LENA OF FOXKIN

“Urhhhh.” A headache was pounding between my ears. I cracked open an eye and a blinding light filled my vision, burning. I quickly shut my eye, only to slowly open it to adjust to the bright light. Where am I? I wondered. My eye finally grew accustomed to the light so I cracked my other eye open too. I could see mountains and a forest in my immediate surroundings. I shifted my arm and heard a clinging sound. I looked down to see my arms and legs were bound in manacles and chains. I was was sitting against a wooden pole, that was atop a wooden platform. Looking around I saw a large number of soldiers and townfolk surrounding the platform. I turned to look behind me and saw nothing… there was just a tear in the land. A gaping chasm spanned what looked to be the entire world. Horizon to horizon. I shakily stood up to see it a bit better. Those surrounding the platform eyed me venemously as I took a couple shaky steps to the edge of the platform. Nothingness. The blackest of blacks. The deepest of the depths. It was so deep, the bottom couldn’t be seen. This is the bottomless chasm, I am sure of it.

I turned to find Solus sitting against another pole on the platform. He was covered in blood and was barely wearing anything. I covered my face with my hands as my face began to get warm. I slowly spread my fingers to look at him. Even though he was imprisoned, he was still well built and not emaciated from his time behind bars. I dropped my hands and sat beside him. He was similarly bound like me, however his manacles and chains were triple the thickness of my own. I guess they’re a little worried about his transformation. As I stared at him, he groaned and slowly opened his eyes.

SOLUS

Where am I now? My body felt heavy and painful. What happened? I remember a fight, then… arrows, lots of arrows… I opened my eyes and turned to see that foxkin girl sitting beside me, staring at me. Her face was red and her ears were standing tall and attentive. “Hey…” I said to her. She leaned closer, “Yes?” she replied. I paused before continuing, “Why is your face red?” She gasped and covered her face with her hands shifting in her sitting position. Thinking to myself, I pondered. Did I say the wrong thing? What is with her. Hmmm… what was her name? Rennae? Leslie?

It was Lena.

Ah thanks… wait who said that?

Oh, uh… hi! I am a quasi-god that Mors created for you. I don’t have a name. Pleased to meet you Solus.

Uh… a quasi? Mors? Whatever, they’re always up to something. What did he create you for?

I am your personal assistant. Think of me as your secretary or an artificial intelligence privy to your memories.

Secretary? AI? How do you… ah I see. You read my memories.

Yes I did! I know everything you do and a bit more. Mors created me to help you sort through the data you collect from souls and to assist you in any way I can.

Right. You said you didn’t have a name, right? Do you want one?

Hmm. It wouldn’t impact my duties, however it would be convenient to have a name so you can call on me.

Makes sense. Gimme a sec. Although the quasi whatever said it didn’t want a name I felt a sense of longing from it. Alright, a name, a name. God, I suck at thinking of names. Jerry? I felt a feeling of discontent and a flash of red. No? Okay… Gerald? Red. Nope, Jack? Red. Was that a sigh? Oh. Hang on, you don’t like guy names. Right. What about… think, goddamn it think. Oh! I got it! What about Eve? Green. Ding, ding, ding.

Eve… I like it! From now on I’m Eve, your personal assistant. Now you better stop talking to me and check on Lena, she looks like she’s having a meltdown. Also, um… it looks like you're bound and awaiting punishment. Well… good luck!

Great. I looked at Lena who was still squirming with her hands covering her face. “Hey Lena.” She stopped moving and her hands parted, dazzling emerald eyes shone in the hazy sunlight. I never noticed her eyes. “W-Why are you staring so intently at me?” She stammered. I continued to stare at her beautiful eyes. “You’re eyes, they’re-“

“SOLUS!”

That fucking prick.

LENA OF FOXKIN

Why is he staring at me? His gaze is intense but gentle at the same time. I didn’t imagine it! I thought back to the volley of arrows that covered the sky back in Boren. That look on his face when he protected me. Even after all the death and carnage, that gentle look in his eyes calmed me. Even though I knew the situation was not okay. He began to speak, “You’re eyes, they’re-“

“SOLUS!”

I turned my head to look at the one who shouted his name. It was the robed man that Solus chased during the failed escape in Boren. I looked back at Solus to see that gentle look had vanished. His face had changed, his eyes were full of scathing rage. He looked ready to kill.