Chapter 79
Tobias took a deep breath and centered, looking down at Riley, who was looking up at him, as he pulled at his power.
Riley saw the orange glow light his hands as he held them out, pulling as if drawing water up towards himself, only to turn his hands over and cast them down.
The power she could see flowed around him and snapped to that of a circle, dancing with the burning energies of a flame around them as she added her own power, the mixing of white hot light with shadow. Her paws appeared to burn before letting the energy drop, willing them into a cast.
Her circle overlayed his, as white hot fire, bristling with shadowy darkness, percolated and encompassed his circle of flame.
Cid watched from a distance with a funny smile on his face.
"Riley, you have endured my trials with me and helped me to find my magic and my place in the world. You have endured with me, stood beside me. In honor of that crucible, do I swear by every fiber of my being, my spirit, and my magic unto you, beyond the bounds of mortal life. Let our power be joined; let our destinies intertwine," Tobias intoned reverently.
"Tobias, there's so much I don't understand about this world and this life, but I know that my place is by your side. I've found family and purpose in my journey with you. What we have is special. I trust you, and it is in the spirit of that trust that I swear my spirit and my magic unto you, for good and all, in this life and beyond," Riley intoned, with her paws quivering.
"Let the bond be forged, our magic be joined for good and all, in memory of fallen friends and future hopes," they each said in unison as their circles joined, the orange energies of Tobias' power mixing in with the white light and shadowy darkness of Riley's.
Riley's eyes snapped open to see a golden thread reaching out from Tobias, intertwining around one coming from her, as a clear picture in her mind formed, not only of his confidence in her but his worry that he might not measure up, his hope to fulfill all the faith that had been placed on him and the burdens that he carried, and then, suddenly, feelings of confusion mixed with wonder.
"I see something... some kind of... words, texts, and bars..." Tobias puzzled.
"You can see my overlay?" Riley asked as Tobias turned in a slow circle around him.
"And the magic, do you see a burning circle around us? Orange, white, and black?" He asked, in awe.
"Welcome to my world," A number of prompt notifications were blinking.
Tobias touched at thin air as if trying to grab what was floating in his vision.
"Are you two alright?" Cid wondered, watching with confused curiosity.
"We're fine...I think... I'm level 2-5, what's that mean? And you're 2-6?
We're in a party? This is what you see?" Tobias asked again.
"My brain interprets magic that way, I guess. It's a lot like a video game I played in my other life," The memory percolated through her mind, along with images of the title screen and overlays.
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"Fantasy and science fiction... Knights of the Galactic Alliance...I see it, but I've no idea what that is! You're really from another world!" Tobias exclaimed.
Riley felt the wonder, "Duh... You didn't believe me?"
"No I believed you, but now I can feel it, I keep getting flashes, images of things. I feel your heart like it's beating next to mine," Tobias could not hold back the tears of awe, his face wet and streaked as he gazed upon the world with new eyes.
"You keep thinking of Justinian and your family. It's not like thoughts but memories, impulses of emotion, right? You wish they were all here," Riley boggled.
Tobias wiped at his eyes. "Yes, exactly! It's going to be good to go home. We've much to share."
"So what now? Do we just close the circle?" Riley asked, following his lead.
"It's served its purpose, I think... We're definitley connected." Tobias centered, and grounded, as Riley did the same. They each found a natural rhythm, having a better sense of the other.
The magic eased and dissipated, returning to its natural rest.
Cid, as if sensing the conclusion, walked over and pulled Tobias into a sidelong hug, "Weirdest damn memorial I've ever been to, but she'd have been happy to see it, I know it."
"Weird for me too. It feels just as you said, but.. more..." Tobias trailed off, losing his words.
"More is right," Cid replied with a gentle nod.
Tobias pulled at his power and watched his hand pulse orange. "I can see it now, see the magic like she can."
"There will be a lot of benefits, but I think it's different for each soul because souls come in all kinds. You'll work it out," Cid assured, patting Tobias on the shoulder, sounding grandfatherly.
"We will, but for now, I'd like to walk back and take the time to reflect on all this. It was a simple enough ritual, but it goes deeper than I can say," Tobias explained.
"I'd like that too. We're due out this afternoon, and I hate to rush it but we've still got last minute things," Riley said.
"Zorna's at rest. We've done all we can here. Thank you both for honoring her and me," Cid said awkwardly.
Tobias took up his shovel in one hand and then made motions in the air as if he were interacting with a screen.
Riley watched with bemused curiosity.
Suddenly, the shovel vanished, and she saw it appear in her inventory space.
"Oh, that is a fine thing, I like that," Tobias grinned before repeating the action with the second.
"Handy. You two go on ahead, I'll catch up. Meet me at the Hidden Blade before you go," He said, clasping arms with Tobias.
"Understood." Tobias nodded and began walking along with Riley, only to walk into a tree.
Riley felt the embarrassment as she fell to giggles.
"How do you navigate with this thing in your face all the time?" He complained.
"Will it away, what I call minimizing it. It's like controlling your fire. With a thought, you can make it surge or fade before a cast. The same is true with the windows," she instructed.
Tobias blinked after a moment of mental effort, "Oh... but up in the corner, I still see my health, mana, and stamina bar... weird. This is how it's been for you?"
"Since I woke up here. I don't know if you'll get prompts, like I do, but I've got a few just begging to be answered. These little exclamation points flash up by my bars if I don't give them immediate attention," Riley rambled.
"Exclamation points? Huh," Tobias mused as they made their way along, and Riley risked it, willing them forward.
You have bonded your spirit and your magic to another for life and beyond in a special ritual. This action cannot be undone.
Tobias has been permanently added to your party.
You have gained "Spirit Bond." Unlocking new evolution paths within the magic.
Your mana pools have been combined, granting you each additional casting power!
Ability unlocked: Fire Bolt, Elemental, Active, 2-5: Cast a bolt of elemental fire at an enemy
Through the fire and the flame, you carry on!
Flame Wall, Elemental, Active, 2-5: Create a burning wall of flame for defensive or offensive purposes.
And it burns, burns, burns, that ring of fire!
"Cool," She mused, dismissing the last of them.
"Do you think we really helped Cid?" She asked.
"I do, thank you Riley," Tobias replied.
"For what?"
"For caring enough to share your magic and to fight for me. You and Justinian believed in me when I didn't, and now, well, I love you, Riley. I knew it before. I knew that you had become family, but I feel it now with greater clarity.
"I love you too, Tobias. I wouldn't have made it without you," Riley replied, as they made their way back towards Ranger Central.