chapter Twenty
“Ugh, why are we up this frickin’ early? I could still be sleeping.” Kiev said, grumpy. “Daylight works just as well as pre-dawn.”
Mathieu chuckled, patting the top of her head, his fingers getting caught for a moment in her unkempt hair. “I needed a time to talk to all of you guys before you get distracted by the rest of the activities of the day.” It had been a week or so since he had started training people, and he had successfully gotten through all the types of Elementals. As a result, the area around the headquarters now had a small lake, a single mountain with two small foot hills, sand, clay pits, and a host of other raw materials for the Users to work with.
Narrie and Lenore had worked together to create a lake, and the misplaced earth had been made into the mountain. Lenore had also managed to stretch her control to pull in every type of rock available, sectioning them off for later use. Currently, his unit was sitting on the bed of flat rocks that had become his personal training grounds. The surrounding area bore scars of abuse from said training, and there was a divot in the stone that Mathieu had created for his meditation.
Erik and Solomon flanked him, Jo and Lione across from him, with Enak, and Kiev between the two groups. “Now that everyone has moved onto group training, I thought we should meet and talk.”
Erik nodded, and crossed his arms over her chest. “Yes, and we should cover everyone’s job.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Jo, let’s start with you. I want you near me at all times, whether we’re fighting or not. That being said, Lione, your singular purpose is to protect him. As soon as the invasion begins, you attached to his hip.” He said, although with the look that the pair was giving him, that had already been their plan.
Lione shyly nodded, “I will do so.” He looked at Jo and they both smiled.
“Then Erik, Enak, you two work together; but I’ m sure you can already do that.” The group at large mumbled. “And Kiev, I want you to watch our asses. You have the longest reach of any of our abilities, and I trust you to be able to hold off any threat until we can assist in neutralizing the threat.”
“What about me?” Solomon asked, raising a brow.
Mathieu rolled his eyes. “I figure that whatever I tell you to do, you aren’t going to do anyway. So just kill things and don’t get hurt.” He folded his legs under himself. “Alright, meditation, then warm up. We’ll spar after that.” He closed his eyes and pushed his energy out from him in a controlled manner, making a shield around him. It lifted him off the ground, balancing in the divot he’d made over time. All of his senses stretched out, sensing and testing those around him. He could feel the soul deep connection between Erik and Enak, the sadness in Lione, even though his mother was now at the HQ and perfectly healthy, Jo’s darkness and the threads of fate that attached him to Mathieu, Solomon’s heightened emotional state, and Kiev’s boredom. It made him smile to feel the general consensus of unhappiness with him. At least him unit was united on one thing. It seemed to him that from the beginning, no one had been happy with his choices; Mathieu figured this was just because they couldn’t see the brilliance behind it yet. At least, he hoped it was brilliance.
But beyond the people around him, he could feel other things too. Like the thrum of life through the planet, the auras of the elements. He also could feel the pull of the other plane from his early teen years. It had been absent for a long while, but now he could sense it. And he had a better view of what it was now compared to back then. It was the other side of death.
If it hadn’t been for the spiritual aura he would recognize anywhere as Avian, he wouldn’t have known what it was. But as it was, he could feel her there, pulling to him, trying to cross over enough to speak to him. Letting out a long breath, he wrapped his best friend in his power, pulling her towards him. And soon her voice was in his mind. When he opened his eyes, he could see her within his field of vision, smiling at him. This hadn’t been the first time since he began to expand his power that he had seen her. Mathieu wished he had practiced harder when he was younger so that he wouldn’t have had those months of loneliness without her.
“How are things?” She said, arms folded over her chest.
He smiled sheepishly. Solomon and I finally…ya know. And I made a Shadowrider, plus one. I wish you could meet Jo. He’s like a little kid.
“And tell me the rest.” Avian said, head inclined. She’s always known when he was hiding something.
I found my father. His eyes flicked towards Erik, and she turned to look.
She nodded. “I can see it. I remember when it really bothered you that he abandoned you.”
He sighed softly, wrinkling his nose. Yes, well, now he’s here.
“Have you talked to him, yet? Oh! I’ve got a surprise for you. Let me borrow your soul for a moment.” Avian grabbed his hand and gave a hard tug, pulling his soul right out of his body.
