-- POV Gaya --
I was sound asleep when a thud of running footsteps woke me from my slumber. Half-conscious I scanned the dark cave with my eyes. Nothing. As a dragon, I had very good hearing, these sounds were coming from outside the cave, so I couldn't tell who they were coming from. They were getting closer, louder and closer. The rock seemed to shake as I suddenly felt a powerful being enter the mountain.
*I can't fight, if this being is hostile it's death for sure.*
For the first time in a long time I was afraid, afraid to die after so many years of struggling to stay alive.
*The presence is getting closer !*
I stood there motionless, unable to hide or run away...I was trapped and vulnerable.
*And to think that I was soon to be freed...*
The being was already almost at the entrance of the room where I had been sealed. I looked with anticipation and fear at the place from which she would emerge...I could feel her coming. As she entered this place, I could almost hear my heart beating rapidly in my chest, it was uncontrollable.
She came out of the darkness and I could finally put an image on this incredible power...it was her.
*Freya !*
She was back.
________________
-- POV Freya --
I was finally standing in front of Gaya and she seemed rather disturbed...no doubt my new power. A lot had changed since I left, but the most important thing was that I now had a little sister. Working on my relationship side, I had decided to be nicer to the dragoness and treat her with more respect under Kira's guidance. She was kind of the one who kept me from being too hard on those who didn't deserve it. I could make an effort with my words, but my voice was still quite cold naturally.
"Hello Gaya."
"Well..hello Freya-sama! I didn't expect to see you so soon!"
She was right, I had dispatched the mission in just a few days.
As I told her the series of events I had experienced, I could see her mouth open as I spoke.
"Anyway, the point of all this is that I am now able to lift your seal."
"I...I don't know what to say...thank you..thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Wait a little while before you thank me because I have some questions to ask you."
I was determined to ask her everything I didn't understand about the contract. As for her past and her clan, I had decided to wait for her to tell me about it on her own. I didn't want her to know the details of my past life yet, so I wasn't going to force her to tell me about hers.
"Tell me what is this contract? Why did Magni talk about being related to you? I don't understand. Didn't I become your master?"
[Onee-san for the record no one has ever said that word.]
*Isn't that how it should be?*
[I...I don't know.]
While I was thinking, Gaya spoke up.
"Um...Freya-sama I need to talk to you about something important about this contract."
"I'm listening!"
"This pet contract is exactly what I told you the first time, I didn't lie to you..however.."
"Go on, I'm losing my patience."
[Onee-san, be more calm.]
I couldn't be calmer, Gaya's words scared me and I didn't feel like waiting even a second longer before getting my answer at all.
"This contract for us dragons is quite special, I would even say it is unique. It can only be formed once in a lifetime and know that dragons' lifetime is extremely long."
"..."
"What I mean is that when I formed this contract with you, I agreed to give you my soul, my body until death takes me."
"In other words..."
"Yes...bonding with you means that I made you my partner for life."
"..."
My mind went blank. I couldn't believe what Gaya was telling me..I was...her partner?.
"When you say partner...is that the equivalent of companion ?"
[Onee-san...I don't think it is...]
"The contract that is called a pet contract is known among all dragons as "Tuum usque in sempiternum" which means "forever yours". If I were to use human terms, I would say that I am now like...um...your wife."
"Wha..."
[...so that...]
"Of course this is only a belief that concerns dragons! Freya-sama, there's no need for you to accept it, you can pretend it's just a simple contract without any solemn dimension!"
I was shocked by what she had just told me. Everything made more sense and I now understood why Gaya had been agitated during the process.
Despite the shock of the announcement I wasn't really angry because it didn't commit me to anything. I even felt sorry for Gaya who had to bond with me to survive, I had unknowingly deprived her of something important for the dragons.
"I..I don't know what to say. I guess this is all final...I didn't know."
[You should apologize right?]
*Sigh..*
Kira was right, we were planning to travel together anyway, I didn't want to have a problem with her. And I must admit that she intrigued me
"Look Gaya...I'm sorry."
It wasn't hard for me to apologize because I felt truly sorry. Even though I was going to save her, I had been able to gain a lot of levels during my journey, in a way it was also because of her. So it was already a win-win, but I had deprived her of her freedom.
"Freya-sama..."
"Freya...call me Freya."
There was no way I was going to treat her like I was her master. I could see Gaya smile slightly as she continued.
"Freya you are not responsible, I made this choice of my own free will and I would be more than happy to accompany you in your desire to crush the humans who deserve it and save all those races who are oppressed. It is up to you to see this contract as you wish, I have no desire to impose anything on you."
I didn't know what to say but I had to make a decision. I had never had a relationship in my past life and I didn't think I would have one here either, but the force of fate always comes knocking at my door when I least expect it. I didn't know Gaya and I still didn't completely trust her at the moment, but I couldn't ignore the sacrifice the dragoness had made to survive.
I may have considered myself heartless, but since meeting Kira I began to see things in a different light. I didn't know if I was going to spend my whole life with her, but I wanted to honor her decision and take responsibility.
[Are you afraid? I don't understand this "wife" thing yet, but I understood that the contract she chose to have with you is something strong].
