Both combatants were so engrossed in combat they did not notice that Josidia had come to and was starting to sing the words of power. In sympathy the mark on the back of Katherine’s hand began to glow. A hilt made of gold formed. The untrained and untamed song created a blade that was constantly in motion from the power pouring into it. Such a raw blade could not last for long so she would have the make best use of its power while she had it.

The marks were in synch now. Together they were stronger than when they were apart. Even weakened as she was, just being close to Josidia gave Katherine a boost in power. As she swung the blade it shattered the blade of her enemy. The pulse of light that followed burned and sealed the wounds on his arm. Its power stopping him from calling upon his blood to heal him or to attack back.

Only having a few more seconds left before containing the blade endangered the life of Josidia. In one final swing she slashed against his chest. The pulse of searing light burned his down to the bone as it fractured from the heat. His mangled left arm incinerated from the strike as he was sent through the air.

“Let the dawn claim you. Your evil will end here tonight” Moving quickly to pick up Josidia she “Or the others will find you and when they do then you will need to explain your failures to your betters and how you managed to let her get away.”

Turning her back on the monster she would leap once again to the top of the building. Once more invoking her charms to remain hidden and unseen she would make her way back to her vehicle. Opening the passenger door she would rest Josidia’s limp form on the seat, covering her body with a blanket. Her wounds needed further tending. Kneeling beside her she would place a hand on the wound on her neck. Chanting softly a white-gold light appeared and the wound started to close, but Josidia would need further healing back at her house she had in this part of the state.

The drive out of the city was quiet. Ensuring that no one had seen her she enchanted the car so that it did not attract attention. The home was on the outskirts of the city. It was warded and guarded like her other properties she had acquired through her lifetime. Arriving at the home she pulled up to the door and carried Josidia into the main foyer.

Katherine placed her right hand over the mark on Josidia’s chest. Their marks began to change. Becoming more ornate as they bonded through touch. That soft radiance filled the foyer of the house.

“We are together at last. Our souls burn as one. Under the light of the sun, the moon and the stars I claim you as my other half. Together our power will defend those who cannot defend themselves”

The marks continued to move and shift as the words were spoken. Tempering the souls together so they could not be pried apart again. Only death could now separate them. The solar motif expanded into a starburst. The warmth of it filling their bodies. As it awakened its power surged through them both. Those sensations were unlike anything they ever felt. Greater than any pleasure. Worse than any pain. In those moments it washed over them as their souls became one.

Collapsing to the ground under the strain of the bonding.The shock of it took time to wear off and Katherine slowly came too. Looking down at the slumbering Josidia who had a much healthier glow than before. The wounds on Josidia’s neck had healed. Carrying Josidia up to one of the bedrooms so that she could rest comfortably as she recovered from the night's events.

Josidia did not know how long she was out but when she came to she was laying on a large bed. The memories of the night before were hazy at best. Not remembering anything very clearly as she rose from the soft pillows and blankets that she found herself on. The thin nightgown clung to her curves and accentuated her figure. Standing as she walked to a mirror. Her reflection was one of beauty. Something seemed different about her, more than just how the mark had changed. This change was deeper. Seeming more radiant than ever before. Closing her eyes she took several deep breaths to calm herself. In the back of her mind she felt another presence, something she had never felt before.

This presence was like a beacon to her that she followed through the quiet house. Looking over the collected items on shelves and book stands as she tracked this other presence. Her footsteps were light upon the thick, plush carpet. Moving through this unknown house. The urge to discover what this presence meant for her. Coming at last to a large oak door that lead into the basement. Finding that it was easier to open than she imagined it would be. Josidia went down those steps as quietly as she could move.

Josidia found Katherine training with a blade. It was almost hypnotic watching her move around the room. Her reflexes were fast and clean. Efficient as she fought without a movement being wasted. Watching her brought back flashes of memory from the night before.

Katherine was aware that her soulmate was moving through the house. The moment Josidia awakened she knew. Feeling that soft warm presence draw closer to her own. That warmth spreading from the mark on her hand. The gentle footsteps as she came down the stairs into her training room. Katherine remained calm as the woman that now held her soul together approached. Slowing her sword strokes as her practice finished she came to a stop in the center of the room.

“You can come down you know, I am not going to hurt you.” Katherine spoke as calmly as she could. This close to her other half made it more difficult. She barely knew this woman yet the compulsion between them was strong. This is not how she imagined her other half would be.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Josidia never felt this way before, and she wasn’t sure why. Just looking at this woman she didn’t know sent warmth spreading through her body. She wasn’t sure why this was, while she was always attracted to both women and men. Yet this was different. Feeling it within her soul that this woman was different.

“Who are you? Why am I here?” Her voice came more quiet and timid than she had wanted it to be. There was much that she didn’t understand.

