Elegy: Lost Shadow

Having reunited Nyambe with his mother, a heavy sense of accomplishment took hold of my heart. Was it probably because I knew that they'd be happy together? It made me feel as if whatever I did was well worth it.

 Anemone, as well as Walter, casually strolled through the empty streets of seekers following their seemingly long visit to Score Resurgee. They were making their way back to the clinic. The streets were as dark as they were quiet. It was undoubtedly the night of the new moon. Not a single light in sight. 

 This place is always so quiet at night. It makes you wonder if one day, it will just up and disappear. She thought as she stared at the night sky letting her mind wander

 "Miss….question for you. What was your impression of the woman at the inn? Be frank with me," he said, his voice stern as he brought her drifting mind to the present. As soon as he uttered that statement, he took off his mask.

 "You mean the innkeeper? I thought she loved her son a great deal. I am just terrified at exactly how patient she was," she replied, letting her gaze wander.

"Is that how it looked to you? Because I doubt that was patience. Truthfully, seemed to me like she had given up." With all the power she commanded, I sincerely doubt she would have any trouble retrieving her son if it was a normal threat.

 "You know, you should learn to be sensitive with the things you say." She let out a sigh as she looked at the sky. Starless and cloudy. It will probably rain again today.

 "While we are on the subject, did you know that boy belonged to the Chimeralanas? Terrifying clan, the lot of them"

 She shifted her gaze back to the street. She could see the clinic at the far end of the street. Its silhouette was striking as it was far bigger than the other buildings surrounding it. "I had no clue. I only found out when he told me his name. Until then, I had no idea that he was one of them. That he belonged to one of the most prestigious clans of Conflagraflaria. Up there with the other eight families.

 It's a little scary to find out that he isn't completely human. I mean, no Chimeralana is, unless you count those who marry into the clan." Before they realized it, they'd made it back to the clinic.

 Its multi-story structure towered over them. It was truly a luxurious building ruined only by its worn-down plaster. Neglect must have been the source but age put the final nails in. Conflagraflaria's climate comprised rain year-round. Due to this fact, any building without proper maintenance was bound to wither away with time. 

 "Wait, how come Kano's window is the only one open," she said, squinting her eyes to have a better look. Even though the moonless night was mainly to blame, her slightly diminished sight wasn't helping her case much either.

 "Three stories up….I take it we will jump up there then," Walter suggested.

 "You maybe…but I will use the door like any sane person would. See you up there," she replied fatuously using the word 'sane' as if to spite him. She took off heading towards the door.

 He glanced in her direction before he jumped, making his entrance through the window. With a single jump, he landed on the rails to the window before leaping a second time past the bed into the room.

 Anemone, who was blissfully unaware of this sudden movement, looked back to see if he was still behind her. He wasn't. Somehow that doesn't surprise me. I thought he'd use the door this time for sure.

 She made her way through the door which regardless of how late it was wasn't locked. Surprising, considering how much the town's people respected the curfew policy.

 She made her way through the dark room to the hall that was darker still. The eerie silence broken only by the subtle yet, speedy beating of her heart. The slight thud made with each step she took was her only company. The hall spread in front of her felt endless as she went up the stairs. Counting the doors felt like a tedious task, but, she eventually made it.

 She opened the door only to find that Kano's room too was dark. Silver eyes glowing beside his bed. "Walter…why not just release enough aura to illuminate the whole room? What you are doing is impractical, quite frankly terrifying."

 "Pardon my trying but unlike the rest of you, I can't clad my body in elemental light," he replied.

 "I see…wait but I saw your hand covered in a grey aura. That was your unique ability, right? If your unique ability produces its own light, why not use that?"

 "I suppose that will work. But while I am like that, don't you dare take a step closer to me." He let out a sigh before he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the sound of sparks become audible as their glow intensified. A small flash of lighting formed between his eyes when a silver semi-transparent aura began enveloping him from his feet. It spread across his entire body all the way to the tips of his white hair. The hood he wore fell off when his hair became covered in the aura.

