20 The Star in a Poisoned Sky
They both stand, moving to a respectful distance from each other in the garden. The overcast sky adds a sense of anticipation to the moment, the calm before the storm of magic that's about to unfold. Anastasia takes a deep breath, focusing her energy. The thought of attacking Gordon, even in a controlled environment, makes her heart race, but she knows this is important.
She takes a deep breath, holding out her palms and calls out with a commanding voice, "Sagittarius, hear my call!"
Immediately, starlight begins to gather around her, swirling in a dazzling display of celestial energy. A magnificent bow materialized in her hands, and a quiver around her waist. both adorned with the constellation of Sagittarius. The bow itself is an intricate design, with the constellation glowing faintly along its frame, while the quiver is marked with the Sagittarius sign, and the arrows inside are made of pure starlight, connecting the stars like lines in a constellation. As the spell takes full form, a sheer illusion of horse hooves appears around her legs, a tribute to the centaur that Sagittarius represents. The power surges through her, and she can feel her body growing lighter, faster, reinforced by the magic. Her aura is nothing short of breathtaking, a display of cosmic power that never ceases to amaze Gordon. He watches in awe, a familiar thrill running through him as he witnesses her magic. He can't help but admire her, and even in this moment, as they prepare for what is essentially a test of strength, he feels a deep sense of pride and affection for her.
Just as they're about to begin, they hear footsteps approaching. Roxanne and her grandmother happen to be passing by and pause, intrigued by the sight of the two mages preparing for a magical duel. Roxanne quickly calls out to her parents, urging them to come and watch. Nathan, in high spirits, excitedly agrees, though Jonna scolds him for being so eager to move while he's still recovering. After a brief argument, she reluctantly helps him walk over to the garden, making sure he doesn't overexert himself. With the whole family now watching, Anastasia takes a steadying breath and nocks one of the starlit arrows onto her bowstring. She meets Gordon's gaze, the connection gleaming with their unyielding trust for each other.
"Are you ready?" she calls out, her voice steady.
Gordon gives a firm nod, bracing himself. "I'm ready."
With that, Anastasia draws the bowstring back, the arrow glowing brighter as it charges with celestial energy. She hesitates for a split second, her heart pounding, but then releases the arrow, sending it streaking through the air with the speed of light.
The arrow hurtles toward Gordon, who quickly channels his mana, his grimoire glowing ominously in response. The eerie aura surrounds him, and he waves his hands as if painting the sky.
"Poison-Curse Magic: Violett Schirm!"
In an instant, a curtain of shimmering, violet liquid materializes in front of him, forming a barrier. The liquid moves like a living entity, swirling and undulating as it solidifies into a protective shield. The starlit arrow slams into the curtain, the impact creating a wave of energy that ripples through the garden. The two opposing forces—celestial light and poisonous liquid—struggle against each other for a moment, but the shield holds strong, absorbing the arrow's energy. Gordon grits his teeth, feeling the strain of maintaining the spell, but the sight of the barrier holding firm fills him with a sense of triumph.
"That was amazing!" Anastasia exclaims as she races towards him, starlight from her hooves trailing behind her in a radiant arc.
Gordon is momentarily startled by her speed, but his surprise quickly melts into laughter as she reaches him. Without thinking, he scoops her up and twirls her around in a joyful hug, her excitement infectious. The air around them seems to shimmer with the starlight from her hooves.
"I couldn't have done it without you," he says, a large smile spreading across his face as he sets her back down gently.
"Want to keep going? I'm excited now!" Anastasia's eyes sparkle with anticipation, the thrill of the duel still coursing through her.
Gordon watches the shimmer in her eyes and is reminded of his friend Luck and his unyielding love for battle. The memory brings a smirk to Gordon's lips as he nods, sharing in Anastasia's enthusiasm.
Nathan, still buzzing with energy from the display, claps his hands together eagerly. "Yes, let's see more! This is getting good!"
Nilenia, the grandmother, quivers with a smile, her eyes twinkling as she watches the young ones. "Ah, the energy of youth," she remarks fondly. "It's been so long since I've seen such vigor."
As they reset for the next round, Anastasia can't help but beam with admiration. "I love seeing your magic, Gordon," she says, her voice full of affection and pride. "Watching you grow has been incredible."
A playful glint appears in her eye as she steps back, drawing her bow once more. "But I'm not going to hold back this time! Now that I know you can do it, I'm giving it everything I've got."
