There Is Light

Chapter Twenty-five

__Mephiles spent days pondering on whether he should tell Athena what he really wanted or not. On his first day, Athena made it clear she was upset about Solaris' fall. It made him wonder if she was actually trying to make Solaris. But that couldn't be. Mephiles knew Athena loved Elise. He knew she wouldn't put her in danger. But what was the point of this? Why was Athena giving him hope for Solaris on his first day?
__Today was the tryouts for new guards, so Elise was in her office. She told Mephiles he was free to wander around the castle since nearly everyone was outside watching the tryouts. He kept Solar near and had to explain to Athena Elise's orders when he bumped into her. Athena was, to Mephiles' surprise, not mad or annoyed by him leaving Elise's side when she told him to.
__Mephiles was walking down the halls with Solar flying beside him. He was still debating in his head. He knew what he wanted now, but he didn't know if he could tell Athena. One thing was for sure, a heavy burden was off his shoulders.
__While walking, Mephiles saw Dominic walk towards him. He held up his hand to him and waved. "What are you doing in here? Shouldn't you be watching the tryouts, lieutenant?"
__Dominic stopped in front of Mephiles and grinned. "Yeah, I am. I just need to get something for Ailene. There are actually a lot of people out there with good potential. I can tell. Lots of girls, too! I guess hearing that our general is a girl brought some more in."
__Mephiles nodded and was about to continue walking when Dominic continued to speak.
__"You know, Mephiles, I never got to thank you."
__"Thank me for what?" Mephiles crossed his arms as Solar grabbed his shoulder.
__"For being here," Dominic explained. "If you weren't here to expose Daniel like you did...I don't even want to imagine what would happen."
__Mephiles snorted and looked away. "I'm the one who angered Rodger so he could call up that war."
__"That would've happened anyway, knowing the princess," Dominic said. "She wouldn't want to marry someone who would want to use her. She's smarter than you think, you know?"
__"Yeah," Mephiles nodded. "I know."
__"Oh and by the way," Dominic added. "You're really badass when you're not wearing those chains. You're not wearing them forever, are you?"
__"Who knows," Mephiles sighed. "That's up to Athena."
__"I know she may not seem like it, but she's really sweet and considerate under all that anger and assertiveness. Just give her time. That's what I'm doing!" He let out a short laugh.
__Mephiles couldn't help but let out a little chuckle. "Well, don't let me keep you from getting what you need. I'll be seeing you."
__"Later!"
__Mephiles continued walking down the hallway. He decided to check out the tryouts and headed out for the castle entrance. When he was outside he saw lots of people sparing with swords. Ailene was standing at the end of the bridge while watching everyone in amazement. Mephiles made his way to Ailene and stood next to her. "How's everything here?"
__Ailene looked down at him and smiled. "Great actually. A lot of these people know what they're doing."
__Mephiles looked at Ailene's belt and saw she had her knife back. "I thought I lost that."
__"What? This?" Ailene looked at her belt. "I found it in one of the enemies legs. Did you throw it?"
__Mephiles nodded. "Him falling caused the others behind him to trip over him."
__"Nice!" Ailene patted Mephiles' back and continued to look at the crowd. "Damn. They're all well trained and experienced. Hell, I should probably recruit them all!" She said jokingly.
__"You should," Mephiles said. "We've lost so many that we might as well gain that much back."
__Ailene nodded as her smile grew bigger. "Yeah, you're right."
__Mephiles turned to walk back to the castle. Dominic was walking towards them and they both just nodded to each other. Mephiles walked over to the throne room and was shocked to see Athena sitting on the throne. He carefully walked up to the steps and looked up at her. "What are you doing?"
__Athena was no longer wearing her bandages, but there was a mark on her stomach where the bullet hole used to be. "Sometimes I sit here and wonder what it'll be like to rule since Elise said I'd be next, but I can tell she'll marry and have kids of her own soon. It's still nice, though." She stood up from the throne and walked up to Mephiles. "What's troubling you, Mephiles?"
__"You can tell by looking at me?" Mephiles asked.
__"It's one of my little powers," Athena winked as she grinned. "Now what's up?"
__Mephiles looked around the room to make sure no one was watching. When it was clear he looked at Athena. "I figured out what I finally wanted, and I need you to hear this."
__Athena's grin turned into a frown. She crossed her arms and nodded for Mephiles to continue.
__"It took me a while to think about this," Mephiles said. "I realize now that I don't want to find Iblis."
__Athena's eyes grew wide as she placed her hands on her hips. "You don't want to find Iblis? That means you don't want to form Solaris. Why?"
__Mephiles looked down at Solar who was still holding his shoulder. "Solaris can't give me what I have now," He looked at Athena and sighed. "I hate to admit it, but I enjoyed being here with Solar, Elise, and you. I need all of you, and I don't need Iblis. It can stay in Blaze's body for all I care."
__Athena was silent for a few seconds before she looked away from him. "You found out Iblis was within Blaze? How?"
__"That night that I slept, Iblis contacted me," He explained. "It told me where it was, and it wanted me to...get rid of you," Mephiles watched Athena look back at him. "But I couldn't do that. I want to stay here with everyone in this castle."
__Athena smiled as she shook her head. "Wow. I didn't expect you to make this decision this early."
__"What do you mean?"
__"Firstly, I want to apologize for tricking you," She began. "I saved you from dying with the Iblis here so I could bring you here and convert you. You were the only thing Elise had left of her father, and I wanted her to have it."
__Mephiles stared at her in shock. "Were you never going to get Iblis then?"
__Athena shook her head. "I only said that so you'd cooperate. I was waiting for you to make your decision in maybe a few more months."
__"But I would've known you were deceiving me," Mephiles pointed out. "Like with Rodger and Daniel."
__"You can sense everyone else, but not me," She explained. "I can block your senses from me."
__"What would you have done if I never wanted to make my decision?"
__"I would've fixed the Scepter of Darkness again and put you back," She looked away. "I probably would've given it to Elise and explain everything. Do you still want to stay?"
__Mephiles nodded. "My mind is made up. Even though you deceived me, I'm grateful you did."
__Athena looked back at him and smiled. "Then there's no reason for you to stay bound to me."  She lifted up her right hand in a fist as a bright blue light emitted from it. She opened her hand and revealed the blue heart-shaped key from before. Instead of throwing it, she put the key in Mephiles' lock and turned it herself. They watched the key, the lock, and the chains vanish. Mephiles' rings appeared back on his wrists and ankles. 
__Mephiles took a step back and rolled his shoulders back. He then looked at Athena in confusion. "What if I was deceiving you? I'm not, but why?"
__Athena smirked. "Even I can tell when someone like you would try to lie to me," She then started walking away. "Go and do whatever you please. You're free now."
__Mephiles continued to stare at Athena until she left the room. He sighed and looked at Solar as she flew and started making happy noises. "What?"
__Solar went to hug his wrist and was staring at his rings.
__Mephiles felt warm. He knew Solar was happy to see he wasn't wearing chains anymore. "Come on, you," He started walking and Solar followed him. He wanted to tell Elise.
__When he came into the office, he just stood there until Elise looked at him. It took her a while to realize Mephiles wasn't wearing his chains. She stood up from her desked and went to kneel down in front of Mephiles. "Did Athena remove them?" She asked happily.
__Mephiles nodded. "She says I'm free now."
__Elise made a big smile. "I'm glad. Well, what do you plan on doing?"
__Mephiles looked away from her. "Staying here of course. Why would I want to do anything else?"
__Elise's face showed she was shocked. "Really? You want to stay?"
__Mephiles looked at her. "You're...like my sister in a way," He muttered. "You're father created me."
__Elise laughed as she shook her head. "I guess you're right. I'm glad you think that way." She stood up and tilted her head. "I don't want you to be my personal guard anymore."
__"You don't?" Mephiles flattened his ears.
__Elise shook her head. "You can just live here. You don't have to work for me anymore."
__Mephiles perked his ears as he hugged Solar. "Can I...still stay by you?"
__"Of course!" Elise giggled. "Although, you don't have to just stay cooped up here forever. You can travel the world if you like."
__"I'll keep that in mind," Mephiles said. 

