Prompts:
46. Reflection, 2 parts.
47. Perfection
48. Everyday Magic
49. Umbrella
50. Party, 2 parts.
Having a twin was like having your reflection always around, Porom often mused. But despite their mirrored appearances, their personalities were wildly different; Palom's bravado often clashing with Porom's calm caution.
Now, they stood before the Elder. Porom assumed they were in trouble; it was probably Palom's fault.
"I have a mission for you," the Elder said instead, solemnly. "Baron's Dark Knight seeks redemption on Mount Ordeals, and I want you two to accompany him."
"You want us to spy on him?" Palom asked bluntly, grinning.
The Elder nodded. Palom pumped his fist triumphantly while Porom felt a pang of unease.
Porom tried to find reasons to dislike Cecil. She was polite and helpful when needed, but kept an uncertain eye on the Dark Knight, waiting for the moment she'd see the man who slaughtered pacifist mages and stole holy relics.
Instead, Porom saw an unexpected tenderness in Cecil. Climbing Mount Ordeals, she witnessed the heaviness of his dark blade and what each savage swing cost him. She wondered what sort of man he'd be unburdened by his darkness.
When the dazzling light fell on Cecil, she saw his brilliant new reflection in the mirrored walls and thought, How beautiful.
Before, Porom had never seen Cecil without his helmet. He only took it off when they made camp, and the dancing flames from the campfire threw too many shadows for her to see. As a paladin, however, Porom was stunned by finally seeing Cecil, like a rare butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
The word perfection came to mind. Embarrassed, Porom rejected the thought; a mountain crawling with undead was hardly the place to nurse a girlhood crush.
"What's up with you?" Palom finally asked her when she'd been too lost in thought.
"Nothing," she replied quickly, cheeks red. "Let's go."
Cecil took to his holy sword easily, having had extensive training already. White magic, however, was an entirely new skill.
"I'm not very good at this," Cecil said, looking at his hands, only able to conjure up a minor Cure spell.
"Don't fret," Porom replied. "This is everyday magic. It'll be second nature soon."
"You're very talented," Cecil remarked with a rare smile. "You remind me of Rosa as a girl."
"Really?" Porom asked, uncertain.
"Yes," Cecil affirmed, smile growing.
"I can't wait to meet her," Porom said.
Cecil looked at his hands again, though now he had fists. "Soon."
In the sewers of Baron, the group trudged along.
Ahead, a pipe leaked, spraying water down on the pathway. Cecil lifted his shield over his head, creating an umbrella. He gestured to Porom, and together, they moved under the broken pipe, staying dry.
Cecil was thoughtful like that, always looking out for Porom, especially on the battlefield. He knew Tellah and Palom could defend themselves with their magic, but he wanted Porom to conserve her magic. She trusted Cecil to defend her.
But what else could she do? Porom wondered, wanting desperately to be more useful but not knowing how.
As the walls around them shuddered closer, Porom considered everything that had been sacrificed to get them here. She watched Cecil as he pushed against one wall, Yang on the other, but they failed to keep the walls from inching closer together.
"Together, now," Porom said to Palom, their Twin magic already mingling. She ignored the protests around them as she braced her shoulder against one wall, Palom opposite, and felt the stiffness creep through her body.
It was worth it, Porom reasoned, two lives for the rest of the party. It was her last thought before the stone sleep.
While the wedding reception party raged on in the ballroom, Porom found herself wandering through the castle.
Her traitorous feet brought her to that hallway. Even in the dim lighting, she found the imprint easily, her fingers and palm gliding over the indents in the wall.
Porom had been relieved when Cecil won against Zemus, but it didn't assuage the nightmares she still had, waking up with her limbs feeling heavy and dense. The enormity of her near death was suddenly overwhelming. As Porom hurried to leave, she ran into Palom.
"You too, huh?" Palom asked.
"Me too," Porom agreed.