After another day traveling the world, the young girl settles down at the local tavern to earn traveling expenses. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t0bpPDars
The young beauty puts on the barmaid outfit and sets out on the first shift for the day.
“Aoife, 2 beers for that group in the back”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedjoZ0hQda
Aoife: “Got it.”
She glides through the pub with practiced grace towards the group near the back.
Aoife: “Your order.”
“Oh, are you new lass?”
Aoife: “Yep, just need some traveling expenses.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6iPtcRwcC
“Is that right….”
A sly hand slithers up her legs and comes a bit too close to her behind before she side steps.
Aoife: “S-Sorry sir, I’m not the menu.”
“No worries, just trying to enjoy before you leave.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsrN06n56O
Aoife ignores the comment and returns to work. Time flies by as Aoife’s shifts near its end. To her dismay, that same group is still here. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2ip8DjKaD
“Barmaid, another round for my buddies!”
Aoife looks to the owner but she looks away. She wonders if this something common, something she just has to deal with for the money.
She reluctantly goes to the near-drunk men and set’s down their 13th beer order.
“Come on lass, you’ve come over 13 times now. You're making us think you like this.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRaQSiGaTF
Once again, their hands start at her legs and attempt to grab her behind before she quickly side steps. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXslTq35x6
Aoife: “You know I have no choice, how about you stop already.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIyIQByUsg
“*Hic* How about I cover your travel expenses and in exchange *Hic* you give us a good time.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5K3kPmw7u
The leader of men stretches his hands more aggressively but before he could feel her another customer comes and the owner calls for Aoife.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvKDwTYkL2
She quickly leaves to the drunken men’s frustration. Aoife receives the order from the owner and goes over to the new customer. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqEM1wjIUX
Aoife: “Here’s your order….sir.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAj1mK9jNr
The two were frozen, glued to each other’s eyes and the beauty within. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIVEa8hYZy
Aoife:” Um, do you have a name.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqe5eTpSGB
“Jerome….yours?”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6sZ8uE7ai
Aoife: “Aoife I-”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T4MdN6dsK
Before the pair could ignite the developing spark, the owner calls Aoife to fulfill another order by the drunks. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXNvj5LAsT
Aoife: “Sorry, I gotta go.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZqBilfE9F
Jerome: “I-I don’t mind, as long as you come back.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9010tClKt
Aoife blushed and smiled slightly before steeling herself for another groping attempt. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwQjKgXqxq
Aoife: “Your order.”
The leader of the drunks ignored the legs and went straight for his end goal but before he could another hand grab his.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg77OtdRIH
“What the-”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04nXfWtsON
Jerome: “I think the girl doesn’t want to be touched.”
“Now who is *hic* you?!”
The drunks got out of their seats and stared down Jerome but he stood undeterred.
Jerome: “Just a humble traveler who prefers to settle things with a contest.”
“A contest you say, hehe, if the prize is that ravishing barmaid I’ll play any *hic* game you have in mind.”
Jerome looks at Aoife and winks. Usually, she wouldn’t take part in this game but for reason, she trusted any plan he has.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z67ecym9L
Aoife: “Fine.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHni9V8nzo
“Ohhh, you hear that boys we’re in luck. So what’s the game, dart throwing, arm wrestling, or an outside brawl?435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbKl8QbO3t
Jerome: “The game is…..a singing contest.”
Aoife and the dunks both blink with confusion and astonishment. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmU4r7hPmM
“You got to be kidding me.” 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsZE3jvz2W
Jerome: “What’s wrong, you said any game. Don’t tell me you fine gentlemen don’t keep your word.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3ZQ3QTkLk
The leader of the drunks takes a moment to think it over before downing another beer bottle. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1HfqwM6vN
“Fine, how good could you be.”
Aoife along with the entire bar stare with anticipation of the contest. The drunks went first and the result was an ear-splitting noise that you wouldn’t think came from a human. Their pride, however, prevented them from realizing their failure.
“Heh, *hic* hows that folks? I’m sure me and my bodies blew you away.”
Jerome: “You sure did, may I take my turn.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRHxkqKGw9
“Of course, although you may as well give up.”
Jerome: “Well, something things you can’t give up.”
Jerome looks towards Aoife who smiles back before taking out a flute from his bag. He took a seat as the crowd wait with bated breath.
Jerome then played.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BSJ1yMroF
He played the flute with such a passion and grace that God himself seemed to cast his gaze towards the young man.
The world was a stage and he was the star.
Everyone was breath taken by his music but only one resonated with it, Aoife. She was transfixed by his melody, her heart beat faster and a desire to join in the symphony spread within her.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEiyJ2kpqo
Before she knew it, another blessed melody joined the cacophony. Her voice melded with his flute in a song that transcended simple “music”. Jerome noticed and got up without missing a note.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pEIw1IynB
They played their music while looking into each other’s eyes, the spark had ignited. They then began to dance together in a way that seemed natural, as if they did this a million times before.
