Cradling Lea in his arms tenderly, Victor whispered in the air, "Is she gone?"
She shook her head once and slow. ["Thanks to you, I was able to sustain her form small enough to create a vessel for her soul. Overtime she can mature by herself."]
Right after her words, a shimmering light spread out on Lea's arms and a black kitten was then revealed. It had three short horns on its head, and its irises were red.
In an instant, Victor recognized the beast.
"Imhe, talk." Ordered Lea as she reached to stroke the cat's fur. However, her hand was met with sharp claws that Victor barely stopped as it reached her palm. The back of his palm lined with 3 blood trails. But they immediately closed up.
The cat hissed.
["She must be confused still...."] But in Victor's mind, he was sure Imhe was acting normal and might be angry for her degration. He stroked Lea's hair as she looked quite disappointed for being unable to touch the vessel she made for Imhe. He then offered his tail in comfort to which she immediately hugged.
Although Lea appears to have forgotten about the intimate actions by Victor, the perpetrator himself couldn't. As he looked on her amused face, he felt content. As long as she was by his side, he would not have to fear a thing.
With Lea playing with his tail, he gently rested his head on her head. She kindly did not move her neck at all, so he could position himself more comfortably.
She was too used to having his presence around. And it was thanks to him that she had learnt a great deal about her existence.
From defending her against Ashe who was determined to kill just to obey Sabrina, to being the catalyst of her meeting with Illson. Providing her with comfort when she needed it, much like the times when she killed human beings. Or simply to help her clean off blood.
She realized he had really taken good care of her well-being. Glancing to his peaceful face that had his eyes closed, Lea silently gave her thanks as she landed a soft kiss to his tail.
Alas, Victor felt the soft sensation very clearly and could only silently blush. His chest warmed and his lips revealed a slight smile.
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.
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"Dada Bwuoo. Kyaha ha ha!" Exclaimed the baby, and right then, a great squeak was heard. "Eeeeeeek!! Heard that Emperor??? She can totally talk now!"
Oliver in one corner could only roll his eyes. He was writing down the things they had learnt thus far as they waited for Lea's return. It has only been two days since. The beasts outside the abandoned city of Sabio remained at bay thanks to Phoenix and Hamsphant. Due to their protection, slowly, the civilians that decided to remain in the old city revealed themselves out of their hiding.
And slowly, they were patching their life, determined not to leave. Oliver was already worried what could happen once they depart from the place. He didn't want to be left behind by Lea once again, but it was also sad to leave people to their deaths.
He was sure they were aware of the dangers, but the beasts would not stop flocking around a place with food. Other beasts from other regions would migrate and stumble upon Sabio, and then comes their end. With an exasperated sigh, he looked outside the big windows several feet away from where he sat. His cyan eyes were incomprehensible, but wise.
"I will be back." He bid to Bright, and walked out of the room that combined the kitchen and the living room. Then Bright and the baby's bonding were the only entities that warmed up the humble space. He did not seem to notice Oliver's departure as he was having the time of his life amused by the baby he stole.
Along the new experience, he seemed to have forgotten to name the baby. Instead, he was busy muttering baby talks himself, his blue eyes always on her eyes.
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With the wind swaying away Lea's bright purple hair of a lighter hue, Victor continued stroking her head. They were both tired with the process of salvaging what was left of Imhe that now remained staring at the two. Her eyes glowed with curiosity at the affection and tender atmosphere.
His caress careful and gentle, her ruby eyes busy with thoughts, but nevertheless allowing the former in his task of comforting her tired soul.
The breeze blowing their skin was gentle and cool, causing Lea to feel at peace. Victor's tail remained on her lap as she was sat on his legs. They remained as such until an hour has past and Lea was able to form new plans concerning the future of their current world. She was quite knowledgeable of Ingrid's situation after so long since she was transported. However, there remained a mystery in more than two corners.
["Let us go back, Vic."]
Her words received a nod from Victor and slowly lifted her in his arms as he stood up. With one look towards the city of Sabio, he made a great leap. Imhe was frantic to follow with a soft -meow-. Lea's intention was only to urge Victor to get a move on, not carry her in his arms. However, since there was no longer a need to say anything, she remained quiet and allowed him to close the distance towards their destination. Her hold on him tightened for every leap as she did not want to carelessly fall due to his speed.
She could see his pointy ears swaying back and forth with the force, and was rather bemused. She couldn't help but crane her neck towards his tail that looked very tempting to touch, but she abstained as she did not want him to be distracted. He appeared determined to arrive as soon as possible.
Within his mind, however, only thought of how Lea must want to execute her next plans thus he hurried himself. Thinking for her sake, he felt a huge urge to send her into the city as fast as possible. His aquamarine eyes glowed with determination on the task at hand.
