---> Australia

"I don't believe it," Kingo marveled, staring at her with a new sense of admiration. "It shouldn't even be possible!"

"He's right, Emris," Ikaris said. His tone had changed and now it was still. Accusing. "It just can't be done. You're human - a mortal. The stone should have destroyed you as soon as it made contact with your skin, but to house it?" He laughed curtly. "You would have been incinerated from the inside out."

She looked away from him and stared fiercely at her feet. "You don't know anything."

He scoffed, turning in his seat so he could face her fully. "I've been on this earth for seven thousand years. I know more than you ever will."

Emris couldn't take it any longer. She had thought that by telling them her past, by baring open her soul and showing them who she truly was - the sheer power and potential she possessed - they would have considered her a part of their team. Part of their family. But now she was being ridiculed for speaking the truth, and it didn't just make her mad, it made Emris infuriated.

Ikaris thought he was above her because he was an Eternal, but it simply wasn't true. Emris despised his act, irritatingly high and mighty, and knew that deep down he viewed her as nothing more than a spec of dirt upon his polished shoe.

She was painstakingly aware of the camera that still rolled, locked on her, and of the other three Eternals who watched their exchange. But she didn't care. She'd had enough of Ikaris's pretentious attitude.

"How dare you try and undermine me?" she seethed, meeting his eyes. "Tell me, if I didn't possess an infinity stone, then how else was I able to break into your mind not only once, but twice. If you're the strong, almighty eternal you say you are, then how did I, a mere mortal, human girl, best you?"

She knew the words would cripple his ego, and sure enough, it deflated by the second. Emris smiled savagely, overjoyed. "It's either you take my word as truth and agree that I have the mind stone's power running through my veins," Emris mused, arising to the challenge in Ikaris's eyes, "or you admit that you were overpowered - no, humiliated - by a weak, annoying little girl."

Whatever peace had been circulating between them instantly vanished. They were back to the enemies they'd been upon first meeting, and even Emris would admit that she was glad for it. It kept her resolute in knowing where she stood with Ikaris, which she hadn't before realized was important.

Ikaris gave her a loathsome look, his eyes flashing gold, but Emris wasn't intimidated.

"Do it," she snarled, "I dare you." Let him try and scorch me. Her magic flared, called to attention, finger crawling up her arms and twining through the strands of her hair. She didn't know when it had happened, but they were both on their feet.

Gold completely swallowed blue. "Don't test me, Emris. Your life means nothing."

"And you don't have enough power over me to be making such a threat, Ikaris," she fired back, prepared to defend herself.

"Ikaris!" Sersi called out, rushing to subdue him. "Stand down. This isn't what we do." She tugged at Ikaris's shoulder, but he didn't budge.

If he attacked Emris, if he acted on his aggression, they would lay ruin to Kingo's plane. Sersi and Sprite would be helpless, she realized with thickening dread. There was the desire to prove them all wrong, to make them physically see that she possessed the power of the mind stone, but there was also the desire to protect her friends who had so often put their own necks on the line for her.

Ultimately, Emris's sense of better judgment won over. Her magic trickled back into her skin, returning to its somberly sleep. "You'll just have to take my word for it," Emris said stiffly. It was a way of dismissal, and before Ikaris had the chance to move, before he had the chance to further provoke her, she stomped her way to the bathroom at the back end of the private plane.

She slammed the door shut and leaned up against the sink, her fingers curled tightly against the white rim. Emris drew in unregular, desperate breaths as anxiety crawled its way up her throat. She stared at her reflection. A pale, gaunt face stared back. Her cheeks were waxen from lack of nutrition, but nothing near as bad as they had been two years ago. Delicate traces of life showed through the crevices in her face, a sign that she was beginning to regain what she'd lost, but none of it mattered.

Emris wished to scream. She wished to release the tears, all of the torment and affliction, that had been building up in her ever since her parents had been murdered and she'd been taken. Emris needed to escape. She felt trapped, unaware of who or where she was, and for a moment, she wished that she'd died when Von Strucker had put that stone in her head.

