Aeon of Creation Chapter 28

Cocolia Rand was a woman with an iron will. Well, when a conduit of the Destruction wasn't whispering into her ears and twisting said mind for a decade plus anyway.

Still, she was also very beautiful as she walked with me through the roots of the divine tree I had created. "The world is healing as you know... I never thought I was see such a day honestly." Cocolia said softly as she idly stroked the soft gleaming moss that covered one of the giant roots that was exposed.

I gave a small smile at her words and said quietly. "In time, the world will indeed be healed. Though even with it being healed. Tt will need aid, it will need guidance, as I and others will need to bring more life to the lifeless regions once they unfreeze."

My hand gently stroked the soft thick moss covering the root, besides Cocolia's.

Cocolia sighed with a rueful smile before she said thoughtfully. "I am glad to hear that obviously. Hmm, come with me, Jake. I know of a nice private cafe where we can get some nice drinks and a snack."

I followed Cocolia as we walked away from the tree Emanator as she spoke softly. "I spoke with Bronya earlier today. Although she... Understands my mind wasn't my own, she doesn't trust me anymore. For a fair reason, I suppose." 

A soft exhale left me as I said. "The human heart is someone even I dare not touch. Emotions define us as living sentient beings... And those illogical emotions are what make humanity and the many other races so impossible to control or judge with their infinite potential for good and evil."

Cocolia lifted up her hand with a small rose filling her hand which made her chuckle and say in tired amusement. "I understand what you mean, Jake. Still, it does sting that the young woman I helped raise no longer can trust me."

She shook her head, and I raised an eyebrow as she dropped the rose into a patch of dirt with her power helping the rose's stem take root but then she grabbed my arm and linked it into her own as she pulled me towards a small cafe.

After she ordered two... Rather complicated drinks and we both chose a slice of cake to go with our drinks we took seats across from other in a booth.

"Hmm this is indeed a pretty good cafe." I mused as the Belebog-based 'coffee' was grown from down in the Underworld where it was slightly warmer. 

"So the Astral Express has already left Jarilo VI, are you planning to stay long term or something?" Cocolia asked with some concern.

I actually chuckled and said with a wry smile. "Wow Cocolia. Are you really wanting me to leave so much?"

To which Cocolia huffed and said with a raised eyebrow with her pointing a finger at me. "Do I, a concerned citizen of Belebog, worry about what an Aeon may do when bored? Obviously I do."

"After all, the last time you were bored, you created a giant dragon made out candy to guard your chocolate kingdom that held the secrets to curing cancer and other issues."

I raised up a finger to refute her... Before my face twitched and I admitted. "Alright, you got me there. I do have poor impulse control when it comes to using my powers."

"Still, no I am not planning to just settle down on Jarilo IV, I am just waiting for the Astral Express to land at their next stop. As I cannot teleport onto the ship lest I destroy it as the concepts of C̷r̵e̴a̸t̸i̴o̸n̸ and T̶r̶a̷i̵l̸b̴l̴a̸z̴e̵ collide."

Cocolia raised an eyebrow before she nodded in agreement. "That does make sense. Pathstriders who touch upon other paths tend to go mad or break down."

And I raised an eyebrow at her who huffed and rolled her eyes. "Yes Jake, I am doing fine. You broke my connection with the Preservation and Destruction before I began walking your own Path."

"Anyway, have you done anything interesting lately?" I asked, moving away from the topic of myself being an Aeon, as that was the definition of a date conversation killer.

Cocolia smiled knowingly at me before she said thoughtfully. "Hmm, I been working with your other little pathstrider in Pela in restoring the Belebog Museum. It has kept me busy when I wasn't helping reclaim frozen wasteland."

Our conversation then pivoted towards the museum and I smiled as Cocolia lost her sultry and elegant tone as she began complaining about having to chase Sampo through the underworld.

As he, was the rather unreputable Fool he was. Had connections with many criminals in the Underworld, both literally and figuratively. Which Cocolia needed said connections to find the stolen museum pieces that had gone missing.

After a good bit though, I paused as my phone buzzed loudly as I got a message from one of my friends in the Astral Express.

I then said with a small smile. "One moment, my friends just stopped and entered comms range."

Cocolia nodded and then took out her own phone while I looked at mine with my face darkening before I said coldly. "Ahem... Please excuse me Cocolia, I need to go now. The Abundance's abominations, and the forces of Nanook at active at their destination."

Cocolia blinked at my words, and she stood up straight and said firmly. "Take me with you. I want to help against the Destruction!"

I raised an eyebrow at that before I looked at the message that said. [Jake get your ass here! The forces of Abundance and Destruction are fighting each other and the Xianzhou Luofu people!] With the message coming from March 7th in particular.

And finally, I nodded before I took Cocolia's hand into my own and I said. "Alright, lets go then."