There Is Light

Chapter Five

__Mephiles felt uneasy as he and Elise were walking in the garden again. He didn't even know why his body had moved without his control. Something about Elise showing signs of sympathy for him messed with his mind. He didn't like the attention she was giving him. She hated me this morning! Why is she treating me this way!?
__Elise had taken him to a different part of the garden he hadn't seen. This part was more peaceful, but not as beautiful. The area felt nice and warm. There was the scent of steam, but Mephiles couldn't make out where it came from. Elise sat down on a bench as chao flew over and surrounded her, begging her for attention.
__Mephiles rolled his eyes and sat down where he was. Is this supposed to be relaxing, princess? He thought sarcastically.
__Elise seemed to have noticed his annoyance and lightly pushed one of the chao in his direction. "There's a hot spring close by if you want to rest your muscles?"
__The chao had flew over to Mephiles and hugged his wrist. He knew then it was that same chao from earlier. Mephiles looked at Elise and shook his head. He then tried shooing the chao away, but she wouldn't budge.
__"You should go," Elise insisted. "I won't move from this spot. I have these chao with me." She smiled as she waited for a response.
__Mephiles sat there for a moment before he gave in and went to the direction Elise pointed to. He kept walking until he could see the steam around the area clearly and went up to a set of bushes. He stopped and examined the large hot spring that was outlined by boulders. The air was warm and it made Mephiles feel relaxed. The chao that was still holding on to his wrist had started singing in delight.
__Mephiles scanned the spring and his eyes locked onto Athena sitting in it. Her clothes were on the boulder behind her, but she still had the blue jay feather in her hair and her earrings. She just sat there with her eyes closed, seeming to enjoy the warm water. The tip of her tail was sticking out of the water, bobbing back and forth.
__Mephiles stood in place, just watching her. What is she doing here? He didn't move when the chao flew up and set herself on his head. The chao continued to sing, but Athena didn't seem to notice them.
__Mephiles took a step back when Athena finally stood up. She turned around and when she saw Mephiles she shrieked in surprise and her tail came out from between her legs and covered her front side.
__"What are you doing here!?" She yelled.
__Mephiles tilted his head. He was confused about why she was yelling at him. He wasn't doing anything wrong. "What's with you?"
__Athena bared her fangs at him as her ears flattened. "'What's with me!?' What's with you!?" She barked. "You can't just watch someone washing themselves bare naked!"
__"Why not? Isn't that normal for you creatures?"
__Athena perked her ears and sighed. "Right. You're not really a mobian." She stepped out of the water and motioned Mephiles to turn around. 
__He did just that and caught the chao that had fallen off his head. "Every creature is odd," He mumbled.
__The chao had tilted her head before she started giggling.
__"What are you laughing at?" He asked in annoyance.
__The chao stood up in his hands and placed her tiny hand on Mephiles' muzzle as if trying to cover a mouth that wasn't there. She continued to laugh at him.
__"You think it's funny I don't have a mouth?" Mephiles rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You're childish."
__The chao sat down in his hands and continued laughing until she looked down at the chains on his wrists and it started crying.
__Mephiles sighed as he wrapped his arms around the chao, pulling her into his chestfur and lock. Being here in this world without deceiving someone doesn't feel right to me, but I'm not objecting it. Why? The chao began breathing softly in Mephiles' chestfur. He didn't know how to feel about anything anymore.
__Athena tapped on Mephiles' shoulder to make him look at her. She was wearing her clothes and her arms were crossed. "Where's Elise?" She questioned.
__"She's over that way," Mephiles pointed to the direction behind the bushes. 
__"And you're not with her?"Athena narrowed one eye and her tail twitched.
__"She told me to come here and said she wouldn't move from her spot."
__Athena looked back at the hot springs and sighed. "Always considerate," She muttered. She looked back at Mephiles with a blank expression. "Do whatever you need to then. I'll accompany the princess until you're done." She started to walk to Elise's direction.
__Mephiles almost went to the spring before he remembered he'd wanted to speak with her. "Wait."
__Athena stopped and turned to face him. "What is it?"
__"Are you looking for Iblis like you say, or are you just using me?" Mephiles narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the chao as he waited for an answer.
__Athena's tail started swaying back and forth slowly, the silence making it eerie. "Why would I use you? You need to form with Iblis to create Solaris again."
__"But you seem very close to the princess," Mephiles pointed out. "Why is it that you want me and Iblis to make Solaris and watch her?"
__"You don't pay attention, do you?" Athena growled. "Do you not remember me saying this morning that she is the only one that shares genes with Iblis!? I don't want to risk it!"
__"Oh, I'm sorry," Mephiles said sarcastically. "I just don't understand why you're making it seem like the princess is all that matters. Why do you even want Solaris?"
__"It's not that I want Solaris, but because you want Solaris!" Athena snapped. She then narrowed her eyes and something glistened in them that made Mephiles step back. "You have no idea who I am. And unless you want to be sent back into the Scepter of Darkness then I suggest that you keep quiet and stop questioning me!" She glared at him before she walked off behind the bushes and disappeared. 
__Mephiles snorted and stepped into the hot springs, not bothering to take off his shoes. He stood there, starting to enjoy the warmth of the water. He let go of the chao when she started wriggling in his arms and she set herself in the water where only her head stayed above water. Mephiles followed and sat down in the water. His muscles tensed until he got used to the warmth and he let out a sigh. I still don't trust you, Athena. I don't know what your true intentions are for bringing me here, but you won't be able to hold me forever. I'll break out of your lock and chains somehow. He then looked at the chao and she looked at him. They just stared at each other without making any sound.