Emris stared at her reflection, and she found that she didn't know who stared back.

Something broken escaped her lips.

What am I doing here? She didn't belong here, on a mission to save the world with those Eternals. As Ikaris had said - she was nothing.

No mother. No father. No purpose.

She didn't know who she was.

Was Emris a victim of torture and imprisonment? Was she the embodiment of an infinity stone, meant to use its powers for good? Or was she a lost cause, much too broken to ever help anyone.

Emris laughed cruelly. Save others? I can't even save myself.    

Why did it have to be her? Why had Von Strucker chosen her, out of everyone, to bear the burden of the infinity stone? She was a nobody. Always had been. And yet, here she was.

And yet. The phrase was always there, signaling something more, something hidden, but Emris was a stranger to it. It eluded her, ever present but unrevealing, and it made her want to screech.

And yet what! Her chest heaved and an agonizing tear slipped down her cheek. She shook her head once, eye clamped shut, and slid to the ground in a disheveled heap. The heartache could be ignored no more; her heart had split into two, pieces spiraling every which way, and Emris's grief began to pour out. Her body wracked with an onslaught of trembling, painful sobs, and she didn't care who heard her. 

She was so, so tired of it all. Emris had had enough. It was time for her to return to London, where she belonged, so she could go on with her life. Simplicity was her comfort. Normalcy, no matter how lonely, how dull, was the only thing she could rely on.

Not Ikaris, with his torrid hatred. Not Sersi, with her kindness that was going to save the world, and not even Spite. They had their purpose in life, and Emris wasn't in it.

She wasn't sure how long she laid upon the bathroom floor, wallowing in self pity, but then she heard the extension of wheels and the jarring movements of descension, and knew they were about to land.

Good.

Emris would slip away and disappear as soon as she had the chance. No one would miss her. Ikaris had been wanting her to leave, and at long last Emris would make sure his wish came true.

____________________________

Emris refused to make eye contact with any of them. She kept her head down, praying Sersi and Sprite wouldn't attempt to talk to her, and it seemed to work. She sensed Sprite's constant, worried glances at her as they made their way to the car, but Emris ignored her.

Emris recalled Sprite saying something earlier that Thena and Gilgamesh lived in the middle of a desert, so she would need to make her escape while they were still in the city. Evening was fast approaching, and since it was quite a long drive to where Thena and Gilgamesh resided, Emris figured they would stop at a hotel for the night.

It didn't seem weird for Sprite and Sersi to do such a humane action, since she'd lived near them for two years, but she couldn't fathom Ikaris checking into a hotel. It seemed beneath him; which, it most likely was.

The five of them piled into Kingo's limo - Ikaris had flown off to who knew where as soon as the plane had landed. The drive was silent. Emris fastened her eye out the window, watching as the landscape blew past. The nearer they got to the city, the more the rugged, barren land faded, to be replaced with towering skylines and buildings brimming with life.

The limo rolled to a gradual stop in front of The Pilier, a luxury hotel that had housed Kingo many times. Emris slid out of the car and craned her neck back, marveling at the curved, glass arches spewing from the building and falling down the length of the hotel like minuscule droplets of shimmering rain.

The sky was painted in the deepest hues of red and orange and pink as the sun was swallowed by the land. The city was basked in copper, bathing Emris's hair in blood.

"Emris?" Sprite whispered.

The others had already entered through the door, and now only Sprite and herself stood outside. Emris lowered her gaze from the heavens and directed it at Sprite. She didn't say anything and Sprite didn't either. The two watched each other, each waiting for the other to speak first.

Finally, Sprite caved. "Emris, what happened back there, are you al-"

"Just forget about it, Sprite," she said and began to head into the hotel. "I'm fine."

Sprite clearly didn't believe her, but she didn't push Emris any farther, and for that, she was eternally grateful. A sudden feeling of regret stabbed through her heart and she nearly faltered.

Sprite's going to despise me. And she would just have to bear with that. Emris would be doing her a favor. So, she pushed the feelings of betrayal aside and headed to her room. She'd be sharing with Sprite and Sersi.

