Acadia (Jasper's Story)

To The Castle They Go

The next day, after the sun had fallen, Felix and Oliver made their way to the edge of the forest, with Oliver riding on Tivachi's back. Felix untethered his horse, fed it, got onto its back, and they went on their way. On their journey, Felix studied the strange duo in the silence that usually fell over them all, taking note of whatever he could.

He noticed how Tivachi would periodically make Oliver walk, although he stuck close to the vampire boy, as if to make sure he didn't fall. He noticed how Oliver always looked tired and worn, and that whenever Tivachi brought him something to eat, he would look disgusted with himself even as he hungrily gulped down as much blood as he could. Sadly, he also noticed that most of it was thrown up about ten minutes later.

Tivachi did most of the talking when Felix asked questions. Did most of the talking in general. He explained that Oliver's body was used to being empty, and while it hungered to be filled, it couldn't handle regaining so much at once. Oliver throwing up was a regular occurrence, no matter what they tried. The wolf explained that Oliver wasn't much of a talker because of similar reasons, but they were working on it.

"He hasn't spoken to anyone in thousands of years," Tivachi explained one night, when they were waiting patiently for Oliver to come back from where he had gone to throw up blood. "Add on the fact his throat was burned terribly from the chains on his cloak, and you've got a boy who could barely say a single word before coughing when I first met him." Felix looked over to the wolf, noticing the sadness and pride in his silver eyes as he continued to speak. "He gets tired easily when speaking now, and his throat pains him if he talks too much at once, but he's made so much progress in the months I've known him."

"...Did they mean to leave the chain on his throat?" Felix asked softly, looking towards where Oliver had gone when he heard leaves rustling. Oliver was walking towards them, the back of his hand pressed against his mouth and his gaze locked on the ground. Tivachi sighed, standing so Oliver could climb back on when he reached them.

"Who knows? Whether it was an accident or a form of torture, not even Oliver knows." Tivachi's eyes slid over to Felix, who shivered from their intensity. "Either way, it was left there to hurt him."

Tivachi's tail wagged when Oliver came over, and he licked the vampire's cheek before he climbed on, then they continued on their journey.

Felix noticed how Oliver's neck dipped harshly where the scars were.

It took them five days to return to the castle, and when they neared the gate, Oliver pulled his hood over his head, hiding his face from view. Felix had them stop before reaching it, and he reached up to pet Noir. "Noir, can you head inside and let King Jun know I came back with the vampire? I don't know how the guards will react, and they might not let us in." He said softly, causing the cat God to scoff before yawning loudly.

"Please, they have to let him in. He was chosen by a god, after all. If they don't listen to that, then I'll go." He said, hitting Felix's face with his tail and making the Knight frown.

"I-I don't know, Felix..." Oliver's scratchy and hoarse voice spoke up, and Felix looked down to where he sat on Tivachi's back, hands twisting nervously in the wolf god's fur before smoothing it and repeating the process. Oliver wasn't looking at him as he carefully thought about what he wanted to say. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. No one in the castle is going to feel safe with me there."

Felix sighed heavily, swinging himself off his horse's back so he could look at Oliver more easily. "Alright, listen here, Oliver. You have had five days to back out, and now that we are finally here, you want to leave? I can't let you do that, bud. Come on, everyone will love you when they learn the real you."