The Shadows Within

Pushing the demon king’s buttons wasn’t working for me that well. Even so, I found myself on him, huffing like a pufferfish that had been provoked. Of course, he allowed me to shove him onto the bed with a sly smirk on his lips as my eyes twitched.

“You’re so full of yourself, little king.” I pressed my hands onto his shoulders.

His tail coiled snugly around my waist, and my lips tingled from the heat of our recent passionate encounter. As I looked into his eyes, I noticed a newfound spark of life dancing within them, bringing a sense of vitality and energy.

“Sparky, you don’t have a sense of danger in you. That’s not good, you know.” Finn smirked, leaving his hands beside him.

You only touch me when necessary. No more, no less. Why are you like this?

“You know, nothing about me.” I echoed his earlier words.

A soft chuckle left him when someone knocked on the door.

“My King, General Sebastian wants another word with you.” Brielle’s voice erupted from the other side.

Grabbing me by my hips, Finn held me so I wouldn’t fall when suddenly he sat up, lining our chest together before glaring at the door and radiating that red hue from his body.

“Does it have to be now?!” he growled.

“Yes, they’re all still insisting on meeting the saint, and he’s the largest voice,” the she-wolf informed him.

“They want to meet me?” I mumbled, triggering Finn to gaze at me.

He shook his head, “No, I won’t allow you near them.”

His eyes were shifting in color following the harsh tone, matching his current hue.

“My lord, should I tell him to come another time?” Brielle asked, noticing his hesitance.

Reaching my cheek, I felt his warm radiate into me once his palm cupped it before he released a sigh. “No, he’ll just fucking make the others more anxious. I’ll be there in a few.”

“Yes, my lord. I’ll let him know.” She left, leaving us alone again.

“You need to get off me, Sparky.” Finn declared, shifting his gaze onto me again.

Even though I should’ve let him go, my hold on his clothes didn’t relent.

Why are you protecting me from your kind? I don’t get it.

“Won’t it be easier for you just to let me meet them? I won’t be scared.” I assured him.

“Oh, Sparky, as I said before, you don’t have a sense of danger. So no, I won’t allow them near you.” He huffed.

“Then I won’t get off.” I pouted, grabbing him tighter.

His eyes twitched again. “Oi—” he started, only for me to not let him continue.

“You’ll have to pry me off you.” I declared, staring at the demon head-on, triggering him to laugh before grabbing onto my hips.

“You’re crazy.” He cackled, pulling me closer to him.

“Well, I don’t need anyone to defend me.” I didn’t relent.

Another chuckle erupted from him, allowing his red aura to dissipate along with the change in his eyes.

“You don’t even know how to cast magic yet, silly girl. Bravado doesn’t do much in this world other than shorten your life.” He smiled.

It wasn’t fair to point that out, and I had been there only a day.

“I’ll wing it. Plus, you’ll be there, no?” I rolled my eyes at him.

Before I knew it, his lips crashed into mine, triggering me to let go of him. A second later, I was on the bed, pinned by him.

Pulling away from me, he licked his lips. “Perhaps next time, Sparky.”

In an instant, he vanished into what appeared like smoke.

“Oi! Little king! That isn’t fair! You aren’t playing fair!” I yelled, only to startle Solas, who whimpered because of me.

Instinctively, I turned to the little pup, scooping him in my arms.

“I’m so sorry!” I apologized to the little one, only to receive a lick from him.

Arg… What am I doing?! Arguing with a monster on what’s fair?! How dumb is that?! Ah… but you aren’t like the others.

A heavy sigh left me, letting me fall onto the bed.

This is going to be a mess. An unfair one at that, too!

I never thought my heart could race as fast as it did when Finn was around. And worst yet, how he touched me made me feel different, too.

It’s too warm. Nothing compared to when…

As I held Solas close to me, I found myself slowly slipping into a deep slumber. The day's events had consumed my thoughts so entirely that I didn't even spare a moment for my father that night. The following day, I awoke to a gentle knock on the door.

What? The sun’s already out? When… Huh?!

Getting dressed, I headed out of the room only to bump into the white bird who had come for me.

“Please, meet with me after you eat.” The owl announced, leaving me to my own devices.

After a quick trip to the bathroom, I headed downstairs, only to meet Finn on my way. Swiftly, he took me into a neighboring room before pinning me against the wall after the door closed. He kissed me without asking.

A soft mewl left me, triggering him to deepen the kiss. His tongue traced my features, leaving me stunned to move. Before I could even respond, a knock came from the door.

“My lord, I hate to interrupt you, but you know.” Brielle's voice erupted from behind it.

A sharp growl left him when he tugged away from my lips, emanating the same crimson aura he usually bore.

“I know!” he snapped, creating cracks on the wall where his hands were.

If he had been holding me, my bones would’ve shattered much like the stone.

“What?” I mumbled, gazing at him before shifting it towards the fractures made by him.

“Don’t worry about it; eat and go with Rizak.” He sighed, pulling away from me.

A second later, he was gone, leaving me in the dark room with my small lantern. Once again, my lips burned thanks to his touch. It all happened so fast that little Solas was the one thing that snapped me out when he moved in the bag.

Finn's emotions were once again in flux. As I looked at the wall, the lantern in my hand cast flickering light on the deep cracks running through it. These weren’t the result of his aggression; he hadn't slammed his hands into the wall.

