Ascension - (Alarian Warriors)

She woke in the early hours of the morning surprised she managed to fall asleep at all. She groaned as she stretched out her body, a dull ache remaining. Her bare skin rubbed against the firm, bare muscled chest lying beside her. Her breath caught as she remembered last night and what she had done. She was still naked, their limbs twisted together in what one might consider uncomfortable, but she only felt warmth and protection.

Prying herself from his body she slid out from the covers and fumbled around for some clothing. The situation rushed back to her, she had been so bold last night, asking him to do this with her. But now, now she was afraid of what he thought of her, of their night together. Had it been the right thing to do? Had she been good enough?

Take it easy, I’m sure you’re sore.

His voice whispered in her mind. It set her body alight with a flame that warmed her to her core. It was unexpected, and yet she relished in the feeling, she felt complete for the first time since she had lost her aura. They had lain together and completed the bonding ritual; he was able to slip into her mind with ease now. It was an odd sensation, different from her spirit-wielding, he couldn’t read her thoughts or control her body, it was simply a means of communicating.

“I... I will be fine.” She stuttered, unable to turn to face him as she felt her face heating up.

“You regret it?” He sat up behind her, the covers sliding down his lean torso, exposing him.

“Of course not!” She turned her head suddenly, facing him in her protest. Her gaze met his and his concern turned to amusement as her eyes trailed down his exposed skin. She never thought she would find a half-naked man enticing, but she did. Maybe because it was Vincent, she doubted she would see any other man the same.

“Was it not enjoyable enough? Should we try again?” He smirked.

She bit her lip and averted her gaze. The sounds she’d let loose that night, the gasps she couldn’t stop from escaping. It all played over and over in her head. Her thighs squeezed tightly shut as she could feel her entire body heat up. She had enjoyed it, more than she could have hoped.

“You know that is not true.” She mumbled, slightly embarrassed.

“Ah...” He reached forward pulling her back to the bed. Prying the material from her hands he tossed them to the side. “...So, you did like it?”

Giving in she rested her head on his chest and nodded gently. “I did... Thank you for being so... patient with me.”

She had also been amazed at how gentle and caring he had been. He had made it a point to never tower over her, her past made her slightly uncomfortable with the situation but he never forced her or moved too fast. She didn’t know what to do or how to move, but he was there the whole time, every step of the way. His hands gently guided her movements until she was confident enough to move on her own. She had asked him to lay with her, but he had made sure she was the one completely in control. She would never forget the night they spent together or the way he had made her feel in those moments of pure bliss.

“Always, my love.” He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“It is a little scary... to think that I may not ever see you again after the end of today.” She nuzzled in closer to him still.

“Not never.” He wrapped his arm around her. “We just don’t know how long.”

“Not never.” She promised, trying to stay hopeful, but she was finding it hard.

Her heart felt very conflicted, more than ever she felt as though ending her existence would ease all suffering. But there was no way she could go through it anymore, not with the rest of the realm at stake, so many people needed her. Vincent needed her. Her hand laced with his and she gently squeezed. It wasn’t just her life she cared about losing any more.

As a bell tolled outside, they knew they had to rise. Regretfully they quickly prepared for the day and headed to Erisena’s shack on the edge of town. They arrived before most others, but the group from the Sanctuary stood outside and ready.

Samuel tilted his head and lightly sniffed the air close to her, she frowned as she eyed him. His shocked expression changed to pure happiness as he glanced between her and Vincent.

“You’ve mated!” He excitedly exclaimed.

Erosvent’s jaw dropped as Aveyon flushed red. Nothing could get past a shifter’s nose, she realized.

“Sam!” Vincent eyed him rather angrily.

“Oh sorry, I guess that was kind of private.” Samuel sheepishly bowed his head.

“You completed the bond?” Erosvent asked surprised.

She nodded, unable to say the words aloud.

“He was kind to you?” His tone turned stern, protective.

“Yes, uncle! Of course, he asked for permission and everything.” She immediately came to his defiance.

Erosvent stern demeanour morphed into amusement as he tried not to laugh. “I get what you mean but saying it like that. Heaven’s Ava you sound so innocent.”

“Eros!” Vincent was beside himself, not sure what to say or do.

“Did I say something wrong?” she asked, tilting her head.

“You wouldn’t do something like that without permission, it’s unheard of and wrong,” Samuel added in gently.

“I have been forced, many times.” She admitted, though Eros and Vincent knew, Samuel did not. The shock that played on his features she found rather comforting.

“Heaven’s, then you are so strong.” His eyes shone with admiration.

That surprised her, no one had ever said that to her, only ever that they were sorry. She felt a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, not just from admitting it out loud, but for overcoming it and laying with Vincent. “T-Thank you.”

