Together they wandered across Bhernia as free as the wind and sang to their heart’s and soul’s content in magical unison from tavern to the next, gathering coins for their travels.
The years of Winters were the best times, people sought comfort through music in these dark times, and more than a few times, Aoife and Jermone were allowed to stay longer than 2 nights at taverns or received free warm meals.
Of course of the other years of Spring, Summer and Autumn went well but there was competition from other wandering minstrels, yet Aoife’s voice mastered them all.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfLPIb2Y18
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Her voice was pure, clear and it spread a comforting warmth to all who was within an earshot. She sang many old songs but with her voice, it sounded new and better while Jerome accompanied her song with his flute. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK1vlEgAna
But his competition wasn’t always against other minstrels sometimes there other men eyeing Aoife due to her enchanting voice and looks until one night in the midst of the Spring year.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQmal2uopU
After Jerome had a solo competition against a band of minstrels, his flute and fingers were faster than the others in playing the tune and many young women eyed for him. Taken by his charm and wit.
Aoife didn’t like the sight of it and stepped in by introducing a song but sadly the women had their eyes glued to Jerome. Usually, Jerome declines politely and remains close to Aoife’s side but this time he sat with them for a drink and chat.
Aoife’s jealousy grew as one woman, with a unique red glow in her eyes, held close to his arm and smiled. As Jerome smiled back to the woman it was the same smile he gave to Aoife, a choking pain from Aoife’s chest burned, and retreated to her room after she ended the song. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m9wUOvQmP
She suppressed the tears and jealousy while making herself ready for bed and decided to stay awake until Jermone comes for a talk.It felt like waiting for him the entire night until Jerome entered the room but he exchanged a few brief whispers at the door to someone and a soft giggle of a woman was heard.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskwswZ60b7
A new pain shot in Aoife's heart but she clenched her teeth and balled her hands into fists but remained still in bed. She closed her eyes and pretended to sleep while Jerome got to bed and soon fell asleep with his back turned to her. With a heavy sigh, Aoife managed to fall asleep despite her pained feelings of jealously and sorrow.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCMO31RXOA
Since that night Jerome started to act differently and grew distant. Aoife sensed behind his smiles they weren't genuine as they once were and somewhat forced. Whenever she found a moment to talk with him he refused or the woman with a unique red glow in her eyes cuts in. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo8MRxNFWw
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One evening in the tavern Aoife ate her supper alone but no matter where she sat, she heard and saw them from the corner of her eyes or the small mirror at the wall that was accompanied by a candle to spread more light in that dark corner. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM31Uzctl1f
Aoife dropped her spoon to what she saw in the small mirror before her. It wasn't solely how the two passed a kiss but the woman beside Jerome, It looked anything but human, a blackish smoke-filled figure with glowing red eyes and a faint red mist encased Jerome. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY0pBvdS0U
As Aoife looked over her shoulder there sat beside Jerome the woman and no smoke-filled figure like in the mirror. She blinked to be sure her eyes weren't deceiving her. After a deep breath, she mustered her courage and strength to stand up and walks over to the woman and Jerome. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1J7u241oc
Just as Aoife was close within their reach the two of them kissed and embraced. Aoife halted in her steps as tears welled in her eyes. Knowing now is too late. The way Jerome looks, smiles, and how he kisses her. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cdxEG1YCd
All hope was lost for Aoife's love.
Rapidly she sprinted out of the tavern and ran as fast and far her legs can carry. The dark and night and thick tears didn't make it any easier for her to see where she was running but suddenly felt something wet and cold at her ankles.
As Aoife halted and looked down she saw small waves of the dark water licking at her ankles, standing on the shore of a large lake and no one in sight.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIvsXbwd8N
Suddenly an idea popped into her head and started to walk deeper and deeper into the water. She walked so far that she lets herself submerge...415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iBsGrFbZh
Aoife found herself surrounded by a strange form of darkness and silence. It was hard to say if the silence was tense or relaxing but she felt at ease until she saw a picture of a woman lying relaxed at the bottom of a dark lake. Her long brown hair was spread out like a halo and her skin was white as snow. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtkqxq2IRp
A pang of pain shot through her and vomited dark water. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLQD5kAksx
“No, did I die or is this some strange vivid dream?” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LIrapTEbm
Slowly she looked at her hands, they were just as pale as the woman. Bit by bit she began to recall what happened and blinked to the conclusion of her train of thought. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YtnsoPb9y
“I-I died. I drowned. That's me at the bottom of the lake.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAgyjuhALU
More tears streamed over her pale cheeks.
