Chương 110: Strenghtening a Bond

As Joe reached the inner edge of the tornado, it parted before him, granting passage without resistance. He glanced back once with a heavy heart. He hated being forced to choose, but deep down, he knew this was the only path he truly considered. A single misstep and Sarah would have died. He had walked a razor's edge of luck today, and somehow, barely, made it through. Was this why Zevra had demanded he come alone? Had she seen how things would unfold? He wondered.

He was beginning to consider that there was more to the old Seer than a class and a handful of skills. She was hiding something. As the tornado sealed shut behind him, Joe didn't look back again. He pulled out his skyboat and set course for Heliopolis. An hour from the city, Sarah stirred. Joe immediately slowed the boat to a halt high above the clouds and rushed to her side. He tilted a cup of water against her lips.

"Sarah, it's me. Don't speak. Just drink and rest," he urged softly, guiding the water into her mouth. He slipped another healing pill between her lips, then eased her back down onto the pile of pillows he had hastily laid out. He had already cleaned the worst of the blood from her face, but he pressed a fresh, clean cloth to her brow, gentle and deliberate. She let out a faint sigh before opening one swollen eye. At first, her gaze was hazy, uncomprehending.

But slowly, recognition dawned, and light returned to her expression as she began to understand she was free and that he was real. Her face crumpled, tears spilling as she wept quietly. Joe's hand pressed to her shoulder in reassurance.

"Rest. Don't speak. Just rest. We're almost home," he said, his voice steady despite the storm still raging inside him. She closed her eye again, as sleep reclaimed her. He gave her one last sorrow-filled glance before he returned to his skyboat's controls. When Joe's sky boat crossed through the protective bubble around Heliopolis, it took only moments before Kai appeared in a flash of light, his pillar owner teleport, carrying him straight onto the deck.

"Where is she?!" He yelled, frantic eyes darting wildly until they locked on the small figure curled among the pillows. Joe barely had time to slow his skyboat before Kai rushed to Sarah's side, dropping to his knees as he swept her into his arms. Tears streamed freely down his face as he clutched her close.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Kai choked, his voice raw with relief.

"It's fine. Just go. I'll meet you at the house," Joe said quietly. Needing no further words, Kai vanished with Sarah in his arms, leaving Joe standing alone on the deck, the silence of the skies pressing heavy around him. Joe slumped to his knees, the rush of adrenaline finally fading. The crash hit him hard. Shock. Relief. The raw weight of how close he had come to losing one of his best friends. His chest ached as he pressed a palm against the deck.

The skyboat vanished, and so did he, falling into the open air to blink away again, seeking some quiet place where he could vent the storm inside him. __ Corel staggered as the bond flared, emotions slamming into her like a wave. She threw out a hand to steady herself, only for Varaiya to rush to her side, eyes wide with alarm.

"What is it? What is happening?" Varaiya pressed.

"It's okay, Rai. It's okay. Joe just saved his friend," Corel said through clenched teeth.

"He did? How? You don't look okay. Is he doing something to you?" Varaiya asked, her voice pitched with worry.

"I don't know how. But I know he's fine. He's just… burning away some bad thoughts." The bond seared hot as she spoke, but she could tell he wasn't in danger. He was simply letting loose.

"Are you sure? Do you need to go?" Varaiya asked again.

"Not yet. I just need a moment. He should be finished soon." Corel lowered herself into a chair as the bond pulsed, heavy with relief and bitter self-reproach. She closed her eyes, letting his emotions crash through her. Painful, yes, but oddly comforting. To share even this side of him felt like an intimacy. She tried to pulse back her affection, but it was like pouring a cup of water into a waterfall. Then, abruptly, the storm ceased.

'Sorry,' came Joe's pulse. She laughed softly. The meeting with the clans quickly lost all urgency after that. She explained that the search was no longer needed; the mayor of Heliopolis had been found alive. The chiefs, one by one, showed genuine relief. Of all the humans, Sarah was one they respected. Corel ordered that each clan send a gift to mark her safe return. None protested. It was only proper.

