24.
I come out the store in not a piece of clothing I was wearing before. In the skirt Xelha gave me, good thing there was 5,000G in the pocket. I bought a black tank top, under the chest area was a mesh, and a blazer into a long cape. I got shorts and flats, and a cute bow on the top of my head. My hair was parted down the middle and straight, I felt like this is actually my style, I can't wear Xelha's clothing, I ain't no Queen!
Walking back up to the manor, I hear a faint voice that I thought was calling my name, until it got closer and closer; Elysa, Elysa, Elysa! I heard it call…. It sounded like Kalas..
I turn around, and see someone running towards me, and it is. "Kalas, why are you out here?" I laugh and yell as loud as I could. He was quite far away.
It takes a moment for him to reach up to me, until he starts flying to me. When he pulls out his wings little sparkles come out and he gracefully- but quickly- flies to me. He reaches me and lowers to the ground, and gets tangled up in his cape.
I smile really big, and laugh in his face. His presence always makes me happy, "Playing Ghost?" I ask while putting my hands on my hips, continuing to laugh.
Kalas tries to untangle himself from his cape, "Damn!" he yells in anger, "Yeah… you could say that." he replies sarcastically as he struggles.
Looking back up at Kalas, I notice a flying brown cloth coming in my direction and covering my body. "Hey!" I yell as the cape covers my body. "What the hell, you loser." I tell him, taking the cape off my face to see him laughing back at me.
"Serves you right!" he says as he catches his cape, and puts it back on. "I was talking to Luther," he says, "Did he ever talk to you about… anything?"
I look awkwardly, "Yeah, he has.." I say, "And to be honest, it was about me… a-and….. things."
Kalas looks surprised, "H-He did?" He smiles, "He just spoke to me too.. About you, Xelha and I."
I feel weird, and awkward, and upset. Xelha is my closest friend, I feel terrible now that I'm having Kalas, the one she's always loved, with me. She'd be devastated.
"Kalas, I think Luther knows about us… or at least has an Idea.. And he knows Xelha likes you." I say.
He stares at me for a moment, "Yeah, I agree… so, what should we do?"
"It isn't fair to Xelha, Kalas." I blurt out, "As much as I lo-" I pause, "She's my good friend." I almost said I love him, right now is not the best time.
Kalas looks away from my face, his face stale as ever. From I feel horrible doing this to Xelha. "I guess we should just stick out distance, and not do like what we did.. Not until we get this straightened out."
Hearing those words from his mouth struck me like a knife to my heart, but it was the best thing for us to do until Xelha knows. We both care for Xelha, so it was the best thing for now. I felt my eyes having a burning sensation.
GOD.
"So," I say, "Do you wanna go hang out somewhere, buddy?" I force a fake smile. The smile pushes out a tear in my right eye, I wipe it fast. Why am I crying, it's not like he doesn't like me… we are doing what's best for her.
"Sure, why not" he says, "Umm. There's some sort of festival going on in Anuenue tonight… I guess we can go there."
"Yeah, lets go." I say. We start walking, then I stop. "Don't you wanna tell Xelha first?" I say.
He laughs, "It's all right, If she needs us, she'll find us." He says.
I sigh loudly, then look up at him, his blue eyes are so perfect, and his face and figure. Oh man how I want to hold him so badly.
"Okay, lets go… we can take the white dragon." He says.
We walk onto the Mira port, just walking with him alone was probably the hardest thing I did. The temptation oh holding his hand, holding him, touching him… but this was better for myself, and Xelha. I belong to a different world, I cant ruin other peoples lives. Until everything between my being in this dimension, Xelha knowing about me gets sorted out, I should be cautious.
I see the White Dragon, it looks the same as it always does. Despite the mean look it gives, she's a very sweet dragon. Scars on the dragons skin from long years of being passed down from generation to generation; this dragon has been through a lot.
"Lets go on the White Dragon, Elysa." Kalas says.
"Where have I heard that before," I laugh to myself, "Yes, lets get going."
25.
Today seemed windier than usual, or maybe because I've never actually rode this thing before. I clench on the White Dragon like I'm going to fall off into the ocean, while Kalas is standing peacefully on its back overlooking the view.
"Elysa, relax." He laughs, "Sheesh, you won't fall off, you can stop gripping her scales so hard." he groans. "If you fall off, we can just get Gibari to fish you out."