 The room became illuminated by silver rays. Bathed in light similar to moonlight. A clear hue, as though it was the night of a full moon. 

 He is like the moon. Such a beautiful aura.

"Sorry but this is as dim as I can be."

 "It's fine. This will do nicely…" she walked in before turning to close the door. Hardly had she grabbed the door knob when she heard the sound of breaking. It echoed across the room, the silent night serving to intensify the noise it made.

 "You broke the chair, didn't you?" her tone was low serving as the clear answer to how she felt. Disappointment left her heart as a sigh.

 "Unfortunately, my strength tends to be too great to suppress when I am like this. Truthfully speaking, I only slightly touched it before it fell apart."

 "It's a shame that we will have to keep you standing then. We can't have you breaking anything else." She walked across the room and proceeded to close the window.

 "I could just stop myself from being a light house," he replied sarcastically. An attempt at a jest though if given the chance, he would make good on that word.

 "Sorry but I need you to stay like that for a while. Thanks to the fact that Kano's window was left open, quite a few mosquitoes made their way inside. 

 Thanks to the fact that our nation has a rainy climate, it is basically breeding season for them year round. There is chance he might get malaria. Also…" she trailed off.

 "Also what?" He added.

"Imagine if a bystier of a mosquito made it in. He might have magic poisoning if it bit him. I mean, foreign magic is poisonous. So until I can clear out the room, please stay like that."

 Five days later;

 The cold yet, gentle breeze brushed lightly against the curtains causing them to ripple. I stood frozen, overwhelmed by shock. I stared at him as he finally opened his eyes. Hopeful though I was, I did not expect his awakening to come so soon. Taken aback by his awakening, I dropped the book I was reading.

 Kano opened his eyes, staring at yet another unfamiliar ceiling. He sat up before looking outside the window and letting his thoughts wander. His eyes were coated black as he looked out at the cloudy horizon. His thoughts continued to dwindle, drifting further and further.

 "Kano," Anemone muttered, finally collecting her wits about her. 

A faint murmur called him back. The name he heard was nothing at all like the one she used. "Asi"

 He struggled to turn his head to the left on account of the strong stinging sensation that he felt in his left shoulder. He paid it no mind. He raised his right hand before placing it against her cheek.

 Eh..ah..eh, wait…, she stared into his eyes, Something's wrong. She felt her senses tingle. There was a sudden flux in his spiritual vibrations, subtle and almost undetectable, yet, still present. She wondered what was happening.

 Before another thought could grace her mind, he had already embraced her. Squeezing her tightly in his arms. What isn't right? She exclaimed inwardly.

 I don't know why but when he embraced me, it felt distant. I could feel his touch, his warmth, but it all felt distant. It was as though he wasn't really there.

 "Hey, Asim…"

His once black eyes became dyed to blue before he let her go.

'Pardon my boldness master but I am being beguiled into leaning into the train of thought that suggest that you might have just frightened the poor girl.' A voice suggested. A voice that only he could hear.

 "Oh, sorry Anemone if that made you uncomfortable," he murmured as he scratched his head.

"No, it's fine. I am just really glad that you finally woke up. This way, we can continue with the knight trial," she added.

 "Yeah, the knight trial….wait, how much time do we have left?!"

"Calm down Kano, we still have about 28 days. That is plenty of time to make it there."

 He let out a sigh of relief before adding, "Thank God."

'Master…Someone is about to accompany us.'

 Kano shifted his gaze to the window when the curtains blew open. On the rails stood a man dressed in black.

"Seems as if you have finally awakened. I was starting to think that burial preparations were going to be necessary," he muttered.

 "How is that the first thing you say to someone after they just woke up, Walter? Just wondering, what kind of monkey antics are these."

 Anemone chuckled before she added, "Don't bother with that one, I think he just has something against the door."

