Stathis slumbered, feeling Janaxia’s warm body pressed up against her front, gentle, regular breathing, in and out. She was vaguely conscious, Janaxia’s vague sense of relaxation leaking out, lulling her into a deeper sleep, comfortable and secure. The blunt part of a horn poked against her shoulders, and she twisted, making herself comfortable.

She fell, but without fear, an endless wind buffeting her body, a glow penetrating behind her closed eyes. When she opened them, she could see the golden mist-haze permeating the air, limiting her vision. The voice rippled through her mind, coming from all around her, bringing with it a sense of power and grandeur, and the flutter of feathers.

This is not as I foresaw.

‘Well, a lot of your predictions were very vague, and frankly not that helpful. It would have been nice to have rather more material aid? And maybe not encouraging me to kill Janaxia? Given that she ended up being pretty helpful!’ She could still feel Janaxia’s body, pressed against hers. ‘And I had to talk you into helping me, otherwise I’d have died!’

The weave of the fates are beyond complexity, child of light!

‘Hmph. Sure.’

And the child of dark has a covetous heart. She may yet turn on you. Even the voice didn’t sound very sure.

‘She might, but I don’t think she’ll do anything worse than maybe get drunk and make some poor choices. She’s not particularly malicious, and I’m pretty sure I can calm her down with some nice jewellery or a new dress. The Black Triad might start something, but Skotadi just wants to looks pretty, and prying Armoniki out of a library is probably going to be a challenge by itself. I don’t know about the Blade, but now he’s not being used as a weapon, he might calm down? Either way, they’re not going to try and destroy the world.’

I did not foresee that they could be turned from their bitterness and hate.

‘Yeah, well, they’ve been through a lot. What about you though?’ There was a shocked-sounding pause. ‘You locked yourself away, a long time ago, even by your standards. Having no-one around to talk to probably hasn’t done you any good – no wonder you went a bit strange. So what are you going to do now? Just sit here on your own forever? I guess you could, but that seems a waste. Given that this world is empty, why not let it be used again? I suppose there’s a load of demons, but some of them can be talked to.’

A shadow formed in front of Stathis, coalescing into the rough outline of Janaxia, her curves clearly recognisable, the shadow even having a red slash in its hair, and the golden choker around the neck. It drew close to Stathis, yawning, before looking around, hair floating like in water.

Hmmm, this is unexpectedly vivid. Although, mmmmm, pleasant and warm… She sounded drowsy, barely awake.

The voice hissed, the sound making Stathis wince. Janaxia shuddered, drawing closer to Stathis, dream-body warm and soft. That is unpleasant!

How has she intruded here!?

‘Well, we’re pretty close in the real world. And she can do that mind-speech thing, so it’s probably related to that?’

Mmm, Stathis. Nice and warm and soft.... Janaxia’s shadow moved close in, kissing Stathis on the cheek. Stathis took hold of her by the waist, finding it solid and firm, just like flesh, despite appearing dark and misty.

‘Uh, Janaxia, this isn’t a dream. That’s the spirit of light I’ve told you about.’

Janaxia’s head came to rest on her shoulder, Stathis instinctively turning her head to avoid getting a horn across her face. Mmm? Warm and soft. She tried to kiss Stathis again, who reached around and pinched a pert buttock, as hard as she could. The shadowy outline shimmered and became more focused, along with a grumbling mental echo.

Begone from this place!

‘Hey, there’s no need to be rude! She’s with me. And she’s not going to do anything.’

She heard the slithering hiss of clothing, feeling it appear from nothingness against her body, Janaxia’s silhouette changing as she clothed herself, silk appearing beneath Stathis’ arms and hands. You should have warned me, so that I could attire myself appropriately!

‘You’re sort of a shadow here, I don’t think it makes much difference?’

Nevertheless! It is a rare honour to be in the presence of a deity, much less one that is partially responsible for the creation of one’s fiancée. So formal clothing is very much preferred!

You should not be here!

Well, that’s rather rude! I am engaged to Stathis, I think that would entitle me to some respect, and a certain amount of conversation with key figures in her life.

