Before Theo knew, he had arrived in front of his tent. He shook his head and put the thought away, it was useless to think about it now. All it does was stressing him and making him doubts his reality. He convinced his heart to not bring it up anytime soon. Or at all.
"Theo-sama!" As he stepped into his tent, a loud voice called him. Followed by someone lunging and wrapping her arms around his neck. He almost fell, but caught himself in time.
"H-hey Vivi, calm down." He caressed her back.
Vivi inflated her cheek and pouted. "Theo-sama told Vivi to sleep with you, but Theo-sama isn't there when I woke up. Huuuu~ " Her depressed tone was awfully fake. "Humph! Theo-sama is a betrayer! Liar! Pervert! Womanize! Vivi hate you! hate you!"
He chuckled. She was unbelievably cute by acting childish and calling herself in third-person, but her actions and words were theatrical and overexaggerated, something she only did when she wanted something. Though after looking inside the tent, he knew why she did that.
Val was inside, standing with her arms crossed over her chest. She wore a casual and rather feminine clothing, something she seldom wears. She brings no weapon and no armor, and even her signature red hood wasn't there, an even stranger happening. Her white hair was combed and oiled and a perfume fragrance drifted off from her body.
There was a caravan of trader not too far from the encampment, he promised Val to a date there. He expected her to come as her usual self with daggers strapped to her waist, in full armor, and her signature red hood over her head. But it seemed she took it much more seriously than he did.
Val frowned and tapped her foot on the ground. Theo immediately released Vivi from his embrace, but Vivi hung tight. She stuck to him like a glue. "Vivi." He felt Val's ice cold gaze piercing Vivi's back and hitting his chest.
Vivi tightened her embrace, almost to the point of choking him. "Vivi followed Theo-sama's plot and trickery faithfully to the letter. Instead of rewarding Vivi, Theo-sama abandon me for that stupid dark elf hag! Hmph! Vivi won't help you in your trick anymore! Ever!" She declared her resolve with such resolve it might as well be true.
Theo made a wry smile. He put his lips close to her ears and whispered something. He pulled her violet hair to obstruct Val's gaze. It would be a disaster if she read his lips movement and realized what he said. Vivi's face turned redder and redder with each word coming out from his mouth. By the time he finished what he had to say, Vivi's face was bright as the sun. "How about that?"
Her expression turned blank for a moment. She opened her mouth wide and inhaled a large amount of air with it. "V-V-Vivi take back everything Vivi said!" She showered his cheek with kisses before letting him go.
He ignored Vivi who slumped to the ground as he walked towards Val. Even without much preparation, his looks was dashing and stunning. He extended his hand and offered it to Val. She took it with a little blush. He led her outside with a smile. Today, he would devote himself to her. Or at least he would try to.
Theo expected Val to ask what he said to Vivi, or chastise him for making a promise to a girl in the presence of another woman. But to his surprise, she never brought it up again.
Merchant caravan with wagons numbering in the hundreds came from the free cities a few days past. They brought varied goods and wares with them. Clothes, jewelry, foods, and drinks were everywhere. Though just like anywhere where a large number of military personnel were stationed, alcohol and whores were the most sought out commodities.
In a normal condition, foreign traders wouldn't be allowed anywhere near Amaryn military garrison for many reasons. But it had been a rough month for the soldier stationed there, fighting waves after waves after waves of fire elemental day and night. Sir Arslan didn't want to be too strict on his troops. He let the merchant had their business with small taxes as long as they don't interfere too much and don't cause a ruckus.
Every time Theo and Val passed a group of soldier or adventurer, eyes were drawn towards them. People knew Theo and Val as the heroes who defeated Calamity, but even before that, Val was famous as the strongest member of the Miracle and Theo was famous as the adventurer who saved princess Ana. Them drawing attention was a pretty normal thing to happen.
