Clive quietly traversed across the slumbering town to a tall tower near the markets. In an hour he had finally reached the base of the tower. It was a white stone tower, one of the tallest in Isolde. This tower would have served as a sentinel's watchtower in times of war, but now, in the absence of conflict, the tower lay deserted. Yet, the tower still proved to be a clandestine rendezvous for Clive and Julia. The door at the base of the tower stood ajar. Clive stepped in, lantern in hand, and shut the door behind him. The air inside was musty, reeking of decaying timber. He could see a shaft of light cascading into the tower from a hatch left open at the top. Now came the part that Clive hated the most, ascending several flights of stairs to reach the top
Midway to the top, he found a small canteen filled with water placed at the side of the stairs. As Clive paused for a moment and drank the fresh water from the canteen, he thought to himself, "Julia is always so considerate."
After a quick gulp to quench his thirst, he resumed his ascent. Several more minutes later, he finally reached the hatch at the top and used it to get to the roof. As soon as he stepped onto the roof, a punishingly cold gust of wind whipped across his face, making him shiver. It was a full moon night. The moon, a luminous pearl cast long shadows across the weathered stone. Julia sat near the edge, her silhouette formed by the moon light.
Clive remarked, " I've told you to not sit with your back facing the door Julia."
" I could recognize your footsteps anywhere my dear Clive...."
" Someone could imitate them "
Julia didn't respond. Clive Set aside his sword aside and sat beside her, " It has been many moons since we last saw each other like this isn't it...? " She continued. " You told me you had something exciting to share with me. I....have something important to share with you too "
Julia, without averting her gaze away from the sky said " Yes....."
She laid down her on back and pulled Clive beside her.
Pointing at the Red pulsing star beside the moon Julia asked ," What do you think about that star Clive..? It seems so bright, yet its brightness is overshadowed by our own moon"
Clive gazed at the star, Metia. To the people of Valisthea, Metia was a sort of god. They turned to Meta in their most desperate and darkest times. "Metia," he murmured, gazing at the crimson star pulsing beside the moon. "I think it is a symbol of hidden hopes, flickering but never extinguished."
Julia's eyes held a hint of sadness. "My home," she whispered, "My world danced around Metia, just as yours around your sun. Though I call Valisthea home now, it's a feeling more than a memory. I know that I am not from Valisthea or this world, although i cannot explain it. It is more of a feeling that only I can understand "
Julia's heart was hammering against her chest. She had never meant to tell about her past to Clive today, but somehow the words came out of her mouth.
Clive turned towards her with a perplexed expression on his face. Julia sensing his confusion said, " All I remember is that, I... used to be warrior there, But i was betrayed and my soul was banished here. When I was but a child the orphanage found me at their doorsteps with only the crystal pendant." She held up a violet coloured pendant dangling around her neck. It held a dim glow to it.
She clenched her fists as a tear escaped her eyes, streaking across her face. " They took me in and raised me. Now all i hope is that i could return home one day...to exact my revenge.."
Clive was rather curious about how she knew so much about her past life although she claimed to not know much about it earlier. " How do you know so much about your past life ? "
She held it out her crystal pendant for Clive to see, its glow becoming slightly brighter. " This Crystal....It speaks to me. It tells me about my past life. It is some sort of memory crystal. As i grow older the crystal imparts more and more of the knowledge of my past life's memories and experiences."
She continued, " It is rather painful sometimes but I've gotten used to it. "
" Painful how ? "
" It changes my character and behavior slowly. First it was just minor things but later i became increasingly worried about it. I became cold, and insensitive to other's emotions and somehow i was able to put up a really good sword fight against a bandit who tried to rob me a few months ago...It was as if my body remembered all of it "
Clive was curious about a few things, " What does the crystal sound like ? "
"Exactly like my voice. But its voice seems a bit...manipulative at times."
Clive touched the crystal. It was warm to the touch. He thought it would very comfortable to wear something like this in winter to provide a slight warmth. Normal Aether crystals did not provide this kind of warmth, rather they provided light with a high luminosity instead of the heat.
Clive asked, " Why do you think your soul was banished here? and why Valisthea in particular ? "
" I have wondered about that for many years. Of all the places, somehow i ended up in a world with a perfect view of my home world. It seems almost too perfect. Like it was planned "
The weight of everything Julia had just said settled on Clive's shoulders. He never expected this. The fact that right now he was lying next to girl from a world among the heavens brought him immense pleasure as well as fear.
He asked, "Why tell me now?"
Julia turned towards Clive and smiled weakly at him, " Because this may very well be our last night together... "
Clive turned to Julia with a puzzled look on his face, " What do you mean ,Julia...? "
" I..... I... I leave for the holy capital, Oriflamme tomorrow, Clive...."
Clive's breath caught in his throat. "What do you mean?
" I have been accepted into the prestigious, university of Sanbreque Clive, I had submitted several of my recent findings and my research to them a few months ago. They sent a letter which arrived this morning. They were so impressed with my work in fact that they said they would pay me gold just to be there.."
" And you accepted their offer...? "
Julia with a pained look on her face said " Yes, I could have access to better tools far better than anything Isolde or Rosaria has and with the grand library of Sanbreque within my reach, I may finally be able break through the binds holding me "
Silence descended, punctuated only by the sighing wind. Clive held her gaze, the unspoken words hanging heavy between them.
