Story Time!!! -- Another 1000 years

This fic was written involving the world of Kaidia. It involves the main character Itisha and her human bard lover Myde. While there is not much back story in short Myde had an untimely death.

The song 1000 years by Christina Perri was inspiration for this one. It was previously used for another fic that is not on this blog. xD

With that, I present to you, Another 1000 years

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There was a plan to be followed that night as bare feet crunched the frosted grass. Hands clutched a wooden instrument that she still could not recall the name for. Either way, she was determined that night to complete her task.

As such, she dressed simply, wearing only an over-sized grey tunic that hug to just above her knees. The winter weather did not bother her, instead only blanching the human skin she wore until it nearly blended into the frost.

Each step brought her closer to her destination. The sun was just setting as it cast a fiery shadow. Soon, shadows would swallow the light, the ambient glow of the stars reflected by the snow. It was with such light that she easily found her way through the familiar trees and into the clearing with a frost-crusted pond.

Crystal-blue orbs swept around the area, steps continuing until she stood ankle-deep in water. A shuddering breath as tense digits re-positioned themselves on the strung instrument. In preperation she mumbled softly, "Happy Birthday, Myde. I am sorry I haven't gotten much better."

Finally, fingers plucked the strings awkwardly, pausing in unnatural places to the melody. Each note was off and unpleasant to the ears which soon caused her to stop all together. Knees sunk down into the water, splashing it up around her legs. Arms cradled the instrument to her chest with shuddering breaths as she fought to keep her emotions in check. Head rested forward on the neck of the instrument as she whispered to the air, "I am sorry Myde, I have even failed at this."

The air seemed to warm in reply, giving a faint whisper, "Don't be so hard on yourself." The sound caused her body to freeze, eyes snapping open to look in front of her to find the source, a warm figure before her.

"Hello my beautiful dragon." He would murmur softly to the shocked dragoness. Carefully, he moved forward to caress her cheek in his hand, eliciting a gasp from her when they touched.

Heart wrenched in her chest, voice twisting as she spoke with a cracked voice, "Myde... my b-brave bard." Hand hesitantly rose and grasped onto his, more confusion seeping into her thoughts, "How..."

A gentle smile as he kneeled down into the water before her, liquid seeming not to wet him as it should normally, "Your mother was a high priestess, remember? So you inherited the ability to interact with spirits."

"No... not that. How are you here?" Her voice fought to remain steady. It had to be a very lucid dream or she was finally going insane. The hand cradling the instrument lost its grip and it splashed into the water, drawing her attention immediately to it.

"Ah! I am sorry!" she panicked, suddenly reaching out to the treasured object, but his hands stopped hers with a gentle grip. Concern filled his eyes when he could see tears cropping up at the corner of her eyes.

"Don't worry about that, you are more important." he whispered softly. drawing her hands to his lips, a gentle kiss was placed, "Like how you are sitting in a frozen pond with only a tunic."

A weak shrug, "I am insane. A very insane person who is talking to a dead person from Haven that I am able to touch. That or I froze to death." Eyes stayed on their hands, seeming perfectly fine with trying to convince herself that she was becoming absolutely delusional, but he didn't go away. Neither, did the bard want her to believe that all of it was not real.

Myde sighed at her, leaning close to her ear, "You aren't dead. You are here with me, and no one else. Only you can see me because I only want you to." It probably did not help with preventing her from believing her theory that she was delusional, but he didn't want her confused either. In a last ditch attempt, he softly hummed a very short tune.

The mind was still catching up, "No one... not even Onyx..." a pause, "Well that works well enough for me." Then her voice cracked as she recognized the tune, but it was always better than her memories. The very special gift that particular bard had when it came to proving truth. Gears switched and her head drew back to look at him and meet his eyes.

"Oh gods Myde, I missed you and your music. I am so sorry for everything." hands squeezed his as the apologies rolled out and vision began to blur, "It was all my fault."

