Drifting Embers
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[MGM]: 39 - Introspection
🕑 Added 2025-01-28 14:30:01 +0000 UTCFlames of annihilation surged high into the sky, promising death and destruction. Chaos reigned everywhere, the very mana in the air thrumming every time a blast rang out. And blood. Lots of blood.
Even so far away, Amara could smell blood. She could taste the terror and the resentment of those who died, expressing great injustice and seeking vengeance. Despite the calm exterior of her companions, she could infer the happening had shaken them deeply.
She looked up at the blowing smoke and gloom of the sky. Erdwatch had already been evacuated even before their arrival, and even now the scant few remaining were scrambling to flee the city. She could see horror shrouding their faces, but she could also see the perseverance burning in their eyes.
Everything was crumbling to the ground, but hope wasn't one of them. She smiled.
She ran alongside others, Markus and Tania following right beside. Although she kept her stride subdued, the trio still managed to outpace everyone. Unlike others, however, they ran at a slight incline, rather completely opposite.
They ran toward the Feylance Barony. His home.
Though Markus provided logical reasoning behind his actions, claiming the place safe, Amara could see through the thinly veiled concern that burned beneath. He was anxious to return to his hometown. Though whether it was a result of some affectionate memory or simply a desire to see his remaining family, she lacked the context. But the point remained: they were running to his home.
Markus had mentioned his father still lived, though a miserable sob he had become. Nonetheless, she would be meeting his father, and that somehow meant something to her. She restrained the feeling of giddiness from expressing on her face.
Her Summoner thought she didn't understand, but the truth was Amara understood everything. She understood how he thought, how he saw things, and how he felt. It was why she wasn't actually angry at him for denying their relationship. Because she knew beforehand the outcome should he become aware.
No, Amara was simply annoyed because she didn't want him to accidentally hurt others. What if it had been Tania instead of her? What if the adorable dwarf had been the target of that doubt? Amara didn't have to imagine; she already knew the outcome.
Making Markus understand her point of view, though, proved to be difficult, considering she wasn't willing to divulge that secret. After all, even she wasn't completely sure if her conjecture was right or wrong. That bit remained to be seen. Of course, the quirky vampire did ultimately manage to make him believe in his destiny.
Case in point, she could already see the progress. As long as Markus remained open to the idea, then he wouldn't reject their advances—Tania's advances. And in the future, even more advances. It wasn't an assumption on her part; of that, Amara was certain.
As open as she was, though, Amara felt a pang of jealousy seeing him get all cushy with Tania. Not that she hated the dwarf—on the contrary, she absolutely adored her. The shorty was actually afraid of her! Though Amara had initially sought to fix that, her sadistic instincts could hardly be kept under reins when she caught the dwarf teary-eyed.
How could she be willing to part with that image? No, she must keep up the facade of the scary vampire in hopes of chancing glimpses of the lovable dwarf.
And yet, she had sensed the change in her attitude. No doubt it was Markus' doing. He must've assured the dwarf that Amara didn't hate her—which she didn't—but...
Releasing a rueful sigh, Amara regarded the dwarf with subtle, almost imperceptible glances.
The sight would've been heartwarming had they not been in the midst of chaos. Already the barrier keeping the monsters at bay had failed, though thankfully their entourage was already ways away from the harm.
Amara increased the tempo of her motion and gestured at her companions. Markus managed to keep pace, though Tania struggled to follow. She skidded to a halt.
"Do you want to get rid of that armor?" Amara offered. "It ought to be weighing you down."
"But where do I keep it?" Tania managed to squeeze out the words under her persistent glare. Amara rejoiced inwardly at the fact that dwarf wasn't completely bereft of scary mental image of hers.
"Give it to him." She pointed at Markus. "The armor is big enough for him to fit in."
"Hmm?" Markus glanced between her and Tania, a frown plastered to his face. "You can't be serious. There's a huge disparity between our heights."
"It's only supposed to fit your upper body." She countered. "Don't worry; it will cover your chest and belly thoroughly, and even your arms will have extended protection."
