Chapter 297
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Chapter 297:
"Honey, I'm home!" I called out as I entered the Colored Rooms. My body jerked as Meridia pulled me towards where she was.
To the familiar surroundings that were her 'throne room' or rather whatever this small pocket of space was called.
It was both scary and interesting how she was able to completely bypass my Campione Magical Resistance when she wanted to bring me to where she was. Then again, it was more akin to an Absolute Authority than a Magical Phenomenon.
Meridia, the one sitting upon her Throne as this part of her usually did, looked at me evenly for a moment before speaking. "Welcome home."
I loved when she plays along.
She slowly got up from her seat, walking over.
I reached out as she got closer, pulling her in.
She always smelled nice.
"Let's stay like this forever." I mumbled.
"Do not tempt me." She whispered. "I should just lock you up and keep you here forever."
I lifted my head up, giving her a smile. "If it meant I could see you every day, it would be worth it."
"Don't tease me." She huffed, pinching my arm.
"That's like telling me not to breath."
"Suffocate." She countered with another huff, pulling out of my arms. She turned away, arms crossed in 'annoyance'.
"My Meridia is too cute~" I chuckled.
She glanced back at me, but didn't react. "Why have you come, do you require something?"
"I just wanted to see and spend time with you." I said with complete honesty. "I missed you."
I saw her lip quiver slightly. She remained silent for another few moments before finally giving in and came back into my arms, burying her head into my chest.
She just needed to be coaxed sometimes.
I knew she liked to be doted on but was too embarrassed to say it out loud.
I ran my hand through her silky blonde hair, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
How long we stayed like that was unknown, but I enjoyed every single moment of it. She was eventually the one to pull away again, though there was a hint of reluctance to it.
"Would you wish to walk with me?" She asked softly.
"I would love to." I felt her reach for my hand, taking it in hers.
"Come, I keep a personal space separated within my realm. No one else has ever set foot within here." She sounded a little cheerful as she pulled me along, space shifting as we were taken to another portion of her realm.
I blinked a few times as the surroundings changed. It looked like we were back on Nirn; a sun hung in the air, grass was beneath our feet, and in the distance was a mountain range. But in immediate view was a small pond, with a little bench to the side, and a family of ducks happily swimming around.
She continued to pull me along to the bench, stiffly plopping herself down as she forced me to follow suit.
Cute.
It wax extremely cute how bashful she was being.
"You have many different beings that live within the Colored rooms, don't you?"
"Yes." She said simply. "Many are not native to Nirn, many are those who pledged themselves to me in life and beyond."
"So....this is your special place then, not even your servants are allowed here?"
"That....is correct." She said quietly. "This is where I come for a few moments of quiet or relaxation."
Ah, this must be something personal for her.
"Thank you for sharing this with me." I squeezed her hand affectionately.
"...Yes, be thankful." She looked away. "You are thus far the only being in existence that is allowed to be here with me."
And this is why I fell –
I couldn't help it as my eyes widened in realization.
"What?" She looked at me with confusion, clearly noticing my reaction.
"I just had a realization about myself." I looked up into the sky that was probably fake.
".....should I be worried?" She said dryly.
I looked back down at her, and I knew that this feeling was real and not just some kneejerk reaction.
"We don't see each other as much as I do the others." I let out a sigh.
"I suppose we do not." She didn't deny it either. "It is difficult for me to leave, and you have your own matters taking you to various places."
"And yet...." I scooted a little closer. "My feelings never diminish in the slightest, and if anything, they've grown over time."
She was always there for me, patiently waiting. I knew if I asked for anything, she would answer without a second thought.
"What are you getting at?"
"Do you remember what I said when we first met?"
"Wilhelm..." Her breathing hitched.
"I was such a mess back then." I bit my lip, pulling my eyes away from hers. "I did some ridiculous things for equally ridiculous reasons just because I could." Well, I still did, but they're more calculated for when considering potential back lash. "But there's one thing I've never regretted and I'm thankful I had the audacity to do it."
Turning back to her, I met her gaze as I wanted her to see me as I said it. "I Love you, Meridia."
"Y-you silly man." She flushed red at my confession. "You finally decided to speak those words to me?" She sounded annoyed, but there was that quivering of her lip again that gave away her true feelings.
"...I love you too." She whispered, hiding her face as she leaned against me.
