• Butterflies of Daria • [Complete]

• Chapter 7 •

The passing week, Reign was up and down with his sickness. He continuously begged Asra to stop worrying but that was unheard of at a time like this. Finally they can to an agreement that Faust would stay upstairs with Reign and alert Asra the second something was wrong, which Faust happily obliged to. Reign used this time to look through spell books and travel guides. He painfully had to lie to Faust that it was for all of them once the chaos was over, so Faust left him alone while he searched. Soon, Reign came to the conclusion that in two weeks, he would sail along the coast on a tour ship that typically lasted about 4 weeks. That could get him to the coast city, Spira. In Spira his parents would meet him there and they would all travel with the Camel Tour Guides who traveled across the Niri desert. On the other side of the Niri desert was Daria. All that was left was an escape plan. Surprisingly, being so focused on something helped Reign to not feel so sick. It gave him a small burst of energy.

Asra only had to come up twice that day, both by his own will when he got nervous since Faust hadn't come down at all. So Asra went up to make Them all lunch and a second time to make Reign Lemon, Honey and Sugar water.

•~•~•

During lunch, Reign decided to try something new. He had awkwardly asked Asra to put a hand on his stomach. Asra did so and the second their skin Was touched, there was a small kick directly underneath Asra's warm hand. Asra smiled so brightly, it practically lit the room up. Faust came along and tickled Reign's stomach with her tongue which provoked another playful kick. Asra had to stop himself from tearing up again. Reign looked at Asra and wondered how in the world he was going to be able to leave. That's when it hit him. An unimaginable idea that would stick with Reign for a long time. He'd regret it, but he felt like it was the only thing he could do.

•~•~•

1 1/2 Weeks Later

Everyone smiled as a Palace guard took a photo of the group. The photo consisted of Reign, Asra, Julian, Portia with Pepi, Nadia with Chandra, Faust, Aisha, Sailem, Chimes, Flamel and even Mazelinka, Inanna and Muriel who were filled in on the situation by Julian and Portia. It was a sunny day and Reign had managed to feel well enough to get up and walk around by himself and he didn't have a photo of everyone together. He just wanted something that would remind him of Vesuvia. After all, he didn't know how long he'd return. If ever.

On their way home, Reign constantly glanced at Asra. He was trying to absorb every small detail about him. He was scared that he'd never see those beautiful violet eyes, or that fluffy white mane, or those adorable dimples...Or ever feel the incredible waves of Asra's magical aura.

'What are you thinking about?' Asra queried as the two came to a stop out the front of their shop. Reign said nothing, he only pulled Asra into a tight hug. Asra was confused but didn't ask. He just returned the hug and held on. Almost like it was the last time he'd ever hug Reign again. Reign's chest rippled with fear and anxiety. But never though this was something he'd do to someone he cared so much about. But he couldn't bear to see Asra suffer constantly over something he had no control over. Reign was ready, as much as he wished he wasn't.

•~•~•

The cruise ship was set to leave in two hours. Reign and Asra were in the market to buy some more Pumpkin Bread. Today wasn't a very good day for Reign, apart from the fact that he was sailing away for god-knows how long, he felt extremely sick again. But he pushed through. Only minutes now before Reign's plan would go on just like he planned. He was on the verge of balling his eyes out. He waited until Asra was second in line, then he balled a fist over his heart. And slowly slowly, his hand began to fill with golden magic that had the appearance of liquid. It gleamed in the sunlight. Reign looked deep within himself. He wanted the people he lived to be happy, so for that to happen, this was going to succeed no matter what.

He walked right up to Asra, tears began to spill from his eyes.

'I'm sorry' Reign whispered and before Asra you take another breath, the golden liquid in Reign's hand dispersed. It simmered through everyone around him. With the appearance of ripples, the magic flowed from the market place to every corner of Vesuvia.

•~•~•

Muriel and Inanna stopped dead in their tracks while hunting.

•~•~•

Portia froze before she could pull out another weed from her garden bed.

•~•~•

Nadia's quill scratched the paper as she halted her work.

•~•~•

Aisha and Sailem look up at each other from their magic experiment.

•~•~•

Julian shivered as he whipped his head up from the medicinal concoction he was working on.

•~•~•

And Asra's head shot up to look at the palace. Each one of these people suddenly felt a sensation in their hearts. The feeling of something disappearing or going missing. But none of them could figure out what. Asra turned back around, his eyes almost looked glazed over for a moment. Reign was still there, but Asra only saw another Vesuvian shopping for food. Once Reign had confirmed that it worked, he took one last look at Asra. Faust popped her head up sadly, the three locked eyes one more time before Asra turned away and Reign made a mad dash for the docks.

•~•~•

The sun set on Vesuvia that day as a final ship departed from the docks. Leaving behind the bright, warm, welcoming lights of the city, and that day, it felt like everyone had lost one important thing in their lives. But for now, Reign sat around with many other joyful Vesuvian travelers who were singing upbeat songs. As shooting stars were shared with Vesuvia and the open Ocean. Reign and Asra looked up, wishes were made, and nothing more.