Crystalline Entity - Alternate Record

by Cpt. Lynx

This is the story of how Darth Imperius, the Emperor of the Eternal Alliance, found himself on Terra. Burdened by the ghosts of his past, will he be able to fulfil his purpose and find happiness, or will the darkness consume him? As a fair warning, this contains dark and mature themes in much greater detail than the other version, so discretion is advised.

7. Day 7-1: Of Forests and Temples

All too soon, however, the night comes to an end. Sunlight of the early morning shines through the window. Zack is already up and getting ready.
I blink my eyes open groggily.
"Urgh... good morning, Zack..."

He looks up from his boots to regard me with his stoic face.
"Morning. You sleep well?"

I yawn.
"To be honest, I had better."
I slowly sit up in bed, and I don't feel quite fit.

He arcs a brow in mild concern.
"You alright?"

"I... don't quite know. I had a rough night... I think."
I yawn again.

"Bad dreams?"

I nod slowly. I can't tell him what really happened.
"Something... like that... yes..."

I stand up.
"Anyways, we still have a hidden city to find, right?"

He nods.
"I suppose. She says she knows where to go - I think she believes it."

I nod as well.
"Yeah. I think so, too. If anyone could have figured out where this mysterious city is, it's most likely her."

He nods once more.

I pick up my armour pieces and put them on. I have to remind myself to not use telekinetics and instead pick them up with my hands. But even so, I am quickly done. And when I am, I blink. Mustn't forget my manners.
"Oh! That reminds me... how did you sleep, Zack?"

"Fine. Nothing happened."

I smile slightly.
"That's good."

I gesture to the door and am about to say something, when I am interrupted by another yawn. I then try again.
"Well then, shall we?"

Zack opens the door and heads out, leaving it open for me. I follow a step behind him, closing the door after stepping through. We walk towards the tavern area - or more like, Zack paces and I trod tiredly. We sit down at a table in the corner. Leanna and Amelia are not there yet.

"Huh, that is surprising... Well, it might be a good thing..."
I prop my elbow up on the table and rest my head in my palm, closing my eyes.

I can rest for a few minutes, but eventually, I feel the presence of a tired ball of sunshine descending the staircase.
I open my eyes and glance up, my spirits lifting only somewhat. I greet them with a tired smile.
"Good morning, you two."

Leanna walks behind Amelia, looking beat. Amelia, holding Ceru, is smiling slightly.

I wince slightly.
"Wow, Leanna. You almost look as done as I do. What happened?"

"Last night was loud..."
She groans slightly, but then shakes her head.
"I'm glad Amelia had fun studying him in detail, though."

The pango in question bobbles inside Amelia's embrace.
"Poi!"

"Ah. And I already wondered where my favourite blue blob stayed. Could've figured that out myself, though..."
I yawn again.

Leanna sits beside me and gives my head a scratch.

I sigh in contentment. And now that she focuses a bit of attention on me, I wonder if she can see that I look rather pale. Or, well, as pale as someone with such tan skin can.
Apparently, she can.
"Are you alright, Xerath? You seem... strained."

"I... uhm... had a rather rough night. My sleep was... a bit interrupted."
I yawn again.

"Do you need anything to wake you up?"

"More sleep. But I doubt that is an option right now."

She nods assent.
"Yeah..."

She glances around the table, and beckons a server over. The order for breakfast is placed.

I sway ever so slightly. Usually, it wouldn't be noticeable, but given the exceptional perception of my group members, I am not sure who all notices it.
She puts a hand on my shoulder, steadying me. So at least she has noticed.
I smile slightly, while my eyes are half-lidded. Whatever they might think has disrupted my sleep, I'm certain it's obvious it has left quite an impact on me.

She shakes her head at that.
"That just won't do."
She shifts her seat and pulls my head onto her shoulder.

I blink, surprised.
"Huh?"

"Shh..."
She rubs the side of my head, under my ear but still away from my neck.

I close my eyes and relax into her. It only takes a moment for my breathing to grow even.
"Hmmm..."

"There you go. Rest up, you need it more than me."

Those are the last words I actively hear before I fall asleep again. In the sensory void of my sleep, my mind still passively records her comforting patting, the scratching underneath my ear, the food she carefully tries to manoeuvre into my throat without waking me up. She is determined to let me relax a little.
However, as soon as she tries to feed me, I turn my face away in my sleep, mumbling something incoherent. Kriff, am I tired. But... I can't let her feed me like this.

"What is it, Xerath?"

My eyes open slowly. I appear not as pale as before.
"...can eat by myself..."

"Then do whatever makes you happy."

Well, being fed by her would make me happy, but not in front of others.
I nod and close my eyes. I sit up and mechanically begin to eat my food.

Leanna's thoughts ring out to me.
'You okay, then... or... Nawx?'

'I... need to rest a bit more... Nox, could you please take over for a bit?'

'...sure. But don't blame me if something goes wrong.'

'I know it won't.'

'Hmpf. Very well. I'll play along.'

Leanna's unorganised thoughts make themselves known again.
'Hello...'

Nox regards her with barely hidden apathy.
'Ah. Greetings.'

'...sorry you had to hear us, Leanna...'

'No... worries...'

I send Leanna the image of me smiling reassuringly.
'I'll see you later. Just... tell the others I need some time. Nox will walk with you guys in silence.'

'...course...take all the...you need...'

'I will... thank you.'

She lets go, but still smiles at me.

Meanwhile, I continue to eat silently, my eyes remaining closed.

'And...thank...Noox...thank for help him...'

'Hm. It's only natural. I'm not doing this for your gratitude.'

'You don't...need to be...earn appreciation...'

'Hmph.'

'Alright...don't need if you... want...'

The connection is being cut.
Soon, the food is consumed.

She smiles at me again, before turning back to her own.

When I am done, I - or rather Nox - prop up my elbow on the table and rest my head on my hand. Even though Nox acts, it is still my body, and I am passively aware of everything that happens while my mind rests.

Amelia tilts her head in thinly veiled concern.
"Xerath, you appear odd. Are you certain you are alright?"

"Mhm..."
Nox's voice usually sounds deeper than mine, so there's a barely noticeable strain in his voice, as he masks it by overshadowing it with apparent exhaustion.
"...just tired..."

Leanna nods.
"He's fine, I think. Just a little magical stress. He'll be alright."

I nod tiredly along.

Amelia blinks.
"Magical stress? What from?"

Leanna smiles.
"I think that if he was more comfortable with us knowing, he'd tell us."

She frowns, but otherwise doesn't comment.

Nox continues to rest my head on the table, making no indication of whether I hear them or not. As far as they can see, I appear to be asleep again.

They plan in the background of my thoughts, but I can't make out the details. Nox is keeping rapt attention to his surroundings, though, and is only acting to be asleep.

Eventually, we depart, and the group - excepting Leanna, who understands - appear to be unnerved by my - and Nox's - silence.
Nox's acting is impeccable, trudging sluggishly, head drooped. But even so, even with closed eyes, he still seemingly manages to find his way, only stumbling occasionally.

Eventually, we reach a forest, entering it.
The roots make it a bit more difficult for Nox to act so sleepily, as he can't shuffle along that much, and he stumbles a bit more frequently. Eventually, however, after some time of traversing the forest, I return to focus and Nox recedes back. I stretch with a wide yawn.
'...Thank you, Nox.'

I only receive the thought of a shadowy tendril swirling dismissively.
So, I open my eyes again, and they seem much more refreshed.

Leanna beams my way and whispers.
"Sleep well?"

I nod, keeping my voice just as low.
"Yeah. I'm fit now, thank you."

I then glance around. The paleness has gone from my face, and I wonder if the others note that I look much better now.

"Good. I'm glad."

I turn back to Leanna, my voice now normal.
"So, have I missed something?"

She shakes her head softly, shrugging as well for good measure.
"Not really. We're just walking along Professor Issim's path."

I nod.
"Got it."

Amelia nods.
"Yes, we are about to enter the Forest of Sorrows."

Leanna smiles, but it seems to be just a bit too bright.
"I'm sorry, Amelia, could you repeat what you just said?"

Amelia does not hesitate.
"We are about to enter the Forest of Sorrows."

Leanna blinks.
"Oh."

I can see her shiver.
My face scrunches in worry.
"Are you alright?

"Yes... I'm alright."

"Hmm..."
I don't need to be able to read her mind or emotions to know that it's a lie. But if she doesn't want to tell me, I'll turn to the others.
"Is that forest as bad as the name implies?"

Amelia immediately answers me.
"The Forest is a remnant of one of Kairos' Edicts - great spells cast down on entire regions of the world. It is, I believe, one of the main reasons Embermyst remains lost."

I cross my arms over my chest.
"Okay, so it's a magical forest. Based on its name, the spell isn't a nice one. What is it?"

She nods.
"Edicts are among the largest works of magic humanity had produced - by no means the most efficient, but the Empire had crystals to burn. During the time of conquest, Kairos wrote great rituals for others to perform on the lands in her stead - ones that would typically scorch the countryside with the fury of that age's magic. In that day, the other elements were as little understood as Shadow magic is today, and Kairos was a prodigy."

"Okay, so elemental magic was little understood at all, and this empress was incredibly skilled at what she did."

She nods again at my summery.
"Yes. The edicts were, effectively, an early form of siege magic - though it certainly wasn't that in that time period. Kairos' followers, with an edict in hand, could scorch civilizations from Esaria in a single spell."

I arc a brow.
"Ouch."

"The Forest of Sorrows is thought to be the result of one of her Shadow edicts - the Litany of the Dead."

Now, this does raise my curiosity.
"Oh?"

"Though it may also be a natural phenomenon if I am wrong and this is not the way to Embermyst."

I smile slightly, reassuringly.
"Well, I'm sure you're right. So, what's this 'litany of the dead'?"

She nods once more.
"But both Issim and I believe that the stories match - the Litany and the forest are both magical events that trap the minds of those who die in a place and make them whisper terrible lies to the people that pass through. It takes keen minds to survive - for they will try to lead you astray. Keep your wits about you."

Leanna grows more and more pale the more Amelia speaks.

The ghosts of the dead are trapped here? I draw a hand to my chin.
"Then maybe it's not such a good idea that I travel through here..."

Amelia arcs a brow.
"Do you have doubts in your abilities?"

I shake my head.
"Oh no, not at all. I just so happen to have a certain pull on the dead. This would hardly be my first run-in with ghosts. I just wonder... is there any way to help the trapped ghosts?"
After all, I eat apparitions for breakfast.

She regards me with a calculating gaze.
"I do not know. No Shadow mage on record has ever attempted it."

I smile mysteriously.
"Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything."

"Burning areas like this back with other sorts of magic has been done, but other than that... you would need Shadow magic to attempt such a thing."

I nod.
"Yeah..."

Then, I shrug.
"Well, as a fair warning, my presence could have unforeseen effects on the local anomaly, including amplifying its potency. In case you face problems, do not hesitate to tell me. I'm confident in my ability to help."

Her carefully neutral expression remains in place as her analysing, amethyst eyes are trained on me.
"I see."

Armed with new knowledge of the area, my keen gaze sweeps across the forest. I feel that the Dark side is strong in this part of the forest, and now I can analyse it more deeply. It is as described - a massive, crude enchantment to sap at the lives of the things that enter, and keep them around to torment the living when they die.
My eyes narrow in anger.
"How vile..."

Leanna nods slowly, pale as a sheet.
"You... think you can help them...?"

I shake my head.
"Not... not right now. The spell is crude... but it is ancient and deeply ingrained into the land. It would require significant effort to lift it."

Suddenly, I feel a tremor in the Force and I, as well as the others, stiffen for just an instant.

Zack is the fastest to return to normal.
"Oh, one of these."

Then, for the briefest of instants, the sword inside Terra flickers, winking like a neutron star in the depths of space. The tremor in the Force is a scan, and it passes through me, taking note of each of my defences and memories as though they are idle curiosities, and moves on before the smallest unit of time my enhanced mind can process has passed.

"What? What was that? Does that happen often?"
I shiver, absolutely freaked out. I do a good job of masking that from the others, though, if I do say so myself.

Amelia nods
"It's not an uncommon occurrence - though they do happen irregularly. Typically, nothing results of them. They originate at the metal island, far beneath the ocean's surface, and we continue to work on understanding them."

I blink.
"So, you know from where they come, huh?"

Leanna nods, seemingly grateful for a chance to take her mind off her surroundings.
"Such a pulse of magic is easy to trace."

"Well, yeah. It's not exactly subtle..."

Soon, the light pulls back, having done nothing but observe, and dims to a faint glimmer, like I saw before. Echoes of this probe ripple through the Force about me.

She continues.
"We just needed to triangulate it, really."

"Indeed..."
I shiver. No, not quite. I positively tremble. So much for masking my unease...

Leanna slowly, carefully moves over to me. She reaches her own trembling hand towards mine, as the darkness of a deeper wood closes around us.

I only notice that movement passively, however, as I have locked up on the spot, my eyes move rapidly around as I am calculating things. That thing, that sword, it just scanned me thoroughly. I have several wards and barriers in place to prevent something like that from happening. It didn't even care that they were there. I... I could do nothing against that, it just saw everything about me. All my power, all my memories, everything. All the while, my trembling only increases. I passively note how I now shake like a leaf in the wind.
Some dark feathered avians caw throughout the gnarled trees as ghosts whisper silently - but none of it is relevant to me.
It is relevant to Leanna, though, who huddles equally close to Amelia's torch as to me.
Contact with her snaps me out of my own dread. That... sword is asleep again. And if it would wake up, I couldn't do anything, anyways. But right now, I can do something. I stop my trembling and I hold onto Leanna's hand.
She squeezes my hand as it is offered. She seems slightly more comfortable now, but still watches the environment - antsy.
I smile reassuringly at her, and she smiles back shakily.

Meanwhile, my mere presence has an effect on my surroundings. The ghosts of the dead that approach us... seem to regain some clarity. They all seem to have been embittered by the Edict, however, and use their new power to attempt to scare the group.

Leanna hides her face in my arm, shivering.
I draw her closer, shielding her with my body and my presence. I then check how the others are doing.
Zack and Amelia are wary and worried - but not overly so.
I thus deploy a reassuring aura for Leanna - a small feeling that it will be alright.

She smiles up at me uneasily.

"You are save with me, Leanna."
With my free arm, I tenderly brush through her hair.

Her eyes gleam in the deep forest.

I try to continue for a bit as it is, holding Leanna close to me. She feels so close to me... Force, her eyes glow in the torchlight...
I force myself to tear my gaze away. This is dangerous. I focus on keeping her safe and secure first, my eyes scanning around routinely.

Eventually, the ghosts blow out the torch, and the forest is plunged into darkness. Leanna squeaks, and the sound is simultaneously the most adorable thing I have ever heard, and the thing that angers me the most. Because enraptured by the cute sound as I am, my ire rises.
I wrap around Leanna, holding her close to me.

Eventually, Amelia relights the torch, revealing Leanna's position pressed into my chest for comfort.
"As I said, we must keep our wits about us."

I nod, my voice growing hard.
"Indeed. And this has gone on for too long. The dead had their fun."

I glance down softly.
"Are you alright, Leanna?"

She looks up, stricken by fear, shaking her head slowly.

I instantly hold her tighter.
"Shh... I am here. Nothing will harm you."

She nestles deeper into my embrace. She feels really small like that, making the difference in our sizes more apparent.
"...thank you..."
'...see...you do good...the same I do...'

'It's because it's you.'

'...maybe...but you still capable...not monster...never monster...'

I smile softly at her.
'Thank you. It means a lot that you can say that. Though a lot of people wouldn't agree.'

'...maybe not...but I see that you are capable of great kindness...'
Her will spikes as she orients the phrase in her mind, and it comes into being before me with the force of importance signalling her intent.

I smile warmly at her - lovingly.
'Thank you. It's... reassuring that you think so.'

'...capable...love too...'
She blushes brilliantly.

She is so adorable, I can't help but blush a bit at the sight.
'Yeah. Came as quite the surprise...'

She smiles at me through her embarrassment.
'...hope you see...how trust you...how care for you...'

I blush a bit more.
'Uhh... you... perhaps... have to tell me that again soon... when we have a moment...'

'...whenever like...'

'Because, while your words do make me happy, I think there is something slightly more pressing around.'

She nods slowly, seemingly not wanting to think about that other thing.

I glance up from her, but still hold her close, my arms wrapped around her protectively.

Both Zack and Amelia are waiting for us to be done.

Then, my face sets into a frown as I glare at the ghosts around us. My voice is quiet, but carries throughout the forest.
"You had your fun, dead. I know you have found more focus and clarity. I suggest you use it to go and rest. Any further attempts at luring us away will be interpreted as hostile actions."

But the dead listen not, bound by the curse upon the land.

I sigh.
"Very well. I did warn you."

Energy converges around me as I lift one arm. I then swiftly move it to the side, and the energy sweeps around us in a circular arc, knocking the ghosts away.

Amelia is the first to look at me.
"What was that?"

"Energy. It should give us some breathing room."
I glance back down at Leanna.
"It's okay, Leanna. They're gone for now."

She smiles at me, her sapphire eyes twinkling with gratitude.

Amelia looks around, her tone and expression belying her disbelief.
"No mage I know of could've done such a thing."

I shrug.
"I know. That holds true for many things I can do. But let's just say that this was hardly my first run-in with ghosts. I know how to work against them."

I smile slightly.
"Some even call me the Ghost-Eater. Funny, huh?"

She trains her gaze on me.
"You speak as if orphaned minds are a common phenomenon."

"Not quite. But I do specialise in finding them, anyways. For better or worse."

Her eyes narrow.
"As in there are more than a few places they can even be encountered. The dead do not endure without aid - does this mean that many areas of your home are afflicted as the Forest of Sorrows is?"

I shake my head.
"Not quite. It's usually just individuals."

"That is unheard of. Tell me more."

I take a glance around.
"But still, we should move before they come back. I do not wish to harm them more than necessary. It is not these ghosts' fault that they are bound to these lands."

"No, it is not."
Amelia nods.

"At least in Esaria, it is never the fault of the dead that they linger."
She eyes me suspiciously.

"I see."
I glance down at Leanna again, smiling warmly and reassuringly.
"Are you okay to move again?"

She nods against me, seemingly more reassured.

I smile softly.
"Then let's go."

She leans back and takes my hand again. I still hold her close as we walk, the reassuring aura still in place in place.

But it appears as if my little show of power did the trick, as we eventually emerge from the dark forest without further hindrance, reaching a much more welcoming place.
The forest turns from darkness... to light. From decay to life. Magic flows between the trees like little sparks, and Leanna emerges from my shoulder to smile gleefully at the beauty of the forest.

I heave a sigh of relief.
"This is much better."

I take a deep breath, noticing the smell of life and earth in the air.
"I'd say we made it through."

Like most of the planet, the magic is... mechanical... naturalistic. The ecosystem it creates is as beautiful as any other I have seen. Lush as Odessen but without the parts that kill you.
Leanna reaches out to one of the sparks, and the magic flows between her fingers like water, the light reflecting in her eyes making them twinkle even more than usual.
I smile softly, as much at the sight as at her.
"Beautiful."

Even the equations underpinning the flow are charming... in their own unique and totally clustered way. Even when it makes sense under science, the Force still insists on complexity.
I chuckle softly.

"What is it?"
Leanna's head turns from the sights to me, her glorious hair swaying mesmerizingly.

Focus, Xerath. She asked you a question.
"Just... the magic. I noticed something amusing about it."

She arcs a delicate brow.
"Oh?"

I can just softly shake my head, glancing at the others.

Luckily, she caught my message, as she blinks in understanding.
"Ah."

And yet, there is a symmetry to the equations, running deep into the rest of the world and tying together with the other deep truths of reality in a neat little bow. In a way, the Terrans are right - on their world, their Force is entirely mechanistic, and its governing equations can be found written in the material laws of reality.
I remain curious and idly ponder this. However, we still have a destination to reach.
"So, Amelia, where to next?"

She hesitates not in imparting her knowledge, her intelligent amethyst eyes seeming to shine in the soft glow of magic. And even with her carefully neutral face, I can tell she enjoys this place.
"We need only traverse the forest - and if we are not lost, then we shall arrive where Issim thought Embermyst was in the next few hours."

"I see. Then lead the way. I'm sure we're all eager to rest a bit after this experience, right?"

There are nods all around, and Leanna gives my hand a squeeze.

I smile at her and squeeze back, my thumb gently caressing the back of her hand.

We travel through the wondrous forest, and I smile the entire time, as Leanna has yet to let go of my hand.
Care and thanks easily seep through our shared contact. For now, I am content to bask in these feelings and our shared contact, idly watching our surroundings.

Yet Leanna's warm, if unorganised thoughts pull me out of my musings.
'...you're a gift, Xerath...thank you for sharing this bit of your life with me...'

I blink.
"Huh?"
'Where does that come from so suddenly? W-what makes you say that?'

'...because you are...I not habit of lie you...'

I blush.
'W-well... but still... what part of my life do you mean, exactly?'

'...this...the stories...all...'

'Ah. So, you mean my life in general?'

'...what of it I see...'

I nod.
'Okay.'

With my free hand, I scratch my warming cheek.
'Well, I can only mirror that sentiment. You also are a gift that keeps on giving, and I thank you for sharing this part of your life with me.'

She smiles brightly at me.

I glance down at her, smiling as brightly.
'I love you, Leanna.'

As I watch, she smiles brightly into me, her eyes twinkling with joy in the dim light - joy I have wrought. Force, how can she be this adorable?
'...can only say 'I know'...more with time, maybe...'

'I will remain hopeful for that. But don't pressure yourself.'

'...you better...want your joy...'

'I want you to be happy more than anything. And if that would happen to be at my side... I would be more than thrilled. But if not... I would accept it.'

Suddenly, her thoughts darken.
'... ...sorry... ...remind you problem...'

I trail a circle on the back of her hand with my thumb.
'Hey, you have no reason to apologise. I love you, and you care for me as well. You accept me as I am. That is more than I ever even dared to hope. It's alright, because you are here.'

'...okay...'
She squeezes my hand.
'...don't forget...'

I smile slightly.
'I'll try.'

'...do you...like talk this...?'

'You mean to talk telepathically?'

'...yes...'

'Mmh... not too much, actually. I still prefer talking normally, but it does come in quite handy rather often.'

'...like when want talk lovey stuff while not target around...'

