Who The Fire Favours (ONC2023) gxg

Chapter 20: Aria

"You're a Shadecaller?"

Aria couldn't help but blurt out, the rising blush on her companion's face hidden in the shadow. The little ball of light she had summoned bobbled about enthusiastically, circling them in a private light show she couldn't help but giggle at. Step by step they walked towards where she hoped was Pelt: the long, winding corridors all looked the same to her so Aria had to rely on Skyla. Just like always.

"Not exactly. Not everyone has the luxury of a dragon as a partner anymore, my Throneholder. Not anymore. There's a shortage of those who can willingly contract with Traited and even then the chances are slim. Even slimmer with every demon attack."

Skyla's sombre explanation didn't dampen the light of the little Trollian guiding the way, the strange spirit only surfacing near the Undercity. The amount of new experiences she had could be counted on one hand. Aria wanted nothing more than to cuddle the little Volta Trollian, attempting to touch it but Skyla drew her hand back in case she got hurt. It was made of pure lightning.

"I didn't know that. So, these little troll things work as Oathed for you?"

Aria tried to hide the bias in her voice but whether it was the exhaustion from walking too long or just the new side of the Lightning Traited becoming more and more blunt with her thoughts she didn't know. Imagining anyone other than Ethros by her side was something she couldn't live with.

"Ever since I lost my dragon, yeah."

Aria stopped in her tracks, taking a moment to process what that meant. Her eyes scanned the Lightning Traited for any signs of the Eternal Death, any discolouration before they slowly turned to ash. She couldn't find any but the sheer thought of Skyla having an Oathed only for them to...her brain couldn't fathom why she was here and her dragon was not. They should've died together.

"Just before my grimoire manifested...Tora and I were supposed to be Oathed. Exactly the same way you and Ethros are now. But something went wrong. Torania received too much of my Lightning Trait all at once. It killed her. So Volskaya and I stick together instead."

The little Volta Trollian reacted to the sound of its name, the little spark of joy cuddling his Traited with little, sparking appendages to try and soothe his grieving friend. Aria didn't have the words to comfort her. They fell back into their familiar pace, far more irregular than before like missing a beat in an elaborate piece of music.

"How did you survive?"

Skyla remained straight faced, her head darting about for some unreadable exit Aria couldn't see. So she did the only thing she could think of. Taking a deep breath, Aria allowed the familiar protection of the Excelliars armour to dissipate and let the plain clothes show as much vulnerability as she could. Skyla smiled a soft smile, tickling her Oathed with a sparking finger imbued with Trait.

"I was stranded near the Ironthorn woods after being torn apart by the Tarragon military. Just so happened to be a hotspot for Trollians and I summoned as much lightning as I could before my hands turned to ash. Luckily, Skaya came to my rescue. We've been together ever since. Being able to summon him is a Trollian bonus." She explained, grinning at her Oathed.

The Volta Trollian let out a happy squeal, twirling like a disco ball and letting out a beam of light strong enough to illuminate the entire corridor. Aria couldn't help but laugh, comparing the whizzing ball of static to her own Light Trait while he wiggled around like an erratic torch in the night.

"Well he's very cute. For what it's worth, I'm glad he found you Skyla." Aria said, trying her best to support her without letting her growing feelings run away with her.

Skyla's fingers brushed against her jumper, a gust of hot wind knocking them into each other the moment she grabbed her hand. Aria looked back in fear, terrified a demon was after them but the Lightning Traited gripped her hand tightly and in a surge of anxiety they began to run.