Lesson in Muse

This takes place 6 years after the first 12 chapters.

Knocks erupted from the throne room's door, with slight creeks as the door slightly opened. “Yes?” Edra said as she sat upon her throne, looking towards a ‘teen’ Merus. Prism was in the throne room too, presumably talking with Edra before Merus had walked in.

“Mutha, I was wondering if you’d take me back to the Twisted lands for a few hours.” Merus asked.

“Again? Sure, where would you like me to drop you off at.” Edra asked as she stood and stretched. Prism narrowed his eyes.

“This is like the 8th time this week. What’s your infatuation with the Twisted Lands this time?” Prism said as Himmsworth trotted his way in.

“Aye leave the lad alone. There’s always something new to explore in that land.” Himmsworth said as he sat by Merus’s legs. Merus looked down towards his surrogate father who simply smiled back.

“Hm, alright. Which part of the Twisted Lands again?” Edra asked as she and Prism walked over.

“Oh, uh, the southwest region?” Merus answered.

“Isn’t that area only ruins for the most part? Why would you want to go there?” Prism questioned as he crossed his arms.

“…sightseeing…?” Merus said, with an unsure tone.

“Uh-huh.” Prism nodded.

“Let’s get going.” Edra said as she snapped her fingers, teleporting them all to the Twisted Lands.

As they arrived, they all looked around. Amongst the glistening grass and flowers was the ruins of many old buildings. Some looked to be of significance such like old churches and such.

“Looks boring.” Edra said as she looked around unimpressed.

“Looks can be deceiving, sometimes things that have significant history can often look ‘boring.’” Himmsworth said as he jumped onto one of the short walls.

“And what about this place?” Prism asked.

“Way back when, it was an average kingdom that wished to expand. Though as fate would have it, they poked the bear and got torn.” Himmsworth explained as he sat on the wall, looking out into the crumbling ruins around.

“And that means?” Prism said.

“Abominations. Some of the most powerful too. It took Falklore and some of the most powerful of the Conduits to take it down. In the end this was all that remained.” Himmsworth said.

“Interesting history lesson, but I’m gonna start to go exploring, so I’ll see you guys later!” Merus smiled as he then backed up to go explore.

“I suppose it’s back to Woa for us.” Edra said, but before she could Prism had stopped her.

“Let’s wait a second. I want to see where he goes.” He said as he eyed Merus as he walked away. After a few minutes of spying, they saw a woman approach Merus

“Who is that?” Edra asked only for Himmsworth to be running towards Merus.

“Is that…the forbidden conduit of Music?!” Prism said in shock as he suddenly blitzed right towards Muse faster than anyone could perceive only for one of his fists to be caught by Merus himself and sent back.

“Merus! Step away from this woman!” Prism demanded only for Merus to get in the way.

“Wait, just listen!” Merus pleaded only for Prism to stare daggers at Muse.

“Disorder, what a surprise.” Muse smirked

“What is it that you want here, Muse.” Prism questioned.

“Spending time with my nephew!” Muse exclaimed. Prism looked at Merus who smiled nervously.

“No way. I’m not allowing this.” Prism said as he grabbed Merus’ arm.

“Oh leave him be, it’s fine.” Himmsworth said as he caught up to the three with Edra.

“No, it isn’t. This is my son and he isn’t going to be family to such filth.” Edra said as Prism looked at her.

“You’re the exception I suppose.” She continued.

“Please, if she wanted to hurt the boy she would have done so by now. And besides, she’s been a good influence on the lad.” Himmsworth answered, to which Muse simply chuckled.

Edra scowled at Muse for a moment. “So you’re the one who he’s been visiting recently…can’t say I’m all too shocked.” She said, crossing her arms.

Edra looked at Merus who seemed nervous, like a kid who did something wrong and was awaiting their punishment. “What have you two been doing?” Edra asked.

“She’s…been teaching me how to play some instruments…” Merus said in a nervous tone.

“Really? You know you could of asked me to teach you.” Edra said only for Muse to laugh practically in her face.