She rode the elevator up, her and Sprite standing in silence, and Emris wishing the night would just come and she could escape. After an obscenely long ride, they reached the top floor and arrived at their penthouse. If Emris had thought Kingo's plane and limo were extravagant, they were nothing compared to the room.

A sanguine rug greeted her feet, splitting the room down the center and leading to a short staircase with a winged banner. An established chandelier, hundreds of diamonds seeped upon one other and glinting, hung from the ceiling. Thick rose curtains draped over the windows, and Sprite drew them.

Sheer glass encompassed the entirety of the wall and Emris approached with awe. She pressed a hand to the glass pane, cool beneath her fingertips, and blinked out at the city. Now, instead of blood filling the sky, majestic darkness swathed the land. The stars were beginning to appear, their shallow light reflecting off the skyscrapers like a flitting dance.

Emris couldn't help but grow sorrowful as she gazed out the window. So much of her life gone to waste. So many missed opportunities and an entirety of experiences left to the unknown. A regretful smile grew on her face and she leaned forward, allowing her forehead to press into the glass.

Perhaps one day she would find the means to experience something as extraordinary again. But for now, she had an escape to plan.

____________________________

It was a simple plan, really. She'd wait until Sersi and Sprite fell asleep, then slip out. Disappear. Forever. The only issue was Emris had no way of knowing when they were asleep. Since the penthouse was so large, they each had their own room. Fortunately, Kingo and Karun - she wasn't sure if Ikaris had ever come back or not - were a floor below them. So, two less people to worry about.

It came to Emris as she laid upon her bed.

Her magic.

She could use it to find their minds, and if their thoughts were quiet - they were asleep. Emris would wait until the dead of night to ensure they were truly sleeping, and she'd use her magic as a sort of backup check, as she didn't wish for them to realize she was in their heads.

Emris relaxed in her bed as she waited, ruefully slipping in and out of sleep. She saw her mother when she closed her eye. Saw her father. The blood. Heard traces of the bullets firing, gunning her only family to the ground.

"Even if I am not here, even if you cannot see me - I will always be here. Her heart. Always in her heart. Emris wasn't so sure if that was true. She could barely remember her parents, only the night they'd been killed. Each day their faces slipped a little farther from her memories, and soon enough they would be gone completely.

Emris rolled over in bed, prepared to try and take one more short nap, when her eye caught on the clock. 3:32 pm. She bolted up

It's time, she thought.

Slowly, she called her magic forth. Green engulfed the room, blazing across the white sheets and walls like an inferno. Emris would search Sersi's mind first. Probing, she attempted to find Sersi's mind. It was harder than she'd thought it would be, since Sersi wasn't right in front of her, but after a long moment of searching, she was able to pick out Sersi's mind.

Gently, so as not to jar her, she inched her way in the Eternals mind. As Emris had thought, all was quiet. With a grin, she slipped out and moved onto Sprite.

She latched onto Sprite's immediately and delved in. Like Sersi's, her's too was quiet, but instead of the blank nothingness that she'd found in Sersi's, images flashed across Sprite's. There were no thoughts, which meant she wasn't awake.

She must be dreaming, Emris realized. She made to leave her mind, but a new image flashed, drenching Sprite's dream in a new scene. It made Emris pause. She knew she should leave while she still could, knew she shouldn't invade Sprite's mind like this, but she couldn't look away from the scene that played out before her.

For Sprite dreamed of her.

And Ikaris.

Perturbance rose in Emris's stomach as she watched Sprite's dream unfold. As she watched Ikaris and herself, alone together in a glass room. Ikaris lifted a hand to her flickering face and she watched herself lean into his touch. The two of them traced each other's features with demure hands, staring at each other with passion.

Emris felt herself beginning to grow lightheaded, not wishing to see but unable to look away. And then someone began to bang on the glass. It was Sprite.

