The Inner Odyssey

Celeste allowed her dance partner to lead her into a spin.

Her snow-white gloves brushed against his exposed skin as she made sure her polite mask remained in place. All around her, her fellow people danced, frolicked, and had a great time. There were no set movements - however, they did follow the cadence set by the musicians. When the music sped up, they danced with more vigour, surrendering to the beat.

When it was slow…

Intimate dances were the norm.

Celeste knew it was an opportunity provided to them by the musicians for those who wanted to sway in the arms of their lover. Now that she and Alden were no more, the young woman had no obligation to dance with her former childhood friend. She also had no obligation to accept the advances of other males.

Celeste was not looking for love.

In fact, it was the furthest thing from her mind.

Still, Julian was different. She didn't quite know what made her agree to his invitation, but before she knew it, she was shuffling in his arms as he led her through the steps of a famous and special dance popular among the romantic youth of the Sanctuary.

The Chosen of the Divine Sovereign frowned, before her expression eased just as quickly.

Julian was dressed in fine, embroidered clothes, his skin and raven-black hair fabulous, and his piercing gaze gentle when he looked at her. The brilliant sea-blue of his eyes belied a sense of mystery which attracted Celeste. She didn't know why, just that his gaze had moved her soul, and thus had an effect on her slowly mending heart.

Maintaining her focus on the thin layer of mana coating her figure, Celeste discovered a voice in the back of her mind trying to persuade her to let her guard down, and accept Julian's love. The young woman instinctively resisted, and was it just her, or had her dance partner's hands ever so slightly tightened over her own…?

Celeste shook off the strange thought.

'I'm probably just hallucinating.'

"Which Territory do you think will win?"

Julian's voice was soft and pleasant, almost cloying.

…Irresistible.

For some reason, just listening to it was enough to send Celeste into a daze.

'What is wrong with me today?

She snapped out her stupor, observing her partner who had a patient smile on his face.

The young woman racked her brain.

"The Territory of Wind."

They, alongside the Territory of Ice, had been the most dominant over the past few years. Celeste hoped her Territory could return to its former glory, but with the Territory of Wind hosting the Tournament this year, it was unlikely. The Zephyr Clan would be extra motivated to win it on home soil, not to mention the Guilds under their employ.

As if he had read her mind, Julian's next question involved the latter.

"Which Guild do you think will come out on top?"

Celeste hummed.

During the Tournament, Guilds from each Territory would have the chance to battle each other for prestige and renown. The best amongst them would receive the honour of being listed as the Top 15 Guilds in the entire Sanctuary. Celeste remembered how fierce these battles could get - Alistair and Elara had participated in a few competitions over the years, and came home worse for wear because of it.

The strong financial and social rewards were no joke.

She hoped, this time, her parents could elevate the Sunbrawler's to new heights.

Flashing another dashing smile, which made Celeste's stomach whirl, Julian awaited her answer.

"The Holy Knight Order."

"A safe choice."

He chuckled, the sound disarming her defenses that little bit more.

The voice in the back of her mind returned, stronger this time.

Julian was nice. Julian was kind.

Julian was gentle… and she was sure he had her best interest at heart.

Probably.

A small worm of doubt resisted that whisper, furiously trying to fight back.

She frowned.

Unfortunately, the voice was incredibly elusive, easily slipping out of her grasp. Celeste sighed, and for a fraction of a second, she thought she saw a shadow fall across Julian's face, his once magical and inviting eyes gleaming with what seemed to be contempt… and disdain.

Suddenly, a wave of alarm and peril washed over her.

Ever since she had accepted her position as Chosen of the Divine Sovereign, Celeste had become a lot better at reading people. She had to be, otherwise, anyone would just take advantage of her, with her being none the wiser.

Right now, her gut was telling her to flee.

…And she would be a fool not to listen.

"I… I think I've had enough dancing for one night. Thank you."

Celeste nodded and tried to pull away.

However, she felt an iron grip clamp down on her wrist.

A squall of ice-cold terror rose in her heart.

Struggling to breathe, Celeste yanked her hand away, only to meet the same resistance.

"…Let go!"

"I don't want to."