“No offense but I am the embodiment of music after all. Safe to say I would and am the best choice for that.” Muse said with a smirk.

Edra looked at her annoyed then turned to Merus. “I’ll allow this, but when you get back we need to talk. As for you.” She said turning back to Muse. “If I even see a scratch on my son I’ll be coming after you.” She said.

“Alright, whatever you say.” Muse said.

“I don’t know about this.” Prism said.

“Trust in my knowledge, they’ll be fine.” Himmsworth said as Edra then teleported the three back to the Kingdom of Woa.

Merus and Muse were left there to which the two turned. “Sorry about that, I thought they left.” Merus apologized.

Muse chuckled in response, “No worries, man I should have known Edra was your Mutha. Though it could have had me fooled with how much you look like Cosmos.” Muse smiled. Merus smiled awkwardly at the comment.

“Anyways, I thought it would have been nice if you had your own instrument instead of borrowing him, so here you go. I know how much you fancy the guitar.” Muse said as she gave him an acoustic guitar. It was a very dark blue with a hint of purple with it sparkling if you shifted it the right way, most likely with glitter or something similar.

“Woah, thanks!” Merus smiled as he took it. The guitar had a strap on the back, which allowed him to carry it simply.

“No problem, now I know the perfect spot to help you practice.” Muse said as she walked ahead. Merus closely followed as they made their way through fields of grass and flowers until they came upon a hill that seemingly overlooked a large part of the southwest.

The two sat down, with Muse telling Merus all the strings, teaching him how to tune the guitar. Merus was quickly catching on. Merus strummed the strings, which made a soothing sound. Muse smiled. “Good to go.” Muse said.

“So how do you know what strings to press down and such?” Merus asked as he looked over to Muse. Muse opened her arms to which Merus gave her the guitar.

“Learning, as a start. It can be complicated and confusing. But once you get the feel for the strings, knowing what to press down, it’ll be easy.” Muse said as she strummed the strings, with the mixture of holding down the strings by the neck and fretboard, her notes came to life.

She strummed the strings of the guitar, with each one making a beautiful melody that spanned across the Twisted Lands. As she played, the area around them grew brighter, as if the music itself was giving the plants and flora of the small patch they sat upon a touch of life. As the melody came to an end, so did the notes that slowly disappeared.

“Woah.” Merus said, he just stared at her completely shocked. Muse smiled, giving him back the guitar. “You think I could ever do that?” He asked.

Muse looked at him blankly then gave off a laugh. She wiped a tear from her eye. “Hehe, uh, probably not. I mean maybe if you practice you could be good, but not to the extent of me.” Muse said.

“What was your first ever show like?” Merus asked.

“Ah damn, that takes me back.” Muse said as she leaned back, staring towards the ceiling of the Twisted Lands. “I’ve always had a knack for music, don’t know why. Maybe it was just fate. But anyways, my first ‘gig’ if you could call it that was at a small venue. No one there but me and every starter musician's instrument, a guitar.” Muse explained

“It went well I suppose?” Merus said.

“It went beyond great. Everyone loved it. From there I kept on practicing in any way I could.” Muse said.

“When you became a forbidden conduit, what changed?” Merus asked. He looked over at her, curious yet anxious to know the answer.

She turned. “Becoming a Forbidden Conduit was…a big change to say the least. In Eden they were so infatuated and repulsed by anything considered sin that I wasn’t as welcome to play my music there.” Muse answered. Though she simply shrugged and rested her hands behind her head.

“But that doesn’t matter. Here, I can do practically whatever I want without some dumb kingdom to question my existence. I live out here on my own rules.” She continued.

“Don’t you miss it though?” Merus asked.

“Sometimes, though that’s behind me now. Well, I mean I could always go back up there, but most likely I’d be driven out.” Muse answered.

“What if times had changed since then? I mean Prism sometimes helps out in Eden, and I’m being trained there, so maybe things are different.” Merus said to which Muse looked at him.

“…maybe. But it doesn’t matter now.” She said

Muse then sat up, looking at Merus. “Now then, let the lessons start.” She said with a smile, getting out her own guitar.