Chapter Forty: All Together Now

"Willow?" Holly parroted. "You're-"

"A vampire?" Willow nodded. "I am. It is a choice that I made, not one forced upon me."

"But why?" Holly demanded. "Didn't you like being a human?"

Willow snorted. "The majority of my human life was nothing but pain and torture. The best time I had in my life was once I gave myself over to becoming a being that could not be used so readily anymore. With this life, I was able to spend it with those that I loved."

Holly shook her head. "That's another thing I find weird about all of you. How can you have more than one person you love? I don't understand how that's possible."

Willow's head tilted back as she laughed. "Even as a human, I found myself loving more than one. Though I will admit, for the longest time I believed that I only loved one. But I learned that what I thought was love at the time, was far from it. But there's nothing wrong with loving more than one, as long as you're not hiding it from them that is."

Holly wrinkled her nose. "I just don't see it. I love Quix, and no matter how much I care for Eros, it's not the same."

Willow smiled again. "I wouldn't worry so much about it. Just follow your heart, Holly. And if your heart makes room for more than one, I would suggest not fighting it. Instead, embrace it." She uncrossed her legs and tilted her head. "But I don't think that is the real problem you are worried about. Tell me, what worries you?"

"I'm a prisoner right now," Holly almost whispered the words.

"No need to whisper, no one will be able to hear you here. The resonance of our souls keeps out intruders. Tell me, who has you imprisoned? Perhaps between us, we can figure out a solution."

Somehow Holly doubted that was the truth. "Lucifer," she responded.

"Lucifer?" Willow frowned. "Where's Tydeus? Has he found you yet? Or maybe even Angel?"

Holly rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone ask about Angel? I don't get it. Him and that other guy are nothing but stalkers. They've been stalking us from life to life, and yet we always fall for them?"

"I'm not sure what you mean by a stalker, but I wouldn't have survived without the two of them. Angel is dear to me. He sacrificed his life early to save mine."

"But you're a vampire, how was your life saved?"

Willow chuckled again. "One day I'll think you'll understand. Tydeus changed my life so much. It was the beginning of an awakening for me. Even if he didn't have the best intentions from the start, he changed over time. I gave power to him to help us in the future. I'm not sure if your situation calls upon that yet. I'm worried that Lucifer himself has you, but how and why?"

"He wants to free me."

Willow's eyebrows jumped. "Excuse me? Free you?"

Holly nodded. "Free our soul entirely from this whole cycle. I just have to give myself up to him and let him devour the power that we've gathered."

Willow twisted her hands in her lap as she nibbled on her lip. "Are you considering this?"

Holly shook her head. "I told you, I don't want to be with anyone other than Quix."

Willow couldn't hold back a chuckle. "I guess that works in my favor. Seriously though, please, do not trust him. It's not just me that worked hard with our fight against the Sins."

"I've heard," Holly replied. "But the Sins aren't all bad. Eros isn't."

"Livius was," Willow replied. "He tortured me and poisoned me all because I was chosen by the Fates to battle them. Are you sure that this Eros is safe?"

Holly nodded. "I am. If it wasn't for Quix, maybe I would be in a relationship with him. I trust Eros with my life." Holly leaned forward. "And I'll fight anyone that tries to hurt him."

Willow crossed her legs again as she tilted her head. "You are quite different, Holly. I hope your trust is well-placed. As for your problem? Beyond waiting for Tydeus I'm afraid I don't have a solution for you. Do not bend to Lucifer's will. We have worked too hard to just give in."

"I never said I was giving up," Holly replied with a frown. "No offense, but just because you guys came before me, doesn't mean you're better than me. And sure, you've made your sacrifices, but that doesn't mean I have to do the same things. I am going to live my life the way that I want to. I will fight for my friends, all of them, and keep them safe. As long as I achieve that goal, I don't care about the means."

"I am sorry to hear that. I fear you might make a mistake with that type of mentality, but I respect your right to it." Willow sighed. "If that is the case, that means that any farther time with me will be wasted. Perhaps you should talk to the next."

"Not yet." Holly countered. "How did you fight your Sin? What did you use?"

"My magic was odd. It was more as if I charged others than too much power of my own. If it wasn't for Angel and Tydeus, and my loved ones, I never would have been able to defeat Livius."

That wasn't useful either. That wasn't anything that Holly could use. How was she going to survive if she couldn't come up with a solution? "How many are left for me to talk to, Willow?"

Willow counted it out on her fingers. "From what I recall from the last time I had a brush with the others, you have two more to talk to. I wouldn't be able to tell you too much about them, but I do know that they might be able to provide you with more help."

Two more chances for her to find an answer to all of this. Just two more tries before she had her decision. No, there had to be an answer in those that came before her. Maybe Willow was a dead end, but that didn't mean the others would be. "Thank you for your time, Willow."

Willow nodded. "I wish you luck, Holly. I pray that the Eros you speak of does not ever betray you and that whatever fight you are in, you are able to find a solution to."

"Willow, I think it's time for you to go. Maybe I can help her." the new voice came from behind Willow's throne and the dark-haired beauty smiled at the ruler before moving forward. "It's nice to meet you, Holly. My name is Hazel."

As she greeted Holly, the other woman faded away back into whatever realm she had been borrowed from. Holly winced. From first appearances alone, it did not appear that Hazel would be of much help to her. "Hazel, I do not want to waste your time."

Hazel giggled. "Time? I have more than enough of that. Do not fear, Holly. I eavesdropped on some of your conversations, forgive me." She clasped her hands in front of her chest in a quick plea. "I was trying to figure out a solution to your problem by myself."

"If you can eavesdrop on each other, why not all come out at once so I can talk to you all?" Holly demanded. "Wouldn't it be easier for everyone to talk at once instead of just one at a time?"

Hazel nodded. "I think you're right. Acacia," she called out.

"You're done already?" The red-head peeked out from behind the wall.

"Holly made a good point, why don't we just join our time together to talk to her?" Hazel grinned. "It'll be easier that way too. Too bad we didn't think of it sooner."

Acacia hesitated before she too came out and nodded to Holly. "Hi, Holly. As you heard my name is Acacia. I'm happy to see you look happy enough."

"For now," Holly agreed with a shrug.

"You said something about Eros, didn't you?" Acacia pushed. "I heard his name." She leaned closer. "He's a dear friend."

Holly flushed. "He's more than just a friend, or would be if it wasn't for Quix."

"Quix?" Hazel crossed her legs and got comfortable. "Tell us about him."

Even being in whatever this strange place was, Holly couldn't fight the blush that blazed on her cheeks. "Quix is the man I love. He used to be a Chaser."

"Chaser?" Acacia frowned. "I'm not familiar with that term."

"Oh, I mean a grim reaper. He's done nothing but try to protect me, and now I'm protecting him."

"A grim reaper?" Hazel's eyes widened. "I've never run into one of those before. I wonder if Axel has." She leaned closer. "If this is the man you've chosen, he'll be one of the ones to rescue you for sure!"

"And Eros," Acacia added with a nod. "If you care for him, even if you didn't care for him. He's a loyal and loving friend. I know he'll find a way to you. If Eros is around, does that mean Dagon is as well?"

"He is," Holly replied.

"Then you have nothing to fear. You'll just need to try to last long enough for them to find you. No matter who Lucifer is, he won't be able to stop Dagon."

"But Lucifer is Dagon's father," Holly sighed. "I've seen the power that Lucifer contains, and I'm not sure if Dagon can match it."

Acacia snorted. "Well I am sure, I know that Dagon and Eros are going to find you and rescue you. Just try to last as long as you can."