Abaddon was amused by her plan, but he could see the merits in it. If they kept telling stories, they would spend plenty of time together.
But he did not agree right away.
"I already told you a valuable story. Most mortals would kill to hear about the stories of old from the King of a hidden continent." His casual words challenged Aisling.
Aisling thought about it. That story was indeed valuable. No one in the outside world even knew about the existence of angels and demi-angels. If the story was to be believed, the Consortium had probably wiped away the traces.
Therefore, in terms of story quality, it was incomparable to her reminiscing about her past.
However, she would not lose so easily.
"But we must consider the well from which the stories are drawn. Even if I tell you everything that has happened to me, and even include all the books I have read, I cannot compare to your wealth of… experience." She paused intentionally.
Abaddon felt like there were arrows with the word 'old' stabbing him. Often, he forgot that he was his age.
Unlike most general subhuman races, demi-angels could Sleep for long periods. The hibernation period allowed for the repeated renewal of the body. Therefore, they did not feel the physical implications of existing for millennia.
Only the ennui would cause some demi-angels to focus on their age.
And again, compared to their departed angelic parents, they were still babies.
He refused to capitulate under the insult of his… experience.
"My stories are like legends to the scientific and enlightened people of the mainland. I have heard that the Consortium has pushed the agenda that subhuman races were formed through natural evolution. If I told you a story, it will be like a silly fairy tale." He countered.
"I like fairy tales. It so happens that no one read me good night stories when I was young. It would not hurt to hear a few. I am still growing after all." Aisling turned her head a little and looked up at Abaddon.
The demi-angel saw the crafty eyes and the naughty smile, and his mind went blank. It felt like she was pulling his very soul into her silver eyes. He could not remember what he had intended to say.
Aisling chuckled at the blank look on Abaddon's face and declared herself the winner.
"I look forward to your fairy tales, Ancient One." She teased as she looked forward again.
Abaddon snapped from the daze and realised that he had been swallowed in the vortex of the Soul Resonance. He was always vigilant and kept tight control of his mind to avoid falling too deeply into the beguilement of their connected primordial souls.
However, as they bantered, he had felt relaxed and free. Normal…
When she had looked back and their eyes met, his soul yearned and wanted to reach out to her.
He shook his head and tried to focus.
"I am hungry." Aisling suddenly said.
She turned her head again and looked expectantly at Abaddon.
The demi-angel's lips twitched at the face that seemed to be waiting for him to conjure up something. He could also see that she was acting a little spoiled intentionally.
Instead of being irritated, he felt a sense of pride. The gesture showed that she felt more comfortable and open with him.
He lifted his right hand, and a fruit appeared in his hand. It looked like a purple apple, but the strong fruity scent was different. He gave it to Aisling.
"What is this?" Aisling said with suspicion, but she took it.
She had never seen such a fruit.
"Something good," Abaddon responded.
Cal cooed loudly and its wings shook.
"See, even Cal wants a taste." Abaddon smiled. "Go on, take a little bite."
Aisling looked at him a little more suspiciously. This scene reminded her of the story of the snake in the garden of Eden, luring Eve into eating the forbidden fruit.
Still, she opened her mouth and bit into the fruit. She expected a crunchy texture, but she found that the fruit was juicy. The sweet tanginess swirled in her mouth as she chewed on the fruit before swallowing.
Her body felt a strange energy flow through it as she kept eating the fruit. When she finished it, she felt a little sad and wanted to eat another. She turned and looked at Abaddon expectantly.
The demi-angel laughed. "You cannot eat too much of this fruit. That small portion has not even been digested. If you eat more, you will be bloated with too much energy."
Aisling focussed on her body and felt the increased magical and mental energy. It did not seem like much, but there was a difference.
"It doesn't seem like a lot of energy." Aisling was a little sceptic.
Abaddon laughed. "When we get to the ground, you can test out your powers. The Purple Water Fruit is used to recover energy during battles or long journeys. If you were tired and weakened, you would feel the effects more profoundly."
Aisling was not certain about the matter, but she could only wait.
