Chapter 37: Shooting Stars

Toffee's POV

A little before the crack of dawn, I started to wake up, being the early-riser I am.

When I began to move an inch, I immediately held myself still the second I felt something around me. I opened my eyes to find out what it was.

Lying next to me in my bed was Aurora who was sound asleep, her arms the very things that were holding me.

"Ah, that's right," I realized with a small grin. "Aurora and I joined in a very brief but holy matrimony."

To be frank, I almost thought it was a dream, but now I'm glad to know it wasn't a dream at all.

With soft eyes, I carefully reached my right hand to tenderly stroke my fingers on the left side of her head, allowing myself to remain where I was for a few more minutes so I could admire her slumbering form and appreciate the protective, loving touch her embrace provided.

The longer I stared at her, the harder it was for me to stay still as I slowly brought her to my chest, deeply kissing the top of her head.

Aurora moaned a little in pleasure as a small grin came on her coral lips.

"I wonder how she will react when she remembers we're married," I asked myself, smirking in amusement at that thought.

Then, her eyes began to flutter. When she saw me next to her, she was completely perplexed before realization flashed on her face.

"Don't feel bad. I felt just as astonished myself," I explained with a grin, Aurora grinning back.

She glanced at my window to see how the sky was looking. "The sun's just risen," she announced. Looking at me, she asked, "Shall we get the day started?"

I closed my eyes as a longer grin grew on my face. "Actually, we do have a few more minutes to ourselves...if you wish," I offered.

I didn't even have to look to know she was blushing at the idea of spending a little more time together.

She settled the right side of her head on her pillow before she said, "A few more minutes couldn't hurt."

I opened my eyes as she bashfully glanced at her pillow. Smiling warmly at her, I moved until I was leaning over her face with my hands on both sides of her pillow. My movement made her curious as she looked at me.

I gently lowered my head down, my right hand cupping her left cheek as I kissed her deeply. She kissed me back as she cupped my face.

No doubt we both wished we could stay here longer, but we had to accept the fact that we both have important roles.

"We can't let ourselves be depressed about each other's temporary separation. Magicia's salvation depends on our focus. I only hope Aurora will never stop embracing the savior in her. Her sureness on wielding the Phoenix Blade physically is developing nicely."

Thinking about her potential as a sword bearer whom I could see inside her in the dojo yesterday made my heart move.

"I mustn't forget, she has shown her strength and heart of a warrior before we found the blade in Acirfa."

Remembering all of her admirable moments made me wrap my arms around her as I kissed her even more deeply which made her feel even more modestly hot as I felt a stronger heat on her body.

She slowly and desirably stroked her slender fingers on my neck, enjoying the smooth touch of my scales. Her caress on my neck made me grin in relaxation when I gently broke the kiss.

The second I did, she pulled her face upwards to kiss from the top of my neck to my right cheek to my quiet delight. When she stopped kissing my face, I looked to see the tiredness in her eyes.

"She's not used to being up this early." I grinned as I gently pushed her back on her pillow to her confusion. "You can go back to sleep. There's no need for you to awake until another hour from now," I offered. "I mean, you do look weary."

"Oh, I don't mind getting up now," Aurora insisted as she started to lift herself off the pillow. Then she turned her head away from me only to cover her yawn with her left hand.

I smirked as I gently pushed her down again. "Your heart doesn't mind, but your yawn suggests your body could use another hour. Just one hour, Aurora, please, or else you'll be yawning like this for perhaps most of the morning."

She knew I wasn't going to be convinced otherwise, so she gave in and closed her eyes.

"All right, you win," she said in calm, quiet defeat.

I grinned softly as I stroked my left hand on her hair. "Trust me, you'll thank me for this later."

She hummed in response as she let my caress drift her back to unconsciousness.

Frankly, a part of me wished I could have allowed her to rise with me now, but she did need to rest a little longer.

I leaned down to kiss her before I pulled the comforter to her face.

"I'll see you here again tonight, dear wife," I whispered.