__After a whole month passed, Mephiles was still with Elise in the castle. He became well aquainted with everyone and the people he was already aquainted with became his friends. He was happy to feel loved instead of being feared. All of Soleanna heard of this and after some time, they became friendly with Mephiles. Mephiles made sure he never slept, so during the night he always stayed in the garden instead of the room Elise had given him. 
__Mephiles was in the secret area of the garden, where all the chao played in the pond. He wasn't alone. Elise, Athena, Lacy, Stacy, Dominic, Ailene, and Mary were with him and Solar. Mephiles had become more social and was always happy to be with one of them. They were talking with one another now. What caught Mephiles' attention was when Dominic blushed as he handed Athena a rose.
__Athena looked shocked and after sighing, she accepted it. "You're too much, you know?"
__"Yeah..." Dominic smiled as he looked away.
__Mary was in her own conversation with Lacy and Stacy. They were talking about how the twins can finally start cooking in the kitchens. The twins were more than happy with the news.
__Mephiles was speaking with Ailene. Ailene was telling him stories about Merek. How he got accepted in the tryouts, how he got his scar, and how he became lieutenant under Daniel. Mephiles was interested to hear more when he noticed Elise sitting by the pond with chao cricling her. Mephiles looked down at his own chao and excused himself to Ailene. He went over to Elise and sat by her.
__"You can keep talking with Ailene," She had said. "I'm fine here."
__But Mephiles leaned his head on Elise's arm. He didn't say anything. He felt Elise wrap her arm around him as they stared at the chao playing in the water. Solar had joined them as well and all of the other chao began hugging and playing with her. Mephiles looked up at Elise before he stared at the blue sky. It's all peaceful. He thought. Even when there is darkness, there's always seems to be light. He then closed his eyes as he rubbed his head on Elise's arm. How could I have ever wanted differently?