"This is painful to watch," sighed the ghost, hovering near the bed he was resting on.

"Tell me about it," Ares scowled, folding his arms behind his head and glaring at the ceiling of Senri's 'temporary' bedroom in Pendants. All things considered – he didn't even bother concealing his identity when Ardbert showed up – involuntarily drawn in by his presence.

It's been a full week of G'raha carefully stepping around him on his toes – clearly at a loss how to appease the Warrior – and Azem was slowly getting fed up. Not to mention, each 'night' he carefully probed at the protective cocoon he woven around Senri's soul – and his mortal was refusing to emerge. He started to doubt anything short of G'raha proclaiming his 'undying' devotion would lure him out…

They were in a stalemate and if something doesn't change – he'll be stuck with playing the Warrior throughout the whole thing – as he refused to give up until G'raha shows some kind of… fortitude. He didn't even know what he expected – but certainly not… this.

Over the millennia, whenever he and Damon… clashed – as rare as it was: his husband's temper was a fire to his ice – melting away his defenses and ire along with it. Did G'raha not 'inherit' any of Damon's fiery temper…? Or did his upbringing truly make him so infuriatingly… meek?

Honestly, he slowly started to get why in the original timeline his reincarnation – the one whom they met in Elpis, who started all of this – and his G'raha never reconciled, up to that point, at least. Redhead's insane scheme went against everything he now knew Senri was – a born, natural protector and despite how much he loved him – he could not forgive G'raha's idea – especially not after Haurchefant and Ysale. And this time – being there to pick up the pieces after that, he couldn't not understand it. The outcome – Ares having to consume the Esteem – who grew corrupted from Senri's grief, self-hate, and guilt – wasn't… pretty.

So far, he dealt with Eulmore and Amh Araeng – bringing Alphinaud and Alisaie back to Crystarium and woving those memories around Senri's cocoon in case he did peek through (and if he did, it would seem for him as if it was his memories) – and he expected his little brother's appearance any moment now… Which meant things were likely to head south soon.

His ears twitched at the sound of the suite's door opening quietly, but didn't move out of his assumed position – without a doubt guessing his 'midnight guest'.

"Hey, Damon!" said Ardbert cheerfully, confirming it.

"Hello, Ardbert. This is getting ridiculous," his husband complained, sitting on the bed next to his hip with a sigh. Ares hummed his agreement, then shifted to his side – making space for his lover to lay down in front of him, then wrapped his arm around his waist tightly and buried his nose against the crystal at G'raha's neck. "I can't believe I'm saying this, love… But either we come up with something to solve it, or those mortals will truly ruin our plans."

"He's that stubborn, eh?" he whispered, tightening his arm around him.

"That's only part of the issue," Damon sighed with resignation, then shifted around to face him. "I think what's worse is that he came to believe that he can… use this to salvage his plan."

"Still?" Azem rolled his eyes, then fell to his back and put his free hand under his head again. "I thought your… interference will put a firm stop to that."

"That makes two of us," his husband hummed, leaning his head against his bare chest and coiling his arm around his waist. "Honestly, I believed that making him 'forget' to shield his scent this time around would be enough – his memories suggested that he simply couldn't resist the way your Senri wants him. But I guess… I underestimated his dedication to Ironworks' misguided ideas. The moment they slapped the 'heroic sacrifice' stamp on this whole thing… he didn't even bother to come up with the better solution."

Ares worked his jaw for a moment, narrowing his eyes at the ceiling – then sighed, and turned his too-bright irises at his lover.

"So… what do we do?" he asked, leaning his head to press an affectionate kiss on Damon's forehead. Stuck as they were with G'raha's… stubbornness – he couldn't indulge in his lover as he wanted – without risking leaving telltale evidence – which only worked to frustrate and… piss him off more.

"Not to interrupt your brainstorming session…" said Ardbert slowly, and they both looked toward him with raised eyebrows. He folded his arms over his chest and smiled slightly at that. "But did you consider using the Mystels'… quirk?"

"Pardon?" Damon murmured before he could.

"I'm not exactly sure how it is with them back in your world," the dead Warrior of the First shrugged, his smile growing sheepish. "But here Mystels are quite famous for being extremely possessive of their mates."

"Possessive?" Ares hesitated, frowning with confusion. "Like… jealous, you mean?"

"Yeah… something like that," Ardbert chuckled, bouncing on his heels for a moment.

