After another day traveling the world, the young girl settles down at the local tavern to earn traveling expenses. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJtqyGpHRf
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”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NIIozReQy
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.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMNbrkreeV
“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.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntwkdLkuOa
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. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWHbH4NGVh
“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.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS8CqErXRH
Once again, their hands start at her legs and attempt to grab her behind before she quickly side steps. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQaTG9vkxj
Aoife: “You know I have no choice, how about you stop already.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQRqsqFVyA
“*Hic* How about I cover your travel expenses and in exchange *Hic* you give us a good time.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLqZerMVjK
The leader of men stretches his hands more aggressively but before he could feel her another customer comes and the owner calls for Aoife.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKlX1nAWFn
She quickly leaves to the drunken men’s frustration. Aoife receives the order from the owner and goes over to the new customer. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYab0Eb9wT
Aoife: “Here’s your order….sir.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBVQZZe6ow
The two were frozen, glued to each other’s eyes and the beauty within. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAibyBekMRe
Aoife:” Um, do you have a name.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsFBXE20Ej
“Jerome….yours?”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm37WNOwvsf
Aoife: “Aoife I-”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AgiCqqpY9
Before the pair could ignite the developing spark, the owner calls Aoife to fulfill another order by the drunks. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWK7cZpfBn
Aoife: “Sorry, I gotta go.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsWcF9nWCg
Jerome: “I-I don’t mind, as long as you come back.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePA5MgYaNf
Aoife blushed and smiled slightly before steeling herself for another groping attempt. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4aoRC1J6X
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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK2MvPUYBv
“What the-”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnOID4TC7Q
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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeghQF5uUK
Aoife: “Fine.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRctGOdEJSD
“Ohhh, you hear that boys we’re in luck. So what’s the game, dart throwing, arm wrestling, or an outside brawl?449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94kzILbxI4
Jerome: “The game is…..a singing contest.”
Aoife and the dunks both blink with confusion and astonishment. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP1TWFZfuB
“You got to be kidding me.” 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIfY5tXPne
Jerome: “What’s wrong, you said any game. Don’t tell me you fine gentlemen don’t keep your word.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb2s1dP9aY
The leader of the drunks takes a moment to think it over before downing another beer bottle. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD4c3S8XX2
“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.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtOTWMlmyA
“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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglisKV3VYH
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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9UVmlvjo7
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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7HkZQwLrC
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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JxeawO0Mo
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. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglT3COVXMk
Soon the bar returned back to normalcy, only Aoife and Jerome remained still in a trance. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1VZ0sHu0Q
Jerome: ‘Y-Your voice is….beautiful.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLoetVeUu7
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. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl9a64Ja1B
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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCWihQjhWh
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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx7nzX3H9e
Sun and moon, together at last.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRi6nCRCEQ
449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNmem8GGoO
I open my eyes in an unfamiliar place greeted by a chaotic blood-red sky. What….happened, what was that dream?449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZGkZelUdg
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.449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11xrRjIL93
Ravage: “Hey Blue.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NfssAQ1ej
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. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPzLehrFuH
Ravage: “You’re still hurt, well that’s no fun.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQqjMYu1l1
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.” 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjgU4OziCn
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.” 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeu5aVRTBR
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?”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rIqZPo7xR
She says while grinning with those sharp teeth. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwEJJCoPGx
Moryuu: “I take it you don’t trust the being that Shadow has become.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEouXbMiGIq
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.”449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOah8ReUb09
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.” 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7xfOPC8G0
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. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjbhwtkLJ2
I hope I don’t regret teaming up with her, when she comes back I’ll get some answers. 449Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Vh1g6EDe4