His gaze retained that unfathomable well of warmth, the very source of reassurance Itisha had always drawn from in the past. The dragoness was drawn back towards him, words whispered into her ear with a medolic tenor.

"You did your best, Itisha. Nothing was ever your fault. Everyone is proud of all the work you have done. We all still believe in you."

Crystal orbs fell shut, trying to process everything once more. There was a fear of him leaving within the next breath and never getting to say farewell. Hands trembled in his unnaturally warm ones, causing a frustrating ebb and flow between blissful happiness at his presence and the dreadful fear that it would all end too soon.

"I do not want to say goodbye again. What if I forget..."

Another exasperated sigh, such a brave face any other time. Still, for him, she was revealing fears. Quiet insecurities that never came to light otherwise. carefully, he removed his hands from hers, following the movements with a hug, squeezing her tightly, "Itisha, I know very fell for a fact you will not forget. It may be difficult, but you have always triumphed over the most difficult tasks. I know you can do it again."

Throat continued to remain tight as she was enveloped by his warmth, tears beginning to break through in small drops despite her best efforts. Such was the effect of the man.

"How do you know?"

A shifting movement and the bard was twisting himself about to meet her teary gaze. Hand carefully went to angle her face towards his, "Because, I love you, Itisha Astrais Harika, thus I know." With that he closed the gap between their lips.

Surging emotions swelled up into her already hurting chest, the kiss returned fervently as arms snaked around his neck. Only her movements seemed to disrupt the water, pulling the ghostly lover onto her as she gave into long buried emotions.

Ice crystals clung into the floating locks of hair when submerged into the shallow surface. Nimble hands weaved into the young dragon-woman's silky tendrils while keeping her form close to his. Passionate kisses were exchanged where soon dragoness and bard became a pleasant tangle of partially clothed bodies. It seemed as though the world stopped for the two lovers, giving them stolen moments.

Seconds turned to minutes and minutes into hours as the two made themselves content with laying on the muddy bank. The dragoness soaked from water, curled against the bard with eyes scanning the stars. The foggy clouds from even breaths only sourced from her mouth, unable to co-mingle with the breath of her love.

Such thoughts were the heavy anchor keeping her grounded to reality. Yet, she did not want to leave his embrace, much enjoying the fiery warmth he offered. A warm glow. Fire. Passion. Expression grew sour as she made her thoughts known.

"Myde, normally spirits are cold and their minds lost."

As usual, she would figure things out. The bard hummed a sound of agreement, allowing her to continue.

"Except for you, which you are very much warm... and as far as I can tell your mind is not lost. Spirits do not come back from Haven..." her voice trailed.

"Unless we are granted permission." he offered gently. The empress shifted herself to settle her head on his chest, gaze meeting his.

"Whose permission, Myde?" A frown before he lifted her head off, sitting himself up as well, "How long are you even allowed to stay?"

His expression told her enough, making dread saturate her stomach. They would not even be allowed a full day together, meaning the deadline of his stay would be sunrise. Even the occasional haunting would be preferred.

"Dammit!" She growled, hitting the side of her fist into the mud. The short bit of euphoria had been lost, "I should have figured if it glows it goes."

The bard's face broke into a blank stare, "Did you just... make that up?" A grin began to tug at the corners of his lips before laughter erupted, the tenor of his voice ringing out clearly, "I thought I was here to cheer you up, not vice versa."

A weak smile crossed the strained face despite, his laughter becoming infections, "I believe we both need cheering up, love. Still, I wish we had more time. I would not mind nightly hauntings... or weekly."

A sound of agreement before he peered towards the instrument floating haplessly in shallow water. Seconds passed before his eyes widened, "That was what he meant!"

"What is what who meant?"

The bard nearly tripped as he shot up and dashed to the water logged instrument, reaching towards it. hands would attempt to tear off the covering of the hallowed center, instead hands passing through it. Many times he tried to draw something out of it, but alas he could not touch it as he did with her. Eyes begged her for help.

