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The penthouse apartment that Calyx occupied was deathly quiet. He stared down at the people of Solution Nine as they went about their days, blissfully unaware of his eyes on them, his scrutinizing, his loathing.
Their warm flesh, their beating hearts, their…their…
Fragility.
It was disgusting.
If it had been up to him, he would have wiped out every last one of them by now. Save them all to the cloud, even if he didn’t have a way to power their bodies just yet.
But at Sphene’s behest, he had stayed his hatred. Had done for them what he could so that they could live long, fruitful lives while he continued to hunt for a solution to their deepest weakness—their mortality.
The Endless were…his life’s work, his greatest creation. Perfect, but only in theory.
In practicality, their imperfections lay in the fact that they took immense amounts of aether to keep running, which made things…complicated.
A failure on his part, and one he had been spending hundreds of years trying to fix.
With a sigh, Calyx let his forehead fall against the glass with a heavy thump.
Hundreds of years.
It had…really been that long, hadn’t it? Since the true Alexandria, since…the true Sphene.
This had been for her, after all. All of it.
He thought back to those halcyon days, when all was right with the world—well, mostly anyway. Before the lightning storms began in earnest, before their star began to crumble.
Wars broke out, weapons with the sole purpose of mass destruction were crafted, and it wasn’t long before they forced the weather plague to spread and nations around the star were laid to waste quickly and succinctly.
That was when he had met her—when the storms still had a somewhat mild temperament, nothing worse than a regular thunderstorm, though too often to count. They were both young then, having barely seen ten summers each.
His father had been a man of stature, an adviser on one of the King’s councils, which meant that often enough, Calyx, the sickly child that he was, was forced to accompany him to the palace, where the attendants could keep an eye on him while urgent war meetings were attended to.
Oft enough, he found himself stowed away in the library, where a massive, floor-to-ceiling collection of knowledge lay right at his fingertips. A safe, quiet, comfortable place where he could rest, study, and be mostly undisturbed.
None of the librarians wanted to approach the sick child, after all. Even if he was said to be a prodigy.
A shame, he would hear them whisper when they thought he was out of earshot. That he wouldn’t make it long enough to do something worthwhile with his life.
For the most part, their words didn’t bother him. For most of his life he had known, and he had made peace with it.
And their pity.
But, he’d never seen her there before—which was not entirely surprising when he truly thought about it. She’d had private tutors, just as he had, and a multitude of servants at her beck and call, ready to fetch anything she needed for her studies. So that she wouldn’t be distracted, wouldn’t waste time on such menial tasks.
She was the heir, after all, and in times of conflict, it was important for her to learn all that she could, in the case that…
Well.
But that day, when she walked in with her head held high and a sweet smile on her lips, she caused such a commotion, Calyx couldn’t help but be annoyed at first.
Peeking around a tall stack of marble shelving, he watched with disdain as she greeted the startled, stuttering librarians. She was too sunny, too bubbly, too…too…happy for this cold, calculating place.
Yet somehow…her cheerful disposition seemed to…brighten it as she spoke animatedly with her elders, thanking them for their hard work in providing her the materials she needed, telling them that she was grateful to have such dedicated individuals at her back.
It was almost sickening, really, and Calyx couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the show. Such saccharine words, dripping with insincerity and condescension.
Like a typical royal.
With a humorless huff, he went to turn back to his own work, his own corner of the library—but that was when it happened.
The fateful moment…that he would never take back for the world.
His movement caught her attention and her head swivelled, their gazes catching, locking.
Who are you? She had asked, her voice pitched with curiosity.
Don’t bother yourself with him, your Highness, one of her elders instructed with a wizened smile. His voice was friendly, of course, but Calyx could still weed out the pity in his voice, the enmity. The princess frowned, her head tilting in curiosity as her pale green eyes swept him up from bottom to top.
Whyever not? She inquired back.
