“Celebrate?” Doku softly asked.
“I don’t mean you should be jumping for joy about her death, however I can tell she must have meant so much to you, we can all see it. You have great memories of her, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“You made her happy just as she made you. Be thankful you knew her, that you got to spend time with her. I’m certain with a friend like you and the love you gave her, she left this world with a heart filled rather than empty. Treasure her memory, Doku. In a way, she’ll always be with you.”
Doku nodded and lowered her head and wings, a shaky whimper coming from her lips as a tear dropped down her cheek.
“That’s so beautiful!” Luna sobbed before tearing leaves off of Falla’s skirt to blow her nose with. “You’re so great with words, Twilight!”
“Thank you, Luna. I’ve often wondered about writing poetry from time to time, perhaps I should give it a try one of these days.”
Daniel walked over and carefully set Clover down on the bed, the elf watching him with a glimmer of wonder as he then knelt before Doku and brushed aside her bangs to see her yellow eyes.
“I only knew Cilia for a day,” he said before gently wiping a tear from her cheek. “And I’m damn grateful I got to know her. She was a wonderful person and a caring fairy. I’m only going to remember her in the fondest of ways.”
“Daniel,” Doku breathed out with a sniffle.
“She’s like Ember now, she’s at peace. And I’m sure wherever she is she’s happy you’re with those that care about you just as she did. We’ll help you get through this, I promise. And not just because you’re helping us with talking to your sister at Red Peak, we’re going to help you because we really do care about you, Doku.”
Doku slowly turned her head to look around at everyone, seeing them smiling softly at her and nodding, except for Clover who had a blank expression on her face and Alyssa as she was wiping her tears with her head lowered. Pip wiped a tear from her eye then fluttered over and landed on Doku’s shoulder.
“I was so happy to meet Cilia,” the fairy said dearly before hugging Doku’s head. “And I met you too. She taught me not all birds are bad. I’ll take care of you and your boobies for Cilia. I promise. I will.”
“So touching,” Falla dryly mentioned.
“It is,” Luna agreed with a quiet whine as she wiped her tears away.
Pip kissed Doku’s cheek then hugged her with a flutter of her wings. The harpy smiled slightly before she turned her head to Triska as the teen approached her.
“You’ve been taking care of us since we met you,” Triska pointed out with a smirk. “Let us return the favor.”
Doku sniffled then looked down to see Alyssa now gently holding her wing, the witch smiling sadly at her and nodding in agreement.
“We’ll get through this, together,” Alyssa promised her.
“Thank you,” Doku dearly said, turning her hidden gaze to Triska then to Daniel as he smiled kindly at her. He then stood up and took the artifact from Triska’s hand, eyeing it carefully before turning to the witch sisters over by the archway.
“You’ve given all of us so much with this,” he gratefully acclaimed. “We thank you for your generosity. This artifact is going back to Green Haven as was promised to Clover, but then we’ll tell her priestess the dangers it holds and persuade her not only to give our cause a chance but to also let us try and free your master with this key. I have no idea where the other pieces of it may be, but if we find them we’ll hold onto them for you. We’ll free her and let you return home as soon as we can.”
“Thank you, Mr. Daniel,” Apoch and Astreal replied with a bow.
“Does anyone else think it’s creepy how they always speak together like that?” Kroanette whispered to the girls on the bed.
Daniel walked over to the shelves to the side of the room, gently placing the relic on one next to a picture of a castle against a moonlit backdrop and gazed at it as he seemed to fall deep into thought. The girls watched him curiously as he took a steady breath before he turned to them with a daring smile.
“Alright, I think we’ve spent enough time in this troublesome pocket of Eden,” he declared. “Let’s collect our belongings that didn’t burn to ash outside and be on our way.”
“About fucking time,” Clover groaned dropping back onto the bed.
“Triska, Squeak, gather what remains outside. Alyssa, get Lucky hitched to our new carriage,” Daniel ordered.
