Paranoid

Auspex Town was not large like Farallon City, but the appearance from the sky was quite distinctive. The buildings were white and built like a town that existed in Ancient Greece. At least, that is what Aisling thought as she looked at it.

The most critical feature in the locale was the presence of an impressive temple at the centre of the town. While Aisling could not see it clearly, it was an intricate structure with a majestic and imposing power.

"What's with that temple?" Aisling asked.

"That is the Temple of Oracles. Auspex is their domain." Abaddon responded.

"For a King, you do not seem overly concerned about the politics of your kingdom," Aisling commented.

Abaddon laughed. "I have never been interested in the politics of ruling. Let's say that I am the King by default. I do not interfere with the power distribution in Panthalassa unless it is completely necessary."

Aisling nodded although she did not know what he meant by becoming the king by default. She did not question further because she was distracted by the Temple of Oracles. For some reason, she felt as if someone was watching her from the building.

"Cal, fly to that hill," Abaddon ordered the bird.

The Caladrius flew over the town and headed to the green hill in the distance.

"Did you get the feeling that someone was watching us? Am I being paranoid?" Aisling rubbed her arms, trying to get rid of the feeling.

Abaddon looked at the creeped-out woman and laughed. "Just because you are paranoid does not mean that no one is watching."

Aisling turned her head and glared at him.

He reached his hand and caught a soft earlobe between his thumb and index finger and rubbed it a little. The shell of the ear turned red from the contact. She pulled on his hand to free her sensitive ears.

"You are not wrong. The Temple of Oracles is watching. Would you like for me to conceal us?" Abaddon asked.

Aisling was surprised. "You don't seem concerned."

"I am not. They are not harmless, but it is easier to deal with them directly instead of hiding. They are businesspeople at their core. They watch everything to look for an advantage. They will not do anything unless it affects their interests." He explained.

"Shouldn't a temple be about altruism?"

"True altruism does not exist. Everyone has an agenda."

"That sounds cynical."

"Do you deny that it is the truth?"

Aisling sighed. He was not wrong. There was always something unsaid or unspoken in every act of self-sacrifice.

Halfway up the hill, Cal suddenly descended to the ground. Abaddon frowned.

"Cal, to the top." He spoke.

The bird refused and landed. Abaddon sensed a complete reluctance. Though he could not understand the Caladrius, he had known it long enough to interpret its actions.

"It seems Cal is not willing to go up the hill." He said before holding Aisling by the waist and jumping from its back.

Aisling did not protest. Instead, she looked at the top of the hill with deep silver eyes.

"I think he can sense the tainted air. I have never felt such malicious death energy." She frowned.

With the sinister energy in the air, it was difficult to imagine that only a single woman had died on top of the hill, and more than a year had passed since then.

Abaddon could not sense the deathly air, but the hill was unnaturally quiet. He could not hear birds, insects or even worms. The vegetation was not affected, but the lack of other life was obvious.

"You can go, Cal. We will call you later." He reached a soothing hand to pat the wings.

Cal cooed before rising into the air and disappearing into the sky as if into the sun. Aisling looked at the scene with interest.

"It really does live in the sun." She exclaimed with a laugh.

Abaddon smiled. "Legend had it that it takes in illnesses, and they are burned off by the sun. I think it might have gone off to clean off the energy from this hill."

Aisling turned her eyes back to the top of the hill and frowned. "Let's go."

Abaddon did not offer to fly them up to the top. It was beneficial to check out the hill with care. After all, this was about a murder investigation, not a fun road trip.

"What do you see?" He asked as he sensed a change in her.

"Not see, feel," Aisling responded. "The presence of death here is suffocating."

"Is it a new death?" Abaddon asked.

Aisling tilted her head. "No, the energy seems to have sunk into the soil and the plants. If any creature were to live in these conditions, it would probably waste away."

"That must be why I cannot sense signs of life," Abaddon added.

When they reached the top of the hill, Aisling looked on the other side with a bit of awe. In the distance, she could see beautiful networks of rivers. She could also sense vibrant elemental water energy.

Abaddon stood beside her and also looked at the sight. "That is Izanagi."