“Jermone will never find me but he won't care. He loves someone else. Why should I care if he doesn't?” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqcFxwjIAd
Aoife's sobs rapidly turned into snickers. I wouldn't mind if he gets betrayed by that red-eyed snake, he deserves it. He only loved my voice for competition but never the girl behind the voice…415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1dr5dOntg
Aoife's mind changed and wandered through the dark void with no track of time. She laughed with crazed delight and spite, wondering about the plans she has for Jermone the next time she would see him. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszcSkMOnHP
Suddenly deep chuckle of a man's interrupted her thoughts and ideas. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32tOOkSMCC
"What imagination you have? Would you be interested in having a second chance to return to the living? To outlive those ideas, turn them into reality?" 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj5aUFwRzP
A pair of large red eyes glowed in front of Aoife. She stared at the eyes speechless. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E75W7KofI
They looked strangely familiar but she couldn't put her finger on from where or who. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9fwJSVDej
"I can make that possible, do you want that?" Asked the red eyes. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrt0OzE2gc
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Aoife pondered over her decision but the red eyes held her's, as if in a trance.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IdLK1MpkU
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"You won't have to be yourself, you can have a new start with a new name. All you have to do is follow my lead. It's a one-time offer and time is ticking, deary." Hissed the voice softly. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPI0DMtBbS
"Fine, I'll do it!" Accepted Aoife.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ855m0asx1P
Immediately a breeze began to blow in the void that turned within seconds into a hurricane while a strange language echoed and strong winds pull her towards an unknown direction. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RofGsyMtc
Aoife fought against it and tried to scream but it was no use and suddenly a gray cool hand with red glowing veins held her's and ripped her out like grabbing sharp thorns that held to her wet dress.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpYpqSQ4JD
Utter stillness crept in, so still, she heard her own heartbeat. A familiar rhythm she hasn't heard for a long time. She blinked as her sight was blurry and found herself starring into a pair of red glowing eyes. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO85UXJx7qB
"Master?"
It came out of her without thinking, her voice sounded like that of a young girl's. She felt she owes everything to the red-eyed man for giving her a second chance and a new start. A name popped into her head, Shadow. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9evPtRwSCn
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Another dream….
The sky screams further while blood rain paints the ceiling. I ignore the sounds and disturbing imagery so I can heal faster. I feel like I’m almost at 100%, just need an extra boost to be ready for future battle. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY13Sa5lb64
Where is that little gremlin, we don’t have much time.
I close my eyes and recall that second dream. If that’s her past, even I’m starting to feel something. Still, that’s probably because her past self reminds me of my sister. It doesn’t change what she is but maybe-415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKOWKMXwZD
I hear footsteps and snap my head towards the sound. I see Ravage skipping towards me with some food and water.
She jumps onto the stage and comes closer. I attempt to grab the food from her but she steps back.
Moryuu- “….What do you think you’re doing?”
Ravage- “I have a counter deal for you Blue.”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RxZIiphFh
Moryuu- “Of course you do. Okay, what is it?”
Ravage- “If you want me to help you fight what shadow became, and this food, then I need something from you.”
She says while shaking the food just out of my reach.
Moryuu- “What, do you plan on kissing me again?” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYBSxPRw83
Ravage- “N-No, I’m starting to regret that….anyway, I want Shadows or Iggy’s magic power. I was promised that along with a playmate.”
Shadow is out of the question and Ignatius….maybe if he agrees but….
Moryuu- “How about instead I give you some magic power?”
Ravage- “Hahahaha! That’s cute Blue, I didn’t know you cared so much.”
Moryuu- *Rolls eyes*
Ravage- “No, I’ll only take Shadow or Iggy. That’s my counter deal, take it or leave it.”
Moryuu- “I promise to ask Ignatius if he’ll….donate some magic power. As for shadow….I plan on killing him completely, if some residue magic is left then….maybe I’ll let you.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XRV55aytd
Ravage- “Mmmm, okay!”
What’s wrong with me? These dreams are messing with my decision-making. Hopefully, Ignatius agrees so I don’t have to worry about the alternative. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK55WXz4DP8
She hands me the food and water. I begin to devour the nutrients and slowly I can feel the rest of my strength returning. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLf6BCrWLy
Meanwhile, Ravage goes to the edge of the stage and swings her legs again.
Ravage- “Blue, once we leave here you still owe me a play session.”
Moryuu- “….Fine, if you really want to fight me that much.”
I think it’s about time to get some answers about those dreams.
Moryuu- “I’ve been having weird dreams lately, do you have something to do with it?”
