"Do you think we are no longer in danger?" Aria asked as even she maintained her scepticism of the speed of the goblins.
Both found refuge in a cramped cavern — Their backs pressed against the cool stone in a mix of exhaustion and wariness, the couple had been running for thirty minutes when they entered this refuge. Still, there was a question- they started feeling whether that cave might harbour some unknown creature.
"It appears so." Johnson responded; Balanced the unfamiliar brand new outfit — He had recently obtained it from his spatial ring.
She grumbled in pain. "Those bloody fools are such pests.".
"For real…" He cannot disagree with her as he inhaled deep breaths to catch breath, back in his human form. She shot him a side-eyed glare, one eye closed, having the feeling that she'd be dead by morning. All this woman wanted was for the pain to cease so she could sleep, sleep soundly. Johnson saw her ugly expression and sighed.
"I should examine your wound." Johnson suggested — grasping an arrow — while meeting her gaze intently. "Keep your concentration on me… Now that I think about it; I've been pondering something you mentioned earlier — About dying without any memories. Although prying into someone else's life is not my style but…."
His lips twitched as she raised her eyebrow at him. "My so-called inner devil is 'curious' about the significance behind those words."
'Trying to distract me?' Aria glanced away, her voice hesitant. "I suppose you could say I lack memories- Mother-"
Her words were cut short as Johnson swiftly extracted the embedded arrow from her injury - She winced; Biting her lip to stifle a cry.
"What?" He quickly applied pressure to the wound with a clean cloth - Trying his best to keep her mind occupied in topic. "That's very astounding. Ngl(Not gonna lie)I truly hadn't noticed any indication."
Johnson whispered - genuinely taken aback. "... How long ago did your memories fade? Don't you recall your name either? What about your family? Your friend?"
"FU-" Aria pressed her lips together as Johnson dusted some kind of yellow powder onto the wound. The stinging pain nearly evoked a scream from her, but she wrestled herself quiet; Her face screwed up in the effort to keep silent. Almost immediately, a soothing sensation trickled down on her wound, easing the agony.
"Your wound will mend quickly. Perhaps some thanks are in order?" Johnson met her eyes as he anchored a bandage around her waist.
"I know." Aria tried saying thank you, but the words got stuck in her throat. In the end, she just shook her head. He remained sitting beside her in silence, waiting for her to begin, hoping she would speak.
"..."
"...."
"....."
"My memories are pretty convoluted." She sighed, not in a position to tell him the whole story. It was an insight, somehow a breakthrough in her consciousness that drove her to seek affirmation as she grinned knowingly. "On a different tack- You're one of lycanthrope groups, right?"
'Is she shy... or perhaps not.' Johnson mused after looking at her red cheeks: Interpreting her behaviour as somewhat haughty. He gave a gentle pat on her shoulder before offering an encouraging thumbs-up. "You'll come to understand everything in time, young one."
"Dodged my question..." Aria murmured softly as her eyelids drifted shut. She abruptly recalled that members of the werewolf community refuse to submit to any authority save one: The lunar deity Shiro Moon.
"Revealing one's secrets is a personal decision. Only few would dare compel a werewolf to disclose information against their will - lest they risk their life in an encounter or terrible curse."
Shiro moon, celestial goddess, bestowed her might upon the werewolves and safeguarded their species.
"Indeed. Everyone harbours their own secrets." He remarked, closing his eyes to unwind.
Aria cocked her head inquisitively. "What about that awakening phenomenon you mentioned?"
'Does she have a motive to conceal any type of information?' Johnson regarded her words with a pinch of salt. "You really don't remember anything?"
"..."
"...?!"
"..."
"... Ahem!" He awkwardly cleared his throat after she silently stared — As if he were being foolish. "Take it easy, young one. This is my first meet-up with an amnesiac patient."
"No shit Sherlock holmes." She crossed her hands.
"... In all our universe or heaven — Two different groups of beings coexist." He raises his index and middle finger before giving a detailed account. "The initial category encompasses ordinary humans - Devoid of any mystical capabilities or an internal core for generating magical energy."
Johnson elucidated this point as Aria witnessed a luminous amber hue manifesting around his form. "The other group consists of people like myself - Awakeners. T-"
"... Awakeners had a core that generates or stores mana within the body. According to statistics, Awakeners constitute 47.9% of the population."
Aria interjected as she grabbed her head after a surge of memories caused her pain. "They emerge from mortal lineages; With individuals randomly selected for awakening by nature from all races."
'Fascinating... it appears she had considerable wisdom of- 'Wait…' He thought of a conclusion.
'Is it possible? — That someone has employed arcane techniques to suppress her memories, ensuring she doesn't leak any critical documentary?'
'I'll need to keep a close watch on her.' He opened his eyes – Looking at Aria with pity yet hiding it. "In any case, you're destined to join their ranks."
"How long will the process take?" Aria's voice level despite the excitement she carefully concealed. Johnson — watching her reserved demeanour — didn't take offence. He appreciated her preference for concise: Relevant dialogue rather than unnecessary long talk.
She shifted uncomfortably as Johnson scanned her - Though she quickly relaxed upon sensing no malice in his gaze: pondered her unusual anxiety with physical contact and ogle type looks — Finding it little curious.
"Perhaps... oh, probably in about two hours or so..."
Johnson doesn't know the exact time. In order to lighten the atmosphere; He joked. "I trust you won't object to me addressing you as — Miss Arrogant~~"
"Name is essential…" Aria — contemplated the importance of identity — gently rubbing her chin in thought.
"Good heavens! What's happened to your expression?" His voice shivered in fear and revulsion churning in his gut as her grin stretched unnaturally wide. With a horrible chuckle, She mumbled while licking her lips. "You may call me — The Dark Empress."
"..." Johnson could hardly believe it. Pushing down the waves of nausea at the inanity beside him. 'Is she suffering from some form of juvenile delusional disorder?'
"Cringe! Ends!" He spat in derision.
Aria's face moulded into a sarcastic grin. "How so? you are forgetting - My name isn't the words of your life."
"OHHHHH! So savage reply from Alpha female!" He said in sarcasm yet she said something to make him angry.
"I know right! Now you better lick my toes or else wag your tail for me like a son of bitch!"
'.... Can I beat her already? I want to teach her some manners. If she is like this… What will she do in future when she is comfortable with me?' Although he believed in gender equality; She was in an injured state — Gave him pause as striking her now would be an act of cowardice.
"Let us stop for—" He stopped mid-sentence suddenly, watching her face flushed — the queer violet glow which surrounded her. And with no further ado, He left the cave with few words. "Seems like your transformation is coming. I'll give you some privacy."