Dying Ichor

TWELVE

   "The air up here is rather intense, isn't it? I had to purify you myself just so you could breathe it."

Elias grimaced at the memory. "Did I really have that many impurities?"

"Well, you're not supposed to be here. You're something of an abnormality. Your very presence could potentially change little of Greece or it could fundamentally change it whether it be for better or worse," Chloris giggled as she fluttered around the room. "Exciting, isn't it, abnormality?"

Elias decided to ignore the fact she called him "abnormality" and questioned, "You really think I have such an impact?"

"Oh! Who knows?"

"That's... concerning."

"Yes! It is, but what can we do? You're already here and have probably already changed something," Chloris hummed and then abruptly turned around. She held up two jars with strange things inside. "Choose between brown or blue!"

"Blue?"

"Great! Now then, please come over here!"

Elias cautiously went closer to the priestess. He wanted to ask what she was doing, but Chloris already popped open the lid to one of the jars and stuck her hand inside of it to grab something that faintly glowed blue.

With a grin, she reached up to touch Elias' mouth and forced it open before shoving the peculiar object inside.

Elias accidentally swallowed it and cringed at the disgusting taste. "What did you make me eat?"

"Nothing to worry about! I'm about to give you my blessing!"

"What?"

Chloris cupped his face gently and touched his forehead with hers, gently humming an odd tune. Elias' first instinct was to back away, but her grip on him was strong.

And then she whispered something with her eyes closed, her tone raw and eerie. He couldn't understand the language of what she was speaking. It sounded Greek, but Elias wasn't sure until he could clearly make out the rest of her sentences.

"You're under my protection now," she gently whispered. "My blessing is with you and I shall be here to guide you forever... until you return home..."

When Chloris opened her eyes, Elias could've sworn there were little flecks of gold brightening up... but it vanished quickly. It made him think he was seeing things.

"It must be so hard to live in Greece all by yourself without a familiar face," Chloris laughed sweetly. "But don't worry, you have me now. We may part ways soon, but you'll always have the temple to fall back on. I think... you're a blessing yourself. Maybe you'll change Greece for the better."

"And if I don't?" Elias breathed out.

Chloris pulled away. "You'll still have me... even if you aren't what you turned out to be."

Elias found himself relax a little. He knew he couldn't rely on Chloris comforting him, but it wasn't like it wasn't pleasant to hear.

The door swung open suddenly and Chloris broke away from Elias swiftly. Her attention turned to a woman walking in quietly with a veil covering her features.