After another day traveling the world, the young girl settles down at the local tavern to earn traveling expenses. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqqbAtUvLs
The young beauty puts on the barmaid outfit and sets out on the first shift for the day.
“Aoife, 2 beers for that group in the back”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsc9RtOFNh
Aoife: “Got it.”
She glides through the pub with practiced grace towards the group near the back.
Aoife: “Your order.”
“Oh, are you new lass?”
Aoife: “Yep, just need some traveling expenses.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvoCDS9til
“Is that right….”
A sly hand slithers up her legs and comes a bit too close to her behind before she side steps.
Aoife: “S-Sorry sir, I’m not the menu.”
“No worries, just trying to enjoy before you leave.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ynfWu0TJf
Aoife ignores the comment and returns to work. Time flies by as Aoife’s shifts near its end. To her dismay, that same group is still here. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTrJK3VVDl
“Barmaid, another round for my buddies!”
Aoife looks to the owner but she looks away. She wonders if this something common, something she just has to deal with for the money.
She reluctantly goes to the near-drunk men and set’s down their 13th beer order.
“Come on lass, you’ve come over 13 times now. You're making us think you like this.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBDM3TyUgf
Once again, their hands start at her legs and attempt to grab her behind before she quickly side steps. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEegUEydhU8
Aoife: “You know I have no choice, how about you stop already.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFDw7ltjqd
“*Hic* How about I cover your travel expenses and in exchange *Hic* you give us a good time.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNW88WNNQo
The leader of men stretches his hands more aggressively but before he could feel her another customer comes and the owner calls for Aoife.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5FNZx2KwM
She quickly leaves to the drunken men’s frustration. Aoife receives the order from the owner and goes over to the new customer. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtgJURzk7q
Aoife: “Here’s your order….sir.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgZTS5pZ4B
The two were frozen, glued to each other’s eyes and the beauty within. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQWFiL2oZI
Aoife:” Um, do you have a name.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65wFKkagiu
“Jerome….yours?”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX8K5FJwND
Aoife: “Aoife I-”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV628va22f
Before the pair could ignite the developing spark, the owner calls Aoife to fulfill another order by the drunks. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bMpwt5kuM
Aoife: “Sorry, I gotta go.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS7fJ5hjBG
Jerome: “I-I don’t mind, as long as you come back.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqtPFNYHuV
Aoife blushed and smiled slightly before steeling herself for another groping attempt. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepgCUfqLa5
Aoife: “Your order.”
The leader of the drunks ignored the legs and went straight for his end goal but before he could another hand grab his.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpfcW0Yh8K
“What the-”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTe6LXsPdm
Jerome: “I think the girl doesn’t want to be touched.”
“Now who is *hic* you?!”
The drunks got out of their seats and stared down Jerome but he stood undeterred.
Jerome: “Just a humble traveler who prefers to settle things with a contest.”
“A contest you say, hehe, if the prize is that ravishing barmaid I’ll play any *hic* game you have in mind.”
Jerome looks at Aoife and winks. Usually, she wouldn’t take part in this game but for reason, she trusted any plan he has.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhyME2Kxgg
Aoife: “Fine.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB0ix6evCl
“Ohhh, you hear that boys we’re in luck. So what’s the game, dart throwing, arm wrestling, or an outside brawl?395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY0jMpByas
Jerome: “The game is…..a singing contest.”
Aoife and the dunks both blink with confusion and astonishment. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiYySKIQGc
“You got to be kidding me.” 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6HonMsTgr
Jerome: “What’s wrong, you said any game. Don’t tell me you fine gentlemen don’t keep your word.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPXrDEzRoj
The leader of the drunks takes a moment to think it over before downing another beer bottle. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXMkOkSEXC
“Fine, how good could you be.”
Aoife along with the entire bar stare with anticipation of the contest. The drunks went first and the result was an ear-splitting noise that you wouldn’t think came from a human. Their pride, however, prevented them from realizing their failure.
“Heh, *hic* hows that folks? I’m sure me and my bodies blew you away.”
Jerome: “You sure did, may I take my turn.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRuPeH56vk
“Of course, although you may as well give up.”
Jerome: “Well, something things you can’t give up.”
Jerome looks towards Aoife who smiles back before taking out a flute from his bag. He took a seat as the crowd wait with bated breath.
Jerome then played.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iywJHXldu
He played the flute with such a passion and grace that God himself seemed to cast his gaze towards the young man.
The world was a stage and he was the star.
Everyone was breath taken by his music but only one resonated with it, Aoife. She was transfixed by his melody, her heart beat faster and a desire to join in the symphony spread within her.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWW5j9xTeE
Before she knew it, another blessed melody joined the cacophony. Her voice melded with his flute in a song that transcended simple “music”. Jerome noticed and got up without missing a note.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqZdEq7Dv3
They played their music while looking into each other’s eyes, the spark had ignited. They then began to dance together in a way that seemed natural, as if they did this a million times before.