Yeah, this was the woman I fell in love with.
[****]
"Hnn." Meridia let out a soft moan.
"So you really sculpted all these mountains, they aren't just some kind of background or illusion?" I asked.
"...Hm....yes." She breathed out. "It's not difficult within the confines of my realm. I created everything down to the smallest blade of grass."
"Is it a fully functioning ecosystem? Like, are there bugs, stuff in the dirt, wolves in the mountains, etc."
"No." She shook her head. "I merely sustain everything with my own power. I didn't wish for any of those annoyances."
"Are the ducks yours or did you bring them in?" I smiled knowingly at her.
She did say Ducks were her favorite animal, I wasn't surprised at all to see them happily swimming around.
"Ah...." She let out another soft moan. "From outside." She replied. "I have intertwined a spark of power, however, so they will not wither nor age."
"I'm not like Thorum – a Dragonborn. I'm getting by because I have a Dragon living in my soul right now."
The Dragon blinked in surprise. "A strange circumstance." He pondered quite obviously. "I can understand. Your instinctual understanding is lacking. What do you require help with?"
"I'm working on a spell to summon said Dragon to the physical plane even if he's only a soul. I have worked out the basics, how to give him a temporary body and such. But.....I need help with the words to summon his soul."
"Interesting." The Dragon looked genuinely enthused by the idea. "Speak your thoughts."
"Well, there are a lot of working parts.....and I already said I don't know much about the Thu'um much. But.....is it possible to add more than three 'words' to a single 'shout'?"
"Ah." He seemed to understand. "It is possible, but difficult. Even a Dovah like me would have trouble speaking more than four words to bend the world. Eldest can do so without difficulty, but I am not as strong as Alduin."
"Is it really that hard?" I questioned. "I've learned several shouts at this point, and going from one or two words to three didn't seem that significant." It would be a lie to say the difficulty didn't noticeably increase, but not to the point where it seemed impossible.
"Unt wah Mindok. Try to understand." The Dragon told me. "Pick a shout, I will have you add a word."
"Unrelenting force?" I offered.
"That will do." The Dragon nodded. "Repeat." He stated, lifting his head up to the sky. "Fus Ro Dah Vaaz."
The shout was familiar, but with an added word that changed the entire effect. It didn't release an invisible force to merely slam into something, I could feel the air being torn apart upwards.
Uh, he didn't look like he was strained.
I glanced at Meridia who was silently watching us. She showed no discomfort, so I looked up towards the aurora in the 'sky'.
"Fus Ro Dah Vaaz!" I shouted. I expect a similar effect, or maybe something like what happened when I was first learning the Thu'um in general, but instead, the shout seemed to implode upon release.
The invisible force that should have lashed out, instead turned inward. The rippling effect collided with the tearing and an eruption happened at the focal point, causing me to get knocked back.
I was unharmed, merely brushing myself off as I stood back up.
"I see what you mean." I scratched my head.
Before, it was just understanding and becoming coherent with all three words. Now....it was like the effects actively fought against one another.
"The Thu'um, as the mortals say, it speak not from the mouth, but from the soul." The Dragon explained. "You are neither Dovah nor Dovahkiin, yet you show surprising mastery of the Thu'um, this speaks well of the strength of your soul."
"And I'm guessing that it isn't merely the strength that matters when you try and push the shout further?"
"Correct." The Dragon seemed pleased with my guess.
Hmm, it's basically a different version of Divine Words, I can see that they weren't so simple.
"I believe I may know a solution." The dragon stated.
"A solution?"
"You have said that a Dovah lives in your soul, thus two are one. Can two not work together?"
I blinked at that.
'Ddraig?'
[I'm listening, brat. I don't see a reason why we couldn't...]
"Well.....that is an interesting train of thought. Let me tell you what I'm working with so far."
I didn't have to explain too many details, but this was way too good an opportunity to pass up.
***
"Take care of yourself." I kissed Meridia lightly on the lips.
"Should I not be the one saying that?" She rolled her eyes.
"Don't get into fights."
"....."
"Make sure you –"
"Are you going to just tell me everything I should be saying to you?" She pressed a finger to my lips.
"Maybe." I grinned.
She huffed, lightly tugging on my cheek. "Behave yourself."
"I always behave myself!"
"Lies are unbecoming of you."