Erisena came at the best time, breaking the awkwardness. She eyed everyone oddly but proceeded to open the doors to the shack for them. Inside, the Alarian that had followed them from the third realm sat bound to a chair, his head hanging limply.

“Best you let us try to get him to open the way before he sees you. It could be our only chance at an undetected entry.” Erisena wrapped Aveyon in a cloak and pulled up the hood.

Fastening it around her neck she nodded. “Does that mean you have a way to keep the fissure open for all of us to cross?”

“I have a theory, if you can weave your blood wielding into the edges of the fissure, it may be stable enough. From my findings thus far demon blood is not the key, Ichor is.”

“But the fallen Alarian’s have no ichor, how can he?” Aveyon’s confusion grew.

“Ashera forced the curse to take hold by making them kill demons, he made them drink them dry.” Erisena shook her head while explaining.

Aveyon cringed. “He forced them. So, they have been infected with ichor as well it seems...”

The elf shook her head grimly. “Not all are. Ashera is claiming to be the true god, having stripped the goddess Vexous of her powers and keeping her prisoner, many willingly went along with it. A few believed in your return and had to be... rewritten.” She cringed, sadness filling her. “That my dear, is what has happened here, though he appears to be fighting it.”

“Then he can open the fissure?” She pressed again.

“Using a shard yes, but not the same as Damon. The demons have a connection to Terramore they use, the fallen only have the blood from my understanding.”

“Very well, I will not interfere, for now.” Aveyon stood outside the small hut as the others entered. Though she made it a point to stand close enough that she could dwell in the back-est most parts of their minds, listening and observing. Exactly what Ashera had done to her on her last visit.

Inside the small building, Vincent and Erosvent approached the man, untying him.

He looked up confused, his gaze moving to and from both men. “What is this?” He asked with his guard up. He clearly recognized the two Alarians.

“You have the means to get to Terramore, therefore we require your services.” Erosvent sounded like a true businessman.

It suited him and his attire Aveyon realized. The well-tailored garments, his mannerisms and the way he spoke. He could convince anyone to do anything for him, or at least perhaps for the right price.

“And what do I get out of it?” His eyes narrowed on the Alarian.

“What is it you desire?” Eros asked.

“The white-haired woman’s death!” The fallen spat at the two men’s feet, a smug look on his face.

“Well, that’s against your orders, now isn’t it?” Erisena moved forward.

The fallen ticked his tongue. “Which is why I can’t do it myself.”

“Why do you want her dead, if your lord does not?” She asked.

“This is pointless, we just need him to open the fissure.” Vincent sighed.

“She’s meant to be dead; it fixes everything.” His face twitched and his eyes stared at nothing.

Aveyon knew his mind was fractured; she could feel it. How many times had Ashera erased and rewritten this poor man?

“I will do what you ask, just kill the bitch!” He hissed.

The fallen barely got another word out as Vincent jolted forward, pulling him off the chair and dangling him in the air by his throat. “Say that again, I dare you.” He snarled.

“Use-less...Bi...tch” He managed, not bothering to fight back.

“This guy has a death wish,” Erosvent commented.

Vincent’s grip tightened around the former Alarian’s neck. “If you’re not going to help us, we can grant that wish.”

“You’re... going to kill-” He gasped for air as Vincent continued to straggle him “- Me... anyway, once you... got what you... want.”

“Why shouldn’t we!” Vincent snarled back.

“Vincent enough.” Her calm voice washed over him. Vincent felt her hand between the shoulder blades of his back. He released his grip, allowing the man to fall to the ground and gasp for air.

No one had even felt her enter the room, let alone move, Erosvent knew in that moment, just how much stronger she had become. His shocked expression turned to a proud smile, something a father should wear for their children.

Aveyon walked forward and crouched down to look at the snarling fallen Alarian. “I remember you now.” She simply stated, her hood covered her face just enough that he couldn’t tell who she was. “Gerard, right?” She removed the hood, exposing herself.

The others looked displeased, having only just told her but a moment ago, that they wanted her to stay hidden for him open the fissure on his own. It was the only advantage they could gain from this situation. If the fallen knew she was crossing over to Terramore so did Ashera. Aveyon knew that; however it didn’t matter, the two were connected by blood and that bond-like connection would give her away the moment she crossed into his realm anyway.

It was better to get the answers she wanted from this poor soul now, while she could. This would be her last chance to dive into a fallen’s mind, see how it worked and study it. Before long, if all went well, she would be on Alarious trying to find a cure for her people while sending her new warriors to the far ends of the land to protect it from new infections of the tainted shards.