#vinzens

This was bad. Very bad. Absolutely bad.

The half-god held his chin and tilted his head, glancing at the other. His expression well hidden behind a simple mask. It should have been an easy task, if not one of the easiest one. A child's play for someone like him. To guide a soul from the world of the living to the Otherworld. Yet, here they were. Old friends facing each other in a messed up and complicated situation. And he didn't like it at all.

"Lost, you say?", he repeated his words to make sure he understood him correctly. "And she..." He casually gestured to the woman in a black dress who was watching them from a distance, not wanting to interrupt their conversation. "... gave you an immortal body in order for you to enter a world called Erinn? To save their inhabitants? And you have been doing this until now?"

"Yes, I have. So much has happened-"

"Are. You. Serious?" Putting it mildly, he was irritated but he had to keep his emotions under control. He shook his head and paced back and forth, thinking hard about how to solve this problem. Then he stopped and held up a finger. "I did not! Guide your soul personally so that you would end up here and go through this suffering AGAIN!"

"I know, Vincentius..." Seysill didn't know by which name his giant friend currently went, thus used the earliest one he could remember. "But they needed my help and perhaps still do."

“Yes, I’m aware. Your point?” His masked friend wasn't fazed by this statement and he crossed his arms. Every world had its own share of problems which should be solved by those who were actually affected, not by outsiders from other worlds. Cross-world cooperation was rare and there were good reasons why it had been this way. Unless they were dealing with a certain kind of threat but it didn't seem to be the case this time. Not yet. He would have felt it.

Anyway, he already had enough on his hands with their own world to deal with such sentiments. And his friend should know that.

"I really want to help them as long as I can. That's the reason why I'm here, isn't it?"

"Don't ask me!" Vincentius waved with his hand as if he was trying to drive away an invisible fly. That fly was his friend's relentless foolishness. But he had always been like that, from the core of his soul since he came into existence. "Just know that your soul is at its limits. Again and since a long time already. You do remember, right?"

Seysill sighed and nodded. Of course he did, ever since he regained his lost memories back after receiving this divine power. Not completely but most, more than enough to fill another life. To fill more lives than his body could endure. And with it, their bond returned, unexpectedly. That's how his friend managed to track him down, he supposed. But still, his life in Erinn had been rich with new experiences and challenges. For every hardship there had been moments of happiness. It wasn't that bad...

"I do and I'll be careful but please. As with all things in any world, this too will pass. Let me finish my business here, then I will surely return."

The half-god huffed, disappointed at his stubbornness, and put his hand on his hip. Turning his head to the woman, he gestured her to come closer.

"You. Release him right this instant!", he demanded forcefully while pointing at her.

"I'm sorry but I can't do that..."

"You can't or you won't?"

Nao replied with a sad smile. "I can't... I apologize."

"Vincentius. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine.", Seysill reassured his friend and felt bad for the deity. She was just a guide after all, bound to her duties in the Soulstream. It was probably out of her hands to decide whether Milletians could leave or not.

"If you insist... Do as you wish. I have warned you and I won't be able to follow you to help you this time." Vincentius shook his head, having no need to state the obvious that this wasn't his realm. His powers were limited here. "You have already served the Goddesses well enough to make your own choices. Nevertheless, I recommend to make those decisions in a place where you belong." He paused. "This isn't it."

"I know. But I am staying here. For now." There were still some mysteries to solve. The bear's work wasn't done yet, he could feel it.

"I assume nothing will convince you otherwise? Not even your former companions who might be waiting for you?"

"No, and that's final. Forgive me, Vincentius but I have made my choice."

"Very well. I forgive you." The masked one didn't sound particularly sad about it. He wasn't human, after all.

"Once the time has come, will you guide me again?"

"Certainly."

"Thank you."

They glanced at each other but there was nothing left to say anymore. Just one more thing to do. The Milletian smiled, stepped forward and hugged his very tall friend who awkwardly patted his shoulder. 

"Take care of your soul, Seysill. We will meet again."

"I will. Take care of yourself as well, Vincentius."