After another day traveling the world, the young girl settles down at the local tavern to earn traveling expenses. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKFgC2va5X
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”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z3Ljj9gRz
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.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UHPzRtGWT
“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.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hMkUKaPY9
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. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMNAtLpFZD
“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.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDNJzAhNt0
Once again, their hands start at her legs and attempt to grab her behind before she quickly side steps. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNXmMdeixG
Aoife: “You know I have no choice, how about you stop already.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrddkFW8sw
“*Hic* How about I cover your travel expenses and in exchange *Hic* you give us a good time.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuvWE4hE0Z
The leader of men stretches his hands more aggressively but before he could feel her another customer comes and the owner calls for Aoife.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeppxd2dcA
She quickly leaves to the drunken men’s frustration. Aoife receives the order from the owner and goes over to the new customer. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOu3MmMyAJ
Aoife: “Here’s your order….sir.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2JOqEJZIv
The two were frozen, glued to each other’s eyes and the beauty within. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn6y3p2pF9
Aoife:” Um, do you have a name.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd4KfdB8Fx
“Jerome….yours?”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKLTG8adjc
Aoife: “Aoife I-”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu6idsEkwP
Before the pair could ignite the developing spark, the owner calls Aoife to fulfill another order by the drunks. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKgjZUa3Qd
Aoife: “Sorry, I gotta go.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zbEtvL9RX
Jerome: “I-I don’t mind, as long as you come back.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqtcCBhO2S
Aoife blushed and smiled slightly before steeling herself for another groping attempt. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ26ILHYshh
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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknOFfahX07
“What the-”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8tMVvRuGP
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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sKKy7hbAh
Aoife: “Fine.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQueKK9yed
“Ohhh, you hear that boys we’re in luck. So what’s the game, dart throwing, arm wrestling, or an outside brawl?605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGiMJjm32l
Jerome: “The game is…..a singing contest.”
Aoife and the dunks both blink with confusion and astonishment. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXsjtG8g0E
“You got to be kidding me.” 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5CYArzWvS
Jerome: “What’s wrong, you said any game. Don’t tell me you fine gentlemen don’t keep your word.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIffRsa6vmn
The leader of the drunks takes a moment to think it over before downing another beer bottle. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnGwllI57W
“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.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKDlt0KWyt
“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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA31kWC4jYV
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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYUATe6jTF
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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5xhdlvGTW
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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PhgevNw72
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. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjcVK9AYq9
Soon the bar returned back to normalcy, only Aoife and Jerome remained still in a trance. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjoBulIH1g
Jerome: ‘Y-Your voice is….beautiful.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BdMyKjZjc
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. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqICVRloZgQ
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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyRhnG3Hzd
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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qYjFP2k9g
Sun and moon, together at last.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ635tJ83KNq
605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJeXb2hR6J
I open my eyes in an unfamiliar place greeted by a chaotic blood-red sky. What….happened, what was that dream?605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvwbfr4j7w
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.605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6gfdCQcUQ
Ravage: “Hey Blue.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFBFSMIRzP
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. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblU9N8g9SO
Ravage: “You’re still hurt, well that’s no fun.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJKYozDGRk
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.” 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44M4F7ZwSq
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.” 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcP7N7m0sz
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?”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk3codfDyC
She says while grinning with those sharp teeth. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDkM5apmrQ
Moryuu: “I take it you don’t trust the being that Shadow has become.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwqZuQ5z4e
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.”605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiboRqvj8yN
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.” 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4xPUMKqRB
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. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87pbFH1E07
I hope I don’t regret teaming up with her, when she comes back I’ll get some answers. 605Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoGV3pUagl
