Nothing in the store that followed was particularly eventful. I was handed items of different colors and styles, each with the attendant’s cheerful assurances of quality and durability. Mei darted about, pointing at things for herself and for me with relentless enthusiasm.
A pair of exhausted attendants became our personal relay team: one would snatch the chosen item, the other would hold it while the next round of trying-on began. The first handful of pieces were fine, but after a while time crawled. I started to resemble more a sleepwalking zombie than a functioning human.
Still, it was pleasant to see her so thrilled. It made me actually look forward to her meeting Thea; from the little I’d observed of my girlfriend’s approach to fashion, those two definitely shared a taste.
After a couple of hours I was staggering under four stuffed bags of neatly folded dresses, robes, and even a few small casual outfits packed inside. Mei, after a great deal of self-debate, decided against any accessories.
In her words, “Dad may not give me the card again if I do.”
She was, without a doubt, spoiled. But it was comforting to see her cared for her, monetarily at least. I don’t really know the value of Marks, but the number I glimpsed nearly brushed four digits, so I sent a silent prayer to whatever deity would listen in quiet solidarity with Sei’s wallet.
With satisfied smiles we stepped back into the mall air as two tired, relieved workers bowed deeply behind us.
“Hmmm,” Mei hummed, looking up at me with delight. “That was fun, but there’s still lots of time before we have to leave.”
I offered a weak smile. “What do you usually do for fun?”
She held up two of her own bags as if the answer were self-evident, wearing a look of bafflement at my question.
I rolled my eyes, not meaning to be cruel. “Other than using your dad’s money.”
“His money?” the young girl demanded, lifting both brows. “It’s mine.”
I blinked, paused, then continued walking. “Oh… you have a job?”
She flashed her wrist, revealing the little self-made device she favored. “I make things. Some like this, others more simple.”
I tried to picture what a place like this would need in the way of innovation, but it wasn’t easy. It wouldn’t be accurate to call their tech equal to my world’s, but comparing this and a civilization that erected a protective UV dome around the world was perhaps unfair.
Maybe they’re totally capable but have no reason to do it.
“That’s impressive. I didn’t start working until a few years ago,” I said, offering praise.
She turned her face away before answering. “It’s not really work. It’s mostly just for fun when I’m free. Dad manages the money for me…”
She trailed off, a small grumble forming in her throat.
I chuckled. “Don’t tell me—did he say you spend too much?”
“...Maybe.”
I nudged her shoulder to lighten the mood. “Thanks for spending your money on me.”
We reached an open area dotted with small circular tables, some occupied, some empty, ringed by stalls that sent up fragrant clouds of smoke and the constant hiss of sizzling.
Mei steered us toward one of the tables, murmuring, “I plan to get a return on my investment.” She set her bags down and I did the same.
“For one, teach me in more detail. And two—” she gestured at my bags, voice bright and very public, “Those aren’t likely to be destroyed by the amount of power you use. Their materials are from exceptionally strong beasts. So no more going around with torn clothes during our time together.”
She said that far too loudly for my comfort. I could feel several heads swivel toward us, several pairs of eyes landing on me with a dangerous, immediate misreading of the situation.
“You should be careful what you say,” I warned quietly.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
She tilted her head, eyes narrowing in innocent confusion. “Why?”
“I—hm. Are you hungry?” I asked, steering the conversation elsewhere.
Thankfully, she let it go, spinning on her heel before stopping at a stall. At the front, rows of glazed bread gleamed beneath the sun, luring in passerby’s.
“Want some?” I offered, though we both knew I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.
“Do you?” she shot back with a sly grin, voice dripping with sarcasm. She was fully aware of who held the upper hand here.
Of course, I had my pride. I couldn’t bring myself to beg sweets off a child. “Obviously I want some. Pay for me.”
She giggled at my bluntness. “Just watch the bags then.”
I watched her skip off into the line of the very stall we were eyeing together.
The line crept forward at a sluggish pace, giving me an excuse to rest my eyes from her for a moment. I gathered the bags closer, setting them just in front of me.