 "Everything is fine, I am just being paranoid. If anything, he is more expressive than before." These were the statements that I so desperately wanted to believe. Deep down, I probably knew…gears were turning, and it wasn't for the better.

 Two days later:

 Early mornings were often considered a bother. The slight darkness embracing the morning sky before the mark of dawn. The sound of metal creaking could be heard as the door to Kano's room was opened. Subtle tapping echoed across the room as someone walked in.

 He felt a slight nudge to his left shoulder. "Hey Kano, it's time to wake up." He rolled the other way, turning to face the window as he grabbed the sheets much tighter. "You are being serious right now."

 She began pulling on the bed sheet that he had rolled himself in. "Come on….I need your help." He simply rolled the other way.

  'Master…simply rolling the other way will not solve the problem. Wake up and speak to Lady Anemone, only then, can things truly be settled.'

 You are being awfully polite today, he thought, Usually…you would've gone with violence to convince me.

 'If such a manner of action is truly necessary to get things done, I will act on it. All so that I can best serve you.'

 Having heard those words, Kano opened his eyes while he sat up. All that surrounded him was a dark void and he was completely submerged in water. He began floating to the top of the water.

 When he reached the top of the water, he saw the black and blue fog-like aura floating above him. "No need, I am already awake." He muttered, hoping to soothe it.

 'I am glad to be of service.' The fog added before glitching out of existence and materializing floating beside him. His surroundings began to change, he was in his room once more still reclining on his bed. He opened his eyes, let out a sigh before sitting up.

 "Anemone, isn't this too early? Look the sun isn't even up yet." He complained as he opened the curtains. 

"Makes it the perfect time to sneak out, right?" she replied, letting go of his sheets.

 "I suppose. So what did you need?" he yawned.

"Sorry for coming in so early…I know that you are still recovering and we have to leave later today but my matter is kind of agent. Look," she muttered flashing her right bracelet in front of him. It became coated in a green aura.

 He squinted his eyes trying to notice what was different. "Am I supposed to notice something?" 

'It would seem a piece is missing.'

 She sighed before she said, "I am missing a piece. I need to look for it, I think I dropped it in the forest so I can't go alone since I am technically not up to full strength yet.

 I tried asking for Walter's help and he did not so much as answer the door."

 "You asked for his help then…" he smiled before adding, "I will go with you."

'Master…Am I permitted to consume the emotions you currently experiencing?'

  Go right ahead, he thought, like you needed to ask…whatever you need, you are free to take. You should at least try to appease your hunger.

…..

 Kano quickly got ready at Anemone's request. On their way to the forest, they trod the desolate streets of seekers, making their way to the village's southern entrance. 

 "Usually, things are supposed to be easier before daybreak. But, I will go ahead and take a wild guess assuming that we will end up finding him at the gate….saying something like it is his break," she said fatuously. Her words weren't but a simple jest, he was truly a break-obsessed man.

 "It's a stretch but I am starting to believe that you might just dislike him," Kano replied, glancing in her direction.

'Dislike might be too weak a word. But what of you, I doubt that you might not "dislike" him following what transpired when last you met.'

 "I don't dislike him at all. It's weird but something about him just riles me up. It is instinctive, since I saw him at the gate. I feel as if I just need to beat him." I feel as though his parameters are similar to my own. Our abilities are natural enemies to each other. And to top it all off, his ability isn't normal. I have had time to think on it but no person has the authority to just grab the soul of another like it is nothing. The only explanation that makes sense is if he also has divine authority.

 "You mentioned that last time too."

"Yeah…." She trailed off before letting out a sigh of exasperation. "We are finally here."

 The morning fog dampened the streets as they could see his silhouette from afar. He stood on top of the booth, gazing at the outlying of the forest. Hardly had they caught sight of him when they froze in place. They felt the burden of a heavy weight shackling them down.