“On it,” Triska assured as she and Squeak quickly ran out of the room.
Alyssa hopped to her feet and wiped her eyes as she started to follow them before Daniel grabbed her by the shoulder. He knelt down as she glanced to him curiously before he kissed her cheek and wiped a tear away.
“We’ll come back to this place again, Alyssa. Ember’s grave will not be forgotten.”
“Thank you, Daniel,” Alyssa softly said. She quickly kissed him on the lips then ran out of the room, her footsteps echoing out in the main court as Daniel watched her go with a caring smile.
“We’ll be on our way now,” Apoch announced as the twins gave a small curtsey.
“We’re counting on you to open our master’s seal,” Astreal reminded him. “Please don’t get yourself raped to death with your quest for peace before you are able to do so.”
“I’ll be sure to keep on guard from that,” Daniel jested with a shrug. “Thank you both for everything. Please take care.”
“Until we meet again, Mr. Daniel,” the sisters said in unison before walking away with identical steps.
“Nobody else finds that creepy?” Kroanette asked again with a small shudder.
“I think I’m going to go take another look at the library,” Specca giggled as she quickly hopped off the bed. She ran towards the archway before Daniel caught her with one arm and pulled her into a kiss, the nixie sighing with delight while her tail swayed behind her. After the embrace ended he winked at her then glanced over to the library across the court.
“If you insist on sticking your nose into the books I won’t stop you. Though if you could check if there is another monster guidebook that Twilight has that would be a big help, since mine was lost in the fire.”
“I’ll see what I can find. Surely there’s plenty in there we could use to make an even more detailed guidebook.”
“I’m counting on you, like always,” Daniel said brushing the hair around her cheek. She giggled bashfully then trotted on towards the library, her tail brushing along his waist as she passed by before she left to explore her new book collection.
“Um, what should we do, Daniel?” Luna wondered as she and her sister crawled over to the edge of the bed.
“How about that bath?” Falla suggested with a coy smile.
“You two go with Specca,” he said standing up, the girls watching him confusedly as he walked over to them with a small shrug. “See if you can help her find a map of the region or at least where we are, surely Twilight has something like that in her study.”
“You’re sending us to the library?” Falla asked with a frown. “There’s a bath and a bed, yet you’re choosing the books instead?”
“Haha, that rhymed,” Pip giggled clapping her hands.
“We need to get going towards Ruhelia, remember?” Daniel asked with a knowing smile. “There will be plenty of time for us to enjoy our new home together, but right now we need to get everything in order first. We’re out here for a purpose, right?”
Falla and Luna nodded with sighs and got off the bed before Daniel took hold of their arms and brought them closer, the girls watching him curiously as he glanced between them with a light chuckle.
“Don’t look so sad. We may have to work now, but I promise I’ll play with you two later.”
“When you say play…” Falla questioned with a curious smile forming.
Daniel held the girl close and kissed her while his other arm kept Luna near. Falla’s wings fluttered briefly from the feeling
before Daniel then held Luna closer and kissed her while keeping Falla in his arm. Kroanette and Pip smiled at seeing Daniel kissing the butterfly girls while Clover glanced to them with a raised eyebrow. After the second kiss ended with a flutter of Luna’s wings he pulled both sisters close over his shoulders to whisper into their ears.
“I mean I need to take care of my beautiful butterflies,” Daniel promised before leaning back and winking at them. “You are my responsibility after all. We’ll start with a relaxing bath and a good meal, and then I’m sure we can think of something to do together after that.”
The sisters shivered in anticipation and nodded to that before quickly walking towards the central court.
“Let’s hurry and find that map,” Falla agreed as they glanced back to Daniel.
“Uh huh,” Luna softly replied with a timid wave to Daniel. He chuckled as the sisters then quickly raced towards the library with giggles, watching their wings flutter behind them while taking notice of how their hips swayed in their run.
“Well then,” he said turning to Pip and Kroanette. “Once we have the location of Ruhelia in front of us I think we should get there as soon as possible. Think you can help us with that, Pip?”
