Chapter 51: 34 – Laying Claims

Ezme’s mood began improving. Sleeping seemed to do the angel wonders, as her eyes began to regain their focus from what previously had been nothing but a dead stare.

Amara first realized Ezme began feeling better when she started asking questions. Mostly related to the different tech that was lying around the room, as well as the drinks and edibles that Amara provided. The angel’s curiosity was unending.

“What are those wires for?” (Ezme)

“They provide power for the electronic devices from the battery in the other room.” Amara explained patiently.

“A battery?” Ezme cocked her head.

“Something that can store power for later use and helps to provide a continuous supply of power.” (Amara)

“Can’t you just do it with magic?” Ezme asked.

“I can, but the level of power needs to be quite precise. You remember the first time I powered my laptop? It fried because I couldn’t keep it at the right level.” Amara explained. “Besides, by setting it up this way, I can turn my attention to other things. I only need to store up power in the battery at regular intervals.”

“That’s really smart.” Ezme said in awe.

However, the questions related to the stuff Amara had stolen weren't the only kind of questions.

“How did you increase your power this much? You should be reaching your cap at your current level of power, and the closer you get to the cap the slower your growth gets. How did you accomplish this?” Ezme asked inquisitively.

Amara knit her eyebrows. “I can’t tell you.”

Amara saw a hint of disbelief and anger flash in Ezme’s eyes. “What do you mean you can’t? This could turn the tide of the war! You wouldn’t even need to be a champion anymore! So how-”

Amara raised her hand to make Ezme pause. “I know. But Tom said I’m not allowed to talk about it, so I can’t.” 

Amara let out a sigh before continuing. “But I think you can figure it out. My circumstances are...unique, after all.”

Ezme’s expression was filled with concern when she heard that God had forbidden Amara from speaking on the subject. Ezme sank deeply into thought, but in the end the angel nodded before responding. “Okay.”

One of the sad aspects with Ezme’s improved mood was that she was getting self-conscious again. Whenever Amara hugged her, Ezme would accept it at first before she realized how close they were and then struggle out of Amara’s arms with an embarrassed expression. At least, the times she succeeded.

“Let me go!” Ezme exclaimed while trying to squirm out of Amara’s grasp.

“No way. Not happening.” Amara said with a wide grin and held the angel tighter.

“Hmpf!” Ezme pouted and let out a snort as she resigned herself to Amara’s embrace with twitching wings, but couldn’t hide the slight upward curve of her lips.

Amara smiled in satisfaction. Victory.

This is the first time Ezme smiled since returning.

 

_____________

 

Tending to Ezme had quickly become a routine. Amara would encourage Ezme to sleep, and while she slept Amara would prepare food or get new things for them to watch. When Ezme woke up, Amara would stick close to the angel and share her new creations or hauls with her.

After Ezme’s first nap, Amara had suggested that Ezme would use the bed to sleep in, and the angel had quickly learned the appeal of pillows and blankets.

Amara smiled and silently climbed off the bed as the soft snoring came from beside her.

What should I make for her this time? 

Mom used to put peeled pear pieces in the oven and pour melted chocolate over them. Easy, delish.

Amara walked to the adjacent room and put on the oven. The first time she left Ezme to sleep alone, Amara had gone on another snitching spree to get more carpets. Now there were enough of them so she didn’t have to worry about making noise as she left the bedroom.

Amara used Farsight and Realm Gate to snatch pears from a tree in somebody’s backyard on Earth. 

While Amara was peeling the pears she heard the doors open outside. 

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Who the hell would come here? Ezme’s already here.

They’re probably here for her.

Amara quickly put down the peeler and pear she was holding and ran out of the room.

Of course. The Bitch is here, to drag Ezme’s spirit through shattered glass. Again.

When Alarice turned her cold expression towards Amara when she noticed her coming out of the alcove. The angel raised an eyebrow as she appraised Amara with her gaze.

If you didn’t look so condescending I’d take that expression for surprise.

“What do you want?” Amara asked sharply.

Alarice lowered her eyebrow and let out a sigh. 

Well, I don’t want to deal with you either. So bugger off.

“Where’s Ezme?” Alarice asked coldly.

“What do you want with her?” Amara instantly replied.

Alarice snorted. “That is no concern of yours.”

Amara frowned and crossed her arms. “I’ve made it my concern.” 

Alarice narrowed her eyes as she looked at Amara. Their staring match continued in silence until a sound reached them from the bedroom.

“Hhhrgh.” (Ezme)

Alarice slowly turned her gaze to the bedroom with a furrowed brow. As soon as she began to step towards the bedroom, Amara went ahead and blocked her path.

Alarice stopped with anger flashing in her eyes. “Out of the way, mortal.”

“You don’t need to see her. I’ll tell her you came by.” (Amara)

Alarice frowned. “Do not think you can keep me from checking up on my little sister.”

Amara snorted as she replied sarcastically. “Oh really? She’s your little sister? I have a hard time seeing how you actually care for her.”

Alarice’s eyes narrowed. “I care for my siblings. Especially Ezme. More than you will ever know.”

“You care? Really?” Amara replied quirkily. “Well, bang-up job so far. Your ‘care’ did wonders for her. Especially the deal with making her kill mortals. ”

Alarice wrinkled her nose as anger rose in her voice. “It was necessary. Ezme needs to grow, or she will suffer in the future.”

“And killing the mortals? How was that necessary?” Amara spat out.

Alarice snorted. “I have neither reason nor patience to tell you that.”

Amara finally saw red when her anger boiled over. Using Realm Gate she brought the Stinky Stick from her armory. Alarice raised an eyebrow as Amara conjured the Realm Gate, but the moment she saw the staff in Amara’s hand, her expression grew furious.

“You-” (Alarice)

Poison Cloud!

A green gas streamed out of the end of the staff like mist out of a fog cannon. Within moments the thick cloud blocked Amara’s sight of the angel. Amara stepped back to avoid getting close to the cloud, which seemed to disperse very slowly. 

Amara had no time to react when Alarice darted at her through the green fog. The moment she realized that Alarice was coming at her Amara had already been sent flying towards the wall, with the bones in her arm and shoulder broken after receiving Alarice’s sweeping arm.

Landing on the floor next to the wall the stabbing pain in her arm and shoulder was registered and Amara grit her teeth.

[Ding!]