Penumbral

Chapter 37: Unworthy Cowards

The Telfans talked with the spirit, the air was somber and tense, they renewed their vows to appease her, slowly their reunion brought together their first, the wilted flower would blossom once more.

-Alimur?- The female voice was low and cracked.

The Human darted awake and looked at the Demi-Human, there she was awake at last, her eyes met his and he approached, she weakly caressed his lost eye.

-What happened?-

Alimur took in a deep breath and explained everything that had transpired.

-So you fell asleep?-

-When I woke up you seemed to be better-

Aurora caressed her chest and looked at her boyfriend.

-I feel... different-

-I'll bring you some water- Alimur hurriedly left the room.

The Demi-Human looked at her hands and touched her stomach, a large scar could felt, she looked at her claws and slowly opened and closed them several times, she formed a miniature spear and twirled it sloppily between her fingers, her reflexes would come back soon, Alimur entered the room and gently placed the cup on her lips, she chuckled before grunting and holding her stomach.

-Are you alright?-

-A bit sore, I guess we're even now- She responded while taking the water cup from her boyfriend and taking a large gulp.

She noticed the burn mark on his hand and placed the cup on the bedside stand, she grasped his hand, observed it carefully and used her claw to softly scratch it, he winced slightly but mostly shrugged off the pain.

-Why?- Her voice was full of confusion and worry.

-I couldn't just do what's most convenient for me... I couldn't let you suffer alone-

-Don't hurt yourself for me- She moved onto his eye and caressed it with her thumb.

-You were going to die, I can live with only one, but I can't live without you... I would wander all of Dartasil without sleeping if it meant you'd be alright- He grabbed her hand and caressed it.

She brought him closer and kissed his forehead, she took in a breath and let it out.

-I need some armor-

-I haven't collected our money for killing the creatures-

-Why not?-

-I was doing something of great importance- He softly smiled.

-Go grab the reward and come back safe, ok?- She smiled back and tapped his cheek.

Alimur nodded and while leaving he looked back and widely smiled at his girlfriend, the Human bumped into Khim as he left the house, she shyly acompanied him to the Guild, the Human scratched his head before speaking to the chimera.

-I'm sorry about Mufam-

-Don't... I saw the light from his eyes fade... he died in combat as the judge of a leader, there's few things more honorable than that for one of us-

-Will you be leader now?-

-They offered it to me... I'm still not sure-

-Mufam would be overjoyed to see you as a leader, think of others like you too, wouldn't they be inspired that one of them became leader?-

Khim looked around and saw a mixed Beastkin couple holding what she could only assume was a baby chimera, she looked at Alimur humming a soft tune as he waited for an answer, she closed her fist and bowed to the Human.