The sun starts to set on the Masipolt region. Joran is already gone while Melrina and Tilain are both over helping Nima get ready for the evening. She covers herself with a white towel. They redo the braid in her hair but do a second on the other side. She wears a different headband that is both red, gold, and silver bands all intertwined. The flower Joran gave to her is pinned on the front right side.
Both Melrina and Tilain help make sure the dress goes on perfectly. When she sees herself in the mirror and smile. She turns to look at Melrina and Tilain. No words are necessary between them. Tilain touches her forehead with Nima's first, then step back for Melrina to do the same. When they finish, both of them escort Nima to the tunnel she has to take.
Waiting for her at the entrance she finds a surprise. Dusglar and Traur wait for her. He is all dressed up himself for such a special occasion. It isn't as fancy as what Joran wears but the same thing he wore at the dance only fitted for him. Both show manners and bows his head smiling. Nima touches foreheads with him and he has a chuckle.
With that, they each extend an arm and Nima put her hand on them. Melrina and Tilain follow closely holding hands as the tunnel they go down is lit by hundreds of candles to help guide them. Traur sees Nima looking around in wonder over the marvel.
"A little something Mildral's robots help does in a short time while you were getting ready. I came up with the idea though. He is saddened that he could not make it for the ceremony since he has a big meeting with the Grand Overseer," Traur says with confidence.
"Wouldn't have hurt him to cancel the meeting," Dusglar jokes.
"I am connected to the robots, Dusglar," says Mildral whose voice comes through the robots. "I may not be there physically, but I am watching." Nima looks at the robots for a moment and smiles at him showing his love. "Make sure you both are safe," he jokes, making the ones Nima walk with laugh.
"What does he mean?"
The group doesn't say anything and don't have the time to explain. They come to a set of steps that lead upward. The candles continue as they come out of the cave. Waiting for them are both is one of Mildral's drones. Several candles are lit around the grassy fields. She finds Joran waiting in the outfit Melrina and Tilain make for him. Kalsor stands in his formal Honor Guard uniform with a gold medallion and a Premderium crystal that have several ancient symbols.
Joran walks up to both of them. He first touches foreheads with his friends and they smile. Before doing so with Nima, he can't but help marvel at how beautiful she looks. Nima knows it and just smile as they touch foreheads. He extends his arm and she takes hold of it. Traur bows his head smiling and goes back through the tunnels of the cave with the door closing.
Every step they take make her nervous. She grips Joran's arm. He put his hand on it to ease her mind. When they get a few steps away from Kalsor they both get down on their knees, bowing their heads in respect to him. He touches foreheads with both of them before taking a step back as it is custom.
"Here in this sacred land, on our sacred world, I stand to unite Joran and Nima in the Eternal Bond. Together you share a bond that no power can break except yourselves. In life and death, you will always be bound together as one. To show your love, each one will present their gift," he explains before looking to Joran. "Joran, present your gift."
The two look at one another smiling. He is quite nervous and has to take a breath while reaching into his jacket and pulls out the small case and extends it out to Nima. With one hand he holds it tight while with the other he opens it to reveal the necklace.
"Darkness is something you have known all your life. Never again will you have to feel that way," he says before taking the necklace out of the box and putting it around her neck. He touches his foreheads to hers as they shut their eyes smiling. "Let this remind you that with our eternal bond there is always light guiding you like I was guided to you."
"Nima, present your gift," Kalsor instructs.
She takes hold of Joran's left hand and pushes up his sleeves for his forearm to be visible. In the same cloth, Joran gives her the flower she reveals something that did not consist of gold or jewels but with great meaning. She takes a black piece of cloth and wraps it around Joran's forearm several times tightly.
"The cloth I wrap you with is from the day you found me. I was lost and Joran found me. That day Joran gave me my name and made me special. Let him see this and remember that he is a true premderian. Let him see this to remember how special he will always be in my heart," she tells him as they touch foreheads.
"Rise and face each other," Kalsor instructs them and they do so touching their foreheads together. "Place your right hand on your Eternal's heart," he tells them next and they do so. The medallion he holds above them. "Please say the words."
"The sun and moons will rise and fall, but our bond is eternal. Kings will reign and fall. Their stories are told day and night, but our bond is eternal. Peace will form and peace will break. Wars will start and wars will end, but our bond is eternal. In this life and beyond, our bond is eternal," they both say together as one.
"With these words said, as an Honor Guard of Premderia, and by the King and Spirit of Premderia, you are now eternally bound, in this life and beyond."
"In this life and beyond," they both say together.
"Seal your love."
Joran did not rush when it comes to doing so. Nima closes her eyes as did he. He gently presses his lips upon hers and does so for several seconds. After the two smile and laugh in joy. Their eyes look to Kalsor but he is gone. Nima look around in all directions finding it very strange. Joran explains it very simply for her.
