Chapter 11

No one in the room knew how much time had passed since the revelation. Naro sat with his head in his hands trying to wrap his head around the amount of hate he had directed at him now. The siblings were talking silently to each other, occasionally glancing at Naro, who had a ‘bond’ to the most vile being in existence.

Aeli even had another fit, more than likely from the stress which only made Naro feel worse.

“Naro…”

Hearing his name Naro raised his head to see Aeli staring at him, Nefi had returned to his spot but sat a bit closer to Aeli. The woman was clearly trying not to make him nervous, but her trembling hands made it difficult.

“Could you explain what you mean by…a bond?”

Naro lowering his hands from his head sat fully up, with a shake of his head he spoke up.

“I don’t really know…someone else told me that Kasia had forced a connection with me. I was never really given a full explanation.”

“That…makes sense,” Nefi said leaning forward a bit. “Shadow Mages aren’t known for their civility. Sometimes they’ll hand out blessings with a huge cost, and won’t explain anything.”

“So you think…I got Blessed by Kasia.”

“I doubt it,” Aeli said.

“Seconded, you definitely Percieved.”

“You…seem awfully certain about that,” Naro said.

“The Shade Empress’ power surpasses almost every Deity in existence, save the Deity of Light.”

Nefi nodded and pointed at Naro.

“If you had a Blessing from someone like that you’d reek of Mana, considering you’d have enough power to level Uliaz with a snap of your fingers. You’d also reek of Shadow magic.”

“Yet we can’t even sense your magic, her influence doesn’t seem tied to your magic…then again we know nothing about the Shade Empress, her machinations are beyond human understanding.”

Speaking the words out loud seemed to calm the siblings down, they could tell Naro didn’t understand the situation. Whatever led Kasia to him, he was left only with more questions then answers. Aeli at least disliked that and taking a deep breath spoke again.

“Naro can you show us your magic.”

“Huh…oh yeah sure.”

Naro held his hands out and with a bit of focused led Mana through his body, he shifted it around within him, altering its shape until it felt ‘right’ then pushed it out. When he did, the purple glow surrounded his hands again.

Aeli’s eyelids lowered slightly as she focused on his hands, Nefi’s ears twitched slightly his brows arching at the scene.

“That’s enough, thank you Naro,” Aeli said causing Naro to dismiss the magic.

Aeli looked at Nefi who nodded at her, smiling at him she focused back on Naro. She seemed to take a deep breath, brought a hand to her chest and looking back Naro, the curve of her lips lowered until they were a thin line before she spoke again.

“Naro you need to understand that Shadow Mages are not well liked on the continent. They are considered horrible people who manipulate and curse others. If you admit to a bond with the Shade Empress…people will call you a Shadow Mage, and if I’m being honest…your magic looks like Shadow Magic. People tend to attack first and possibly ask questions later to Shadow Mages,”

Naro put his head back in his hands and let out a long low groan, he learned magic only for it increase his chanes of a lynching in the future.

“However…” Aeli words caused Naro to raise his head.

Once again a gentle expression rested on the woman’s face, she extended her hand towards him.

“I don’t sense darkness in your magic. A bit of hesitation perhaps…but a gentleness all the same.”

“Aeli…”

“I also prefer to judge a person’s actions over their appearance, from what I know of you…I believe you’re a good person. If you’re open to it, I wouldn’t be against being friends either.”

Nefi flinched at his sister’s words and glanced over at her.

“Sister friends is a bit too much-”

Nefi cut himself off as he noticed something fall down Naro’s cheeks, the youth’s eyes widened as Naro’s hands went to his face realizing what was happening.

“Wait…why am I…” Naro said wiping his cheeks with the back of his head. “Sorry I…I don’t know why I’m…”

Nefi’s words caught in his throat and gritting his teeth he scratched at his head, this whole matter was starting to irritate him, no something else was making him agitated.

He hated that he couldn’t hate Naro, something about this human made him hesitate and he couldn’t figure out what it was.

“Aeli,” Naro said. “I accept your offer of friendship. I’ll make you not regret choosing me.”

“That’s not what you say to a friend,” Nefi said narrowing his eyes at him.

“Really? I don’t have a lot of experience with this kind of thing so…”

“I question how you’ve survived this long,” Nefi said ignoring his sisters giggling. “Naro I’ll be honest I don’t fully trust you.”

“That’s fair…” Naro said.

“However…your survival at the moment brings more good than bad. So I’m fine considering you an acquaintance along with a business partner.”

Nefi held his hands towards Naro, before speaking up again.

“This isn’t friendship, make sure to remember that.”

Aeli looked over at Nefi and resting a cheek on her hand allowed her smile to grow a little.

“...you were awful panicked earlier for a ‘business partner’ when you dragged him inside.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about sister,” Nefi said. “Anyway is that fine hu…Naro?”

Naro took hold of Nefi’s hand giving it a firm shake, he couldn’t stop the grin that followed as the two shook hands.

“I’m looking forward to our continued relationship Nefi.”

“Continued business relationship…but yes, don’t disappoint us Naro.”

After a brief goodbye Nefi escorted Naro out of their home, he decided to walk back with him to his home at Aeli’s request since Naro was still recovering. Night had fallen since their conversation and Naro found his thoughts returning to their conversation. He learned a fair amount thanks the siblings, he owed them more than he could put into words. He understood at the very least that being friends with him would only create more problems for them, yet Aeli extended her hand all the same, and Nefi still wanted to work together.

He wanted to protect these relationships, they felt real…unlike the ones he used to know.

“Nefi may ask a question about Aeli.”

“....go ahead.”

“What kind of magic can she use?”

“...unfortunately she can’t use magic anymore.”

Naro brows arched and Nefi stopping in front of their destination rested a hand on his hip.

“Beastkin have an extremely slim chance of contracting an illness once they Percieve their magic. Due to that most Beastkin prefer to gain Blessings…sister didn’t want to rely on the Deities and worked hard to figure out her own magic…she succeeded…but then she got sick. We don’t know the name of it…but it robs the person of their magical ability.”

“I..I see…I’m sorry to hear that…and sorry for bringing it up.”

“It’s fine you didn’t know. It’s also not my business to discuss her magic. If she shares it with you one day then it’s fine.”

“I understand, I won’t bring it up again.

“...thank you. One day I’ll find a way to cure her illness, when that day comes feel free to ask her then.”

Naro observed as the youth’s clenched fists at his side, he smiled and turned towards his home.

“If I can do anything to help don’t hesitate to ask. Good night.”

“I have it handled…but thanks for offering. Good night.”