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POV: Fillia
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Under the evening light I fired arrow after arrow into the targets Astaros had Christine buy from town yesterday.
It was annoying.
He had abandoned me to go traipsing off with Dryis and Katia the moment he figured out I was just tired! What if that had not been it!?
*THUNK!*
*CRAK!*
*CRAK!*
I fire three arrows in quick succession at the same target, the two arrows following the first cracking their predecessor.
It felt frustrating.
The trees wavered in the wind as the sky slowly became a bright orange. While I collected my arrows I began to consider heading back home. Astaros was working hard. This world wasn't exactly kind to it's inhabitants and having power meant that you had responsibilities. I just hope that he comes back soon. Though still, he could've at least contacted me through the soul scape.
Wait.
Why hadn't he contacted me through the soul scape?
You enter automatically when you sle~...
My face tightened in guilt as I realized what had happened
He hasn't been truly sleeping at all.
He has been pushing himself ever since he woke up.
And here I am complaining about my concerns while I slept and trained in the house he made.
'Haaaah' {Fillia}
That tin-can can be so troublesome. Placing the arrows in my quiver I stepped over a fallen log and retrieved an arrow that fell from one of the boards. I am going to tell him about my concerns though. A relationship without communication can't work.
As I collected the final target I began to walk back when a voice rang out in my head.
'Hey Fillia, can you come back to the mansion? I have something I need you to help me with.' {Astaros}
And there's the call from buckethead.
'Sure, I have something I need to talk to you about.' {Fillia}
Walking back to the mansion I thought of exactly what I was going to say to Astaros.
…
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POV: Astaros
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I turned to head inside the Mansion and grab Christine when I felt it. Frustration. Disappointment. It filled my chest like black slick oil covering a sea. It was Fillia. The soul link was telling me her strong feelings.
I turned to the forest, it's shadows warping the view of the paths within it. The orange light cast from between the clouds from the final throes of the evening sun lighting my new determination.
'Hey Fillia, can you come back to the mansion? I have something I need you to help me with.' {Astaros}
We needed to talk and I needed to apologize. Sure I had been busy but I hadn't spared her any time recently. Christine's wand could wait. I had something I needed to put my heart and soul into.
I turned to look at the hunk of silver metal sitting on the stone platform I had made. I placed my palm against it as my hand heated up and began to glow a ghostly yellow, my divinity beginning to activate.
I wasn't going to make a single mistake.
Not on this.
…
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POV: Fillia
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As I returned I felt something I shouldn't even be able to. It was a warm familiar feeling. It reminded me of when Astaros supported me with his mana. It washed over me in a wave as a pulse of power came from the mansion.
'Hey Astaros, what's going on?' {Fillia}
No response.
I quickened my pace as I rushed towards the man. The closer I came the more the energy felt familiar. Almost like… foxfire.
I raced back to the lake, leaping over trees and stones, while rushing through bramble and thicket.
What in the world is going on!
'ASTAROS ANSWER ME!!' {Fillia}
Moving faster the sun warmed my back as my charm fell apart and foxfire rocketed from my feet and I leapt over the surrounding waters of the island as I left the forest, landing on the island of the mansion. I began to run towards the north wing from the outside, my feet pounding the ground as I came around the corner of the west wing.
It was there I saw Astaros, deep in concentration as he shaped a piece of molten metal. It slowly began to flatten and elongate, wisps of red Fox Fire surrounding it. These wisps would then burn into the object, searing into it with flashes of red light.
I could tell where they were coming from. They were coming from Astaros. I looked at him and turned to see his sweaty pale face. He was pushing himself again. Why do you do this Astaros.
He then began to stand and slowly walked towards me, his eyes shut tightly. He said nothing as he grabbed my arm and led me towards the forming metal object, his hand never gripping to hurt me.
He moved my hand to the weapon, and though I was slightly afraid I reached out and grabbed it.
Instantly from the my hand my own blue fox fire burst forth uncontrollably. Not in wisps, but in burning waves which enveloped the object.
Though I was holding onto molten metal I felt no pain. It was a simple familiar warmth. It shifted and formed beneath the flames till it finally stopped and the flames suddenly disappeared and Astaros sank to one knee letting go of my arm.
But I couldn't even ask if he was alright. Because in my hand was the most beautiful weapon I had ever seen.
The blade was silver with iridescent blue sheen that occasionally flashing under the light of the evening sun, while it had a solid silver guard with a beautiful detailing of a rose flowing across it. I held it up to the sky and it felt like as though it were born from my own flesh, as though it was a pure reflection of me. Beside me Astaros stirred slightly breaking me from my trance.
"Astaros!" {Fillia}
I placed the blade down and dragged him to sit against one of the pillars as he slowly opened his eyes to meet my own.
"You fool! Why do you always push yourself like this!" {Fillia}
I searched his eyes for the answer but I already knew it. It was the sincerest apology he could make. Putting his literal all into something and then handing it over to me. He smiled and looked up at me with tired eyes before speaking words I would never forget.
"Because its worth it to push myself for you, Fillia" {Astaros}
I can't do it can I. I hugged him as he slowly wrapped his arms around me. I can't stay angry at this lovable idiot.
"Can we stay like this for a bit?" {Fillia}
He laughed before retorting something stupid as usual.
"I couldn't move if I wanted to." {Astaros}
He's can be so tiring. But I love him for that too.
…
When he finally had the strength to stand I began asking questions about the beautiful blade he had made.
"So what exactly is this thing and exactly, how were you using foxfire?" {Fillia}
He looked at me in surprise.
"I used foxfire?" {Astaros}
I nodded.
"Yeah but it was red and had an odd feeling to it." {Fillia}
He tilt his head at this.
"You could feel it?" {Astaros}
I nodded again.
He put his hand to his chin as he thought and a red glow emanated from his chest before his eyes widened.
"Trait Sharing." {Astaros}
Now I was confused.
"What's trait sharing?" {Astaros}
He smiled now as he looked at me, his hand touching my cheek.
"It's an ability I have. When a soul link becomes deep enough, a trait from the person I deepened it with is gained. In your case it was foxfire." {Astaros}
I sighed at this my hand now covering his own.
"You really do blur the line between human and monster you know that?"{Astaros}
I smiled looking at the sword but I felt a pang of sadness.
"What's wrong?" {Astaros}
I hoped he wouldn't notice but he was as sharp as ever.
"I was lonely when you were gone." {Fillia}
He smiled coming in close.
"Then I'll make it feel as though I was never gone." {Astaros}
His lips then met mine as the warmth of his love flowed into my body.
This Chapter has been posted on wattpad as well. Custom Cover coming by tomorrow