It was the most peculiar feelings. It was like his body and his mind were now disconnected and there was a lightness that he’d never felt before. It made him feel like he might blow away in a strong breeze, like he wasn’t anchored to anything anymore. Turning to look back, he saw his body sag forward slightly, and he sighed. “Okay, show me.” He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to get back into his body, but he would worry about that later.
Avian grinned mischievously and slowly they started to fade into nothing, falling into another plane. It was soft white, warm almost. A pool of water was not far away, and Mathieu guessed it was the center of the whiteness. She squeezed his hand and went to the water, wading into it. “Anita? Hello?”
Mathieu followed into the water, but it didn’t make him feel wet. It felt cold, that was for sure, but he didn’t feel the heaviness that clothing took on when they were wet. Looking into the water, he couldn’t see below the surface. It was like rippling glass.
A woman slowly rose out of the water. Her hair was long and white, skin a soft tan. Her eyes were the same shade of purple as his. Mathieu’s breath caught in his throat and he knew who he was looking at: his mother. “Anita, what joke is this?” Mathieu said harshly to Avian, angry at being teased like that. Seeing his father was one thing, but his dead mother was another.
“It’s not a trick.” Avian said. “It’s your mom’s soul. I found her on the other side, attracted by her thoughts of you. Don’t be rude; say hello to her.”
Mathieu gave her a hard look. But, then again…he was standing here with Avian’s soul so just maybe…He shook his head determinedly. There was no way this was his mother, but he would play along so that Avian didn’t decide to get even for not believing her and trap his soul or something. “Hello.” He said curtly.
The woman’s face split into a heartwarming smiling, and she waded across the pool water without displacing any of the water. “Mathieu,” Her hand came to cup his cheek, “you’ve grown so much, you know that? I’ve missed you with all my heart.” Then Anita was hugging him tightly, holding him against her chest.
Tears he couldn’t explain filled his eyes, and he hugged her back before he thought about it. Whether this was real or not, it sure felt real to him. His whole life he had wanted to believe that his mother had wanted him, had been a good woman. And this thing, real or not, wanted him. “Ma?” He asked quietly.
“I’m glad to see you. I tried to call you when you were younger, but you wouldn’t come. I’ve wanted to see you for a long time. There are things I need to tell you.” She touched his cheek, pulling back from the hug.
“…I met Erik.” He said before she could continue.
She smiled slightly. “Your father. He’s an amazing man, you know.” Anita cupped his face again. “It’s just…a miracle to touch you again. I’m sorry you were alone for so long. But now you’re not so alone, are you?”
Avian piped up, “He’s got a father and a super-hunk.”
“I suppose he does.” She looked down at the water around them. “Oh, the others are noticing your absence. You must go. But I will see you again, I promise. And talk to your father. He is the only one who can help you. Oaky?”
“Help me? With what.”
“Goodbye, little one. Always know that I love you.” Anita kissed his forehead and then it was as if she was becoming less solid, or him more so.
He sank through the water, plunging down, down, down. Bubbles erupted around him as he fell, and then it was like he just dropped out of the sky, towards the ground. He flinched up as the ground came racing towards him, but his soul slid easily into his body, becoming whole again. The energy shield around him lowered as soon as he had made it back, but he had attracted the attention of Solomon, Erik, and Enak.
“What did you see?” Erik said in an off-hand way, rubbing his jaw.
Mathieu fixed him with a blank stare as he said “Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to us.” Enak said, fixing him with a pointed gaze.
Jo nodded. “Yeah, you can trust us!”
“You’re all going to think I’m crazy…” Mathieu said, but the rest just looked at him expectantly. “Fine. I left my body and Avian and my mom.”
“You…saw Anita?” Erik said, hands gripping his knees tightly.
“And Avian?” Solomon added on, his tone sharp.
Mathieu nodded to them, “Yeah.” Was all he said before looking around. “Do some stretches, people. Quit sitting around.” Mathieu got to his feet, stretching for the sky.
The other’s groaned, but got to their feet, each person stretching this way and that, loosening up where they felt they needed it the most. Mathieu focused specifically on his legs, and soon he was warmed up. He was careful to not look at the others, trying to dissuade them from asking questions about what he had seen.
Erik, who was still next to him, leaned in to speak to him in a moderately private way. “We’ll talk about your mother later, but I have an issue with you and Solomon being in the same unit. He’ll be a distraction.”
Said blond wrapped his arms around Mathieu’s waist, kissing the back of his head. “It’ll be more distracting for us to be apart. Besides, I won’t leave him to be only guarded by a Roman.”