Another star had joined him on the stage.
They continued like this for a while before like everything, they came down from that heavenly high. They both stopped their performance at the same and once again the bar fell in silence.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHQBAyqTiK
It didn’t look for the silence to reseed to the roaring applause of the bar. Even the drunks who now seem sober clap, they wouldn’t dare upset this delicate atmosphere. They left without saying another word. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoLjaTCQVR
Soon the bar returned back to normalcy, only Aoife and Jerome remained still in a trance. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr506OQllQI
Jerome: ‘Y-Your voice is….beautiful.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAoL06gs73
Aoife: “And you’re amazing on the flute, I-I just couldn’t help myself.”
Jerome: “If I’m not being too forward can I take some of your time.”
Aoife looked to the owner with some worry in her heart but they gave her time for a break. Aoife rushed to the back to get changed into more casual attire.
Jerome and Aoife then went for a moonlight walk. They talked about many things like how they’re both traveling the world and their love for music. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LmMv4lQ7W
Soon they came to a picturesque log near the local river. They sat down and looked into each other's eyes.
Aoife: “Jerome, I know we just met but can I join you on your journey.”
Jerome: “I would love that Aoife, now that I’ve found someone who shares my passion for music I don’t want to go back to normal.”
Jerome put his hand on her cheek and Aoife accepted him, she closed her eyes in anticipation.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCwCI4OXLl
They slowly closed the distance and locked lips. The most important kiss for them both. Their fates are now tied to one another and for this moment of bliss, they couldn’t ask for more.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZCrQjNKVT
Sun and moon, together at last.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3IUyDcPT1
435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oDPKgPQl0
I open my eyes in an unfamiliar place greeted by a chaotic blood-red sky. What….happened, what was that dream?435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74KeN10BYi
I try to get up but I can only drag myself to the wall behind me. I must be really lucky, nothing tried to kill me while I was out.435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c4EmcmZFS
Ravage: “Hey Blue.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojJ5zFJp8p
Nevermind.
I quickly turn my head towards that familiar voice, why did I have to wake up to her. I guess it wasn’t luck but this mark kept creatures at bay, I wish I could forget that moment.
I take stock of my surroundings and notice that I’m on a stage within a hall where actors perform. A gaping hole lies above giving me a grim look at the world….at my failure.
Moryuu: “So, what do you want from me?”
Ravage: “Well I was chasing Magpie but she’s in one of those pillars. I was bored so I tracked you to play but….”
Ravage jumps out of the audience seat and comes closer to the stage. She then hops onto the stage with me but keeps some distance. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuXYT8M2qh
Ravage: “You’re still hurt, well that’s no fun.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOEhnVkOZY
Moryuu: “Well too bad, now what?”
Ravage began to pout slightly, it would be cute if not for what she is.
Ravage: “I was looking forward to playing with you, I don’t know where the others are.” 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowYdhxa6mi
She went to the stage’s edge and dangled her feet, moving them back forth in a rhythmic motion.
Ravage: “I’ll just wait until you’rehealed, so booooring.”
Moryuu: “If it’s so boring, you could help so I heal faster.”
Ravage: “No, I settle for hearing your pained breathing.” 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBQin8dAp9
Moryuu: “Ugh, can you at least tell me what’s happening out there.”
Ravage: “….I gave master that eye and he….fused with the little girl into something else. I don’t want to talk about that, I rather plaaaay!”
So….Shadow got what he wanted. I can’t sit here, I need to finish this. I try to get up but I collapse back down in a pained groan. Much to Ravage’s amusement.
I need to get her to help me, as much as I hate that.
Moryuu: “Let’s make a deal.”
Ravage: “Oh? That’s fun, what are you willing to offer?”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0S9yRSV6m
She says while grinning with those sharp teeth. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzWUQEpkJR
Moryuu: “I take it you don’t trust the being that Shadow has become.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNxcviIReP
Ravage: “….”
Moryuu: “Do you think that entity will give you any playtime with me. What’s worse is that this world is coming to end, no games for you when that happens.”435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAsoVGIV8q
Ravage: “So what blue, as long as I have fun I’m fine.”
Moryuu: “If you help me we can defeat that entity and….I’ll you get out of here.” 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNXwPE9ngg
Ravage: “Being stuck here does limit playmates, fine I’ll help heal you….for now.”
Moryuu: “Good, all I need some food and water. I can heal faster with that.”
Ravage nods and jumps off the stage while humming a tune that seems familiar.
That dream….was it even a dream? It felt different, like a memory.
But it couldn’t have come from….Ravage. Aoife is completely different from that creatures, so much so that she reminds me of Annette. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QAbGXF21g
I hope I don’t regret teaming up with her, when she comes back I’ll get some answers. 435Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHpKg0adzN
