Temptations of youth

The flames covering Julie’s body burnt away the signs of old age, the wrinkles disappearing like magic and her youth slowly returning to her.

Her eyes regained clarity shortly after and were filled with emotion as they landed on Seth. A trembling smile grew on her lips as she muttered, “Good to see you, Seth.”

Seth smiled back and extended a hand toward her, helping Julie to her feet, “Welcome back, Julie. How are you feeling.”

“I’m good,” said Julie, taking his hand and slowly sitting up as Seth’s creation and destruction energies covered her body, removing her clothes and replacing them with a more proper set.

“Thank you for keeping your promise.” Julie continued, looking at her old man, still frozen in time to the side.

A clouded look appeared over her previously clear eyes, and she sighed, “Can you remove his memories of me? That would be better for everyone involved.”

Seth also looked at Saif before shaking his head and releasing Julie’s hand.

“Both he and Lisa have been hurt more than enough already. Whatever you plan on doing next, you must take care of it yourself. I suggest you take your time to speak with Saif and Lisa before deciding your future.”

Noticing that Seth seemed quite distant, Julie lowered her head and asked, “Do you regret giving me back my memories?”

“There are many things I regret, but I do not regret returning your memories, and I would have preferred you would have chosen the other path. It’s also not because I don’t like you or I don’t want you by my side. The path ahead will not be an easy one.”

“Why? Why do you say that?….”

“Have you ever thought carefully about it before asking me to take your partner’s memories of you away? Siaf and I didn’t have the best relationship, but even I feel saddened for the old man. That would mean taking over half of his life away.”

“I know how bright your ambition for eternal youth burns, but take it from me; immortality is lonely if you can’t appreciate everything you were offered along the way.”

Seeing that Julie was not saying a word, Seth turned around and grabbed Henrietta’s hand before saying. “Take some time and let Saif and Lisa know the real you. Talk things through with them before making a decision. They deserve that much.”

“After settling everything, come seek me out in Endora. I’ll let you have your youth no matter what, so tell me truly want when you get there. You can hold on to the human treasure ‘till then, but don’t try to break the link with Henrietta or….”

Seth didn’t finish his words and warped away with Henrietta, arriving straight above The Oath Academy. When he arrived, his serious countenance disappeared, and he smiled at Henrietta: “How was it?”

“Huh?” asked Henrietta in surprise. “Were you messing with her?”

“Messing? Maybe. I can’t deny she probably loved Saif and the other me in some twisted way, and she’s not a bad person since the human heart will never take her as host, but she bears no love for me as of now. Even as I said those harsh words and she was about to cry, her clear aura didn’t show a single ripple.”

“The only time she appeared to feel something was when she looked at Saif, but the love and regret in her aura were so weak, eclipsed by her disgust and fear.”

“Was she pretending?” asked Henrietta.

“That’s not true either,” Said Seth with a sigh. “If I had to make a guess, she’s afraid of death. Of growing old, dying, and disappearing completely. That’s why she took the heart when offered with no hesitation. I figured that was the case when I spoke to her on the ship when we left Oath, but I never cared enough about it.”

“Then why did you say you will accept her?” asked Henrietta, puzzled.

“Because I will. Having someone like that around is also fine. I am also curious how she will handle Lisa and Saif’s rage. Haha.”

“You are so evil,” exclaimed Henrietta in realization. “You want the hate Lisa carries for you to turn to her mother.”

Henrietta rested her head on Seth’s shoulder and added, “As much as Lisa pisses me off, this doesn’t feel right either.”

Seth brought his hand around Henrietta, rubbing her head as he nodded, “It is not right, but it’s necessary. I need Lisa to succumb to her darkness and give shape to that divinity.”

Henrietta sighed and decided to trust Seth. Whatever he planned to do, she would always be on his side no matter what.

“Why are we at the academy? So many energies are circling us, probing for our intentions….”

Seth rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and said: “I don’t know where to find Cain….”

Henrietta giggled and bent space, teleporting to a large dining room’s entrance, where Cain and Molly were eating a meal and chatting.

Their sudden arrival didn’t go unnoticed as Cain stood up, his bright eyes fixed on Seth’s face.

“Been a while, old friend,” said Seth with a smile, letting go of Henrietta’s waist and slowly approaching the two.

“Seth…” muttered Cain, his eyes turning red at the corners, unable to believe his hope had finally returned.

Molly, who had noticed Cain’s strange behavior, also turned towards the door, mixed emotions slowly appearing in her eyes.

“Mind if we join you? We haven’t had the time to chat in decades,” said Seth when he noticed the two staring at him, eyes already turning red at the corners.

Cain broke out of his stupor and pointed toward two empty chairs, “Please. Sit down.”

Molly remained silent the entire time as Seth and Henrietta took their seats.

Once everyone was seated, Cain was about to call for his servants, but Seth stopped him, “We don’t need to eat. I just came to have a chat with some old friends.”

