Narinder had been doing fairly well for himself. There were a few occasions where he went to bed hungry, or suffered minor injuries in battles with hostile creatures. Though, for the most part, he had been doing just fine in surviving on his own. Winter had brought with it cold, ice, and snow. Which posed an entirely new challenge. He needed to find more reliable shelter than his thrown together tents. By this time, he had traveled deep into the Lands of Old Faith. The terrain had become foreign to him. His plan was to follow the paths, and happen upon some sort of abandoned home he could stay in until spring.

It was a bitterly cold night, Narinder had opted to keep moving due to the very real risk of freezing to death in his sleep. Just as he was becoming too fatigued to move on, he spotted it. Thick, black chimney smoke drifting up from the other side of a hill. Narinder gripped his scythe, using it as a walking stick to trudge through the rising snow as quickly as he could manage. He was fully prepared to kill anyone and everyone occupying this shelter if it meant survival. He climbed up the snowy hill and looked out upon the shelter in question. It was a cottage hidden amongst the dense tree line, he may never have spotted it had it not been for the smoke billowing out of the stone chimney. Narinder stumbled a bit on his way down the hill, but hurried on nonetheless. His legs were freezing, and he could hardly feel his feet. His patched up, hooded robes were doing little to stave off the bitter cold. He needed to get inside before frostbite had a chance to set in. Without giving the occupants the luxury of warning, he pushed the door open and stepped inside the warmth within. He thought he had been prepared for anything. Be it a friendly creature, or a mass of armed heretics. Yet, what he saw beyond that door still managed to shock him. A single creature sitting cross legged on the floor. A purely white cat with shimmering, golden markings on her face. Most striking of all was the third eye exactly like Narinder's, placed at the center of her forehead. She held a bowl of stew in her hands, assumably pulled form the large pot dangling over the fire. The cat turned to look at him, but expressed no fear, or surprise. Quite the opposite. She smiled warmly.

"It is cold, yes? Come, sit." She spoke with a heavy accent and patted the place beside her. Narinder shut the door and approached her apprehensively. He did not sit and she giggled. "Ah, I will not attack you... Come, and sit!" She insisted cheerfully. "I have plenty of stew, and the fire is warm. You look freezing, friend." Narinder narrowed his eyes in an analytical gaze. When he spoke, it was not in the common tongue, rather, his words were in the same ancient language that white book had been written in.

"What is your name?" Immediately, the white cat's smile vanished. With shaking hands, she set her bowl down and stood.

"Is- Is it you?" She asked in the ancient tongue. Suddenly, she grabbed Narinder by the cheeks, holding him still so she could look at him more closely. The cat pushed his hood down and gasped when she saw his third eye. "It is! It is you!" Her smile returned, far brighter than before. "Narinder! Oh, we meet at last!" She grabbed hold of him in a very tight hug, a loud purr issuing from her throat as she nuzzled against him. Narinder had not been expecting this response in the slightest. It was pure shock that kept him firmly in place, as if paralyzed. Narinder took her by the shoulders and peeled her away. She kept grinning up at him.

"You are Nykka then? The Bishop of Life?"

"Yes, of course!" She beamed, "You have heard of me? I am pleased to know my legacy has persisted in my absence."

"I know you only from a book..."

"Oh, I see. My teachings, yes?" She plopped back down on the ground, picking up her stew again.

"How old are you?" Narinder asked and set his bag down. He came to the conclusion that she was beyond harmless. He sat down beside her, holding his hands out towards the fire to warm them.

"Eh, who knows." She chuckled, "Somewhere between six and seven thousand, I think." Nykka shrugged, drinking the broth from her stew.

"Why did you give up your crown? The book did not explain."

"I did not feel I was worthy of my power, it felt wrong. Eh, unbalanced. And you?" She stood, taking a spare bowl from the mantle and filling it with stew.

"It is a long story. Essentially, I was defeated in combat." He said bitterly and took the bowl she handed him. Nykka gasped as she sat down.

"The Black Crown is on the head of another?"

"Not the Black Crown, there is no such thing. My crown was the Red Crown."

"Oh." She sighed in relief, "That is not your crown."

"Excuse me? Death is my Domain, the Red Crown is my crown. It has been since I came to be."