Her face was screwed with suffering, torture, even, as she beat on the glass with her fists, screaming words Emris couldn't make out. But Ikaris and the dream Emris were oblivious to the anguished girl who watched on.

Now bile rose up Emris's throat, and she realized she had to get out now or she was going to vomit. With a tug, she jerked from Sprite's mind.

Her back was drenched in sweat. She hastily wiped her forehead, hand coming away wet, and attempted to shake what she'd seen from her head. Her and Ikaris, together - no. She wouldn't allow herself to think of it.

She had to leave, right now.

Emris climbed from her bed and slipped out the door. She didn't bother with food or money; if anything, she figured she would be able to magic her way onto a flight back home, as she could feel it growing stronger and stronger every day. It was only a matter of time before she was able to plant thoughts into other's minds.

Emris's feet slid silently across the ground. She reached the grand door after an agonizingly slow shuffle and carefully opened the door. She tip-toed out of the room, tenderly shut the door, and then slumped against it in relief.

But she wasn't free yet.

Emris bound over to the elevator, rushing now, desperation filling her bones, and pressed floor one. The sound of her rapid breaths filled the elevator and her foot tapped, impatient. At long last, a chiming ding sounded out and the doors slid open.

Emris raced out. She half-walked half-jogged her way through the marble floor lobby, nearly falling over herself in her haste to make it out into open air. It seemed as though the lobby were the distance of the entire football field, but Emris finally was approaching the doors.

She exhaled in relief, beginning to smile, when Ikaris walked through the doors.   

Emis came to a strickening halt.

Ikaris's head raised and he noticed her. His eyes took in her disheveled expression, the sweat lacing her skin and her nervous, fidgety movements. He glanced at the doors he had just walked through, frowning, then back at her.

He knew.

Emris audibly gulped. He doesn't care if you leave, she told herself. He wanted you to leave, remember? He won't stand in your way. Emris could only hope that was true. She lifted her head, shoulders back, and marched toward the doors, giving Ikaris none of her attention.

Her heart beat a million beats per second as she slowly, appearing as though she were in no rush, passed him. She didn't dare breathe until she'd fully passed him, and then Emris was out and through the doors.

Letting out the tremendous breath she'd been holding, Emris began to laugh. She'd done it. She had successfully made it out. Now the matter of what to do and where to go remained. Emris paused in her celebration, the elation she'd felt slowly fading.

She had done it.

Emris was free.

So why did it suddenly feel as though she'd done nothing at all?

"Emris," a voice called.

She spun around, alarmed. Ikaris had followed her outside.

"Where are you going, Emris?" he asked gruffly, like he wished to be anywhere other than standing outside with her.

Emris had had enough of him. "Where do you think I'm going," she bit. "You obviously already know, or you wouldn't be out here trying to stop me." She let all of her fury burn in her eye, showing him that he was the reason she was leaving.

"I'm not trying to stop you," he said evenly, gazing all around her. Never directly at her.

Emris groaned and flung a hand in the air. "Then what are you trying to do, Ikaris! I've had enough of your games." And she had. Emris pivoted on her foot, annoyed and seething, and began to storm away.

A hand wrapped around her arm. It wasn't tight, but it jerked her to a halt, and then Emris found her feet began to leave the ground.

And then she was zipping through the air once more, taken against her will. Emris jerked back with all of her might as the frigid air rushed past her, not caring that escaping meant plummeting to her death, because at that point, even death was better than having to deal with Ikaris.

She hated him. Abhorred him. Wished she'd never met him.

He was cruel. Maddening. And he continued to evoke feelings of anger in Emris that were so powerful, so potent, that they were unlike anything anyone had ever been able to bring forth in her before.

"Put me down!" she demanded, her voice cracking.

"Haven't you learned your lesson from last time?" Ikaris smirked, holding her flush to his chest.

She seethed. "I don't have time for your childish games. Now, take me back down. Or I will make you," Emris snarled.

The smirk faded from Ikaris's face, but she didn't care if she'd made him mad.

"You would make me?" he mumbled, gazing off into the distance.

