Miko

A flash of purple through the halls. His rippling robe, tracing his last path trodded, softly pattering behind him as his enigmatic form traveled past the empty rooms. So quiet, all except for the gentle sounds of his footwear stepping against the pearlescent floors beneath him, typical choice of such royal homes.

He had been called to the palace yet again, already done his duties, and choiced to take a nice, quiet stroll through the kingdom, visiting his favorite spots.

The empty ones.

Eridan sighed to himself, his aquatic eyes slowly flashing to and fro, almost as if he was making sure he was alone. Crowds are such a tire to please, especially with his reputation floating around the air like a disease; Why try if all you do is humor them with your attempts?

His mindless thinking led him to an open ledge, overhanging out a northern exterior wall, draped with vines and flora, just like the others. He leaned against the edge, arms crossed, as Eridan pondered more, watching the flow of the city below take place.

Merchants, traders, and other straggling sellers conversed and condensed at town square, inhabitants of all kinds coming up to meet them and their possible wares. Shopkeepers who awakened to the approaching twilight lit their torches and opened their awaiting doors as those who sleep to dawn closed theirs. The bustling energy of the daylight began to diminish as the moon’s world began to rise, just like it always did. It was one of his favorite moments to watch.

He chuckled to himself at a thought; What were to happen if these roles switched? Would a great calamity arise? Would the traveling travesty of “bad magic good science” finally fall? Would a large balance in the world collapse? No no, that’d be too much. . .yet it seems it could.

Balance is so precious; so fragile. It seemed to him that no one truly understood it, and the only ones who did were considered fools, dangerous, a travesty to the common folk. He was no different, alas, and knew such a deep meaning to the word, yet pays the particular price for the knowledge- he had become blunt to the backlash anyway. The cold, refreshing air gently blew past him, brushing back his dangling bangs as he continued overlooking the distant scene, ready to leave when someone caught his eye. Leaning forward, he looked a little closer.

A young woman, perhaps no older than him for sure, small and lithe, looking quite regal as well. She seemed. . .worried. . .about what, however, was something he was to find out himself. The woman was dressed finely in a beautiful kimono, a gorgeous bow limply following behind her. Her air was fashioned in a simple manner, a tight bun with a small suzu hanging out the back, making the smallest ringing noise he could hear from even at his height. She obviously came for business, but specifically what? He left his quiet time, easily traveling through the empty corridors more silent than the winds, finding his way down the cascading stairs and easing into the main hall, where he assumed she’d end up. Hiding behind a tall column, he peeked from behind, watching her nervously enter the mighty hall, but pausing completely just a few steps in. Eridan could begin to hear her whimper to herself, fidgeting with her small fingers.

“Hh. . .I. . .I can’t do this. . .” She started to shake her head, slightly trembling where she stood; whatever she had to do was surely making her fall into pieces. Eridan waited just a little longer, seeing if she was to continue.

Tears started to fall instead.

He sighed. Must I always speak to those devoid of personal hope…?

Eridan slowly approached the weeping girl, giving her a little space at first. “Excuse me.”

She jumped. “Ah!” Her eyes darted to him instantly. “O-oh, my apologies. I. . uhm. . .f-frighten easily. I’ll be on my way. . .” She dipped her head apologetically, rising quickly before attempting to speed away.

The fortuneteller rose a nimble hand. “Wait, please.”

The woman luckily stopped, but didn’t turn back for a moment. She slowly slinked herself around, her head bowing again. “Y-yes, my lord?”

Eridan couldn’t help but chuckle a little, lowering his hand. “Don’t worry; I’m no lord or anything like that.” He took a second to set his jaw at a rather distasteful memory, then relaxed, stepping towards the woman. Her head was dug deep into her hands, looking embarrassed.

“I-I’m so sorry. . .I’ve never gone to do such a random task. . .Forgive me, I’m very nervous.”

He waved it away. “Perfectly fine. I can tell you seem a bit anxious. Tell me, what brings you to this kingdom in specifics?”

She bowed even deeper, rising back up and pushing a loose back behind her ear as she announced quietly, “My name is Miko Sashibi. I was requested to come here to speak to the king on terms of collaboration with yet another piece of technology they had thoughts for.” Miko finished with a huff.

