Chapter Twelve

The Theory of Absolution

It had been decided. The decision was final, and both Connie and Cell had agreed that it was for the best. Cell could not stay amongst the population of Earth and simply let humanity be. He had to leave, or risk lapsing and becoming destructive, whether intentionally or not. It was not a choice that had been easy. They had both debated the fact through out the day. Cell had admitted that he had changed, developed a sense of compassion and respect for life that he had never had before. But he had also admitted that it was limited at best. He had exposed himself to scrutiny, studying himself truthfully, and had come to the conclusion that despite his thoroughly different perspective now, he was still simply too dangerous. One tiny slip of control on his part could total an entire continent and destroy the lives of millions.

And that was not something that Connie could bear to have on her conscience either. She had slipped into a sort of acceptance of the whole matter, despite the fact that the thought of loosing Cell was incredibly painful to her already open emotional wounds. She knew that things would never be the same, ever again.

Late afternoon saw Connie standing alone on the river bank, her eyes watching the slow water currents, as her mind raced along with her blackened thoughts as she wondered what would happen to her now. Cell had disappeared into the sky, promising he would return shortly. He had asked Connie to think carefully about her future, as when he was gone, she would be on her own. Her face had not yet appeared on the Television in association with the sudden terrifying return of the Cell Monster, but Cell had cautioned, not to rule it out as a possibility. Life would become increasingly hard, if not impossible in that circumstance.

So Connie stood, watching the brilliant scarlets, pinks and golds dancing on the water's surface as the sun began to set, her mind contemplating her bleak future. She was still young in her life, and the thought of spending the remainder of her days as a hermit, alone in the forest, was a bleak one. But it seemed more practical than attempting to re-integrate herself into community, and risking her life should her association with Cell become public, and she had become considerably more identifiable with her injury, that she was so sure would leave a nasty scar.

Her thoughts shattered around her, as she heard Cell land smoothly on the ground behind her. She couldn't deny that she still had a chill run down her spine whenever she saw him. He gave her a confident smug smile, before he placed the backpack of goods he had 'somehow' retrieved for her on the ground. It contained several necessities, and some food.

"Have you decided, on what you are going to do?" Cell asked, cautiously masking any emotion from his voice. Connie sighed.

"I guess... I was thinking I could live in a cottage in the middle of a forest or something. Away from everyone else." Cell gave her a sad smile.

"For the best." He said tartly. At the look on her face, the sadness she struggled to hide, Cell's face fell, and he took her into his arms.

"I don't want to be alone. It's just not fair." Cell sighed deeply.

"Think of it like this. In a few years time, nobody will remember, even if they do advertise your involvement with my return." Connie nodded slowly into Cell's chest, closing her eyes, and just trying to enjoy his company while she still had it. She took in another deep breath of his musked slightly cinnamon scent and smiled to herself absently.

"Come. I shall have to make you a home before I leave." Connie pushed away from Cell, locking her eye with his. They shared their reluctance to part in their gaze, but finally, Cell gathered Connie and the backpack in his arms, and took to the sky, like a golden rocket.

-

Cell flew slower than normal, aware of the sleeping form in his arms. He had been flying for a few hours, and Connie had fallen asleep on the relaxing journey. He let her sleep. He slowed as he approached his destination, the giant hole shaped lake glimmering in the bright starlight. The forest sprawled below him was a dark blur, but he knew what he was after. He landed carefully, Connie not stirring in the slightest. He placed her gently on the moss covered ground in a clearing near to where he planned to work.

And work he did.

As he had done when he had made his arena, all those many years ago, Cell used his immense energy to haul a massive marble rock from the ground, and to carve it perfectly into bricks. He made a clearing, removing the trees with a flick of his wrist, and began to maneuverer the perfectly carved marble bricks into place. Next, he turned on the trees he had cleared, heating them, although not excessively, as he carved them into the shapes he wanted.