Gordon nods, steeling himself, the weight of her words fueling his determination. "Remember what Captain Yami says: 'Let's push our limits!'" she shouts, and with that, she releases a volley of arrows into the sky.
The onlookers gasp as the arrows ascends like a constellation being scattered, then begin their descent in a dazzling display, resembling a meteor shower. Each arrow is a streak of starlight aimed directly at Gordon. His heart pounds in his chest as he casts his spell again, summoning a larger shield of poisonous liquid to meet the oncoming barrage.
"Violett Schirm!" he calls out, and the curtain of liquid rises before him, shimmering with toxic energy.
The first arrows strike, piercing but not penetrating the surface of the barrier. The impact vibrates through the shield, and he channels more mana, reinforcing it with a second, more solid layer. But the volley is relentless, the arrows slamming against the barrier with unyielding force. Gordon feels the strain, his muscles tensing as he holds the spell. The shield begins to waver under the sheer number of attacks. Roxanne gasps, her eyes wide with concern, but she doesn't look away, her faith in her brother unwavering. Despite his efforts, Gordon is forced to dive-roll out of the way as the barrier shatters, the starlit arrows overwhelming the liquid defense. He lands with a grunt, quickly regaining his footing, his eyes locked on the cosmos mage.
"Get ready, because I'm coming at you again!" Anastasia shouts, already drawing another arrow. She releases it with precision, the arrow streaking toward him like a comet.
This time, Gordon conjures a smaller, more concentrated liquid shield, pouring his mana into it with laser focus. The arrow strikes, and the poisonous barrier sizzles, disintegrating the projectile almost immediately.
Nathan grins, his voice booming with approval. "That was a good move, lad! Keep it up!"
The onlookers cheer, captivated by the spectacle unfolding before them, while Gordon and Anastasia lock eyes, the thrill of battle and mutual admiration fueling their determination for whatever comes next. Another volley is released and as Gordon locks onto the arrows speeding past him, he feels a shift in the battle. His instincts kick in, calculating the trajectory as the arrows curve back toward him. With a swift motion, he conjures small, concentrated barriers, each one sizzling as the arrows disintegrate upon contact. But just as he breathes a sigh of relief, he senses her presence beside him.
Anastasia, with her speed-enhanced by the Sagittarius infusion, has closed the gap in the blink of an eye. Gordon turns his head slowly, meeting her intense gaze, the glint in her eyes betraying her intentions. She raises her bow, poised to strike, but before she can, something within the poison-curse mage awakens.
His cursed magic, dark and potent, begins to surface. The makeup on his face shifts, the wicked waves of black ink spreading across his skin as if alive. Dark tendrils unfurl from his back, writhing like serpents. As Anastasia swings her bow, the tendrils meet her blow, the force of their clash pushing her back. She gracefully backflips, landing lightly on her feet, her eyes fixed on the terrifying yet mesmerizing display of Gordon's poison-curse magic. The tendrils coil and pulse with a life of their own, an eerie aura surrounding him as he stands, a mix of determination and the raw power of his magic emanating from him.
Nathan, ever the scholar, exclaims in fascination, "Incredible! I've never seen anything like it!"
Jonna, however, watches with concern, her browbones furrowing as she grips her husband's arm tightly. Roxanne, witnessing her brother in this form for the first time, sits in a mix of awe and indifference. She has always known him as her quiet, kind older brother, but now, she sees the true magic knight he is becoming—strong, relentless, and commanding.
Anastasia barely mutters, "God, you are so hot..." under her breath, a smirk playing on her lips as she prepares another volley of arrows.
She darts to the side with the grace of a dancer, her movements fluid and precise. Each arrow she releases streaks through the cloudy sky, a celestial shower against the backdrop of the overcast day. Gordon's tendrils whip and lash, intercepting the arrows that slip past his barriers, shattering them with a burst of dark energy. His command of his magic is extraordinary, a testament to the rigorous training he and Anastasia have undergone in Nathan's workshop, blending their efforts in developing both spells and remedies. His movements are smooth and calculated, a dance of defense and counterattack. As he begins to shift from defense to offense, Gordon maneuvers through the garden with unexpected agility. His long limbs move with a fluid grace, dodging the poisonous plants that line the garden, his body almost gliding over the ground. Anastasia, buoyed by the speed of her spell, maintains her distance, her feet barely touching the ground as she continues to fire arrows.
