[Fiction] [Gaius Fafnir Chronicles] That Which Matters Most
Finally! After much prodding from riisha, we got to finish our first chapter for this year.
Story Title: Gaius Fafnir Chronicles
Arc: Prequel
Chapter Title: That Which Matters Most
Rating: PG
Ekaterina stretched her arms upon stepping out of the Prontera Castle grounds. She closed her eyes and turned her head up, smiling as she let the mid-afternoon sun wash over her. It had been an incredible day.
She felt the smile on her face widen, as the bubbles of mirth she had been trying to hold down inside her the whole morning escaped her lips in a fit of giggles. In fact, it had been an incredible two days.
The day before, she and Cahyim had parted after their usual adventure in the Clock Tower. When she made it to the Mage Academy, her Ice Elemental professor had certified that she had completed, and even surpassed the required masteries. He had even recommended her for the Wizard Certification exam. She, of course, decided not to waste time and took it on the same day.
She was well prepared for the written test, never missing any of the readings that were required of them. The practical exam had been quite a challenge though. She needed to go through four rooms representing the four magic elements, each filled with a group of creatures she had to defeat all by herself. Why, some of them had even been aggressive, chasing her across the room! She used all the different spells she had learned and she even needed to change her strategies constantly. She had never been so thankful that Cay convinced her to study all the elements.
Speaking of Cay... She was due to meet him this afternoon! She couldn't wait to see him!
She hadn't been able to talk to her partner since they went off to their own classes yesterday. Everything just happened so fast! The exam had finished quite early, but there was the matter of preparing the paperwork certifying her as a Wizard. Not to mention the commotion that had the Mage Academy headmaster, Wizard Guildmaster and her dad flocking over to the Geffen tower when the secretary making her certificate found out that she was just fourteen.
Apparently, she was now the official youngest Wizard in the history of the academy.
By the time the records were verified, her recent achievement had already earned her an audience and lunch with King Tristram III along with the Prontera High Council. She had just attended that lunch this morning.
It wasn't that she hadn't seen the king before. In fact, she had seen him a dozen times. But this time, he was meeting her. Not her mom, to speak of the princes' progress, or her dad, to meet about the state of the city military. He was there to meet Ekaterina Contariel, herself. Why, the king even personally handed her her new uniform, as a Wizard in service of the Prontera Reserve.
Eka allowed herself a smug smile with the thought, as she made her way to the nearest Kafra Corporation representative to arrange for a warp to her meeting place with Cay.
She has just reached her dream of making a mark in history. Of course, there were more honorable achievements to make, but this was a great start!
Finishing up her transaction, she arrived in Al de Baran in a jiffy, and traced her path to her usual meeting place with Cay. She found him already sitting on the benches near the Clock Tower.
To think that she had been wearing her mage robes when they'd parted just the day before. Neither of them had expected to meet again this way. She couldn't help being excited to see how he'd react.
She walked up to him, and paused when she was just close enough for him to see her. She waited until he lifted his head to look at her.
"So, how do I look?" Eka asked him, holding out her arms to show him her outfit.
Cahyim turned to her, then his face lowered as he studied her new robes. She expected him to act surprised, then smile widely at her. He would congratulate her, maybe ask her about her wizard test. Knowing him, he'd ask her about the written part, if she'd had any trouble with any questions, then he would smugly remind her it was his idea for her to learn more elemental spells for the practical.
He did none of those things.
"You look fine," he told her bleakly. And that was all.
Ekaterina paused, shocked. She gave him an odd look, trying to decipher his expression, but she found nothing in it. She frowned, wondering if he actually understood what she was trying to show him. She knew Cay couldn't be that clueless, but she couldn't think of any other reason.
She placed her hands on her hips, puffing up her chest. She was determined to illicit some kind of reaction from him, so she announced to him, proudly, "Really? I just got these robes today, from the king!"
"Oh?"
"Yes, it was to congratulate me," she pressed, certain that he had to catch her blatant hint.
"I see," he said. After a moment, he stood up, brushing off his acolyte robes. "... I suppose we should get ready to go in."
Ekaterina remained there, an aghast look on her face, as Cahyim began casting his usual supportive spells on each of them. It was clear to her now. He wasn't being clueless. He was blatantly ignoring the whole thing.
What the...?
"You know," she finally said to him. "I don't feel like going in yet.
Cay paused right before he spoke the speed prayer for her, "Oh?"
"Yeah, I decided, I want to talk."
"About what?"
"Maybe about what's wrong with you?" Eka griped at him, before biting back her tongue. She couldn't help it. He was starting to get on her nerves.
But he only looked up at her again, and shrugged, nonchalantly, "What's wrong with me?"
Eka felt her face heating up with irritation. "Why are you being a jerk?!?" she finally blurted out, unable to hold herself, causing a number of people gearing up in front of the Clock Tower to turn their heads at them. After all the wonderful things that had just happened to her, a part of her felt sharing the news with her partner was what she should have enjoyed the most. This was not how she imagined it to turn out. How could he be so unfeeling, today of all days?
There was a generous pause as Cay stared at her, deadpan, though she noticed how he clenched his jaw.
"I guess I feel you don't need to be such a show-off." he answered before turning and walking down a bridge, away from the Clock Tower entrance.
His words sent her reeling into a mix of infuriation and confusion. A show-off?! Is there something I'm not getting here? She thought as she stared at his retreating form in consternation. Well, she wasn't going to let him get away without explaining. She marched after him, gathering her cloak to keep herself from tripping over the length.
She finally caught up with him at the southern docks. He stood y one of the boats near the tool shop, watching the water flow down the man-made canal that encircled the clock tower.
"What did you mean by that?" Eka demanded.
He did not even look up. "I meant you waving your wizard robes in my face when I obviously haven't completed my acolyte training yet."
"I came here to tell you, because I thought that you would be happy for me. But, you're acting like a sulky kid instead."
"I'm being a kid?" there was a look of indignation in Cahyim's face when he answered, "Last I looked, I was not the one who conveniently forgot to tell their partner that they'd be graduating already."
Eka felt her eyebrows and her temper rise with Cay's answer.
"So that's what this is all about? That I forgot? You, of all people, should've known that I was going to graduate soon enough. You were even there when I finally mastered all my required spells in the Clock Tower!"
"So what, if I knew?"
"What do you mean 'so what?' I mastered all my required spells! Of course I'll be taking the Wizard test!"
"Not everyone rushes to take it the same day."
"You knew how excited I was about graduating! Why put it off?!"
