Karna poised the arrow on his bow. "Master," Visavi spoke in his head. "You're too stiff. Loosen up your arms." Karna did as he was instructed. "Now, Master, shoot, and it will split into multiple arrows."
The single yellow arrow Karna shot into the sky was divided into five before dropping to the ground. Velvet poked his shoulder. "Are you done? You've been at it for three hours!" Karna nodded. "Mastering the technique is pretty hard. I'm pretty sure I'm doing it wrong. What about you, Velvet?"
"Uggh, it was horrible. For someone who's usually laid-back, Angin is very strict when it comes to training. He made me create hurricanes until my whole body was sore. Anyway, you promised to spend more time with me! All you've done the past three days is shoot arrows in Asohand!"
"Yeah, well, a lot is racing in my mind right now. There's a lot I'm worried about."
"Such as?"
"We now have proof the king is working with Yami. The darkness grows stronger with every passing day. I'm pretty sure Tiga isn't finished with us, either. I need to get stronger if I want to overcome this." Velvet leaned on his back. "You didn't forget our date, did you?" Karna smiled. "No. I'll meet you by the plaza as planned. I think we should head back home." Velvet nodded. "Sleepy.Very sleepy."
Karna turned on the shower. "Ugg, I don't think I have arms anymore. I need to take a break tomorrow," he thought. He scrubbed shampoo on his hair. "Karna," Velvet called. "Would you mind if I came in?"
"Yeah, sure." Karna blushed when he realized what he said, but by then, Velvet was already in the bathroom. Complete naked, Karna blushed as he tried to look away from her. Velvet jumped into the tub. "Usually, I would take a shower, but since it's the two of us, why not a bath?"
"Velvet, what are you doing?"
"What? I can't bathe with you?" Karna shook his head. "You can... it's just that, doesn't it bother you to bathe with a man?"
"Usually, yes. But since I'm with you, I could care less. You are my future husband, after all. You're making such a big deal about this, you know." Karna nodded. "Sorry, it's just that..." Velvet hugged him. "Don't be sorry. I should apologize for springing this on you. Do you want me to leave?" Karna shook his head. "No. Now that I think about it, I want you here." Velvet's face beamed. "Really?" Karna nodded. Velvet clapped her hands with a smile on her face. "If that's the case, then you won't mind putting shampoo on my hair?"
"Not at all."
Velvet sat down as Karna rubbed shampoo on her head. "Karna, you're a bit rough. Move your hands more softly. That's better." She rested on his chest and caressed his cheek. "You don't have to look away. I'm ok with you staring at my body." Karna's face turned crimson. "You noticed?"
"You made it obvious. I've seen you glance at my breasts and my back a lot."
"Sorry!" Velvet laughed. "I don't mind, not if it's you. I'm glad, weirdly. When you looked at Sylvia like that, I thought you weren't attracted to me anymore."
"Velvet, I..." Velvet put her finger on his mouth. "I know. I was being too hard on you. I'm sorry about that." She brought her lips up to his ear. "Hey, Karna, would you like to have it with me right now?"
"Huh? Velvet, do you know what you're saying?" She nodded. "I do." She gripped Karna's shoulders, licking her lips with a smile. "I really do. It's difficult to stare at you and not make a move."
Karna gulped. "Well... what happens if I got you pregnant?"
"We can do it in a way that won't get me pregnant if that's what you're worried about." Velvet cupped Karna's face in her hands and forced him to look at her. "Karna, it's a simple question. Look at me and say yes or no."
"I..." Sora knocked on the door. "I know you two are getting lovey-dovey in there, but pontianaks have been spotted in Antasall. We need to head out now." Velvet sighed. "It happens now out of all times." She twirled Karna's hair. "Once you have your answer, do tell me." She dried herself with a towel and started putting on her clothes. Karna followed suit after she left the bathroom.
People ran as groups of pontianaks pursued them, sucking the blood of anyone unlucky enough to get caught. A Pontianak kneeled before an unconscious woman and opened its mouth in delight. It fangs managed to touch her neck before Karna stabbed the creature with his spear. Karna flew all around the city, slashing one Pontianak after another, but there were too many. Karna felt his back pressed against Sora's. To his right, green hurricanes swallowed up dozens of pontianaks. Velvet moved back, stopping when she felt Karna behind her. "Karna, there's too many of them spread all across the city. We're completely surrounded." Sora nodded. "No matter how many we kill, more show up. There has to be a source."
