Chap 4 – Frozen Blood
"His wings will stem from these." Administrator picked up the two glowing cubes from her bed. "Once they are in his body, the cubes will lock onto his shoulder blades." She slowly circled around the blonde. "Shortly afterwards, the wings should make their presence known."
"You're giving him wings?" Selka did a double blink as she stood nearby. "Is that even possible?"
"Yes." The Pontifex placed both cubes against Eugeo's smooth, unblemished skin. "They are required for what I need him to do." They were quickly absorbed into the blonde's body similarly to how a Piety Module enters the body. The Pontifex then bent down and lifted Eugeo's chin. "Remember not a word and you must stay as you are." Their gazes held for the briefest of seconds.
Selka frowned for she hated watching Eugeo be so submissive to the Pontifex. "What exactly are those things? How do cubes produce wings?"
"The ability to sprout wings and fly is what's embedded in those cubes." She raised to her full height. "Since humans of the Underworld are not given the ability to fly; I had to look elsewhere to make this possible."
"Elsewhere? Where'd you end up finding this information? Was it some other realm? How do you know if this will even work?" Selka couldn't help but feel in awe of how much the Pontifex knew and could achieve.
"There's no time for answers, nosy girl." Administrator took a few steps away from the blonde. "I suggest you step back as well."
"Oh, okay." Selka followed the Pontifex's advice.
Seconds later, Eugeo rolled his shoulders as an uncomfortable itch developed under them. He started to sweat as two curved lines were suddenly carved into his upper back; the fresh wounds searing his skin an angry blackish red. The edges of the abrasions began to bubble and flake off; leaving two gaping holes in his back. Next, the skin along his lower back began to burn and crack; extending the length of the gashes. Blood flowed excessively down his back; pooling into large puddles beneath him. Eugeo fell to his elbows; clenching his teeth as he endured the tremendous pain of his back being ripped open.
"I can't watch this." Selka turned away. "What don't you do something to help him?"
"There's nothing to be done at the moment." Administrator stood with her arms crossed as she continued to watch nonchalantly what was happening. "We must wait."
Suddenly, the tops of two, large blue luminescent wings could be seen extending from Eugeo's body. Each rounded wing emerged from the bloody holes; their sight a spectacle to behold. As they continued to grow; the tips got caught on the edges of his wounds but they quickly freed themselves by ripping the gashes open even further. Eugeo's hands and knees pressed hard against the floor; sliding within his own blood, as he forced his trembling body to stay as his lady had instructed him. A second, smaller pair of matching wings followed suit; but unlike the larger ones, they emerged rather easily.
Finally, all four of the blood soaked wings were fully extended much to the Pontifex's delight. Eugeo; on the other hand, was on the verge of blacking out.
"Thirty-Two!" Administrator called out as she made her way towards Eugeo. "You will not lose consciousness."
"How can she keep making demands of him?" Selka muttered to herself as she approached the blonde with caution.
"So beautiful." The Pontifex reached out to touch the newly formed set of larger wings; her fingers gliding up and along the bones which gave the wings their curved appearance and shape. "I am greatly pleased; for they really do resemble fairy wings." She placed a finger upon one bloody wing; drawing the symbol of her Integrity Knights upon it.
Selka felt queasy as she gazed down at Eugeo. Blood covered nearly every inch of him; his wounds quite severe. His back, which was moving up and down as Eugeo took in multiple breaths, looked like it had been butchered. She reached out a hand to help.
"Don't." Administrator warned.
"Have you no heart?" Selka narrowed her eyes in defiance.
"We must start the healing process." Administrator stated flatly.
OOooOOooOOo
"Renly!" Deusolbert shouted down the hallway; causing the young man to jump. "What are you doing?"
"Ah…nothing." Renly quickly spun around and eased the door leading into the Pontifex's chamber closed.
"Aren't you supposed to be training with Linel and Fizel?"
"Yeah, but sparring with them is a waste of time."
"Lady Pontifex doesn't seem to think so."
"Do you even know what she's doing in there?" Renly quickly changed the subject.
"No, and neither should you." Deusolbert glared at the younger knight.
"Fine. I get the hint." Renly scowled before walking off.
OOooOOooOOo
Tiese paced back and forth in front of Selka's cell. It had been two hours since the young girl was taken. "She has to come back eventually and when she does, she's going to tell me everything." She balled her hands into fists. "Why is that she gets to see Eugeo multiple times and I haven't even seen him once since he was made a knight? Well, that's going to change." Her ears perked up as she heard footsteps. "It's about time."
