Welcome back to Lap of the gods, everyone. I'm glad everyone enjoyed the chapter. Please remember to COMMENT and VOTE; it means a lot to me. Plus, I like talking to you guys and hearing your opinions. Also, remember to click the video; it goes with the chapter ~XOXO BUTTERBALL~.

The song is steel bird by Wataame ft. IA

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-Marta-

"Ahhh, the water's so warm today," I sighed as I ran my fingers through my freshly wet hair.

As I washed my hair, I couldn't help but slowly turn my attention to the sky.

It's not visible now, but just yesterday, Adonis's other moon sprouted that tree...I thought I at least had another thousand years.

"No wonder the ether has been behaving strangely," I whispered as I narrowed my eyes.

Oh, that's right, speaking of ether!

I waded over to the river bank where I'd placed my clothes. Lifting the purple gown, I carefully grabbed the two small porcelain combs that Lila found yesterday.

Dark ether radiated off of them; the tendrils snapped at my skin, leaving purple splotches in their place.

I couldn't help but flinch as I tightly grasped the combs and returned to the water.

Even these objects became tainted by Sorey's demonic ether. Perhaps it was a mistake to save him, not to mention he nearly strangled Lila when he was brought back. If he weren't already nearly a familiar, he would have killed this vessel.

I took a deep breath as I gathered the ether to me; instantly, I could see the tendrils of ether changing course. Instead of floating through the air, it began to flow towards me in glowing threads.

"Oh, Adonis, lend me your ether so that I may purge this beloved object of its darkness!" I commanded.

A surge of energy rushed through me, and instantly the dark ether began to be engulfed by the clean ether surrounding me. As the dark ether faded and the splotches vanished from my hands, I let out a sigh.

Almost immediately, my legs buckled beneath me, and all my strength seemed to vanish without warning.

It looks like Lila and I are still exhausted from yesterday.

"Are you okay?"

Turning my head, I saw Sorey standing on the river bank with his arms crossed. Strangely enough, he was watching me closely.

"I'm fine," I told him as I waved him away.

How long has he been standing there just watching me?

Slowly I began approaching him, the now purified combs in my hand.

"Lila found these...I couldn't help but notice your memories. I figured it would be okay if I cleansed them," I informed him as I held them out.

His reaction was almost immediate as he glared at me and snatched the combs from my hands.

I flinched back and looked away as a blue tint rolled over my skin.

I couldn't help but frown as I watched Sorey storm away without a word. As he left, I could see the small outline of dark ether as it flared up around him.

"Lila, do you want to try talking to him? He seems to act gentler towards you," I asked her.

"Lila?" I called again.

Huh, she must be exhausted or perhaps scared. No, even if she's scared, she'll speak up.

As the blue camouflage left my skin, I climbed onto the river bank and dried off. Once I was dried and dressed, I walked back to my home to get an early start on lunch.

Maybe fish broth and roc celery. Dumplings maybe instead; I know that demons usually like them a lot. Perhaps I should just stick with stew. It's easier to make; after all, I just have to follow Lila's actions.

~~~~

I couldn't help but notice that Sorey wasn't inside the house when I returned.

"Where did he go?" I mumbled.

As if to answer my question Sorey came through the door.

"You shouldn't wander around so carelessly. Varuun comes and goes as he pleases; I don't want to be responsible for prying you out of his teeth again," I warned him.

However, he ignored me, instead choosing to walk right past me and sit down on the floor with his legs crossed.

I scowled as I checked on the stew. I was in the middle of stirring it when Sorey spoke.

"So, what kind of creature is that beast of yours?"

I stopped what I was doing for a moment and glanced at him. "He's a baby Mythrasill," I said in a matter of fact tone.

"It's a what?"

"A Mythrasil, you may have seen them before on Adonis since you apparently travel a lot. They get a whole lot bigger than Varuun. If they were as small as him, they'd have a hard time filtering out malice from the land." I explained; however, I could see slight confusion on Sorey's face.

He rolled his eyes as he let out a huff. "I see that you've been digging around in my mind the same time you chose to play with my innards."

"You complain, but you're alive, correct?" I reminded him.

"I'm not complaining about you saving my life. I'm just pointing out how much you seem to enjoy toying with a person's body," he told me.

I couldn't help but frown as I grabbed two nearby bowls.

Demons have always been strange to me, but that might be because I didn't create them.

"From the looks of things, you used to be a priestess or a seer considering how easily you can control ether." He guessed.

I let out a chuckle as I handed Sorey a bowl of stew. "No, I was neither although...nevermind," I muttered as I shook my head.

Suddenly Sorey let out a hiss then he started coughing. "Ugh...what in the hell," he grumbled.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I stirred my own bowl of stew.

I don't usually eat, but if it keeps Lila happy.

"Are you trying to poison me?" He growled.

"I'm a god. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead," I answered automatically.

"Oh really, then please taste the stew and tell me that it's not poison," he demanded.

I rolled my eyes as I shoved a spoonful of stew into my mouth only to freeze seconds later. The stew was strangely bitter, not only that, but the consistency of it was gritty and sludge-like. A second later, I spit it out, coughing as I did.

"So the other you, Lila, can cook, but you can't. Yet you both can control ether to varying degrees," Sorey sighed.

"It's just that I don't eat; I haven't had food in a long time, so..." I whispered as I looked away.

The last time I actually tried eating something was a long time ago. Before I even created Lila...

Sorey sighed as he got to his feet. "It doesn't matter either way," he muttered as he left.

I let out a soft sigh as Sorey's footsteps faded away.

That malicious presence he has is still there, but it's more like he's repressing it. Considering his species and who his father is, it'll only be a matter of time before he turns on me.

"I won't allow it," I hissed.