Theo was used to this attention so he wasn't bothered in the slightest, but the same can't be said for Val. She was fidgeting and blushing all the way. "T-theo." She called him with a whisper so quiet it was almost inaudible. "Everyone is staring at me. Is there something wrong with me? Do I look strange?"
Theo turned around and smiled. He moved his eyes left and right to look around and chuckled. The stare people gave her was the kind of stare they gave when they see a beautiful lady. Most ladies probably was used to that kind of attention, but Val rarely showed up in public as a 'beautiful woman'.
Her usual appearance and attitude were cold and unapproachable. She glared and growled anyone that dare approached her so she never received that kind of look. But Val was a beautiful woman and an elf at that. Elves was rare enough in Amaryn, but pure-blooded dark elf had almost never been seen on the Continent. So when she removed her cold outer shell, no wonder both men and women not only glanced at her, but outright stared her.
"D-do I look that strange?" Val panicked when she saw Theo chuckling. "I knew it! I shouldn't have listened to Vex-"
Theo pulled her close and interrupted her monologue. His right hand rested on her chin while his thumb playfully touched her lower lips. "You're pretty. There's not a single trace of strangeness about you."
He leaned in closer, prompting her to freeze. He didn't stop until their lips touched.
It was only a light kiss, but she felt her heart was going to explode.
"Don't mind other people gaze and opinion. Mine is the only one you should be concerned about." Ignoring her dazed expression, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along while she was still trying to make sense what had just happened.
They spent their morning, noon, and evening together, walking around that caravan of traders. That place was so large that even after a day walking around they barely covered half of it.
They bought a traditional toy from a trader from the Free City of Argos, which claimed their tradition and culture were the oldest and most sophisticated in the world. They ate in a place owned by a man from the Free City of Kali, which claimed their spices and delicacy were the most delicious in the world. They purchased wine from the Free City of Bylos, which claimed their grape and wine as the finest in the world. Most of their claim was sales pitch, but they were also based on some truth and weren't completely unfounded.
Their date wasn't as smooth as he wanted. There were a lot of soldiers and adventurers interrupting them, asking for a handshake and all that. Val's awkwardness didn't help either. She didn't talk much unless he talked or asked first, and sometimes he felt she was staring him too hard. There was also Vex being mischievous, deliberately following them during the date and even offering to buy him a whore as a joke.
But at the end of the day, they both had fun. And that was all that matter.
Fire flower bloomed in the night sky, painting it with the color of red, green, yellow, and orange while Theo and Val watched it from a distance away on top of a small hill.
"I can't believe someone can make that without magic." Her eyes sparkled as she saw the beautiful explosion lighting the sky.
"I heard it's called fireworks or something. Though isn't it a waste of effort? Magic can easily replicate something like that and even make something better." Theo had seen some very explosive magic battles before, and while fireworks were beautiful, it paled in comparison to those.
"That's true." She glanced at him and smiled. "But think about this, Theo. In a country like Amaryn where magic is not as developed, do you think anyone can do something like that with magic. And not to mention a magician capable of making such complex and beautiful explosion isn't likely to bother using it as an entertainment."
He smiled back. "You have a point there."
Theo stood up after the fire-show was over and offered his hand. He pulled her back into the crowd of people and take her to look around one last time. That was what he told her. In truth, he was thinking what gift to buy. He was thinking of buying jewelry or accessory for her, but she wasn't the type to wear jewelry without any magical effect. Not to mention Val probably have many more expensive and luxurious jewelry and accessories than what he could afford. He also thought of giving her a flower or something similar, but flower wouldn't last long. He knew she will be happy with anything he gave her, but he didn't want to give her a mere gift. He wanted a special gift that would remind them of their first date whenever they look at it.
"Ah! Theo Gladium!" A group of adventurers called his name when he passed them. There were five of them, each with a bottle of beer or ale in their hand. "Come, come! Sit here, sit here!" He knocked his fist on the bench next to him.
Theo only smiled and shook his head. He didn't stop his leg.
