The Tragedy of Yinx - 14. The Mischievous God

Laneer

The leaves change color when it is nighttime. They turn into a dark purple. They still glow, but it a darker version of itself that is both peaceful and beautiful.

The only sources of light are the flowering vines emitting a soft yellow light and the glowing orange mushrooms.

Luckily, there are a ton of both. They light up the forest well enough to see where we are going.

Yinx leads me again through the lively forest. Every now and then, he’d look back at me and smile. And every time he does that, I just feel a nice warmth in my chest.

It grows and spreads inside of me. I may have stolen a few kisses just for that.

Yinx did not seem to mind at all. If anything, he seems to love the affection.

“Your wolf isn’t hungry, is it?” He asks while we are walking.

“No, not at all. Why do you ask?”

He runs his fingers along a tree as we walk past. “Just making sure. I wouldn’t want us to have to deal with possibly killing something here.”

Oh. Yeah that probably would have been a bad idea.

Now that I think about it. I still have not fed him this entire trip. We almost found food, but then Yinx had screamed and all thoughts on the swan had vanished.

Maybe I should find a time to hunt soon. Obviously not here, but when we are out of the woods.

I don't really want to leave the woods however. Yinx would lose his eyesight again and then I would not be able to see those pretty eyes.

I know I did not want to come into the woods at all before, but surely you can’t blame me for wanting to stay forever.

“Is there a particular reason you haven’t asked why I have chosen to go home?” Yinx says while glancing over his shoulder. “I know I said I wasn’t sure why I am needed there, but I would assume that you’d be curious at my decision.”

I just shrug. “It probably isn’t any of my business. I would like to think that you would tell me eventually.”

He bites his lip and turns to keep walking.

“What is your view on magic? Or demons?”

Oh. I do not like where this is going already.

“I have been raised against it,” I say. “I learned how dangerous it is, just like everyone else has. Well...everyone besides the people in the desert I guess. I think you know my stance with demons. One has cursed my family after all.”

He nods to himself. “You realize that magic is just as deadly as your sword right?”

“Of course I know that. It is just...magic seems deadlier. You can do more damage than good with it.” I say, carefully.

Yinx shrugs. “Well you are not entirely wrong, but there are weapons that can do a lot of damage as well.”

I just nod. Yes I know that magic is not the only deadly thing out there. I just feel like magic is maybe a lot harder to control.

With a sword, you can control where it goes. With a bomb, you can control when it detonates.

Thanks to my library, I know that if you lose any concentration with magic, you can cause some serious damage to not only yourself, but to others around you.

“Who made a contract with a demon in your family? I know it couldn’t have possibly been you.” He says.

Should I be offended by that last comment? No, probably not.

“My grandfather did.” I sigh. I think I can agree with my father when he calls my grandfather an idiot.

“Do you know what he bargained for?” Yinx pauses and looks back at me.

I shrug and shake my head. “I am guessing power. Father said he was always power hungry, so maybe it had something to do with that.”

“Well they both sound alike.” Yinx rolls his eyes.

I chuckle and reach for Yinx’s hand. “Yeah, I can agree with that.”

He smiles up at me and squeezes my hand. “Not you, however. It must not run in the family.”

We set up a small camp to sleep for the night. Yinx says it will be about a four hour walk until we reach the point on the map.

I can tell he doesn’t want to leave. Neither do I.

“Is there a reason we can’t just stay here?” I ask.

We are laying face to face in my tent. We brought both our sleeping bags together and are just tangled in each others arms and legs.

I think the best thing about this is that I am at the perfect level for giving forehead kisses.

Yinx smiles, “There isn’t any meat for you here, and I have things to figure out at home.”

I nod and let out a sigh. “A real pity. I just want to stare at those pretty eyes forever.”

He rolls his eyes but giggles.

“You are so cheesy, Laneer.” He says. “Is this something they teach all the princes in Avelin?”

I grin. “You can bet on it. Just know, if this thing happening between us keeps going, you would become a prince as well. Then that means that you would have to take those same cheesy lessons with me.”

Yinx’s smile slips away.