Aurora's POV

Toffee's black digital alarm clock made me sit straight up in the blink of an eye, making me find myself alone in his room.

I glanced at his side of the bed as I started to wish our quality time as newly weds hadn't ended so soon.

"No use being down about it. Come now, it's time to get dressed and resume my classes with Toffee and Master Eru."

After I made the bed, I picked up the precious Phoenix-shaped locket...which made me open it to admire the pearl ring that was nestled safely inside.

...Then, I pulled my attention back to getting ready for the day.

After putting on my workout clothes, a light blue T-shirt and ocean-blue gym shorts, I found the breakfast Toffee made along with a note I found on his vacant chair.

"'Good morning. I trust, if you're not yawning right now, you must have had a good rest, courtesy of myself, of course. Then that means I shall have your gratitude later, yes? Please do not be offended, my dear, I am only teasing.'"

"Oh, I know you are," I understood with an amused grin.

"'After all, I would hate to drive you away the night after we just married,' his note also said. " 'A husband making his wife divorce him in such a short amount of time would make it, without a doubt, a new pathetic record.'"

"Most definitely," I agreed as I sat down, reading the rest of his note.

"'Anywho, please enjoy breakfast and I shall see you in the dojo this afternoon.'"

I smiled before I put the note down to eat his ever-wonderful cooking.

As I ate, I glanced at his empty seat as I thought of what life will be like once we enjoy our marriage in peace.

"Well, we have been living together long before we fell for each other and we've always gotten along. I know it'll be a joyful life... It just has to be postponed until everything changes. No doubt it is easier said than done... Phoenix, may we meet everyone's expectations."

My magic session with Master Eru was satisfactory; my magic with both the Phoenix Blade and the whip were getting better.

"My, my. Your power is intensifying even faster than expected," Eru remarked. He grinned playfully as his left hand stroked his chin. "Perhaps...it is because you are in better spirits than usual because of the man who gave you that locket," he hinted.

I blushed as my right hand gently touched my special silver necklace. Master Eru was theorizing that my evolved relationship with Toffee has an impact on my emotions which is affecting my magic.

I slowly smiled as I carefully wrapped my hand around my locket, believing Eru was right.

After magic class was over, I walked around the village, saying hi to everyone. This time I felt less awkward about their enthusiasm from seeing me with the Phoenix Blade strapped on my back, for I was in such a good mood today from both my magic getting stronger and my passionate love-life.

Then I spotted Rosela, Berries and Ruby at the village square.

"Toffee said we could let our friends in on our secret marriage." So I called out to them, giving them my greetings.

They smiled back at me, then they noticed the Phoenix locket on me.

"Where'd you get that?" Ruby asked, most curious about it.

"I'll tell you but in private," I answered softly for only my three friends to hear.

More intrigued by the second, we all made our way to the beach where it was unoccupied thankfully.

Then I told them of Toffee's desire of marrying me so that we could both allow ourselves to be closer before...we head out to Aissur.

"We would have invited you all to the wedding in Master Eru's study, but it was too short of a wedlock worth seeing. Of course...we still want to have a normal, bigger wedding after we return from Aissur...with all our friends there."

"So, that's what Choco was talking about," Berries said thoughtfully which confused the rest of us. "Choco told me that when he had seen Toffee walking to City Hall this morning, he looked happier than usual."

"And now we know why," Ruby grinned. "And the engagement ring is in that locket Toffee made?"

"Yes," I answered, smiling at the necklace.

"May we see it?" Berries requested.

"Sure. No one's around, so it'll be safe." Toffee and I still couldn't tell everyone else about our relationship because we were still concerned about how they would react.

I turned the silver Phoenix's beak a smidgen to open its chest before I made the pearl ring fall in my right hand.

The girls stared in awe at the gorgeous ocean-jewel.

"Does Toffee pick the best of things or what?" I commented, grinning at the ring before I put it back in the locket.

"He sure does," Ruby agreed.

