The Empress Can't Communicate: Chapter 7

To Adventure Ever Onwards

The storm that passed over the village was one of the harshest he experienced in centuries. Even as he took shelter inside Rem's bunker, he could hear the winds howling along with the heavy downpour just outside. Coupled with the relentless lightning strikes and the very warp itself heaving, he feared for the worst.

Could it be an attack? A spell or weapon directed to them by an adversary? With the enemies they have and the powers they wield, he wouldn't be surprised if the storm was their doing. Such fears, however, would be put to rest as he felt the winds started to abate.

As powerful as this was, it wasn't out of the ordinary. Still, he would find little rest that night as he slept on the hard floor. Rem might have been merciful enough to let him stay inside, but a kind mistress she was not.

By daylight, the storm had all but calmed down, allowing both him and Rem, along with her guardian, back to the village below. Expecting the worst, he would instead find not one house flattened. Even the dome, which he had expected to collapse, held.

Oh there were some damages, from wall panels ripped off their bolts and roofs having been torn clean off by the wind, but nothing a quick fix couldn't handle. In fact, neither he or Rem would even be needed as the villagers handled things well enough.

For once, things settled down in the village and it felt strange. Frowning as he tidied up his bed, he felt restless. Without anything to do, he felt useless and without purpose. Even the automaton was doing more to help the villagers with their clean up outside while here he was, packing up for a trip.

Glaring in envy at the tall masked figure, he felt frustration bubble up. He should be happy, yet here he was, fuming like some petulant child. "Heh," he chuckled as a wry smile slowly stretched across his lips, "How pathetic am I?"

"You really don't want to help them because you want to, huh?" He asked himself as he turned his gaze to the mirror where he'd find the most repugnant sight. Under the ever-youthful gaze and the radiant sunkissed skin borne from hours in the field were the selfish desires that led him to lose it all.

He went out to save himself that night and now, here he is once more, doing the same. "You're only doing this so you can save yourself," He whispered as he gazed deep into those lifeless eyes staring back at him.

He hated himself. He hated what he became, a hollow shell who only lived to atone for his own sin. "Is this all I really am?" he asked himself. Was all his actions nothing more than to save his own skin? "No," He gritted out, pushing those thoughts aside. "You helped them because you wanted to, not because you wished to be their savior."

His intentions might not be pure in heart, but he still chose to do it regardless. "I did this because it's the right thing to do," He told himself as he centered himself, banishing those emotions that clouded his mind. "I chose to do good because I want to."

Eyes closed, he took deep calming breaths, before he let out a shuddering sigh. Opening his once more, he gazed back to the mirror and found himself once more. Not the pathetic creature that he thought he became, but rather himself; the sunkissed farmboy that became the champion of the gods.

"Chin up Eon," He told himself as he picked up a broom, "You don't want to disappoint Rem, or worse, Iyanna, do you?" He had a lot more to live for and to fight for. He wasn't going to just let the voice at the back of his head win.

Humming himself a jaunty tune, he turned to his unkempt room and started sweeping. "It'll be quite some time before you come back so might as well make sure that my rooms are all tidy when I come back," He said out loud. That, and his room had been getting rather cluttered with all the souvenirs he was finding out in the wasteland.

Picking up the flower-like dish he made up in the mountains, he shifted it near the window, securing it tightly with wraithbone bolts before fixing his bed. Admittedly, he didn't need to do any of this, but it kept him busy.

Speaking of keeping him busy, he glanced towards the bag at the corner and paused. Wraithbone might be versatile, but Rem was right, having something ready on hand without having to make it is a lot more convenient.

"Come to think of it, having to weave out a cloth bag every day sounds horrible," He mused. He did have to keep it light, however, so that just means the essentials, though that doesn't mean he could skimp on comfort.

Who knew having more space just made it harder to pack things," He muttered y as he stared at his overstuffed bag, "Definitely need more food and a larger water can though." It wasn't always a guarantee that they'd find these things out there. "I can't drop any more tools though," He muttered.

It was a tough balancing act, but he made it work. Dried food, a water canteen with an inbuilt filter, a length of good rope, a stove and the battery pack for it, along with a bundle of wraithbone in case he needed something.

