Chapter 85: False Dawn 9

Elania rubbed Yolani’s back, the fabric of their bed rustling gently. Yolani let out an unhappy groan, her face buried in the pillow.

“Ember should have warned you,” Elania said softly, her fingers tracing soothing circles on Yolani’s back.

Yolani groaned again and grabbed another pillow, holding it over her head. “Don’t talk,” she mumbled.

Elania slid into bed beside her, wrapping her arms around Yolani and holding her close.

She had already tried using a healing potion and [Divine Mending], but apparently, the overuse of [Divine Power] and ambrosia combined with the strain of creating the most exquisite [Regalia] helmet couldn’t be healed quickly.

Out of options, all that remained was cuddling.

Yolani’s breathing slowly evened out as she slipped into sleep, and Elania pressed her forehead against Yolani’s back, savoring the closeness and the warmth of her skin.

After a while, she carefully extracted herself from the bed, letting Yolani continue sleeping peacefully.

Elania made her way over to the table with the mirror and sat down, studying her reflection.

Her golden eyes shone back at her, the cat-like pupils contrasting with her crimson red hair and the folded ash and gold of her wings. At the roots of her hair, she could see the beginnings of gold starting to grow.

Her feelings on the prospect of having blonde hair were a bit mixed.

Her hair color had gone on a wild journey since arriving in Eladu, and while she had dyed it before, she had never really strayed far from her natural black.

Having it change so often based on whatever super-powered journey she was currently on was harrowing—when she had time to consider it, anyway.

Like right now.

If she solidified her [Domain], would she get to pick the colors, and would they stick that way?

It seemed like they might.

But what would she like?

Images of all kinds of ridiculous themes ran through her mind, but none of them felt right. Honestly, she would just like something normal-ish or something that Yolani would like.

Those were her two most significant criteria, and Yolani wasn’t awake to ask, so the topic would have to be shelved for now.

Elania let out a sigh, her reflection mirroring the weariness she felt.

She turned her thoughts to her [Regalia], watching as it slid out of her skin around her forearm and neck, forming a bright yellow bronze helmet and bracer.

The armor felt more solid than before, and her [HUD] confirmed the increase to her capacity.

[Divine Power: 51,228/60,000]

Despite the improvement, it still seemed like a long way from Arlois’ suggested ‘hundreds of thousands’.

Yolani would have to craft many more pieces of armor for her. By the time she was done, Elania would probably look like one of those stupid paladins.

Maybe Yolani would be able to craft the [Regalia] to be scale armor instead, at least for the torso? She wasn’t sure if the [Regalia] could handle that, as it seemed to be restricted to metal, and an underlayer was required. How would all the scales attach properly?

Her bracer formed over her leather to create multiple layers. The helmet was worse. When she wasn’t wearing her new coif, it pulled her hair unless she adjusted it constantly—which she could do, but it wasn’t ideal and would definitely be a liability in battle.

The more complex her [Regalia] became, the more complicated gearing up would become.

She wondered how Yolani even managed, considering all the extra things she had to keep track of. A smile crossed her lips as she glanced over her shoulder at her sleeping partner. The answer was simple: Yolani was smart.

Elania stood up and slipped out of the room, finding Darius in the hallway. She told him to prepare a dinner for everyone, find a cake, and some fresh meat for Shadow.

Darius nodded, saying, “Of course,” before heading off to take care of the arrangements.

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In the living room, Elania found Shadow sleeping on the couch. She sat down beside him, causing him to sink into the depression on the cushion with her.

He sat up immediately, his ears held back on alert. Elania giggled. It was obvious he was surprised that anyone would mess with him.

He glanced at her, flopped back down, and Elania rubbed his ears. She told him they’d have a nice party, and he’d get some fresh meat. Shadow purred.

“Thank you for being a good kitty,” Elania said. He nipped her hand playfully.

“Ouch,” she laughed as he pawed at her. “Thank you for being a good darkwalker.”

Shadow raised his nose, seeming content with the correction.

“You’re ridiculous,” Elania giggled.

Shadow rumbled lightly in response, and she continued rubbing his fur until he rolled over.

Eventually, Darius coughed into his hand to get her attention.

Elania looked up at him. “Yes?”

“You have visitors, a Henri and Allie. Should I show them in?” Darius asked.

A smile spread across Elania’s face as she stood, leaving Shadow wanting more attention. The darkwalker head-butted her in protest.

“Yes, please let them in,” Elania said, nodding to Darius before following him out of the room.

Shadow hopped off the couch and trailed behind Elania. In the foyer, Henri and Allie waited. Allie’s eyes widened when she saw Shadow, and she stepped behind Henri.

Elania smiled. “It’s fine. Shadow is nice.”

Henri watched warily as Shadow approached and head-butted him. “See?” Elania said, just as Shadow chomped down on Henri’s knee, nearly knocking him over.

“Hey!” Henri shouted.

