Elijah halted his strides, a gloved hand on the trunk of a spruce. Shadows writhed around him. His gaze shifted from Kai to the purring fluffball in his arms and returned to the far woodland. “Your… roommate.” His jaw locked, tone serious and clipped. “How much do you know about him?”
Ehm… Yeah, it’s definitely Rain.
Kai shuffled on his feet, mouth dry.
“Mew.” Hobbes nestled in his arms, his paws kneading at his fur coat, shifting blue eyes begging for scratches.
Cut the innocent act. Did you bring him here, or not?
Dense puzzlement rang through the bond. Kai had no time to pry the truth from his familiar with Elijah waiting for an answer.
Guess the cat’s out of the bag…
“Are you sure Rain’s coming here for us?” Kai tried to channel some of Hobbes’ guileless looks. “Maybe he just took the same path?” Small chance, considering he’d picked the route because of how remote it was, but he had met bigger coincidences. “Did he notice your wards?”
“Of course not,” Elijah scoffed. “Though my wards are meant to nudge people away and shield us from scrying. He doesn’t need to sense us to follow your tracks. Did you tell anyone where you were going? He stopped where we went off the trail. ”
“I didn’t. I could go meet him. He might just be worried for me—”
“Stay.” Elijah blocked him before he could take a step. His eyes flicked to Hobbes. “We’ll talk later about how you bonded with an astralynx.” He worked his jaw, as if searching for the right words. “How much do you know about Rain? He might not be what you think.”
“Like…” Kai ran his hands through Hobbes’ silky fur. The gentle purring soothed him. His attention wandered over the lush underbrush, though his senses fell hundreds of meters short of reaching the path. “You mean that he’s not… human?”
“You knew?” Elijah’s gaze bore down on him. A heavy breath escaped him. His fingers scraped the bark of the tree, clenching and relaxing. “Damned Gods, what trouble did you get into? Is this linked with the cultists you mentioned? You must not trust a shapeshifter. They always have ulterior motives."
“Uhm… That sounds like an unfair stereotype for an entire race. I don’t believe—” The crack of more bark being shaved off from the spruce cut Kai’s rambling. “Regardless, Rain’s not a shapeshifter.”
“Yeah, that’s what they make you believe. The House didn’t have much on him. And he’s using a false name.”
“More of a nickname.”
“How do you…” Elijah shut his mouth, breathing out through his nose. “Why don’t you start from the beginning. Who is he? What is he? And how did you meet? Or do you want me to ask him?”
“Okay, okay.” Kai raised his palms. “No need. We crossed paths when I was sailing to the mainland.”
“You crossed paths at sea?”
“Yes, well… you know how the Fate Fulcrum broke? A crew of cultists boarded our ship."
Elijah cursed under his breath, sharp words in a language Kai didn’t recognize—though, for once, they weren’t directed at him. “Continue,” the butler hissed.
“Yes, so… the Fulcrum worked a little too well. A storm wrecked both ships and left us adrift. We were lucky a merchant vessel fished us out the next day. That’s where I met Rain.”
“He was a sailor on the merchant vessel?”
“Not exactly.” Kai dug his fingers in Hobbes’ fur. “He’s… a siren.”
“A siren,” Elijah muttered.
“Yes! They’re pretty hard to mistake. I don’t know everything, but he’s a friend.”
“How do you always manage to—” Elijah pinched the bridge of his nose. “Are you certain?”
“I am. He’s a bit odd, but definitely a friendly fish.”
“What of the cultists?”
“They’re unrelated. I wouldn’t have escaped Limgrell without him.”
“What’s Limgrell? What happened there?”
“Nothing much. My sister got into trouble, and I went to help.” Seeing Elijah’s expression darken, Kai quickly continued. “What about you? Your name was in the journal of a defector of the Stygian Cult. What’s your link?”