"Name one –"
She crossed her arms, giving me a look.
"Five –"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Name a hundred times." I said smugly.
Her expression collapsed rather quickly as she now held a small smile. "You are ridiculous." She leaned in, giving me a quick kiss as well. She let out a sigh, setting her head against my chest again. "Before you leave, can you say it again?"
"I'll say it however many times you want, whenever you want." I ran my hand through her hair. "I love you, Meridia."
"I love you too, Wilhelm." She replied.
They were foreign words for both of us, yet they felt inexplicably warm.
"I'll come back soon, okay?"
"Yes. You are forever welcomed here." She took a deep breath, taking a step back.
I quickly made a Portal, because I knew if I lingered for too long, I would never want to leave. I gave her one last look, a smile that she returned as I entered the portal, back to Kyoto.
[***]
"Wilhelm!?" Yasaka blurted out upon my arrival in the middle of her office.
She looked anxious and like she was in the middle of something.
"Is something wrong?"
"You have the most amazing timing! I was just about to call you, there's been an attack, Nurarihyon has called for aid. I was preparing to leave myself along with my men."
It only took me a second to process what she said. Nurarihyon's people were attacked? I doubt it's as simple as that terrorist attack they also suffered. No, Yasaka looked way too anxious about this.
I was a member of the Hyakki Yakō, even if only honorarily, I wouldn't let whoever it was so brazenly attack people I was connected with.
It's always something, isn't it?
"Let's go." I said without a second thought.
***
If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone. Also got a new chapter of the Hogwarts Side story up.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 297:
"Honey, I'm home!" I called out as I entered the Colored Rooms. My body jerked as Meridia pulled me towards where she was.
To the familiar surroundings that were her 'throne room' or rather whatever this small pocket of space was called.
It was both scary and interesting how she was able to completely bypass my Campione Magical Resistance when she wanted to bring me to where she was. Then again, it was more akin to an Absolute Authority than a Magical Phenomenon.
Meridia, the one sitting upon her Throne as this part of her usually did, looked at me evenly for a moment before speaking. "Welcome home."
I loved when she plays along.
She slowly got up from her seat, walking over.
I reached out as she got closer, pulling her in.
She always smelled nice.
"Let's stay like this forever." I mumbled.
"Do not tempt me." She whispered. "I should just lock you up and keep you here forever."
I lifted my head up, giving her a smile. "If it meant I could see you every day, it would be worth it."
"Don't tease me." She huffed, pinching my arm.
"That's like telling me not to breath."
"Suffocate." She countered with another huff, pulling out of my arms. She turned away, arms crossed in 'annoyance'.
"My Meridia is too cute~" I chuckled.
She glanced back at me, but didn't react. "Why have you come, do you require something?"
"I just wanted to see and spend time with you." I said with complete honesty. "I missed you."
I saw her lip quiver slightly. She remained silent for another few moments before finally giving in and came back into my arms, burying her head into my chest.
She just needed to be coaxed sometimes.
I knew she liked to be doted on but was too embarrassed to say it out loud.
I ran my hand through her silky blonde hair, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
How long we stayed like that was unknown, but I enjoyed every single moment of it. She was eventually the one to pull away again, though there was a hint of reluctance to it.
"Would you wish to walk with me?" She asked softly.
"I would love to." I felt her reach for my hand, taking it in hers.
"Come, I keep a personal space separated within my realm. No one else has ever set foot within here." She sounded a little cheerful as she pulled me along, space shifting as we were taken to another portion of her realm.
I blinked a few times as the surroundings changed. It looked like we were back on Nirn; a sun hung in the air, grass was beneath our feet, and in the distance was a mountain range. But in immediate view was a small pond, with a little bench to the side, and a family of ducks happily swimming around.
She continued to pull me along to the bench, stiffly plopping herself down as she forced me to follow suit.
Cute.
It wax extremely cute how bashful she was being.
"You have many different beings that live within the Colored rooms, don't you?"
"Yes." She said simply. "Many are not native to Nirn, many are those who pledged themselves to me in life and beyond."
"So....this is your special place then, not even your servants are allowed here?"
"That....is correct." She said quietly. "This is where I come for a few moments of quiet or relaxation."
Ah, this must be something personal for her.
"Thank you for sharing this with me." I squeezed her hand affectionately.