Well— The man hesitated, the cogs practically turning in his head trying to come up with a child-appropriate explanation for Calyx’s illness, his extremely shortened life projection. He…
Father says that we should be kind to every single one of our people, the girl retorted, chin lifting proudly and her eyes filling with a certain sense of…authority. Knowledge beyond her years. The boy’s heart stuttered in his chest. No matter what walk of life they came from.
And without waiting for the librarian to respond, she bounced right up to Calyx, her hand outstretched.
I’m Sphene, she said.
Pale cheeks burning, he timidly reached out to her, fitting his hand into hers, the grey, sickly hue of his skin in stark contrast to hers—so warm and full of life.
C—Calyx, he stuttered.
She peered down the aisle he was standing in, gaze perusing the table he’d claimed for the day, and all of his supplies scattered across its surface.
What are you reading?
Genuine interest, he clocked.
Which just…confused him even more.
Outside, thunder growled, gearing up for an oncoming storm.
W—well, I… He paused, skeptically glancing back at his things. But before he had a chance to even think about finishing his uncertain thought, she skipped past him, picking up the large scroll of vellum he’d been scratching at, her eyes wide, her mouth forming a surprised “o.”
Did you do this? She asked, her voice with no shortage of astonishment.
Yes? He answered, confused.
Wow! Are you a genius or something?
And from that moment, he thought…only of her.
It didn’t matter that he’d never seen her again in person, it didn’t matter that the moment she left that library, she’d likely forgotten his name.
Through his classes, through his meals, and especially through his excruciating treatments, his mind was on her. Pushing through them for her, in the hopes that one day…one day…maybe he could be close to her again.
He had to live for a while longer, had to survive.
And he did. Years past his original outlook, and with immense credit to the worsening lightning storms that brought electrope to their star, he was able to invent a new technology to keep him stable, more or less. Weak, yes. But alive.
All for her. It had always been all…for her.
And in the end, it had all been worthwhile.
The death of her parents, her coronation as queen. The levin sickness.
Finally, he was needed, just as he’d always hoped. The scientist who had mastered electrope, who had built new technologies to use the lightning—was needed.
Save the queen, they begged him desperately, all other options exhausted. Please, save her!
And he would—oh, he would.
Though saving her was not truly an option, he was able to preserve her body, separate her memories, and place them in a creation of his own. A creation in which he instilled a need—to protect her people…at all costs.
And for hundreds of years, they had been safe. They had been happy.
Through his own shift to an Endless, his mortal body locked in stasis with hers, through the interdimensional travel to another reflection of their world—the source of it, in fact—, he had been by her side through all of it.
Finally, he had her. Finally, through all the pain, through all the hardship, all the sleepless nights—she was his. And he’d never been so pleased in his life.
That is…until now.
Now, Calyx was irritated.
Again, at Sphene’s behest—because Gods knew he couldn’t deny her anything—, he had allowed that misbegotten reptile, Zoraal Ja, into the city. Had allowed him to take the crown that should have been his all along.
His motives aligned with theirs, she had said. They had made a deal.
Help the Mamool Ja exact his revenge—claim all of the souls in wreckage as their own. And once Tuliyollal had fallen, so too would the other cities perish.
A monumental win for Alexandria, even Calyx had to admit.
So, he’d allowed it. Allowed Zoraal Ja to have all of the access he needed, all of the feral souls he wanted.
And at the time, it all seemed guaranteed. They couldn’t lose.
But like any fragile, mortal being, he was weak, and Tuliyollal yet stood, more powerful than ever.
And that woman—their new leader—now stood in Calyx’s way, putting ideas into Sphene’s head.
Another way, she said. Another way for them to live together, without the violence, without the bloodshed.
But he knew. He had known all along that there was no other way. There never had been.
The souls they needed to survive, the aether…they were all non-negotiable. And the only way to be able to “live together” would be if they stopped.
And Calyx was not simply going to stop.
Sphene stood outside of the penthouse, smoothing down her dress.
She had to look perfect when she met with Calyx.
He was agitated, she could already sense. Even through the door, the atmosphere felt tense. Annoyed.