"I just need a knife," He muttered as he picked up a bone off the shelf, ready to make himself one, only to pause as he found a familiar sight. Oh huh," He whispered as he grabbed it off the shelf, "Haven't seen this in a while."

In his hands was the knife he had when he came back to his senses. Crude and crooked, much like himself back then. He could honestly make a better knife, but something told him he needed to carry this. "I'd just make a replacement if it breaks," he smiled as he sheeted the knife before looking back to his room.

With his pack reorganized and his room tidy, he let out a content sigh. "Well, that should be all of it," He was now ready now ready.

Sitting down at the edge of his head, he gazed around before his eyes settled upon the wall where he had counted the days passed by. He might have missed a few days cause he was a bit too busy, but it kept time well enough.

"I still can't believe it's been only a few months since I last woke up," He whispered to himself as he plopped down to his side.

Time passed with the blink of an eye and perhaps soon enough, years would go by. The 39th Millenia, the date at which the storms would start to die down, was still far in the future. "Just a thousand more years or so," he whispered as his gaze landed upon the statue of his friend, sitting by his desk.

It was only a thousand years, but every second already felt like it's forever. "Well Iyanna, we're going off now," He whispered as a small smile settled on his lips, "It's going to be a long journey from here to the other side of this world."

"We're going to walk all the way there, can't you believe it?" He asked, flashing her a grin, yet she remained still. The figure upon his desk was nothing more than an effigy after all.

"You know she wouldn't hear you, right?" A small voice asked, "Why even bother?"

"She wouldn't hear this," He admitted, "But I can't leave without saying goodbye, right" He bid goodbye that one time. This was the least he could do this time around. "Maybe you'd hear it." He chuckled as he slowly sat up.

"I'm going to be travelling with Rem," He told her as he gazed out towards the window. It wasn't a clear line of sight, but even from here, he could feel the radiant heat of her light as she was talking to another person; a merchant who brought with him some mount.

"I've told you about her right?" He asked as he turned back to Iyanna. "She's the girl that saved me," nHe recounted as a small grin settled on his lips, "Really powerful and deadly smart, but grumpy and a bit of snark." She was also a bit of an introvert, something he'd have to coax her out of if he ever wanted to see her under the sun.

Shaking his head, he added, "And to think she doesn't even say much most of the time." For how little she spoke, she had quite the number of ways to show her disgust and disappointment. Sighing out fondly, he told his closest friend, "She means well though so don't take her sass for insults…"

He could already imagine how things would go once the two finally met. The staredown, pointed glares and the snarks… before the Iyanna says something without thinking and things go down hill. "You know what, maybe it's best that you girls don't meet," Eon chuckled nervously.

The world was simply not ready for the day that Rem found her exact opposite. "Oh you'd love her, but talking to her is like pulling teeth sometimes." Rem had as much tact and grace as that of a bulldozer when it comes to talking and it didn't help that she can be intimidating at times.

"She can go all hrmm and hnnn and she expects you to understand her completely when she suddenly goes off tangent," He muttered yet he couldn't hide the smile stretching across his lips. "She can be a handful sometimes, but… she's a good friend."

"Hopefully, you guys don't stab each other the moment you meet," He snorted.

"Anyways, we're going on this really long walk and boy I am not looking forward to it," He sighed as he tugged at his collar, "Kinda wish I could just walk through the sea of souls, but I can't really walk there with this thing around my neck."

The dampener had been an ever constant companion, one he couldn't take off without effort. It wasn't bad, but it can be a pain at times like now as he and Rem were forced to trek on foot. It was a short journey of half a year, but they would spend much of it in the wild.

"It'd be so much faster," he whispered, eyes closing briefly as he took a small peek, only to regret it at the lancing pain of the voices slamming into his mental walls, "But I'm not sure it's the safest route." Shaking himself off, he sighed, "Well, walking it is."

Playing with his collar, he muttered, "As much as I hate this, I think I have to keep it on, just for my safety." The collar not only restricted his power, but dampened his light as well. "I'd probably light up like a beacon if this thing's off." It was as if he wasn't even empowered by the gods, when he should be gibbering mad in pain.