Ah. One of those “nervous to speak with the kings” situations. Odd. She sounds a bit confident in her voice. Why would she be nervous?

Eridan quietly let out a huff as well. “I see. You don’t sound very fond of the idea, Miko.”

She shook her head, slightly lowering to hid the sudden blush. “No, not very much. The constant spitting of science and technology always bores me.”

“I agree.” He shook his head. “So you’re nervous about bringing it up to the king? I think you’ll be fine. This one always-”

“I’m not nervous about that,” she silently interrupted.

Eridan was at a loss for words at first. What kind of girl informed to speak to the king crys for a different reason other than talking to him? He crossed his arms, calmly contemplating what she was whimpering for. Unfortunately, he couldn’t figure it out, and felt a little sheepish for even asking. “If you aren’t nervous for that, then what for?”

She started, “I. . .” Miko quickly shook her head. “No no, I’m alright. . .I think. . .” She bristled, turning around again to leave. “Sorry for wasting your time with my emotions. I should go. The king awaits my presence.”

“Miko.”

“. . .Y-Yes?”

“I will wait here for an answer when you return.”

Miko curtly nodded. “. . .O-Of course. . . .” With that, she swiftly left, leaving Eridan to himself yet again. The future teller sighed, rubbing a hand to his cheek, watching her flee.

This girl. . .clearly she hides something. . .all of them do. It’s always something embarrassing or treacherous, specifically pertaining to their home. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were the same; she certainly acts like it so far. Yet, it doesn’t feel like she would. I sense something. . .different resonating from her, like she has better reason to hide than the others. All she said was she wasn’t nervous speaking to the king. I could tell she doesn’t normally talk to other though, mostly by how twitchy she was. I can’t seem to grasp the idea that something else must be bugging her, however.

What would make her so nervous?

Eridan patiently waited for the return of Miko behind the pillar he originally watched her from, but just fifteen minutes after she left, a large sound erupted to his left, originating from the direction she left. He flinched away a little, then jerked back a lot more when rubble flung towards him in the same way, followed by a quick pattering of footsteps afterward. He hid himself even more behind the pillar, standing where he knew he could both see and not be hit by the flying material. Breathing rather fast for a moment, he peeked from behind, watching the fleeing image of the same girl he met speed past him, a couple of guards quickly trailing behind. Intrigued, he waited for all of them to pass before swiftly following behind, using the shadows of the night to his concealed aid.

For a while, they just cat-and-moused around the town square; Miko looked as if she had no clue where to run, which explained part of that. Eridan began to grow tired of this constant, patterned chase and started to prefer leaving when he noticed the guards had slowed, pausing just a moment later before calming retreating back to the palace. Confused, he remained hidden until he knew they passed, looking back to where they had stopped.

Miko had run herself into a small corner nearby, darker than the average night at town center, the wall weaker than the other parts nearby. A small chunk had been taken out, just large enough for someone of her size to slide through easily; must’ve been why the guards gave up on her.

Eridan swiftly made his way to the crack, examining it closely. The hole led to the outside of the entire kingdom, trees and other large flora covering the barely-clear pathway she went through. A river rested around the entire palace territory, and if one went far enough, they’d find it for sure. Looked almost not worth his time to find her again. But. . .someone was weeping nearby.

With a sigh, he crouched, carefully crawling through the small opening and under the provided canopy hanging over him.

I cannot believe what I’m putting myself through just to see this girl again. She acts all the same as any other I’ve met before; afraid, worrisome, dwindling towards an inevitable, unwanted fate. I don’t need to care about it, knowing this is normal. This is expected. Things like this will happen.

So why am I crawling through the woods to find her?

Eridan grunted, pushing back a low branch that tried to slap him in the face. He shook his head, sighing and rethinking his choices when he noticed the whimpering had grown in volume. He was getting closer. Slowing just a hint, he continued onward, immediately pausing a short minute after. A thick bramble-filled bush blocked his path, but had spaces between the thorned limbs to allow slight vision of what was beyond it. He squinted, peering through a tiny gap.

Miko was sitting at the river’s edge, and the source of the audible tears was loudest where she was.