Finally, he drew sand from the ground, arranging it into the perfect squares he needed, and blasting it with his energy, until the sand melted, and became fused, cooling into perfect planes of pure glass.

When Connie awoke, just as the sun began to show above the horizon, Cell was placing the finishing touches on his art piece. Connie followed the sounds of his labors, and when she saw what he had done, could not conceal her gasp of utter surprise and amazement. A small, marble and wood cottage stood before her, polished and shinning in the morning light. Glass windows, turned soil, and even a small marble fence around an un-planted garden. Cell smirked at her, motioning for her to go inside.

The building had a similar appearance to her apartment, except everything was made of marble, glass and wood, the perfect polished surfaces bringing out the remarkable natural patterns in the materials. He had even carved a wooden sofa, with room for cushions, later on. The bed was of a similar fashion. Aside from the woven necessities, the house was fully furnished. The only other exception, was that there was no plumbing.

Back out the front, Cell showed Connie to the large marble basin he had carved, that sat on a hollow marble pedestal, with a fire pit underneath it.

"You'll have to fetch water from the well, and unfortunately, I do not have the ability to facilitate you with a toilet. But everything else, I hope, is adequate for you..." Cell was cut off, as Connie flung herself at him, pressing her lips into his.

"It's amazing!" She exclaimed, before she kissed him again. Cell deepened the kiss, before he finally let her go.

"I'll have to go and fetch you some cushions and bedding, as well as some additional minor furnishings for the home to be complete. I was hoping to have made the trip before you woke, but the details took longer than I expected." Connie only watched, ruefully, as Cell disappeared back into the sky. She had barely had a chance to protest at his sudden departure. When he was gone from sight, she turned back to her new home, still shocked and amazed at the sheer quality and craftsmanship that Cell had displayed.

She was examining the wooden cupboards when Cell suddenly returned. She headed outside to meet him, his hands empty, bar a singly tiny white plastic capsule. She recognized it for what it was, and stood back as Cell pressed the release button and tossed it casually to the side. It expanded into a huge cupboard like room, with a small door. Cell began fishing out the supplies he had 'acquired' and Connie helped him to set up her new home, laying a double mattress on the bed, cushions on the sofa, cutlery and utensils for the kitchen, candles and other cleaning things. Cell had thought of every thing.

It was well past lunch when Cell decreed their job done. He reclined on the newly made and furnished sofa, stretching his wings out. Connie watched him, standing behind her counter. She knew that her time with him was limited at best now. She didn't want him to go, but knew he had to. His only remaining legacy of him would be the house he had built for her to live in.

Cell seemed to sense her concern, and he watched her, observing, revealing nothing of his own mental conflict. Internally, he just hoped he had done enough, provided Connie with everything she would need to spend the rest of her days in peace. The only thing he could not give her, the only thing she truly wanted however, was companionship. No human should have to live alone. He swallowed his sombre thoughts, and stood up instead. Connie's eyes watching him. He took her into his arms again, kissing her passionately, hoping that he could at least convey some of his emotional torment at the thought of leaving her, through their kiss.

Connie softened in his arms, as she knew that he was just as reluctant as she was. They both knew that him leaving was inevitable. But their was nothing to stop them from at least enjoying each other's company while they still had it. With out speaking, Cell broke their kiss, and scooped Connie into his arms, taking her into the bedroom.

They enjoyed each other's physical company and the pleasures of the skin, well into the night.

-

King Yemma, ruler and the final judge of the souls of the underworld, was not a nervous man by nature. Usually, with his massive stature, intimidating presence and bold booming voice, he made others nervous. But only twice before had King Yemma ever before been summoned before the Ultimate of all Gods, the god of gods, Seodisa, the unknown but never the less, ridiculously formidable God of Creation. The god that had created all other gods and Kai's that now existed.

And Seodisa was not a friendly or benevolent personality.