“My name is Katherine and you are at my home. I rescued you last night from a monster. And it was not a dream. Everything that happened the last few days is real. You were awakening to your power. I have been searching for you my entire existence. Together we are stronger than when we are apart.” Katherine began to explain to her.

“That doesn’t make any sense! How can any of this be real! I am going to college. I have plans for my life. Magic isn’t real! There has to be an explanation for all of this.” Her voice rose slightly as she was regaining strength. She didn’t know where this energy was coming from just that she was receiving it.

“Everything can be explained in time” She dropped the weapon so that she wasn’t considered a threat. Holding up her right hand, palm towards Josidia. The mark on Katherine’s hand began to glow a soft light. Beneath the nightgown Josidia wore her mark would glow in unison.

That warmth spread through her body as it pulsed with power. The nightgown she wore seemed to fade from existence exposed to such radiance of the mark. Josidia quickly covered her body with a gasp.

“What is going on! Stop it! This isn’t right! What are you trying to prove!” Breathing heavily as her skin flushed from embarrassment. “I want to go home, back to the life I had before all this craziness began”

“You can’t go back. Now that you’re awakened the others will be drawn to the glow of your power. You are still untrained and untempered. To no longer be a danger to yourself or to others you need to train. You need to control the light that is inside of you. I know this a lot to take in, but it is for your benefit”

“So I am to be your prisoner? What are you going to do to me?” Josidia’s eyes flashed with power as she wouldn’t allow herself to be hurt again. Not realizing just how deeply the scars of the attack left on her. Despite being healed her neck started to hurt were she was bitten by what she could only assume to be a vampire.

“No you are not my prisoner. You are too important to me to be my prisoner. This will take time to get used too but I have only your well being in mind” Katherine held up both hands as she approached the wary Josidia.

“I am Josidia Rayne Smith. I am a college student for Archaeology and Anthropology. I have friends. I have a life. This isn’t me. I don’t want this to happen. Please, just let me go back to who I was”

“Well it is a pleasure to meet you Josidia. I know this is hard for you, but you need to understand that as of right now you are a danger to yourself and to others until you learn to control your power. The light inside of you is blinding and radiant. Without training you could hurt a lot of people” Keeping her attention on Josidia as she spoke. “Even if you go back you will see things as they are. People you may know, may not be what you think they are. This world is filled the magical. Higher and lower planes of existence. The Fae. The skin changers. Mages and those who walk the darker paths. I could name more, but that would take time.”

Katherine moved with practiced ease towards one of the corners were she kept a chest. Opening it she pulled out a robe and offered it to Josidia “Here this is slightly enchanted. It should better withstand the radiance of your power so you don’t keep losing your clothes.”

Josidia would wrap her body in that robe, thankful for being covered “Thank you.” Watching Katherine warily as she began to clean up from her workout.

“How about a compromise. I teach you how to control your radiance and temper your blade so that it does not lash out randomly. And we go back to your home. As I said you will forever see things differently. Now that you’ve awakened your lifespan is greatly increased. You and I will walk through the years together watching and guarding. To ensure that humanity remains free”

Josidia’s breath started to come more rapidly “What is all of this! I didn’t ask to be special! I just want to have a normal life! I want to go back to how everything was!” Trying to calm herself down so that she was not freaking out was proving to be harder than she thought. The mark on her chest started to glow once more. This time Katherine was ready. Closing the distance between them rapidly she placed a hand on Josidia’s chest. Her mark glowing in unison. Closing her eyes she quickly spoke the ritual words.

The radiance filled the basement as the temperate rose in response to the solar energy. Stepping backwards Katherine drew back her hand and the hilt of the sword formed. As she took another step backwards the blade began to emerge as well. Raw and untamed the brilliance was blinding. After two steps she held the radiant blade between them. Heat rippled out from it as their bodies covered in a sheen of sweat.

Josidia’s body tensed when she was touched. Those words Katherine spoke echoed within her soul. The cascading wave of pleasure ripped through her body as the sword was drawn from her very soul. Katherine was the only one who could elicit such a response from her. The memories of hymns and songs filled her mind. Once more closing the distance between them Katherine gently placed a hand over her mouth.

“No, do not sing. You are not prepared to handle that power. We need to train. Now you can see why you need to train. Having all the power of your solar radiance, all the memories of those ancient hymns. But none of the training to use them properly.” Locking eyes with Josidia who nodded in response. Katherine lowered her hand.

“I see” Josidia spoke softly. Seeing the blade that was pulled from her mark. There was no denying what was happening. Her friends would be in danger if she did not learn to control this power. “Okay, I will train with you. To protect my friends. I will just message them, telling them I want out of town suddenly”

Katherine would nod her head “Good, that’s good. Our training will begin immediately”