The river teller pushed aside the vines, pricking himself by accident once or twice. His amber-colored blood dripped off of the thorns as he managed to slide past the bush, approaching the startled woman. Miko had flinched, quickly turning back to see him coming towards her. She stumbled to rise.

“A-Ah! P-please, I’ll be on my way! I promise I meant nothing for that to happen, I s-swear! I-”

“Miko, please calm yourself.” He rose his hand in a pause motion, hoping she wouldn’t try to leave again. “I’m not here to do anything harmful to you, I promise.” Slowing his pace, he rose the other hand, keeping his gaze embedded into hers. “Just speak to me. I made sure no one else followed.”

She stopped moving, all except for her chest breathing fast. Her eyes looked ascared, glazing with tears. Miko staggered a breath, then fell to her knees, sobbing and apologising profusely. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” Her hands cupped her face, wet with the sorrow pouring from her eyes. “Please forgive me. . .!”

Eridan lowered his hands, huffing in relief; thank goodness she didn’t try to leave. He walked over to her crying figure, kneeling down in front of her. Giving Miko a moment, he analyzed her quietly.

This doesn’t make sense anymore. Miko just randomly come into the kingdom, unsure of her task, then blows up part of the kingdom and gets chased away by guards? Was that what she was worrying about? Did she know that would happen?

He huffed quietly. “Miko.”

Miko sniffled, wiping her eyes. Her head remained bowed.

“. . .Miko. look at me.”

She rose her head slightly; Miko’s hair had come loose during the run, so much of it was dangling over her face with how low it was. Only her luminescent, blue eyes barely peeked out from the space slits between the strands.

“Miko. Did you know that was going to happen?” Eridan made sure not to ask too much of her now. One at a time.

Miko whimpered, nodding her head.

“You knew someone was going to attack this kingdom?”

She replied with another head nod.

“Do you know who it is?”

One more head nod. “P-please. . .don’t send me back. . . .”

“Miko, I’m not going to report you there. If I really cared enough to try, I’d do the perpetrator.”

“. . .then you would. . . . .”

He blinked. “. . .Miko-”

“I-I promise it isn’t on purpose,” She started quickly, raising her head back up fully. “I don’t meant to, honest. . .I just. . . .can’t control it. . . . .” Her head lowered again as she fidgeted with her fingers.

“What can’t you control?”

Miko shook her head.

“Miko, I can’t help you if you don’t-”

“I never said. . .I wanted to be helped. . . .I’m sorry I lashed out. Please, it is a burden only I will hold.”

Eridan sighed. “I hear that frequently. I don’t believe it’s that bad. Do things just randomly explode whenever you’re around?”

“No. . . .” She shivered.

“Then why did that explode?-”

“Because it isn’t random. . .and it’s not by choice either. . . .” She squeezed her palms together. “I. . .I don’t mean for it to happen, but I can’t make it stop. . . .”

“. . .is there any reason why it happens then?”

She nodded. “This. . .this aspect of mine. . . .when regal blood is nearby, I. . .it happens, and I can’t control it.”

If that were true, why didn’t she explode around me. . .?

Eridan breathed, closing his eyes for a moment to process what he had heard. Apparently, things explode near her whenever she comes too close to royal blood. Why would that even happen?

“. . .Why?”

“. . .” Miko turned away. “. . .I shouldn’t need to share why. . . .”

He nodded. “Of course. My apologies for asking then.”

“. . .I want to ask. . .Are you sure you aren’t of royal blood either?”

The river teller remained cool. “Well, if that were true, wouldn’t you’ve blown up around me?” He chuckled.

Miko gave the barest hint of a smile. “That is true. . .you seem to dress so imperial though, and give off such a regal aura. . . .” She quickly hid her face in her hands, bashful. “M-my apologies. I’m just making rude assumptions now.”

“You apologise too much, Miko. You’re very humble with yourself. I apprechiate such kindness from you.”

“. . .thank you. . . .”

He reached into a pocket in his coat, pulling out a small deck of cards. Its designs indicated something he assumed Miko would, at the least, tolerate at a minimum. Intricately crafted, they gently glimmered in the moon’s komorebi, intriguing the women across from him. Sliding the cards out of its holder with ease, he reached for Miko’s hand, folding it gently over the top of the deck. He could feel her bristle a little before removing his own.

