Number 8 didn't wish for a lot...

The first time he heard it, the word had been foreign. Having something magically granted to you made no sense to Number 8.

Everything came with a cost; the robes had ingrained that into him.

So he didn't wish for things, he thought it was stupid...

But if he had to wish for something...

For anything...

He wished that the robes would hurry and bring Seven back.

What's taking so long...

It was too quiet without her, and there was only so much he could do in the simple room with white walls that never changed. There were only so many times he could count the tiles or jump across the mattresses. There were only so many times he could meditate and try to get his magic to work, mainly in the hopes that he would be able to spend more time with Seven.

I can only participate in the practical exams once I'm older...

Number 8 didn't know if it was because of his tiny body or since he hadn't unlocked his magic yet, but he could only go to the machine. The 'arena,' as Seven had called it, wasn't open to him yet, and that meant every other day he spent alone. Seven went to the arena to fight monsters or other Numbers, and he stayed in the room...

All alone...

Counting the tiles...

It was boring.

He was bored...

He was also getting a little worried if he was being honest.

She should be back by now...

Seven usually breezed through the practical portion of the routine. The longest she took was a few hours, but she had been gone the entire day.

When will she-

'Click'

Number 8 whipped his head around to the door, his eyes alight as he saw Seven walk in, only for his excitement to plummet. His concerned gaze rested on the rips and tears in her white hospital gown, the faint red patches underneath showing that she had only recently healed from whatever hurt her...

Whatever had hurt her badly.

"What happened..." Number 8 muttered worriedly, waiting until the door was closed before he rushed to Seven. Checking over her injuries with the utmost care, his thoughts whirling as he saw the faint resemblance of claw marks. The various rips were complemented by the occasional blunt bruise that looked like someone had taken a sledgehammer to her skin.

What hurt her...

Number 8 didn't get it; Seven had never been hurt this badly. She had rarely been hurt, period; her magic ensured it. The only time she had gotten hurt before was when she fought Number 9, and even then, she hadn't been covered in marks like this.

Who could have-

"It was Number 1... he was in a bad mood..."

Seven said with a slight wince, her shoulders sagging in exhaustion as her hand gently patted Number 8's head. Pulling his brown irises up to meet hers, where she could give him a small, gentle smile. Her voice was soft and caring, ensuring he wouldn't fall into his head too much, "Don't worry about it, I'll be fine. I need to rest a little bit before we play any games..."

Otherwise, I might pass out in the middle of it...

Seven tiredly shuffled over to the mattress, her exhaustion capturing her immediately as she collapsed on the dingy cushion. Her eyes glazed towards the ceiling as she took a second to recuperate, unaware of the boy a few years younger than her who was staring at her with unfiltered worry. His eyes wavered as he gazed over the injured canvas of Seven's skin, the feeling of helplessness sinking into his every waking thought.

She got hurt...

Number 8 shouldn't have been surprised, but it was hard to digest. The new wounds that Seven had gotten were alone, just like the ones she had gotten in her fight against Nine. The scars she would get in a day, or a week, whenever they decided to put her against One or Nine, would be alone as well...

I don't want her to get hurt...

He couldn't share the pain with her...

I don't want her to feel pain...

He couldn't fight Nine or One in her place...

He didn't have magic, he wasn't big enough, and even if he was, it might not be enough. He might never be strong enough to take the pain away, but even then...

Even if it's just a little bit...

Even if it was just an ounce of comfort he could give her, he wanted to try...

I want to help her.

He wanted to make her life a little easier because she had done everything for him. She had taught him to walk, to talk, to do everything. She made this small world feel big, and he couldn't do anything to help her in return...

Not a single thing...

He would give anything...

If he could do a single thing, that would help her.

"Thread Magic"

Number 8 didn't realize the words had left his lips before they had gone into the open air, catching the attention of a surprised Seven, who had been resting on the mattress. Her eyes widened as she focused on Number 8, who held his hand in a trance-like state.

"Are you..."

Seven's words trailed as she realized Number 8 wasn't listening; his eyes were only focused on the rips in her gown. He was unfazed by anything else, his magic responding to his will as five thin white threads, reminiscent of fishing wires, left his fingertips and floated towards the rips in her hospital gown.