I blink. I can deduce her unorganised thoughts rather well usually, but this time I have to clarify.
'Come again?'

'...what do now...'

I just tilt my head.

'...things we talk now...not for them... ...you don't want hear...'

'Ah. Yes. Well, you don't like the others to hear, right?'
I smile softly.
'You know I'd have no problem shouting my love for you to the world. You do know that, right?'

'...oh...'
She blushes.
'...then why illusion for float...?'

'Ah. Well...'
I scratch my cheek.
'On one hand, because you said because it makes you uncomfortable. And on the other hand, because the first time that happened was less about my love for you, and more about you comforting me. And while I have no issue proclaiming and showing my love for you publicly, it's a different matter to show weakness like that.'

She tilts her head adorably.
'...weakness...?'

'...you know... to show vulnerability... weakness.'

She blinks.
'...how...?'

'How what?'

'...how weak...?'

'My care for you can be interpreted as a weak spot for me.'

She still looks confused.
'...not sure mean...'

'If enemies can't go after their target... they go after those close to their target.'

Realisation dawns on her face.
'...oh...and you not vulnerable very...'

I nod.
'There is the story about a very powerful Sith Lord. He once was in love with his companion. She was the most important person in the galaxy to him. Do you know what happened?'

'...no...'

'She was being targeted by assassins. He was able to rescue her, but it made him realise something. That she would always remain his one weak spot. So, their solution was for him to kill her.'
I frown.
'Quite messed up, if you ask me.'

'...!'

'Obviously, that would be no option for me.'

'...'

'And even if I am of the opinion that showing care and kindness is not a weakness... there are many in my galaxy who do think so. Thus, I worked hard to carve an image around me. I am so powerful, that even the thought of acting against me is basically the same as a death wish. But sadly, there are still enough enemies that are not deterred by this. As such, I mustn't show weakness publicly. I mustn't cry, I mustn't show the cracks. I am to be perfect. I am god and emperor.'

'...that seem hard...'

I smile slightly.
'Trust me... it is. Though, I think I managed. Not really being distracted by emotions is quite helpful in that regard. As long as I can operate with a clear mind, and can focus on something, I'm set up. I suppose it was a good thing that there was always the next big enemy for me to take down...'

'...you could never introspect... ...that...good for survival...?'

'Oh, I could introspect alright. I know what is wrong with me. But I couldn't dwell on it. If I do... I don't think that would be good for survival.'

'...I...see...'
Her hand interlaces with mine.
'...how feel now...?'

I glance down at our hands, blush, and then look back up to her.
'...better.'

She seems relieved.
'...good...'

'And you?'

'...also good...'

I smile slightly.
"Good. Because that forest really scared you, didn't it?"

'...yes...'
There is a bit of hesitation.
'...don't like necromancy...'

'Understandable. It is vile and disgusting to bind the dead to the land like this.'
I gaze into her eyes reassuringly, as I caress her hand.
'But still... there is something more to it, isn't there? Of course, if you don't want to tell me, that's okay, but... if I know one thing, it's fear. And you were more afraid than normal in that situation... I think.'

'...yes...'
Again, a moment of hesitation, but she decides to come forth regardless.
'...was...attack...very young...VOID remnant...'

My eyes widen and I squeeze her hand.
'Oh no...'

Images flash through my mind - of a young girl hiding from rotting carcasses shambling about.
I immediately stop and wrap her in another hug. I do have the presence of mind to put down an illusion and float us along, though. No need to get the other two suspicious.

'...didn't like being helpless...idea that anyone could be in that...not make it out...'
She shivers.

I softly stroke her hair.
"Shh..."
'I understand. So, you wanted to become a Mage-Knight and save others from such situations.'

She nods and leans into me.
'...it's not just ghosts...it's that I can't help them anymore...not being able to help...'

'You want to help the dead, too, despite them scaring you like this...'
I hold her tightly, wrapping her in a bubble of my love, care, and appreciation.
'You are the single most kindest soul I have ever met, Leanna. You are a wonderful person. And even if you cannot do that yourself, you have me now. And I promise you, that I will help the dead that are bound to this land.'

'...thank you...'
She squeezes me.

I smile softly.
'Anything for you.'

'...and...thank for helping move through forest...'

I hesitatingly move my head closer to hers, but eventually pull through and put a soft peck on top of her hair.
'To be honest, I was a bit worried you wouldn't appreciate me deploying the aura to help calm you down. But you are most welcome. If the most important person in my life is bothered like that, I can't just stand by idly and watch, can I? Not when I have the power to do something about it.'

She smiles softly at me.
'...you...good...Xerath...'

I return her smile.
'I try to be. Especially now, that I have such a great reason to.'

'...and if you don't feel good enough...I don't need perfect...'

I nod and smile lovingly.
'I know. You... accept me as I am. With all my flaws and all. And I am eternally grateful for that.'

'...you haven't had an eternity to be grateful yet...how sure...?'

'Absolutely sure. And if there would ever come a day where I stopped to be grateful for you... then that day I would stop deserving having you in my life. Because then I wouldn't be better than the people I despise. Thus, I'll strive to be the best person I can be. For you. That I can be someone you can fall in love with. That I can be someone you can admire and look up to. That I can be a person you deserve to have at your side.'

She blushes, and moves a hand through my hair.
'...then...I'll make sure you never stop being grateful...'

I smile softly.
'You are on a very good way to achieve that. And you're getting better at this telepathy thing, too. You truly are a woman of many talents.'

She beams at me.
'...am I...'

'You are. And the more I learn about you, the more I learn to love about you, the more I am reinforced in that opinion.'

'...how...'

I tilt my head.
'How what?'

'...how am I better...every thing you learn...'

'Let's just take the most recent example: your... uhm... encounter with VOID as a child. Other people would curl up and live their lives in fear of them. But not you. You decided that you wanted to keep others safe, to prevent them from experiencing the same - or similar - situations.'
I smile lovingly.
'And that is just the latest example of a trend.'

'...you - self-proclaimed monster - like hero...?'
She pokes my chest.
'...again...not monster...'

I chuckle lightly.
'Well...perhaps you're right... and I was a bit too harsh on myself... But just a bit, though.'

'...we'll see...I will poke your self-worth into shape...'

'I would like to see that. Given how I know that I'm the most important person of my galaxy.'

'...thinking important isn't all there is to self-worth...'

I tilt my head.
'Oh?'

'...many types of value...'

I just arc a brow.

'...tell me...how do you value yourself...?'

'How I value myself? You have to be a bit more specific, I think. I don't quite get what you mean.'

'...what value do you think you have...every category... ...if you distinguish it...different type of value...magic is not money is not joy...'

I tilt my head a bit more, the thoroughly confused expression on my face mirroring my thoughts. What is she trying to say?

'...not all people powerful, important...yet high self-value...'

'You mean like narcissists?'

'...no...? ...yes, they are among those...but self-worth isn't property of the powerful and the stupid alone...'

I still appear to be lost.
'...Oh...kay... I can't say I really get it.'

I shake my head.
'So I'm looking forward to you teaching me.'

'...think, Xerath...when you were a slave, did you value yourself...? ...not as important...but valuable...'

I tense at the mere mention of the word.
'I... I'm not sure...'

'...even then, when you weren't 'important'...you could still value yourself...I would...'

'Can we... can we not talk about that time, please? Not right now...'

'...okay...'
She rubs my back gently.
'...sorry...'

I hold her both tightly and gently against me.
'It's okay... just... can we talk about something else?'

'...course...'
Something seems to change in her train of thought.
'...like how some monsters do like heroes, particularly of the opposite sex...?'

I blush, but smile slightly.
'...perhaps...'

'...think about it...and how I think the alien parts of you are exciting...'
She smirks at me.

I blush even more. How can she be this appealing?
'Yes, one thing I love about you is you being a hero, but that doesn't make me one, too.'

'...you don't need to be a hero to be a good person...and regardless, I think anyone that survives what you did and emerges kind counts as a hero...'

I avert my eyes.
'But I'm not as kind as you seem to think...'

'...no...?...then, tell me about it, so I can make my verdict...'

'As much as I am capable of being kind... I am capable of being cruel...'

'...some people are like that... ...I can't say it's alright, but there are degrees, and there is understanding...'

'I... I really am not proud of the things I've done... and... I would rather not tell you about them... at least not yet...'

'...okay...'
She gazes up at me with caring eyes.
'...tell me if you're ready, okay...?'

I smile slightly.
'I will. Though it could be after you declared your love for me. After all, it is currently my goal to win you over. Telling you about some of the things I've done could end up being... contra-productive.'

'...so is being emotionally distant, Xerath...'

I tilt my head.
'But aren't we emotionally rather close?'

'...yes, but in my experience...that doesn't tend to survive secrets on the closeness you want to create...'

'I see... so, your point is that keeping those things from you could turn you away from me when I wait too long to share them with you?'

'...it could turn us from each other...you by getting set in the mould that you'll always have to keep some secrets from me...'

'I see... Yes, I suppose that makes sense...'

'...I don't need it now...just...keep it in mind...I don't want us to break apart over something that could've been prevented...'

I squeeze her close.
'Me neither. I just... I've done some horrible things... and I couldn't take it if you'd hate me for it... So, I suppose I'm just afraid... that in the end there will be the one thing that you cannot accept about me...'

'...maybe...but even if you did do something that truly horrifies me...all I need is a good promise to take a shot at redemption, for most...'

'...for most what?'

'...most things you could do...I can forgive if you want to move beyond them...'

'What does it even mean to 'move beyond them', though? To not repeat them? I'm not keen on doing that... but I can't exactly rule out the possibility that I will have to...'

'...move beyond, repair the damage - or, at least, help more than you hurt...'

'...for most that help will come too late, I'm afraid...'

'...have you killed more than half of the galaxy...?'

'No... I don't think so?'

'...then you can help more than you hurt...you just need to try...'

'I meant that the help for those that I killed will come too late.'

'...it will...but that is how it is for all that we kill...I know...'

'Indeed...'
I stare off into the distance.

'...we can't help them anymore...we just have to hope we can do better...'

'Yeah...'
A tear slides down my cheek.
'But the guilt...'

I take a deep breath and wipe my eyes.
'You're right. We just have to do better.'

She nods.
'...I believe...I have to believe that a person can do enough good to make up for the death they cause...'

I close my eyes and droop my head, holding on to her.
'...then I still have to do immense good...'

'...but you have the means to do that good...don't you...?'

'Perhaps... But how much good I can do with these cursed powers remains to be seen...'

'...how cursed...?'

'The largest part of my power is taken from Valkorion, if you remember. And have I told you how he got them?'

'...no, but if they're cursed because of what he did with them and for them...then that is all already done, isn't it...?'

'...mostly, yes...'

'...if they can be used for good...then the price for them has already been paid, and you can't un-pay it - nor are you responsible for it...'

'But was this price worth it? These powers have brought nothing but pain, suffering and dread so far... What good can I do with my cracked mind?'

'...as much as you can... ...we can't ask for more...'

'...I'll try...'
I take another deep breath and gaze at her.
'For you... with you... I think I can hold on.'

She pulls me close.
'...I hope so...you deserve more...a life worth living...'

'...I wonder... if there would be something like that for me...'

'...looks like it...'

I rest my head on her shoulder.
'...I'm just so tired of it all...'

'...I get that...you need a break...'

'...I just want to retire... but I can't... can I?'

'...maybe not...'
She thinks for a moment.
'...but that doesn't mean you can't relax just a bit sometimes - even if rarely, in special places only with special people...'

I glance away.
'...I'm not sure if that's a good idea...'

'...why not...? ...isn't that the point of wanting to be close to me...?'

I arc a brow, focusing back on her.
'No? I want to be close to you because I love you.'

'...but...if you do get close like that, what will you do with it...?'
She gazes into my eyes.
'...what will change...?'

'However, as I told you... I managed to keep myself together through focus on imminent goals. Meaning by focusing on my enemies. But when I don't have that... don't have the pressure... the cracks start to become more glaring. I can only hold my mind together through that pressure... and I'm afraid of what will happen when it lifts.'

'...then...is this a good idea...?'
She frowns.
'...if you're right, then doing this will only hurt you...unless you intend to earn my love and then leave me somewhere safe for months on end while you do something else...which I will not agree to...'

I shake my head.
'To be honest, I have no idea if any of this is a good idea. I have also no idea how long I can keep myself together. But I do know that you will be a key to this all. Just like you already have become a key in my life.'

'...then...you want me to help you...?'

I nod slowly.
'... if you are willing... I wouldn't turn you down... I know that I can't go on like this. I will reach my limits sooner rather than later.'

'...then I'll help you as much as I can...'

I sigh.
'As much as it makes me happy to hear that... I hate it that I have to place such a responsibility on you...'

'...no...it's alright...don't you remember...?'
She smiles.
'...I've always wanted to be a hero...to help people...we can help each other...'

I smile slightly as well.
'I see... I think I would like that.'

I then glance away with a growing blush.
'You're really unfair...'

She tilts her head, looking at me with an impossibly adorable questioning expression.
'...why...?'

'How can you say something like that with that smile... whilst not wanting me to kiss you? You really have a talent for making me love you even more...'

She beams at me, eyes shining with affection.
'...you deserve to feel in love...'

'...and yet I have to suppress every instinct in how to express those feelings...'

'...then save it for dreams...and the future...'

'Dreams? You already are my dream. Unless you mean those people usually have at night?'

'...yes, or daydreams...'
She blushes slightly at my words.

'Ah, yes. These random thoughts that pop up occasionally. I see... Because, you see, I don't dream when I sleep.'

She smiles slightly.
'...those...they can be fun...'

I smile softly.
'That they can be. If majorly flustering.'

'...oh...?'

'You know... like the thing about you... and me... and...a...a child...'
I now am blushing furiously.

'...oh...right...'
She then smirks at me.
'...I'm glad I could make you so happy through imagine and pango alone...'

'...Mhm...'

'...but...you don't dream at night...?'

'No, I do not. I... conditioned myself out of it.'

'...I'm sure you needed it...but I'll try to get you back some nicer dreams...'

'Perhaps there will be a time for that. If anyone can do it, I'm sure it's you. Perhaps then, there will finally come something good out of those dreams...'

'...hope...so...'

Her mental abilities, even if they have improved considerably during the course of this conversation, are tiring.
I smile softly at her.
"Want to take a break from the mental conversation?"

"Yeah... this is better."

"I agree. But still, consider me impressed. You really improved a lot over the course of this."

"I'm glad I meet with your approval 'my lord'."

"Pfft! Please don't.
I smile at her.

"Maybe I should try the other extreme then, Xerath."

Once more, affection and care ripple through my name.
We wobble in our floating.
"I... Yeah... that is... much better."

I am beet red.
"You... truly are a blessing, Leanna."

She smiles brightly and begins scratching my head.

I sigh happily, and then begin to produce the sound she likes so much as I relax into her embrace again.
"Krrrrrrrkrrrrr... I love you, Leanna."

"And more than anything, you deserve love. Mine is, and always will be, on offer - at least the personal form you've come to see."

"But you see... I'm a selfish and impatient man... I don't think that will be enough for me."

"Then I'll do my best - we both will."

"Yeah..."
I glance up at her.
"Just out of curiosity, how close are you to falling in love with me?"

She blushes deeply.
"That's a... difficult question to answer. I'm not sure that I feel much different about you than I did yesterday or the day before - I'm just more comfortable. I am more comfortable with you now... but I'm not sure what that means, if anything."

"Hmm... I see."
I smile widely.
"Well, it's an important start, at least."

"I suppose so. At least, you do seem to be enjoying what I am offering."

"Of course. I mean, how could I not?"

She smiles at me.
"Good."

"You - the woman I love - is doing so much for me already... how could I not thoroughly enjoy what you're offering?"

The head-scratching continues. And so does the chittering.
Only my alien chittering resounds as we continue to float through the forest. Soon, we'll arrive at Embermyst, and I enjoy every moment we can spend like this.

Eventually, we leave the trees behind, entering a clearing and revealing a city enclosed by clay walls.
Two tanned men with leather armour and carved wooden staves inlaid with rough crystals stand guard.
Their staves are crossed, and the light seems to shimmer as it catches the negative space between the stoves, forming a gate seemingly by magic instead of physical matter.
I put us down again, disappointed we have to part. But at the same time, I am intrigued by this. I thought the locals couldn't form energy like this, so I analyse this gate more closely.
Interestingly, the gate is comprised primarily of fire magic - an energy barrier that works in a similar way to the energy shields of my galaxy.
"Oh? My, how peculiar."

"Hmm?"
Leanna looks over at me, after having taken a few steps up.

"That barrier there... is fascinating."

"Oh, the Firewall? They're an interesting discipline of Fire magic, but are fairly inefficient for the most part. Still, sometimes they are more convenient than making a physical barrier around things."

"Well, from what I can tell, that is the same principle as our energy shields. So, that you do have magic for them after all... is quite intriguing."

"Oh, you have a way to do that without using magic? What's it like?"

I shrug.
"Well... it uses electricity? Last time we talked about them, you called them rechargeable armour. So, I'm not quite sure what I can add to that without outright showing you..."

"I didn't know they were similar to firewalls, but the point stands. Firewalls are basically a form of magic armour with integrity you need to maintain. That, simply put, is expensive, so they typically aren't used outside of specific scenarios where it's better to have a magic barrier than a magic-enhanced physical barrier."

I nod.
"Yes, that makes sense, since you have to operate under the focus of a mage..."

"Not always - good enchantments can do it too - it's the cost of crystals. Generally it's better to have mages overseeing, but enchantments get better every day."

I blink.
"Ahh, of course. They are quite energy-intensive, aren't they?"

"Yes. A lot of enchantments - like the one's on the gear I carry - can almost run off of ambient energy with the right nodes running. They can do that a lot better than people - most humans can't draw on ambient energy at all. If I were to have a firewall on this armour, the energy requirements - specifically the Fire magic requirements - would skyrocket. I'd burn through these crystals in days instead of years."

"I see..."
I draw a hand to my chin.
"Hm. Maybe a Static Barrier would be a more efficient technique for you, then."

She arcs a brow.
"What's that?"

I smile, and around her a bubble of electricity forms into place.
"It's a defensive use of Force Lightning. The energy arcs around the target and absorbs incoming energy - be it kinetic or otherwise."

"Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen that use of lightning before..."

"The Jedi have a similar technique that draws on pure telekinesis instead."

"That would be a bit like my pulses wind deflection, then?"

I arc a brow.
"I don't know. Possibly?"

"Like what I used for a moment to power through those discharger blasts on the way to Raven Pass."

I think back for just a moment.
"Oh, you meant when those bolts curved around you?"

She nods.
"Yes, that."

"Well, I don't think that's quite it. The Force Armour the Jedi use is basically the same as a Static Barrier, but without lightning."

"Oh, so it's... what's it like? Is it like an energy shield?"

I dispel the Static Barrier and employ a Force Armour instead.
"Yes."

"Okay, so it's more armour and less deflection."

I nod.
"Indeed."

"Yeah... you may have noticed I only kept the wind deflection up for a few moments, right?"

"Yes. Only in the moment it was necessary."

"Creating a barrier of any kind with pure magic is hard, so we learn a whole bunch of efficiencies. First, don't take the blows, divert them. Deflecting is almost always easier than just standing there. It's an obvious extension of the 'don't get hit' rule of warfare. Second, only keep magical barriers up when they're needed. They are powerful tools when one needs to survive in a pinch, but just like I can't fly with wind magic so much as jump really high, continuously maintaining the flow of air around me just right to deflect from any angle is difficult when I'm already running my Mantle."

I blink.
"Your Mantle?"

"The reason I can run quickly and strike harder in serious combat situations."

"Ah, right. Your version of Force Speed."

"Each Mage-Knight learns an elemental mantle as the pinnacle of their abilities with one element - an expression of it in combat. It is very focus-intensive, so while it is in place I need to ration out my other magic."

"I see... Meanwhile, something like Force Speed is a rather basic technique, that every advanced Apprentice learns."

"Likely because there is more to a mantle than just going fast."

I arc my brow.
"What else is there?"

"My blows are empowered and I can channel magical attacks without additional focus. It links with my armour and weapon and I increase the effectiveness and my control over all their enchantments. It increases my sphere's output and allows me to produce more powerful magic if I can spare the focus. For example - only under the Mantle of Wind can I access enough energy to produce lightning."

"Ahh, I see... So, it's basically an enhanced state where you have full access to your magic, at the cost that it is tiring you and your resources more quickly. That about correct?"

She nods.
"Essentially, yes."

"I see. Interesting... Quite interesting indeed..."

"How so?"

"Because that is quite different to how Force users are trained. We are trained to have all our powers available all the time. And, to be honest, that is required in the hostile land that is my galaxy."
I smirk.
"And even to this rule, I'm the odd exception."

She arcs a delicate brow.
"Oh?"

"Because I have to consciously keep my powers down. While you have to focus to get into a state of reaching your full power, I had to focus to reach a state of concealed and decreased power. Luckily, I managed to train that into a passive thing now, so I don't have to constantly focus on keeping up my veil."

"Why would you want to hide your power, Xerath?"

"Because I am not exactly keen on the entire galaxy knowing my location? Besides, people tend to get really uncomfortable around my full, unchecked power. I think I told you that people always have a presence in the Force, right? And that Force users have a more pronounced presence, that other Force users can detect?"

"Okay, so... you have a lot of glimmer?"

I chuckle.
"I suppose that's one way to put it. Let's see if I can put it into perspective... So, imagine every person as a light source. The students at the Academy were like lit candles - some burning brighter than others. You... are like a lit torch. Amelia over there is like a starting bonfire. And as for me... well... if I wouldn't conceal my powers at all... I'd be like a star."

"And that would blind everyone, wouldn't it?"

"Not directly, but it would make people very uncomfortable. My presence is so powerful, that everyone around me notices, Force-sensitive or not. The entirety of Terra would feel my presence, and the flare of my presence would be noticeable by your entire galaxy. And since I don't know what other inhabitants there are out there, I don't want to risk revealing myself."

"I see. That makes sense."

"Although... if you want... I could try to work on something..."

She makes her cute, curious expression again.
"Oh?"

"I could - theoretically - expand the veil around me, so that the larger world still wouldn't notice, but someone close to me could feel my full presence. If... if you are interested in that, that is..."

She nods without hesitation.
"Yes."