Eridan spoke. “Miko, I wish to try something. Are you alright with that?”

Miko’s gaze didn’t stray once from the cards. She nodded.

“Okay then.” He gestured the cards towards her. “Shuffle this deck any way you please.”

She looked to the cards, then up to Eridan. “But. . .I don’t understand. . .”

“Trust me. Just shuffle them. Return the cards when you’re done.”

With shaky hands, Miko split the cards, sliding the halves together, and repeating it a couple times, then handed them back to Eridan, cheeks red even in the dark. “I don’t know how to shuffle, I’m sorry. . . .”

Eridan took the cards, brushing against her lithe hand by accident. “Oh, that’s fine. I’ve seen similar ways other people shuffle these.”

“. . .What are they?”

He smiled. “Tarot cards. I don’t know if you’re like those other people who disgrace such a skill, but I wanted to take a chance with you. I just want to see where you will be in the future.” He leaned forward a little. “I’m sure you wanted to as well.”

Miko straightened and nodded, her blush far too obvious. Eridan leaned back, placing the cards carefully on the ground. He took up the one from the top.

“. . .You’ve been granted a Seven of Wands for the first one.”

She started fidgeting with her fingers again. “Wh. . .what does it mean?”

“Upright. You seem to be losing control of something.” He reached for the next one, hearing the tiny whimper from Miko. “. . .You’ve gotten another seven. This time, for cups. It means something along the lines of. . .confusion, of disarray.”

She hid her face in her hands. “Nonono. . .I should just go-I’m making a worse situation. I-I shouldn’t be here; I shouldn’t be anywhere; I’m t-too dangerous, I-”

“Miko.” He makes few exceptions normally, but he decided this was one, reaching out to move her hands away from her face. Physical touch wasn’t preferred. . .at all. . .but she was spiraling. Removing her small hands, he noticed she wasn’t wearing makeup either, otherwise, it’d be running down her entire face by now.

Miko hiccupped. She didn’t respond though; just stared into the fortune teller’s luminescent eyes that seemed to softly bore into her own.

“. . .Miko. Listen to me, okay? You will be fine. This is fixable. Trust me.”

She didn’t say anything. Just nodded. Her eyes looked devoid of belief.

Eridan went to pick up the third card from the deck’s top, noticing the hesitation from Miko’s hands when he released them. “. . .two of cups, faced upright. How odd. You were given three sevens, and now this one. . .”

Miko’s voice was quiet, almost too silent to hear. “What does that card mean?”

“Love, something like that.”

She lowered her head, her hair curtaining her face away. “I don’t believe someone would love me for this. . . .”

Eridan continued looking at the card. “No no, that’s not what this one means. This one means you love someone, not someone who loves you. How odd of it to point that out.” Miko went hot, brushing back a bang. “O-oh.”

Eridan shrugged as she leaned forward to see the card; he gave it to her so she could see it better. “What an odd combination. . .”

“. . .erm, yes, I suppose so.”

“I think I may know at least what the other two mean.”

Miko looked up. “You do?”

Eridan nodded solemnly. “It’s very simple. They just described what you’re feeling right now; you’re scared, confused, and you don’t think you can control yourself anymore.” He paused, awaiting her reaction.

“. . .oh. . .”

“Don’t think it wouldn’t make any sense. I’m sure you’re very confused about your little problem.”

She reluctantly nodded. “. . .very much so.”

“Miko, I want to help you. This situation you’re stuck in; I want to help fix it. Will you allow me to?”

Miko quickly shook her head. “N-no. . .! I-I don’t want more people becoming harmed by this! There’s b-been enough that already tried, and they failed! They f-failed, because I had made the same m-mistake, over and o-over again!” Tears started to fall from her pale eyes again. “I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore!” Faster than Eridan detected it, she rose, sprinting off into the abyssal woods with her face hidden in her hands. Her voice faded as she furthered into the dark thicket. “I’m too dangerous. . .!”

Eridan quickly rose as well, attempting to chase after her. “Miko, wait!”

He didn’t get very far before the trees started to block him off.

Panting, he stopped in his tracks, realising he lost hers.