"Sewing"

Number 8 watched in a numb trance as the threads gently sewed the rips of Seven's gown together, patching up the holes leftover from her battle. The slight thrum of his magic faded as the lines retreated to his fingertips, leaving a newly patched hospital gown in its place and a stunned Seven looking at him with wide eyes.

"You used magic..."

Seven muttered the words with a hint of fear but mostly pride, a smile crossing her face as she saw Number 8 blink in surprise. Number 8, looking at his hands like they weren't his, a small breath of wonder escaping his lips, "Wow..."

Magic...

Number 8 eyed his fingers with nervous energy, willing his magic to come to life like it had done a few seconds ago. His mouth dropped in awe as thin threads left his fingers again, molding to his will with every thought and twitch of his fingers.

"My magic..."

Number 8 broke into a full smile, his head flicking to Seven, who had stood up with renewed vigor, a smile on her face that matched his. Number 8, holding his hand out and waving in the air with thin threads trailing loosely from his fingers, his voice was littered with excitement and pride, "Look! It's my magic! I have magic!"

Seven could only laugh happily as Number 8 tackled her in an excited hug, her voice brimming with pride as she tucked Number 8's head into her stomach, the little boy barely able to stand up to her chest without standing on his toes.

"You do have magic..."

Seven smiled once more, her voice floating through the air as she caressed Number 8's hair, playing with it since it had grown to his shoulders, "You have wonderful magic..."

Number 8 beamed at Seven's praise, a chuckle leaving his lips as Seven pulled him off her and spoke with a small smile, "Come on, let's practice your magic. If we're lucky, I might even be able to help you with the maker aspect of it."

Number 8 gaped at her in response, the child-like excitement dipping into his voice as he asked with wide-eyed innocence, "Really?"

Seven chuckled, giving a slight nod as she glanced at her gown. Her voice was soft and caring as she thumbed the patchwork that Number 8 had made, "Yeah..."

I think you'll be able to get it down...

Seven smiled, her gaze locking with Number 8's as she spoke with the practice far too experienced for a girl her age, "Maker magic can bring your imagination to life..."

Seven smiled as her long, two-toned, pitch black, and lake blue hair fell down her back, her brilliant golden eyes alight with love as she held out a porcelain white hand. The magic she had perfected flared as she imparted the little wisdom her years at the lab could offer her...

"Maker magic is beautiful..."

She could pass the few bits of knowledge to Number 8, who had never seen the outside world. She could pass on the little bits of information to him because she had once had a family and lived outside, even if it was short.

"Your magic is beautiful..."

She had once been free, and even if she was trapped here, stuck in a world of pain and dreariness. She was grateful because this horrible little world gave her a chance to care for this blue-haired boy who shone like a star in her eyes.

"Just like you."

This wonderful, beautiful, loving boy had a tattoo on the right side of his face, his brown irises alight with grateful tears as he hugged her again. Muttering into her gown with a soft murmur, "I love you..."

Seven gave a slight nod, a joyous laugh escaping her lips as she planted a small kiss on the crown of Number 8's head, "I love you too..."

Number 8 didn't respond; he hugged her a little tighter. Listening carefully to her every breath and every twitch of her muscles, absorbing her warmth and everything it had to offer...

Every ounce of love that she gifted him.

"Thank you..."

Number 8 mumbled, the soft thrum of Seven's breath against his head as she chuckled lightly, "What for?"

Number 8 hid a small smile as he tucked closer against her, mumbling with as truthful of a voice as he could offer, "For everything..."

Number 8 closed his eyes, gently listening as Seven stroked her fingers through his hair. The soothing motion lulled him to contentment as she whispered, "You're so silly..."

Her voice soothed him, and he kept his eyes shut, paying attention to nothing besides her saying, "You don't need to thank me for something like that."

He could almost imagine a world where they could be like this forever...

It was something that he wanted more than anything, but when he opened his eyes, Seven was gone. He was alone, and the room he had lived in was fading, blurring into the blue landscape of the open sky, the faint flickers of snowfall kissing him awake. The wind brushed the blue hair away from his eyes as he gazed at the open sky, the first rays of sunlight wiping out the last of his dreams as he felt the soft snow against his head.

Oh...