“What?” I ask and sit up a bit. “Did I say something wrong?”

He shakes his head. “It’s just...I-I am not sure you realize that you proposed to me.”

Oh. I feel my face turn into the color of an apple.

“Sorry,” I whisper.

Yinx leans forward and pecks my lips. “It isn’t exactly a bad thing, it’s just...don’t you think it is a bit too early to be thinking of that?”

“Well, for one thing,” I say, trying to sound confident, “it was more of a joke, but for another thing, I am pretty sure love can come at any time.”

Yinx smirks and cups my cheek, his thumb brushing over my freckles. He seems to like doing that.

“Did you just tell me that you love me, Prince Laneer?”

I feel as if my eyes just popped out of my skull.

“What?” I exclaim, but end up choking on my own breath.

I slap at my chest to clear my throat. Meanwhile, Yinx is just laying there with the most mischievous smirk I have ever seen someone hold.

“I-I…” My voice cracks and I wipe the back of my hand across my forehead. It feels hot in here all of a sudden.

The little devil just giggles underneath me and then pulls me down on top of him.

“It’s ok.” He leans in and whispers into my ear, “It will be our little secret.”

That...that for some reason gets my blood pumping.

“Maybe I don’t want it to be a secret.” I smirk. Now Yinx looks surprised. Yeah, two can play at this game.

“Are you sure about that?” He raises an eyebrow. “A lot of people will look down on us.”

I shrug. “So? I am already used to that. Why can’t a few more eyes be added to the mix?”

He grins and leans up to kiss me.

“You are too sweet to me.” He says. “My answer however, is no.”

I blink. “What? Why not?” I frown.

He smirks and wraps his arms around my neck. “Well, it is far too soon to be asking such a thing. Plus, we do not know if this will last.”

I narrow my eyes. “I feel like it would, and I have a feeling you do too.”

All I get in answer is his playful gaze.

“I will just do what any person with a brain would do and keep asking you.” I say.

He laughs and shakes his head. “Go ahead and do that. You will just keep getting the same answer.”

I fake a pout. “Even if I promised you the world?”

Yinx rolls his eyes. “Especially if you do that.”

We both laugh and I rest my head on his chest. His heartbeat is so calming to listen to.

“Laneer?”

“Yes?” I say, a bit on the sleepy side.

“Were you being serious? When you said that?” He asks.

I look up and meet his eyes. I just smile. “About asking to marry you over and over? Yes.”

He laughs. “No, you buffoon. I meant the stuff before that.”

I roll next to him and pull him close to me so I can look into his eyes better. “Maybe. I can’t really give you a straightforward answer now can I?” He gives me a confused look. “I have to keep your attention somehow. It will keep you interested in me.”

“Oh, shame on you.” He grins. “Using my own methods against me.”

“Is it working?” I say before kissing his forehead.

He yawns and lets out a soft sigh. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” He says with sleepy, green eyes.

I roll my eyes and pull the blanket over us.

Yinx rests his head against my chest and I keep an arm wrapped around him to keep him close.

We let the sounds of the forest lull us to sleep.

~~~
~~~

“He will never love you back.” A voice says in the dark.

I frown and reach my hand out, trying to feel for any solid object to bring me out of whatever this place is.

My hand touches something solid. It feels...slippery.

I push against it and it bends. I push harder and a faint light can be seen through it. When I bring my hand back, the light fades away into nothing.

There is something on the other side.

This time, I push with as much force as I can. I press my body against the black wall and the light begins to grow.

The walls seems to mold around my body as it pushes through. I try to turn my face away but it still ends up surrounding me.

When it covers my mouth, it becomes a lot harder to breathe.

I claw at the black material, trying to find a bubble of air. My head feels like it is going to pop.

“To think, a wolf could deserve anything more than a pat on the head?” The voice says.

I breach through the wall and fall onto a wooden floor.

I blink at the bright light in front of me. My vision soon clears and I see that I am staring at a single candle flame.

Looking around, I realize I am back in Yinx’s hut in the woods.

What am I doing here?

Very confused, I walk out of the little building and find Yinx standing outside with his back to me. He is staring at his campfire.