 "I am starting to wonder where children these days get their nerves," he said before jumping off the booth. He turned to stare in their direction. His yellow glowing eyes were spotlighted by his helmet and highlighted by the fog that shrouded them.

 Anemone's once-brown eyes became enveloped by a green aura. "We just want to go out again." Her bracelets began releasing a green aura when she heard a whisper.

 "Not like that….you still don't get it. That is honestly a waste." Her aura dissipated when she felt her lungs tighten. The air had just become heavy. She clutched her chest before she fell on her knees. She coughed, gasping for air much to no avail. She could hardly breathe. She rolled her eyes to her right, and there he stood. He was too fast to track.

 Kano, who stared at Anemone struggle, chimed in. "The last time we were here, you let us leave just fine. What's the idea here?!" His blue eyes became dyed to black as they began releasing a black aura. Darker than his eye's shade. His eyes rolled to his left where the man now stood. He was still too fast to track.

 He let out a sigh before he said, "You almost died yet, you are back here. Curious, that massive cluster of magic…how did you survive it?"

 Anemone tried to gather her wits about her. What does he mean by it is a waste? If I recall correctly, he said that to break away from his ability, I needed to be able to see what he uses to subjugate us. I was about to use my blades to evolve my sight, why'd he stop me?

 A black fog like aura began emanating from his shoulders when he smiled. His voice turned cold as his eyes went hollow. Not a shred of emotion in them. "Would you like me to show you?"

 "No, that won't be necessary, "the man said when he stared in Kano's eyes. You are a shadow, after all. They could suddenly move again. He turned, walking back to his booth.

Anemone was desperately trying to catch her breath, and Kano stared at her as she did. 

 It is strange…I feel so calm right now. He thought.

'Master, does it bother you?'

I am not really sure, he added. His eyes returned their blue color when his aura dissipated. He quickly went to check on Anemone.

"How are you holding up?" he asked as he held out his hand.

 "I am okay." She was breathing heavy, sweat ran down her face and the sound of her heart pounding so hard it could escape her chest echoed across her ears.

 "Just a word of advice miss," the man added, " You should stop using those toys to see. It is limiting your growth. As you are right now, you won't survive in the world of knights. If you can't see without those toys, then that spiritual sight is wasted on you." He jumped back on top of the booth before proceeding to lie down.

 She stood up by herself. She stumbled before Kano caught her. "It is okay." He let go of her, reluctantly.

"They are not toys. They are my life. I would rather die….than ever consider discarding them!" They then left for the forest.

 While he lay on his booth, he thought, That is a waste. That golden glow will never be set free if you align too deeply with this world. If your power is truly meant to oppose my own, then hurry and show me. I hope the little push I gave her stirs her into the right direction. Because, unfortunately, there is a storm brewing…isn't that right….Given?

.....

 As they walked amongst the giant trees that were the backbone of the forest, they saw life in the forest. Masses of coiled roots were wrapped in grass and moss, they walked over them. The crickets chirped eliminating the eerie silence.

 "Anemone….you are being too quiet. Do you mind telling me what's wrong?" Kano asked as he was looking around the forest. They were deep in Redstar territory and it was right before the break of dawn. They had no way of knowing what dangers lay ahead. It was best to be on guard lest they risk the chance of an ambush.

 "It's nothing. Don't worry about it," she replied before she began releasing a green fog-like aura. "We should pick up the pace. I picked this time because it was convenient. We could avoid a lot of animals but the nocturnal one. We have minimal enemies to worry about but that won't be the case by daybreak."

 "So you won't tell me then." As soon as he uttered that statement, she took off running. He began releasing a blue fog-like aura before joining her. He began matching her pace.

 At a distance, they caught sight of a massive owl. It stood on one of the branches of the 30m tall trees. Its talons, firmly hooked in place. It had a height of roughly 3.67m with a wingspan of about 8.84m. Its feather coat was a shade of red faded into a green. The edges of its wing feathers were tipped in flames. A greenish-orange flame. It had crimson eyes, glowing through the night. A true Bubo lacteus bystier.

