The Abyssal Oceanside

Chapter 8: The Second of Ash: Forward to the Sunshine

"Her name is Grani, she is similar to you I suppose."

"Is that so…?" Was all the Red Knight could answer with. For the past few moments of an awkward conversation with the two, it has come to the Hunter of the Abyss's mind that she wasn't used to talking to just anyone. Ever since the Knight in Red and Black had awakened, he would attempt to speak to her, as they sat at the bonfire.

It was a strange thing for both as the human woman would remain silent, seemingly watching the lingering fire, the man would fidget here and there.

Why? Were his feelings on the matter of waking up to her still there?

The Red Knight would most likely deny that being his reason. The evidence was there to the Abyss Seeker as he wasn't hurt, undead didn't feel pain, and he couldn't be hungry since undead didn't need food. So the logical answer came to her and it was rather straightforward to her liking.

Before however, before she began anew with the name of her friend, longest friend, he had asked her why did she stay with him. Why did she watch over him while he rested? Why did she do such a thing for so long?

She never did give him a proper answer. Well… at least now that is.

"I… guess that's good yes? This friend of yours, you said she's similar to me, in what way do you mean?" He asked with crossed legs and his back launching forward. He showed his interest by way of physical movement, body language, and she, a Hunter of the Abyss, noted such things easily.

"Yes, it's good to be seen similarly to her." She said looking away from him. Her right hand arriving at her chest, more specifically, her heart. "You bring out the same feeling she did once before. That is what I mean Emiya."

The Red Knight, referred to as Emiya, as a way of the Abyssal Hunter before he nodded his head listing to her words.

"Ah, heh, thank you for the compliment I suppose, Skadi."

"Think nothing of it, that feeling I feel is odd and foreign. I'm only repeating what I did with my dear friend, here with you."

Emiya simply nodded his head slowly in acknowledgment. While he tensed up a bit, feeling at least informed on an unasked question regarding why she stayed from earlier, both warriors would go silent then and there.

The Red-eyed Hunter found her eyes scanning the flame as if looking for an answer to an unexplained question. The Knight named Emiya would look at the dirt ground and his sodded black Iron feet.

"Then I suppose it's time for me to take to the challenge not too far from here." Placing his hand on his knees, Emiya, stood up and stretched his shoulders and his elected his wrists. His blades were at his hips and sheathed in their appropriate homes. "I'm glad I got to meet you Skadi, but my objective is to Link the Fire. It's what I was risen to do. Can't keep it waiting or else I'll be a failure in doing such as well as not dying appropriately."

Turning on his toes, the strawberry and vanilla-colored haired Knight began to continue.

Only to stop when he didn't get a reply back and he heard a sound going and him. Turning his chin over his right shoulder a powerful gust of wind washed over the hillside of the bonfire.

It was enough to ruffle the cloth he wore in tandem with his colorful hair. His gold and silver mixed eyes met the solid red ruby of Skadi. Her greatsword was sheathed and her right hand was gripping the leather string-like harness.

Her expression was stoic and without form and her black and blue attire flickered from the powerful gust, throwing her white long locks and shifting her witch-like pointy hat.

"Hmm? Why did you stop?" She asked and Emiya couldn't only blink his eyes and face her fully. His chest printing directly at her head as he was that much taller than her.

"I… may I ask where are you going?" She tilted her head then she pointed a finger at him. This caused him to raise both his eyebrows at her in bewildering shock. Why was she coming with him...? "Why are you coming with me?"

"The feeling in my chest comes from being near you. Therefore where you go, I'll follow."

"Was this what happened with this so-called Grani person?"

She bobbed her head promptly.

The Red Knight stayed still for a moment and he dropped his head, feeling the edges of his mouth crease. He tried to hide an embarrassing smile, but he couldn't hold in his laugh. "-Ha… we'll let's go then."

Yes, he was accepting of this outcome, not because it was strange, but because it felt familiar. Like he's been through a series of events that were left out of his control.

"I…" she suddenly spoke up. "Like your smile. It's like looking at the shine of the sun." She said closing her eyes with an emotionless expression.

She now had a partner again.

She wouldn't be alone for now. Hopefully, she'll get to see her friend again. Hopefully, she'll get to understand this feeling in her chest.

End