"Mm, half true." She chuckled, stabbing a cube of meat with her fork and popping it into her mouth. "Death is your Domain, but the Red Crown is not your true crown. It is, we shall say, a substitute. The Red Crown is very special, it has the unique ability to adapt to its wearer." Narinder gave an incredulous look.

"You are speaking nonsense." He said before eating some of his stew.

"Has this new bearer been resuming your duties, hm? Have they been guiding souls into the afterlife?" Narinder hesitated a moment, then replied.

"No, she hasn't. She has been expanding her cult."

"You see? The Red Crown has adapted to her needs. The Black Crown would not permit you to stray from your duties." Narinder raised a brow.

"If there was such a thing as the 'Black Crown', then why have I not heard of it? Shouldn't I know where my own crown is?"

"Because, it has not been able to manifest. It does not exist yet." Narinder stared at her, dumbfounded. How could she be so certain of something that does not exist? Nykka saw the look on his face and giggled. "I have been around much longer than you, Narinder. I am far wiser, and I have put more hours into the study and contemplation of the Black crown than you have been alive. I would not lead you astray with fantastical theories. No, this is fact." He sighed, realizing that arguing with her was utterly pointless. But, the idea was as interesting as it was impossible, so he decided to play along.

"Very well... Why has it not manifested?"

"Because we were not together. I expect it should appear the moment I dawn my crown again. We will set out on the first bloom of spring." Narinder furrowed his brow, now she was being bold.

"Why should I stay with you? I do not know you, I have no ties to you."

"Oh, no?" She set her bowl aside and scooted closer to him. Nykka grabbed his face in her hands again and kissed him deeply before he had time to react. Narinder had every intention to push her away, she was being so forward it was appalling. However, just as he was about to push her off, he felt something he could only describe as an electric shock seize his chest. For a moment, he truly believed he was having a heart attack. When she broke the kiss and sat back he stared at her.

"Wh- What the fuck was that?! What did you do?"

"Ack, language, Narinder." She scolded him. "That was proof that we are connected. We have no ties, eh? You could not be more wrong. We are, in the most literal sense, tied together." She pressed her index fingers together as a gesture, "Our souls are one."

"You are mad..." He huffed, regaining his composure. "We are too different. I am not some benevolent God as you claimed in your book. I am cruel. I maimed my siblings and contracted their murders. I have committed atrocities that would surely make someone like you sick."

"Why did you kill them?" Nykka asked, though she seemed like she knew the answer. As if guiding a child through a simple equation. Narinder glared at her, he did not appreciate the treatment.

"I was selfish, and tired of my role. I wanted to do more, to be more. I felt–"

"Incomplete? As if you could not fulfill your purpose?" She smiled. Narinder was taken aback, amazed. His anger fizzled away to nothing. "We had the same feeling, Narinder. We only handled it differently. I gave up my crown, but I suppose you did too in the end. The only difference is how well we handle frustration. But, that has been foretold."

"By who?"

"By me." She flashed a grin, "I theorized that we would be two halves of the same whole."

"Yes, I read that..."

"You are the storm, I am the calm, you are the fury, I am the peace. Life is a present. A gift from me, received by you. Two halves, one whole. United, we reign over the most vital powers in the universe." Narinder looked off, it was outlandish, and far too much to take in. Nykka rested a hand on his cheek, having him look at her. "Look into my eyes, can you honestly tell me you do not feel this connection?" He could not deny it. It was inexplicable, impossible, but he felt as if he had known Nykka his entire life. Perhaps even longer. His chest began to feel warm as an overwhelming sense of calm had filled him. She smiled sweetly and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "I have not lost my mind. I may be eccentric, but I have been alone for so very long. And now, on this freezing winter night, I feel warm and complete. We are together at last. Eat your stew now, love, you are cold." She giggled and released him, returning to sit before the fire, picking chunks of meat from her stew happily. Narinder took a moment to process all that had just happened before absently eating his stew. His mind was buzzing with all the information she had dumped on him, not to mention Nykka seemed to be under the impression they were suddenly a couple. The logical side of him objected to this, they had only just met. Yet there was another part of him that had no issue at all with the concept. As if they were just lovers who had been separated for a very long time.

