Revelations on Obsidian Lake

Revelations on Obsidian Lake

"How long has it been now? A year? More?" Artemis asked, while waving a half rasher of bacon around ruminatively on his fork.
"Since when, young one?" Xargon tiredly responded, being broken once again from his stretches and exercises.
"Since I first moved into this place here," came the reply half stifled by bacon.
"I suppose it has been about a year, yes. Why mention it?" Xargon said, resigning himself to another morning free from proper waking.
"Well, I just thought that you've never really told me about your past. I mean, I know some stuff as is, but, y'know, nothing really major."
"Such as?"
"Well, for one, what's with those dreams you keep having? The ones that wake me up every damn night, with your damn screaming"
"... Artemis, you know me better than to ask me that. I trust you more than anyone in the world, but that does not mean that I must tell you everything."
"Well tell me something man, I mean, I told you about my dad and sister, didn't I?"
"Is it an eye for an eye now Artemis? A tooth for a tooth and all that entails?"
"I didn't say that..."
"Well, what did you mean to say child?"
"All I meant is, we're living together, and I just think that it would be cool to know more about-"
"I have told you everything that you require to know, Artemis, now leave me at that. You will know more when I feel it is prudent to tell you. Understand?"
"Yeah Xargon, I totally understand. Any ways, what's the plan for the day?"
"The usual. We have the library and graveyard first, then later we are going to go for a sail."
"You... you're taking me to the lake? We've never gone there before. Don't see the point anyhow. 's just a big load of nothing."
"To you perhaps. To me it is infinitely more."
"I just don't get you man, not one bit."

The Rebirth graveyard was shrouded in mist, as always. Young Artemis was idly looking at the older graves, the ones whose inhabitants died in the great fire of Boston. Xargon, on the other hand, was looking for someone in particular. He stopped at what appeared to just be a small, spherical rock, and knelt before it.
"I'm not getting anywhere fast... I know I promised you that day... but nothing is working..." he whispered to the stone. He cursed, slamming his fist on the ground, the impact sending a few sparks ricocheting off the marble tombstones nearby, and startled Artemis.
Patting out the singing embers on his previously pristine coat, Artemis turned sharply to Xargon. "Damn man, what's wrong?" he asked, clearly worried.
"Nothing you should be concerned with, young one." came the hoarse reply from the slowly rising figure of Xargon.
"Fuck it man, you have to stop giving me this shit, and tell me what's eating you! I'm worried!"
"I said," Xargon spat through his clenched teeth, "that it is none of your concern."
"Bullshit. I'm a part of your life now, and I have a right to know what the fuck is wrong with the man I-"
"The man you what?" Xargon hotly interrupted, smoke curling from his mouth.
" ... the man I live with." retreated Artemis, his voice small and ashamed.
"That is correct, young one. The man you live with, nothing more."
Artemis looked at the ground, fists clenched and shaking like a leaf. "Right... nothing more." he brokenly whispered to the harsh wind beginning to blow from across the lake, bringing snow with it.

It was more of a buggy than a boat that was waiting for them at the shore of Obsidian lake. The snow was beating down, yet none was settling on the surface of the black glass that was the lake.
"They say this lake was made in the fire of Boston, don't they?" Artemis asked, looking out at the solid black mass and shielding his eyes from the snow.
"Yes, they do, and it was." Xargon replied wistfully.
"How? Wasn't the fire caused by one of the old whiskey houses exploding? How could that get hot enough to turn the whole city to rubble and melt it all into glass?"
"I need to talk to you away from prying ears Artemis. Out there, no one can hear us, we'll talk there." Xargon said, briskly, hopping into the buggy.
"... alright man, your call."
After about ten minutes sailing, Xargon slowed and stopped the buggy, and turned to Artemis.
"You wanted to know what has been wearing on my mind, did you not Artemis?" Xargon asked, staring into Artemis' eyes.
"Yeah... I did..."
"Well, I will tell you, because you are right, you do have a right to know, and I am sorry for keeping it from you for so long. But I needed to know whether you could be trusted."
Artemis stared deeply into Xargons eyes, and whispered "I'm ready..."
"... alright," Xargon sighed, "I was young once. Like you. Naive. Foolish. I joined a cult, a demonic cult. Rose through the ranks. Became the leader. And then we did something we never should have... we contacted The Ferryman."
"The Ferryman?"
"Charon. Ferryman of the Styx. And... he required a human sacrifice. We chose a girl..."
"... Lira?"
Xargon winced. "Yes... Lira..." he almost sobbed the name. "She was young. Beautiful. And unwilling. Nor was it her proper time. I killed her for power. But I did more than kill her. The summoning of Charon is a see-saw. She no longer exists. Not in this world, nor the next. I ripped her from the world. For my own gain. And what did I gain? Hell on earth. The fire of Boston was me. I became one with Charon. I lost my name. I lost my home. I lost my life. And the world lost a city. And the northern hemisphere lost the sun. This lake is all that remains of Boston, and my folly."
"... I knew you were different man, but Christ..."
"Well, now you know, let's go home."
"Yeah... I think I need a lie down." Artemis said, still reeling.

