Ilo took Epis with her to the shrine and put a hand on it. Epis was dazed by her powers and in result was very compliant. She waited, but thankfully not for long. They were both transported to the nether. Here Epis did a double take.
"What are we doing here Ilodeena," he asked her, more confused then alarmed.
She carefully soothed him. "Just a bit further now."
He nodded and drifted away back into his sleepy state. Ilo lead him to the huge palace and down the hall to where her father would be resting.
The little dragon was perched on the lap of the girl who looked at her with dislike.
"This is the healer Epis?" The dragon asked.
Ilo bowed her head.
"You are holding him in your magical grip?"
"I am father, it was the easiest way to bring him here. He is slow with his grief, not with reluctance." She explained, hoping that this once of her power would not be terribly displeasing.
"Very well, release him now from your grip and you may see the one you brought here. He is stirring now, to long away from your magic."
Craftus watched as Ilo scurried away to find Amos and shook his head. "I see what you have meant my daughter," he purred, "it seems she did get a liking for Minea's grandson."
Epis was standing before him, the magic slowly fading off of him.
"He will be aware of us in a moment," Craftus instructed her, "you are to be pleasant or not to speak if you cannot be."
She hissed slightly.
"Not to worry," he told her. "You will do your part." He added a sternness that made her flinch slightly.
Epis was now coming back to the reality feeling foggy.
"Welcome Epis," Craftus said.
Epis blinked a few times.
"Where have I been brought?" he asked.
"This is my domain, but have no fear here, you are my honoured guest."
"Ilo told me she had an offer to me to amend for the death of the one I loved."
"Indeed, the offer comes from not her, but me. Come closer, sit before me."
Epis was hesitant but felt weary and agreed finally to sit.
"How unfair life has been to you young healer. Your most precious love was stolen much to early." Craftus told him, "and your own family, who were responsible for this most untimely occurrence refused to mend their own mistakes at you and your children's expense."
Epis twitched slightly, sounding completely dead he said, "I was told her death was irreversible."
"You have been lied to Epis, and I am here to offer a solution."
Epis peered up at him curious. "What do you want from me then?"
"Clever I see, it will serve you well enough. Long ago I was wounded and I have never quite healed. It is a deep wound and pains me greater, see how small I am, and how I must rest frequently in the lap of my own daughter." He said in a pained way, "you could easily relieve my woes and heal me and in return I would give you the very thing you want."
"Why?" He asked, "how do I know you have found her?"
"Difficult, I am very weak in this form, but I am a creature called an Ender Dragon, I have a special connection with the souls. Your Maiella was sent to the overworld to be reborn and is now a young girl named Aris."
"You have found her?"
"More then that," he said, "I have protected her to ensure she continued to live."
Epis nodded, "and if I help you, you will give her to me?"
"I will, I will give you more, imagine you could raise her again, care for her until she is old enough and then she would become your immortal wife."
"You can do that?" Epis asked.
"In my true form I can," Craftus told him.
He knew he had won, Epis looked stormy with thought, but his desire, raw and unchanged remained, he wanted his love back.
Epis walked forward and put a hand on the dragon, he felt the deep wounds and closed them one by one. As he went Craftus sighed in relief. When Epis was done he backed away.
Craftus was now twice the size he had been.
"Give me the vial," he told the girl, she took it in her hands and tipped the rest down his throat.
Craftus flapped his wings and smiled.