Clive spoke in a sad tone" There is something I have to say too. I leave for Phoenix gate tomorrow. My father intends to capture Drake's breath and to vanquish the threat of the Iron kingdom once and for all."
Julia nodded. At that moment they both realized they may never get to see each other again. The emotions of sadness just moments before melted away. They both realized this might be their last night together and neither seemed intent on wasting it. Julia leaned in closer to Clive. Their face just inches apart.
" Will we do it today ? Why does he hesitate ? We are alone and this is most likely our last time of meeting each other. "Julia thought to herself as she impatiently fidgeted her hands while staring at Clive, waiting for Clive to make the first move.
Clive's face began to blush. He didn't know what to do. It wasn't like he could just strip his shirt off and throw himself at her. But unbeknownst to him, this was exactly what Julia wanted him to do
Clive began to speak, " Julia...I -"
Julia could no longer contain herself. She was not about let their last night together be in vain. Before Clive could finish talking Julia tugged at his collar pulling him in for a kiss. Although Clive initially resisted, he gave in to the temptation and kissed her back passionately. She pushed him down to the roof and half in his lap, she continued kissing him. Her blonde hair fell in curtains on either side of his face. He ran his hand through her soft hair while continuing to kiss her. It was euphoric, for it was the first time he had kissed a girl.
" It looks like someone's been looking forward to this part of the night " Clive spoke with a huge grin on his face.
Julia blushed and simply smiled before swooping in for another kiss. After a few more passionate moments of kissing Julia, they slowly pulled away and Julia began to undress herself. First her outer gown and when she reached her inner garments she stopped and turned to Clive who was staring at her longingly, her body was so perfect with soft and tender skin which seemed smoother than velvet. Once she had removed her gown Julia whispered with sly smile on her face, " Your turn now, lord Rosfield "
Clive who was still lying on the roof wasn't expecting this. His definition of a last night was very different from what Julia wanted. He nervously started at her, " Uhh, am i supposed to remove my dress as well ? "
Julia chuckled and spoke, " You're so innocent. I've always liked that about you "
She came up to him. he tried to stand up but she nudged him back down and sat on top of him. She pulled out a small dagger from within her gown which was now on the floor. She slowly brought the dagger close to Clive. Clive wanted to put his hands up in defense for he could never allow himself to be in such a vulnerable state, even if its Julia. But for some he didn't it. He didn't want to ruin this moment for it was worth every single risk. Julia placed one hand at his chest while she used the other hand and slowly brought the dagger close to Clive's neck, grazing his neck slowly with it. It send shivers down Clive's body. For some reason Clive was enjoying the dagger much more. It felt good to entrust his life in her hands. Julia could feel his heart rate quicken as she brought her face close to his.
She whispered in his ear" If you won't remove your garbs. then i would have to remove them for you lord Rosfield "
Clive let out a chuckle and spoke, " There is no need for that milady, your wish is my command "
Clive stood up and hurriedly removed his Tunic, revealing his well sculpted body from long hours of sword work. Julia watched all this from the side clearly enjoying the view in front of her.
Once he was done Clive walked up to Julia, his hands gently lifted her by her hips as she clasped his neck, her warm breath cascading down his neck, sending shivers down his spine. Clive ran his hands over her chest, tracing every curve and every contour of her body. Julia let out a soft groan, a sound that was music to his ears. They embraced each other tightly, their bodies entwined under the glow of the moon.
After an hour they were one again lying on the roof. Julia had her head on Clove's chest and was stroking his hair.
Clive spoke, " I was certainly not expecting that..."
" What else were you expecting ? a nice talk ? "
"well yes ", Clive spoke clearly a bit embarrassed.
" I don't know what you were expecting but i certainly know for sure that you had enjoyed yourself"
A soft smile touched Clive's face, knowing she was true. He had indeed enjoyed the night.
Clive spoke, " How do you have such a fit body? I haven't seen you lift a spoon in all this time we've been together "
Julia chuckled, " Me? Fit ? I should be asking you that. You have no idea for how long I wanted to touch those muscles of yours. They're even better than they look. So strong and dexterous "
A huge grin touched Clive's face as she complimented him. He felt all his hard work paid had off at that time. After a few more minutes the exhaustion caught up to them and they drifted off to sleep.
A few hours later, Clive stirred from his slumber. It was still dark, the first light of dawn yet to break the horizon. He thought to himself, "The sun will rise soon, I better get Julia inside."
Clive looked at Julia, she was still in deep sleep, her chest rising and falling rhythmically. He gently picked her up and carried into the warmth of the tower. Julia muttered something in her sleep but i couldn't make hold of what she was saying. After placing a cloak on her and covering her up to keep her warm till she awakens, Clive prepared to leave but she stirred in her sleep and held his hand. When turned to look at her one more time, tears he had been holding back began to flow down his cheeks. He couldn't bear the thought of not seeing her again. She was and will always be his first love. although it broke his heart to leave her, he knew he was no good at goodbyes. After casting one last look at Julia Clive left, his heart burdened with the fact that he may never get to see Julia again. As he made his way down the tower with a heavy heart. The first light of dawn began to break Heralding a new day for Valisthea.