Eridan, you don’t need to keep trying to find her again. She doesn’t want to be found; she finds herself too dangerous to listen to your words. You can’t help her if she keeps running away like this.

. . .but what if she hurts herself because of it?

He sighed slowly, thinking. Eridan hesitated, then slowly turned back, reluctantly making his way back to where they were to collect his almost-discarded deck. Kneeling down, he carefully picked up his cards, returning them to his pocket once more before rising back up. He took a worried glance in the direction Miko went, then made his way back towards the hole in the wall.

Morning had arrived earlier than he felt like it should’ve. Eridan had decided just to stay somewhere nearby, living in an Inn for the night so he could check the woods just once before making his way home. After exiting the musty rooms in the BnB, he breathed in the crisp morn air, slowly making his way to the hole in the palace walls.

The town had lost its enigmatic flair from the night, returning to its lively energy in the slow works from the start of the forenoon. Nightly merchants were making way for the diurnal seller, hiding their hoards of precious items until the moon returned once more. Daily shops opened as the twilit ones closed. Customers and travelers alike rose from their dysanic bedding, getting ready for the day as the warm sun greeted their groggy faces in the cool air. If the evening wasn’t his favorite time, it certainly was in the morning.

He secretly weaved around the approaching and growing crowds, careful not to be followed. Passing a variety of characters on their way, he started to remember the pathway leading toward the crack; that was the lightpole they passed three times; there’s the bakery; that’s where Miko bumped into a rather older man. There’s the crack that she disappeared into.

Eridan stopped at the entrance, wondering how it was there in the first place. These walls were built with specially chosen materials, designed to keep even the most fox-like intruders or attackers away from the kingdom itself. Must’ve been getting old.

He sighed, crouching down like before and squeezing himself easily through the hole, crawling underneath the shaded branches, and past the thorny brambles, back to where he found her the previous night. Light seeped through the open slits between the leaves, dappling his face in flecks of sunlight as he slowly traversed the glade. His eyes calmly darted around the area, searching for a figure of a person, even if it wasn’t Miko; perhaps they had seen her come through here.

Eventually, he found the trees that blocked his path to further follow the missing woman, surprised to see it wide open for him. It was closed just enough for her to squirm inside, and now it was wider than a rich man strutting in between.

With inquired curiosity, he ventured forward inside.

Everything was whispering to me, voices I couldn’t see. It was peculiar, the fact that they spoke to me like this. Their voices echoed in my head, saying all sorts of blasphemy:

What an odd situation you’ve put yourself in. . . None of your problems would arise if you used science instead. . . You’re taken as a fool. . . No one will listen to you. . . Wasting your time. . . What’s the point. . .?

I knew what the point was, and I could speak about it for hours, but I wasn’t there to remind myself of that. I had another problem at hand, and it was getting worse the more I couldn’t find her.

I kept walking; the trees did nothing to me except for give me insults I was far too blunt to take. That’s all they do; these woods were made for. . .certain deaths, and the way to make it faster was to simply speak negative words about it to you until you fell for it. Pitiful, really.

I had hoped she hadn’t fallen for it.

Just a few more long minutes pass before I pause. A noise in the distance, and it sounded like weeping. . .ethreal weeping. Some sort of spirit, perhaps, saddened by their sudden fate; yet another lost to life’s game. Their voice though. . .it sounded familiar.

Worry rose as I followed the crying, weaving through the trees and ducking under the heavy branches until I found the source.

It truly was a ghost.

But one I wished wasn’t her.

Her form wavered, as if it struggled to fully form. She was dimly lit, sitting beside her real remains, crumpled on the decaying ground. What looked like tears fell from her face, being the most opaque part of her; sounded like she had been there for a while.

Eridan remained silent, but knew he had to say something.

“. . .Miko?”

The woman gasped, turning back; her petite, dapple face showed memories of the night before, drenched in sorrow and pain pouring from her face. She whimpered as she started to scooch away from him.

The soul spoke. “P-please. . .! L-lord Eridan! Stay away!” Her voice echoed, like she had no physical throat to keep it inside.

Eridan didn’t bother to correct her again; she was panicking, and he knew she thought he looked like royalty anyway. Just an accident. He calmly rose his hands and comforted, “Miko, it’s alright. I’m not here to do anything to you. I went looking for you-”

“N-No! You shouldn’t’ve come looking for me! I shouldn’t be sought for! I should be here, where everything else dies!” Tears started to flee from her eyes again.