“My link?” The lounging frame beneath his black coat shifted into dangerous stillness. “That’s… complicated…” His voice dropped low and cold. “You shouldn’t throw names around so casually. They’re more than one group. It seems we were right to leave the archipelago when we did. You mustn’t involve yourself with them. Much less at your grade.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Do you still have that journal?”
“Yes. It’s in my ring.”
“May I see it?” A gloved hand already waited in askance. He flipped the worn diary and stored it away. “This will be helpful. Thank you.”
Yeah… you’re welcome. I’ve already made a copy.
Kai vainly tried to wait out the ensuing silence before being forced to speak. “You really haven’t answered much.”
“I haven’t. Can you promise you’ll keep away from them if I do?”
“What if I run into them? Or they come to me?”
“No ifs, Kai. Yes or no.” Elijah gripped his shoulder. “Believe me on this, the less you know, the safer you are. They’ve spread deeper into the Republic than I anticipated, but they’re still too weak to challenge the Merian authorities. You’ll be safe as long as you keep your nose out of trouble. It’s not the time to discuss them anyway.”
“When then—”
“Let me be clearer.” A dangerous calm bled into his voice. “A sect of that group was involved in why I hid in the Baquaire Archipelago. Don’t ask me more.”
You mean about your family’s murder?
Kai opened his mouth, not sure what he’d say; Elijah had already turned his attention to Hobbes. “You were to tell me how you bonded an astralynx?”
The silver furball hung in the crook of his arms, enjoying the scratches. His flicking ears betrayed his feigned disinterest in the conversation.
“An astralynx?” Kai scooped up his familiar with both hands and hoisted him up to inspect him, deaf to his protesting meows. “He doesn’t look much like a lynx.” He spluttered as the long, fluffy tail swished in his face. “I met him in the hidden realm when he was a food-thieving kitten. Are you saying Hobbes will grow bigger?”
“Perhaps.” Elijah watched them strangely. “High-tier beasts can often nudge their growth to fit their needs. Their names don’t always indicate blood relations. He might have as much in common with a lynx as a silver wolf. The name likely came more from their shared elusive nature.”
That’s kinda silly.
“Are you going to grow big and ferocious, bud?” Kai held up Hobbes behind his forelimbs and playfully rocked the limp fluffball. His Feline Majesty swayed like a pendulum, ears flattened at the undignified treatment, paws dangling in regal resignation.
Yeah, you’re right, bud. Why would you need to change perfection?
“Ugh,” Elijah cleared his throat, the odd expression lingering. “The spatial mana in the sealed realm might explain why you found him there. Though it’s surprising his mother let him bond with you. Astralynxes are extremely protective of their young. And dangerous.”
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“I never saw a trace of another astralynx there.” Kai slowed the rocking swings. “It was just him.”
Do you know something, bud? Where are your mom and dad?
Hobbes stared at him, head tilted, motionless. His large eyes shifted to a pale green.
A reassuring warmth. Flashes of silver. Stinging cold. The tang of blood.
More flashes of color, sharp smell and drumming emotions rushed through the bond.
Then, stillness.
“Mrow.”
“He… he doesn’t remember.” Kai blinked away the images and dust in his eyes, wrapping Hobbes in his arms.
Don’t worry, buddy. I’m not leaving you.
A notification flashed, and a short scroll window appeared before him, brought forth by his attention.
*Ding*
Congratulations, Hobbes has reached the lv50 threshold!
Uh… What a timing.
“Are you alright?” Elijah asked.
“Yeah. All fine.” Kai dismissed the Guide—another choice for later, adding to Shadow Magic. “Just got a notification. You were saying?”
The butler watched him silently and sighed. “High-tier beasts often need specific mana conditions to give birth. If the seal on the hidden realm was weakening like you said, an adult astralynx might have slipped into the seams.”
“You mean they weren’t native to the Sanctuary?”