Which was fair, she told herself.
She’d done many things these last few weeks that had been…rather large blips in judgement.
She’d betrayed him, had set aside everything they had been working towards for hundreds of years, had given the key to that horrid adventurer…
But!
She was done with all of that now. All of that silly talk of peace, of living together with Tural. With Wuk Lamat.
Really, how could she have ever thought that goal was attainable?
She had people to take care of, after all. And how could she take care of them to the fullest if she allowed them to grow old and simply…die?
Besides, just as she was their savior…he was hers.
He had turned her into an Endless, he had rid her of the shackles of mortality.
She would always be loyal to him. Despite what he was likely thinking at that very moment.
And she was determined to fix this. All of it.
“Enter,” his voice said, muffled through the door but still strong, commanding.
The sound never ceased to send a metaphorical chill up her spine. It was so different than when they were young, when his sickness threatened to take him at any time.
Breathing out a calming breath and nodding to herself, Sphene turned the handle and pushed gently, letting the silent hinges slowly reveal the inside of the large apartment, a peek inside of his world.
“Good evening, Callie!” She greeted him as she stepped through the doorframe, peering around the dim apartment until she spotted her savior by the window.
“I told you not to call me that,” Calyx muttered—and if she’d not been given enhanced hearing, she might not have caught it.
Closing the door, she sighed happily, smiling to herself.
Always so obstinate.
“Have you been moping in here all day?”
“I’ve been working,” he insisted without even bothering to turn around to face her, an irritated growl in his tone. “Trying to clean up your mess.”
That would sting, she imagined, if she were still alive.
“Did you find it?”
To that, Sphene hummed, tapping a finger to her cheek.
“Well,” she began brightly. “It is quite hard to track a woman who refuses to use any technology and lives like a savage.”
The other Endless heaved an aggravated groan, lifting one, fisted hand and slamming it against the window.
“I knew better than to trust you with—”
“But,” she continued, interrupting his petulant rant, watching as his jaw clenched—but let her continue. “I have reason to believe that she may still be in Solution Nine. The people talk about her…and her forays in the Arcadion.”
Next to her, he stilled for a moment before springing into action, spinning around as his eyes searched for his abandoned tablet.
Not that it would be far, of course. He never went anywhere without it.
“Fine,” he said, his voice softer this time, but still cold. “You may go.”
“Why don’t I come with you this time?” She asked casually, looping her arm between his as she trailed alongside him like a puppy. “I could—”
Calyx paused again, shooting a sharp look at her.
“So you can see that beast of a woman again?”
The air around them changed, a miasma of anger and hatred attempting to crush her into the ground.
Ignoring the souring atmosphere, she clicked her tongue and playfully rolled her eyes, gently shaking his arm.
“Don’t be like that, Callie.”
“I let you run around freely, Sphene,” he chided her like a child, trying to shake her off. “And I was repaid with disloyalty. After everything I’ve done for you.”
Pouting, she hugged his arm to her chest, fitting his bicep right between her breasts.
“I am loyal,” she insisted sweetly. “To you and you alone. Let me…” She looked around the apartment, looking for an appropriate place to sit.
Ah!
There.
“Let me prove it to you.”
He said nothing as his calculating eyes watched her carefully, but his arm went lax, allowing himself to be pulled from the window and over to the couch.
He had wallowed enough for the day, she thought. Time for a new view.
And thank the Gods he’d had the forethought to equip the Endless with working parts.
Without hesitation, Sphene pushed him down onto the cushion before kneeling on the floor before him, coaxing his legs apart just enough to wedge herself between them. Her bottom lip still jutting out, she looked up at him with doe eyes, tenderly dragging one finger up and down his thigh, leaving an indentation in the fabric of his pants.
“How is this?” She asked, and though he showed no outward reaction—his face the most perfect marble statue—, she could feel his body temperature spike.
“...Continue,” Calyx demanded, the word short and sharp, but with enough underlying lust that she couldn’t help but smile to herself.
