Violet PoV

  I open my eyes to the ridiculous sight that is Maka’s face. I can feel his arms wrapped around me, holding me tightly as the wind rushes past. A slight smirk is plastered on his face.

  The nerve of this idiot. I should punch him right in the face and ruin that cute smirk of his.

  Instead I watch as the sky goes past, letting my exhausted body rest. I guess it isn't so bad to let him carry me for a while. It is not like it is the first time anymore. Plus his warmth feels nice as it wraps around me. It makes my heart flutter in an enjoyable way.

  I ponder what put me in this situation. Perhaps I shouldn’t have tested the ability mid combat… no, it was important. I have to learn to control every ability I have at my disposal. It is the only way to save her.

  A glimpse of Yuko’s face appears in my mind. My dearest little sister.

  She does not appear sickly like when I last saw her. I see her smile as she hands me a rose that she picked from our garden. I remember she got told off quite heavily by our mother for that, but then they got to have a fun evening tending to the garden together.

  That was before everything changed and the Empress ended up taking us in as wards. I ended up having to inherit my father’s company all by myself. The Empress always says I do a great job. Which makes sense, after all, I am Violet Sharpe.

  But still, I must get stronger. So that one day I might make a world where Yuko can live healthy and free.

  I am abruptly dragged out of my thoughts as I feel a pair of eyes on me. Maka is starting right at me, an amused expression on his face. Damn, it is so adorable I can not stop a lopsided smile from gracing my face. I think this whole weakening of soul thing is messing with my head.

  “Did you have a nice nap, sleeping beauty?” Maka teases me in that infuriating fashion of his. I feel a bit of warmth rise to my cheeks and thus I elbow him hard in the side. He gasps and almost trips mid-jump between roofs. “Ow, what was that for?!”

  “Imbecile.” He really is an idiot, though he is fairly competent in combat at least. That is, when he is not sacrificing one of his limbs. I would love to test myself against him again, he did pose a decent challenge last time.

  Master, must I remind you of the fact that you just performed one such self-sacrificial act? Apple says in a very disrespectful tone.

  Perhaps so. But I am smart enough to figure out how to control it.

  Apple scoffs. I think you mean that I am smart enough to formulate an incantation such that you do not rip a hole in reality by trying to create something beyond your ability.

  Pish posh. It was our combined effort then. Also last time I blame entirely on it being my first try. My second attempt succeeded, did it not?

  Using antiquated speech techniques does not help you win an argument. I am a dragon after all. Highest of all beings. This damn dragon thinks he is higher than me? Well, I shall simply have to reinforce the contrary point.

  Do you want me to take away your evening bellyrubs? I aim for Apple’s critical weakness, sure that it will bring about my quick victory. I do feel a bit bad about targeting it, but such things must be done in order to win an argument.

  No, please, o mighty master, do not even tease such a horrid thing! Why would you even mention such a terrifying reality… I can feel Apple tremble slightly in fear. Perhaps I went a bit too far… Wait, he is probably just playing it up to make me feel bad. He did learn his wit and skill from me after all, and that sounds like something I would do.

  I burst out into a fit of laughter. Unfortunately I am currently in Maka’s arms, and he looks at me and raises his eyebrows in a fashion that is way too adorable. “What is so funny? Do I have something on my face?”

  He doesn’t have anything on his face, not even a single mote of dust. My perception allows me to see every pore of his face. He must’ve made a contract with a beauty products supplier, there is no way it is naturally that nice and smooth. “It is something that is beyond the comprehension of an idiot like you.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  His laugh is like music to my ears. “Is that so? Well then perhaps you can explain it to me some day.”

  I turn beet red at his words and I quickly bury my face against his chest. Being able to feel his abs with my face does not help though and I regret it instantly. But it's better than letting him see me like this. I do not even want to think about what he would say.

  “That feat must’ve taken a lot out of you and you still look exhausted. Perhaps try to get a bit more sleep, we are still a few hours away from the Pegasus.”

  As much as I wish to find a way to insult him, I am tired. So perhaps I should take him up on that offer.

  His arms are nice and comfortable, and oh so warm. They are a pretty good place to sleep as far as I am concerned.

  I close my eyes and quickly drift off into a nice and deep sleep.

