Egg World

Chapter 7 - Crossroads

Illustration credit goes to Konomi at https://www.instagram.com/konomidrawz/

SYLVIE POV:

I felt myself falling through the light. This was different from the usual floating sensation. Looking beneath my feet, I saw what looked like thunderclouds, with purple lightning flashing through them. Realizing that I was hurtling towards the clouds, I covered my face with my arms and braced for the inevitable impact.

But I felt nothing as I entered into the clouds. Blinking, I realized that I was standing in a dark room, the momentum from my fall completely gone, as if I hadn't just been plummeting through space.

Was I back in Grey's bedroom? I wondered for a moment, before quickly dismissing the thought. I wasn't sure how this transportation system worked, but there was no reason for it to bring me back to the place that it had just taken me from.

Focusing my eyes on the surroundings, I saw a large suite, slightly smaller than Grey's royal chambers. An empty bookshelf, a small table, a small desk, and a couch made up most of the furniture of the room, while a bedroom and bath took up the rest of the suite.

I tried thinking through the places that I had been to with Arthur, but in all honesty, I was tired. Reviving Grey and the shock of him being unable to see me had left me drained, and it was difficult to find motivation to figure out my new destination.

I walked around to the front of the couch, planning on sitting to sort out my thoughts, when a still figure on the couch caused me to freeze.

He was...just sitting there, staring at something in his hands. His hair, which was similar in color to Grey's pale blonde hair, was draped over his face, hiding his features.

Who...?

Walking closer and leaning to the side, I managed to get a peek at his face. And what I saw caused me to breathe in sharply.

His eyes were a near-reflection of my own. They were golden, with a hint of blue. Vertical pupils finished off the look, indicating a draconic lineage. But above all, when I saw his eyes, my soul knew instinctively that this was my bond.

My mind suddenly started working again: this must be the new body that he had received from my vivum art. There were very faint traces of his old features, such as the blue tint in his golden eyes, but otherwise, Arthur could almost pass for an Indrath clan member.

Then...this must be a new memory that he made, after I left, I thought to myself.

I sat quietly in front of him. Arthur didn't move in response; he simply continued to stare at the iridescent stone in his hand.

"Hey, Arthur," I said quietly, managing a soft smile. "It's been a while."

My greeting was met with silence. Even so, I continued:

"You know, I met your past self recently. You used to be a lot more awkward," I said with a laugh. "You had a hard time having conversations outside of formal gatherings, and couldn't manage speaking your thoughts without long pauses."

"But your ego was still just as big. You couldn't stand losing, and you hated it when I pointed out your shortcomings in duels," I teased.

Arthur didn't say anything in response. But I continued to ramble. I talked about the technology that I had seen in Grey's world, like planes and trains and all sorts of devices that didn't require mana. I admitted that although nothing really compared to a floating city like Xyrus, Grey's world had had marvels that I wouldn't be able to find anything similar to in Dicathen. I talked about the food, and how it was better than the food here.