“Yinx?” I say, “What is happening? I thought we were in Drulai.”

He does not answer me. He doesn’t even turn as if I am not even here.

“Yinx?” I frown.

I walk up next to him and touch his arm. He still does not move. Just forever staring at the fire.

“Can you hear me?” I ask. Still no answer.

The sound of heavy breathing can be heard from the woods in front of us. It does not sound human. It sounds...dangerous.

Yinx looks up in the direction of the sound before he turns to walk into his home. I follow him, mostly to keep an eye on him. I don’t want whatever creature is out there to harm him.

He walks inside and closes the door. His picks up a his knife and straps it to his belt. He then picks up a dead bird and walks back out the door.

“Hungry, yes?” He asks.

I frown and walk to peek out the door.

It’s...it’s me? At least I think it is me.

A gigantic werewolf is standing on two legs. It is looking down at Yinx and sniffing the bird in his hands.

This...this is how we met. Am I reliving this moment?

“You thought that this meant he cared for you,” A deep voice says, “but in reality, he just knows how to deal with the vermin of the underworld.”

I frown. Yinx is holding the knife behind his back. Now that I am looking at it, I see that it is made of silver. I can tell from the itch in my head.

“He was simply trying to survive. The Chosen One did not want a silly dog to follow him.”

The scene before me seems to fast forward through time. Soon I see Yinx and I sitting by the campfire. My wolf eating the bird.

“However, we both know what will happen eventually.” The voice echoes. “It is inevitable.”

The wolf finishes the bird and then he begins to growl. He turns to Yinx and starts to inch his way towards him.

Yinx stands slowly and starts to back away, grabbing at the knife from his belt once again.

The wolf barks and runs for Yinx.

Yinx can only manage a scream before the wolf reaches him.

“Laneer!” He calls.

I shut my eyes and turn away. All that can be heard is the sound of Yinx’s screams and bones breaking. The smell of blood begins to fill my nose.

“Laneer, wake up!” His voice calls for me. The way he sounds so calm makes this so much more terrifying.

“This is in your nature, mutt.” The deep voice says. “You are just simply, a monster. So tell me, how could he ever fall for a monster like you?”

I open my eyes and look back at Yinx. Instead I am met with the head of the wolf.

It looks at me with it’s bloody teeth. It growls down at me before it suddenly lurches forward with it’s mouth open.

With a gasp, I lurch forward and I find myself back in my tent.

“Laneer, it was just a dream.” Yinx says over me, his hand cupping my cheek. “You’re safe.”

I breathe heavily and keep my eyes on his. Everything is ok. It was all just a nightmare. It was not real.

Yinx continues to tell me that I am safe and that I am not in any danger.

I just reach up and grab the hand on my cheek. I close my eyes and kiss the middle of his palm.

He rolls us to make me rest on top of him.

Yes, this is what I need. To hear his heartbeat. That should make me feel better.

Yinx begins to hum a soft lullaby. It isn’t one I have ever heard before. Maybe it is a Serendian song?

His hand rubs my back and the other’s fingers run through my hair.

I just close my eyes and try to relax. Concentrating on his voice and the thumping of his heart.

Yinx traces one finger along the back of my neck, it seems to leave a nice warmth in its place. Almost instantly, my body drifts back into a dreamless sleep.

~~~
~~~

Morgoren, The Moon God

Oh! My champion is calling to me. Well isn’t that a pure coincidence. I was just messing with his little...dog.

Giving a few nightmares to keep him at bay. Yinx is mine. He should not be touched by anyone else but me.

I follow the sweet voice singing my song.

The vocals were thought out by myself. I am rather proud of it. Nobody else but my chosen can sing all the notes clearly. I made sure to enchant the song just to be sure.

It is a simple song. Only eight notes, but it is hard for others to try and sing them all. Many have tried, none of have succeeded. Well, except for the few who have been gifted with my mark.

Yinx has moved outside of his camp and is standing by a pond.

I see he has put a sleeping spell on the werewolf. Interesting.