"...Yes, be thankful." She looked away. "You are thus far the only being in existence that is allowed to be here with me."
And this is why I fell –
I couldn't help it as my eyes widened in realization.
"What?" She looked at me with confusion, clearly noticing my reaction.
"I just had a realization about myself." I looked up into the sky that was probably fake.
".....should I be worried?" She said dryly.
I looked back down at her, and I knew that this feeling was real and not just some kneejerk reaction.
"We don't see each other as much as I do the others." I let out a sigh.
"I suppose we do not." She didn't deny it either. "It is difficult for me to leave, and you have your own matters taking you to various places."
"And yet...." I scooted a little closer. "My feelings never diminish in the slightest, and if anything, they've grown over time."
She was always there for me, patiently waiting. I knew if I asked for anything, she would answer without a second thought.
"What are you getting at?"
"Do you remember what I said when we first met?"
"Wilhelm..." Her breathing hitched.
"I was such a mess back then." I bit my lip, pulling my eyes away from hers. "I did some ridiculous things for equally ridiculous reasons just because I could." Well, I still did, but they're more calculated for when considering potential back lash. "But there's one thing I've never regretted and I'm thankful I had the audacity to do it."
Turning back to her, I met her gaze as I wanted her to see me as I said it. "I Love you, Meridia."
"Y-you silly man." She flushed red at my confession. "You finally decided to speak those words to me?" She sounded annoyed, but there was that quivering of her lip again that gave away her true feelings.
"...I love you too." She whispered, hiding her face as she leaned against me.
Yeah, this was the woman I fell in love with.
[****]
"Hnn." Meridia let out a soft moan.
"So you really sculpted all these mountains, they aren't just some kind of background or illusion?" I asked.
"...Hm....yes." She breathed out. "It's not difficult within the confines of my realm. I created everything down to the smallest blade of grass."
"Is it a fully functioning ecosystem? Like, are there bugs, stuff in the dirt, wolves in the mountains, etc."
"No." She shook her head. "I merely sustain everything with my own power. I didn't wish for any of those annoyances."
"Are the ducks yours or did you bring them in?" I smiled knowingly at her.
She did say Ducks were her favorite animal, I wasn't surprised at all to see them happily swimming around.
"Ah...." She let out another soft moan. "From outside." She replied. "I have intertwined a spark of power, however, so they will not wither nor age."
"I'm not like Thorum – a Dragonborn. I'm getting by because I have a Dragon living in my soul right now."
The Dragon blinked in surprise. "A strange circumstance." He pondered quite obviously. "I can understand. Your instinctual understanding is lacking. What do you require help with?"
"I'm working on a spell to summon said Dragon to the physical plane even if he's only a soul. I have worked out the basics, how to give him a temporary body and such. But.....I need help with the words to summon his soul."
"Interesting." The Dragon looked genuinely enthused by the idea. "Speak your thoughts."
"Well, there are a lot of working parts.....and I already said I don't know much about the Thu'um much. But.....is it possible to add more than three 'words' to a single 'shout'?"
"Ah." He seemed to understand. "It is possible, but difficult. Even a Dovah like me would have trouble speaking more than four words to bend the world. Eldest can do so without difficulty, but I am not as strong as Alduin."
"Is it really that hard?" I questioned. "I've learned several shouts at this point, and going from one or two words to three didn't seem that significant." It would be a lie to say the difficulty didn't noticeably increase, but not to the point where it seemed impossible.
"Unt wah Mindok. Try to understand." The Dragon told me. "Pick a shout, I will have you add a word."
"Unrelenting force?" I offered.
"That will do." The Dragon nodded. "Repeat." He stated, lifting his head up to the sky. "Fus Ro Dah Vaaz."
The shout was familiar, but with an added word that changed the entire effect. It didn't release an invisible force to merely slam into something, I could feel the air being torn apart upwards.
Uh, he didn't look like he was strained.
I glanced at Meridia who was silently watching us. She showed no discomfort, so I looked up towards the aurora in the 'sky'.
"Fus Ro Dah Vaaz!" I shouted. I expect a similar effect, or maybe something like what happened when I was first learning the Thu'um in general, but instead, the shout seemed to implode upon release.
The invisible force that should have lashed out, instead turned inward. The rippling effect collided with the tearing and an eruption happened at the focal point, causing me to get knocked back.
