Name-Less

Qifrey gives you a glance as he looks at the hopeful gazes of the girls. He contemplates for a moment as he inhales deeply, bringing a hand up to his face to hold his chin.

"If she has no problem with it, I think we would all like to see some magic. I can show some of my own magic in return, it's only fair."

You give him a smile as you hold your staff and walk to the door, throwing a look back to the girls and Qifrey.

"There's no need, I'm in no rush. Now, the spell I want to show you needs to be done outside, if you'll follow me."

The girls quickly follow after you as Qifrey calmly follows behind. You hold the door open for the girls to file out. Coco and Tetia rush out as Richeh quickly follows after them. Agott walks smoothly out, though you notice her own pace quicken.

You finally follow out the door, staff in hand as you calmly walk after the group. You lead the group away from the atelier, close to where you landed and finally stopping once Qifrey calls out to you.

"I think this is far enough," he holds a hand up to shield his good eye from the sun. You finally stop in front of the tree you fixed and stand in front of it.

"Yes, I think this is far enough," you smile as you hold your staff across your body and stand up straight.

"I'll show you my favorite spell."

At your words, your staff lights up and your hair flies around you. Light emanates from your staff before flying around you, the field around you lights up before flowers of all kinds, colors and varieties bloom around you.

"Wow!"

"So pretty!"

Coco and Tetia yell in glee as Richeh's eyes shine and Agott stands with her arms folded, but an unmistakeable twinkle to her eye. Qifrey gains a shine to his eye as he watches your expression, a small smile to your face as flower petals fall around you.

Your hair stops whipping as the now bloomed flowers rustle softly around you with the wind outside.

"My master taught me this spell, many years ago," you reminisce on Flamme, your dear master. Those years you'd spent with her were some wonderful years. It's been far too long since you'd visited her grave, you're due to see her.

"It's beautiful, a field of flowers. So peaceful."

You smile fondly at Qifrey's words as he moves to stand on your right, observing the girls as they get closer looks at the flowers and stopping to smell them.

He glances at you as you watch the girls with a smile on your face.

“I know you don’t trust me,” you start, turning your head to Qifrey as he blinks at your words in surprise. He opens his mouth to object only for you to stop him with a raised hand.

“You’re wise not to. I’m a stranger, you’re protecting the girls. It’s a good instinct.”

You turn back to the girls, Tetia and Coco now weaving flower crowns as Richeh tries to mimic their movements. Qifrey watches you for a moment longer before turning to the girls once more.

"As an adult, I'm sure you understand the danger others pose, especially to children. I am only doing what I think is best for them."

You hum as you watch Tetia place a flower crown on top of Agotts head, the girl scowling, but still accepting it. You laugh a bit before finally responding to Qifrey.

"'As an adult?'"

You laugh a bit at the sentence, you're hardly an adult compared to some other elves. Even if you are older than Frieren, "protection from the Brimhats I'm assuming?"

Qifrey furrows his brows at first, "is something funny about what I said?"

You glance at him before resuming your gaze out at the field of flowers.

"I'm hardly considered an adult compared to other elves, some would even consider me still a child."

Qifrey tilts his head a bit, glancing over your form a subtly as he can.

"If you don't mind me asking how old are you?"

Qifrey is expecting fairly old, maybe a hundred years old since he knows that elves in literature are said to live for hundreds of years. So his shock at your answer is very apparent to the girls who give him curious looks.

"Hm, maybe two thousand years old? I haven't really been keeping track, truth be told."

"What?"

His mouth drops open in shock as his eye widens in what could be perceived as horror. You pay no mind as your face still falls neutral, your gaze falls on a figure in the distance approaching the atelier.

“Oh, who’s that?”

You gesture loosely at the figure as Qifrey just grabs your upper arms with his own hands, shaking you loosely.

"What do you mean two thousand years?"

"Exactly that? Two thousand years really isn't that long."

You suppose it's been so long that you've spoken your age out loud that you've forgotten what a normal reaction is to it. You've been spending too much time with Frieren you suppose.

Qifrey stops shaking you when you once again point out the figure in the distance with a dark, pointed, brimless hat. The man, you can see his form better, wears darker robes and walks stiffly, but picks up his pace when he sees your group.

"Oh no."

Qifrey moves you to stand behind him as you let him move you. You suppose it's natural for him to assume a protector role, though you feel a little silly standing behind him.

"Girls, it's time to go inside."

The girls, save Agott, are quick to complain.

"Wait!"

"We're not done yet!"

Richeh holds up her flower crown with a frown on her face, "not done yet."

Qifrey tuts as he walks forward, herding them toward the atelier.

"Girls, you'll have more time later to see the flowers. Inside, now."

You follow after Qifrey, keeping an eye on the man that gets closer and the closer he gets the more you can see his expression. His face is neutral, but there is a certain hardness to him. Like he hasn't had a proper nights rest in a long time.

You walk forward with the girls and Qifrey, until you feel eyes on you. You turn your head and see that the man has his eyes firmly set on you.

"Qifrey, who is that?"

You point your staff in the direction of the man as Qifrey pushes the girls further toward the atelier. If the man poses a threat, you have no qualms about using Zoltraak. Your grip hardens on your staff slightly as you angle your body toward the mysterious man.

"Someone who is not going to be very happy with me," he sighs as he stands in front of you, pushing your staff back up right.

Tetia turns to where your staff was pointed and yells out happily, "Olruggio!"

Qifrey stops as he hears the name and stiffly turns toward the mentioned man with what he hopes is an inconspicuous smile on his face.

"Olruggio! Has it been three days already? How are you?"

The man in question ignores the question as he stares at you, namely your ears, then your staff. Olruggio furrows his brows at the sight of you. He let it slide that Qifrey brought Coco, even if he still thinks it a terrible idea to essentially harbor a stowaway, but he draws the line now. He has to.

"What is she?"

He's gruff as he holds an arm out, pointing at you while you just blink at the motion. Qifrey gives him a frown as he tries to dispel the tense air.

"Is that how we treat guests?"

He tries to give an easy-going smile while Olruggio just narrows his eyes.

"Not when you have a history of bringing stowaways," he gives a pointed look to Coco, who hides behind your form. He may like the girl, but that still doesn't take away the fact that she shouldn't know about magic and should have had her memories erased.

"My name is (Y/n), pleasure to meet you."

You nod to the bearded man who only gives you a scowl. You merely blink at his expression, he almost reminds you of Serie in a way, namely from when you went with Frieren to deliver Flamme's will to her. You could feel Frieren’s irritation at having your dear masters will burned even if she didn’t show it. Ah, memories.

Olruggio only ignores you and looks to Qifrey for an answer.

"I allowed Coco to stay here, but I draw the line at mysterious creatures."

Qifrey sighs and pushes the girls inside the atelier, shutting the door as they complain. He lets his hand rest on the door before turning to the bearded man.

"She is not a mysterious creature, she's an elf."

Olruggio furrows his brows and frowns at his friends words.

"Elves don't exist."

He keeps a steady gaze on you while you just boredly look back. Your eyes drift up the sky as you ignore the odd look the man gives you.

"Oye, you," Olruggio points at you as your gaze lands back on him with a raised brow.

"Yes?"

"What do you want with the group?"

You lift your staff up with a small smile.

"Just trying to get home is all, I was just lucky to fall here."

"Fall?"

"I fell here. I was in a dungeon with some friends, though now that I think about it," you use your staff and cast an illusion in front of you of the events that happened just before you got sent to the sky.

"That spell was really weird, never seen anything like it."

Olruggio's face falls into shock as he watches the illusion of the demon cast a spell and then you pushing Stark out of the way before being sucked into a portal. His face falls in horror both at the sight of the demon and at the fact that you just cast magic with no quill or ink.

"Qifrey, get away from it. Now.lk8u"

Olruggio moves forward to pull the man away from you while your face remains neutral. Qifrey doesn't move, instead just giving Olruggio a look.

"Never been referred to as an 'it' before, that's a new one, even for me. I am an elf, we exist, though I do have an idea of what has happened to land me here.”

Olruggio glares at you as Qifrey holds an arm out. To stop Olruggio from coming closer or from stopping you from using your magic he’s not sure yet, but the point still stands that Qifrey is trying to keep the peace.

"I think we should take a moment to relax."

You lift an eyebrow at Qifrey, who you can see is sweating, and glance at this 'Olruggio' who still scowls at you.

"I have no qualms with this, though he is the one who called me an 'it.'"

Olruggio falters lightly as he tsks and looks away.

"My apologies, you said you were an elf? Well elves don't exist. Not 'round here."

You hum as you look past him and back up at the sky at the birds that fly away.

"Is that so...are there any magical creatures?"

Qifrey and Olruggio look at you now, the latter lowering his arm now that the tenseness in the air has lessened slightly.

"We have flying horses, dragons, why?"

"Then who's to say that elves couldn't exist?"

You give a lazy smile as you brush your hair back, maybe you should ask the girls to braid it for you.

"Well, in any case. It is fairly obvious I'm not from here and I already have an idea of what happened to me. Though," you look at your staff, namely the ribbon you have matching with Frieren, "I may not be able to get home from my side. Even if I can, it will take me a while to study the spell that sent me here."

You sigh as you put away your staff in a flash of light, causing Olruggio and Qifrey to jump.

"I'm afraid I'll be here for a while, regardless of if either of us like it."

Olruggio watches your expression before sighing and grumbling to himself as he takes off his hat and ruffles his hair.

He walks forward to enter the atelier and turns back to you with a frown on his face.

"You may stay, but only until you figure out whatever spell sent you here."

He turns to Qifrey with a larger frown and points a finger at him, "we need to have a discussion."

Qifrey just lets out a wobbly smile, glad that fighting could be avoided. He had no intentions of seeing what a two thousand year old elf could possibly do and he would like it to stay that way.

The three of you enter the home as the girls swarm Olruggio, you smile lightly at his overwhelmed face. You walk past where the girls have him cornered and take a seat at the table with a pensive look on your face. So, it seems that you've been sent to some strange time where magic only exists in the form of magical sigils. Interesting.

Qifrey pushes the girls away from Olruggio so that he can set aside his stuff and get situated as you gesture for them to come over. They eagerly follow as you distract them with an illusion spell, showing Frieren teaching Fern Zoltraak when she was just a little girl, letting Olruggio and Qifrey get a moment to compose themselves.

Olruggio for his part, watches the illusion in interest. You hold no magical ink or quill yet you can conjure magic. He shakes his head as he leaves you be so he can take off his robe and get some food in him.

You let the illusion play out as Tetia and Coco 'ooh' and 'ah.'

"Who's that little girl? And that taller lady?"

You look at Tetia briefly as you pull in closer to Fern's face.

"That's Fern, she's Frieren's apprentice. She's been with us since she was a little girl, like how Qifrey looks after you girls."

You move to Frieren showing Fern how to fire Zotraak.

"This is Frieren, she is my greatest and oldest friend. Don't let the illusion fool you, she is quite short," you laugh a bit at Richeh's face. She focuses so intently on the illusion.

At this Coco tilts her head in question.

"Oldest? Oldest," she mutters lightly before looking at you with stars in her eyes.

"Oh! Elves can be super old right? How old is she?"

At Coco's words you think for a bit. You know you're older than Frieren by a little bit.

You hum in thought as the girls sit around you, even Agott listens with her arms folded.

“Let’s see, Frieren is younger than me by about a thousand years, which is really nothing,” you start to mutter after that as the girls give you shocked looks. You grab the quill and ink that the girls were practicing and play with it.

“A thousand years?!”

“Probably more, I haven’t really been keeping track. As far as I know Frieren is at least fifteen hundred years old, so that puts her close to about nineteen or twenty in human years I believe? Could be a little younger.”

You use the quill in your hand and draw swirls in neat circular patterns, meanwhile the girls are having their entire world deconstructed by your words. Fifteen hundred years! That’s unfathomable to them. They can’t even imagine anything as old as that!

Olruggio walks back in at that exact moment to the girls chattering about how old you are when he gives Qifrey a confused look.

"What are they muttering about?"

"Her elf friend is over a thousand years old. (Y/n) herself about two thousand years old."

Olruggio makes a bewildered face, whipping his head to your form as you continue to draw little circles and spirals, unconcerned with how you’ve managed to shock their system. You instead continue to speak.

“It really is nothing. Serie is much older than I am, and I’m pretty sure Kraft is even older than her so it’s hard to tell really.”

You make a small sigil and inspect your line work as Olruggio has a hand in his beard, eyes glazed at your words.

He feels as if he were a mere child in your presence.

“We don’t age like you do, nor do we really die. We could live forever if we aren’t killed or get seriously ill.”

You gain a small frown on your face as Agott watches your face closely, the small furrow in your brow and the slightest downturn of your lips. If she weren’t looking closely she doesn’t think she would have noticed the change in your demeanor.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen another elf besides Frieren, I fear we are nearly to extinction.”

“Who are Kraft and Serie?”

You stop your drawing as you glance up at Olruggio. You hum as you place down the quill and open your palm. A faint light emanates from your palm until a shimmering image appears, a small Serie appears in your palm. Her neutral expression clear as she sits on her throne.

“Serie is a great mage, she was my masters master over one thousand years ago. She had already been alive for probably close to nine thousand years if my estimate on her age is correct.”

The illusion in your palm shifts to different expressions you’ve witnessed of Serie, your personal favorite, the one where she judges you for your spell choice, shows next causing you to laugh lightly.

The girls watch enraptured as Olruggio has wide eyes. Magic without a quill or ink, just conjured from the palm of your hand, it’s unthinkable. You let the illusion move around, mimicking her movements as the girls follow her form around the room. You watch as the girls follow her in circles with a small smile on your face. It never failed to bring you joy to see people amazed by magic, especially children. Their wide eyes and awe always made it worth it to use even the smallest amount of your mana.

You stop the illusion of Serie, next showing Kraft in his monk robes.

"Kraft is another ancient elf, though I know very little of him to be honest. What I do know is he was a great warrior before he relinquished his title and became a monk."

The illusion of Kraft walks around the room before taking a sitting position as the girls watch him with rapt attention.

"He looks so young, is he really old?"

You let out a slight laugh at Coco's words, before stopping the illusion completely in a shimmer of your magic.

"We reach maturity around a hundred years, so our looks don't really change. I don't think I've ever seen an elf look old, unless they were over twenty thousand years old and even then they would barely gain wrinkles."

Coco listens with wide eyes as Tetia 'oohs.' Agott looks at most perplexed while Richeh keeps her flat gaze. The more you look at the blue haired girl the more you think she looks like a mix of Frieren and Himmel. The thought is almost comforting, in a very strange way. Ah, you shouldn't get too weird about it.

"Anyway-"

Olruggio stands with his arms crossed. If elves can live for thousands of years, that means they can gain power for that long. You may seem to be nice and give off the air of someone who wouldn't hurt a fly, but he knows better than to trust someone at face value.

“You’ve lived for over two thousand years, yeah? Does that mean you’re very powerful?”

Your eyes flit to Olruggio who levels you with a harsh stare. Ah, so that’s why he asked.

“Powerful enough to face the demon king, yes. Though I harbor no ill will towards humans. Demons have all the ire I carry.”

His brows furrow together as he glances at Qifrey who shakes his head at him.

"Demons?"

You draw the sigil for Zoltraak and imbue it with a small amount of mana, causing a spike to erupt from the sigil and go straight up into the air. You set a defensive spell to stop it from blowing through the roof as the children and two other adults watch in shock and alarm.

"What was that?!"

"Woah!"

"Huh. So it can work."

You rip the page and push it away to practice other sigils, only for Olruggio to take the paper away from you.

"No more sigils."

You huff, "I'm not a child you chastise," despite saying this you do pout as he chides you on the danger of drawing sigils with no care. He looks at the ink you used and realizes that it isn't magical ink, it's just the regular ink the girls were using to practice their lines.

"How did you...? This isn't magical ink?"