Ravage abruptly stops swinging her legs. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLLujj6nVD
Ravage- “W-What kind of dream?”
Moryuu- “Does the name Jerome mean anything to you?”
Ravage- “!!!”
Ravage- “N-No, I don’t know who that is!”
For someone she doesn’t know, that’s quite the emotional response.
Moryuu- “Is that so, how about Aoife?”
Ravage- “NO! I don’t know that pathetic baker girl! Stupid Blue, why are you bringing her up?”
Moryuu- “Because I want to know why I’m having these dreams.”
Ravage- “It’s probably a side effect of that spell I cast on you, just ignore it.”
Moryuu- “*Sigh* I assume it goes both ways?”
Ravage- “….”
I expected as much. It doesn’t matter what she saw, it’s in the past.
Moryuu- “You know I just noticed something, how did you know she was a backer?”
Ravage- “!”
Moryuu- “Well?”
Ravage- “Grrr, that might have slipped out but I don’t have to tell you anything.”
Moryuu- “….I’m sorry, if you don’t want to remember your past then I won’t bring it up again. We can’t afford to be at each other’s throats right now.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQefvYE6zC
Ravage- “That actually would make me feel better, clawing at your throat.”
Moryuu- “….Save that for when we get out of here.”
Ravage- “As long as I get the chance, you owe me two play sessions now. That’s if you can survive the first.”
Moryuu- “I suppose that’s fair.”
I go back to eating the rest of my meal and after a while Ravage goes back to swinging her legs. She also starts to hum that familiar tune.
[Play the Sad Ravage hum]
Ravage- “….Aoife was stupid Blue, don’t feel sorry for her. It’s her fault for falling in love in the first place. I refuse to make her mistake.”
Ravage- “She was a baker’s girl who foolishly wanted to escape her normal life and travel the world. She worked so hard to gather enough money to escape that place and for what?”
Ravage- “All she ever wanted….all I ever wanted was to sing and what do I get for my troubles….”
I can notice some tears starting to form on her seemingly normal face. I’m starting to regret even asking, I may know a lot due to the dream but hearing it out of her is….different.
Moryuu- “….I see.”
She wipes her tears away and regains her composure.
Ravage- “That’s all your getting out of me. Any more will have to wait after our play sessions.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsEAes8ixg
Moryuu- “I’m fine with that. I do feel bad that you’re the only opening up about the past.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RJ4iDcBDN
I notice Ravage’s ears perk up slightly in attention. I guess she is interested. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyDfCI8gQQ
Moryuu- “You might know already but I was born into a family of hunters. We hunted supernaturals creatures that threatened the normal world and I was trained since I was a child.”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7GY8e8AWr
Moryuu- “The exception was my little sister Annette, she was too sweet to be a hunter. It was my job to protect her and I would’ve done it too.”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTkEMFgG9K
Moryuu- “After an event that caused a war between supernatural beings and humans, my family decided to join the front line. My parents….didn’t make it to the other side.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK47dMbKAyw
Moryuu- “At least I kept my promise, I sent Annette to a safe place while I finished what my parents started.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE560Fsxih
Ravage- “….So how did you get your powers?”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGvVfkdWIi
Moryuu- “I’ll save the rest after the play sessions.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk80dXw9lUL
Ravage- “*Puffed Cheeks* I guess I have more reason to look forward to it.” 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3QZrh76C0
Moryuu- “Good for you.”415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY6EcaWNHD
We let the atmosphere turn back to normal after that heavy conversation. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0Up2ENn7a
I finish my food and stand up back at 100%. I walk towards Ravage and find an urge to pet her head. I need to get myself checked out, maybe it’s another side effect of the spell. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zStyc29S0
Whatever it may be, we have to get along for the time being. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFmDJRDJDB
Moryuu- “It’s time to regroup.”
Ravage- “Finally, it’s time to play again.”
Oh, there’s that sharp-toothed smile. Thanks for reminding me you’re not just a sad little girl. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjiuFL2vck
Moryuu- “When they do come, promise me you won’t fight any of them. I’m your only playmate from now on.”
Ravage- “Awww Blue, is that a proposal I hear? What if I reject that idea?”
Moryuu- “I guess you’ll be stuck here forever with no playmates at all. 1 playmate is better than none.”
Ravage- “Fine, I promise….for now.”
Moryuu- “I’ll take that small victory.”
I raise my tonfa and blast a strong enough lightning bolt that could be seen from almost anywhere. Hopefully, Talon sees it and brings everyone here. 415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcjGlj4TC9
