So you did miss me after all~
People descend from the temple on the hilltop. Their clothes and hair still smell of burnt herbs and oils. In the deserted sacred hall, something woven from warm golden light appears with a bright flash. Gradually unfurling, the cocoon reveals a figure within. A leg, wrapped in thin leather bands with what resemble scaly wings, steps onto the cold marble floor. Rays of sunlight and the shadows of the columns divide everything into light and dark lines, causing highlights to play across the gold as the goddess walks towards the altar, next to a majestic statue of a feathered, winged serpent. With one hand, she draws a shining spear from behind her back and lowers it before the steps.
She struggled to find the right words, standing at the altar with her dagger raised, when the lamb she'd brought opened its pink eyes. But instead of cowering in fear or trying to run away, it clung to her hand again.
"Very well, then. I'll offer you as a pet" Three'ent looked up. "Donoverse, I hope you can hear me now, even if I don't get an answer. I miss, well..." she paused, unsure of what reason would be convincing enough. "Everything. But sooner or later, it had to happen. Your absence was the only way to–"
"We'll meet again" the goddess's eyes widened as a familiar voice pierced the silence of the hall – one voice joined by many.
"Don't know where, don't know when" the torches began to grow dimmer and smaller, and the divine flame on the golden spear began to flicker in all directions.
"But I know we'll meet again" Three'ent turned, peering into the deepening shadows of the columns. "Some sunny day" countless pairs of dots swarmed in the darkest corners of the temple.
"Keep smiling through" a distant laugh echoed softly.
"Just like you always do" only experience gave Three'ent the opportunity to notice how the melodic voice rang out with a barely perceptible emphasis on this phrase.
"'Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away" the winged figure of the deity of theories finally descended from the darkness of the temple vault. "So you did miss me after all~"
Three'ent was about to rush towards Donoverse, but didn't manage to take more than a few steps. After two sharp wingbeats, the feathers themselves followed a stream of cold wind towards the goddess, vanishing into the air with a haze.
"How unexpected to see you begging for attention in my temple~"
"But it worked. Unlike other methods of communication..." Three'ent demurely looked away with a smile. Voice soft and smooth.
"I'm very glad you've come, but I'll be even happier when you leave this place, thank you very much" the deity said with a feigned innocent smile, gesturing theatrically towards the massive doors at the other end of the hall.
"Wow... That was even shorter and quicker than I could have imagined. Sounds serious" a nervous chuckle in the indifferent silence sounded even less confident. However, Three'ent didn't move a step.
"But apparently not serious enough for you to follow my request. Something never changes, right?" even though Donoverse's words sounded light and friendly, the goddess sensed something was wrong beneath the gaiety.
How to keep a theorist's attention? Ask them a good question. "Why did you come if you didn't want to see me? You can't–" Three'ent trailed off under Donoverse's intense gaze. It was hard to understand what they were thinking. "You couldn't be here. Not now, not so early. And yet, here you are, talking to me instead of furiously wreaking havoc somewhere else."
Dono chuckled. It sounded like they couldn't help but find it amusing.
"Don't be ridiculous. I don't want that."
"Of course you do! It was you who wanted–"
"In fact, I'm here to say hello~ Besides, I have much to praise you for" the deity moved aside with smooth steps, continuing to watch their interlocutor sideways. "Who would have thought that someone like the righteous, sinless Three'ent would agree to such devious measures? I'm impressed, congratulations!" goddess looked away again. She ran a hand through the strands of her hair, which had begun to move of their own accord, flowing into each other like waves. Trying to calm them down only made things worse. No matter how well Three reads others, it doesn't help her hide her own emotions at all.
"Look, 'sorry' means you wouldn't have done the same if you had the chance. But that's the point! You don't mean it. You know it, I know it. So why lie?" Three'ent heard neither cruelty nor mockery in their words. But it wasn't anything gentle or caring, either.
How much more she would have understood about this person if they hadn't been wearing that stupid mask and cape...
"I suppose there's no contradiction in doing something you're not thrilled about" Three'ent replied calmly, still trying to hide her frustration.
"Of course, anything, as long as it helps you sleep peacefully~"
"I didn't know you were bothered by how well I sleep."
"I didn't know you'd try to change the subject so quickly~"
"I may change the subject, but not any faster than you change your attitude."