I was unharmed, merely brushing myself off as I stood back up.
"I see what you mean." I scratched my head.
Before, it was just understanding and becoming coherent with all three words. Now....it was like the effects actively fought against one another.
"The Thu'um, as the mortals say, it speak not from the mouth, but from the soul." The Dragon explained. "You are neither Dovah nor Dovahkiin, yet you show surprising mastery of the Thu'um, this speaks well of the strength of your soul."
"And I'm guessing that it isn't merely the strength that matters when you try and push the shout further?"
"Correct." The Dragon seemed pleased with my guess.
Hmm, it's basically a different version of Divine Words, I can see that they weren't so simple.
"I believe I may know a solution." The dragon stated.
"A solution?"
"You have said that a Dovah lives in your soul, thus two are one. Can two not work together?"
I blinked at that.
'Ddraig?'
[I'm listening, brat. I don't see a reason why we couldn't...]
"Well.....that is an interesting train of thought. Let me tell you what I'm working with so far."
I didn't have to explain too many details, but this was way too good an opportunity to pass up.
***
"Take care of yourself." I kissed Meridia lightly on the lips.
"Should I not be the one saying that?" She rolled her eyes.
"Don't get into fights."
"....."
"Make sure you –"
"Are you going to just tell me everything I should be saying to you?" She pressed a finger to my lips.
"Maybe." I grinned.
She huffed, lightly tugging on my cheek. "Behave yourself."
"I always behave myself!"
"Lies are unbecoming of you."
"Name one –"
She crossed her arms, giving me a look.
"Five –"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Name a hundred times." I said smugly.
Her expression collapsed rather quickly as she now held a small smile. "You are ridiculous." She leaned in, giving me a quick kiss as well. She let out a sigh, setting her head against my chest again. "Before you leave, can you say it again?"
"I'll say it however many times you want, whenever you want." I ran my hand through her hair. "I love you, Meridia."
"I love you too, Wilhelm." She replied.
They were foreign words for both of us, yet they felt inexplicably warm.
"I'll come back soon, okay?"
"Yes. You are forever welcomed here." She took a deep breath, taking a step back.
I quickly made a Portal, because I knew if I lingered for too long, I would never want to leave. I gave her one last look, a smile that she returned as I entered the portal, back to Kyoto.
[***]
"Wilhelm!?" Yasaka blurted out upon my arrival in the middle of her office.
She looked anxious and like she was in the middle of something.
"Is something wrong?"
"You have the most amazing timing! I was just about to call you, there's been an attack, Nurarihyon has called for aid. I was preparing to leave myself along with my men."
It only took me a second to process what she said. Nurarihyon's people were attacked? I doubt it's as simple as that terrorist attack they also suffered. No, Yasaka looked way too anxious about this.
I was a member of the Hyakki Yakō, even if only honorarily, I wouldn't let whoever it was so brazenly attack people I was connected with.
It's always something, isn't it?
"Let's go." I said without a second thought.
***
If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone. Also got a new chapter of the Hogwarts Side story up.
