Oath [BL; Book 2]

58

"Ah.." Aether squirmed, "nngh.." the slimey sensation and crawling touch once again bothered him. He had to wake, there was nothing there again. The night was already turning to morning. This was the second time. Looking over at Feiyu there was nothing strange, and Paimon was sprawled out between them sleeping as she normally did with a slight snore.

He calmed himself and sat up touching his stomach, it felt as though - whatever the feeling was - tried to throw his mind into shambles.

Feiyu and Paimon awoke to breakfast, Aether didn't mind getting no sleep as it happened time and time again before. He made them breakfast and they made their way to Wangshu Inn not getting very far as Feiyu had to rest often. He wasn't that much older, he didn't seem to be anyway, from what the two could tell, yet still it was understood. His ankle was a bit swollen still and seemed to bother him a bit since he also lacked his sight bumping into things he couldn't find with the stick.

They even found themselves in a dilemma when the stick broke during a fight with some hilichurls. Their new task was to find him a new stick, a better one. Paimon eventually claimed victory on their small competition winning only bragging rights. This left Aether and Feiyu with the last laugh.

Of course, Aether made it up to her later by giving her extra rations of their dinner. Another day to pass.

Xiao on the other hand was knee deep in a sticky situation. "Gh!" He pulled himself from the muck and Belliol too,

"Mm-ha!" She got her hand free and reached for a thick branch sticking out the wall. Using it to pull herself she managed to raise up from the muck but her legs were still in deep. "Haaa..." unable to hoist herself out she released her hold catching he breath. "Y-Yaksha, I fear we have stepped into another substance from my world." She said examining the muck in the thin light they were given from the cracks in the walls and ceiling.

"Is that so?" Xiao looked for no excuse, he sought only to free himself from it and drew he spear stabbing it deep into the crevices of the wall. "Is this substance dangerous?"

"Not so much to say it's life-threatening, my people used this slime to create traps. One much like this pit." She saw he used his muscles and lifted himself right out the sludge then held his hand out to help her too. Taking it, they were both freed and jumped to the other side of the way. "Thankfully, your strength never fails to amaze."

"Hmph, save your compliments."

"Of course." She smiled following his lead, "Might I ask?"

"Go on."

"Has Traveler been well? I heard from Mountain Shaper his recovery was swift."

"As usual, he's been to adventuring for a while now."

"I see, that's partially good to hear."

"Partially?" He stopped and looked at her,

"With the danger Verdis poses, I would only think it wise he not venture by himself. Would you not agree?"

"....." Xiao seemed bothered but sighed and said, "Traveler is more than capable of taking care of himself. Should he need support he will call upon one who is willing."

"But of course." She agreed, but her concern remained, "Yaksha, shall we search for him after this just to be safe?"

"Do as you wish. I'll deliver the Stellys to Zhongli and return to Wangshu Inn for some rest. I don't control your actions."

This made her smile more, "Yes, I understand." Into the ruin they stumbled across the chamber and as she knew her people well and could read the language, pressing the tiles was easy. They watched the light gather in the center and the Stellys appear.