Eridan took a few slow steps forward. “Miko, that isn’t true. I know it’s not.” His eyes flashed to her motionless body next to him, glancing back at the spirit for a moment before noticing something about the corpse. He knelt down to inspect further, but didn’t get very far; halfway down, he found what caused it.

Would I say I was surprised? Not entirely. These woods were here just for it, and sometimes even gave weapons incase they had none. It seems that she was given one. What had flabbergasted me was that Miko seemed too gentle to hurt anybody, especially herself. She sounded like she cared so immensely for people. . .but it seems that this strong compassion of hers had become too great.

The river teller looked back to the spirit; she was sitting up against a tree, hiding her face with her long hair cascading down her head.

“. . .I’m sorry.”

Eridan rose, walking up to her and sitting himself back down in front of the soul.

“I. . .was too much of a burden. . . .”

“Miko, I don’t believe so-”

“”It’s true.” Her hands clenched in her lap. “My family has such high prestige. . .I was holding them back, all because of this ammunition blood. . .I couldn’t bear to continue being such a problem to anyone anymore, nor to you. . .” Her hands relaxed before she slightly looked upward, an eye peeking out of her hair curtains.

Yes, that was when I realised what the last cup card meant.

Felt like a bit of a fool after that.

Eridan softly sighed. “By that tone, it sounds like your own family thought the same way, yes?”

Miko picked at her fingers. “I would not know completely. . .they say no words about it, but I see their expressions. . .their quiet groans. . .That is what I notice. . . .”

“Hmm. . . .” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, looking at her closely. Miko looked pretty invested with her fingers, fidgeting with them the entire time. Eridan thought to test something. He reached out slowly and attempted to grab one of her hands; oddly, he was able to, but he knew what that meant.

Miko tensed, raising her head to meet his gaze.

“. . .You still want to live.” Eridan rose her hand. “Is that true?”

The spirit glanced at her held hand, then back at him, nodding. “I. . .I do. . .but I shouldn’t.”

“Miko, that’s not true.” He lowered Miko’s hand, but continued to hold it. “Just because this little problem of yours might hold you back doesn’t mean you can’t fix it, nor can you try.” “I-It would’ve been f-fixed already if that were true! I wouldn’t be in this situation; you wouldn’t be in this situation; we both could’ve-”

“Miko."

She hitched a breath, looking down again. “My apologies. . .”

He squeezed her hand for comfort. “These thoughts are only yours. You don’t know if they agree.”

“Wh. . .Who wouldn’t? I cannot speak to such high honors without. . .”

“I know, but you must take this with courage. The way you had taken it might’ve been worse-”

“How?!” She leaned back nervously. “I-I’m sorry, I-”

Eridan rose his other hand, responding with, “I understand you’re upset.” He lowered his hand, then continued, “I mean to say that it could’ve been worse for them; they caused your death.”

“But-”

“Because you thought they wanted this. They acted in such a way that led you to where you are now, don’t you agree?”

Miko didn’t respond, but her expression answered for her.

“. . .I’ll take that as a yes then.”

“I don’t want to believe it’s their faults. . .”

“Because it happens to you?”

She only nodded. Eridan shook his head.

“That could never be your fault; You don’t choose to do it on purpose. I, at least, hope you don’t.”

Miko shook her head, hands starting to fist. “Hh. . .I. . . .” She instantly rose her hands to her face, releasing Eridan’s. Tears began to fall from the spaces between her fingers as she sniffled. “I c-can’t believe myself. . .! I’m such a fool! I. . .oh. . .!” She started spiraling to herself, but it was so quiet. Eridan tried to say something, but the woods had beat him to it.

It is your fault. . . Look what you’ve done. . . You really are such a burden. . . There’s no point in going back for them. . . . Haven’t you caused enough pain. . .?

Miko whimpered, hiding her head in her arms and hiding her face with her falling hair.

“It’s. . .so. . .true. . . .”

Eridan shook his head, bending down a little to see her better. “Miko, stop listening to those voices. Those things aren’t true, honest. Look at me.”

