Drifting Embers
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[MGM]: 68 - Silver Moon
🕑 Added 2025-03-23 14:31:01 +0000 UTCSummoning another summon began no differently from the first, though now we had an extra audience. So, there was that.
I stood in the same spot, my hand held forward and pointing at the wall. Focusing, I guided the mana, urging my talent to respond. Almost instantly, I felt the familiar expansion and the subtle dip in my reserves.
The portal manifested into reality, just as it had many times before, growing larger until it reached the size I had come to expect. We waited in silence, Luna watching with curiosity—no doubt intrigued by the experience, having been a subject of summoning moments ago herself.
We waited. Then we waited some more.
Nothing happened.
And then, without fanfare, the portal winked out of existence.
I frowned, confused. "What happened?" I muttered, more to myself than to the others.
"How come nothing came out?" Tania added, tapping a finger on her chin.
Amara snorted softly, her gaze lingering on the empty space where the portal had been. "That’s because something already did," she said. "Didn't it, you sly fox?"
The air in front of Amara shimmered, distorting as if heat had wrapped it in waves. Then, in an instant, a figure emerged from the nothingness.
She was tall—nearly as tall as Amara—with silver strands cascading like a waterfall down her back. Her hair flowed past her waist, spilling further until it brushed against the base of her tails. Yes, tails. Plural.
Snow-white tails jutted out from the base of her spine, swishing lazily. They gleamed as though dusted with powdered glass, glowing softly with an ethereal light.
Unlike Luna, who wore a leather ensemble of a jacket and trousers, this woman was clad in a form-fitting silver robe.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have summoned Cassia, the Phantom Sorcerer (S-Rank).
You have permanently bonded with your summon.
To raise your summons attributes, please increase your Spirit.
"My, my, you're an oddly perceptive one, aren't you?" Cassia said, her voice soft as she addressed Amara, her back still turned to me.
"And you're an oddly sneaky one, aren't you?" Amara responded, glaring at Cassia.
"Why, I was afraid to suddenly find myself in an unfamiliar space with no memory to speak of," Cassia said. "You should understand how a girl like me would be frightened by something like that."
Amara scoffed, rolling her eyes. "And is that why you decided to take me out first?"
Her eyes dipped below, and I followed her gaze, my eyes widening in surprise.
Cassia was holding a dagger, and she was pointing it straight at Amara.
Big mistake.
Before I could voice my thoughts or attempt to diffuse the situation, a gust of wind stirred through the room. In an instant, a blur crashed against the wall. Amara held Cassia by the throat, her other hand gripping the dagger and now aiming it at Cassia’s abdomen.
"I don't like people threatening me," the vampire said, her words slow and deliberate as she tightened her grip.
"S—So—" Cassia stammered, her hands clawing at Amara’s wrist, pushing in vain. But the vampire only snarled, baring her teeth.
"That's enough," I shouted, stepping closer. "Back off, Amara."
Amara didn’t release her grip immediately. Even as I reached out and grabbed her hand, she hesitated. Only then did she ease back, letting go.
Cassia gasped for air, coughing and shaking. She nearly collapsed to the floor, but I caught her before she could fall, holding her steady. She muttered a breathless thanks, then leaned against the wall, her glare fixed firmly on Amara.
"I wasn't going to kill you, bitch," she spat. "I just wanted to learn the truth."
"Oh, you want the truth?" Amara sneered, then flipped her off. "There's your truth; take it and shove it up your ass."
"Goodness, Amara, what is wrong with you?" Pyra chimed in, stepping forward.
"What's wrong with me?" Amara looked genuinely taken aback, then jabbed a finger toward Cassia. "What's wrong with her? Did you even realize this bitch nearly killed all of you?"
What? I startled, shooting a surprised look at Cassia. The woman flushed and ducked her head, avoiding my gaze. It was only then, as I really looked at her, that I registered just how beautiful she was—far more exquisite than anything I’d ever seen. Probably the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid my eyes on.
Her deep blue eyes sparkled like gemstones, and like Luna, she had a pair of fluffy ears perched atop her head. They were sleek, twitching slightly, adding a touch of cuteness.
But I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on what mattered.
"Is that true, Cassia? That you nearly killed us all?"
She gritted her teeth but didn't deny it. I sighed, leaning back. Cassia's glare flicked to Amara before returning to me.