After they ate, Nykka led Narinder to the bedroom. A large bed sat against the wall, covered in a mound of hand sewn quilts and fluffy pillows. He had not said a word since their fireside conversation. He was in a state of shock. Nykka slipped off her white robe, draping it over a chair. She climbed into bed, covering up under the many blankets with a purr. She looked at Narinder and reached out to him. "Come now, darling. You must be tired."

"I... Nykka." Narinder finally managed to speak, his voice raspy from lack of use. "Nykka, we just met. I will not deny the connection, I feel it. But that does not change anything. This is... improper."

"I do not wish to make you uncomfortable, love." She sighed, sitting up to look at him. "I suppose this may seem odd to you, you haven't dreamt of this day as I have. If you truly wish to lay on your own, then by all means, do so. But you needn't worry about trivial things like impropriety." Once again, Narinder felt incredibly torn. He stood dumbly on the spot, unable to come to any meaningful conclusions. Nykka giggled, "My sweet... Do you believe I would try to seduce you? No, my only desire is to sleep by your side. You have nothing to worry about. I would not dare take such advantage of anyone." Narinder's face went red underneath his fur. The idea of sex had not crossed his mind in any way, shape, or form. Was she thinking about it? She must be if she is so willing to bring it up. Narinder shook his head to calm himself. He approached the bed and climbed into it hesitantly. It was unlike him to feel so anxious. He had never been intimidated this way. Especially by someone like Nykka, who clearly didn't have a violent bone in her body. He sighed away his nerves and laid down under the blankets. Nykka smiled and cuddled against him, resting her head upon his chest. As he put an arm around her, he felt a twinge of pain in his chest. He was immediately reminded of Mir̃alai, the image of her pressed warmly against him as he comforted her invaded his mind. Nykka sat up a little, looking at him with a concerned expression. "What is wrong?" Narinder stared at her, surprised yet again by her unnaturally accurate intuition.

"I- what...? Nothing." He said quickly in an attempt to dispel her worries. She clearly did not by the lie. He spoke again in a tired tone. "It is nothing."

"You are upset..." She insisted softly, "What hurts you so?" The white cat asked, resting a hand over his heart. "I have empathic abilities, you know. I can feel how bothered you've become."

"It does not matter, Nykka. I will be fine."

"There is another, yes? You have been reminded of her?"

"No, there is not 'another'. She and I were never together, so to speak."

"That is irrelevant, you have feelings for her."

"Please, can we just sleep? I do not wish to speak on this, I am so tired of speaking about it. She has only caused me distress, I wish to forget her."

"She is the one who has the Red Crown..." Nykka said wisely. "I see... Darling, you should not lock such feelings away. It only causes more pain."

"Nykka..." Narinder sighed, rubbing his temple as he felt his temper rise.

"Very well... I will leave it alone." She laid back down, resting her head upon his chest once more. Narinder had the distinct feeling she was not going to 'leave it alone'...

The former Bishop was awoken when Nykka sat up. She stretched her arms over her head, staring out her window. Narinder watched her a moment before sitting up as well, glancing out to see what she had been looking at. Snow had piled high against the cottage, it was nearly halfway up the window. They were snowed in.

"Damn..." He grumbled.

"It does not matter." She shrugged. "I have plenty stocked for both of us."

"You believe I plan to stay?" Nykka laughed softly.

"Of course, you would not leave me." She made the bold assumption with certainty, "I told you already, we are going to reclaim our crowns when spring comes." She climbed over him, getting out of bed.

"I had plans of my own..." Narinder was plainly lying, his only plan had been to find a shelter and stay there.

"Oh? Pray tell?" She chuckled, putting her white robes back on and fastening them.

"To... find a place to live." He grumbled.

"Ah, I see. You have succeeded, my congratulations."

"Nykka... Come now, you cannot expect me to stay."

"I do. Why do you fight this, Narinder? You feel the connection, you were comfortable enough to sleep with me, and I know you believe I am right about everything I have told you. What is there to fight?" Narinder looked off.

"I, it is just so sudden. I have never in my life felt this way. I cannot say I enjoy it. I have lived with certainty, I've never been one to be anxious or intimidated. I have nearly always been right."

