Oath [BL; Book 2]

25

The calm scent on the wind, the world as it moves ever so slowly, the sounds that filled his ears. Xiao opened his eyes to see a world he knew well yet one that seemed to hide secrets even he didn't know of. These ruins, these landmarks, these places he knew so well. Past memories peeked around and he let them show themselves for the promise he had kept quiet. He couldn't forget them, and he dreaded the day he had to let them go now fearing for another. Unconsciously he reached out for their hand only to be reminded their reach was far gone. One soon to join them should he not be able to keep up. Lowering his hand he closed his eyes again only to open them when he heard the curious voice speak his name.

"Xiao?" Aether approached behind with a curious tilt of his head, he looked a bit worried perhaps having seen Xiao had reached out to nothing. "Is everything alright?"

With a nod he answered, "Yes. There is nothing for you to worry of." Yet the words he concealed pained him as he could sense it. Within the renowned Traveler was an evil he had sworn to purge. Yet he couldn't bring himself to do so.

By his hand many fell, gods, beasts, monsters, all alike in the aspect of carrying such malign energy within them. Closed eyes again facing his head forward to try and enjoy the warmth of the sun, but it felt cold. A touch on his arm that he felt, a freezing calmness. Aether had gently touched the tattoo on his arm, he didn't alarm him by reacting negatively deciding it was fine. Should the energy within him act up and cause issues he would be left with no choice.

This pained him.

Xiao could feel the horrid energy inside himself become unstable, centuries of suffering contained within a single vessel. From afar Belliol watched, should the Yaksha request her aid in the matters that haunted him, she would easily assist. Aether smiled upon seeing Xiao was as calm as usual, he chuckled being able to freely touch him without being bothersome.

Not having his armor on he was free of his gloves. Xiao's hair was silky, Aether admired it touching only the tip of some strands. He didn't seem to mind being unbothered by it standing perfectly still. His closed eyes, pristine focus and his silence.

With some time passing Xiao stopped feeling the prescene and opened his eyes then seeing Aether was still there, for a moment it almost seemed like he disappeared. The quick fright made Xiao's heart jump and he was the one to now reach for him. His braid lay along his body resting, it was perfectly done, tied at the tip by the accessory Xiao wondered where he got.

Aether looked lost in thought, but he had a soft smile on his face as though he was at peace with whatever he thought of. In a moment he looked Xiao's way. He was facing forward not doing anything. "Paimon and I are heading out, we'll stop by again if we're in the area ok?"

"Do as you wish." Xiao replied and Aether grinned.

"See you later then!" He rushed off to go adventure.

From the balcony he watched them. Aether jumped right into the river to cross it and Paimon fretted following him as she floated. Xiao's eyes narrowed and lowered down to the rail in front of him. Some pests revealed their prescence alas, he would take care of them and return quickly.

Aether ducked and slashed the glowing red part of the ruin grader, Paimon flew about staying out of his way as he jumped up when it dropped to one knee. "Ha!!" Stabbing it in the glowing eye the grader short circuited and fell apart. The victory lead to a bountiful treasure he scored a heft amount of mora from.

Looking at each other, Paimon and Aether grinned and both said, "Snacks!"

Running off in the direction of the harbor Aether noticed something from the corner of his eyes and came to a slow stop looking over. "?" A figure hid behind a tree that looked too similar to not tell. He smiled and chuckled going over to the tree, Paimon stopped having noticed he did and tilted her head. "I know you're there." He said,

Paimon flew closer and called to the Traveler, but he didn't respond. "Traveler?" She called again, but there was no response as he walked to the edge of a cliff, a lone tree held on the brink of falling.

"Why are you hiding?" Aether asked reaching out to the tree,

"Traveler!"

"Lumine-" Aether mumbled and Paimon darted right for him. Grabbing his cape she tugged as hard as she could.

"Traveler! It's not real!" Holding him from falling off the cliff she struggled and her weak grip slipped releasing the cape. "Traveler!" Paimon tried to grab him again but a flash went in grabbing Aether from falling. "?" She was surprised by it and quickly looked around then seeing it was a woman who had rushed in saving him. Holding him in her arms she straightened standing up.

It was clear Aether had fallen prey to the darkness just then, she walked away from the cliff with Paimon floating after her quietly. Laying him under a tree the mysterious woman looked at Paimon who looked at her. With a gentle smile she gestured she keep the deed quiet and Paimon nodded quickly.

Within the same flash had appeared with, she was gone. This reminded her much of Xiao, but she made no comment floating closely to Aether who had been put to sleep. Laying under the tree he was asleep only to wake a bit later he didn't question how he got there believing he had simply taken a nap. Even when Paimon tried to explain he brushed it off as she was exaggerating.

This concerned her greatly, but she paid it no mind being bribed with snacks and yummy food. However, watching eyes proved Paimon's point as she now wondered who that woman was and why she had chosen to save Aether.

Regardless after deciding to rest outside they set up camp. Aether lay down staring at the clouds and sighed as Paimon floated over, "Are you sure you're okay Traveler?"

"Haha. Yeah, I'm fine Paimon. You don't have to worry all the time."

"Hmm, Paimon always worries!" She made sure he knew and that made him smile more, "Alright, if you're reeeeally fine. Paimon's gonna take a nap!"

"Ok, use the blanket, it's in the tent!" He point and she flew away. Aether heard her shuffle around in the tent before going quiet.

She was asleep, with a soft smile on his face he sighed once more and closed his eyes. The sounds he had heard crept in again and one thing ran through his mind. A hoarse voice whispered to him, "H...el..p...." Touching his chest he listened to it trying to hear the distant voice as it cleared very slowly. Yet as it reached him it faded.

Quiet steps neared a sleeping traveler curious eyes, a slight tilt of the head and a silent sigh. Laying down gold eyes gazed at the sky. It was so clear he could see every star. Every dot scattered across the dark canvas he could picture with his eyes closed. The dots themselves seemed to always be the same, they were unchanging unlike the people and beings he had come to know.

Xiao stared at the stars hearing Aether's quiet mumbles, he was having a good dream, or so he could only hope. With a gentle smile on his face he stirred but didn't wake. "Mm, sweet..."

The thought was nice, perhaps he drempt of a dessert or something like a sweet flower. Xiao entertained himself with the endless possibilities before feeling a need to touch the quiet person laying near. He dared not touch his skin least of all anywhere that could wake him. However he wanted to feel him. Xiao touched Aether's hair ever so slightly and felt a bit closer to him. Aether was right there resting peacefully. Paimon was in the tent snoring as usual. She too had a full day of adventure.

With a sigh Xiao let his hand rest beside Aether's head as he played with the tips of some strands. Now watching as he slept comfortably. The silence that weighed nothing. The sky that was nothing more than a spilled bucket of paint. Something called him there and this time it wasn't Aether's cry.

A malign energy showed itself to him and Xiao closed his eyes wishing to have never seen it, yet it could not be unseen. Getting up he fixed himself and looked at Aether who was silent.

He didn't move.

Waking with a gasp as the dream had become hellish. Heart pounding, confused but soon collecting himself Aether sighed calming. "A dream..." he whispered to himself. "It was just a dream...."

There was no one but he and Paimon. Not a soul lingered, but the roars in his head were growing and the grabbing hand held him tightly.