Before you can respond, Qifrey goes first.

"Did you put- what was it- mana into the sigil?"

You turn to him with a small smile, "precisely. In my own world, we have our own sigils that we study, mostly in an academic setting. My thought was that if I drew it, I could probably imbue mana to make it work. It seems I was correct."

The girls look at the sigil in wonder. Coco goes to grab it, only for Olruggio to grab the sigil and keep it far from her.

"What sigil is this? It looks too complex to be a simple one."

You blink as you look at Olruggio.

"Zoltraak. Once the strongest spell demonkind had, after fifty years humans studied it enough that now it's the simplest and most basic offensive magic there is."

You smile as you turn back to the table and feel Tetia grab your hair. You nod your head to her unasked question as her face lights up and she starts to braid it.

"To answer your question, demons are creatures who have learned human speech. They hunt and eat humans both for sustenance and for pure enjoyment. They're disgusting creatures and both Frieren and I operate on a kill first basis."

Olruggio and Qifrey look at you with furrowed brows. Both feeling uneasy with you being around the children. You smile at the girls as they show you more of the sigils they've practiced.

You turn to the two adults with a flat look.

"I know how that must sound, but if you knew what demons were capable of and what they have done to humanity and my kind you would feel the same. I suppose you could compare them to the brimhats, though I'm not sure what they're like."

Tetia finished the braid as she pulls it over your shoulder. You touch the braid gently and thank her as she beams at you.

The two men sweat at your words, they suppose they can understand the hostility. Though if a brimhat were spotted the thing to do is to let the Knight's Moralis know. Wait, the Knight's Moralis.

Olruggio's eyes widen as he runs from the room.

Qifrey merely blinks at his disappearance and decides to let it be, focusing back on you.

"You said this Frieren and you were close?"

You smile as you think of the elf. An image of her stuck in a mimic clear in your mind.

“Frieren is my oldest friend. She’s basically my sister. It’ll be a sad day when Fern and Stark pass.”

Qifrey's face falls, as do the girls.

“How morbid? How could you say such a thing?”

You play with the end of your braid as you think.

“Unlike Frieren, I am very in touch with my feelings, though it may not seem like it. I am all too aware of how short your human lives are. It’s why I declined joining the party of heroes at first, I wasn’t too keen on getting close to anybody after our master.”

You throw the braid back as you stretch your arms above your head and relax your shoulders.

“Himmel was the one to convince me otherwise. He promised me the journey of a lifetime.”

“Did he grant you that?”

You smile as you think of Himmel and the party of heroes, the ten years that the trip lasted and the adventures you had with them.

“No. Not for the many lifetimes I’ve lived that is.”

Qifrey's face falls at your words.

“But he did remind me of the value of spending time with others. For that I owe him a large debt.”

You smile to yourself as you look at the girls who speak amongst themselves and look back at Qifrey.

"I have no regrets in joining the party of heroes. If I could go back and do it again I would."

Qifrey smiles at your words as he looks at you in a new light. You may not be harmless, but you certainly aren't a danger to them.

Olruggio walks back in to the room noticeably sweatier and haggled.

"Olruggio?"

"We may have a problem coming."

You lift an eyebrow at his words as he whispers to Qifrey who's eye widens, flitting to your form then back to his friend.

"Is something the matter?"

Olruggio turns to you stiffly as Qifrey brings a hand up.

"Nothing at all, just an oversight," his eye flits to the window, noting the sun going down, "girls it's time for bed."

The girls complain, even Agott has a frown on her face, as they rise from their seats with pouts.

"Now girls, a good night's rest is most important for growing witches."

Qifrey pushes the girls to their room as they complain the whole way, leaving Olruggio and you alone together.

The man looks mildly uncomfortable as he leans against the counter and looks away from you. The silence in the room is deafening as you both have nothing to say to one another, not until Qifrey enters the room.

"Ah, the girls were as feisty as ever," he wipes his brow with a hand as he looks to you now.

"You may have my bed, as you are our guest."

You lift your eyebrows as you open your mouth to decline only for him to lift a hand with a smile.

"You are our guest, I'd feel awful if we didn't show you any hospitality."

You smile at the white-haired man as you rise from your seat.

"Right, well, thank you, Qifrey. It is greatly appreciated."

He smiles and beckons you to follow him as you leave the living space to go to his room. The room itself is neat and large. It's cozy. Qifrey leaves you to your own devices as you settle in for the night. You settle in his bed as you look up at the ceiling.

'I wonder how the others are doing,' you turn to your side as your eyes fall shut.

Staring out over the vast lake, your attention wasn't drawn to what creatures may lurk beneath it's waters or what creatures perhaps claimed the skies around it; No your attention was drawn to the tower just across the water. You hugged your knees tighter against your chest, your nose scrunching up as you made a face; Qifrey had gone in several clockmarks ago and had yet to return and it was making you worry. You knew deep down that if any of your masters had found out what you were doing, you were almost certain there was bound to be some kind of serious punishment awaitng you when you returned. Despite that, it wasn't the thing that brought you the most anxiety, it was that fact that something might've happened to Qifrey and neither you nor Olruggio knew of it.

Your mind all but ran with those questions and worries; Did something happen? Was he trapped within the Tower? Did he need your help? All these questions made your mind swim and the more and more you thought about it, the more twisted your stomach became to the point you felt physically ill and were almost certain it showed. The only reason you were pulled out of those thoughts was because you felt someones hand placed on your shoulder and it caused you to slightly jump in response.

"Hey, what's with the face huh? I don't think I've ever seen you look this worried before." Olruggio asked as he removed his hand from your shoulder, an eyebrow raised as he sat himself beside you, crossing his legs as he looked out towards the Tower of Tomes with a small frown. "You're thinking about him, yeah?" He questioned, head slightly tilted as he looked at you once more. You gave a small hum, a small nod of your head as your attention was turned back across the water and to the tower.

"I'm worried, that's all… I mean, he's been in there for awhile now…" You answered him, your grip tightening even more around your legs as the thoughts slowly began to creep back into place. Olruggio could only sigh in response as he leaned himself back, placing his hands back on the ground to keep himself propped up as he tilted his head up towards the sky.

"Yeah he has, hasn't he?" Olruggio spoke, thoughts of his own beginning to form in his mind before he looked at you with a shake of the head. "But I mean, he said not to worry about him and that he'd be back before we knew it, that he only wanted a quick peek. Maybe he just found something really interesting and is trying to retain all it's knowledge so he can pass it along to us, you know?" He offered you, hoping his words would somehow calm your nerves in the same way he was keeping his own in check.

Olruggio did have a point, Qifrey said he'd be back as quickly as he went in but still, you had grown quite fond of them and wouldn't wish harm on either of them so for him to be gone for so long without knowing what truly resided within the tower, it made you anxious. As you opened your mouth to speak, you turned your head to the side at the rustling of the bushes, your shoulders visibly tense. Was it some kind of creature that called the forests it's home? Or was it Qifrey?

As you squinted into the shadows, you began to make out the familiar witch cap that belonged to Qifrey and before long the boy was fully stepping through the bushes. Only something was wrong, very wrong. He was crying, his hand pressed against his eye as the tears ran down his face in streaks. You and Olruggio were quick to get to your feet, rushing over to your friend with worries now highly elevated.

"Qifrey! What happened?! Is something wrong?!" Olruggio shouted, arms reaching out to grab Qifrey by the shoulders to inspect his friend to ensure he wasn't injured anywhere but after a quick once over, he deduced there was no injuries. As Qifrey tried to bite back his sobs, rubbing at his eye harder, he attempted to speak, but no words would come out; Only soft sobs and the shaking of his shoulders as he attempted to calm himself.

"Do you remember now? I take it you sorted out your memory at the Tower of Tomes?" Olruggio added on to his original sentence, gently squeezing the boys shoulders as if trying to comfort him without fully hugging the boy. You stood on the other side of them, frowning as you reached out to gently take Qifrey's free hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze as if offering your own comfort to him.

"It's all right, Qifrey. Everything is gonna be okay-" You began to comfort him, watching as he let the hand that was pressed against his eye to drop to his side to look at you with a red stained eye that was clearly puffy from his crying, tear lines already stained onto his cheek. It made your heart shatter and as you squeezed his hand tighter, you spoke words of truth. "Listen, Olruggio and I don't care what you were like in the past if that is what you found out while inside- We'll always be your best friends. no matter what." It was in this moment as he looked between you both, still quietly sniffling and holding back more tears, that he felt the need to tell you just what he found.

As Qifrey explained what he had read on that simple scrap of paper, of what was done to him, you and Olruggio watched with wide eyes as silvery-white foliage began to sprout form his hands and before long, his limbs were taking shape in that of roots and a small tree began to form around him in what could only be described as a simple embrace. Olruggio had tumbled backwards, having fallen over his cape in the process to move away but you remained where you were, your eyes never leaving Qifrey's as the tears began to yet again pour down his face. Where his right eye should have been, the same silvery-white foliage sprouted.

"N-No… This… This can't be happening. So everything you just told us…" Olruggio began, his eyes still wide as he remained on the ground, eyes never leaving Qifrey. "About that parasite inside you that grows when you feel safe… It wasn't just some sick joke?!" He shouted, still amazed at what was happening before you both. You had clasped your hand over your mouth, tears of your own welling in your eyes at the thought of this having happened long before Qifrey had arrived at the Great Hall, before he had you and Olruggio as friends to confide in. You shut your eyes in response, quickly shaking your head as a way to remove the tears that began to fall before you grabbed hold of your palm quire, starting to flip through what spells you had drawn and at the ready.

"There's.. There's gotta be a way to help you, right? We'll think of something- We'll come up with a way to help-" You began, but you were cut off quickly by Qifrey, who sounded utterly broken that you and Olruggio had to see him like this.

"Don't." Qifrey had begun to plead, "This... This is how it should be. I mean… Look…" He began, shifting his head ever so slightly as the roots of the tree began to crawl closer to Olruggio while some began to gently wrap themselves around your ankles. "My roots… They're reaching for you… And I'd rather let this tree take me than have to endure hurting either of you." He had finished as he lowered his head, his eyes shutting as a couple tear drops fell from his face.

You'd quickly free your ankles from the roots with Olruggio's help, afraid of what might actually happen should they entangle you completely. You'd take a few steps back as Olruggio clutched your arm tightly, a look of confusion on his face as he began to wrack his brain for ideas. He needed to help his best friend, that much was certain, and he knew deep down there had to be some way, but he just wasn't certain as to how to go about it.

"There you go again." You began suddenly, ripping Olruggio out of his thoughts as he turned to look at you; Tears had begun to run down your face as you began to grow irritated at the situation at hand. "It's always the same with you, isn't it? You think we're just gonna let you talk us out of this?! Leave you to die like this?! Well, you're wrong!" You shouted, looking over the tree once more to try and figure something out. There had to be a way, there had to be a spell that could reverse the effects-

"Wait-" Olruggio began, tugging on your cape before you could move closer to the tree; You'd turn your head to Olruggio, about to ask what was going on before you noticed he was no longer looking at you; He was looking out past the water. Your gaze would follow his and before long it clicked; The Tower of Tomes. There had to be something there- If both you and Olruggio went…

"Qifrey! Hey! Wake up!" Olruggio shouted, his palm quire extended out with a pyreball burning bright over it. Qifrey would tilt his head up, his eye now open as he slowly blinked in confusion as to what was going on. "Listen to me. I want you to keep your eye on this pyreball. Don't look away from it, not even for a second, you hear me?" Olruggio informed him, crouching down and tearing the page off, placing it against the ground before he stood once more. "We'll be back before it burns out- Just promise us that you won't give up on yourself!" He shouted, running to your side and, taking your hand, pulled you along towards the Tower of Tomes. With one last glance to Qifrey and the tree that surrounded him, you both set off towards the tower. With determination as your guide, you were more than ready to take on whatever challenges awaited you inside.

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He wasn't sure how long it had been since you and Olruggio had left to take on the Tower of Tomes, but to him however long it was truly felt like days at a time. He had grown tired and with the pyreball slowly growing weaker and weaker with each passing clockmark, he had clearly begun to give up on both you and Olruggio finding something that could help him. So when he heard the sudden cracking of tree branches before him, he opened his eye and was surprised to see both you and Olruggio before him, tired for sure but there was a certain glint in both set of eyes that watched him now.

"Good! You're still awake!" Olruggio spoke, clearly proud that his little pyreball did it's job in keeping Qifrey awake for so long, even if it had burnt out upon return.

"You're here…" Qifrey spoke, eye wide as he looked between you both before he frowned. "What happened…?" He questioned, voice quiet and almost afraid to ask what you two may have found or even come up with that may help him.

"Well, we thought long and hard about it and… We came up with a way to put the anxiety back into you and keep it there for a very, very, very long time!" Olruggio explained, looking to Qifrey with a bit of a smug grin. "I must say, I don't wanna give myself too much credit or anything." He'd begin, that smugness from his grin transferring into his voice as he was about to go on a long rant about how great the idea was. You could only roll your eyes in response to Olruggio, grabbing him by the back of his cape and yanking him down before he could get going and waste any precious time you all had left. He would yelp in response, falling back against the ground with a soft 'thud' and small wince before he'd glare up at you now.

"Rude…" He'd quietly mumble from where he sat on the ground.

"What… What did you come up with…?" Qifrey questioned, feeling as if he wasn't about to enjoy the answer he was going to receive as you came into his view, hand gently resting on the branch beside him.

"We're going to take the hit for you. We're going to wipe our own memories." You explained, watching as Qifrey's eye widened at your words with pure shock.

"What?"

"You heard them!" Olruggio spoke as he stood up, grabbing your hand and pulling you down beside him, his arm wrapping around your neck as he looked up towards Qifrey. "We're gonna erase each others memories!"

Qifrey could only stare with his mouth agape, nothing but worry beginning to flood his body as his heart all but hammered in his chest. You both were going to erase your memories, just to save him? No, no he couldn't have that. He wouldn't allow that; He was so wrapped in his thoughts that he didn't even realize that a few of the branches recoiled in his anguish.

"Hey- Did one of the branches just recoil? Huh, who know just telling him the idea would get it to work." Olruggio would observe, looking at you with a shocked expression. You would blink as you took notice of where the branch was, watching as the leaves fell as you looked towards the dark haired boy with a small nod.

"Guys… Guys please-" Qifrey began, but Olruggio had already gone into a rant beside you about how the idea might work out after all, how everything would go back to somewhat normal afterwards and you all could return to the Great Hall and how you could-

"Can you two just knock it off?! If this is a joke, I'm not laughing! I-I won't let you!" Qifrey had interrupted, the tears running down his face again as you and Olruggio fell quiet. You'd look towards Qifrey then towards Olruggio, digging around your cloak before producing a small ink bottle and would pop the top off without another thought.

"We're not joking, Qifrey. In order to cast the spell we found…" You began, stepping closer to the white haired boy and, raising the bottle, collected a few of the tears that fell from his face as he silently listened to you explain just what you two had found there. "You have to first concoct a special mixture. A blend of conjuring ink and the tears shed over a bitter memory. After they've mixed, you draw the casting seal that erases memories." You explained to Qifrey as you stepped away, watched as the tears began to mix with the very ink in the bottle with very little need to swirl it.

"And just like that, you can wipe a person's mind of the memory behind the tears." You finished, showing Qifrey the ink. All he could do though was stare at the bottle with nothing but anguish in his eye, not believing that you and Olruggio would go through such trouble for someone like him. Someone that couldn't see a future for himself so long as this curse remained.

"No.. I can't let you do this- I won't let you sacrifice your memory for me! Just erase mine instead, what's another wipe anyway?!" He shouted at you both, causing you to lightly jump at his outburst and grip the bottle tightly to your chest as you watched his outbrust unfold. "I've forgotten everything that happened to me all those years ago anyway! I know what it feels like to have your memories lost over and over and over again! Just, please-" Qifrey began to plead, fresh tears coating his face as he lowered his head down, his voice dropping to that of a low whisper now. "Just erase mine instead."

