The pair woke with Axel still holding Aria while leaning against the wall. Her scent of herbs and the open sky filled Axel’s waking brain. She was still shifting in her sleep, leaving a slight line of drool on his shoulder with a very cute face. As he shifted to get more comfortable, but he ended up waking her.
With a yawn, she said, “Good morning.”
“That it is while holding you,” Axel replied, much to the blush creeping up Aria’s neck. She then gave him a peck on the lips. Aria stretched her wings slightly, careful not to hit him.
“Yes, well. Thank you for holding Aria,” she said, her voice with a slightly husky tone.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the early morning light filtering through the window and casting a warm glow around the room. The events of the previous day seemed distant now, replaced by a sense of calm and safety.
Axel took a deep breath, deciding it was time to share more about his past. “Aria, there’s more that I’ve been meaning to tell you,” He began, his voice steady but soft. “About my childhood, how I got my proto core, and why I was so injured out in the jungle when you met me.”
Aria looked up at him, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. “Listening,” she simply said, giving him her full attention.
Axel began to recount his story to Aria, starting from his earliest memories of being a child with more physical strength than many adults but always with the constant fear of breaking bones if he did not carefully control his strength. He spoke of the immense sacrifice his father made to save him, how he had hurt the other kids when playing, and how one kid did everything to be his friend despite the fear of injury.
He then spoke of the day fate turned his life upside down, of when he was to give his genetic material to Lyra so that she could fulfill her duty to have a child for the people to keep the population stable. With the mention of Lyra, Aria began asking question after question about her and what growing up with Cade and Lyra was like.
Axel smiled, appreciating her curiosity. “Lyra was always the strong willed one, even as a child. She had this fierce determination and a heart of gold of any good healer but she would always refuse to back down from something she saw as wrong. Cade, on the other hand, was my best friend. He was always there for me, no matter what. We were inseparable as children. Even when growing up and training there was nothing that seemed to separate us. I still find it odd that we went into that dual like we did.” Axel's mind at this time shied away from the memory trying to flood in and not think about it.
Aria listened intently, her eyes wide with interest. “It sounds like you had a close-knit group. What was it like growing up with them?”
Axel took a deep breath, his mind drifting back to those days. “It was… complicated. We had our share of adventures and misadventures. Lyra was always pushing us to be better and to strive for more every day. Cade was the one who kept us grounded, always finding a way to make us laugh, even in the toughest times. Cade would also instigate us into doing many dumb things like going to the river to spear fish when that could have gotten us killed at the time.”
He paused, his expression growing somber. “But things changed. As we grew older, the responsibilities and expectations grew heavier on each of us. Lyra had her duty to the people, and Cade… well, he had his struggles with family and responsibility that he was expected to take.”
Aria reached out, placing a comforting hand on his. “It sounds like you all went through a lot together. But you also had each other and those should be the memories you should focus on.”
Axel nodded, a small smile returning to his face. “Yes, we did.”
With a growl from both their stomachs, the pair decided to go to the dining hall for what was now lunch. As they paid and ordered lunch, Aria began to fill Axel in about her life, giving Axel time to get to what she could tell was the most difficult.
She explained that she was an orphan. Her mother was a Stormlord, one of the administrators of the Guardian of the Storm, and her father was an Enforcer for the Harmonizers. She lost them when someone in the Harmonizers informed a criminal group of her father’s identity. Her home was attacked in force, killing both of them in a night slaughter, that also destroyed several city blocks. Aria was lucky that she was at her friend’s home for a sleepover, though she thought that her parents may have sent her away that night knowing something might happen.
As she had no close family, Aria was put into the foster system. She talked about how she was placed several times but, due to the trauma and lose, she was returned to the foster home several times. However, she found solace and a sense of belonging with her foster mom, who raised her as her own when many others gave up on her. Her foster mom was a kind and strong woman who helped Aria navigate her grief and trauma. Aria smiled softly as she recounted how she found her way through the trauma by helping other foster children who came into the home. “It gave Aria a purpose,” she said, her eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and strength. “Helping others who were going through similar pain made Aria feel less alone. It was like we were all healing together.”