“I can do it!” Pip promised holding a hand up. “I can take you there! I can!”
“No she can’t,” Twilight corrected.
“I can’t?”
“You can’t.”
“I can’t,” Pip sulked with a frown.
“You can’t?” Daniel asked with puzzlement.
“I can’t,” Pip said shaking her head.
“Yes you can,” Kroanette retorted while glancing upwards carefully.
“I can?” Pip asked eagerly.
“No, she can’t,” Twilight again corrected.
“Aw, I can’t,” Pip frowned in disappointment.
“Wait, why can’t she?” Daniel asked. “She was able to teleport us to Flairwood before in an instant with her magic once she knew where it was.”
“Daniel Sorres, I’m afraid that method of transportation will not work for you now. My helpers are the only ones who can safely move that carriage with magic. It’s a rather intricate spell set in place to make the living space you are currently standing in tethered to the small ride. If your fairy should attempt to teleport it with her magic I’m afraid some very… bad things will happen to those inside.”
“Bad things?” Kroanette nervously asked.
“For your own safety and that of your mates, Daniel Sorres, I would highly recommend traveling by horse from here on. Trust me, doing so otherwise would be quite hazardous.”
“I see,” Daniel said, looking to Pip with concern as the fairy pouted while fluttering near him. “That’s alright. We can still ride across The Outerlands like we’ve been doing, we’ll get to Ruhelia soon enough.”
“But I want to help,” Pip whined shaking her arms and legs about.
“And I know I can count on you to help protect my family, just as you’ve been doing already,” Daniel assured her with a warm smile. “We have a Darker One on our side, I feel safe with you being with us, Pip. We’ll make sure you’re never alone again, so please do continue to watch over us.”
“Okay!” Pip cheered with a salute. She then quickly zipped down into Kroanette’s bosom and hopped about merrily while the centaur and Daniel watched with amused smiles.
“I’m going to protect these boobies, because they’re Daniel’s boobies!” Pip giggled before racing over into Doku’s chest and squirming in between her breasts. “I’ll protect all the boobies! All the boobies!”
“I feel safer already,” Kroanette dryly commented.
Pip laughed and hopped about in Doku’s chest before flying out and over towards Clover’s, only to stop and stare at her smaller assets with a blank expression. The elf held in her growl as she knew why the fairy had halted in her tracks before Pip fluttered closer and gently patted her head.
“I’ll protect you too, friend,” she promised before flying out of the room in a blue blur.
Clover watched her go then rolled her eyes with a sigh while tenderly holding her cloak in her hands. Kroanette giggled then stood up next to Daniel and brushed her hair back behind her shoulders.
“I’m going to go assist Alyssa with Lucky,” she offered before looking to her arm bracelets curiously. “Wait a moment. Daniel, I’ve had my refraction bracelets on today.”
“Yes, you have. And?” Daniel wondered.
“How was it you were able to use your magic on me earlier if I had these on?” Kroanette asked in confusion. “Shouldn’t these have stopped your power from affecting me?”
“Hey, you’re right,” Daniel realized as he examined the centaur’s magical bracelets. “But… I felt your aura, I was endowed with your speed. My magic still affected you.”
“How could your aura sharing spell touch me still?”
“Daniel Sorres isn’t using an aura sharing spell,” Twilight laughed in their heads. “An aura sharing spell does not transfer abilities or traits of those it touches.”
“It doesn’t?” Daniel asked upward. “But I thought…”
“No no, what you’re doing with your mates is something far more special and incredible. I’m sorry, but my time to speak is nearing its end for now, I must rest for a while. I promise I’ll explain more later, just know that the magic you are wielding, Daniel Sorres, is something very unique to you. And it will only grow stronger the more you gain the love of others.”
“What does that mean?” Kroanette questioned as Twilight’s voice faded away.
“An aura sharing spell?” Doku softly asked. “What was she talking about?”