“Of course,” she replied. “Anything for you.”
She pressed a bit more forward, forcing the space between his legs bigger as her hand wandered up, over the soft bulge in his pants. Initially, he tensed at the touch—but for only a moment before his muscles slowly eased again.
With a quiet, pleased hum, Sphene leaned in further, cupping his groin more firmly, the pads of her palm gently kneading as her other hand began pushing his shirt up, pressing her lips to the ilms of alabaster skin that peaked out from beneath.
Above her, she heard a breathy sigh and she peered up, just in time to watch Calyx’s head fall back against the couch.
Yes, that’s it, she thought to herself. Relax for me.
So she could show him just how loyal she could be.
As the bulge between his legs began to firm up, the Endless trailed kisses back down his stomach, popping open the button of his pants as she approached the waistband, burying her lips beneath the zipper until she reached the base of his length, straining against its confines.
It was enough to make his hips jerk up and his fingers curl into the cushion under him.
“Does that feel good?” Sphene cooed sweetly, even though she knew she wouldn’t receive an answer.
Not yet, anyway.
Always so quiet, always so reserved.
Until his cock was inside of her and he was fucking her into oblivion.
Carefully, she freed him from his prison and wrapped her delicate fingers around his perfect, velvety shaft, gently pumping her hand up and down to warm him up, to get him started.
Calyx’s breathing changed, then. What was usually so even, so steady, started to become shallow, labored.
Smiling softly, Sphene dipped her head down—the queen bowing to her liberator—, her lips following her hand as she kissed up the underside of his length, nuzzling her nose against the soft skin as if it was something to be worshipped, treasured.
Because…well, he was.
He had done things that even the very Gods had not.
He was a prodigy, a gift to humanity—one that would be its salvation.
Every single one of them should prostrate at his feet.
Between her own legs, there was a throb, and a soft moan rose out of her, muffled by the head of Calyx’s cock as she swallowed it down her throat.
“Fuck,” he cursed, his voice no higher than a whisper as he ever-so-slightly raised his hips into her mouth, demanding more.
And—oh. Would she give him what he wanted and more.
Slowly, she lifted her head until he’d almost slipped out from between her lips before bobbing back down, all the way to the base.
“Yeah,” the other Endless breathed, and Sphene could hear his fingernails scrape against the material of the couch as he balled them into fists.
She continued on, picking up her pace as she reached down under her skirt and dipped her fingers into the moisture growing between her thighs, spreading it around until she was nice and saturated, ready for him whenever he chose.
The queen kept it up, her tempo carefully measured so as to not have him climax too early, but not slow enough to bore him, enjoying the cacophony of breathy sighs and moans that he attempted and failed to hold back.
If he wanted, she would do this all night—keep him right on the edge of bliss for hours before giving him sweet, sweet release.
But after several minutes, she felt fingers under her chin, a faux gentleness guiding her to look up at him—only to find him sitting up again, but the coldness in his eyes was replaced with an unparalleled desire that she could not—would not—deny.
Obeying the wordless command, Sphene got to her feet and, hiking her skirt up a bit, she got on the couch, knees straddling Calyx’s legs as they rested on top of the soft cushion.
She nestled herself in his lap, gently undulating her hips, brushing herself against his cock, the thin material of her small clothes the only barrier between them.
Waiting, asking.
And it didn't take long for his answer to come.
Reaching under her skirt, Calyx's fingers pushed aside the thin material of her smallclothes, the tips just brushing against her damp lips.
A sound akin to a growl rolled out of his throat—a pleased noise, she had come to learn—before he began pushing her down, down, until the head of his cock pierced her entrance, fitting inside of her as if it had always meant to be.
And maybe it had.
Her body was an exact replica of the original Sphene, after all.
He guided her up and down, slowly at first, savoring the feel of her around him—she could tell. Though his face remained stoic, his eyes said everything.
They were hungry—starving.
And waiting to devour his meal until it was perfectly cooked.
