After another day traveling the world, the young girl settles down at the local tavern to earn traveling expenses. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenMdW56koJ
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”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowDbGFJ4rg
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.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9OFnP0WSS
“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.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHOOtMw0sb
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. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWBZ2dB85o
“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.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx0mGeRxyA
Once again, their hands start at her legs and attempt to grab her behind before she quickly side steps. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgwE7lipct
Aoife: “You know I have no choice, how about you stop already.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgkUntKGmO
“*Hic* How about I cover your travel expenses and in exchange *Hic* you give us a good time.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWcIIwaGlt
The leader of men stretches his hands more aggressively but before he could feel her another customer comes and the owner calls for Aoife.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JbiD2bc2o
She quickly leaves to the drunken men’s frustration. Aoife receives the order from the owner and goes over to the new customer. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6o4unZv0y
Aoife: “Here’s your order….sir.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZkFA63hR2
The two were frozen, glued to each other’s eyes and the beauty within. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WST08WzvU
Aoife:” Um, do you have a name.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXQhZkSp0o
“Jerome….yours?”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K8yrSbnRR
Aoife: “Aoife I-”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6OhnudFgk
Before the pair could ignite the developing spark, the owner calls Aoife to fulfill another order by the drunks. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEuu63LUrz
Aoife: “Sorry, I gotta go.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPDoNMnZc7
Jerome: “I-I don’t mind, as long as you come back.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClR2cQQplt
Aoife blushed and smiled slightly before steeling herself for another groping attempt. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfPeOgCmQu
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtn33dxa3C
“What the-”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HUPNnFc19
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0moDUfGAn
Aoife: “Fine.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPji5A34ldJ
“Ohhh, you hear that boys we’re in luck. So what’s the game, dart throwing, arm wrestling, or an outside brawl?591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvJCja814Q
Jerome: “The game is…..a singing contest.”
Aoife and the dunks both blink with confusion and astonishment. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF4SewJHhc
“You got to be kidding me.” 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnqYFXyuu1
Jerome: “What’s wrong, you said any game. Don’t tell me you fine gentlemen don’t keep your word.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBPlMkZyGU
The leader of the drunks takes a moment to think it over before downing another beer bottle. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh1W8drU3x
“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.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM8n2tapFw
“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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlgM36X3dz
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kAu1X0kxQ
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeQi8JdhLT
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7t48NuYhs
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. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaKMIstLcJ
Soon the bar returned back to normalcy, only Aoife and Jerome remained still in a trance. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyppnDnvoF
Jerome: ‘Y-Your voice is….beautiful.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX64IUMJEpD
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. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeUc4Jah1u
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ221mh3uapd
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1w8UWx7rf
Sun and moon, together at last.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINcFmu91Di
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1EGN59j4F
I open my eyes in an unfamiliar place greeted by a chaotic blood-red sky. What….happened, what was that dream?591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhsB7Ko58P
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB8MWN751e
Ravage: “Hey Blue.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS0E0GHtZp
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. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveFWoUqtZA
Ravage: “You’re still hurt, well that’s no fun.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgWOxxyvoK
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.” 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6XIMwT9B6
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.” 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxm6UgLWyf
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?”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEi5BL2MrG
She says while grinning with those sharp teeth. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs8bGrWbHg
Moryuu: “I take it you don’t trust the being that Shadow has become.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW8sj8Q7Kv
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.”591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqtnoZwOPW
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.” 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuJ4Tv7UDZ
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. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjwWEwpUQG
I hope I don’t regret teaming up with her, when she comes back I’ll get some answers. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5ebajGoZ0
