Genis approached Safire and Ruby, studying the dark anomaly with interest. "My, my, it's a powerful little thing. You wouldn't believe what's set between you ladies. I wonder what it does." Genis reached out, tapping the black hole with the tip of his finger.
Heavy electrical sparks began to emit around Genis's finger, piquing his interest. "Fascinating. It's kind of ticklish. This is awesome! What were they so afraid of?!" Genis winced as the current travelled up his arm suddenly, crawling across his chest to culminate into a devastatingly destructive explosion that blew the deity back several feet.
Genis's back met a nearby tree hard enough to topple the vegetation to the ground. This was enough to startle Odeen and Jasper, who could not see Genis. Ruby and Safire let one another go to rush toward the deities' aid. Safire took his hand, pulling him back to his feet. "My goodness, are you alright, Genis?!"
Genis shook off the disorientation, grinning wildly as he patted down the smoke from his arm. "What power! Okay, I understand the sudden need to get you two back together. I still don't agree, but that was some intense magic! Holy shit, that hurt!"
Ruby couldn't help but laugh, moving to brush Genis down. "You really shouldn't touch things that you don't understand. That's essentially rule number one on Earth. If you see something, and you don't know what it will do to you, it's advisable not to touch it."
Genis shook off the explosion's effects, almost jumping with excitement. "Let's drop shit into it! Who knows, we might be able to make some form of cannon effect! Just because we don't understand the limits of it now, doesn't mean we can't learn!"
Safire shook her head in dismissal. "We can't do that right now. The sun is about to set, which means that the dwellings in this forest are about to awaken. Ruby, Jasher, and Odeen need to return to the castle, and we need to get back to the hut."
Ruby furrowed her brows in confusion, tilting her head to the side. "The dwellings of this forest? What does that even mean? It sounds like there are things in this forest that aren't exactly kind. This place is safe, right?" Safire merely shrugged her shoulders weakly. "I don't like that response. Come back to the castle with us, we'll hide you and ensure that you'll be able to get out. I don't want to say goodbye yet."
Safire smiled weakly, taking Ruby's hands into her own. "I don't want to say goodbye, either. But I can't go back to the castle. You have to understand what I went through there. I know! Come stay with us! Come on, Rufus would love you! He doesn't speak much English, but he would adore you!"
Ruby chuckled, nodding her head with excitement before Jasher took her shoulder. "Sorry, ladies. There is no way in hell that Odeen would let Ruby leave the castle without him by her side. Especially with what we just experienced. We can come back at first light tomorrow."
Ruby scoffed, brushing Jasher's hand off her shoulder. "Who asked you? I only asked that Odeen come with us because I didn't want to be alone with you. He's a big boy; he can get himself back to the castle without me by his side. He certainly doesn't need me in the castle."
Jasher grunted, rubbing his temples in annoyance. "I'm so tired... Odeen, Ruby's refusing to go back to the castle for the night. She wants to stay with Safire. I'm returning on my own. Whatever happens from there, I don't want to know. Bye, Safire." Jasher mounted his horse, taking off to avoid the translator gig he despised.
Odeen approached Ruby from behind, crossing his arms as he looked down at her. "I really don't advise that. You should be in the safety of the castle with me. Safire, I'm certain you can get back alone."
Safire frowned deeply, stepping in front of Ruby. "I don't think you understand how much I really hate you. First, you forced me into your kingdom, then avoided me like the plague. Now you have some interest in Ruby, and you want to control her? Not on my watch. She's coming back to the hut with us."
Odeen's face hardened as he stood, towering before Safire without moving a muscle. "I don't think so. While Rhudy is on our plane, she is my responsibility. She fell into my kingdom, she's under my jurisdiction, and she is acting as my fiancée right now. Neither of us wanted that arrangement, Safire, but Rhudy is different."
Safire scowled, bawling her fists tightly. "You didn't want that arrangement?! You didn't have to give up your family, people, HOME, for a fiancée that wouldn't even look in your direction!" Safire shoved Odeen's chest, not moving him an inch. "And her name is RUBY! You self-righteous asshole! I hate you!"
"I'm aware." Odeen spoke in a monotone, sighing in boredom, his eyes scanning the area for anything other than Safire to focus on. "That doesn't negate the fact that Rhudy is my responsibility."