Auspex Town was not large like Farallon City, but the appearance from the sky was quite distinctive. The buildings were white and built like a town that existed in Ancient Greece. At least, that is what Aisling thought as she looked at it.
The most critical feature in the locale was the presence of an impressive temple at the centre of the town. While Aisling could not see it clearly, it was an intricate structure with a majestic and imposing power.
"What's with that temple?" Aisling asked.
"That is the Temple of Oracles. Auspex is their domain." Abaddon responded.
"For a King, you do not seem overly concerned about the politics of your kingdom," Aisling commented.
Abaddon laughed. "I have never been interested in the politics of ruling. Let's say that I am the King by default. I do not interfere with the power distribution in Panthalassa unless it is completely necessary."
Aisling nodded although she did not know what he meant by becoming the king by default. She did not question further because she was distracted by the Temple of Oracles. For some reason, she felt as if someone was watching her from the building.
"Cal, fly to that hill," Abaddon ordered the bird.
The Caladrius flew over the town and headed to the green hill in the distance.
"Did you get the feeling that someone was watching us? Am I being paranoid?" Aisling rubbed her arms, trying to get rid of the feeling.
Abaddon looked at the creeped-out woman and laughed. "Just because you are paranoid does not mean that no one is watching."
Aisling turned her head and glared at him.
He reached his hand and caught a soft earlobe between his thumb and index finger and rubbed it a little. The shell of the ear turned red from the contact. She pulled on his hand to free her sensitive ears.
"You are not wrong. The Temple of Oracles is watching. Would you like for me to conceal us?" Abaddon asked.
Aisling was surprised. "You don't seem concerned."
"I am not. They are not harmless, but it is easier to deal with them directly instead of hiding. They are businesspeople at their core. They watch everything to look for an advantage. They will not do anything unless it affects their interests." He explained.
"Shouldn't a temple be about altruism?"
"True altruism does not exist. Everyone has an agenda."
"That sounds cynical."
"Do you deny that it is the truth?"
Aisling sighed. He was not wrong. There was always something unsaid or unspoken in every act of self-sacrifice.
Halfway up the hill, Cal suddenly descended to the ground. Abaddon frowned.
"Cal, to the top." He spoke.
The bird refused and landed. Abaddon sensed a complete reluctance. Though he could not understand the Caladrius, he had known it long enough to interpret its actions.
"It seems Cal is not willing to go up the hill." He said before holding Aisling by the waist and jumping from its back.
Aisling did not protest. Instead, she looked at the top of the hill with deep silver eyes.
"I think he can sense the tainted air. I have never felt such malicious death energy." She frowned.
With the sinister energy in the air, it was difficult to imagine that only a single woman had died on top of the hill, and more than a year had passed since then.
Abaddon could not sense the deathly air, but the hill was unnaturally quiet. He could not hear birds, insects or even worms. The vegetation was not affected, but the lack of other life was obvious.
"You can go, Cal. We will call you later." He reached a soothing hand to pat the wings.
Cal cooed before rising into the air and disappearing into the sky as if into the sun. Aisling looked at the scene with interest.
"It really does live in the sun." She exclaimed with a laugh.
Abaddon smiled. "Legend had it that it takes in illnesses, and they are burned off by the sun. I think it might have gone off to clean off the energy from this hill."
Aisling turned her eyes back to the top of the hill and frowned. "Let's go."
Abaddon did not offer to fly them up to the top. It was beneficial to check out the hill with care. After all, this was about a murder investigation, not a fun road trip.
"What do you see?" He asked as he sensed a change in her.
"Not see, feel," Aisling responded. "The presence of death here is suffocating."
"Is it a new death?" Abaddon asked.
Aisling tilted her head. "No, the energy seems to have sunk into the soil and the plants. If any creature were to live in these conditions, it would probably waste away."
"That must be why I cannot sense signs of life," Abaddon added.
When they reached the top of the hill, Aisling looked on the other side with a bit of awe. In the distance, she could see beautiful networks of rivers. She could also sense vibrant elemental water energy.
Abaddon stood beside her and also looked at the sight. "That is Izanagi."
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