"He has a way of making very quick exits after services, especially for those who desire privacy."
Joran removes a blanket covering several blankets, bags full of food, and drink. He helps her sit down while pulling everything out. One of the things he pulls out for food makes her extremely happy. A large bowl of raw meat. In the bottles, the same drink she very much enjoyed. Nothing fancy but special in their hearts in terms of meaning. As he finishes preparing the meal, Joran is curious about something.
"How did you know the words?"
"Tilain...and Melrina... helped...teach me."
The two of them enjoy the meal that he brings. Both of them laugh as Nima shows her endless appetite. Joran continues eating but stops and looks into the woods behind his beloved. Several eyes are watching them. Nima sees him smiling as he looks to the woods. A male and female Drazgov come out with a litter of Drazgov pups.
"It would seem we have attracted the attention of some unexpected visitors," Joran says as he gets down on his hands and knees.
He moves on all fours with Nima watching. Joran looks back to his smile, ensuring that it is alright. The male Drazgov meet Joran in the open. No signs of hostility come from the Drazgov while Joran smile. The two touch foreheads and rub along with the other.
Joran leaps onto his back and they begin to wrestle around playfully. It didn't matter that the Drazgov is full-grown, having a great size and weight advantage along with speed. Joran shows that Premderians can be just as strong and fast. The male Drazgov gets the better of him and pins Joran on his back. Joran let out a groan but laugh as well. The male Drazgov tap foreheads with him before allowing Joran to sit up.
Nima comes over with the two bowls of meat. She gets down on her knees and puts them down. The Drazgov pups are eager but look to their mother and motion for them to go. While they eat, the mother Drazgov gets low and rubs her head on her arm. Joran finds it interesting how Nima can show how easily she can bond with the mother. For Nima, the attention didn't stop. When the Drazgov pups finish the bowls of raw meat, they pounce on her and begin licking her face and getting her dirty. She just laughs and plays with them.
Joran is nudged by the father Drazgov to do the same and is wrestled down by them. The two play with the litter until one by one they begin tiring out. The mother and father Drazgov nudge their children to move along. Joran and Nima themselves are covered in dirt and Drazgov fur. The scent they have isn't the worst but not something to keep.
"Do you want to go for a swim?" He asks her and she just smiles at him.
Both of them jump in from the top of the falls wearing what they have underneath their clothes. Joran let out his loud howl while Nima smile from the long jump. They splash down and come up for air. Both of them laugh as they swim with the moon shining down upon them. She put two fingers on Joran's eyebrows and get him to shut them. She slowly presses her lips on his for a second and hears her whisper something.
"We...are...one."
He keeps them closed and feel Nima brush her finger on the back of his head. Joran immediately turns while opening his eyes and she laughs, finding such things funny. They continue laughing as Joran swim after her but Nima always makes the chase hard. They journey under the waterfall and sit upon a rock. She rests her head on his shoulder. Seeing Nima smile makes Joran happy as they stare at the moon through the water.
"Always...like...this?"
"If that is what you desire, I will give it to you."
"I...only...want...Joran."
"Always."
She smiles at his words. Nima tilts her head back into the fall opening her mouth slightly. She spits it on Joran's cheek before diving in the water laughing. Joran laughs too before jumping into the water once more letting off a howl. They splash one another having so much fun. On his back, she hangs on while he climbs to the top. With her hanging on tight, they jump as far as possible with both letting out a loud howl.
The two continue swimming before climbing back to the top. The two cover themselves with blankets. While he lay on his stomach, she finds interest in rubbing the scars on his back. Joran didn't find it strange and smile. Both slowly show their fatigue from such a long exciting day. She slowly drifts to sleep first. Joran can't take his eyes off her as she does so. Long after she has dozed off, Joran begins to do the same.
A twig snaps in the woods which makes him sit up. He hears Trenins fly off cawing. Everything goes quiet but Joran didn't feel comfortable. He covers himself with one of his towels and goes to look. It is hard to see anything. As he gets closer there are several pairs of Premderian eyes.
A knife comes flying out and drives into Joran's belly just as he grips it. Joran pulls it out and sees the blood staining his hands. Derisior and Marsuna their three colleagues and five other male colleagues come running out. All of them dressed in Cadet uniforms and a drunken look about them with the exception of Sanra. A couple of them have stun wands, while others have chains and clubs.
"Get him!" Derisior shouts.
They start beating him down excessively until welts, cuts, and bruises cover his body. One wraps a chain around his neck and squeeze while he is on his knees. They strike him several times in the body. Joran continues to try and fight but is beaten down by the six boys. When Joran is weak enough they go over and toss the things that Joran and Nima wear into the river, and ruin everything else. Marsuna just watches and find it rather uncomfortable.
