L [o/i] ve is a journey

How To Kill A Dragon Slime | His Curse

Lunaris dragged himself over the last steps.

What use was it to walk up here? He was exhausted, and emotionally thrown into a really dark place.

At least you have all that money left! His inner voice reminded him.

Yes. That money!

The money he was supposed to give her back after she bought him, but refused with a confused look, saying, she doesn't need it, and it was his. Since then, Nerivie never treated him badly, always kindly, loving even. And even if she confused him over the physical distance they had, she always felt so close to him.

Only you cannot reach her, never could,and now, you never will.

Her smile will haunt him, longer than the the smell of her freshly washed her, the sound of her voice, the feeling when she combed his hair- even now, Lunaris wished he could see it, and hear her utter his name once again.

„Lunaris!"

Yes. like tha-he stopped and his eyes widened.

There she was! She was there! She was here!

His feet moved by themselves, faster and faster with every step, until he ran and grabbed her into a hug: You are here, you are here, you said my name, you are here. Lunaris uttered in his head, holding her tighter everytime he thought „you are here", while he buried his face at her shoulder.

„Is everything ok? Why are you crying?" She asked concerned, and he broke away rather reluctant. „I forgot to tell you I was waiting here, didn't I?" she asked, following an unpleasant hunch.

He tried to smile, but couldn't. he was still shocked, relieved, but all the fear, the panic, the anxiety was too much for him.

„I am soo, soo sorry!" she yelled and pulled him back into her hug, „I am sorry for hurting you like this! I gave you a fright for no reason, just because I forgot to say you we were meeting here! That was absolutly inconsiderate from me!"

I am ok, I am ok, you are here! He kept thinking and was glad to be held in her hug.

„I really am a buffon! I am so sorry!" she muttered and now, he got pulled closer, „please tell me you didn't go to all the other gates!"

He could not write while being held like this. And the pressure in his chest was exhausting, taking his breath away. The words he wanted to say pressed against his heart. They would never leave his mouth, they would stop at his throat, forcing him to break into tears.

They would never-

„R-R-Ran....a-a-all... g-g-g-g-at-t-es, s-s-s-orry...N-N-N-Ne-r-r-r-ri!"

He didn't think about it, and the moment he uttered these words, he felt embarressed, ashamed.

You can never talk properly! See, how she looks at you! You're an utter failure, one, who cannot even talk normally. Now, she will never stay with you!

Lunaris took a few steps back, looking at her wide eyes, expecting to hear the words he often had to endure: Goddess, will you stop talking! Listening to you talking makes me feel sick!

„So this is how your voice sounds? It's beautiful! It's so soothing, like a gentle melody. I think, I want to listen to it forever!" Nerivie said in a warm tone, and a bright happy smile.

Something broke inside of him. He didn't know what, or how, not even why, but when the feeling of loss overcame him, he fell on his knees. And weirdly, losing whatever it was gave him a sense of relief. Like an old burden was not only taken away, but bursted into many, many pieces, and carried away by wind as dust.

He started crying, and holding onto her for dear life, like she was his salvation.

You are here! You are here! Thank the goddess you are here! I will never leave! Please, never leave!

His curse was in the open, and she took it from him.

Nerivie was truly a magician. And she would be forever Lunaris' one and only lady.