Chapter Twenty-Five: Morningstar

Holly tossed and turned in her bed. Sleeping was next to impossible. How could she rest when her friends were in danger? Quix snored lightly in a chair next to her. He had refused to leave her side. The bruises on his face made her heart ache. She wanted to rewind time and erase them, but for now, was obeying Dagon's orders.

Still, hours had passed since Famine had left. Hours where she was forced to think of the worst. Ruby had saved her and Lachesis had come down from her role as Fate to help and protect her. How could she just let them be left to what Death had planned for them?

Eros had turned back into the familiar and comfortable cabbit form and hopped onto her shoulder rubbing against her cheek. "Don't worry. If anything they're just being used as bait. They're too valuable for any real harm to come to them."

Holly glared at him. "That's not very comforting."

"Why not?" Eros demanded with a frown.

"Because, you can live through a lot of pain," Holly whispered. "Can Ruby die again? She's a reaper so she's immune, right?"

"Unless she learns of her past," Eros whispered as he sighed.

"I have to go to them." Holly tried to sit up but Eros shifted into his human form and held her down, pinned to the bed. "Eros?" she demanded.

Quix stirred but he was too lost in slumber to wake. Holly had to deal with this matter alone.

"Get off," she demanded as she wriggled beneath him and tried to free herself.

"No, you're staying here," he responded in a level tone. "Many have risked their life for you, and many will do so in the future. You need to trust those sent out. I hate Famine, but I trust that he'll keep his word and get those two back. You need to rest, now. All you've done is worry since he left."

"They're my friends, why wouldn't I worry?" she demanded glaring up at him.

Eros gave her a soft smile. "I understand your nature. I know how hard what I'm telling you is to accept, but I'm not letting go. I'll sleep on top of you if I have to. I will keep you safe. No one is going to get to you."

"I'm going to hate you over this," Holly threatened as she glared at him.

Once more Eros smiled though this one had a shadow to it. "If you have to, I understand. I'd rather be hated and you alive, than for you to end up in Death's clutches again. I can't handle that, and I won't. You're not falling for this trap."

Quix groaned again an almost whimper escaping from him as he tensed.

"You're going to wake him up if you keep resisting. Just calm down." Eros brushed her bangs from her eyes and stared down at her lips before shaking his head. "Promise you're going to stop fighting me now?"

Holly turned her head to the side away from his touch and went limp. "Just leave me alone, Eros. I guess I'm sleepy after all. At least I won't have to deal with you in my dreams."

Eros nodded and pulled away. "As you wish." He transformed back into his cabbit self and made a show of finding a spot at the foot of the bed and away from her.

Holly closed her eyes as she tried to get as far away from her protector as she could. She never wanted to trade one for another. She just wanted her friends safe, what was so bad about that?

The misty landscape took her by surprise as she lapsed into slumber. Wasn't this the place she had met Tydeus and Dagon? Why was it still around?

In any case, at least she knew she wouldn't be bothered while she was here. Both of those annoyances were in the same building as her. This entire area was entirely hers by this point. She found the rocks that she had sat on before and curled up on one before letting loose the tears that bubbled over.

"Why are you crying?"

Holly tensed and looked up.

The man staring down at her was too beautiful to exist. His every feature was graved perfection. Deep crimson eyes studied her as he gave her the softest of smiles. "There is no need to weep."

"Who are you? How are you here?" Holly demanded. His long black hair swirled around him as he moved, despite it being in a low slung ponytail. He took a seat beside her and that gentle smile appeared again.

"My name doesn't matter. Tell me, why are you sobbing as if the world is imploding around you?" His every move took her breath away.

"My friends are in danger," she whispered. "And I can't do anything to save them."

"Ah, I believe you can," he corrected with that same maddening smile. "You can ask me for help."

Holly shook her head as she pulled her knees to her chin and scooted away from him as much as she could before she fell off her rock. "I don't know you, and I don't trust you. Death could have sent you."

He tilted his head in thought. "It is good you are cautious. However, not even caution can keep you safe if the enemy you go against is too much. It will only prolong your suffering. Tell me, these friends of yours. What has happened to them? Why are their lives in peril?"

"It's my fault," Holly whispered. "If I was stronger I could have been out there and helped them. I have a feeling that those before me were far more useful than I am. I'm a waste."

"You have such great potential. I would not write yourself off just yet. Instead, you should focus on what you can do. Now, ask me for help, Holly."

Holly shook her head and looked away from those mesmerizing eyes. "No, I won't ask a stranger."

"I don't have to be a stranger. I have the power to change everything for you," he whispered. "Death is but a pawn in my control. I can take him off the board here and now if you desire it."

Holly swallowed. She knew who this was without even having to speak his name. It was something she knew without being told and she knew the danger of this conversation. "Why do you even want to help me?"

"To take you off the board," he replied back. "I would like to forever change your fate, not just the hiccups that Dagon has managed. That is what he calls himself at this time, is it not?" he chuckled. "Pestilence was always the rebel."

"Why do you even want to help me?" Holly demanded. "I know who you are and you know who I am. We are not on the same side."

He chuckled, the sound reminding her of church bells. "You're wrong on that front. We can very much be on the same side. I brought you here for a special reason, and worry not. Death can not intrude here. Only myself and my favorites."

"I don't trust you," Holly whispered.

"That will come in time." He reached out and cupped her cheek with one hand. "Your soul is far too pure for this world. You must have done great penance in a last life. You do know that the Fate that you are so worried about will do everything in her power to keep you strapped to the destiny she seeks, do you not?"

"I know," Holly said as she stared at the ground.

"The guardians that you are given life to life are not just there to protect you. They are all set up so you will continue to march the line of Fate that has been set out for you. Conquer the seven sins, and then instead of the peace, you wish so much for, you will instead be forced into a battle for the seven once again. Over and over until your soul erodes and they will just find someone else."

"That's a lie." Holly glared at him. "You're lying."

He smiled at her. "Am I? How are you so sure?"

"They would never do that. They'd never make me experience all of this and just change their mind in the future. You're just trying to manipulate me," she accused as she glared at him. Why was it so hard to be angry at him? His beauty melted all rage and the most she could manage was a pout.

"If you accept my offer now you can avoid the cycle. You're only on the fourth Sin. You can stop now and find your true happiness. All you have to do is agree to submit to me. Think about it, you don't have to give me your answer now. But I will not wait forever. I'm your only solution out of this nightmare. Think hard on it, Holly."