Eka was getting frustrated. She still felt a bit weary from the whirlwind of events yesterday. She also lacked sleep, having to get up early for this morning's activities. And now Cay was making a big deal out of her not telling him about the test. Well, she was sharing it to him now, wasn't she? Isn't that what was important?
But Cay wasn't letting it go, "You mean you couldn't have just waited?"
"Waited for what?!"
Cay's expression turned pained and angry, "Waited for me? Father Praupin advised me that I only need a little more practice before I take the advanced certification for priesthood."
"You didn't ask me to!"
"I didn't know I had to ask."
"I didn't know I had to wait!"
"Then," he moved on. "Couldn't you have at least, looked for me to say 'Hi Cay! My professor says I can take the Wizard exam!' How much effort does it take to walk down to my house, and tell me that? You've done it a hundred times before for less important things."
"I was in Geffen in the afternoon while you were in class. Did you really want me to ask my examiner to wait while I barge into the Sanctuary to tell you that I was taking the test?"
"You could have at least waited a day."
"You expect me to wait? I've been looking forward to this-"
He didn't let her finish this time, "But you were presented to the king? You couldn't even have dropped by to tell me that much?"
"The whole affair ended late. There were too many people to meet, papers to sign. I didn't have time."
"Your ceremony was just this morning. You had the whole evening to come by and tell me about it."
Eka took a deep breath, biting back a retort, "Fine. So, I forgot about it. Happy?"
"So because you happened to forget, I couldn't even have been there with you when you were honored?"
Eka felt something inside her snap with Cay's question. Why was she even explaining all this?
"It's my graduation!" she blurted out in an indignant tone.
This was her day. A celebration for her accomplishments. And so far, all Cay had done was to make it sound like a mistake. Well, she's had enough. She was not going to say sorry for being the youngest wizard in Rune-Midgard.
But Cay had exploded as well. "I'm your partner!" he suddenly shouted at her. "You wouldn't even have been there without me!"
Eka took a sharp intake of breath, stunned at the words that just came out of Cay's mouth. He was right, she had a lot of things to thank him for, but to point it out right to her face - it was unbelievable. She had worked just as hard as he did to get where she was. He was being unfair!
"I-..." she started, but held back at the last minute, clenching her fists.
I hate you. That's what she was going to say, but she didn't mean it. At least not really. But he was just so... He was so frustrating, and annoying and demanding and arrogant and - ooooh!
"Stupid, stupid Cay!" she finally shouted back, punctuating her expression with a stomp, before turning on her heels and running back to the direction of the Kafra.
If he made any move to go after her, she couldn't tell. But then, it wasn't as if she cared if he followed her. It would be better if he didn't. She really didn't like him right now.
How could he do this to her? How could he ruin her day?
And how could he be completely right at the same time?
---------
"Father?" Cahyim could barely contain his surprise. "You're... You're in town..."
"Of course." The high priest, Dorian Aldridge, strode into his room, then turned to face him as Cahyim closed the door. "It isn't inconvenient, is it? Your mother said that I may speak with you."
"W-well, yes... I-I mean, n-no, it isn't," he stammered. It was early morning, only an hour after the sun had risen. He had just finished getting ready for his morning lectures. Seeing his father, especially in his own house, was the least thing he had expected. The high priest hardly ever left his post at Glastheim; in fact, it was a factor leading to his parents' separation. Cahyim knew this could hardly be a courtesy call.
What surprised him even more was the pleased expression on the man's face.
Cay attempted to adjust his robes, trying to find the proper thing to say, "U-um. Well, what... are you... What i-is the-"
He needn't finish as his father answered simply, "I have heard the news."
"News?" the statement confused him. He could not think of any news that would cause his father to come speak with him.
His query, however, fell on deaf ears, as the high priest's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing his clothes.
"... You are wearing acolyte robes."
The words caught him off-guard, "Y-yes. I... I was to attend a class at the Sanctuary in a few minutes."
He swallowed nervously, watching as the expression his father wore faded away. "You are not a priest yet."
The blunt declaration stunned him, leaving a slight sting in his chest. Where did that come from? He replied with a stutter, "N-no. Not yet."
"I see..."
Cay added quickly, "I... I am told it would not be long, though."
"Oh?"
"A... A month, maybe."
"Is that so?"
"A-at the very most!" he clarified. "My... My Angelus is near completion."
"Ah, I see."
Cahyim swallowed, not sure why his father's expression had changed so quickly. "Is... there something wrong?"
"Oh, I suppose not," his father replied with an idle wave of his hand. "I was just thinking that perhaps you could have studied it properly if you were not always off gallivanting with that unstable mage girl that you call your partner."
For a moment, Cay's vision blurred a little. Unstable mage girl? Where did those words come from? Cay had little to no contact with his father for so long now. He did not know his father was even aware of Ekaterina Contariel, his partner of nearly three years. He was certain that they'd never even met formally.
He had always respected his father, for being so caring about their kingdom. But now, a feeling grew in his chest, one he had never felt before toward the man.
"She... is not unstable," he said slowly, defending his friend.
"Oh? But does she not run off into dungeons that exceed her capabilities?"
"That's... That's because Eka is... amazing... far better than most other mages older than her."
"It's because you babysit her, obviously," the high priest continued.
"It is not," he argued, though his voice was not nearly as forceful as he would have liked.
"Ah, but perhaps that is why she is obtaining the certification today. In your place."
It was at that point that the acolyte paused. It took a moment for the words to sink in. The room began to spin as Cahyim realized their meaning.
"... Cert... Certification?"
"Oh?" his father almost smiled. "You mean, you did not know? That IS why I have returned to Prontera this morning. To celebrate your... amazing partner for becoming the youngest wizard of Rune-Midgard."
Cay swallowed again, not knowing what to say. It didn't make sense. He knew that she'd just mastered her last ice spell, but still, Eka hadn't said a thing to him. He thought for a moment that his father was making it up, except that he would have no reason to do so. No, it had to be true.
He continued, answering Cay's thoughts, "Oh there had been quite the fuss about it. They'd verified it just yesterday afternoon. The youngest wizard in all the records at the Geffen Tower. My my... What an honor for her." The high priest lifted a hand to his chin, in what appeared to be a thoughtful motion. "Had she neglected to tell you? I suppose she IS very excited... After all, she is to be presented to King Tristram himself in only a few hours."
The hollow feeling grew even more within him. Eka had taken her exam...? Eka was being honored? Eka was being presented to the king himself? She was doing all these things, and he hadn't had any idea of any of it?
