Souhait was staring straight at his unusual guest. There was an aura around him that made him feel different from his previous guests. Arcturus had a radiant aura. Sayaka had a melancholic one. Kori's aura was rather weak. He did feel like a human, but it was a lot weaker. He wondered why his aura was so weak when his appearance stood out a lot.
Regardless of his appearance, he was a humble guest with a wish. He needed to focus on wishes and not over thinking about people. When people had wishes, he could see wishes as a ball of light in their hearts. It was a light of hope, a symbol that everything would surely go well; it was a sign that he could start believing. He wanted to believe that he could grant a man-made person's wish.
He recalled everything he had seen about Kori's memories; he was able to see anything as long as Nova was witnessing it. Since he already knew what Kori's wish was, he needed to think about the conditions that would come with it.
He was ready to speak. "Kori, was it?"
"Yes."
"What is it that you wish for?"
He sensed confidence in Kori's demeanor as the Shiftie boy announced his wish: "My wish is for my master…no, my dearest friend Arcturus Mercury to keep going no matter what."
"Why do you want him to keep going?"
"From what I've seen in my earring state, Arcturus has already accomplished his dream of meeting the dragon of lore–you. Whatever happens next, I want him to have a new dream and for him to pursue happiness. I love seeing Arc happy and smiling because I believe he is the happiest when following a dream. That's what I want to see him doing forever…"
"Human life is not eternal. It is fleeting, to be honest. They can die at any time. People die today, tomorrow and even in this moment."
"I know that. A Shiftie like me most definitely knows that."
What Souhait knew from observing Arcturus and Kori's memories was that Shifties do not lie. They were created to always tell the truth. This fact made Souhait rather curious about something that came to him.
"What would happen if a Shiftie's master died?"
"We'd get assigned to a new master. Our purpose is to always serve our masters."
Souhait sensed uneasiness in his tone. He understood why. This boy did not want Arcturus to die because he did not want to lose his purpose. Even in his bodiless state, he wanted to watch over his master inside his earring. Everything he did from his birth to his current state was for Arcturus. His wish looked selfless, but it was actually a selfish one; Souhait did not mind; a selfish wish of his caliber was still a wish. It was something he was capable of granting.
"How willing are you to exchange your life for Arcturus's?"
Kori tilted his head to the side. "What do you mean?"
"If possible, would you trade your immortal lifespan for his human one?"
"Is that even possible?" Kori reverted back into a straight sitting position while having an intense gaze on Souhait.
"It is a speculation."
"If I could, I would. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about Arcturus hurting himself. If he lives on forever, he can have as many dreams as he wants and he has all the time in the world to pursue them."
Kori's words caused Souhait to feel a bit upset. This boy was naive. It couldn't be helped; his time in this world was cut short for him to learn more.
"Living forever is not a blessing as one would think. An eternal life means everyone around you dies and you are the only one left. You have to see your loved ones die and you cannot do the same. One day, you will be the only left in an empty world. Even if you can live without human necessities, what good will it do?"
Kori looked at him with fascination. "You speak as if you have experience."
Souhait scoffed as he tilted his head towards the ceiling. "Are you not supposed to be an intelligent being? Have you not figured it out by now? I am immortal, a dragon and not a human. My power to grant people's wishes allows me to live on eternally. I have lived my life much more than you–much longer than you would think." Souhait realized his own outburst and clammed up.
Kori's expression changed into a surprised one. The fact that Shifties were created with Nova and Souhait in mind, yet these very beings had no idea what the true origins behind their creation were made Souhait almost burst out a laugh. He tried his best to be composed. He should not let his complicated feelings get to him.
"I'm sorry." Kori remarked, surprising Souhait.
"Sorry? What for?"
"It seems that there is much I still need to know about this world…"
"That is why you should not trade your life for another's so easily."
Kori hung his head low. He seemed to be in deep thought, so Souhait decided to wait. A moment later, Kori lifted his head up. "I still want to give my eternal life to Arcturus, regardless of what you or he thinks."
There was a stubbornness in this boy that Souhait found admirable. Arguing against a devoted Shiftie was definitely asinine and something he would make note of in the future. He wagged his tail. "Very well. I will accept that."
"Thank you."
"There will be conditions to your wish. Would you like to hear them?"
"Conditions?"
"Think of it as giving you something in return for granting your wish."
"Alright. Let's hear them."