Suddenly, A dense, swirling cloud of poison materializes in her path, the air thickening with a noxious fog.
"Poison-Curse Magic: Dwelling of the Poison Cloud." He intones.
Anastasia's eyes widen in surprise, caught off guard by his sudden shift to an offensive strategy. She finds herself enveloped by the poisonous mist, the air growing thick and acrid around her. Gordon, his form now menacing and determined, dives into the cloud after her. The tendrils, dark and sinuous, reach out with a relentless intent, homing in on her familiar mana amidst the swirling poison.
Despite her resistance to poison magic thanks to the eternal bond curse, her vision is obscured by the poisonous haze, the weight of the mist pressing against her. She tried to navigate through it, but she could sense him closing in. Despite the danger, she feels a rush of exhilaration, the intensity of the battle fueling her spirit. She expertly dodges and weaves, her heart racing as she tries to evade Gordon's grasp. The struggle is palpable, the air charged with the tension of their duel. Anastasia's determination to keep up with Gordon's relentless onslaught is evident in every movement- a testament to his growing power and confidence. The once timid and hesitant mage now moves with the calculated precision of a seasoned warrior. Each strike, each movement, is deliberate, a dance of darkness and poison against his polar opposite.
The tendrils close in and the cosmos mage fights them off with her bow, but they quickly overwhelm her, wrapping themselves around her limbs, binding her in place. Gordon's menacing figure emerges from the cloud, the thick purple mist dispersing around him yet still encircling them both. Anastasia is now bound before him, her eyes locked on the scarlet intensity of his gaze. A smile spreads across his face, twisted into a ghoulish grin that makes him look like a devilish specter. Despite the danger and the darkness surrounding them, Anastasia can't help but find the whole scene incredibly alluring. Gordon strides towards her with a predatory grace, his presence both daunting and undeniably magnetic. As he nears, his menacing appearance becomes almost hypnotic—tall, dark, and handsomely terrifying causing her heart to pound in her chest. The bond between them hums with energy, and she knows he can sense what she's feeling.
As he closes in, his face mere inches from hers, Anastasia's breath hitches, expecting him to kiss her. But instead, he hovers just over her, his lips tantalizingly close but never touching.
"Careful, Anase" He says, his voice low and teasing "My family is watching."
Her heart races, her face flushed as she reels from the intensity of the moment, her head spinning from the playful yet torturous tease. Suddenly, everything begins to melt away. The poisonous cloud disperses, and the tendrils retreat, releasing her from their grip. Anastasia slumps to the ground, gasping for breath, trying to steady herself after the exhilarating encounter. As she collects herself, the sound of his family cheering brings her back to reality.
"Marvelous, Just Marvelous!" Nathan shouts with pride, clapping enthusiastically "What a spectacle, you two!"
"That was awesome, big brother!" Roxanne says, wide eyed with awe "You looked really cool!"
Jonna, visibly relieved, turns to her frail mother-in-law, Nilenia, who is smiling warmly, her old eyes twinkling with pride and nostalgia.
Still catching her breath and incredibly flushed, the cosmos mage couldn't help but smile too, feeling the rush of the battle, the thrill of the moment, and the support of his family. She watched him walk towards them, a small, slightly embarrassed smile on his face as he received praise from the other Agrippas. Her heart swelled as she watched the camaraderie, his now sweet expression betraying his earlier tease.
After their exhilarating battle, Gordon and Anastasia take some time to clean up and prepare for their long-anticipated stargazing date. Their spirits are high, both of them eagerly looking forward to the quiet, intimate moments they'll share under the night sky. As they make their way out of the house, they encounter Roxanne.
"Where are you two off to?" she asks, raising her browbone.
"Off to an overdue date" Gordon muttered, his tone betraying his inner excitement.
Roxanne shifts her gaze to Anastasia, who offers a slightly guilty smile but reassures her with a soft, "We'll be back later."
Anastasia then summons her celestial caravan, her shimmering magic carpet made of starlight. The poison-curse mage smiles at the sight, fondly recalling the memories associated with it, and as usual, they take their places. Gordon sits behind her, sliding his legs to either side of her, and wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her close. The warmth of his embrace and the comfort of their closeness fill them both with contentment as they take off into the night sky. The carpet ascends above the clouds, revealing a breathtaking view of the stars. As they glide through the air, Gordon points out the Big Dipper, a constellation he learned about from Anastasia. She giggles, genuinely impressed that he remembers something she told him so long ago.