"Of course, I assumed that you had already been certified as well. It would be sensible, as your younger partner had reached her required level already. I had no idea that you'd held yourself back."
Cay felt the knife twist in deeper. His father had noticed him at last, only it was not the right moment.
He had no reply. He doubted that he could even form a sentence, with the dryness in his throat and the dizziness in his head.
"I suppose I should be off again then. I'd meant to congratulate you before attending the ceremony, but it appears it was unnecessary after all." Dorian bowed his head, "Good day then, Cahyim. I expect I will not see you later today."
And with those final stinging words, his father left his room.
"Cay? Come on, kiddo, you still with me or have the alarms whacked you too much?"
Cahyim broke out of his thoughts, lifting his gaze to the brown-haired huntress. Anania quirked an eyebrow at him, before turning around, the sound of an alarm catching her attention. She notched an arrow to her longbow, letting it fly towards the approaching opponent. She swiftly took another arrow and shot it into the alarm.
Cay snuck a few steps back, glancing over his shoulder to make sure that the way was clear behind him. He murmured a Blessing for the huntress, followed by the prayer for Agility. After a moment's thought, he spoke another prayer, the Angelus, which gave protection against injury, for good measure.
Anania stepped back one more time, aiming a last arrow at the alarm. It struck true and the alarm fell, breaking into pieces as it hit the floor.
"Good thing you're quick on your feet. As always," she commented, an amused note in her voice.
"I'm sorry, An," he told her. "There's just a lot on my mind."
"Don't have to explain a thing, Cay," An replied."Though I hafta admit, your message surprised me. I haven't heard from you in years, not since..."
She fell silent after that. She didn't need to say it. They both knew the last time they'd seen each other; it was in the forests near Payon, before Aeilind had left for the war.
Anania started moving again, walking down the broken steps. Cay followed her, going over his learned spells in his mind. Unlike the floor below it, where the large Clocks remained passive until provoked, the Alarms moved steadily towards anyone who came near enough. Worse, Ridewords, the possessed books, were also present, and they moved much more quickly than the Alarms. He needed to react quickly whenever something spotted them.
Anania broke the silence a little later, turning her head over her shoulder when they reached a relatively safe spot. "So just the Angelus to go, right?"
"How did you know?"
"Well, you've been chanting it over and over, even though I don't need it," she smiled at him. "Don't wear yourself out, Cay."
"It's my last spell," he answered. "I want to perfect it, soon."
"This wouldn't happen to be about your partner's ceremony this morning, would it?"
Cay's shoulders sank. Of course Anania had heard. He was certain that most people had already heard, but only very few would associate Eka's name with his. He was probably just the acolyte partner to all the others.
"I'm taking that as a yes." She shrugged. "Honestly, it surprised me more than your message. I think I remember that you two were about the same level."
"Apparently, my father thought so too," Cay mumbled.
But Anania had heard him. A look of understanding washed over her face. "Is that why you're in such a bad mood?"
"I... I am not in a bad mood," he protested.
"Could have fooled me," she smiled a smile that almost annoyed him. "So, I'm grasping a bit here. Your dad... I'm guessing he didn't like the whole situation."
"Understatement," he lowered his voice to a mutter again.
"Honestly, Cay, I don't know much about you and your dad, but I'm not sure you should fuss too much about what he said. In the end, it's what you think and feel that counts. Especially when it has to do with friends. I think Lind would say the same thing."
The acolyte paused at that point. Anania had stopped as well, watching him. He turned away from her, pondering it over.
His father had always been like this - pressuring him with expectations. Expectations he always thought he had finally met, only for them to be raised higher. Every time he thought he had something to boast about, the high priest would want more from him.
He had already learned to bear with it, or so he'd thought. Was he really upset just because of his father's biting words? Yes, he was affected by them, because they were harsher than usual. But that only added salt to the underlying wounds he had opened.
He was upset because it was true. He had always imagined them graduating on the same day. He never had imagined that Eka would jump to her Wizard exam straight away... without even asking him first. He did know of her excitement. He understood that.
He'd just assumed, at the same time, that she would have thought of him somewhere amidst all that excitement. Not even because they were partners, but because they were friends.
And the worst part was, Eka really had neglected to tell him.
Still...
"... I didn't have to yell at her," Cahyim conceded.
"Oh that's probably a given."
"I... couldn't help it. I was just so-"
"Cay," Anania interrupted, "I think, I'm not the one you should explain this to."
Cay glanced up at her, helplessly. The huntress gazed back at him, with an encouraging look on her face. At last, he sighed with a small nod. "You're right," he said.
"But... could we continue on anyway? I just want to get the Angelus right."
"No problem," Anania's smile returned. She reached up to take an arrow and knocked her bow, "That's exactly what I'm here for."
He managed a smile in return, even as Anania loosed a deadly shot at an alarm she had sighted near them. It tumbled over, crashing into pieces. Anania made a satisfied noise, before waving him down into a corridor.
"Come on, let's go."
"Right behind you."
And she ventured back into the monster-filled corridors of the clock tower, Cahyim following closely at her heels.
-----------
Eka took a deep breath and squared her shoulders after a warp portal delivered her to her desired destination - Al de Baran. She traced her way to the benches to the southeast of the Clock Tower, way too early for the regular meeting time that she and Cahyim had agreed to before, but she figured she can't be late.
Not today.
After that whole mess the day before, she didn't want to give him a chance to think that she wasn't showing up.
And she fervently hoped he would show up too, even if he was still miffed at her.
After she walked out of their fight yesterday, it quickly became evident that she had nowhere else to go but back home. Her afternoon adventures with Cahyim had become a regular part of her schedule that everyone she knew seemed to have also fixed their schedule around it. And she couldn’t even go to the academy because her advanced classes wouldn’t start in a week.
The time spent alone in the house gave her ample time to figure out two things though - one, that a day without Cay’s company pretty much sucked, and two, that she was upset both at Cay and herself at the same time.
And she was still upset even up to this moment.
It wasn’t as bad as it was yesterday, partly because she realized that she really had neglected Cay through all the hustle and bustle of the graduation. Insensitivity had always been her flaw. It wasn't exactly the first time she had forgotten to consider her partner’s feelings when doing the things she wanted so she couldn’t blame him completely for getting mad at her.
But, some of the things he said… they were just too much. He had really hurt her.