Azem hummed, turning his gaze toward his lover and raising his eyebrows questioningly.

"Think that would work, love?" he asked finally, involuntarily smiling as he watched the obvious consideration on his husband's handsome face.

"I'm… not sure," his lover sighed, then frowned. "Sifting through his memories suggests he was never really jealous of any of his lovers – pretty much taking in stride when they would…"

A sudden, irrational, and fiery feeling rose in Ares's chest and made a tiny, warning growl tear from his throat – melting away soon and leaving him blinking with surprise. What in the…?

"See…" Ardbert laughed softly, clearly pleased with himself. "…as I said: possessive."

"Oh," Azem cleared his throat, feeling his face heat up considerably when Damon grinned at him with obvious pleasure and sparks of amusement in his crimson irises. "I see… now. Hmmm… Well, all things considered, and under the right circumstances, I could let it 'accidentally' slip that Senri almost slept with someone during their separation and we can see if it…"

"He did what?" His husband's grin was gone instantly, exchanged for a sudden fiery glint in his eyes as he bared his teeth at him – not in a friendly manner.

"I said: almost," Ares chuckled. The ghost was definitely onto something there. When his lover didn't seem appeased by that, soon growling in the back of his throat and crawling on top of him… he grinned, using it to wrap his hands around his lover's hips.

"I'll… ah, leave you to… mull it over," Ardbert said with an obvious, uncomfortable expression, then disappeared.

"He didn't mention that," Damon scowled, clearly beyond displeased about that tidbit from T'senri's history.

"I imagine the one you interrogated wasn't proud of that," Ares hummed, rolling them over to pin his man down and bury his face against his throat, nipping at the available skin delicately. Purring involuntarily when his lover moaned softly, running his hands over his bare back… with undeniable possessiveness. "Coincidently, on the fourth anniversary of his Raha's sealing the Tower, Senri was invited to a celebration in Ishgard. He got quite… inebriated and when one of his… friends from the days of Dragonsong War showed interest, he thought it's a... good idea to try to get over G'raha and move on."

"Who?" his husband almost… hissed, his fingers now digging into Ares's lower back around his tail.

"You really want to know?" he chuckled, pressing delicate bites along his jaw while slowly pulling up the hem of his robes between them. He couldn't fuck him but that didn't mean they couldn't have some… fun. Especially when that whole… possessiveness seemed quite intriguing.

"Who, Ares?" one of Damon's hands shot up and fisted in Azem's hair, tilting his head while he trailed small, sharp bites down his throat and toward the faded bite mark on his shoulder. Oh, yes, those Miqo'te's instincts were definitely… interesting.

"Estinien," he finally gave in, stifling a groan when his lover bit him harder – though, disappointingly, careful not to break the skin. "But knowing what I do… I stopped him before it could get too far. Though, once we get back to the Source it may still be a bit awkward when he joins the Scions and all… Afterward, Senri was avoiding him like a plague. I did wonder if in another timeline he went through with it – considering how drunk and miserable he was…"

Damon snarled, pulling him in a near-violent kiss, and he surely shouldn't enjoy this so much… but he did, gladly devouring his lover's mouth and almost burned alive when after he pulled his lover's robes up to his waist, the other man spread his thighs to accommodate his weight between them – only his shorts and Ares's pants between their straining erections. Azem rutted against him slowly, eagerly swallowing Damon's needy purrs and whimpers.

"Wicked white…" his lover gasped, clawing at his back desperately when he freed his mouth for a breath.

"I want to fuck you so bad, my heart," he growled, burying his face against Damon's shoulder and fisting his hands in the sheets under him almost painfully while his man rocked back against his slow thrusts eagerly.

"Same," his husband almost mewled, and the sound had Ares groan with a mix of frustration and lust as a near-violent shudder ran down his spine.

"So…" he chuckled breathlessly, shaking with need as he turned his head and nibbled at the skin right below his lover's jaw. "…do you think that would be enough to make G'raha… snap?"

"I… don't think so," Damon gasped, wrapping his mismatched hands around Ares's ass to pull his tighter against him on each stroke. "Not when… he was the one that swore… S-Senri to move on."

Azem hissed with frustration, swearing softly at the mortal's sheer… stubbornness and selfless… idiocy.

"But… I might have an idea," his lover chuckled and Ares almost jumped out of his skin when his crystalized hand wrapped around the base of his tail. That felt… interesting and when Damon pulled delicately… Oh, gods… He mewled now, the pressure at the base of his spine suddenly growing almost unbearable. "Do you remember… that Senri never actually told Raha what exactly went down between him… and Thancred?"

