Ignatius sat alone in his dimly lit room, his heart pounding in anticipation. He focused his energy, summoning the Mystic Orb of Fate. The air around him shimmered. With a soft hum, the orb materialised, floating above his outstretched hand. Its internal storm grew more turbulent, feeding off his limitless power.
The runes on its surface ignited, casting a kaleidoscope of colours across the room and reflecting on the walls like a cosmic light show.
A low, humming sound emanated from the orb, resonating deep within Ignatius's chest and filling him with awe. The runes etched in what appeared molten silver shimmered with an ethereal glow that pulsed as if the orb itself was breathing.
At its core, the orb contained a swirling vortex of deep blues and purples, with occasional flashes of golden light, giving it a sense of depth as though it held an entire universe within.
Ignatius stared at the orb, wondering how to use it as his family had suggested. He did not trust Rowan; he would keep the orb a secret. His mother had warned him about the royal court, saying it could corrupt anyone.
The idea came to him unbidden: ask.
He stared at the orb and whispered, "Show me what you can do."
The flames within the orb shaped into an elegant, flowing script, floating in the air before him, writing out the details of his quest and level. Each letter was formed with precision, and the flames danced and flickered as they spelt out the words.
The text appeared in a circular formation, with the main quest in the centre and side quests branching out like the petals of a flower. Level and progress indicators were displayed around the edges, creating a comprehensive and readable display.
Ignatius read the script, and it showed he was level zero. Then, the words changed: "Master has reached level one." More writing appeared in the side quest pane: "Quest: Give a ring to Luna. Reward: Binding sword Master elf to yourself. She will gain her ancestors' magic as you do. Elf swordswoman procedure. She will be cleansed and remade to create a core for manna."
Main quest: "Household females' level zero. Level household bonded to reach maximum level."
Ignatius read the list of names. Everyone appeared except Luna. Did he need to bond with her to increase her levels?
Ignatius wondered what the orb meant by "remade." Writing replaced the old. Disappearing as if blown out by a breeze dissipating into the air, responding to his thoughts. "She will become a primordial elf like yourself."
Side Quest: "You need to finish in Luna to bond with her, making her part of your household."
He hesitated, fearing losing her again, which troubled his thoughts and emotions. This would endanger Luna. Could he live with himself if she got injured? She had not asked to become his bonded or part of his household. Would she agree if he asked?
Did she still love Bradley, keeping his love in her heart? Did she only see him as a friend and nothing more? He wondered if this could lead to progress in their relationship or break it down. He would feel terrible and never forgive himself if something happened to her. He had regained his childhood friend, although she had changed in many ways.
Her sweet scent had changed to something else that he did not particularly like. He blamed Bradley for that. He had overused her, Ignatius thought.
Zarkon entered the room, his gaze falling on the orb. Seeing the script in the air. He bowed, saying, "Master, you have unlocked the orb."
"Ancient primordial elven script—my eyes are blessed to see it again after millennia."
Ignatius looked at Zarkon, determination in his eyes. "I must speak with Luna."
Zarkon lowered his head. "Is she the one Master?"
"She might be one of many, my friend," Ignatius said.
Spoken like the royal prince you are, my Master: Zarkon said, admiration in his eyes.
Ignatius had agonised over this since they arrived in Misty Cove. He could not deny it, and he still loved her. He wanted to trust her. He would forget the past and look to a new future with her. He could be her friend if he could not have her as a lover. It would break his heart if she chose another again. He needed to take the risk to show her how he felt about her.
"I need her help. If she agrees, I will give her the ring."
He would keep the "magic remade" bit a secret, not wanting to scare her away into another man's arms.
Zarkon nodded. "As you wish, Master."
Ignatius dismissed the orb, extinguishing its light. The room returned to its dim state. He knew what he had to do, but the weight of the decision pressed heavily on his shoulders. He would speak to Luna, and they would decide their fate together.
Luna watched Ignatius pace the room, his brow furrowed with worry. The Mystic Orb of Fate floated next to him. Its internal storm more turbulent than ever.
Luna pointed at the orb. As soon as it appeared, she held her pillow before her for protection. "What is that?"
Ignatius stopped. "It is the Mystic Orb of Fate."
Luna lowered her pillow. "I see."
"Ignatius, we must continue searching for your mother's killers." Luna urged, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's the reason I became a detective."
"I've followed every clue, but I've found nothing. When you moved to this small town, I came with you because I couldn't bear to be apart."
Ignatius stopped pacing. His eyes filled with doubt. Separated from him for fifteen years. Why now. He thought. "But Luna, it's dangerous. I don't want to put you in harm's way."
Luna got off the bed and stepped closer, taking his hand in hers.
"We'll wear disguises to protect our identities. We'll be travelling performers."
"I would have to finish inside you for our bond to be completed," Ignatius said as he stopped pacing. This was the make-or-break point, he thought.