"Myde, what in the world are you doing?" The dragoness was becoming worried that he was becoming insane. Rising, she moved over beside him and he immediately shoved his hands over hers to guide them into the instrument. Tearing off the intricate cap to feel along the swollen wood inside until she felt something heavy and smooth lodged into a small section.

Confusion brought brows together as they pulled out the object and he let her look at it, stepping back with a sort of pensive stance. Half-braided metal twisted in uneven waves around three garnet colored gems. One was smoothed carefully and painstakingly by hand. The one beside it appeared to have been in the beginning stages of the smoothing while the last had porous mineral deposits clinging to the outside. There was only one reason for those gems to be given to a dragon. The gift suddenly felt heavy to her.

"These are fire gems... Myde... how or better yet why did you have these? Why were they in that... thingy?" There had to be some spontaneous reason they were hidden in the instrument.

Nervous anxiety overtook the bard, causing him to begin babbling, "Well Talith gave them to me so I could make that for you. She said you would have said yes if I asked you, but I never got to finish it. I really wanted to ask you and I completely forgot about it until now even though Hargthil said something about it before I was given permission to see you."

"Hargthil? The god?" The said god was the presiding power over fire and passion. It was surprising to see him take part in any specific romance at all, even hers. In any case, direct meddling into a love life was uncommon.

"Oh yes... about that..." he gave a sort of smile, "Well, gods have feelings too you know. I told him about us... and I mentioned that we never got a chance to soul bond. Poor guy was in tears by the time I finished."

The candid way the bard spoke of him made the young empress question her sanity, thoughts straying from the bracelet. Soon though, it would glint and bring about a constricting feeling into her chest.

Talith taught him about initiating a soul-bonding for dragons. Something she never got around to. It was always the furthest thought from her mind when she was trying to plan an entire war. Guilt raked at her memories, the jewelry soon serving as a painful reminder of such.

"I will... have to thank him properly then, although I am not sure how he expects us to do this. It all feels... I don't know... whatever it is, it probably has to be the first time it has happened like this."

The warm hands wrapped around hers, somehow making the perfectly insane seem absolutely normal, "Well, you can be the first in that too. First to bring united peace, first half-dragon empress, and now the first to be soul-bonded to a dead... what did you call me one time... rockstar?" Such words were spoken in that gentle voice, which could have gotten him world domination had he asked for it.

Such trouble he went through, to make it, to try and follow a tradition that was never in his personal culture. Frankly, she could have gladly accepted a box of dirt and she would have it protected by a royal guard if possible. Maybe grow a royal plant in it or something official like that.

Eyes moved to the horizon with thought. It was still dark, but time was a fickle thing and would not wait patiently for them to decide their next move, "I would have said yes and I say yes now, Myde." her eyes returned to his stormy grey ones, "But we are missing a third party."

"Don't worry about that. Hargthil said he would handle everything as long as we say the words." The bard would gently kiss her hands again before peering at her with the near-smoldering eyes. Everything would work out, they told her. Damn those eyes and their influence.

A deep breath as the dragoness acquiesced to both of their desires, keeping the fire gems tightly in her hands. words would softly be spoken as thought a far off memory, making sure she said it all with perfect clarity.

Stella dii, patitur haec corda teneri.

Adducam simul nostrum tenebris et lux.Miscere simul igne et glacies.Spiritus et terra coniungere.

Pars animae mecum requiescereSi autem me expectant expectabo te.

Hargthil, benedicat nos cum ignis ut amorem clara,studium tuum defendere volunt et quos perderent.

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Star Gods, allow these hearts to be bound.

Bring together our darkness and our light.

Mix together our fire and our ice.

Breath and earth will join.

Other half of my soul, may you find rest

If you pass, wait for me as I wait for you.

Hargthil, bless us with your fire to keep our love bright,

and protect us with your passion for those whom seek to destroy it. 

The bard would slowly repeat all of the words after she said them, concentrating on something he used to practice long ago. Luckily, he made it without mistake. Elation at this caused Myde to lean forward, giving her a happy kiss.