"Huh?" he tried to focus, but with each slow stroke on his tail and cock… the sheer need to come was becoming a living thing under his skin – and he was slowly losing himself in the painful pleasure of trying to stave it off. Gods… but somehow their new bodies made it all feel so much more… intense. And Senri's sharpened senses weren't helping him any…

He whimpered desperately when Damon froze – a mean sort of amusement in his soul as he felt Ares's frustration – despite his own.

"Focus, love," he chided softly, chuckling when Azem snarled, freeing one hand to curl it in a nearly bruising grip around his lover's hip and holding him still, while his thrusts grew almost brutal. His husband laughed at that breathlessly, shakily bracing his thighs around Ares's hips and going back to stroking his tail – until Azem groaned loudly, helplessly, pinning him down as his muscles locked up in spasms when he came, shuddering violently and gasping for air.

While he came down from his high, Damon ran his hands soothingly over his back, nuzzling affectionately against his throat and purring near-deafeningly.

"Gods… sooo good," Ares gasped, nuzzling gratefully against his lover's shoulder with his own, almost sated purrs.

"Glad to be of service, my love," his husband chuckled – more than a bit out of breath and still almost vibrating with need.

He laughed a bit sheepishly, then rose above his man and slowly crawled down the length of his body. Realizing his intent, Damon almost too-eagerly helped him get rid of his shorts, then sighed with bliss and buried his crystalized fingers in Ares's hair while he set to pay him back for the pleasure with his lips. Before long his man was swearing and nearly choking on his moans as he fucked his mouth with obvious relief – and mesmerized by the glorious sight he made like this – Ares soon discovered another – beyond interesting – quirk of Miqo'te's – not only his purrs had Damon nearly sob and whine in the best way – but as well, it seemed he was… less likely to gag – which he used… with real relish – and leaning on Senri's memories – soon he turned his lover in a writhing, whimpering mess under his ministrations – coming twice – before Ares was satisfied with the truly debauched sight he made.

Only then, grinning toward dazed with pleasure eyes, he freed his spent flesh and climbed up again, taking the swollen, bruised lips in a slow kiss, delighting in Damon's sated purrs and quiet mewls as he tasted himself on his tongue.

"Use it to torture G'raha, will you, my heart?" he chuckled when Damon snickered, then he sagged on top of him with a blissful hum, truly enjoying it when his lover combed his crystalized fingers through his hair, with his other hand petting his ear delicately while raining affectionate kisses on his throat and cheek. "But you were saying?"

"Thancred, love," his husband repeated, with more than a hint of amusement in his low voice. "Senri never told Raha what exactly happened between them. He just assumed that by 'him not being interested' he meant that Thancred is in general not interested in males."

"Which is quite correct," he frowned, rising above him on his elbows and peering at him curiously. Not to mention… he did love to watch his husband's brilliant mind at work.

"Yes… but G'raha doesn't know that, Ares," Damon's smirk was downright… devious when he wiggled his dark-red eyebrows meaningfully, wrapping his arms around Azem's shoulders. "Think of it… we know that soon Thancred will be joining us – after tomorrow's raid on the Ostall Imperative. And with your gift… you can make Thancred more than willing to play along."

Ares grimaced slightly at that – at which his lover smiled reassuringly. His natural gift – an ability to manipulate others – wasn't something he enjoyed using. Back in their time – it was easily manageable, since influencing other immortals was beyond… difficult and took enormous amounts of aether, but here, in this fragmented world? Ares had a nasty suspicion that if he were so inclined – which he was not – he could ask a whole army of mortals to end their lives and they would do so without hesitation and with a smile. What Damon suggested… was more than doable – if anything he would have to be very careful not to overdo it and have the Hyur convinced he's in love with him… at best.

It was one of the reasons why Senri could not know about him – and that… talent of his. He was a good and sweet boy – but Ares couldn't be certain he wouldn't give in to the temptation of that ability. Even he – with millennia-worth experience in resisting abusing that skill – had to admit he was nearly tempted to cut this farce short by forcing G'raha to comply – but that would be beside the point of this whole… ordeal.

His whole point was… G'raha proving – out of his own free will – that he cared about Senri as much as his mortal did about him. That he knew him and his nature – as much as Damon knew Ares's – and looked past the… idiotic idea someone dazed his romantic soul with. Heroic sacrifice… pah!

