The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

"Go talk to her," Celestia said to him after a quick threatening assessment of Nyx. "But be careful. The Twilights are not anyone's favourite Regioners."

Aeric looked at Nyx, who was still folding her arms before she turned around and walked, expecting him to follow. "What do you think she wants?"

"I don't know," Celestia said with a huff. "But if she wants trouble..."

She looked into Aeric's eyes, and he smiled, understanding what she meant. "I can handle her," he replied, giving the Dawn princess the assurance she needed.

After that, Aeric snapped his cape backwards and followed after Nyx. He saw her walk out of the alcove and into a somewhat darker opening in the crystalline cave.

Finding this a little suspicious, Aeric took the best measure he could. He summoned the Deadwatch. First, he cleared the former Anchor Point which he didn't end up using after he'd caught Lysandra and the Priest. Read latest chapters on empire

Then, he created a new one, setting the Anchor Point on that exact second. Just in case, the Daughter of Twilight had something up her sleeve.

After that, he let out a sigh and walked into the opening. The crystals shone in a more glowing fashion in this part of the cave, as it was darker and gloomier.

There, at the edge of the wall, Nyx was standing, arms folded, back rested and one foot placed on the cold, crystalline wall. She looked his way and then returned her gaze low when he began to approach her.

"Nice spot you picked for whatever this is," Aeric said, standing beside her.

"There are no mirror balls to record us," Nyx replied, lifting her eyes at the top corners of the cave where one would possibly hide those camera tools. "The Lobbies all have it. That way Lady Magda can examine us while teaching the rest of the Class."

Aeric looked up, eyes scanning everywhere in the smaller cave. "I know about the mirror balls," he said. It was why he was being careful of the kind of power he was displaying. "What I'm curious about is how you know there's none here."

Nyx looked at him with a lifted brow. "Because this isn't my first Dungeon Training, Aeric. I've been in this same Lobby before. Though this is as far as we ever got."

Aeric stood still and silent, watching her with his crimson eyes. She appeared a bit stiff, and her own eyes seemed conflicted. Whatever she wanted to talk to him about, it looked like it was difficult for her to say.

"Look, what do you want?" Aeric demanded, having no time for her dilemma.

Nyx lifted her chin and smiled at him. Now her face appeared more recognizable. "I just wanted to say that I really underestimated you, Aeric."

Aeric frowned, narrowing his eyes. "You— what?!" His fist clenched. "Is that it?"

"No, of course not," she scoffed. "But let me, okay? Give me some time to get to it, pretty boy. This isn't my usual rodeo."

Aeric squeezed his lips. 'What is going on here?'

"Just get to it, Nyx. We have a Dungeon to clear and I have other things to get done."

Nyx sighed. "Oh yes. I'm sure you do. You're always busy, aren't you? Doing something that none of us Daughters are doing. Up to no good and sometimes up to some good. Like I said, I really underestimated you."

"You got Phoebe to actually smile and laugh, you got us to work together despite being so different. Despite our... rough start."

She looked at him, appearing very honest. "Aryanne was wrong. You're a decent guy. A great guy, to be honest."

Stunned at first by the compliment, Aeric's eyes then narrowed into slits of suspicion. "Are you flirting with me?"

"Flirting?" Nyx laughed. "Oh no, I'm more aggressive when I'm flirting. This is just me telling you the truth." She shrugged.

"And what exactly am I supposed to do with this 'truth'?" Aeric asked. "I had to prove myself to you before I was deserving of simple respect and now you think what? That I'm going to say thank you?"

"That's not it at all! I'm saying I'm sorry."

Aeric drew back. "You're... sorry? Well, how is that any more valuable? What use are those stupid words to me? You say it like you're some powerful empress that I worship. It's not worth anything."

Nyx hesitated, then swallowed. "Okay fine. My sorry is worth nothing, even though..." She pointed at him. "I do mean it. I'm sorry for all the stuff I did to you in the Veiled Maze. It was all Aryanne's idea and as her loyal friend I felt then that it was right to do. I'm really sorry, you thickheaded, handsome, prideful douche. But if my sorry isn't worth anything, then maybe this is!"

Aeric stood motionless, stunned but waiting. "What is?" he asked, seeing that she was second guessing.

Nyx took a deep breath, then slowly opened her mouth to speak. "My mother."

"Mother Lylah?"

"No, my other mother. Of course her!" Nyx snapped. When Aeric didn't say anything, she pouted her lips and folded her arms again. "Look, the deal is... my mother really really does not like you. She's planning this... thing and she's been preparing it ever since you were born."

Aeric's gaze darkened with curiosity.

"I don't know what it is," Nyx continued. "But I do know it's dangerous. Very dangerous. At least for you."

"Your mother is trying to kill me?" he asked, eyes narrowed.

"I don't know what she's trying to do!" Nyx snapped in defense of her mother. "But... she's just very... conservative, and wants the essence and rules of Erothyria to remain the same. She believes things that bend or break the rules will lead to the end of the Realm sooner or later."

Aeric started to gather. "Therefore she would want to eradicate these things?"

Nyx nodded once. "Yes."

"And in this situation, I'm the thing."

Nyx nodded once again. "Yes."

"So she's trying to eradicate me?"

"Yes."

Aeric's eyes darkened. "And by eradicate, you mean kill?"

Nyx frowned. "It could mean anything."

"None of what it means bones well for me," Aeric shut her off. "And also this doesn't really help anything. If what you're asking for is for me to accept your apology, then you have to find out what exactly your mother is up to."

Nyx was quiet for a while, then she smirked. "You're assertive. It's... very stimulating."

Aeric facepalmed. "Are you ever serious?"

"Okay, I'll do it. I'll find out what my mother is planning and tell it to you." She slapped her palms on her thighs. "Would you accept my apology then? Can we then become..." she smiled at him. "... friends?"

Aeric didn't reply her immediately. Rather, he walked two steps towards her and peered into her eyes. "Maybe. But there's still one more thing you'll have to do."

Nyx frowned curiously. "Ask away."

"Stay close to Aryanne and the rest of the Moonlight family. Try to get as much information as you can concerning me or my mother. You're her friend, but you're also my spy."

Nyx's frown turned to a daring smile. "You're asking a lot from me here, Aeric."

Aeric smirked at her knowingly. "Let's not pretend like we both don't know why you really want to be my 'friend'"

The air tensed around the two of them as they remained in a locked gaze. "So what's it going to be, Daughter of Twilight? Deal or no deal?"