Warm light embraced them both when they kissed, a whispered congratulations before the voice and warmth left then beneath the starry sky once more. Finally, the kiss broke with Myde showing her the largest goofy smile he could muster.

The empress stared at his cautiously at such a smile, the man still glowing. She felt the need to laugh at a blissful expression, even though there was disappointment in the fact that his glow meant that he was still going to leave her.

"Interesting experience... cannot say I have ever known a god to finalize the ritual in such a way before."

A nod of agreement, silly grin still plastered to his face, "That makes you Empress Itisha Astrais Harika Vatimbur now. Although that name still not as pretty as you." Hands rose up to deflect any swatting , but he saw her freeze, concern painting his face.

"You better not have sold your for this Myde Vatimbur Harika." she would murmur. The bracelet was finished. Gems had become polished smooth, metal twisted artfully into ocean waves, and its entirety hummed in her hands; star touched.

"No," he laughed, "I just promised to play some ballads for him. He loves the ones with happy endings. Go ahead, put it on." Carefully, he watched as she treated the object as delicate, placing it on her right wrist. While she went through the motions he noticed the dimmest stars vanishing. Sunrise would be there soon to eat up the starlight and end their time.

Celebration would be short liked, "Looks like we don't have much time left." Words made the empress tense before she surged forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"I don't want to say goodbye again." she whispered into his chest. Emotions would finally catch up to her, making tears prick at the corners of her eyes before spilling over into steady streams on her cheeks.

Fading fingers weaved into her soaked hair, returning the embrace tightly as though to anchor himself. Each passing second would mean more sunlight to fill their pond clearing, "Then don't say it. We can just say hello when we meet again."

Again was so far away, "Make sure you wait for me, Myde, please." sobs threatened to choke her, tightening her throat with a painful lump. Fighting it made the effects worse. It felt too short lived. There was more she wanted to share with him. It took all she had to keep him held close to her.

"Don't be afraid, I will always wait for you, even for a thousand years. I love you, Itisha, and that will never change." Reassuring warmth proceeded to calm her, although it did not stop the tears. Last moments should not be spent having emotions tear one apart, "Just do me one favor."

"What is it?"

"Forgive Onyx. I know it is a lot to ask, but he blames himself plenty." The words made her tense, but eventually she relented with a sigh, "Besides you can still be my little dragon knocking down the big bad one every time he gets a little too superior."

It was hard to say no to him, especially when the coming sunlight began to give the frosted trees a subtle glow. A squeezing hug let him know she would do her best to follow through. Breaths and nods seemed to be the only things allowing her to communicate for a time before she got her voice to work, "I will keep doing my best. I love you, Myde, my brave wonderful bard."

Eyes would close as she made absolutely sure to commit everything down to the last second to memory for when she wished to dream of it again. Not to mention she was sure that she could not handle watching him vanish before her eyes.

"I know you will. I love you as well, my beautiful strong dragon." The fading man squeezed her with all of his might, face pressed against her hair, "Live fully and make sure to have lots of babies. You would make a great mother."

A laugh snagged at her lips when she squeezed in return, unable to imagine herself a parent to any other child but his. Still, it would be hard to say no to his request, "If you say so..." The sun was peeking over the tree-tops now, shooing away the winter shadows with the form of the bard, "Before you go... could you-"

The request had not been finished, the gentle song would escape his lips and into her hair. every line grew quieter with every note until the only sound was that of her whispering accompaniment. Soon, she stopped that as well and lowered the arms that only embraced air. The bracelet glinted against the light when the sun hit it, making the gems appear to glow.

By now, she was still soaked and the poor lute on the ground was soaked, probably already beginning to warp. Arms would lower to scoop up the instrument and cradling it against herself. Slowly, the dragoness would position feet castle-bound.

Itisha Astrais Harika Vatimbur... Laru certainly would think it was a pretty name too.

( Translation of ritual from Latin translator: