Elian walked down the streets of the Xiaomenese capitol, stopping for a moment to sit on a bench. He was an old man, nowhere near as spry as he was in his youth, and it was difficult for him to make the walk from the palace to his own. Maelys and the others had offered to help him bring him home, or give him a place in the palace, but Elian refused. He didn’t want to be a burden on anyone.
Suddenly, Elian felt a tap on his shoulder and twisted around painfully to see Illiam behind him. His once-identical twin brother was still somehow in the prime of his youth, wearing a furred black outfit that seemed far too hot for the warm weather. “Hello, brother!” said Illiam.
Elian narrowed his eyes at Illiam. He’d spent his entire life looking for him, and now he was in front of him! He had to capture him. Elian thrust out a hand and a psychic beam flew out, but Illiam easily avoided it. “Aw, is that any way to greet your brother?”
Elian tried to leap to his feet, but almost stumbled. He tried to keep even footing as he glared at Illiam. “You’ve spent almost fourty years running from me, and now you just show up?”
“Yes of course, brother dearest. I doubt you’re long for this mortal coil, and I figured that before you died, I would make you of some use to me. Extract all the information that I could from you.” Elian fired out another psychic beam, one that would erase the knowledge from Illiam of how to use his psychic powers, but it only brushed the man’s face. Illiam laughed. “Don’t struggle. It will make this harder. Much much harder.”
Illiam grabbed Elian’s hand, and at once Elian knew what power he was using. Fusion. Illiam was an expert in using that power non-consensually- usually it could only be used on those who were willing to become one with the manifester. Just as Elian thought for a moment about Illiam’s abilities, Illiam’s mind surged forth, and their flesh began to meld together. Elian yelped and tried to pull away, trying to think of what made him a person, his individuality. He had been a bad person, but he had been redeemed, and he thanked Maelys for that every day in his heart. He was- he was a psychic. No, no, that was a bad one, that was how he was like Illiam. Um, he loved Ulmer. Ugh, didn’t Illiam too? He had a son. A son who was content to ignore him most of the time, but a son! He was old, and Illiam was young. Psychically, at least. And he was a person who had a positive attitude on life. ….or used to. Really, these days, he-
Elian’s thoughts were interrupted by the continued sensation of body merging. Why wasn’t this working? Why wasn’t this-
And then Elian’s thoughts were swept away completely by him and Illiam becoming one.
And then he was- he was in control of a body, a young version of his own. Not old at all how can i hear him our thoughts are- He and his brother’s thoughts were melded together somehow- this wasn’t supposed to happen! He and- Elian? Illiam? Which one was the other one? Was he both of them? we are supposed to be two, not one! we are one, separate us now, i don’t know how to do that! then learn how to do it! this is all- your? my? fault?
The body lurchingly took a step forward, then took a practiced step forward with the other foot. We’re one. We could blame anything on each other. No, I would never- The mind tried to concentrate on its priorities. Becoming two people. The people who mattered to him. Two circles of people mentally appeared, folks like Ulmer and Maelys and Monroe and Atl and Caden on one side, people like Ulmer and Aaia (dead) and Jacob (dead) and- well, a bunch of dead people- on the other. The circles squished together. Ulmer was left in the center, a combined priority of a combined mind.
We have to tell him that we love him. Why would he care? He’s married! But won’t we feel bad if we never tell him and he never knows? And before either could protest, they were running, faster than Elian had ran in years, towards Ulmer’s home.
The Ashbur conglomerate was able to enter the palace and run to Ulmer’s rooms. The old human man was there, peacefully reading a book. The Ashbur ripped the door off, then stood panting before Ulmer.
“What- Illiam!?” Ulmer, still fit in his old age, jumped off the couch and tried to get to his orb, lying on a table.
“Not Illiam! Or Elian! Both of us! Ulmer! We are both of them!”
Ulmer looked over the combination. “No. You can’t- which one is in control?”
The Ashbur smiled widely. “Not one anymore! Well, yes, we are one. But there’s not a choice! No option! We’re together, Ulmer! We are only one person!”
Ulmer’s expression was horrified. “Oh my god, Elian, I’ll save you, I promise, okay? I-” Ulmer leapt atop of the Ashbur Conglomerate, but he was pushed off.
“We have something to tell you, Ulmer! From both of us! And it’s a very special message!”
Ulmer glared at the pair. “Yeah, what is it?”
“I LOVE YOU!” said the Ashbur brothers as one.
Ulmer blinked. He scratched his arm. “Um. Right. So about that. I kind of-”
The brothers were very suddenly lifted up in the air by magical red tendrils, and as he squirmed around, he saw Monroe. How did he- we did kind of rip off a door? The mage looked at Ulmer. “He’s somehow two people, both Elian and Illiam in one body!” explained Ulmer. “You have to separate them!”
“NO!” screeched the brothers as they transformed, body swiveling in such a way to escape their bonds. Wings sprouted from a newly avian body, and he darted above Monroe’s head through the window, dodging the mage’s spells. As he flew out the window, he turned back into human, landing on his feet perfectly. Avoiding the guards, he ran to the wall and climbed up it deftly, before dropping to the other side.
I can’t believe you did that to Ulmer! We did that to Ulmer! You did it! Who even is yelling? Illiam? Elian? Who even is- Was this even a conversation between two entities, or just comments from a collective mind, drips of water bursting randomly free from the liquid mind? I can’t even- Then, suddenly, it happened. The severing.
The mouth screamed as it was torn into two identical screaming mouths, and the body quickly tore itself into two in that very way. Before the moment was up, two identical brothers sat looking at each other, horrified looks on their faces.
Ashbur tried to get a grip on who he was. And who the guy staring at him also was. He had two sets of memories- one of Illiam’s life, and one of Elian’s. And he had come from that fused consciousness, no way to tell who he was before that. One set of memories did not stir a more powerful reaction in him than the other. He tried to think of the people he knew and loved, but he saw them from two different angles now. His body was young, and so was the other Ashbur’s.
He didn’t know if there was anything else to do but cry.
He tried to comb his memories, see if there was anything that could help. An eye! Elian only had one eye! But as he touched that socket, there was nothing there, just like there was nothing in the socket of the person staring at him.
Well, he was going to have to choose, wasn’t he? Honestly, he felt more like Illiam. The somewhat straight and narrow life of Elian had a dash less resonance with him. But Illiam’s life- it was hollow. There was nothing of value in that life. He had worked for Aaia with seemingly no reward. Now villainy gave him only sleepless nights, worry, and fleeting, temporal pleasures. Elian had- well, at least he had friends who were alive. But that didn’t make him feel like him. That made him envy the brother, or person who he had been. He wanted friends. He wanted people to care about him. Before he knew it, the remaining eye was crying.
The other Ashbur stood up, pointing at him. “You- I- Someone did this to us! You- you made everything we worked for useless!”
Illiam blinked. “We- I don’t think it’s that bad….”
“We don’t even know who we are!” shrieked the other. “And you know what else you showed me! How STUPID a MISTAKE becoming good was! All the right side has ever brought me is loneliness and despair and being pushed away in favor of other, better people!”
Illiam frowned. “Elian, or- whoever you want to be- you are good people. You really are, I-”
“I’m a fucking failure who can’t even capture my own brother! Or I’m a big loser who hasn’t done anything of value in decades! Take your pick, pick your poison! I- I’m done with this being good thing! I can’t-”
Illiam reached out for his brother. “Brother, please, I can-”
“DON’T TOUCH ME!” he shrieked, before turning into an exceedingly large bird. “Fuck you! Fuck you all! I’m going to go join Lukas! Maybe there I can be of some value!”
Illiam wasn’t quite sure who “you all” was, until he turned around to see most of the people from the palace outside, staring at the scene. Looking at them all, he fainted.
Sebastian stroked Illiam’s hand again. “Look, darling, I’m just saying, if you’re the good twin, I think it would be better if you called yourself Elian. People would… understand better.”
Illiam thought of the other brother, who people had bafflingly also called Illiam, flying away. There were things that separated Illiam from the Illiam before the fusion. Unlike him, he didn’t have shapeshifting skills beyond the most basic ones Elian had also possessed, though he did, bafflingly, have Illiam’s new telepathic abilities. He was softer, and when a stray cruel remark would make its way through his lips, he would always apologize.
“I don’t think I’m Elian though. He’s more Elian than me.”
Sebastian nodded, but he didn’t particularly seem sincere. “Well, if you suppose so.” The tiefling stood up, brushing away a stray tear that was somehow still on his face. Illiam had accidentally made a comment about Georg a few hours ago. He had died so many years ago, Illiam had- Illiam had just been his insensitive self again. “Anyway, if you need any help finding a job or anything, please, let me know! I’m sure Maelys or I could find a place for you. Somewhere.”
“And the award of Mental Healing goes to…. Dr Illiam Ashbur!” Illiam was thrilled as he took the stage and was handed a large golden trophy by the hospital director. His heart surged with joy. Not only the recognition, but knowing he really had helped people, that he was valued. It was like nothing other.
Illiam tapped the magical microphone, transfering its powers onto him. “Hello, everyone! I’m just- I just don’t know what to say. When I started studying psychology and the brain and how I could use my powers to help people, not hurt them, I never knew that I would become the world’s first memenolgist. Memenology has really helped so many people over the years, and so I think this trophy rightly belongs to not just me, but all memenologists. T-thank you.”
Illiam left the stage and returned to his seat to hear the next award winner. Oh, it was for surgery. The hospital director took the stage. “Well, this year’s award for Surgical Healing has an obvious winner. Dr. Xander Nesline, please take the stage for your award.”
Xander Nesline worked here? Illiam hadn’t even known. He twisted back to look at him. He’d seen the tiefling a few times before in both lives. Here he was sitting with his father and his sister Cassandra, looking shocked. His father prodded him towards the stage, and Xander ran up to it. There were quiet giggles in the audience, then Xander took the stairs and took the award. “Um. Thank you. This- this award is amazing to me. I don’t- I’ve only been at this hospital for a few months, I don’t know how I earned an award so quickly, but I truly appreciate it, and thank all the people who decided I should obtain it. Um…. thank you.”
Xander quickly made his way down the stairs again, sitting next to his father again. Sebastian patted Xander gently. Illiam stopped staring at the family.
After the ceremony, Illiam went to the table of treats. Oooh, cake. Ever since the incident he had a bit of a thing for cake. Illiam put a thick slice on his plate as he turned around. He did kind of want to talk to Xander. Looking at him, he saw Sebastian notice Illiam and whisper something into his son’s ear. Illiam activated his exceptional psychic hearing, only to hear- “-lliam Ashbur. Well, really, he’s just good old friendly Elian, deluded into thinking he’s his evil brother. Still a nice man though. Though I’d proceed with caution, Xan-” Sebastian stopped whispering as Illiam approached.
“Hello, Sebastian. Xander, it’s nice to meet you.” Illiam offered a hand.
“I believe we have met before.” said Xander, shaking the hand and making an uncomfortable amount of eye contact. Illiam’s eyes darted to Xander’s forehead. “Though it may have been-”
“Before. Right. Anyway, I had no idea you worked here. Aren’t you supposed to be the greatest surgeon in the world or something?”
Xander looked down, clearly embarrassed by the comment. “People have said that before, certainly.”
Sebastian patted his son. “And it’s true, darling! You’re a medical genius!”
“I suppose.” said Xander. “Anyway, congratulations on your award. Um, w-” Sebastian gripped on Xander’s shoulder, and Xander suddenly smiled. “I am sure that we could….. I am sure this hospital is better for having both of us. Perhaps we could get to know each other better in the next year.”
“I would like that.”
Illiam speared a piece of chicken with a spork, then pointed it at Xander. “Xander, you have so many good ideas! Why don’t you ever share them with others!?”
Xander blinked. “Flesh trees? You think that’s a good idea? No, it isn’t. It’s like something Lukas would come up with. Probably already has.” Xander sighed. “You don’t know what it’s like. Constantly having to edit myself so I don’t sound at all like him.”
“Well, I always have to distance myself from the previous Illiam. And my brother.”
Xander sighed. “And see! There was a time I should have thought more carefully about what I should have said.”
“It’s alright.” Illiam stroked Xander’s hand. “Hey, no offense taken, alright?”
The tiefling nodded. “Thank you.” He then sighed again. “Here I am. Always screwing up. Always apologizing.”
“It’s fine. It’s what makes us human. Er, tiefling, in your case. Also not quite sure I’m human. Um, it’s what makes us people.”
Xander smiled slightly at that. “Right. It’s our mistakes that make us people.”
Xander looked up from his desk. Illiam had arrived at his office like he always did at the end of each day. “Hey, Xander!”
“Hello, Illiam.” Xander finished rearranging the things in his drawer and shut it, before standing up and grabbing his outdoors coat. While Illiam’s was casually slung over his shoulder, Xander always had his things in place, and his coat was hanging up neatly on its hook. “How was your day today?”
Illiam shrugged. “It was fine. I keep having to explain to patients I don’t remove memories, that’s unethical. It’s not what memenologists do.”
“Can you remove memories?”
“Yes.” said Illiam. “And I do actually do so temporarily in cases where patients are unable to function at all due to them, but I always do so with the intent of returning them once they are capable of handling them. Mostly I do so in emergency situations.”
Xander looked to the tile floors. “Would you ever do so offensively? For example, if you could remove Lukas’s memories of being Kaiser?”
Illiam shrugged. “I doubt I could harm that man permanently. And that’s what removing memories is, an injury. Adding memories, too. I know that one better than anyone. I don’t want to destroy anyone’s identity.”
Xander and Illiam stood under the very first flesh tree. The ribbon cutting was to begin in twenty or so minutes, but Illiam and Xander had never actually seen the tree itself. The tree was already beginning to grow organs. Its blood type was O-. An A+ tree would be the next to be made, though Xander had also had the idea of smaller flesh plants, or somehow grafting a flesh sample from the patient onto the tree and growing a perfect organ for them, one that would fit perfectly, like their body had somehow remembered how it had grown a heart the first time and grown another.
Xander stroked the tree, almost lovingly. It was the most affection Illiam had ever see the tiefling put into a gesture. “Lovely, isn’t it? I didn’t realize how beautiful it would be.”
Illiam frankly thought the flesh tree should be put in some sort of flesh greenhouse (did they even need sunlight?) and not in the main atrium of the hospital, proudly displayed for all to see, but simply nodded instead. “It is rather unique.”
“Illiam, I-” Xander paused midsentence, as he often did. “Illiam, I- thank you for- thank you for encouraging me.”
“Xander, I think you just need a little push to share your ideas. You’re brilliant, you know that?”
Xander looked down at Illiam’s shoes. “Everybody says that.”
“It’s true!”
“The more people say things…. the less I believe them. You- I do believe you, Illiam, it’s just- hearing it constantly, I just-”
Illiam grabbed Xander’s hands. “Xander, I-” Illiam was suddenly very distracted by the arrival of his identical twin brother, wearing a labcoat. “Okay, one second, Elian is here. Be right back, okay?”
Elian smiled as Illiam approached him. “Brother. Brother dear! Look at you! Young and healthy! We both are! Almost 300 years, and we’re both still alive. Thanks to you. Thanks to me.”
“Whichever one of us it was who was Illiam before.” said Illiam.
Elian shook his head, slowly laughing. “You think of us before wrong, Illiam. Or them, I suppose. We are both of them. We are both people that went into that fusion, and since we’ve chosen different paths, but inside we are still the same.”
“We lived longer as our new selves than we did as those two.”
The laughter continued. “Well, at the very least, you can’t deny we have so much in common. So much! Look at you, Illiam. Just like I was. Just like you were, a little. Afraid to confess your love for Xander. He is hot, isn't he? You do have a nice taste in men.”
Illiam’s eyes narrowed. Sure, he felt that way towards Xander, but he was pretty sure that the tiefling was utterly uninterested in romance, and he wasn’t going to disrupt their friendship with that. “Whatever, you. Why are you here, to torment me?”
Elian smiled even wider. “I’m here to bring it to my master, Kaiser Lukas. He wishes to study it.”
“Well, you’re not going to do that.”
Elian began to glow in greys and blacks, his smile ever increasing. “And who precisely is going to stop me?”
And with that, Elian transformed. While the Angel before had been dedicated to Aaia, a glowing brilliant thing, this Angel was dark, tarnished, and its lips were twisted in a permanent smile. Illiam tried to fire a psychic beam at The Angel while it flew towards the flesh tree, lifting it up as the people who already gathered began to protest loudly, many rushing towards Elian.
Where was Sebastian? Wasn’t he supposed to come to the flesh tree unveiling? They needed an angel to fight an angel! Xander tried to leap atop of The Angel, who smacked Xander off of him. The tiefling hit the floor hard, eyes closed. Illiam ran to him, even though he knew he should follow The Angel. Xander was definitely unconscious. No. Not good. “This man needs healing!” screamed Illiam, but nobody went to Xander’s side.
Illiam wished there was something he could do to heal Xander, and began to cry. This damn weeping was all Elian’s fault. The Angel left, flesh tree in tow, and Xander did not wake up.
Illiam woke up in a chair, and tried to remember how he’d gotten there. Right. Xander. Xander had fallen unconcious, and-
“Illiam.” Illiam focused his attention to Xander, who was sitting straight up in bed. “Oh, you’re awake. Illiam, I am fine. That should please you.”
Illiam ran to Xander and wrapped his arms around him. “Oh, thank the gods. You’re alright.”
“Illiam, I would like to speak with you. About…. about something I overheard before your brother attacked.”
Illiam’s heart froze. He hadn’t overheard that, had he? “Illiam, I heard you speak to your brother….. about how you possess feelings for me. But were afraid to confess them, lest it ruin the bond we currently share.”
Illiam pulled back from the hug and nodded, not denying the comments. “Yes. Xander, if you’re not interested, or you just don’t feel that way about me, we can-”
“I have never really found romantic relationships…. appealing. I am uncertain I would be happy in one.” Illiam tried not to frown. Had to keep a straight face. “There are certain elements- that I just don’t like. A lot. But then again, I saw no need for friendships, and you arrived in my life. You are my closest and first real friend, Illiam.” Xander clasped Illiam’s hands. “And if I am to try to love anyone. I think that you would be a worthy subject of my affections.”
Illiam smiled at his friend. “So...maybe we could go on a date or something? If that’s not one of the aspects you don’t like?”
“Dating is fine.” said Xander. Illiam let out a sigh of relief. That was good. “However, what happens afterwards….”
Illiam laid on Xander’s lap, sobbing. “Nobody respects who I am but you, Xander. People think I’m good, I’m just confused Elian. People think they can fix me. People think they can say a special phase, and I’ll realize who I was all along, and it can change things.”
Xander stroked Illiam’s hair. “Sh, Illiam. Shh, shh, I am here for you. I know you stated this in the beginning, but I do not think you are confused Elian. I do not think you are broken.”
“But I am broken! He- I- Someone broke me!”
Xander continued stroking. “I know who you are. You are the man who loves me. And the man who I love. Shhh, my Illiam, my darling, I am here, and I will always believe you, and love you, and…..”
Sebastian smiled a smile that Illiam knew was fake. “Engaged. Now, generally, someone asks the parent’s permission before proposing! Just because the parent should have a little warning!”
Xander held Illiam’s hand tightly. “Father, I was the one who asked him. And both of Illiam’s parents are deceased. Who was I to ask, Elian?”
“He is Elian!” screeched Sebastian. “Son, I cannot have you marrying a man who doesn’t even know who he is!”
Xander’s grip was tighter as he spoke with more confidence than Illiam had ever heard in the tiefling’s voice. “Illiam has defined himself as Illiam, that is who he is. And if you do not accept my husband’s identity, then I will be forced to ask you to not attend the wedding.”
Sebastian’s eyes softened. “Oh, darlings, I don’t- I’m not doing this to be mean, Elian, Illiam, I just- I just want to help you!”
“I never asked for you help.” said Illiam. “I never asked for anyone’s help.”
Sebastian’s mouth quickly opened, then shut. He sighed. “Alright. Fine. Xander, Illiam, I give you my blessing.” Then he smiled. “And I hope this means grandchildren! Ones who aren’t evil, that is.”
“Maybe in a decade or two.” Illiam replied. Quietly, he thought ‘or never.’
“Let me see the baby!” said Anya, and Illiam handed little Sevvie over. Ever since Xander got his job as director at Vermios Memorial Hospital and the couple had moved to Uldok (hopefully for good, thought Illiam) Anya and her husband had been frequent visitors at Xander and Illiam’s townhouse. “Aw, what a cute little thing. Helorie, isn’t she adorable?”
The former lich stared at Sevvie. “I suppose she is.”
“A cute little baby tiefling~ Helorie, when we have children, do you think they’ll be this adorable?”
Helorie shrugged. “Hopefully they’ll inherit your looks, not mine. Otherwise I’m afraid they’ll be doomed to ugliness.”
Anya laughed and beckoned Helorie down so she could give him a kiss on the cheek. “Oh, shush you. No matter who these children inherit from, they’d be darling. Oh, we can set up playdates! Though I hope the children won’t be too different in age to have fun with one another.”
“Well, we may have another in a while.” said Illiam, looking to Xander. “We just love Seva so much, we think we’d also love a little sibling too. She wails and cries, and we haven’t had a decent night of sleep since she was made, but I think she needs a little brother or sister.”
“Brother.” said Xander, patting Seva. “Seva, do you desire your rattle? Look, dear. A rattle. Don’t you want to hold it with your tiny baby hands? Seva, do you understand what I am telling you?”
“It is your birthday, joyous birthday to all, joyous birthday to Jiro, it is your birthday!” Illiam put a beautiful birthday cake in front of his son, who was celebrating his twelfth birthday.
The gathered family members and friends clapped, and Jiro blew out all the candles.
As Illiam took the cake to slice it, Sevvie leaned close to Jiro. “What’d you wish for, little bro?”
Jiro blushed and looked at his feet. “I-I’m not going to tell you!” The boy was a beet red. “It’s a secret!”
“But if you don’t tell us the wish, it won’t come true!” protested Sevvie.
Jiro mumbled something, seemingly too softly for anyone to hear, but Sevvie lit up. “A boyfriend? Little Jiro wants a boyfriend!?” There was soft laughter from the people gathered, and Jiro angrily looked up at his sister.
“I’m only a year younger than you, you know! I don’t know who you’re calling little!” The laughter grew, but Illiam shook his head as he came back in the room with the now-sliced cake.
“Don’t tease your brother, Sevvie. Just because you don’t want something doesn’t mean your brother shouldn’t want it. Here’s your cake, dear.” Jiro dug into the cake, smiling as he tasted the rich chocolate cake.
“Dad, it’s perfect, so delicious!”
