The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the plush living room, illuminating dust motes dancing in the still air. Sharone sat on the large, comfortable couch, her fingers gently stroking the incredibly soft, gold-hued white fur of the Chimera rabbit nestled in her lap. Its rhythmic breathing was the only sound that had broken the tense silence for the past few moments.
Across from her, Nefaria reclined on a chaise lounge, a picture of languid grace. The day she looked different from the day she returned to the house. That day she looked haggard and worn was clearly behind her.
Her demeanour had returned to its default setting: an air of supreme confidence bordering on arrogance. The loose-fitting silk kimono she wore, a vibrant shade of dark blue with cyan-coloured cloud patterns, was artfully disheveled. The neckline plunged low, showcasing the swell of her breasts, while a generous slit up the side revealed a long, shapely thigh as one leg casually crossed over the other. It was an attire that spoke of utter comfort in her own space, a blatant disregard for modesty in the presence of those she considered beneath her concern. Her arms were crossed imperiously beneath her chest, her violet eyes observing Sharone and Adriana with a hint of bored amusement.
Adriana sat beside Sharone, her posture more reserved, her gaze steady on Nefaria. Sharone glanced at her from the corner of her eye. Adriana didn't seem too curious about the current case with Nefaria. If anything, she appeared to be hiding something. Sharone suspected that her friend and rival in love had seen something through her enlightenment after gaining Transcendence but for some reason wasn't motivated to share what she had seen. While she felt a bit uneasy and curiosity gnawed at her, Sharone respected Adriana's silence, trusting her friend's discerning nature.
"There's probably a reason why she's kept silent. I'm sure she'll reveal what she knows when the time is right."
Sharone told herself.
The arrival of Nefaria and Tye had been abrupt, a tear in the fabric of space that Sharone had registered instantly.
'Aegis', Kojo's intricate web of protective energy woven into the barrier that surrounded their house, had pulsed with the intrusion. The skill, initially designed to alert Kojo to malicious intent as well as prevent any outsider from using their abilities due to its anti-magic nature, had been broadened before his departure, a precautionary measure allowing his 'household' to be aware of any breaches.
Sharone, however, possessed a deeper connection to Kojo than the others. She had drunk Kojo's blood in the forest when he saved her over a year ago, also being the first member of his household. His true partner. This link resonated with Aegis, granting her an innate awareness of its boundaries similar to that of its master.
The memory of that primal act, of being claimed as his first, sent a faint warmth through her, a fleeting echo of a profound belonging.
She smiled faintly and pushed the sentiment aside, focusing on the present. Her connection also allowed her to sense Kojo's state – his energy levels, his life force, his proximity – though that wasn't her immediate concern.
What troubled Sharone was the circumstances of Nefaria's arrival. The daemon, usually radiating effortless power, had looked utterly drained, Tye unusually subdued. It suggested that their recent excursion, wherever it had been, was far from trivial. And the fact that Nefaria clearly knew the Chimera rabbit's elusive whereabouts and possessed the means to travel there was a significant piece of information Sharone couldn't ignore.
If something could leave a being as formidable as Nefaria in such a state, it posed a potential threat to Kojo, a thought that sent a cold tendril of fear through her. She'd be damned if any threat to him be manifested. Taking a deep breath, Sharone broke the silence.
"Nefaria," her voice was calm but held a firm undercurrent, "you seemed… unwell when you arrived. We were concerned."
Nefaria arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow, her lips curving into a condescending smile. "Concerned? For me? Oh,how… touching."
Adriana's steady gaze didn't waver.
"It was more curiosity than concern," she stated plainly.
"But yes. You looked as if you had gone a few rounds with a particularly tenacious creature. Considering your usual… resilience, we were, yes, concerned."
Nefaria scoffed, a dismissive wave of her hand.
"My condition upon arrival is of no consequence. I was merely fulfilling my duties."
"Duties, huh?" Adriana pressed, her sharp intellect sensing the deflection.
"What duties would those be?"
"Duties whose concepts would elude your mortal minds even if I tried to explain." Nefaria retorted, her tone laced with haughty disdain.
Sharone exchanged a quick glance with Adriana. They were treading carefully, but Nefaria's evasiveness only heightened their suspicion.