Sphene followed his set pace with calculated precision, riding him just the way he wanted, adjusting to any change he made immediately and without complaint.
Because why would she complain? They slotted together so well.
Closing her eyes, the queen let herself get lost in the ebb and flow of their joined movements—even at a medium speed, everything felt so good, she thought she might come just from this.
But she didn't—she held back.
She wanted to make sure that he was pleased, and that meant to the full extent.
Gradually, their movements picked up, Calyx's hips raising up to meet hers in a casual desperation, not wanting to climax yet, but needing to be deeper, joined completely.
And as the hunger in his eyes grew, so did his need to claim her—not that she wasn't his already—, until he allowed himself to break those constraints of impassiveness, to let the patience die and the beast beneath his skin break free.
This is the part she loved the most.
It never got old—no matter how many times they did this.
Like a feral animal, he began slamming her down on him again and again, both arms wrapping around her in a greedy, stifling embrace. Sphene felt his fingers entangle in her hair, gripping the strands tightly before roughly tugging her head back and, at the burst of pain, the Endless couldn’t help but breathe a moan.
Without allowing a slow in pace, Calyx leaned forward and dragged his tongue up the column of her throat.
“You belong to me,” he whispered against her skin, his voice so dark and brutal in contrast to the sweet sound of her moans as his head struck that spot buried deep inside of her with excellent precision.
“Always,” she replied, her arms tightening around his neck, clutching him for stability as his speed picked up further, his cock pulsing inside of her.
He was close, she could tell.
“Say it,” he ground out through clenched teeth, yanking viciously on her hair.
Unable to help it, Sphene barked out a curt laugh as her head was jerked back further, her chin high in the air, her throat at his mercy. The hand clenched around her hip pushed her down, pinning her to his groin, forcing him in as deep as he could possibly go.
And there—she could feel it, taste it even. Her climax, just like his, was right there, right on the brink.
“I’m—ah—,” she started, her voice near shouting as he fucked into her with all of his might, every thrust sending a burst of electricity through her body.
This was nothing like being alive—it was better.
And it was all thanks to him.
“I’m yours,” the Endless cried out—and she was.
She was his—his creation, his obsession, his everything. And she always would be.
And the thought—the mere idea of being able to give him this for the rest of time, her eternal gratitude, it…it—
It heedlessly threw her straight over the edge, so fast her head swam as she clamped down around him, her whole body trembling in the wake of her release.
The feel of that around him, she could feel him throb within her and, with a low grunt, Calyx pushed her down onto him one final time, his fingers digging into her plush skin as he spilled himself inside of her.
And for long moments they sat like that, catching the breath neither of them even needed to breathe.
It was amazing, really, how he’d been able to simulate the realness of sex in bodies that were merely an imitation of life—and still, somehow, made it incomparable.
They would be alive forever, though, she supposed. And the Endless were meant to be superior in every way.
Under her, Sphene felt her partner shift, moving to stand and, quickly, she hopped off of him, smoothing down her dress and running her fingers through her disheveled hair.
There would be no kisses from him, no post-coital cuddling. He had never been that type of person—not that she cared. It was not for her to want for herself—only for those under her care.
Just as the original Sphene would have.
She had done her duty here; had proven her loyalty to him and, for now, he seemed satisfied with her allegiance.
So, she put the smile back on, clasping her hands behind her back.
“Do you need anything else, Callie?”
With an irritated sigh, the other Endless re-fastened his pants before moving past her to retrieve the tablet he’d left on the unused kitchen island.
“No,” he said shortly, swiping up to unlock the screen. “You may go. I have work to do.”
He paused.
“I will summon you when I am ready to move forward with my plans.”
The queen hummed, bowing slightly at the waist to her savior.
“Of course,” she acceded. “If you need anything else, you know where I’ll be.”
And without waiting for his reply—again, she knew there would not be one—, she transferred her consciousness to a mechanical soldier downstairs.
The work never ended, afterall.
And her people needed her.