"Hey, if you're really having another wedding when we come back from Aissur, why don't we talk about the ceremonial plans?" Berries suggested, enthusiastic about the subject.

"Well, I don't see why not," I confessed.

Berries gushed in excitement as she jumped up and down.

Rosela grinned at Berries's joy before the good pixie murmured to me, "She loves weddings."

"So I see," I replied softly.

Berries thought up of all kinds of interesting suggestions that I thought sounded good.

Sadly, after 10 minutes of talking about matrimonial ideas for the 2nd wedding, I had to bid the girls farewell so I could go to the dojo to resume sword class with Toffee who wasn't there yet only because I had arrived a little early.

I had deliberately wanted to be at the dojo ahead of time so I could have a few moments to practice on the wooden post.

"I am feeling better using the sword like this now," I admitted to myself as I kept working out.

I was so absorbed with my exercise that I didn't hear someone entering in the workout room with me.

After several seconds of losing myself in all this hard work, I stopped to take a breather.

As I wiped my brow of thick sweat, I twitched in surprise when I saw a bottle of water in front of my face. I studied the bottle for a split second to see a lizard's gray left hand wrapped around it.

My surprised heart felt easier as it began feeling warm when I knew who had just joined me.

"You came here rather early," Toffee remarked as I gratefully accepted the water.

"I did," I said before I took a sip of the cool water which rejuvenated me.

I was too shy to tell him my reasons for coming here alone, but he knew me well enough to figure it out himself. He knew I wanted to work with the Phoenix Blade by my lonesome to build up my confidence.

"Would you detest exercising with me now?" he joked.

"Of course I wouldn't. I do need my sword instructor's input on how well my training is," I grinned.

"Well, honestly, if I may give you my input now, you are getting far with your special weapon."

I grinned playfully as I closed my eyes. "While I appreciate hearing that, if I may politely advise, it might be a dangerous thing to give pupils your input before their lessons are given or else it would give them overconfidence," I teased.

Toffee's grin grew in amusement as he looked out the window. "I suppose you have a point there. After all, overconfidence is just as an inconvenience as under-confidence." Glancing at me, he added, "And fortunately, you aren't spoiling my teachings with either of the two hindrances."

"...I have my reptilian mentor to thank for that... Of course, you cannot take all of the credit, though. I mean...your good friends have much to do with my newly evolved nerve as you do."

It was true. Berries and Ruby helped me feel better dancing with friends that one night. Master Eru also helped, assisting me with my magic...and for also helping me understand that the Phoenix needs me to wield the sword that his wondrous power is in.

"Even the Phoenix has become the friend who's encouraged me to find my mettle..." "You and the others have done a lot for me."

Toffee smiled. "We're more than glad to have obliged... You yourself have done so much, teaching us a new better kind of honor that your Master Era taught you."

"...It's always a pleasure to share Master Era's pearls of wisdom."

Then we began with training. This time...we had to spar metal with metal. We took our positions, both of us standing on opposite sides of the room. I gripped the Phoenix Blade in my right hand, keeping my grit as hard as stone.

"Remember, be serious but keep in mind: he's your sparring partner, not an adversary."

Then I could feel something very strange, something that felt like my veins were on fire...only it didn't hurt, really. Just the opposite...

The next thing that happened, when Toffee and I clashed blades, the bizarre fiery became even stronger. And for a split second...I saw a very short vision of the Phoenix flying across my face, a hinting smile I could see on his crimson face before the vision quickly vanished.

I would have stopped to tell Toffee about it, but it felt like someone inside my mind strongly insisted that I shouldn't cease and keep sparring.

...Right there, I knew who was speaking to me and I heeded his insistency to continue sparring.

The pretend-fight sort of stopped time altogether, the only sounds were me and Toffee's clashing metal weapons.

The hesitance and fear I would have normally felt at the concept of using a sword left me entirely. All I thought about at this moment was perfecting my hands with the Phoenix Blade.