"It's nice to have multiple faces. Although, a hypocrite should know~"
"Now you're resorting to insults."
"Perhaps. It's surprising that you didn't try to get even, Three, and never showed up on that damned island."
"Were you waiting for me?" disbelief and pleasant surprise crossed the face of the goddess of guiding light. Well, apparently that wasn't the reaction they wanted.
"Not exactly" Dono approached the altar, still keeping their distance from Three'ent. They reached out as if to pet the animal, but instead, a snake slithered from beneath their cape. The lamb didn't move as, moments later, powerful coils wrapped around it.
"So..." closer than before, the goddess again tried to notice new details in Donoverse. Aside from their hair, tousled with sea salt, Dono looked exactly as they had last seen each other, as if not a day had passed. As if the lack of oddities only made everything stranger. Three'ent emerged from her thoughts when the deity of theories leisurely retreated back to the columns, obviously noticing her interest.
"So you're not going to stop trying?" she asked in the most casual tone, as if inquiring about the weather. Three’ent watched them with intense, focused attention. She leaned forward slightly, her head a little tilted to the side, allowing the torchlight to glimmer in her eyes.
"You would answer this very question exactly the same way I would~"
"Say it straight this time."
"You... Do you really think that after such a cruel joke as this 'forced vacation' of mine, I'll meekly abandon my aspirations and begin living in servile fear?" even through the multi-layered nature of Dono's voice, suppressed disgust was evident.
"That's an exaggeration" the goddess of guiding light seized on the detail, looking more firmly into the mask's openings. "What kind of cruelty are you talking about if it was just a festival? Just a warning."
"A warning, huh" though a vague smile still lingered on their face, their expression became completely unreadable. The lights inside the mask dimmed, leaving it looking like a whitish skull. "Three" the multi-layered voice sounded calm, but the goddess winced at the oppressiveness of her name. "You like mortals."
Not a question, but a statement.
"Have you ever heard of Digitalis? Imagine a rare, incredibly beautiful flower that emits a subtle, alluring glow. People, drawn by its beauty and radiance, approach, unaware that the flower's scent is a deadly poison. Will you blame the plant for their deaths? Perhaps the mortals? Or even the earth that spawned this entire trap?"
Three’ent thought for a moment about what she wanted to say, but Dono didn't wait for an answer.
"Seventy-five mortals were killed there because of me. And, by extension, because of you too. A very clear warning, no doubt."
"It was supposed to be just a festival..." why? She would never have agreed if she had known. No, there must be some reason that makes everything make sense. "What happened there?"
"It was just a festival" more voices rose at these words, but no matter how many there were, one clearly wavered. From anger or... "Besides, I can’t remember the last time the sirens spared anyone. Can you?" two white dots lit up in the blackness of their eye sockets, seeming to burn into Three’ent’s very soul, further intensifying her sense of guilt. The goddess turned towards the windows overlooking the sea below. Too bad the sound of the waves didn't seem to bring her any comfort anytime soon.
"Well!" even without seeing the change of faces, Three’ent knew that one had just happened. "Now that I'm back, it's time to close a few new deals, meet a few old friends, prepare for the big day – so much to do, so little time~" The bright smile that had once again flared and the suddenly warm, playful tone of Donoverse's voice didn't help Three feel any better.
The deity of theories walked into the distance without looking at her. The rhythmic echo of footsteps counted down the final moments of this meeting. Now was her last chance.
"I didn't say anything!" Three’ent’s ringing voice burst out in a scream. At these words, Donoverse froze, as if completely captivated by the sound.
Struck by the harshness of her own words, the goddess continued more quietly, but still firmly and decisively. "I said nothing about your place. No one knows. Our truce still stands."
It might have seemed as if time itself had vanished, if not for the shifting reflections of the fires, flaring up with renewed vigor, disrupting the illusion. From the silhouette opposite, it was impossible to guess the deity's reaction. But maybe, just maybe, their shoulders relaxed slightly. However, Three’ent could have simply imagined it.
When it seemed that Dono would not answer, the goddess heard quietly, almost in a whisper “See me after the second time of Selene’s full glory.”
Three’ent remained alone, staring unseeingly at the shadow into which her rival had disappeared.
On the altar, the lamb and snake slept peacefully.