Number 8 blinked the rest of his dreams away, his eyes latching onto the open expanse of the sky as he took a second to listen. To listen to the soft silence that accompanied the dawn and the gentle breaths of Vera, who was still sleeping after the fight yesterday with Ultear.

It was a dream.

Number 8 let out a small sigh, his eyes glazing over as he let the memories linger, just enough to enjoy them but not long enough to feel them. His mind softly moved the memories away so he wouldn't get lost in them, gaining a bit of success before he managed to get lost in the most recent ones.

Ultear's gone, too.

It was different; he knew that he wouldn't see Seven again, but there was a chance he would see Ultear one day. It was slim, but it was still a chance, and even if he didn't like it, he was okay with leaving it to chance. He was used to people disappearing forever; he was just glad that there was a chance she would come back this time.

Besides... Vera's still around...

Number 8 could hold on to that for now, at least until he figured out what had happened yesterday. He had joined that fight to save Vera's life, but he'd still like to know why it had come to the point that they had to stop Ultear from going on a rampage.

Well... we didn't exactly stop her.

Ultear had still gone on a rampage; he had the bruises and scratches to prove it. A glance at Vera's sleeping figure confirmed that Vera had it even worse, with a black spot forming on his nose to show the worst of his visible injuries...

The stitches and bandages were hidden underneath his coat.

She would've killed him if Sho and I didn't step in...

Number 8 knew it, so he was glad he had been able to save Vera's life. It made the debt he owed feel lighter, even if he needed Sho's help to repay it. Number 8 wasn't vain enough to believe he could have stopped Ultear alone.

Speaking of which... where is Sho anyway?

Number 8 tilted his head in confusion, the shadow that was supposed to be keeping watch trailing away from Vera's sleeping figure. It disappeared into the woods of near-naked birch trees surrounding them, blurring into a mass of white bark and orange leaves so thick that one would get lost if they wandered too far into the forestry.

Where did he go...

Number 8 narrowed his eyes at the trail, standing up to check it out before hearing Vera's small groan. Number 8 flicked his head to see Vera blinking his eyes open with a slight wince, a hand reaching to his head with a wince, "Ugh... I have a major headache..."

Vera cradled his head as pain attacked it in waves, a cold breath escaping his lips as the migraine died briefly and he could get his bearings.

Everything's ringing...

Vera tried to sit up and ignore the ache in his brain that wasn't going away. His attempts futile as the second he moved, he experienced a wave of dizziness that sent him into a heap on the ground.

Shit, what's going on...

Vera didn't feel right, even less so than usual, but he didn't think it was from the fight. Number 8 had already helped unfreeze his arm, sewed up the cuts on his back, made a makeshift string brace for his probably bruised rib, and reset his nose so that it wasn't entirely obvious that he got his ass kicked...

It was only partially evident, courtesy of the black and blue swelling around his nostrils.

Either way, the physical injuries should have been dealt with, and even if they still stung, they shouldn't have made him feel so dizzy. They shouldn't have made his body feel like lead, even though he slept like a log for the first time in months.

Why am I so tired... it's almost like I'm being drained...

Vera froze as the pieces clicked, his eyes moving from Number 8's confused and worried gaze to his shadow. Vera gritted his teeth in the effort as he forced his thoughts over the link stretched for miles into the dense overgrowth of the forest.

Sho! Come back! You're draining my magic!

Vera repeated the message a few times, his head throbbing as he heard a dull pull from the end of the link. Vera held his pounding head and bit back his growing nausea for what felt like an eternity until he saw his shadow slink out of the dense forest and back to his side, giving an almost apologetic nod before going dormant to let Vera recover his bottomed-out magic power. All without explaining why he had wandered so far from camp.

Thank god...

Vera breathed in relief as his headache subsided and his magic container began refilling. The symptoms of magic depletion faded as he gained a clear head, his stomach stopped trying to do a backflip, and he sat up without pain.

That could have been better.

Vera had never had a depleted magic container; his problem had always been the opposite. There was too much magic and nowhere to put it, but now that he had an outlet in Sho, he figured it was inevitable that he would eventually overdo it.

I'm surprised it took this long...

Vera let out a self-deprecating chuckle at the thought, getting pulled out of his head as he heard Number 8 ask with a thinly hidden concern, "Is everything okay?"

Number 8 observed as Vera nodded, giving a small sigh before he shook the grogginess out of his system, "Yeah, my magic's coming back..."

