"Miss, could you help lift that banner up?" One of the people running the Spirit Festival asks me. I smile sweetly and step up, exercising a little magic as I pick up the banner and walk up with my shadow steps. I'm a few feet above people's heads as I help fix the banner.
"Up here?" I ask. Golden Demon, Kusho, I hope you guys are watching.
"A little lower, please." The man calls. I nod and lower it a bit. "That's perfect! Can you fasten it right there?"
"Could you throw me the fastener?" I ask. He turns to one of the other workers and throws the fastener. It's too low for me to catch and falls right back to the ground.
"Sorry!" The man yells when he picks up the fastener again. "My arm isn't what it used to be!"
"Try again!" I encourage him. He looks wary but does as I ask. This time, I add a bit of my magic to give him that little extra strength he needed. The fastener lands right in my hand. The man below looks surprised that he managed to throw it to me as I fix the banner onto the fastener. Everyone starts to clap and cheer as the banner is proudly shown above everyone's head to celebrate the festival. I smile before I feel my magic drain quickly. Helping that man was more than what I could handle. And to think, I've been training for six months to be able to shadow step without problems. Should have added manipulating people's bodies to the mix. I try to walk down as fast as I could, but I feel my magic give out before I'm a safe distance to fall from. I yelp as my magic step disappears. Everyone else gasps and cries out as I fall.
"Choryon!" A voice yells. I feel the wind slow down my fall before I land in someone's arms. "Did you see that? I used one of the techniques Master Souma taught me right this time!" The voice yells again. My eyes widen and I look up to see a familiar face.
"Interesting meeting you here, Leilah." Yone comments with a smirk. He's grown more, with a clear goatee on his chin. I blush fiercely before scrambling out his hold and hugging him.
"Yone!" I cry out joyously. "What are you doing here?"
" Master Souma took him as his pupil and has been teaching him wind techniques. When you sent your last letter, you told us that you were heading to Jyom Pass, to celebrate the Spirit blossoms. Yasuo has been beyond eager to see you again. He wanted to show you his skills. I think this is the first time he's performed that technique on his own without Master Souma watching him. He wanted to demonstrate with you watching, but at least this way you know for sure that he's mastering it." Yone rambles a bit. I just keep hugging him.
"DON'T YOU EVER DO SOMETHING SO RECKLESS AGAIN!" Yone and I break apart at hearing Starshadow's angry voice. "You're lucky you've gotten better at controlling your magic enough to go that high, but falling was not necessary to the plan!" He snaps. Yone raises an eyebrow.
"A plan?" I shoot Starshadow a glare.
"Thanks, Starshadow. You remember Yone, right?" I ask pointedly to my snake. I see him take a second look.
"Yone?" He asks. Yone nods. Starshadow lets out a happy laugh before bolting to slither up his body. "I am so glad to see you! Is Yasuo here?"
"Of course. What plan though?" Yone responds. Starshadow gives a small flinch.
"Um, the plan… to make this an amazing festival of course!" Starshadow tries. Yone looks at both of us, not believing a single thing.
"Yone! Yone, did you see me catch that person!" Yasuo shoves his way into our conversation. I look over at him and gasp. I've only been gone a little over a year, but he's already taller than me. He's shot up faster than a weed!
"Yasuo!" I give him a big hug too. He's about to shove me off when he recognizes my hair and eyes.
"Leilah? Is that really you?" Yasuo asks me excitedly. I nod against his neck. He pulls me into an even tighter hug. I pull away and look at him impressed.
"Look at you! Wow, you have a sword now! That's amazing, Yasuo! After only a short time too?" I gush. Please don't go back to our plan.
"Well, Master Souma approached me about a month after you were gone. I didn't want to, but Yone convinced me to learn. I try to be the best pupil he's ever had. I guess that's why he let me come to the festival with Yone." Yasuo chats excitedly before he pales. "Wait, were you the person I caught with that wind wall?"
