Chapter 105: Thank you, for always taking care of me, 1522 CE

It was a sight that Pluto would hope never to see again. Thena was floating above the ground, her head… was split into parts…golden cosmic energy was leaking from it, and the wiring of the body could be seen clearly.

Pluto was nervous. Even though he does have the notes… he never technically operated an Eternal. He was only relying on the notes, the drawings, the explanation… and the worst part is…

“Pluto, are you okay?” asked Thena nervously, she was awake the whole time.

Pluto snapped out of it, and smiled. “Y-Yeah.. I’m okay.” he took a deep breath, and asked again. “Thena, I wanted you to choose.”

“Choose what?” asked Thena curiously, not caring about her head floating in the air.

“Do you want to keep your previous memory? Or should I just erase it?” asked Pluto.

“What? I thought you said I can remember?” said Thena, surprised at Pluto’s question.

“No, no, no, you could still remember me, a- and everyone else.” answered Pluto quickly. “But… your previous lives-”

“Lives?”

Pluto sighed. “Thena, I’m going to tell you a secret that could possibly freak you out… so please don’t.”

“I don’t understand? What secret?”

Pluto gulped, and he proceeded to tell her everything.  The true mission, that Mahd Wy’ry isn’t a sickness, rather a production mistake, and that the earth will be destroyed in a couple of centuries.

Thena didn’t say anything, she just stared at the ceiling, ‘thinking’.

“So?” asked Pluto softly. “What do you think?”

“I understand why you kept that a secret until now…” murmured Thena. “The others would definitely freak out if they heard it.”

Pluto chuckled. “Look, Thena, I recommend that you forget all your previous life's memories…”

“Why?‘ smirked Thena. “Are you worried that I would remember my past life’s lovers?”

“Well, it would probably be Gilgamesh.” shrugged Pluto. “But I’m your husband now, can’t change that.”

“Gilgamesh?” questioned Thena in amusement. “What makes you think that?”

“I’ll tell you later,” said Pluto calmly. “Now, what would you choose?”

Thena then thought about it a little, before answering. “Just erase it. I don’t want to be traumatised because of my past memories. It’ll probably be a bother to you as well.”

“Hey, I’ll support whatever you choose, Thena.” smiled Pluto. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Erase it.” she repeated.

“Yes Ma’am.” chuckled Pluto, and he got to work.

—

Thena was now recovering, sitting on a chair. She was holding her head, she had a bit of a headache after the whole thing, and Pluto was sitting in front of her.

“How do you feel?” asked Pluto softly.

“Like I just had sex with you for a whole week.” she groaned, massaging her head. “A compliment by the way. I won’t last for that long…”

Pluto chuckled. “If you can joke right now, you should be able to stand.” said Pluto, standing up, offering his hand to her.

Thena raised her eyebrow. “Where are we going?”

Pluto rolled his eyes. “Just take my hand.”

Thena looked at Pluto suspiciously, before taking his hand, and they both disappeared from the room, nowhere to be seen in the sanctum.

They then appeared on top of a church, they could see the whole city from here, the people walking through the roads of london, minding their business. Horses resting near buildings, people gathering for god knows why…

“Why are we here?” asked Thena curiously.

“I… want to tell you something,” said Pluto calmly. “That I never tell anyone, ever.”

Thena raised her eyebrow. “Well, I’m flattered.” she rolled her eyes.

Pluto chuckled. He looked at the sky, and murmured. “Old man, if you could help me a little bit here, cover us from prying eyes.”

“Who are you talking to?” asked Thena again.

Pluto just smiled at her. He then raised his hand towards the view of the city, and the view changed. Strange boxes now covered the streets, rain pouring from above, a giant clock standing in the middle of the city…

Thena was surprised. “What’s this?” she asked, standing up, curiously looking at the surroundings.

“London,” said Pluto. “500 years from now.”

“The future?” stammered Thena. “And you know it… how?”

Pluto smiled at her weakly. “I can’t lie anymore to you, Thena.” he said. “I just can’t.”

Pluto then walked up to the edge of the church, and explained to her his situation, his stance, his origin, everything.

Thena was just listening the whole time, she didn’t cut him off, she just held his hand tightly, her face expressionless.

“So you’re telling me… you’re not one of us the whole time?” she asked, her voice calm.

“I am.” Pluto answered. “It’s just that we have different creators.”

Thena stared at the simmering lights of London, and asked again. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” questioned Pluto back.

Thena clenched her hand. “It’s dangerous… what if I-”

“You won’t.” said Pluto confidently. “I trust you.”

The two then suddenly disappeared again, nowhere to be seen on top of the church.

—

They appeared in front of a house, the illusion still working. Inside the house, they could see a middle aged woman, her face foggy, talking to a teen. They were laughing the whole time, eating dinner peacefully.

“That’s me,” said Pluto calmly. “Past me.”

Thena was surprised. Both of them walked towards the window, watching as the woman and the teenage boy talked to each other.

“And that’s my mother.” spoke Pluto again. “She’s strict at times. But that’s what mothers are like, right?”

Thena just smiled, and Pluto continued to talk. “Well, she was my only friend in the past,” said Pluto.

“You don’t have friends?” asked Thena.

“No, I do.” smiled Pluto sadly. “It’s just… they died… when I was about 13 or so.”

Thena continued to observe the family. “Why is your mother’s face-”

“Foggy?” chuckled Pluto. “I don’t remember her face anymore… it’s been a long time… and the Old man told me to forget it.” Pluto looked at the house longingly. “But I never could.”

Thena smiled at him sadly. “Oh, Pluto…” She then hugged him tightly, caressing his back.

“You asked me why I am telling you all this.” continued Pluto. “Because you’re part of my life now Thena, I want you to know me, all of me.”

Thena just hummed, still hugging him.

“And I want to thank you.” said Pluto, separating from Thena. “For always taking care of me.”

“What are you talking about?” chuckled Thena. “It’s you who’s always taking care of me.”

Pluto looked at her solemnly, and he kissed her forehead. “You kept me in check Thena.” he said softly to her ears. “You kept me in check.”