The night sky was darker than it was supposed to be and the smell of damp farm soil hung desperately in the air.
The atmosphere wasn't as welcoming as it was the last time I was here. Like it was daring me to stay away.. to leave while I still had the chance.
And to think I would ever listen.
I spread out my wings and this time, more confident in what I was going to do.. the little things I was meant to fix, ignored cracks that were going to split open the ground in the future.
That was my mission.
"Welcome to the Grand Finale, Osams of Whisper-Realm.."
Good, I was just in time. If this was exactly as I remembered it, then, I looked over my shoulder. Quintiel was standing right beside me.
Although I was literally starving to kick him in the face, not messing things up had to be in my priority list. So I remained calm, at least, while it lasted.
I won't speak to him, because that was exactly how I caught his attention in the first place, and pretty much the main reason why he followed me all the way to to the human world.
Narrative POV.
'If my intuition is right, then.. she probably came from the past too.'
Quintiel muttered under his breadth,
"That's the only explanation as to why she looks like she's about to spoil something for me."
In the past he remembered, Nirit didn't even notice him let alone look in his direction the moment she stepped in.
He analysed her behaviour for a while and turned around,
'Not to talk, she looks more confident.. like she knows exactly where all this is going..'
Quintiel gritted his teeth, 'I may have blown it last time, but now, I won't let someone else repeat it in my stead.'
He sighed, brushing his hair backwards.
'I have to think.. Fast.'
Nirit's eyes crossed over to him,
'I'm definitely not overthinking it.. Something's not right somewhere.. why has he been staring at me like that? '
She tried to wave it off, but it kept bugging her. The possibility of Quintiel being too involved, of him being one step ahead of her - as always.
Nirit huffed, 'If he's up to something--'
'--then I'll just have to figure it before she is able to cross me.' Quintiel concluded, clenching his fists.
They glared at eachother, hard.
That knowing look.. that expression. Just as they'd both feared.
***
Tommie's eyes were pleading, desperate for an answer. "Tell me, Yunnie, what's really going on here?"
Yuna quickly stood up to leave, but the earth, as dramatic as it was, decided to betray her.
She tripped over nothing in particular and fell right straight into Tommie's hands. He caught her. Midfall. Staying in that position like he didn't want to let go.
He never wanted to let go. Not ever. That was something Yuna could never understand.
To her, all men are just, "Cheaters. Liers. That's all you can do-"
She forced back her tears, looking up at Tommie, from his impossibly cool jacket to his cute chiseled face that always held happiness in them.
"-Deceitful and cunning you are!"
Everyone's attention was now drawn to them, all heads turned to face the inseparable lovebirds. They, or rather –'Yuna' was causing a scene.
"Yunnie, just calm down, you're not in your right senses right --"
She pushed him before he could complete his statement. "Don't shush me! Don't you ever think I'll take no shit from no one! Ya hear me?!"
Tommie stood back up, dusting noodles off his jacket, he huffed, walked up to Yuna and gave her a big hug.
" You can fight me for all I care, but I'm not leaving again." He tightened the embrace like he hadn't hugged her for ages.
"I'm not leaving your side again."
Gia stood at the bar stand, watching them. She wiped a cup clean and picked up another one, "She's such a drama queen." Gia grinned to herself.
Hemzt approached her with an empty bottle, also staring back at the couple,
"God give me a boyfriend like him~"
Her friend sighed, "I can't believe good people like him still exist in this world."
***
Nirit's POV.
The spotlight fell on us both.
Yikes, I was so annoyed that I didn't notice when the formation had started.
The downlight, as if confused, flickered and moved to Quintiel entirely.
The host hovered in the air, flapping her wings elegantly as she spoke,
"Dear Osam, present to the Panel, your worth." She was the only one whose voice could be heard now. Everyone listened carefully to her like their lives depended on it.
Narrative POV.
Quintiel didn't flinch. Unlike the others, he was rather withdrawn than respectful.
The host repeated herself, assuming he didn't hear the first time.
" Present yourself, Osam." her voice was loud, sharper.
Quintiel smirked,
"Right, right. Flaunt your little wings at me. Remind me the reason why I'm so small and you're so.…"
His eyes glistend with menacing light, "…superior."
Nirit rubbed her temples, mumbling enough to his hearing, "You can't be serious right now,"
She lifted her head enough to meet his gaze, whisperscreaming at him; "Do as she says. It can't be that hard for someone like you."
Quintiel ignored her. What was more important was the plan he had in mind and he wouldn't give Nirit a chance to blow it for him.
His eyes left the Host to Cilicia. Waiting for her to react, he knew creating a scene like he was about to, wasn't something she would just overlook.
Cilicia clutched the arm of her throne. Her jaw tightening. She didn't have a clue as to what this was, why he was acting so stubborn, or who he was to begin with.
She stepped down from her throne - exactly what Quintiel was looking forward to.
A bold smirk grew in his face as she flew towards him,
"Osam, may you bother to say what displeases you, and how I, may be of help in your matter."
He scoffed, loud enough for her to hear him..
"Don't bother yourself much.. this has nothing to do with you... Princess."
'Right, now that she's at least one foot from my stance, I can finally read her thoughts.. the spells she had revised from old days until now - All of it!'
Nirit wasn't dumb enough not to notice what he was up to. She called out to the princess, "Wait! Cilicia."
Everyone froze.
All eyes fell on her. No one should call the Princess by her name. The host threw a hand over her mouth, baffled, along with the other guests.
Quintiel turned to Nirit, his eyes sharp.
'It hasn't been a moment since she arrived and things are already falling apart.'
He exhaled, trying to keep his cool. Then, an idea struck his mind.
Holding his head high, he spoke,
"The problem isn't you, Princess.." he turned to Nirit, pointing straight at her.
"It's you, Osam!~"
"M-me??" Nirit muttered. Her gut twitched with the feeling that something wrong was about to happen.
".. You just can't stand the fact that I'm here, Osam. So.." He levitated, hovering around her swiftly,
"--I challenge you to a Duel." He held out his hand.