We'll be training the equivalent of ten years inside of a dome, but how that works is still a little beyond my understanding to explain, I replied. How the fuck…? Nevermind. I'll just have to wait for your explanation when you make it back because I can already feel the strain on both Thorn and Ren taking over, she said with exasperation.
In that case, it is your duty as both a Synner and as my son to put a stop to him, then, Thoma, she began in a solemn tone as she accepted my decision. Ysevel, please continue to watch over him and make sure that he makes us both proud. I'm sure your mother is just as proud of you as I am for everything you've done already, she said warmly.
I promise I will, Siraye, and thank you. Tell my mother I hope she's well and that we'll be home soon, she said with a mental farewell. Do your best, Thoma. We believe in you, and we'll be ready for you when you get back. I love you, son, she said, the last words hitting me like a carriage full of steel. I love you, too, mom. See you soon, I said, swallowing the lump in my throat as I felt the strange mana flee my core.
Ysevel and I staggered a little as the connection came to a halt. We both looked at each other, feeling the weight of the conversation we'd just had finally sunk in. "Are you two alright?" Kalia asked us, taking a step forward. "I felt what I could only assume to be your mother and another's presence within the Wraith realm, but I couldn't hear anything she was saying," she noted as she regarded us carefully.
"We're fine, and yes, that was her, Lady Kalia. I let her know about the situation with Nexis and how we're going to deal with it," I began to explain. Kalia looked at me with a mixture of both pride and sorrow in her eyes as she put a pair of armored hands on my shoulders.
"I can feel her strength through our connection to the Wraith realm, and I can easily see where you get it from," she said, staring into my eyes as the golden tendrils flickered across her own. "Thank you, Lady Kalia," I said, lowering my head a little. "Hold your head high, Thoma, as both yours and Ysevel's strength will be paramount to us putting a stop to that mad mage's plans," she said, patting me on the shoulder once before stepping away.
"Sabura, is there anything you need before we begin their training?" she asked, turning back towards the Duranjin. "I'll need a cycle to prepare everything, so these two should get some rest before we begin. They've had a long cycle, after all," he said, giving us both a knowing nod.
"Oh, I nearly forgot, Irun, but your friend should be awake by now. You should check in on him once we leave here," Sabura said with a nod. "Thank you, Duranjin. I'll take my leave, then," Irun said, giving both him and Kalia a respectful bow before heading out of the viewing box.
"As for you two, there are rooms prepared, which I will have one of the guards escort you to, as I must finish the Davu dugo Guva," Kalia said to the two of us as she gestured for one of the guards to move forward. "Thank you, Lady Kalia," we said in unison before following the guard down the halls to the room provided to us.
As we entered the room that was eerily similar to the one Krozz provided for us at Deathwhisper Tavern, we felt immediate relief that Kalia had the foresight to put a flask of oil, cleansing fluid, and an assortment of oddly shaped brushes out for us so we could clean our armor.
"Finally, I can get the blood off my armor!" Ysevel said, happy to finally have something to clean her armor with. "You're more disciplined than a few Synners I know," I said with a chuckle as I undid the leather bindings to my sword. "Mother always told me that if I was going to train under Siraye, I could never give her a reason to complain about the state of my armor," she said as she picked up one of the brushes and examined it.
"I'm happy you two are so close," I said, feeling a smile on my face. She certainly feels the same about us," she chuckled lightly, recalling my mother's request.
I took a moment to digest everything we'd said during that brief conversation before mustering the courage to say what I felt I needed to say next. "Thank you," I said, skipping ahead more than a few sentences than I intended. "For what?" she asked with a surprised giggle.
"I mean, for everything. You've been patient, kind, considerate, and supportive no matter what happens, and I just wanted to thank you for that," I said, trying to catch the words coming out of my mouth up to the speed of my thoughts. "It means a lot to me, and I only hope I can do the same for you," I said humbly.
She giggled as she set her armor aside on the nearby table. "Oh, Thoma. You really think you haven't done the same for me?" she asked bluntly. "I don't know what I've done, to be honest," I said with a shrug, which earned me a slightly disappointed sigh.
"This is going to sound weird, but seeing you push through your own limitations, constantly looking to improve or learn, and actually listening or trying to understand things you don't know about gives me the strength to do the same," she began, taking a step forward.
"I know that it might not make sense to you, but having your companionship over the last year and a half has allowed me to be more like myself than any other potential suitor, as my mother would call them, could ever hope to achieve," she said through the corner of her mouth.