"Oh. Well, in that case, I'll work on that..."
I remember something else I also wanted to work on.
"And then I'll have to figure out how to help the dead here without endangering Embermyst..."

"That sounds good, Xerath."
She smiles at me.

I smile as well, blushing slightly under her gaze.
"I see... W-well, that's good... Because, you see, lifting the curse of this forest would actually be rather easy for me - the spell is quite crude - but it would leave the hidden city exposed. So, I would probably have to discuss that with the locals, then..."

Amelia then steps up to the gate and I drop the illusion around Leanna and me, making sure it takes our place.
The guards at the gate cross their spears.
"What business do you have here?"

Amelia regards them with her neutral expression.
"We are here to discuss things with a Professor Issim. Is he with you?"

They send a runner back into the city, speaking a language I don't understand. They then address us again.
"Wait here."

I walk up to Amelia and Zack.
"Hey."

They regard me with neutral, yet somewhat curious expressions. One more so than the other.
"Hey."
"What is it, Xerath?"

"I just... want to make sure. Are you two alright? The forest earlier was quite something. How are you handling things?"

Zack nods.
"It sucked. Nothing we couldn't handle."

Amelia shrugs.
"One must be wary of magical places."

"Still... you take an encounter with ghosts of the dead exceptionally well... That's a good thing, of course. But if there's something... burdening you... feel free to share it with Leanna and or me, if you want to. We'd be more than happy to help."
I glance over to Leanna to make sure.
"Right?"

I receive a nod from her.

Yet Zack's response is as curt as ever.
"I've seen worse."

"Magic is dangerous at times. I went into that scenario with full understanding of the mechanics of it, and was not surprised or concerned. As long as you do not remain there for long, the Litany cannot harm you. Therefore, there was nothing to fear."

"I see..."
I smile.
"Alright. I'll take your words for it, then."

"How did you feel?"
Amelia seems to gaze straight into my soul.

"I?"
I shrug.
"A bit irked that someone prevented these dead the rest they deserved, and quite annoyed that they scared Leanna like that."

"That makes sense. Kairos is known to inspire hatred."

"If she had spells to bind the dead, is her spirit still around as well, then?"

"It is possible, but unlikely. The more potent tools of necromancy with Shadow magic were unlocked after the Empire fell. If she were to survive, she would've needed to find complicated secrets that wouldn't be common knowledge for millennia yet."

"Well... you did say she was renown as a prodigy of her time..."
I shrug.
"Eh, whatever. If she is, she'd better pray I'll never find her."

"That, of course, implies that no one else has. There are few in Esaria who wouldn't take up the duty of giving Kairos her final death."

"But are you capable of doing so? You said that you know of no mage that could affect the ghosts like I did earlier, correct?"

"It requires preparation, and more than one mage, to kill ghosts. Remember when I said that it was possible to burn back areas like the Forest of Sorrows?"

"Yes. How would you go at it?"

"The typical way is to collect a large number of mages around a target area and begin funnelling the magic away. This works with any concentration of magic - it just takes more time the more there is. Create new concentration gradients and move the magic until the area can no longer sustain itself."

"I see..."
I arc a brow.
"Why hasn't it been done here, then?"

"It is away from civilization. Such a large effort is not needed here."

"The forest isn't that far away from Bazada."

"And yet it is unutilized. It is far enough away that Bazada is not affected, and no industry based out of Bazada will be for decades."

"I see. So providing the dead trapped here the rest they deserve is not a priority. I understand."

"It is generally acknowledged that the things here have already been in the Litany for so long that there isn't much person left to save. I noticed you attempted to warn them away first. Did it surprise you when they did not care at all?"

"A bit. My presence has the effect to grant ghosts a clearer state of mind. But I noticed that they were still too bitter to care for my warning."

"The minds of these beings have been permanently damaged by magic, Xerath. Presence or no presence, the only way to truly bring them back would be to reverse time somehow."

"The only way you know of, yes. But to lift them from the curse they are under would go a long way to free them."

"True - to lift their curse would end them. Bring them death. And I agree - that is all we can do for them."

"To prevent them from going to the afterlife like that... that's just cruel."

"Afterlife? You mean to say you believe that these tortured souls will continue to suffer somewhere else after we end them?"

"What do you mean 'suffer'? No, far from it. I mean to say that after death in the mortal realm, people go into the afterlife - a realm of the spirits. It is supposed to be a paradise."
And the glimpses I saw of it confirm that.

Her face scrunches up, like she just ate something bitter.
"How could those whose minds were broken apart and remade by a curse like Kairos' find any peace but annihilation?"

I smile slightly.
"The answer is simple. Magic."

"Magic doesn't work that way. Magic has rules - and it cannot reverse damage without a full understanding of what you are trying to reverse it to."

I nod.
"The magic you know, yes."

"It doesn't reverse, it changes. The difference you describe is so different that if you're right, we aren't talking about the same thing."

"Well, we are. At the very core."

She arcs a brow at me challengingly.
"Really? Then tell me - since the studies of magic are different mostly by species, how are you different?"

I arc a brow in return.
"The list is long."

"Are you not human? Or is your society so much further along in the human study of magic that it should shock me that we haven't found them yet?"

I scratch my cheek.
"My knowledge and usage of magic have nothing to do with me being human or not."

But before she can inquire further, I hold up a hand.
"But let us postpone this discussion - I believe we are about to be granted entrance."

The runner returns and discusses things with the guards. Amelia frowns, but says nothing.

I give her a slight smile, before focusing on the guards.

They nod, and the runner leaves again. In a few minutes, an elder man appears. He's an old, squirrely man with a set of glasses which slip down his hooked nose. He wears a faded and wrinkled open robe.
"So, to what am I owed this visit?"

Amelia steps forward.
"Professor Issim, this party and I would like to discuss some of your old work, if you have the time."

"Oh? What for? I hadn't realized I'd written anything of terrible importance before I'd left."
He has a hoarse, yet friendly voice.

Amelia nods.
"Perhaps not, but something you wrote has become relevant. Would you be willing to discuss Rift Theory?"

"Rift Theory. Interesting."

He talks to the guards, and they uncross their blades, letting the barrier and its translucent shimmer dissipate.

He smiles at us.
"Come, friends. We have much to discuss."

I nod friendly and follow along with the others. As soon as we step through the gate and finally completely leave the magic of the Edict behind us, I feel another power nearby. I glance up in the direction, seeing a volcano towering behind Embermyst. How curious. It almost feels... like a presence of some sort.
We walk through the city - really more of a quaint town or village - consisting of a large number of squat, pottery houses, each likely made as a single piece and moved into place. People walk about with plain, loose-fitting tunics and many wear bronze jewelry or simple-looking fire manipulators. I take note of the architecture with idle curiosity.

Both Leanna and Amelia gaze around, very excited to see this example of a culture that was lost in Kairos' war. But, again, this lost ancient society is very underwhelming by my standards and the standards of Terran science and culture. Especially given that 'lost' and 'ancient' is more often than not much more powerful than current things. Yet even so, I am nothing if not an inquisitive mind. Thus I glance around with interest, hypothesising how things were made, what meaning the symbols could have, and so on.

Soon enough, we reach a hut much like all the others, and the professor invites us in. When everyone settles on wide cushions on the floor, he speaks.
"So, what do you wish to know?"

I remain quiet, giving Amelia the chance to talk with the elder professor she has studied so much of.

She doesn't disappoint and produces a number of papers from her pack.

"My old notes. That explains how you were able to find me."

Amelia nods.
"We were told by Professor Exavier that you could help us."

"Ah, Exavier. Became a professor, did he? Good for him."
He frowns as he pours over his old research.
"I'm afraid it's been a long time since I've thought of these, so I'm not sure whether I'll be able to help you much. I've been distracted."

A volcano rumbles.

I blink, alarmed. Memories of Makeb come to mind, and I shift uneasily. I shake my head discreetly, dispelling the memories before they get too deep.

Everyone else seems concerned as well, except Issim.
"Pay that no mind - it's been doing that for thousands of years now."

Amelia arcs a delicate brow.
"There is an enchantment then?"

"Yes - an area of abundant magic. Apparently, it was placed there by the Fire Elemental."

She nods.
"I see. It makes sense that the old religion would still be alive in Embermyst."

Issim nods as well.
"Indeed. I personally find them quite charming, and the people have been very accepting. They've been hiding for millennia, thinking Kairos might still be waiting for them. But I think I might be convincing them to open up."

Amelia's eyes widen.
"Is that why, then? I see."

Leanna frowns.
"Are they... okay?"

He glances down.
"Not as much as I'd like. It was a long time ago, but it remains fresh in their stories. Apparently, the only reason they survived is the same reason they trust that mountain to never erupt."

I chime in.
"Because of the Elemental?"

He nods.
"Yes. If it weren't for the combination of their stiff resistance and the spells of protection over this little valley, the Edict would have been centred on Embermyst."

He shakes his head.
"But that is not why you're here."

He smiles kindly, almost excitedly.
"Temporal rifts. What are you interested in?"

Leanna speaks carefully.
"Well, I was wondering how someone would create one."

I continue.
"You see, there were high energy readings around Meadowhill - it was one point two one gigathaums, was it Leanna?"

She nods at me and I resume.
"Professor Exavier said that it was most likely a temporal rift. So we went to search for you."

He nods.
"Ah, it is nice to hear that the exploratory spirit of the Academy thrives in my absence. To do that would require magical energy - vast quantities of it, and directed upon the layer beneath matter. It is, unfortunately, little understood at this time, and I think you would want to study it a fair bit more than it has been before attempting to create a full temporal rift. I'd recommend a full cadre of mages - one person is not enough to manipulate that kind of energy. But if you only wish to probe it, I would suggest the epicentre of Fire magic here - the Fire Temple is designed to store large amounts of ambient energy to assist in these sorts of works. And since you have what appears to be a prodigal fire mage here, I think you're all set."
He smiles at Amelia.

That must be the reason I feel this strong signature in the Force. Its true nature still eludes me, but I can feel it.
"I see... Wait, what temple?"

Amelia nods.
"Fire Temple - one of the sites where the worship of the ancients was conducted."

Issim nods as well.
"Yes, precisely. Technically, it should have enough energy there to generate a rift, but humans generally do not have much success in shaping ambient energy without a crystal primary. The majority of the energy would need to come from you."

"I see."
I draw my hand to my chin, but am not bothered in the slightest.

"But for something like experimenting with that layer of physics, it could be done."

"Well, at the very least, that sounds like our next destination, then. You said it's close?"

"Yes, only a short walk from the village. Even if you don't see it, you should be able to feel the way well enough with the inherent sense."

I nod.
"Indeed. Such an amount of energy is hard to miss."

Leanna smiles.
"Then that's where we need to go."

She stands, and the others do too. The professor looks up at us.
"Leaving so soon? I was hoping we'd have more time to chat - it's been a long time since I've had news from the outside world."

I sign the others to sit down again.
"Actually, there is something else I wanted to talk about."

"Oh? What is it?"

"You have been with these people for a long time, right? And you mentioned that you try to convince them to open up? How successful do you think you were so far?"

"Somewhat. They are still... unwell. It is my hope that I can reconnect them with Esaria - it would mean a great deal for both if they opened their doors all the way, even if they remained behind the Edict."

"The Edict - precisely what I wanted to get at. You see, I'm interested in lifting it. But since it seems to be the primary source of Embermyst's isolation, I worry what it would bring for the people living here."

"They are... not ready to face the world yet, I think. We will give them time."

I twist my mouth in contemplation.
"I see... that is a bummer... Because the souls trapped in that cursed forest have suffered for long enough. I'd want to set them free as soon as possible."
I continue to ponder whilst sitting in my thinking pose.

"I agree - but they are hardly our greatest concern. Isolated as such for so long... there is little left to save."

"I disagree. However, I don't want to endanger the living people here, either."

"You have a different philosophy on the spirits, then. I understand."

I nod.
"Indeed. It would appear so. Now... what if instead of this damned forest... we would implement a different effect to hide the city until the inhabitants are ready to rejoin the world?"

"That could work, but it would need to appear the same or similar so as not to invite suspicion."

"Yes, that makes sense... I think... I could work something out. Although I would probably need to know, how deep is the spell's structure known and visible to the mages in these lands?"

"Very. You'd likely need Shadow magic to properly replicate it."

"Well, replicating it is not the issue... but I wouldn't want to exchange the currently trapped souls for new ones - that would defeat the entire purpose."

"No, just replicating the look."

I blink.
"Ah. Of course."

"For that to be done convincingly, you'd need Shadow magic - are you a Shadow mage?"
He appears to be joking.

"Masking the real nature of the spell with a superficial mask of the current one... that could work."
I blink as I register his joking question.
"Me, a Shadow mage? I don't think that description would fit me, no."

"Then what are you? You don't seem to be a normal type of mage."

"Yes. I don't quite fit the local mould, I'm afraid. Let's just say... that I have learned a... different type of magic from the land I hail from."

"Oh... and what does this different type of magic let you do?"
He seems slightly less joking.

I glance at Leanna with a brow questioningly raised.

She responds promptly.
'...like said before - not Shadow magic bad, things Shadow magic do bad... ...best idea, probably say can create illusion of Shadow magic - not real...'

I smile at her.
'Got it. Thank you.'

Then, I address the professor again.
"Well... my magic can appear like Shadow magic... but it's not quite the same. It would allow me to create an illusion of the magic affecting the forest."

"I see. That is understandable. I wish you luck - and hope you do manage to find something worth saving in that miasma. Or... I suppose I don't. That would mean that thing has been in there all along."

I smile sadly.
"Indeed."

I shake my head and raise to a stand in one fluid motion.
"Well, I'll work something out - I always do."

"You seem to have immense faith in yourself."
He smiles.
"Be careful with that, alright?"

I shake my head slowly.
"Not exactly in myself, only in my abilities. They never failed me so far. For better or worse."

He nods.

Amelia goes over to him.
"It was excellent to talk with you. I hope to discuss things more once we return."

He smiles at her.
"Of course. I would love to host you again."

I nod as well and smile pleasantly.
"I hope we get the chance to meet again as well. I'm sure there are many things we can learn from each other."

"Indeed - but I know enough to not get in the way of the youthful when they are in a rush. You have come for advice, and now you have it. I will prepare tea for when you return with whatever you seek. And know that by my permission you are welcome in Embermyst - but don't bring too many others before they're ready."

My smile widens.
"That would be much appreciated. And of course, this is all of our little expedition."

We say our goodbyes and leave the hut. Amelia seems exceedingly excited.
"An opportunity to probe space itself..."

I smile gently at her.
"Indeed. It will come soon enough."

Leanna looks at me.
"So, what do you think? I, for one, am very interested."

"Indeed. Looks like that temple in the volcano is quite worthy of our time and investigation."
I smile in memory.
"Ahh, it's been too long since my last archaeological expedition into an ancient temple."

Amelia eyes me curiously.
"You've done this before?"

"With different temples and goals in mind, but yes. You could say that I'm experienced in archaeology."

She slides into position in front of me, her gaze burning with curiosity, her neutral expression cracking with excitement.
"What was it like?"

"Depending on the society the temple belonged to, it was dark, muddy, and deadly. That other time it was not that dark, cold, and deadly. And that other other time, it was dark, cold, wet and deadly. Actually, I think you get my point. We should stay on high alert in the temple."

"I see. But it was worth your time, yes?"

I smirk.
"Oh yes. Very."

She smiles, eyes like tempered glass preparing to dissect the natural world and extract its organs.
"Excellent."

"But do temper your excitement. Over-zealousness has been the downfall of many rookie archaeologists. Use it to fuel your focus - like you already seem to do, actually."
I smile at her.
"You will uncover great secrets, I'm sure."

"Excellent."
There is a combination of childlike excitement and clinical fervour in her voice.

"On that note, let's go."

"Excuse me."

Everyone turns around in some degree of surprise as a lady who is completely invisible in the Force waves at us.
I, too, turn around to the presence that just suddenly popped out of nowhere, rather startled. I quickly school my expression, though.
"Ah, greetings. How may we be of service?"

Zack steps in front of Amelia and sizes up the lady. She smiles at his attention, but otherwise doesn't react, responding to my question.
"Well, I couldn't help but overhear that you four were interested in the Temple that way."

"Indeed we are."
I size her up as well in an analytical way. This woman is wearing just enough fabric to cover her essentials and nothing more. But that fabric is rather stylish, I must say. Her outfit is mostly made out of black cloth and purple leather. She wears a short leather top just covering her chest, along with very short leather pants over black cloth and leather boots. Her arms are covered more than her legs, as she wears long-sleeved black gloves with purple leather vambraces over them, while her legs are bare. Only on one leg does she wear some sort of belt with a pouch and some throwing knives. Two daggers are sheathed on her hips behind her back. She also wears a long, black scarf wrapped around her neck, its two tails dangling behind her even longer than her long brown hair. It's tied up in a ponytail with a black tie and falls down her back, while her long bangs frame her very ample chest. But perhaps the most striking feature about her isn't her flashy and revealing outfit, it's her keen emerald eyes, sparkling with mischievous joy but also a confident intelligence.

She stems one hand on her hip.
"There's a lot you can get from the locals, but... there are some things they've forgotten."

I arc a brow.
"Like, let me guess, secret passages?"

"Oh yes - how did you guess?"
She smirks.
"You seem like you have experience in these arts."

I nod.
"You know, I'm somewhat of an archaeologist myself."

"So yes - I did find a secret passage, one filled enough with traps that I know something is on the other end."

I nod once more.
"Ah, yes, sounds familiar. It's an ancient temple alright."

She smiles cheerily.
"And I want to get inside, pilfer anything of value, and leave intact. There's just one more thing in the way."

I arc a brow.
"I would assume you stumbled across something magic?"

She nods. If she is surprised by me repeatedly 'guessing' correctly, she doesn't show it.
"Yeah. An energy barrier - and I can't really deactivate it myself. Magic isn't really my thing. But here we have what looks like three mages that want something completely different from the inside of the temple."

I nod in return.
"Indeed. So, am I correct to assume that you want to accompany us?"

"So, I believe that if we work together, it would be much better for everyone - you get to enjoy my excellent company, and I get my shinies."
She smiles.

"Shinies?"
I mumble to myself.
"I do happen to like shinies myself..."

Then I turn to the rest of my companions.
"I don't want to decide this alone - we are a group after all. So, what do you guys think?"

Leanna shakes her head violently to clear her thoughts and addresses this new woman.
"Could you give us a minute to talk among ourselves?"

She nods in understanding.
"Of course."

She then vanishes from my senses again.
I blink.
"Huh."

We huddle together a bit. Leanna speaks first.
"I don't know if I trust her just like that... I mean, she conveniently overheard our conversation."

"I do have very sensitive hearing."

Leanna jumps and I glance in that woman's direction.
"Not. Helping."

"Alright."
She holds her hands up.
"It's just hard not to overhear things."

"Yeah, I get that. I actually have the same problem. So, allow me to help our privacy out a bit."
I drop a veil around us that muffles sound.
"Now, where were we? Ah, yes. Well, she has more abilities than meets the eye. If she managed to map out the entire temple on her own and even found the secret passage, then that is a testament to her skillfulness."

"Yes. She could be valuable."
Amelia nods.
"However, we do already possess a person with experience in that field - but having more heads is generally better."

I look at Zack.
"Do you want to add something?"

He shrugs.
"Do what you want."

I nod.
"Alright, fair enough."

I then look over to Leanna.
"And your verdict?"

"Well... I say we have nothing to lose in giving her a chance, at least."

I nod again.
"Indeed. And besides, even if we wouldn't let her go with us, she'd just go in after us. So we might as well let her tag along."

I smile.
"It might be fun. So, we let her join, right? Or are there any objections?"

I look at each one individually, wanting to make completely sure. They all seem okay with it.

The woman smiles at us.
"So, when do we start?"

"Wha-!"
I whirl around to her, my hand automatically rushing down to my belt, reaching for the handle of my sword. I can luckily stop my reflexes before drawing the sword.

She takes a step back, slightly surprised.
"You sounded kind of muffled from over there and here equally, so I thought it wouldn't make a difference where I stood. When do we start?"

I calm myself down and put my hand away from the handle.
"Huh. Alright, note to self: next time, I better block all the sound, instead of just dampening it. As for your question, I'd say we'll start after we introduced ourselves. So, why don't you start, miss... treasure hunter?"

She gives us a playful salute.
"Of course. I'm Kara Noir, treasure hunter extraordinaire!"

I smirk.
"Confident. I'll give you that. We will see if you can live up to that claim."

Then, I bow slightly.
"At any rate, I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Kara. I am Xerath Kallig."

Leanna steps forward.
"Leanna Dawn. Pleased to meet you."

Kara looks her over.
"Mage-Knight, seems competent. It's always good to have one around - I have a feeling I'll be keeping you nice and close."

I arc a brow, my eyes narrow in suspicion.
"Close? In what way?"

She only smirks at me. I step closer to Leanna whilst continuing to glare through narrowed eyes. Or, well, the one eye that is visible, at least.

Leanna blushes slightly, and Kara raises an eyebrow.
"Oh, then you're both taken? That's unfortunate."

I blink, then blush.
"Taken? Ah... uhm... well... not... not quite..."

Leanna blushes more.
"I... uhh... it's not quite like that...?"

I scratch my cheek as my glare all but dissipates.

Kara smirks wider.
"Then you wouldn't mind a third?"

Leanna all but chokes.

And I arc a brow.
"Well, I would. I do not know you, and I do not love you."

Amelia steps in.
"I do not think this is getting us any closer to being introduced. I am Amelia Estelle."

Kara refocuses.
"I see. Student, but mage caster? Interesting. I look forward to working with such an adorable little cinnamon roll."

She turns red.
"I do not believe that comparing me to a pastry is valid."

I smile slightly.
"I may not know what that pastry is, but she sure is adorable, isn't she?"

Her eyes bulge slightly.
"I demand to be taken seriously!"

I smile softly at Amelia.
"Believe me, you are being taken seriously. As someone told me recently..."

I glance at Leanna with a small smile.
"Being cute or adorable does not exclude being taken seriously."

"...I see..."

Kara smiles.
"Aww... I'll be sure to help you out, okay?"

Finally, Zack speaks.
"Zack."

She looks him over.
"Very obviously a mercenary."

I just smirk. It really is quite obvious, isn't it?

Kara gestures to the path.
"I think we'll have a lot of fun together. Shall we get going?"

