Hasya then pointed at one of the whales.
"See that biggest one?" Hasya shouted. "He’s the leader.."
Hasya aimed his right hand forward. His index finger fired a small ball of light. The ball of light shot forward and hit the giant whale’s dorsal fin.
Thwack.
"What are you doing, oi?" Rasie asked, her voice rising. She gripped Hasya’s cloak tighter, her eyes wide with horror.
The whale stopped moving.
The blue light on its body turned a blazing red.
BWOOOONG!
A low, heavy bellow vibrated the air. Rasie’s chest trembled from the sound wave.
The whale turned around. Its eyes stared sharply at them. It opened its mouth wide and began to chase.
"He’s looking here!" Rasie shouted in panic, pointing at the whale with a trembling hand. "He’s looking here Hasya!! He’s looking here!!"
"I know!!!!!" Hasya exclaimed.
The silver owl maneuvered sharply to the right.
"St-stupid!!!"
The giant whale lunged forward. Its massive body split the clouds. Its tail swung powerfully, creating a turbulent wind wave.
Hasya’s owl weaved between the floating stone pillars.
Rasie opened her eyes slightly. She saw the giant whale’s mouth just a few meters behind them.
Rasie gaped. She looked at Hasya, who was smiling widely, then at the whale’s gaping mouth.
I-I guess he won’t reach us... Rasie muttered inwardly.
Slowly, the fear in Rasie’s chest changed. Adrenaline flooded her blood. Her heart raced in rhythm with the owl’s wingbeats.
Her lips curled into a wide smile.
"Crazy..."
"Crazy! You’re crazy!"
"Hasya you BASTARD!!" Rasie shouted.
Rasie laughed freely amidst the chase of the giant monster and high speed.
Hasya pulled the bird’s reins upward. They shot vertically toward the aurora sky. The whale stopped chasing and returned to its herd.
They continued to rise.
Higher and higher.
The sound of the wind slowly disappeared. The air became silent.
They reached the top zone of the dungeon. Purple and green aurora lights danced right before their eyes.
Suddenly the owl beneath them shattered into thousands of light particles.
Rasie’s footing disappeared.
"WE’RE FALLING!! Hasya!!" Rasie screamed.
Their bodies floated. In the air.
Hasya and Rasie’s bodies floated freely in the void.
"This is a zero-gravity area... safe, safe, saaaafe!" Hasya said.
Thousands of water droplets and crystal dust also floated silently around them. The aurora light reflected beautifully on the water droplets.
Rasie’s long red hair expanded in all directions as if underwater.
Hasya floated casually beside her. He reached out and grabbed Rasie’s fingers.
He pulled the girl’s body closer.
They spun slowly in the weightless air.
"Milady," Hasya whispered. His voice sounded clear in the silence. "How do you feel now?"
Rasie’s eyes widened staring at the scenery around her. The stars felt very close and bright here. The stone islands down there looked small.
"J-just okay," Rasie answered, though her eyes sparkled.
Hasya stared into Rasie’s eyes intently.
"Did you enjoy what we did for the past few hours?"
Rasie nodded stiffly. Her tongue felt tied.
"A-aside from being with me..."
"Why did you want to join us?"
Hasya laughed lightly. He looked at the slowly swirling aurora.
"Maybe..."
He turned back and smiled sweetly at Rasie, his eyes crinkling into crescents.
"Maybe.."
"I’m just lonely."
Rasie’s pupils dilated, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.
Rasie then chuckled. "Stupid reason."
"Right?" Hasya said.
"Yeah, that’s really stupid," Rasie nodded while smiling.
"What’s your opinion of me now, Rasie?"
Rasie stared at Hasya, her brow slightly furrowed, her lips pouting in thought.
"You are... stupid, narcissistic... silly."
"Nothing positive, positive, positive?!" Hasya said, holding his chest as if hurt.
"A-a little handsome..." Rasie turned her face away. "A little okay! A little! Stupid don’t get ahead of yourself!"
Rasie coughed lightly. "And uhm... yeah strong... and... you are... wild."
"Is that so..." Hasya murmured softly.
They enjoyed the view in front of them for a few minutes in comfortable silence.
After that.
The light particles gathered again beneath their feet.
The silver owl rematerialized and caught their bodies gently.
Hasya patted the bird’s neck softly. The bird glided down back toward the castle.
No more screaming or crazy maneuvers. The journey home felt calm.
Rasie sat quietly behind Hasya. Her hands were still wrapped around the man’s waist.
Slowly Rasie’s head rested on Hasya’s broad back.
Their silhouettes were clearly visible against the backdrop of the pale glowing giant dungeon moon.
Illya sat on the edge of the large bed in her room.
