The Fallen God Rises

Chapter 3

The silence continued as the four in the temple stood motionless, three from shock and one who waited for their next move. Her posture was laid back, eyes dull and unfocused while she debated on waving a hand in front of the blond before her.

"You... what?" Aether's voice was dazed. He stared at the woman's unfazed eyes in shock, unable to wrap his head around the fact that she just admitted to attacking the Fatui.

"I said," she began with emphasis, "that I am the one who attacked that Fatui ship. Can you not see the ice left behind by the Harbinger?"

Aether continued to stand in shock, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. The woman raised a brow before sighing and walking past them. Her heels clicked against the marble as she passed by the three. Though slow, she still held a strong frame, and walked with power in her gait. Xiao noticed that the further she walked, the more movement she seemed to gain in her frozen limb. By the time she passed Xiao, the ice was nearly gone from her leg and she was barely limping.

She could feel the young god's amber gaze on her as she passed, and took a sharp inhale when she felt the burning gaze of his eyes on her right ankle. The thought of him being able to sense the intermingling elemental powers crossed her mind, but she quickly shooed it away with a shake of her head. Even if he could sense it, she doubted he would act on it. No. She wouldn't let him act on it.

The female was nearly to the opening of the temple when she heard shuffling and rushed footsteps behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she raised a brow at the sight of Aether with narrowed eyes and the tiny pixie floating next to him. She could see that the young adeptus had yet to really move from his spot on the platform, and instead settled for watching how the two dealt with the current situation.

"If you're the one that caused all that chaos aboard the Fatui ship, not to mention attacked a Fatui Harbinger, then that means you're a criminal," Paimon exclaimed, her brows furrowed in anger. Next to her, Aether readied his sword in case the woman attempted to escape.

"We've been investigating the attack that occurred recently, and have to bring in anyone that raises suspicion. Please, come with us quietly," Aether requested. He attempted to keep his voice calm and quiet in the hopes of not inciting her, but by the slight narrowing of her eyes and tensing shoulders, he could tell that he failed.

"I'm afraid I can't."

The woman's voice rung in his ears, the dangerous spark in her eyes etching itself as a warning for the future in his mind. Suddenly, the fact that a god stood before them was reinforced. Paimon faltered slightly at the scene before her, finally taking in the full picture.

The goddess known to them as Lillianna stared at them from over her shoulder, pieces of her black hair wildly out of place and broken jewelry glittering from among the strands. Her dull silver orbs had taken a beastly appearance and seemed to glow with untold secrets of a dark past.

From the top of the platform, Xiao's eyes narrowed. The look in her eyes caused a memory to resurface, one of ash and bloodshed. He could practically see the war-torn world from several millennia ago.

As he refocused, he could see something else in her eyes as well. He could see unbridled anger, and if he looked even deeper there was sorrow. For what, he didn't know.

"Look," Lillianna began, "I understand that you are just trying to help someone. You were looking into that ship and I am the perpetrator. That does not mean that I am going in for it."

The woman turned around to face the three, her eyes staring straight at Aether. The blonde's grip tightened around his weapon upon contact with her dull eyes, stance lowering slightly and gulping nervously.