Oath [BL; Book 2]

68

Aether stared at the mirror, being shirtless he touched his stomach. He looked at the bathroom where the darkness lingered. He had felt the urge to vomit again and didn't make it to the toilet. Having cleaned it over and over again he couldn't seem to remove the stain of blackness. His expression turned and he rushed putting his shirt on running out the door. He had to find Xiao, down the stairs he looked to the balcony seeing he stood with his face in his hands.

"Xiao?" He approached cautiously.

Quickly turning his head he looked calm again. "Aether."

"Are you okay?" He worried.

Xiao narrowed his eyes and sighed, "Yes. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He turned his way opening his arms and Aether went right to him. Feeling he was hot he asked now, "Are you unwell?"

"I-I just felt a little sick."

"Sick?" He worried immediately, "What does it feel like? Are you in pain?"

"Just my-um, actually can-ugh..." Aether touched his stomach feeling sick. He covered his mouth and felt it then quickly turned to run but there was no time. "Blegh!"

"Aether!" Xiao quickly grabbed him before he fell over from feeling weak. "?!" Upon seeing the black substance he quickly moved Aether away from it. There was darkness, the stubance looked like tar. "When?" He lowered him to the floor and lifted Aether's chin gently, "When did this start?"

"Last night.." Aether coughed, "You stared at me and disappeared, then it just.. happened."

"Has this been going on all night?"

"Every now and then." Aether covered his mouth, the taste was foul and only served to make him vomit again. "Ugh..."

"....." Xiao comforted him. He was sure Aether would refuse but Feiyu was their only option. "Aether, we should see Feiyu for help." He quickly snapped his eyes to Xiao alarmed he would even suggest such a thing, "I understand you're afraid, but this..." Xiao's concern showed, "This is because of the demon. It has tainted you, we should seek his aid."

"B-but he-"

"I can explain, but please. For now..."

"....." he wanted to refuse but it was Xiao. Had someone else suggested that ridiculous idea he would have easily said no, "ok." He had no other options. Scooped up they vanished.

Appearing at the entrance of a ruin Aether was surprised to see it was quite literally in ruins. Xiao was able to get them both through the small crevice and into the ruin still holding Aether. Following the hall, and down some stairs, Aether was amazed to see a fully intact chamber. The moss had been cleared of it, the light glowed dimly. He saw someone's camp and felt insecure when he saw who they had come to see.

However, he was surprised to also see Belliol. She was sat quietly sipping tea as Feiyu poured himself a cup. Noticing them, she looked over and quickly stood, "Yaksha!"

Feiyu turned his head, "Ah, visitors?" When Xiao set Aether down he fell quiet and didn't move.

"What happened? How did you know of this place?"

"I told him." Feiyu smiled. "Welcome, please make yourselves at home."

"We didn't come for a gathering." Xiao kept his hand on Aether's back to help him feel more secure. "It's Aether."

"Aether?" Belliol looked at him and gently took his hand, "Is there something wrong?"

"Uh, I'm just sick."

"It's no ordinary sickness." Xiao explained quickly, "A tar-like substance. It began last night after I.."

"After you checked for what I said?"