Seth then looked at Molly and said with a smile, “Who would have thought that little brat holding up a sign almost twice her size and calling up to people on the road to come to her inn would become the queen of Oath.”

Molly’s hands shook on the table, and she didn’t even know what to say, lowering her head slightly.

“Seth, I…” she remembered the feelings she had in her youth and suddenly felt ashamed, not daring to look him in the eye, but then, a warm hand covered hers, and she looked to the side, noticing Cain smiling back at her.

“I’m happy for you two and glad I made it back in time,” said Seth, watching the interaction between them with a small smile.

“Welcome back,” said Molly, finally getting the courage to look up at Seth.

The three continued chatting about the past, the atmosphere around the table slowly loosening with time. Henrietta only watched from the side in silence, listening to their stories.

After about half an hour, Cain hesitantly said, “Seth, I know you just returned, but I have a favor to ask of you….”

Seth sighed deeply and nodded, “Maya already told me about it.”

“Then?” asked Cain with a hopeful expression, but Seth shook his head. “I can’t right now.”

Cain read between Seth’s words and immediately asked, “Right now? Do you need anything?”

Seth nodded and explained, “I lost the ability I used when I gave Henrietta her affinities, so I can’t turn Molly into an ascended as I did with her, but someone else can help with your problem, at least momentarily. You two need to hang on for a few more years.”

“Can you please tell me more?” asked Cain, squeezing Molly’s hand.

“Rejuvenating Molly’s body and bringing it back to its youth is not a big deal, Caitlin can do that with ease, but the problem is her weak soul. Her soul will still decay with age, and she will eventually experience what is known as a death in spirit, where her soul will leave her body to return to the spirit well.”

“To rejuvenate a soul, I must travel to the Kingdom of Life and steal their queen. The Queen of Life is not a real human but a spirit born out of the treasure of life. She’s a husk now of what she used to be, but rejuvenating a human soul will not be an issue.”

“How long will it take you to do that?” asked Cain.

“I can do it anytime, but if I do it right now, all hell will break loose. I’m sorry I have to ask this, but can you two hang on for a while longer? I promise I won’t let you down.”

Cain nodded and said, “Alright. Let me know when you plan to take on the Kingdom of Life, and I’ll join you.”

Molly looked at Seth and said, “You said Caitlin could make me… young again. Can she do that first?”

Seth could understand why Molly would ask that and smiled as he shook his head. Unlike Julie, who mostly wanted youth for herself, Molly wanted it for Cain’s sake.

“A young body will put more pressure on the soul, hastening the decay. I know what you’re thinking, but if you can’t see how much he loves you, the years have been wasted on you.”

Molly blushed and looked into Cain’s loving eyes before lowering her head, “But I’m so old now, while Cain… Even the people are looking strange at us.”

“Molly, I promised I’ll love you forever and be there for you even as you grow old... My feelings had only grown stronger after all this time.” Cain’s face turned red, having to confess his feeling with Seth and Henrietta staring at him.

Seth grabbed Henrietta’s hand under the table and said, “We won’t disturb you any longer. Once I decide to move onto Life, I’ll let you know. Just hang on a little longer.”

After speaking, Seth didn’t give the two a chance to say anything else as he disappeared with Henrietta, appearing again in the academy.

“I still remember that brat chasing after you all those years back. Aren’t you jealous Cain took her for himself?” teased Henrietta once they were on the academy roof.

Seth looked at the smirking Henrietta and pinched her behind, bringing her into his arms. “Looks like someone needs to be taught a lesson. Take us back to Endora.”

Henrietta tiptoed to kiss Seth while breaking space and teleporting them back to the Imperial Chambers.

“So you are jealous? Why would you change the subject otherwise?” asked Henrietta after breaking the kiss.

“Of course I am. Cain has such a caring and loving wife, while I….”

“You what?” asked Henrietta with a raised eyebrow, but Seth didn’t answer her, instead turning around and falling over Henrietta on the bed, pinning her hands against the mattress.

“Don’t you even think you can mmm mmm m mmm?”

Henrietta’s words were stopped by Seth suddenly kissing her while pushing his body against her. At the start, Henrietta put on a weak struggle, but after a few seconds, her struggles ended, and Seth also released her hands.

Released from her hold, Henrietta moved her hands around Seth’s neck while Seth’s also started traveling down her body.

Just as Seth’s hand entered her panties, Henrietta bit his tongue, making Seth break the kiss and look at her questionably.

Henrietta heaved a regretful sigh and said, “Someone is breaking the space barrier set up over the city.”

Seth frowned at her words, already knowing about the space barrier put in place by the academy.

“But who could break a barrier set by multiple sixth shell -“Seth’s frown eased up, and he sighed before smiling wryly, “Next time?”

“Go. Before the entire Asteria mobilizes,” said Henrietta with a long sigh and watched as Seth disappeared from above her.

Lifting her head, she raised her panties and glanced at the wet arc extending upwards before heaving a long sigh and dropping her head back on the bed.

“Why now?”