Aria gave Axel one of her bright smiles and continued, “Aria then decided to take storm training in scouting. Aria aced her courses in city scouting and outer wall scouting. Aria was also told that she was a savant with knives. Aria enjoyed the training.”
Axel held up his hand, stopping her. “What about jungle scouting or wilderness scouting?”
“Aria never took those as Foster Mom did not want Aria to go too far before Aria had completed the Trial,” Aria happily replied.
“So, you are telling me that you went into the jungle to hunt? Without the training for it?” At her nod, Axel facepalmed. “Let me guess, you didn’t stay for training with your core either.” Seeing the shake of her head, Axel was at a loss and asked the only question that he could think of, “Why?”
“The Goddess gave Aria a quest to go to the jungle and get stronger, and Aria trusts the Goddess’s wisdom,” she replied with quiet confidence.
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“Look, even the Goddess is not omnipotent. Please don’t do things like that anymore. Let me at least help you make better plans,” Axel pleaded with her.
“Aria will think about it. Aria will try to inform her hero of future plans, but Aria is free as the wind and will follow the flow that life gives Aria. Look, it gave Aria you.” She finished with a gentle kiss. “If Aria did not follow the Goddess’s quest, how would Aria have found you?”
Axel had no reply to this and decided to drop it for the moment. He fully planned to bring this up later, but he still had a story to finish and had been distracted from it for long enough.
Axel took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “Where was I? Oh, right. The day everything changed.”
He continued his story, recounting the events that led to the duel with Cade and the tragic outcome. He spoke of the pain and guilt that followed while he sat in his cell, the trial in front of the whole village, and his subsequent expidited exile. Aria listened intently, her eyes never leaving his face, offering silent support.
When he finished, there was a moment of silence as they both absorbed the weight of his words. Aria reached out, taking his hand in hers. “You’ve been through so much, Axel. But you’re not alone anymore. We’ll face whatever comes together. You will always be Aria's hero and Aria will always be your Heroine so remember you are not alone now. ”
Axel squeezed her hand, feeling a sense of relief and comfort. “Thank you, Aria. It means a lot to me.”
They sat in silence for a while, just soaking in each others company, their lunch had long grown cold, and the sun was well into the sky by the time they left the inn. Feeling lighter after his talk with Aria, Axel decided it was time to replace some gear that was damaged and lost during their hunting trip, such as his dwindled supply of throwing knives.
“Ahh, Aria needs to replace the bow Foster mom gave.” With that, she grabbed Axel's hand and led him into the market district.
As they walked the crowded streets, they bumped into several people, only for Aria to turn and smack them with her wing, then take back the money pouch from the thief that had tried to alight with her money pouch. The market was alive with activity, vendors calling out their wares, and the scent of various foods wafting through the air. Stalls lined the streets, displaying everything from fresh produce to intricate jewelry. They first stopped at a stall selling weapons, Axel began to examining the throwing knives with a critical eye.
“These look good,” he said, testing the balance of one. Aria, meanwhile, was chatting animatedly with a vendor about the best bows for her needs. Aria then frowned at the merchant after he showed off several bows and had Axel put the knives back leaving the shop quickly. When they were away from the vendor Axel asked what happened to get a firm reply “That was a bad man, he was trying to hawk his goods in a way to make people pay way more than they should for gear that would not last.”
As they moved through the market in a meandering manner, Axel couldn’t help but smile at Aria’s enthusiasm as she went from vendor to vendor buying needed goods. She was like a whirlwind of enthusiasm, her energy infectious, making the shopping trip tolerable for Axel. He found himself laughing more than he had in a long time at the way she was acting and how she could get deals from almost any of the vendors. With her help, Axel replaced a lot of his camping gear, new clothing, and travel food but they had yet to find a vendor to replace weapons.