The man on the far end of the table stood up and approached him. The plate bearing the image of hydra hung from his neck and swayed left and right. His face was flushed and his legs unsteady. From his equipment and the way he addressed others, he was obviously the leader of their party.
He grabbed his shoulder to prevent him from going anywhere. "Everyone! This is Theo Gladium! The Hero of Mount Etna and the Bane of Fire Elemental!" He shouted all that and laughed afterward. Cheers erupted all around them. "Come sit with us, the drink is on me all night." Theo gave the man a wry smile and removed his hand. While drinking all night on free beers seemed like a nice idea, he still had something to do.
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Theo broke out in sweat.
His instinct screamed as he sensed danger coming from behind.
He turned. A knife. A knife was coming at his chest.
"This is for Wrath!" A woman in a long robe said as she thrust her knife.
Theo raised his arms but didn't have enough time. He was careless.
Crack! The knife stopped short of stabbing his side. A dark-skinned hand stopped the woman's arm.
The woman cried in pain as her wrist broke. She yanked her arm back and released the knife she held so tightly before. She turned and ran away. But not far.
A spire of ice erupted from the ground and impaled the woman through her abdomen. Blood burst from the wound and from her mouth, washing the ice and the ground in red.
Val hovered and grabbed the woman's neck before taking off to the sky. She froze the woman's gaping stomach, not letting her lose consciousness.
"Who are you?! Why did you do that?!" Val's gaze was colder than ice and sharper than a knife.
The woman refused to open her mouth and spat blood on Val's face. But Val froze it before it leaves her mouth.
"Why did you try to kill him?! Who do you work for?!" Val froze the woman's limb, causing unimaginable pain.
The woman's opened her mouth. Her jaw was trembling, but her eyes showed no fear. "Die!"
Val gritted her teeth. "Then I have no use for you." And dropped her from the clouds.
Dread filled the woman's eyes and she screamed her lungs out as she fell to her doom. She didn't even have time to close her eyes before the ground caught up to her.
But Val grabbed her before she hit the ground and put her down 'rather' gently. Adventurers and soldier rushed to the location while merchants looked from afar. Val ordered them to arrest the woman and they obeyed her without question.
She turned to Theo and the man that grabbed him before. His face lost color and his mind sobered when Val approached with killing gaze. The ground froze and the air turned frigid. The man dropped to his knees and prostrated on the ground. "I-I-I-I'm sorry, lady Val! I'm sorry! S-spare me. Spare me, please!"
"So you ARE working with her." Her words carried killing intent the man had never experience before. Her footsteps felt like an executioner was coming to behead him.
"I-I-I-I didn't know what she's going to do, I-I promise! I swear!"
"Speak!" He felt she was asking him his last word. Tears were dripping from his cheek, and froze the moment it touched the ground.
"S-S-She paid me to call Th- Sir Theo if I see him. S-She said she wanted to meet him but didn't know his face." He frantically pulled out a pouch of coins and poured the content to the ground. "I-I won't accept it if I knew! I didn't mean him any harm, I swear! I swear!" He slammed his face on the frozen ground. "Please!"
"I don't need your money."
Val turned her head around, scaring everyone and caused them to back away. She grabbed Theo's hand and pulled him away from the crowd, wary that danger might still be lurking amongst the crowd. She didn't stop until they returned to the military camps. Even then she still observed her surrounding warily and glared anyone that dared to approach.
She let go of his hand and turned. Her face went pale.
Theo smiled and let out a forced chuckle out of his mouth. The fear he tried to hide probably showed on his face, causing her to realize he was afraid of her too. It couldn't be helped though. The memory of Val almost freezing him to death and the memory of her threatening to drop him from the sky were still fresh in his mind. Funny how much she changed in just a few weeks.
"Sorry." Val turned around. Her back shivered and trembled. "I've ruined out date."
Theo sighed and hugged her from behind. He said next to her ears. "Thank you."
"Sorry." She turned her face. Her tanned-brown cheeks wet with tear and her eyes red. "I'm sorry." She faced him and broke down crying.