Now that she had a moment free, Corel decided to visit an old friend, one of the last Relashra elders who had survived Pathfinder. She followed a quiet lane in the northern quarter of the city until she reached a small thatched house, where an old Voldura sat weaving hay into a basket.

"Elder. It is good to see you looking well," Corel greeted with a respectful nod.

"Ah, Corelliandra, it is good to see you. Far too long since your last visit," Eckia said warmly, glancing around as if searching for something, or someone.

"But… the handsome human isn't with you today?" she purred with mock disappointment. Corel laughed.

"He is not. He is… training. I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'll bring him along next time." Eckia waved her hand.

"Oh, it's fine. I'm far too old to be drooling over young meat. Come, dear. Give these old bones a hug." Corel obliged, pulling her into a long, comforting embrace, their foreheads briefly touching in the Volduran way.

"What are you working on?" Corel asked.

"Ooo, something new the other elders are fussing over. The humans call them kete baskets. Aren't they adorable? I'll make you one if you like," Eckia said, her eyes twinkling.

"That would be wonderful. Could I request two? One for Rai as well."

"Excellent idea. I'll whip up one for you both," Eckia said with a clap of her hands.

"Now, pour me a cup of that human tea and tell me all about your meetings with the clan chiefs." The two Voldura settled in with steaming cups, sharing tea and gossip, laughing at the foolishness of the chiefs. For a time, Corel allowed herself to relax, free of stress and responsibility.

"You know," Eckia said slyly, "I met with Vallero a few days ago. I think he's finally past his bond's passing. It may be time I invited him to my fire. My Varvara almost eclipsed when I saw him last." Corel shook her head, amused.

"About time. I was nearly ready to drag him to you myself."

"Oh my. You'd do that for me?" Eckia giggled like a girl half her age.

"I would. You deserve to be happy." Corel smiled, letting her thoughts drift. She missed, however, the mischievous glint in Eckia's eye.

"I also heard," Eckia said casually, "that your Varvara eclipsed. Is that true?" Corel stiffened. How had she heard that? She was going to punish Rai.

"No. I don't know who told you that," she lied smoothly.

"Really? Then I suppose my little spy was mistaken. A shame," Eckia said, eyes wide with false innocence. Corel sighed. She had too much of a soft spot for Eckia to let her down completely. Perhaps a morsel of truth would keep her content.

"Maybe your little spy is right… maybe. But just once. Well… twice," Corel admitted, reluctant but unable to stop the faint flush in her cheeks.

"Corelliandra! Tell me everything!" Eckia demanded with such passion that Corel didn't have the heart to hold anything back. So she told her everything…

"Really? For that long?" Eckia asked, eyes wide. Corel nodded, a faint heat in her cheeks.

"And it was how big?" Corel gestured with her hands.

"Oh, wow," Eckia sighed dramatically.

"Oh, to be young again." Corel huffed, slightly embarrassed.

"But… It was a mistake. It won't happen again. I'm… well, let's not talk about it anymore." She folded her arms, deciding she'd already said too much.

"You know, daughter, you don't have to be so hard on yourself," Eckia said, her voice softening.

"What happened was a tragedy, yes, but you cannot let the past rule your future. Did I ever tell you about my first love?" Corel shook her head.

"It was your father." Corel blinked in surprise, staring at her. She had never known that.

"It was before he met your mother, may her spirit rest. We were both in our early youth, fresh from our coming-of-age ceremony. I, being the most daring young clan member, decided to sneak away one night with your father. I took him to the river Tongo and there… I experienced my first Varvara eclipse." Eckia winked.

"Really? I had no idea," Corel admitted, genuinely stunned.