Chapter 297:"Honey, I'm home!" I called out as I entered the Colored Rooms. My body jerked as Meridia pulled me towards where she was. To the familiar surroundings that were her 'throne room' or rather whatever this small pocket of space was called. It was both scary and interesting how she was able to completely bypass my Campione Magical Resistance when she wanted to bring me to where she was. Then again, it was more akin to an Absolute Authority than a Magical Phenomenon. Meridia, the one sitting upon her Throne as this part of her usually did, looked at me evenly for a moment before speaking. "Welcome home." I loved when she plays along. She slowly got up from her seat, walking over. I reached out as she got closer, pulling her in. She always smelled nice. "Let's stay like this forever." I mumbled. "Do not tempt me." She whispered. "I should just lock you up and keep you here forever." I lifted my head up, giving her a smile. "If it meant I could see you every day, it would be worth it." "Don't tease me." She huffed, pinching my arm. "That's like telling me not to breath." "Suffocate." She countered with another huff, pulling out of my arms. She turned away, arms crossed in 'annoyance'. "My Meridia is too cute~" I chuckled. She glanced back at me, but didn't react. "Why have you come, do you require something?" "I just wanted to see and spend time with you." I said with complete honesty. "I missed you." I saw her lip quiver slightly. She remained silent for another few moments before finally giving in and came back into my arms, burying her head into my chest. She just needed to be coaxed sometimes. I knew she liked to be doted on but was too embarrassed to say it out loud. I ran my hand through her silky blonde hair, giving her a kiss on the forehead. How long we stayed like that was unknown, but I enjoyed every single moment of it. She was eventually the one to pull away again, though there was a hint of reluctance to it. "Would you wish to walk with me?" She asked softly. "I would love to." I felt her reach for my hand, taking it in hers. "Come, I keep a personal space separated within my realm. No one else has ever set foot within here." She sounded a little cheerful as she pulled me along, space shifting as we were taken to another portion of her realm. I blinked a few times as the surroundings changed. It looked like we were back on Nirn; a sun hung in the air, grass was beneath our feet, and in the distance was a mountain range. But in immediate view was a small pond, with a little bench to the side, and a family of ducks happily swimming around. She continued to pull me along to the bench, stiffly plopping herself down as she forced me to follow suit. Cute. It wax extremely cute how bashful she was being. "You have many different beings that live within the Colored rooms, don't you?" "Yes." She said simply. "Many are not native to Nirn, many are those who pledged themselves to me in life and beyond." "So....this is your special place then, not even your servants are allowed here?" "That....is correct." She said quietly. "This is where I come for a few moments of quiet or relaxation." Ah, this must be something personal for her. "Thank you for sharing this with me." I squeezed her hand affectionately. "...Yes, be thankful." She looked away. "You are thus far the only being in existence that is allowed to be here with me." And this is why I fell I couldn't help it as my eyes widened in realization. "What?" She looked at me with confusion, clearly noticing my reaction. "I just had a realization about myself." I looked up into the sky that was probably fake. ".....should I be worried?" She said dryly. I looked back down at her, and I knew that this feeling was real and not just some kneejerk reaction. "We don't see each other as much as I do the others." I let out a sigh. "I suppose we do not." She didn't deny it either. "It is difficult for me to leave, and you have your own matters taking you to various places." "And yet...." I scooted a little closer. "My feelings never diminish in the slightest, and if anything, they've grown over time." She was always there for me, patiently waiting. I knew if I asked for anything, she would answer without a second thought. "What are you getting at?" "Do you remember what I said when we first met?" "Wilhelm..." Her breathing hitched. "I was such a mess back then." I bit my lip, pulling my eyes away from hers. "I did some ridiculous things for equally ridiculous reasons just because I could." Well, I still did, but they're more calculated for when considering potential back lash. "But there's one thing I've never regretted and I'm thankful I had the audacity to do it." Turning back to her, I met her gaze as I wanted her to see me as I said it. "I Love you, Meridia." "Y-you silly man." She flushed red at my confession. "You finally decided to speak those words to me?" She sounded annoyed, but there was that quivering of her lip again that gave away her true feelings. "...I love you too." She whispered, hiding her face as she leaned against me. Yeah, this was the woman I fell in love with. **** "Hnn." Meridia let out a soft moan. "So you really sculpted all these mountains, they aren't just some kind of background or illusion?" I asked. "...Hm....yes." She breathed out. "It's not difficult within the confines of my realm. I created everything down to the smallest blade of grass." "Is it a fully functioning ecosystem? Like, are there bugs, stuff in the dirt, wolves in the mountains, etc." "No." She shook her head. "I merely sustain everything with my own power. I didn't wish for any of those annoyances." "Are the ducks yours or did you bring them in?" I smiled knowingly at her. She did say Ducks were her favorite animal, I wasn't surprised at all to see them