Instert standard disclaimer here. Everyone should know that I don't own these characters. Except, of course, the original ones. Also chopped the story up into chapters. Sorry if the transitions are rough. If you want to read it without chapters, head over to vejiitasei.com.

Absolution- Part 1, Chapter 11
by the Prime Minister

Xellos clenched his jaw against his words, relieved when she finally dropped off to sleep. It was so frustrating, feeling for this woman and yet unable to access those feelings. It was as if he was deaf but was still aware of sound vibrations, which served only to tease him. Still, she had been making progress. It had been weeks since she took a meal in her room, and he had even caught her gazing at Lecia with a soft expression on her face. Oh, how he wished that he was capable of loving the woman and the child. He would have given his limbs to be able to feel for them. As it was, every time they laughed he felt nausea wash over him, his Monster's senses disgusted with their happiness. Instead of gaining power from their emotions he actually felt drained by them, especially the child. As darling and entertaining as his daughter was, her nearly-endless joy sickened him to no end. His system just wasn't used to taking it. At least Xellas had begun to send him out on missions again, always short ones and always at night so that he could return in time to feed Lecia in the morning.

As he gently laid Lina down on her bed he was tempted to lie down beside her, so exhausted was he. It felt as if he had been sucked completely dry, and he desperately needed some time to recuperate. He was satisfied that the females had fun, but their positive emotions wreaked havoc upon his system. Smoothing the hair from her face, he studied Lina carefully, a million memories surfacing inside of him. He remembered the first time he saw her as she attacked the group of bandits, savored the violence in her soul as she destroyed the bandits' hideout and beat a few of them senseless. From his perch high above the ground he had witnessed the whole incident, and he had known then and there that Lina would be a particularly gratifying mortal with whom to keep company. Her incredibly short temper and tendency towards powerful negative emotion supplied him with incredible energy boosts, and yet she was intelligent and strong enough to provide interesting sport as well. He supposed that he had always been fond of her, at least as fond as his race's capacities would allow, although it had been the sort of fondness one might feel for a pet or possession rather than another person.

Well, then he had become human, and the rules of the game changed. Suddenly her negative emotions did not satisfy him, grant him power, or otherwise benefit him. Her frustration and pain became his frustration and pain, and he found that he would do anything in his power to prevent her from feeling anything but wonderful. The reversal of motivation had sent him reeling for quite some time, but he had eventually come to enjoy pleasing her. The sparkle of her genuine smile had made his mortal heart race like precious little had done, and her joy was every bit as sweet to his mortal self as her pain had ever been to his Monster incarnation. Her happiness had been his happiness. At present, however, he was incapable of happiness at all. Satisfaction was the closest he could come, and it felt empty and pale in comparison with what he had known as a human. What bothered him the most, however, was that he was still saddled with the Monster's desire to draw energy from her pain, but he simply couldn't bring himself to do it. He honestly wanted her to be happy, and yet when she was her emotions sickened him. It was if he had been cast into the darkest pit of Hellmaster's domain, with no possible way to escape.

He removed his hand from Lina's cheek and stood stiffly, watching the shifting moonlit shadows in the room with his keen Monster's vision. The disgust he felt at Lecia and Lina's happiness was worth it, he supposed. There were other ways for him to procure energy for his uses, which reminded him that he was most likely overdue to report for duty. Quickly teleporting to Lecia's room, he checked on the child one last time. Satisfied that his females were sleeping soundly, he then materialized in his mistress' throne room, bowing before her dais and remaining there until she saw fit to notice him.

You're late, Xellas said, examining her fingernails.

Forgive me, Mistress, Xellos intoned, feeling slightly more well now that he was away from the humans and their tumultuous feelings. I had to put Lina to bed.

Beastmaster snorted and shook her head. So much effort for that slip of a female, she murmured in bored tones. And the little one needs so much caring for. Thank goodness you are no longer capable of making more.

Xellos ignored the intimate memories that came to mind, also doing his best not to pay attention to the emptiness inside him when such thoughts occurred to him instead of the fire that should have been there. My apologies, he intoned, head still bowed.

She sat up in her throne and slid down off of the seat, walking over to him and stroking his head as if he was a dog. Her fingers slid through his hair and caressed his scalp, then she gripped him roughly. He took a breath and held it, eyes squeezed shut. There was no telling what she would do, especially if he had displeased her. For a moment it seemed as if she would yank on his hair and pull him to standing, then her hold on him relaxed. You frustrate and perplex me, Xellos, she growled, striding back to her throne.