"Of course you didn't. We never told a soul. We weren't a good match. My head was still in the clouds and filled with adventure back then. And then, that summer, he met your mother. And, well, you know the rest." Corel nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at her lips as she thought about the secret her father had carried all his life. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"My point is," Eckia continued, her tone firm, "we could have made it work. But I was too preoccupied with other things, and now look at me, no young, no bond. Do you want to waste an opportunity just because you are scared?" She rose to her feet.

"Think about what I said, daughter. I'd hate to see… such a good thing go to waste." With a wave, she shuffled into her house.

"Goodbye, daughter," Eckia called before disappearing inside. Corel sat in silence, her thoughts heavy. The words lingered long after Eckia was gone, and for the first time in a while, she let herself wonder what she truly wanted. __ Joe arrived back in Landradad with a weight lifted from his shoulders, but a shadow still gnawed at the back of his mind, the void and the thing within it. He understood it better now, and that knowledge was terrifying.

Something lurked inside the void, using him to feed, using him to grow stronger. There could only be one goal; it wanted to escape, and he was its ticket to freedom. But what could he do about it? Nothing. It fed when it pleased. It had already spread… something through both his arms and legs, filling them with that strange white substance that made his body so strong, so durable. He doubted he could have survived some of his worst battles without that unnatural boost.

But what would happen when it finally broke free? Would it tear its way out through his body as the vines did? Could he survive that? And if he didn't… where would that leave his friends? Where would that leave Corel? Was he safe to be around at all, when a mana-devouring monster might crawl from his flesh at any moment? Lost in thought, Joe wandered into the main village, where the shouts of children broke through his brooding. A small group came running up to him.

"Hi!" one boy called.

"Hey," Joe greeted with a wave.

"Hi!"

"Hi!"

"Hi!" Each child chimed in one after another, their excitement pulling a smile from him. They were a mix of Human and Voldura, their bright faces cutting through the gloom of his thoughts.

"Who wants a gift?" Joe asked. A chorus of "me, me, me!" answered him.

"Okay then, catch!" With a flourish, he opened his hands and scattered a rain of random items from his storage. The children shrieked with delight as they scrambled after the prizes. Joe vanished. From a nearby rooftop, Joe watched unseen. Some of the children clutched toys, while others turned over strange trinkets curiously, and a few hugged bags of food to their chests. Their laughter filled the air. Joe smiled, letting himself forget the void, the fear, the endless questions. For now, this was enough.

This was what he did best, bringing light into a darkened world. He stood, stretching, and drew in a deep breath of the village air. Then, with a grin, he cupped his hands to his mouth.

"CaCaw!!!" Eventually, Joe arrived back at his house with a spring in his step. At the same time, Corel returned. She paused when she saw him, raising a hand in greeting. He lifted his own hand in reply. For a moment, they simply locked eyes, sharing a quiet connection without words. Joe bounced on his feet as his eyebrows danced, and he smiled at her. Something about her expression was different as she chuckled at his antics. The sadness that always lingered behind her eyes was gone.

Instead, her moonlit eyes shone bright as suns, filled with genuine happiness. Joe tapped his sunglasses, making them vanish, and her expression brightened even more as she looked at his uncovered face. He smiled. He took one step forward, then stopped. She mirrored him, stepping closer and halting. With a playful tilt, she balanced on one foot, head cocked to the side.

"Did something happen?" he asked, brow arched.

"Maybe," she replied cryptically. Joe stepped forward again. She matched him.

"Did you… vent enough?" she asked.

"I did." He advanced once more, but this time she shifted to the side, looking away. Something was happening… something layered. He made a small gesture. She nodded, confirming his thoughts.

"I was just in the village," he said, stepping left.

"Really? And what did you do there?" she asked, taking the same step.

"I gave out gifts to the kids. They seemed pleased." He moved left again.

"Oh, bribing younglings now, are you?" she teased with a giggle, retreating a step.

"Well, I am a devious soul who brings strife. Sometimes I need to gift the masses to keep them placid." He stepped forward, closing the gap. She gave him the faintest nod, a signal that he had chosen correctly.

