Zahir and Wryo settled down after the shocking reveal in my room.
Eimira returned to continue cooking and I was being interrogated.
I knelt before them. My head, down.
"So what you are telling me is that you met Eimira outside the Academy, and you didn't know she was a captain till you got into the Academy?" Zahir asked.
"Yes.." I answered.
"That doesn't make sense, who doesn't know The lost Aegis." Zahir asked, puzzled.
I answered. "Well I'm the type that doesn't really care about what really goes on in the world."
Wryo crossed his arms. "Are you?"
"Yes. Yes, I am." I replied, turning away.
Suddenly, Eimira called for me.
"Hey Zan, can you help me a bit over here?"
"Yes ma'am."
I stood and went to assist her, leaving both Zahir and Wryo.
Zahir turned to Wryo.
"This doesn't make any sense..." He whispered.
"What doesn't? Zandren and Eimira are in a relationship. I don't see anything wrong with that."
Zahir nudged him. "Not that dude. She's smiling."
He pointed.
Wryo's eyes widened. "Wow. She is smiling."
Zahir continued. "Come to think of it. I've only ever seen Eimira smile once. And that was because Zandren was there."
Wryo smiled. "I'm actually happy for her, with the kind of life that she had. She deserves a little happiness, don't you think?"
Zahir groaned. "I-I guess so."
I returned.
"Eimira said the meal will be ready soon. She also asked if you both are gonna stay or you want them packed?"
Zahir spoke. "I'd most definitely love to stay and ea-"
Wryo covered his mouth.
"Please package it for us. Thank you."
I smiled. "Alright, you got it."
Both left soon after. Now Eimira and I are alone once more.
I shoved her playfully. "You acted pretty wifey there, hehe."
She blushed. "Stop."
We ate our meal and discussed the ceremony happening tonight. And also walking together in front of the entire Academy. Eimira got nervous just thinking about It.
"Eimira is shy." I teased.
"I'm not shy." She replied bluntly.
I scooched closer to her. "Then, maybe you are nervous."
She sighed. "I-I'm not... stop with the tease."
"Then my Eimira is scared."
She turned to me. "I'm not sc—"
I planted a kiss on her lips.
"I'll be with you, don't worry."
Her face flushed.
She placed her head on my chest, voice softened.
"If you keep doing this, I'm afraid I'll be with you forever."
I stroked her hair.
"I hope you do." I whispered.
"What'd you say?" She asked.
"Oh, uhh. I just yawned... Weirdly." I answered.
She giggled, and wrapped her arms around me, taking a deep breath.
"It's been a while we've been like this." She said.
"Yeah, remember when we first met? You kept staring at me, quite obviously too, haha." I replied.
She giggled. "Oh. There was just something about you then that attracted me to you. Like I said then, you looked familiar."
We both laughed.
"Hey, Zandren." Eimira called
"Yeah?" I answered.
She turned and laid her head on my lap.
"Why are we connected by the same person?" She asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you think it's strange how we both know Nyseria?"
"Hmm."
"And before I awakened I would always see her in my dream talking about someone I'd meet. This and that. " She added.
I sighed softly. "At least you can remember your past. I've only got fragments of mine."
She pulled my head close for a kiss.
She smiled. "Let's not talk about sad things anymore."
We stared at each other. I hoped time would stop.
Then.
A barrage of knocks on the door, followed by the giggles of the female species. Then, another barrage of knocks.
"Were you expecting someone?" I asked.
She stood. "Oh yeah, I asked Feona to bring my uniform for me. I think she came with the others."
She stopped before opening the door.
A smile tugged at her lips. "They really missed you, haha."
The door opened.
They rushed in, pushing Eimira away.
"Sorry for interrupting your love plays in your love nest." Ryona said.
"Zandren!" Chichi waved at me.
"It's been a while, Zandren." Tabbi said calmly with a smile on her face.
"So when should we be expecting?" Feona teased.
"Expecting what?" I asked.
She placed her arm around Eimira's shoulder. "Your child of course."
Eimira took her hand and pulled her up.
Feona chuckled. "What's up Eimi—"
Eimira flipped her…
Thud.
Silence.
Feona groaned. "That's not how you treat your friend young lady."
"Oh shut up." Eimira gave her a small nudge with her feet.
Feona stood up slowly. The others laughed.
I was a bit stressed. I've spent most of my days in Terraka with them but not having all of them in the same room felt a bit weird.
Ryona noticed me drifting in thought and punched my shoulder.
"Loosen up weakling. Everyone in the Academy knows about you and our captain already. So don't sweat it." She said.
"Yeah, so it doesn't matter if we are seen with you." Chichi added.
"So Zandren, How's it going?" Tabbi asked.
Chichi followed up. "Yeah, have you gotten stronger?"
"Ehh... Not really." I looked at my hands. "I haven't really had the chance to train."
"Why?" Ryona asked.
"Well.. uhh..."
Feona stepped out of the kitchen, a plate of food in her hand.
"He's still trying to settle into the Academy, he only got here a few days ago and plus he hasn't even gotten his weapon."
"Yeah I gue— did Eimira cook that?" Ryona said, standing up.
"Yeah." Feona replied.
"Gimme a bite." Ryona tried to take the spoon
Feona moved the plate away.
"Go take yours, lemme."
Ryona gasped. "Stingy much?"