Mathieu’s father hissed softly, glaring at the other. “You are too old for your own good, Priest.”
“I don’t need your approval to be with my…to be with Mathieu.” Solomon said. Mathieu had no clue what the hell they were talking about, but it seemed to be stirring up some tension.
“Erik, I can be with who I’d like. And you don’t really understand the full scope of things.” Mathieu said quietly.
His father looked between the pair before a look of dawning comprehension flashed across his face. “You’re kidding me. You didn’t…”
Solomon grinned in a protective way, his hand coming to rest on Mathieu’s neck.
For the past week, he had kept his hair down to prevent the others from seeing the bite scar on the left side of his neck. As Solomon had explained it, his people didn’t do anything halfway. It was all or nothing. And Mathieu had agreed, willing to mate and be bound to the blond for the rest of his life, rather than be without Solomon.
Thin lines of red marked Erik’s jaw as his teeth ground together. “This is not something to be undertaken lightly, Mathieu.” He said. Erik’s hands were shaking, presumably with anger, as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
“Shut up. It’s not your business who I fall in love with, or what we do about it.” Mathieu’s eyes were lightening to a mauve when Solomon softly kissed his temple.
“It’s not his choice. Spar with me, love.” Solomon smiled. It wasn’t often that the blond was affectionate in public, but that didn’t matter at the moment.
Nodding, Mathieu give him a quick peck on the lips, then stepped away and pulled his hair back, sweeping it up, out of the way. What did he care if the others knew? They stepped away from each other, Mathieu taking an open stance, arms angled away from him with his feet slightly staggered. Solomon was the opposite of him, crouched slightly with his hands clawed, and fangs exposed.
“Come at me, baby.” Mathieu said.
Solomon gave a short bark of laughter before he took a series of quick steps towards the smaller male. His movements were like little sways, each footfall a zigzag, lessening the predictability of his next movements.
Mathieu watched each advancement, each small shift with close detail, body staying relaxed; he knew that if he tensed up, he’d be on his ass in a matter of seconds. As Solomon made a jab for his left side, he stepped out of the way, dropping his arm to catch the blond’s. Then he brought his other elbow under and forward into his boyfriend’s sternum, sending him reeling back. Smiling, Mathieu held his ground, aware that he couldn’t match the other in speed. It was a fact that Solomon often teased him with when they were doing anything, be it cooking or getting dressed.
The blond give him a measured look, sizing up the placement of his limbs and the way that he moved. “Alright then. Let’s try again.” He took two short steps, then did his Blink Step, aptly named for its ability to move the user faster than a human can track, allowing a slight advantage to be made in the blink of an eye.
But Mathieu was ready for it and he spun around, dropping to a crouch. He’d seen Solomon use this tactic on Mina in spars one time to many and knew where he would be. Mahtieu thrusts his arms between Solomon’s legs, throwing them apart and into the blond’s knees, knocking the other’s stance off and dropping him to the hard stone ground. Seizing his moment of opportunity, Mathieu pinned the other down by the wrists and waist, using his energy to shackle the man into the ground.
“And I believe this is my win.”
Solomon laughed boisterously, and relaxed in surrender. “Good job. First time you’ve beaten me.”
“What can I say, I had a moment of clarity.” Then he let the blond up, both getting to their feet.
“Again?”
“No, we need to stay sharp, rotating partners. Your asset is speed, which I’ve just proven I can beat.”
Solomon snorted at the statement, “At a grappling match, yes. With a weapon, you don’t know.”
Mathieu rolled his eyes. “Don’t be a twit. We need to all be adept at hand-to-hand first, because I don’t want us being defenseless if we lose our weapons. After this, we’ll tighten our skills with our weapons. Lenore said two more days and they’d all be done, so sometime after that, we’ll start. I told you, I have a plan.”
“A plan I wish you’d tell me, so that I can help.”
“You are helping, just by being here.” Mathieu brushed a hand over the blond’s chest before turning to face his father, giving him a cold look.
Solomon put a hand on his lower back. “He’s worried, that’s all.” The blond murmured against his ear.
“You figured it out, didn’t you?”
The blond nodded, “Yeah. I’d know a Roman anywhere. I knew you were a descendent when I saw your energy. It’s the gift of their line. He loves you; but that doesn’t mean that he has a say between us.”
