World of Alvarra: Rise of the Vampire Lord

Chapter 30: Learning how to eat

"Are you sure about this?" Van asked worriedly for about the hundredth time.

"Yes Van, I am," Luna replied somewhat testily. Annoyed about having to repeat herself so many times.

"Sorry. It's just. I don't think we have to do this. Getting a soul link is dangerous. The only reason why it worked out so well, was because me and Anna were blood bonded and she made that ridiculous oath. Otherwise, so much could have gone wrong, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you." Van tried to explain.

"Hey! I meant every word I said back then. And I still do today!" Anna interjected. "And don't drag me into this!"

"And we're already here. I'm not about to get cold feet now!" Luna added.

"I just think you should think about it some more," Van said.

"I already thought about it for two months! Most of which was waiting for you to agree!" tears started to form on the rims of her eyes. "Do you really not want to be linked with me that badly?" Luna asked a little hurt by Van's constant refusals.

"We are linked... through marriage. Nothing can take that away from us. I just don't think we should risk ourselves in the hopes of something slightly more." Van tried to console.

"I'm sorry Van... but I've made up my mind. I'm going to do this. Otherwise... I want a divorce!" Luna said, sounding like she meant it.

Van paled. "You can't mean that, it's just a stupid ritual! There's no reason for you to divorce over that, is there?"

"If its just a 'stupid ritual'. Then why are you so against it?" Luna quoted back. "I'm not leaving here until we're linked, and that final!"

"Is this seriously our first fight as a married couple? I understand why she may want to do this, but as I have grown older, wiser, and more knowledgeable. I have realized how big of a risk, my father and Lorenzo were taking when they did it the first time." Van sighed. "But... I suppose we have improved since then, and honestly speaking, it's probably safer now than ever." he looked at Luna. "I just don't want her to be hurt."

"Alright, Luna. You win. We will go through the ritual. I'm sure, considering how much my soul realm has strengthened and no doubt how much Lorenzo's skill has improved over the years, that It might not be as dangerous as it once was. So... I'm willing to take the chance if you are." Van said, in a slightly defeated voice.

The smile Luna gave could have lighted up the night. She ran and gave Van a big hug. "Thank you! You'll see, with this we will be together forever!" she said, giddy.

Van smiled kindly and hugged her back and looked up to Lorenzo and his father near the pedestal. Their expressions were one where if they had popcorn, they would be eating right now as they enjoyed the drama that was playing out. "You have improved, right?" Van asked Lorenzo.

Lorenzo grinned. "Of course I have improved! Don't you worry. It would go even smoother than the last time you went through it." he then started ordering them around and had them take their places.

"Are you two ready? You might feel a prick in your soul realm, followed by a sense of vertigo once we begin. It's important that neither of you rejects the process otherwise things could go bad. I've made some improvements to the circle that I think will help with the dizziness and a breaker that, should anything go wrong, can make it so that we can terminate the ritual before anyone gets seriously hurt." Lorenzo finished somewhat proudly.

Van was impressed. It was a great improvement over the first one he took so many years ago.

"Now before we begin. Luna, is there any oaths you would like to say?" Lorenzo asked.