Ruby watched with concern, unable to understand the conversation, but when she witnessed Safire reach back for her dagger that hung from her waist, Ruby jumped into action, pulling Safire back. "Whoa! Murder is still illegal! Even if it's attempted. I'll head back with Odeen for the night. We'll see each other bright and early tomorrow, okay? I want to stay, too. But for now, let's keep the peace."
Safire kept her icy glare locked on Odeen as her hand fell by her side, relenting to Ruby's request. "If he doesn't learn how to pronounce your name by tomorrow, I'm stabbing him in the kneecap."
Ruby had to choke back a laugh, nodding her head weakly as she choked on the amusement. "Of course, of course. I'll teach him while we're on our way back to the castle. Genis, you'll take care of Safire, right? Genis?"
Ruby frowned when her eyes fell upon the deity, watching him observe an ant colony retiring for the night on his hands and knees. "You guys have got to see these things! They're wild!"
Ruby rubbed her temples in annoyance. "They're ants – where did you learn that phrase?! Genis! Focus, you'll protect Safire tonight, right? Get off the ground! If you're going to take on Nexus with us, you can't be distracted by butterflies fluttering in the breeze!"
Genis stood, brushing his knees down. "Teralu doesn't have butterflies. They do have a flesh-eating equivalent, but they're not graceful. I've had my time on both planes. Earth is more fun. The people there are so unique, but talking to an Earthling is more fun than watching!"
Ruby was stunned for a moment before grunting in annoyance. "I should've known. You speak English like a local with no accent. Regardless, protect Safire! That is your only objective tonight. Or I will be doing the stabbing."
Genis scoffed in amusement. "The black hole was interesting enough that it managed to hurt me. But your primitive human weapons wouldn't harm me." Ruby and Safire shared an annoyed glance before holding their hands up, inches apart. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Mission: protect Safire, don't get distracted, underway!"
Ruby nodded with satisfaction. "I'm counting on you, Genis. Safire, tomorrow we'll figure this out. I'm counting on you to be safe until then." Safire nodded in agreement, slipping her glove back up her forearm before moving in to hug Ruby, careful not to touch her skin.
Ruby was taken aback with shock for a moment, though she couldn't deny how good it felt, wrapping her arms around her other half. Safire muttered just above a whisper. "Get back safe. I'll see you tomorrow, Ruby. Bright and early. Don't be late."
"I won't." Ruby returned the tender tone before they parted ways. Odeen helped Ruby mount his stallion, bracing in behind her. Odeen started their way back to the castle as Ruby leaned her tired head back against his broad chest. "Ruby." She spoke gently.
Odeen perked up, peering down to find Ruby staring ahead into the distance. He smiled warmly, shifting his gaze ahead. "That's right, I should be practising. Otherwise, Safire might kill me. Rhudy."
"Ruby." She corrected, letting out a soft yawn. Odeen sighed in contentment, practising her name the entire way home with Ruby's corrections guiding him to perfecting the pronunciation.
By the time they returned to the castle, Ruby had dozed off. The moon was beginning to break the horizon, and the kingdom had hushed from the excitement of the festival. Odeen dismounted his steed at the stable, leaving his horse with the stable hand as he took Ruby into his arms, princess style, returning her to her room.
Odeen pulled her covers back, lying Ruby against the soft, plush mattress before pulling the sheets over her. He smiled down at her, brushing a few stray strands from her hair. "Rest well... Ruby. I'm not going to let anyone take you from my side. Be they deity or man."
Odeen slipped from Ruby's room, clicking the door shut. He sighed deeply, peeling his hand away from the door. Once he turned around, it was to Vatic standing behind him with a sour expression. "Sire, nice of you to grace us after so long. Where, might I enquire, have you been?"
Odeen's blood ran cold at the sight, stifling a shout with the sudden presence. "Don't do that, Vatic. With what I've seen today involving invisible entities, I cannot handle you randomly appearing behind me. I need to install a bell on you if you make that a habit."
Vatic rose a concerned brow. "Have you hit your head? You lit the ceremonial monarch, then vanished without a trace. You were supposed to be there for the blessing of the sacred ashes. I doubt you forgot such a tradition, so where were you?"