"Then keep your eyes open," Karna said. "But I doubt we'll be able to do anything about that with this many pontianaks swarming about. Pontianaks hate the sun. It's midnight. We just need to keep them busy for a few hours or find where they're all coming from. I think it would be best if we stayed together. There's a higher chance of us getting outmaneuvered if we split up." Sora and Velvet both nodded.
Karna switched to his bow, shooting down multiple pontianaks at once. Sora squished them all into small bubbles, and they dissolved. Velvet created more and more hurricanes. But the three made little progress forward. They were tiring, and it was a matter of time before the pontianaks would reach them. They would have no strength left at that point. "We'll die if that happens," Karna thought. "But how do we get out of this?"
Suddenly, a loud wail echoed through the city. Karna, Sora, and Velvet all covered their ears, for the sound was quite horrible. Karna thought it was a person screaming in pain. All the pontianaks in the city vanished into thin air. The wail reverberated for several seconds before it too disappeared, and the city became still.
Karna sat on the floor, completely exhausted. "What was that?" Sora shrugged. "Whatever it was, it made all the pontianaks go away. What on earth could do that?" However, that was a minor concern for the three at the moment. Karna sighed. "I'm spent. How about you two?"
"I'm weary, too," Sora said. "We should head back home for today. We won't be able to figure anything out in our current condition. What do you think, Velvet?" Velvet nodded. "Sleep would be great."
"Velvet, your eyes are a little red."
"I know, Karna. It was hard to sleep last night." She took a tissue and rubbed her eyes. "To be honest, I'm still tired. What about you?"
"I can relate to some extent.." Velvet linked his arm with hers. "Since we're on our date, I guess we should be more cheery." Karna pointed to a theater. "You want to go inside?" Velvet nodded.
Karna and Velvet sat in the middle row as they watched the play. It was about the Cahaya and his quest. Velvet grinned. "You're really popular nowadays, huh?"
"Two days ago, a bunch of people gave me gifts. Remember?"
"Yeah, there was a really long line on our door. You're everyone's favorite hero now."
"Not everyone." Velvet smiled. "That's true." Velvet put her head on Karna's lap. "Velvet, what are you doing?"
"I said I was tired. This is a golden opportunity to sleep. I've never much cared about theater productions."
"I suppose you're right," Karna said. "We're both worn out, so I guess that's not a bad idea." The two closed their eyes as the person acting as the Cahaya in the play fought a dragon.
Karna woke up. Velvet was still sleeping on his lap, and the play was still going. Karna smiled, moving his fingers in her hair as he watched the remainder of the show.
"Velvet, the play's over. You should wake up now." Velvet slowly opened her eyes and realized she was drooling. "Sorry!" she blushed as she wiped the saliva off her mouth. Karna shook his head. "You slept like a little baby. Feeling better now?" Velvet nodded. "I think we should go to a restaurant nearby. I'm famished."
A waiter brought over plates of food to Karna's table. Velvet eagerly began eating the lobster salad. The two enjoyed each other's company and laughed as they ate until Sylvia sat at their table.
Velvet raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"
"Look, I need to talk to you two," Sylvia whispered. "About what?" Karna asked. "Does it involve your father?" Sylvia nodded, filling them in on what she heard when she eavesdropped on him.
"So, your father wants you dead now?" Sylvia nodded. Tears formed in her eyes, but she brushed them away. "He was hesitant to do it until the Takau promised him something, so maybe he won't do it?" Karna realized she didn't want to believe her father would let her die. He looked at Velvet, and an understanding passed between them. "Guess the date's over," Velvet sighed. Karna nodded. "It looks like we'll have to be watching out for you from here on out. You probably will have to stay at our place, too."
Velvet cocked her head. "Why is that?"
"It's not what you think, Velvet. Letting her stay in the cathedral is the same as letting her die since her father lives there too. In any case, she needs a new home address." Sylvia nodded. "I've already moved out into an inn last night."