 "That doesn't look good…we have to avoid it," she exclaimed before she sped up. Avoiding it is good and all but I highly doubt that it will just sit there and watch.

 "That will be a problem," he added as he too sped up, matching her pace. No sooner had they passed under the tree on which it stood than it took off flying. Its sights set on them. To it, they were little more than mice. 

 Seeing this, they decided to pick up the pace. Anemone jumped onto one of the branches of the trees, leaping from branch to branch, tree to tree. Her bracelets became coated in a green aura and broke to pieces, forming nineteen pieces which transformed to blades. The blades flew behind her, following her.

 The owl spread its wings, soaring downwards. Its eyes set on Kano. It held out its talons as it prepared to grab him. He looked up at the trees only to see Anemone jumping from branch to branch with her right hand held up. Five blades were revolving about it. "Wind Art: Rampaging Blades; Spiraling Zephyr," she exclaimed. She was about to project them when she was interrupted.

 Kano shouted, "Don't waste your energy. Just keep going ahead. I will handle this. We are after your bracelet piece, go and locate it and I will catch up to you!"

 "I can't leave you with that thing!"

"I will be fine …so hurry and make yourself scarce." The blades reverted to bracelet pieces before reforming her bracelets. She then continued running with all she had.

 Kano, having noticed how close it had gotten, ran straight into a trunk of a tree that was right in front of him. It's pretty big. He thought. At the last possible second, before he could crash into the tree, he pivoted his left foot before leaping to his right.

 No sooner had he touched the ground than he pivoted his right foot, leaping to his left. He narrowly dodged the tree.

The way of water's shifting tide. Like currents shifted by streams, I can shift my footwork all the same, weaponizing water's volatility. His eyes began releasing a blue aura when he sped up. 

 The owl spread its wings as it shifted its weight. It successfully evaded the trunk, albeit narrowly. That encounter slowed it down considerably. He continued running towards trunks before evading them at the last possible second, baiting it to chase after him. It was all too happy to oblige as it too was able to evade them.

 He looked up at the branches only to see Anemone pushing ahead. That still isn't far enough. He jumped while turning to face it. His feet slid across the ground before being stopped by the coiling of roots beneath one of the trees. He planted his right hand on the ground as he exhaled. Water began condensing from his aura at his shoulder. It formed to spheres, one to his left, the other the right.

 "Water Art: Discordant Torrent; Water bullets!" The two spheres stretched out and formed streams of water. The streams coiled to form bullets. Their ogive shape perfectly sharpened like the tip of a cone. The streams that comprised the bullets flowed in opposing directions. He looked up only to see the eagle clad in orange flames. It sped up.

 He projected the bullets at it. They were deflected off its layer of flames before burying themselves in the trunks of the trees behind it. 

 A blue transparent rod began materializing at the palm of his left hand. He grabbed hold of it as he went for a vertical slash. He cut downwards. "Water Art: Discordant Torrent; Shifting Tide!" As he swung, two streams of water formed around the rod. They revolved about it in opposing directions. The owl clashed against the rod, flame against water as they attempted to overpower each other.

 He clenched his teeth as he tightly gripped the rod. From the intense clash of magic, the rod began to crack. I have to complete the shift. He used his right hand to assist his swing. He pushed the rod downward while firmly planting his foot against the roots. He jumped while the rod shattered. It sent him flipping over the owl. The owl blitzed past him.

 He landed on his feet before using his hands for support. He was panting as he stood up. He turned to look at the owl only to see that it had avoided the trees and made a swift turn. The hell, just how much control does this thing have? He changed course, running to his left. The owl continued its hunt, closing the gap in distance ever more slightly.

 He jumped and stepped on something that he suspected to be a massive root. He slipped off its slippery scales before falling to the ground. "Damn it…why is this one slippery?" He looked up. Hardly had he done it when he saw the head of a spitting cobra rising. Its scales were coated reddish-brown and it had blue glowing eyes.