Theo rubbed the back of her head, letting her calm down and cry out all the problem in her heart. "I was so worried. I was so scared. I was scared she might hurt you. I was afraid you might die. I-I-I-" The word got caught in her throat. "-I was afraid I might lose you!"
"Remember our promise before we fight Calamity? I won't die, Val. I won't leave you behind in this world. I'll be there for you for the rest of our life." It's not 'your' life or 'my' life, but our. "I'll be with you."
Val stopped crying and looked at his face. They both leaned closer until their lips met, then it parted. Her brown-skinned cheeks were tinted with red while her pink lips were glossy. They gazed each other's eyes for a while.
Then she grabbed his head. "More." and pulled him in.
Their lips glued to each other. Their tongue intertwined. Their hand went wild feeling each other's body. Passion burned hot in their chest as they wanted more and more.
Val stopped before they went too far. She grabbed his hand. "Let's not ... get too far for now." Their faces were flushed, their breathing shallow and rough, and their hearts pound hard and fast. He wasn't satisfied by just that, of course, so he leaned in again. But Val stopped him. "Let's ..." She took a deep breath. Her chest heaved heavily. "Let's take it slowly, I don't think my heart can take it yet."
Theo smiled, hiding his dissatisfaction. "Okay, let's not rush." He hugged her. When he let her go, her worry and fear had all been gone. "Good night." They settled for one more kiss.
They parted ways after that, each to their own tent.
Indeed, they were not in a rush. Val had decided to join Theo on his journey and leave Amaryn. He had plenty of time to slowly build their relationship. This also meant that The Miracle have to be disbanded, but she already discussed it with the rest of the party. Everyone supported her decision.
But still, while his heart was satisfied with today's date, his body wasn't.
When Theo entered his tent, he was greeted by two things. The violet-haired Vivi in her undergarment. And the fiery slash of a flaming sword.
He grabbed the hand holding the sword with ease using his right hand. All the while he replied Vivi's hug with a pat on the head using his left.
He twisted and disarmed Cally. She stopped. He gave her a rule saying she was allowed to attack him once a day. More than that and he'd retaliate and she will receive a 'special' training on top of her daily routine. Ever since he gave her that rule, she broke it every single day, but it seemed she finally learned her lesson.
Or not.
She punched him.
It was a punch with perfect form. Putting her weight forward without sacrificing her balance too much, she didn't extend her arm fully as it would leave her open. Knowing she couldn't take him down with a single punch and expected a retaliation, she didn't fully commit on the attack.
With her still at low level, her strength and agility were pathetic, but Theo dodged the punch nonetheless. He didn't want to give her some satisfaction.
He punched her back.
She bent her knees and crouched down and grabbed his arm. Utilizing her shoulder as the fulcrum and exploiting the momentum of his punch, she lifted and slammed his body to the ground.
But her slam was too slow for him.
He repositioned his legs and stopped his body before it crashed against the hard ground. He turned around, then held her arms that was holding his. Using pure strength he lifted her up and slammed her to the ground. His movement was unrefined and rough, but much faster and more powerful than her.
By the time she realized what happened, she was laying on the ground with her back aching and hurting.
He laughed. "Pathetic, is that how you slam someone?" He attacked her warrior's pride.
He looked around and make sure there were only the three of them here. Ed had returned to his personal tent, and so too Lyana. "Stay there and watch." He opened the control screen and forced her to watch him.
He picked up the waiting and impatient Vivi, kissed her and threw her to bed roughly. He threw away all his clothes and did the same to her. But before he did anything, he whispered in her ears.
Vivi giggled. Her violet eyes shimmered and her hand moved around making patterns in the air.
Cally's head rung. A splitting headache hit her like a hammer as she wriggled on the ground like worms, unable to take off her eyes from Theo and Vivi. "W-what did you do to me?!"
Theo smiled. "Just observe and watch. This is part of your punishment."