"These duties," Sharone continued, her voice even, "did they involve a… confrontation with a powerful foe?"
"Obviously," Nefaria drawled, as if the question was an insult to her intelligence. "One does not return looking… 'unwell,' as you so delicately put it, after a pleasant stroll through a field of daisies."
Adriana's gaze narrowed slightly.
"Was this something personal? Or does it concern us in some way?"
Nefaria fell silent, her violet eyes flicking away, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her features for a split second before her arrogant mask settled back into place. Adriana, her perception sharpened by years of dealing with shrewd people in noblity, noted the subtle shift. Sharone, equally perceptive, registered this as well.
Before they could press further, Nefaria raised a hand, effectively cutting off their inquiries.
"Very well," she said, her tone suddenly more direct, though still tinged with superiority.
"I will be frank. Yes, I engaged a being in combat. And yes," she paused, her gaze flicking towards the sleeping Chimera rabbit in Sharone's lap," It is related to Kojo. In ways that I am actively attempting to sever at the root."
She offered a dismissive shrug.
"But there is no need for your mortal fretting. Tye and I handled it… adequately. For now. So you may both rest easy."
Sharone and Adriana glanced down at the Chimera rabbit, its soft snores filling the momentary silence. It looked utterly innocuous, a ball of fluffy contentment.
It was easy to forget that this cute bunny was not an ordinary creature but a ForbiddenBeast, capable of unimaginable chaos.
"And where has Tye been disappearing to all this time?" Adriana asked, her voice betraying no excess emotion.
Nefaria's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "That is information you do not need to know now. Suffice it to say, you should both be grateful for such a diligent and… caring Guardian. You truly are blessed."
Sharone and Adriana exchanged a puzzled look. Nefaria's cryptic words only deepened the mystery.
Suddenly, a sharp jolt, like an unexpected electric current, shot through Sharone. Aegis had been breached. But the familiar signature that followed the intrusion made her relax almost instantly. A wave of warmth washed over her, a visceral recognition that always accompanied his presence.
In the very center of the living room, with a soft ripple of displaced air, Kojo and Lin materialized. Sharone was on her feet in an instant, a cry of "Kojo!" escaping her lips as she launched herself into his arms, holding him tight. The,who had been thrown by her sudden movement floated over to Nefaria who used her power to move him towards her. He stirred but didn't wake. Nefaria striker his fur.
Kojo chuckled, catching her easily, his arms wrapping around her in a comforting embrace. Adriana rose more slowly, a soft smile gracing her lips as she approached.
"Welcome back," Sharone murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
"I'm back," Kojo replied, his gaze tender as he looked at her. He then turned to Adriana, who stood a respectful distance away. He opened his arms, and she stepped into his embrace, a quiet warmth passing between them.
Sharone moved to hug Lin, a gesture of camaraderie and affection. Nefaria, still lounging on the couch, watched the reunion with a raised eyebrow, a hint of sardonic amusement in her eyes.
"Mortals," she scoffed, though there was a tiny hint of longing in her demeanor.
Kojo finally noticed her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.
"Yo, Nefaria. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Of course I'm here," she drawled, her tone implying the absurdity of his statement. "This is my house as well, last I checked."
"Oh?" Kojo said, slightly surprised. He was thinking she'd be looking for ways to destroy the SoulLink they shared through Fealty, but she seemed content and even accepted her position. Ironic for a being known for her boundless pride.
"How did you get here?" Sharone asked, pulling back slightly from her hug.
But it was Nefaria who noticed it first. Her violet eyes widened abruptly, a sharp intake of breath escaping her lips.
"By the abyss! What the hell have you done?!" Her sudden outburst startled everyone in the room.
Her gaze was fixed on a point just behind Kojo, her finger pointing accusingly. Following her line of sight, Sharone saw it too. A shimmering, silver cord, almost invisible against the air, extended from Kojo, fading into nothingness a few inches away from his form. Lin had one as well.
Sharone's brow furrowed, her eyes narrowing in comprehension.
"Astral projection." Now it was her turn to be angry.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Don't you know it's dangerous?"
Kojo laughed nervously.
"(See, I told you.)"