"Uh, yeah. I was exercising my magic and I thought I could help the town out. They are really grateful I did." I wave to the man that I helped. He looks relieved that I'm ok and he leaves for other preparations.
"Would you also happen to be the aspiring, beautiful magician that's been spreading around the town?" Yone asks me with a knowing smirk.
"Uh, yeah. That'd be me." I glow a bit.
"Interesting. I'm curious as to why you are here. Shouldn't you be where people need you the most?" Yone points out. I freeze.
"Uh, about that… Can we talk about that after the festival starts?" I ask. I look around to see everyone happily putting up decorations. "I'd hate to bring down the mood from just my presence, you know?" I joke. Yone does not look fooled.
"What are you hiding?" Yone demands. I sigh and look at Starshadow.
What do I do? I don't know what I can tell him. I ask him.
Tell him that you suffered a bit from before you came to the festival and you'd really rather just enjoy it? Starshadow suggests.
"I… I needed a break, Yone." I confess. Yone still does not look convinced. "I… I ended up in Bilgewater." I open up a bit, feeling tears prick my eyes. Yone's no longer disbelieving. He's horrified.
"How did you get back to Ionia?" He asks.
"Starshadow. He forced a teleport. So, we came here." I fib a little bit. He doesn't need to know that I'm posing as bait for the Golden Demon.
"Oh, Leilah." He reaches out to give me a hug. I sink into his embrace, happy to be hugged.
"So, are you going to kiss now?" Yasuo smarts. I glow brightly while Yone jerks.
"Yasuo!" We both yelp.
"What? You've been looking to the horizon every morning to see if she'd come back! You can't deny that!"
"You are being inappropriate." Yone scolds his brother firmly.
"Hey, I'm going to go get some air. That fall kinda made me feel a bit of a rush." I say out of the blue. Need to find the Kinkou Order. Yone and Yasuo look at me.
"Let us come with you." Yone instantly offers.
"I'll only be gone a moment. Starshadow could enjoy catching up with you."
I'm supposed to be with Shen now.
They'll get suspicious if neither of us don't stick around.
You asked for it. "Definitely. There's a lot to catch you guys up on." Starshadow slinks over to Yone's arm. After an encouraging nod from me, they go off to a corner to talk. I walk calmly out of the festival and wait for Kusho to appear.
"I know we said put yourself in the most obvious position for someone to see you, but you didn't need to fall." Right on cue, the Kinkou Order appears before me. "If that kid hadn't used his sword, I would have had to reveal myself just to keep you alive. What were you thinking?" Govos scolds.
"I was thinking that after months of using my magic like a platform, I could do a small task. I didn't realize that I would have to help a man throw an object!" I snap quietly. "Besides, you didn't blow your cover. We're fine."
"She is right. For now, Leilah, would you mind walking with an old man?" Kusho steps forward. This is the first time I've seen him without something on his head. The man's hair is white. He still looks plenty strong, but not enough to look like an old man.
"You, sir, are not old." I comment before offering my arm.
"Perhaps not, but I can act like it." He hunches over. Now he looks old.
"Well, at least this makes it easier for him to keep an eye on you." Govos comments.
"We've got a bit of a complication, unfortunately. Some of my friends are here, the ones from the sword monastery."
"Yasuo and Yone? Your friend and boyfriend?" Govos asks.
"He's not my boyfriend! We never even kissed each other!" I protest.
"I dunno. He really wanted to from your stories." Govos teases me.
"Focus." I huff. "How do we keep them from being too suspicious of Kusho?"
"What do you mean? I'm an old man." Kusho now sounds old.
"I don't know how you do that, sir." I comment. "Let's get this show started." I walk slowly with Kusho to help make him a more believable old man. We head back into the festival preparations. A strange man comes up in front of me.
"Your magic is amazing. Tell me, would you be open to performing in front of everyone? I can make you into a star!" He rambles. I pull away a little bit.