Her time alone yesterday didn’t really resolve any of the conflicting emotions she had about their fight. On one hand, she would like to sincerely apologize about forgetting about him, but she also couldn’t just let go of her anger over the way he acted.
In the end, she felt that the best way to get it over with was just to see Cay and talk to him.
She took another peek at the large clock on the tower’s face. It was five minutes past the appointed time. Truth be told, she felt really nervous coming here today. She wasn’t sure what she’ll even say, how he’d react to seeing her… or if he’ll even show up.
Taking a deep breath, she wrung her fingers and tried to take the edge off her anxiety.
Just when she thought he would not make it, a shadow cast over her feet. She looked up and repressed a sigh of relief. It was Cahyim, looking somber and serious.
"Hi..." She let the greeting come out of her mouth. Her stomach was tied into knots, glad that he was here and anxious at the same time.
"Hi," came the short reply.
"So... how are you?"
"Good... I suppose."
"Ah," she murmured.
There was a pregnant pause. "I completed my Angelus," he stated quietly.
She glanced up at him a little higher, his last statement sparking something in her memory, "That's... your last spell, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Oh.” Eka pursed her lips, unsure of what to say next.
Cahyim nodded, "I could have taken the certification today."
She scanned his acolyte robes, looking at him in honest surprise, "Why didn't you?"
His expression turned solemn, and he remained silent, finding the proper words to say. At last, he told her, "It... didn't feel right. I didn't want to go ahead and do it while I was mad. Especially while I was mad at you. It just... I felt like it wouldn't have much meaning if I felt that way."
"Are you... Are you still mad at me?
He didn't answer at first, giving the question some thought. "Yes, I'm angry," he admitted in the end. "I'm still angry."
"For graduating ahead?" Eka asked, wanting to make sure that she had that part clear.
"No, not just that.”
"For forgetting to tell you, then."
Cahyim shook his head and let out a frustrated sigh. "Because of the whole thing! Not only were you graduating, you were doing it with the most amazing honor. And I'd had absolutely no idea. You didn't talk to me about any part of it!"
"Cay, I-" Eka tried to interrupt but she was cut off.
"And I was left to find out from my father of all people!"
Eka took a sharp intake of breath and stared wide-eyed at her partner, taken aback by his sudden outburst. Clearly, this was much bigger than what she had initially thought.
Cahyim must have noticed her flustered expression, bringing him back to his senses. Letting out a soft groan, he finally took a seat on the bench beside her.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I don't know what came over me."
"No… I’m sorry. I didn’t understand how much this affected you."
He mulled that over for a moment, then he shook his head again, "Actually...? I lied. I do know what came over me."
"Your dad?" Eka ventured a guess.
He gave a short nod as confirmation.
"But, how did he even find out about it?" Eka didn't remember anyone from the sanctuary present on the day she took the test.
"Eka, he's on the High Council. He was there during your presentation to King Tristram, invited."
Eka remained quiet, digesting the information. Now that she thought of it, she did see Cahyim's dad in the palace when she was presented to the king. It didn't make sense to her why that upset Cay, though. It was expected that his father will be there, wasn't it?
Cay stared forward and continued when Eka didn't respond. "He came to see me yesterday morning - to congratulate me in advance, thinking that I would be receiving the honor with you. Instead, he caught me completely unaware of the whole thing.
"So he told me how his son's partner was getting certified as a wizard, four whole years before normal. His son's partner was the youngest wizard in the records. His son's partner." He sighed, his voice lowering into a nearly inaudible mumble. "Not his son."
Eka’s mouth gaped open as the remaining piece of the puzzle fell into place, "I… I'm sorry."
"And he seemed so smug, being the one to tell me," he continued. "It was like he rubbed it into my face that you didn't say anything. I couldn't defend you. I couldn't defend myself. It was... so humiliating."
Looking at her partner then, Eka felt as if she was seeing a whole new side to him. She knew from their previous conversations that Cay deferred to his father. She didn’t realize though that Cahyim’s regard for his dad went this deep, and how much the high priest’s acceptance was important for him.
She knew she can be really insensitive, but how had she missed seeing it all these years they were together?
"I'm sorry."
He smiled at her weakly, "Stop saying you're sorry already."
"But, I am."
"I know... And... I'm sorry too. I was awful yesterday."
"Yes, you were." Eka blurted out, in her usual tactless manner, eliciting a snort from her partner. She gave him a sheepish look, "... Well, you were!"
"I didn't say I wasn't," Cay sighed. " I wish I could blame him; say that he goaded me into it. It did feel that way. When he left, I was just so... mad that I took it out on you."
Eka sighed and nodded, "You did say some hurtful things then."
"That was my fault. I let him get inside my head. I shouldn't have let him affect me that much. But, you know what?"
"What?"
"Somehow... I feel like even if he hadn't been the one to tell me... In fact, even if no one had told me before I saw you yesterday; I think I would still have been upset." He smiled at her, weakly, "I just would have hidden it a lot better."
Eka frowned, mulling over what Cay had said, then finally spoke, "That… doesn’t exactly sound comforting. I don’t know which one’s worse, having an all out fight with you or not knowing you were disappointed with me at all."
"True. Neither of the two sound so great, huh?" he answered with a rueful expression.
Eka looked at Cay then, catching his gaze, "I’d… rather not hurt you at all..."
He managed a smile at her as she said that. He turned away again, gazing into the water before them. "I think what really stung the most... was how you just went ahead and did it, without saying anything to me. Not even when you were told how... how amazing the honor is. It felt like I was not important enough to share it with."
"Oh, Cay…You are one of the most important people in my life. You’re my best friend. I’m just really…" Eka sighed, repeating words that had been said to her before. "...Socially inept at times, that’s all. If it makes you feel better, my dad didn't even know I took the test until he was summoned into Geffen afterwards."
He looked up at her, his jaw dropped, “… Really?”
Eka just nodded at him.
Cay shook his head at her in disbelief, “You’re crazy.”
“So you’ve told me several times already.” She shrugged and let her gaze fall on the clock once more. Quite suddenly, she stood back up, shaking out her robes before extending a hand to her partner, “C’mon.”
“Eh?”
“You said you can take your certification exam already right?”
“…Yes…” Cay answered warily.
“Your warp's by the Sanctuary, right? I think if we walk fast enough, we can still drop by your house before going back to see Father Abelard about the exam. What do you think?”
Cahyim looked at Eka, contemplating his partner's words.
“I think that sounds like a good plan,” he finally smiled and took her hand.