 "Crap!" he exclaimed. An owl coated in flames was blitzing towards him, and now he was at the mercy of a spitting cobra. He jumped before the spitting cobra opened its mouth letting out venom. It timed it to his jump. It barely missed him. He then grabbed hold of a branch.

 The venom headed directly for the owl before being split by its flame coat. The owl held out its talons, attempting to skewer the snake when it too was coated in flames. Though its flames burned crimson. Their magic clashed.

 Kano swung himself upward and stood on the branch. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw the owl targeting the snake. His aura dissipated as he sat down.

 'Splendidly done…Master.' 

"You could have helped."

'You gave no such order.'

He stood up before adding, "You don't need to wait for my directive. Act when you see it fit. I won't order you to do anything."

'Duly noted.' 

 He looked at the horizon and saw that it was the break of dawn. I should hurry and catch up to Anemone while those thing are occupied.

 He jumped from branch to branch, tree to tree. His blues became dyed to black before he jumped, landing on the ground. He felt his eyes ache as his surroundings began to glitch.

  "Asi…" he heard as he thoughts began to dwindle.

"What might be the matter…..?" He recalled responding. Uttering a name which even he couldn't recall but thought sweet regardless.

 "I know that it's an impossible favor…but I want you to discard that empty husk." He recalled hearing. His eyes became dyed to blue once more.

 While he sprinted, he questioned what that was.

'It was but a memory of someone you thought dear.'

He continued running as he wondered why he felt a deep sense of yearning. One that turned to nothingness as his familiar had its way. He felt calm again. He continued running through the forest trying to locate Anemone much to no avail.

  'There is a way to locate lady Anemone. It is possible for me to identify her by the scent of her soul. You need only call my name and find her I shall.'

 "You said your power responds to the name I call you by. But how do I call your name if you've never told it to me?"

 'You already know my name. I am not entitled to mention it as that is considered taboo. A sin of the highest order.'

 "Seriously…seems to me that we will have to keep searching on foot." He then picked up the pace as his body was coated by a blue aura.

 He kept running for roughly an hour before he successfully found her. She stood amongst the tree, her eyes closed as her blades moved all around the forest. She was emanating a green aura. He smiled before he sat down on a branch. His eyes became dyed to black.

 "Asi…," he heard once more as his surroundings began to glitch. "Don't you think it's unfair? You found me and seen me grow but through out the time I have known you…you've never aged a day." His eyes were dyed to blue once again. A deep sense of yearning regaled his soul. It turned to nothingness once more. He wondered what was wrong.

 'A minor instability has occurred. Gradually, your scrambled memories are returning apiece. You seek clarity.'

 Anemone kept searching for her missing bracelet piece. Her blades extending the range of magic.

This should be the place where it fell. I am certain of it but why can't I find it? No matter how small the magic it had in it, I should be able to sense it. She wiped her sweat as she tried focusing even harder. For ten minutes straight, her blades kept flying through the forest.

 This clearly isn't working… how can I find it? My blades are made from an alloy. They contain a material naturally meant to absorb spiritual vibrations. This land is timing with them so it could have absorbed them.

 No…there is the issue of compatibility. They are designed to have an affinity for my magic. So if I release a large enough amount, it will naturally absorb it. She took a deep breath before exhaling. Calming herself. A condensed field should work fine. I only ever use it for advanced sight but I will scatter magic through it. Time for a Delta series art. "Wind Art: Rampaging Blades; Remnant Chaos." She saw all that surrounded her. Kano included. All that had spiritual vibration were highlighted in green. That is, all that was living. The inanimate had no such color but were signified by black. She bound a 200m diameter in her magic. 

 The blades reverted to bracelet pieces as they were drawn to her. They formed her bracelets. She was panting when she opened her eyes and looked at her right wrist. Her bracelet was completed. "Huh…" She said. Her thought drenched in disbelief. "That actually worked." She smiled before she shouted, "Kano look, I managed to find it."