"It's almost liberating being around you, for lack of a better word, and I think that's one of the main reasons why I've fallen for…" she trailed off, realizing I'd heard every word and immediately putting her hand to her mouth to stop her from saying anything else.
I could feel the blood rushing to my face as a mixture of both surprise and happiness came over me.
"Oh, shit. I've gone and said too much. I'm sorry," she said with a muffled voice, her entire face turning a bright shade of pink as the tips of her ears did the same. She closed her eyes tightly in embarrassment as if waiting to hear me reject her feelings.
Not knowing what else to do, since I could hardly believe the words myself, I did my best not to laugh to not make her feel like an idiot for telling me a secret she was obviously trying to keep. Instead, I simply smiled and took her face in my hands as I kissed her forehead.
The look of utter dumbfoundedness on her face when I pulled away almost made me break into a laugh, but I did allow a warm smile to show.
"You have a real way with words, you know that? You're making me admit something I think I've known for a while now but feared what it could mean for us if I did," I began in a warm tone. "It might be a little soon to say exactly what it is, but I hope it will suffice to say that I feel the same way you do: It's like I'm finally home," I said, feeling my ears becoming warmer as the rest of my face flushed with color.
I could feel the connection from our cores through the Wraith realm immediately grow more intense as the words left my mouth.
"I just… hope I can continue to be the person you know me to be, and correct me if I ever seem to be moving away from that," I struggled to say, looking down at her small, soft hand that was still covered in blackened blood as I idly played with it.
"You're a fool, Thoma Fayren," she said with a sniffle, imitating the very thing I always told myself when I realized I was being an idiot. I looked up to find her kind eyes welling with fluid. "Of course I will, but only for as long as you let me," she said, wiping away the aqueduct of tears that began to stream down her grime-covered cheeks.
Seeing her reaction to what I said, I felt an immediate urge to move in and kiss her. Her soft lips interlocked with mine for a few moments before I pulled back, putting my forehead to hers.
"Thank you. Not just for the kiss, but I needed to breathe since my nose is running," she said through a sniffling chuckle. "I figured as much," I said with a similar laugh, holding her in my arms for a few silent moments.
We were tired, covered in grime, blood, and ashen dust, but happy.
The following cycle, we woke up and made our way downstairs, where Sabura, Kalia, Irun and someone I didn't recognize were already waiting for us near the entrance to the arena. He was a little taller than I was, but he had long, dark hair that rested on his shoulders, but there was something about him that immediately made me feel uncomfortable.
"Ah, there you are," Irun called out as he waved us over. The dark-haired man turned around to see who it was, and I thought he looked oddly familiar. "Is that a younger version of King Truls?" I asked Ysevel quietly. "It's hard to tell, but I think you're right," replied back in a whisper.
"Sorry, we got a little lost," I called out, trying not to make a scene out of this strange person. "This place can be a little confusing," Irun said with an understanding shrug as we approached the group. "Greetings. I hope you got enough rest," Sabura said, having his eyes covered by the kataki plate once more.
"We did, thank you, Duranjin Sabura," Ysevel replied, prompting us both to greet him formally. "Hello there, it's nice to meet you," I said, trying to be courteous as I extended my hand out to the dark-haired man who looked at me curiously.
"Nice to meet you," he said almost sarcastically in a voice that didn't quite match his features. "Oookay," I said, feeling a little awkward as the man shook my hand. He suddenly cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his other hand.
"I'm sorry. I'm not used to this body yet. Stupid fucking alternate," he muttered the last words as he lightly pounded his chest. "I'm Athar Wishert, bastard son of Truls Wishert," he said in a normal voice.
I fucking knew it! I mentally sent Ysevel, who stifled a laugh.
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Thoma Fayren," I said warmly. Athar's eyes opened widely at hearing my name. "You're Thoma?" he asked, not bothering to hide his surprise. "Y-yes?" I replied awkwardly. "You look nothing like the lanky shithead Irun described you as. Even your hair color is different," he said, gesturing to the top of my head. "Lanky shithead?" I asked, giving Irun a quick glance.
I've decided: I'm still gonna kill him, I sent Ysevel. Nooo, you're not. We're allies, remember? She said, trying to disarm me. Can I take a limb? He'll grow it right back, after all, I sent jokingly, getting a shake of her head in response. It was worth a try, I sent with a mental shrug.