As much as it pained you to watch Qifrey plead for his own memories to be wiped again, deep down you and Olruggio were already hell bent on the decision to wipe your own. It was decided way back in the Tower of Tomes, when Olruggio had found the spell.

'This one. This is what we'll use to help him!' Olruggio shouted, catching your interest as you came over and looked it over with wide eyes.

'A memory wipe spell? Olruggio that… That's dangerous-' You began to explain but as you turned to look him in the eyes, you saw the determination in them; The determination to save his best friend. Your next set of words would die on your tongue as you looked back at the spell once more before slowly nodding.

'Alright. We'll do it- And we won't let Qifrey change our minds.' You informed him, turning to look at Olruggio and holding your pinkie out to him. 'We'll pinkie promise each other, that no matter what he says or tries to do, we won't change our minds.'

Olruggio would look at your outstretched pinkie, his gaze going from it to you before he nodded, linking his pinkie with your own. 'Pinkie promise.'

"Listen Qifrey," Olruggio began as he crouched against the ground, taking up his pen and beginning to work on the spell within his palm quire. You'd kneel across from him, taking up your own pen to start working on the very same spell. Qifrey could only watch as he lifted his head, realizing that there was, in fact, no way to stop you both. His words wouldn't persuade you and he had no way to physically stop you, regardless of what he thought or said, there was no changing the outcome of what was to come. "we've already come to the conclusion in the Tower. With our memories erased, you'll live knowing that you have to hide the truth from everyone again and that anxiety of wondering when your secret will come out again will keep you from having this happen once more." Olruggio finished explaining, leaning over to look at how your spell was coming along.

Your hands were shaking, he noticed and he immediately realized that just like himself, you were scared; What would it feel like, having your memories erased? Would it feel like you had only fallen asleep for a few moments? Or would it feel something like deja-vu? Regardless of what you thought, you supposed you'd find out in a few very short moments.

"Guys… Please… You don't-" Qifrey began once more until Olruggio stood up suddenly, whipping around to glare at his best friend with such emotion you swear he could've lit the tree ablaze.

"Just shut up! You told me before you wanted to become the greatest witch there ever was! To Settle down under the open sky and to be happier than you ever have been! You can't do that if you're dead, now can you?!" He shouted as he stormed over to the boy, carefully climbing up onto the roots as Qifrey cried for what might have been the nth time that day. As Olruggio climbed high enough, he would take the cap off the white haired boys head, tossing it over to you before he would jump back down.

"From here on out, the three of us will be partners in pain! But, I need you to promise us, Qifrey, that you won't throw your life away." He'd tell Qifrey, not even waiting for him to give him a proper answer before he'd look back at you, watching as you would remove the ornament from not only your cap but Qifrey's as well. Olruggio would join your side seconds later, removing his own ornament before he'd place it onto Qifrey's cap.

"Here, we'll all exchange cap ornaments so that way our pact has some proof! Your tassel for my ribbon," Olruggio would began, attaching the ribbon to the top of Qifrey's cap with ease before he'd hand you Qifrey's tassel.

"And my tassel for your tassel. So whenever you see them, you'll be reminded of the promise you made to us." You'd giggle lightly at the thought of simply exchanging tassels, but you knew at the end of all this, Qifrey would know exactly what promise was made here today, even if you and Olruggio forgot all about it. You'd quickly place your own tassel onto Olruggio's cap before placing Qifrey's original tassel to your own. With everything set and the spells prepared, you and Olruggio would place the caps down nearby before taking hold of your palm quires, tearing off the piece of paper that held the spell.

The two of you would move to stand near each other, your heart racing as you stared down at the seal before you. The dark ink that surrounded the spell made it look terrifying and in a way you understood why the adult witches would never explain such a spell to their apprentices. You'd look down at your hand as you felt Olruggio's free hand grab your own, gently squeezing it for reassurance. You'd look at him, giving him a weary smile before you'd look away from him and towards Qifrey. You'd offer him the same smile before you felt the tears well in your eyes yet again.

"Hey Qifrey?" You asked, watching as the white haired boy could only watch as the very leaves from his tree began to fall around the two people he considered his closets friends, about to sacrifice their own memories just to ensure he walked away from this moment.

"Y-Yeah?" He'd ask, swallowing hard as you both raised the seals to your foreheads.

"Go easy on us, okay?" You'd say with a more genuine smile. Once the spell touched your forehead, you and Olruggio collapsed to the ground with soft 'thuds'. Qifrey would fall to his knees moments after you both collapsed, the tree suddenly disappearing around him as more of the leaves fell, covering you both in a silvery-white blanket.

What occurred after was nothing short of expected; You and Olruggio woke with memories gone of the previous events. You'd have asked Qifrey about the Tower, about his past, but when he said he wouldn't attempt it again, you let it be until Olruggio became confused as to why all your tassels were switched but with the outburst from Qifrey, you'd decided to just keep them the way it was. With nothing coming from the Tower of Tomes, you'd all head back to the Great Hall for some well deserved rest. Qifrey, though, was certain he would not rest easy that night. Or perhaps any night in the near future so long as he held onto this secret.

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"-frey? Hey Qifrey!"

The words would reach his ears before he'd properly wake himself up, but when his eye did open, he'd squint at the blurry figures that loomed over his form and the streaks of sunlight that surrounded them. Slowly he'd blink before you'd come into his line of sight, a warm smile on your features as your head was slightly tilted, his old ornament hanging from your cap.

"Ah good! You're finally awake." You'd laugh lightly, extending your hand out to help him up. You three were just outside his atelier, or at least the one you all had agreed to help him fix up for when the time arrived to take on apprentices, when he had fallen asleep underneath one of the trees nearby. "I was afraid you were never gonna wake up. You looked quite comfortable." You informed him as he took your hand, slowly getting to his feet with a light chuckle.

"Ah- My apologies… I must have shut my eyes for a bit and simply dozed off." Qifrey replied, dusting off his robes. He would hear a scoff from Olruggio nearby, his arms crossed as he gave his friend a look.

"Meaning you dozed off so we would do most of the hard work? Yeah, that checks out." He'd tease which would make you laugh lightly in response, gently hitting his arm.

"Olruggio! Give him a break. Qifrey has worked just as hard as we have if not more!" You'd inform him which would cause the dark haired adult to simply roll his eyes in response.

"I don't think falling asleep under a tree counts as working, my friend." He'd tease you, to which you and him would go back and forth in an argument that simply didn't need to be. But to Qifrey, he couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips before a small laugh would escape him seconds later.

He owed it to both you and Olruggio for allowing him to continue his life, to fulfill the dream he once had when he was younger. Sure, there were times where your memories would have to be wiped again because his secret came out, but in those times he saw the same two determined looks you both had back then.

The man is a pointed-cap witch who comes every year to repay a debt that doesn't exist. If it did, it would have been paid off by his first visit, but he insists. You offered him shelter many moons ago, when the storm outside felt like it was going to drown the land in its fury. You caught him out of the corner of your eye, walking down the dirt path of your middle-of-nowhere village. Pushing the door to your home wide open, letting the heinous screams of the winds and the tears of the sky into your home, you called out to the stranger.

"Sir!" Your eyes squinted harshly against the wind, arm over your forehead to keep the rain from hitting your face, a vain attempt. You're nearly as wet as he is in just a matter of seconds, but that doesn't stop you from calling out to him. "You're welcome to wait out the storm with me!"

You don't think you'll ever forget the look he made when he saw you.

You're not quite sure whether you'll ever understand all the emotions that flashed across his face. At first, it was as if he'd seen a ghost, eyes widening in horror, mouth agape as he clutched the robes at his chest. Maybe he hadn't expected to see anyone in the storm, let alone at the forest's edge. But just as quickly as the expression flashed, it was replaced by a dopey smile. His lips curl shyly, eyes crinkling in a friendly manner as he rushes to your home.

From the entrance of your home, you hadn't realized how tall the stranger was until he was towering over you, panting heavily from his jog. His arm holds the door frame, keeping the wind from blowing it shut as he gazes down at you with a desperate look. His eyes shake, refusing to settle on yours. They glide across your face… lips, nose, the curve of your cheeks. He takes it all in.

"Is the offer still open?" he says between bated breaths. You're pulled out of a daze you weren't aware you were in, nor for how long. The pounding of your heart nearly drowned out his voice, one that you hadn't expected to be so smooth and gentle.

"Of course!" you say in a panic. You step back, letting him into your small home, and the door closes behind him.

"Thank you for letting me into your home." His hands dig into his pockets, searching for something. "I am forever in your debt."

"What!" you squeak nervously. You shake your head and your hands frantically. "It's fine, really! You don't owe me anything!"

When it was just you at home, there were many things you hadn't noticed about it. Only when he stood in front of you did you see them. Only then did you realize how small your home was. There was no escape from his gentle eyes or his soft panting, which has your imagination running wild.

"I'll get us some towels to dry off," you say bashfully, unsure how else to break this weird tension.

"No need," he says before you have the chance to even move. He pulls his hands out of his pockets, along with two rings. He slides them along his thumbs, pressing them together. In an instant, a light is emitted, swallowing you both in its familiar warmth. The water that had showered you both dissipates into the air, leaving you in awe.

You're in disbelief. Your eyes flicker between him and yourself. Your hands run along the fabric of your clothes, feeling it dry and warm. Too caught up in your own awe, you weren't watching him as he dug into his pockets again.

"Qifrey the witch," he says with a slight bow, meeting your flustered gaze. He holds his pointed hat in his hands and over his heart for a moment before placing it on his head. "At your service."

You hadn't told him then, or the visits that followed, but you had dreamt of him long before you had met him. The images of him in your dreams are as clear as dreams are—fuzzy, blurry, and nonsensical.

The first dream you had of Qifrey is one you flush at the memory of. There was no space between you and him, your lips grazing his, and his eyes staring down at you with a yearning that makes you shriek in your arms just from visualizing it, especially now that you met the man in your dreams.

At the time, it hadn't meant much to you. Only a passing thought, if your solitude in the forest was taking a toll on you—maybe you had begun to yearn for affection.

The dreams don't come in a pattern. They appear to you sporadically. Sometimes they come days apart; other times, weeks… months.

Another dream that often comes to mind is the one you woke up to, tears streaming down your face, when you first dreamt it. You had felt an ache in your heart and an empty feeling in your stomach, despite the dream being one of love—at least it was love to you.

You were being held in his arms as yours wrapped around his neck. Daylight had yet to break, the sun just barely peeking over the horizon. The sight of it now, as you recollect it, reminds you of a painting soaked in water. The colors of it all mix together, with no clear end to one and the start of another.

You were in his arms, lips pressed against his, and somehow, in a way that only makes sense in a dream, you were in the air with him. Every time this particular dream resurfaces in your mind, you can feel the chill on your skin, almost as if relieving the feeling of the air thousands of feet in the sky. And if you close your eyes, you can feel the ghostly feeling of his lips on yours.

It's silly, maybe even a little pathetic and desperate, but you often wonder whether the dreams were memories of another life. One in which Qifrey the witch was much more than just the man who visits you once a year, when the morning spring dew appears.

A/n: EEEE! My first Witch Hat Atelier fic (besides HCs and drabbles)!

First Chapter! Sorry for it being somewhat short! Navigating new waters, but hopefully the next chapter will be a bit longer!

"Are you seriously still working on that spell? I feel like the last time I saw you earlier this afternoon you were still trying to perfect it." The young man spoke as he moved to stand beside you, his head tilting ever so slightly to try and catch a glimpse at the spell you were currently throwing hours of your time into; He assumed it wasn't anything that your master had instructed you to work on, so it was obviously just a spell you decided to create on a sudden whim for whatever reason he was unaware of. You shifted ever so slightly in your seat though your head turned to give him a look.

"Yes seriously- It needs to be perfect and I'm not gonna stop until it is. Even if it takes all day and all night." You spat at Olruggio, looking back at the paper and frowned when you noticed one of the signs inside was off; Most likely caused by your sudden shift in posture or from the ache you suddenly began to feel in your wrist from drawing so long. You huffed in response, taking the paper and tossed it aside before you leaned back in your seat, extending your arms out behind you in a large stretch that certainly had a few of your bones popping in response. Even so young you already felt like you were well into your elderly years with how sore your back would become when you were hunched over working on your spells.

Regardless of how long you were sitting there working though, you could still faintly hear the pitter patter of the rain above. Even if you were in the Great Hall and were well below sea level, somehow the rain never seemed to be silenced.

"It's still raining, right?" You asked Olruggio for confirmation as you turned your attention back to him, allowing yourself to relax for a few short seconds before you dove back into the creation of your spell. Olruggio, the tossed paper now in his hand as he looked it over, would turn his attention away from the spell in progress to you with a small nod.

"Sadly, yeah. Means we more than likely won't be sneaking out tonight on any sort of adventure with Qifrey. Though I think after our last one we may wanna lay low for awhile…" He replied, placing the paper down as he sat himself down beside you with a small sigh, recalling the events from the previous night. You couldn't help the small giggle that escaped you as you recalled the events of that night; How far you all had gone, how long you all sat under the starry sky and just talked until you returned to the Great Hall and had quite the scolding from each of your masters, though the three of you could only laugh it off later on. It was a lovely evening, one you would recall forever; And it was because of that night that you were creating the spell in front of you.

Determination set in your eyes once more as you leaned forward, grabbing a fresh sheet and took hold of your pen before you began to scribble the same signs as before, only this time you began to add new ones. Olruggio would lean forward on the table, his chin resting in his hand as curiosity swirled in his eyes as he watched you work. He was trying to piece the spell together before you finished, but with each addition of a new sign he could only tilt his head more and more to the side until he felt the sudden pain in his neck and his cap almost fell off his head.

"What… Exactly are you working on?" He'd ask though was quickly shushed with a 'shh' from you as you put your full focus onto the spell. Olruggio would frown before he'd huff himself, now crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed.

"Fine! It's not like I wanted to know anyway." He'd say, though it was clearly obvious from the tone of his voice he did in fact very much wanted to know. As your spell began to change from seconds of work to minutes, Olruggio decided it best to work on his own spells.

The both of you would fall into an enjoyable silence, the sounds of scratching and the clinking of ink bottles was all that could be heard from your study room for several long minutes. Before long, you'd quickly stand, your chair sliding across the ground and breaking that silence with a loud screech. Olruggio's head would whip up at your sudden motion, confusion on his face as he opened his mouth to ask what was going on but he would quickly take notice of the way your eyes were glowing with excitement as you stared at the finished spell before you'd turn your attention to him with a wide grin now on your face.

"Where's Qifrey?"

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He didn't think he could pull the blanket any tighter around him; He could us a spell, of course, but he felt like his hands would shake far too much for the spell to be properly symmetrical and thus would be rendered useless. Qifrey could only curl in on himself tighter as he covered his head with the blanket as much he could. Why did the rain have to be so loud to him? Why was it that he was the only one who seemed to really suffer whenever it rained? He knew, partially, as to why but even still the noise was getting to him. Everything was so loud, and he just wished for silence.

"Qifrey?" A voice broke through his thoughts as quickly as they began and before long he heard the door to his room slowly open; He knew the voice, he knew the shuffling of the feet that followed as the door slowly shut. He'd carefully remove the blanket over his head, his eye peaking out to his two closest friends standing beside his bed with worried looks.

"How are you holding up…?" You'd ask, clutching your spell book close to your chest as the white haired boy slowly shifted around to sit up, though he didn't dare remove the blanket from around him just yet.

"I'm here. Simple as that." The boy would respond, watching as his friends joined him on the bed. He seemed to relax a small bit, with them present the rain wasn't so bad now and while he hoped for silence earlier, he appreciated the words of his friends.

"They had something to show you, been workin on it since the moment they woke this morning." Olruggio said, motioning across the way to where you sat, a light blush on your face as you fidgeted with the book covers edges.