  Maka PoV

  I set Violet down gently onto the bunk bed and I pull the covers over her. If she is uncomfortable, she can remove her armor on her own. I do have at least a little desire to live after all.

  I think I am going to pretend that what Violet said during our walk was due to delirium and pretend it didn't happen. She was acting very strangely when she woke up, I do hope she will actually be okay.

  She didn't even protest at me carrying her once.

  The journey from the rift back to the pegasus was fairly uneventful. None of the monsters we encountered attacked us. They all seemed to be frozen in place, or mindlessly wandering around.

  Which is good, after all, I wouldn’t have wanted to set Violet down to do any fighting. It was quite fun getting to carry her for so long.

  I head to the cockpit and find Tien sitting comfortably in the driver's seat. She turns to look at me and gives a knowing smile. “I take it she is fast asleep?”

  “Yep, if I didn't know better, I would say she is dead.” Violet really does sleep deeply, which is super cute. “But Moxie’s official diagnosis is ‘rest’.”

  “Good ta hear. Perhaps you should get some rest yourself like the others. When was the last time you got some sleep?”

  I check the time and perform a bit of math. “Hmm about twenty two hours ago I think. Though I feel as awake as ever.”

  “I see you take after me in that regard. I can never sleep after a big operation is completed.” She leans back in the chair, kicking her legs up on the dashboard.

  I slide into the co-pilots seat and lean back into the cushioning foam. It is practically heaven considering I have been sleeping and resting on hard ground for the past almost three weeks. “So, o great mentor, how did we do?”

  Tien lets out a laugh. “Well I am sure Lucien and Bellaris have a bit of a different perspective. But I think you guys did phenomenally. I am honestly not sure how you all are alive.”

  “What, did we do something crazy or something?” I ask, though I can already guess the answer.

  “Ha, well to start with, your group is leaps and bounds ahead of any normal cadets. I bet the ones back at the academy haven’t even hit level one hundred, let alone broken two hundred.” She sighs. “Not only that, but you have managed to complete a grade two hive, and slay the queen yourselves. Cadets always fail to actually finish off the queen and require guardian assistance.”

  “Well we did need help with that grand mage. So it's not like we are perfect.”

  “That one is partially our fault in a way. We really should not have pushed you into a grade two hive alone. The Grand Mage was simply a bad matchup as none of you had skills to deal with it. Grade two hives are normally taken on by three or four squadrons to compensate for that fact.”

  “So, is it completely normal to need help for such things?” I ask hesitantly.

  Tien looks at me and starts cackling. “Of course it is, boyo. One squadron cannot have the ability to deal with every single situation. Plus you all are just kids.” She leans forward and rests her face in her palms. “For fucks sake.. We are sending a bunch of children into challenges that none have ever attempted before. The fact that you kids are alive at all is a damn miracle sent by the natures.” She sighs heavily.

  I raise the arm that I have lost twice. “Well, I did make a few sacrifices, perhaps they have been kind as a result.”

  We burst into a fit of laughter and it fills the small space entirely.

  “Alright Maka, I think you should go get some sleep. We will be back at camp in about six hours. You can expect quite a long debriefing too…”

  “Just great.” I grumble while heading towards my bunk. I can hear the faint breathing of my other squadmates as they all are fast asleep.

  I sit and stare at the ceiling of my small bunk. The hard metal beneath me is not great, but it is more comfortable than the ground at least. Also it's nice not having to worry about keeping watch. There aren’t going to be any sudden monster ambushes to disturb my sleep. It is comforting to know that.

  Plus I don’t have to constantly feed your absurd aether demands. Lemon adds. You could do with being a bit more conservative you know, the job of a dragon is a hard one.

  Oh shush, you get plenty of head and belly rubs to compensate.

  I will not be silenced with the promise of bellyrubs!

  I mentally pat Lemon on the head a few times, and she seems to settle down a bit. I have no clue how exactly this bond works though. It is like she is both physically present, like I can reach out and touch her gently. But she is also basically just a voice in my head.

  Perhaps I have simply just gone completely fucking insane.

  Oh well, there are monsters to slay. If my sanity is the cost for doing so, that seems like a fair trade to me.

  I drift off to sleep while thinking about what sanity even is, and whether I have ever been ‘sane.’

  Mortal, you have done well thus far. Stand proud in the face of what is to come.

  Next Chapter: The Meaning of Exhaustion

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