happily swimming around. "Ah...." She let out another soft moan. "From outside." She replied. "I have intertwined a spark of power, however, so they will not wither nor age." "I'm not like Thorum a Dragonborn. I'm getting by because I have a Dragon living in my soul right now." The Dragon blinked in surprise. "A strange circumstance." He pondered quite obviously. "I can understand. Your instinctual understanding is lacking. What do you require help with?" "I'm working on a spell to summon said Dragon to the physical plane even if he's only a soul. I have worked out the basics, how to give him a temporary body and such. But.....I need help with the words to summon his soul." "Interesting." The Dragon looked genuinely enthused by the idea. "Speak your thoughts." "Well, there are a lot of working parts.....and I already said I don't know much about the Thu'um much. But.....is it possible to add more than three 'words' to a single 'shout'?" "Ah." He seemed to understand. "It is possible, but difficult. Even a Dovah like me would have trouble speaking more than four words to bend the world. Eldest can do so without difficulty, but I am not as strong as Alduin." "Is it really that hard?" I questioned. "I've learned several shouts at this point, and going from one or two words to three didn't seem that significant." It would be a lie to say the difficulty didn't noticeably increase, but not to the point where it seemed impossible. "Unt wah Mindok. Try to understand." The Dragon told me. "Pick a shout, I will have you add a word." "Unrelenting force?" I offered. "That will do." The Dragon nodded. "Repeat." He stated, lifting his head up to the sky. "Fus Ro Dah Vaaz." The shout was familiar, but with an added word that changed the entire effect. It didn't release an invisible force to merely slam into something, I could feel the air being torn apart upwards. Uh, he didn't look like he was strained. I glanced at Meridia who was silently watching us. She showed no discomfort, so I looked up towards the aurora in the 'sky'. "Fus Ro Dah Vaaz!" I shouted. I expect a similar effect, or maybe something like what happened when I was first learning the Thu'um in general, but instead, the shout seemed to implode upon release. The invisible force that should have lashed out, instead turned inward. The rippling effect collided with the tearing and an eruption happened at the focal point, causing me to get knocked back. I was unharmed, merely brushing myself off as I stood back up. "I see what you mean." I scratched my head. Before, it was just understanding and becoming coherent with all three words. Now....it was like the effects actively fought against one another. "The Thu'um, as the mortals say, it speak not from the mouth, but from the soul." The Dragon explained. "You are neither Dovah nor Dovahkiin, yet you show surprising mastery of the Thu'um, this speaks well of the strength of your soul." "And I'm guessing that it isn't merely the strength that matters when you try and push the shout further?" "Correct." The Dragon seemed pleased with my guess. Hmm, it's basically a different version of Divine Words, I can see that they weren't so simple. "I believe I may know a solution." The dragon stated. "A solution?" "You have said that a Dovah lives in your soul, thus two are one. Can two not work together?" I blinked at that. 'Ddraig?' I'm listening, brat. I don't see a reason why we couldn't... "Well.....that is an interesting train of thought. Let me tell you what I'm working with so far." I didn't have to explain too many details, but this was way too good an opportunity to pass up. *** "Take care of yourself." I kissed Meridia lightly on the lips. "Should I not be the one saying that?" She rolled her eyes. "Don't get into fights." "....." "Make sure you " "Are you going to just tell me everything I should be saying to you?" She pressed a finger to my lips. "Maybe." I grinned. She huffed, lightly tugging on my cheek. "Behave yourself." "I always behave myself!" "Lies are unbecoming of you." "Name one " She crossed her arms, giving me a look. "Five " She raised an eyebrow. "Name a hundred times." I said smugly. Her expression collapsed rather quickly as she now held a small smile. "You are ridiculous." She leaned in, giving me a quick kiss as well. She let out a sigh, setting her head against my chest again. "Before you leave, can you say it again?" "I'll say it however many times you want, whenever you want." I ran my hand through her hair. "I love you, Meridia." "I love you too, Wilhelm." She replied. They were foreign words for both of us, yet they felt inexplicably warm. "I'll come back soon, okay?" "Yes. You are forever welcomed here." She took a deep breath, taking a step back. I quickly made a Portal, because I knew if I lingered for too long, I would never want to leave. I gave her one last look, a smile that she returned as I entered the portal, back to Kyoto. *** "Wilhelm!?" Yasaka blurted out upon my arrival in the middle of her office. She looked anxious and like she was in the middle of something. "Is something wrong?" "You have the most amazing timing! I was just about to call you, there's been an attack, Nurarihyon has called for aid. I was preparing to leave myself along with my men." It only took me a second to process what she said. Nurarihyon's people were attacked? I doubt it's as simple as that terrorist attack they also suffered. No, Yasaka looked way too anxious about this. I was a member of the Hyakki Yako, even if only honorarily, I wouldn't let whoever it was so brazenly attack people I was connected with. It's always something, isn't it? "Let's go." I said without a second thought. *** If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone. Also got a new chapter of the Hogwarts Side story up.