 "That is great, " he shouted before he jumped to her side. "You found it."

"I thought I wouldn't be able to find it. I have been trying to sense it for over an hour now. Good thing I thought of trying this too," her aura dissipated. She stumbled as she saw everything blur out. She was able to stop herself from falling. She then grabbed her head as came down with a headache.

 "We should take a break before heading back. Let's go to the cleared area up ahead."

"But that is where that fire was …I am sure that everything is burnt there."

 "It is fine," he added, "Resting there is better than in this forest. There maybe snakes around here. So let's go. Can you walk fine or do you need me to carry you?"

 "I will be fine so don't worry about it." Her eyes ached as she felt as though the light was too bright. She then closed her eyes. "It is too bright here. It's unbearable when my eyes are open."

 "I see," he said before he grabbed her hand. They then walked through the forest. They reached the wall of giant trees before they walked passed it.

 She said this place was burnt, right? He said as he looked ahead.

'If memory serves.'

 "This looks nothing at all like a place that was burning."

"Kano, what's wrong?!" she exclaimed. The concern was visible on her face.

 "It's nothing….just ignore me," he added, "Jump ahead on three, okay? Ready, three!" They jumped forward. As soon as they landed, she grabbed his hoodie to prevent herself from falling. 

 "You said we would jump ahead on three…what happened to the other numbers?"

 "Mentioning all of them would have been a waste of time. We should continue with our walk. We are about to walk through quite a bit of tall grass." They took steps forward.

 "You never told me that they'd be over waist level."

"I called them tall, didn't I?"

 They kept walking through the grass. Kano caught sight of some hummingbirds. Flying over some flowers. As soon as they emerged from the grass, she arrived at a hot spring. It was surrounded by a bed of stones. The stream that joined into it went through the grass. This place is different from last time. "We should take a seat here." No sooner had he let go of her hand than his eyes became dyed to black. His surroundings began to glitch when he heard.

 "Asi….What's wrong? You know that you can tell me anything, right?" His eyes reverted to blue.

 "Hey Anemone, Can I ask you something?"

"No..."

"Huh.."

"I mean not right now….there is something behind you." 

He shifted his gaze to check out what was up. Of course it's another bystier. "I will take care of it. Don't worry."

 "But you've already gone up against another bystier. I will help you," she said as she stood up.

"Just sit down and focus on recovering." Following his directive, she sat down. He let out a sigh. Before him was a wild bore. From the look of things, it was there to drink water. It was roughly 2.50m tall with eyes clad in reddish flames. It's fur coat dyed reddish brown with patches of black. Its tail was up in flames as it had blue glowing eyes.

 'Should I intimidate it.'

"Yes, just do that…" From his body, a black fog formed for an instant before dissipating. The bore turned to face him before charging at him. What did you do? He thought before his body became enveloped in a blue aura.

  'As permitted. I attempted to assert my authority over it but it appears as though, you and I are yet to fully integrate as one.'

 So you are telling me that it did not work and now it's pissed, he added as he ran towards the grass.

'That would be the case.' 

His eyes became dyed to black as he said, "I honestly don't have time for this."

 His body became enveloped by a black and blue fog like aura. He slid his left hand in front of him as in its wake, a fog remained. He then grabbed it. His surroundings began to glitch. As he recalled his answer.

"...._ I know that it sounds petty but I don't ever want you to need the help of another. I want you to rely on me and me alone, okay?"

 From the fog, a blue crystalline estoc began to materialize. Five hexagonal pieces comprised its cross-guard. The four began revolving around the fifth. The fog that surrounded it dissipated before it became coated in a blue one. The aura changed to water and back to aura once more. "Water Art: Discordant Torrent; Shifting Tide."