Another star had joined him on the stage.
They continued like this for a while before like everything, they came down from that heavenly high. They both stopped their performance at the same and once again the bar fell in silence.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2mgOikkO8
It didn’t look for the silence to reseed to the roaring applause of the bar. Even the drunks who now seem sober clap, they wouldn’t dare upset this delicate atmosphere. They left without saying another word. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2IFJ3VZrJ
Soon the bar returned back to normalcy, only Aoife and Jerome remained still in a trance. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D9ZP5LWjv
Jerome: ‘Y-Your voice is….beautiful.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOVpcmuQHA
Aoife: “And you’re amazing on the flute, I-I just couldn’t help myself.”
Jerome: “If I’m not being too forward can I take some of your time.”
Aoife looked to the owner with some worry in her heart but they gave her time for a break. Aoife rushed to the back to get changed into more casual attire.
Jerome and Aoife then went for a moonlight walk. They talked about many things like how they’re both traveling the world and their love for music. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcz6bR0bSL
Soon they came to a picturesque log near the local river. They sat down and looked into each other's eyes.
Aoife: “Jerome, I know we just met but can I join you on your journey.”
Jerome: “I would love that Aoife, now that I’ve found someone who shares my passion for music I don’t want to go back to normal.”
Jerome put his hand on her cheek and Aoife accepted him, she closed her eyes in anticipation.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNCuFJIPsh
They slowly closed the distance and locked lips. The most important kiss for them both. Their fates are now tied to one another and for this moment of bliss, they couldn’t ask for more.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBGB60EGPb
Sun and moon, together at last.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjzHE24Nap
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5QONI5OUS
I open my eyes in an unfamiliar place greeted by a chaotic blood-red sky. What….happened, what was that dream?395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVThvIFdLle
I try to get up but I can only drag myself to the wall behind me. I must be really lucky, nothing tried to kill me while I was out.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP4dD2omFf
Ravage: “Hey Blue.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RMQtHJ0CG
Nevermind.
I quickly turn my head towards that familiar voice, why did I have to wake up to her. I guess it wasn’t luck but this mark kept creatures at bay, I wish I could forget that moment.
I take stock of my surroundings and notice that I’m on a stage within a hall where actors perform. A gaping hole lies above giving me a grim look at the world….at my failure.
Moryuu: “So, what do you want from me?”
Ravage: “Well I was chasing Magpie but she’s in one of those pillars. I was bored so I tracked you to play but….”
Ravage jumps out of the audience seat and comes closer to the stage. She then hops onto the stage with me but keeps some distance. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxsTIbrpjT
Ravage: “You’re still hurt, well that’s no fun.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0jDq7CVqI
Moryuu: “Well too bad, now what?”
Ravage began to pout slightly, it would be cute if not for what she is.
Ravage: “I was looking forward to playing with you, I don’t know where the others are.” 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83GwsjqoYl
She went to the stage’s edge and dangled her feet, moving them back forth in a rhythmic motion.
Ravage: “I’ll just wait until you’rehealed, so booooring.”
Moryuu: “If it’s so boring, you could help so I heal faster.”
Ravage: “No, I settle for hearing your pained breathing.” 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBRgc2tYrq
Moryuu: “Ugh, can you at least tell me what’s happening out there.”
Ravage: “….I gave master that eye and he….fused with the little girl into something else. I don’t want to talk about that, I rather plaaaay!”
So….Shadow got what he wanted. I can’t sit here, I need to finish this. I try to get up but I collapse back down in a pained groan. Much to Ravage’s amusement.
I need to get her to help me, as much as I hate that.
Moryuu: “Let’s make a deal.”
Ravage: “Oh? That’s fun, what are you willing to offer?”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Odt650KHu
She says while grinning with those sharp teeth. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu9LOZz481
Moryuu: “I take it you don’t trust the being that Shadow has become.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCsKmBd0jB
Ravage: “….”
Moryuu: “Do you think that entity will give you any playtime with me. What’s worse is that this world is coming to end, no games for you when that happens.”395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q9UVYdKU8
Ravage: “So what blue, as long as I have fun I’m fine.”
Moryuu: “If you help me we can defeat that entity and….I’ll you get out of here.” 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PSs0kVPFf
Ravage: “Being stuck here does limit playmates, fine I’ll help heal you….for now.”
Moryuu: “Good, all I need some food and water. I can heal faster with that.”
Ravage nods and jumps off the stage while humming a tune that seems familiar.
That dream….was it even a dream? It felt different, like a memory.
But it couldn’t have come from….Ravage. Aoife is completely different from that creatures, so much so that she reminds me of Annette. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR8bu3lRWA
I hope I don’t regret teaming up with her, when she comes back I’ll get some answers. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn0fSuPKwU