He turned his gaze to Vivi and gave her lustful and playful kisses. On the lips at first, then her chin, and neck, and breast, and down and down and down. Sweet moan and scream of pleasure filled the tent until midnight.
Theo sat on his bed. He was still completely naked. Vivi slept behind him, exhausted and satisfied with a blanket over her body. The night was cold but both were wet with sweat.
All the while Cally watched and observed with equal confusion and intrigue. She still hadn't understood what they had done. She didn't get why he categorized watching them doing it as punishment, except for the inconvenience it brings and the strange burning curiosity in the back of her mind.
Realization struck her. She had seen him doing similar activities a few times, but it never piqued her interest like this. She had never observed him so closely before, but still, even that shouldn't make her this curious. As if ... something was interfering with her mind.
"You! So this is what she did to me." She had met a few people with mind magic before, but never this strong. Though the loss of her power might play a big factor.
Theo let out a devilish grin and chuckled. "Curious? I can teach you a few thing about your new body." He stood up, approached her, and offered her his hand.
"There's no way I'm accepting your offer." She didn't understand what he did to Vivi or what he was going to do to her. From her observation it wasn't something inherently bad, she had a feeling it was something good even. But for him to consider it as a punishment, he must have a nefarious plan hidden somewhere. And she didn't plan to dance to his tune.
She fought the mind magic, trying her hardest to dispell the burning curiosity, but stopped just a second later. She grabbed her forehead as the headache returned twofold. Then she tried resisting again, only for the headache to grow worse the harder she fought.
"Is that so?" His smile became increasingly sinister and disturbing. He picked up a tankard and filled it with water from a nearby barrel of water. "So you prefer the usual treatment?"
Fear and dread gripped her heart. Her whole body shivered and trembled as she unwillingly remembers all the thing he did. It had only been a few times, yet his punishment had ingrained itself into her body.
One might expect her to slowly get used to water after repeated exposure. And they were correct to some extent. She didn't faint nor freeze for an hour anymore. Yet, if he was the one to do it, it felt ... different.
Someway, somehow, the way he handled the punishment, the way he spoke during it, and the way he played with her fear of water, there was something sinister about it. The way he dropped and poured water over her, the way he threatened her, and the way he gently wiped the water and dried her body after she gave in, she couldn't get used to it. She couldn't stop herself from fearing it.
Before her was his stretched out hand.
For a moment she considers taking his offer. She considered how much easy and how less frightening her life would be should she just accepted all his offer.
NO! She was ashamed of herself. Was she that weak to even consider such thing. She gritted her teeth and balled her fist. She steeled her will and burned her resolve. She reassured herself of her true and real identity.
She was Calamity, the daughter of Apocalypse and harbinger of Ragnarok. She was the strongest of Fire Lord. She wouldn't give in to the devious mortal in front of her. She wouldn't let him do as she pleased. She rather drowns in the water she feared so much than play his game any longer. She would rath-
-Splash!
Theo casually splashed some water on her face. He noticed how severe her face was and how tense her body became.
Unimaginable terror struck her soul, mind, and body.
"W-what?" She couldn't believe her own eyes. By the time her mind recovered from the sudden shock, she had grabbed his hand. "N-no!" Her heart cried out yet her lips didn't move.
Her resolve crumbled. Her own body, her own instinct, her own subconsciousness had betrayed her. She didn't want to, but her body moved on its own. It was always like this.
Theo laughed in triumph. He was filled with inexplicable delight watching her face of despair. "Now look at the good girl." He pulled her up and stripped her clothes, slowly. He enjoyed every moment of it. Her slowly revealed red-ish skin drove his mind and lust crazy.
He leaned forward and she took a step back, but she didn't back out any further. It was too late. Strength escaped her body. She no longer had the mean to resist him. And her body wouldn't listen even if she did.
She balled her fingers and closed her eyes. She felt a soft and warm touch on her lips. "Don't worry. You'll enjoy this."