Just a moment.
Closing my eyes, I sank inward, slipping into the one place I hadn’t yet inspected since my Fire Force purification—my Inner World.
The familiar scene unfolded: the egg-shaped seed pulsing faintly, orbs tethered, tendrils feeding into its core. Yet the sight left me disappointed. Much like my Inner Realm, this place too seemed utterly—
“It. Took. You. A. While.”
The words landed heavy, each syllable thudding in rhythm with my own heartbeat. That voice was unmistakable. The same one that had, intentionally or not, narrated fragments of his own existence to me.
Every word was dragged out, strained, as though wrenched from him by unbearable effort.
Still, hearing him directly, even if not in person, froze me where I stood… or whatever passed for standing in this space. My body refused to move. If I had palms, they would have been slick with sweat, trembling uncontrollably.
“He—llo?” he rasped again, his voice carrying a flicker of concern. “You. Can. Hear—”
“I can hear you,” I blurted out quickly.
Silence stretched, my mind scrambling for words I couldn’t seem to find.
“Good…” he hissed weakly, as though strength were leaking from every sound.
I didn’t want to push him further, so I forced myself past my own shock, asking the only question that felt right. “Your name. I don’t know your name.”
It was a simple request, but after everything I’d done to him—whether or not it was beyond my control—it felt like the least I could ask.
“Dyrbel.”
His voice was rougher this time, raw. I waited, sensing I wouldn’t be able to remain here much longer.
When he finally spoke again, his words seemed to mirror my own unease.
“Need. More. Time. Explain. Soon.”
A few heartbeats passed before I nodded. “Then I’ll be back after a bit.”
Even as I surfaced back into my normal body, my pulse hammered in my chest. Why could he speak now? Was it a side effect of the purification? Or was it simply the result of him lingering inside me for so long?
Questions swarmed in my head, tumbling over one another, so much so that I barely noticed Mei’s return. She was holding two small containers, their contents sealed beneath a gelatinous cover.
“Peter?”
My eyes flicked up, finally focusing on the small platter she had placed before me.
“Sorry,” I muttered, forcing my thoughts back to the present. “I was… thinking about something. Thanks.” I eyed the sweet, its glossy surface making my mouth water despite the turmoil still twisting in my chest.
She shrugged without much care, scooting her seat closer to mine. “Is there anything like this in the—what was it called—State of something? The cake seemed a big surprise to you.”
“State of Stars,” I corrected before answering honestly. “I’ve never seen anything like this before, but my word isn’t the most reliable for what’s in the State.”
She reached in with her open hand, and I mirrored her, both of us taking hold. The glaze that coated the bread was a little sticky, though not unpleasantly so. Following her lead, I pulled it free and took a bite.
The flavor was different from the cake’s airy sweetness. It wasn’t creamy or milk-based, nor the same straightforward sugar. Instead, it leaned closer to honey. Rich, followed by a faint, fragrant bitterness that lingered on the tongue. Not at all displeasing.
Together with the company, it was enough to momentarily draw me away from the mystery of my new internal, now vocal, guest.
Still chewing, Mei tilted her head toward me, eyes bright with curiosity. “What kind of things can you do when you get stronger? With Force, I mean.”
I let the bite linger in my mouth a little longer before swallowing, buying myself time to think. “Well... I don’t personally know anyone more practiced in it than me.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “But I’ve picked up a few things. For example, some people can fly.”
She blinked. “Fly?”
“Yep,” I confirmed.
“Without wings?” she pressed.
I tried to imagine the wingspan necessary to lift a human, and quickly shoved the image away, taking another bite instead. “Not unless they were invisible.”
“Hmm...” she hummed thoughtfully, voice low. “I wonder if your explosion could do it? You know, setting one off beneath you.”
I froze mid-bite, staring at her. “You... think blowing up my own feet would be an effective way to fly?”
She broke into giggles, no doubt picturing the ridiculous scene in her head. “Worth a shot.”
Again. What a terrifying child.