"Olly! You said you wouldn't tell him right away!" You complained with a small whine as you placed the book down, to which the dark haired boy could only laugh in response.

"Oops- Sorry. Curiosity is killing me. I wanna see this spell as much as you wanted to show Qifrey!" He shouted in response, which caused Qifrey to raise an eyebrow as he turned his attention to you.

"You made me a spell?" He questioned, his eye slightly wide as the blush on your face began to grow. You looked between the boys before looking down, flipping open the book and to the page where the spell now sat, the casting circle not yet fully closed.

"So um… The other night we all went out, and looked at the stars together," You began, your blush slowly subsiding as a smile graced your features. "It was… One, if not currently, the best night of my life. I wanted to find a way to remember it, a way for us to always be under the stars together." You continued, pulling out your pen that was already tipped with ink and, leaning over, completed the ring.

The spell lit up and from it, small pieces of crystal began to dart out and hover in the air, arranging themselves in various points in the air around the three of you. Afterwards, light would begin to circle around the pieces of crystal before binding itself to it, generating clusters of fake stars within the room. Qifrey's eye would widen as he stared up at the creation before him, his mouth slightly open as he looked around.

"It's… It's like we're outside under the night sky." He spoke, slowly freeing himself from the blanket as he reached out to touch one of the stars. Though they did not burn as the real stars did, he could feel the slight warmth that came from them; One that would provide comfort to those who looked towards them. Olruggio would look around the room himself, his head whipping around in all directions.

"This- This is amazing!" He'd say as he turned his attention back to you, watching the way your own eyes would stare up at the stars. It was your spell, you know what it would do and to what degree after all, but to see it actually working was something else; Pride swirled in your chest, as did your excitement from seeing your close friends reactions. You looked between the boys now, giving them both a warm smile as any worries and anxieties from before began to flee from your body.

"I figured with this spell, no where we are or what time of day it is, we could still at least have the stars with us and thus make a lot more memories together." You explained, messing with the edge of the page. Qifrey and Olruggio would both look at each other then at you, fond smiles crossing their own features.

"It's… It's wonderful, truly something we'd never forget." Qifrey would say as he looked back up at the stars, his eye twinkling from their faint flickering effect; He could begin to make out that within the clusters, small constellations were present and he began to wonder if somehow these were the very same constellations that would illuminate the night sky currently if it weren't for the rain. He'd have to have you cast the spell again the next time you all went out just to see if what he saw was true.

With a smile on your own face, you adjusted yourself on his bed, laying back against it to stare up at the stars. Olruggio, with his excitement now calmed and the exhaustion from the day clinging to his body, would follow suit after you on the opposite side of where Qifrey sat. Qifrey would be the last to settle back into his bed, gaze never leaving the stars above. It was like the rain was silenced now as he listened to you and Olruggio talk between him and as he'd listen, he'd eventually quip in with his own tid-bit of information; Whether it was of conversations you might've overheard that day from other apprentices or perhaps a useful spell one of your masters had told you about during your lessons, the conversation just flowed naturally.

Before long, each of you would fall asleep; Olruggio would fall first, his light snores echoing through Qifrey's room. The two of you would quietly giggle, for such a young boy his snores were quite loud. It wouldn't be long before a yawn would come from your own mouth as your eyes slowly shut, a low hum escaping you as you mumbled.

"I hope… You liked it, Qifrey." You quietly spoke, sleep lacing your words as the white haired boy would look at you. He would feel that feeling in his chest, the one that worried him so before he'd just quietly nod as he shifted between you both.

Considering your reputation, nobody could really blame her. Stories about you traveled easily among witches. Some spoke about your inventions with near disbelief, describing intricate magical tools capable of shielding entire villages or dismantling dangerous spells in seconds. Others talked about watching you fight, about the terrifying precision of your magic and the way you could cut through hostile creatures so quickly it barely looked real. Coco had once overheard a group of older witches discussing you in hushed voices at the market, and afterward she spent nearly an hour excitedly telling everyone she was absolutely going to meet “the amazing witch Qifrey knows.”

So naturally, Agott expected someone impossibly intimidating.

Then you arrived at the atelier carrying three bags, tripped on the front step almost immediately, and would have fallen face-first onto the wooden porch if Qifrey had not caught you by the waist without even looking up from the book in his hands.

“There you are,” he said calmly, like this happened every single day.

You blinked at him in surprise while clutching his sleeve. “I didn’t even see the step.”

“I know.”

Behind him, the apprentices stared in complete silence.

You straightened quickly, visibly embarrassed, before trying to regain some dignity and offering them all a warm smile. “Hello. I brought pastries.”

Then one of the bags split open because you had apparently forgotten to tie it properly.

Pastries rolled everywhere.

Coco loved you instantly.

Agott, meanwhile, looked deeply confused.

This only became worse over the next few hours. You forgot where you placed your gloves three separate times despite holding them once while actively searching for them. You walked directly into a doorway because you got distracted explaining a spell theory to Coco. At one point, you ran halfway out the front gate with everyone before suddenly freezing in horror. “I forgot the maps,” you announced. Then you rushed back inside. Less than a minute later, you returned looking triumphant before stopping again. “No, wait. I forgot my satchel too.” Agott watched this happen with increasing disbelief while Qifrey stood nearby looking entirely unsurprised.

“Does this happen often?” she finally asked quietly.

Qifrey smiled faintly over the rim of his tea. “Constantly.”

Sure enough, five minutes later you reappeared in the doorway holding your satchel, your maps, and somehow also one of Qifrey’s scarves because you apparently forgot which belongings were yours halfway through gathering everything.

“You took my scarf,” Qifrey pointed out gently.

You looked down. “...Ah.”

There was a pause.

Then Qifrey reached over and fixed the scarf around your shoulders properly anyway.

Agott did not know what to make of the fact that one of the most accomplished witches she had ever heard of kept nearly walking into furniture.

The strangest part was how quickly the contrast became obvious once you actually started working.

Because the moment magic entered the equation, you became someone entirely different.

It happened during a small outing with the girls a few days later. The trip had been peaceful until a spell device sold at the market malfunctioned nearby, sending unstable glyphs spiraling wildly through the street. Before anyone else could properly react, you moved.

Agott would remember that moment for a very long time afterward.

One second you had been laughing softly while trying to remember whether you packed enough ink. The next, your expression sharpened with frightening focus. Your movements became precise, immediate, practiced in a way that felt almost unreal compared to your usual absentminded softness. You stepped directly in front of the apprentices without hesitation while glyphs bloomed beneath your hands in smooth rapid patterns. The unstable magic collapsed instantly under your control. Every line you drew was perfect. Every movement deliberate. Within moments, the damaged device safely unraveled into harmless sparks.

The entire street had gone silent.

Then you blinked once, looked down at your hands, and sighed quietly. “Oh no,” you murmured. “I think I dropped the pastries.”

Sure enough, the pastry box sat upside down several feet away.

Coco burst out laughing first.

Even Agott had to look away to hide her expression.

Qifrey, however, looked unbearably fond.

It was almost embarrassing how obvious it became whenever he watched you. His gaze softened constantly around you, warm amusement lingering even during your most chaotic moments. Whenever you forgot something, he already had it ready before you realized it was missing. Whenever you stumbled, his hand appeared at your waist or against your arm with perfect timing, steadying you so naturally it seemed practiced.

Which, unfortunately, it absolutely was.

One rainy afternoon, the apprentices witnessed perhaps the worst example yet.

You were carrying supplies through the atelier while distractedly explaining a new invention to Qifrey, speaking quickly with animated gestures while he listened with patient interest beside you. “—and if the pressure release rune activates too early, the whole thing destabilizes, so I had to redesign the inner cir—”

Your foot caught against the edge of the carpet.

Agott physically saw disaster approaching.

Without interrupting your sentence, Qifrey caught you smoothly against his chest before you could fall. One hand steadied the supplies while the other rested securely at your waist. You blinked up at him mid-conversation like nothing unusual had happened.

“Thank you,” you said automatically before continuing, “—which means the copper wiring has to be layered differently—”

Qifrey nodded attentively. “Mm. That makes sense.”

The apprentices stared.

“You didn’t even pause,” Tetia whispered.

“We stopped pausing months ago,” Qifrey admitted.

You looked mildly offended. “I am not that clumsy.”

At that exact moment, you nearly stepped backward into a stool.

Qifrey caught you again immediately without even turning around this time.

Agott covered her face with her hand.

The truly unfair part was that despite all of this, she ended up liking you far more than expected. Maybe it was because you never acted embarrassed about your accomplishments despite how extraordinary they were. Maybe it was because you treated the apprentices seriously, listening carefully to every question Coco asked and praising Agott’s precision with complete sincerity. Or maybe it was simply impossible not to grow attached to someone who could dismantle dangerous magic in seconds yet still forget where they left their own shoes.

One evening, Agott found you asleep at the workshop table after spending hours helping Richeh repair damaged tools. Your notes were scattered everywhere in messy overlapping stacks. One of your sleeves had ink smeared across it. Qifrey stood nearby watching you with quiet affection while gently lifting your glasses from where they sat crookedly against your face.

“She fell asleep looking for her own notebook,” he said softly.

Agott stared at you for a long moment before muttering, “She’s weird.”

Qifrey smiled knowingly. “Very.”

There was a small pause before Agott crossed her arms and looked away.

“…I understand it, though,” she admitted quietly.

Qifrey’s expression softened immediately because he understood exactly what she meant.

Because somehow you were both things at once. You were terrifyingly skilled and hopelessly forgetful. Brilliant and absentminded. Capable of protecting everyone around you without hesitation while still needing Qifrey to remind you where you placed your coat five minutes earlier. And perhaps the strangest thing of all was how naturally those pieces fit together.

Especially to him.

Especially when he caught you against his chest after another near fall and you instinctively relaxed there for half a second longer than necessary, smiling up at him with sleepy trust while he steadied you carefully like it was the easiest thing in the world.

By the time he arrived at said tower, a gust of wind hit him smack in the face, almost toppling over. As he adjusted his eyes to the harsh winds, he notices a figure near the ledge.

“Someone else is here? Seriously?” he grimaces. “There goes my plan for the night…”

Qifrey turned to leave, but another gust of wind blew at his back, his nightgown blowing in all sorts of directions. He lets out a startled cry, clutching on to his clothes.

“There’s no way this is natural wind. Just what is that person doing?” He wondered irritably, silently glaring at the figure’s back.

Reeling back from the wake up call that was your spell, you let out a sigh. “That was too weak. Ugh, how else am I supposed to conjure up a tornado?”

You grip your pen and start drawing another sigil on your notepad but soon stop as you feel eyes staring at you. You swivel around and stare at a boy, wide eyed.

“There’s another person here!? When’d he get here?? He’s not gonna tattle on me for being here right..?” You thought frantically.

“Uhm..” you mumble, “How long have you been there..?” You hide your supplies behind your back. The winds calm down as the spell subsides.

He stares at you, contemplating whether or not he should just act like you didn’t exist and leave. “Long enough,” he says.

“You’re practicing this late? Isn’t that against the rules?” He accuses.

“Well..” your words falter, “You’re out of bed too..!” You point a finger at him.

“Like that matters!” He shouts back. Qifrey decides to entertain a conversation; while he’d rather not, he can’t just leave now that he’s been spotted.

He walks closer to you. It’s not until he’s a few beats away when you finally recognize him.

“White hair, blue eyes, one eye covered..,”you squint at his figure as he stands with his arms crossed. “Where have I heard about that..?” You ponder out loud.

You dig into the back of your mind for a few moments.

“Oh! I know! You’re that kid that Beldaruit took in,” you marvel. He rolls his eyes. He’s been in this situation too many times to count since he’s arrived here.

“Just get it over with. Say what you want but-“ “Can you teach me how to make smoke spells!?” You cut him off.

He flinches slightly. He was expecting something about him being an outsider or unworthy or something, not whatever that was.

He gawks at you for a few seconds. He raises a hand to his chest and points to himself. “Me?”

You glance around you, “Who else is here?”

Qifrey snaps out of his astonishment. “Why would I teach you anything?” He retorts.

“What’s that supposed to mean!? Aren’t apprentices supposed to help each other out or whatever?”

“Just because I happened to be here at the same time as you doesn’t mean I owe you anything.” He decides it’s best to leave now, before he gets tangled up in something with you.

You run up to him and grab his arm. “Hey! We were just talking, why are you leaving-“

He smacks your hand off of him and barks out, “Don’t touch me.”

You look at him slightly startled, muttering out, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He looks away slightly guiltily and stops in his tracks. The wind howls in the background, filling the silence.

“I’ll just let you go.” You mummer, turning back to your original spot on the tower.

“I didn’t mean to snap at them.” He glances at your retreating form, “Should I apologize?” He hesitates. “..It doesn’t matter,” he thinks as he heads back to his quarters.

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“Hey! Hey! Heyyyyy!!! [Name]! Wake up!!” Olruggio yelled as he shook your shoulders. “You’re supposed to get up early so I can show you around, remember?”

He jabs your sides, jolting you awake. “I’m up! I’m up! Stop poking me,” you shriek, lightly shoving him off your bed.

You’d been brought to the Great Hall only yesterday. During that time, your master had given you little to no instructions on what to do other than resting up (which you did not do).

You’d also met back up with Olruggio. He’d been brought to the Hall a few months before you, being the smartest witch in your village and passing the first trial prior to anyone else. Yet his schedule was packed that day so the two of you decided to meet today, hence the abrupt wake up.

After you got ready, Olly showed you to the library, cafeteria, resting areas, and the random halls and alleys among other things. By the time you were finished, you headed to the cafeteria for breakfast.

“You should meet my friend! You two would get along great,” He drags you by the arm while carefully balancing his tray with his other hand. “We met when I saved him from drowning, isn’t that neat?” He brags.

“Are you being sarcastic?” You question.

“Not at all,” he responds, giving you a smirk.

“What a way to introduce someone..” You roll your eyes then realize, “Hey! If that’s how you introduce them, what does that say about me since I’d ‘get along with him!?’”

He ignores your exclamation. “Anyways, here we are.” You arrive at a table, “Qifrey meet [Name]! They just came to the Hall not too long ago.”

You look down at the boy sitting at the table. When he looks up and the two of you lock eyes, you take a step back.

“You!?” You both cry out.

“You guys know each other?” Olly glances between the both of you.

“We met yesterday..” you say hesitantly.

“Yeah, when you were practicing way past curfew,” he mumbles, taking a bite of his food.

You glare at him, you open your mouth to say something back but Olly cuts you off, taking a seat across from Qifrey, “Well, that makes it easier right? At least you’re not total strangers,” he says blissfully.

“I think strangers would’ve been better honestly,” you think as you sit down, throwing glances down at Qifrey, which he ignores.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

It’d taken you some time to get used to Qifrey’s presence. Sometimes he’d get on your nerves, sometimes you’d get on his. Meaning a lot of bickering, with Olruggio as the mediator, and a lot of fun as well.

Previously, you’ve only really had Olly as your friend so, having a new face was refreshing (even if you were convincing yourself you were only friends with Qifrey for his sake).

Nowadays, you spend most of your time studying or following Qifrey and Olly around to see whatever shenanigans they come up with.

Your favorite time had to be when you found a grey brushbuddy while exploring. Olly practically had to drag the thing off of you since you didn’t want to abandon it. When you returned the next time, the little buddy was gone. You cried into Qifrey’s shoulder for the next ten minutes.

Still, you don’t talk to Qifrey much when Olly isn’t around. Well, you would, but neither of you are too fond of starting conversations.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Your head slams into the table with a large thud. You wince and rub your eyes sleepily. “Have to stay awake.. Until I figure this spell out at least.”

You lift your head off of the table. “Maybe I should go outside. That’ll wake me up.”

You get out of your chair, stretch your arms over your head, and you throw on a coat before heading up to the tower.

