Closer To The End----V

Night had rolled in and the chaos of the day bled into the darkness of the starry sky.

In his house, Elias sat by the fire book in hand while the other traced the engravings of the Khanjar's sheath fixed on his waistline.

Whilst his eyes were still fixated on the book, Elias lifted the arm stroking his dagger and drew with his finger in the air with great speed, one which the naked eye could not completely catch.

For a split second, a crystalline energy etched itself in the atmosphere sputtering some soft flickering light, before the Aeter crumbled from the pattern and dropped to the ground only to vanish from sight.

'Another failed attempt…'

Perched on his wooden chair's arm, Eset tried the same thing with her talons. She drew the protection rune Algiz {ᛉ}, her amethyst gem shining beautifully along with her white antlers.

Slowly, the runic pattern took shape, Aeter materializing its effects instantly. Threads of Aeter wove themselves into one straight line with two branching arms raised to the heavens. Once the antler like rune was complete, a soft pulse of magic could be felt as a simple white hexagonal shield formed.

[Humph! I told you I could do it faster than you.]

[HAHAHAAH, I never doubted you, good job]

Chuckling, Elias closed the book, leaving the giggly owl pattering her feet on the chair as he got ready for his routinely healing session at Drea's. One he has been putting off for the longest.

He donned his new grey tunic and leather pants, gifts he received over the years from his friends and their families.

He slung his bow over his shoulder and fixed the khanjar at his waist, a small smile tugging his lips from the sentiment it contains.

[Eset, would you do the honors?]

###

-Knock, Knock

"Who is it?" asked a voice behind the thumping wooden door.

"It's us Leo, open the door already"

Creaking, the worn out door opened slightly and a small hand ushered Elias inside. The red haired boy urgently led his friend through the small house, reaching a room whose door was left cracked open.

"Hurry inside guys she's waiting for you."

Elias nodded solemnly at his friend, bravely entering the candle-lit room and coming upon the ill women gazing at the stars.

Drea's golden hair had lost its otherworldly luster, weak silver strands raggedly falling down her scalp. Her flawless fair skin, now pale and dry, flaking at the creases of her limbs.

While Drea gets tired from time to time and her mysterious condition does flare up, it had never gotten that dangerous.

Earlier that day in the plaza, both Eset and Elias showed shock and confusion at her condition. Even more so, when she was out and about walking through the town when she chanced on their 'sticky' situation.

Drea coming to their aid threw both of them into more confusion, rattling their firm belief in holding their suspicion over her. But Elias knew better than to rule someone out directly as a threat, today's mistake affirmed that lesson.

"Come closer young shepherd, little Eset too, don't be shy I won't bite. Ufufu"

Carefully, the duo approached closer. Eset flew off to the head frame of the bed, while Elias the bedside, taking Drea's outstretched hand into his.

"So doctor, what's your diagnosis?"

There it was again. Drea's disarming attitude and soft voice, causing one to drop his guard. But Elias was a man on a mission, he refused to swoon under her motherly act.

"Just the usual. Although Eset will help me a bit, your condition is not good today." Said Elias sternly and mechanically, trying his best not to look into her eyes for her would surely crumble under their gentle gaze.

[Eset, use your wind attribute healing spell, and I'll use mine. We can't rank them, so just put a hefty amount of Aeter in there.]

Just like the ranks of beasts and men, spells and martial techniques have ranks. From D to SSS, magic spells are ranked based on the Aeter fueling them and their effect on the corporeal world around them. Ranking spells was the works of scholars, each magic tome would contain the magic spell's rank and scholar certification.

In the duo's case, some of their spells were self-created to adapt to the unique situations they find themselves in and the lack of magic tomes.

[On your cue Elias]

The young boy took a deep breath readying himself before he nodded at his sister.

{Nature's Kiss} / {Wind Blanket}

As the greenish energy enveloped Drea, her body slowly energized returning to its former healthy state.

'Magic truly is something'

"Oh thank you two, quite the relief your magic is."

Elias let her kind words fly right over his head, finally having the resolve to look her in the eyes.

"What were you doing there Drea. Was it you? Did you cause that deafening noise?"

As if she expected his question, Drea merely narrowed her eyes, the smile never leaving her face. Drea rested her head on the palm of her hand as she innocently stared at the young boy

"Whatever do you mean little Elias, I was just taking a nightly stroll."

Frustrated at how she evaded his question, Elias stood up in annoyance, closing the distance between them.

"Don't run from the question Drea. DID.YOU.DO.IT!"

Unfazed by his fit of frustration, Drea only smiled further. Better yet, refusing to answer his question, she opted to play a little prank, tickling her fancy of teasing Elias.

With mischievous eyes, Drea planted a sneaky kiss on his nose, giggling to herself as Elias's face burned up in embarrassment.

Tumbling backwards, Elias clasped his hands over his nose as his eyes stared at Drea in shock and betrayal.

"W-Why did you do that?!" he exclaimed.

"Do what?"

Sighing, Elias dropped his head to the floor, fed up with this woman's antics. Eset teleported from the head frame to the side of his head, her eyes mockingly looking down at his face.

[Lost again?]

"Lost again…"

Elias got up tiredly, his social battery drained from this awkward interaction. Making his way to the door, he bid goodnight to the teasing woman who just giggled in response, fluttering her fingers goodbye.

###

Elias walked back to the town's entrance by the bridge, conversing secretly with Eset.

[You don't think it's her do you Elias.]

[No, I don't. I am not sure why I am convinced so, but it's just not her.]

By the entrance, Eset stopped Elias just before he crossed the bridge. They had installed a checkpoint for the owl's teleportation spell, one they would use to travel back and forth when not in a hurry.

In a burst of light and a crack in space, the duo disappeared from the town under one malicious pair of eyes, under which a mouth was smirking evilly.

"Nosy little boy~ Who would have known that there was not only a wolf in sheep's clothing, but a prince in a shepherd's."