Chapter 9 - Kali

He was greeted with mayhem as he stepped back into his sister's office. 

Aramis had decided to tell Cory that he'd been in the bathroom when all of it went down. She immediately looked like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders when he saw him. He almost felt bad for leaving the office but he had more important things to worry about. He needed to talk to Kali, alone.

It seemed that the man's arrival was a far bigger deal than Aramis had assumed. All of the Riders didn't seem to care that the man had demolished an entire section of a newly built tower. Instead, they seemed to care more that he had finally arrived. Was he flying or something? He still couldn't wrap his head around the strange experience. He felt a bit on guard towards the man still despite having been saved by him.

Aramis wasn't a Rider. Why did he have to worry about Rider things anyways?

He wanted to get out of here. The sooner, the better. He kept looking over at Kali who kept floating around him, her eyes seeming to take in everything around her. She still didn't seem real to him. It was as if no one else could see her but him. Cory was too overwhelmed by everything to notice his frequent glances in her direction, luckily for him. Eventually, his sister told him to head back first since she had a lot more work to do before she could head home herself. 

With the permission of her eternal greatness, Aramis was free. Soon, he found himself running around the empty streets of the Lost. Everyone was already in bed at this ungodly hour and Aramis was free to roam the streets as he pleased. Immediately they began talking. And talk they did. 

He hadn't realized how long it had been since he last talked to someone his age. Sure, he loved Cory, Liam and even the old man Saxton. But none of them really related to him as much as Kali did. She was just two years older than he was, he would later learn. It was refreshing. They ran around town like crazy, the excitement of all that had just happened still fresh. He showed her what he knew, hopping from roof to roof. They even explored new areas of town that he had never seen before. It was fun. 

After what felt like a few hours of non-stop sightseeing around the Village, they both settled down on a ledge. Letting his legs hang, he leaned back with his arms propped up behind him. She'd had a lot of questions. Kali really had never been outside Teras and she wanted to know everything about this world that seemed so new to her. He'd answered them to the best to his ability but he didn't know the Lost like the back of his hand despite spending a good portion of his life here. 

He also had questions of his own. He asked about what this was. How any of this could be possible and she answered him. Her tone carried a slight bit of uncertainty, as if she wasn't too sure of her answer. But the more she talked, the more Aramis understood she actually knew what she was talking about. 

"Lift your hand up." she told him and he did. In his left hand was a dark stone, pulsing with energy. The same one that had been in Nyx's hand when they shook on it. It was now embedded into his very flesh itself, black veins growing into his skin. It looked really uncomfortable but if she hadn't pointed it out, he probably wouldn't have noticed it at all. 

"My soul is within that stone right now, Aramis." 

That got his attention. He sat up straight now, his brow etched with worry. He had her soul trapped in this stone? "How is that even possible? Then...is your real body like stuck in Teras?" It seemed that the risk that she had taken was far more dangerous than his.

A smile crossed the girl's face, she was touched by his concern. "Do not worry so much. My body is resting in the Temple, untouched by any danger. The Goddess protects my physical form from degradation while I exist through you. On my left hand on my body, I have the exact same stone that you do." 

"Is that why you can read my thoughts?" 

"Because of how we are so connected, yes I can hear some of your thoughts. But not all. And it works both ways. If I allow it, you can hear my thoughts without me even needing to speak them. With some control, you can learn to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself. It will be a useful skill to master, especially for those who try to corrupt your mind." Kali must have been pretty skillful at it because he hadn't heard a single thought from her. 

"If I die, do you?" 

Yes. Her voice was loud and clear, but she never opened her mouth. This time he understood what she meant by thinking too loud.

"Does it have a time limit? Will the spell disappear after some time?" 

She shook her head slowly. "I highly doubt it. Considering it was cast by Lady Nyx herself, it will not likely dissipate. An immortal's magic is far more powerful than what mortals are ever capable of dreaming. However..." 

She stopped mid-sentence but her thoughts spoke for her instead. 

...the longer we are connected, the harder it will be for the spell to be undone. 

As much as Aramis liked Kali so far, he wasn't sure if he wanted to be stuck with her for the rest of his life. And he got the feeling she was thinking the same thing. It was worse for her because she might not ever make it back to her real body in Teras. They had to solve whatever this was fast. 

"So we're running out of time already. Do you have any idea what Nyx is doing here? I'm supposed to get my magic back. Did she promise you anything?" 

She thought about his question for a moment, thinking of how she should answer it. "She promised me change. I was stuck for a while and she gave me a way out I guess. She said this would help me live up to my mother's name." 

"Was your mother a big deal?" Aramis asked, intrigued. She'd told him that her entire bloodline had served Nyx as her Priests since as long as history could remember. 

Kali let out a soft laugh, but there was little humor in it. "Oh, you have no idea. I don't know why she left but now she's gone. And I've been forced to fill her shoes." 

"Were things not going well with the Priest shit?" 

She frowned at his distasteful reference of her duties as the Goddess' Priest. "It was...going fine. I just wanted to do more for Lady Nyx." Aramis couldn't hear any of her thoughts but he could tell she wasn't telling him the truth. He decided now wasn't the time to pry further. 

"It's getting late, Aramis. I can feel your body growing more fatigued by the minute. You must rest, we have much to do in the coming days." She finally said after a brief moment of awkward silence. 

As he pushed himself up off the ground and before he could reply, he realized one of the shop's lights were still on. To his delight, it was his favorite one in all of the Lost: Aunty N's. He had never known what the N stood for but he simply assumed it represented the name of the shop's owner. Whenever the Morricone Household had cause for celebration, they would always get a whole hazelnut chocolate cake from this very pastry shop. It wasn't only just the cakes, they sold all sorts of confectionaries and baked goods. 