Emris was so close to him she could see the stubble on his chin. His adam's apple dipped as he swallowed and she looked away.

"You're right," Ikaris mused, "I do believe you could make me."

Her eye snapped back onto him. "What?"

Ikaris looked at her steadily. "I didn't want to believe it before, back on the plane, I - I refused it," he laughed humorlessly, talking quickly, as though he hated saying the words but knew he had to speak them. "It would have meant I was weak. I didn't want to believe it, so I lied. I lied, Emris," Ikaris whispered, staring into her eye with an emotion she couldn't place.

Emris's anger had fizzled to a dull flame. "What are you saying, Ikaris?"

He sighed and closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them. "I know you could make me bring you to the ground. Because..." he hesitated, then put on a brave face, determined. "You have the mind stone. And I was just too blind to see it."

Emris felt her heart stop. She didn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. She refused. "This isn't funny," she shook her head, "stop messing with me and just let me leave in peace!"

Ikaris's grip tightened. "You're not getting it, Emris. I believe you. I always did, I was just too much of a coward to admit it. What happened on the plane - I didn't mean it. Any of it."

Emris stared at him, confused and stunned and no longer angry, but frightened. Angry Ikaris she could handle. Arrogant Ikaris she knew how to deal with. But this one that now groveled before her, holding the two of them up in the sky beneath the stars? That Ikaris left her frightened.

"You - you lied?" she repeated, voice weak. The fight had left her.

He nodded. "I couldn't let you leave because of my mistake."

Emris looked down, taking deep breaths. "But you, you hate me. Why are you telling me this?" she focused on him, face scrunched in despair. "You should have been glad to see me go! You -" her voice broke, but she was too frantic to care, "you told me my life meant nothing."

Ikaris's face contorted with regret. "I didn't mean it. Please, Emris, you have to know I could never mean such a thing."

She stared at his chest, slowly descending into panic.

Emris felt Ikaris's hands moving along her back, grounding her, rooting her and pulling her from the panic. "Emris," he remorsed, not finishing the sentence.

"You were right," she blurted. "Don't say you didn't mean it, because you were right." Tears blurred her eye and her lips trembled. She thought back to the bathroom in the plane, when she'd watched her reflection. She hadn't known the girl who'd stared back. "My life really doesn't have meaning. I don't even know who I am," Emris whispered, crying soft tears for the girl she'd been, the one that had been lost along the way.   

Ikaris did not touch her, beside the hands that kept her from falling out of the sky, but it felt as though his fingers wiped the tears from her cheek.

"You are not defined by your past, Emris," he told her softly, as though he'd read her mind back on the plane. "It doesn't matter where you've been, or what's been done to you, or who've you lost. None of it makes you who you are."

Emris sniffed and dared a glance up at him. She had wanted to strangle him only seconds ago, and now he was her only comfort in this wicked world. "Then what does make me who I am?"

Ikaris smiled. Something in the air changed between them, but Emris was too caught up in herself to notice. Too caught up in the way the star's light hit Ikaris's face, the streak of grey in his hair, a mirror to her own, glistened in the moonlight.

"All you can do is look to the future and choose who you want to be." He said it so simply, as if it were the easiest thing in the world. His smile grew into a grin with understanding. "It's not as hard as you think it is, Emris. Trust me. I've been where you are, and look at me now."

Emris snorted through her tears. "A pompous douche? That isn't too encouraging."

Laughter ripped from Ikaris, clear and bright as the day, and Emris smiled.

"What?" Ikaris questioned, noticing her gaze.

Emris shrugged. "Just that you should laugh more. It suits you."

Ikaris stilled and Emris found herself unable to look away from him. A new found relationship blossomed in her heart. It grew and grew as the two drifted in the wind, dancing in circles to a song only the two of them could hear.

Emris leaned forward and rested her chin upon Ikaris's chest, smiling despite herself.

It wasn't because of something romantic, like it'd been in Sprite's dream. No, Emris smiled because she had made a friend.

Ikaris was her friend.

And maybe, just maybe, she would even become a part of his Eternal family.