Chapter Ten- Realizations
Novi watched on as the spirits of the 712th SpiritFall lived out the struggles the system had placed in front of them. Several pairings he found quite intriguing, but right now, he was watching one specific partnership. The guardian reported in on the day of the SpiritFall, and there was a new group on the island. And this time? This time they stand a chance, he thought, watching the young beastmaster and curse queen as they played fetch with one of the Gods’ more powerful creations, while cooing at it like a child. Though it may just be a coincidence, these two… these two have the potential to do it. More than all of the promising candidates the system chose before them.
The God closed the window with a wave of his hand, right as the dragon toppled over face-first into the grass. There was no need to get too excited just yet, he reminded himself. Casually, he called a name, and a being popped into existence next to him. It bowed deeply, expecting orders. “Fetch me some ami roots," he requested. “Of course, my lord.”
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Mark watched on happily as the dragon bounded up to Lilliana, launching itself up into her arms. She caught the feisty creature, turning him over and giving him belly rubs. She spoke to it softly in her language. His partner… she was beautiful in so many ways. Her outwardly kind and curious nature was, to be frank, inspiring. She has strength that I haven’t been able to show since we got here, he thought. Before, on Earth, he had prided himself on his ability to think rationally, and make smart choices. After all that he had gone through, though he hadn’t been true to those ideals. He had retained his composure, his ability to react quickly, but deep down he was frazzled. Long term planning skills were unused, and he knew that he hadn’t been taking full advantage of the skills and statistics provided to him in this new life. Lilliana held onto that part of herself far better than I, he thought.
Now, twirling around in the morning sunlight with a baby dragon, of all things, her presence was captivating. He couldn’t help but admire her easy grace. Her lithe, curvaceous form. That ever-present grin. Those captivating blue eyes. Even her more inhuman features were attractive to him. The light coating of fur on her arms and legs contrasted creamy, pale skin in a way that was oddly beautiful. Even her ears and tail didn’t were surprisingly adorable; their expressive nature allowed him to discern her true feelings about something with ease. But that too was another beautiful thing about her. She was always so genuine. He had never in their time together known her to lie.
So why don’t you know this woman better? The question was driving him insane. She knew things about him because she had asked questions, but he knew so little about her. Which is crazy, because we were -three days ago now- bonded together by a God. He lamented his own stupidity. She was exactly his type, was gorgeous inside and out, and was permanently bonded to him by a god based on ‘compatibility’. There were so many obvious reasons as to why he should be doing better. And yet I have done nothing, made no real conscious effort, he thought. And what’s worse, my inaction affects both of us.
In that moment, he made a resolution to do better. Their situation might push them together, but he was going to make every effort to show her that they were best off that way. He would make sure, one way or another, that he made the best of every opportunity, every moment. Not only for himself, but for her. And one day, they might be free from the Isle of Death, together.
As he watched Lilliana play with the dragon, he started simply.
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Bestiary:
Species: Water Dragon
These great beasts prowl bodies of water throughout the layers. As young, they reside in small lakes and rivers, using their affinity for water to their advantage . You have seen individuals of the species use great tact in obtaining their next meal, and observed more individuals of this species than most will likely ever encounter.
Individuals encountered:2
(Infant Water Dragonlet)[Imprinted]
This member of this species has imprinted itself on you.
(Greater Water Dragon)
Size Variation: Highly varied
Diet: Omnivorous
Umaa hawks, Ami roots.
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Intelligence: Significant
These creatures at the very least harbor the capability to make plans and effectively execute them.
Strengths Observed:
(Maneuverable in water. Observant. Sharp claws. Tough scales. Raw physical strength and size.[depending on age] )
Weaknesses:
(Physically small.[depending on age] Less maneuverable out of water. Highly trusting when young.)
Chance Of Bond Success: 45% [+ 10% Imprint bonus]
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Now, it seemed, the path forward was obvious. He would do as he had always done, and observe. What would their new friend eat, or not eat? Was his trusting nature limited to them, or did it extend to other creatures? How did he come to be in the lake? There were an endless number of questions that he might be able to answer, and that would bring him closer to achieving his goal. To get us all off this island, he thought, determination filling him. Alive.
