#aka chikari

[artistic-izzy-gd]

The Revival: Epilogue 1 - Back Home

... How curious. Just about two weeks prior, Mikael and Tzidkiya’s relationship was crumbling, and then just days ago Mikael went to save Tzidkiya from a Nether Beast... And right after the Earth God went to save the Sea God.

... The things people do for love, indeed. It’s far too relatable, considering the circumstances of me becoming the Demon Queen...

It was already late in the night, most of the Gods — including little Zalie and Aletheia — have gone to sleep, with only I, Arjan, Zhaetorus, Amalthea, Ellieros and Neirin still awake. I was on the lookout in one of the halls, keeping an eye on the Lazuli Gateway in case the two Gods came back, while the rest were waiting in the Meeting Room.

Just what happened to those two...?

Suddenly the Gate was glowing and two figures emerged — Tzidkiya carrying Mikael in his arms, heading towards the Infirmary. I wasted no time and went there as well.

Truly, Mikael owed us all many explanations.

...

“Heey, Cerys!” Mikael was waving at me while resting on one of the beds in the Infirmary. His clothes and parts of his hair were stained red, although clearly most of his wounds had already been healed by Tzidkiya by that point.

Speaking of the Earth God, he probably was looking for medicine to treat the injuries he couldn’t heal properly.

Frankly, will Mikael ever learn?

“... Explain yourself. Now.”

“Ahaha, already cuttin’ to the point, huh...” He gave a sheepish laugh, like that of a child being scolded. I could only sigh and shake my head.

“Definitely so. You went missing for four days, without telling anyone where you went, on top of leaving many of us worried about you.” He nodded solemnly.

“We offered to go with Tzidkiya and yet he insisted to go alone. Have you any idea how serious this situation was?! What if neither of you came back?! So much for slaying a single Beast out of revenge, good grief-”

“Okay okay, now hear me out.” Any trace of his usual playful demeanor simply vanished in a matter of seconds.

“Yes, I am an idiot for getting myself in trouble. Yes, I should’ve told the others where I went. However...” He sighed and stared at me, with a subtle blue glint in his orange and violet eyes.

“... The things I’ve done and the Beasts I’ve slayed, you may not believe me, but... It was never out of revenge.”

“Then?”

“It was so I wouldn’t lose everything I treasured... Again.”

... “Again”, he said. So that’s how it was?

“Besides, if I were as vengeful as the others assumed I was, maybe I would’ve turned out just like you. I mean, you know more than anyone else about revenge out of all things.”

Touché.

“... Well, in any case, most of the other Gods are already asleep. Only Arjan, Zhaetorus, Neirin, Ellieros and Amalthea are awake. I may tell them you two came back.” Soon enough his usual flamboyant self was back.

“Hah, is that so? I bet Zhatty’s fuming right now! Haha-” He coughed, startling me.

“Sorry, but can you tell ‘em to not come here tonight? Kinda don’t wanna see anybody else today and I need a break. I promise tomorrow I’ll tell everything you need to know.”

“I shall. Hope you have a good rest.” I started to turn away.

“Oh, and one more thing!” I looked back at him.

“When you see Zhatty, please tell him he can replace me on the front lines from now on.”

“... I will. Good night.”

“G’night, Cerys!” And thus I walked out of the Infirmary, and towards the Meeting Room.

I could only wonder...  What kind of life have you lived through, Mikael?

*****************************

Tymki and Abel’s Birthday Gift inspired me with writing a continuation for it <3

Part 2 is here

[artistic-izzy-gd]

The Revival: Epilogue 2 - Worries

Five steps to the left, five steps to the right. Five left, five right, back and forth.

Just how long has Zhaetorus paced around the room, and how come he didn’t become dizzy? Well it mattered not.

Way past nine in the evening, only us — I, Zhaetorus, Ellieros, Neirin and Amalthea — waiting in the Meeting Room for Tzidkiya and Mikael’s return.

Naturally some were more patient than others.

-I was sitting near the mosaic mural, simply cleaning my sword. -Neirin and Amalthea on the couch, the former lying upside-down -somehow- and the latter sitting cross-legged. -Ellieros on his rather decorated armchair, looking as if he’s been disturbed from his sleep one too many times. -And Zhaetorus... Pacing around the room impatiently, with each step becoming increasingly faster as time went on.

