CHAPTER 20

Date: December 19th, 110 P.A. / 2114 C.E.

News of Arei's actions during Mewtwo's collapse was quick to disperse throughout the Temple, and from there into the capitol, and from there into the kingdom. By this time, the game of telephone had twisted her injuries into broken limbs and gashes through the stomach, and that she'd been vomiting blood for days afterwards. The tale also became romantic in the views of many, although that really wasn't all that accurate, for while there had been an element of affection to it, it had not had Arei endure rape, nor did she kiss his face afterwards. Of course, when Arei heard this as she lay in recovery, she was horrified, and considered giving a proper statement to correct those rumors—but the other had assured her, it happened all the time, so she needn't fuss.

The truth of the matter was that Arei was left with a fractured calf, a damaged-but-healing-kidney, and with an array of bruises that both Zered and Abaddon were quick to start healing. That she, like her God, was dehydrated, famished, and exhausted did not help her, but within a few weeks, she had healed fully, no longer urinating brown liquid that symbolized her internal hurts. Indeed, thus was one of the quickest things to have been healed by Mewtwo, for the refusal to allowed her to suffer, no matter how rash her actions.

The truth of the matter was, he was astounded and impressed by what Arei had done…her courage striking him as hard as the evidence of her affection for him. He recalled her warmth, her soothing touch and voice in his weakness and agony after he had run out of physical energy to fight…in his body's collapse, his powers had short-circuited. Thank the heavens for that, or he really would have killed her.

And he now knew that he didn't want that to happen in the least. He said as much to Arei as he healed her wounds, asking her not to do that again…but she said she would anyhow, and so they had reached a hesitant truce about the matter…she would help him, but he would be heavily restrained. It worked…and it was the start of the bridge built between them of equality, though Mewtwo would not admit such for her sake. Elevating Arei would do her no good…besides, he wasn't certain if that was even something that might happen. Certainly, she had gained some of his admiration and respect…but affection? Indeed, he was growing fond of her…but only time could tell how far that feeling went.

Though it should have been obvious by this time to the man, Messenger Craven approached Arei with a proposition, much as the Priests had before him. From his stance, he made it obvious that this deal would be more intimate than Arei felt appropriate, for the thing was, Craven admired the girl. She was beautiful, feisty, and powerful…indeed, she was tantalizing. That he had heard of some rather smutty stories concerning Priestess and their god only appealed to him all the more.

"So, my Priestess, I trust you are doing well under God's Abaddon's care?"

Arei truly did want to ignore him, his slightly suggestive tone…yet answered all the same. "Very well…," she commented, glancing at him, only to have him devour that gaze. "Not that Abaddon's care for me is any of your business."

He just smiled at her; his grey robes having turned the darker slate shade as he had been promoted to a Master Messenger. The edges were tailor with violet and silver, and Abaddon's crest like the amulet she wore against her bare skin beneath her robes. These days, she likened to interpret it as not only as her shield, but as Mewtwo's personal touch. In truth, she was still contemplating just what it was she felt for him…but she felt by far more at peace with her questioning now, not fighting with herself over her heart.

The messenger spoke again after a time. "My priestess. You know, I could serve you very well…after all, in my position, I have many ways of gaining the intimate information of people who may wish you harm. I could be of great help to you if you allow such."

"And what would be the benefit for you be?"

He smirked. "Oh, I'm certain we could figure out something agreeable to both of us."

She turned towards him, pausing…staring into his face. He already knew what her answer would be, that much was clear. But some shard of him wanted to be humored, for her to accept…and looking into his eyes, viewing his expression as a while, she suddenly understood why she didn't like him in the least.

The man before her ran on lust. Lust for power, for knowledge, for personal pleasure. Lust to use her to gain all of those things, her body included in the deal. For what more out of reach than an empress's embrace? What more tempting than the supposedly purest human in the entire country?

And so, her brow furrowed, and she smiled derisively. "I think not, Messenger Craven. I'd much rather die than ally myself to you."

Little could she comprehend how likely this might be. She'd made yet another potentially dangerous enemy, for his connections and intelligence base were becoming quite widespread. With her answer, he murmured that that was too bad, bowing over-exuberantly as he was dismissed, his ponytail falling over his shoulder as he did so. As she began to walk away slowly, she heard him murmur something clearly derogatory, and was ready to berate him before she felt something heavy crash over her head, and she fell into blackness.

Delilah, having observed the entire thing, had stepped out and smashed a heavy ceramic piece over the teenager's head. She battered the Priestess some out of spite, pulling a knife from her robes. Master Craven, having watched the entire thing, suppressed his surprise—he had heard of this Handmaiden's ambitions, though had not suspected she was capable of assault. He clucked his tongue as he saw her place the blade at Arei's neck, shaking his head.

"I wouldn't be so hasty to kill her, Handmaiden Delilah. The God would be most upset."

She smirked over at him. "I know. He'd be more upset than you even know. You aren't the only one with intel, Messenger."

The truth was, Delilah herself spied frequently on the woman who was now bleeding profusely from the skull, who barely stirred except to take slow, shallow breaths. She had seen what had happened during the final night of the Festival of Reborn Souls, among one tasty interaction the two had shared.

Craven just smiled. "I'm certain that's true. I have little gleanings into the Holy State…my tastes are more towards the Military and Commons. However, that is beside the point. You shouldn't kill this High Priestess, not yet anyway."

"Oh? And why is that?"

He crossed his arms. "Well for one, it'll be easily traced back to us. For another, Priestess Arei can be used yet to our benefit."

A pale eyebrow was quirked. "'Our'?"

"Oh yes. If I can't be Arei's ally, why not ally myself to someone who shares a common interest, longing for the ability to be able to manipulate the events around one's self for…the good of the people?"

So, the Priests were spied upon by his following. Delilah thought it over, and saw little reason to deny him. A fused intelligence base would be very beneficial, and furthermore, it mattered not what power he took as long as she received her promised place at the head of the hierarchy. Through her, the Priests could have their way…and with Craven's help, this could be achieved all the sooner. And she knew Master Craven needed all the help he could get, for he was but one man, and not even noble-born.

Still, she couldn't take up the offer too swiftly. "And what could you provide for the cause?"

His gaze drifted upwards, and he chuckled slightly. "Well, let's just say I have connections with some heretical folk."

The Rebels…indeed, that was tantalizing. They would be all too willing to take the girl…and it would leave them unsoiled with holy blood. She pretended to consider it, before shaking his hand, accepting him into the growing fold.

"I suppose we had better sound an alarm and get her to Zered," she commented, seeing how much Arei had bled out onto the floor. She was curiously still, but she had a pulse when Delilah checked.

"I'll send an errand boy this way in a few minutes. No need to cast suspicion on ourselves. Such a shame, though. Arei is starting to really NOT appeal to me," he told, beginning to walk away with Delilah.

The blond smiled. "I could give you an earful of some truly scandalous activities she's been having."

"All in good time, dear Delilah. All in good time…."

Fifteen minutes later the Priestess was being rushed to Doctor Zered's care. Her skull was fractured, and the damage looked by far more severe than Delilah might have guessed. She gained consciousness, only to shout to Abaddon and the one attending her that she couldn't see. Then she slipped into a coma.