Slowly but surely...

It felt dreadfully slow compared to the machine that would pump full of ethernano in seconds, but his magic container was filling up again. Like a hose trickling water into a balloon, his magic would be back at full in a few hours, maybe a day if he was unlucky.

I'll have to wait that long before I ask Sho what he was doing...

Vera frowned at the thought, glancing at the tree line with curiosity since it must have been something important for Sho to wander off like that. Number 8 seemed to share a sentiment because when Vera turned back, it was to see Number 8 looking into the forest curiously, "I don't see anything... maybe he got lost?"

I wouldn't put it past Sho to do that...

Number 8 glanced at Vera inquisitively, only to receive a shrug in response. Vera shook his head as he started walking down the snowed-over path, "I don't know, I'll ask Sho later. Let's get moving for now..."

Vera heard Number 8 shuffle behind him, not bothering to look back as he padded down the snowed-over road. The quiet lull of his thoughts and regrets kept him silent as he tried not to dwell on the memory of what had happened back at Brago.

"I want to leave Isvan as soon as possible."

The memory of what he did was better left behind with the rest of the ruins.


A few hours passed, and the road never seemed to get any better...

It was long and lonely, half-buried in snow drying some stretches, lost in the overgrowth of the forest in others; half the time, it was hard to see where the road began and the woods it passed through ended. It was so difficult to see at points that if there were a blizzard, Number 8 was sure they would end up lost in the snow and sleet.

It might be worth it, though...

Number 8 thought blizzard would be welcome since that was the only way he saw the tense silence disappearing. Vera hadn't talked since he woke up, and even if at first Number 8 had chalked it up to recovery, he figured out an hour ago that it was probably something else.

He isn't usually this quiet...

Vera was thinking about what happened at Brago, and if Number 8 was in a better state of mind, he might've asked about it. He might have tried to clear the air so that maybe Vera wouldn't be so quiet and the trail wouldn't seem so daunting...

He wasn't in the best state of mind, though.

It's quieter without Ultear...

The unfamiliar landscape, with birch trees that differed from the evergreens back in the mountain range, needed to allow him to adjust to the fact that one less person was traveling with them...

It's quiet again...

The silence wasn't helping him keep his mind off how lonely it felt now that Ultear was gone and Sho was out of commission...

Again...

It wasn't helping that this wasn't the first time he felt this way.

"Hey, Vera..."

Number 8 muttered, deciding he didn't care if it would be harsh or pleasant. He just wanted the quiet to go away, so he caught Vera's attention and voiced the thoughts plaguing him for the last couple of hours.

"What happened between you and Ultear?"

Number 8 watched as Vera stiffened, myriad emotions flashing across his face, ranging from guilt to confliction to resignation until it finally rested on a downcast expression.

"I lied to her..."

Vera said plainly, not bothering to make excuses or defend his actions. He only gave a passing glance to Number 8, taking in his guarded yet curious expression that indicated Number 8 was waiting to hear his side of the story.

"The person I told you about, the one that was waiting for her. The one she wanted to kill, I knew she was dead."

Vera could see the second his words processed, even though the blank expression that Number 8 practiced, a subtle sign told his thoughts on the matter. A slight widening of his eyes indicates his surprise, and a tiny twitch of his lips downwards shows his displeasure.

"You used her..."

Number 8 murmured, yet his words weren't accusing; they only wanted confirmation. Vera nodded instantly as if he was offering a simple answer to a simple question.

"I did."

Vera disliked it, but he wouldn't deny it. He had used Ultear to escape, even if he wanted to take it back...

"I used her..."

Even if he had tried to take it back, it didn't matter.

"I needed to escape the lab..."

He had made his choice; when he was desperate, he had chosen the route that would save him, regardless of the outcome...

Regardless of what happened to Ultear.

"She was the only way out."

Vera's words rung heavy in the air, and with seemingly nothing else to clear up, he began walking down the road again. Vera kept his gaze ahead and walked steadily to give Number 8 time to think over what he had told him. The dull footsteps behind him indicated that Number 8 was doing just that.

It was the only way out...