I look around, looking for the last member of our group.
Ceru eventually emerges from behind one of the buildings, looking curious. Leanna calls out to him.
"Hi Ceru! You want to come over here?"

He bounces over, a goofy smile on his face.
"Poi!"

Kara smiles.
"Aww, you even have a pango. That's adorable!"

Ceru jumps up onto my shoulder and inspects Kara.

I smile.
"Yes. Kara, meet Ceru. Ceru, this Kara."

"Poi..."

Kara steps forward and tickles him.

He laughs adorably.
"Poi p-poi poi!"

My smile widens.
"I think that means he likes you. So, welcome to our little band of explorers."

She nods.
"Right. Let's go."

And with that, we begin to head up towards the mountain.

I have a smile on my face as we walk, but glance suspiciously at Kara every now and then while keeping close to Leanna. I wonder what this Kara is up to, and why I couldn't feel her presence.
Suddenly, my blonde angel glances over at me, her soft voice pulling me out of my musings.
"How are you feeling?"

I blink, then gaze at Leanna. Just to be sure, I cancel out the sound around us. I don't want Kara to hear.
"All in all, I feel good, I think. Though I am a bit... suspicious? No, that's not quite it... Conscious? Yes, that's more it. I am a bit conscious about Kara."

"She's worrying you?"

"Yes. Well, in a very specific way."
I sigh and glance shyly at Leanna.
"I... smell competition... and I don't like it."

She arcs a delicate brow.
"Oh?"

"Competition for you, to be precise."

"Oh."
She blushes. Hard. Absolutely adorable.
"I... thought she was just teasing..."

"She might. But she might be not. And even the possibility unnerves me."
I sigh.
"I'm sorry... I have no right to feel like this... I said I would accept your choice, even if you'd chose her over me... but Force, the thought alone is riling me up..."

She hesitates, seemingly at a loss for words.
"I'm... not really sure how to respond here..."

"Yeah... fair enough. I want your reassurance you'll choose me... but you can't say that yet. Not for certain."
I take a deep breath.
"Alright. Then we'll just have to go with our first thought and say that she was only teasing us."

I draw a hand to my chin.
"Come to think of it, Vette always told me how I was impossible to tease because I took things at face value like this... ...Aaaand because I never showed true passion for anything, anyways..."

This seemingly gives her a new topic to focus on, shifting her attention away from her embarrassment.
"Oh? Who's Vette?"

"The wife of A'den, my best warrior friend I mentioned a few times by now. She is a very lively and cheerful person and loves to tease people."
I smile.
"It was always a boon to have her around."

Then, I grimace.
"The Force really was not fair. A'den left Korriban with a beautiful and kind Twi'lek, and I got stuck with a sadistic monster..."

"I don't think it was the Force so much as the people who positioned each of these situations. Why did he have Vette, and you Khem?"

"Well, Vette was a slave on Korriban - she got caught as she tried to sneak around in the tombs - and she accompanied A'den on his last Trial to open a hidden chamber. And I was stuck with Khem because I had to free him for my own Trial. I mean, I did tell you the story I got stuck with him..."

"So, each were set in that position for the reason that they were ordered into their position by the people training you?"

I shake my head.
"Oh no, not at all. Khem was beyond their control. It just so happened that he was where I needed him for the task I was given. And the same kind of goes for Vette, actually. You see, the Trails we had... they weren't anything like the neatly organised courses of the Academy. They were more like field studies. And you could either succeed - no matter how ridiculously difficult the task - or die. Those were literally our two options. The Overseers and Inquisitors expected results. How you got them... was only a secondary concern, if at all. And if you could not deliver... well... they wouldn't have further use for you."

She shudders.
"That sounds... wrong, but we've addressed this."

I nod. We did indeed.

"Still, you were given these people as a result of the things you were told to do, yes?"

"Well, I suppose... in a way..."

"And for each of you, interactions were the intended result?"

"If you mean we managed to succeed in our trials, then yes."

"So, what I'm hearing is that A'den, the one favoured by the local Academy, was given a 'beautiful Twi'lek slave' and you were given a creature that wanted to eat you."

"Well, except that the Academy had not really a say in the matter. It was more like... chance... except that chance does not exist with the Force."

"Chance doesn't really exist anywhere. It's mechanisms you don't properly understand."

I arc a brow.
"You with your highly structured world are maybe not in the best position to say that."

She blinks.
"Why not?"

"Because, from my point of view, your world is an anomaly. Everything I have seen throughout my life is not nearly as structured as it is here."

"Ah, right."

"So, when I say that there is no chance, it's not because there are some mechanisms I somehow haven't seen yet, but the very magic doing whatever things it wants to do in that moment. The Will of the Force... it sometimes works in mysterious ways."

"Really? That wording seems off... like everyone is just a puppet for this 'Force'."

"Well... who knows... Maybe we are. The Jedi want it that way, the Sith try to dominate the Force... but it's not really working out for them..."
I stare up into the sky.
"But yes. I often felt like that... I may have gotten rid of the collar... but still felt the shackles of my situation. I often felt like I was just a slave to the Force now... a slave to my destiny."

I ball my fists.
"A destiny I do not want, but have regardless."

She puts an arm around me, radiating warmth and comfort.
"I hope you can really feel free one day."

"I hope so, too. I sure hope that as well..."
I lean a bit into her.

She smiles at me with that wonderful smile of hers. Force, I love that woman.

"I wonder if there will be a time like that... But I know that you would be a key ingredient for that."

She smiles warmly.
"I hope you appreciate my work."

"I appreciate everything you do for me, Leanna. I love you more than anything, after all. Actually, I appreciate everything you do, period. Not only what you do for me."
I smile lovingly at her.

A slight colour tinges her cheeks, and she evades the topic again. Well, somewhat.
"In regards to your problem earlier, though... I can say that I care about you, and it will take time for her to catch up to where you are now."

My smile brightens.
"That is reassuring to know. Especially considering that I plan for you to continue to care more about me."

She smiles amusedly, almost teasingly.
"Well, I suppose you just have your work cut out for you then."

I chuckle softly.
"Perhaps. But so far, I'd say I'm not doing too bad. Or what would you say?"

"I'd say you are being a sympathetic, generally nice person which I appreciate in my life."

"Aww..."
I smile softly.
"That's among the nicest things anyone has ever said to me."

"I'm glad. Still... it does feel like I'm doing the bare minimum..."

I blink at her.
"Hm? What do you mean?"

She glances down, alternating between the ground and me.
"Just... telling you that you're worth something to me, letting you stay close, talking to you, and spending money on you... these feel like I'm not doing very much..."

"Well... I don't know about you, but it's already much, much more than I'm used to, so it feels very special to me. But, of course, if you're willing to do more, I would welcome you with open arms. Though you shouldn't feel rushed for that."

"Of course... I'm just wondering what else I can do..."

"Well, you are already the most wonderful person I can imagine... and since I don't exactly have experience with this whole 'being close with someone' deal... I wouldn't know what we could do, that wouldn't go over the line of you being comfortable..."

She gazes at me with determination.
"I'll think of something. I promise."

I smile warmly at her.
"As much as that is appreciated, just having you around me is the greatest gift I could have ever asked for."

She gives my side a little rub.

My smile brightens some more.
"Well, we should come up to the Temple any time now."

Kara uses this moment to look back at us, and smirks.

I drop the sound cancelling and turn to her.
"Is something the matter, Kara?"

"I think it's sweet that you two are like that."

I blink.
"Like what?"

"All huggy. It's adorable."

I blush as I realise I didn't deploy an illusion as well.
"Ah... well... uhh... ah, blast it..."

Kara laughs at our mutual embarrassment.
"Look, I'm not mad or anything. You two have a good thing going, and I'm sure that your alone time is-"

"KARA! PLEASE STOP!"
Leanna is firey red.

I blink at her outburst.
"A-are you alright, Leanna?"

Leanna is extremely embarrassed. Her face is a combination of scarlet and total paleness.

Kara, meanwhile, smiles.
"Don't worry about it."

She winks.
"I'm sure he's great."

I scratch my cheek, lost on the situation. I feel like I'm missing some context.
"Well, I really am the best. But, uhm, at what do you think I'm great?"

Kara turns back away, her targets suitably riled up, as Leanna buries her head in her hands to hide the massive storm of red on her face.

"Oi! Do you have no intention of explaining yourself?"
I am still as clueless and confused as ever.

Leanna mumbles through her hands.
"Xerath... what do couples do when they are alone...?"

I glance at her.
"I have no idea. How would I know?"

I blink.
"Unless... is that it...?"

I now flush furiously as my mind catches up.
"Uuuhh... I... uhm... I see..."

"...yeah..."

Unbidden thoughts creep up, and the heat I emit continues to rise. I violently shake my head and take several deep breaths. That is not enough, however, so I plunge my thoughts into a different problem - figuring out how I can recreate the forest's spell on a superficial level. But then I recall that one of the reasons I want to do this so much is so Leanna will be proud of me.
I groan loudly as my thoughts circle back again.
"Aargh, blast it!"

I send a telekinetic blast into some rocks, which breaks them apart.

The others jump, and look at our red faces. Amelia cocks her head.
"Why did you attack that rock, Xerath?"

I raise my voice somewhat.
"Because I'm frustrated!"

"How so?"

I ball my fists tightly, forcing my voice down.
"My thoughts betray me... I cannot organise them."

"Interesting. Why is that?"

But any semblance of collection I achieved goes straight out the window at her stupid question!
"Because they circle back to the same damn topic! Think, Amelia, think! What does it usually mean when one cannot organise their thoughts?"

"They have found something interesting which they cannot avoid thinking about?"

I quickly turn around and send another telekinetic blast into the rock formation, completely splintering it. As I turn, I wonder if they see the golden glint in my eye. Then, the next rock falls victim, and another one. I send out blast after blast, until I eventually stand still, breathing raggedly - not from the exercise, but from the venting of emotions. I close my eyes and put my hands together, taking several deep breaths. When I open my eyes and look up again, my expression is calm once more, my thoughts under control. I scratch my cheek.
"Uhm... I'm..."

I shake my head, then glance at Amelia.
"My sincerest apologies, Amelia. I did not mean to blow up at you like that, and you did not deserve it. I apologise."

Her surprise fades, and she nods.
"I understand. You may sort through these issues without interference."

I nod gratefully.
"Thank you. Though this helped me in that regard."

I smile slightly.
"Sometimes... it helps just venting the stress off... literally."

She nods in agreement.
"Magic is sometimes useful for that."

I nod as well.
"Indeed it is."

I gaze at her hopefully.
"Soo... you accept my apology, yes?"

She nods again, the faintest trace of a smile visible.
"Yes."

I smile.
"Great."

But she's not the only one I startled. I regard the others.
"And I'm also sorry for startling you all."

Zack nods, and Kara is still restraining laughter.

I skim over her in favour of anticipating Leanna's reaction.
She is still blushing up a storm.

I blink, then watch on in understanding.
"I'll... uhm... give you some space, too... yes..."

Then, I walk up to Kara and arch a brow.
"Why are you restraining laughter?"

She blinks.
"Innocence."

I blink as well.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I'm..."

I cast my gaze down.
"I'm far from being innocent..."

She regards me with a level of seriousness I haven't seen from her yet.
"You two are adorable - and regardless of what your relationship is right now, so is that. Innocence comes in several forms - and I've been watching you blush, you have a lot of this type."

I blink and scratch my cheek.
"What type?"

Then, I blush lightly in realisation.
"Ah. Yeah... uhm... this... this topic... is not exactly one I'm versed in... at all..."

She smiles, almost warmly.
"I'm enjoying teasing you - but this kind of innocence is valuable for itself as well. I hope you two enjoy it to the fullest."

"I don't know about you, but I don't particularly enjoy having my thoughts act against my wishes."
I stare up at the sky.
"My mind and my thoughts used to be the one resort I have... and since a few days even they do whatever they want... Makes it difficult to keep myself balanced, you know?"

"Perhaps. But generally, if your thoughts come back to someone again and again, it just means you like them. That's normal, and to reject it is to reject your appreciation for them."

I blink.
"Well, of course I like her. I love her. But these... impure thoughts... I feel like I do her wrong by having them. As if she deserves better than me thinking that..."

'...told it was okay, Xerath...'

Even so, massive amounts of embarrassment are flooding her own mind- wait. Is it because... she is also imagining it a bit? No, it must be speculation - Leanna is a curious soul, and that is getting the better of her. Still...
Aaaaaaand there goes my cognitive ability again. I freeze up and steadily begin to blush again.
'But how could it be okay? Unless... are you flustered for the same reason... I am?'

'...your mind...your thoughts...you are free...'

'... Right... ... well... doesn't change the fact these thoughts feel wrong, and that I can't get rid of them annoys me greatly. ...also... uhm... you... you didn't... exactly answered... my question...'

'...don't know...don't think so...maybe...? ...accusation embarrassing...'

'I don't accuse you of anything! I... uhm... just... wondered... you know...? If you think about me... the same way... I think about you... involuntarily...'

'...Kara accusation...'

'Ah. Yes... yes, of course...'

Meanwhile, Kara can observe me having suddenly grown quiet while I was talking to her, my blush continuing to grow. I sigh heavily.
"Even if she told me it's alright... I heavily dislike the fact that I cannot organise my thoughts. That, along with several other things that happened throughout the last few days... has riled me up quite much..."

"Oh, she told you it's alright, did she?"
Kara continues to smirk.

I feel like I miss another insinuation, but I don't really care and just nod.
"Yes. She told me that she wouldn't want to censor my own thoughts. Because my thoughts are my own."

Leanna blushes deeply.
"It's in his head... he owns his mind, and all the images in it."

I glance away.
"And while that is reassuring... it doesn't exactly change the fact that these thoughts feel wrong. Unbidden."

Kara still wears her teasing smirk.
"Oh, I imagine they are."

Amelia frowns.
"May we proceed?"

I blink.
"Ah. Yes, of course."

And so we continue to walk, while I stick around Kara. I still wanted to give Leanna some space, after all.
Kara looks at me.

I arc a brow.
"Yes? I don't have something on my face, do I?"

"Yes, you do. May I?"

I blink. That was supposed to be a rhetorical question.
"Huh? Where? Uhm, well, sure, go ahead."

She reaches up, and rubs my face gently with a thumb. Her fingers are soft.
"And now you know how to touch her face if you need an excuse."

I blink, then blink again and blush.
"A-Ah... W-well... I w-wouldn't... I ne-never..."

I sigh and take a deep breath.
"I wouldn't do that unless she really had something on her face."

I glance into Kara's eyes.
"I never lie."

She arcs a brow.
"Not even when it's better than the truth?"

I shake my head slowly.
"In such cases... I say something that is true... from a certain point of view. But I never lie."

"I see. Lying by omission, or by misrepresenting the truth."

"Sometimes it is necessary. I never... well, almost never said something that is not true in one way or another."
I smile mysteriously.
"How my words are interpreted... is sometimes not that important."

"Interpretation is part of language, Xerath. Lying isn't saying untruths, it is speaking with the intent to deceive. I do that frequently - sometimes, the profession requires it. But, whatever floats your boat. I'm sure she likes that you don't lie. Mage-Knights are into honesty and such."

I narrow my eyes at her.
"When I say I hail from the desert, and you'd jump to the conclusion that I'm from Venaya, that is something on your end, but I neither lied nor deceived you."

That raises an eyebrow from her.
"So you don't come from Venaeya, then?"

I shake my head.
"I do not, no."

Her eyes narrow with an intelligent glint.
"Do tell."

I arc a brow.
"What should I tell? Where I do come from?"

"Yes."

I shrug.
"An unknown land far away from Esaria."

"Which is named?"

I blink.
"Uhm... You wouldn't know it."
I shift uneasily.

She smirks.
"Try me. I'm well travelled."

"Not that well travelled."

"You at least know its name. It doesn't even take that much effort to make one up on the spot."

I nod.
"Yes. But as I just told you, I wouldn't lie to you, hence I can't make one up."

"Interesting. Does it not have a name, or do you just not want to tell me?"

"It does have a name... but I am unsure with which one I should go. Further, I believe that now is not a good time to speak with you about my origin."

"I do like mysterious types. Keep me posted, okay?"

"Heh. When the situation arises, you'll know."

"I'd assume so."

I smile.
"Speaking of assuming things, I assume that you're not a native from Embermyst?"

"No, I am not. I came here looking for the treasures of the Vestans - who the modern residents are descended from."

"I see..."
I look at her impressed.
"So how did you find the way?"

"Good guesswork, trawling through historical documents... you know."

"Huh... that sounds like it took you quite a while?"

"It took effort."

"Well, obviously. But also a considerable amount of time, no?"

"Yep."

"Well, colour me impressed. You really must know your craft, then."

"And I'm mostly self-taught, too. Though I got the passion from my dad, even if his passion wasn't for exactly the same thing."

"Oh?"
I look at her intrigued.

"He enjoyed archaeology - the study of things before language. I preferred the interest of things made by people. Looking at something made by a hand gives me an ability that archaeology typically prohibits. It lets me ask why."

I nod.
"Yeah, I can see that. Although, that holds true for everything. Even if something manmade is easier to understand."

"Well, yeah, I can look at a tree and say that all the green is because it is the best colour for catching sunlight - but it wasn't intentional. Nothing made trees - they were shaped, like a rock in a tide - each passing moon dragging it into the shape nature needs it to be."

I just smile mysteriously.
"If you say so."

"You aren't one of those weirdos that believe magic is this whack supernatural thing, are you?"
She looks amused.

"Well..."
I glance away.
"I don't believe it as much as I know it."

"Everyone says that. It's rarely true."

"Perhaps."

Amelia nods.
"It is impossible to know things, beyond that you exist."

I stare into the distance.
"A good thing to say..."

I mumble the last part to myself.
"... for mortals."

Kara smiles.
"Hear that Amy? He thinks he's big and powerful!"

Amelia baulks.
"My name is not 'Amy', it is Amelia."

She shakes her head.
"But even so - if we were to take a hypothetical situation like that, it would make it more likely that nothing existed but you. It is far simpler for a dreamer who has total control over their life to dream about having total control over their whole life. For our hypothetical person with massive, world-altering power, the world bending to their whim might just be a sign that the world was always theirs to begin with."

I nod.
"That is what people with power often think, yes."

"The world can offer you no proof of its existence that can be believed - I believe in it only because of problem with not doing so - that is, if this is real, it can physically hurt me or kill me."

I audibly exhale through my nose.
"Hm. Interesting point of view. One that has the potential to plunge lesser minds into an existential crisis."

"Unprepared. Thinking of others as lesser is how we get the corrupt nobility and the reign of people like Kairos."

"I think you misunderstood me there, my apologies. Every mind is unique, and as such not always on the same level. People have different cognitive levels. Some are on our level, and others... are not. To call them 'lesser' minds might have been a poor choice of words, however, given your history."

"No, I think I understood you correctly. Consider myself. What do you think happened so that I am in the position I am in?"

"You were born gifted, with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and the mental capabilities to understand things. Eventually, the Academy noticed you, and you enrolled there, quickly becoming their prodigy. Is that about right?"

"To say I was born gifted is an... interesting word choice, but I will not fault it. It is true, in a sense. But perhaps not in the sense you mean."

"Oh?"

"I was gifted with my parents, and my small town who supported one of the few children in it."

I nod.

"I had the same desire for learning many children experience, and was gifted with people that fostered it instead of squashing it."

I shake my head.
"The desire to learn is a natural one, especially for children, yes. However, your cognitive capabilities are far beyond those of your peers. And even plenty of adults."

"This I have learned. My practice of reasoning was manufactured by those who cared about creating it."

"While that is true to an extent, there is more to it."

"Perhaps I was intrinsically gifted. That is immaterial. Were it not for my learning, my study and practice, I would never be able to utilize them."

"True. However, it is thanks to you being gifted that you could utilise your learning, your studies and practice in this way in the first place. If you think that anyone could do what you do under the right circumstances, then why aren't there so many others like you?"

"Because those circumstances are rare. Most people, regardless of their social standing, do not grow up in a culture where learning is valued for its own sake. Where it is not rewarded."

I shrug.
"Neither did I. In fact, I didn't get the opportunity to truly learn - in the academic sense of the word - until I was your age. And yet, I quickly established myself as a prodigy as well, and am now renown as one of the most knowledgeable scholars of my society."

I gaze intently into her eyes.
"You have a natural talent for learning, you yearn for knowledge. Your familiar circumstances just made it easier to get into it."

She frowns deeply.
"Not only is that untrue, believing that it is true devalues my accomplishments. I am no longer the product of work, but some magical genius fated to succeed for no reason."

I shake my head.
"Everything you have accomplished, you have done out of your own effort. However, not many - if anyone at all - could reproduce the same results under the same outlying circumstances. And that is my point. Your circumstances did play a notable role in your current situation - I did not deny this - but you succeeded like this because it is you in this situation."

She crosses her arms.
"Specialness is a bitter balm for loneliness."

I smile sadly.
"I know. Trust me... I know..."

Then, I perk up again and smile warmly at her.
"But hey, look at the bright side: You are no longer alone. Neither of us is."

"I do not desire specialness. I do not think of myself as special except in that I had people who cared that helped me. There are people in this world that have a harder time with these things, but if another person could not have made it through with all that help... then I am who I am by an accident of nature, or if you prefer, the idle whims of gods."
She nods.
"And that is why I have always refused to be alone. As much as learning, teaching is a love of mine, and cultivating that same love for knowledge that can survive the rigours of the Academy is a skill unto itself."

She looks at me.
"If I can move my worldview into others... and it works... what does that mean?"

"It means that you are a good teacher."

"I'd say so - I learned how from good teachers."

I smile.
"Of that I'm sure. Those professors of your Academy do seem both kind and competent."

"Them and my family both. Even if they do not recognize that I am ready."

I stare into the distance, noticing we are about to reach the temple.
"I do wonder what would have happened if I had learned in that institution..."

I then blink, focusing on her sentence.
"Ah, yes. They did seem to prefer keeping you inside the Academy. Why, anyway?"

"There are several reasons, I believe. Safety, wisdom, maintaining at least some level of track through the school..."

"No, I mean, why do- did they prevent you from going on a field study? You did mention it was the last thing you needed to finish your curriculum, yes? So, would it not be in their interest to let you do exactly that?"