Qifrey’s already sitting up there when you arrive. It’s become routine to see him up there, he comes every other day or so. The both of you don’t plan on these hang outs but they’re not unwelcomed.

You can’t help but notice that all he seems to do is space out up there. Olly tells you that he just wants to leave to go outside but he’s never tried anything like that. It’s not your business to worry too much about that though, so you just let the problem drift off elsewhere.

You take a seat near him. Qifrey glances at you as a greeting. You lay down on your back, staring up at the sky, while your feet dangle off the edge.

It’s cloudy today, as it is most nights. You take out your notepad and stare at the spell you’ve been working on the past week. It isn’t long til you start working on it once more.Every so often, the sound of paper crinkling can be heard as you shove the failed drawings into a pocket.

After a bit, Qifrey snaps out of his daze and lays down beside you. “What are you working on?” He asks softly.

“Still trying to make my spell.”

“The one with a tornado?”

“No. I’m trying to make a ball of wind this time.”

“Why?”

“Because you can make vapor bubbles and Olly can make pyreballs. I wanna make something circular too.”

“You should switch your signs. With those, the ball will be unstable.”

“Oh. You’re right. I would've taken way longer to notice that.. Thanks, Qifrey.”

He lets out a hum in response.

A few minutes later, the noise of wrinkled and flipping paper dies down. Qifrey peers over at you, “Are you done yet?”

“Mhm!” You sit up and finish connecting the ring. An orb of wind levitates in your hands. “Check it out!”

You rotate it and throw it around to test its durability. “Pretty sturdy. Feels like a ball. Maybe we could use it for games,” you mumble, fixated on your new creation.

Qifrey on the other hand, isn’t all that interested in it, but rather in you.

He’s never seen you this happy with the outcome of a spell Sure, he’s seen your other ones numerous times before. However, this one’s different. This time's different. He can’t put his finger on why, but he feels something akin to a sting in his chest.

He sits up as well and scoots closer to you. “Can I hold it?” He asks. You let it fall into his hands and lean onto his shoulder.

“It’s cool right?” You look at him expectantly.

He feels his face heat up. “You’re really close,” he thinks. “Yeah. I wonder what else you could do with it. What if you add water to it?” He says.

“Then it’d be like a fishbowl! Let me try..” you draw a small vapor bubble spell and direct it into the sphere. The water swirls into the wind, creating ribbons of blue in the orb, eventually settling inside of it.

Qifrey shakes it. “It’s like a closed container now. Impressive,” he remarks.

A smile graces your face. “We should show it to Olly tomorrow. I think he’d like it too.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he smiles back.

“I’ve always liked how considerate you are.”

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

A/N: first fic how’d I do 🥹🥹 anyways I sped ran the manga yesterday after I watched the anime episodes so apology if they’re ooc 🫶

You're tired.

So many classes and so many notes to jot down onto you're notebooks thats already piling up to be as tall as you. How can magic be this complicated?! Why did you choose Mixture Magic instead of pure magic? These classes are hell including these new concepts.

You slumped over your desk, every other apprentice's in the Great Hall already with their own inner circles, you turned your head with rose tinted glasses you look across the room to find that familiar back.. She's so pretty even from far away, you can't help but feel something bubbling up in you're heart like tiny brushbugs slithering around and tickling you with their fur. You stared some more, admiring that apprentice girl.. She looks like she's from Master vinanna but you can't see, you only focused on how beautiful she looked.

She turned, looking behind you as you quickly hide your face with your book. 'Dear God, she seen me! ' — You peeked over the cover, she left. You felt dissappointment welling up in your brain, another chance of introducing yourself gone to the drain. You carefully close the thick grimoire and sighed to yourself.

You've been studying your butt's off to get her attention, to get her to notice you and talk to you first but it doesn't work. An impressive light spell that can turn into a rainbow? She doesn't turn her head, Turning sand into glass with fire magic? She doesn't even bats an eye! You were screaming into your pillow at your master's quarters. How can you get her to pay attention to you?! "Annoying! Annoying! Annoooyyiinnnggg!!! —" you shouted, biting and chewing the edges of the pillow.

".. What does she like? " You thought out loud, the pillow slipping off your bed as you look up to the ceiling. Asking her friends would be weird, you don't know either of them.. Eavesdropping on their conversation makes you look like a creep... Stalking is a big no, no! That'll ruin your reputation. How about observing the people she found interest in? That's a good idea, perhaps.. You could observe the people she acquainted with and get along with them and in exchange perhaps she will pay attention to you!

You sat up, smiling triumphantly as the plan formed into your head. "Alright! I decided.. " you chuckled, perhaps fate was in your hands after all and perhaps soon you could confess your feelings in the future... You couldn't help but swoon over the thought, it's a heart-fluttering and infatuated future. You could practically see a wedding in front of you!

"Hehehe...! " — You laughed to yourself, hugging your pillow towards your chest as you tussle and turn in your bed. You swore you could hear footsteps and bell chimes in the distant until a knock on your door broken through the silence.

"... Apprentice, don't make such loud noises dead at night, please. " your daydream cut short with a serious tone. "I could hear you screaming from the other side of the room! " —A sigh came from your master, making you embarrassed from waking them up or disturbing them.

"... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to— I'll go to sleep now.. " You voiced out, hearing your master clicked their tongue before walking away... You should really sleep right about now.

And surprise, it was actually very late and you didn't get enough sleep! You were too distracted by the thought of finally confessing your love to her that you ended up sleeping for measly 3 hours. Who could've blamed you? For some rest and saving your brain from overloading, you only jotted down your work and important lessons, you didn't bother with the other tiny topics sprinkled in by one of the professors, you could've sworn someone was staring at your back. You rubbed the tiredness from your eyes, it must be being tired, as you peeked over the wall.. Behold! Your crush with her friends surrounding someone. Today is a very special day because your crush, the mysterious girl, talked to someone! The rumoured boy that beldaruit™ taken in a... Long ago, you don't actually remember. You watched closely... Very closely...

Examining her expression, her movements and the way they laughed. You believed they had some fun, though the boy doesn't seem all that happy.. Or they always have that frown on. You can't tell, you returned back to hide behind the wall, taking a deep breath as you ready to approach the boy. "Alright, alright... This is the time. " you spoke out, a tiny mere whisper as you turned around and found the boy staring at you.

" ... " He stared at you, watching your face turning red slowly and watching you fiddle with the ends of your hair that you didn't realize you were doing.

" H-Hello!! I didn't see you th—" you stammered quickly, dusting off any debris and fixed your hair. Plastering an awkward smile as you stared at the boy, how long was he standing there?! —

".. You're that glass kid. "

"... Eh? " you blinked in confusion, looking around the now empty hallway, the Great Hall usually never this empty or quiet.

".. The one who made that glass vase with fire magic, I like how pretty it was. "

You blinked once more, pointing at yourself as he nodded. You never gotten a compliment over that, it was an experiment, you weren't sure if pyreball is strong enough to melt the sand's components to turn into glass and even the dye's you use wouldn't guarantee their vibrancy.

" You.. You watched that? " you looked down, your body straight as you fiddle the ends of your apprentice robes.

The boy nodded, tilting their head slightly. "Did they were not impressed? It's quite cool.. " he admitted as he stepped closer slightly. "I wanted to talk to you but you were too.. Distracted. "

'.. Ah, he meant I was staring at her with roses. ' you think, feeling embarrassed that your heart is laid bare. You thought you hid your feelings well enough. "Hahahahahahaa— distracted?! Never! " you laughed out, rubbing the back of your head. ' I thought no one pay attention to me—'

" ... Did you came for her? " he interrupted, pointing at the retreating figure of your crush walking away.

"No way, she's not my type! " —thats a lie, she's totally your type.

The boy tilted their head more, looking at you, really looking at you as if to decide if you are telling the truth or not. 'Dear Heavens hear my prayer and don't see through my lie—'

"Really? "

"Yes, really!! " you nodded furiously, slight blush dusted across your face. "Let's stop talking about people and introduce ourselves, who are you?.. " —You questioned, you never really pay attention to rumours and gossips much more focused on your education and assignments by your master.

The boy smiled slightly, you swore you could see a small twitch. "I'm.. Qifrey, i'm supposed to meet with a friend, olruggio. "

"Ah! Ghodrey's treasure right?! — I like his fire magic! " you exclaimed, you never seen a fire so bright before. You started to follow Qifrey, walking alongside him as you babbled on about how different magic react differently to each other.

How wind magic can amplify fire magic to make it spread farther and magic it dangerously hot.

Wind magic with ice magic, making some sort of fan and the coolness is quite perfect for the summer heat.

Ice magic and light magic making such beautiful artificial rainbow that rivals a real rainbow with how vibrant it is.

"Oh! And you know levitation magic right? " You questioned Qifrey, without you realizing it, both of you are now sitting in the cafeteria and across from each other.

"Mhmn, it's used on our boots and we levitate to some degree right? " You nodded, pulling out your notebook as you pointed at a specific drawing of a sigil.

Theres some stabilizers and cores near the circle, in the middle, there is a fire sigil. Another drawing you pointed at have an improved version of levitation sigil that usually medium in difficulty is now intricate and difficult.

"One at the top of your soles and the fire on the bottom, everytime you click.. It'll send you blasting off a great feat! —" you exclaimed, even bringing out your own boots. It's something you did all on your own without the permission of your master. "Oh, please don't tell anyone. Especially my master, they'll bite off my ear— " you crossed your arms, looking at Qifrey as they.. Stare intensely. Tapping the cafeteria's table as if in... Boredom? ".. Am I talking too much? I'm sorry, I'll stop and le—"

"No, please. Continue, I was too focused on... "

"My boots? "

"Yes, your boots.. "

"Do you want me to draw the exact spell on yours? "

".. Not really but I'm curious how far you can get with it... "With that, you beamed in excitement, quickly grabbing them off the table and putting them on. Qifrey looked at you, surprise with your scarily fast and excitement. " are you doing it right now? "

"Why, yes! — I can show you! —"

"Isn't it dangerous? —"

"Nonsense! I can do it. " you reassured, looking down at your boots as you put the tip of your shoes together so you can levitate yourself slightly off the ground. "Ready? Are you watching? "

"Y-Yes, I am.. Please be carefu—"

Clink!

You soared off, it was higher than you anticipated. Qifrey's expression into worry and a bit of.. Surprise? Admiration? You couldn't tell from how high you were.

"See?! —" you shouted, keeping the tip of your shoes together. "It's super effective! —" you shouted, slowly coming down as you slipped and fall slightly.

"T-That... That was.. —"

"Amazing right?! —"

"That was dangerous?! You could've fall! —"

"But I didn't! I may be new but I know how to control my own spells. " you smiled triumphantly, your hands on your hips as your boost about your successfully (albeit dangerous) demonstration.

Qifrey couldn't help but sigh, shaking his head slightly. You've been talking his ear off about all sort of magic you could combine about 6 hours already, yet he couldn't help but listen intensely. But slowly, your words starting to pick up pace that he have t'o ask repetitive questions to get you to slow down slightly.

'.. Cute' Qifrey thought, watching and albeit not listening as he's too focused on admiring you. He noticed you awhile ago, you're diligent, hard working and albeit dense that the girl you were crushing over did not like you in the slighest bit. He wondered what gotten into you when you decided to fall in love with them... He just doesn't see it, Olruggio teased him about it too.

"Why are you so focused on this lesson? " —Olruggio questioned, unimpressed by his best friend jotting down notes as if they will miss a single one. "Ooohh, I get it now.. " He exaggerated his tone, falling back slightly to the chair with a smirk on his face. "It's because of that glass kid right? " In an instant Qifrey looked at Olruggio with a frown, but the blush dusted their cheeks is a dead giveaway for his best friend's feelings.

"Hey, Hey! I don't like them like that... " Qifrey mumbled, it was only a few days before he realized his feelings to you were more than admiration for your unique and albeit scary ideas of combination magic. "It's just I don't want to lose to her. " —which is your crush, he knows his talented but you won't look at his way! ".. She's like, so whatever! I could do so much better than her. " that day, Olruggio knew that something light up in Qifrey's eyes, some kind of one-sided rivalry to see who could take your heart the quickest.

' Ah. His very determined. ' Olruggio thought, but more reason to tease his best friend though. ".. Qifrey? —"

"No, not yet—"

"... Qifrey—"

"I'm not finished yet! —"

"Qifrey! "

".. What is it? —"

" class is over... " Olruggio voiced out, staring at Qifrey baffled face as they turned their head to look at their surroundings especially where you were seated.

"Oh."

Perhaps another day, he would win you over. Even if he have to rig it a bit! Often he would drag you to skip classes together, Olruggio making sure that nobody disturbs both of your time together. He made gestures that only couples do but you just don't get the hint, Beldaruit even teases him about it when his mentor saw him gave you a sweet snack, tormenting him with 'aww.. is my dearest apprentice having a crush?!' in some way or another.

He tried everything to show he's affection, first was courtship dancing. Taking your hand in his as music from a music box he got from Beldaruit to help him win your heart, but he ended up messing up by stepping on your feet. So much being a bird.

The second was secretly asking you to browse the market, the idea was to make the atmosphere romantic so it feels like a date and make you feel like its a date! but the market unexpectedly had a carridge accident so the street were closed.

The eleventh was exchanging buttons, it was said that exchanging buttons with the person you loved is.. he forgot what it meant but Qifrey knows it means something!

21 attempts, 21 attempts at hinting he likes you.

Qifrey wonders if it works, he tried everything from Beldaruit's advice, asking seniors on how to make a person fall in love with you— Damn, he even bought 3 romance novels on how to make it cliche. Not his best but damn did he try!

He's not sure if you like him back, you look so excited sharing your findings and lessons with him even if he doesn't ask for it. He willingly listens and added some of his ideas.

Qifrey was sure he had failed on making you fall in love with him, it was the day of the "The Goodwill of Her Grace" you asked him to meet you at the hallway when both of you met. Strange, did you want to congratulate him privately? Qifrey follows you, looking at your fidgeting hands as you walk side by side.

".. You're quite nervous, is something the matter?" Qifrey questioned, tilting his head to the side as both of you stop mid in your tracks. Your face is red, nervous, flustered? he couldn't tell, his heart is beating with whatever you're about to say.

You turned to him, you're hiding something in your sleeves, he doesn't comment on it. ".. I have something for you, congratulations on passing the exam." Your voice barely noticeable, looking down as if your boots are more interesting that his presence.

"Thank you, i couldn't have passed if it's not for your words." Qifrey smiled, a bit disappointed you only came here to say a few congratulatory words, at least it's better than getting rejected or asking for a favor. "If that's all, then i have to go." his brows furrowed slightly, slowly turning back as his ready to accept his fate.

"wait!—" You grabbed the edge of his cloak, pulling him back in surprise, he looks at you as you bow towards him. "please go out with me! i-i like you Qifrey!—" You shouted, pulling out a flower albeit a bit withered but clearly you tried to find a flower that matches his eyes, your hands covered in dirt and grime.

Qifrey's speechless, unable to say a word before you got onto the floor.

"PLEASE GO OUT WITH ME! I DIDN'T PLAN ON FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU— BUT I DID!—" You admitted, Qifrey couldn't help but the edge of his mouth twitched to a smile as he grabbed two of your hand, encasing them with his.

"I accept!" He shouted, stars and glitter in his eyes as you felt tears welling up in your eyes.

.

but the moment was ruined slightly with...

"Congratulations apprentice!" The familiar voice of Beldaruit comes as both Alaira and Olruggio popped out of the corner of the hallway with confetti falling onto both of you. "I knew you could do it! this mentor of yours is very happy!" Beldaruit continue as his chair walked over to Qifrey, patting them on the back.

"Im glad you two finally confessing." —Olruggio congratulated, smiling brightly.

"good job, it feels like the end of a novel where the love interest finally gets together!" —Alaira added, popping another confetting spell.

"w-why are you guys here?!" Qifrey questioned, red covering all over his face as he turned to you.