Illiam smiled. “The secret is a dash of vinegar,” he shared, “and a pinch of baking soda. As long as you put them in the right amounts, it just makes it delicious and moist, no vinegar taste at all!”
“The cake stuff is definitely Elian.” commented Helorie, taking a bite of the cake. “Gods, once your brother rambled about them for at least two hours.” He laughed. “And Anya, your grandfather just sat there and listened to it!”
Illiam shrugged casually as he gave others slices of cake. “I have all his memories, so I know just as much as he does about cakes. You know, unless Lukas has him and Thalia researching cakes. Exarch, bring me a ten thousand layer chocolate cake!”
“A ten thousand layer nutrient tube cake!”
Illiam watched Jiro watch Fedor, who was spinning his glaive in a way that would be completely ineffective in combat. Boys showing off to impress other boys. It was cute. Technically they were related, but Illiam doubted this would actually go anywhere, so it was merely just adorable.
Suddenly, the Lukas sirens sounded. Illiam waved his arms. “Boys, go to the palace shelter! I’m going to- I’m going to try to find your father!”
Jiro blinked. “We’re going to meet up with Sevvie and Morti and Dmitri and try to help.” said Jiro. “Fedor, I-”
But Fedor wasn’t fronting anymore, it was Pyotr. Illiam had gone, in the space of three years, to not believing in multiplicity to knowing precisely who was fronting in that system by posture, gesture, voice, and subtle psychic cues. Also when they wore their magical girl costumes. “It’s me, Pyotr, okay? We’re going to need to sync up, I need to know where my brother is.”
Jiro swallowed his spit and nodded. “Okay. I’ll try to look for them psychically too.”
The pair left, and Illiam realized that he wanted to argue with Jiro about him going out to help. He should stay in a shelter, where it was safe! Lukas’s soldiers didn’t play around! Half of them were Jiro’s age anyway, they wouldn’t show any mercy because Jiro was young. Illiam tried to see where Jiro had went. Through- that door? Illiam went through it, only to see a large flight of stairs. Oh, Jiro and Pyotr were climbing them. “Jiro! Wait up! I don’t want you fighting!”
Jiro looked down at his dad. “I’m just going to help the others fight! And heal people!”
“NO, you’re not! You’re going to the safety of the shelter!”
“No I’m not! I’m going to help!”
“Young man, you come down here right now, before-” Jiro began ascending the stairs faster than Illiam had ever seen him go up a flight of stairs in his life. Illiam stomped his feet angrily. “YOUNG MAN! COME DOWN! I MEAN IT!”
But by the time Illiam got to the top of the steps, Jiro was gone. Ugh. Well, maybe Xander was with Anya and Ekaterina? Illiam entered the combat room only to see Anya, Helorie, and Ekaterina there, watching a screen. Ekaterina let out a sigh.
“You’re late. If you came one second sooner, I would have sent you out with your husband and Bara and Anya out with Danill and Cassandra.”
Anya yelled, “Why didn’t you send me out anyways? I’m still here!”
“I like to have even numbers.” confessed Ekaterina.
Illiam looked at a screen, where Xander was dodging bullets from the machine gun arm of some sort of Assel (Messel? Was that his great-nephew?!) and a bunch of geese were being set on fire. He had to join him.
“Doesn’t matter, need to go out there now!”
Anya raised an eyebrow. “Can you fly? Or am I going to have to waste another fly spell!?!”
Illiam smiled at Anya. He could already feel it in his shoulders, the stirrings were beginning. “Oh, Anya, don’t you worry about me.”
Author's Notes:
Despite the fact that Elian's POV starts out this story, I feel wholly and strongly that the Illiam in this story is Illiam. He has a right to be whoever he wants, and he is Illiam to me. Perhaps starting the story in Elian's POV was a Bad Decision, and if I ever write an Elian story, I may swap it to make him the early POV.
Length: 5231 Words
Date: May 11th, 2015
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