Odeen raised his hands in defence, daring to break a sweat. "I didn't mean to, Vatic. Ruby was-" Odeen halted, realising that he couldn't out Safire's location to anyone aside from those who knew. "Having a hard time. I had to be there for her. She's feeling homesick, so Jasher and I took her for a ride."
Vatic sucked in a harsh breath, shaking his head in annoyance. "Your interest in that Otherworlder has gone beyond mutual interest. I don't see why you haven't propositioned her. Break off the false engagement and court her properly. This is not how to start a relationship, sire."
Odeen was stunned into silence momentarily, staring at Vatic with wide eyes, filled with shock. "Vatic, you support me courting a commoner? Wouldn't that send the kingdom into a panic? Not to mention, it would enrage Cyrus's people."
Vatic grunted in annoyance. "That's not what I mean. Ruby would still pose as Safire in the public eye. Breaking off the engagement in the guise of 'getting to know one another, and falling in love naturally' would be pleasing to both kingdoms. It's time that you announce to Ocerania that the runaway princess has returned. Cyrus would see it as Ocerania taking proper care of their princess, and it may help the tension between the kingdoms."
Odeen nodded weakly, pondering the thought carefully. "You may be right about that, Vatic. I never thought you'd agree to me courting Ruby, though. You surprise me every day, my friend. Come on, let's go drink until we can't stand." Odeen wrapped his arm around Vatic, walking down the hall with him. "I could really go for a drink after today."
Safire sighed in relief as she threw herself back against her bed, staring at the ceiling with no sleep in sight. "I can't believe this is real. When Ruby and I are together, it feels like such an utter, blissful peace."
Genis sat against the edge of her bed, smiling toward her. "Of course. You two are the same being after all. We have a lot of experimenting to do if we want a chance to be able to fight back against Nexus. But I believe we can win this once and for all." Genis attempted to relax back, but the dull thud of something throwing itself against the side of the hut had him jolting from the bed. "Okay, seriously, what is that?!"
Safire chuckled in amusement, rolling onto her side to rest. "That's what happens when you mess with black magic. Don't worry, it's being kept at bay by a sealing spell, but it still wants to get inside. It isn't hitting the house, just the protective barrier around it."
Genis peered out of the cracks in the wall, desperate to catch a glimpse. A chill ripped through him when bright, glowing red eyes peered back at him with anger and hatred. "And if this barrier shatters?"
Safire yawned, sprawling out in bed. "Well, then it won't be our problem. We'd be dead before we even realised that it got through. Now leave it alone and get some rest. Wait – do you sleep?"
"Even if I could, I wouldn't be able to now." Genis backed away, standing on the other side of the room. "I think we should stay at the castle for a while if this is what's waiting for us inside the hut. You know I'm weakened on this plane."
"It wouldn't work. This beast is attached to me. He will hunt me down like a rabid animal until it gets a taste of my blood. Good thing Rufus drinks himself to sleep every night. Well, question time is over. I need to rest."
Genis stared at the wall with wide, fearful eyes. There was a moment when the beast locked eyes with him, let out a nasally huff and vanished. Genis tip-toed toward the cracks, pressing his face up against the wood to examine the surrounding area. He soon took a sigh of relief, believing the beast had gone.
The relief only lasted a second as the red, enraged eyes broke through the woods, rushing forward toward the hut. The beast bore large, sharpened tusks, coarse, black fur, the head of a pig and the body of a bear. Genis let out a humiliatingly high shriek as it once again slammed into the hut mercilessly. "I hate this place!"
Back at the castle, Ruby tossed and turned in bed, covered in sweat as her breath wavered. The sights in her mind haunted her subconscious relentlessly. Ruby soon jolted from the bed, shrieking in utter terror. She took a moment to compose herself, gripping the sheets tight in her trembling fists while she came back to reality.
"You saw it, right?" A familiar voice called. Ruby jerked toward the window to find Nexus perched against the sill. "That's what's coming for us all if you don't help me" His dark eyes met hers with seriousness. "I won't wait another second for you to see sense. Serina wants to talk to you." He reached out, tearing a portal into the air with his fingers. "And I won't take no for an answer. You're coming with me, you troublemaker. Be prepared, she's pissed."
-End of chapter 16-