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The following evening, Lili watched Mark quietly from the porch as he threw the stick he had procured for the dragonlet. The little guy would run and retrieve the stick, and he would offer up small bits of various foods when it was brought back to him. Mark seemed driven, somehow, in a way he hadn’t earlier. His whole presence was elevated, and energy filled him. Before, there had been times when he seemed, well, almost despondent. Now his handsome features seemed livelier, warmer. She wasn’t sure what had triggered this change, but it suited him. She felt heat rise in her cheeks, thinking about one possible cause from a few days ago.
She shook herself, and felt her senses return to her. Not the right time, Lili. Focus on something else. So she did. She uprooted herself from the small porch and made her way over to Mark, and their little buddy. The two had been doing various things together all day, and the game with the stick had clearly fulfilled his purpose, whatever it might be, because he turned and smiled at her when he heard her approaching. “Lilliana!” He said, “Come take a look at this.” She meandered her way over to his side. In one hand, he held the last remaining jerky from their provisions, and in the other he held some cubes of ami root. “Watch,” he said. “I’m certain that he’s part of the same species as the creature from before, but he absolutely refuses to eat the meat we have left over.” It was true, she discovered, as he offered the snacks to the dragonlet. He huffed haughtily at the jerky, instead going straight for the veggies.
“Maybe the babies don’t eat meat? Or maybe it’s individual taste?” he pondered aloud. Lilliana hadn’t said anything yet, simply letting him put the pieces together in his head. He’s more engaged than I've ever seen him, she thought. But there is something. “You know, we could try asking,” she suggested. Slentithi, the so-called power tongue of ‘wyverns, drakes, and dragons,’ was within their capability to speak, gifted to them by the Gods themselves. “Before, I would have said there was no significant chance of us ever using Slentithi,” she said, “But here we are. And this dragon seems… well, far less likely to kill us.” Mark stopped, clearly considering the option fully, before offering a tentative, “I don’t think we should.”
“Why not?” she asked, perplexed. “Because,” he said. “Do you recall the warning that was issued about Slentithi?” She shook her head. “Utilize caution, lest you attract unwanted attention,” he quoted. “Until I’m sure of who or what’s attention I’ll be attracting, I think I’ll refrain.” “Damn.” There goes that idea, she thought sullenly. She hadn’t realized that she had started retreating into herself again until calloused fingertips turned her head up. “Hey, don’t sweat it.” Mark said reassuringly. “It’s not a bad idea, just one that comes with risk. We’ll probably end up trying it, too, once we know that it’s safe.” She nodded, and gave a smile as the baby nuzzled her ankle in a seemingly intentional comforting gesture. “Yeah.”
Seemingly satisfied, Mark removed his hand from her chin. But Lilliana somehow felt even closer to falling apart. “How do you do it?” she whispered. “What was that?” Mark asked. “How do you do it?” she asked again, louder this time. “How are you so put together, so composed? You’re always so”- she struggled for the words- “In charge of your emotions. From the beginning, I could rely on you in every situation. “I-I feel like I’m dragging you down.” her knees felt weak, and her heart pounded at this admission. She swayed, breathing heavily. This had the potential, she knew, to become a full breakdown. Not again, she thought, desperately trying to hold together. I shouldn’t have said anything. Her fists balled at her sides, her nails pressing curved lines into her skin. She could feel her mind retreating, as it had done too often since the plague had taken root in her body, since she had died. But then something happened.
In her mind, she felt something shift within their bond. A switch flipped, and Lili gasped as their minds merged together more fully than they ever had. Suddenly she felt strong, the emotionally confident woman she had been before her death. But she felt weaker in some ways too, and somehow she knew that she was feeling Mark’s insecurities, his worries. He was not so infallible as he appeared, and she was surprised to find that he felt exactly the same as her; weak in areas that he had once prided himself on his strength in. He made her stronger, but she made him stronger, too. Together, we complete each other, she realized. She looked up at him, as she stabilized. She felt rejuvenated, and despite the connection, far more like herself than she had these past days.
The massive inflow of emotions and feelings connecting them faded, but just as they had in the woods, their eyes remained locked. In one smooth motion, she pressed up onto her tiptoes, and he lowered his head as their lips came together. The kiss lasted only a moment; brief, but tender, saying all the words that needed to be said.