“Shadow! Be good!” Elania scolded. Shadow let out a mewl in response, but released his nibble and headed back into the living room.

Elania turned back to Darius. “Could you prepare some drinks?”

“Don’t you think it’s weird to be celebrating Yolani’s birthday months later?” Henri asked.

Allie elbowed him in the side before looking at Elania. “Are the other guests here yet?”

“You’re the first to arrive, but I’m sure the others will be around soon,” Elania replied, a hint of worry creeping into her mind about whether Yolani would recover in time.

“Where is Yolani?” Allie inquired.

“She’s still resting. She had a huge project earlier, and it took a lot out of her,” Elania explained.

Henri’s frown deepened. “Are we still having the celebration, then?”

Elania stared at him for a second. “Yes, we are. I’ll go check on her. You two can make yourselves at home.”

She headed up the stairs and back to the bedroom, where she found Yolani sitting on the side of the bed.

“Are you feeling better?” Elania asked.

Yolani nodded silently.

Elania looked around the room, trying to think of something to say or do. “Would you like some water?”

“No,” Yolani said quietly.

Elania hovered as Yolani got dressed, concern etched on her face.

“Are you feeling better?” Elania asked again.

Yolani looked at her, a hint of exasperation in her eyes. “I’ll feel better if you stop asking that.”

“Sorry,” Elania said, feeling a pang of guilt.

Yolani sighed, her expression softening. “I’m sorry, too.”

A weak smile tugged at Elania’s lips. “We’re both sorry, then.” She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Yolani, who leaned into the embrace, resting her forehead on Elania’s shoulder.

After a moment, Elania pulled back slightly. “Henri and Allie are downstairs.”

Yolani stepped back, a smile appearing. “They came together?”

“They’ve been together a lot since we had Henri help her deliver the potions,” Elania explained.

Yolani nodded. “I hope they keep getting along.”

Elania hummed to herself. “Maybe they’ll even become a couple.”

Yolani’s eyes widened, and she fidgeted. “Do you really think so?”

“They seem like a good fit,” Elania said.

A look of relief washed over Yolani’s face. “That would make me feel a lot better.”

“Because he won’t be pining after you still?” Elania asked.

Yolani’s lips flattened into a line, but she nodded in confirmation.

“Henri seems like a really nice guy,” Elania said, her expression thoughtful. “I hope he finds someone too, either Allie or someone else who can treat him well.”

Yolani smiled and nodded. “That’s all I’d like. He’s always been a good friend to me, and while I thought he might have been more, it wasn’t really in the cards.”

Elania squeezed Yolani. “I’m sorry for Henri, but I’m happy for myself.”

“Maybe you’re counting your cards before you have them.” Yolani raised her chin.

A giggle escaped Elania’s lips. “I think I’m playing with a stacked deck.”

Yolani hummed happily. “Maybe you are.”

They grinned at each other; the moment stretched until a distant alarm sounded, filtering in from outside.

It was like a bucket of ice water pouring over them.

“That’s the warning alarm for the military,” Elania said, her heart racing as the distant alarm continued to sound.

She and Yolani rushed downstairs, their footsteps echoing through the hallway.

In the foyer, they found Henri hurrying out the door, his face etched with worry.

Allie stood nearby. “What’s happening?” she asked.

Elania placed a reassuring hand on Allie’s shoulder. “You can stay here or go to the hospital. It’s up to you.”

Darius stepped forward, his expression calm. “I suggest you stay with the staff until we know more, Miss Allie. It’s safer here.”

Allie nodded, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “Okay, I’ll stay.”

Elania turned to Yolani. “We need to go.”

Yolani nodded, and they headed outside.

The air was filled with panicked shouting as people rushed about. Yolani quickly hooked her harness to Elania’s outfit, securing herself.

Elania hugged her. “Hold on,” she said before spreading her wings and taking off into the sky.

They flew towards the Purple Tower, the wind whipping past them as they soared over the city and through the clouds. Elania’s mind raced, wondering what had triggered the alarm.

As they landed at the base of the tower, they were greeted by chaos.

Soldiers and officers rushed about, their faces grim and their voices urgent.

Elania and Yolani made their way inside unchallenged.

The war table was already in place, maps and figures scattered across its surface. Arlois stood at the head of the table, her expression grim as she looked up at Elania and Yolani.

“What is it?” Elania asked.

Arlois’ eyes met hers. “The detector has found an enemy fleet on the edge of its range, headed straight for Contia.”

Elania frowned, her heart sinking. “So much for weeks or months or years,” she muttered.

Arlois nodded, her face somber. “It’s almost certainly the Monevoians.”

Yolani stepped forward, her eyes scanning the maps. “How many ships?”

Arlois was quiet for a moment, the silence stretching between them.

Elania’s impatience grew. “Well?” she prompted.

Arlois looked up. “There are hundreds, and more are still crossing into detection range.”

Elania felt a chill run down her spine.

This would be different from trouncing the Lightbringer fleet.