“I agree.” Mathieu said with a smiled. “That’s why I wanted you close when the fighting starts. I’ll be able to focus better when I know that you’re alive.”
“Even if you were far from me, our bond would tell you I was safe. If something is strong enough, you will feel what I feel. It works the other way, too, in case you were wondering.”
He nodded. “Good. But you need to move on to your next spar.” Mathieu turned to the others, looking at who was fighting and who wasn’t. Jo quickly claimed Solomon for a fight, so he approached Lione. “Shall we?”
“Sure. Although, you took down Solomon pretty easily, so I don’t know if I stand much of a chance.” Lione gave a shy smile, and wind started to pull towards him, shifting the air pressure.
Mathieu chuckled, his energy spirally up from the ground, coming to meet his hand. It wrapped around his arm and hand, flowing like a barrier around him. “I think you’ll do just fine. Let’s dance.”
And this time, Lione was the stationary partner, using his wind scythes to hold Mathieu at bay.
Mathieu used the energy encasing his arm to deflect and absorb the wind, slowly making his way closer to the other. Whenever he was within reaching distance, Lione would raise his shield, preventing any physical contact. It took striking the barrier a few times and being thrown back before he started to notice some propertied about the protection Lione was using. There was a slight depression in the blades of glass for a split moment before they stood back up, then there was a soft flick of light.
“You bastard.” Mathieu laughed out loud as he realized that Lione was using the wind to rub the air molecules together and create a moment of extremely strong static electricity in order to repulse incoming objects. And he had an idea around it. He built up a small amount of energy in his foot, then charged at the other. As the grass bent to accommodate the shield, he dug his foot in and used the energy he had stored up to stop himself; at the last second, he spun and allowed the static electricity to fade away before kicking Lione squarely in the chest and knocking him off balance.
The raven staggered, frowning. “How did you do that?”
“Simple. Static electricity doesn’t last long. It dissipates quickly, so by hesitating for that moment, I had the chance to strike while your guard was down.”
“Well son of a bitch. Guess I’ll have to do things a bit differently then, won’t I?” Lione's annoyance was plain on his face, but he shook it off and took up his stance again.
“Don’t be too upset, Lione. It’s a smart play, just don’t do it on glass.” Mathieu said seriously. Taking a few measured breaths, he stored up some energy and ran at the raven, fully ready to thwart his shielding method again, but as his foot came down to plant and spin, Lione threw a single blade of wind at his foot, causing him to lose focus and balance. He staggered back with a frustrated sound.
"So it seems we're at an impasse, there." Lione said softly, then started to advance, smaller vortexes forming around his hands, which he used to cast more wind scythes. He moves fluidly, like water over rocks, moving sideways to keep matched with Mathieu.
Growling slightly, Mathieu raised his arm to absorb the new onslaught of invisible blades, looking for a new weakness to exploit. And he found it. There was just the slightest drop in Lione’s shoulders, and consequently his guard, after he launched a dual attack, leaving him semi-open.
Mathieu wheeled back a few paces, then started running parallel to Lione. At a moment's notice, he curved his path towards the other and when he was less than five feet from his target, he jumped.
Lione automatically shot a double attack at him, but he arched backwards and avoided it, sailing over the raven's head like he was a high bar. And because Mathieu had judges it right, he was able to grab a hold of Lione ‘s arms with his legs as he flew by, pulling him into the air.
His hands struck the ground first, and he used all his strength to heft Lione over his body, then let go at the last second, his feet touch the ground as the raven flew another ten feet further. Mathieu stood to a round of applause from those who had been watching, and hunched over, panting. Jo ran passed Mathieu to his friend, checking that he was fine.
Elric, who has come out recently with all the others, went over, as well. Mathieu could hear them talking and Lione assuring them he was fine.
It took a few minutes, but his opponent got to his feet and crossed over to him, holding a hand out. "Good move. I didn't see it coming."
Mathieu shook it with a grin, "Thanks. I wasn't sure I had enough mass to get you off the ground. If I hadn't, the outcome would definitely have been different." He imitated falling over with a startled face.
They both plopped onto the ground while the new comers stretched, then approached others to spar. Aside from them, Erik, Enak, Elise, and Lione's mother Lilith sat out. Erik and Enak's lack of participation was the source of many grumbles, but until Ayame actually approached them, they were left alone.