Darkness stifled Xargons room. A blade of light cut the air as Artemis cracked open the door.
"Xargon? Are you asleep?" he softly asked.
Only silence replied. Artemis crept in, letting the door click as quietly as possible behind him. His stockinged feet silently padded over to the bed.
"Xargon?" he quietly sang again.
"Mm?" Xargon sleepily grumbled.
"I can't sleep... I had a dream about my father again..."
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Can I... can I sleep in your bed?"
"... well... I know how bad dreams can be... alright, but please, let me sleep."
"Thank you." Artemis said, softly, climbing into the bed and slipping off his socks.
After a few minutes, once he thought Xargon was asleep, Artemis gently slid his arms around Xargons middle. Hearing Xargon make an appreciative sound, Artemis snuggled up to his back, and softly said "Xargon... I have something to tell you..."
"Yes Artemis?" came the shaken reply.
"I think.. I think I love you."
Silence filled the room again, as Artemis' heart slowly dissolved in his chest, making him feel light, and anxious.
"I see." Xargon said flatly, after what seemed like forever to Artemis.
"... is that all you have to say?"
"No. I also have to say this," he said, turning around to face Artemis, "I am not supposed to be with you as a lover. I know it. I will be with you when you die, but only as a friend."
"... how can you say that? It's taken me forever and a day to work up the courage to tell you this." Artemis said, tears welling in his eyes.
"Because I know who I am supposed to be with, and she does not exist any more. She died. I killed her."
"Then let me be Lira... even just for one night..." Artemis said, slowly moving his hand down Xargon's stomach, towards his groin.
"Artemis. No. I can't. I won't tell you again." Xargon said, sharply, seizing Artemis' wrist.
"But I've wanted this for so long..."Artemis resisted, and moved his other hand round, slipping it up the bottom of Xargon's boxers, and stroking what was within. Xargon's eyes ignited, blinding Artemis. The scars on his left arm began to glow, like cracked lava, and he grasped Artemis' neck, his hand vice-like. He rose from the bed, ignoring Artemis' hands clawing at his own and stood there, floating about a foot off the ground, his hair rising from the heat of his body. A wave of heat and force blossomed off his body, hurling Artemis against the wall. Hitting the ground, Artemis coughed blood from his mouth, and scrambled to his feet.
"I said no Artemis." Xargon said, emotionless, a second, hissing voice entwining with his own.
"That bitch is dead! How can she love you! I could be there for you!" Artemis howled, clutching his throat.
Xargons feet touched the floor again, and he strode over to Artemis, his eyes and mouth both leaving sickly trails of black smoke.
"Pick up your things, and get the hell out of my apartment Artemis, that was the final straw." he spat, still with that second, malicious voice.
"What? You can't just throw me out!"
"I can do whatever the fuck I like, you fucking child. This is my world, and I choose who lives or dies. The only reason you're not lying there with your pathetic fucking spine broken is because I know when you will die."
"But I love you!"
"Leave. Now. Before I tear off your fucking arm, worm."
Artemis shot from the room, and hurriedly got dressed. Grabbing his shoulder bag, he tried to be as calm as possible as he strode for the door.

After hearing the apartment door slam shut, Xargon buried his face in his hands and cried.
"You almost killed him, Fireborn." a voice hissed in his mind.
"But I didn't!" Xargon screamed "I am in control here, not you Charon!"
"Say what you like, we both know what is going to happen when you see him next." The voice crackled.
"No. That isn't the next time. That is the last time. Leave me at rest for one night, please!"
"Never. You asked for this, and ye hast received."