"Look, you need to understand," she said. "I was confused. I wasn't actually going to kill you. I just wanted to secure my safety first and then ask some questions."
"Understandable, but..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "Listen, Cassia, you need to apologize to the others—Amara included."
"Why?" Cassia snapped, her voice laced with frustration. "That bitch nearly choked me to death! And for your information, I still don't even understand the situation I am in. How can I be sure you're not trying to kill me or something? Losing my memories doesn't strengthen your argument, and neither does you knowing my name."
Honestly, she wasn’t entirely wrong. Cassia had been thrown into a strange and disorienting situation. Even I might not have reacted any better in her position.
That said, she hadn't just threatened me. She had threatened Tania, Pyra, and even Luna. I could tolerate insults toward myself, but I wouldn’t stand by if my companions were at risk.
I decided to explain the situation to Cassia—the summoning, my companions, and everything else. Unlike Luna, however, the others didn’t seem particularly well-disposed toward her. While they weren’t blatantly glaring like Amara, there was a quiet discontent simmering beneath the surface.
Cassia, having processed her circumstances, reacted with an expression of mild surprise.
"So that's why I was feeling so weak?" she murmured, nodding to herself.
She absentmindedly rubbed her fingers together, and a cascade of golden glitter fell from them. Before the glitter could reach the floor, it simply vanished, like sand swept away by a sudden gust. The display elicited curiosity mixed with apprehension from me.
Cassia noticed my reaction and sighed.
"Look," she said, "I did what I had to do. But now that I understand the situation, I won't harm you—any of you. Besides, I know you're telling the truth."
"Oh? And how's that?" I asked, raising a brow.
She smiled, lifting her hand. "Mana."
A cloud of golden glitter bloomed and erupted from her palm, scattering through the air. "I can feel the Mana, the bond between us. And the world itself tells me that it’s as natural as any bond could be."
My brows furrowed in surprise. From behind me, I heard a low whistle. Glancing back, I caught Pyra looking thoroughly impressed. The hostility that had marked her expression moments before had faded, replaced by what seemed like reluctant respect. The same however, couldn't be said for Tania or Luna—and definitely not for Amara.
"I know Foxkin are especially attuned to Mana," Pyra said, arms crossed. "But to recognize the bond that quickly? Consider me impressed."
"That aside," I interjected, shifting my focus back to Cassia, "I'm more interested in how you threatened us. What exactly were you planning to use as an attack that only Amara managed to sense?"
I was a dragon—not pure-blooded one, but as close as one could be while maintaining a human form and bloodline. My talent allowed me to catch the slightest fluctuations in Mana. And yet, I hadn't detected any threat from Cassia. My curiosity burned.
Cassia flushed at my question, her lips pursed as she shot a brief glare at Amara. Whether it was frustration from having her plan foiled or something else entirely, I couldn't say. Either way, the growing hostility between the two women was quickly shaping up to be a new headache for me.
Just when I thought I had smoothed things over, this had to happen. I wasn’t just annoyed at Cassia; I was equally disappointed in Amara. I’d expected her to be more understanding, but something told me this matter ran deeper than it appeared on the surface.
"It's nothing special," Cassia finally said. "In fact, it's the only offensive talent I have."
She extended her hand once more. This time, instead of glitter, a small black dot appeared in her palm.
At first, I frowned, struggling to comprehend how such a tiny thing could be dangerous. But then it hit me. A calling from deep within; a resonance both familiar and unfamiliar. My hand instinctively rose to clutch my heart.
"Void," I muttered. "You can use Void to attack?"
Cassia shrugged and closed her palm, the dot vanishing.
I shook my head, crossing my arms. "Either way, that doesn't change the fact that you have to apologize to everyone here."
I paused, then turned to Amara. "And Amara, you have to apologize as well."
"I'm not apologizing," the vampire snapped.
"Don't make this more difficult than it already is, please," I said.
Amara glared at me, her jaw clenched tightly. After a tense moment, she looked away. "Fine. Her first."
I shot Cassia a look, silently urging her to comply.
This evening had turned out far more colorful than I expected. So, there was that.
Comments
Pyro Reaper
Ah so he took the diet dragon option then instead of the full one
Katherine
Yay, thanks for the double chapter! :D