*I'm not afraid...I'm lost. How did it turn out this way? Just this morning I was in the forest and now I have a wife ?*
[Theoretically you had a wife when you left the cave, but that's just a detail pfffhahah ~]
*Oi Kira ! The day you will have a body, make me think of giving you a little lesson! kufufu ~*
[Glup...onee-san if it's the same as Warg, thanks but I'll pass! ]
*Kufufu ~ who knows !*
After joking one with Kira to relax, I was ready to seriously give her my answer.
"Look Gaya...I am aware of what you have sacrificed in order to survive. I will keep my word and release you so that you can accompany me. As for the contract, it is still complicated for me in my mind...if I accept that you become my wife what will happen?"
"I will be close to you until the end of my life or yours. If you accept it, I will be your confidant and I will support you no matter what happens, no matter who you decide to face. Even if you were to go up against the whole world I would be there by your side ready to face it. I will take care of you and protect you with my life. Although I would naturally do it whether you accept or refuse. I will be your family and you will be mine."
I couldn't speak as Gaya's words resonated deep within me. Someone to give your heart to... A family. I had already opened my heart to Kira and I had never regretted doing so, it could also be said that I considered her my family despite the circumstances. I didn't want to admit it, but hearing someone say words that I had never heard before made me happy. Deep down I had always wanted to know that kind of happiness and to be honest her words made me envious. I also had the right to have a family, even if my path was going to be rough and bloody. Who said I couldn't start trusting again? And this contract was valid no matter what.
Seeing me lost in my thoughts, the dragoness spoke up again.
"I will always follow you even if you decide not to honor the tradition of my people. But don't forget that I decided to follow you before I made the pact. I know this story is crazy and I apologize for it, so don't worry about me and make the decision following your heart."
*Following my heart...what I really want in my heart...*
[I will also support you no matter what choice you make.]
I didn't know it, but Kira was inwardly hoping that I would accept Gaya as my wife. She knew more than anyone what I had been through and who I had become. Kira wanted me to have someone other than her to trust, she wanted me to be happy and loved. Deep down...I wanted that too.
Taking a deep breath I decided to stop making them wait.
"Alright let's try it!"
My voice was firm and filled with determination as I continued.
"I could never refuse after the sacrifice you made, you literally offered me your life. I would never treat people like you badly who have done nothing to me and whom I truly respect. But I must warn you that for the moment you may be my wife by contract, but as far as feelings are concerned it's different. You're not in love with me and I'm not in love with you so let's get to know each other, pursue our goals and see how it goes."
"..."
"All of this is to say that I'm not against it and I would take responsibility, but feelings can't be ordered. I agree to see how this relationship will evolve and I will only call you "my wife" if one day my feelings are in line with the calling. Let's say for now that we are...um...engaged? That way I don't reject the possibility of you becoming my wife one day, but I also don't accept it because it would be too quick and foolish at this point in our relationship. Be my fiancée and let's see the rest in the future. Do you accept ?"
I didn't want to be disrespectful to her beliefs and I wanted to learn about this dragoness named Gaya but I didn't want to fake a relationship...that wasn't my style.
"I gladly accept. I know that no matter what happens in my eyes as well as in the eyes of my fellows I am now your wife but I am happy and grateful that you have not rejected the beliefs of my race. I don't know you either and there is no guarantee that we will get along at this point despite the circumstances. Time will tell, we indeed have plenty of time to get to know each other."
"Then you are now my fiancée."
-- PING --
[ Congratulations ! ]
[ Related to : Dragon Earth Gaya > Engaged to : Gaya ]
*This damn system !*
[It's right onee-san haha congratulations !]
Sighing, I never imagined that one day I would be "engaged" to a dragon but life is full of surprises, especially mine. Nothing was set in stone and I had to let time do its thing. But I would be lying if I said that somewhere I was not happy.
Now it was time to free Gaya and move up to level 30. I was going to have my first course evolution.
_______
FULL STATUS
Name : Freya
Age: 0 years / Mentally: 25 years
Sex : Female
Course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Cub
Race : Demon
Title: Blessed by Titania Goddess of endless Chaos and eternal frozen Hell.
Dragon Tamer
Level : 21/30
Exp needed for next level : 10 000 / 22 000
HP : 60 000 / 60 000 MP : 30 000 / 30 000
Strength : 250
Defense : 251
Agility : 250
Stamina : 253
Speed : 252
Intelligence : 255
Charisma : 110 (majestic she-wolf)
Attribute points to allocate : 0
Engaged to : Gaya
Elements: Ice / Chaos
Skills (all):
Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 4)
- Bite of hell (Lvl 4)
- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 4)
- Fighting techniques (lvl max) - blocked
- Katana mastery (lvl max) - blocked
- Demonic Aura (lvl 2)
Defense - Ice demon wall (lvl 3)
- Demonic Cloak (lvl 4)
Resistance to pain (lvl 2)
Other - Humanoid form (blocked)
- Ice creation (Lvl 3)
- Chaos Storage (Lvl 2)
- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 3)
- Analysis
- Second soul (Lvl max) - unique
- Telepathy
Passives - Commander (lvl max) ]