"Hey, fight Akira and I." Ayame said to the pair, one hand on his hip.
Enak giggled, "We don't need practice. We'd squish you like a buggie."
"Then you won't mind doing it."
Erik put a hand on Enak's shoulder. "Fine. This won't take long."
Ayame left them to go tell his sister to prepare for a fight, Erik and his god not saying a word. The duo moved to an open area and waited until the siblings came to fight. Akira looked a bit nervous, but after a short conversion with her brother, she nodded an agreement.
The fight didn’t take long, and Erik had been right. Ayame and Akira hadn't even been able to mount an offensive. Enak had taken a few loping steps forward, arm swinging upward as jets of fire shot up from the ground, heading straight for Akira. Her brother had stepped in front of her to protect her, which had ultimately led to their downfall. Erik's hand twitched and what appeared to be black bubbles formed around the siblings. Black bubbles that moved in closer and exploded as they made contact, burning the two horribly. Ayame had wrapped his arms around his sister, trying to stop her from being hurt. Ayame took most of the damage, collapsing as soon as the attack stopped. Akira let out a wail, managing to keep her brother from hitting the ground.
Enak giggled again. "Told you we didn't need practice." Then he skipped over to Mathieu and sat beside him. "Aren't we impressive?" He asked with childish enthusiasm, seeking approval.
"You went a bit overboard." Mathieu tapped the boy god's forehead roughly. It had been an impressive display and put to rest any doubts he’d had about them needing to practice. However, they could have seriously hurt the siblings. “We’re supposed to be trying to get stronger together, not hurt each other. You need to go apologize, Enak.”
Enak was oblivious to the fearful stares he and Erik were now getting as he pouted at Mathieu. “But I don’t want to…”
“It wasn’t an option. Do it.”
“…Fine!” Enak said, getting up and stomping his feet as he approached Ayame and Akira, who were being healed by Elric.
Mathieu sighed, and watched from afar as the boy god seemed to be apologizing to the siblings. It took a moment, but the tall raven nodded and Ayame punched Enak on the arm before giving a small smile. The three of them seemed okay as Enak touched Akira’s hand before hugging her. Turning away, Mathieu shook his head slightly at the three of them; then, he noticed that Lenore had broken off from the group, going to stand near the edge of the cliff.
She had a contemplative look on her face as she planted her feet, earth snaking up around her calves, sealing her in place. Lenore bent her knees slightly, arms at her sides with her palms facing downward. Very slowly she flipped her palms over and started to raise her hands, only bending at the elbows. The ground shook gently as it started to bubble up before her, hard black stone pilling upon itself until it stood just a head over her. Then her fingers started to make small, derisive movements. In time with Lenore's hands, the black stone began to take shape, first the big stuff: arms, torso, and legs; but then the smaller details too: hair, clothing, fingers. She was halfway done when Mathieu realized she was carving a stone Nathan, standing on the edge of the cliff, watching them all.
Mathieu got up and went over to her, watching her work. The attention to detail was astounding: the raised scar that ran along his jaw, the deep set of his eyes, even the direction that his stubble went. He didn't say anything as she finished and started on the next thing, creating it next to Nathan, only this out of sand.
He marveled at the expressive pull of muscles in the smiling stone face. Nathan had one hand on his hip in a framilar pose, the other hanging at his side. There was even a low ball glass in his hand. Mathieu switched his attention to the other statue. He couldn't tell what it was through the sand.
"Fire..." Lenore mumbled as she worked.
"I'll get Avanon." He turned and waved her over. She ran over, multicolored hair streaming behind her.
She looked at the Nathan before asking Lenore what she needed. At being instructed to do so, she put her hands onto the sand and fired it up, turning the sand into glass. And then Mathieu could tell what it was. The features were a bit too delicate, but the caring look in her face was dead on. Avian's glass face was turned up slightly to the sky, seeming far away. One arm crossed over her body to hold the other.
Panting, Lenore stepped back. "Is it close? I've only seen holographic crystals of her, but..."
"It's dead on. Thank you." Mathieu said. That was something he was always thankful for, no one had forgotten about Avian.
"You're welcome.” Lenore said, patting his shoulders, “They may not be here anymore, but they're still watching over us." She turned to look in the direction that the statues were.
He did, too. "Our land. This one and beyond."
"Exactly. You're doing a good job of being in charge. It's not easy, and we all get it. None of us would be willing to do it, but it's always easier to complain than admit someone is doing well."