"Yes." Feona nodded as she took a seat.
"So it has gotten to the point where Eimira cooks for you. " Chichi said.
Tabbi laughed. "You both should just get married."
"See? That's what I always say." Feona yelled. "Ever since I've known Eimira. She had only cooked for herself"
Eimira chuckled softly. "No comment."
"Ah yes, that reminds me." Ryona spoke. "I saw Yunok recently, and it looks like he knows about you both. He doesn't seem too happy about it."
"So? I already told him that I was never interested." Eimira replied. "Plus he can't do anything about it."
"Well, he can't to you." Ryona turned to me. "But he can to Zandren."
"Well... Uh, I'll protect him." Eimira said softly.
Ryona crossed her arms. "You know you can't be there for him everytime. We are barely ever in the Academy due to our Expeditions."
Eimira lowered her head. "I know but..."
"We all know how Yunok is like when things are taken from him." Ryona added.
"Ok Ryona, that's enough." Tabbi tried to pull Ryona to take a seat.
Ryona pulled her hand away. "No it's not. I want Eimira to know what she just got Zandren into, and how she can protect herself and her relationship."
Eimira remained silent.
"But, why do you care what happens to Zandren?" Feona asked.
"N-Nothing. Just that this is the first time I've seen Mira happy. I don't want it to be taken away from her." Ryona's voice softened.
I stood up. "Thank you for saying that, Ryona."
"I don't give a shit about you, loser." Ryona scoffed.
I clutched my chest. "Ouch…"
I continued. "I know, but you do, for Eimira. That's enough for me to work harder to be able to protect her."
"Stop." Eimira blushed.
"Wow.. seeing Mira blush is still a new thing to me." Feona added.
"I know right." Chichi laughed.
Ryona laughed loudly. "That was cringe."
"Urggh." I groaned. "Don't use it against me."
"Too late." Ryona laughed.
She struck a pose.
"That's enough for me to work harder to be able to protect her." She teased. "Bleh. Cringe."
She continued. "But I admire that. No one has ever tried to protect the Lost Aegis, but there's always a first."
We dined and chatted until it was time for the ceremony. Everyone left to prepare since, all captains and vice captains are required to show up for the ceremony.
Eimira had a customed Academy uniform made for me. She said it was a gift. It was the same as my usual uniform but just that this particular one had trims from a rare golden wool. I put on the Uniform and it was a perfect fit.
Zahir and Wryo came by shortly after. They were ready to leave, and after a while I was too.
The ceremony was being held at the ballroom of the Academy, which was quite close to the Aevorah's residence. It was a long work from the dorms but it felt short since we talked the entire walk.
They asked about how I met Eimira, trying to catch me slip, but I gave them the same story I had told them before and they finally let it go. They also complimented my new Uniform jacket which was gifted to me by Eimira.
We got to the ballroom. From the outside, the ballroom looked huge. Inside, it swallowed space.
The ceiling soared far above. White walls curved outwards, polished to a soft sheen. Green marble pillars, with statue carved on them, lined the hall in perfect rows, each capped with gold at the base and the crown.
Students filled the room. New faces. Excited voices. Long tables stretched along the sides, heavy with foods and drinks. The students helped themselves to it. Plates clinked. Conversations overlapped.
Zahir pulled me. "Come Zan, let's check what they have on the table."
"Why must you be the first to decide what to do with food?" Wryo questioned as he followed us.
"Do I really need to answer that?" Zahir turned to him.
Wryo looked at him from head to toe. "Nevermind."
As Zahir filled his plates with food, a voice rang out.
"Attention! Make way for the Nation's Vanguard."
The sound cut clean through the noise. Conversations died. Plates stilled. Students stepped back, guided by instinct more than command. A path opened up through the centre of the hall, wide and straight, stretching from the entrance to a podium at the end of the ballroom.
"It's the Ten Captains of Terraka's defense." Zahir whispered.
"I know." I whispered back.
Footsteps echoed.
Ten figures entered.
Each step carried weight. Their Armor gleamed. Cloaks shifted. Eyes forward. Each were followed by their vice captains who beared the weapons of their captains while having theirs on them.
Few of the captains had familiars. And one of them was Eimira's. Her familiar was larger than a horse, built low and powerful. Dark fur that looked well maintained. Scars from battles along it's body. Its shoulders rolled with restrained strength as it moved in silence.
I gulped as I remembered saying something about protecting Eimira.
"I believe it is more capable of doing that than me." I muttered.
Zahir turned. "What'd you say?"
"Oh it's nothing."
I noticed some others with familiars but a certain captain's familiar caught my attention. It was a huge white giant wolf that walked with grace behind it's pactbearer. My gaze went from the beast to it's master. She was tall, slim and utterly graceful.
I gazed at her so much and I think she noticed me since she turned and we made eye contact. Her piercing red hers stared back at me. She smirked a little and turned away.
"Who's she?" I asked.
"Who?"
"The one with the dark hair and red eyes." I pointed slightly.
Zahir slapped my hands. "Don't point at her..."
"That's Aurelle." Wryo answered.
"She's the second captain and the strongest after Eimira." Zahir said.
"She's from the Saeon family. The richest family in all of Caramien!!" Wryo added.
"Wow. I'm in trouble, aren't I…?"
The captains took their seat and the welcome ceremony truly began.