We’ll have to look for clues when we go back. Eventually. Perhaps Zervathi knows something…
“It still wouldn’t explain how you found him alone,” Elijah said. “You’ve seen what… Hobbes can do. And he’s a juvenile. Adults astralynxes wouldn’t struggle even in a Green-3 zone.” A furrow marked his brows. “You have to be careful. I’ve never even heard of a human bonded with an astralynx. Keep in mind, you are his weak point.”
Kai raised his face from the soft fluffball. “What do you mean?”
“I reckon, I don’t need to explain why fully grown astralynxes are nigh-impossible to catch. But you two are bonded.” Elijah poked his chest with a finger. “And you are much easier to catch.”
“Meeeow.” Hobbes stopped kneading his coat to add his contribution.
Hey, don’t team up with him. I don’t get captured that often.
“Mrow.”
The Trials didn’t count! And what’s the big deal if you can get me out?
Elijah ruefully shook his head at them. “I’m starting to get an idea of how you bonded. Just mind who you reveal his species to before you reach Green. It shouldn’t be too difficult. Few people can recognize an astralynx, and fewer survive long enough to tell the tale.” Hobbes craned his neck to stare up innocently as the butler bopped his nose. “I suppose I can at least count on the discretion of one of you.”
What’s this unfair coalition? I never look for trouble on purpose.
“I’ll be careful.” Kai brushed aside a shrub and peered into the woodland, orienting himself toward the path. “I should go find Rain now.”
“No need.” Elijah leaned against a scratched spruce with a shrug. “He’s already headed this way.”
“What, here?” Kai patted himself down fast. “I’m a mess. Why didn’t you say something?” The coat covered most of the torn clothes down to his knees. After the Blood healing, he only had a faint, reddish bruise on his face that could easily be mistaken for the cold. More worrying was what Elijah would do if Rain came here. “Where is he coming from?”
I can run toward him.
Elijah chuckled, standing with a relaxed posture that only sharpened his glares. “Don’t you want to introduce me to your friends? I’m curious to meet this Rain.”
“I would have liked a warning. And if you really must know, his full name is Oraine Akeelise Ryuu.”
Mirth melted from Elijah’s face like snow in summer. “You’re joking."
“Why would I joke…” Kai spun toward the forest. His senses caught a familiar presence. Seconds later, a head of platinum hair peeked through the budding underbrush.
“Hey there, Mat. Are you alright? I came looking since you were late.” Rain strolled through the evergreens. He wore a fuzzy hat with a red pompom that bobbed on his head. His gliding steps didn’t falter when he spotted Elijah, sweeping his amber gaze over them. His easy smile returned. “I thought I’d smelled someone. Are you cloaking yourself with Shadow Magic?”
“I am. Though it looks like I got careless." Elijah rose from his lounging, face unreadable, shoulders drawn back. His boots clicked together. He lifted his chin and inclined his head half a degree, palm open on his side in some odd courtesy. “Valoren Lochwyn sen’thar vesh en khal…” The words rolled swift and sharp with clipped consonants and the liting cadence of a rehearsed sentencing.
“I’m also Matthew’s master,” the butler finished, switching back to the Merian common tongue.
Before Kai could puzzle out what was happening or speak, Rain answered in the same language. Their expressions remained opaquely polite throughout the exchange.
“Sireth vesh thalan…” His roommate gave a soft smile and the faintest tilt of his head, chin up without breaking eye contact. Two fingers touched his sternum, drifting out in a slow arc. “…vel’rah Matthew.”
Elijah chuckled dryly. “Indeed.”
Huh? Indeed what?
Kai only caught Elijah and Rain’s names. The unfamiliar sounds flew too fast to even grasp with Mnemonic Mastery.
Are they talking about me?
His glances earned him an amused nod from Elijah. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
“Just some formal courtesy.” Rain waved it off. His smile widened as he turned to study him keenly. “I never imagined you had such a master, Mat. Though… it does explain things.”
What are you talking about? What's going on?
Kai looked between them, waiting for someone to clarify or surrender a clue. Neither did.