"Thanks, Lenore."
"Anytime." She walked away, leaving him to stand with his predecessor and his best friend. Avanon bumped him lightly before smiling at him. Content, he returned to where Enak sat.
"Oh, Mathieu. You should practice summoning my power," said the boy god. "Sit." He nodded to the open spot, smiling.
Mathieu sighed, but sat facing the god. "Okay, so you said I just need to focus on this thing?" He wiggled his hand, causing the chain of his phoenix to rattle. At first it had been uncomfortable and a bit annoying, but slowly he had gotten use to it. Now, he hardly even noticed it.
Enak nodded, hands clasped in his lap. "Pretty much. Then a piece of my power will flow from Erik and I into you."
He looked at the permanent fixture to his arm with a look, focusing on the way it conformed to his wrist, the way each feather was individually carved from the metal. Slowly, it started to glow with a faint red under the gold. Mathieu's tongue peeked out as his stare became more intense, eyes tracing the face of the phoenix. The harder he looked at it, the more it glowed until looking at it was like staring into the sun. He began to worry when the glow was as bright as ever, but he felt no different, exactly as he had when he'd started. "Is it working?"
"You'd know if it was. Give it a moment and try again." Enak said, brow furrowed.
And he did. Mathieu waited and tried four more times before giving up. "This is pointless. Nothing is changing."
The boy god's hair was puffed up at the power he was channeling, eyes bright with frustration. "It has to be Erik. For some reason, his subconscious isn't releasing the power to you. Mathieu, you need to talk to him. Not now, but soon. If you can't summon it now, then when you really need it, it will elude you."
Mathieu’s jaw clenched, but Enak patted his knee. It seemed that everything was directing him to speaking to his father, and now avoiding the man was influencing his ability to fight. Grumbling, he nodded. "Damn it. All right, I'll talk to him after dinner tonight."
"Good. Lenore did good work with those statues. Very life-like. So tell me about seeing your mother."
It took Mathieu a moment for his mind to catch up with the switch in topics. "Oh, uh, yeah. And Avian. They pulled my soul to the other side. I'd never seen her before. She was…beautiful."
"I bet she was glad to be able to see you. Your father was...distraught after losing you both in one day. We buried Anita, but he wasn’t the same after that. We tried looking for you, but at the time I couldn't stay in Unith for long periods. We couldn't get very far in land.” Enak sighed through his nose before changing topics again. “So, do you have a plan to deal with the Outer Zone?"
"Yes. I do, actually.” Mathieu smiled. “I was…inspired by a story I was told about a young girl getting caught by thieves,” he didn’t point out that it was Kiev, although remembering what Zanika had said about the blond woman’s past was what had got his mind rolling about dealing with bandits. “They need food and clothes, so I've had the people preparing sacks of seeds, food that will keep, and some woman from Nathan's and Elise's districts have offered to make extra clothing in their spare time. They won't be trade quality, like we have, but it will be enough to gain us passage. And I promised them citizenship once we win."
"Negotiating...I like it." Enak rubbed at a blade of glass with his thumb. “So you already contacted them?”
“Yeah. I sent one of the Shadowriders to kidnap someone in charge. I already sorted out the details.” Mathieu was a bit proud of how well he had planned, but he tried not to show it. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
Enak nodded. "Certainly."
“Well…I was reading a while back that um…gods, like you, are pretty powerful. And I already read that they could only be repelled out of a territory or a building or something by other gods.” Enak gave him a look that prompted him to continue. “So, I was wondering, does Unith have a god hiding somewhere which is why you can’t go there, or are you just….weaker than the book want me to believe?” Mathieu tried to make that sound as least rude as possible.
Enak evaluated him with a look, his age showing through his eyes. "Like humans,” he started, “gods have mothers. Mine has been locked inside of Unith's borders for a very long time. A sorcerer caught her in the beginning of that land's history and sealed her away as she traveled from this world to ours. As we pass by where she is held, you can choose to free her. However, I cannot guarantee what she will do, for she has been held captive for a very long time." He took a moment before shrugging. “She is what is keeping me out.”
"We'll free her, of course. No one deserves to be a captive. And with her free, you being in Unith shouldn’t be a problem anymore, right?" Mathieu's statement was more a declaration for Svenak's mother's freedom and a question of their success.
“We shall see, won’t we?”