Fractures of Eternity

Turning away from the clingy girl, I focused on the older woman who could actually help me understand the situation better.

“Has anyone come around?” I asked Gerta.

Unfortunately, where I went, so did the little Luma, who, cute enough, had no tail like Rem did. If I didn’t know she was that hybrid’s daughter, I would have confused her for a peredhil—a half-elf.

“No, well, not since I woke up,” Gerta answered, wincing again.

“And how long ago was that?” I queried, needing more to go on.

“Hm, an hour at most.” The head maid informed, as I gazed towards the sleeping wolf, who still showed no signs of waking up.

“And Thea has been out the entire time?” I continued to build our picture.

Gerta shrugged. “Yes, but it won’t matter if she regains consciousness with that collar; she won’t be able to do anything a normal wolf can’t.”

“Yes, that’s a problem,” I mumbled, mind racing to solve this.

“The steel that makes up this cell is from etanil, which a normal Lycan can’t break.” Gerta tapped on the bars, which were easily identifiable by their dark metal.

It was the strongest metal known in existence, and it was only made by a subspecies known as Blaze Elves.

Of course, this won’t be easy, and from the look of that collar, it’s made of the same thing. Hah… Today doesn’t seem to be your fated death date, lover… So I need to play this carefully.

“She isn’t only useless, but in dreamland, making her baggage.” I scoffed.

Either way, we can’t leave you behind. Loki cares for you, and I can’t let him lose anyone else.

“Well… That’s a way to say it.” Gerta mumbled, as I noticed I had let out a bit of the real me show.

However, it didn’t matter, as the circumstances surrounding us gave anyone leeway to misbehave. I walked towards the bars of the room, gazing outside and into the hall. It became clear that we were in a dungeon of sorts, making my initial assessment of no light more viable. Oswald had theorized that the warlock was hiding in the caverns below Night City, and it seemed the cranky boy was right about it.

Too bad it’s a labyrinth. It’ll take them days of scouring these halls to find us, if they get lucky. Sadly, by then, this warlock will have done with us what he wants. Hah… what to do…

I gazed down at the enchanted bracelet my father had given me, as he said to use it in an emergency, but if he came to rescue us, I would’ve been outed. However, something else came to mind.

If it's been an hour and not just minutes, then…

“Since it has been more than an hour you’ve been up, and Lilith hasn’t found us yet, that leaves me to believe we probably are in a spot with magic repellants.” I squeezed the bars, gazing up to the ceiling.

Wow… These worms are smarter than I gave them credit for, but… There has to be a weak point somewhere.

“Hm… you’re knowledgeable about that,” Gerta hummed from behind, prompting me to bite my lip.

Crap…

“Well, I like to read on stuff,” I assured her, gazing at Luna again, who wouldn’t let me go.

“I see.” She mumbled as I tugged on my dress.

“Hey, kid, go to your sister.” I scowled.

“No!” Luna denied, holding me tighter.

My eyes twitched again.

This entire family is a pain in the arse.

“Oi…” I trailed off, releasing a massive sigh soon after.

I have no idea how to deal with a child. Urgh...

The coven didn’t have many of them to start with, and with my head still pounding, I didn't know how to relieve myself of her.

“She thinks you’re her princess.” The old woman cackled from the side.

“A mistake, I’m no princess,” I mumbled, as Luna smothered herself against my dress.

Rolling my eyes, I kneeled to face her, as she gazed at me before throwing herself into my arms. It was surprising to me, yet I couldn’t find it in me to shove her away. Hesitantly, I held the small child back, unsure of what to do next, but I sat on the floor. Shaking my head, I gazed at Gerta, who smiled at me, scooting over to me.

“Well, since we’re stuck here for now. Want to talk about what’s happening with you and Loki?” She created chatter.

Uh… Of course, a shark like you would use this opportunity to get information out of me! We’re in peril here!

“Hey… Is that why you jumped into the portal after me?” I scowled, prompting her to giggle before shaking her head.

“Oh goodness, no, I was trying to save you, but alas, I’m a mere human.” Gerta shrugged, gazing at the bars before us.

“Why try to save me, then? An old woman like you should know her limitations.” I jabbed at her, prompting her to smile before shifting her eyes to her trembling hands.

“I sometimes forget those limitations, especially when I know how much Loki cares about you. You’re also part of my staff. I couldn’t just stand there and let them take you.” She answered.

Is it that obvious? Loki… you idiot.

“Well, nothing’s happening between us. So, you can put that to rest.” I blurted out, trying to keep my emotions in check.

“Hm… I don’t call the alley incident nothing, especially the lack of protection.” Gerta declared.

“Hey! We have a kid here!” My eyes shot towards where she was, cheeks burning like a fiery inferno.

“She doesn’t know what we’re saying.” Gerta giggled, waving her hand.

“Argh… H-how long were you w-watching?!” I spluttered out, heart drumming in my ears.

“Ever since you ran into the alley. I was seriously worried about you, but it seems I was wrong to be. After all, Loki made you feel better super-fast.” Gerta raised her eyebrows in a teasing manner.

My poor heart… Why can’t I sink into the floor now?!

“You don’t…” I trailed off, unable to tell her my reproductive organs were frozen thanks to a spell.

My lack of words caused Gerta to sigh. “If you keep going like this, you’ll end up like me.” She reached with her hands to her chest.

“What?” I mumbled, focusing on her, as for the first time I had met her, she appeared small.

“I lied when I said my love was forgotten and one-sided.” She winced.

Impossible…

The final pieces of this puzzle were slowly falling into my lap.

“Eh?! You were with that shrew of a king?” I muttered.

In response to hearing me, Gerta shook her head, smiling.

“Well, he wasn’t born like that, Vivian. No, the system made him into what he is today. In truth, he was much like Leonard when he was young, but the years have eroded his self-worth and his moral compass.” She stopped, pressing her hands into her chest.

“What?” I huffed, remembering how tired Asher’s eyes always appeared to be, yet somehow, he would always light up around the old maid.

I had always thought it was because of the years of friendship they had, yet there was much more in there.

“Leonard… Was our son.” Her voice broke.

“What?!” I yelped, surprised by the revelation.

There wasn’t a hint of deceit in her voice, and for once, the emotions this shark was showing were genuine.