".. they were here for... emotional support..."

You were always there for Olly. When he casted his first spell, when made his first trinket, when he passed the trial to become an apprentice, you were there.

When he felt like a failure, you were there. You’d spent hours with him, letting him cry his heart out, until the last tear fell, and the last one dried. Never once did you make him feel like he was nothing. Because in your eyes, he was everything.

It was laughable, your friendship. The village’s disappointment befriended their greatest success.

But it never was funny to him. He’d taught you, practiced alongside you, and learned more than he thought was imaginable from you.

He never understood why everyone hated you. He had asked you once, but even you didn’t know. If he were to guess, it seemed like the day you were born was the day the world turned on you.

So why in the world is Qifrey hogging you all the damn time!?

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“[Name],” Olruggio says as he walks up to your table, breakfast in hand. “Why are you sitting next to him?” He says pointedly, eyeing Qifrey.

“Huh? Oh, hi Olly!” You greet. “Qifrey asked me to. Why, something wrong?”

“Yeah, you usually sit next to me,” he responds

“They won’t always have to sit next to you,” Qifrey chimes.

“But I want them to?” He turns to the other boy with a glare.

Qifrey huffs, “And I want to sit next to them sometimes too. It’s not fair that you always sit with them.”

“What do you mean not fair??? I’ve been friends with them way longer than you, I deserve it!” Olly pouts.

“That means I have to spend more time with them to catch up on the time I’ve lost!” Qifrey yells.

Olly gasps, “I’m not letting you spend twelve years alone with them!”

“Why not!?” Qifrey retorts.

Olruggio stomps, “Use your brain!”

“At least let me sit with them!”

“No!!”

Qifrey grabs you and tucks you into his neck. “Well, now you can’t make them leave my side.”

Olly stares at him in disbelief. “I’ll get back at you one day I swear.” He grumbles, sitting down at his sad lonely bench.

As the meal progresses, you notice Olly’s being quieter than usual. When you glance over at him, you find tears streaking his eyes and him eating quietly.

You stand up, alarmed. “Olly, what's wrong!? Why are you crying?” You hurry over to his side.

“It’s nothing [Name],” he mutters.

You hug him, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Olly responds, peaking hovering your arms at Qifrey, who has been staring at the scene in disbelief.

Olly sticks his tongue out at the other boy.

“He was faking crying to get their attention?? What a wimp!” Qifrey thinks. He’s so shocked even a single word can’t leave his mouth.

You stay with Olruggio for the rest of breakfast. Qifrey fumes internally.

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“[Name]! Look at my new spell!” Olly stands with his hands on his hips showcasing a spiraling fire.

“Woah, it looks like a fancier pyreball.” You comment, leaning closer to it. “Maybe you could use it as a ribbon in our next talent show..”

Olly explains, “I designed it so it can also be used for thoroughly warming something. I’ve tested it out! Like instead of a fire from below a pot, you can surround it in heat for quicker heat distribution.”

“Yeah, but then the middle of the thing still takes a while to heat,” Qifrey corrects. The other boy frowns at that.

“We can still use it for skewers and marshmallows during camp!” You chime.

“That sounds less awesome than I wanted…” The black haired boy admits, rubbing his head, lost in thought. “Damn it Qifrey! Just let me seem cool!”

“Whatever! I’ll find something else cooler, just you wait [Name]!”

“Don’t rush your projects again,” you remind him.

He waves you off.

Twenty minutes later, Qifrey walks up to you. “Wanna see what I came up with?” He asked softly. You nod.

He pulls out his book from behind his back, drawing a carefully crafted spell. As he connects the ring, a halo of water appears behind his head.

Your eyes glimmer. “Wow! It’s so stylish! What can you do with it?”

“It shoots water wherever you want.”

He demonstrates it by firing water at Olly, causing the top half of the reciprocant’s body to be drenched.

You hear the scratching of stone as Olly runs at Qifrey, jumping on him.

The surprise attack causes his control over the water waver; gravity drags the water back down and creates a large splash, dampening Qifrey’s feet and pants.

You swiftly cast two rainflinger spells to dry the two off and let out a long sigh. “This’ll last for a while. I didn’t get enough sleep for this.”

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The late night insomniac demons are back to haunting Qifrey. So, as always he heads to your regular nightly meeting spot. Only to see you are nowhere to be found.

Not a problem, he thinks. He’ll just find you in your room.

So, imagine his surprise when the door creaks open and he sees Olly hauling your body to bed. Olruggio nearly drops you after seeing him.

“Jesus!” Olly shouts quietly. “I thought you were their master or something...”

Qifrey gives the two of you a once over. “Why are you here?” He interrogates.

“What do you think?” The other says. “Now stop acting dumb and help me get them into bed,” Olly sneers.

The white haired boy sighs, discarding his coat onto your desk before making his way over to Olly. They lift you onto the bed by your arms. The bed lets out a squeak.

You stir slightly at the movement, grabbing onto Olly, who you thought was your pillow. His body freezes at the contact but relaxes after a few seconds. Olruggio pulls you further in his arms, adjusting your position on the bed.

He looks at Qifrey. “Are you going to join or what?” Olly mumbles into your hair.

Qifrey, who has been staring at you two finally makes a move and climbs into bed as well, settling behind you, tangling your legs together. Olly throws your blanket over all of you.

The three of you settle in a comfortable silence for the next few minutes, your breathing serving as background noise.

“They fell asleep at their desk again, right?” Qifrey inquiries.

Olly perks up, “Yeah.” He pauses, then adds “You couldn't sleep either?”

“It’s gonna be a long night,” Qifrey whispers.

In the morning, you peel your eyes open, blinking away the fatigue. You try to rub your eyes, but your hand hits something else instead.

You lift your head up and see black strands of hair obscuring your vision. “When did he get here?” You wonder.

You untuck yourself from his neck, letting out a yawn. When you stretch your arms out, your hand brushes something prickly, startling yourself awake.

Swiftly, you glance behind you and spot Qifrey laying there.

You slowly sink back into bed.

It started off simple—you woke up before him.

With the sunlight beaming past your curtains, bathing your bodies in its warmth. A large arm laid over your midriff, taking away your ability to move. If you were to attempt to, Phainon would drag you back against his chest without delay.

After an incident of waking up and finding you missing from your side of the bed. In matters of seconds, your dearest husband stumbles out of your shared chamber. Tripping over his own limbs—It's remarkable how his composure seemingly disappears when it comes to you.

His eyes, previously the color of the vast sky, lit up in the glow of molten gold. He searches for you. Swinging open any closed doors with a desperation never seen in the Deliverer. But once he spots you, the blue returns in a slow blink. He let out a shaky sigh before approaching you. His steps unbalanced and sluggish.

“.. You're here.” He breathes out, his words aren't meant for you. “You're.. Here..” His arms tighten around your body. Confirming the weight of you against his chest.

“Don't leave me, Angel. You—You scared me...” he buries his face in the crook of your neck. Seeking that familiar warmth. “Don't leave me, okay?” he brushed his lips over the surface of your skin, enticing himself into indulging. Tethering over the line of need.

With the way he reacted, anyone would assume you had been taken by Thanatos themselves and recently returned to your love. Although the real reason is much simpler, so simple it makes him look rather ridiculous, you went out to quench your thirst.

In the end, you allowed your husband to continue holding you. Planting kisses over the side of your head, drifting down to your neck, before stilling in the crook of your shoulder as he weeps over the terrifying experience of losing you. No matter how short it was.

And now that Phainon has made a one-sided, unspoken rule for you. You're stuck beside him until he gains consciousness. But from the gentle rise and fall of his chest, it seems you'll be here for a while. Made apparent when you feel him shifting against your back, tucking your head under his chin.

While you don't necessarily verbalize any complaints regarding your husband's… persistent nature—held up from being one of the Chrysos Heir, solidified by the endeavour of fighting for a chance of tomorrow in an otherwise doomed world—admittedly, it gets overwhelming having him constantly be there.

You feel terribly guilty for enjoying moments of peace without having him bound to your side. And you can't even blame him—you've heard about the unfortunate destruction of his home. Having everything he loved burnt away in the sea of flames, leaving behind the ashes of memories for one to carry.

It must've been painful and you can't fathom how isolating it is to be the lone survivor. His village being reduced as a mere cryptic tale, a reminder of how little to nothing left there is to proof its existence.

Instead of falling down into despair, the lost only pushed him to regain it all back. Fill up the void left behind by the scorching flames.

You eyes flicked over to his half open fist. Catching the golden glint of the wedding ring. Despite how familiar the sight have become, your hand grasp hold of his palm. Finger curling, barely covering the surface.

Phainon's left hand always remained hidden under a layer of fabric. Black colored glove. Which he wears only one. Specifically on this hand. Perhaps it's Lady Aglaea's personal preference for unsymmetrical style.

From his palm alone, you could see the ramification arising from his relentless voyage under the title of Deliverer. The one bringing an end to suffering.

He claimed to feel grateful in being chosen by the prophecy because if not for it, he would've been a wandering soul on the battlefield instead of returning home. To you. It was his attempt to reassure, after seeing the worry your gaze held when you found him injured.

Gently, you pull his palm closer to your lips. Tracing over the faint scars left on the callous skin. You're able to feel each one. A scratch that glide across his palm to the rough later formed over the pad of his thumb.

You rest a kiss over the surface. Closing your eyes for the moment, and while there are moments of doubt in your marriage, you cannot deny the love you two hold for one another. No matter how intense his version may come out to be—you'd stay. For it meant being with him.

Hah..

You really are a hypocrite.

The muscles in his fingers twitch, giving him away.

You freeze. In an attempt to see his face, you tilt your head but to no avail. “.. Phai?” Your call receive no answer. You furrow your brows. “Honey?” it seemed calling him by the sweet pet name had an instant effect, as you feel him shift above before he buries his face into your scalp.

You can hear a faint whine. No, you can feel it. You can feel him whining against the top of your head.

“.. How long have you been awake?” the thought of him feigning sleep this whole time is rather embarrassing to know.

Phainon didn't give an immediate answer, but his fingers curl against yours. Cupping your hand in his fist as he pulls you close. He takes a whiff of your scent. Once he's satisfied, he murmurs against you, “when you held my hand. I woke up.. I thought you needed something.”

“.. Oh.” You nearly forgot how much of a light sleeper he is nowadays. He has a habit of waking up early, so you should've known being awake before him is already odd on its own.

The two of you stay like that, ignoring how much brighter the outside world is by each passing seconds.

“.. Can you continue..?”

“Hrm?”

“Kissing my hand.. You—You were in the middle of that.” He clarifies. Unable to control the strain in his voice. “Please.” He added softly.

You huff. It's a one-of-a-kind type of intimacy. One you never imagined for yourself, it always seems distant and out of reach. Yet, here you are. “.. Can I look at you while doing so?”

“Of course,” he loosens his hold, allowing you the chance to shift your position to your other side. Once you're facing him, his hold returns. Perhaps even tighter—more eager.

You lift your hands. Still curled together in a ball. You lay your lips against the side of his hand. A faint whimper escapes him. You drift down, a kiss to his wrist.

“.. I love you.” The words came out naturally, a spontaneous moment amidst your intimacy.

When the air between you began to rise in temperature is when your eyes flick up to meet his. Wide in shock.

And, although you never left his side this morning, his blue eyes are overtaken by the swirling gold. Glowing brightly. His pristine locks is burnt away in a slow, flickering flame as the blonde underneath makes its appearance known.

Next thing you know, you're shuffled closer to his chest by the two charred wings that have emerged from his back. Forming a cocoon around you.

“.. Honey,”

“.. I'm sorry. I couldn't—” he squeezes his eyes shut. The heat rising up to his cheeks as he tries to subdue his body back to its original state. “.. I promise you, I didn't mean to.. Transform.”

“it's okay.” You chuckle, lifting a hand to cup his cheek. Ignoring the burning sensation that greeted your palm. “.. I didn't think I had this much of an effect to you.”

Phainon—no, Khaslana visibly squirms. Unable to deny your words. “.. You uttered it withoht warning and I couldn't control myself.”

“I like it.” you admit, without shame.

He blinks. “.. You..”

“It's like a reward, you know? I made you feel so loved that your wings sprang up.” you couldn't hold back the giggle that escapes your lips.

Khaslana huffs, unable to respond and choosing to bury his face into your chest. His wings closing in even more, responding to his emotions.

“Hey, you haven't answered me.” You feign offense, brushing past the golden locks. Playing with the longer strands of hair.

He let out a soft laugh, unable to hide his smile. His lifts his head, cheek pressed against your collarbone as he whispers, “Love doesn't begin to describe the adoration I hold for you.. But—”

He leans up, and now it's you whose breath hitches.

“I love you too.” his lips, filled with so much warmth and deep affection, finds it's place against your own.

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Bond Awakening

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You were ordinary, you went to class, procrastinated on studying for exams, went to work, and paid your rent.  

You wanted to be an engineer, you liked math, numbers, the tangible. You liked things you could see. And you didn’t have a creative bone in your body. 

You stayed up late, cramming formulas and finishing homework. 

You had an imagination, but it wasn’t anything crazy, or so you thought. 

Mid-freshman year, during a week where you didn’t have any exams, you were able to go to sleep early for once. A treat, you thought to yourself. 

An older version looks back on you, oh you sweet summer child, how wrong you are. 

It was an ordinary day, a Tuesday, you went to class, as you began the trek to your residence you began to feel fatigued. Not the normal, ‘I’m tired after being on campus for so long,’ or the exhaustion from walking, a fatigue that you felt in your bones. 

When you finally crossed the threshold of your abode, kicking your shoes off bag long abandoned with your shoes, you went straight to your couch, crashing the moment your head touched the cushions. 

You had dreams, sure, your typical run of the mill dreams. Magical vending machines, walking on clouds, meeting celebrities, they were normal. So when you found yourself in the seats of an arena watching a man with blue-grey hair train, you were startled. 

He was training, swinging a sword around, shirt and coat set in the corner of the arena. It felt like something you shouldn’t have been seeing, but you were mesmerized. It wasn’t just training, there was something emotional about it, almost like he was fighting some force you couldn’t see in the moment. But somehow it also looked like he was dancing, his blade an extension of his own body, dancing against the invisible force. 

You don’t know how much time passed, it could have been minutes or hours in that arena, but he finally stopped swinging his blade, letting it fall to the ground beside him, saying something to himself that you couldn’t hear. 

And then you woke up, a few hours later, drenched in sweat, feeling like you dreamed something sacred. But you couldn’t seem to fully remember it, only remembering bits and pieces. 

You let out a sigh, deciding to take a shower to clear your thoughts. Even after your shower your thoughts stayed on the dream, it bothered you. Like a word on the tip of your tongue, you knew it and yet you didn't. 

Pulling out your laptop and your notebook you decided to do some extra studying, thinking about this dream wasn’t very productive. 

You didn’t have a creative bone in your body, so when you looked down at your notebook to see a drawing of an oddly familiar man, you were surprised.

It was a decent sized drawing, a bust of a man with shortish hair and bangs, with eyes that reminded you of forget-me-nots, and a sun tattoo on his neck. He took up about a fourth of your paper. 

It–he, the man from your dream–startled you. 

You doodled on your notes in class sure, but this, this wasn’t a doodle. You weren’t capable of such art. You had never seen this man before, you knew you hadn’t, and yet his silhouette looked so familiar to you. You weren’t an artist, you were an engineer. So you decided to do what any engineer would do when they hit a road block: 

Experiment. 

You didn’t think you’d suddenly gain such artistic prowess all of the sudden, especially without practice. And yet, your dream man stared back at you from your notes proving you wrong. 

You pulled up pinterest, and picked a random reference, he looked nothing like the man from your dreams, and yet after a few minutes of trying to replicate the picture, your mystery man was back only in a new pose. 

You recreated this experiment over and over again, ending with the same result. 