She shivered, removing her arms from the top of her head and wrapping them around her legs, but didn’t move anything else.

“Miko. . .”

Miko peeked her eyes just above her knees.

“Miko, these things the woods say aren’t true. I know you’ve got so much more to wield as a power rather than an anchor; you must find this yourself, however. It isn’t given. Do you think you can do that?”

She softly sighed. “. . .I can’t do that in this state.”

“If I give you another chance to do so, would you promise me you would?”

A light slightly flickered in her eyes as her head raised a bit more. Miko looked surprised through her curtained hair. . .and a bit hopeful too. “H-how?”

Eridan repeated himself. “If I give you another chance to do so, would you promise me you would?” He emphasized his question a bit more.

She straightened, revealing her head from her hiding spot and brushing away the dangling hair strands; she wished she kept it in her tight bun. Taking a deep breath, she answered, “. . .yes.”

The magicist nodded, motioning for her hands. With hesitance, she held her hands into his, relaxing a little. Eridan watched her for a moment as her gaze lingered on their clasped hands rather longingly, pulling her forward.

“Oh!”

He smiled a little. “Miko, you know we only met a night ago, right?”

“Yeah. . .” Miko could barely verbally answer him; she was too focused on his gentle eyes.

He rose his eyebrows knowingly. It took a little bit for her to realise what he was talking about.

“. . .oh.” She slumped very slightly.

Eridan leaned back, still holding her hands. “Yes. . .but. . .I wish to meet you again.”

Miko straighted. “You do?”

He nodded. “I want you to make good on your word, Miko. I want to know you want to change this part of you. And. . .I want you to help me.”

“Help you? With what?”

“There’s a flair in your soul. I can see it. Youre not very fond of science, are you?”

She rolled her eyes. “Not in the slightest. All the talk of that and technologies bore me.”

“What about magic?”

Miko smiled. “Magic sounds interesting. I’ve never touched something as such though.”

“I could show you many things about it. I want your help.”

“With what, exactly?”

“Mm, I can tell you. . .if you want to help. I promise it’s nothing bad.”

She sighed. “I can tell it has something to do with the little congoing conflict between the two, doesn’t it?”

Eridan nodded. “I believe you could help me with my situation. I just want to prove magic isn’t harmful.”

“Oh. That was a lot better than what I thought you were trying to do.”

“What-”

“I want to help then.”

“. . .ok.”

Miko faltered. “But, how am I-”

“Don’t worry, I don’t mean now. I mean later, when you find me.”

“When. . .”

Without her response, Eridan began what he was planning, closing his eyes and rubbing his thumbs across the tops of her hands before holding them over each other. His fingertips started to glow, and in a few seconds, so did hers, then the rest of her body.

Miko felt something resonate throughout her entire being, her barely physical form becoming even more transparent both internally and literally. Her glow grew stronger and stronger, and at one point went too bright for even her to see. She felt. . .lighter.

Eridan, in his last seconds with her, spoke. “Miko. Please find your meaning. Find its purpose. Find me again.”

His eyes hadn’t opened until the dapple feeling of her hands had disappeared, but when they did, he saw the faintest glimmer of her face one more time before she completely vanished. He checked behind himself; her corpse was fully gone, including wound leakage and weapon, as if she was never here.

Eridan looked up as he finally made his way to the exit, taking a gander to the expected bright morning sky. He gasped; night had arrived again? A moment of thinking before he realised and chuckled to himself; woods like those always tend to have warped properties. Of course it was night time.

Walking over to the riverside, he sat himself down, taking a deep breath.

I used a magic I wasn’t common with. I could feel myself hesitate to use it, knowing something else could’ve happened if it didn’t fare well. I had hopes for her though; Miko was someone I know I could rely on to fufill her promise, and even though we hadn’t met for a long time, I was already sure of it the moment we first spoke to each other. I didn’t think I’d see her again for a while once I opened my eyes; I was expecting nothing to be in front of me, nothing but the whispering woods. As my eyes awoke, I found the slightest glint of her left over. She seemed like a star, newborn and rising with all the others, the only one wearing an expression of hope, yet longing. I was happy to see her so anxious to find what she needs, just like all the others I come across like this.

I know Miko will make good on her word.