"I'm sorry sir, who are you?" I ask politely.
"Khada Jhin, my dear."
"Could you help us first? My grandfather got a bit lost. He was invited to be among some of hte best artists imaginable. He's a skilled calligrapher, but since he had a family and prioritized them, he never got to go out much." I act. I pretend to pull out a sheet of paper with beautiful calligraphy. I could feel Kusho tense and prepare to support me from this little magic. I'm grateful he did, because this really exhausted me. Without his support, I'm sure I would be staggering around. Jhin studies it closely.
"This is marvelous! I must bring him to the other artists. Such talent can not be kept hidden!" Jhin declares. I feel a little sweat drip on my back.
"Might I have that back please? I took it with me to show anyone who would ask, but it's calligraphy he did for my grandmother. Grandfather does not exactly like that I took it." Kusho plays his part well, looking both cross and worried at the same time. Jhin nods and gives it back, though there's quite a bit of hesitation before I can vanish it into the air behind my back. He spotted my eyes.
"Your eyes. Why are they different colors?" He asks me. I gulp.
"I was born with a defect in my eyes. If you don't mind, Grandfather should be going over to the other writers?" I prompt Jhin.
"But of course! Yes, yes, please!" Jhin leads the way. I can feel Kusho holding me up as we follow him.
"Great thinking, but are you alright, Leilah?" Kusho mumbles just loud enough for me to hear him.
"I'll be alright when I'm away from him." I whisper back. Something about him is a little… off. Khada guides us to a tent. When he pulls back the covers, there's many writers there, all of them creating beautiful art.
"Gentlemen!" He cries. All the writers turn to him. "Might I introduce a budding talent to your group?" He takes my support away. I lean against the doorway, forcing myself to use more magic to make myself look like I'm smiling. It convinces everyone.
"Welcome, fellow artist. Might I see your skill in person?" One of the writers asks. Kusho agrees and begins to create beautiful swooping art. Jhin walks to the doorway. I keep the illusion of what my face should look like as I force myself to stand.
"Your eyes are beautiful. Tell me, what would it take for you to become one of my stars?" Jhin offers. I shyly turn away from him. The Golden Demon likes art. I'm practically a walking art work. Let's see if we can tempt him into acting.
"Well, my grandfather does seem happy…" I lead him. Come on...
"Excellent! If you would come this way for me to help you get a costume, I would greatly appreciate it." Jhin places his hand on my back. He practically hauls me away. I almost drop my illusion at how aggressive Jhin has become. "Are you alright? You are sweating quite a bit." Jhin asks. I force myself to take an inaudible breath.
"I'm sorry, I was just incredibly worried for my grandfather. His health is ailing after all." I reply as firmly as I can. Jhin walks me through the center of town. I see Yone and Yasuo stare at me as we walk. I notice Starshadow is with them.
The plan's started. Who's watching me again?
Shen will be able to keep you safe. Starshadow replies. I see Yone's eyes focus on something else in the distance. I glance over my shoulder where Yone's looking and grimace behind my illusion. Yone spotted Shen. Something's not going to go right.
No, no, no. Yone's spotted Shen. We've already set the bait up. You have to keep Yone and Yasuo from interfering! I yell in my head.
Way ahead of you. The last I see of the trio is Starshadow getting Yone's attention and keeping both boys focused on him. Neither of them have a smile on their face. I allow Jhin to keep leading me away from everyone, trying to make some small talk enough for him to be satisfied.
"What do you think of the festival?" He asks me. His tone is both heavy and light at the same time.
"Well, I think it's a beautiful way to honor the spirits of those gone." I confess.
"I see. Besides your eyes and hair, you are just ordinary." He comments weirdly. I act like I'm not paying attention to that at all.
"Well, yes. I'm pleased you recognize that. I've been pursued by many, thinking that my eyes and hair is valuable. I'm glad you see that I'm just ordinary. It's nice to finally hear that."