His lover shook him out of his musing by brushing his fingertips over the tattoo on T'senri's shoulder.

"Add showing off this… memento, Azem – I would be surprised if Raha wouldn't simply… pounce at you," he snickered when Ares rolled his eyes at him.

The tattoo – exactly the same one as G'raha was sporting when they were together – was the result of Senri's longing for his lover on the first anniversary of him sealing the Tower. All things considered – it being the mark of the Scions – if spotted by his friends, they simply assumed it was his pride in belonging to their organization that prompted Senri to mark himself like that. Which was for the best – considering his… difficulties in talking about his lost love. But… G'raha was sure to realize the true meaning behind it…

A slow, mischievous grin tilted his lips as the idea his lover spun took root and sprouted in his mind. If nothing else… he could use it to see for himself if G'raha took anything from his husband's temper. And if even that doesn't help this… snag – he will know there was simply not saving this situation between their mortals.

And if that was the case – he'll be forced to move on to the more drastic measures.

He sighed, closed his eyes, and moved his forehead against his lover's.

"If it doesn't work, my heart," he said slowly, carefully. "You know what I'll have to do, don't you?"

"I do," Damon's fingers flinched slightly on his skin, but when he spoke next, his voice rang with steel… he loved him for. "We need T'senri – sane and capable. The mask was a stroke of genius, love – as hopefully, Hades is not likely to as soon take a look at your soul too closely as when seeing your… his face – but it'll work only so long, knowing our boy. And the moment he does – we will lose our advantage and the chance to give him… a proper lesson for this whole… stunt. So if it doesn't work and Raha fails to… soothe your worries about his commitment to your mortal – I'll not begrudge you, Ares. If the push comes to shove… lock away Senri's memories of his time with Raha and compel him to see him as nothing more than a friend. Until Hades is safe… I'll not stand for G'raha's stubbornness endangering our plans."

"Thank you," he whispered, breathing out with relief.

After carefully, though reluctantly, washing off Ares's/Senri's scent of his reincarnation's body, Damon strolled back inside the Umbilicus and sighed as he settled in precisely the same pose as when he took over – leaning against one of the bookshelves. He put back in his lap the book G'raha was busy trying to distract himself with from his… misgivings and for a moment simply fiddled with the pages, his unseeing eyes focused on his crystalized fingers.

He truly woke up after Raha connected himself to the Tower to extend his life – and after spending a century with the boy – he came to love him as much as he loved Hades. The Crystal Tower – marvel as it was – allowed him to discreetly siphon away his own soul's aether to the level manageable for Raha's eight-times rejoined soul – and if his theory stood true – once they travel to the Source and rejoin with the body locked over there in the slumber – his boy's soul should be dense enough to be fully able to support his.

Though if his husband is forced to wipe Senri's memories… it'll be hell for both of them, him and Raha. As stubborn as he was in this… idiocy – Damon was growing more fed up than even Azem about the situation.

Honestly, he was almost… embarrassed and mortified by Raha's behavior.

He knew that the boy's upbringing was to blame for most of it – and if on the day they'll arrive in Old Sharlayan he gets a chance… oh, but he'll have some choice words for his mortal's caregivers! He could feel Raha's fiery temper – stifled and strictly controlled by the years of others putting him down for being… 'eccentric'. By the years upon years of loneliness and isolation.

Only during that brief time he spend with Senri – the Warrior's care and love helping him to rebuild some of his confidence – Raha was able to be truly… himself. The rash, carefree boy indulged in his devoted lover – and both of them flourished in that beautifully.

But his… silly, romantic soul was corrupted by the heroic ideas – and he just… couldn't see the simple truth hidden behind Ares's 'test.' And no matter how he understood the boy's heart – he couldn't stand for him ruining their plans.

If his love was the price for Hades's life… and happiness – the choice was simple enough. And if it comes to that – which he hoped wouldn't happen – asking his husband to free Raha from his… feelings for Senri would be easy enough.

He carefully probed at G'raha's sleeping mind – and grimaced at the level of his misery, their shared heart honestly… aching for the boy. Raha did love his Warrior – more than anything else… But as Damon's knowledge from the past timeline proved – if allowed to continue with his plans… he would lose his heart anyway.

And he understood that as well – knowing his husband's temper and nature – and remembering the look of the other T'senri's eyes when he spoke of him… There were precisely a few things the both of them were simply… incapable of forgiving.