"Look at you, remembering all these little things," she teases, a playful grin on her face.
Gordon chuckles softly. "I remember almost everything you say, especially the first time you told me you loved me." His tone is gentle, his words filled with sincerity. "Back then, you were holding that doll I made... I wasn't sure if you were talking to me or the doll itself."
Anastasia's eyes twinkle mischievously as she teases back, "Oh, that? I was talking to the doll, of course."
Gordon narrows his eyes at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Sure, you were," he says, tightening his embrace around her.
She laughs, the sound light and musical, as they continue to soar through the night. The stars above them twinkle like diamonds, casting a soft, ethereal glow around the couple. The world below feels distant and small, leaving them in their own little universe where only they exist.
As they arrive at their stargazing destination, the celestial carpet hovers gently above a secluded clearing, the perfect vantage point for the night's spectacle. They remain seated, nestled close together, as the first streaks of a meteor shower begin to light up the sky. Gordon's eyes widen at the sight, and he can't help but draw a parallel to their earlier battle.
"It looks like your arrows from before," he observed, his voice a mix of awe and fondness.
Anastasia nodded; her gaze fixed on the falling stars. "Now you get to see it naturally," she replies softly, a smile playing on her lips.
The two fall into a comfortable silence, soaking in the beauty of the universe above them. Anastasia leans further into Gordon, her back resting against his chest, and he instinctively tightens his hold around her, pulling her as close as she could be. In that moment, he felt like he would become one with the universe, through her. The stars seem to swirl around them, as if they were the very heart of the cosmos itself.
As Gordon watched the meteors dance across the sky, his mind began to wander to their bond, the constant flow of her mana to him, the gentle, delicate warmth that has become his anchor. His emotions start to swell, overwhelming him as memories flood his mind. He recalls the pain and helplessness he felt when he watched her suffer after her brother's death, the agony of seeing her frail and vulnerable in the healing tower, unable to do anything but be by her side. He thought of the curse of their eternal bond, a connection that brings both pain and profound joy. Despite the burden it placed on her, she still looks at him with undeniable affection, trusting and supporting him unyieldingly, even with his past and all the scars he carries. And then there's the raw, searing passion they've shared on those intimate nights, a connection so deep it leaves him breathless.
Tears began to well up in his eyes, his chest tightening as the weight of his emotions bore down on him. He felt a slight tremble from Anastasia as well, and when she turned to face him, he saw her tears already streaming down her cheeks. She knows—she always knows. Not just because of their bond, but because she felt exactly the same way. In that shared moment of raw vulnerability, they both grapple with the disbelief of how something so perfect could exist between them. It's a harmony of darkness and light, an undeniable connection that transcends everything they've been through. The universe seemed to hold its breath as they gaze into each other's eyes, each seeing the reflection of their own soul in the other.
Gordon reached up to gently wipe away her tears, his touch tender and reverent. "I don't know what I did to deserve you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Anastasia shook her head slightly, her own hand coming up to cup his face. "It feels like chance brought us together," she murmurs, her thumb brushing softly against his cheek. "And now...I'm not sure I can live without you."
They lean into each other, foreheads touching, as the meteor shower continues to rain down around them, a celestial celebration of their love. The universe, it seems, is in perfect harmony with the bond they share, a bond that is their greatest fear yet the most profound joy. As they gaze into each other's tear-filled eyes, the universe seeming to hold its breath around them, Gordon feels the overwhelming need to speak. His voice, trembling with emotion, breaks the silence.
"Will you marry me, Anastasia Estrella Novachrono?" he whispers, his hand still tenderly cradling her face.
Anastasia's heart swells, and she smiles softly, her own tears shimmering in the starlight. Before he can say more, she raises her hand, looking fondly at the mark of her curse on her finger "You're silly," she says, her voice a mix of laughter and love. "I already said yes, remember?"
Gordon's smile widens, and he pulls her close, his lips brushing against her forehead. "You'll always be the star in my poisoned sky," he murmurs, his words a vow, a promise that transcends the universe itself.
Anastasia melts into his embrace, her heart overflowing with love. "And you," she whispers, "will always be the solace I find in darkness."
The meteor shower continues above them, a celestial dance that celebrates their love. Bound by chance, bound by choice, and now bound for life, they remain entwined, knowing that their love will guide them through any darkness that may come.
The Star in a Poisoned Sky- End