"I can make you extraordinary." Jhin declares.
"I'm sorry?" I ask, backing away a little bit.
"I said I could make you extraordinary." He stalks around me. There's a wildness in his eyes. It's almost predatory. "All those artists, I would have used one of them for my masterpiece, but once I saw you, being lifted into the sky, I knew. I knew you would complete my masterpiece. You inspire me. You would be perfection!" Jhin starts to sound a little bit crazier with each sentence.
"You're scaring me." I make my voice shake with magic. In reality I'm focusing on gathering what little reserves I have left and getting ready to stop him. I'm not helpless.
"Yes, that fear!" Jhin starts to laugh. I start shivering for real. "Keep that fear!" He rushes towards me and grabs me by my chin before I can react. "That fear in your eyes, oh it would be beautiful! My masterpiece!" He walks away for a moment, celebrating. I just get ready for his attack.
"Tell me, what's your name?" He asks. I freeze.
"Why does my name matter?" I question him.
"You should feel honoured. You're my masterpiece. I thought you deserve to have your name in the artwork I will display." Jhin turns around and stalks towards me. I try to leave, but he's cut off my escape. "Come. Allow the fear to sink in." He pulls out a knife and spins it like an expert. The knife triggers my memories, reminding me of the knife creeping towards my face. I flinch and try to back away, feeling my face pale quickly. "Yes, Yes, YES! Let me see your fear in your last moments! Let me feel it!" He starts to happily scream. I trip and fall onto the ground. I keep moving away from him. He keeps walking slowly, as if assessing when the right time for me to die would be. I open my mouth to scream. Jhin leaps onto me.
"None of that now, child. I would hate to see you fade before you can flourish." He stabs into my throat. I can't scream out the agony I'm in. I can barely focus on the fact that I'm in Ionia instead of Bilgewater. He severed my vocal chords. Even knowing that I would probably grow them back, it's torture all over again. I writhe under Jhin, glancing at him every now and then through my tears. "Yes! Yes! You are almost perfect! Now, a final touch." Jhin moves to stab me in the stomach when Shen leaps out of nowhere. Govos and Kusho both step into the area altogether. Govos tackles the man and forces him to the ground. He starts to punch the guy over and over again. I pull out the knife in my throat, shivering the entire time, struggling to not be overwhelmed by the pain. Shen comes over to offer comfort while Kusho catches up to Govos. He hauls Govos off of Jhin. We all look at the man that would have killed me, but now looks like a weak frail boy.
"This? This is the Golden Demon? A weakling of a man." Govos scoffs. I nod. I cast an illusion with sound, repeating everything that Jhin had been telling me. Jhin stares at it in wonder, forgetting his fear.
"Wonderful!" he states. Govos punches him out before pulling out some large knives. I magically hold his hand back long enough for Kusho to take over.
"Let me kill him! He was going to kill Leilah! He's a monster!" Govos screams.
"He may be a monster, but our duty is to defeat demons. He is not a demon, and not part of our jurisdiction. He will go to the humans to be dealt with." Kusho proclaims. I shakily get to my feet. Shen helps me stand. Everyone is looking rather tense and uneasy.
"Yes, Father." Shen acquiesce.
"Yes… Master." Govos follows after a lengthy pause. I look at him in concern and put my hand on his shoulder. He shrugs it off before giving me a smile. "You did great out there." I shake my head no. I couldn't stop him from hurting me.
"You did well, Leilah." Kusho adds in. "You managed to remain calm and conscious in the face of that monster. You did someone very few could. And good news is that your wound was only shallow enough to cut your vocal chords. It's already in the process of healing. It's not bleeding anymore." Kusho explains. I shrug my shoulders then make an illusion of Yone and Yasuo. "Yes. Perhaps this is where we part ways. I am glad to have known you, Leilah." The men all disappear into the shadows, taking Jhin with them. I'm left alone. I sigh and turn back towards the festival. I spot Starshadow keeping Yone and Yasuo company. Both of them are looking extremely tense. Yone practically looks ready to pull out his sword and start a fight. I catch Starshadow's eye.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE CELESTIALS HAPPENED TO YOU!" He screams before dashing over to me. I kneel and hold out my arm for him so he wouldn't have to slither too much. Yone and Yasuo both see what has caught Starshadow's attention. Both dash over to me as well.