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You get in the biggest fights with the people you care for the most, because those are the relationships you're willing to fight for - Anonymous
Story Title: Gaius Fafnir Chronicles
Arc: Prequel
Chapter Title: That Which Matters Most
Rating: PG
Ekaterina stretched her arms upon stepping out of the Prontera Castle grounds. She closed her eyes and turned her head up, smiling as she let the mid-afternoon sun wash over her. It had been an incredible day.
She felt the smile on her face widen, as the bubbles of mirth she had been trying to hold down inside her the whole morning escaped her lips in a fit of giggles. In fact, it had been an incredible two days.
The day before, she and Cahyim had parted after their usual adventure in the Clock Tower. When she made it to the Mage Academy, her Ice Elemental professor had certified that she had completed, and even surpassed the required masteries. He had even recommended her for the Wizard Certification exam. She, of course, decided not to waste time and took it on the same day.
She was well prepared for the written test, never missing any of the readings that were required of them. The practical exam had been quite a challenge though. She needed to go through four rooms representing the four magic elements, each filled with a group of creatures she had to defeat all by herself. Why, some of them had even been aggressive, chasing her across the room! She used all the different spells she had learned and she even needed to change her strategies constantly. She had never been so thankful that Cay convinced her to study all the elements.
Speaking of Cay... She was due to meet him this afternoon! She couldn't wait to see him!
She hadn't been able to talk to her partner since they went off to their own classes yesterday. Everything just happened so fast! The exam had finished quite early, but there was the matter of preparing the paperwork certifying her as a Wizard. Not to mention the commotion that had the Mage Academy headmaster, Wizard Guildmaster and her dad flocking over to the Geffen tower when the secretary making her certificate found out that she was just fourteen.
Apparently, she was now the official youngest Wizard in the history of the academy.
By the time the records were verified, her recent achievement had already earned her an audience and lunch with King Tristram III along with the Prontera High Council. She had just attended that lunch this morning.
It wasn't that she hadn't seen the king before. In fact, she had seen him a dozen times. But this time, he was meeting her. Not her mom, to speak of the princes' progress, or her dad, to meet about the state of the city military. He was there to meet Ekaterina Contariel, herself. Why, the king even personally handed her her new uniform, as a Wizard in service of the Prontera Reserve.
Eka allowed herself a smug smile with the thought, as she made her way to the nearest Kafra Corporation representative to arrange for a warp to her meeting place with Cay.
She has just reached her dream of making a mark in history. Of course, there were more honorable achievements to make, but this was a great start!
Finishing up her transaction, she arrived in Al de Baran in a jiffy, and traced her path to her usual meeting place with Cay. She found him already sitting on the benches near the Clock Tower.
To think that she had been wearing her mage robes when they'd parted just the day before. Neither of them had expected to meet again this way. She couldn't help being excited to see how he'd react.
She walked up to him, and paused when she was just close enough for him to see her. She waited until he lifted his head to look at her.
"So, how do I look?" Eka asked him, holding out her arms to show him her outfit.
Cahyim turned to her, then his face lowered as he studied her new robes. She expected him to act surprised, then smile widely at her. He would congratulate her, maybe ask her about her wizard test. Knowing him, he'd ask her about the written part, if she'd had any trouble with any questions, then he would smugly remind her it was his idea for her to learn more elemental spells for the practical.
He did none of those things.
"You look fine," he told her bleakly. And that was all.
Ekaterina paused, shocked. She gave him an odd look, trying to decipher his expression, but she found nothing in it. She frowned, wondering if he actually understood what she was trying to show him. She knew Cay couldn't be that clueless, but she couldn't think of any other reason.
She placed her hands on her hips, puffing up her chest. She was determined to illicit some kind of reaction from him, so she announced to him, proudly, "Really? I just got these robes today, from the king!"
"Oh?"
"Yes, it was to congratulate me," she pressed, certain that he had to catch her blatant hint.
"I see," he said. After a moment, he stood up, brushing off his acolyte robes. "... I suppose we should get ready to go in."
Ekaterina remained there, an aghast look on her face, as Cahyim began casting his usual supportive spells on each of them. It was clear to her now. He wasn't being clueless. He was blatantly ignoring the whole thing.
What the...?
"You know," she finally said to him. "I don't feel like going in yet.
Cay paused right before he spoke the speed prayer for her, "Oh?"
"Yeah, I decided, I want to talk."
"About what?"
"Maybe about what's wrong with you?" Eka griped at him, before biting back her tongue. She couldn't help it. He was starting to get on her nerves.
But he only looked up at her again, and shrugged, nonchalantly, "What's wrong with me?"
Eka felt her face heating up with irritation. "Why are you being a jerk?!?" she finally blurted out, unable to hold herself, causing a number of people gearing up in front of the Clock Tower to turn their heads at them. After all the wonderful things that had just happened to her, a part of her felt sharing the news with her partner was what she should have enjoyed the most. This was not how she imagined it to turn out. How could he be so unfeeling, today of all days?
There was a generous pause as Cay stared at her, deadpan, though she noticed how he clenched his jaw.
"I guess I feel you don't need to be such a show-off." he answered before turning and walking down a bridge, away from the Clock Tower entrance.
His words sent her reeling into a mix of infuriation and confusion. A show-off?! Is there something I'm not getting here? She thought as she stared at his retreating form in consternation. Well, she wasn't going to let him get away without explaining. She marched after him, gathering her cloak to keep herself from tripping over the length.
She finally caught up with him at the southern docks. He stood y one of the boats near the tool shop, watching the water flow down the man-made canal that encircled the clock tower.
"What did you mean by that?" Eka demanded.
He did not even look up. "I meant you waving your wizard robes in my face when I obviously haven't completed my acolyte training yet."
"I came here to tell you, because I thought that you would be happy for me. But, you're acting like a sulky kid instead."
"I'm being a kid?" there was a look of indignation in Cahyim's face when he answered, "Last I looked, I was not the one who conveniently forgot to tell their partner that they'd be graduating already."
Eka felt her eyebrows and her temper rise with Cay's answer.
"So that's what this is all about? That I forgot? You, of all people, should've known that I was going to graduate soon enough. You were even there when I finally mastered all my required spells in the Clock Tower!"
"So what, if I knew?"
"What do you mean 'so what?' I mastered all my required spells! Of course I'll be taking the Wizard test!"
"Not everyone rushes to take it the same day."
"You knew how excited I was about graduating! Why put it off?!"