You were going mad, that was the only thing that made sense. You heard the stories of what engineering did to people and decided, ‘Yeah, that’s what I’m going to do,’ and of course you go and lose your mind before your first semester is over. 

You looked at the half a dozen sketches on your paper, your eyes drifting back to the one that started it all. You ripped the sheet out of your notebook and put the sheet on your fridge, a magnet holding it there. 

“Who are you?”

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Bond Awakening?

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For him it started a bit differently. He had finished training earlier that evening and left the arena to join Mydie and some of the other Chrysos Heirs for a meeting to discuss the flame chase journey. 

He had felt off all day. He felt like there was something off, he just couldn’t put his finger on what it was. For almost the entirety of his training he felt a presence with him, like there was someone sitting in the seats of the arena, watching him. But when he finally finished training, and looked to the seats of the arena he found no one. 

He muttered something to himself about losing his mind, and went to grab his clothes. 

The feeling came back, seeming to get stronger, as he walked to the meeting. 

He bumped into Mydie as he made his way there from the arena. However, this time he felt too off to banter with Mydie as he usually would. The feeling reached its peak as he and Mydie went through the halls to the Garden of Life. 

He found himself leaning over on a wall, head pounding, ears ringing. Mydie was right beside him, shouting at him, trying to find out what was wrong. But he couldn’t hear anything over the ringing in his ears, he brought a hand to cover his eyes, and then he saw it. 

A silhouette of a woman in front of a metal box, looking at a sheet of paper pinned to it. His attention went to the paper, it was filled with about six or seven sketches of him. Shock, then confusion, went through his mind, he tried to see the face of the woman, but to no avail, for everything went black. And at last he was in silence. One thought stuck with him, as he lost consciousness, who was she?

When he finally came to, he was laying down in a bed in the hall of respite. Aglaea and some of the others were there too. 

His mind was racing, but he schooled his expression, he felt like this was something that was very personal to him, something only he should know about. 

“He’s awake.” 

Mydie said, causing the Chrysos Heirs present to turn their attention to him, fretting over his health. 

After a few minutes, convincing them he was okay, putting on a cheery facade, Aglaea finally spoke. 

“The threads seem to see your fate has been weaved to another’s.” 

The room became silent, with Castorice breaking it. 

“What does that mean?” 

“You know of the Flame chase journey, of the prophecies we have, but the titans once graced us with what many no longer remember: Soulmates.” 

The Tribbie trio let out a gasp, Mydie gave him an unreadable look, and Castorice covered her mouth in shock. 

He didn't understand. He had a soulmate? 

Aglaea continued, but he only heard parts of it. 

“When we had better relations with them, the titans graced us by tying our fate to another, our other half.”

If she was truly his soulmate, where was she? 

She clearly knew of him, or saw him through the bond. The tin box and surroundings from the small glimpse he got weren’t enough to make a good determination of where she was, only that she wasn’t in Okhema. 

“But some shunned their bond which angered the titans. This led them to stop giving out as many bonds. Which in turn led to more people either shun or covet such a bond, perpetuating the cycle.”

Would she shun him? 

“Thus, it has become a rare blessing heard of every couple of generations. You should consider yourself quite lucky,”

“Phainon.”

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Insanity: A look into the mind of an engineer going crazy

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Needless to say, you didn’t sleep much for the rest of the week, much too afraid to have another dream. While a small part of yourself craved it, you were startled. You couldn’t confide in anyone. You had friends, yes,  but what were you supposed to say to them without sounding crazy? 

Wednesday came and went, then Thursday, and finally Friday. You acted as you normally would’ve in class, avoided doodling like the plague, and found yourself consuming copious amounts of caffeine to ensure you wouldn't fall asleep.

It scared you, and yet you also wanted to know more. 

By the time you got back to your apartment on friday there was no use in trying to keep yourself awake, and you found yourself back on the couch, not bothering to go to your bed. Once again, passing out the moment your head hit the cushions. 

And similar to Tuesday, you found yourself in the city where the sun never set, dreaming. 

You recognized him from your previous dream, except he wasn’t training this time and was fully clothed. 

He was looking in the distance, leaning on a stone railing, at what appeared to be a massive rendition of Atlas holding up the sky. 

Feeling unsure of what to do, you walked forward, leaning on the railing a few paces from him, staring out at ‘Atlas.’ After a few moments, you turned your attention to the mystery man. You were actually able to see him better now than you had previously. 

You knew you probably shouldn't stare, but you couldn't help it, you felt inexplicably drawn to him. He was beautiful in the truest sense of the word. The sun painted gold on his already pristine features, making him look almost like a greek statue from a museum. 

You looked away, you felt like you’d been staring for too long, like if you stared for longer he’d notice you. 

Somehow you knew the figure in the distance wasn’t Atlas, this wasn't Greek mythology. You didn’t expect it to be confirmed, though. 

Quietly, as though he was talking to himself, he spoke.

“That figure in the distance is the world bearing Titan Kephale,” he paused, letting out a huff, “They’re one of the Three Titans of Creation, Kephale represents omnipotence and omniscience. As the titan of creation, they are a symbol to heroes and saviors alike.”

Then quieter, “I like to look to them when I feel lost.”

By this point, my eyes were fixed on the man before me, he was talking to me. He was, wasn’t he? 

Just as you opened your mouth to ask him if he knew you were there he spoke once more, except he was now looking towards you, away from Kephale. 

“You are there, aren't you, soulmate?”

And then you woke up gasping on your couch. Unlike last time, you remembered more of the dream, and ran to your notebook to draw what you could remember, Kephale. 

Pushing the notion of you being his soulmate to the side, soulmates didn’t exist, or that's what you told yourself as you sketched. 

It became a pattern. Once or twice a week, you'd crash on your couch and see him and more of the city. Then, remembering bits and pieces of the dreams, you’d start doodling it, and somehow as though your hand was possessed, you'd draw it.  

Your fridge had become crowded with pictures of the mystery man, Okhema (he said the name at one point), and notes. After some friends commented on the fact that they "didn't know you were an artist,” you started keeping things in a binder in your room. 

By the the one year mark you had a few things you knew for certain:

1. The mystery man lived in a city called Okhema in the land he called Amphoreus

2. He couldn’t hear you or see you, but could sense your presence near him

3. He was a part of  an organization called the Chrysos Heirs (he didn’t elaborate on what they did, only mentioning it a few times offhandedly) 

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Insanity: A look into the mind of a Chrysos Heir losing his mind

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He could sense her. Or he thought he could, he half thought he was losing his mind.

The next time he felt her was after another Chrysos Heirs meeting. The other Chrysos Heirs treated him a bit differently after finding out he was bound to another, except Mydei, he treated him exactly the same (save the occasional unreadable expression that crosses his features).

It was frustrating to him, they were all here in Okhema for the Flame Chase journey, and had known each other for years now. And now, they were being standoffish towards him. For the entirety of their meeting the others (save Mydei and Aglaea) gave him wary glances and left quickly after the meeting, leaving him alone and dejected. 

After that he quickly excused himself and found a place where he could be alone. As he stared at Kephale in the distance, and then he sensed her. 

He stood there, leaning against that railing, for a while before he said anything. He was pretty sure she wasn't from Amphoreus, so as he figured he’d share who Kephale was, afterall if she was truly there she was seeing Kephale in all their glory, not knowing who they were. 

“That figure in the distance is the world bearing Titan Kephale,” he paused, holding back a laugh, if anyone walked by they’d think he was losing it.

“They’re one of the Three Titans of Creation, Kephale represents omnipotence and omniscience. As the titan of creation, they are a symbol to heroes and saviors alike.” He continued, voice dropping in volume, as he confessed, “I like to look to them when I feel lost.”

As he confessed, he turned to where he sensed his soulmate, only to see the rest of the railing was empty. He pursed his lips, what if she wasn’t there? What if he was going crazy

“You are there, aren't you, soulmate?” He asked, more to himself than anyone else, looking at the empty spot to his side.

He saw her once more much later that day. Once again standing before the tin box, now with more drawings pinned up, him, Kephale, the Okhema sky. 

He still couldn’t see her properly, only catching glimpses of her hair and hands if she was pinning up another sketch.

That didn’t matter to him though, she could see him. She was there, somewhere, he just needed to find her. 

As so Phainon began talking to himself more often, telling the mystery woman of his daylight dreams, of Okhema, the flame chase journey and anything he thought she ought to know. 

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Bond Awakening 2.0?

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And so the dreams, the drawing, the mystery man who haunted your sleeping world, became routine. They were a normal part of your life now, something you came to expect as a third year in your fall semester of your junior year of college. Usually twice a week, sometimes more, you saw him. 

You still didn’t know his name, and he yours, but you knew he could sense you. Sometimes when he would speak to you he’d look to his left when you were on his right or turn around to talk to you when you were in front of him. 

Somehow, in the two years you’d been having the dreams you found yourself almost infatuated, it wasn't love, it was more akin to a sort of limerence. You knew you’d never meet him, he was in the realest sense of the saying, the man of your dreams, and that’s where he’d remain. 

Or so you thought. 

You must have committed great sins in your past life, or the gods above had some sort of vendetta against you and couldn’t let you live in peace. Regardless of the case, your world changed once more on a Tuesday. 

The gods must’ve loved Tuesdays, and chaos.  

That Tuesday was a rough one. You had an exam that evening, and a long shift at your job. You hadn’t gotten much sleep that day and were barely hanging onto your sanity. By the time you finally got to your exam you could feel the fatigue setting in, different from usual, which you chalked up to your lack of sleep from the night before. Along with the fatigue was another sensation that brewed within you, but like the fatigue you brushed it off as sleep deprivation. 

The exam was an hour in length. Technically, a little longer, with the reading of instructions, but for all intensive purposes, an hour. 

It started small. During the few minutes when they passed out the exams, and read the instructions for the exam you began to hear a faint murmuring and the sensation from earlier returned briefly.  

But, you hadn't slept in 36 hours and figured it was from that, last time you’d pulled an all-nighter it was in your sophomore year, you saw the hat manTM. So this wasn’t exactly out of the ordinary. 

But, as you’d soon find out, that was just the beginning. 

The moment the proctor said “open the test booklets,” you were a madman unleashed, you annotated, underlined, calculated, circled, and truly abused the test booklet. You knew the content well, and finished the 15 multiple choice questions in 20-25 minutes, leaving the remaining 35-40 for the free response questions. 

Around the 40 minute mark the murmurs and sensation came back, faint, but there. 

You looked up from your exam, eyes looking around the room, where was it coming from? No one around you was talking or muttering to themselves, so where was the sound coming from?

It started faint, and would randomly become more coherent before becoming faint once more. It was the 43 minute mark when you felt it, a feeling you would later know as the moment your soul was fully tied to another’s. 

“I hope Mydie doesn't notice it’s missing…”

Were you actually losing it? You felt a tugging sensation in your chest, was it a bad choice to have 8 shots of espresso before an exam? Were you having a heart attack, a hallucination? You didn’t know, the voice was vaguely familiar, but you couldn't dwell on it, the feeling in your chest was bearable and you had an exam to finish. 

And so, ignoring your impending descent into madness, you finished the free response, easing through the calculations spitting out some basic explanations. Without bothering to check your work, you handed the exam to your TA and walked out of the auditorium, head pounding, heart thumping, and a voice that did not belong to you echoing in your mind. 

When you finally got outside, you broke, sinking into the nearest bench, muttering under your breath. 

“Who’s there? Why can I hear your voice? Who are you?”

Then realizing the absurdity of your actions began to laugh out loud, not able to help yourself. 

“I’m losing my mind.”

You said it aloud, not expecting a response. You truly believed in that moment that engineering had won, the calculus, the linear algebra, the one too many all-nighters you’d pulled in the past three years had finally gotten to you. You were insane. 

“Who are you?”

And there he was again, interrupting your descent into madness.  

“I should be asking you that, you're the one who starts muttering to himself while I’m taking an exam! What are you, some sort of phantom who tortures engineering students?”

There was a moment of silence, and you straightened up, you looked crazy. 

“A phantom?” he let out a gasp, as though he had never been called something so preposterous, “No! I’m a Chrysos Heir, I-” 

You started walking, leaving the bench behind, bringing your phone to your ear to make it look like you were on a call as you walked to your apartment deciding you were going to call in sick. A bout of insanity had to count towards a sick day. 

“I don’t know what that is, why can I hear your voice?” You asked, truly wondering for your sanity, “Last time I checked people didn't just hear voices in their head unless they were losing their mind.”

He let out the huff of a laugh at that, “Do you truly not know?”

There was something about his voice that was familiar to you, a nagging sensation in the back of your mind pressed but in your sleep deprived state you weren’t thinking too hard about it. 

“What do you mean? I don’t think I’m just supposed to know who you are, this doesn't happen to sane people.”

He laughed now, truly laughing, “You’re so cute.”

You sputtered at that, “You don’t even know me, how can you-”

“We’ve spent the past two years dancing around one another in the plane of dreams, never truly talking as we do now, though.”

He must’ve sensed your confusion. 

“I never knew what Aglaea meant when she talked about the tether, to be able to feel and see the connections between others.” 

“You aren’t in Amphoreus are you?” 

“What! don't change the subject…” You paused, Amphoreus, did you hear that right? “Just who are you? I’ve never talked about that to anyone.”

“I’m Phainon of Aedes Elysiae, and you’re my soulmate from beyond the skies.”

You stopped walking, you were his what now? 

You stood there, unmoving, the gears of your sleep deprived brain turned slowly, connecting the dots. 

Amphoreus, soulmates, Chrysos Heirs. It was him. 

He didn’t say anything, must’ve sensed you were connecting the dots, patiently waiting as you did so. 

“It’s you.”

And so it began.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Excerpts and Glimpses

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

You and Phainon had an interesting relationship, he was exceedingly charismatic, and enjoyed telling you all about Amphoreus, the titans and the lore of the land. While you told him tidbits of your day, of your world, and of course of the torturous life an engineering student lived. 

The two of you developed an unspoken rule: when you were studying or taking an exam he couldn’t interrupt you, likewise when he was at a Chrysos Heirs meeting you couldn’t interrupt him. 

You enjoyed his presence and learning more about the man from your dreams, which had stopped since you began hearing him that fateful Tuesday. But, a part of you couldn’t understand why he decided to humor you, you were likely a galaxy away if not further, and he still spoke of you as though you were the only one for him. It perplexed you. 

As you grew closer and the tether between you strengthened, your perplexion stayed, what were you two? 

Excerpt 1: the training arc you did not consent to

The tether between you and Phainon strengthened as your mental conversations became commonplace. This meant you two could conjure up mental images to send one another. From him you’d receive a plethora of the food he was eating, strange emojis from his world for when he wanted something and views he thought you'd find pretty.  From you, the memes of the internet, food, sights around campus and if he irritated you, your homework. 

But that didn’t mean you two didn’t get glimpses of one another when you didn’t expect it, the universe had a way of keeping the two of you on your toes. Mostly you. 

It happened mid lecture, you were staring out the window as the professor droned on about semiclassical and quantum aspects of black holes—a tangent from the actual lecture material—when you felt it. It started as a pulsing behind your eyes, like the beginnings of a headache before you were no longer in the lecture hall,  and were instead seeing Phainon. 

It was unfair for him to be so beautiful.

You felt like you were seeing something you shouldn’t. No, you felt like a Victorian man seeing ankles for the first time. You were no doubt blushing, but you couldn't help it. 

He was training, swinging his blade as he had the first time you saw him, except this time you had a closer view than before.

Unlike the first time you saw him training, in your freshman year, you now knew him, yearned for him. The first time you saw him he was just the mystery man of your dreams, now he was Phainon, now he was someone who mattered to you. 

Seeing him now out in the open, such a blatant show of strength and discipline. His muscles contracting as he swung his blade, you slapped yourself mentally. You needed holy water. Here you were thirsting for Phainon while he was trying to get stronger for Okhema. You tried to sever the vision. It didn't work, it seemed to only become more clear. 