"Yes. They do not accept that I am ready, despite numerous demonstrations of my command over the natural world."

I blink.
"Over magic."

Then, I blink again.
"Ah, right, they're synonymous here."

"Ah, yes, that line of thought. But also, my understanding of the 'natural world' is very well demonstrated."

"I have no doubt that your understanding of the natural world is at the cutting edge of your entire society."

Her sharply intelligent amethyst eyes narrow.
"Your words seem to condescend."

I arc a brow.
"You sure?"

"To say 'for your society' seems as though you think the understanding I reach is inferior to yours."

"Well..."
I scratch my cheek.
"You do reach the most logical conclusions based on your available tools and surroundings. And your progress in doing so is formidable."

"Again, I ask: is your society advanced to such a point that permits you to condescend so? For such a society would not be trapped by the mere quality of being far away."

I sigh.
"If you ask me directly like this, I can't dodge the question, can I?"

"That is, in fact, the point. When one questions nature, one does not beat around the bush. Neither do I."

I sigh again.
"Well, I brought this over me myself, I suppose. But yes, matter of fact, the society I hail from is advanced enough to consider you primitive by perspective. At least regarding technology."

"Interesting. And so I must ask the obvious question: why can we not detect the elemental power of such a civilization? Ever since we learned from the elves' existence what to look for, we can see across the world the glow of magical civilizations."

I arc a brow.
"I am quite sure you know the answer to that already, Amelia."

"But I am asking you. I suspect - I do not know, and would like to hear what you would say."

I sigh once more and glance to Leanna.

She immediately understands my silent plea.
'...when you use Force...it glow...can be sense...your society can't be on Terra...'

'Yeah. I figured... this is it, then...'
I cross my arms and take a breath.
"Well... the truth is... I'm not from Terra."

I look on a bit nervous, anticipating their reactions.

Amelia looks somewhat pleased with herself. Zack nods.
"Well, I guess that means he isn't quite crazy after all."

"Well, thanks, I try hard to remain sane, after all. Good to know it's working... mostly."

Leanna raises an eyebrow.
"Zack, why would you think that?"
She seems curious.

"Well, he seemed extremely ignorant of a lot of things. It was either that or he was special."

Leanna seems annoyed at such an implication.

I can't help the arching brow.
"Ignorant? Of what, exactly?"

"Dischargers, various kinds of well-known technology and history..."

"Well, we do have our own kind of dischargers, they're just called differently. And work a bit different, but have about the same role and impact. But, yeah, your world has a blend of magic and technology I have never seen before, and the history is a given."
I draw a hand to my chin.
"I mean, I arrived here like a day before we met, Zack."

Amelia nods.
"Yes. And my biggest clue was the fact that you did not use elemental magic despite being a mage. Yours has a tempestuous character - I would appreciate the chance to learn and leash it."

I nod as well.
"I should have expected you to see through that. I wouldn't mind teaching you, but since your people seem to be blind to the power within yourselves, that might be a bit difficult."

Kara only smiles.
"Well, magic isn't really my thing so I think I'll tune this out. Have fun - and don't worry. I've stumbled upon worse personal secrets before."

I smile slightly - sadly.
"Not to worry, I have a lot of those in storage, too."

Then, I sigh relieved.
"But man, I'm glad it's finally out. I hated the fact I had to try and deceive you. And I think that was noticeable - I don't think I did a very good job."

Amelia shakes her head.
"Perhaps not. Would it have worked better if you didn't like us?"

"Probably. I mean, I can lie easily - I just hate doing so, even more so to people I like and care about."

Leanna puts a hand on my shoulder and smiles comfortingly.
"Apparently we're some of the nicest people he's met. I, for one, hope to deliver on that."

I blush slightly at her touch, and her words.
"Uhm..."

Her smile never falters.
"You deserve joy, Xerath."

My blush deepens.
"W-well... if you say so..."

She stops and places her other hand on my other shoulder. Softness and warmth and happiness bleed into my body as she stares into my eyes with light yet unsurpassed.
"I need you to believe that. Do you think you can do that for me?"

I avert my gaze, unable to look her into the eye.
"I-I don't know... to be honest. I still have doubts..."

"I know. Doubts are natural. I won't demand something you can't do, so let's try something else - can you believe I believe that you deserve joy?"

I gaze back into her eyes, my blush having deepened even more.
"That I do. You believe that everyone deserves joy and happiness, after all."

She smiles softly.
"Thank you. And... what do you think it would take for you to start believing it? As always, if there is anything I can do..."

I blink.
"I... I don't know. As of now... I don't really think that I'm that good a person that deserves to be happy."

She makes a subtle motion in her hands, asking for permission to pull me into her embrace.

I glance around, noting the attention of the group on us, and shake my head.

She nods.
'...you right to feel guilty...to want to fix...but that desire comes from a good place...even if there is a lot of bad, you have lovely heart...'

I smile slightly.
'Can I... get that hug later?'

'...course...love to help...ask and receive...'

'Because, right now, I want to hug you rather badly. But with everyone's attention on us, the illusion wouldn't be that effective.'

'...understand...get what you need later...'
She beams at me.
'...deserve it...intend to convince you - even if take million hugs...'

I blush more deeply again at that disarming smile.
'Alright... A million hugs? Don't blame me if I take you up on that offer, though...'

'...won't...you need it, right...want, at least... ...all good, all alright...take what you need...'

I shift slightly.
'Take what I need? ... At least what you're willing to give, right?'

She giggles.
'...phrasing problem...but still...deserve it, though can't give... ...think like table of food...take what you like... ...some food not served yet, though... ...chef apologizes for inconvenience...'

My breath hitches and I snake out of her grasp.
"W-Well... I t-think we s-should continue to m-move... we're almost t-there, after all..."

She smiles.
"Alright."

Kara smirks knowingly, and the other two look up from the conversation they were having. Leanna, for her part, leaves me alone - knowing that her actions cut both ways and there is only so far I can be wound up.
Moving on.
"S-So... Fire Temple, right?"

Kara nods.
"It's only about a minute ahead."

"G-good... then let's go."
I march on ahead, still highly flustered.

Still... that went well. They accepted me a lot more than I thought they would. Well, I suppose me being from a different world would be one of the easiest things to accept. I'm... not so sure about the other things... And then, of course, there is Leanna, whose level of acceptance makes me tremble with something that is not quite fear.
Then, suddenly I think about something.
Leanna, when questioned about the idea of... that... expressed embarrassment, but very little was present in her mental explanation to me. She was not embarrassed by the content, only the audience. And with me as her only audience, she was not embarrassed.
With thoughts like that, I stew in heat - which luckily nobody notices because we're about to enter a volcano - as some impure hopes swell up inside my mind. It... it couldn't be... could it? That she... that Leanna... wouldn't be actually all that embarrassed by the thoughts of... that... together... But, I mean, at the very least, she is comfortable discussing it with me when she isn't with others...
I moan quietly.
"Uurgh..."

I... I shouldn't interpret too much into it. Yes, she's most likely... just concerned about my mental well-being more than she is embarrassed... or... or something. Yes, that must be it.

I notice Leanna's concerned gaze on me.
"Everything all right?"

I give a thumbs-up without looking back.
"Everything's fine. I'm just... overthinking things... about you... as usual."

"That's alright. Having something to think about can be a good thing."

"Not these things! Urgh..."
I bury my burning face in my hands.

She smiles at me but retracts herself, giving me time to cool off.

Soon, we reach the Fire Temple, and the first thing I notice about it is how... unimpressive it is when compared to other shrines to Force religions. I blink, almost disappointed. I purge my mind of all the other unsavoury thoughts to fully focus on the academical, as I sweep my gaze across everything.
It is a simple structure of columns and marble, not as imposing or opulent as any created by the Sith or Jedi. The Force flows through it, near as it is to the currents of magic nearby, and concentrates in an area below the temple. It is open-air, and there are two items of note - a brazier filled with flames, and a large bronze orb which is heavily warded. Aside from that, there are murals along some of the walls. It is quite unimpressive.
However, that were the Tusken, too, and yet they have a rich history. A bloody one, perhaps, but a rich one regardless. I take in everything more closely, from the brazier and the bronze orb to the murals. Why and how is the bronze orb warded? What is depicted on the murals? Why is the brazier there?
The murals tell an ancient, mythic history of the people here, of their contact with the Elementals. They are quite crude - but seem to show some of the progenitors of the skilled masonry on display in Havengarde.
The brazier holds a large fire, heating the inner area. As it is in the centre of an alcove, I can guess it is for gatherings of some kind.
And the sphere is the most interesting - it hangs above the brazier, and appears heavily protected from tampering - its spells prevent it from being heated by an outside force, and will become red hot when a certain signal is received.

As we enter the temple, we step over coloured bricks, showing another pattern - four colours, surrounding a fifth.

"Oh?"
I arc a brow at that.

It seems to be a depiction of the elements, warring for dominance of Esaria. But... wait. That's not accurate. It is not obvious, but Shadow is represented in the wall as well. A purple, which forms the backdrop of each prominent element. The thing in the centre, however, is black.

"Hm?"
I pause at that. I pace a bit up and down, studying the ground with interest. Whoever made this put great care into creating a fog in the brickwork - something that absorbs all light. It is almost like walking over a void.

"Fascinating..."
I pause and draw my hand to my chin. With the other hand, I signal for the others.
"Hey..."

Over time, they gather around. Leanna looks at the mural.
"What is it?"

"What do you see here?"

Kara kneels down.
"It looks like an old legend. Some evil will rise, and require all the elements to stop it. Hmm..."

I nod.
"Yeah, I think so, too."

She puts her finger on wind.
"I guess I didn't look too closely at this last time."

"Hm? Why not?"

"Look here."
She points.
"A tiny speck of gold. I wonder what that was supposed to mean?"

"Hmm... good question. Amelia, any insight?"
I turn to our little prodigy.

She narrows her eyes at the mural in concentration.
"Gold is not typically associated with wind magic. Otherwise, I am of little use in discerning the intent of an antiquated mural."

Leanna studies the symbol.
"How odd..."

I was just about to say something to Amelia, when Leanna snatches my interest like she snatched my heart.
"Yes? What is it?"

"It's just... that. I don't think I've ever seen gold used in the context of magic before. The closest you get is fire's association with bronze..."

And yet, her soul burns in slow gold within her coat of winds.
I arc a brow at her, but don't say anything about this. It might be related, but let's see if the others can draw any information from this first.
"So... nobody an idea why that gold could be there, or what it could mean?"

They shake their heads.

"Hmm..."
I shrug.
"Well, at the very least I now have an inclination as to why I'm here."

Leanna arcs a delicate brow, surprised.
"Oh?"

"This looks like an A-One prophecy to me. Just like Kara said, a great darkness will rise, which is so powerful that it needs all elements combined to stop it. So, I can assume that this is my purpose here. To face this darkness."
I draw my hand to my chin.
"That would certainly explain the faint hopefulness I felt as I was brought here."

Amelia cocks her head.
"You assume that an ancient prophecy is accurate?"

I nod decisively.
"Yes. Yes, I do, Amelia."

"How odd."

"More often than not, they are. At least in my experience."

"Well, at least in Esaria they tend to be meaningless."

I shrug.
"Well, you also have a different relationship with magic. But to me, people who can accurately tell the future are very much known."

She regards me with her inquisitive stance.
"Interesting. How accurate are they?"

"Not that that would have anything to do with prophecies... but still."
She kind of spoke while I was still talking, so I blink as her question registers.
"Hm? The species I'm thinking of... they have not been wrong once in their entire history."

"Interesting. I wonder how that sort of pericognition is managed?"

"Well... they get visions... and those visions are then interpreted by... three independent interpreters."

She cocks her head again.
"No, how do they work - how do their powers manage to do such a thing?"

"The Force gives them visions. It is not a power that they control."

"But how does that work?"

"Magic wants it. That's... that's basically how it works. When we receive visions, it's because the Force wants to share a message."

"Then you believe magic is overseen by some divinity?"

"It is some divinity. Yes. You would call it supernatural, I think. Which is kind of funny, since you consider magic natural."
I smile slightly.

She ponders this.
"I see. Then you have your challenges in making it do what you want because its tempestuous nature must be refined and compressed, unlike the scientific consistency of elemental magic?"

"Not quite? If the Force wants someone to wield it, that person will know it. Force users are kind of vessels that channel the surrounding energy through themselves to create the effects they desire. It comes down to mental fortitude - the ability to imagine a certain action succeeding - and their innate strength in the Force."

Amelia blinks.
"How barbaric."
She all but blurts it out.

I frown.
"Yes, I assumed that you would have this kind of opinion after being used to your neat little formulae and orderly magic."

"As far as we are aware, the only civilization that utilizes such magic on Terra are the grotkin. When they engaged our mages, it was thought of as 'made to irritate more than be effective'."

I nod.
"Yes. From what I've heard of them, that makes sense. You see, your magic is fundamentally different than my powers. That is because your entire world is different."

That draws a raised brow from her.
"Oh?"

"Your magic... or rather, I have observed that what I know as the Force... functions as the very core of your magic. But it is highly altered from the state I am familiar with."

I had hoped this would be it and we could move on, but Amelia doesn't appear to be satisfied yet.
"Yes?"

"Well... the magic I know - the Force - forms the core of your magic here. But something has altered it to a highly passive state, and rearranged its energies into the strict patterns you are familiar with."

"I see. So you are then unable to perform feats of structured magic like those common in our society, and are relegated to the other scientific arts for most projects?"

"Oh, no. I think I still should be able to perform your magic. Though I haven't attempted such as of now. However, you're right in the other regard. To my society, the Force and science are two very separate things."

She shakes her head slightly.
"No, as in the nature of your magic renders it impractical in mass production. I was not asking whether you were able to perform our magic."

"Ah, that. Yes. Pretty much. Though feats of mechanised objects including the Force are known... they are all ancient. And even if we would have the knowledge... to mechanise the Force like this... to mass-produce tools that draw upon the Force... it would upset just about every Force user I know of."

She tilts her head, confused.
"Why would it upset them? Would they not be excited at the advances shown?"

I smile thinly.
"Given the large number of traditionalists... no. Besides, the Force is the Force and technology is technology. Most do not believe these two should be mingled. Every faction I know or only have heard of... has their own varying reasons for wanting this separation."

I shake my head.
"But enough of that. We're here for a reason, aren't we? And I'm quite sure it's not to stand around in this lobby with what appears to be a large bronze magic bell."

Kara smiles.
"Time spent observing is rarely wasted, but yes. Come with me."

She leads us to one of the walls, covered in haphazard stone bricks.
"We're here!"

I nod.
"Yep. So, how is the mechanism triggered?"

I draw a hand to my chin, sweeping the wall with an analytical gaze.
"Hidden lever or something? Perhaps... pushing in a loose stone?"

"I thought you'd never ask! A lot of people look at this and just see a wall, it seems."

I shrug.
"Well, I think that is the intention with hidden passages and secret tunnels."

"What you need to do, is this:"
She pulls one of the looser stones out of the wall, then pushes several others in in quick succession. A door opens.

I blink in surprise.
"Huh. Interesting. Quite the elaborate mechanism."

"Secret locking mechanisms are secret. I had to fiddle with this for hours to figure it out."

I nod.
"Makes sense."

The door reveals stone steps leading down into the earth.
"You have permission to come inside, of course."

I smile slightly.
"Splendid."

Zack blinks at her for some reason, then enters after her. Amelia is next, and Leanna gestures towards the door.
"After you, Xerath."

I nod at her.
"Well, okay?"
I step in.

She enters behind me, and the door closes slowly. I note an opening mechanism on the inside. The corridor is tight, and she is close behind me. I blush a bit at the closeness, making certain thoughts reappear, which I then promptly banish again. I first place a mark discreetly. Rule number one when exploring old temples and secret passages, place a mark to return to at the entrance. And then I speak up, as a question lingers in my mind.
"Any reason you wanted to go after me, Leanna?"

Her response is non-verbal.
'...thought you'd feel safer...I farther away from potential traps...'

'Oh. Well, Kara said she mapped them out, right? So, I'm not too concerned.'

'...even so, thought it would make happy...'

'Well, I'd be happier to have you in my direct vision... but it might be better that I don't. I do have a general idea of where the traps are, so there's no need to worry. And even if we would accidentally trigger one or two, nothing would harm you or the others.'
I glance over my shoulder and smile softly at her.
'Regardless, thank you for your consideration.'

She beams at me, and her soul bends, trying to reach out to me. The barest trickle of life emerges from her chest, but it can't quite get to me...
I blink at it, surprised.
"Huh?"

It withdraws as quickly as it appears. There is no evidence that such an event ever occurred.
"Is something wrong?"

I blink again.
"No..."

I shake my head. I don't need to worry her with this yet.
"No, nothing."

She seems sceptical, but remains quiet.

And so we descend down the steps until the corridor broadens out into a dimly lit hallway. Torches, recently mounted, burn into the dark place. And Kara's voice fills the silence.
"As near as I can figure, no one has been down here for centuries at least. None of the townsfolk will talk about it, so either they don't know anymore or they don't want us to know."

I decide to reply.
"Hmm... Then those torches are courtesy of you, I presume?"

In the flicker of flames, I see her nod.
"Oh yeah. Even in a realm of flame, torches don't last forever."

"And even so... I wonder..."
I draw my hand to my chin.
"Does this have to do with the giant bronze orb in the main hall? Wait... Issim mentioned something about a Fire Elemental here... Is that orb it's doing, I wonder..."

I fold my hands under my nose.
"How does this fit together?"

Amelia glances over at me, her eyes glinting in the torchlight.
"The elementals have long been regarded as myth, but occasionally there is something right about ancient stories. The elementals could easily have been a species of voidfarers - but we have few relics from that time, and none couldn't have been made by humans."

"Like that orb that seems like a giant magic bell?"

She nods.
"Yes. While complex, it does seem like more was added over the course of time."

"Hmm..."
I grow silent again, contemplating. And with my thoughts occupied, I just follow the group.

Eventually, I come upon a large 'X' drawn on the floor. I step around it, being pretty sure it's a mark left by Kara. My thoughts are occupied, otherwise I might take a moment to glance at the trap in question. All of this is one big puzzle, and with more pieces, I get closer to figuring it out.
But even as I think about that, I have half a mind to step on it just to see what happens, yet decide against it, as I don't want to seem like an idiot for stepping on such an obvious mark.
"Careful, Leanna."

She nods.
"Of course."
She steps around the mark.

And so, we continue on our path. As we travel, the 'X's grow more and more frequent.
I whistle out.
"Whew. Those are plenty of traps. Someone really wanted to keep people out, huh?"

Kara nods.
"Sometimes I do wonder about the sanity of some of these ancient civilizations. It's like their empires were designed more to be ruined than lived in."

I shrug.
"Hm. Who knows? All we can do is to study those that came before, and make sure we do not repeat the mistakes that doomed them."

"Well, at least for the tribes, I have two big lessons: Don't put your faith in gods that vanish, and don't get conquered by Kairos."

I chuckle.
"Yes, that sounds worthwhile to prevent. But the funny thing with gods is, how could we know if one will vanish or not?"

"Maybe just don't do them, then."

I blink.
"Do what?"

"There is a fairly consistent theme among most gods that the time in which they had a major hand in things was long ago. So, the lesson there is that gods either don't exist or have a habit of abandoning their people."

"Well, maybe something forced them to abandon their people?"

"Maybe, but we don't know what that is - only that it happened."

"Yeah... As such, maybe don't be too harsh on these supposed gods?"

"I'm not being harsh, I'm just stating facts. Regardless of what happened on their end, they dropped contact without telling anyone to record why."

Hmm...
"That happened before the era of the Empire, correct?"

She nods.
"Yes."

"And wasn't this Empire renown for attempting to rewrite history?"

"Yes - but the creed of the elementals has been reconstructed from several dig sites."

"I see. Still, though, couldn't it be possible that the reasons they had to leave was recorded, but then lost to the ages? Perhaps even destroyed by the Empire?"

"Perhaps. But we do not know the answer."

"Exactly. That is why, perhaps, one shouldn't be too quick to blame them."

She arcs a brow.
"Who's blaming them?"

I blink.
"You didn't?"

"They left, the reason why hasn't been found, so we don't know."

"Ahem. In that case, I apologise. I interpreted your words and tone as you blaming them for leaving their people behind. I'm sorry if that was not your meaning."

"It's alright - there's probably no one to blame, after all."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"They probably didn't exist. Though again, for your sake I remind you that it's a probably."

I arc a brow.
"To disregard ancient beliefs as myth does them a disservice. I unearthed one pantheon of gods already, so I wouldn't be too surprised if I'd do it again."

Her eyes narrow slightly.
"Other ancient beliefs included the 'fact' that the sun was pulled across the sky by chariot."

"Ah. Well... fair enough. Okay, differently phrased: beliefs that can't be instantly proven wrong by logic and observations."

"Well, all I can say is that in the case of the elementals, attempts have been made to contact them - intrigued mages have built magical amplifiers to send out signals dictated in what texts we've found. None have cultivated a response."

I draw my hand to my chin.
"Is that so? Hmm... intriguing..."

I then shrug.
"Well, there could be a plenitude of reasons why that didn't work out."

"I'm not really a mage, so..."

"Well, want me to elaborate? Or not so much?"

"It sounds somewhat interesting."

"Alright. So, one of the most obvious things is that the signal simply wasn't strong enough, or that perhaps the mages didn't know where the signal should go to, or that they couldn't receive the signal on their end... As I said, there could be many reasons."

"Yeah, all possible. But until then, I don't think we should give them the benefit of the doubt. If they want us to believe they exist, they can come here and prove it."

I smile slightly.
"Alright then. By the way, is there anything noted on how they look- are supposed to look?"

"Apparently, they're supposed to be humanoid, but with colour schemes relating to their element."

I arc a brow.
"How am I supposed to understand that? Like, does that mean the clothes they wear, or the skin they have... or what?"

"Their bodies, in entirety."

"Oh. I see... So, the fire elemental would supposedly be quite red, then?"

Kara nods.
"Yes."

"I see..."
I put my hands behind my back.
"Well, I sure hope they will be friendlier than the last gods I met..."

"What were they?"

"Well, the pantheon of gods I mentioned earlier... they were essentially giant war machines constructed by a race of inventors or something, and they happened to have a lasting impression on a world they visited, who then had them as their pantheon of gods."

"I see. How odd."