-meow- *Huff* *puff*
-meo--- *Huuuuff*
Clearly, Imhe was straining herself to keep up. But she was not about to lose her only support; Lea and Victor. Vaguely, she was aware it was due to the two that she still live. Thus, despite her ever selfish thoughts, she couldn't help be separated from the two. She still remembers the happenings within the void and how Lea was the first person who ever accepted her and was willing to help her.
The noisy cat alerted the surrounding beasts. However, upon closer inspection, they couldn't think of approaching the little creature due to Victor's presence. Unconsciously, they knew they should stay away. Thus, they remained at a safe distance as the three traveled quite a distance.
Victor needed to be at a highest point to be able to concentrate his essence absorption during Lea's predicament. And the nearest one was 15km away.
It would only take him 10 minutes with his burst of essences, however.
And in no time, they were by the gates of Sabio. Then he laid Lea carefully down the ground, his tail swished about quite energetically. When Lea noticed his tail, she couldn't stop an amused smile forming on her well-shaped lips. As she reached for his tail, he stepped closer. However, just before they could do their usual hobby, Imhe caught up and meowed loudly. She appeared angry.
["Sorry."] Was all Lea said as she understood Imhe's reason of anger. She was left behind with indifference.
However, Victor remained lethargic as he looked on the cat. He barely remembered anything about the being before it was turned to beast.
Imhe stomped her forelegs on the ground in tantrum, but it was too adorable for Lea to feel the exasperation. With a snort, she immediately covered her mouth with her ruby eyes bewildered. Turning around, she waved for Imhe to follow.
With drooping cat ears, Imhe dutifully followed behind. Her tantrums unheard.
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Upon their arrival, they could see Oliver gathering the remaining people of Sabio.
Some were injured, some were disabled, while others were luckily unharmed. However, everyone wore the face of despair. Despite their stubbornness, they couldn't help but feel worn out upon seeing the full damage on their once-a-great city. It would take years for anything to function. Much less with beasts bidding their time.
With a few coughs, Oliver called for everyone's attention. Some turned their head, while others were there but not really. And Oliver could see why, their eyes were dead; no hope remained in their heart.
"I am Oliver York. The Emperor of Mingzhe Dei. My nation was destroyed as well---"
Upon his words, a few murmurs could be heard. The people thought such a thing was also happening on the other side of Ingrid. From that thought, it escalated to them feeling even more hopeless as it indicated that there was no place safe anymore. Even if they remained, they would definitely perish. Although quite a few did not care as they already promised themselves they would die on the land they were born.
"The people of Chlad and Mingzhe Dei are living in harmony at the underground city of Wern."
His words increased the volume of murmurs. A certain number of educated civilians knew what the name of the city meant. It was the forgotten city in the legend, but they couldn't easily believe such a thing that was believed to have been destroyed with time. However, the person in front of them was the Emperor of Mingzhe Dei. And they could see the Phoenix up in the sky causing havoc to the beasts outside their great walls. There was no doubt he was the genuine Emperor.
"If you so choose, let us create a nation akin to your wonderful city of Sabio. Let us teach ourselves the power of humanity and overcome this predicament. The beasts cannot roam the lands for themselves forever. Let us take back balance!"
His declaration lit a fire within a great many in the crowd. Their eyes lit with faint hope in silence. Some were reluctant to change their mind, but if the Emperor of Mingzhe Dei was right, they could aim to salvage their city at a later time. After repercussions, come recovery. Much like the legend of the Phoenix. Their city shall rise back from the ashes!
"Will you come with me and aim for such a future?"
His query gentle and humble, most of the civilians couldn't help but cry their agreement. And in minutes, Oliver was able to persuade most of them to go with him to live in Escarcha.
Observing him beside a rubble of a house, Lea revealed a wondrous smile. ["Now he is much like an Emperor he is..."] She couldn't help but feel proud for her indecisive friend. He might want to travel, but he can do so even when he was a great ruler. What more could people ask other than a ruler who knew what he was dealing with? He was the perfect person under their current situation.
An empathetic Emperor who would do his best to keep his people alive, and not leave others to dust. He might have had no proper guidance due to his failure of a father, but his kindness and fiery hope would pull the others behind him. He won't be alone then. At that thought, Lea felt her chest beat with anticipation.
Then he unexpectedly turned his head towards where she stood, his cyan eyes revealed bewildered. However, in the next moment, his face lit up with affection that could make any women blush. It was a face of someone in love. And he was glad to meet his love once again.
But he could not move away from his propaganda. He needed the people to think he was reliable, thus he abstained from running towards her. She simply nodded in agreement to his actions. She was truly happy he was finally choosing a path for himself.
[A/N: Image below is how Lea was sitting on Victor. Just thought of putting it up~ Not the kiss part of course, although there is that too. And definitely no chair!]