The Journey Continues!

“Ooops, didn't mean to do that,” Thalia chuckled.

“You blew out the torches?”

Thalia looked at Alara, her eyes glowing white. She had never seen her eyes that color before. This must be another type of magic. 

“Yes, with wind magic. I haven't been able to use it in such a long time, I guess I'm having a bit of a hard time controlling it now.”

“You lost your ability to use a type of magic before?”

The pair started walking in the dark towards the small house. 

“Yeah. Before I ever met Elias, I used to travel the dungeon with a group of adventurers. It was a time full of power struggles between the children of Elis. My sister Heda has always had it out for me, and decided to slaughter all my companions in order to get me to join the feud. Anyways, I used wind magic to seriously injure Heda. I hurt her so badly that she could barely regenerate after and wound up with a permanent scar across her face.”

“Woah. You have a sister? Also you guys can get scars? What did you do to her to make that happen.”

“Yes, I have two younger sisters and two younger brothers. And to answer your question, yes, if the damage is great enough, even we immortals will scar. I was a different person then, quick to give in to rage. I gave her that scar by nearly cutting her head in half. That look of fear in her eyes made me instantly regret what I did. I wound up saving her with healing magic, but if  I didn't I'm sure she would have died. After that? I have been unable to use wind magic. Till now that is.”

Alara grabbed Thalia's hand as they walked. Before being close like this would have been awkward, but now it felt natural. Who would have known that this was the power of being someone's true mate. She looked at the beautiful woman walking beside her. Thalia's pale skin almost glowing in the mysterious dim moonlight. She still couldn't wrap her mind around them being over 20 levels below ground and still experiencing day and night.  Magic was so much more complex than she had ever imagined. Maybe one day Thalia would explain it to her, but that day was not today. No she wanted to focus on whatever was going on with her new lover.

“I wonder what changed that made your wind magic become unblocked.” Thalia grabbed Alara's and clutched it with both arms. 

“I think what you said to me was super important in helping me to heal. I feel so guilty about being a survivor and for all of my mistakes. What you said back there, it made me feel like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. It’s hard to say, but I think you are helping me to heal. Thank you so much Alara!” 

Alara smiled, ”It’s not me.  I think this true mate bond is doing all of the work. Now that we trust each other deeply, we can talk about anything. That’s what we needed. It’s a pleasure to be able to give you something back after you teach me ice and water magic.”

Thalia grabbed Alara by the collar and seductively whispered, “ There are plenty of other ways you can make it up to me. Most of them are much more fun than this.”

Alara blushed then allowed herself to be dragged back to the house. When they got inside, Thalia pushed her up against the wall and picked her up. Naturally, Alara’s legs wrapped around Thalia’s waist. Thalia dug her fingers into Alara’s silky smooth blonde hair as she aggressively shoved her tongue into Alara’s parted lips. It took the two a couple minutes before they realized that none other than Yotaro in the shape of a large sheep dog was staring at them, mouth agape. As soon as they noticed, the two separated dramatically. Thalia hopping back to the other side of the small house.

With telepathy, Yotaro talked to both women, “Now I see what happens when I leave you two alone for too long.” He spotted the mark on Alara’s hand, “No way! You didn’t! You two!? Thalia!?”

She turned around with an uncharacteristically goofy and nervous smile on her face. She hated getting cussed out by little Yotaro. She flashed him the mark on her hand. His fangs flashed, “You stupid fool. Now you are just going to feel more heartache!” Yotaro jumped onto the bed as a little bobcat and angrily made biscuits before curling into a ball. They weren’t actually mad, but disappointed because they had seen Thalia go through many major losses and helped to ease some of her pain. Yotaro saw Thalia as its mother, so it was worried that any more pain would make her go back to the days of indiscriminate killing. They liked Alara, truly, but Thalia came first. 

Alara gave Thalia a hug first, then sat down on the bed next to Yotaro. She pet his fur despite his growling and protesting. “I’m sorry Yotaro. I’ll take good care of your mom. I promise on my life and my honor. I don’t want her to feel any pain either.”

Yotaro said nothing and instead stopped growling. He fell fast asleep, grumbling every now and then. Alara looked at Thalia and the two got into bed together. It was a long day. Thalia placed her head on Alara's chest and fell fast asleep.

In what felt like an instant, the morning sun fell upon their faces and all three travel companions woke from their restful slumber. With big yawns the women reluctantly rolled out of bed. It was time to grab a quick bite to eat, and visit Elias’s lab before they left the safety of the old Elding village for lower levels. Thalia left Alara in the house with instructions to clean a couple bowls. Back in the fields, Thalia gathered a variety of wild berries. She washed them on the way and placed some in each bowl. Yotaro greedily ate his portion before the other two ate theirs. 

“Make sure you have everything, and that your shoes fit well. We have a lot of walking ahead of us. Today we will check out the lab on our way to the next level, so we need to be ready to go.” Thalia slung her robe over her shoulders which made a shudder go down Alara’s spine. It was like seeing Thalia for the first time all over again. She had that confident and determined look on her face which Alara had fallen in love with in the first place. 

The trio began to head toward the far corner of the village. Thalia began stomping around in a wooded area until she heard a hollow thud. Her eyes glowed orange as she moved a thick layer of dirt out of the way revealing a wooden hatch. She opened it, and dropped down into the lab below. Alara and Yotaro followed suit, landing athletically next to Thalia. When she landed, she was immediately surprised by the equipment that was present. It was all related to mana powder development. Different kinds of potions and alchemy equipment lined the 8 long work benches in the underground lab. Most of this equipment was almost the same as modern equipment, it was hard to believe that someone from over a century ago. Elias must have been a true genius. 

“Things looking oddly familiar to you huh?”

“Yeah, I was just thinking that this equipment look surprisingly modern. Elias must have been the smartest person alive.”

“Of that I have zero doubts. Most could not compete with him even now.” 

“Well now I feel inadequate. How the hell is an idiot like me related to that,” Alara gestured to the entire room. 

“I’m even an idiot compared to Elias. Don’t put yourself down, you make up for it with looks and sweetness.” Thalia gave Alara a hug from behind. 

“So what now?” 

“Firstly we will take a few of those green mana potions on the far shelf. I can store them in my robe. They restore mana instantly. There is a way to the next level through the lab. Come on, let’s go.” 

Alara followed Thalia and Yotaro to a door while looking at various items laid out on the work benches. Elias must have been super busy developing new technology. The door was similar to the one that had appeared in the field when they had arrived at the village. Thalia grabbed the handle and slowly opened the door.