"That is all your ego." Nykka sat down on the edge of the bed, smiling at him. "The only thing stopping you from accepting this is your pride. Possibly also your feelings for that other woman, but...!" She insisted before he could argue, "I said I would leave it alone, and I will. I am merely stating my theory."

"I just need time to clear my head." He sighed, rubbing his temple. "It is too much."

"If you need to be alone for a while, I understand." She smiled softly and kissed his cheek. "I will make breakfast, you take all the time you need." Nykka stood up and left the room. Narinder sighed heavily, laying back in the bed and staring at the ceiling. The most frustrating thing about Nykka was that she was always right. Everything she had said about him rang true. So much so, that he wasn't sure he knew himself at all. In a few short hours, she had managed to unearth everything buried in his subconscious. It was both remarkable, and irritating.

"Damn it all..." He muttered, holding his face in his hands.

Nykka returned to the bedroom an hour later holding a plate of eggs and bread for him. She set the plate down on the nightstand and turned to leave the room. Narinder sat up, looking at her. His ears lowered in embarrassment.

"Nykka...?" Her ears perked and she looked back with a smile.

"Hm?"

"You... do not have to leave." He grumbled. Without a hint of hesitation, she returned to his bedside and sat down.

"Have you had a change of heart, love?" She asked pointlessly, he was sure she already knew.

"I suppose you could say that..." He picked up his plate and began to eat, looking off. Nykka giggled softly.

"I will not insist upon details. I am only happy you have decided to trust in me."

"How sure are you that the Black Crown will exist?"

"Oh, I am certain of it." She nodded thoughtfully. "I believe it will either appear once I reclaim my crown, or perhaps it has appeared now that you have agreed to claim it."

"I believe you, but I do not understand how you know."

"You are young, these things come with age." She shrugged a bit. Narinder cracked a smirk, the idea that she considered him, a being who has been alive for nearly two thousand years, young was absurd. "Well, compared to me anyway." She laughed a little. After a moment of silence, Nykka seemed to have a thought. "Shamura was your sibling, yes? They were wise in the way that I am wise. I am sure the idea of you having a counterpart has crossed their mind." Narinder's smile faded and he shrugged.

"It does seem like something they'd say, but they never mentioned it to me."

"You and Shamura were close?"

"Yes..." Narinder nodded, "I spent much of my time in their library–" He paused, staring off as a realization hit him. Without explanation, Narinder set his plate aside and got out of the bed.

"What is it?" Nykka asked, watching him leave the room. When Narinder returned, he had the white book in his hands.

"This, your teachings." He showed her the white, leather bound book.

"Yes...?" Now it was Nykka's turn to be confused. Narinder plopped down on the bed and opened the book to the back cover.

"Ah, yes...! I thought so." He turned it to show her a small, purple crescent moon that was burned neatly into the inner cover. "Shamura used to leave this mark on every book they read, to help them keep track. They read this book, cover to cover, and never mentioned it to me."

"How curious..." Nykka said, running her fingers over the burn. "Why would they not share it with you? We could have met much sooner."

"I... I have no idea." He sighed, deflating. "They were trying to help appease my need to fulfill myself. If they had given me this, and I had met you sooner, I would never have harmed them. It does not make sense."

"Perhaps they had only recently read it, and had yet to share it with you." Nykka offered her theory with a small shrug. "That is the only explanation I see."

"How powerful is the Black Crown?" Narinder asked, looking from the book to her.

"Oh, very powerful. As I said, the White and Black Crown together control the most vital powers in the universe. They are both, equally, above all others."

"That may be why..." Narinder said, tapping the cover in thought. "Perhaps they feared it would be too powerful. I was not exactly stable back then. Honestly, I am sure I would have abused it at the time. We were always on an even playing field when it came to how powerful we were. With the exception of our youngest brother, Leshy. Before he came to be, it was the four of us. Famine, Plague, War, and Death. We were equally powerful."

"I see..." Nykka nodded, "Yes, you may be right. If you were showing signs of instability, it would have been unwise to hand you so much power. Though, I think I would have been able to keep you in check."

"Mm, I rather doubt it." Narinder shook his head, setting the book aside. Nykka chuckled.

"Narinder, you still doubt me?"