Stathis could feel her heartbeat, a steady throb, not showing signs of fear at all. Did she still think it was a dream? I did put myself at acute personal risk during the recent crisis – it seems a little rude to not acknowledge that!

There was a long silence, long enough for Stathis to start to feel second-hand embarrassment, Janaxia stiff and indignant in her arms.

The light flickered and pulsed, before returning to regular brightness. I do not yet trust you, child of darkness, beloved of the Book of Shadows. You are vain and capricious, and even though you aided your world, to fight so easily against your kin is no small matter. Yet you have been an aid to my champion, through the trials she has endured, and she has seen fit to bind you with her mark.

The choker seemed to shine with an inner brightness.

‘That was just a gift!’

It is a mark and a seal, to show the effect you have had on the champion that should have been your greatest opposition. And now she is yours, bound by gold and sworn by the light.

Stathis tried not to blush and cringe, although Janaxia was pulling herself closer, kissing Stathis again, on the cheek. I think it is rather fetching. Now, as I seem to have been called here, it is a pleasure to meet you. I suppose we are related, as you are responsible for Stathis’ birth?

She was speaking in her best formal voice, cut-glass and courteous, twisting around in Stathis’ arms, looking about herself, still a shadowy figure.

‘So what are you going to do? I’ve done my part, haven’t I? No more destiny, no more prophecy?’

The darkness may return, but, for now, the light has prevailed.

‘Good. So I don’t need to worry about this again? Just about normal monsters and politics and stuff? Not that that sounds much better though.’

You are correct, child of light. Although demons and other beasts still roam, they are not threats to the world itself.

‘Thanks, that’s good to know. So are you just going to stay here? If Hakara can open up a portal to this place, will that cause any problems? It looks a bit infertile, but compared to Setha, not that bad. And people could always bring food through.’

Another long pause, Janaxia tutting under her breath in annoyance, her mental voice a low whisper. Rather slow to respond, isn’t she? I was expecting a little more grandeur.

‘She’s been alone a long time, I think she’s not used to talking.’

Even so!

‘The realm shall be open to you. I shall bless those that call upon me, yet should they prove traitor, then I shall punish them.’

‘I’ll let Hakara know. And we’ll watch out for any feral demons once we’re though, I guess.’

The child of darkness I bar from these lands.

Well, that’s rather rude! After all, we will soon be related, and it seems not impractical to consider Stathis your daughter. To restrict your daughter-in-law such seems rather excessive! Especially over some trifling philosophical differences.

‘Uh, maybe try and play nicer with her? She did save us. Eventually.’

She is being rather rude! Janaxia was stiff and indignant in Stathis’ arms, heart thrumming with annoyance. And it might be more productive to perhaps have dialog with Skotadi and Armoniki?

The light throbbed uncertainly.

‘You should probably do something more than just vaguely float about here. And maybe talk to someone other than me? Whatever you’ve been doing for however long it’s been. I don’t really know what happened all that time ago, but things have changed a bit since then – a lot of the demons aren’t too bad. Even Zarazonnia just wants to settle down, at least for now, and if she starts getting violent, then that can be dealt with.’

The darkness was a curse upon the land!

‘Well, maybe. But sitting around on your own isn’t going to improve matters at all. So maybe think about it?’ Stathis hugged Janaxia closer, kissing her back, trying to keep hair from fluttering across her face. The overlay of Janaxia’s shadow-body and her real one was slightly confusing, the gentle pressure against Stathis’ body overlapping with itself.

‘Maybe just try and talk to them? Skotadi can probably be talked into dressing up for it, making it a formal occasion.’

Yes, it would be good for her to get used to speaking to dignitaries. She may even find it flattering.

‘Think about it? As you can apparently get in touch with me whenever you need to. Although it seems that Janaxia might be tagging along as well.’ Janaxia gave a happy wriggle in her arms. ‘It’ll be better for you than just being stuck here, on your own, for ever.’

The light flared and rippled, Stathis using her body to shield Janaxia from the flare. She felt sleepy darkness coming over here, forced from the light, drawing Janaxia close to herself as she was pushed into slumber.