Vera tried and failed to comfort himself with that thought; every iteration answered with Ultear's bitter expression or her parting words. Everything trailed back to Brago, whether he liked it or not, and the quiet kept him sane. The silence was the crutch he was using to gather his thoughts, knowing that Number 8 was using it to do the same.

The only way out...

Number 8 felt his lips tilt downward at the thought, unable to understand his feelings about them. Whether he was mad, grateful, or saddened was hard to tell because whether he agreed didn't matter...

Number 8 would have died if not for what Vera did; he didn't have the right to judge the actions that kept him breathing.

Maybe it was the only way out... maybe it wasn't... that doesn't matter anymore.

Number 8 wasn't concerned with things he couldn't change, at least not at the moment. He had more significant worries, growing with each passing second. Ones that forced themselves out of his lips, as if they had their own will, breaking the silence with a thin, guarded whisper, "What about me..."

Number 8's question nearly caused Vera to stumble, his eyes flicking towards Number 8 in surprise. The blank expression he got in return held too many emotions to convey...

"You said back in the lab that you weren't using me..."

Too many worries seemed to be buried under years of practice.

"Were you lying about that too?"

Number 8's words hung heavy, and even if it took Vera a moment to compose himself, it wasn't because he was struggling to find an answer; it was because he didn't know how to convey it.

"I wasn't..."

Vera had initially wanted someone else around in case Ultear snapped. He had planned to use Number 8 as a shield, but he changed his mind after seeing him back in the lab. After seeing the blue hair and red tattoo and fully understanding what it meant, he had given up on using Number 8.

"I'm still not trying to use you."

Vera only had his name and a story to comfort him through that year of torture; he couldn't bring himself to use Number 8 afterward. Not when he didn't have to, it just felt...

Horrible.

"If you don't believe me, that's fine; we can separate once we get to the next town. I won't try to stop you... but if you're willing, I want to try and join a guild in Fiore..."

Vera wanted to take Number 8 with him, not for protection or insurance, but because he felt like Number 8 deserved a better path than the one in the story. He felt Number 8 didn't need to endure the pain that the Tower of Heaven would bring, and he hoped that joining a guild would offer Number 8 that chance...

"I don't remember much, but I remember that strong wizards gather there..."

He was hoping that Fairy Tail would offer that chance.

"I think they would accept us."

He hoped that even if he failed to change Ultear's future, he could still make a difference in Number 8's. Even more so than just taking him from the lab a little earlier than what had been depicted in the story.

"I think you would like it there."

So Vera remained quiet and waited for Number 8's answer, not pressuring him by simply walking through the snowed-over road. Vera kept his gaze on the passing trees and forestry rather than Number 8, letting him make his own decision without trying to influence it one way or the other.

They stayed that way for a while, and while Vera trailed ahead quietly, Number 8 took the time to analyze Vera. Number 8 looked at Vera, truly weighing what he had learned about the person who had helped him escape from the lab. Number 8 glanced over Vera's injured yet unbeaten form before concluding on the nature of the person that saved him from the lab...

He isn't a good person...

To Number 8, at least, Vera was a survivor; he didn't differentiate between good and evil as long as it was effective. If his life were in danger, he would do what he deemed necessary to make it out of the situation alive, whether cruel or saintly. That meant that if there was a time when Vera stopped caring about Number 8, like when Vera had first made his 'deal' with Ultear, then it was possible that he could be used too...

Yet, Number 8 didn't think that would happen.

I don't think he's a bad person, either.

Number 8 couldn't know for sure because he just didn't have the experience. He had to go off instinct, and it was telling him that Vera was being honest. Number 8 wanted to believe that he would find a better life following Vera out of Isvan.

Seven would have trusted him.

He wanted to believe Seven would agree with his decision.

"You saved me back at the lab..."

Number 8 said factually, breaking the silence and pulling Vera's attention away from the tree line. Vera watched intently as Number 8 met his gaze with a soft yet firm conviction as if he was finally sure what he wanted to do...

"I saved you back in Brago..."

It was as if Number 8 was finally sure about how he wanted to live his life outside the lab walls.

"That makes us even."

Vera blinked in surprise at Number 8's firm words, staring patiently as he waited for Number 8 to elaborate. Instead, Number 8 blinked slowly before meeting his confused stare with a blank one of his own. The silence stretched into the territory of awkwardness before Number 8 looked away and walked past him, slow enough for Vera to follow but fast enough that he could set the pace.