Just as they were about to leave the market for the day, they noticed a small crowd gathered around a wagon. Curiosity piqued, they approached and saw a Kerialan merchant displaying his wares. The merchant was an older man, appearing to be in his early 30s, with a friendly smile, a jolly laugh, and a twinkle in his eye. He began to regale his audience with a showmanship and oratory skills.
“Step right up, folks! Finest goods from all over the land! You won’t find better quality anywhere else!” he called out, his voice carrying over the noise of the market. “Rare items from the deep jungles all the way to the wind-swept plains, and from the deep of the coastal seas to the tall mountains of the east. I have many rare and needed items for all!”
Aria’s eyes lit up at the sight of the various items on display. “Let’s take a look, Axel!” she said, pulling him towards the wagon.
As the merchant noticed them and he greeted them warmly. “Welcome, welcome! I’m Jareth, a humble merchant traveling these lands. What can I interest you in today?”
Axel and Aria exchanged a glance before Axel spoke up. “We’re looking for some supplies. I need some throwing knives, and Aria here needs a new bow.”
Jareth nodded, his eyes twinkling with interest. “Ah, I have just the thing for you. Follow me.” He led them to the back of the wagon, where he had a selection of weapons and other goods."These are all made from the city of the Forge of Forgehelm off the City State of Ironridge. You will find no finer blades then these." Axel look then over and found the throwing blades to be of excellent quality while Aria found a bow to replace the one lost before Axel even met her.
"Ah that bow was made in the village of Breezewood connected to the City State of Windsplane. It is of the finest novice quality and would fit a young lady like you in such style." The merchant Jareth said with a wide smile.
“So, I see you both move with the ease of skilled warriors, and you give me a good impression with your eye for quality of my goods. Would you happen to be heading to Greenhaven?” Jareth asked
“We are heading that way. Why do you ask?” Axel replied in a slightly weary tone.
“Aww, my young friend, you see my last guards left me high and dry here to take the much higher paying contract with the Village with the beast tide here. I am in need of some guards and if you are heading in that direction I would like to hire you.” Jareth replied in a jolly tone.
Axel looked over to Aria to see her nod while holding the bow tightly and replied, “From my experience, we will be stuck in the village for at least a week while the beasts calm down, but if you will have us, we will gladly take the hire.”
Aria sighed in a such a way when she heard Axel speak, that Axel felt like we was being put down on, and stepped forward between the two with a her eyes growing sharp sharp. “We’ll need fair compensation and supplies for the journey. And we expect to be treated with respect.”
Jareth chuckled, nodding. “Of course, of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Aria then started a rapid whirlwind of negotiations that went from pay to terms of breaking the contract, to a stipend for extra supplies, to even selling their Shadowfang serpent scales for, at Axel’s best guess, three times what they should have been worth.
Jareth took none of this lying down and spiritedly haggled back, getting concessions from Aria on job duties, of which Axel was getting the feeling that he was somehow being sold up the river on, to how much the pay was going to be. The haggling lasted until the market was closing and then ended up in their dining hall where the pair argued over the meal. Then, out of nowhere to Axel perception, they slapped their hands together in a firm handshake.
With a satisfied smile and deep laugh, Jareth said, “I believe we have a deal. I will have a contract written up for you in the morning to give to the local Storm branch after you sign. I look forward to our journey together.” Aria nodded, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “As do we, Jareth.”
With a last jolly laugh, Jareth left with the pack full of scales and left behind a pouch full of coins. “So, what just happened?” Axel asked, more than slightly confused.
“Aria negotiated a standard Guardian of the Storm caravan contract like Mother taught. Jareth was a fine fellow and gave mostly fair deals, only throwing in bad parts to mess with Aria. Aria will have to apologize to you, though. Aria lost on the part where you must dig the latrine every night and fill it in before we leave.” With a giggle and a kiss, Aria raced to their room before the words processed in Axel’s mind. When they did, he yelled and chased after her. The night ended with sweet kisses and holding each other closely after thoroughly making up.