Toffee himself was both astonished and amazed at how I was wielding the Phoenix Blade with no hint of discomfort whatsoever.

After five minutes which felt like an vitalizing hour from the incredible zone I was in, Toffee ended the lesson.

I panted as I stared at the sword in my right hand. "The Phoenix..."

"Well done, Aurora," Toffee commended as he placed his hands on my shoulders. "You faced me without fear."

"...Toffee...you won't believe who coached me in my head."

Toffee raised his eyebrow, puzzled by what I said.

"Before we sparred, I felt an invigorating, hot energy as I saw a short vision of the Phoenix flying in front of me. He was...helping me feel brave with the sword."

Toffee's confusion evaporated as a look of amazement showed on his long gray face.

We both agreed that my bond with the Phoenix is getting stronger and we shared this news with Master Eru in his study.

The sage owl's face lit up almost like an fascinated child's.

"Extraordinary!" he pronounced. "And the Phoenix has even given you some sort of energy, yes?"

"Yes, Master Eru, it felt like fire but painless."

"Well, the Phoenix is a fire bird."

Toffee and I left Master Eru who sat at his desk, grinning in great pleasure.

"Honestly...I think the Phoenix is responding to the joy she's been feeling since she's married Toffee... That's also why her ability to use magic is getting better. Huh, love... What wonders it can do."

Toffee's POV

Aurora and I returned home that early in the evening. We cooked dinner together. Aurora felt so good, she wanted to make a small dessert for us.

It was some sort of salty-sugar cake. Apparently, it's a pastry she learned from her guardian Master Era. He, as well as myself, didn't have much of a sweet tooth, so he created a cake that has half salt and half sugar.

Aurora tried his interesting cake and liked it and learned his recipe.

Every now and then, I would look in her direction to see her happily working on the little cake. She seemed to have a sort glow about her which was a very wonderful thing to witness.

When the cake was done, she topped it with coffee frosting since she knew I like coffee.

After we finished dinner, she cut me a slice of the cake. She sat down in silence, waiting in silent anticipation as I took a bite.

Though I liked the coffee frosting, I paid more attention to the strange taste in the cake. And I didn't mean strange in a bad way; just the opposite. The careful blend of the salt and sugar spread in my mouth so eloquently.

Aurora carefully studied my reaction, checking for any signs of disgust which she couldn't see, but she assumed nothing until she heard my critique.

I gladly satisfied her curiosity as I slowly grinned. "It's an astounding taste."

She smiled joyfully, her heart celebrating that I liked the cake that she and her beloved mentor enjoyed.

"Well, the credit goes to Master Era since it was his recipe," she said, still grinning.

"And so do you for using coffee frosting as the finishing touch," I put in.

She smiled bashfully as she looked at what was left of the cake in the little pan, her eyes telling me she was reminiscing a fond memory.

"Although, Master Era always liked his cake without frosting. As I already told you, he didn't have a sweet tooth. But he knew I always did, so he never minded it when I would cover my half of the cake with either vanilla or chocolate frosting."

"Is this cake the only one you can bake?"

"No, but it is the only dessert Master Era taught me since he didn't eat any sweets. My grandmother taught me some pastries...and I developed an inspiration to create my own desserts. I only made those for her since she had a sweet tooth like I do. Of course she taught me other dishes that I used make for Era that he happily ate."

"Such as the dishes you've made for me?"

"That's right... Ever since I've been alone, I keep memorizing and cooking all the recipes I know... It's nice to cook for someone again..."

Not wanting to be too caught up in the past to the point of shedding tears, she quickly added a comment in a slightly teasing, playful tone, "Even though my reptilian gourmet has no taste for sweet things."

I grinned. "I apologize that I'm not much fun when it comes to desserts."

Aurora shrugged, her smile never faltering. "Everyone has different tastes, so it's no crime."

An idea came to mind. "Perhaps since I don't eat many sweet things, I'm sure our friends would love to try your dessert recipes."

Her hazel eyes lit up at the thought of having a whole village to try the food she would make for her beloved grandmother and guardian.