 Streams of water formed from the aura as they revolved around the blade. The streams were flowing in opposing directions. He turned around to face the bore. Its body became coated in flames when he exhaled. He went for a diagonal slash, cutting from left to right. The bore clashed against his blade, water against flame as they attempted to overpower one another.

 He shifted his footwork, sliding his right foot past to his left. He parried the bore to his side before completing the turn. He shifted his body to make a 180-degree turn. He raised his blade as he pulled his arm back. He aimed its tip forward as if he was going for a stab.

 The bore turned and charged towards him. The streams converged at the tip of his blade when he exclaimed, "Water Art: Discordant Torrent; Plunge Pool!" They converged, spiraling as though they were a drill. They formed an ogive shape like the tip of a cone. He went for a stab as the bore charge head first. Their magic clashed, water against flame, each trying to overpower the other. His surroundings began to glitch. 

 "Is that all…Asi? I can do that but in return, I want you to discard that hollow husk. I just want to grow old with you and I know that you want that too. So you will do it right?" 

 I recall nodding in agreement. He clenched his teeth as he gripped the hilt tightly. A shockwave was the generated pushing against not only the bore but also him. His feet slid against the ground. The shockwave blew away not only the flames that coated its body…but its flesh as well. Its entrails and bones were exposed. It then fell to the ground as the magic in its body scattered.

 He was hyperventilating when the estoc dematerialized. His aura then dissipated. He clutched his chest as he felt a strong ache in his heart. A strong deep-seated feeling of yearning. It then turned to nothingness as he felt calm once more. He then began walking to where he left Anemone. His eyes became dyed in blue.

 He made it back before saying, "I took care of it." He then went and sat beside her. "Are your eyes still hurting?"

"They are. I think they will take a while until they stop."

 He started at the sky, watching the birds soar when he said, " Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go right ahead."

 "Are we still partners?" he asked before his eyes became dyed to black.

"Why ask that? I thought we are. You don't want to be my partner anymore?"

 "No, I still do."

"Then talk to me....what is it?"

"Walter's strong, isn't he? Nothing at all like how I'm like," he said before shifting his gaze to look at the hot spring. His surroundings continued glitching.

 "Where are you going with this?" she said before she opened her eyes.

"Call me petty but remember when you said you needed him, that really bothered." I felt incomplete. "And today, you told me that you went to ask for his help first. That felt even worse. I feel like I am failing."

 "Asim….do you remember when you asked me whether or not I thought you were strong? I have a definite answer now. Not the vague one I gave you before. Listen carefully okay…I honestly think that you are weak.

 Weird right? Even though you are powerful, I still think that. Do you remember when you couldn't even use your magic a few days ago? I knew about that but I chose not to say anything. I thought there was an important reason why you couldn't tell me." She shifted her gaze and stared at him.

 "I think I know why you never told me. You thought that if I knew, we wouldn't travel together. Simply because you couldn't even admit that, I thought you are weak. But so what if you are, you are still my partner." She reached under her shirt and pulled out the necklace which had a half star attached. 

 "And that's not because I am wearing this either. The truth is, I think of it this way. If you hadn't been there, at that day, at that time…I wouldn't even have had the chance to chase my dream. I would have failed, even worse, I would have died. So I am grateful. I am here because you were there." She smiled.

 He was in all. He shifted his gaze to stare at the sky.

"Come on… say something," she added.

"Aaaahhh…Thank you."

"You…you're welcome."

 'Master…Real mature.' His familiar chimed in.

Now you are just trying to spite me, he thought, responding to it. 

 They remained there for about an hour more before heading back. That time was enough for her to regain the normal functioning of her eyes.

 'Anemone really is a nice girl which makes what is happening to her that much cruel. She is simply a sheet, a canvas for him to project his affection for another all because she was there. She just happened to have been present when his magic was most unstable. 

 Since the very moment he saw her, she has never existed. She is but a trigger, a tool meant to merge the two halves that comprise him. She exists so that the boy known as Asim draws his final breath. Calida…seems like you might lose this one as it has already began.'