Sunlight spilled into the room, painting the room in a dull gold color. The chirps of the birds, and the chatters of students gradually increased.
"Urrgh."
Yunok groaned.
"I'm so tired."
He turned his head.
"Zeth?"
He nudged her.
"Hey."
He shoved her slightly.
"Wake up."
Zeth stirred, then slowly opened her eyes.
"Hey."
She yawned.
"Good morning."
They locked eyes.
"I did it with someone besides Eimira." Yunok thought, staring deeply into Zeth's eyes.
He sat up slowly.
"What did we do yesterday?" He asked.
Zeth's face flushed.
She grabbed the blanket, and covered her face.
"Y-You are naked…" She said. "...So am I."
A smile tugged slightly at Yunok's lips
"So…?"
Zeth groaned softly. "Isn't that much, obvious?"
Yunok exhaled.
"So we did uhn..."
He stared at his hands.
Zeth sat up.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Morvethis was right." Yunok replied.
Zeth's brows furrowed. "Right about what?"
"I don't love Eimira anymore." He said. "I can't feel what I had for her anymore."
He paused.
"It's gone."
Silence.
"But I just can't bring myself to let go..."
He turned to Zeth.
"Why?"
Zeth remained silent.
Then she spoke.
"I warned you about this. But you still went through with it."
She sighed.
"This is the price you pay for accommodating another existence in you."
Yunok chuckled dryly.
"A price I must pay." He murmured. "Like Morvethis said…"
He stood slowly.
"I just need to get rid of the problem."
"Get rid of the problem?" Zeth blinked. "What do you mean by that?"
Yunok exhaled.
"I just need to get rid of what causes me pain."
Zeth narrowed her eyes, clearly confused.
"Surely you don't mean—"
Yunok turned to her, then forced a smile.
"Eimira needs to exist…"
"...no more."
Zeth froze.
She sprung forward.
"No. No." She snapped. "Just because you lost the part of you that felt for her doesn't mean she shouldn't exist."
Yunok laughed. "There's no point in her existing if I don't love her."
Zeth's brows furrowed.
"What…?" She whispered softly.
"I don't know who this person is but she can't just die this way." She said.
She stood and walked up slowly to Yunok, rubbing his shoulder.
Yunok didn't flinch.
"Would you mind telling me about this… Eimira?" She asked.
"She doesn't have to die." Zeth thought.
----
My eyes blinked open.
"Hmm. It's morning already." I said. "Do I have anywhere to be today?"
I counted my fingers, trying to list any plans.
I only counted one.
"Aside from training in Eimira's base… there's really nothing."
I sighed.
"Eimira. What should I do?"
I sat up, got off the bed and went to the bathroom to wash my face.
I shuddered.
"So cold..."
Wiped my face and prepared a meal, using the left over soup from my first cooking class with Eimira.
I took a bite, and immediately spat it out
"Blehhh… So sour."
My face grimaced.
"Oh yeah…"
"I forgot to heat it."
I stared at the soup.
"..."
I moved over to the waste bin.
"I'll just remove the top part, hehe."
I blinked. 'That should be fine right?"
I shrugged.
"Yeah…"
After, I placed the pot of soup on the stove. Then sat on the bed,and laid down.
"Now wha—"
Beep. Beep.
I turned.
"My Aurasto—"
I quickly grabbed it.
"Hi..."
"Hey, Zandren, it's Feona."
"Oh... what's up?"
"That "oh" sounded disappointing." She said. "Were you perhaps hoping it was Eimira?"
She laughed.
I gritted my teeth, annoyed.
"Shut it." I said, my voice low.
"Don't worry, I'm here to deliver her to you anyways."
I blinked. "What?"
"Just come downstairs. Don't keep me waiting…"
"Urrrgh… She's drooling all over me."
Beep.
The Aurastone turned off.
"What just happened...?"
I wasted no time in grabbing my clothes and going downstairs.
I arrived downstairs, shortly.
Eimira's carriage was right in front of my dorm. The window slid open.
Feona poked her head out.
"Zandren. Over here." She waved.
I walked over.
"Hey—"
The door swung open, almost hitting me.
I leaned backwards, barely missing it.
"Woah! Watch it."
"Sorry. Sorry." Feona apologised.
I saw Eimira seated, slumped over.
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"Well, we woke up to her shivering and burning up. " Feona answered. "She should be fine."
I turned to Feona.
"So, Why'd you bring her here then and not infirmary?"
"She said she wanted to be with you." She replied.
Feona smirked, covering her face slightly with her hand. "She said your love is her drug."
"I-I di— didn't say... that." Eimira said, weakly.
Feona smiled. "Looks like she's up."
She shook Eimira.
"We are at Zandren's dorm, can you walk?"
"Stop…"
"Shaking…
"Me…"
Eimira cried.
I reached over, gently pulling Feona's hands away.
"Easy. She's crying already." I said.
Feona grinned. "Husband material."