Eka was getting frustrated. She still felt a bit weary from the whirlwind of events yesterday. She also lacked sleep, having to get up early for this morning's activities. And now Cay was making a big deal out of her not telling him about the test. Well, she was sharing it to him now, wasn't she? Isn't that what was important?
But Cay wasn't letting it go, "You mean you couldn't have just waited?"
"Waited for what?!"
Cay's expression turned pained and angry, "Waited for me? Father Praupin advised me that I only need a little more practice before I take the advanced certification for priesthood."
"You didn't ask me to!"
"I didn't know I had to ask."
"I didn't know I had to wait!"
"Then," he moved on. "Couldn't you have at least, looked for me to say 'Hi Cay! My professor says I can take the Wizard exam!' How much effort does it take to walk down to my house, and tell me that? You've done it a hundred times before for less important things."
"I was in Geffen in the afternoon while you were in class. Did you really want me to ask my examiner to wait while I barge into the Sanctuary to tell you that I was taking the test?"
"You could have at least waited a day."
"You expect me to wait? I've been looking forward to this-"
He didn't let her finish this time, "But you were presented to the king? You couldn't even have dropped by to tell me that much?"
"The whole affair ended late. There were too many people to meet, papers to sign. I didn't have time."
"Your ceremony was just this morning. You had the whole evening to come by and tell me about it."
Eka took a deep breath, biting back a retort, "Fine. So, I forgot about it. Happy?"
"So because you happened to forget, I couldn't even have been there with you when you were honored?"
Eka felt something inside her snap with Cay's question. Why was she even explaining all this?
"It's my graduation!" she blurted out in an indignant tone.
This was her day. A celebration for her accomplishments. And so far, all Cay had done was to make it sound like a mistake. Well, she's had enough. She was not going to say sorry for being the youngest wizard in Rune-Midgard.
But Cay had exploded as well. "I'm your partner!" he suddenly shouted at her. "You wouldn't even have been there without me!"
Eka took a sharp intake of breath, stunned at the words that just came out of Cay's mouth. He was right, she had a lot of things to thank him for, but to point it out right to her face - it was unbelievable. She had worked just as hard as he did to get where she was. He was being unfair!
"I-..." she started, but held back at the last minute, clenching her fists.
I hate you. That's what she was going to say, but she didn't mean it. At least not really. But he was just so... He was so frustrating, and annoying and demanding and arrogant and - ooooh!
"Stupid, stupid Cay!" she finally shouted back, punctuating her expression with a stomp, before turning on her heels and running back to the direction of the Kafra.
If he made any move to go after her, she couldn't tell. But then, it wasn't as if she cared if he followed her. It would be better if he didn't. She really didn't like him right now.
How could he do this to her? How could he ruin her day?
And how could he be completely right at the same time?
---------
"Father?" Cahyim could barely contain his surprise. "You're... You're in town..."
"Of course." The high priest, Dorian Aldridge, strode into his room, then turned to face him as Cahyim closed the door. "It isn't inconvenient, is it? Your mother said that I may speak with you."
"W-well, yes... I-I mean, n-no, it isn't," he stammered. It was early morning, only an hour after the sun had risen. He had just finished getting ready for his morning lectures. Seeing his father, especially in his own house, was the least thing he had expected. The high priest hardly ever left his post at Glastheim; in fact, it was a factor leading to his parents' separation. Cahyim knew this could hardly be a courtesy call.
What surprised him even more was the pleased expression on the man's face.
Cay attempted to adjust his robes, trying to find the proper thing to say, "U-um. Well, what... are you... What i-is the-"
He needn't finish as his father answered simply, "I have heard the news."
"News?" the statement confused him. He could not think of any news that would cause his father to come speak with him.
His query, however, fell on deaf ears, as the high priest's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing his clothes.
"... You are wearing acolyte robes."
The words caught him off-guard, "Y-yes. I... I was to attend a class at the Sanctuary in a few minutes."
He swallowed nervously, watching as the expression his father wore faded away. "You are not a priest yet."
The blunt declaration stunned him, leaving a slight sting in his chest. Where did that come from? He replied with a stutter, "N-no. Not yet."
"I see..."
Cay added quickly, "I... I am told it would not be long, though."
"Oh?"
"A... A month, maybe."
"Is that so?"
"A-at the very most!" he clarified. "My... My Angelus is near completion."
"Ah, I see."
Cahyim swallowed, not sure why his father's expression had changed so quickly. "Is... there something wrong?"
"Oh, I suppose not," his father replied with an idle wave of his hand. "I was just thinking that perhaps you could have studied it properly if you were not always off gallivanting with that unstable mage girl that you call your partner."
For a moment, Cay's vision blurred a little. Unstable mage girl? Where did those words come from? Cay had little to no contact with his father for so long now. He did not know his father was even aware of Ekaterina Contariel, his partner of nearly three years. He was certain that they'd never even met formally.
He had always respected his father, for being so caring about their kingdom. But now, a feeling grew in his chest, one he had never felt before toward the man.
"She... is not unstable," he said slowly, defending his friend.
"Oh? But does she not run off into dungeons that exceed her capabilities?"
"That's... That's because Eka is... amazing... far better than most other mages older than her."
"It's because you babysit her, obviously," the high priest continued.
"It is not," he argued, though his voice was not nearly as forceful as he would have liked.
"Ah, but perhaps that is why she is obtaining the certification today. In your place."
It was at that point that the acolyte paused. It took a moment for the words to sink in. The room began to spin as Cahyim realized their meaning.
"... Cert... Certification?"
"Oh?" his father almost smiled. "You mean, you did not know? That IS why I have returned to Prontera this morning. To celebrate your... amazing partner for becoming the youngest wizard of Rune-Midgard."
Cay swallowed again, not knowing what to say. It didn't make sense. He knew that she'd just mastered her last ice spell, but still, Eka hadn't said a thing to him. He thought for a moment that his father was making it up, except that he would have no reason to do so. No, it had to be true.
He continued, answering Cay's thoughts, "Oh there had been quite the fuss about it. They'd verified it just yesterday afternoon. The youngest wizard in all the records at the Geffen Tower. My my... What an honor for her." The high priest lifted a hand to his chin, in what appeared to be a thoughtful motion. "Had she neglected to tell you? I suppose she IS very excited... After all, she is to be presented to King Tristram himself in only a few hours."
The hollow feeling grew even more within him. Eka had taken her exam...? Eka was being honored? Eka was being presented to the king himself? She was doing all these things, and he hadn't had any idea of any of it?
