Branching Paths
In the throne room, where both Iowa and Enterprise occupied, the ships in question were now standing by the window, as Iowa watches Enterprise's awe filled face look over the city.
Iowa: So, welcome to the Abyss my patriotic little sister!
Enterprise: This...is where you live?
Iowa: It's my castle isn't it?
Enterprise:...Fair point
Iowa: Soo? Any critiques? Something you want to say about this place?
Enterprise shook her head no.
Iowa: Come on, I don't bite!...I think
Enterprise: You think?!
Iowa: Forget I said that
Enterprise sighed, but backed away from the window.
Enterprise: This is all too much, first Kiana gives me this damn device, then I'm kidnapped, THEN I meet you and find out you're an ACTUAL Queen!
She ran out of breath after that spiel, taking a few deep breath as Iowa walked over to her and hugged her from behind.
Iowa: Relax Enty, down here we don't need to stress out. No wars, no infighting, no annoying ass high command...
She tilted Enterprise's head up and to the side, leaning her own head over her shoulder to look her in the eyes.
Iowa: It's paradise, isn't it?
She gently let go her her, gliding her hands over Enterprise's neck, sending shiver down her spine.
Iowa: Anyways, why did you come to me? Are you here for a nice reunion? Or maybe...
Her golden eyes glimmered in obvious mischief, her crosshair like pupils staring at Enterprise's own eyes.
Iowa: You want some answers?
Enterprise: It's...the second one
Iowa: Hmph...of course it is, why would you want to visit me
Enterprise: W-wait that not what I me-
Iowa: I became a monster in your eyes. I'm not the same person you knew during your childhood!
Enterprise: No! You got it wrong!
Iowa:*ignores her* Oh it hurts! My family doesn't love me anymore!
Enterprise grabs her shoulders
Enterprise: I still love you!
...
Iowa's cheeky grin broke Enterprise from her stupor, as she blushed heavily.
Iowa: Wow, you look like a tomato now!
Enterprise: W-why were you teasing me?!
Iowa: Because it's fun! But now...
She snapped her fingers, as a chair lifted from the ground in front of her throne. She sat down on the throne and motioned to the chair.
Iowa: Take a seat, and you'll get your answers
Enterprise: Are...you for real?
Iowa: You came all this way for something right?
Enterprise: No it's not that, I just thought it would be harder to actually get them
Iowa:*scoffs* You thought you would need to do something? Like what, serve me for eternity?
...
Iowa: Oh my god you actually thought that
Enterprise: Shut up!
She sat down with a huff, pouting and looking away from Iowa.
Iowa:*whispers* Cute
Enterprise: Hm?
Iowa: Nothing, nothing...so
She crossed her right leg over her left and leaned on her right hand.
Iowa: What is it you want to know?
...
Enterprise: I...I want to know everything about this...but-
Iowa: "I won't tell you everything" is what you were thinking right?
She nodded
Iowa: You're right on that, but go ahead and ask the important things on your mind, I'll answer them the best I can
Enterprise: Then...how did you become like...this?
Iowa: Hmm...I'm honestly not too sure myself, this throne existed down here, begging me to rest upon it
Enterprise: Begging?
Iowa: I...might have fallen into insanity for a while after you guys shot me
Enterprise: Oh...I-I'm sorry for bringing that up
Iowa: No harm done, other than that hole you put in me but that's healed. What's next?
Enterprise: What are abyssals? You told us during that broadcast but it seemed like it wasn't everything
Iowa: Ah, you've always been a smart one Enty. Yes, there is more to them, but that's my secret and I won't tell you
Enterprise:*sigh* Fine...what about your goals? You-
Iowa: Stop right there
...
Iowa: I know what you mean by that...what am I planning? What will happen? How many souls will be lost? Et cetera, et cetera...
Iowa stood up holding out her hand as a ball of light appeared in her hand.
Iowa: Meet Seer, and he's the one who's going to show you a small bit of what I'm doing. Just enough for context, but not enough for action
Enterprise watched as the small orange orb floated around her, seemingly studying her. It stopped in front of her and bobbed up and down after changing to green.
Enterprise: Umm...what does that mean?
Iowa:*smiles* It means he likes you
She watched as Seer stopped moving, shaking slightly before stopping.
...
Enterprise: Is he alright?
Iowa: Actually, he was preparing
Enterprise: For what?
She never got a response back, as Seer shot towards her faster than she could react to. The last thing she saw was her vision suddenly filled with green.
—————
Iowa: This'll take a few minutes
Iowa watched as Seer shot into Enterprise's head, vanishing inside and giving the girl a direct flow of information, the info that Iowa promised. Her eyes went white and she slumped down in the chair.
*creak*
She turned to the door, spotting a small head peaking out from behind the large door.
Iowa: Siara?
N.P: Mommy, is that Enterprise?
Iowa: It is
N.P: But...why is she here?
Iowa walked over to the door, picking up her daughter and holding her close.
Iowa: She wanted the truth, the answers for everything that's she's seen and heard
N.P: ?
She tilted her head, looking at Iowa completely confused. Iowa had to force back a nose bleed from the absolute cuteness she was seeing.
Iowa put Siara down, as the little girl ran over and sat down in her little throne, with Iowa stood in front of her throne.
N.P: How long will she be like this?
Iowa: She'll be done...now
The little orb popped out of her head and the light returned in her eyes. She sat up quickly and took in a deep breath, almost like she woke from a nightmare.
Iowa: So, what did you think of it?
Enterprise: You...you're insane to think that'll work!
Iowa: I know it won't work, at least not yet
Enterprise wanted to continue arguing, but she felt a presence close her mouth.
Iowa: I have no need to hear your complaints Enty, I just need you to accept it
Iowa smiled at Enterprise, reaching over and squeezing her hand.
Iowa: Now that you know the truth, it's up to you to choose your side...
She let go and put her hands out to her sides, in the left hand was the Azur lane symbol and in the right was a white orb with a mouth, Azur lane covered in blue flames while the abyssal symbol was covered in red flames.
Iowa: Will you choose the humans who hide their true intentions behind smiles and handshakes, or the Abyss, which will bring reform by destroying everything you know?
The world around them stopped, as both flames floated above Iowa's hands. Enterprise looked into her eyes and found no emotions staring back to her, Iowa was waiting patiently for her answer.
Enterprise: Does she really expect me to choose? This is a major thing that can decide practically everything!
Iowa: Well?
Enterprise: I...can I just...have more time?
...
Iowa put out the flames, and sat back down on the throne, she looked almost disappointed.
Iowa: Fine, you get a single day to think it over and choose. Past that point and you still deny it, and the choice will be made against you
Iowa waved her hand, and a portal appeared behind Enterprise, who turned around and was mildly shocked at its sudden appearance.
Iowa: I hope you think it through nice and clearly, Enty
Enterprise turned around and saw Iowa thrust her hand forward, blasting her with a wave of energy and launching her through the portal. She fell through it and onto her bed, with the portal above her.
It closed, leaving Enterprise alone in the room.
Enterprise: A...a single day...
*knock**knock*
Hornet: Enterprise? You ok in there?
...
Hornet: Sis?
She opened the door and saw Enterprise on the bed, fast asleep.
Hornet:*smiles* That noise must have been something else then, sleep well sister
She closed the door, as Enterprise turned around and looked at the door. She watched it, almost waiting for someone to open it again, before the light shined into her eyes.
She covered them and sat up, looking to where it was coming from.
It was the picture of her and Iowa.
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