She leaned closer
"Make me an aunty when?"
"Not anytime soon." I replied, my voice slightly raised.
She smirked. "So you are planning on having one."
She leaned back.
"Thats's fine by me."
I froze. "No, no. You got it wrong. I didn't mean it that wa—"
VWOOM!!
I turned my head sharply.
"What was that?" I thought.
My body broke into cold sweat.
I sensed something strong.
Something fast.
Something–
Dangerous.
"Zandren?"
Feona tapped me.
"What's wrong?" She asked
"Uhh.."
I blinked.
"N-Nothing."
"Okay then." She said. "Turn around."
My eyes narrowed. "What?"
"I'm just gonna throw her on your back, and send you lovebirds up." She said, grinning.
"I can just carry her in my arms." I said.
"Too romantic." Feona snapped. "I don't want to feel like a third wheel while heading back."
I laughed. "Ok, fine."
I turned, and Feona placed Eimira on my back. Eimira immediately wrapped her limbs around me.
She was light.
"So warm." She whispered.
Feona tapped me.
"And you're off." She said. "Heading back home, will be back with the herbs for her."
"Alright."
The carriage rolled off.
I made my way back to my room.
Before stepping into the dorm, I turned to the direction where I had sensed that strange presence.
The door clicked shut.
"Eimira."
"Hmm?"
"We are here." I said. "Need anything?"
"Hmm. Maybe a hot drink or a cuddle." She replied, slightly opening one eye.
"Let me set you down. I'll go get the drink for you."
She held me tighter.
"Just wait… a little longer." She whispered.
"But you need it to feel a bit better. At least until Feona returns with the herb." I replied.
Silence.
"Fine."
I gently laid her down on my bed.
"I'll be right back."
I turned to leave, then felt a soft tug on my tunic.
I crouched.
"What's wrong?"
Eimira pulled the blanket, almost covering her entire body.
"Don't take too long, please?" She whispered.
I smiled. "Hmm. I won't."
I planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
"I'll be quick."
----
I exited the dormitory, planning my route.
I already asked Yyuita where they sell hot drinks and he told me to go to the far end of the food court.
"Now. Let's hurry."
I walked. Fast.
And in no time I arrived at the food court.
Made my way to the spot where Yyuita had told me about.
"Hmm. Looks nice enough" I said, and walked in.
Walked up to the counter, cutting through the line thanks to my Higher noble badge.
I got some bad looks but it didn't matter to me.
"Hey, how can I help you?" The barrister asked.
I leaned in.
She flinched.
"Sorry, this is my first time here. I really don't know what to get." I answered.
"O-oh uh.." she blushed. "Describe what you need."
"I need a hot drink that can help soothe a friend who's sick." I said.
She smiled. "Got it."
She turned.
"Erollen, One leopard grass tea."
She turned to me.
"As your order is being made—" she smiled. "Why don't we talk?"
My eyes narrowed. "But others are waiting in line."
"Gar'thra, come take the orders. I just got busy." She yelled.
"My name is Hy'thre by the way." She whispered.
A male barrister stepped forward.
"Got it— wait a moment."
His eyes met mine.
"I know you." He smiled. "You duelled with Farzhar and won."
I chuckled. nervously. "Yeah..."
"Oooh. Is he like some kind of celebrity?" Hy'thre asked.
Gar'thra laughed. "No. He went against one of the toughest contenders, and won."
Hy'thre leaned closer to me. "Handsome, broad and strong."
She grinned. "Prrrr."
Smack!
"He has a girlfriend." Gar'thra said. "Am I right?"
"Yeah, I do, Eimira." I replied. "The tea was actually for—"
My body jolted violently.
"W-what's wrong?" Hy'thre asked.
"Hey, how's the tea coming along?" I asked, my voice slightly strained.
Thud
"Ready!" Erollen said, dropping the cup of tea on the counter.
"Thanks."
I grabbed the cup, and dropped two gold coins.
"Hey wait..."
I didn't respond.
"B-but I-It's just three silver coins." Erollen said.
"Handsome, broad, strong and rich." Hy'thre murmured,grinning visibly.
Gar'thra grimaced. "Creepy."
----
My steps were uneven. My hands trembling.
This presence was still there.
"What exactly is it?"
I looked over my shoulder. Nothing.
I came close to an alley.
"This place is faster. Let's go." I thought.
The moment I turned the corner. I ran.
The presence never left. It got closer.
Then.
I ran into webs.
"Pwehh— what the." I said, removing webs from my face.
"What kind of spider would have such webs?"
"That would be me. Sorry."
A human—
A spider..?
No–
Both…?
I fell on my behind
"What the hell?" I whispered.
I watched as this thing slowly morphed back to normal.
Her spider abdomen and leg slowly disappeared as she gently landed on her feet.
She approached me, slowly.
Then leaned over and offered her hand.
"Hi, Zandren. It's finally nice to meet you."