Huh?

Vera blinked in confusion before he turned and stared at Number 8's back for a second, his mind processing the confusing declaration before the pieces clicked in his head. Vera had to fight off a full-blown smile as he caught up to Number 8 and walked beside him, tilting his head to see Number 8 trying dutifully to ignore him, "Hey 8, was that you're idea of a 'manly' way to say you'll stick around?"

Vera knew he got it right as he saw Number 8's ear tinge pink, Number 8's eyes dead set on the path ahead as he tried and failed to ignore Vera's words, "You know that was pretty cheesy, right? You could've just said, 'I'll go with you to Fiore...'"

"..."

"Or maybe, 'I'll follow you, my liege'"

"..."

"Or maybe, 'I'll trek through this frozen wasteland with you, oh wise friend of mine.' That would've been less cheesy than just saying, 'That makes us even.'"

"... I think we should travel separately." Number 8 spoke blandly, trying to walk into the forest before Vera threw an arm around his shoulder. Pulling him back onto the path with a smug yet excited grin, "Nope! You already said it; that means you're joining a guild with me."

"I want to retract my decision."

"Denied." Vera instantly retorted, patting Number 8 on the back to cheer him up after his escape attempt had been so thoroughly squashed, "Relax, you're going to love it. Guilds are places where all kinds of strong mages gather. It'll be the perfect place for us."

Number 8 let out an annoyed huff in response, giving a withdrawn sigh as he accepted his escape plans were pointless before glancing at Vera. The annoyance in his figure melted as he asked with what could be considered a child-like curiosity, "What guild are we joining anyway..."

Does he even have one in mind...

Number 8 glanced at Vera expectantly, the silent curiosity evident as he watched Vera break out into a wistful grin. His voice was light with wonder as he looked up at the clouds like they were the most beautiful things he had ever seen, "We're joining the best one..."

Vera dragged Number 8 along, smiling as he spoke vaguely of the few memories he still had left, "I don't remember anything from past a year ago, but I remember the guild's name..."

Vera's eyes sparkled as he flashed through the wonder and magic of the story, his voice reflecting his fondness for it as he whispered, "Fairy Tail..."

Number 8 watched intently as Vera turned to him, any doubts from earlier left behind as Vera spoke with a sense of relief that made it obvious he was sharing something special with him. Something as unique to Vera as Number 8's name was to him, and it was enough to put Number 8's earlier fears to rest because he knew...

"We're going to join Fairy Tail."

Number 8 knew that Vera couldn't fake the love he seemed to have for the guild.


The night air was cold, and with the freezing air of the mountains having faded for a more relaxed night breeze, Vera could watch the fire crackle in comfort. His eyes trailed from the fire to the night forest at their backs. All the while, Number 8 slept soundly, the two having set up camp at the edge of the road after traveling for the day.

It's quieter now...

Vera let out a tired sigh as he looked up at the boundless stars. His eyes quiet as he looked towards the night sky, and felt everything settle on him for the first time in a long time. The lab, the story, the magic, the escape, and Brago...

Ignore it...

Vera could bury what happened at Brago...

No use in dwelling on it now.

What was done was done, and drowning himself in 'what if's' would only slow him down. Vera would rather leave it with the rest of the wreckage they left behind, at least until they were in Fiore. Until they were in Fairy Tail, the guild of dreams and dreamers, a guild that he would finally get to join. He would take Number 8 and join Fairy Tail, and they would have friends and be happy and feel safe and learn magic...

They would learn magic...

Now's as good a time as any I guess.

Vera took a deep breath, looking at his open palms as he settled his gaze. His breath coming out in cold puffs as he held a finger ever so gently outwards, and started tugging in his decently recovered magic container. Except this time he didn't aim the ethernano in his body towards Sho, he molded it under his skin and tried to move it towards his finger. Tracing the same, slow, taunting runes in the sky that he'd tried to do a thousand times over in the lab.

"Restraint"

Vera watched with dead eyes as his magic moved under his skin, just like before. Inching its way towards his fingertips and reaching his skin. Vera even attempting to add the drill bit he had used back in the lab in the hopes that it would get past his skin and not get stuck at the barrier...

'Poof'

Just like it always did.

Dammit...