"So you're incapable of winning hearts without bribes and wealth?" She stepped back again, facing him fully, hands clasped behind her. The shift in posture felt significant. Joe broke the rhythm.

"Sometimes it isn't wrong to simply buy what you can take. There are fewer losers this way." He took two steps forward, closing close enough to catch her scent. She smelt of fresh flowers; she must have bathed recently. She wagged a finger at him.

"Naughty, naughty. Such behaviour is unbecoming of my bond. You must win hearts, not buy them." She turned her back, not retreating further. Her fingers traced an odd pattern in the air, as though her words carried a hidden meaning. Joe knew it was important. Still, he couldn't resist the bait she dangled so openly.

"You sound like a certain big-headed princess. Has she been rubbing off on you?"

"Do not mock my sister, you scoundrel!" Corel declared, spinning back toward him with Rose's exact tone and cadence. Joe grinned as he stepped forward, closing the gap in two strides. He swept an arm around her waist just as she advanced and pressed a hand against his chest.

"I admit, I am a scoundrel. But can you blame me?" She slapped his chest lightly and slipped from his grasp.

"Wrong. Try again." Turning her back, her hands flashed once more in deliberate patterns. She was sending him a message. He frowned, trying to place the movements. Where had he seen them before? Then she repeated the line: "Naughty, naughty. Such behaviour is unbecoming of my bond. You must win the hearts of the people, not buy them." The words clicked. His memory pulled back to something she'd said about the bond of rites, the sequence of gestures, of words. Oh.

"You are right," he said slowly.

"A leader must be strong, but also humble. I will win their hearts through my actions." She spun and stepped toward him. He was ready, moving fast to catch her in his arms. She placed a hand against his forehead, where horns would have sprouted if he were Voldura. Her eyes gleamed with expectation. He mimicked her gesture, pressing his palm to her brow, lightly running a finger over her horn. Her expression bloomed with delight.

"And what about me?" she whispered.

"Will you win my heart, or steal it like the scoundrel you are?" For a moment, he considered playing the rogue again. But his better judgment steered him to the right path.

"I would pull down the moon itself, if it meant I could win your heart." Whatever ritual this was, he had passed. Corel kissed him with such fierce passion that it swept away every thought in his mind. When at last their lips parted, he saw her eyes bleed slowly into red. The next morning, Joe awoke to find he wasn't alone. Warm horns brushed against his chest, and sharp teeth nipped his skin.

"Ouch, easy. I'm still tender," he joked, rubbing at the fresh mark. Corel laughed, her voice a soft melody.

"So," Joe asked, "I take it no more hiding and pretending nothing happened this time?" She nodded against his chest.

"About time. I was scared Sarah was going to explode if you didn't give her some girly gossip soon."

"Thank you for being patient," Corel said quietly.

"I had to… do some spiritual searching first." He nodded.

"Not a problem." His hand traced through her long hair.

"I do have one question, though. Is it always supposed to go on for that long?"

"You could have stopped at any time," Corel laughed.

"I didn't force you to keep going." Joe was about to point out she kind of had, then thought better of it and sighed.

"So, no more joking about others joining us?" Corel pushed up on her elbows and met his gaze with no hint of amusement.

"I wasn't joking. In fact, I've created an order I want to introduce, starting with Rai…" Joe groaned and immediately regretted opening his mouth. Once she had listed off far too many names for his liking, he continued, ignoring her.

"Let's keep it to once a week. Any more than that and I'll lose levelling time." Corel was unusually still for a long beat. So, he asked, "Rel?"

"About that," she began slowly, "our little ceremony earlier, the one you volunteered for, triggered a full Varvara eclipse." Joe's smile curled in confusion.

"And… what does that mean?"

"It means we'll have to repeat this every day for ten days. No breaks."

"Wait, what…" His protest was cut off as Corel kissed him. Ten days later, a very sore and exhausted Joe floated in his pond, letting the warm water soothe the aches and tender bite marks. He was grateful that the craziest, most enjoyable ten days of his life were over. Corel sat on the bank, inexplicably energetic, watching him.