No matter how much Senri loved Raha – he couldn't help but see his 'scheme' as the ultimate form of betrayal – something that went against his very nature – and that coming from the man who was supposed to love and know him – would break them apart forever.

He – having a millennia-worth of experience with dealing with his partner – knew precisely what and what not Azem would forgive. And knowing that – he would sooner kill his husband himself than ask him to watch him die for him. Senri – with his history and what Ares told him of the Warrior's… issues after the Dragonsong War – was even more sensitive to that than his lover.

So he, Damon, knowing all that and more… had no choice but to agree with his lover's test.

After all, at the end of this road – even if they manage to save and secure Hades – stood the despair incarnate.

He didn't know how it went in the timeline of T'senri they met in Elpis – but he could not believe that the state of his affairs with the man he was clearly torn over led to anything good. Despite all of the work and scheming it cost – he was still thankful to all the possible gods that on that day – the day of their anniversary – they chose to look for their son, just to stumble right upon the cat-like Ares-look-a-like and his insane story…

Hades was a marvel – he will never stop thanking Ares's parents for him – and didn't deserve to have his… insane plans realized. He and his husband didn't raise a coward – and he was more than eager to remind his unruly son about that!

But Raha… Damon sighed miserably, leaning his head back against the bookshelf and closing his eyes.

Raha had to prove to Ares that he was worthy of his mortal's heart and…

A sudden… thought had his eyes pop wide open again… and his lips tilted in a grin. Didn't his lover ask him for something after so… masterfully blowing his mind? That… gave him ideas.

He knew Raha did share his fiery temper… and he did love and want his Warrior – and though he couldn't influence his decision… he could stoke the flames.

If he remembered the story of T'senri's of the past right – after tomorrow's raid Ares – playing Senri – will be stuck for days in Il Mheg – the Faerie Kingdom. Raha rarely slept if Damon didn't subtly coerce him into that – especially when he needed to use his body without the Seeker's knowledge – but with feeding his mind and body even when he was awake with… right images and memories – by the time Ares is back with Thancred in tow – he could try to stoke the flames so high… Raha wouldn't be able to resist the bait.

Even his… heroic ideas couldn't last if he have him frothing at the mouth with lust for his Warrior by the time they can put their last test to life… right?

He grinned downright… evilly, then set to slowly, subtly luring his mortal's awareness back into the consciousness while feeding his half-asleep mind with some… slightly altered, choice images.

Oh… but he hoped that his boy will enjoy this ride – with more to come before he was done with him.

G'raha woke up panting harshly, so painfully aroused his heart stuttered and pounded furiously between his ears, his blood simply boiled in his veins, and his cock throbbed in the insane rhythm of his heartbeat.

Oh, Twelve…

He arched almost against his will, blindly pushing the book off his lap in near-violent movement, then less than half-aware of what he was doing, hooked up his robes, pulled them up, and hissed through his teeth when his 'normal' hand wrapped around his erection – the feeling barely a shade of the almost-real sensation of the too-hot mouth and vibrating purrs on the flesh of his hazy dream. A poor imitation of the pure bliss of looking down to meet the lust-filled icy-blue irises. Of fisting his crystalized fingers in the inky-black strands and fucking that almost too-pretty mouth and coming time after time to his lover's satisfied hums and purrs. Of tasting himself on the rough tongue, mixed with his Senri's addictive flavor and wrapped into his intoxicating scent of fresh apples.

His senses were simply overwhelmed by the glorious images and sensations… with barely a few strokes on his throbbing flesh, he came with a choked whine – spilling all over his thighs as his mind simply drowned in the bliss.

"…Senri…" he whimpered, a prayer and a plea, as he was so utterly lost in the feelings.

You're so beautiful like this, Raha, his love's deep voice, hoarse with lust, rang through his head. A memory, but felt so… real… I could make you come forever just to see you like this. My beautiful historian, I love you so much my heart aches… My love, my heart… Always be mine, Raha…

He choked on a sob as the too-hot, phantom lips brushed his in an infinitely delicate caress… chased the feeling instinctively… to be met with nothing.

His eyes shot wide open and he almost howled mournfully at the mocking emptiness of the Umbilicus.

Gods… He put his crystalized hand over his mouth to choke down his sobs – nothing to be done about hot tears streaming from his eyes and blurring his vision as he let his head fall back against the bookshelf.