“... Careful there. You might cause a dent on the floor.” He ignored. Typical.

“Time won’t pass faster if you continue like that.” Only then did he glare at me.

“You think I don’t know that?” He snapped. Nothing new. “I knew that rascal was up to something, I just knew it! I insisted we make a search party, but did anyone listen?!”

“We did, loud and clear. But it was Tzidkiya’s choice to go on his own. Don’t tell me you’re that worried about a rival?” He rolled his eyes at my statement and didn’t answer my question. “... That’s what I thought.” Of course he was worried, Mikael was one of the few who offered him a challenge in a fight.

“Why even bother with them both anyway? It’s not like they would work out as a couple on the long run.” Ellieros scoffed, pessimistic and surly as ever. Though I knew he was merely disheartened by how things turned out... Perhaps the truth is that he put a lot of faith in it.

“Eeey, if that was the case, fella Mika wouldn’t have saved Tzidkiya the other day! If thay ain’t love, whatzit then?” Neirin flailed dramactically on the couch to make her point known, and Amalthea only nodded. Being childhood friends, they had the most trust in Mikael.

“Also, do us a favor and at the very least, speak at a lower volume. You’ll wake the young deities with your rants, Zhaetorus.” He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it and his eyes widened, and he relented. From an angry Storm God to an ashamed man, in the blink of an eye.

“... Well, that doesn’t change anything. How long are we going to wait until the doors open? And if they don’t come back?” I shrugged slightly.

“Knowing those two, they’ll be fine. Perhaps even learning a few lessons out of these events. Cerys is on lookout outside the room, so it depends on her.”

The doors of the Meeting Room opened, and Cerys appeared.

“Mikael and Tzidkiya have returned.”

“They’re back?!” Everyone (except me) asked in unison.

“Like I said.” I spoke up. Less than two seconds after, they all gathered in front of her.

“Where precisely are they?” “Did they break up?” “Are they hurt?” “Did a Nether Beast attack them?” Zhaetorus, Ellieros, Amalthea and Neirin all asked at the same time, surrounding Cerys. What a mess.

“Um, for all that’s sacred, let me finish before you ask!” The Demon Queen stepped back and frowned at the four, displeased. They stopped pestering her.

“Thank you. Now then.” She cleared her throat.

“Mikael had successfully slayed the Nether Beast he was after, and Tzidkiya found him shortly after the deed. They’re both at the Infirmary, Mikael is resting and Tzidkiya is taking care of him. He told me to inform you all that he doesn’t want visits tonight.” Everyone looked disappointed at best.

“He’ll be more than glad to see everyone by tomorrow, however. And may I add... Zhaetorus?”

“Yes?”

“Mikael said you may replace him on the front lines. In other words, congratulation on being promoted” She smirked at his confused face. The others were just astonished.

“... I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me right. Go ask him tomorrow if you don’t believe me.” She turned around to leave.

“Now if you excuse me, I have something important to attend in Hell. Come by if you need me~!”

“Wait, hold on.” Ellieros intervened.

“Hm?”

“How about that issue of theirs? Did they split?”

“...”

She remained silent for a moment, then smiled.

“... They’ll be alright. It’s only a matter of time.” And with that, Cerys left.

The four kept talking to each other, but by then I no longer paid attention and returned to cleaning my sword.

... Yes. Only a matter of time indeed, and perhaps a matter of understanding. I’ve known for the longest time that they were good for each other, but what they lacked was a proper mutual understanding of their issues.

Then again, who were we to blame or judge them?

*****************************

Part 2 of the Epilogue, Part 1 is here, and The Revival can be found here!

[artistic-izzy-gd]

10. Do they like children? Do children like them? Do they have or want any children? What would they be like as a parent? Or as a godparent/babysitter/ect? and 12. What is their favourite food? For Cerys ^^ (Hi Cerys, long time no see ^^)

10: This question was answered here (https://izabelle-reblogs-n-posts.tumblr.com/post/186572720011/c-e-r-y-s-idk-if-im-doing-that-right-xp)

12: Cerys doesn't have a preference, though she does like eating all sorts of meat dishes (and recently started liking chocolate)