"And that is the reason for me being in the alley", Aron said after having explained what had happened. He left no detail out so that he could be truthful with Katarina.
"Interesting…" Katarina said in a low murmur.
"I have no way of knowing what that magic you used was, since no human has ever merged with a demon in recorded history. "
"You said you sight was improving?"
"Yes, as I said before I can now see your beautiful face like before the incident."
Katarina smiled and spoke.
"We should really test out your capabilities."
"We don't know what we are dealing with here, so it is uncharted magic we are dealing with. You said that there were drawbacks, right?"
"Yes, but did it not bother you? About the girl."
"No"
This took Aron by surprise
Katarina continued.
"It could be the price for the magic you have obtained?"
"Price? I never thought you had to give something for magic."
With a look of concern Katarina explained, that magic always has a price. In most cases for natural mages, it would be their mana and if they have a core, then that would produce any used mana after a time. She explained that there was something called blood magic. A rare type of magic that could only be used by the spilling of blood. That blood could be acquired by many means.
"So, what I have now is something akin to blood magic?"
"I don't know Aron. It would seem so, unless you have developed a mana core."
She said lifting a brow.
"I don't think so Katarina."
"Have you checked dear?"
"How would I go about doing that?"
"If you want me to I can test you, to see if you possess any core"
Katarina reached out with both her hands and Aron placed his hands in hers.
After talking for so long the soup had now gone cold.
Katarina began without another word.
Aron sat there confused, since she was just sitting there doing nothing. Aron decided to take a closer look with his sight. Everything turned to shadow and before him was a purple figure. Aron could see how purple tendrils of magic went into his palms and traveled deeper inside. Suddenly they stopped their progression and was pushed back.
From deep within Aron came tendrils of his own magic, black in color. They pushed back until Katarina's magic was back in her own body. But they didn't stop there, his magic went further reaching for her core. Aron went back to his normal sight and saw Katarina with closed eyes and blood streaming down her lips. She was shivering profusely.
At this Aron became alarmed she was being hurt. He quickly severed the connection by taking his hands back. The black tendrils followed. Katarina then came to her senses breathing heavy.
She stood up abruptly and shortly after faltered. Her shoulders heaved while she was panting with terrified open eyes. She supported herself with both her hands on the table.
"Katarina! What happened?! Are you alright?!"
Aron rushed to her side and took her arm around his neck. He then proceeded to take her to the bedroom where he laid her down.
"What have I done?" Aron said in a low whisper.
He had hurt Katarina. The woman he would die for. Maybe he should die. Take his own life for the pain he has caused her. Aron stared daggers at the table beside the bed.
'It would be a long process, but it would definitely be possible. The downside would be that I could lose consciousness before-'
"Aron"
Katarina said while clasping his hands in hers again.
Aron's expression went back to normal and then to one of concern.
"It's not your fault. Your magic simply resisted my invasion a little bit more aggressive than is normal."
"Did I hurt you Katarina?"
"You did not dear. I simply overexerted myself."
She offered a weak smile.
"Aron. What you possess is a dangerous magic. More dangerous than anything in existence. Do not show it lightly."
"I understand"
Aron understood the envy and greed of man. He knew that flaunting a strong power only attracted people who wanted to use that power for themselves. Aron was not a naïve person. He had lived through many things as a knight. He understood how the world worked behind the scenes.
Aron had afterwards cleaned up the kitchen and helped Katarina change into something that wasn't stained with blood.
Aron was now outside at the request of his wife. She wanted him to buy something called a mana potion. It would apparently help her recover faster and if Aron could help her, he would gladly do so.
The streets had a lot of traffic. It was a lot since they were in the most populated district. Aron could see the vibrant colours that adorned the buildings he walked past. Carpets, fabrics, and all sorts of different fruits were displayed along the whole street. Aron was now close to the marketplace which was evident by the small stalls appearing around him. Aron did not need to go too far in, since the shop was by his right.
He turned and looked at the dark purple building. It had a sign hanging in the air that had a cauldron inlaid with copper on maple wood. There was written on it was Potions & Crafts.
Aron opened the door and walked in. The door made a ding sound making his presence known. The shop was tidied up. There were rows of shelves all leading to a desk were presumably the owner was standing. Aron drew nearer to an aisle of potions. He then looked for anything with mana written on it.
Aron was in deep concentration when he suddenly felt a searing pain at the back of his eyes. Aron had figured out that whenever he felt this, it meant that someone with magic was close by. But there was no one behind Aron a second ago, so Aron could only see it as an ambush. He did not have time to ponder why.
Aron quickly turned around in reflex and grabbed the assailant by the throat. Just as they had said.
"Welcome costu-"
Aron grabbed their throat and banged their head to the shelves opposite of him. The assailant hit their head so hard that they fell to the ground unconscious. The threat was subdued for now. Aron then realised a little too late who it was laying at his feet. He quickly glanced at the desk where the store owner had been and as he had thought they were gone.
"Fuck" Aron said to himself.
"I mean who just jumps behind people like that. Surely this was their fault and not mine. It was self-defense. Yes, self-defense", Aron was speaking out loud to himself while the owner was sleeping at his feet.
Aron positioned his arms around the owners back and knees, and then picked them up. They were light. Aron took a closer look while putting the owner on the desk. The owner was a she. She had beautiful dark olive skin and when Aron checked her for magic, he found that she had two colors. One dark green and one dark purple. Aron had never seen this before, so he was quite intrigued.
Looking around the shop for something to give the owner, Aron found a portion of vitality.
Aron slowly lifted her head and parted her lustrous lips from the conjunction they were in. He then slowly slipped the potion's contents down her throat. She gulped the drink slowly.
Slowly she opened her eyes revealing a beautiful amber color. She looked Aron in the eyes for a moment and then gasped. It seemed she remembered. She sat up and pushed Aron with all her might, but he barely moved an inch. She on the other hand was pushed back enough so, that she was toppling over her desk.
Aron quickly grabbed her by the waist preventing her from falling over. They both looked at each other's eyes. Her eyes were as calm as a dying bonfire. Glowing with power. One blow of the wind and she would burn as bright as the sun.
Aron pushed her forward so that she could sit on the table without falling.
Aron bowed his head in apology.
"I'm sorry for harming you my lady, but I had thought you were to attack me."
Aron lifted his head and looked at her again.
She was studying his every feature. Then she stopped deciding she had seen enough.
"I am terribly sorry sir. I should not have materialized behind you without you knowing."
She bowed her head slightly.
"I am at fault, my lady. My actions were purely controlled by my instincts."
"It's quite alright. Though I must say that I am impressed by your perceptiveness. Not many would have known of my presence."
She says while holding a hand to her head.
"Was there anything I could help you with customer?"
"Yes, could you show me your mana potions? And my name is Aron, my lady."
"You don't have to stand on formality with me Aron. My name is Zuri. The wares you are looking for are right here."
She then walks to the potion's aisle and points to an area with many blue concoctions.
Aron picks one up and asks for the price.
"You have picked a good quality potion, so that would be 19 silver."
Aron looked at her astonished. Such a big price for such a small item. The amount she is asking would be enough to buy exactly nineteen goblets of wine.
'Is it really that precious? But if it is for Katarina, I would give everything.'
"I will buy it."
"Splendid" she said with little enthusiasm.
Aron handed her the coins and left afterwards.
'As weird as that was it matters not. Now I can finally return to my Katarina.'
At the thought of his wife Aron smiled stupidly.