Water Or Wine

Chapter 7

Druig says that Makkari is living in the Domo and has been for the last 100 years, waiting for us to go home. Except now we know there is no home to return to, only the ones we have made for ourselves here. We reach Iraq and go towards the Domo which Phastos had hidden centuries ago from the humans, so they wouldn't exploit it. "A foreboding atmosphere fills the air," Kingo says, speaking into the camera that his valet is pointing at him, the rest of us silently walking behind him. Druig slips his hand into my mine and I look up at him, his dark eyes matching my own. "An eerie stillness chokes our lungs." Kingo continues until Phastos gives him a strange look and asks "What are you doing? You know you're creeping us out right?"

I accidentally stand on a packet of chips and the bag bursts causing Phastos to squeal and jump in the air. This earns him a smile from me and I giggle slightly "Sorry Phas." I say and he gives me a playfully dirty look. Kingo turns back to his camera looking less than impressed "As you can see, being an Eternal does not preclude you from having human emotions such as cowardice." This earns a chuckle from Ikaris and a scoff from Phastos. We finally reach the main room and Phastos sucks in a breath "What has she done? Is that a sarcophagus in my lab?" He asks in shock as the room is entirely filled with old books, trophies and other things Makkari must have collected over the years. The woman herself sits on a chair, legs crossed and eyes on a book.

We all walk further into the room, Druig keeps me close to him as we walk around the crowded space. "This is Makkari." Kingo continues "Or should I say Miss Havisham? None of us have seen her for centuries." She finally places her book down and I lean against the wall opposite her, staying silent. "Ready to go home?" She signs, an innocent smile on her face, we all share an awkward look and she sets her head back against the chair looking disappointed.

-

After explaining everything that has happened we all stand around Phastos as he uses his abilities to figure out how to create what we need to stop the emergence. Druig raises my hand to his lips and kisses them softly "After this is all over." He says softly "I want to marry you again." I blush and look away, despite my heart hammering in my chest. "We are already married Druig." I muse and he just smirks, leaning closer to me "I would marry you a thousand times my love." Kingo starts making fake throwing-up noises and the two of us pull away, looking over at him. "You two are so adorable it's sickening." He explains while shrugging simply, I roll my eyes and push off the wall "Whatever Kingo."

"Phastos, I need to control the mind of a Celestial." Druig says and the other man smirks "Okay, get ready for it." He throws his hands up in the air and we look at his creation. I frown and tilt my head to the side "Bracelets?" I ask slightly confused "You made us bracelets?" Phastos rolls his eyes and explains it to us "So, here's a little Celestial 101. Celestials are the most powerful energy generators in the universe. When Arishem made us, he imbued us with infinite cosmic energy to keep our bodies regenerating. The bracelets, in theory, shut down our regeneration process. And once that happens, our bodies accumulate extra cosmic energy."

We all look at him with blank expressions before Sersei asks "What for?" Phastos places his hands on his hips and continues to explain "Well, if the Deviants can absorb our energy, what if we can absorb each other's energy as well? If I can find a way to connect us all, one of us could become immensely powerful, pulling the accumulated energy from the rest, forming a uni-mind." My nose scrunches up at the last part, Phastos looks proud of himself and claps his hands together excitedly. When no one reacts the way he wants he over explains "uni meaning one and mind meaning mind." Most of us nod absently, not understanding what kind of reaction he wants from us.

"Oh no, we heard you the first time." Kingo is the first to speak "We'll brainstorm... Brainstorm! That's a way the better name" Phastos glares at our friend before replying "No, I invented it, so I'm calling it whatever I want." Makkari then steps forward and signs "So suppose Druig can say, put Tiamut to sleep then what?" I suck in a breath before answering her "We find humans a new home on another planet." This doesn't seem to please Sprite as she comes back with "Are we building a big ship too? Take a pair of each animal?" I squeeze Druig's hand to stop myself from going over and slapping her.

Ikaris chuckles and I shoot him a dirty look. "Well, you know what's never saved the planet?" I ask "Your sarcasm." She frowns, leaning forward slightly and arguing "Space colonization could take decades." But then Sersei quickly fires back "It could happen quickly with our help."

"What if we end up accidentally killing Tiamut?" Kingo asks "We could be responsible for billions of lives not being created across the universe. Boss, am I right?" He looks over at Ikaris who looks to be in deep thought. I narrow my eyes at him, he is clearly hiding something from us. "Say something Ikaris. You don't think we should be doing this." Sprite prompts but he just looks over at Sersei. We all look at him in silence until Ikaris finally speaks "Ajak chose Sersei to lead us. Sersei should decide." We all turn to her and Sprite argues "forget who Ajak chose. You're the strongest. You should be making the decision. Fine. Just keep lying to yourself." And then she storms off.

"Sprite," Ikaris warns but she doesn't come back. He follows her and Kingo follows him "Okay." Phastos says, sighing heavily "This is not... Don't run after him. Kingo I... You guys." And they walk from the room. I place my head in my hands and shake it "Well that was a shit show." I muse and Druig kisses my temple.