I look over at him and my teeth are clenched, "Was that supposed to be funny?!" I say with my teeth clenched, "Kalas, mind you I've never rode this thing?!" I yell as the wind chokes me.
Kalas walks over to me, "Here, grab my hand." he says as he puts his arm out toward me.
"No Kalas, you said we should keep our distance!" I yell. I didn't realize I was being more suborn than usual.
"Whoa, I'm just trying to make YOUR ride more comfortable, but fine!" Kalas stands up and looks ahead, "The trail of souls is coming soon."
I look up at him in fright, "KALAS! GET DOWN ARE YOU INSANE?!" I yell. I lose my grip on the dragon and my feet slip off, "KALAS! HELP ME I'M SLIPPING!"
Kalas looks down at me and laughs as he takes a step over and takes my hands and pulls me all the way up to stand on the right in front of him. I'm face to face with him, and I grab on to him holding him. Kalas holds on to me too, but not as tight as I am.
"Hey…. Relax." Kalas says, "I can feel your heartbeat.. Don't be scared."
I felt safe with him, like even standing on a dragon for the first time, I knew I was going to be okay. "I… I know I'm safe now." I say. I start blushing, now I know how Xelha felt when she got revived by the great whale.
Kalas laughs, I look up at him, "I get that feeling when I'm with you that everything is going to be alright, no matter where I am." I say quietly.
He looks down at me, "That's funny, remember who was guarding who, and who's presence helped us save the world."
"Very funny, but this is all new to me… you were the one actually fighting him, doing the stuff… My power and knowledge just helped you." I counteract.
"Still, Elysa" Kalas says, "Without you, none of this would be here… You should know that."
We are having this little couple moment, I love it. I wish we could be together. "Kalas, I-" Before I can finish my sentence, we stumble. The dragon is slowing down to enter the trail of souls.
"Ugh…" I say, "how long does it take to get out of here?" I ask.
"I don't know." Kalas says, "I usually close my eyes when I'm in the trail of souls, I never liked it, it always made me sick." he says.
"Yeah, now I see why." I agree.
The trail of souls had a different air density, much heavier compared to flying just anywhere. The bright colours where memorizing, it made me want to sleep.
I yawn, and start losing grip of Kalas from getting queasy.
"Whoa," He says, "Why are you getting heavier?"
Before I could speak, we were out of the trail of souls, entering a bright light and clouds to fly through. Kalas peaked one eye open to notice we were outside of the trail of souls, as the bright sky and ocean appeared, the Cloudgulls flew between the clouds, and the cold ocean breeze hit our bodies.
"Oh, well whada'ya know." he says.
"Kalas!" I yell. I stood up, squinting my eyes, "Hold me." I say under my breath.
Kalas brought his arms around me and took out his left wing and wrapped it around the front of my body. I felt more secure that I've ever been. that's one thing I loved about him, his protectiveness.
"We're here." He says calmly, "Hold on, we're coming down into the port."
The dragon caused us to stumble...well me...as it lowered to reach the Anuenue port. Immediately reaching Anuenue, it's a cool warm breeze climate with that welcoming atmosphere. Flowers surrounded the island with beautiful surroundings. I knew I was going to like it here.
He hops off the dragon and raises his hand up to me to lead me off. I grab his hand and he lifts me down. The jump is higher than it seems.
"Thanks Kalas," I sigh in relief as I touch the ground, "That ride wasn't as scary as I thought.. For the most part."
"Are you serious?!" he comments, "You woulda broke my Winglet the way you were grabbing onto me so hard.."
"Shut up." I say in my stubborn voice.
Kalas and I hold hands staring at each other, Anuenue had hit sunset, and the colour on the trees and the water looked beautiful, and Kalas… He looked perfect.. even though he is a jerk.
"Shall we go?" He says leaning to the direction of the city; Komo Mai, "They're waiting."
"Yeah, lets." I say faintly. Kalas and I hold hands walking to the village, It slipped my mind what we had talked about in Balcancoire, but now isn't the time to burst bubbles.
"Your hands are soft." He says, "You seem nervous. You can relax, we are off the dragon now." he grips my hand harder. "
"No, that's not it," I say looking away from him, "I just.. You make me nervous- In a good way!"
"How?"
"I don't know, okay!?"
Kalas looks away and up ahead, "Hey, look." he says speeding up his pace, forcing me to catch up to him shortly behind him.
If anyone's wondering where Lyude and The Great Mizuti are, they will be coming up soon in the next few chapters
26.