"I'd love that..." Then a hint of concern came across her face. "...but only when I have the time..."

She was preferring the fact that we were still busy getting ready for Aissur. That meant swapping recipes was an impossibility at the moment.

Aurora deliberately changed the depressing subject when she spoke to me about her telling the news of our small classified marriage to our friends.

"The girls and I talked about the plans for our bigger wedding. Berries was most enthusiastic on the topic."

I smirked in amusement. "Berries has always been a romantic at heart."

After we washed the dishes, we decided to walk on the beach, Aurora wading knee-deep in the salmon-colored sea that hugged her knees constantly.

I, myself, walked on the sand near her. How luxurious it is to step out of the village's invisible force field. I knew everyone was feeling the same way.

Tonight's sunset beautifully made the sky's color match the Sakura Ocean which of course delighted Aurora.

What would the world look like if every human wanted to be good to everything in it as she does, I asked myself.

The master plan was to take away the Magicianians humans' magic, then they would be completely powerless...

"And then what? I haven't even thought of what to do after that. We want world peace, but what do we do with the humans? We...cannot just wipe them out."

Before we met Aurora, there was a time when we wished all humans would disappear...but now...annihilating them just wasn't the answer.

"Although...that is what most of the other monsters in the world desire..."

Our friends at the oasis and the guardian-fairies of the Phoenix temple can tell the decency in a human's soul courtesy of Aurora's teachings...but there were still countless of other monsters who didn't know yet...

"And as we speak, their resentment of humans grows stronger every day... Of course, we could always vouch for Aurora and then they would have to believe us... If that's the case, then...Aurora could vouch for us...

"...But would they have the minds and hearts to take her wise words into consideration? Even if we take away their magic, getting them to see things her way does sound easier said than done."

I didn't share my thoughts with her because she has been in the best of spirits which has helped her wield the Phoenix Blade and I refused to say anything concerning that might make her lose her newfound nerve.

So I chose to put those troubling thoughts aside for the time being and focus on seizing the source of the Magicianians' powers.

Then, when we returned home, I also focused my thoughts to enjoy being with my wife. We both retired to my quarters where Aurora sat on the bed brushing her hair as she waited for me to exit my connecting-bathroom.

When I did, I looked at Aurora whose back was turned to me as she kept brushing her flowing rose-colored locks.

"Her hair is certainly her finest feature," I thought fondly. When she was done, I used my tail to gently take the hairbrush from her to place it on the nightstand as I reached my right hand to touch her locks.

Aurora smiled softly as she sat still, resting her hands on her lap as I kept fingering her hair whose roots I carefully stroked my left fingers through which she savored.

Several seconds later, I gently wrapped my tail around her waist to slowly move her towards me, her back leaning against my front. Then I stroked the back of my right hand on her right cheek multiple times as well as carefully rubbing my left fingers all over her neck.

The relaxing sensation made her slowly close her eyes as she rested the back of her head on my chest.

I slowly unwrapped my tail off her midsection to have my tail pull the off switch on the nightstand lamp before I gently turned her to face me.

With my left hand tilting her chin, I harmlessly bit the left side of her collarbone which made her happily moan a little.

When I removed my mouth from her collarbone, she gave my face light strokes with her fingers which made me smile contently as I rested my right cheek on her left shoulder which made her face red as she looked at me.

She grinned, allowing me to let me keep my head where it was as she stroked her fingers on my long neck this time. When I breathed on her own neck, she felt peacefully dizzy as she fingered my hair.

Then...as quick as a shooting star, I kissed her with an even more affectionate force than usual to her great surprise as her eyes widened.

I deepened the kiss to persuade her to enjoy this which she fully agreed to as she copied my action, keeping my face in her smooth hands.

We broke the kiss for a second to catch our breath. And when I kissed her just as I did a minute ago, I slowly and gently pushed her on the pillows, Aurora making no objections as she slipped her hands to place them behind my shoulders.