"Well... you did not know me then." He shrugged, "I was ruthless. By the end I truly cared for no one." Nykka raised a brow and reached out, resting a hand over his chest without a word. He once again felt an overwhelming sense of calm rush over him, though much stronger than before. All thoughts seemed to drift out of his mind, as if all his worries had become meaningless. When she pulled her hand away, Narinder shook his head, trying to force himself out of the daze.

"Ah, did you think I was merely poetic? You are the storm, I am the calm. I alone can ease your temper."

"How did you know all of this, Nykka? It is... incredible." He muttered the compliment, "I did not even exist, and yet you knew."

"As I said, it comes with age, young one." She teased with a chuckle, "Centuries of dedicated meditation can do wonders for clairvoyance."

"I suppose so..." He smirked and picked up his plate to resume eating.

As the day wore on, Narinder found himself becoming increasingly more comfortable with Nykka. By sunset, he did not understand what he had been so worried over. He had never been so comfortable with another being. He felt he could speak openly with her, there would be no judgment. No misunderstandings. It was effortless. He no longer flinched away from her affection, he began to welcome it. A very small part of him wondered if this was some sort of bewitchment. She already displayed the ability to control his emotions, but it was unclear as to the extent of this ability. That worry was so far in the back of his mind though, that he hardly gave it any thought. Even if this was all her doing, he was happy. How could he complain? It was such a relief to put all his concerns on the back burner, even if it were only an illusion. When night fell, he did not hesitate to lay with her. He held her close, and this time Mir̃alai didn't cross his mind.

The snow outside their cottage had persisted for nearly a week. Nykka seemed to be going a bit stir crazy as she sat by the window, looking out with an antsy expression. Narinder had been laying in bed reading when the sound of her fingers tapping on the sill called his attention.

"I thought it did not matter." He smirked, sitting up to look at her.

"It does not, not really anyway." She sighed, looking at him. "We still have plenty to live on, it is just... I do not like being cooped up this way." She pouted. "I like to be outside, oh I cannot wait for spring to come." She whined.

"It is not going to come faster just because you tap on the window. Mother nature is not a fish to be roused."

"Yes, I know." She murmured glumly. "A month is far too long."

"It will go by quickly. You'll see." Narinder assured her.

"It will drag on, it always does." She frowned.

"It only dragged on because you were alone. Cease your pouting, and come here." For once, Nykka was the one taken aback and blushing. She stood from her chair and climbed into bed with Narinder instead. He put his arms around her and kissed her cheek softly. She hugged him in return and nuzzled against his neck.

"It is nice to not be alone."

"Hm... I agree. You needn't worry about being alone anymore." He purred, rubbing her back. Nykka pulled away just enough to look up into his eyes.

"Truly?"

"I would not lie." He smiled, kissing her head. Nykka grinned, putting her arms around his neck and hugging him with such force, he nearly fell off the bed.

"Oh, Narinder..." Nykka purred, "I love you."

"Ah, I- I love you too..." He chuckled. Nykka lifted her head to press a powerful kiss to his lips. He returned the gesture, his hands resting on the small of her back so she would arch against him. Before he knew it, he had shifted to kiss her neck instead. Nykka huffed, small, happy moans escaping her. She held his shoulders, her hips wiggling in response to the pleasurable feeling.

"Narinder~" She moaned sweetly, a small squeak escaping her when his hands squeezed her hips.

"Shall we pass the time?" He asked in a low purr. Nykka blushed darkly.

"I suppose so." She giggled, leaning up to kiss him once more. She released his shoulders, instead using her hands to untie her robes, allowing them to slip off her body. Narinder ran his hands over her frame, caressing every curve of her torso. When he reached her breasts, he groped at them causing her to let out a moan. She gasped sharply when she felt him tease her nipples beneath her fur. "Ah~ Narinder..." Nykka huffed. He chuckled, taking joy in her embarrassment.

"You are beautiful..." He purred against her neck.

"Mn, thank you." She giggled softly. One of her hands had drifted down to rub him over his trousers. He grunted, his erection twitching madly beneath her touch. Narinder shifted, having Nykka lay back against the bed. He unfastened the belt of his tunic, pulling it off before leaning over her, placing a kiss against her cheek. He ran his hands over her thighs, before gently pushing them apart. Nykka bit her lip in anticipation, her hips wiggling again. Narinder smirked at her apparent eagerness. He moved down between her legs, placing a kiss to her inner thigh. She released a shaking breath, gripping the blankets lightly. Narinder trailed kisses along her thigh, before leaving a final one just beside her heat. She jolted, a whine escaping her. "Ah, Nari, please~" She muttered.