Either he was far stronger than he expected, or that Rem was that good of a craftswoman despite lacking the tools that Aeldari like him would have access to when working with a material as finicky as Blackstone.

"Though I kinda wish it didn't look like a damn collar," He mumbled as his cheeks took on a hue similar to his rosy pink hair. He hated how it looked, but not because it made it look like some slave to the pleasure cult, rather he felt like a dog. It was humiliating to say the least.

"You'd probably like it though…" He chuckled self deprecatingly. He only needed to add a chain and it'd be something out of the secret closet that Iyanna only opens on certain occasions. Blush deepening, he shook his head. "Bad thoughts."

Taking a moment to calm himself down, he walked away towards the dish. Hands gracing the smooth petals, he whispered, "I hope you're doing ok out there Iyanna…" With the thousand of lightyears between them, all he could do was hope. "Just stay safe ok? Don't do anything rash while I'm gone. Pausing briefly, he added, "... And I hope you can forgive me… for everything."

As heavy as his heart was right now, he felt the weight on his shoulder ease somewhat. "I'll get to you the moment I get the chance," He promised, "I swear by Khaine's bloody hand that I'll come back to you one day. One day…"

Trailing off, he hung his head, praying silently that she was safe. His silence would be cut short as he heard knocking from the door along with a familiar voice calling out for him. "Hey mister!" the young child shouted, "The Nice Lady's asking where you are and she's getting real grumpy! Better hurry up or she'd throw you at the mining pits!"

Smiling, he shouted back, "Tell her I'd be there in a sec! I just need to check on some things before I go."

"Your funeral!" The boy sassed back, "Dibs on your stuff after she punts you across the desert!" With that warning, the boy walked off, leaving him once more to his thoughts.

Shaking his head, he turned to the statue. "Well, Rem's getting grumpy so I better go now." It was now time for him to live. Picking up his pack he slipped out of his room before waving his final goodbyes, "I'll bring some souvenirs!"

-x-x-x-

One short walk later and he'd find himself before a rather irate Rem standing beside a pair of weird camel like creatures. "You're late," She snapped, making him wince. With her arms crossed and her expression fouler than usual, he started to regret taking his time fixing up his room.

"Sorry about," He replied as he rubbed the back of his head nervously, "Had to say some goodbyes." He needed the peace of mind and thankfully, Rem was understanding as her expression lightened.

Still, she was less than pleased as she muttered, "Any else you forgot?"

Taking a moment to gaze back at the crowd that had gathered to see them off, and seeing the men and women he had grown close to, he smiled. "Yeah actually," He replied as he turned to Rem, "Can you give me a minute? I'll be real quick. I promise."

Reaching up to pinch the bridge of her nose, Rem grunted, "Fine, but make it quick." Gazing up at the rising sun in the distance, "I do not want to burn because you forgot to turn off your lights, Aeldari."

Chuckling, he turned away before calling out to the crowd. "Hey Kid! Can you come here for a second?"

He didn't need to call a second time as the boy pushed himself off the crowd and jumped with excitement. "Are you taking me with you!?" He cheered, taking him back. The boy was as lively as the day he met him.

"Hmmm, let me think about it," He mused, before crossing his forearms in front of him, "Nope, not happening!" Aside from the fact that he was a child, he and Rem would be forced to protect him. He would be nothing more than dead weight, or worse, a liability for the journey.

Shoulders sagging, the boy sighed, "Well, it was worth a shot."

Reaching up to ruffle the boy's hair, he replied, "You're not missing out on much." Gazing out to the vast expanse of bare rock and desolate plains, he reasoned, "It's not as fun as the stories that merchants and adventurers tell you."'

For every adventurer who claims a tale of wonder, nine more held horrors that they kept locked up inside their mind. "Besides, I have something better than an adventure for you," He grinned, making the boy perk up.

"Here, I want you to have this," He told the boy as pulled out the knife from his pack before handing it to him. This, however, only made the boy's expression fall. "You don't want it?" It was made of solid wraithbone, but he could understand if the boy wanted something cooler.

"No, I like it," The boy replied, "But it's kinda short?"