"How did you get an injury on your neck?" Yone demands. I bite my lip and look to Starshadow.
"Um, you remember when I said the plan, Yone?" Starshadow reminds him. Yone nods. "Well, she was part of the plan to capture the Golden Demon. My guess is that they succeeded?" Starshadow asks me. I nod. "And you just had to get a few scrapes in while you were at it?" I shrug before nodding sheepishly.
"Why can't she speak?" Yasuo asks, terrified.
"Because the Golden Demon stabbed her in the throat to stop her cries for help." Yone guesses. He looks so sad to see my injury. "Now I won't get to hear your voice again."
I shake my head and gesture wildly to my healing throat. Yone looks at me, clearly trying to understand what I'm trying to say, but can't quite make it..
"You remember how Bilgewater pirates were harvesting her eyes?" Starshadow comments. I sharply glare at him. "What? It was either Bilgewater or telling them the plan. Bilgewater was the better way to keep them from interfering." Starshadow has no regrets. I don't stop glaring at him.
"I thought you said those were illusions?" Yasuo sounds so scared.
"Not all of them were. It took too long for me to think about using our magic. She forgot about our magic and frankly, so did I. Neither of us thought about using her magic until I was just too tired of hearing her scream and remembered." Starshadow explains. I fidget under their scrutiny. "Since that healed and even regrew, we think her voice should come back eventually. The wound's already gone with no sign of it ever existing." I glance over at Starshadow, confused as to how he knows. "I can sense you remember? I'm your bonded."
"Are you willing to bet her voice on your guess?" Yone demands. Starshadow rears up.
"I actually am. She's tougher than she was before. Yeah, she's still vulnerable, but she's not going to let that stop her. She didn't let her magic get the best of her when she helped Yasuo almost two years ago. She's not going to stop now." Starshadow defends me. I stare down at the ground. Yone sighs and lifts my chin. I don't even get a warning before his soft lips are on mine. Yasuo whoops behind Yone and Starshadow's cackling in my head, but I ignore them all in favor of the fireworks lighting up behind my eyes. Our kiss doesn't last long enough for my taste when Yone pulls away.
"I'm sorry, it's just, you've grown into someone absolutely beautiful, inside and out. You've become better than I could have imagined and I couldn't stop myself when I saw you bow your head. You should never bow your head for being a wonderful person." Yone explains himself. I just rise to my toes and kiss him again.
Real explosions happen. I yelp and bury myself into his arms.
"They're just fireworks, Leilah. Look." Yone coaxes. I peer out and gasp at all the bright lights exploding in the sky. I almost leave Yone's embrace when he holds my hand. Yasuo snuggles up next to me with Starshadow slithering up my body and just watching. Yone rests his head on mine. I relax for a bit before frowning.
I love being with him, but I will be gone from his life for a long time. i'll even live past his. Is it worth having a relationship with Yone?
Hallelujah, Yone finally admits his feelings! Yone Leilah for the win! At least for now. Now, before any of you complain that it's too fast, it has been well over a year for the two of them. Yone has truly been pining for her, but also trying to convince himself that she will just be a passing fancy. Hearing that she refused to stop helping, that she would put herself in the middle of a fight to save people, he knew that she wasn't a passing fancy and was overwhelmed by emotion that he rarely lets himself feel. I wish I could say that in this chapter, but as it is from Leilah's point of view, he never explains it properly to her. I just explain it here at the bottom.
Anyway, would love a review how you feel about Yone and Leilah? I hope you guys have an extraordinary day during Covid! Stay safe!