He remained kneeling, letting out his breath slowly. I'm sorry, he murmured, not daring to look up. Only her slender, tan ankle, encircled by fine chains and bangles, was visible out of the corner of his eye, the silken cords of her sandals shining dully in the dim light of the cavern. You have a mission tonight, my pup, Xellas said, voice calm and cool once again.

Yes, Mistress?

Take this message to Dolphin. She's the only one who still has high-level minions left. Xellas flipped an envelope at him, not bothering to gesture for him to rise and take it. I wish we hadn't lost Gaav so long ago, or that you had been able to trade the Inverse girl's life for that dragon-man's loyalty.

Xellos kept his lips tightly sealed, the image of little Val bringing him fresh diapers for Lecia fresh in his mind. It is a pity, Xellos replied carefully. He didn't want to be reminded that he would have once cheerfully traded Lina away.

Dynast is still put off by the entire Sherra incident, Xellas explained. And hopefully Dolphin won't tear you apart the moment she sees you. You're probably safe, however, even if you run into her minions. Even tainted as you are, you're still stronger than anyone she has created.

Yes, Mistress, he said, reaching forward and gathering up the letter. Would you like me to linger there and await a reply?

It won't be necessary, Xellas sighed with a wave of her hand. You're distracted enough as it is. Come back before your child awakens and becomes hungry. It wouldn't do to neglect her.

Another jolt of alarm assaulted his system, just as it did every time his mistress showed interest in his daughter. He hated to admit it, for her will was his will, but he didn't trust the Greater Beast, especially with his family. He suspected that she let Lina live out of sheer curiosity, but he had no clue as to why she seemed so intrigued by Lecia. It surely wasn't anything good, however. His mistress never cared for the well-being of mortals, let alone infants. As you wish, he said, and disappeared.

It occurred to him to wonder what was in the letter as he materialized in the heart of Deep Sea Dolphin's abode. To look at it, however, meant certain death. Still, he suspected that it most likely had something to do with himself or Lina, perhaps both. Most likely it pertained to Lina, since Xellas would appreciate the fact that he was the one delivering the message. He wondered if it contained some sort of orders; Xellas seemed to be slowly taking command of the remaining Monster forces. Then again, Dolphin and Dynast had displeased Xellas in the past, so perhaps it was a warning.

He pulled the letter out of his satchel with a mental shrug, knowing that speculating would do him no good. He hadn't taken but a few steps when a tall woman stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Her deeply green hair trailed almost to the floor, and she planted a hand on his chest. she growled, looking down at him with angry blue eyes.

Xellos immediately put on his benign smile and nodded his head reverently. Good day, Naiyad, he said brightly, lifting his gaze from her cleavage, which was at his eye level. He was a fairly tall man, but the woman dwarfed him.

Shut up, Xellos. Word of what you've done has reached even here, she said sharply, glaring at him.

He feigned innocence, putting a hand to his collarbones. Oh? And what would that be?

Everyone knows you were turned human, especially us. You helped that mortal kill our own, after all.

Ah, yes, Xellos replied with a sad nod. That was rather terrible of me, I suppose. Please rest assured that things did not work out the way I intended.

Shut up, the woman spat. It's bad enough that you helped kill Orkalym and Anemony, but actually breeding with the enemy? That's despicable, even for a flea-ridden wolf pup like you!

Xellos felt himself stiffen and annoyance began to build inside of him. I'd thank you not to speak so, he said coldly, drawing himself up to his full height.

I'll speak how I wish in my Mistress' domain, she snarled. You're lucky we don't pressure Lord Xellas to end you now and the miserable lives of your womenfolk!

I advise you not to speak ill of my family, he intoned, voice brittle in thinly-veiled animosity.

Now you're protecting them! Naiyad cried, putting a hand to her forehead. What have you become, Xellos? You used to be the best of all of us!

Things change, he replied flatly. I've done my penance and I'll hear no more of this. Please let me pass and complete my duties.

So you can what? Go back to playing nursemaid to a couple of mortals? she said with eyebrows arched.

He put a hand on her chest and gathered power. Precisely. Now let me pass before I move you myself.

Naiyad bared her teeth at him and stepped out of the way. You had better watch your back, Xellos. You're not one of them.

I know that, Xellos said coldly, and stepped past.