"Of course, I assumed that you had already been certified as well. It would be sensible, as your younger partner had reached her required level already. I had no idea that you'd held yourself back."
Cay felt the knife twist in deeper. His father had noticed him at last, only it was not the right moment.
He had no reply. He doubted that he could even form a sentence, with the dryness in his throat and the dizziness in his head.
"I suppose I should be off again then. I'd meant to congratulate you before attending the ceremony, but it appears it was unnecessary after all." Dorian bowed his head, "Good day then, Cahyim. I expect I will not see you later today."
And with those final stinging words, his father left his room.
"Cay? Come on, kiddo, you still with me or have the alarms whacked you too much?"
Cahyim broke out of his thoughts, lifting his gaze to the brown-haired huntress. Anania quirked an eyebrow at him, before turning around, the sound of an alarm catching her attention. She notched an arrow to her longbow, letting it fly towards the approaching opponent. She swiftly took another arrow and shot it into the alarm.
Cay snuck a few steps back, glancing over his shoulder to make sure that the way was clear behind him. He murmured a Blessing for the huntress, followed by the prayer for Agility. After a moment's thought, he spoke another prayer, the Angelus, which gave protection against injury, for good measure.
Anania stepped back one more time, aiming a last arrow at the alarm. It struck true and the alarm fell, breaking into pieces as it hit the floor.
"Good thing you're quick on your feet. As always," she commented, an amused note in her voice.
"I'm sorry, An," he told her. "There's just a lot on my mind."
"Don't have to explain a thing, Cay," An replied."Though I hafta admit, your message surprised me. I haven't heard from you in years, not since..."
She fell silent after that. She didn't need to say it. They both knew the last time they'd seen each other; it was in the forests near Payon, before Aeilind had left for the war.
Anania started moving again, walking down the broken steps. Cay followed her, going over his learned spells in his mind. Unlike the floor below it, where the large Clocks remained passive until provoked, the Alarms moved steadily towards anyone who came near enough. Worse, Ridewords, the possessed books, were also present, and they moved much more quickly than the Alarms. He needed to react quickly whenever something spotted them.
Anania broke the silence a little later, turning her head over her shoulder when they reached a relatively safe spot. "So just the Angelus to go, right?"
"How did you know?"
"Well, you've been chanting it over and over, even though I don't need it," she smiled at him. "Don't wear yourself out, Cay."
"It's my last spell," he answered. "I want to perfect it, soon."
"This wouldn't happen to be about your partner's ceremony this morning, would it?"
Cay's shoulders sank. Of course Anania had heard. He was certain that most people had already heard, but only very few would associate Eka's name with his. He was probably just the acolyte partner to all the others.
"I'm taking that as a yes." She shrugged. "Honestly, it surprised me more than your message. I think I remember that you two were about the same level."
"Apparently, my father thought so too," Cay mumbled.
But Anania had heard him. A look of understanding washed over her face. "Is that why you're in such a bad mood?"
"I... I am not in a bad mood," he protested.
"Could have fooled me," she smiled a smile that almost annoyed him. "So, I'm grasping a bit here. Your dad... I'm guessing he didn't like the whole situation."
"Understatement," he lowered his voice to a mutter again.
"Honestly, Cay, I don't know much about you and your dad, but I'm not sure you should fuss too much about what he said. In the end, it's what you think and feel that counts. Especially when it has to do with friends. I think Lind would say the same thing."
The acolyte paused at that point. Anania had stopped as well, watching him. He turned away from her, pondering it over.
His father had always been like this - pressuring him with expectations. Expectations he always thought he had finally met, only for them to be raised higher. Every time he thought he had something to boast about, the high priest would want more from him.
He had already learned to bear with it, or so he'd thought. Was he really upset just because of his father's biting words? Yes, he was affected by them, because they were harsher than usual. But that only added salt to the underlying wounds he had opened.
He was upset because it was true. He had always imagined them graduating on the same day. He never had imagined that Eka would jump to her Wizard exam straight away... without even asking him first. He did know of her excitement. He understood that.
He'd just assumed, at the same time, that she would have thought of him somewhere amidst all that excitement. Not even because they were partners, but because they were friends.
And the worst part was, Eka really had neglected to tell him.
Still...
"... I didn't have to yell at her," Cahyim conceded.
"Oh that's probably a given."
"I... couldn't help it. I was just so-"
"Cay," Anania interrupted, "I think, I'm not the one you should explain this to."
Cay glanced up at her, helplessly. The huntress gazed back at him, with an encouraging look on her face. At last, he sighed with a small nod. "You're right," he said.
"But... could we continue on anyway? I just want to get the Angelus right."
"No problem," Anania's smile returned. She reached up to take an arrow and knocked her bow, "That's exactly what I'm here for."
He managed a smile in return, even as Anania loosed a deadly shot at an alarm she had sighted near them. It tumbled over, crashing into pieces. Anania made a satisfied noise, before waving him down into a corridor.
"Come on, let's go."
"Right behind you."
And she ventured back into the monster-filled corridors of the clock tower, Cahyim following closely at her heels.
-----------
Eka took a deep breath and squared her shoulders after a warp portal delivered her to her desired destination - Al de Baran. She traced her way to the benches to the southeast of the Clock Tower, way too early for the regular meeting time that she and Cahyim had agreed to before, but she figured she can't be late.
Not today.
After that whole mess the day before, she didn't want to give him a chance to think that she wasn't showing up.
And she fervently hoped he would show up too, even if he was still miffed at her.
After she walked out of their fight yesterday, it quickly became evident that she had nowhere else to go but back home. Her afternoon adventures with Cahyim had become a regular part of her schedule that everyone she knew seemed to have also fixed their schedule around it. And she couldn’t even go to the academy because her advanced classes wouldn’t start in a week.
The time spent alone in the house gave her ample time to figure out two things though - one, that a day without Cay’s company pretty much sucked, and two, that she was upset both at Cay and herself at the same time.
And she was still upset even up to this moment.
It wasn’t as bad as it was yesterday, partly because she realized that she really had neglected Cay through all the hustle and bustle of the graduation. Insensitivity had always been her flaw. It wasn't exactly the first time she had forgotten to consider her partner’s feelings when doing the things she wanted so she couldn’t blame him completely for getting mad at her.
But, some of the things he said… they were just too much. He had really hurt her.
Her time alone yesterday didn’t really resolve any of the conflicting emotions she had about their fight. On one hand, she would like to sincerely apologize about forgetting about him, but she also couldn’t just let go of her anger over the way he acted.