Blinking in surprise, he laughed. He really should have expected that. Wiping a stray tear from his eyes, he replied "Then let's change it up a bit."

Pinching both ends, he whistled, letting power flow through the short blade. Slowly, it lengthened, taking on a silver hue, growing an ornate handle along with a shiny red jewel for a pommel until the knife he once held was gone. In its place was a sword fit for any warrior.

"It's dangerous to go alone," He smiled before offering it to the boy "Take this!" If he was given more time, he'd make something better, but this was a spur of the moment.

His little jest, however, wouldn't go unnoticed as a slap echoed out behind him. Turning, he'd find Rem with a pained expression as she dragged her palm across her face. "You really have to stay at it, don't you?" She hissed, earning laughter from him while making the boy look at them with confusion.

"Just an inside joke between us," He replied. Maybe he should have given the boy a green hat, but he already messed around. Best not to give Rem actual reason to start laying down the hurt. Gesturing for him to take it, he encouraged him, "Come on, take it."

Hesitantly, the boy looked at the sword before looking back at the burly man in the middle of the crowd; the chief. With a nod, the boy brightened up as he took the sword before nearly taking a swipe at his face. "Woah there," He replied as he leaned back.

"It's so light!" The boy exclaimed, waving the sword around. Yeah, he definitely needed a teacher if he was going to keep it given the flat stare coming from Rem.
"Be a good boy and maybe I'd make it even better," He grinned as he offered him a scabbard, making the boy freeze up. Slowly, the boy lowered the sword as he accepted the sheath.

"Of course!" The boy stuttered out, earning some chuckles from the elders of the community.

"Now before you go start swinging that, make sure you know how to do that with a stick first," He replied, making the boy's face turn sour. "Trust me, this sword's deadly sharp and you don't want it…. Say accidentally chopping your bed in half."

At the boy's wince, he patted him on the head. "But if any voices start whispering and the images in the mirror start talking, feel free to stab at the mirror."

This, of course, earned him a look of confusion as the boy slowly replied, "Ok?"

Chuckling at his own joke, he stood up before running after Rem who had slipped away atop their camel while he was distracted. "Just ask the giant helper if he knows how to use a sword! Rem probably taught him how to!" He shouted before he turned around and leapt, sailing across the air before plopping down gently on the camel's back.

"Sorry," He apologized, "Got a bit sidetracked."

"I hope that isn't a recurring theme," She muttered as she snapped the reins and picked up the reins. As cool as the early morning was, that could quickly change and the terrain was tough. Best to make use of every hour of light they still have before it gets too hot.

As they trekked through the rocky terrain, Rem asked, "The boy would never use that sword, you know that?"

"I know and I'm thankful for that," He replied. He wished nothing more than a boring life for that boy, one where he'd find himself without worries and trouble. "But that sword isn't really for him." He admitted with a cheeky grin.

Snorting at the raised brow Rem sent his way, he answered, "It's for his future kids." He and Rem wouldn't always be here for the kids' family. Eventually, they will drift away until they are nothing but strangers. At least with that sword in their possession, he made sure that they would at least have some protection with them.

"Who knows, maybe one of his kids would serve your army," He jested before snapping his reins to catch up to Rem.

-x-x-x-

For weeks, they trekked through the rolling hills of Anatolia. There, he would find ruins and new settlements alike. From the random herder tending to their flock and farmers toiling away with their mushrooms underground, they would meet all sorts of new people, helping some in exchange for supplies

It was a pleasant trip, but one held in silence. For as much as he wished to talk, he had to conserve energy. While the path they trekked was populated, it didn't mean that water was plenty. It was as rare as gold, and sometimes even more.

The canteens that he had brought along helped, filtering whatever irradiated water hole they could get, but it could only do so much. For weeks, they would travel like this, conserving energy during the hottest part of their day, before traveling when they could.

At night, they rested and he was far too exhausted to even chat the girl up. He had gotten way too used to travelling through the warp, and now that he was tested on the road, he was found wanting. Even atop their rides, he grew weary while his ass ached from the hard mount.

