-Analael-
My realm had been dying for centuries now. I was in denial for so long, trying to convince myself that it wasn't so. I knew when another piece of Life and Death were here that I could fool myself no more. I think I knew it in my heart when I had to accept the powers. It was unnatural for the Balancer of the realm to hold the Powers of Life and Death. I regretted my decision, but it was the only way I thought I could help my people.
In the end, I destroyed everything.
"Analael?" I heard being called. I looked up at the human girl who held the powers. Julie. She was looking at me with concern. I must have not answered for a while.
"I'm sorry," I said, forcing a smile. I pushed away my depressing thoughts. More important matters were at hand than my sad past.
"What do we do?" Vincent asked. I could see he was very protective of Julie, and she of him. I wondered if the two were lovers.
"I do not really know. This has never happened to me before."
My other piece, small and childlike, brought food and wine for the two. They only took very small potions and still barely ate. I knew my hospitality was unappreciated in such a stressful situation. Vincent was the one more notably distressed. I held back my smile. He would give himself grey hairs by the time he was in his 80's.
"Why does it have to end? What does this mean for Julie? How do we even get back?" he demanded. Julie looked at me, expecting answers as well. She was so young and so ignorant of things. Vincent was young as well, but he's been to the Otherworld; he has seen the Ender. He has experienced more than most.
"Julie, will you look at scrolls in my library? Vincent and I will go collect my parts and return shortly to help you," I suggested. I could tell neither of them wanted to separate, so I continued. "I'm dearly sorry, but Julie and I can't be close for long. The Powers are griping. Can you feel it?" It wasn't a lie. As soon as I looked at her, my eyes flared in pain and I felt the headache already.
Vincent looked over at Julie for confirmation. When she nodded, he stood and looked back at me. "I don't want this to take very long."
I sent Julie away with my small part and lead Vincent back out of my castle. It was a while of walking before I felt no more pain in my eyes. We were in the middle of my dead gardens. A different pain blossomed in my heart. I stopped walking to look at my brown flowers and my now-dry fountain.
"I thought we were getting your other parts?" Vincent said, showing his impatience. He kept glancing back at my castle.
"Did you ever catch my real name, Vincent?" I inquired. I looked at him from my flowers I longed to grow again.
"Analael, right? Where are we going?"
I smiled at his impatience. I realized I was only prolonging my time with him. I had already grown fond of this young half-demon, despite his attitude. It was endearing, actually. "I'm sorry. We're going to see one part, my real part."
