Tamasya’s domain...
Far above the normal lands of Aris, a silver carriage towed by flying unicorns arrived in the sky of Tamasya’s domain.
The hooves of the 2 unicorns moved in the air as if pushing back the air to fly forward. Their manes flowed like flags, and their wings flapped slowly, making them cruise in the sky.
A driver with a mask and metal wings on its back drove the shiny magical carriage as it flew around and found its way among the clouds. It left behind a soft trail of shimmering particles as it advanced.
Tamasya walked outside from the front door as she sensed the arrival with shadow manifestations wearing servant uniforms lined up behind her.
As the carriage came to a halt, the faceless, metal-winged man came to the front, boarding off the driver’s seat, and walked to the small gate of the carriage before opening it. His movements were refined like a butler.
Tamasya’s expression cheered as she saw Andrea unboarding the carriage. A warmth spread across her usually composed face; her eyes lightened up with genuine relief.
She calmly took two steps forward and welcomed Andrea, who walked towards her and gave her a tight hug. The embrace was firm, filled with unspoken concern, relief, and a bond that had endured far more than ordinary friendships.
"You can’t imagine the relief I am feeling to see you safe and sound," Tamasya said with an emotional intensity. Her voice carried a slight tremor, betraying how much she had worried. She and Yue had insisted on getting involved in the fight against Bellial, but Andrea had denied it.
Tamasya still had divine seals sealing her cultivation and powers, making her vulnerable; moreover, only very few people on the continent were informed about her return. The restrictions weighed heavily on her and made her more of a liability than an asset for Andrea.
Meanwhile, Yue’s powers were not even combat-oriented, so she became more or less useless in a fight.
These hard truths were something Andrea had to speak up about to their faces to stop them from being emotional and impractical in these hard times. Though harsh, those words had come from a place of care.
Andrea rubbed Tamasya’s back while hugging. "As you see, I am alright," she said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Let’s go inside; I have a lot of things to talk about," Tamasya said, stepping back slightly but still holding Andrea’s arm as if reluctant to let go too soon.
Andrea shook her head, her expression turning a bit serious. "No, I have a few things to take care of, so I will have to take my leave."
"What?? But you just got over a huge battle; I doubt you have to hurry right now. At least take a breather," Tamasya said with a concerned expression, her brows knitting together.
Andrea just shook her head. "Well, you see, there is a boatload of mess about to happen in Riverdale."
Tamasya looked at Andrea, surprised. "You mean the thing that Yue told us about Aurelius throwing a fit??"
Andrea, in reply, just sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly. "Yeah, he is going to attack the Clayman cult headquarters."
Tamasya looked a bit surprised. "Really??"
"Yeah, I have to assist him with that," Andrea spoke.
Tamasya shook her head. "Why? You don’t owe him anything. You just left your position as an astral warden, so you are not obliged to take orders from the council anymore. Just ignore them."
Andrea shook her head. "It wasn’t the council that ordered me; since Aurelius has kept this matter a top secret, there is no involvement from the council."
Tamasya’s brows furrowed. "Are you doing this for Yue??" she asked, confused as to why Andrea was getting involved in these matters.
Andrea shook her head. "No, Tammy, Yue would never bother us for such matters; instead, it is part of a deal I made," she said with a sigh.
"A deal??" Tamasya asked, looking at Andrea with curiosity, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Andrea nodded. "During the fight against Bellial, we were provided assistance by the Eternal Sovereign; otherwise, due to a shortage of light stones, the Academy would have been reduced to ruins," she spoke in a grim tone.
Tamasya’s eyes widened in shock. "What really???" she gasped as she looked at the disappointed expression on Andrea’s face that refused to lie.
She sighed, the weight of the revelation settling in. "Yes, Tamasya, the demons have become a hundred times harder to kill than before. If not for the Eternal Sovereign providing us with light stone and a very powerful formation, then we would have been left in shambles."
Andrea then looked at her with emotions that she had been suppressing trying to rise up again. "You were right about the council; it’s a good thing that you never joined them." Andrea said, "The primarchs don’t care about us at all; they seem to be playing their own game."
Tamasya sighed. "I’ve always said it, Andrea; those who accept shackles imposed by others are already dead inside."
Her gaze drifted briefly to the horizon, as if recalling countless decisions and paths she had chosen not to take.
"Those primarchs may look tough to us; not going to lie, they are really strong, but they are still not anywhere equal to gods, the beings who can wipe us with a single wave of their hands, those who live beyond the heavens."
Andrea nodded silently with a bit of weight on her. "I have decided to find my own way, just like you, Tammy," she said with a small, subtle smile, one that showed both her determination and the uncertainty.
Tamasya rested a hand on her shoulders and pressed them firmly. "I know you will be able to."
"We will start by saving Annie," Andrea said, as she clenched her fist with determination.
"We sure will do," Tamasya replied with hope-filled eyes; a rare softness appeared in her expression.
A brief silence filled between them, not awkward but heavy enough.
"So what was the deal??" Tamasya asked, changing the topic.
Andrea looked at the ground cluelessly for a few moments before replying, "Basically I need to assist Eternal Sovereign’s organization 3 times whenever he asks." Well, there are some conditions that protect my interests, but yeah, that’s pretty much the crux of it. He asked me to assist Aurelius as the 1st wish."
Tamasya nodded. "Well, as long as the deal doesn’t turn toxic," she spoke lightly, though a faint hint of concern lingered beneath her tone.
Andrea then also described her encounter with the Golden Raven and the powerful array with which she came so close to killing Belial, yet remained helpless since she wasn’t informed about how to kill demon lords.
Her shoulders slouched and her expression became grim as she recalled her helplessness. The memory seemed to replay vividly in her mind; at that time, the moment of near victory had slipped away in a few seconds.
Tamasya consoled her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Soon Andrea looked at her pocket watch and spoke, "It’s time; I need to leave."
Tamasya pouted, her lips curving slightly downward. "You should have stayed."
Andrea chuckled. "Work calls," she said before walking towards the carriage and entering it. The metallic figure once again took position, and the carriage hummed faintly with magical energy.
As she was about to leave, as if remembering something, Andrea opened the door again and peeked her head out, looking at Tamasya.
"Oh shit!! I completely forgot about it!!" Andrea spoke, her eyes widening slightly.
Tamasya, who was about to leave, turned towards Andrea; she wondered why Andrea was smiling suddenly.
"I have a special present for you, hehe!!" she chuckled; a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.
Before Tamasya could ask, Andrea closed the door of her carriage and waved goodbye.
"See you soon, Tammy. Enjoy the gift; don’t forget to thank me later!!" Andrea said with a cheerful smile and a wink before the carriage floated on the ground and took off for the sky.
The unicorns leapt forward, their wings spreading wide as they ascended gracefully, disappearing into the clouds.
Tamasya looked at the carriage phasing away in the sky, wondering what surprise Andrea was talking about.
"Did you miss me?"
Suddenly a voice too familiar to her ears entered her senses. The tone carried a teasing warmth, one she could recognize instantly.
Tamasya immediately looked down towards the spot where the carriage had been standing moments ago.
William’s figure came to view.
He was carrying a charming and gentle smile and a bouquet of dark red carnations.
He was dressed in the same black leather armored dress that he had worn the first time he had met Tamasya in the prison of gods.
"Wish me luck," he spoke in his mind.
[Go win her over, host!!!]
The air between both of them was charged with anticipation.
William looked into Tamasya’s shocked eyes; with a smile, he walked forward.