Bam!
"Too weak."
"Again!"
I heaved.
Then, fell on my knees.
Ryona walked over.
"Tired already?" She asked.
"I've been at it for over an hour. Of course I'd be tired." I replied.
She turned.
"Should we stop here?"
"Yes." Eimira answered.
She walked down to the training ground, and tossed me a piece of cloth.
"You've improved quite a lot." She said.
I shook my head slightly, drying my face.
"Doesn't feel like it." I muttered.
She chuckled. "Give yourself a little bit of credit. You sparred against five people in a row. Even without a Blessing."
I exhaled. "Rather inconvenient, considering the fact I use a very close range weapon."
She stretched out her hand.
I grabbed them, and she pulled me up.
Feona stepped beside us.
"I can ask Ronanoa to help you make some modifications to your gauntlet."
My eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"Ronanoa, House Velthrone, Ninth Captain..." Eimira answered. "She's an inventor who also doesn't have a blessing."
"Just like you." Feona added.
"What do you mean an inventor?" I asked.
"You don't know what that is?" Feona asked, puzzled.
I stared at her.
Eimira tugged on her clothes.
"Feona, he's not from here, remember?" She whispered.
"Now I feel bad..." Feona murmured.
I laughed. "You did nothing wrong."
"Anyways, an inventor is someone who makes things that didn't exist before. They think, they plan, then execute." Feona explained.
"You guys go on ahead, I'll be up soon." Ryona said, as she walked into a room.
We began walking. Climbing up the stairs to exit the training arena.
Eimira continued.
"Ronanoa developed what we call Cannons and Batistas after she translated a book written by a writer"
"But if it was written, then she didn't really invent it, did she?" I cut in.
"Good boy. Your paying attention." Feona patted my back.
Eimira laughed. "Yes, she didn't invent it. But what she did invent was one which uses blessings."
"The original required some materials we aren't too sure how to make, so Ronanoa developed one for the materials we have in abundance, Terra, Aeris, and Aqualis." Feona added.
"Feona's friends with her, so she can get us a meeting with her." Eimira said.
We walked out the arena.
"So what's she even going to do if we meet her?" I asked.
"I don't know." Feona answered. "I'm not an inventor."
Chichi approached us.
"Hey Cap. hey everyone. The carriage is ready to take us back to the Academy."
"We'll leave in a bit. Not sure when I'll be back here. You know, since we won't be on any other mission till the end of the year." Eimira replied.
"Yeah, with the attack on multiple regions of Terraka going on, every mission to the Dark Forest won't be happening anytime soon." Feona added.
"Yeah, but that'd also mean more waves of monsters coming from the forest." Chichi said.
"And we'd be stuck clearing them." Eimira muttered.
They all sighed.
Eimira spoke. "I got a letter from my father."
Feona and Chichi moved closer.
"What did he say?" They asked.
Eimira giggled. "You guys are too close."
"Come on…"
Feona grinned..
"…You've been closer with someone else, so why can't we be this close to you." She teased.
Smack!
Chichi laughed. "What did your father say?"
"He said that attempts to find Cel'Nyseria was a failure, so he'd be taking a break for now since he's getting weaker. So that means he's finally coming home after three years of being away."
The girls squealed.
"Zandren." Feona yelled my name.
"Hmm?"
"Your father-in-law is coming. How excited are you?" She asked.
I chuckled nervously.
"Don't make him uncomfortable, Feona." Eimira said.
"Are we waiting for anyone?" Chichi asked.
"Yeah," Feona answered. "...Ryona."
"I'm here, I'm here."
Ryona came running out from the arena.
"Had to take a little dump…" She said.
"It came out smooth." She added.
I grimaced. "We didn't ask for details."
She smiled confidently. "I didn't need you to."
I gritted my teeth.
"Did you at least wash your hands?" Feona asked.
Ryona chuckled, her face looking smug.
"Clean hands are for the weak."
"Euurghh."Eimira grimaced. "Don't come near me."
Ryona grinned. Holding out her hand.