"You gotta try this." He told her before leaping straight off the edge of the building. He landed with a soft thud against the snowy ground and jogged towards the store. If they were open this late, he wasn't sure how long more they'd be open for. He'd say his new friendship was deserving of a celebratory cake right? 

There was an old woman dressed in a thick fur coat. Her face was wrinkled like a prune but her eyes were kind. Her hair was white as the snow that fell from the sky and she was on the rather plump side. This was Aunty N, Aramis assumed. He didn't usually go out to the cake shop in person but when he did go with Liam, he preferred to stay outside as his butler purchased the cakes and treats he wanted. 

"Hi! You guys still open? I'd love to have a slice of cake, if you don't mind ma'am." He said politely, with a pleading smile. Kali watched on. Even though no one else could hear her, she preferred to speak only when she had Aramis' full attention.

The old woman gave him a sad smile and shook her head. "I'm sorry dear, we're closed up for the day. In fact...we might be closing up for good I'm afraid." 

"What!? Why? Everyone loves this shop, you sell the best cakes in town!" He said, raising his voice a bit despite himself. And he wasn't lying about everyone loving this shop. Aunty N's was a store that had been here for a long time even before he'd ever come to the Lost, and everyone adored it. 

Seeing his genuine expression of grief, she let out a soft chuckle. "You're a very sweet boy." She glanced into the shop and sighed. "Come on in. I'll let you have as much cake as you want. I'll make an exception for you, Mister Morricone." 

Aramis stopped and Kali raised her eyebrow. "How'd you know my name?" 

"There isn't a person in the Lost who does not know who you are, Duke." 

Aramis' face turned a bit red but he supposed he shouldn't be too surprised. He just didn't think everyone knew him for the reasons he wished they did. 

Kali discovered she was able to sense things through Aramis if she really tried to. She could taste the sweetness of the chocolate on her tongue, she could smell the distinct smell of hazelnut in the air and she could feel the soft spongy texture of the cake. He had been right, the cake was delicious. She was glad that she'd been able to taste such a delectable treat. She'd only had treats this sweet back when her mother would bring her to the Inner Lands of Teras. 

"It's just been kind of hard lately. My husband passed away a few months back and this shop's been a one man show ever since." They'd been talking for around 10 minutes before Aramis finally asked why she was planning on shutting the shop down.

"I'm so sorry for your loss." Aramis whispered, putting down the fork. 

"Keep eating. Stopping won't bring him back. He was old and so am I. If the gods decree it, then I shall take my leave to the afterlife. I've gotten used to it, baking is my passion anyways. I love it. But it's been becoming a bit overwhelming recently. And just this morning, some ruffians destroyed my rooftop garden! That was the last straw, I really can't deal with all of this!" 

Aramis put his fork down again. A...rooftop garden? He gulped and suddenly the cake didn't taste so good anymore. This morning, in his hast, Aramis had crashed into a row of potted plants just as he was leaping from building to building. That ruffian she was talking about. It was him. There was no doubt about it.

Kali's eyes widened and her thoughts were louder than ever. Her eyes were fixed on him but he avoided her gaze. You should tell her, Aramis! You were the last straw broke the camel's back! If you don't make this right, this shop will close. There will be no more fucking cake! 

Aramis coughed uncomfortably and he realized she was right. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Then let me help! Let me help out. To lighten the burden you're carrying right now." 

He couldn't tell her the truth. He just couldn't. Come on man, she'd been so nice to him too. He didn't want to tell her that he was the one that had destroyed her precious plants. 

The old woman's eyes widened a bit before laughing heartily. She found his words amusing. "You must be crazy. I can't ask a noble to work at my bakery, that would be unheard of. And I don't have any money to pay you, this business makes good money but most of it is going to keeping it alive. It's just not possible." 

"Then pay me in cake. Let me eat whatever I want here." He said with finality and authority that came with someone who lived a life of nobility. He knew it would be wrong to simply let it go especially when he was the one at fault. Aramis needed to make things right. That was the type of person he was. 

The old woman regarded him thoughtfully. "Will you really have the time though? I would assume a boy your age would be interested in the Trials. They're right around the corner after all. Every boy dreams of becoming a Rider. It's the only chance you'll get to join their ranks." 

"The...Trials?" 

"Are you pulling my leg, young man?" She asked sternly as she cut another slice of cake for him. 

"No ma'am. Anyways, I'm not really interested in joining the Riders. I have other plans...like focusing on school." The Riders were the heroes of the Lost. He didn't plan on staying in the Lost for very long. Once he got back his magic, he would be back in the Capital and leave this chapter of his life behind him. 

"Well alright then. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Don't worry, I'll make sure you still have time for your studies. Education is important, it's a privilege Mr Saxton is doing what he's doing for the people of the Lost." 

Aramis smiled, feeling just a little less guilty for destroying her precious rooftop garden. "Thank you ma'am. I won't be late."

With that, Aramis took his leave. 

Kali didn't seem too pleased however. "We don't have much time left Aramis, we have to find out why Lady Nyx forced us into this situation. There must be a reason for it." 

He sighed and looked up at the moon's dim glow. What was she trying to do here? The Goddess of the Night made a deal with him. Aramis didn't believe she'd go back on her word. If that were true, then the boy would have nothing else to believe in any longer. This was the only chance he had left. 

Kali had her mental shields at the ready but the expression on her face was clear. This was their only shot left in the barrel. This was the opportunity they'd been waiting for. 

"We'll figure it out. Right now, we have more pressing issues."

Kali perked up at this. "More pressing than figuring out what we have to do?" 

"Yes. I have to finish my homework."