Like the others in the vicinity, the pure stone material seemed unexpectedly weak, yet when I pressed my fingers on it, it didn’t budge.

What do you feel to be able to create this? Is it rage or something else? Can you...

A soft sigh left me, walking out of the room and continuing my day. After an uneventful meal with Nyla and Gael, I headed to Rizak’s study, where I spent most of the day failing to capture anything related to magic.

Of course, everything confused me.

None of it makes sense! Owl! Please put it in layman's terms for me!

As he effortlessly wielded magic and explained the process, I couldn't help but feel inadequate. Everyone around me seemed to use their magic naturally while I struggled to grasp the basics.

This is tiresome! Why am I even trying?

These people had lived in this world all their lives, something that eluded me when I wanted...

A baby can’t run before it can walk, and it can’t walk until it learns to crawl. Bah! There must be a shortcut! Something I’m missing!

After the strenuous lesson, I found myself in my room again, unable to find the energy to explore. Following a warm shower and a meal, I focused on magic.

One step at a time…

I opened the book I had taken from Rizak’s library and tried to study it.

Of course, I can’t determine what it’s trying to teach me! How will I ever…

Nothing was going well until Finn interrupted me. He opened the door, closing it behind him.

I hadn’t realized the radiant sun had set, giving way to the shimmering moonlight to shine through the window. Shifting my eyes towards the demon, he smiled, triggering me to glance back at the book, feeling my heart skip.

What was that? Why did…

I clasped onto my gown, shaking my head.

I can’t…

“Did I interrupt you?” he asked, sitting on the bed.

“Kinda,” I mumbled, trying to shake the feeling left in me.

“Hm… Rizak told me you’re getting frustrated with your studies,” Finn commented, leaning closer to me.

No matter what I try, I still wait for something to come out. Frustrated isn’t… the right word.

“I’m no saint.” I sighed, closing the book before pushing it away.

A soft hum came from his lips before he offered me his hand. “Let me show you something.”

Narrowing my eyes, I couldn’t help but…

I’m not sure what you’ll show me, but I doubt it'll be any better than what Rizak is trying to do.

Hesitantly, I grabbed onto his hand, allowing him to pull me towards him.

Sitting next to him, “I doubt you’ll be able—” That thought wouldn’t finish before he sliced his wrist with one of his nails.

A soft gasp left my lips upon seeing a trail of blood drip from his arm.

“What are you doing?!” I clasped onto his wound tightly without an ounce of hesitation, blissfully forgetting how he healed his entire tongue before.

Yet my heart raced, trying to stop the bleeding that dripped onto the floor. Putting pressure on it, my hands suddenly gave off a shimmering white gentle light cleansing the blood and the cut Finn had made.

“What…” I mumbled, tugging away from his skin.

This marked the first time I had seen a glimmer of hope.

“For magic, you need to want to accomplish something for it to come to be. Usually, you can follow it with action, and the mana will naturally flow out of you.” He explained, leaving me amazed.

Why does that owl make it so hard?!

Pouting, I grumbled, “Stupid bird with dumb rules! You must know this and that to do this! Arg!”

The demon chuckled, hearing me complain before touching where I had healed him. “Thank you for healing me, Sparky, but do remember, I am immortal.” He smiled.

There was still a soft light coming from his skin.

“Right… So, wait! Didn’t you do that yourself? Are you sure?” I huffed, crossing my arms.

Are you tricking me?!

He shook his head, “No, I can choose when to heal. You did this, not me. It left my skin feeling warm and tingly.”

Then why does that owl want to burn my brain off?!

“Why does Rizak overcomplicate things?!” I felt like strangling him.

A soft chuckle left Finn’s lips. “Well, he likes to over-explain things but will teach you the dangers of magic better than anyone else. He used to be a scholar before, but he’s the best caster I’ve ever met. You’ll learn much from him once you get over the wordy parts.”

Suddenly, I rested my head on his shoulder, making Finn stiff while Solas ran into my lap, wagging his little tail. He was already the size of a small cat.

“That’s funny. Rizak says you’re the best caster he has ever seen, and I can see why. You probably would be a better teacher if you weren’t so busy.” I said, feeling like a weight lifted off me.

Maybe I can do something, but if it’s what you want me for, that’s yet to be seen, little king.

“Teacher? Me?! Impossible.” he huffed, shaking his head.

“Well, aren’t you the best mage to ever exist?” I asked, turning to face him.

His eyes narrowed, shifting his eyes away from me. “Hah… That isn’t a title I’m fond of.”

A soft sigh left me, turning my glance back at Solas.

Part of me wants to ask you why, but I don’t want to pry too much and scare you away. You might be more brittle than me, I think.

“Hm… I wonder if I’ll ever be able to do it on command like you.” I continued, opening my hand only for nothing to happen.

The lack of magic caused a frown to rise to my lips before a sigh left my lips.

A soft chuckle left him again. “Spontaneous is just as good. It's a bit dangerous since it relies on emotions, but it reminds me of…” he trailed off, grasping onto his white blouse.

His tone caused me to glance back at him, allowing me to see how his eyes lost all the life they had in them.

“Of?” I mumbled without realizing it.

Closing his eyes, he sighed before biting his lip.

“My sister.”