We reach the flowery capital of Komo Mai and see villagers dancing, lights on, and music playing, with the sunset sky flowing with them. There's games, food and it looks like a good time. The village really was 'City of the Flowers', there were flowers everywhere! It was extremely beautiful being here in person.
"What's this?" I ask, "It looks like the celebration of the Celestial tree, but that's already bloomed a year ago."
"It's the day of the Great Whale," He says, "Anuenue always does some sort of festival for every little thing.." Kalas comments.
The people carried on to having fun as the moon rose, and Kalas was still holding my hand. I walk over with Kalas to the games and see an interesting one that catches my interest right by the waterfall. Three Greythornes on a bouncy surface and which one bounced higher was the winner, this one took strength.
"You really wanna try this?" Kalas asks me, "I'll mop the floor with you!"
We both run to the game and the lady smiles at both of us as we approach, "Hi there," the game lady says, "interested in trying the Greythorne Toss?"
"Hell yeah we are," Kalas chants, "What's the prize?" he puts his arm around my shoulder in excitement for the game.
The lady shuffles over to the game hut, "You can get a free baby Greythorne! If you're interested in a new lil pet!" She picks one up to show us, It had black and white spots all over it's body, I fell in love with it instantly.
"Aww! I have to get it!" I say, "Kalas lets play, now!"
"Hold on you two," she stops us, "You need a third person!"
"Why can't It be us two?" Kalas asks.
We hear a discrepancy from behind, and turn to see an overweight man running in our direction.
"I'm playing!" says the voice of a fat man, wheezing.
We turn around and see a fat man running to play, Nubata, one of Quzman's relative, dodging every person, and there were a lot of people he had to pass though this busy festival.
He takes a sight at Kalas and bows, "I'll have the honor of playing with his greatness." then kneels.
Kalas shakes his head, "Please, I'm no special person, and get up!" Kalas says. "And aren't you that guy from Quzman's family tree…thing?" he asks, "Fancy you being all the way here in Anuenue." Kalas says in a weirded out way.
"I-I'm sorry, I heard there would be a Greythorne toss here for the Great Whale Festival," says the fat man wheezes, "I already have a Greythorne, I just do it to have fun." he takes another deep breath.
"Well that's great," says Kalas, "So are we gonna play or what? And you can get up any day now."
"I only kneeled because I'm exhausted!" he begged, getting up to the surface slowly.
"All right!" I chant, "May we have some adult Greythornes to toss, please?" I ask the lady with my hands out, ready to hand them.
She hands us three Greythorne's to throw down on the bouncy surface up in the air, then see which one gets higher. Seems simple enough?
"I'll be watching to see which Greythorne reaches the highest!" the lady yells, "Ready, Set, Throw!"
We all throw down our Greythornes with a crowd behind us forming, makes it more intense of a lamer game than I thought. The crowd chants for Kalas, others just bet on what colour Greythorne will go higher. I toss mine down with all my power and look up to see my Greythorne flew too forward and plumed into the water. My mood immediately suffered, crossing my arms and pouting my lip like a sour-mouth child. Nubata's Greythorne didn't go too high, but he did better than I did, resulting in his second place.
"Winner!" the lady walks over to Kalas, "Congratulations Kalas! You sure do have a strength of one hundred men!"
I look onto the waters to see the Greythorne's swimming back to land, Kalas can see I'm upset. The crowed of Komo Mai villagers go wild over Kalas' win, he seems to be loving the attention, throwing his fist into the air.
Loser.
"Thank you. I was trained by the best." He says, "so I can have that lil guy?" he says while pointing to the black and white Greythorne.
"Did I win?!" Nubata says, stumbling around in confusion, like tossing the Gaythrone down drained his energy completely, and walks around like a brainless zombie. Sweat took over the skin on his face, and soaked his clothes in his own odor.
From ONE throw.
I look over at his drained body, "Are you okay, Nubata?" I ask concerned.
"Yeah…. Yes…" he stands straight, then he faints down causing a slight disturbance with the plates of the earth. All the crowed was startled by the fall, even me.
"Don't worry, he does this all the time, but still loves this toss," the lady says, "I already knew this would happen."
The lady walks over to Kalas, "Yes, This one's my favorite.." She says, "I'm sure you'll like her." She says handing the Gaythrone to him.
I am a sucker for a man who's good with pets, I smile, but out of his range so he can't look at my face.