Markus seemed ready to interject, at least until he caught a glimpse of Tania's expression and sighed. "Fine, let's change quickly."
Tania donned her baggy trousers, somehow the shorts rising past the waistband. The black sleeveless tank top accentuated her figure charmingly, her bust striking out prominently. She found Markus' gaze wander across Tania's figure and lightly kicked him in the shin.
"Ow." Markus frowned, shooting her an accusing look. Amara snorted and turned to walk away. While she might be willing and endorsing on his part to accept others, nothing said that she couldn't provoke him.
With her armor removed, Tania managed to keep pace without reducing into a breathless, spent figure. Thanks to their synchronization, Markus' agility was nearly half of hers, which spoke volumes when considering the fact that Amara was confident enough to escape even A-Rank hunters using her agility.
As they raced down the street, soon the trio were the only ones remaining in these parts. The reason was because most people had escaped toward Leroux Barony, while they sought to enter Feylance Barony. To put it mildly, they weren't keen on leaping from the pot into the fire.
Amara understood their thoughts and respected their decision.
The trio paced down the streets in unison, their beats in sync and their breath harmonious. Amara smiled from the bottom of her heart as she thought—this must be what being a family feels like. To revel in the feelings of joy and excitement as you faced the dangers of the world together. It was exhilarating.
Though as fun as it was to run together with her family, Amara much preferred the peace and quiet of her room. The only reason they were running was because of their lack of strength, though that liability would not weigh them down for long. Soon, she would fix it soon.
"What do you want to do first after you enter the Barony?" She asked, keeping her tone measured.
Markus took a moment to think before shaking his head. "Honestly," he said, "I have no idea. I mean it remains to be seen how we are treated once we cross. Though that badge is going to prove immensely useful."
The badge. Amara scoffed inwardly at the trinket. Nothing proved more useful than true power. That was the only principle, the only rule the world and everyone living being within it followed. But given her restriction, she would force herself to accept the meaningless title.
"Are you going to kill them?" Tania voiced from beside her. The dwarf had been incensed when she had heard of his story, so her words carried no empathy.
Markus shook his head. "Killing them would serve me no purpose. Instead I want to offer them the same treatment they offered me."
"Throw them within an Event Rapture?" Tania ventured.
Markus nodded with a smirk.
Amara had to distract herself by looking around, lest the heat in her core swell to epic proportions. Her clothing was still brand new, and the last thing she wanted was to cause it to grow wet. Though she couldn't keep her heart from picking up pace. Gosh, did he look absolutely charming at that very moment!
That was another thing she hadn't told Markus yet. Not her growing wet—now was certainly not the time for such matters—but about her feelings or their feelings experiencing rapid growth.
Soul Bond.
After the synchronization features activate, the true essence of the Soul Bond would manifest. One of its side effects was that it facilitated the growth of love and adoration between the bonded pair. That was the reason why she found herself falling so quickly for him, and the same was true for Markus.
The overarching implications of this effect would've raised alarm bells in Markus' mind—though Amara would've fared no better—had the bond not been limited to only the growth of feelings, rather than the creation of false love. For that she was immensely grateful.
The bond would facilitate the growth of their love, but it wouldn't create something from nothing. It nurtured rather than mutated.
The horizon was already glowing orange by the time the trio had arrived near the Barony. Though the events of today were numerous and bizarre, they had managed to arrive at their destination.
And in time too, as she heard the clang of weapons happening deeper into the forest.
Comments
Immortal Phoenix
Amara's character is that of a snarky, arrogant Vampire. Should she have her way, she will probably be planning world domination. But, even the irritable vampire has the best interest for her family at heart.
hawkshe .
This chapter makes me feel conflicted about Amara again. Finding out that she acted like that to protect Tanias feelings makes her seem a lot more kind than I initially suspected, but this sadistic satisfaction she feels when she sees her companion really blunts those warm feelings. I'm also trying to figure out if she's bisexual or if these sadistic tendencies are non-sexual. Also, I dislike that Amara is keeping secrets. I get that she’s older and more mature than him, but it reeks of dishonesty and a lack of respect.