Vera let his hand fall to his side, his eyes resigned. He had been worried this would happen, which was why he hadn't tried it back in the cave. He didn't want to face reality so soon after escaping the nightmare he'd experienced at the lab.

It still won't get past my skin.

Even if Vera had forced his innate magic through the surface, that had been under the most dire circumstances and using the magic most compatible with his body. A small part of him knew that if it took years of torture to activate his innate magic, the magic he should have been the easiest to use, then the chances of him getting other magic to work were slim.

Guess it's just Sho then...

Vera gave a mirthful chuckle, the disappointment that flooded his body slowly trickling away with the crackle of the fire. Vera had survived hell, and he had faced things a lot scarier than being restrained to one type of magic. It sucked, yeah, and he was bummed he couldn't learn how to shoot lightning or fly, but he wasn't going to cry about it. He would adapt and move on since that was the only thing he could do.

I guess it isn't too bad...

He just had to keep moving forward.

Sho's enough for me.

Vera liked his strange, weird, sometimes annoying magic that bit him in the ass at times. He was glad that Sho, for all his tricks and pranks, would always be there for him. Sho would protect him without hesitation in times when Vera needed him. If Sho was the only magic Vera would have to work with, then that was fine with him; he wouldn't complain when the alternative was nothing at all.

Speaking of which, enough time should have passed now...

Vera pulled on his magic container, ensuring his magic had recuperated enough so that Sho could wake up. The magic spell he had first used back in the lab responded instantly, a black magic circle twisting in the air and sinking into his shadow. His shadow molded itself almost hesitantly, even more so once Sho realized how much time had passed since Number 8 was already asleep.

"Hey Sho, wanna tell me why you tried to escape earlier?"

Vera asked teasingly, watching with a slight chuckle as Sho seemed to shrink in embarrassment, miming what could be summed up as 'I saw something neat and followed it and got lost.' It was funny enough that Vera had to stop himself from laughing not to risk waking Number 8...

"Pfft!"

Which he gave up on immediately once he remembered that it was Number 8 that was sleeping, and he doubted he could laugh harder than an avalanche.

'Tug' 'Tug' 'Tug'

Vera slowly stopped laughing as he felt Sho pull on the connection annoyedly; Vera slowly calmed himself down to appease his testy shadow and gave a small laugh as he saw Sho crossing his arms in as much of a 'really?' expression that a silent figure could provide.

"Oh, come on, Sho, I'm just messing around. It's not like I died, so it's not a big deal."

Sho slumped a little in relief, and Vera took it as his cue to continue the conversation since he was the only one who could talk between them.

"So, did you find anything cool, at least?"

Vera wasn't expecting much for an answer, maybe a drawing of a stray rabbit or a wild owl, at most a bear that Sho had probably scared off in his child-like curiosity.

'Tug'

He didn't expect Sho to raise a shadowed hand from the ground, but it wasn't empty this time. A small spring rose was in his clawed fingers, held delicately and carefully. Its red petals shone like a beacon in the sea of white snow and falling autumn leaves, held proudly by Sho as Vera looked at him with wide, unblinking eyes...

"Sho..."

It wasn't because he was surprised to see the rose, even though he was. There was simply something more critical that crossed his mind after seeing Sho's presentation.

"Could you have carried our rations this entire time?"

Vera watched with a twitching eyebrow as Sho flinched, giving a sheepish glance before rocketing his arm back into the shadows with the rose flower still attached. Sho gave Vera a silent, playful shrug as he hung around in his shade, giving what could be construed as an 'I forgot' to arguably the most helpful ability he had shown yet.

You little... you know what? Fine. I'll forgive you on one condition...

Vera watched as Sho flinched, giving a slight, fearful nod as Vera got a mischievous glint in his eye. Looking at Number 8's sleeping figure before whispering, "You're gonna carry my stuff from now on..."

Vera saw Sho tilt his head in confusion, about to mime out a question like 'That's it?' before Vera cut him off with a broad and admittedly childish grin...

"Then..."

Vera figured it was okay, though; he had been through a lot since he woke up. He planned on enjoying the rest of his trip out of Isvan. However long it would be...

"We're gonna see how long it takes Number 8 to notice."

Going off the way, Sho seemed to tremble with excitement; he wasn't the only one.