She placed his hand on her heart, which raced, holding it in place. Her generous bosom always convinced him. He could feel how firm they were. "You, a magician, and I, a dancer. Please, we need to do this. I will do anything you ask of me."
After a moment of hesitation, he did not remove his hand as she moved it to her breast to make sure he could feel what she offered. Ignatius nodded. "All right, Luna. We'll do it your way."
Ignatius leaned in, kissing her. Her eyes widened.
Two hours later, Luna lay spent, her head resting on his chest. He held her; she could feel his warmth. His hand was on the back of her head.
"Luna," Ignatius whispers. She opened her eyes looking up. He stared at her kissing her forehead. "I have something to give you."
She turned around. "Does this mean we are more than friends now?"
Ignatius kissed her. "Yes, you have been my dream woman since our teens."
"I have never stopped loving you." He said, brushing his hand through her hair.
Ignatius hugged her and then stood. Going to his jacket, he picked it up, searching in a pocket. She stood, her bed soaked. "I…." she said.
"Do not worry, Luna, I know you had Bradley," Ignatius said, finding what he was looking for.
"Now you are mine, and you're with me. I would have waited an eternity for you," he said, walking to her.
Ignatius took her hand and slipped the gold ring on her finger—a wedding band. He could see her tears roll down her cheeks. Suddenly, golden primordial elven script flowed from the orb into her navel.
Luna moaned loudly. Her legs trembled. The feeling overwhelmed her senses as the power flowed into her. She glanced at Ignatius. He held her hand and shoulder, concern for her in his eyes.
She shuddered, moaning. Her legs gave way. Ignatius held her. Then, lay her on the bed. The flowing line of the script stopped.
The Mystic Orb's runes ignited, and the script formed in the air, detailing her level. Luna stared at it, unable to read the ancient language.
"Ignatius, what does it say?" she gasped for air.
"It states that you're now level zero," Ignatius explained.
He caressed her cheek while her breathing slowly normalised as her heart calmed.
"This has bound you to me as one of my household."
He stopped for effect. "You'll gain ancient magic and level as I do."
Luna's eyes widened.
Ignatius lit his pipe, puffing away as he sat silently, his eyes roaming her body.
Luna excitedly said, "I will hide my elven sword under my flowing clothes."
*********
Luna lay in bed staring out the window at the moon. He took me as his wife. She wanted to stand outside and scream it aloud. She was spent. She had never had such a blissful experience before. Could this feeling inside me be love, she thought? She drifted off to sleep with her new happy memories.
Ignatius held her as they stood on a cliff overlooking a sprawling city. She recognised it as the capital, with the Unsealy Court's massive building next to the royal palace. She realised they were on a floating island. The capital looked new.
Ignatius turned her around, showing her a city with white stone walls. Fey of all kinds went about their day, and in the distance, a canopy loomed with stairs towering over the city. There are no vehicles or modern trams in the city. She thought how strange.
On the throne sat Silvi, her beauty unchanged. She was the queen of the Sealy domain, and her majesty was evident as fae lined up to give her jewels and gold. The masses bowed to the canopy, praising her name. Ignatius wrapped his arms around her, his hands on her flat stomach. His muscular body pressed her from behind like a stone wall. She felt safe and content.
Luna woke from the dream, feeling strange. It was morning, and she noticed a change as she looked in the mirror. Luna sniffed at herself, lifting her arms, touching herself, and then sniffing her fingers. She marvelled at how her scent had reverted to that of her teen years.
Her body had lost its firmness since coming here. She sniffed her old clothes in the bin and cringed. Something inside her, under her navel, pulsed with her breathing. She inspected her naked body, marvelling at herself. She was a new woman. No, she thought her body looked twenty again. She touched her breasts, and they were firmer than before, a bit bigger as well.
She could feel the power pulsing inside her. She noticed her ears. They were longer and more elegant. She had always admired Silvi's ears, and now she had the same ears. She felt majestic, even like a queen. She giggled as she touched herself. Her six-pack was faintly visible as she moved.
Looking at the ring on her finger, the symbols glowed. They made her feel nauseated if she stared too long. Dressing as fast as she could, she felt like a teen again. Excitedly, she ran down the stairs to the training area. Wondering what she could do with such a well-toned body. She relished in her silky, smooth skin. She held her arm up her skin like milk without blemish.
As she practised her first warm-up move. She almost cut the pole housing the lantern for the back door clean through. She stared at her blade, noticing a faint blue shimmer at its edge. She placed the blade on Zarkon's favourite chair. It cut through the wood like a hot knife through butter. Luna threw the two halves of the chair over the wall in shock, giggling.
Ignatius had given her power beyond belief. As she trained, she felt exhilarated, like a teenager again, her energy and nimble body renewed. The word "remade" popped into her head, and she smiled, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
She could feel that they would face danger together. She would protect him with everything she had. She wanted to be the sheath for his spear. What would today bring for them, and what threats awaited them around the corner?