Nima awakens to the sight of Derisior and two of the boys standing over him. Derisior hit her with a stun wand to the chest several times and she struggles to fight as well. His two colleagues grab Nima and put her on her knees. She still fights, letting out screams and Derisior strikes her across the face with the stun wand.
"Well, freak this position looks good on you as if it is natural," he says before going over to Joran and squatting down in front of him. Derisior slaps Joran several times, making sure he has his attention. "I could keep you alive, and have you watch us break the bitch in, but I rather you suffer and die thinking about it. Then she will realize there is no hope for her. Every thought of the freak, while we take turns, will be of you failing to save her."
Joran spits in his face and has to be restrained by six of the boys. Derisior snaps his fingers and they drag Joran over to the river striking him several more times. Nima is forced to watch while Marsuna does the same but still finds everything uncomfortable. They pressed his face down in the river. With six of them and his wounds, he can't put up much of a fight. Marsuna finally speaks up.
"I believe he's learned his lesson."
"Shut up," Derisior says as he watches on taking pleasure in seeing Joran struggle.
Joran continues struggling but can do nothing. Nima tries and breaks free from the hold two of the prospect boys have on her. They start to struggle in keeping her submitted. She gets up onto one knee and they can't bring her back down.
"This bitch is stronger than she seems," one of the Cadets say with a laugh.
"I do like them feisty," says the other.
In her mind, Nima remembers the day she escaped and everything that happened. She remembers what they tried to do to her. Everything makes her heart pound like a drum for one beat. A scream comes from her mouth as she rises to her feet despite the efforts of the two prospects.
Her arms grow spikes that go through the hands of the two boys. She grows her tail next and it becomes sharp with points on both sides. Her fingers grow claws just as fast as before. Derisior, Marsuna, and the other colleagues all stand surprised. Nima breaks free of the hall and spins around, beheading them with her tails.
Nima sets her sights on Derisior while Marsuna runs deep into the woods. She leaps at him with immense speed and drives her claws into his chest while her tail goes into one of his knees. He lets out a loud cry in pain. Nima looks up towards the other six who still try to hold Joran down but show fear. As one slowly starts to let go she leap towards them.
Under the water, Joran hears their screams. One by one the hands loosen. Blood fills the water along with body parts. Joran sees the head of the heavy set prospect sink down and is carried down the waterfall. When Joran is capable he come up for air. He hears bones break and the cries of those pleading for their lives just like the visions he saw in the mountains.
He sees Nima feasting on the neck of Derisior and walks over calmly. Joran looks down at Derisior. He sees Derisior's hand reaching for him, unable to beg with words as his mouth filled with blood. Joran didn't make a move as he continues to stare. He squats down and whispered in his ear.
"I warned you."
Joran stands up and takes a few steps back. He makes sure Derisior sees his small smile before turning away. Nima continues feasting on the flesh of prospects until letting out a roar. Joran did not move. He waits but isn't kept waiting long. Nima returns to her normal form and wraps her arms around his waist. He places his left hand over hers and holds them tight. Nima's hands begin to slowly loosen making Joran look over his shoulder. She falls to her knees in exhaustion. Joran lifts Nima into his arms and carries her.
Absent any clothes he moves as fast as possible into the lair. He shuts the door to the secret entrance behind him. Joran stops in place before taking another step. His body is so weak and healing slower with so many wounds. He falls to the ground exhausted, and Nima gasps with her eyes opening wide. She looks up to the tired Joran.
"I am sorry," she says to him and he looks down at Nima watching her close her eyes once more from exhaustion.
"Nima saved Joran," he says to her and she continues crying with her hands shaking. He wraps his arms around Nima tight and holds her close. "Nima saved Joran," he tells her before closing his eyes from being so tired. "Now Joran will save Nima."
In the woods, Marsuna continues running. She trips over a branch and trips down a hill and lands on a path. She holds her ankle feeling it out of place. Some lights are flashing in the distance. She is blinded and can't see who they are. When they get closer, she sees the Federation uniforms and begins pleading.
"Please help me," she says while grabbing hold of one. "My friends have been killed. She turned into a monster and attacked all of them."
"What are you talking about, girl? Who attacked who?" One of the soldiers asked.
"Joran's girl. She turned into a monster and ripped them apart."
"Joran Rideran and his girl killed your friends," asks another.
"Yes!" She shouts repeatedly.
"What did this girl look like?"
"She had red hair! The red-haired girl! They call her Nima!"
"So Joran Rideran and this dark red-haired Premderian girl named Nima murdered all your friends?"
"Yes! Please do something!" She shouts and finds the soldier consoling her.
"Calm down, girl. We will take care of it from here."
Her sobbing slows and her breath begins to return to normal. She feels something that goes into her heart. A sharp knife that twists. Marsuna starts bleeding profusely from the mouth until falling no longer having any life in her. One of the Federation soldiers takes out a holo communicator and Steron appears.
"Master, an opportunity has presented itself."