King Yemma found himself unable to control himself properly as he ascended the simple, undecorated pathway that led to the rather, plain house on top of a massively steep hill. They only clues that he was in the presence of a God was that the ridiculous hills gave way to oblivion, a black mist that would consume any soul that should stray from the simple golden path that led from the Palace of the Great Kai's to the World of Chaos that Seodisa had carved his home from. A large cherry blossom tree, in full magnificent bloom flourished over the rather homey-looking house. Made from wood and stone with a shingled roof and covered in luscious looking creepers. A small stone birdbath in the middle of the well tended garden was alive with splashing of several tiny finch like birds, who lent their beautiful voices to the otherwise quiet world.

King Yemma hesitated before the tiny white picket fence gate, looking down at it. He was as tall as the house was, and he could crush the entire building with a few well placed strikes, but to him, this place was beyond terrifying. As if to answer his unsureness, the tiny white picket fence gate opened to admit him. As he stepped into the garden, the tiny golden and blue finches retreated to the boughs of the huge cherry blossom tree, twittering their protests loudly. King Yemma followed their animated motions, fascinated by their simple beauty.

"Good Evening King Yemma." Yemma jumped, startled by the sudden voice, and accidentally squashed a small section of Snap Dragons that had been growing alongside the path.

"Oh, I'm sorry, your grace..." King Yemma said, his voice weak, even to himself. He turned to the Great god of gods, who chose to appear before King Yemma as a man with incredibly long thing limbs and long spiked hair the shade of lavender. His skin was patterned with blue glowing lines that symbolized his hidden power. The face of Seodisa was completely un-readable, his features though, were soft and pleasant to look upon. His eyes, the only thing that revealed his incredible age and power, were incredibly sharp in the lilac color, and Yemma knew that the great god, missed nothing.

"I trust you are well?" Seodisa's voice was soothing, calming and slightly musical. His voice, like his face, held no true emotion, except the hind of amusement.

"I... Yes, your Grace. I came as soon as you summoned me." King Yemma blurted out. Seodisa's stared at King Yemma, for what felt like an eternity, his incredibly long thing arms down by his side.

King Yemma felt himself breaking under the pressure of Seodisa's unnerving gaze. It was as if Seodisa had simply plucked Yemma off a book shelf and opened him up to read. Finally Seodisa looked away, turning his attention to the tiny finches, who had silenced themselves, watching the two men.

"Do you understand the concept of Absolution?" The sudden question, asked so casually caused Yemma to baulk, and stammer, his composure laying in broken shards.

"I... Ab.. Er... I... What?" Yemma found himself unable to stop himself from asking.

"Absolution. The power of divine forgiveness. The only true Absolute is me. Do you know what kind of power that is? The marks and sins of a soul, wiped away forever with a mere word from me. Absolution. It is a power that many don't appreciate."

"My Lord?" Yemma asked, feeling his beads of sweat tracing lines down his overly red face. Seodisa turned his gaze back to Yemma, any hint of amusement, gone.

"I asked you to grant the return of a particular body and soul, return to the world from whence he came. I asked this of you, because of my power of Absolution. I chose to give the man a second chance at life."

"Y...Y...Yes, your grace... And he was returned to planet Earth several days ago..." Seodisa held up his long thin fingered hand, silencing King Yemma. Seodisa's other wisely handsome face turned a little cruel as he broke into a merciless grin, revealing his unusually pointed teeth.

"Yes, you did as I asked. Now I want you to grant another soul safe passage into the mortal realm. Can you do that, King Yemma?" Seodisa's voice was suddenly cold and deadly.

"I... Of course, your grace... May I ask, who?"

"Me, King Yemma. I wish to walk the mortal world." Seodisa's response was shocking, and King Yemma could only stare and stammer soundlessly for several minutes, before he finally regained some semblance of composure.

"But... Why?!" Seodisa grinned, his eyes narrowing, becoming pointed purple slits, his face, suddenly twisted and cruel.

"Because, my Absolution, is not indefinite."