The white silk sheets felt cool and smooth under her palms. Purple aurora light from the large window flooded the room and created long shadows on the wooden floor.
Illya stared blankly at the fireplace burning blue. Her mind was still drifting on the events in the crystal field this afternoon. The fear still lingered at her fingertips.
Knock. Knock.
A soft knock broke her reverie.
The room door opened slightly.
Fyar stood there. His purple hair was slightly messy. He didn’t enter immediately but stood awkwardly in the doorway. His hand scratched the back of his neck which wasn’t itchy.
"Illya?" Fyar called softly.
Illya turned. "Fyar?"
Fyar stepped in then closed the door behind him carefully. He walked closer but stopped a few steps in front of Illya. He didn’t dare look into the girl’s eyes.
Silence for a moment. Only the crackling sound of fire in the fireplace was heard.
"What is it Fyar?" Illya asked while smiling gently at him.
"I..." Fyar started, his voice sounding heavy.
He took a deep breath then dared himself to look at Illya.
"I’m sorry."
"About earlier... when fighting the monsters... I yelled at you..." Fyar said. He lowered his head, his shoulders slumped. "I feel very guilty. I shouldn’t have been harsh to you. Forgive me."
"I know even though you didn’t think much of it but..."
"Still I feel guilty... and... yeah... I’m sorry..."
"I’m sorry, Illya."
Illya was stunned. Her eyes blinked slowly.
She looked at Fyar’s slightly lowered shoulders.
Illya smiled thinly. She patted the empty space on the bed next to her.
"Here," Illya said softly. "Come closer."
Fyar hesitated for a moment then sat next to Illya.
Just as Fyar’s body touched the mattress, Illya moved immediately. She pulled Fyar’s arm strongly.
Fyar’s body swayed toward her.
"I-Illya?"
Illya wrapped both her arms around Fyar’s waist. She buried her face in the man’s broad chest. Her embrace was very tight as if afraid Fyar would disappear if she loosened it even a little.
"Finally."
"You don’t know how scared I was..."
Fyar froze stiffly. His hands hung in the air before slowly returning the hug and rubbing Illya’s back.
"I forgive you Fyar," Illya murmured into Fyar’s chest. Her voice was muffled by the cloth.
Illya looked up slightly staring at Fyar’s chin.
"Keep me company tonight..."
Fyar stared into Illya’s wet green eyes. He nodded slowly. "Yes."
They lay down on the soft mattress. Fyar pulled the thick blanket covering both their bodies.
Illya immediately shifted closer. She snuggled her body into Fyar’s embrace. Her legs entwined with Fyar’s. Her head rested comfortably on the man’s arm.
Fyar’s body warmth spread to Illya’s skin.
"I thought you were going to die..." Illya whispered. Her voice trembled.
"I-I really thought you guys were going to die earlier."
"You, Zaefal... me..."
"I didn’t know what to do if you guys died earlier... I... I... I..."
Fyar tightened his hug. "Illya... hey."
"I thought you were going to die earlier," Illya repeated.
"When those monsters came... I really thought you were going to die, Fyar. I was scared... I was scared... I was scared..."
"I’m still alive and acting stupid here," Fyar whispered soothingly. "That has passed..."
Illya shook her head in the crook of Fyar’s neck. She inhaled the man’s body scent deeply.
"I really want to hug you like this," Illya murmured. "I want to be spoiled... I want to be hugged until the fear is gone..."
"I want to be with you tonight... Only tonight..."
"I don’t know what will happen in the future..."
"So... be mine just for tonight..."
"spoil me just for tonight..."
Illya lifted her face and kissed Fyar’s neck softly.
Fyar’s body tensed.
"I-Illya?"
Illya didn’t stop. She kissed Fyar’s jaw then went back down to his neck. The girl’s warm breath swept over Fyar’s skin.
Illya stared into Fyar’s eyes intently. Her gaze was wistful and demanding.
"Kiss me, Fyar," Illya pleaded. "Hug me."
"Just tonight"
Fyar swallowed. He cupped Illya’s cheek with one hand.
Fyar leaned down and kissed Illya’s slender neck gently.
"T-tickles..." Illya squirmed a little because of the tickle but her hands gripped Fyar’s back shirt tighter.
Fyar lifted his face again, aligning his lips with Illya’s.
They exchanged glances for a moment under the dim aurora light.
Illya pressed Fyar’s nose gently with her index finger.
Fyar moved his face forward. Their lips met.
The kiss was initially slow and careful but soon turned deep and full of feeling. Illya’s hand gripped Fyar’s purple hair.
That night in the warm room isolated from the outside world they forgot monsters and danger. There were only the two of them.