"Suddenly. I feel like holding my beautiful captain.."
"Don't come near me. I'm warning yo—"
Ryona lunged at her.
"Ah!"
Eimira ran.
"Diseases!" She yelled.
"Don't run from me, my lovely captain."
Feona and Chichi laughed.
I joined them.
"Hey you guys, we are going to be late." Chichi said.
Eimira ran into the carriage but Ryona followed.
"My beautiful captain... Come here."
She began caressing Eimira's face.
"Your skin is so smoooooth." She teased.
Eimira screamed.
I laughed.
Chichi grabbed my hand.
"Come on, let's go."
The carriage moved moments later, and the Lost Aegis base slowly disappeared with distance.
Eimira clung to me.
Traumatised.
She whined. "I'm going to fall sick."
Ryona shrugged. "Stop being so dramatic. At least I was just messing with you. I washed my hands."
"Too late. The damage has been done." Feona said, as she pointed at how Eimira clung to me."
Ryona spoke. "I kinda overheard you talking about your dad coming back."
Eimira nodded. "Yeah..."
"When is he going to be back?" She asked.
Eimira sighed.
"I don't know to be honest. He didn't specify the exact day." She answered. "But he's finally returning."
Ryona turned to me.
"Aren't you a little bit too chill about this?" She asked.
I forced out a smile.
"Heh... I'm fine..."
"No, I'm not fine. The, Sir Mar'gareth is coming back, and I am his daughter's lover. What the fuck.." I thought.
"Y'all should stop pressuring Zandren." Eimira smiled. " My father's not that strict. In fact he'd be happy... I think."
I frowned. "You think?"
She giggled. "Eh... Don't worry about it. Hehe."
The carriage went on and we talked more about Eimira's father, Mar'gareth, and my future training schedule for the tournament.
In no time, we returned to the main premise of the Academy.
Chichi and Ryona stopped on the way to tend to their personal matters, and Feona stayed with us.
"Uh, where are we going?" I asked.
"We are dropping by your room first before heading back home. Sooo, we wanna get some food." Feona answered.
"Yeah, I'm hungry." Eimira added.
Moments later, the carriage stopped at the academy's food court.
We stepped down.
"Ahhh." Feona inhaled. "The smell of food. Nothing excites me more than that."
Eimira chuckled. "Me too."
"So what are you guys gonna get?" I asked.
"Just some meat and raw foods to take back home." Feona replied.
"What do you need?" Eimira asked.
"Uhh... Since I can't really cook, except you do so for me—"
"Oooooo." Feona grinned.
Smack!
"Ow."
"Shut up." Eimira snapped lightly.
I laughed.
"Since I can't really cook, it means I don't use the raw food, so I never really ran out." I said.
"Actually… I hope they haven't spoiled."
"Hmm..."
Eimira stepped beside me.
"How about I teach you how to cook something simple?"
"Oh oh, that'd be nice." Feona replied. "The princess has to know how to do some normal people stuff."
"Hey..." I frowned.
She turned to me. "Don't worry, you're in good hands."
"So what do you like the most?" Eimira asked.
"Hmm..."
I stroked my chin.
"I don't— oh wait. There was this beef stew I saw at Bartho's restaurant when we were at Eldale."
"Oh?" Eimira blinked.
"Yeah, it looked good, but I couldn't buy it then." I said.
"Mixing with nym rice or long rice makes it taste better." Feona added.
"Hmm. It's doable, but it would take a while." She said. "Is that all?"
"And also caramel flan... I saw that at Bartho's too."
Eimira giggled. "Sur—"
"Eimira!"
A familiar voice called.
We turned.
Yunok.
My heart skipped.
"What now..." I thought.
"Yunok?" Eimira blinked.
"Aren't you supposed to be with your Vanguard?" Feona asked.
"Oh please." He scoffed. "They should be able to handle themselves without me."
"Plus, I'm the prince. I can do whatever I choose." He added.
"So what exactly is it you're choosing to do now?" Eimira mocked.
"You, of course." He replied.
Her brows furrowed. "Why me?"