After we broke the kiss, I slithered my right hand behind her head that I tilted backwards before I kissed her neck up and down, her energy draining as I continued doing this.

When I brushed my lips over to the right side of her neck, I opened my right eye to see the silver Phoenix-shaped locket on the nightstand, thinking about the engagement ring that was currently safely hidden inside.

"I wish I could see her wear it but not until the mission is complete... At least, even though we'll marry the 2nd time, I can still embrace her as my wife now..."

My wife... No concept sounded lovelier than that. Thinking about that made me press my mouth harder on her neck, making my red-haired love silently moan joyfully again.

That night, at the cave where Titan had been mourning, the naga stood at the mouth of the cave, quiet tears rolling down his face as he gazed at the starry night sky, the remorse still gnawing at his heart.

"I can never return to Roca. I can't... So what do I do now? Wander around the world for eternity...?"

Suddenly, he heard a whisper in the air. At first he thought it was just the night breeze...but there was something familiar about this sound he was hearing.

"No, not a sound," he corrected himself as he listened closer, "...A voice."

"My son..."

That voice Titan was hearing...it sounded like his but deeper and a bit softer.

"No, it can't be," he murmured to himself as he shook his head.

"My son..." This time the voice sounded a bit louder.

No, Titan knew that voice. It belonged to Master Serpent, Titan's... "Father?"

Titan almost convinced himself he was dreaming...but because of the dry tears he could still feel, he knew for sure he was wide awake.

So, he slithered out of the cave, scanning the darkness of where the voice was coming from.

He was bewildered when he couldn't see anyone and he was in an open-spaced area, so he should have been able to see someone easily.

"...Maybe...I'm going mad..."

"Nonsense, you stopped going mad when the dark magic left your body," the male's voice dismissed with a positive tone.

That made Titan twitch in shock as he tried looking for the person talking, but again he couldn't see anybody.

"Titan...you cannot see me...but I am much closer to you than you believe," the voice went on with warm reassurance.

Titan still questioned the reality of this for a second, but after what he experienced with Aurora and the Phoenix Blade...why should he doubt what was happening now?

"Father."

"I tried to reach you like this countless times since I passed..." his seemingly invisible father continued, his voice despondent, "but your heart was in so much despair and fury, I couldn't communicate with you. Only when you were free of the poisonous darkness that I can speak to you."

His late father's spirit had been trying to contact with him?

Just as Titan was about to ask his queries, he saw a shooting star flying in the west. Then he saw two more zooming there and then five more.

"A meteor shower? But that's impossible. There shouldn't be any meteor showers this early in the year."

"Follow the stars, Titan," his father's voice instructed softly.

Titan's eyes widen when he realized what was causing those stars to fall in the west. But the question he really wanted an answer for is...

"Why? What's in the west, Father?"

The only response he received was, "Go there...slither west from where you are now...and then you'll come to the Sakura Ocean that you must cross."

"Cross the...? But how? I can't a get boat without crossing paths with humans."

"You will not need a boat to cross the sea," his father corrected, sounding like he was smiling when he said it. "You will see once you're there."

"But what's over the sea that I have to get to?"

"You will know... Please, Titan, trust me."

Titan's mind was in a whirl from what was going on.

His father's spirit was speaking to him in and he was seeing stars falling in the direction he supposedly had to make his way to.

Wanting to know what this all meant, he complied to his father's request. "As you wish, Father..."

Titan waited for a reply...but there was only silence which pained him when he felt he was all alone...

It felt too soon and sudden for his father to cease the spiritual connection...but then he reminded himself of what Master Serpent said "I am closer to you than you believe".

Titan gathered his courage as he took a deep breath...and marched straight to the west.

He was still in a daze and he knew his questions would only be answered until he arrived at the other side of the coral-colored sea.

I hope no one is hating the fact I'm writing another lovey-dovey chapter. I mean, what can I say? I'm a passionate romantic. In the next chapter, they will be starting the mission. So I hope you'll look forward to it.