"Which one?"
"Ye Olde Ocean."
"How convenient. It just so happens we're staying there too." Karna became unsettled by the murderous look in Velvet's eyes. "Velvet, I didn't do anything!" Velvet nodded. "I believe you. But you better not try anything, either. So what now?" Karna shrugged. "I don't know. All we can do is tag along with Sylvia for the day and hope nothing happens."
The three of them headed out of the restaurant. Suddenly, giant boars found their way into the city, ramming everything in their way. People either managed to run away or were stomped upon. Karna's spear appeared in his hand. "Three Ngepets," he thought. One ran up from behind and charged Sylvia. Velvet put her hand on the ground, and it began shaking. Cracks formed, and the Ngepet's feet became trapped in them. Karna stabbed the Ngepet in the eye, and it dissolved. Karna flew into the air and saw the other two Ngepets. Both charged towards Sylvia, one from the front and the other from the rear. Karna flew towards the one coming from the front. "Velvet, I'll take this one! Get the one behind you!" Karna slashed the Ngepet's tusk clean off, and it roared so loudly that buildings were pushed backward. Karna stabbed the Ngepet on its back and then in the eye. The Ngepet growled as its body dissolved.
The last remaining Ngepet charged Velvet. Velvet elevated a massive pillar of rock from the ground, which impaled the Ngepet and cleaved it into two. She waved to Karna, who was still in the sky. "Is that the last of them?" Karna flew down towards her and nodded.
Sylvia bowed to the two of them. "Thank you!" Karna shook her head. "Don't be. I was just doing my job. Going back to before, do you remember the promise the Takau made with your father?" Sylvia didn't answer him.
"Sylvia, I'm only trying to help you."
"You think he sent those boars after me, too, right?" Karna nodded. "I know it must be hard for you, but you need to tell me. I need to know what he's after."
"Will you kill him afterward?"
"Yes, I mean no! Well..." Karna bit his lip in frustration. He didn't know how to respond without upsetting her. Sylvia grabbed his hands. Her eyes swam with tears. "Please don't kill my father! I beg you!"
"Even though he wants us dead?" Sylvia nodded. "He was mad before. Initially, he was against... he was against killing me!"
"You don't sound so sure."
"Please trust me. I think I can persuade my father to stop." Karna pursed his lips. He doubted the king could be talked out of it. "Alright, I promise to try my best not to kill him. But if you fail, I can't guarantee anything." Sylvia nodded reluctantly. "That's the best offer I'm getting, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I can tell you're not satisfied with it." Sylvia avoided his eyes and grabbed her arm. "It's my father we're talking about, you know." Karna nodded. "I understand. But, if he intends to keep coming after our lives, I will have to fight him. I can't guarantee anything then. But I will try to ensure his survival."
"Thank you," Sylvia sniffed.
"You're welcome. The sun's setting, so we should go back home now."
Karna lay down on the bed. Sylvia's plea occupied his mind. "What happens if I do kill him? What do I tell her then?" he thought. Velvet sat down next to him. "What's bothering you now?"
"The whole thing with Sylvia today."
"You mean where you promised her you wouldn't kill her dad?" Karna nodded. "What do you think I should do?" Velvet smiled. "You're aking me?"
"Yes, you. If I do kill the king, what do I tell Sylvia?" Velvet lay down, placing her head on Karna's chest. "I wouldn't know, Karna. But I do know this. Follow your heart."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Deep down, do you want to keep your promise, or did you only say that to calm her down?"
"I meant what I said."
"Then follow through with it."
"But what happens if I can't? I would feel like I cheated her." Velvet sighed. "Karna, you said it yourself. You can't guarantee her anything. All you can do is try." Velvet cuddled him, kissing his forehead. "You're too sweet, you know that?"
"Yeah. You tell me that so often."
"Because it's true. But kindness is your biggest strength, Karna. You saved me with it, remember?"
"Velvet..."
"If you want to make Sylvia happy, show her you meant what you said." Karna smiled. "I would say you're kind too, although you tease me a lot."
"That I do." Velvet turned off the lights. She pecked Karna on the cheek and cuddled him again. "Good night, Karna."
"You too, Velvet. Sweet dreams."