Page 12 of Light Leech

“You good, du?” the monk patted me on the shoulder, noting my trepidation before the sign.

Now was as good a time as any other to ask what it was, even if the monk acted so carefree and casual. Part of me liked his approachable demeanor while the other hoped he had a superior whose behavior would leave me confident with our multiplicity of chaotic dilemmas.

“I’ve seen that symbol all around the monasteries,” I said, “but what is it?”

He furrowed his brow. “You’re serious?”

I raised my eyebrows and shrugged.

“It’s Nuwa.” He poked me in the center of the chest. “The goddess of life. The divinity your Journeymen Gui have been searching for. You look surprised. Bhate Xera filled me in on what you’re doing and the spirits that follow you.”

I nodded, trying to look calm while the gravity of his revelation filled me.

Holy zeg. Naoma was accompanied by a goddess. Was it that? Or something bigger?

Everyone passed me as the Monk led them into a chamber lit with indigo and false white light.

Everyone except for Naoma, who stopped at my side with a face that mirrored mine. A silent conversation passed between us. What did this entail? Was the being connected to her a literal ghost from her forgotten past? Was the Neon Idol a goddess herself?

I tapped her shoulder, forced confidence into my grin, and nodded forward.

“Welcome!” The monk waved for us to sit around a table in the center of the room. Like those in Arabasia, this was meant to be sat at without a chair. The decor and style matched the Arabaian monasteries, though it lacked the authenticity. The table was worn and the flowered designs on the teacups at its center had faded, but it was enough to fill me with confidence that we were in the right place.

He left and returned a moment later with a steaming teapot, then proceeded to fill our cups. “So, how’s your day been?”

“Do we really need to start with small talk?” Boyband groaned. “We’ve been–”

Ralia smacked his shoulder with a smile on her face, instilling me with confidence that her personality perpetuated despite her modifications. “Treat the good monk with some decency, Babyband.” She sipped her tea and smiled through her initial grimace. “What is this? I like the… sterile, no… refreshing taste.”

“What did you call him?” the monk asked.

“Nothing worth repeating,” Boyband said.

The monk laughed. “I’m not gonna lie, I gotta hear it now.”

“Boyband isn’t much better,” Akna said.

“It’s a long story,” Boyband said.

“Not really,” I added.

“Wait.” The monk fought back laugher. “You actually go by Boyband?”

“I bet it’s better than your name.”

“What he means is, can you please introduce yourself?” Abbas asked.

“Says the most civil among us!” Boyband bit back.

“He’s changed, babe,” Ralia added.

“So you’re dating?” the monk pointed at Ralia and Boyband.

“Of course!” Ralia said, reaching for Boyband.

He fought back, slapping her arms and wincing as his hand hit her metallic skin. “No! No! No! Nothing like that! I’m–zeg!” He shouted at Kuni’s electric touch.

“Shut up everyone!” Naoma shouted. Her breathing was rapid and her hands shook. I could see the fear in her eyes. The chaos had exacerbated the fear of her spiritual half not only being the Luxist symbol, but their goddess.