The AllSpark's Chosen

Chapter 31: Letters and Bonds

Sorry, it has taken me so long to publish another chapter I have been busy writing two other stories I couldn't get out of my head. One of them is about one piece.
PLEASE READ TO THE END. THERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION I NEED HELP WITH!
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The early morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of **Howler Manor**, casting a soft, warm glow over the room. For the first time in what felt like weeks, the world outside was calm. The events of the previous days—the battles, the chases, and the discovery of new, dangerous enemies—seemed to fade for a brief moment as **Saber** stood quietly by the window, his mind lost in thought.

Wrapped around his shoulders, the twin-headed snake **Obsidian** lay in comfortable silence, his dark, glossy scales shining in the sunlight. **Obsidian** had been with Saber for over four weeks now, and their bond had grown stronger with each passing day. The snake's presence was a constant comfort to him, a reminder of the simple things that still grounded him in the ever-growing complexity of his life.

Saber scratched behind one of Obsidian's heads, earning a soft hiss of contentment. "You've gotten pretty comfortable here, haven't you?" he murmured, smiling softly as the snake shifted slightly, both heads flicking their tongues.

Obsidian had taken well to life at Howler Manor, often slithering through the grand halls or basking in the sunlight by the windows. He was a perfect companion, intelligent and perceptive, always sensing when Saber needed him.

As Saber stood there, the quiet was interrupted by the soft **flutter of wings**. He turned just in time to see two owls swooping through the open window. One was the familiar snowy form of **Hedwig**, her white feathers gleaming as she gracefully landed on the table. She hooted softly, extending her leg to show the letter tied neatly to it.

Right behind her, the imposing figure of **Noctis**, the **Cuban owl** Saber had acquired recently, landed beside her. His dark feathers shone in the sunlight, and his proud, piercing eyes watched Saber as he presented the second letter, tied with a black ribbon.

"Two at once?" Saber muttered to himself, his heart quickening slightly as he approached the table. He untied the first letter from Hedwig's leg and instantly recognized the elegant, slanted handwriting of **Draco Malfoy**. A small smile crept onto his lips as he set it aside for the moment.

Next, Saber carefully untied the second letter from **Noctis**, his fingers lingering on the familiar wax seal of the **Black family crest**. **Sirius**.

His breath hitched slightly. Both letters, arriving at nearly the same time—one from his godfather, the other from his once-rival. The people in his life who had the most to say, now reaching out to him.

"Let's see what Draco has to say first," Saber murmured to Obsidian, who watched him with calm, flickering tongues. He slid his finger under the seal of Draco's letter, carefully unfolding the parchment.

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#### **Draco's Letter**:

**Saber,**

I cannot even begin to describe the feeling of receiving the gift you sent me for my birthday. **Cinder** is magnificent, a true work of art—magical and mechanical, it's unlike anything I've ever seen. It's as if you've breathed life into it. I can hardly believe you made something like that. I've been studying it, trying to understand how it works, but I doubt I'll ever get the full picture.

My mother was equally impressed, and my father... well, you know how he is. He won't admit it out loud, but I think even he was taken aback by what you've done.

I've been thinking a lot lately. It's strange how things have shifted between us, don't you think? Growing up, we were always on opposite sides—competing, clashing. But now, it feels like we're both walking through a completely different world. Everything we thought we knew has changed.