my continued imprisonment."

"An imprisonment you brought upon yourself," I replied. "Don't think I've forgotten everything you've done."

Aneva smiled cruelly. "I hope you don't. I hope you remember what I can do, and what might happen to you and your lovers when I do leave this place."

I shook my head and moved to stand. "If this is all you brought me here for then I'm leaving."

I knew I could leave this dream when I wished and was about to do just that when the lost queen spoke. "Wait, I… apologize for my words. I am simply frustrated with my current position."

I sat back down and stared. "And you wish to change it?"

She nodded. "I do."

"Well then, I think we should make a deal." I quickly raised a hand before she spoke. "Not a binding one, but one of trust.":

"What sort of deal?" Aneva asked.

"You help me," I said. "And I help you. A simple deal. You help me get better control of my divine powers and maybe even yours, and I allow you more freedom. If you can disguise yourself then I see no reason we can't let you out, though we'll have to create an identity and reason for you being with us. I would also listen to any request you had, and such."

Aneva tapped a finger against her chin. "I can agree to that, but I do want one more thing. A drop of your divine essence."

"No," I said, my voice relaying the fact that I wasnt going to budge on that. "Maybe if you prove yourself trustworthy, but until then there's no way I am giving you some of the power that helped stop and trap you."

"It was worth a try," she said.

I offered a hand, and she just stared at it for a long moment before she shook it with a grimace.

"Then the deal has been struck," I said. "Ok, now do you mind explaining to me what I should expect out there one more time?"

Aneva sighed. "I'm already regretting this. That parasite is gone, but the person it took over will either be dead, severely underdeveloped mentally or if the parasites allowed it some access, then somewhat able to function. In this case, I expect you to find a dead body when you wake. I could only detect one mind in that body, that of the parasites. Thought the other could have buried deep or dormant for the time being."

I sighed. "This is going to be a mess."

If I did wake up and he was dead, then I had no doubt many would most likely think I had killed him with that last attack and if he wasn't dead then it might even worse as the actual Pate might have the mind of a child. The last outcome seemed like it would be the best outcome, but who knew if the actual Pate would be crazy or not.

There was one good thing though and that was no matter what, I would be the winner at the end of this and Kai could kiss his dreams of his brother marrying Sandra goodbye, though I sort of felt bad for him. If he wasnt aware of the parasite then he has essentially been living with an impostor of a brother, and if he did know, then he would be dealt with.

"Once again, thank you," I said, staring into Aneva's dark eyes. I was truly thankful for what she had done, though also annoyed that I hadn't been able to save myself and that I'd had to rely on her once again.

I stood and after one more look around, I turned to Aneva. "We'll speak later."

She nodded and then my eyes opened and I was looking into the shocked eyes of Pate. He stumbled back and I immediately knew he wasn't dead.

"Pate?"

He stared at me for a long moment, and I could see a number of emotions fleet across his eyes and feature, but none remained. He moved to take a step forwards, his mouth opening to speak, but no sounds came out and a second later he fell backward.

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