"You know," Joe said, wincing as he shifted, "I am convinced you're some kind of succubus. How are you even able to walk?" She laughed.

"What's a succubus?"

"Never mind, forget I said anything." Joe closed his eyes and let sleep find him in the warm water. A day later, with the air cleared between him and Corel and things finally settled, Joe turned to another curiosity while he waited for the next integration competition.

'Hmm?' Uriel's voice chimed in his head just as he started to focus.

"Can you read my mind?" he asked.

'sas vero,' she replied. Joe swallowed. His grasp of her language was still shaky, which was exactly why he was about to start some lessons. He sat alone in the main room of his house, so nobody would wonder why he was talking to himself. He pulled an object from his storage and held it up.

"Cup," he said.

'Sidi,' Uriel said.

"Sidi," he repeated.

'Cup.' It worked. Joe grinned as he pulled out item after item, pointing to furniture and random trinkets scattered through his house.

'Kakakaka,' Uriel laughed with glee as their translation session grew into something sprawling. __ Felicia approached Joe's house with purpose. There was no door, so she simply walked in, following the sound of his voice. She froze in the doorway of the main room. Joe was pacing in circles, pulling things from his storage and naming them aloud, then repeating the words in some strange tongue her translation skill couldn't interpret. Over and over.

To her, it looked less like he was studying and more like he had lost his mind.

"Shit. How long have you been standing there?" Joe asked, cheeks tinged red. Felicia blinked in surprise. Was he embarrassed? She hadn't thought him capable of that emotion.

"Not long. Since you pulled out that little spider figurine," she said, slipping into the room and perching on a couch.

"That was ten items ago," Joe muttered, sinking into the chair beside her.

"So. What can I do for you, Felicia?"

"I heard you found Sarah." She hesitated, choosing her words with care.

"I was wondering where you found her. And if you… found anyone else there?" The question tore at her. She wanted to ask about Malcolm, needed to know, but part of her dreaded the answer. She and Alice hadn't left New Eden on the best of terms, and hearing of its fall had dragged up feelings she thought she'd buried. She had spent years at his side. Joe didn't look at her.

"Is Alice around? You might want to get her." Felicia's heart leapt into her throat. She shot to her feet.

"She's nearby. I'll get her." And with that, she hurried out of the room, pulse racing. She found Alice watching Joe's four young disciples training.

"Alice, can you come with me?"

"Sure." They headed back toward the house. Felicia rubbed her shoulders as they walked, nerves prickling through her. She couldn't shake the feeling that bad news awaited them, though she still didn't know how to feel. So much had happened, so fast.

"Fel? What's going on?" Alice asked gently. Felicia didn't answer. Instead, she gripped her friend's hand tightly. Alice read the silence, squeezing her hand back before patting her shoulder in quiet comfort. Inside Joe's house, they soon found themselves seated in the main room. Felicia's silence lingered, heavy and unbroken. Joe exhaled, his expression grim.

"There's no easy way to say this. I found the palace of the… thing that destroyed New Eden. I found two people in chains at its feet. One of them was Sarah. By sheer luck, I managed to free her. The other…" He paused, his head bowing.

"I wasn't fast enough. I couldn't save him. When I was forced to leave, he was still alive. But that was the last time I saw him. I'm sorry." Felicia had braced for the words, but hearing them still drove a spike into her chest. Malcolm. Still alive, but chained like an animal in that monster's lair. Her tears fell freely, though she couldn't tell if they were born of relief or mourning. Perhaps both. Alice wrapped an arm around her back, and though she tried to be strong, her own tears slipped free.

The two women clung to each other, sharing their grief for a friend they had once thought unshakable. Joe didn't look up. His voice and the shadows in his eyes had already told them what their hearts feared most: Malcolm, the Divine Sword, would never return.