Daniel looked at his hands and slowly turned them, examining himself curiously as he pondered just what sort of power he was using. He smiled a bit and glanced to Kroanette, the centaur eyeing him over as she too wondered what magic Daniel was learning to wield.
“I guess I have a lot more to learn after all,” Daniel mused with a shrug.
“At any rate, whatever power you are learning to use, you are becoming more talented with it each time you use it,” Kroanette complimented. “The way you stood up to Ember to protect Alyssa, you truly have become our knight.”
Daniel nodded and looked himself over, comparing how weak and inexperienced he was when he first left Edgewood to now when he not only had a growing harem of lovely girls but also the power to stand and defend them from danger.
Kroanette leaned forward and kissed his cheek then trotted off towards the central court.
“We’ll be ready to ride soon, Daniel,” she promised before leaving.
“Thank you,” Daniel replied while still in awe about the drastic changes in his life. He blinked then turned to the remaining two girls in the room, with Doku watching him curiously from behind her bangs and Clover glancing to him with a bored expression on her face.
“Um, what should we do now?” Doku softly asked.
“I’m not doing anything,” Clover stated looking away.
“You two can just rest here,” Daniel offered waving to the bed. “Take a moment to recover from this morning. We’ll get everything set for us to move out.”
“But, Daniel,” Doku protested stepping forth. “I can help, I really can. I’m not that useless, I promise.”
“Then stay here and keep Clover company. Help her recover from her injuries if you have the power to do so. And stop calling yourself useless, I don’t want to hear that anymore from you. You have done so much for us, Doku. You’re invaluable in my eyes.”
“I’m… invaluable?” Doku breathed out in awe as Daniel turned to leave. She watched him go then slowly looked down while trembling slightly.
“What’s with you?” Clover asked her.
“My husband says I’m invaluable to him. He truly appreciates me.”
“Husband?” Clover dryly repeated. She shook her head and rolled onto her side, a quiet grunt coming from her lips before she sighed and closed her eyes. �
��Right, keep telling yourself that. Like being his wife would be such a great thing anyway.”
Outside the carriage Alyssa was walking Lucky over towards the front, the horse gently nudging his nose against her and getting a small giggle out of her. Heading out from the doorway Daniel looked around to see Kroanette preparing the harness and straps at the front seat while Apoch and Astreal were standing nearby, both sisters watching as Triska and Squeak were making their way back towards the ride. Triska had her duffel bag held over her shoulder while Squeak was holding her pickaxe which was scuffed and Alyssa’s staff which remained perfectly fine after the firestorm it was exposed to.
“Well this has been an eventful day,” Triska sighed as she glanced around at the ruined field. Squeak nodded in agreement to that and squeaked something, with Triska showing a small amused smile from her co-mate thinking she could be understood again. She then noticed Kitten walking alongside her in her mind, the demon’s head hung low while she had her arms crossed and tail slowly waving behind her.
‘So I was thinking later tonight you could come out and stretch your wings,’ she thought, with Kitten looking to her curiously now. ‘How does that sound?’
“You… you’re going to let me out again?”
‘As long as you promise not to maim any of us like you did today, yes.’
“Why? I thought you hated me. I thought everyone hated me.”
‘You’re not my favorite, Clover’s still higher on my list than you are. But you really came through for us today. You protected Alyssa, you saved her life twice. You were never ordered to, Kitten. Daniel never gave you that command. You protected her, all of us, all on your own.’
“I wanted to make my master happy,” Kitten said with a saddened smile. “I want him to want me, Triska. I want to be his.”
‘Then you’d better start paying attention to what kind of girl he likes,’ Triska reasoned with a smirk. ‘There’s no room in this family for bloodthirsty demons. But a kindhearted girl with demonic wings and tail could be welcome if she tried.’
“What do you want me to do?”
‘I want you to do what all of these girls learned to do for him. Be good.’
Chronicles of Eden - Act VII Page 61