Instantly I realize his eyes are no longer blinded. Damn you, Drulai. Why must she meddle with things that do not need her attention?

Don’t tell me that the Mother Goddess has decided to make Yinx her champion as well? I do not remember her ever wanting to choose one before.

I stand before Yinx. This will be the first time he has seen me. Perhaps this will be a good thing. Seeing me should entice him enough to join me.

In that case, I will just wear my robes. Showing off my arms and chest just might do the trick.

The armor vanishes into thin air and I bring myself out of invisibility.

“Greetings, my prize.” I grin.

Yinx looks up at me, he does not seem entirely happy to see me. I mean he didn’t look happy before either, but that was because the God of Darkness had spoken with him before. Not at all because of me.

“Keep away from Laneer.” He says with venom in his words.

I smile. “You could sense that I was in his head? My, my. You are quite the prize, Yinx.”

He keeps his head held high and steps closer to me. “You mess with him again, then you can forget about me ever choosing your side.”

“Oh, so you already have me chosen?” I say. Well, I am not surprised. The God of Darkness had been a fool to take away his sight as punishment. Apparently is scared the poor boy enough to run to Drulai for help.

My mark should leave him blind however. I would very much like to gain an audience with Drulai, but she has not shown herself to anyone in years.

“No.” He says, no emotion on his face or in his voice. “I have not. I do not want to give up my life to either of you. Why can’t the both of you find someone else to torment?”

I just laugh. “You consider this torment? Most people would kill to be in your place. I have marked you already. I cannot take it back. I do not wish to take it back either. You must be my champion, Yinx Dunbrali.”

He sighs. “You should have picked someone else then. I am not going to join either of you.”

“I want you, Yinx. You are powerful.” I say. He is to join me whether he likes it or not.

He laughs. “I am not powerful. You must have me confused with someone else.”

“Oh believe me.” I say. “I do not. I would very much love to have you join me. I could show you some...explicit ways to use your power.”

Yinx raises an eyebrow, “Really now? I wonder what your wife, The Gatekeeper of the Heavens, would say about this. Surely she wouldn’t want her husband fooling around with simple humans like me.”

“She wouldn’t have to know. It will be our little secret.” I say with a wink.

Yinx rolls his eyes. “My answer is still no to the both of you. You can take your mark and shove it back where it came from.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You had best watch what you say. You are forgetting who you are talking to.”

He smirks and turns to walk away. “Oh believe me, I know exactly who I am speaking to.”

Perhaps I should have smited him then and there, but I do like when they play hard to get. It makes this all the more fun.

Yinx has a great fire in him. It will feel quite nice to tame that fire.

~~~
~~~

Laneer

I must say, waking to the sound of music is a lovely way to wake up.

I know we are on a bit of a quest, but this feels more romantic than anything to me. Sure we have the other three of our group waiting on us, but being in this forest with Yinx has been a wonderful experience.

Unfortunately it is a short one.

After walking for about two hours, Yinx has started to walk slower. Judging by the trees looking like their life is being sapped away the further we walk, I can guess that we are nearing the edge of the forest.

“Laneer?” Yinx says. “Can you stand still for a moment?”

I frown and turn to him.

“Do not frown.” He says in a strict tone.

“What’s happening?” I ask as he walks closer to me.

He raises both of his hands and rests them on my shoulders. “I just want to remember what you look like before we leave this place.”

Oh. Well, that is both sweet and depressing to me.

I wrap my arms around him and pull him close.

He smiles as his eyes roam across my face. He just really seems to like my freckles. That makes me feel pretty good, not going to lie.

“I’m sorry about last night.” I whisper.

Yinx tries to smack my chest but his arms are trapped between our bodies. “Do not worry about it. I am just glad you managed to get some better sleep.”

I smile and lean down to kiss his forehead.

He wrestles his arms free and then runs his fingers over my freckles.

“You have stars on your face, Laneer.” He smiles.

“Now you are being cheesy.” I say with a blush.

He chuckles and then stares into my eyes. “You have pretty brown eyes. They remind me of my camel, Lleros.”

I roll my eyes and laugh.

He grins and stands on his toes to kiss me.