I shrug.
"I admit that was one of the more surprising things I discovered so far, yes."

Soon, we reach a corridor with a wall absolutely covered in 'X's.
I blink.
"Okay, now I'm starting to get somewhat concerned. Seriously, what was their deal?"

Kara smiles.
"Actually, this is just one big trap. Basically, when you step here:"

She points to an X on the floor.
"Metal bars extend from the relevant points on the wall."

I arc a brow.
"That doesn't sound too bad."

"Only if you know how to limbo. Mechanisms in the wall are heating them red."

"Okay, that sounds worse."

"They can only be shut off from the other side."

"Wait... that you know how it works exactly means that you navigated through that... didn't you?"

She nods, smiling proudly.
"Yes."

I glance at the spacing of the bars. It is nearly impossible for a human of her size to navigate such an area. I look between her and the spacing of the bars repeatedly, my expression a mixture of disbelief and being impressed.

Zack looks at her, at the bars, then at her again as well.
"How could you do that?"

Kara smirks.
"I am very limber."

I remain quiet, a bit surprised by Zack speaking up.

He, meanwhile, blinks, then his mouth falls open a bit.

I arc a brow at Zack's reaction, not quite understanding it. I mean, yeah, such a feat is impressive, but does it warrant such a reaction?

Eventually, he shakes his head.
"Well, I suppose that will come in handy."

She smirks, her voice sounding... sultry? Teasing? Something along those lines.
"In what context?"

He stiffens slightly.
"Getting past obstacles, of course!"

I nod along.
"Yes, dexterity is a useful skill for scouting and navigating."

"Oh, I'm sure those were the obstacles he was considering."

Amelia rolls her eyes.
"Yes, yes, we are very impressed by your alleged abilities in the bedroom - could we move on?"

I blink.
"Huh? What do you mean, Amelia?"

I then blink again and blush a bit.
"On second thought... it might be better if I don't know..."

Kara seems satisfied with the damage she caused and leads on.

I sigh deeply and follows.
"But I somehow still want to know..."

My voice is quiet, but due to our proximity in the hallway, Amelia still hears me.
"You do? What exactly is your interest? I am always glad to give knowledge to those who ask - even if I find said knowledge uninteresting, Kara."

She smiles innocently.
"Don't look at me - I'm just a simple archaeologist."

Zack coughs at that.

I glance confused between the two of them.
"Riiight."

Leanna is red, but Amelia does not notice.
"What do you wish to know?"

I focus back on Amelia.
"Well, as I was saying, what did you mean with your comment? What does the bedroom have to do with scouting and navigating?"

"That is not the tying feature. It is her flexibility, something commonly utilized in these sorts of nightly activities."

I tilt my head.
"'Nightly activities?'"

I scratch my cheek.
"Aren't you supposed to sleep in a bedroom?"

"It is generally indicative of being able to perform more elaborate or interesting things during coitus."

"Ah."
I freeze and blush up a storm.
"Ah... of course..."

I bury my face in my hands.
"I should have seen that coming."

Kara smirks at me.
"You know, wind knights in particular are known for their incredible feats of acrobatics. I imagine she is somewhat limber as well."

Leanna groans in displeasure.

I blink.
"Yes, I have observed her combat abilities, what are you... Oh..."

I go back to bury my face in my hands.
"Urgh... of course..."

I sigh deeply.
"I really have no use for all that teasing currently, Kara..."

"But it is fun."

"To you, perhaps."

"Tense as you are, you are easy to tease."

"Yes, I imagine. But have you stopped to consider why I am so tense?"

She becomes less amused.
"Is it not sexual tension, then?"

"Well, I suppose that is a part of the problem... Bottom line of this issue is that I never before had... had... these kinds of thoughts... especially not in this magnitude... and quite frankly, I am completely overwhelmed and have no idea how to deal with them. So you constantly reminding me of this topic does not exactly help."

Her emerald eyes widen a bit.
"Oh. A late bloomer. Well, my only recommendation is to ride them out - and if possible, do find a way to release it. I'm sure you'll figure something out if you put your mind to it."

I tilt my head.
"'Release'..?"

I draw a hand to my chin. Releasing the tension... of course. Just like I release my anger, I should be able to vent this tension.
"Ah, yes. I think I can do that."

"Good. Do it on your own time, though."

I nod.
"Of course. I wouldn't want to startle you again."

Leanna grows more embarrassed.

I blink at her as I notice it.
"Hm? What's wrong, Leanna?"

She makes a cute, embarrassed sound.
"Ahhh..."

I begin to worry.
'Hey, is something the matter?'

Amelia frowns.
"You didn't mean the same thing she said, did you?"

'...release...it's...when you seek the thing on your own...without a partner...'

'...ah... ...Ohhhh... I... I see...'
I flush brightly and glance at Amelia.
"Yep, I totally understood it differently..."

Amelia responds.
"It is better to know than not - though the learning can sometimes be a kind of poison."

I ponder her words, welcoming the chance to change my thoughts even a little.
"Knowledge being a kind of poison? Yeah... I think I'm rather familiar with that... Though, just to make sure I don't misunderstand that, too... what exactly do you mean?"

"It can be painful to learn some things, but knowing tends to make your actions more in line with what is needed."

I nod.
"Yeah... sounds about right."

Leanna combs her hair out of her face, revealing a shy and embarrassed expression.

As I just was about to stare off into the distance as I remember some of the darker knowledge I have learned, I'm caught by Leannna's movement. Those dark thoughts, along with every other one, fly straight out of the window as I am once more entranced by her wonderful expression and smile gently at her, my eye glinting warmly in the torchlight.

Even through her embarrassment, she smiles at me, her bright cheerfulness poking through.

I reach out my thoughts to her.
'Are you alright?'

'...all good...making you smile is good...'

My smile widens.
'I'm glad you think so... but still, what brought up that incredibly cute shy and embarrassed expression of yours?'

'...that...'

I blink.
'That?'

'...the subject...'

My blush rises again.
'Ah... right... But... you seem to... only get embarrassed... when others are around...'

She tilts her head most adorably.
'...yes...?'

'When it's just the two of us... like this... you don't seem to be that fazed by this topic? How...? And... why is that...?'

'...comfortable...for your benefit...'

I blink.
'Huh? For my benefit? What do you mean?'

'...my acceptance helps you...I am far more ready when others are at risk... ...but also...'
She pauses for a moment, collecting her thoughts.
'...I...think you're the first person I could talk with about this...'

I blink again.
'I-I am? H-how so?'
Hope rises in my eye as my smile lights up.

'...I am not perverse in your eyes...for having thoughts of my own about this...'

'No? I think 'perverse' is one of the last words I'd use to describe you. Along with 'ugly' and 'spiteful'.'

Her eyes shine.
'...lots...think that many of the things I do ruin the magic... ...fighting, having wants... having a personality underneath being a perfectly pruned noblewoman... ...don't think I am, but most of the people who want to marry me would if I showed them...'

I smile lovingly at her.
'Well, I don't. I love you for who you are, with your personality and all your little quirks.'

She smiles shyly again.

I lean towards her and whisper in her ear.
"I love you, Leanna."

"Uhhh..."
She blushes again, but continues to smile brightly.

I lean away, giving her some space, but continue to smile lovingly at her.
I can glean that her emotional state is tumultuous from the bubbling froth of her golden heart, but I did promise not to invade minds.

'Well, I better let you be for now, I think.'
With a last bright smile, I turn around again, focusing on anything else that has nothing to do with her. A herculean task for me indeed.
"Soo... that secret tunnel sure goes on a while, huh?"

Kara responds.
"Oh yes, the Vestans made this place nice and ominous."

"Vestans?"

"The people who lived here. The tribe of fire."

I nod.
"Ah, right. You mentioned them before - the people of Embermyst are descendants of them. So, they built this temple?"

"Probably. Records are a bit spotty."

I arc a brow.
"Hm?"

"It's possible that it was here before them: it does utilize design elements not common in Vestan architecture."

"I see..."
I then focus on ahead, where I can make out the centre of the magical energy of this area.
"We're... getting closer to this barrier, aren't we?"

"Yep, and it's a doozy."
The hall opens up, revealing a lit brazier and a wall of smoke.
"I'll let our more magical companions have a look-see."

Amelia and Leanna approach the wall. I hang back and cooly lean against a wall, observing and analysing the barrier from this point. The barrier is obviously grounded in similar rules to the Terran standard, but seems subtly different... older.

"Hm?"
I arc a brow in interest and study its structure in more detail. It becomes obvious quickly. This structure was built in a different time... under different magic. There is clear continuity between modern magic and this ancient form, but there are major differences. Namely that this magic has a will, and the modern one does not.
I blink.
"Huh?!"

My exclamation is a bit louder than I anticipated, and it echoes through the wide hallway. I quickly silence the sound. But it was obviously not quickly enough, as everyone glances at me, questioning.
I clear my throat.
"Ahem. It's- it's nothing. Have you found something so far, you two?"

"No, we just started."

"Right... of course. Then, by all means, continue. Don't... ehm... don't let me distract you."

Amelia starts, stepping up to it, and as she does, the power within begins to slowly shift about. It orders itself, and the will drains away before Amelia's scientific scrutiny. She stares it down, knowing it has an explanation... and as a result, there is an explanation.
How intriguing, I watch with interest.
As her pulses of investigative magic peel away its secrets - which still present themselves despite their instilled nature - the will and chaos are gone, obliterated by the fervent belief that magic can be explained.
I have believed that power in the Force comes from believing that something is possible, and no more incontrovertible evidence can be found than here. It isn't just that the Force is science here for no reason - one of the reasons the Force is science is because Terrans believe it is.
I frown in displeasure, crossing my arms. Still, this development is intriguing...
"Fascinating..."

Though, it looks like one of the reasons for that is because it started out close enough to nature that the budding scientific method could be applied, so more research is required. Something still caused the Force to behave somewhat rationally here.
Hmm... if this ancient, and yet advanced magic was used by these elementals, who seem to have taught mankind about magic in the first place... that would explain this difference, but still being somewhat comparable...
I continue to observe, easing my frown again.

Amelia nods.
"It seems right for the time period - though several interesting features are present. Fire and Wind magic for an early barrier. I am intrigued."

Leanna smiles.
"Well, how are we going to do this?"

"Perhaps by not blatantly rewriting the will of the barrier, and listening to it?"

Amelia cocks her head.
"I'm... sorry, I do not understand what you mean."

I push off the wall and stroll up the barrier.
"That magic barrier is now different than it was before you probed it. But I wonder if those changes revert again?"
My gaze is fixed on the barrier, discerning its secrets.

"I do not believe that such a phenomenon has been recorded, except in the case of adaptive magics. I find no evidence of such here."

"Because you didn't believe it possible."

"It is a big claim. What evidence do you bring to support it?"
She is curious.

"I saw it."

She crosses her arms.
"Hearsay is bad evidence. Even if I trust you, people are fallible - most often because they believe they aren't. I need numbers, Xerath. Data."

I shrug.
"That's not how the Force works - at least not the one I know. And since I don't know how your measuring system works, I can't give you any data. Neither can I share my vision with you."

Even while talking with her, my intense gaze is focused on the barrier, unblinking.
"You can either believe me, or not. The choice is yours."

"Then you cannot give me meaningful information. I do, however, remain open - your ignorance of our ways is perfectly understandable, after all."

"Ignorance? Hardly. I don't think that is the correct word to use here."

She rolls her eyes.
"You do not know how to communicate what you see into our numbers. I mention an ignorance of the human system that overlays Esarian understanding of magic. Ignorance isn't a crime, Xerath - but in order for us to talk we must understand each other."

The barrier is unchanged in function, but its logic remains the altered. It seems likely that this is the way it is now.

I glance at her, and she falters a bit by the intensity of my gaze.
"I have been on your planet for less than a week. Nobody has explained your magic system in detail to me yet. Most of what I know I gathered myself, aided by most helpful explanations from Leanna."

"Exactly. Your ignorance is understandable."

"Not knowing is not ignorance."

"If I had not encountered a language before, that would be ignorance. I am ignorant of the language. I do not know it."

"False. That would be a lack of knowledge. Ignorance would be to deem that learning that language would be a waste of time, or that the language isn't important enough for you."

She shakes her head.
"We argue over definitions. My definition of ignorance is different from yours - I believe that willful ignorance and normal ignorance are separate."

I nod once, slightly, then focus back on the barrier.
"It would seem so. But please, do refrain from calling me ignorant. It is not a positive word in my society."

"Interesting - in mine it is neutral, the space before knowledge. What would you prefer to be called if we encounter something you do not know? What carries the weight of either motiveless lack of knowledge, or the space one is in before knowing?"

I blink, being pulled slightly out of focus.
"Unknowing? Uninformed, perhaps?"

"Uninformed is good, then."

I nod slightly again.
"Alright."

I then reach out my hand to the barrier. I observed the process Amelia used to shape it into its current form, and know its original state. It should be feasible for me to revert the changes done. From there, I can glean the intent of the barrier and learn what it wanted to do there.
But the magic resists me.
I blink, surprised.
"Huh..."

It does not want to return to the way it was.
"That is surprising."

To repair it, I must break the back of the fundamental rules which have been instilled within it - which would certainly cause the power of this magic to dissolve.
I step back. That is not my intention. It is within my capabilities, but it is effectively the destruction of that Force energy.
I send a small pulse of energy against the barrier.
"What is your purpose, shield?"

I receive my answer in the form of the practised logic of nodes and flows, of matter repeating lines learned from a sapient - like a machine. Thus, it doesn't answer me directly, but my energy is more flexible than that, and gleans purpose from structure. The restriction of entry into a pool of individuals who meet specific criteria it does not wish discovered via study like this - at least if that cluster of nodes obfuscating their purpose is an indication.
I narrow my eyes.
As I approach the cluster, it tries to ward me off, sensing my intrusion. It offers a riddle, appearing on the barrier.
Absolve your world to enter mine.

I smile.
"Ahh, there it is."

I step back, satisfied with the result.

Amelia and Kara look on with interest.
"Very obviously Elemental religious doctrine."

"Then I was looking in the right place."

Leanna studies it.
"But what does it mean?"

"Well, it's a riddle. A trial, to be more precise. At least, I assume as much."
I glance at Amelia, the intensity gone from my gaze.
"Do you have any idea?"

"The Elementals preached some level of detachment from material possessions and abilities, focusing instead on internal things - love, happiness, and mastery. To name a few."

"Yes. I also doubted they wanted us to abandon our bodies to enter as ghosts, so I concluded that we should part with our most prized possession - our world - to enter."

"A sound assumption - the question is how we are meant to part with it. I think this brazier connected to the barrier's magic is a most obvious solution."

I nod.
"I'd say so, too."

Ceru stares at the door hungrily.
"Poi..."

I glance at my most favourite blue blob.
"Ceru... I know there's a plethora of energy on the other side, but let's not get hasty."

He pouts at me.

I then draw a hand to my chin.
"Although, you are an animal. You don't have a possession to part with. You just might be able to pass through undeterred."

Then, he wobbles inside the barrier. Leanna goes to it.
"Ceru! Are you okay?"

"Poi-poi-poi-poi..."

An echo?
Ceru then pokes back through to look at Leanna.

"Oh, phew."
She pats his head, then smiles at him and urges him to return if it makes him happy.

He does.

I smile at the exchange, feeling very warm inside. A certain image returns to my thoughts, as I stare dreamily ahead.

She brushes dust off her legs.
"So, our world. How do we... know what it is?"

I blink back to reality.
"Huh? Oh, right. Well, do you have an object on you that is very precious and important to you?"

"One or two."

"Then try putting one you feel like is important into that brazier and see if you can pass through the barrier. Though given the riddle's wording - namely calling the object our world - it must be really important. To the point that even the thought of parting with it will make us falter."

"Right..."
She sighs.
"I'll go first, then."

I step in front of her.
"As much as I'm curious to see what that important object to you is, we're doing this for me, so it is only natural that I should go first."

She blinks, but takes a step back and gestures to the brazier.

I step up to the brazier and pull out a metal cylinder from my hip. Only Leanna recognises it at my lightsaber. I pause as I hold it in my hand, looking it over fondly, with a sad, slight smile on my face. This small weapon is a part of me, empowers me. As I hold it gently in my hands again and gaze over it, I remember when I forged it with the help of Satele and Marr. This weapon is the embodiment of my beliefs, my masterpiece. Not to mention the trouble I went through to get my hands on that colour crystal. Black and dark blue is quite rare, difficult to create. The thought of parting with it makes my chest hurt.
I take a deep breath - or is it a sigh? - and reluctantly place the object in the brazier.
The flames lap it up with seeming ease. I sense that trying to learn whether the weapon survived is against the spirit of the test.
I lower my head for a moment and close my eyes, praying. I really do hope that this weapon, which is a part of me, a symbol of my beliefs, remains intact. But there is almost nothing I'm not prepared to lose, no trial I am not ready to overcome.
After a moment, I lift my head and look at the barrier with a determined gaze. I march over to it with a confident gait Kara hasn't seen yet. I move with the reassurance that nothing can go wrong. I step through the barrier with my head held high.
The barrier is not like air - it is like walking through water - but I go through it to reach the other side, putting any discomfort at the feeling aside.

Once I'm through, I find a small room, brightly lit by magic. I sweep the cozy room with an expert's gaze, finding ancient, faded art lining the walls and trinkets scattered about. And in the middle of the room is an absolutely adorable medium-large furry canine of some sorts, who swishes its tail as it observes me. Beside it stands a woman with flaming red hair bound in a ponytail, long, pointed ears and a slightly red hue to her skin, wearing clothes made out of red silk and bronze trims, which cover very little of her well-endowed body. Her delicate hand rests atop the feline's head as her fiery ruby red eyes are trained on me.

I blink at the lady, then offer a formal bow. I can feel her presence in the Force. It's extremely strong, yet feels like it's just a part of her. Like Vitiate as the Sith Emperor.
"Greetings. I am Xerath Kallig, and I assume that you must be the Fire Elemental?"

She slowly nods, and steps towards me, her slight smile not leaving her face. For a second, I think I see the flames lighting the room flicker and a warmth permeates my body. It's pleasant, like an embrace.

Although she holds my gaze, she doesn't speak.

"Am I correct in my assumption that you brought me into this world?"

Her eyes bore into me, but there is a warmth there.
I confidently, and curiously, hold her gaze. Unfaltering, unblinking, unrelenting, but also with a certain kindness and warmth.

Her mind, to my eyes... seems distant, physically speaking. She is projecting herself. It takes great effort to remain here, and she cannot stay long. It's possible she is further away from Terra than I am from my galaxy.

She places a hand on my forehead, and magic begins to flow - and I am energized. Liquid fire pours into me, and the Elemental slowly fades.
'...have...hope...'

And she is gone.

I close my eyes.
"Sure, don't tell me why you just transferred your energy to me, then..."

I sigh.
"Alright then, keep your secrets."

Then, I realize that Leanna is waving her hand in front of my face. I blink my eyes open.
"Huh? Leanna?"

"His pupils are quite large. I imagine that influx of magic was not entirely healthy."

My eyes focus back.
"Huh, guys? Since when were you here?"

Leanna shushes Amelia, then turns back to me.
"You okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."
I flex my fingers, feeling energized.
"More than fine, actually."

It is not a trifling amount of power that is invested in me. It is interesting, and quite different from my own - Amelia is altering it by studying it again.
"I'm not sure if you're supposed to do that, Amelia."

"I am determining your health. Normally, this quantity of magic is fatal."

"Yes, I am aware. I am quite familiar with the hazards of the rapid increase of magic energy. Let me assure you that I am fine, however."

"Alright."

The magic now conforms to Terran logic - though it seems that Amelia only sped this process. Would it have happened anyway? What caused it?
"Hm. Fascinating..."

I shake my head slightly.
"Anyways, I think I've got what I came for."

"It does seem that you now contain a large amount of magic - Leanna, how much is your manipulator reading?"

Leanna raises her manipulator.
"About three-hundred megathaums, but there's residue and countersignatures from his own glow fogging it up. What about you?"

"Your data corroborates mine: he has not absorbed all of the energy present at the temple, though the difference has flowed away from this area."

I nod.
"Sounds about right."
It is still weird to me that the Force would allow itself to stand in a neat enough line to be measured like that, but whatever.

"Still, that you are not suffering a catastrophic failure of existence is quite interesting. Do you feel warm in any way at the moment?"

I nod again.
"Yes. When the Elemental transferred the energy, it did feel like a warmth flowing through me."

"That is good to know - however, what I am referring to is a more physical reaction. Are you sweating?"

I wonder for a moment if I am even physically able to sweat. Haven't done that in years.
"No... not that I can notice."

"Well, please inform us if in the next few minutes you begin to feel off. Excess magical energy is often poisonous."

"I know. But, to be honest, this is nothing. At least not to me..."

"I see. Still, we must be cautious - differences are known to occur between our styles of magic."

Leanna nods.
"You probably won't need it, but help is there whenever you ask for it."
She beams at me.

I blush slightly and scratch my cheek.
"Ah... thank you... but still, this amount of energy will not faze me."

"It's alright. The offer stands."

I glance away.
"I know... thank you."

Kara smirks.
"You know, I really can't tell whether you are the best or worst at this I've ever seen. Heavy-handed and obvious yet sincere. It's obviously working, though."

Leanna blushes.
"He just needed some help."

I blink at Kara and tilt my head.
"What are you on about again?"

"Well, she's not exactly the best at this whole flirting thing, but it's clearly working on you isn't it?"

"She isn't 'flirting', though."
I then look to Leanna.
"Or are you flirting?"

Leanna blushes more.
"Not on purpose..."

"Oh, pshaw."

I smile.
"Cute..."

Then, I clear my throat and focus back on Kara.
"Ahem. Leanna is an incredibly caring person. And I feel lucky that she deems me worthy enough of receiving her aid. Though she would help anyone who'd ask for it."

"I see... I suppose I'll have to see who exactly you're talking about over time - no one I've ever met is that nice."

I smile warmly, though with some sadness hidden behind it.
"I had the luck - once before."

Leanna gazes sympathetically at me, my sorrow shared.

"So, I can say confidently that Leanna is a pure gift for your entire world. And I have not a single doubt that her mere presence has enriched the lives of many people already, and will only continue to do so."

"You certainly seem to appreciate her."

My smile brightens.
"I love her."

She arcs an amused brow.
"Oh, quite committed are we?"

