As the stars emerged from their hidden slumber, the fireplace of the "The Rusty Axe" Tavern crackled, and Kassandra joined in on the conversation. The Holy Church of Rosenthorn sent the Blades to investigate the pillar of light coming from the temple. Shiva then explained the origin of the pillar of light as well as explained her relation to Grey.
So, let me get this straight.", started one of the Blades, "You're the Goddess of Summons and Summoning. Grey, whoever he is, freed you and Grey is some kind of living book?"
"Quite literally a living archive of his people's history. He possesses no magical capacity and yet can fly without the use of any magic power on a flying machine built by one of the many souls tethered to his soul." Shiva said as she picked up a mug of ale as Grey sat down beside her. "Two souls actually, Orville and Wilbur Wright." He said with a confident smile.
The Blade with angelic wings nodded and looked at the table. "Then Styx is the former servant of someone who alerted the King of your presence here... and yet he chose to attack you? Honestly, such crass behavior." She sipped on a mug of ale before speaking up again. "Unfortunately, there's no way the Church would ever believe us if we told the Bishop all of this. Not unless the Goddess Shiva, Styx, the Priestess, her Knight, and of course Sir Grey were to accompany us back. Kassandra nodded and looked up from her cup of tea.
"While I would like to resolve this matter, I can't ignore the threat that taking Styx, Emilee, Jasper, and our defender, Sir Grey, would pose to our little village. Especially now with the King looking for any opening in our defenses." The group looked down after Kassandra's statement, but she polished off her cup of tea and spoke up. "That would be the case if you weren't planning on leaving three guards here. Grey is more than capable of making up for your lost strength and manpower." Smirked Kassandra, knowing she and the Captain of the Blades and herself had already worked out the plan. The angel-winged Captain giggled with her mouth covered. "Think you can handle that, Grey?"
Grey seemed to be lost in thought but held his finger up for just a moment to think. "To be frank, I am extremely low on energy, but I should be more than enough to keep us safe. Besides, I need to explore more of the tethered souls I am carrying." One of the Blades sat forward and looked at Grey. "I am the Blade of Creed, known as Griffin. I'd ask you to please forgive my forward-natured question and rudeness, but I am unfamiliar with you and how you... work? Function? Help me out here."
Grey nodded and smiled. "No need to apologize. It's an understandable question, especially since I'd be filling in for your people.", Grey took a breath and began to explain. "My ability is called "Annals Incarnate", or in your diction's translation, quite literally living history. When I use the ability, I can utilize creations made by the souls such as the Wright Flyer. It's the flying machine you all saw me use. I am also able to boost my physical strength, speed, and overall endurance as well. However...", Grey shifted uneasily trying to find a way to explain Stagolee's power. However, before he even has a chance to pick his words, Stagolee manifests himself on top of the tavern's table and takes a seat next to the Blade.
"Well now! It's not every day you meet Holy Knights! Let alone one's with magical essence radiating from their bodies!" The Voodoo Vigilante grinned a dark grin as the Holy Blades all jumped up from the table, blades in a drawn position. "Oh come now. Miss Captain of the Blades, you know as well as I that holy blades can do me no harm. Besides, you're the only one who didn't get... froggy." Grinned Stagolee as the Captain of the Blades sipped her mug of ale quietly.
"The soul here is correct. Now sit down before you cause a panic." She shook her head as Stagolee continued to speak. "Now then... to formally introduce myself. I am the soul called the "The Great Steamboat Voodoo Vigilante", Badman Stagolee. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He lowered his head and removed his infamous Stetson before speaking again. "To your point of "such crass behavior", I am... inclined to agree. Especially since my soul is what allows Grey to utilize magic, without magical affinity of any sort."
The Blades looked to the Goddess and Kassandra, who both confirmed his statement. With a grin, he stood up and bowed. "This has been fun! However, I believe you all have things to discuss. Till we meet again... Holy Blades." Just as quickly as he'd appeared, so too did he vanish. Grey's head smacked the tabletop re-alerting him to his energy deficit. The concerned looks from everyone were calmed by Grey. "As I was saying, I am in an energy deficit. As a result, whenever a soul, specifically a powerful one manifests for everyone to see, I stop rejuvenating my stored supply. The Goddess has assured me that I'll have ample energy to make the journey tomorrow morning, however... If I use up all of my energy, I will fall unconscious." Grey looked at Griffin and spoke again.
"Normally, I draw my energy from food and the sun. However, that explosion I created with my skill, "Atomic Kerosene", depletes the energy of my willpower, which is the power supply of not only my life force but also how the souls can remain alive in a sense." Grey paused remembering his old life, where he threw every last bit of his energy to save those he cared about most. He looked up from his lap. "It takes quite a while to fully deplete my reserve of energy, and I've only ever fully depleted even my soul of its power one time. Hence how Shiva and I became acquainted in the first place."
Griffin nodded as his Captain stood up. "It's rather late. We should get..." The Captain was interrupted by Styx slumping over drunk. Seems the ale would affect an elf as it was made by the Dwarves that resided within the village. Without hesitation, Grey put Styx in his arms and smiled. "See everyone in the morning."
As he left the tavern, Styx stirred gently and wrapped his arms around Grey's neck. Opening his eyes, he blushed as Grey was too focused on getting him home safely. As Grey arrived at the door of Styx's house, Styx fussed to stand up to which Grey agreed, standing Styx up. However, to his surprise, Styx fell into him and they landed on the floor of Styx's house. "I-I..." Styx looked into Grey's tri-colored eyes intensely. Styx's hand was blazing hot on Grey's flustered cheek. "I... *hiccup*... know you... I-I'm Onyx... Don't you remember me?" Styx wavered a moment, "I-I loved and missed you... Grey." Styx fell silent as he lay on top of Grey, fast asleep. Grey carefully sat up, eyes wide, mouth agape at what Styx had just said. "You're... Onyx..." Grey's eyes trembled with silent tears. Shiva had kept her promise and brought those he'd loved safely to this world.
After he wiped his eyes, he laid Styx in bed and softly closed the door. His tri-colored eyes teared up again as he clutched his chest just above his heart and crumpled to the ground. The Goddess watched him silently with Kassandra as Grey looked up into the sky and muttered the words, "Thank you... from the bottom of my heart." After which, he went back inside and closed the door. He sat in the corner of Styx's room and feel asleep, filled with a sense of hope.