"This is an unusual spot to reside." Sheyta Synthesis Twelve stated dully. She was dressed in grey and purple Integrity armor and was carrying an unconscious Selka in her arms.
"It's not like I have anywhere else to go. I'm stuck roaming around aimlessly until the Pontifex lets me see Eugeo." Tiese grumbled.
"Move aside, I need to put this girl back in her cell." Sheyta opened the cell door and then placed the unconscious girl inside on the cold ground. "Lady Pontifex no longer has use for her. She is to remain here."
"Is she even alive?" Tiese looked down Selka. The poor girl was drenched in blood and appeared utterly exhausted; her breathing faint and coming out in wheezes. "What did the Pontifex have her do?" She bent down to further examine the Selka; her eyes drawn to the young girl's hands. Tiese cringed at how the veins were predominately more visible and how loose and transparent the skin now appeared. She took the edge of her cloak and attempted to wipe the blood from Selka's hands, hair and face.
"Do you plan on staying with her?" Sheyta asked blandly. "Because if you do, I will request another bed."
"Don't trouble yourself." Tiese took off her cloak and covered Selka.
"Lady Pontifex wishes you to join Thirty-Two on his next assignment; however, the timing of that depends on his recovery time." Sheyta turned to leave.
"Recovery time?"
"Whose blood do you think that girl is covered with?" The silent knight asked over her shoulder.
"This is all from Eugeo?" Tiese was in shock.
"You're to meet me on the 95th floor. I've been commanded to help improve your sword skills." Sheyta left before hearing Tiese's reply.
OOooOOooOOo
"Lady Pontifex." A knight helped himself to entering her bedchamber. "I must speak with you."
"What is it, Renly?" Administrator was floating in a seated position, beside her bed, in front of a full-length mirror; she was brushing her hair.
"I tire of working with Fizel and Linel. I want to spar with the stronger knights."
"Alright, I'll take your request into consideration," She paused as her eyes glanced towards her bed. The velvet curtains were closed but she could see the tips of azure wings sticking out. Dried blood coated the side of the bed and the curtain. "…however, I'm sure that's not the only reason you're here."
"No, there is something else." Renly walked around her bed; his focus falling on the azure tips. "What are those?" he thought to himself.
"I don't have all day, Renly." Administrator was becoming annoyed.
"I want to be a more valuable asset to you…like he is." Renly confidently stood beside the Pontifex. "You're planning something big and I want to be a part of it."
"Your skills and abilities don't fit into my current plans." Administrator continued brushing her hair.
"And Eugeo's does?" Renly scoffed. "You just recently made him an Integrity Knight, he hasn't mastered weapon control, his own arts turn against him, his emotions are unstable, and he's even tried to kill you. How can any of those things be useful?"
"Stop pouting, Renly." She sighed. "You're not chosen for certain tasks because your immaturity still reigns over your thoughts and actions."
Renly had to bite his tongue before he further contributed to how the Pontifex viewed him.
"You want to be useful, get me my headdress." Administrator stated coolly. "It's on top of my nightstand. And do be quiet, Eugeo is still recovering from his ordeal."
Renly was taken aback by such a menial task.
"Keep acting like a child, you're only confirming that I'm right about you." The Pontifex stated matter of factly.
Renly clamped his mouth shut and then quickly walked over to her nightstand. When he was in front of it, he noticed the top drawer was slightly cracked open. Multiple small glowing objects caught his eye. Using his armor plated gloves, he scooped them up and placed them in a small pouch at his side. Then, he grabbed what the Pontifex desired.
"Here, Lady Pontifex." Renly mocked a bow as he held out her headdress.
"Don't make me revoke your number, Renly Synthesis Twenty Seven." Administrator glared at her green knight. "For it'd be a shame to put you back into your ice prison."
OOooOOooOOo
"She's wrong about me." Renly exited the bedchamber and walked right into Tiese; causing her to fall backwards; her sword clanging on the ground beside her.
"Hey!" Tiese rubbed at her rear then stood to retrieve her sword. "That's one of the first things Sheyta's going to teach me, better reflexes." She muttered to herself before lifting her eyes to the knight before her. "Renly? What are you doing here?"
"I was talking with the Pontifex, but…"
"Oh? Think I could speak with her?" Tiese's voice conveyed hope.
"I wouldn't recommend it."
"Why not?" Tiese placed her hands on her hips. "What did you do?"
"I think I pissed her off."
"Just great." Tiese sulked. "If she's already annoyed, I'll probably just be adding more fuel to the fire."
"Still after Eugeo?" Renly raised a brow.
"Yeah."
