The Snake Reveals her Intentions: Betrayal?

Atop the tower sat a different looking Levi, instead of her well known smile there was a face void of any emotions. Something was weighing heavy on the snake's mind and she needed to express it to one person, Sarai. The snake woman waited patiently as she idle about waiting for the arrival of her leader.

Sarai stepped out of a portal at the top of her tower and blinked at the sight of Levi not smiling. Huh, how odd. She brushed back her hair and wondered what was wrong only mere seconds before voicing that thought.

"Something you need Levi? It's not like you to just call me out of all people." Especially here and especially looking like this.

"Things are changing it seems, my beloved leader." The snake said as she turned to the woman. "How long have we've been together at the helm of this empire? Years, decades, centuries? I have been loyal to you and your cause since I've met you. You gave this old snake a new passion for life, more than than the very parasite that harbors in my body. Yet, this direction we're going into now... I don't see myself on it." Levi said her voice quivering slightly.

"...I see." Sarai sighed softly, letting Levi speak her peace before shaking her head. If the Snake woman, the closest thing to a best friend she had ever had, wished to go...

It was saddening but at the same time acceptable. It hurt dearly but the hurt was pushed down deep into her. Instead she crossed her arms and tilted her head. "Why so nervous? If that is what you want it is what you want. I'm not going to fault you for this... Steinn left too. What is it you want then? Do you wish to leave with my blessings or something else?"

Levi lowered her head and shook it slowly before she began speaking at soft tone, "Thats the thing, I don't want to leave you. You're my everything but I'm not fit to stand by your side anymore. I can't don this number you placed on me. There is new blood more fit to take my place, those like Shinya. I... I just fear that I'm useless once again and I will shed like an old skin."

"...You'll never be useless. Not to me." Sarai's voice was sharp for the moment as her temper flared before she rubbed her forehead. "If it'll assuage your guilt, I will remove you from your position as my right hand. However I'd still wish for you to take care of my armies and be a member of my realm. You are not useless and are not old skin to be tossed aside."

"If you don't want to leave, you don't have to. I'm too stubborn and selfish to let someone go just for their sake if they want to remain." Her arms crossed once again and she almost glared up at the snake for daring to think such things. "Whether you are Levi or Abelinda you are welcome here. Always."

Abelinda felt something stir in her soul, an old feeling long thought to be dead naturally. She felt happiness. A rare smile from Abelinda and not Levi washed over the snake's face. Tears started to form in her eyes, all these feelings were resurfacing for the first time in centuries. "Sarai... I don't know what to say. I don't even know how to feel." She said as she slithered closer to her leader.

Without warning she reached out and hugged Sarai, "Thank you! Thank you so much. I will always serve you. Your army will be strong, I will stand behind you and protect you with everything in my will power."

"I don't need words and I think...your feelings are obvious, to me at least. So don't worry at all. "Ignoring the tears for her friend's sake, Sarai merely gave a small bow of acknowledgement and nodded as she rose back up.

Saraiyu laughed, a true and honest laugh as she pulled into a hug, her arms wrapping around the snake woman in return. She hadn't seen Abelinda happy in... In forever. This was a rare treat and she was honored to have caused it. "I should be thanking you! You've been my support for so long, I suppose its time to allow you your rest for now. Not having you to rely on at all would be too painful you silly snake. Thank you, keep them strong for me and come bother me more. These youngins are overwhelming so much work to deal with!"

"Yes... rest. I think I need that very much so. I... Us... rest" Abelinda said as she suddenly slithered off.