7.

Tony.

I couldn’t sleep.

I stared at the ceiling of Ko’vren for an hour now, and sleep wouldn’t come. Occasionally, I’d look over to where the girl lay. She still had her cloak on, but I knew she had a nice shape underneath. My eyes  trailed from her heaving chest, to her face, her lips, nose, and her piercing green eyes. Oh shit. She’s awake. I quickly face the ceiling and pretend I didn't notice her. “You stare a lot” she finally said, breaking the awkward silence. “I was bored, and looking at you made for more entertainment than the ceiling”, I reply, casually, still looking up. She snorted and didn’t rely. More awkward silence. Guess it’s my turn to break the ice. “Why do your people hate him so much?” I asked, turning to face her. Her gaze remained fixed on me, green eyes contrasting against her auburn red hair. “He is a traitor. An outsider that betrayed the same ones that took him in. The murderer of our Arch-mage, Z’ara, my mother” 

“And let me guess...Magethir..... or what ever...told you this right?” I stared as intently as she did, unflinchingly. From what X had told me about him, he was a very terrible person, a liar and a cheat. Willing to do anything to get what he wants.  When he couldn’t use the shard in X, because of Z’ara’s interference he killed her and blamed it on X. He let X escape and take all the blame for her death. “Do you ever think that maybe... just maybe...that you were lied to?” She flared up at my reply and tried to attack me. The seal kicked in and she couldn’t move. She struggled against it, helpless. “Don’t try, it takes any form of motion and powers the seal even more.” She kept struggling, swearing at me. “Don’t you dare speak ill of my father! You know nothing of him!” She thrashed a bit more before settling down. Christ, finally.

“You don’t know anything about X either” I reply indignantly. “Have you even met the guy? He’s wonderful.” I smile a bit. My smile isn’t returned. “People can be deceiving, human, they’ll turn on you when you least expect.” I scoff and reply. “I can say the same about your precious mageth..... whatever” She is about to start another round of thrashing but stops, realizing the futility. “Its pronounced ma-ga-theer, idiot” she grumbled and turned away from me. I smiled and faced the ceiling again. “I never did get your name, you know...” I asked suggestively. Nothing. I sighed dramatically. “Well I’m Tony, nice meeting you, by the way” I paused and continued. “You’re pretty strong, I had a hard time blocking your attacks. Your form was perfect too. You’ve really trained a lot. And your magic, the flames were spectacular. I was in awe, to be honest. Not a lot of people can control hellflame so easily and–“ I was interrupted by a small mumble from her. I asked her what she said and she hesitated for a bit before turning to face me again. “I said, my name is Míriel, you dolt” She turned away and I finally felt sleepy.

I slept with a half smile on my face that night. Or day, I don’t know how time works in outer space. Anyways, X woke me the next half cycle, as he called it. I really need him to explain this whole cycle thing. “Where’s Mi– the girl?” I looked around. She was gone. “I dropped her off before she woke up, somewhere guards won’t find her.” He eyed me. “Anything wrong?” I realized I had a worried loom on my face and immediately threw my face away. Nothing, just curious.” I say as I stood and went to where he brought out food. “Oh nice, bread...again” I let out a half groan, half sigh. “I should have gotten more stuff” X bites into the bread and I do the same. “When we run out,  someone will have to go down to buy more.” He says, mouth full. “I can’t, cause no-one will sell to me, but you’re new. You’ll blend right in.” Exploring the surface seemed interesting, so I didn’t complain.

So, when are the Arch-mages coming? It’s odd that you’re the only one here.”  X washed down the bread with the last bottle of Coke we had and sighed satisfactorily. “They’re all busy with stuff in their respective regions. They keep the peace. They can’t just up and leave whenever they want, like me.” He paused and burped lightly. I gave him a “gross” look and he just smirked and continued. “The region of space I preside over is safe mostly because I’ve scared off most of them with overwhelming power and they don’t know I don’t have the shard anymore, or that I’ve left. So we’re fine, for now. Anyways, the Arch-mages should be coming around any time now.”

Lighting flashed just outside Ko’vren and I heard Zeus' voice. “It’s time Xassin, They have come.” X stood. “Come on, let’s get this over with” He jumps down from Ko’vren, to the palace below. Following close behind, I jumped out and dived after him.

I wonder if I’ll see Míriel again.