"Then, you might be interested to learn that he's in there… on her bed." Renly leaned against the now locked door. "I think she has a thing for him."
"You're just saying that because you want me to dislike Eugeo. So he's spending time with the Pontifex, they are probably discussing some Integrity Knight training or whatnot. I don't know anything about that so I'm fine with it." Tiese forced the words out.
"Sure." Renly rolled his eyes. "You keep telling yourself that."
"Are you making fun of me?" Tiese punched him in the shoulder.
"Umph." He rubbed at his shoulder. "That was actually a good punch. Remind me never to contradict you."
"That's right." She smirked in satisfaction.
"Look, I'm telling you this for your own protection."
"My protection?" Tiese gave a fake laugh. "How can I be afraid of Eugeo?"
"I'm talking about Administrator." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Whatever she promised you, it's not going to happen. She's not going to give up Eugeo, there's something between them."
Tiese's face reddened in anger. "Say what you want but I'm going to find out exactly what's going on when I'm paired up with Eugeo."
"What? You're going to work with him?" Renly laughed. "You can't be serious?"
"If you think I'm lying, go ask Sheyta. She's the one who told me."
"Think I'll take you up on that suggestion." Renly dropped his arms and they both went their separate ways.
OOooOOooOOo
"I better check on him." The Pontifex pushed back the curtains and slipped onto her bed. She looked over the sleeping form before her. Eugeo was on his side facing away from her; his breathing steady. A blanket covered his lower half; whereas his upper half was bare to the elements. She moved quietly to the top of the bed; making sure not to brush against his still tender wings. She then peeked over the blond; taking notice of how attractive he really was. "I knew you'd be able to handle it." Administrator softly spoke; a hint of affection in her tone. Next, she sat back on her haunches and frowned at the sight before her. The wounds on Eugeo's back had finally closed; however, they left terrible scarring. "How disappointing." She then turned her attention to the wings; they were even more beautiful now that they were free of blood. "I look forward to seeing them as you stand before me." She smiled as she slipped back off her bed.
She opened the drawer on her nightstand and pulled out a labtop. "I have to figure out how to get him to that other boy's world." Administrator opened the labtop and started browsing through the files as she paced about her bedchamber. "There must be a clue somewhere in here."
OOooOOooOOo
"Your skills are better than I would have thought." Sheyta panted as she deflected Tiese's attack. "I assumed you were weak."
"You shouldn't make assumptions." Tiese danced around the floor of the 95th level. She was holding her own against the more powerful Integrity Knight. "Eugeo trained me and I don't want to look like a fool in front of him." Tiese raced in for another attack. "Hiya!"
"Is that the reason you fight?" Sheyta blocked the girl's attack. "To prove to Eugeo Synthesis Thirty Two that you are a good swordswoman?"
"And what if it is?" Tiese swung her sword again. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to be praised by your mentor."
"I see." Sheyta sidestepped Tiese's attack and then elbowed the girl in the back; causing her to stumble. Then Shetya raised her sword to the girl's neck. "If that is what you truly desire, you still have a long way to go." Tiese gulped as the Black Lily Sword was merely centimeters from her throat.
"I will get better."
"Time will tell." Sheyta put her sword back into its sheath. "I must give Lady Pontifex a report about this training session."
"You'll tell her I'm a good choice, right? That I'm ready to fight beside him." Tiese pleaded after Sheyta. "I have to see Eugeo."
"What will you tell Lady Pontfex?" Renly stepped out from behind one of the pillars. "After watching that bout, I hardly think she's ready for anything but a simple retrieving request."
"No one asked for your opinion, Renly." Tiese grumbled.
"I feel it's my duty to Lady Pontifex to rely what I saw here." Renly smirked. "You were easily bested."
"Why don't you spar against Sheyta and let's see how well you can do." Tiese gritted her teeth and gestured to the open space. "If you can defeat her, I won't stand in your way of telling the Administrator anything."
"He will lose within seconds." Sheyta spoke up. "And he know this."
Renly quickly reached for his Twin Wings Blades. "Let's fight, now!"
"Lady Pontifex is right about you," Sheyta placed on hand on her hip. "You still are a child."
"…"
"I have to make my report." Sheyta walked indifferently past Renly; her eyes locking with his. "I'll contact you, Tiese, when Eugeo is ready to go."
