Aether Beasts

07/2/2023 - [I'M BACK. DAILY CHAPTERS. ONE A DAY AT THE VERY LEAST BUT I WILL TRY AND DO TWO. ALSO PLEASE PLEASE READ THE NEW AUXILLARY CHAPTER.]

It turns out that Tilly was on her way to the capital city to meet potential grooms. It seemed that get family wanted her married and preferably to someone of noble blood and high standing. Probably some prince or another. I felt a bit sorry for her since she clearly had no interest in marrying anyone she hadn't chosen herself, and her mood soured a bit, but she still kept on a polite face.

Before Zirani I hadn't been the best at reading people, but she had taught me a lot as had Misty and Sandra. The look in Tilly's eyes showed her anger, sadness, and acceptance of the situation.

After some time we eventually arrived at a town, the first I'd seen in this world. It looked... shabby. No offense, but it was clear that whatever powers they had on this world, it was most certainly not widespread or used for everything like aether was back in my world. In fact, it looked very medieval. People of all sorts came in and out of a small pair of gates, or at least small in comparison to those I'd seen before. It was only about 20ft tall and was not heavily guarded. I could only see a few guards here and there alongside a robbed figure.

"If you don't have anywhere to stay then you should come with me to an Inn," Tilly said. "I can pay, and-"

"I want to get to my friend as quickly as possible, so I won't be stopping here."

Tilly's face fell, but then resolve replaced sadness. "Then we'll just go on through the night."

I raised an eyebrow, baffled at this woman. We'd only just met and I understood gratitude but this was a bit much. This carriage could not keep up with me, and I knew enough that I didn't feel absolutely out of place here. Besides, the horses needed rest, and so did the driver.

"Tilly, that's not gonna happen and you know it"

"Damn it all," she said, pouting.

"Why do you want to help me so bad?" I asked.

"Because you fascinate me," she said. "Your eyes, your accent, your magic, or whatever it may be. You are clearly someone special, and I am so very bored. I don't think you understand how long I've been traveling for. I was meant to be teleported in the last city we reached, but their array was broken, and so here I am, sitting in a carriage by myself with no one for company, nothing to read, and nothing to do." Her eyes were furious by the end of her little tirade.

I just stared. There had been a term in my world that had long since faded, but I'd seen it in a book once. First-world problems, at least besides the marriage. That was unfortunate. "I'm sorry, Tily, but I have an obligation to her, and others. I wish you well, but I cannot entertain you any longer."

"I know." Tily slumped in her seat. "If you do end up at the capital, seek me out... Please?"

I nodded. "I will." I stood and opened the door, but before I could leave I felt a hand on my shoulder. I was turned around and kissed full force, tongue and all. I was shocked and only responded out of habit more than anything. When she pulled back, she had a blush covering her face. "Wow, you're good at that. I truly wish you could stay. I'm taking a teleporter to the capital today, are you sure you don't want to come."

"A teleporter?"

"Do they not have those where you're from?"

"We do, but they have one in the city?" I questioned, focusing on my bond with Sandra. She was currently located west of my position. "Where is the capital? What direction?"

"West."

I thought about it, but the fact was I couldn't be sure. Maybe it would bring me closer or maybe I'd overshoot. Either way, this would either help me or waste my time, but teleporters... This could help. "Can the teleporter only go one place?"

"No, but it takes a bit to change the sync, at least that's what I think," she said, a slow smile crawling up her face. "I can get you there. I can say you're my bodyguard or escort hired by me after my other guards died."

I considered it. This was a coin flip unless I got some help. I prodded Aneva and sighed when she answered. I could feel her anger, but it wasnt sharp. More like an annoyance. Like when someone wakes up from a nice sleep.

"What is it?" She bit out.

"I need some help, what do you know about teleporters?" I asked. "Those on this world."

"They are magical arrays that allow spatial travel between locations. They're rather primitive, but function as intended." I felt her grow more alert. "Why?"

"Because Sandra is west and I can take a teleporter west, but I don't know if I should," I replied.

"Is she moving?"

"Huh?"

"Is the girl moving?" Aneva asked, this time slowly as if I was a child.

"No," I said, realizing what she meant. I felt like an idiot. She was in place, which she wouldn't do unless she wasn't able to come to me, but how did that help my decision to teleport? I suppose it meant I didn't have to perry about having to make her change directions.

"If you get me to the teleporter, then I can..." Aneva hesitated, and I felt an odd mix of emotions. "I can..." It sounded like she was struggling to say something. "I will aid you if you take me to the teleporter." She sighed.

"For what?"

"For some peace and quiet," she said, blocking me off and going dormant once again.

"Aiden, is that look a yes or a no?" Tilly asked.

"Yes," I said slowly.

She bowled me over in a hug and though I hugged her back, I really hoped she wasn't growing feelings for me. After Zraini, and the others, I wasn't as oblivious as I had once been, so I could see what was happening. In fact, I had a theory, I just didn't want to say it aloud or speak about it. She released me and told the driver to take us straight to the teleporter which was in an area beside some of the richer people in town.

Tily smiled the entire time, and while I was smiling too, internally I was shaking my head. This was not the time for this, and damn me, but I felt an attraction to her. Not in the love way, but I couldn't deny she looked beautiful and her lips had... I stopped and mentally smacked myself.

"Focus," I muttered. "You have three beautiful lovers to rescue."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

The arcane quarter as Tilly called it was less of a quarter and more a collection of buildings. Considering the size of his town it wasn't a surprise. What was, however, was the second set of inner walls, magical walls, that were invisible from a distance but glowed blue when close. They rose high into the sky, and Tilly had to present her seal before we were allowed entry.

The difference between the middle class and lower class sections and this section was night and day. Everything was clean, neat, and orderly with traffic being directed by people and clearly, there were rules in place. It looked very organized, and Tilly wasn't the only noble. I saw other carriages, some of which that were not pulled by horses, but by scaly creatures.

We were directed down a road towards a large temple-like structure that was open, and nearby were other carriages waiting in a line. However, we were led passed them which earned us a few looks, but they stopped the moment they spotted the crest on the carriage. Clearly, Tilly wasn't just some minor noble but someone of note.

Well, that was a good thing as it meant we would get to use the teleporter faster. I hoped I had made the right call.

I hoped I had made the right call.