The cobblestones beneath my worn leather boots whispered secrets of a city I barely recognized, a maze of narrow alleyways and flickering gas lamps. Today, I was a phantom, a whisper in the bustling tapestry of this unfamiliar place. My destination: a rendezvous with a soul as rare as a star in a moonless sky.
A velvet masquerade mask, obsidian black, clung to my face, concealing my identity, a silent promise of anonymity. Its intricate filigree, like frozen starlight, caught the dim light, casting dancing shadows that shifted with my every move. My shield, usually a bulwark of steel and resolve, shimmered with an ethereal glow, the Illusion spell woven into its surface, a shifting mirage of swirling smoke and phantom flames, a spectacle designed to distract and disorient.
The air hung heavy with the mingled scents of roasted meats, spiced wine, and the earthy tang of damp wood as I navigated the labyrinthine streets, seeking her. My journey led me through a succession of taverns, each a cacophony of raucous laughter, clinking tankards, and the mournful strains of a lone lute player. The "Drunken Dragon," the "Rusty Flagon," the "Whispering Serpent" – each held a fleeting glimpse of faces, a momentary snapshot of stories, but none held the one I sought.
Finally, in a dimly lit corner of the "Forgotten Hearth," a tavern tucked away in a shadowed courtyard, I found her. She sat alone, a solitary figure amidst the boisterous crowd, a stark contrast to the revelry around her. The flickering candlelight danced across her face, revealing a melancholic beauty that had been eclipsed by a veil of sorrow.
Her shoulders slumped, her gaze distant, she seemed lost in a world of her own, a world painted in shades of gray.
Gone was the vibrant spark that usually lit her eyes, replaced by a dull, almost extinguished ember. Her once radiant smile, a beacon of warmth and joy, was now a faint memory, replaced by a grim line etched on her lips. Her attire, usually a vibrant tapestry of silks and intricate embroidery, was now a simple, almost drab gown, the color of twilight. The elaborate braids that usually adorned her hair were now loose, cascading over her shoulders like tangled shadows.
It was as if a cruel enchantress had stolen her essence, leaving behind a hollow shell.
She was a ghost of her former self, a fragile echo of the vibrant woman I knew. The air around her crackled with an unspoken sadness, a palpable aura of loss that hung heavy in the dimly lit corner.
A single, half-empty glass of crimson wine sat before her, untouched, reflecting the flickering candlelight like a pool of blood.
The silence surrounding her was deafening, a stark contrast to the raucous din of the tavern.
I took a chair and sat beside her.
"Waiting for someone?" I knew the answer but still asked
She shook her head in a negative way.
I came close to her
"How about we have some fun?" I asked
"No thanks."
Some people were looking at me while gossiping to each other.
"Hey, is that guy serious, does he even want to live?" One of them said
"I bet he doesn't know who he's going after." the other one said
"I bet he has a death wish."
"He got guts to state his intentions clearly. He's quite something." One of girls said
Boys and girls both were commenting on my guts.
Let's take it to the extreme.
"I'll be honest, I wanna do a one night stand with ya. You've got a nice booty, I bet your ass will be amazing." I said loudly.
Compared to how much she teased me in my previous life, this much is nothing.
She got up from her chair and started going outside, I followed her.
"Did it worked?" One guy said
"There's no way it would. If it was this easy, I would've already done it." One muscular man said
"He's amazing. I hope he's prepared for what's going to happen next." One girl said
I looked at her and she winked at me.
I have the gist of what she's referring to, but that much is nothing for me.
Sadeena stopped and turned towards me.
I looked at her but she wasn't looking at me, she started walking from beside me towards her chair.
Here it comes...
Bang*
She punched at me but I grabbed her hand.
"To think you stopped my attack at blank point range, did you already expected it? Still... I have to admit I've never saw someone as sharp as you."
"You are amazing too. To think you have such a flawless body and beautiful face. It was unexpected that you'd have this much strength." I said
I unheld her only to see another punch coming at me. Still, this one is a faint, the real attack is
Slash*
She attacked me using her blade, but I dodged it.
Isn't she going to far? Is she out of her mind?
"You're good at dodging." She said
"How about we stop fighting and praise each other. We can also do other things if you want." I said, winking at her.
"There's no way a normal adventure can have this much strength and speed. Who're you? She asked
"Not so important. You can say I'm your... Benefactor."
"Benefactor? I don't need a benefactor."
"Are you sure? Lets see..."
I came closed to her, she stepped back.
Too slow
I came behind her in no time and whispered in her ear
"Raphtalia and Rifana are alive."
"What?"
She grabbed my shirt.
Don't be in too much hurry, we have plenty of time to do it in a room. Just you and me." I Said
"Answer my question!"
"What if i didn't?"
"Please, I beg you, tell me you aren't lying."
"What I'm saying is true. I don't know about the others, but Raphtalia and Rifana are alive. Do you wanna meet them?" I said
"Of course, please let me meet them." She cried
"I will, but I have two conditions." I said
"I will!"
A lot of people were looking at us
"Let's talk while sitting there." I said
Wwe both sat on our previous seats.
"Tell me, what do I have to do? I will do anything." She said
"Alright. You have to spend one night with me, doing all that dirty stuffs that couples do. Seeing at your face, I can tell you're a virgin. W-wait, its the second condition."
I looked at her.I wanted to know what she would say.
"And what's the first?" She asked
"I'll tell you that when you've completed the second one." I said
"You aren't lying about them being alive right? If you are, stop this now. Otherwise I'll make you go through hell!"
"You can't do anything to me. Also, dont worry they're alive. So, where should we do that?" I said
"Follow me."
She started going somewhere, I followed her. People were still gossiping about us.
After walking for about 30 minutes, she stopped.
"Is this the place?" I asked
"It's my house." She said
"Amazing."
The threshold of her home whispered secrets as we crossed it, a hushed prelude to the intimacy that awaited. She led me, not down a hallway, but into the very heart of her sanctuary—her bedroom. The air within was thick with a nervous anticipation, a palpable tension that crackled between us.
"Alright," she began, her voice a delicate tremor, "about the lights... on or off?"
A slow smile spread across my face. "On. That's where the fun truly lies," I replied, my gaze tracing the delicate curve of her neck.
She inhaled sharply, the movement barely perceptible. "One night... it lasts for seven hours, at most. I'll give you those seven hours. You can make me do whatever you want. Just promise me... promise you won't tell anyone. And," she paused, her eyes locking with mine, a vulnerability shimmering within their depths, "it's my first time. Please... a little restraint."
"You know," I murmured, a playful glint in my eyes, "people usually start at nine, and change clothes around eight. That's eleven hours."
She didn't respond, her breath catching in her throat. Instead, she turned away, a silent ballet of hesitation and surrender, and began to undress. The soft rustle of fabric against skin filled the room, a whispered symphony of vulnerability. Her movements were deliberate, each piece of clothing falling away like a shedding of inhibitions, revealing the delicate contours of her form. Her gaze remained averted, fixed on an unseen point across the room, as if the act of looking away could somehow lessen the intensity of the moment, the raw exposure of her first surrender. The room, bathed in the soft glow of the lamp, held its breath, a silent witness to the unfolding scene.