OOooOOooOOo
"This is more complicated that I thought." Administrator rubbed her tired eyes. "This other world, its rules are so complex." She looked down at the numerous notes she's collected during her research; she had drawn charts, made lists, and wrote down various codes, and yet, nothing seemed to produce the result she was looking for. "All these scribbles led to the same thing, there needs to be a real body. Think, Quinella, you can figure this out." She clicked on a folder named 'Yui.' "What's this?" The file opened; its contents bringing a smile to her face. "Yui, an AI, that has been known for communicating with Kirito through the use of reflective materials in the real world. This looks promising." She clicked on the download button and waited for the bar to fill. "Not the fastest file," she sighed as placed the labtop on her nightstand. "I suppose I'll have to find something or rather someone to entertain me while I wait." She peeked inside the velvet curtains and was surprised to see that Eugeo was awake. "Beautiful, aren't they?"
"They are uncomfortable." He winced as he pulled himself into a sitting position. "And they feel heavy." He leaned forward and slowly flexed his back muscles causing his wings to follow suit.
"You'll get used to them." Administrator petted one wing.
"Can you not do that?" Eugeo shook her off; his wings brushing against her chest. "Your touch, on them..." He was now facing her. "…I don't like what it does to me."
"And what is that?" Administrator cocked her head innocently to one side. "Do tell me."
"I think you already know."
"Oh Eugeo, you really are my favorite." Administrator gave a girlish laugh while reaching for the golden cord to open the curtains. "There, now you have more room to stretch out your wings."
Eugeo hesitantly tested out all four of his wings. He was surprised how easy they were to command.
"I was right to use you in my little experiment." She placed her slender legs over the side of the bed. "I couldn't be more satisfied with the results."
"If it was so successful then why does my back still hurt?"
"Apparently that girl wasn't as advanced as I had hoped."
"What do you mean?"
"Come, sit next to me." She patted the space beside her. "I have an idea that will put your discomfort at bay; at least for a little while."
"I doubt that." Eugeo sat next to Administrator. "I can't even move without feeling some type of pain."
She leaned over to whisper into his ear. "You just need the right kind of distraction."
"Do I even want to know what you're thinking?" He grimaced.
"I propose," she placed a hand on his thigh. "…that you kneel before me, hold one of my legs, kiss it from ankle to calf to thigh and then if you could manage a release from me, then I will grant you a lost memory."
Eugeo's eyes widened.
"What do you think?" Administrator's hand curved around his inner thigh. "It could be anything you want."
"Anything?" The blonde shifted nervously before slipping off the bed and kneeled before the Pontifex; his emerald eyes locked with hers.
"Yes." She spread her legs. "I'm feeling in a good mood so I'll help you." Administrator made her clothes vanish, leaned back slightly so she was balanced on one hand while the other hand started fondling her own breast. "Oh, and you must have your wings fully extended. I worked hard to get you those."
"As you command, Lady Pontifex." Eugeo reached for her perfectly formed ankle. He lifted it to his mouth and kissed it.
"That's a good knight." She purred as he kissed his way up her shapely leg. "I do so enjoy your kisses." Once he got to her inner though, Administrator sensed some apprehension from the blonde. "You know how I feel about your lack of experience with things such as this. Don't make me repeat myself." She opened her legs wider giving Eugeo better access. "It won't take long." Eugeo glanced up briefly, his eyes reflecting a look of commitment before he continued to kiss along the inside of her thigh. She kept her gaze on the blonde as she watched him place his lips on her most intimate of places. "Oh…." Her breath hitched. "…that feels….so….." She was instantly aroused from the contact; making her squeeze her breast and then pinch her nibble harder to bring about a higher level of pleasure. Eugeo had his hand wrapped around her thigh as he indulged himself; alternating between sucking and licking. He did what he had to do, for he wanted that lost memory. Suddenly, the Pontifex shuddered as she felt her release. "That was..." she panted out. "…incredible." After regaining her composure, Administrator looked down at the blonde. "You have earned your lost memory…" She lifted his chin. "…however, I will choose when you will retrieve it."
"What!" Eugeo was clearly upset. "After what I just did, you won't give me my memory now?"
"No." The Pontifex stood up, made her clothes reappear, and then walked over to her laptop. "There are other matters that need my attention."
"How will I know you'll keep your promise?" Eugeo stated angrily as he got to his feet.
"I'll remember it every time I look at you." Administrator stated flatly.
"…"
"Now, you need to perfect your flying." She stated coolly as she looked over her newly downloaded file.
"I don't care about that."
"Well, you better." Administrator quipped. "I expect a demonstration of your flying skills in the next few days. Failure to impress me and I will deny you the use of your Blue Rose Sword. "Do you understand?" she demanded.
"Yes, Lady Pontifex." Eugeo narrowed his eyes and flapped his wings aggressively.
End Chapter 4