"You truly are impatient." He chuckled, kissing her other thigh and looking at her very red face.

"Mn, that is not far, I haven't... well..." she muttered, losing her nerve. "In a very long time." Nykka finished, hoping he could fill in the blanks for himself.

"Oh? Then why the rush, love? Surely you can wait a while longer." He teased and kissed her painfully close once more.

"Oo, you are being cruel." She whined, shifting her hips uncomfortably. "Please...?"

"Very well..." He leaned down, running his tongue along her pussy and sucking her clit shortly. Nykka gasped, her back arching high. She let out a loud moan, gripping the blankets tightly. Narinder, satisfied with such a volatile reaction, went back in to continue pleasuring her. He ate her out hungrily, licking and sucking at her in ways that caused the white cat to cry out for him. It was clear that Nykka would not last long. With this in mind, he focused on her clit. His tongue flicked over it between tender sucking. The sensation turned Nykka into a moaning mess. Suddenly, her thighs squeezed against his head as her back arched high.

"Ah~! Narinder~!" She cried out as she reached a particularly intense orgasm. Narinder forced her thighs apart so he could more easily lap up all the fluid she had to offer. Her hips twitched violently and she squealed as he continued to pleasure her overly-sensitive pussy. Once satisfied, he sat up. Nykka was panting heavily, a hand rested against her heart as she came down from the intense high. Narinder took the recovery time to slip off his trousers. Once his erection was free, he moved between her legs. He positioned himself so his member pressed against her entrance. Nykka looked up at him and smiled. "I love you..." She purred, reaching up to hold his shoulders.

"I love you too." He said softly in return. He slipped an arm around her, holding her close. He kept the other firmly against the bed to support himself. "Are you ready, love?"

"Yes." She purred, nuzzling against his neck. Narinder pushed his hips forward, his erection slipping inside of her slowly. Nykka moaned, arching up against him. "Mn, Nari..." She breathed as he filled her. Narinder grunted, squeezing her close.

"Damn..." He muttered, the feeling of her tight warmth around him was nearly too much. Narinder began to thrust, huffing softly as he savored every moment. Small, pleasurable moans escaped the white cat and she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his neck. "Nykka~ You feel amazing..." Narinder purred, pushing his erection as deep into her as possible with every inward thrust.

"Y- You do too~" She moaned softly. "Mn, can you go harder, love? I- I want more." Narinder chuckled softly and kissed her cheek. He pulled away from her to sit up, he placed his hands on the back of her thighs, easing them back for a better angle. He pulled back and rammed his cock deep into her with such force that she cried out instantly. "Ah! Nari~!" She gasped, gripping the pillow above her head. He began to thrust powerfully, each time slamming into her as deep as possible. Nykka had dissolved into cries of pleasure mixed with nonsensical words of encouragement. Narinder groaned, wincing softly. He could feel his climax mounting, but he determinedly held it back, hoping she would reach hers first. He did not let up, fucking her as fast and hard as he could manage. The bed creaked and groaned in rhythmic protest. "N-Nar- Nari, I~ I can't, I-!" She had tried to warn him, but she couldn't seem to string the words together. Though he needed no translation. It was all too apparent that she had reached her second orgasm. Her insides clamped tightly around him and she screamed loudly. Her cum spurting out with each of Narinder's relentless thrusts. He could hold his back no longer. He forced himself deeply into her, the tip of his erection pressed firmly against her cervix as he came. "Nar- Narinder~" She huffed, looking up at him with lustful eyes. Narinder gave a few lingering thrusts to ride out his erection. He eventually pulled out, releasing her legs. Narinder sat back on the bed, panting heavily. Nykka smiled breathlessly at him. "I love you so much..."

"I love you too..." He said with a small chuckle, laying on the bed beside her. Too exhausted to get dressed, let alone get up. Nykka did not seem to mind as she cuddled up to him, nuzzling against his neck with a content purr. He put his arm around her, holding her close.