I blink, feeling I don't quite get what she means.
"Come again?"

"Committed. From what I've gathered, you might be close but aren't in a relationship. Love is a big claim then."

I nod decisively.
"Yes, we are currently not in a romantic relationship. Yet I know I love her with every fibre of my being."

"Most interesting."

I tilt my head slightly.
"What is?"

She smirks.
"Oh, well, I hope you aren't thinking of doing anything... naughty with her."

I freeze for a moment, then my blush flares and I throw my arms out.
"Well, I wasn't until everyone brought those things up!"

Kara smiles.
"Aww, he's so cute, trying to avoid these things."

"I... Urgh!"
I take a deep breath, folding my hands in front of me.
"Look... I never really had... the time... to even ponder such things. Nor was I particularly interested. And I am now 'trying to avoid these things' because I, quite frankly, do not know how to deal with them."

She smiles encouragingly.
"You'll get it eventually. It just takes time. Years."

I hang my head.
"Years? Great... who knows if I even have that time..."

"But your situation will probably be resolved before then, no? If Leanna is anything like you say she is, she won't just leave you hanging."

Kara leers at her, and Leanna blushes again.
"Well... no..."

I just sigh. That wasn't what I referenced, but I don't want to correct them, either.
"Right..."

Then, it takes a few moments for me to catch one detail, but when I do, I blush quite strongly again as well.
"Oh... you... you wouldn't, Leanna?"

Leanna puts a hand on my shoulder, and I feel warmth pulse through the metal.
"Of course not. You'll have my answer as soon as I am sure."

I smile at her and nod, my blush not receding.
"Alright. I know. Anyways... we came what we got for, right?"

Kara nods, pointing at her pockets filled with loot. Zack, too, has made some acquisitions.
"Yep!"

We begin to retrace our steps, the canine following us with its gaze, and Leanna asks a question.
"Do you want to try returning?"

"Honestly? Not really. Besides, I have the nagging suspicion that it wouldn't work, even if I tried."

We leave the room, and the brazier is unlit. Amelia remarks at the re-appearance of our items.
"It seems that our willingness to part with them, not parting itself, was to be tested."

I want to rush forward, but keep myself back to let the others go first.
"It would be rather cruel if it were otherwise. Still, I am quite glad."

Amelia steps forward first, procuring a scroll of some kind. Then, Kara, kissing what looks like a small wallet. Then, Zack - it's one of his dischargers. Leanna produces a plain necklace of thin gold chain and a pure white feather, then hands me my lightsaber with the blade end facing towards herself.
I smile at her.
"Thank you."

I take it gratefully, fondly gazing down at the weapon.

Leanna smiles at the display.

I then look up at the others.
"Why don't you go on ahead? I have... something to make sure of."

The others nod and leave. Leanna smiles.
"Do you want to be alone, then?"

"Well, you are welcome to stay. I just want to make sure my saber works perfectly."

"Alright."
She takes a step back, but watches intently.

I take several steps back as well and ignite the black blade, which emits a dark blue light. I then just move it slowly, listening to the soft humming sound it makes with a critically observing expression. It is in perfect condition.
As everything is in order, I drop into a combat stance, moving against imaginary foes with my single blade. My movements are swift and fluid - well-practised and forged in battle - and the end of a combo leaves me in a position with an outstretched hand - A position to intertwine Force attacks.
With a satisfied smirk, I then push the hidden trigger on the lightsaber, extending it to its double-bladed form. The second blade ignites with a hiss as well, and from there on out, the blades move like a blur. Now, my fighting style doesn't incorporate as many Force attacks as it focuses on pure bladework. And since the weapon is as potent as I once said it is... I'm sure Leanna has no doubt that any imaginary foes I currently go through would only be some decimated carnage when I am done.

I can see her shudder, but look on with interest. I wonder if it has to do with me mentioning that I don't consider myself much of a warrior, and if she thinks of those I do consider as such.

Despite the rapid twirls and strikes of my blurring weapon, the movements are precise - not one slash going astray, not once hitting the floor, walls or the ceiling. It's similar to our spar... just much more fluid and practised.
She seems impressed.
"That must've taken ages to learn."

I finish a set of moves, slashing an imaginary foe in half with a horizontal strike.
"Well... war is a good teacher, if nothing else."

I deactivate my saber and revert it to its smaller state, putting it back to my belt. I then turn around and smile at her.
"But I'm glad. You seemed to like my performance."

"I could see the practice and skill in it."
She smiles.
"Outside of combat, there can be art in these things."

I nod.
"Indeed. I'm not much of a fighter, but my friend A'den... seeing him spar, or even more so seeing him in a fight... it's truly a sight to behold. That is why I prefer the sword over... other kinds of weapons. In a clash of sabers, it's about skill. It's about will. Not about chance. I suppose that is why Zash urged me to learn the way of an Assassin as well, even if I always considered myself more of a Sorcerer..."

I smile as I tilt my head back, looking at the ceiling.
"I'm quite glad that she did, though. It was hard to learn, even harder to master... but those skills brought me out of quite some tough spots."

"I suppose..."
She seems... uncertain of my assessment.

I blink and glance back at her.
"Hm?"

"Skill is the tool of those who can devote years and years to a craft - especially swords. Swords are... not the best weapon unless you are very good with them."

"Well, I suppose that holds truer for your swords than the lightsabers I'm used to, but I think I can see where you're getting at. Still, please continue."

"Outside of Mage-Knights, the sword is found in two places: travellers who need something compact, and nobles who dedicate their lives to warfare. It is the weapon of a ruler - one who stands behind the lines and orders, not one who fights. And in the former, it is generally outdone by spears and hammers."

I nod again.
"I can see the reason behind that, yes. Though I would disagree with the assessment that is the weapon of a ruler from the backline, based on personal experience. However, our mileage varies. It is correct that a sword only really becomes effective in the hands of someone who can dedicate some effort to train with it. And I suppose that is one great part of why I like it."

I gaze intently at her.
"It currently is far from that state, but I wish for a world where only those that wish to hold a weapon have to. I want to create such a world, where people do not have the need for weapons."

"I would appreciate that world. In our world, though? The sword is the weapon of those groomed from birth to be 'better'."

"I suppose that is one way to look at it... From my point of view, the sword - lightsaber in particular - is the weapon of those dedicating their lives to protect - or lead and conquer - others. Though I suppose that most Force users are considered 'better' compared to the common people..."

"And I guess... I'd prefer to be closer to them. The sword is a very... polished weapon, all clean and sanitized. It is not a weapon of the common people. That's one of the reasons I am experimenting with flashammers."

My expression falls.
"I see."

I close my eyes and nod.
"That is an... understandable... stance on the topic..."

"I guess... I don't want to be aloof and act like I'm better than these people... and one of the ways I can do that is by raising the dirtiest weapon known to man. One not in any sense divorced from the grime and the dirt of war. The flashammer is a weapon of the common people - anyone can pick it up and defend what matters."

I nod.
"Indeed. Same for blasters. Guns in general, really."

I chuckle shortly.
"Funniest name I heard was someone calling them 'rootin tootin point'n'shootin."

I calm again.
"But still, it is rather fitting. You just have to aim and fire. A tool simple for anyone to use."

Then, my expression sours.
"Yet they are unreliable. Imprecise. Random. Uncivilised."

"Exactly. I want an uncivilized weapon - war should not be sanitized. I want to learn to deal with new challenges, different from my sword."

My eyes narrow at her, obviously displeased. I cross my arms.
"I can see your point of view... but I do not agree. There are two things I... highly dislike on a personal level: sand, and guns."

"And most importantly, I want a weapon that can fight monsters. The sword is for duelling - I learned early in my career that a sword and wind magic are worth very little in the face of a great beast of magic."

"I could grant you the greatest weapons to fight monsters with... anything but a gun..."
My voice grows weaker to the end as I cast my gaze down.

She puts a hand on my cheek, turning my face towards hers.
"It's alright if you don't want to tell me why, but I know you don't like sand for a very specific reason - and I'm worried guns are the same way. But I do not judge. You have been hurt, that's not your fault."

I softly shake my head.
"...but it is..."

Her finger rubs along the scar behind my bang.
"Would stopping whatever it was require knowledge you didn't have yet?"

I flinch at the touch, then shake my head again.
"... no."

I glance away.
"Sand is coarse and rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere. Growing up on a desert planet, I've had enough of it to last a lifetime. It... really has a habit of getting into things where it shouldn't."

She smiles softly, pulling me into her embrace.
"It's alright. Terra has sand, but we won't be going to it, not for a while. Plus, there is a kind of sand you might be more neutral about."

I stiffen for a moment, then relax into her embrace. I close my eyes and rest my head on her shoulder, wrapping my arms around her as well.
"I feel a very contradicting sensation right now. I am intrigued while, at the same time, I'm not interested."

"Beaches. Water makes sand stick together, allowing you to build things with it. Water is close by, so you're never far from being able to rinse."

"Ah. Right. Such places exist here as well, huh? Yeah, the sand on such is finer."

"And, if that isn't enough, the culture on Terra with beaches involves scantily clad men and women playing sports together."

I blink.
"Huh?"

I am confused for a moment, before realizing Leanna is in the set of women. What... does she mean by that?
I shake my head.
"Nevermind that for now. That's just confusing. You know, I did have a point starting to complain over sand all of a sudden..."

She arcs her wonderfully delicate eyebrow, regarding me with her sapphire eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"Oh?"

"Yeah. As I said, sand always gets where it shouldn't. As such, I often spent a lot of time cleaning machines and tools from sand, inside and out. On one hand, it was tiring and repetitive, having to do that almost every day. On the other, it was a great opportunity for me to learn the workings of the machines. That's why they made me do it, too, because I always had a knack for machines. And... those tools included blasters, too. We had some that we were allowed to use to shoot womp rats that would get too close to our base. So, of course, I was required to clean and maintain those, too."
I close my eyes and hug her a bit more tightly.
"Until, one day... I must've been distracted... or otherwise negligent... or... or something..."

"Did one of the blasters hurt someone?"

I nod silently.

Her hand trails over me, radiating warmth and comfort.

It gives me the strength to continue.
"One day... one of the blasters malfunctioned. Some sand was stuck in the... energy pack or something. The reason is blurry, I was rather... distracted... when they told me."

I squeeze my eyes shut and Leanna in my arms.
"It blew up. It exploded... in the face of the wielder..."

I take a deep, shuddering breath.
"... who happened to be Kory..."

"Shh..."

I press my face into her shoulder, tears spilling from my eyes.
"...half her face got heavily burned... she nearly died... and it was all my fault..."

'...and you blame...sand, gun, and yourself...?'

I nod weakly.
"... if... if it weren't for that... stupid sand... and that stupid blaster... and my stupid negligence... she wouldn't have... been hurt like that..."

She is silent, perhaps in thought, perhaps simply in comfort, as her soft breathing resounds in my ears, gentle, slow heartbeat coaxing mine down a bit. Her armour clinks softly as she begins to rock me back and forth.

I hold onto her tightly, tears silently running down her armour plates as I allow myself to be comforted by her. I remain silent for a long moment as well, trying in vain to calm down again.
Eventually, the flow of tears stops.
"So... please... don't..."

"Don't... what?"

"Use... guns..."
I squeeze her.
"I know... it's your decision... and if it is something you want to do, I want to support you... but... but I can't... not in this case... I... don't think I could rest... with you using such a damned thing..."

"Well, I've already placed the order, but... how about I don't use it except in a safe environment? Just sparring with you, until you're comfortable."

I glance up at her, and I'm sure she sees so much hurt and fear in my expression.
"... I'd rather destroy every single gun on this planet - and the knowledge to build them with them - than to see you using one..."

"I'm... very touched that you care about me so, but... I want to help you heal, okay? And I'm going to help how I can."
She smiles softly at me.
"For you, I won't use it, and we can take some time to get you more used to some things you have less of a problem with, okay? You've been hurt, and healing always starts small. Can you do that for me?"

"I... suppose so..."

"So... is there something that makes you only a bit uncomfortable, but you don't want it to?"

I'd draw a hand to my chin, if they weren't snaked firmly around Leanna.
"Hmm... Let's see... most things are either things I don't quite care about, or that bother me a great deal..."

"Well, of those there must be something you don't want to be bothered by, right?"

"Yes. Like the way my thoughts drift off more and more, away from my control."

"Well, let's try that, then. There are a few ways to solve that - first, what is causing it, and why?"

"You are. Why, though, I'm not sure, but I have a theory."

She slightly tilts her head, her long and glorious hair flowing with the motion like a golden waterfall.
"Oh?"

"Well, I think... this planet is simply too peaceful for me. I don't have the constant pressure on me that requires me to focus. This gives me the time to think about all the things I never even bothered to consider because I simply didn't have the time. Like... love... and..."
I blush, glancing away.
"...and family... and just you, in general."

"Alright. So, why does it bother you?"

"Because I have no control over these thoughts! They pop up randomly and disorganise my entire line of thought."

"You're used to having total control over what you think about?"

I nod.
"Yes. Over what I think about, and what I feel. And it seems as if both of those are completely shifting on me since I've come here and met you."

"Well, for most people, having total control over that is unusual."

"I figured. I'm not most people, though."

"Perhaps not, but emotions like that are one of the things that make us human. Perhaps this is a sign of your humanity finally having a chance to express itself outside of the great stresses of the world you came from?"

"Well, either that, or it's the sign of the shreds of my mind finally collapsing."

"And well... I find it cute when you're flustered."

I blush, but smile up at her, albeit shyly.
"Really? Well... uhm... the same goes for you..."

She beams at me, and a hand runs through my hair, soft and smooth as a goddess...
"Things are going to be alright - I've found that stressed people, after an adjustment period, tend to lead much happier lives once they escape 'I must survive' and find something to live for."

I smile lovingly at her.
"Well... I think I have found that something. Or rather, someone."

"It is my earnest hope that one day you can live for yourself... but until then, living for someone else is okay. Just as long as you're happy."

I sigh.
"I wonder about that... I mean, I am really happy with you. I love you more than anything, and your care for me floors me each time anew..."

I glance down.
"...but there still seems to be a hole in my heart..."

She steps back and cups my cheeks in her hands.
"Can you tell me...?"

"You should know the answer already..."
I lean into her touch.

Her eyes gleam with care, and also a disappointed sadness...
"Well... until then, it is as I told you. The table is filled with every appetizer you can think of - I just need time and thought before I can make you dinner - and maybe dessert."

I shrug.
"Well... if only I would have some knowledge about food, and a sense of taste... But, I think you came to a different conclusion than I intended here..."

She blinks, the fluttering of her long and luscious eyelashes seeming just a bit too long.
"Oh?"

"Although it is true that I long for you to return my feelings... that wasn't what I was getting at."

"Then what is it? Do you... miss her, then?"

I nod.
"Every... single... day."

Her light dims slightly.
"And... there's only so much I can do to fill in for your first true love. I understand."

"It's... I also don't want to compare you two, or want you to fill the spot she left... because no one ever will be able to."

"No one except her. Of course."
She smiles sadly.
"I will... do my best to soothe such an ache."

"So, I think I repeat myself here, but I don't want you to think of yourself as just a fill-in for her, or something. Because I genuinely love you for who you are, just as I love her."

She smiles brightly.
"I know."

"And... I accepted the fact I'll never reunite with her. Not like I have a choice in that matter..."
Then, I perk up again.
"But... good. I just... want to be clear on that. That you know exactly where you stand with me."

Her eyes twinkle.

I smile mischievously and lean into her, whispering into her ear.
"Psst: you're my highest priority."

She blushes, but her smile brightens further.

I lean back again, and this time, I am the one to cup her cheek with my hand, running a gentle thumb over her smooth skin. I smile brightly and lovingly at her.

Her blush deepens.

"I love you, Leanna."
I then, reluctantly, remove my hand again.
"And before I overdo it again, should we head back to the others?"

She nods vigorously, gold bubbling chaotically in her heart.

"Well, want to take the quick way?"

She blinks adorably.

"Phasing. Or teleportation, as some also call it."

"Oh, that. Do you want that?"

"Well, wandering these hallways alone with you is certainly tempting... but that would mean that the others have to wait for us. And since I hate waiting, I also hate it to make others wait."

She smiles.
"Whatever makes you happy."

Oh, that was only one word away from something only a lover would say.
I blush at that thought.
"R-right... of c-course. So... uhm..."

I scratch my cheek.
"This makes me want to stop time, just so we could walk the halls without making the others wait... but I have the feeling that would be a bad idea."

She blinks.
"You can do that?"

I nod nonchalantly.
"Yep. As I said, there are quite few limits to my powers. I can stop time, though I can't progress or reverse it."

"And that would be a bad thing here?"

"I'm not sure... but I have the nagging feeling that I shouldn't do it. And by now, I have learned to trust my instincts like that."

"Alright."

"Soo... do you... want to walk through the halls... or phase back to the entrance?"

"As I said. Which will make you happier?"

I sigh.
"I don't know. Which is why I asked for your input. But... if I'm allowed to be a bit selfish...?"

She nods without any hesitation.
"Of course. The world has taken much from you - I see no harm in giving you a bit back."

I blush a bit and timidly hold out my hand.
"Then... could we walk back? ...Together?"

She takes my hand, pulling me close.
"That sounds lovely."

I did not anticipate that and stumble into her, startled.
"Ah!"

Being rather close to her now, I quickly find myself getting lost in her eyes, which sparkle in the dancing flames of the torches. Any further word of protest- actually, any further words at all seem to be forgotten.

She smiles brightly at me, eyes gleaming with the joy and mirth she seems to be immersed in most of the time. The red-orange of the torches reflects in the blue of her eyes, like a sunrise over a lake - or perhaps an oasis. And she is clearly content to let me stare as long as I want.

With my other hand, which is not holding hers, I reach up to push a strand of hair behind her ear, gently brushing against her skin. Then, my hand comes to rest on her cheek like earlier, cupping it, letting the thumb move in slow, caring rubs. All the while, I am absolutely captivated by her radiance.

She doesn't do much of anything, except smile, wrapping me in a caring aura where I can be comfortable, where I can feel loved and taken care of.

It is then that I lean forward to close the distance, ever so slowly, hesitatingly. But it feels so right... She's so close... so loving... her lips are right there... in front of me...

Her finger is placed on my lips.
"I'm sorry... not yet. I need... more time to decide..."

I blink, then lean back.
"Oh, right. I'm so sorry! I... I didn't mean to..."

And yet... her heart is beating faster now, her cheeks rosy and bright. The signs point to the fact that something is happening to her - something that allowed her to let me touch her face. She is not ready. But one day... she truly might be. There is no false hope, like at the beginning, no ephemeral and too patient work like when she promised to consider me. I...
I am in her heart, close in her mind ever. In lieu of the step she cannot take, her lips brush against my cheek, warmth blooming across my face with the same sensation as stepping into civilization after being outside on Hoth for days. And after that, her cheek lingers, in readiness for one more broken boundary between us.
"It's alright. This much is fine."

I drop the hand from her face to hug her closer, while also returning the favour and brushing a soft kiss on her cheek.
"...I love you so much, Leanna... And... I'm sorry... Did I... make you uncomfortable with... w-what I was trying to do? Was I... overstepping my boundaries?"

"It's okay. You would've, but my objection was made, and you responded."

"Of course. I would never do something you would object to."
If I had a free hand, I'd scratch my cheek.
"Respecting your boundaries and sovereignty has become one of my highest goals. I suppose that is one reason why those... unbidden thoughts bug me so..."

"You've done very well Xerath."
Like before, there is a breadth of emotion in my name there, love like a precision orbital strike against any doubts that she cares about me.

"Krrrrr..."
I lean my head onto her shoulder.
"You're not playing fair... Putting such emphasis on the pronunciation..."

Then, I lift my head and gaze at her, my cheeks tinged again.
"But I believe that two can play at this."

She arcs a brow, her eyes twinkling bemusedly.
Oh?"

I gaze into her eyes again and speak, before I can forget my thoughts.
"I love you, Leanna."

I clear my throat.
"Ahem. I love you, Leanna."
I put the emphasis on the fact that I, the god I am, love her.

"I love you, Leanna."
Then, I emphasise how much I love her, which sends a wave of warmth through her as she once more realises just how much I adore her.

"I love you, Leanna."
Once more, and this time the emphasis is on how I love none but her.

"I love you, Leanna."
And this time, I pronounce her name as emotionally as she just did with mine.

"I love you, Leanna."
For the last one, I emphasise the scope of my feelings for her, which could be a bit overwhelming for her, if she wouldn't be at least somewhat used to it by now. And to really bring that home, I place a gentle, loving kiss on her forehead. She is my world, my reason for... mostly anything at this point.

She beams at me, and the warmth coming from her rises to its best state - perfect hugging temperature.

I smile softly and lovingly at her.
"Can I... hug you?"

She nods.
"Absolutely. You deserve it, for more reasons than one."

I wrap my arms around her again and rest my head on her shoulder. I hold her gently, my face relaxed and happy. I sigh in contentment. Even through armour, she is soft... so smooth... So warm...
"Krrrrrrr... you're so perrrfect..."

She starts scratching my head, her hands finding their place and nestling into my hair as though it is their home.

My chittering sound returns in full as I relax into their embrace. I did not think that I would ever meet someone so perfect again, but here we are... One day... she will be mine. One day... I'll ask for her hand in marriage.

Leanna blinks.
"Your chittering sound changed a bit just then. Is something wrong?"

I blink as well, being pulled out of my musings.
"Huh? It did?"

"Yeah. You sounded a bit... fiercer."

"Well... I suppose I did reaffirm a decision of mine."

"Oh, you did?"

"Yep."
I smirk.
"You wanna know?"

"If you want to tell me."

"Well, it's not exactly a secret."
I tilt my head towards her ear, my voice barely more than a whisper.
"One day, you will be mine. Just like I am yours."

She blushes deeply.
"Ummm... I haven't been bad to you, have I?"

I blink. That wasn't quite the response I expected.
"Huh? What do you mean with that?"

"'You're mine'... do you feel trapped?"

"Oh no, far from it."
I smile lovingly at her from the position on her shoulder.
"You are my true love, Leanna. The woman I wish to spend my life with. The woman I already decided I would wish to marry someday. As I said before, I'm quite sure that I will never find someone else I will love as much. As such, I am yours."

"Oh."
She blushes at me.
"Well, if that's what you mean, I suppose I can get behind that."