"I went to your base and was told you had just left." He said. "I was quite disappointed, you didn't even read the letter I sent."
"Why not through the aurastone?" Eimira asked.
He smirked. "You'd have ignored that also, wouldn't you?"
"You still didn't answer my question. Why me?" Eimira asked, her voice sharp.
"What?" Yunok smiled. "I shouldn't check if my Queen is doing alright?"
Eimira's eyes narrowed. "What?"
"Zandren."
Feona shook me, whispering.
"Why so tense?" She asked.
I blinked. "I was?"
"Yeah... You're even sweating." She replied.
"What is this presence I feel from Yunok…?"I thought. "This big dark presence..."
I glanced closely.
"It feels like something in me wants to fight this thing, but I want to run."
"Zandren, what's wrong?" Eimira asked.
"Oh uh." I coughed. "It's nothing, haha."
"Still weak?" Yunok asked.
"He just finished a four hour training session." Eimira said.
She stepped in front of me.
"Plus your business is with me. Leave him out of this."
"So the rumours are true." He chuckled, dryly. "You really have fallen for this bastard."
"And what If I did?"
Eimira stared down Yunok.
"Tsk..."
Yunok stepped closer to Eimira.
"You're mine. And you will be. Even if I have to kill this bastard to make you mi—"
BAM!!
Eimira kicked him, sending him a few steps back.
He grunted.
"Watch your mouth, Yunok." She snapped. "I'm warning you."
"But I love you..." He whispered.
Eimira held my hand. "Come on, let's go."
People watched as we left. Then their eyes shifted to Yunok.
"I'll make you mine, Eimira." He murmured. "Even if I have to use Morvethis."
—-
The door clicked shut.
We finally got to my room and set the items we bought aside. Feona crashed on my bed and Eimira went to prepare the stove.
I walked to her. She seemed visibly angry and irritated by what just happened.
"Why did Yunok seem so much bolder than he was?" Feona asked.
Thud!
Eimira slammed her fist on the counter.
Feona flinched.
Eimira spoke, trying not to raise her voice. "Please don't mention that jerk's name now."
"I know, I know." Feona replied. "But didn't you see how bold he was? What makes you think he's not going to try it again?"
Eimira groaned. "Exactly why I'm worried."
She leaned on me.
"My dad should just come back already." She said.
"Don't worry." I consoled her. "I might not be able to fight him for you, but I can recharge you when you're tired."
Eimira giggled. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
I smirked. "I don't know. What do you think I mean?"
We both laughed.
"You two are awfully too close to each other." Feona spoke softly.
We jolted.
"W-what? We are a couple so that's expected…" We said in perfect sync.
Feona walked towards us, slowly. The wood creaked lightly beneath her feet.
She stuck her head in-between us, and placed her arms on our shoulder.
"Tell me." She said, "Why have you two gotten so close?"
"N-nothing." I answered.
"If it was nothing... you wouldn't be so on edge. Hmm?"
Eimira and I turned our faces.
"..."
Feona paused.
"Surely... There no way you both di—"
She glanced at Eimira and I.
She smiled. Then quietly left us both.
"Carry on." She said, as she laid on the bed.
Silence.
I leaned closer to Eimira.
"Do you think she knows?" I asked.
"Of course she does, dummy." Eimira whispered back.
"Maybe she just thought of something el—"
A large scream erupted.
Feona.
Her face flushed, and instantly filled with excitement and embarrassment.
"I can't stop thinking about it now." She squealed.
"Shut up!" Eimira snapped. "What's the big deal?"
Feona laughed. "The big deal is that, it's you!"
Eimira hid her face. "Sooo?"
Feona rushed over, grabbing my hand.
"So how was she?" She asked. "Was she really at it?"
"Uhm…" I hesitated.
Feona screamed. "Answer me!!!!!"
Eimira gently pulled Feona away, her face still red.
"Feona, leave Zandren alone."
"Can we stop talking about this? I'm beginning to get embarrassed." I muttered.