You needed to get serious. You shouldn’t be seeing him like that. You conjured cats in pajamas, pencils dancing, calculus, anything to exorcise your thoughts. And finally it worked, you blinked a few times and found yourself back in the dull lighting of the lecture hall, listening to your professor. 

In another universe, in Amphoreus Phainon stumbles midtraining, audibly confused. 

“Was that a cat in pajamas?” 

Mydie gave him a look of disappointment, and said something in Kremnoan. 

Excerpt 2: the incidents, plural  

Your lack of interest in dating surprised a lot of your friends. You were a junior, most of your friends were planning their lives with their partners for after college. And the fact that you were content in your single-hood confused them. 

But, at the end of the day they chalked it up to you focusing on your career and being okay with being single. 

As much as you wanted that to be true, that you were just secure in yourself and didn’t want a relationship at the moment, it wasn’t so simple. Especially when you had someone in your head who couldn’t fathom the act of you being with someone or someone courting you. 

Exhibit A: Chemistry

It was the beginning of the spring semester, and had been snowing off and on for the past few weeks. 

You had just gotten a temporary position as a lab TA for an intro level chemistry class. The pay was decent, and your other parttime job was being remodeled for the first month of the semester, meaning you needed to seek money elsewhere.

 The class was predominately freshmen with a few upperclassmen humanities majors sprinkled in who finally had to take chemistry after avoiding it for their first few years of college. You explained concepts to people when they got confused and were a fairly lenient grader. You understood the struggles of chemistry and chose to be a merciful grader in hopes that students didn’t stress over the class too much. 

You were just a girl, you followed the rules, and were just trying to make some money on the side. 

So imagine your surprise when one of your freshmen babies, a shy chemistry major whose lab partner didn’t show up half the time, asked you out. 

The moment the words left his lips after lab one afternoon the bond jolted. 

He was listening. 

“Who is that?” Phainon asked, emotion lacing his voice. 

“No one, don't worry about it.” you mentally muttered back, effectively silencing Phainon. 

You looked at the freshman before you, preparing yourself to gently let him down. 

“You’re a nice kid, but I’m, in essence, your professor.” You started, trying to maintain a professional tone. “And even if I wasn’t, we don’t know each other.”

The kid in question stared at you for a few seconds, trying to wrap his head around what you were saying. 

“But you’re just a few years older—”

You didn’t hear much after that, as Phainon decided it was the perfect time to interject.

“Don’t worry about it?! Don't worry about it? Who does this guy think he is, he–”

The bond went taut. 

“He looks like a child, who does this punk think–” 

You tried to tune him out, bringing a hand to your temples as Phainon had a mental temper tantrum. 

The freshman paused, “Are you okay?”

You could feel a headache forming.

You stared blankly at him, “Yeah, I’ve been spiraling into madness for a while now, the voices don't bother me much anymore.”

“Wha-t?” 

“I think you should leave.” 

He straightened, nodded and quite literally ran out of the room. 

Leaving you, a headache, and a smug Phainon lingering in the bond. 

When you asked him about it later, he just said you were too good for a child like him. 

Exhibit B: The day Phainon won a battle he didn’t know he was fighting 

It was the week of Valentines day, a holiday you truly didn’t really care about, but tolerated because you liked chocolate.

As your friends gushed about love being in the air, you pulled your coat tighter and shook your head. The only thing that was in the air was the chill that followed a false spring. 

As you went about your week, their words echoed in your mind. 

That week Valentine's Day happened on a Saturday, so by Friday everyone was cramming to get a date.

You’d seen about four people get asked out before lunch that day, maybe love was in the air. Regardless, you didn’t care, you were tired, cold, and most importantly, were getting mentally bombarded with questions about Valentine's day. 

Phainon had gone from the origin of Valentine’s day, to chocolate, to the meaning behind the red-pink-white theme people had going. 

“I don’t know why they chose those colors, maybe they just thought they were pretty” you muttered aloud, too tired to say it mentally. 

As you exited the library, one of your classmates began to approach you. 

You stilled momentarily, before continuing to walk, not noticing them behind you, a laugh bubbling out of you.

“Oh, no no! They don’t give each other real hearts, that would be too gory. They are heart shapes, pink and red.” 

As you continued away from the library you didn’t notice your classmate slowly throwing away the bouquet of roses, a grim look on their face. 

Maybe love was in the air, but not for them.  

Exhibit C: Admiring 

You were in the library, studying there between classes, when you saw him. 

Wow, he’s hot. 

He was pretty, nice jawline, great sense of fashion, luscious hair. 

Just a pretty face that you’d admired across campus a few times. A pretty face that caught your eye as you momentarily broke from your studies. 

Across the bond Phainon is tweaking. You were admiring a man. A man who was not him? 

“Who is that?”

You jolted in your seat, as though caught doing something you shouldn't have.

“No one, ignore that.”

On the other side of the bond Phainon gripped his glass so harshly it cracked.

“You can’t look at someone like that just to say that they’re no one.”

Your eyes dropped from the guy to your desk, “no one, drop it.” you muttered aloud, gaining some wayward glances from the other people surrounding you in the library. 

The bond pulsed, once, twice, as though to say ‘I see through your bullshit,’ before it stopped. 

“Don’t look at other men like that.”

Excerpt 3: pending title, mid-spring semester

The cold of winter came and went. As the weather changed and became warmer you, finally having a break from exams and a small break from work, decided to take some personal time. 

You had been having a long semester, with exams, a new position at your parttime position and just the stress of your junior year, you needed a break to blow off some steam. 

Nothing grand, you were simply taking the night to yourself. A long shower, maybe light a candle or two, some you time. 

But, you should’ve known the bond would never let things be so easy. 

After your shower, you felt more relaxed than you had in a long time. You made your way to bed to fully decompress, a bit of indulgence, if you will. 

It’ll just be a moment, it's harmless, private, normal.  

The thing with soul bonds you’d soon find out, was that in times of intense emotion they became taut, allowing more than small glimpses and thoughts to pass through the tether. Which meant, in this moment Phainon was seeing and hearing everything, not clearly, not fully, but enough to paint the rest of the picture. 

You, in your bed, skin warm with heat, flushed. Chest rising, your head falling back, back arching as you muttered things no one should have heard. 

His name fell from your lips, once quietly then again, and he was certain it was his name. 

A few minutes passed before you became aware of his presence against the tether, feeling the dull ache of embarrassment radiating from the other end. 

Oh my god. Oh my god 

“You, you-”

“No no, it, I,” He tripped, stuttered and verbally somersaulted over his words, half apologies, half exposing himself as having seen your private moment. Finally, he stopped mentally digging himself a hole, and uttered out a small apology, receding into the tether. 

You two didn't speak for a week after that, much too embarrassed to acknowledge it.

Excerpt 4: clarification 

A little over a month after Phainon mentally walked in on you, one of your longtime friends from freshman year had a bad breakup. 

Naturally you helped her out, making sure she was taking care of her, letting her vent to you about how horrible he was, and making sure she didn’t call him or text him until she was in her right mind. 

After a few weeks when she was stable, you gave her some space, making sure she knew she could count on you if she needed someone. As you returned to your apartment you mind wandered back to your friend’s dilemma and then to Phainon. 

You two flirted, sure, and there’s no denying your attraction to him, but you let out a sigh, looking at your ceiling. 

 “It’s not like he really likes me, he’s just being nice, we’re like mental roommates.”

You laughed at your analogy, pouring yourself a glass of water. And you truly believed it, there was no way Phainon liked you like that, he was just being nice. Afterall, he was a galaxy away, probably further, and he was a Chrysos Heir, while you were a college student. There was no way he felt any hint of romance towards you. 

How wrong you were. 

A few seconds after those words escaped your lips you feel it, feel him. 

The first thing you hear is his laughter, light at first as though you said something funny before it began to sound as though he was descending into madness, octaves of his voice coming out that you’d never heard. 

“Don’t like you?” He asks, voice raspy from laughing so hard, letting out a small ‘hah,’ before continuing, “You’ve been haunting my waking hours for over two years, I live and breathe for the day when I get to meet you.”

The tether went taut, forcing you to suck in a breath as he continued. 

“I yearn for you, and you play it off as me being nice? I haven’t been able to think straight since I got a glimpse of you that night.”

You feel your face becoming warmer, knees buckling beneath you, “you’re insane,” you think offhandedly, “You don’t even know me.” 

“Oh but I do, I know that you bite the inside of your cheek when you're nervous. You laugh when you’re embarrassed. You hide behind sarcasm, spunk, and cat memes, but I see right through you.” He let out a sigh, “I could go on, if you’d like,” he paused, “Perhaps it's better if I showed you.” 

His words silenced and for a second you thought you were safe, and then your world shifted and you saw it,  felt it, the world through Phainon’s eyes. 

You’re pushed into the plush of a bed, more expensive than anything you could dream of. 

The air smells of desire, the room is warm, painted in the golden glow of the Amphoreus sun. Your clothes litter the floor, as you stare up at Phainon, hair messy as he tilts your chin towards him as he leans down. 

He doesn’t claim your lips, no, he presses wet kisses to your collar bone, neck, and face, just not your lips, as though he’s saving them for later. 

And then you hear him, not just through the tether but whispering against your ear. 

“Just five minutes, five minutes and I’ll have you forgetting all about your studies, your problems, Titans,” he rasped, “your own name, all to be replaced with thoughts of me.”

Your legs turned to jello beneath you as you sunk to the floor of your kitchen, glass left abandoned on the kitchen counter. 

Your ears burned as he continued. 

“I want to worship you, I’ve been thinking about this for years now, yearning for the day I could have you, my dawnlight, in my arms crying out my name.”

Your vision blurred and you found yourself back in your dim lit kitchen. 

His tone changed, “And you thought I just saw you as my, how did you put it? Mental roommate?” 

He laughed again, “No, you could never be someone so trivial to me.” 

And that's how he left you, flushed, clutching the kitchen counter as though it were a lifeline. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Sweet Dreams? Home invasion? More like your normal Tuesday 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

What is it with higher powers and Tuesdays??

You had goals, aspirations if you will. You wanted to graduate, get a nice job, a house, maybe a cat.

You knew it was pretty stereotypical, but you were a simple woman who wanted the simple luxuries in life. 

And it was midterms season for fucks sake. 

You were minding your own business, walking to a nearby cafe to study, when you tripped and got hit by a truck (kidding, kidding)  and faceplanted right into the concrete sidewalk. 

The bond twitched. 

“You okay, that must’ve hurt.”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” You groaned as you slowly got up. 

Only instead of seeing the university sidewalk in front of you, you found yourself in an open space with a cube that floated mere meters before you. 

“Okay, maybe I’m not fine, I think I hit my head too hard.” 

“What do you mean?”

Your eyes wandered from the cube to–

Kephale. 

Your world stopped. What.

I don't think we’re in Kansas anymore, Todo. 

In Okhema Phainon was ecstatic . You were here. You were in Amphoreus. In reach. 

He started walking—no running to Dawncloud, to you. 

In Dawncloud, you were losing it. 

You walked from what you’d learn to be Demigod Council, away from the looming figure in the distance, Kephale. Seeing the titan in the distance left you with a mix of emotions. 

Part of you was happy, you were closer to Phainon now, and yet you were closer to Phainon, which meant you were no longer home. How were you supposed to achieve your dreams of becoming an engineer, getting that cat, a house? It was all gone. 

You came to a flight of stairs when you were stopped. 

“Halt.”

“What?”

A looming figure, probably twice your size, dressed in armor stood to your side. 

“No one is allowed at the Demigod Council without express permission. State your business.”

“Um,” your voice trailed off, what were you supposed to say to that, hell, what was your business? 

The guard took a step towards you. 

“Leave her be, she’s with me.” 

A voice suddenly shouted, causing the guard to halt his movement and presumably return to his post. 

Your eyes followed the voice to a man with red tattoos littering his body. 

“You’re…Mydei”

You said, still shocked, his being there further confirming the fact that you were in Amphoreus. 

Mydei stared at you for a few moments before letting out a scoff. 

“And you’re the Deliverer’s soulmate,” he let out a small ‘tsk’ before continuing, “You ought to change clothes, you gain too much attention dressed like that.” 

“Wha–”

As you began to question Mydie the bond twitched, more violently than it had earlier causing you to jolt. 

And then you heard it. Actually heard it, not through the bond, but with your own ears.

“There you are.”

Breathless, but undoubtedly him. 

“Phainon.” 

Your eyes left Mydei almost immediately upon hearing him. A few paces down the stairs stood Phainon, face flush with exertion, eyes burning with desire. 

You were tackled a few moments later.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Climax: Five minutes

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

About a week after arriving in Amphoreus, you started tweaking, it was almost reminiscent of your first summer break after your first year of college. 

You were stranded in a strange world that abided by different rules than you were used to. You couldn’t get a job (as no one dared hire the soulmate to a Chrysos Heir), and had early on decided you didn’t want to go to the academia at the grove (you met Anaxa once and knew that if you had a class with him you’d strangle him), which left you either wandering Okhema with Phainon or alone in his dwelling when he was on missions. 

As you laid on the couch in his home, you thought back to when you were back home. A sigh left your lips. You missed your phone. You missed your friends. You missed crappy romances. And, you never thought you'd say it, but you missed college. 

Your mind drifted to Phainon, you never thought you'd actually meet him, for a long time you thought you’d gone crazy and that he was a hallucination (not that you’d admit that to him). But moreso, you didn’t think you’d end up falling for him so soon. 

Just five minutes 

His words from months ago floated from the depths of your thoughts, you quickly dismissed pushed them back down, since your arrival he’d been the perfect gentleman, you–

You brought your hands to cover your face. Someone needed to spray you with a squirt bottle, you needed to get a grip, and yet your thoughts kept drifting to his statements from then. 

“Fine.”

“Fine?”

The bond stirred with mischief. On a mission elsewhere, Phainon smirked, smug with himself. 

“Five minutes. When you return from the mission, you get five minutes.”

When he finally returned, he found you lounging on the couch with a book in your lap. 

In three strides he was in front of you, your book was tossed to the side, then your clothes, then his clothes. And soon you, with pure bliss, you forgot what it was even about, the only thing on your mind was Phainon, and his you. 

When you finally came to, you were pleasantly sore, limbs tangled with Phainon’s in his bed. Phainon traced his fingers on your ribcage, lightly as though drawing the sun tattoo on his neck onto your body. 

“That was more than five minutes,” you muttered, voice raspy, although not displeased. 

“Hm, was it?” he uttered in response, as if he didn’t have you crying out to the titans hours prior. 

Cheeky bastard.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Settling  

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Even though you came from another world, it was easy to settle into routine with Phainon by your side. He never pushed you one way or another, he was simply there. A constant in your life. While he did leave you for missions pertaining to the Flame Chase and his duty as a Chrysos Heir, his presence lingered with you in the bond, and he always returned with a trinket or a story to tell. 

The other Chrysos Heirs were wary of you at first but soon welcomed you to Okhema in their own ways. Mydei would cook with you on occasion between missions, when he wasn’t busy with his duty as crown prince of Kremnos. And Aglaea would tell you about the history of Amphoreus and the Chrysos Heirs. 

The Tribios triplets would tell you embarrassing stories about Phainon when he wasn’t looking, and Castorice would tell you of Aidonia while the two of you made fresh dried flowers with Hyacine.  

You and Anaxa argued often, as you predicted, but also had many debates on the nature of the world, philosophy and the like. He had you reading books from the libraries of the Grove, as though you were studying engineering again. You didn’t see her much but the demigod of trickery, Cipher, would have you chasing her across Okema for your coin purse. Often having you going on elaborate journeys through the city. 

Your life there was unlike your life back then, but now you felt almost fulfilled in a way. Aglaea said Phainon tended to have that effect on people, and who were you to disagree. 

Fin –

This is about to be me when I go back and reread this (and find some sort of grammar error or something of the sort).