Julian's demeanour shifted as he bared his hidden fangs. In the next moment, though, the mask of the charming young man returned, an easygoing smile on his face.

"Come on, Cece - is it okay if I call you that? It should be fine, right? Yeah, I'll call you that."

"Don't resist."

There it was again.

That weird urge to let him in and listen to his demands - as if she were under some weird hypnotic spell.

…A compulsion spell.

As dread, horror, fear and panic grappled with each other inside her, Celeste gritted her teeth, and screamed.

"I SAID, LET GO!"

The thin layer of mana she controlled suddenly burst into action, leaping off her figure to form a bright white light, stunning Julian. Shadows fled, and Celeste vaguely sensed the music stop and countless people turning to stare in her direction.

Instead of running, she used the precious second she had created to kick the loathsome young man in his family jewels.

Julian cried and crumpled to the ground.

Celeste breathed heavily. Reality sank in, and the young woman shuddered with disgust. Just the mere thought of what could have happened had she not been careful, was enough to cause her to start hyperventilating and the mana inside her body to seethe, beyond restless.

Celeste sensed her surroundings begin to fade. Countless people stared at her, shocked, unable to comprehend why the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign had lashed out like this. She saw suspicion and doubt, as well as some form of strange pity in their eyes.

She grimaced.

Lifting her skirt, Celeste ran.

'…I need to get away from here.'

Her heart had chosen a random direction to head in and she stuck with it, the crowd instinctively parting before her. She struggled to stifle a sob; a mixture of a whimper and a wail lodging itself in her throat.

Through half-lidded eyes, she somehow managed to perceive Ignia flying towards her.

On instinct, Celeste veered, intercepting the little bird as it dove into her arms.

'Oh, Ignia.'

The young woman struggled to contain her emotions.

She carried out a sweeping glance of her vicinity, wondering where her former love was. There, he lay asleep in an upright position, leaning on a bench. A complicated light bloomed in her eyes as she stared at him, his frown accentuated by the shadowy mist.

Beside him, sat a young man with auburn hair and slate-grey eyes. At first, he had largely been concealed because of the light gloom, but once she had instinctively channeled mana into her eyes, his features had become much more clear.

The stranger shifted to look at her, a flash of understanding flickering in his gaze, as he peered at the commotion she had caused behind her.

"You did well. It's not the first time Julian's done this. He's infamous for it in the Territory of Wind…"

He sighed.

The mention of that odious lecher made her glare, her brows furrowed in an intense frown as she struggled to keep what she felt at bay. The auburn-haired stranger raised his hands, empathy written across his face.

"I'm very sorry you went through that. It must have been horrible."

Then, he gritted his teeth, righteous anger simmering beneath his cordial tone:

"I despise profligates like him."

Celeste just remained silent, stroking Ignia, the phoenix's pleasure a simple vibration through her chest. Her gaze fluttered towards Alden, tracing the worry lines across his face, and the weariness rolling off his figure.

Her expression couldn't help but soften.

The stranger seemed to take note of that, and suddenly stood up.

"I should probably get going. When he wakes… Please tell him he has one hell of a resting face."

The young man chuckled and stretched, and then made to leave, before thinking better of it.

He hesitated.

"If I may… regret is a powerful motivator. I'm sure he had his own reasons for doing what he did, foolish as they were. But, I hope someday, you can find it in you to forgive him."

Celeste watched as the stranger's back faded from view, a sharp pang rising in her chest, blending with the horror of what just happened. The arms holding Ignia trembled, and before she knew it, she was sitting down beside her former love. As if he had sensed her, Alden groaned and shifted, his head falling to rest onto her shoulder.

Celeste carefully maneuvered him so that he lay gently on her lap and stroked his dirty-white hair.

Alden's expression eased.

Seeing that, Celeste finally let go of the sob she had been holding.

She activated a certain skill, her, Ignia and Alden disappearing.

Celeste wanted to bask in something familiar, and who could be more familiar than him and his little phoenix?

Silently, obscured from the rest of the Sanctuary, Celeste wept, her precious former love sleeping gently in her arms.

Two lines of tears streamed down her face.