Sanctuary

"So if we join forces and work together, we can accomplish anything. I truly believe that."

It was on Fourier's advice that the group decided to spend a few weeks preparing for their trip to Fodra. Eventually, they had wound back in Lhant- where Asbel was somehow deluged with paperwork that had piled up in his absence. Given the amount of work he was behind time on and all the preparation he still had to do, the Lord of Lhant had found himself cooped up in his study for most of the day, working his way through the huge pile of documents that had begun to gather dust on his desk.

Thus, he was quite surprised when, late into the night, he felt the entire world around him freeze, and a low voice speak.

"This is folly."

Asbel paused at the interruption. It had been hours since dinner, and he was almost grateful for Lambda's presence breaking the silence, if not for the terse edge in the creature's words.

"Hello, Lambda," he said, tilting his head slightly upwards even though there was nobody there. "What brings you here?"

Unperturbed by his nonchalance, the creature continued, "Do you truly intend to die?"

Asbel frowned. The sentience gave him no explanation, but he could tell that the creature was entirely serious- and distressed.

"The issues that plague Ephinea- you wish to venture to Fodra to stop it."

It dawned on him what Lambda was talking about. "You think we can't handle Fodra," Asbel concluded, folding his arms.

"I am not the only one," Lambda muttered. "Deep down, you are aware of the possibility of your defeat, even as you choose to avert your eyes from that knowledge. The monsters we face on Fodra will likely be even stronger than the ones here. Our abilities will be pushed to the limit and I cannot guarantee your survival, should you go."

It was true- the possibility of death was there. To say he wasn't worried about it at all was a lie. But Asbel was a warrior- and he knew thinking about whether he would die in the next battle would only end up crippling him. To survive, he needed to be on form. And to protect everyone, it was something he had chosen to put out of his thoughts.

"You deceive yourself," Lambda snarled then.

"I'm not," Asbel said quietly, turning his attention back to his work. He had twenty-three reports to work through, several edicts to draft, and at least ten letters to send out before they left for Fodra. He hoped his steadfast assurance would be enough for his companion.

But it seemed Lambda would have none of that.

"Listen to me, Asbel Lhant!" the creature yelled within his mind. All of a sudden, Asbel found himself unable to move and, startled, he realized just how easily Lambda could destroy him just there and then. However, the sentience was so interested in grabbing his attention that he didn't notice the quick flicker of anxiety that ran through his host. "You know nothing of the threat that awaits you. You know not the danger you are placing yourself in-"

"And would you have me run away?" Asbel breathed softly, carefully putting down his pen as Lambda released him. It was the first time he had ever felt Lambda exert his hold over him- and the first time he had heard the creature so worked up- concerned, even.

Lambda seemed surprised by his response- or perhaps lack thereof. He waited a beat before he replied, the full weight of his presence behind his answer: "Yes."

His voice was heavy, but it lacked its usual edge. This was the first time he had seen Lambda act without calculation or forethought; the first time the creature's facade wavered.

With a deep breath, Asbel quashed his fear and turned his full attention to his companion. "If we run, those same creatures will keep spawning and influencing Ephinea," the swordsman pointed out. "Eventually, there will be nowhere else for us to run."

"I can handle those creatures," Lambda said. "Have I not proven that to you? Trust in my power, Asbel Lhant, and they will not harm you. I can save you. I can give you your life."

"And what of everyone else?" Asbel stared out of the window- out at Lhant, stretched before him. "What of my country, my friends, my family? Would you have me surrender myself to you, so that we can live on, in Ephinea's core, away from all of this?" He swept his hand at the view.

Lambda hesitated.

Asbel smiled sadly. "Would you have me live on, all alone?"

"You would be alive." He could sense Lambda's confusion, and his chagrin.

"You don't understand, do you?" Asbel dipped his head, exhausted. "After all this time, I thought-"

"Is not your life of value?" Lambda snapped. "You told me not to die, yet you seem far too eager to throw yours away!"

Asbel blinked then. Somehow, the words seemed to echo what he had felt, once, when Sophie had tried to sacrifice herself for the sake of Ephinea. And for a moment, he imagined Lambda felt the same as he did back then: angry at his helplessness, and the terrible fear of losing someone he cared dearly about.

But this was different. Asbel didn't intend to die, but Lambda didn't understand. How could he, when all his companion had ever known was outrunning death? When the last time he cared for someone, he had to watch as his heart was destroyed in front of him? When, to him, Asbel was about to do something equally as foolish and incomprehensible, to throw his life away for immutable things and reasons that could not easily be quantified?

How could Asbel explain all of that to a creature who never even lived?

"I have lived far longer than you could comprehend-"

"It's not living when you're just alive."

"That is illogical."

He sighed, leaning back against the broad-backed chair. "If I were to live without everyone- my life would be empty, Lambda. There would be no meaning; no purpose."

"You will die," Lambda said bleakly. "if you choose this path."

"I would die if I listened to you," Asbel retorted as gently as he could.

"I am trying to keep your puny host body alive!"

"I know." He smiled sadly, and he felt Lambda's anger quell in the face of his acceptance. "But rest assured, I'm not going to throw my life away. I have too many things I want to live for."

"I do not understand where your faith in your survival comes from." Lambda didn't seem hostile at all- just confused. As if he was actually listening to what Asbel was trying to say. As if, for once, the creature had stopped pretending that he didn't care.

And how desperately Asbel wished that he could get Lambda to understand. Because as much as the creature grumbled and griped, Asbel had grown to rely and trust on Lambda- and he could no longer view his companion as merely an enemy, or merely an ally.

Then it dawned on him that perhaps, Lambda already was capable of understanding. His words, his actions up till now- they pointed to a reason beyond simply protecting his host body: if he really wished it, Lambda could have taken over Asbel by now and forced him not to go. But he hadn't; didn't.

And Asbel finally realized why it was so, even if Lambda didn't.

"Explain."

"You said that I would live if I trusted you." The redhead chewed his lip. "That you alone can keep me safe."

"Yes."

"That's... not true, Lambda."

"What?"

Asbel chuckled. "I wasn't alone when I fought you. And we aren't alone now."

He could sense the gears working in the creature's head; could feel Lambda's suspicion. "You believe the strength of your human... friends will protect you?"

"I have to," Asbel answered. "Just as I believe that I can protect them. Just like you believe that you can protect me."

The creature paused, caught off-guard at the sudden insight that had occurred to him. "You trust them. "

Asbel grinned, relieved. "Almost as much as I trust you."

"Do not patronize me." As much as Lambda tried to hide it, the words came off as a little too sharp to be convincing, but Asbel wasn't about to strike at the creature's sore pride.

"I'm not." The swordsman relaxed. He could sense that Lambda wasn't about to push the matter further- and with a small smile, he realized that the turmoil that had dogged the creature the entire night had subsided somewhat. Perhaps, against the odds, Lambda understood.

"I do not," Lambda muttered. "But I see now that you will not be dissuaded. Perhaps, it is as you say. Perhaps it is not entirely hopeless."

"I'm glad," Asbel admitted, "that at least you aren't going to take over my body and force me to stay."

"What makes you think I won't?"

"Because I trust you." Asbel said simply, turning back to his work.

Lambda snorted. "That's because you're a fool."

Somehow, though, the words felt a lot brighter than Asbel was used to. Less hostile and domineering; affectionate, even.

And with a grin, he picked up his pen once more. There was a lot of work to be done, but he was sure that with Lambda helping him, everything would be okay.