I continue to smile.
"Great."

Then, my expression turns somewhat more curious and slightly worried.
"But your first reaction... does that phrase have a different meaning for you?"

"It's related to some practices, namely, the idea that a wife is kind of like property, and you can own them."

I frown in disgust.
"Wow. Well, I suppose noble families do have a problem with that, regardless of where they are..."

I squeeze her.
"But you should know me a bit by now. I am deeply appalled by the idea that one could 'own' someone else. Because that is simply wrong."

"Yes. I know - I just figured you were using the phrase without understanding it, and wanted to know what you meant."

"Yeah... well, I suppose that is just another thing that has different connections in our societies. Because in my world, it is mostly used by lovers to express the importance of their significant other. Or so I've heard."

"It still kind of has that character of ownership, but here's an idea - why don't you use it in situations where that meaning makes no sense. Words are flexible - we can change these ones."

I look at her interested.
"Like what?"

"Well, I suppose we'll have to find out - but if you're intending to keep me around, if I have a place in running your Alliance it will be a fairly persuasive argument that I am not just yours."

"Oh, right. I'm supposed to go back there... Well, you obviously wouldn't be mine in the literal sense of ownership. But it does mean that I would be the only one for you. That only I get to love you like this."
I glance away.
"I... uhm... can get rather... possessive with the things - and people - I care about."

"Not just a meek little servant from a world no one has heard of."

I blink.
"Leanna. If you would come back to the Alliance with me, you would stand as my equal. At least after... if we marry."

She smiles.
"Thank you. And I understand. I couldn't call myself very loving if I didn't respect the wishes of someone I profess to care about."

"And even if... if we wouldn't... marry... I still would never treat you as a servant or something."

She continues to scratch my head.

"Krrrrrr... After all... you're clearly a goddess... my goddess... I love you... krrrrrrr..."

She beams at me, eyes smiling into mine.

I nuzzle into her.
"I could spend an indiscriminate amount of time like this..."

"We should probably start moving back up, though. If you want to keep hugging we can float."

"I suppose you're right."
We begin to float.
"That also has the added effect of not having to worry about the traps."

"Sounds good."

Her warmth continues to flow into me, the hearth that is her heart pulsing with golden light. And I continue to nuzzle into her as we float along the halls at a leisurely pace.
"I never knew... people could be so warm... It's wonderful... You are wonderful."

"I'm glad you enjoy it, Xerath."
Her light seems to swell with pride.
"Take as much as you need."

"Oh? That is a dangerous statement."

She arcs a brow and smirks mischievously.
"Maybe I'm not some damsel that always needs to be perfectly safe. Maybe I like a bit of danger every now and then?"

I chuckle softly.
"Well, perhaps. But are you ready for me to never let you go?"

"I think I'm ready for enough hugs to spearhead a planetwide rescue operation."

I return her smile.
"Alright. I think that should suffice. For now."

She boops my nose.
"You're so needy."
But she is smiling.

"Because I can picture myself spending days on end doing nothing but hugging you... cuddling..."
I blush a bit.
"Well, being hugged by someone after over thirteen years... I didn't realise that I missed it this much."

"You deserve all the hugs."

"Well, then I'm really lucky to have you to provide them, huh?"

She gives me a squeeze, her body pressing into mine.

"Haah."
I exhale happily, holding her close.
"And... I'm even more lucky that you care so much about me."

I smile widely.
"I don't even need to resort to some cheap trick to touch your face."

"You're easy to care about, Xerath."

I glance away.
"I don't know about that... For you, perhaps."

"Well, I suppose that will have to be enough for you for now."

I return to gaze at her.
"And I think that it just might. Though... I would like it if the others would care about me, too. I am growing fond of them already..."

"It will be fine. Just give them time to see you. They will learn who you are."

"I suppose you're right. But still, even though it feels better now, that I don't have to deceive them from my origin, there are still so many things that I'm worried about telling them..."

"Do you think you could get any off your chest with me, at least?"

"Naturally. But many of the things are those that you already know."

"Well, we have time. I will listen to you, as I will always."

"I appreciate it. I appreciate you. But, well, I suppose I'm somewhat worried what they'll think when they learn of my position... of my world... and of my powers. It's... so refreshing to not be treated like I'm on a pedestal. Though it also can be a bit annoying in certain instances - but those don't include the others..."

She listens closely.

"You know, that time in Raven Pass, when I ordered the guards to stand down and they ignored me? Or how the bandits ignored me as I gave them the chance to surrender? I mean, that one was expected, but still... I absolutely hate being ignored. I was quite close to just knocking out the entire room of guards. Though I think that's a bit off-topic, no?"

She shrugs slightly.
"A bit, but it's alright."

"Well... yeah... I worry that it will change the way they'll look at me and treat me when they learn of what I really am..."

"It will be alright. I'm sure."

"I sure hope so, Leanna. I sure hope so..."

She continues to smile at me, like I am vastly precious.

I blush deeply and if we wouldn't float right now, I'd stagger for sure.
"Oh dear... That's... not fair at all..."
I squeeze her tightly.

"Is something wrong?"

"That smile... the way you just smiled at me..."
There are tears stinging at the corners of my eyes.
"...reminds me quite much of Kory..."

Her face falls.
"Oh... I'm sorry..."

I shake my head vigorously and smile.
"No! It's... a good thing. She... she used to smile at me like I'm the best person in the whole galaxy. I... I was always... abashed... when she did... and I wanted to protect her smile, and earn it, because I often felt undeserving of it."

"Then... does my smile make you feel the same, then?"

I am still beet red, and nod.
"It... gets quite close, yes."

She runs her fingers across the blushing cheek, sending little tremors through my body.

I shut my eyes as I am a bit overwhelmed, but don't move away from her in any form.
"O-of course you don't look at me... like that q-quite yet... but... the way you just smiled... it was... very close..."

Even through closed eyes, I can feel her luxurious... almost decadent warmth.

I squeeze her again.
"You are... my dream... Leanna. I love you... so much..."

Her lips are very close to my ear as she speaks.
"I'm very glad, Xerath. I repeat myself, but you deserve to have every dream fulfilled, every hope coaxed into flowering, every love reciprocated... at least from me."

I radiate heat as my pure love for her drapes around her like a blanket.
"Then... then... I'm looking forward to the day when you will have made your decision... Because... I know, I promised you I'd wait... but it becomes increasingly difficult to do so... and you're not exactly making it easier..."

"I suppose not... but are you annoyed?"

"Annoyed? Hardly. Well, not at you at the least. I am annoyed at the constant ups and downs of my emotional state, as... well, stated earlier, but not at you."

"Then how do I help with that?"

"Good question, actually. So far, I haven't found an answer yet. Though I suppose that it should get better if- when you'll decide to give me a chance."

She nods slightly.
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind."

"Or, well, I hope that it would get better then. I would at least not have this constant thing of getting my hopes up, only the be dampened again."

She continues to comfort me, wordlessly humming in my ear.

"It's becoming really tiring, you know?"
I smile at her.
"But at least I know that my efforts are not in vain."

"How so? Or do you mean us getting close specifically?"

"Yes. The signs are there that we're growing ever closer."

"Well, you've been good to me, and you do definitely scratch a lot of my itches - I appreciate you. And if that's more than almost anyone else has done, I guess I get to be first."
She smirks.

I tilt my head, confused.
"But I haven't scratched you?"

"Oh, it's a colloquialism. It means that you have been doing a lot of things for me that I find rare as well."

"Oh. I see. Well, I'd sure hope so. And as much as I find it unforgivable that an amazing person like you hasn't been appreciated by anyone like this so far, I am extremely grateful that I got to be the first. I don't even want to imagine the possibility of meeting you only to learn that you already had someone special..."

"I've been appreciated, but I suppose no one had terribly needed hugs like this, needed more than a little reassurance. I guess... you were helped because you needed me, and that gave us both ample reason to interact and get to know each other."

I nod.
"A valid assessment. Though I am fairly certain I somehow would have found a way around, this is so much more preferable."

"Perhaps - but without immediately diving into 'please, please love me, I already can't stand living without you', you probably wouldn't work as hard at first, either."

I blink.
"Did I... no, I suppose I really came off that strong, huh... But yes, I suppose you're right..."

"And that's okay. You expressed it constructively, discussed the problem with me when asked, and are receptive to requests."
She beams at me.
"As I said, you've been very good to me."

I perk up, blush and smile at her.
"Really? You think so? Then... I'm really glad..."

"I hoped so, Xerath. I hoped so."

I blink.
"You hoped what?"

"That you would be happy with yourself."

"Well... it seems that I can at least do something right, if I manage to draw you ever closer to me instead of pushing you away."

She beams.
"Perhaps."

I nuzzle into her.
"I don't really think I'm that much of a good person... and I'm certainly no hero... but still... even so... you believe in me, and I believe in you. So, I think... that I can believe in you believing in me..."

I glance up at her.
"For you... I want to be the best person I can be. Someone you can admire and look up to. Someone you can be proud of."

She laughs musically and clear.
"And that is good enough for me, Xerath."

I smile.
"Then I'm glad. Also, has someone told you before that you have an absolutely enchanting laugh? I love to hear it."

Her eyes glitter with mirth.

"And don't get me started on those bewitching sapphires you call eyes. It's almost as if I can see everything I ever wanted in them."

She arcs a brow mirthfully.
"As long as that something is blue?"

"No."

She blinks.
"Oh?"

I smile charmingly.
"Eyes are often called the window to the soul, no? So, when I gaze into your eyes... I get lost in the vast ocean of your care and affection... and I don't mind it. I can see a glimpse of your soul... and it is what I always wished for. You are what I always wished for, Leanna."

She seems flustered.
"Uhhhh... I don't know if I've ever heard that saying..."

"Really? Huh, then it must be a thing from my world. I suppose given how scientifically oriented your entire society is, that things like spirits and souls are not a widely discussed phenomenon..."

"We might have our own version... I just can't think of it right now."

"Ah, I see. Well, that's alright."
I squeeze her a bit.
"Not everyone has a perfect memory, after all. It's understandable."

"I suppose not..."

"Are you... uncomfortable?"
I glance up at her worriedly.
"Have I... pushed you too far?"

She shakes her head softly.
"No, it's alright. Still... hearing that you look into my eyes and see who I am... a person you're willing to love... only from that, it is a lot to take in."

"Oh... I see..."
I glance away.
"That's what I meant, shortly after we met... I... am very good at discerning the true nature of people... I've been trained to read them like open books, after all. And it is something that makes many people wary of me..."

"Well... how do you read me? What do you see?"

"I see a woman who has been hurt in the past, who knows loss and pain... and uses that as a strength. I see a woman that wants to help and protect as many people as she can, so that those people do not have to experience the same tragic things. I see a woman who loves life, in all its expressions, and wants it to flourish. I see a woman who is curious and intelligent, that wants to be free and explore everything the world has to offer."
I smile warmly at her.
"I see a woman so much worthier of godhood than me. A woman that loves and cherishes everything and everyone - to varying degrees, of course. A woman that is simply perfect to my eyes. A woman I can't help but fall in love with, adore and cherish."

She cannot help but smile as I speak.
"You speak so... highly of me."

"Because that is how I see you, how I think of you. Or do you think I would fall madly in love with just anyone?"
I smirk amusedly.

She smirks back.
"Perhaps not. Commitment to something like this must've been hard for you. Does it feel rewarding?"

I squeeze her in response.
"Well, I could think of some more things, but so far, very much so."

She smiles.

I nuzzle into her again.
"Just being held by you like this... feels more rewarding than overcoming any trial I ever faced."

"I'm very glad you feel this way. You deserve it."
She envelops me in her warmth.
"You deserve it so much."

"Hmm..."
I glance up at her.
"You know, I'm not entirely certain if I was just that starved of physical- affection in general... but I'm sure that it only feels like this because you hold me."

"Maybe it's just a combination of a lot of both?"

I nestle into her, and just like she does unconsciously to me, I drape my warm love and affection around her like a blanket as well.
"Perhaps it is. But even so, I'm incredibly glad that it is you that wants to provide this care..."

"I..."
I softly shake my head on her shoulder.
"Meeting you truly has been the best thing in my life, Leanna. I love you very much."

"Did you...want to say something else there as well?"

"I wanted to word it differently, but I thought you wouldn't appreciate that wording so much."

"And I think you might be happier if you tell me anyway - assuming I don't reject it outright. But it's up to you."
She scratches my head.

"Krrrr... Well, if you want to know... I can hardly say no."
I sigh.
"I... hate just about everything that has happened in my life so far... It wouldn't be a stretch to say that I hate my life in general... but meeting you... has been a blessing."

She pulls me tighter.
"Oh Xerath..."

In that moment, it seems that all of her being is thrown into making me feel better. Nothing much changes in what she does, but to me, the way she feels is obvious. It's not pity... it's her empathy, her accepting my burden as her own.
I nestle into her, gladly and readily accepting her embrace and affections.
"I... often found myself being tired... of living... in the very rare moments where I wasn't pressured to stay alive... I just... wanted it to end... to finally reunite with Kory."

I peek up at her with glistering eyes.
"But now? Now... I think that continuing this life might not be so bad, after all. If it has you in it... it would be worth it."

She is open to me, and smiling as bright as a star - perhaps that isn't the best analogy. I always knew stars existed and were bright. Leanna... is a Quasar. A lighthouse outshining galaxies so far away in space and time both that I thought none existed anymore. And yet here has one come to me, brighter than anything I have ever seen and willing to shine for me. She is a kind of light that all my life up to this point tried to prove I would never see, except far in the distance, deep in the past... the kind of light that absolutely shouldn't be able to creep up on anyone, that I should've been able to see coming aeons in advance.
And yet she emerged into my life without warning or fanfare, demanding nothing - except in that her very presence demanded my attention. And she so easily captured all of it.
I close my eyes and exhale happily, as I rest my head on her shoulder.
"I love you, Leanna... You... truly are the light in my life."

She plants a light kiss in my hair, sending a shock of warmth through my body.

My eyes snap open and I look at her, surprised and startled.
"L-Leanna...?"

She tilts her head most adorably.
"Yes?"

"W-what... was that...?"

"A little kiss, for my best new friend. Is that bad?"

I blush brightly.
"Calling me a friend is... but that... that k-kiss... wasn't... In f-fact it was... very p-pleasant..."

She smirks.
"Then you did like it?"

I gaze at her with a completely adoring expression.
"... yes... I... I loved it..."

"Then the problem is that it made you want more, right?"

I nod shyly.
"Mhm."

There is concern swinging in her voice.
"Are you alright, then?"

"... I ... think so... I have no... extreme urge to just kiss you now... well, not more than usual, anyways..."

"Okay. Good."

We pass over the first X I saw coming in, and I sigh somewhat sadly.

Leanna immediately picks up on it, of course.
"You need to put us down soon, right?"

"Yeah... we're almost at the staircase..."

"Was this at least how you wanted it?"

I smile.
"It was absolutely wonderful. So, yes. It was even better, I'd say."

"Good."
She smiles at me, sweeter than any pie or parfait.

I return the smile.
"But, say..."

"You have an idea?"

"Less an idea and more of a question."

"Well, what is it?"

"You said that just now that it was... 'a little kiss for your best new friend'... do you... often give your friends kisses like that?"

"On the occasions I feel they need it. It doesn't happen often."

"I see... but it... did happen before?"

"Yes. I can recount them all, if you like."

My voice is meek, shy.
"Well... now I am curious, yes..."

"Well, the first time was with Katarina, when she hurt herself after falling down a hill. She needed cheering up, so the tiny version of me decided she needed a kiss, like the ones I gave and got to my family."

I nod.
"I see. Yes, that was about expected."

"Later, once I made friends in the Academy, sometimes they'd need comforting, so when they were down I was there for them."

It makes sense - the kiss was basically all warmth, only a twinge of sensuality. It is a very friendly action, but mostly just friendly.
"I see..."

Still... that twinge... while small in proportion to the warmth, the warmth was large, and I understand how percentages work.
I dispel those thoughts. Time for analyses will be later... perhaps...
"So... were there any other... instances... like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, after those friends in the Academy, were there other times... you gave someone... a kiss like that?"

She shakes her head.
"Just you."

"Huh..."
I smile.
"Then I really am on an exclusive list now, huh?"

"I suppose so. I haven't had too many chances to bring it out."

"Well... I am somehow glad you didn't..."

"When people didn't need comfort... they don't always want you to just kiss them out of nowhere, even if it's somewhere more friendly than loving."

"Yeah, that makes sense. Just for the record though, I do want to get kissed by you."

"I figured. It's one of the reasons you've gotten a few."
She blushes slightly.
"Especially when you showed me your arm... you looked like you really needed it."

"Ah... yes... well..."

"Did it make you feel better?"

"It certainly did."

She smiles at me, care shimmering across her face.

I return that smile, only that it is pure love that shimmers on my face.
"I just hope that you'll find your answer soon... you make it hard for me to wait."

One of her hands rests on the small of my back.
"Oh? I'm making life hard for you, am I?"

I blink at the shiver going down my spine and tilt my head.
"Well, yes. Never before have I wanted something so much as to be together with you... aside from... well, you know... meeting Kory again... But what's the deal with that emphasis? I have the feeling I missed something again."

Her other hand moves up to my face, softly moving over tanned skin.
"Shh... it's alright. If I can help it, you will see her again."

I readily lean into her hand.
"Well, I think that is outside of your jurisdiction. But it's nice of you to offer. But... you don't have to burden yourself with it. I'm just... comfortable enough with you to mention it all the time..."

"You deserve to see your other love again. What we'll do then... well... I don't know. But you will see her again, and I don't intend to tear you apart fighting over you."

I sigh.
"Let it rest, Leanna... I... I already tried everything I could to reach her, but couldn't."

She nods, albeit hesitatingly.
"Alright."

"And besides, you are already as important to me as she is. So... even if- and that's a big if - we would somehow be able to reunite me with her... either by me finally resting... or by her coming back to this plane... I wouldn't know what to do..."

"We'd figure something out, but that can be enough about that for now."

"Alright."

We float slowly up the stairs.

"We're almost at the entrance, too... I should put you down now..."
My disappointment is audible.

She smiles at me.
"You should know this already, but I am always happy to fly with you, okay?"

I return her smile.
"Well, technically, this isn't flying, but I get what you're saying. And yeah, we'll get to do it again. But even so, I'm somewhat sad that this moment has to end now."

"You'll get to do it again."

"Yeah... still."
I squeeze her one last time before setting both of us down.

She ruffles my hair, and we step up to the door. I smile as we do so.

I activate the mechanism and the door opens, revealing Kara, Zack, and Amelia, in varying states of patience.

I nod at them, still smiling.
"Hello again."

Kara smirks.
"Hmmm... I see..."

I arc a brow.
"What do you see?"

Amelia frowns.
"Your assumption is incorrect, Kara. While Xerath is emitting some quantity of the relevant hormones, they are not nearly prevalent or mutual enough for anything significant to have happened."

My surprise is directed at Amelia now.
"You can detect hormones?"

"Also I note that neither shows any marks and neither would think to hide them until after I said this."
She nods.
"You cannot?"

"I can. But I did not think that others can."

"It isn't difficult. It's about picking up on cues. Cues are very important to any social interaction."

Zack looks strangely at her.
"Social cues let you detect pheromones?"

"Indeed. Important data points are posture, pupil dilation, and body odour."

Kara chimes in.
"Those aren't social cues."

"They are cues. I have learned them."

She shrugs.
"Well, I suppose I stand corrected."

I nod.
"Well, while that is true, that doesn't technically allow you to detect hormones - only their effects."

Amelia nods as well.
"Yes, that is how everything works."

I blink.
"Ah, right."

"I cannot see objects, I only sense the effect light reflected from them has upon my eyes transferred to my mind. As such, abstraction is a valid method of sensation."

"Well, that's true. Fair enough."

Kara smiles brightly.
"So, we all have what we came here for?"

I stretch my arms above my head.
"Pretty much."

Leanna walks up to her.
"Actually, not quite. You see, we didn't get nearly enough energy in there for what we want to try. How would you like to see other temples with us? I'm sure they'll also have interesting relics, and we could use your help."

Kara blinks.
"You're going to hunt the others as well?"

I blink as well.
"Well, yeah. Though we are finished here, as in 'in this temple'."

Leanna nods, smiling brightly, her sapphire eyes twinkling.
"Yep!"

I smile.
"So you'll continue to tag along? That'd be nice."

Kara quirks her face.
"I dunno, I'm going to discuss it with my group members."

She turns on her heels three hundred and sixty degrees.
"So, what do you guys think we should do?"

"Well, it is your decision if you want to continue accompanying us."
I then look at the others.
"But I think we would like to have your company, right?"

Leanna nods.
"You've been a great asset, and I'd like to get to know you better."

Kara opens her mouth, but then shuts it again, deciding against it.

I arc a brow, curious as to what she would have said, but then glance at the other two.

Zack shrugs, but his grunt isn't quite noncommittal.

I am again curious about his true opinion, but won't prod.

Amelia nods.
"Your presence will allow us many additional group dynamics. I approve."

I smile along.
"Plus, you're fun to have around, though if you could refrain from wrecking my train of thought every five minutes, that'd be great."

Kara smiles, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"No promises are made."

I just sigh.
"Just keep it in mind."

"No worries. You need to get used to these things, after all."

I nod.
"Indeed."

Though the question is if I survive that...
"Anyways, there are many things at once I have to get used to, so please don't overdo it."

"Don't worry. There'll be just enough."
She smirks at me.
"You get a lot from her already, don't you?"

I smile slightly.
"Way more than I feel I deserve, yes."

My smile then widens.
"But she insists that I do, in fact, deserve it."

Leanna gives me a shove, but smiles.
"Yes, you do."

I naturally move with the motion, so that she doesn't push against a brick wall. I chuckle lightly.
"Alright, alright. I'll try to keep that in mind."

Kara looks around the group.
"Alright, sounds good. I think it'll be fun."

I smile welcomingly at her.
"I think so, too."

With that now settled, we leave the temple to return to the village.

---

A/N: Hello guys. This chapter also has been such a huge one that I've split it in two. This time I actually found a good way to part in the middle, I think. As always, I hope you enjoy this, and that you're doing well out there. Thank you for reading, and until next time.

And with that, the trek down the mountain path begins as the evening sets in overhead, casting the sky ablaze in golden colours.