Azure sat quietly by the riverbank, staring at the flowing water. It had been days since he last sensed the presence of the soul, and yet, it hadn't appeared. He had grown used to its comforting guidance, but now… something felt off. Time had passed, and still, no soul.
"Arzatious…" Azure murmured, turning toward him. "Do you think something happened to the soul? It's been much longer than it should have been. Is there anything I can do to help find him?"
Arzatious, lounging on a nearby log, raised an eyebrow and gave Azure a playful grin. "You're worried about that? Worry not, little one. I've got a sixth sense for these things."
Azure frowned, feeling an unease settle over him. "But you haven't said anything. Doesn't that mean…?"
"Relax." Arzatious waved his hand dismissively, then paused. His eyes narrowed in thought. "Actually, now that you mention it… I can't sense any souls nearby. Hmmm…" He looked up, as if pondering something.
"What do you mean?" Azure asked, now fully concerned.
Arzatious smiled, ever so mischievously. "Well, don't get your knickers in a twist. I do sense something faint. A very faint aura, in fact." He stood up. "I can lead you there."
They walked together, further from the house, the silence between them filled only with the rustling of the wind and the distant chirps of birds. Arzatious seemed lost in thought, but his usual carefree smile lingered on his lips.
After a while, Arzatious stopped, his finger pointing downward. "Here. This is where it is."
Azure followed his gaze, his heart beginning to race. Arzatious flicked his fingers casually, and the faint, ethereal form of the soul appeared, shimmering like mist in the air.
The soul's expression was different this time. There was a deep, quiet sadness in its eyes, and it drifted closer to Azure. Azure's heart dropped as the soul spoke in a soft, almost nostalgic tone.
"I have fulfilled my duty, Azure," the soul said, its voice gentle but heavy. "I've received the 'shiyu' as promised by your mother in the contract, but I stayed because of you. I watched you grow, protected you, and guided you… and now, I have no more regrets."
Azure felt his chest tighten. He wanted to reach out, to say something, but the words caught in his throat.
"I don't have anything much precious to give you, but here's the book summoning magic that i use, i hope it will be of use to you, with this I've given everything I had," the soul continued, "and now, it's time for me to go. I cannot stay any longer, Azure. But I hope… I hope you will be all right."
Azure's hand trembled, but he didn't know how to respond. He simply stood there, his heart aching as he took in the soul's final words, a small glowing sphere from the soul's hand came to Azure and entered his heart.
The soul's gaze softened, a smile playing on its ethereal lips. "Take care of yourself, Azure. Farewell."
And with those final words, the soul faded, its form dissipating into the wind, leaving only an empty space where it once stood.
Azure remained frozen for a moment, unable to move or speak, his mind overwhelmed with the sudden loss. He looked down at his hands, unsure if he had ever truly understood the weight of what was happening, the bond he had shared with the soul, and now, its absence.
Arzatious watched the scene unfold, his usual joy replaced with a rare, quiet solemnity. He placed a hand on Azure's shoulder and gave him a small, knowing smile.
"Well, life goes on, doesn't it?" Arzatious said softly. "But it's never easy, is it?"
Azure's gaze flicked up to Arzatious. The man—if one could call him that—was still smiling, but there was something about the smile that felt less playful now, more understanding.
Azure nodded, his voice a whisper, "I guess… I wasn't ready for that."
"You never are," Arzatious replied with a flicker of mischief returning to his voice. "But that's life. Sometimes, you just have to keep moving forward. Regrets don't change anything."
Azure took a deep breath, trying to find his footing once again. "Right. Forward."
"So, how about we make the nobles of a kingdom wear necklaces, each filled with a disgusting substance sealed inside a crystal? Doesn't that sound amusing?" Arzatious said, his voice brimming with even more cheerfulness.
"..." Azure didn't reply as he was still saddened by the fact that the soul had left him.
Arzatious tilted his head, his smile never faltering as he explained, "It's like—well, imagine a grand theater. The show has to end, right? Everyone gets their curtain call. The actors may not know their roles are over, but it's necessary for the play to go on. Souls, too, must move on for balance. They deserve to leave the stage when their time's up, and we, the living, need to keep the seats filled." Arzatious grinned, his eyes sparkling with playful mischief. "Without it, it's just chaos..." He clapped his hands cheerfully, "And chaos needs a little structure to truly sparkle, like a jigsaw puzzle missing half the pieces! Sure, it's wild, but without that last piece, it's just a confusing mess. Balance, my dear Azure—balance is what keeps the fun alive! Otherwise, it's like trying to juggle flaming swords with one hand tied behind your back—not nearly as fun as it sounds!"
Azure, now thoughtful, gave a lighthearted smirk. "So, it's like the universe's way of kicking people out of a party when they've overstayed their welcome?"
Arzatious's laughter rang out, bright and carefree. "Exactly! And with a little drink in hand to make sure it's a smooth exit. No need for awkward goodbyes, just a little nudge, and off they go—onto their next adventure, wherever that might be!" He winked. "It's all part of the grand, hilarious game!"
As the night stretched on, Azure and Arzatious walked side by side, the moon casting a soft glow on their path. Arzatious, with his usual mischievous charm, dropped one silly, wild joke after another, his voice full of life and laughter. Azure couldn't help but chuckle along, despite himself. Each of Arzatious's jokes, as ridiculous as they were, had a strange way of lifting his spirits.
It was as if the world had lightened with their laughter, and in that moment, they were just two wanderers on an endless night—sharing stories, jokes, and the kind of camaraderie that only the most unlikely of companions could share.