“Do you want a caramelized hazelnut?” Rain produced a paper bag, already munching on one.
Elijah blinked when the bag hovered in front of him. “Thanks.” He stiffly plucked and inspected the glossy, amber-coated treat as if it might bite him.
“These are my favorites.” He ate a handful and slowly chewed to savor them. “They prepared them in a way to make them more crunchy."
“Toasting?”
“Yes, that.”
Listening to them, Kai got the increasing impression he was missing much of the context—besides the unknown language. His body ached from the spar. He was hungry and mentally drained from the magic lessons. It was hard enough to deal with them without whatever was going on.
I’ll figure it out later.
Beneath the shadowed pines, the slivers of sky dimmed. “It’s getting late. We should go.” Kai threw a meaningful look at Elijah. “I will see you again later, right?”
“I’ll find you later.” Elijah nodded with a smirk. “A pleasure making your acquaintance, Oraine.”
“That’s it then,” Kai spun around. “I’d like to get a hot shower and eat a bite.” He grabbed Rain’s arm, who let himself get dragged without protests, never losing his smile. Behind them, the butler’s presence had already vanished in the shadows of the spruce.
Truly no rest for the wicked.
Rain hummed behind him, happy to let him lead. Kai pressed his lips, focused on concealing his stiff battered body. Exhaustion seemed to flood him at once as they trekked through the brush. The woodland opened to a rocky trail, hanging crystal light already shining on the muddy cobbles.
Damn, I’m starving.
His embarrassment clashed with the temptation to ask Rain for more hazelnuts. Ultimately, Kai’s curiosity won out. “You’re not going to ask me anything?”
Rain offered him the paper bag as if reading his hunger. “Do you want me to?”
“No—yes. Maybe?”
“Your master was nice to visit you.”
“Yeah, he was…”
Not that he planned for it.
“Are you really alright, Mat? I’m sorry if I intruded. I shouldn't have let my curiosity lead me.”
“No, it’s fine. You did nothing wrong. I’m just damn tired from sparring.” Kai rubbed his face, weaving a thin veil of Shadow to dissuade from remembering his features. “Are you not gonna tell me what you talked about? How do you speak the same language?"
“Mhmm, but what would be the fun in that?” Rain laughed. “Don’t look at me with that pitiful expression. You’re making me feel bad. I told Elijah I wouldn’t tell you unnecessary details."
“Why?”
“Nope. I’m not falling for that.”
“Ugh! Fine.” Kai wrapped a scarf around his face, not trusting his cloak yet. “I’m sorry for the red sweater with the ducklings. It kinda got ruined.”
“That’s fine. It was worth seeing you go out in that.”
“Didn’t you say it was fundamental to help me pass unnoticed?”
“Did anyone unmask the famed first rank?”
“No, but… Alright. Fair point.” Kai accepted the bag of caramelized hazelnuts as a bribe, looking forward to his dorm hot shower.
I should take a look at that too.
*Ding*
Hobbes (lv50) ?
As you reach the first milestone, you are presented with four choices to continue your journey.
- Stay the Course - You won’t gain new significant benefits, but continue to deepen your bond. Both you and Hobbes will benefit from your shared affinity as your understanding and connection grow.
- Borrowed Power - Claim the independence of your path. Though the resonance with your familiar may not deepen, you’ll exert greater influence over the bond and draw power from your familiar and their path.
- Entwined Fates - Loosen your control and reach through your bond. Let your familiar’s instincts and powers strengthen you as you do with them. Be warned, depending on your use and abuse, your familiar may influence you to different degrees. If your will falters and you fail to find balance, the bond may even sweep you away entirely.
- Released Potential - Yield command over the bond and let your familiar’s instincts and path take the lead. One purpose often leads best in battle. Your bond may reach farther. Your personal benefits will lessen in favor of strengthening Hobbes' path and abilities.
Even the wording’s different. Uhm… well, many of my best ideas come in the shower.
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