"Sure. Sure." She smiled. "Keep up the good work, Sir Zandren,hehe."
Eimira sighed.
"I'm trying to teach Zandren how to cook now. So shut up, will you?"
Feona chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Get to work."
"Ok..." Eimira turned to me. "Zandren. Let's start."
"Alright."
----
Night had fallen.
Footsteps echoed down the street.
Slow. Steady.
Then—
Murmurs.
"She actually left me..."
Yunok.
"But I love her... I love her..."
"Eimira... Why? Why did you leave me..."
"I protected you when you were young because of the love I had for you…"
"...They called us a couple."
"So why?"
"Wh—"
The murmurs stopped. So did his footsteps.
He turned his head slightly.
"What do you want? Nor'ran, Fifth Captain."
Whoosh.
Nor'ran slowly stepped out of the mist he had concealed himself in.
"How did you know I was following you?"
Yunok didn't answer.
"Hmm. That's fine." He shrugged. "I saw it."
Yunok turned. "Saw what?"
"I saw what happened at the food-court." He answered.
Yunok turned. "So what?"
Nor'ran sighed. "Don't you think it's best to leave Eimira?"
"What?"
"I mean. It's obvious she found someone she really loves."
A pause.
"And we all know this is a first for her." He said. "So why ruin it with your obsession."
"Obsession?" Yunok snapped.
"Yes." He answered. "Didn't you hear yourself?"
"Why did you leave me? That sounds pretty much like an obsession."
Yunok turned to leave.
"Tsk."
"You're leaving."
Nor'ran scoffed. "Of course you would."
He continued.
"The same way you left Eimira to die when she actually needed your help."
Yunok froze.
"I saw it. During our training… She was knocked down by a dreadmane and you left her to save yourself."
He slowly approached Yunok.
"Why did she leave you?"
Nor'ran took a deep breath.
"The real question is…."
"…Why did you leave her?"
Yunok snapped.
"Shut up. You don't know what you're talking about. I love Eimira. I would never leave her."
"Yunok. Truly…." Nor'ran exhaled. "I should have let you rot in your loneliness."
Yunok laughed. "Oh, really."
His hand twitched
Nor'ran confronts him.
"You've always been weak! You do not deserve to be with Eimira. Hell, you don't even deserve to be an heir to the throne."
"And that's why Arcis is still the heir, despite his defect."
"Hey!!" Yunok yelled. "Do not mention that abomination!!"
"Or what?" Nor'ran yelled. "What's a coward without a Blessing going to do?"
He continued.
"Failed prince."
Yunok's grip tightened.
"I stand with Arc—"
Fwoom!
Shinng!
"Ahh..."
Drip.
Drip.
Nor'ran's blood dripped on the floor.
Yunok stepped forward. Slashing the air.
Nor'ran's blood, flying off the blade.
"Morvethis..." Yunok exhaled. "We missed."
Morvethis hissed, cold mist rising from its blade.
Nor'ran trembled. "W-what was that?"
"I barely managed to block it." He thought.
Nor'ran groaned.
Half of his left palm was sliced clean off.
"Shit."
Yunok approached Nor'ran slowly.
"Thought you said I was a coward." Yunok said. "Now look at who's on the floor— trembling."
"Aqualis? No... That's something different. Something that's not supposed to be here." Nor'ran murmured silently.
"What? Not talking again?" Yunok mocked.
He laughed, hysterically.
"You were running your mouth about me being a coward." He chuckled. "Continue..."
Nor'ran retreats, slowly.
But Yunok followed.
"I dare you."
Nor'ran retreated faster.
"I said. Continue—"
Fwoom.
Nor'ran vanished using his cloaking ability.
"Who's the coward now you bastard?!!!" Yunok yelled.
He laughed.
Slowly, his laughter quieted down.
"Shit..."
He sobbed.
"I almost killed my closest friend."
"Haha..."
"Was he right the whole time?"
Silence.
Yunok exhaled..
"Crap."
"Eimira... Are you still mine?"
"No— No... You are mine."
"You are mine."
"..."