"Maybe you can train me?" The lady says flirtatiously, "Then I can face you in this one-on-one."
The lady had a long black dress with light makeup. She wasn't ugly, which was the problem. I wasn't jealous of her, but shouldn't she know we are… somewhat together.
"Wait, I'm sorry, are you two together?" she says, "I don't mean to be rude!"
He looks at me and holds me from behind, I was taken by surprise, "Yeah, we are," He says, "But thanks for the Greythorne."
"Oh." She says in disappointment, "You two have a awesome night, and feel free to come back if you want to try again."
Did he just say we are?! I look up at Kalas, he looks down at me. He lets go of my and faces me, looking down on me. He hands me the Greythrone to hold, "Here.. I got it for you." My heart lit with happiness.
"Kalas, did you really?" I ask, "This is the…" no words could describe how I was feeling.
"Yeah, Don't mention it." He says.
I hug the baby Greythrone, it's black and white spotted, kind of like cookies and cream ice cream, It's eyes look up at me, it's jut laying in my palm, it kind of looks like a ball children would play with.
"I'll name you Oreo." I say, "You'll love home." I kiss the black and white Greythorne and put her on my shoulder. "Kalas, I need a bag to carry her in."
Kalas looks around, "I don't see or know any places to get a bag." he says. He looks at the bow on my head, and pulls the string to take it off.
"H-Hey, what are you doing?!" I ask, fixing my hair.
He ties the scarf around my body diagonally, good thing it was long. "There," He says, "That should do it."
"I see what you did," I say, "Thanks Kalas, you're more bright than you look, Hun." I put Oreo in the scarf so she sits in my scarf against my stomach.
"What do you mean by that?" He says softly, taking my hand to hold.
"What do you mean by that!?" I mock, "You're such a loser." I roll my eyes.
He looks down on me, and I look up at him. I pull him outside the village, I pull him to the Anuenue port. I acted on impulse, but I want him so badly. No other thought in my mind is going to tell me I can't.
Kalas and I reach the port and climb a ladder to reach outside a house that's in the tree. Once we climb that, there's a little entrance to go that's on top of the trees on the roof of the house. We sit down together, and I take the scarf off my body and set it near me with the Greythrone sleeping in it.
He looks out at the moon, "Look at that!" he cries
"It's beautiful…" I say, astonished.
The moonlight looked like nothing compared to my world. The moon looked more welcoming, bigger and brighter. The dark sky complimented it with purple clouds around the moon. The stars glimmered, and looked closer and twinkle, if you looked closely enough. The wind here is like kisses to ones soul, along with the ocean wave and breeze. The great whale was out there, and you can hear it's strange cry, though the whale sounded to be far away. Here, the wildlife and humans seem to not be so scared of each other, oppose from the freaks in some places that come to attack you.
"I bet you don't have this in your weird world, huh?" a voice says, waking me out of my thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, Kalas." I say, "Sorry, I was just thinking."
"What's up?"
"Your world…I would rather stay here, and be with a world that's so welcoming, than go to my world, where the world is on the verge of destruction by our own doings."
"It's that bad over there, huh?"
"You have no idea."
He sighs, and sits back, "I'm sure there's a way if we all do our research… you're here now, aren't you?"
"Yeah, but if there's anything I've learned, there's a catch to anything."
"Yeah…I know."
Still holding my hand, I run my fingers along the top of his hands. I lean in closer, and I go to kiss him - a peck - just once more.
Kalas pulled away from my face, I noticed his body is glowing again, but I assume it's from the moon light. I don't take much notice to it. "I thought we agreed to keep out distance?" He whispered, "What about Xelha?"
"I don't know," I say, "But I do know this…Kalas, you have no idea how I feel about you."
I go to hold both of his hands on top of mine. "Being with you, I feel so complete, I can't describe it." I whisper to him.
Kalas grips my hand tight, "Yeah." He says.
I grab both his hands and looks into his eyes, "I love you." I stutter, "There's no doubt in my mind that is true.. I wouldn't say it if I don't."
My heart races for his reply.
"You…love me?" he answers, "I've never had anyone who did…or done so myself."
I pause, I'm not sure how to answer that.
"How would you know for sure if I do too?" he asks me.
"Kalas, is that you?!" says a voice from down below, "I thought that might be you, kid."
Kalas gets up himself and looks down below the tree house.
Who can that be?
This gets good..