He can be yours, whispered a tiny, tempting voice in the back of his mind… and he whimpered into his palm, closing his eyes.

No, he ruined it. And if he hoped to salvage his plan… he couldn't. Senri… Senri was everything – and if saving him meant losing his love… as he did… How could he ever hope to deserve a perfect man like this… if he was so selfish to try to fix… things and then ask his lover to watch him die…?

Senri he knew and loved would never allow that… no matter the price for himself. He would rather let the Light consume and twist him – dooming both worlds – than let him do the only thing he could to prove his devotion to the man who stole his heart with his too sweet kisses and caring, sensitive heart hidden behind the cheerful mask.

Exactly, that voice again, sounding almost… exasperated. G'raha blinked, frowning and wondering… was he losing his mind now? Isn't there a way to have both…? Save Senri and keep him? Think, Raha… think…

He swallowed thickly, numbly staring at the opposite wall as he shamefully fixed his robes. Have… both?

How…?

…in its design at the very base of its form and function, the Allagan Crystal Tower was made to be a gigantic, endless siphon. Those were the adjustments Allagans' made, paired with the creation of the moon, Dalamut, that we now understand was formed as the giant prison designed to hold the Elder Primal, Bahamut, and use his power – aether, basically – to power up the portals their Empire used to summon the voidsent to aid their expansion…

The passage from the book he read long, long ago, while preparing for presenting his thesis – condition to earn his Archon's marks…

…an endless siphon… for aether?

G'raha blinked, feeling like suddenly his belly filled with butterflies.

Like… Calamity-level amount of Light aether…? Was that… possible…?

He nearly jumped to his feet, heading straight to the control panel of the Tower – his heart stuttering nervously.

Was that… possible?

Good boy, the voice whispered, almost with… pride.

He froze, frowning and narrowing his eyes, then looked around suspiciously. Okay, what was up with… that? Was he losing his mind…? Hearing voices…? It sounded like him… but there was something off about it… Like him – but older and… he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but… it was just… too weird.

And that passage… suddenly popping up out of nowhere – more than one hundred years after he read it. He did have a good memory… but not that good – otherwise he would think of this… possibility earlier, he hoped…

So… what was that voice? And what interest did it have in helping him…?

Oops, I got over-excited and overdid it, it hummed with… amusement and a hint of sheepishness.

"Hello?" he said out loud, turning around slowly and looking at all sides with narrowed eyes. "Who are you? And what do you want?"

You can quit looking around, Raha… You make us look silly, now definitely amused. I'm inside you, boy.

He almost jumped at that and looked over himself with utter terror. He was… possessed?

In a manner of speaking… A low, amused chuckle was followed by a resigned sigh. Though, I was born inside you – with you – so calm down, I mean you no harm. Since it seems the cat's out of the bag… let's have a talk.

"WHO are you?" he knew his voice was high with panic… and didn't care.

I said calm down, boy, now the voice sounded stern and uncompromising – strangely like that of a… parent, not that G'raha had much experience with that – and he involuntarily listened, freezing and just… blinking with confusion. That's better. As I said, there's no need for panicking, Raha. I did not intend to reveal myself to you… but since that's what happened – we can make the best of it, don't we? It is a long and complicated story… but I can help you save your Warrior without the sacrifice you seemed so bent on.

"For what… price?" he whispered, almost shaking with nerves and uncertainty.

Let's see… Amusement again. Since I would die with you if you end up going ahead with your 'grand scheme', I would say both of us surviving would be my condition… or a price, if you prefer. And your Warrior cannot find out about me. This fulfilled… anything else we can negotiate. If you keep an open mind… you'll find I can be quite useful and easy-going. I think I already proved that by giving you the solution to our… issue at hand.

G'raha swallowed thickly, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. If he could really save Senri without dying…

"What… what do I call you?" he said slowly, feeling quite… like he was signing away his soul. But for Senri… he would do anything.

Good choice. The voice sounded beyond pleased, and G'raha pretended that it didn't send a cold shiver down his spine. There's still hope for you, my boy. You can call me Damon, Raha. And to make it official… go, check the Tower's logs – make sure that what I'm offering is a real possibility. If it'll put you more at ease… our talk can wait. We have nothing but time to get to know each other.

He nodded slowly, unnecessarily – if that being was truly inside him – then headed again toward the control panel… praying in thought that it was indeed the right choice.

Another low, amused chuckle in the back of his head did not make him shudder… too noticeably, he hoped.