Fortunately, he would be given some reprieve as they arrived at their first stop of their long journey. "Were here…" Rem whispered, her voice cracking from disuse as the small town came into view. "Beirut…"

Vast and sprawling with humans as far as the eye could see, such a settlement would have been called a city just from the people alone even by his people's standards (though it would be rather small). Not only were there people, but there bring with them plenty of goods.

From scraps to produce, they have it all. It was certainly a worthy stop for their trip, but one thing detracted from the sight. Nose wrinkling, he gagged, "By Khaine's Blood Hand, what the hell is that smell!?" It was as if someone left meat to rot under the baking son for weeks, before tossing rancid eggs for good measure.

As Rem gave him a flat look, he gritted out, "No, I don't smell humans." He certainly earned himself some dirty looks especially with his long ears poking out, "I'm already used to your smell." Humans just smelt weird to him, but that wasn't what he was smelling.

"It's something else," He grimaced as he pinched his nose, but it was to no avail as the smell just went everywhere. "It's from something different." Giving it some thought, he muttered, "Maybe it's something from the factories here."

There was plenty of thick smoke coming from people burning wiring out in the open to access the metals inside. Pulling out a small rag, he wrapped his lower face to avoid getting as much air he could. "Urgh, sometimes I hate having such a strong sense."

Avoiding Rem's pointed stare, he asked, Also, what's with all these… mutant animals." He knew Terra was hit hard, but he had yet to see one animal that he was familiar with. All he'd seen so far were chimeras. Even the "camels" they rode had extra features like horns and a weirdly fleshy nose similar to an elephant seal.

"Aren't there any real camels or horses around?" He added as he shied away from the giant fuzzballs walking along the street, "I'm not even sure those are cats…"

"That's a rat," Rem replied, making Eon shudder in disgust. "As for the animals… they're gone."

He frowned for a moment, before a look of realization washed across his face. "Ah right, right," He hissed as he slapped his forehead, "This is the post apocalypse." Guiding their ride inside the city after the guards gestured them in, he muttered, "At least we still have rats and crocodiles… wait, why's there a crocodile here?"

"That's a Crotalid," Rem answered as she looked around, eyes distant and unseeing, ignoring the giant spiked lizard casually digging through the trash.

Giving it a wide berth, he nodded, "Huh, I hope they keep children away from those guys." Taking in the weird sight and keeping his guard up, he asked, "So how long's going to be this stopover?"

"We will leave tomorrow," She replied as she urged her ride to a side street. "I'm going to find us better transports," She muttered as her eyes came back to focus, "We're taking too long."

Perking up, trailing behind her, eager to replace their ride. They were nice and all, but his ass was begging for cushioned seats. He was not built for this type of travel. "Well if it's a better transport you need then you're in luck," He puffed up his chest, "Just let me do the talking and-!"

His offer, however, was quickly rebuffed as he and his mount bumped into an invisible wall. "No," Rem glared, "And don't follow. You have nothing they want."

Blustering, he replied, "I could offer them-!"

Again, she cut him, "No Wraithbone.'

"But-!" He tried to argue, but any argument he might have quickly died with that hard glare. It was rare for Rem to place down her foot, but he knew damn well not to argue.

As he glanced away, he felt a light bap on his head. "Bad Eon. Bad," Rem scolded with a deadpan voice, earning her a glare, "Bad people could get Wraith Bone. Bad things happen," She added, speaking to him like he was some child.

"Yeah yeah," He mumbled as he crossed his arms, "I'll keep myself out of danger." Pouting, he muttered, "Did you really have to dumb it down that hard as well?" He was a grown man damn it! He demanded to be treated as such!

He, however, would find no such sorts from Rem as she smirked, "You looked like you needed it." With that, she left while he fumed.

Shaking his head, he turned around, "Now what to do?" Shrugging, he muttered, "Might as well explore the city." He always wanted to explore some of Terra's sight before the fall, but never got to with how busy he was. "I wonder what I'd find," he smiled.

A/N:

Words are flowing again and I'm trying to catch up as much as I could. I still have one chapter of Empress lined up. I wonder if I could get Lawman as well? Well, only time would tell. Speaking of chapters, the first arc of Empress is done and we have now officially started the Travel Arc! Expect more exploration in the post apocalypse!