In the end, she felt that the best way to get it over with was just to see Cay and talk to him.
She took another peek at the large clock on the tower’s face. It was five minutes past the appointed time. Truth be told, she felt really nervous coming here today. She wasn’t sure what she’ll even say, how he’d react to seeing her… or if he’ll even show up.
Taking a deep breath, she wrung her fingers and tried to take the edge off her anxiety.
Just when she thought he would not make it, a shadow cast over her feet. She looked up and repressed a sigh of relief. It was Cahyim, looking somber and serious.
"Hi..." She let the greeting come out of her mouth. Her stomach was tied into knots, glad that he was here and anxious at the same time.
"Hi," came the short reply.
"So... how are you?"
"Good... I suppose."
"Ah," she murmured.
There was a pregnant pause. "I completed my Angelus," he stated quietly.
She glanced up at him a little higher, his last statement sparking something in her memory, "That's... your last spell, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Oh.” Eka pursed her lips, unsure of what to say next.
Cahyim nodded, "I could have taken the certification today."
She scanned his acolyte robes, looking at him in honest surprise, "Why didn't you?"
His expression turned solemn, and he remained silent, finding the proper words to say. At last, he told her, "It... didn't feel right. I didn't want to go ahead and do it while I was mad. Especially while I was mad at you. It just... I felt like it wouldn't have much meaning if I felt that way."
"Are you... Are you still mad at me?
He didn't answer at first, giving the question some thought. "Yes, I'm angry," he admitted in the end. "I'm still angry."
"For graduating ahead?" Eka asked, wanting to make sure that she had that part clear.
"No, not just that.”
"For forgetting to tell you, then."
Cahyim shook his head and let out a frustrated sigh. "Because of the whole thing! Not only were you graduating, you were doing it with the most amazing honor. And I'd had absolutely no idea. You didn't talk to me about any part of it!"
"Cay, I-" Eka tried to interrupt but she was cut off.
"And I was left to find out from my father of all people!"
Eka took a sharp intake of breath and stared wide-eyed at her partner, taken aback by his sudden outburst. Clearly, this was much bigger than what she had initially thought.
Cahyim must have noticed her flustered expression, bringing him back to his senses. Letting out a soft groan, he finally took a seat on the bench beside her.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I don't know what came over me."
"No… I’m sorry. I didn’t understand how much this affected you."
He mulled that over for a moment, then he shook his head again, "Actually...? I lied. I do know what came over me."
"Your dad?" Eka ventured a guess.
He gave a short nod as confirmation.
"But, how did he even find out about it?" Eka didn't remember anyone from the sanctuary present on the day she took the test.
"Eka, he's on the High Council. He was there during your presentation to King Tristram, invited."
Eka remained quiet, digesting the information. Now that she thought of it, she did see Cahyim's dad in the palace when she was presented to the king. It didn't make sense to her why that upset Cay, though. It was expected that his father will be there, wasn't it?
Cay stared forward and continued when Eka didn't respond. "He came to see me yesterday morning - to congratulate me in advance, thinking that I would be receiving the honor with you. Instead, he caught me completely unaware of the whole thing.
"So he told me how his son's partner was getting certified as a wizard, four whole years before normal. His son's partner was the youngest wizard in the records. His son's partner." He sighed, his voice lowering into a nearly inaudible mumble. "Not his son."
Eka’s mouth gaped open as the remaining piece of the puzzle fell into place, "I… I'm sorry."
"And he seemed so smug, being the one to tell me," he continued. "It was like he rubbed it into my face that you didn't say anything. I couldn't defend you. I couldn't defend myself. It was... so humiliating."
Looking at her partner then, Eka felt as if she was seeing a whole new side to him. She knew from their previous conversations that Cay deferred to his father. She didn’t realize though that Cahyim’s regard for his dad went this deep, and how much the high priest’s acceptance was important for him.
She knew she can be really insensitive, but how had she missed seeing it all these years they were together?
"I'm sorry."
He smiled at her weakly, "Stop saying you're sorry already."
"But, I am."
"I know... And... I'm sorry too. I was awful yesterday."
"Yes, you were." Eka blurted out, in her usual tactless manner, eliciting a snort from her partner. She gave him a sheepish look, "... Well, you were!"
"I didn't say I wasn't," Cay sighed. " I wish I could blame him; say that he goaded me into it. It did feel that way. When he left, I was just so... mad that I took it out on you."
Eka sighed and nodded, "You did say some hurtful things then."
"That was my fault. I let him get inside my head. I shouldn't have let him affect me that much. But, you know what?"
"What?"
"Somehow... I feel like even if he hadn't been the one to tell me... In fact, even if no one had told me before I saw you yesterday; I think I would still have been upset." He smiled at her, weakly, "I just would have hidden it a lot better."
Eka frowned, mulling over what Cay had said, then finally spoke, "That… doesn’t exactly sound comforting. I don’t know which one’s worse, having an all out fight with you or not knowing you were disappointed with me at all."
"True. Neither of the two sound so great, huh?" he answered with a rueful expression.
Eka looked at Cay then, catching his gaze, "I’d… rather not hurt you at all..."
He managed a smile at her as she said that. He turned away again, gazing into the water before them. "I think what really stung the most... was how you just went ahead and did it, without saying anything to me. Not even when you were told how... how amazing the honor is. It felt like I was not important enough to share it with."
"Oh, Cay…You are one of the most important people in my life. You’re my best friend. I’m just really…" Eka sighed, repeating words that had been said to her before. "...Socially inept at times, that’s all. If it makes you feel better, my dad didn't even know I took the test until he was summoned into Geffen afterwards."
He looked up at her, his jaw dropped, “… Really?”
Eka just nodded at him.
Cay shook his head at her in disbelief, “You’re crazy.”
“So you’ve told me several times already.” She shrugged and let her gaze fall on the clock once more. Quite suddenly, she stood back up, shaking out her robes before extending a hand to her partner, “C’mon.”
“Eh?”
“You said you can take your certification exam already right?”
“…Yes…” Cay answered warily.
“Your warp's by the Sanctuary, right? I think if we walk fast enough, we can still drop by your house before going back to see Father Abelard about the exam. What do you think?”
Cahyim looked at Eka, contemplating his partner's words.
“I think that sounds like a good plan,” he finally smiled and took her hand.
---------
You get in the biggest fights with the people you care for the most, because those are the relationships you're willing to fight for - Anonymous