I'm glad I no longer have to worry about the Fist King snapping my neck, but why is the Spear King asking me to call him uncle?!
"Um… So why is-" [Solace]
"Lord of Metus!" [Fettle]
The Spear King aimed his weapon at the Lord above.
"I will be taking the boy! Do you have any reservations towards my decision?!" [Fettle]
The Lord froze, either from confusion or shock of having a King speak to him.
"I… I have none! You may take the boy!" [Lord of Metus]
The Spear King lowered his weapon with satisfaction on his face.
"You heard him, nephew. We're free to leave." [Fettle]
"Uh… I-" [Solace]
Before I could finish, the Spear King looked at Fina and motioned her over. In which, she heeded him.
"Uncle Fettle!" [Fina]
Fina rushed into his arms, joy and relief on her face. The spear king patted her head in response.
"I'm sorry for being late. Where's my daughter anyway?" [Fettle]
"Oh, Leynha?" [Fina]
Leynha is the Spear King's daughter? It's a small world.
"I… haven't seen her since I returned from the hero's party." [Fina]
"Ah… I see. No problem. I'll talk to her later." [Fettle]
Fettle pinched his fingers together and placed it in his mouth, resulting in a loud piercing whistle. Within seconds, an incredibly large dark shadow loomed over us.
("...What is that?") [Solace]
As I looked up, I realized I was staring at a flying whale the size of the colosseum. It kind of looked like a humpback whale except that it had white skin, red eyes, and several giant leathery wings where their fins should be.
("...Is it an albino?") [Solace]
Odd how that was my first thought rather than: HOW IS A WHALE FLYING.
"Our rides here." [Fettle]
The Spear King hooked me with his weapon and grabbed Fina with his free hand before leaping upwards, causing us to land on the whale's back safely.
"Take a seat, kids. We're gonna be on here for a while." [Fettle]
"Wait, but there's nothing to hold onto-" [Solace]
Letting out another whistle, the whale began to move.
"Whoa!" [Solace]
Fina and I fell over, but I found that it would be difficult to accidentally slide off. I expected that the skin would be a sleek surface, yet it actually had very tiny scales that made it similar to sandpaper.
("It's kind of like shark scales.") [Solace]
Once I had gotten comfortable in my spot, I looked at Fina and Fettle who had also sat down.
"Um… Mister Spear King… Where exactly are we headed?" [Solace]
"Call me uncle." [Fettle]
"Uh… Uncle. Where are we headed?" [Solace]
He's Leynha's dad, why am I calling him uncle? I'm unrelated.
"We're heading to Naballia." [Fettle]
"...Naballia?" [Solace]
I feel like I've heard of it somewhere, but I'm not too sure where.
"It's where your second and third disciple siblings are. They would be your senior brother and senior sister." [Fettle]
"...How much do you know about me?" [Solace]
Considering that he's Leynha's dad…
"Wait, are you Master's brother?" [Solace]
"Brother in law." [Fettle]
"Is that why I have to call you uncle?" [Solace]
"Pretty much. A master and disciple bond is as strong as blood as they say. You know, you're a lot more tame than Vincent's other disciples." [Fettle]
That was surprising.
"I've pissed off several gods. You call that tame?" [Solace]
"The first disciple, you know him, fought several Kings to a standstill in order to protect two calamities. I think he's pissed off more gods than you." [Fettle]
"I think he said that once." [Solace]
"Your second senior brother accidentally… hm. Actually it would be better if you asked him and your senior sister when you meet them." [Fettle]
"Are you trying to imitate my master with his cryptic nonsense?" [Solace]
The Spear King laughed.
"Was it that obvious?" [Fettle]
"It's not as natural as to how Master does it." [Solace]
"Even as a King, it's hard to pull off. In any case, Vincent never told me that you were Fina's spirit. A shame your little secret came out, huh Fina?" [Fettle]
"...You could say that." [Fina]
I dared not look at Fina as I felt her stare boring into me.
"U-Uh… Fina, I'll talk to you about it later." [Solace]
"Why not now, hm?" [Fina]
Her tone was a bit aggressive, enough that the Spear King picked up on it.
"Ahem… I'll go up a little farther. I've gotta talk to my mount." [Fettle]
The Spear King stood up and walked a distance away from us. Thanks to the whale's size, he was able to walk out of earshot. Now that I think of it, I couldn't really feel the breeze of flying or hear it. Must be some kind of magic blocking out the wind.
"So… um… Yeah." [Solace]
"Yeah?" [Fina]
"I'm your spirit." [Solace]
"I noticed." [Fina]
"...Cool." [Solace]
Fuck, what do I say here?
"A-Any questions…?" [Solace]
"Plenty." [Fina]
"..." [Solace]
So is she just not gonna ask them? What do I say here?!
"You know I wasn't really trying to keep it secret." [Solace]
"Oh? Is that why you never mentioned that you were my spirit even once?" [Fina]
"Well… You never asked?" [Solace]
"I'm pretty sure I asked back at Lithik." [Fina]
Shit, did she?! I don't know!
"O-oh did you? Maybe I misheard you." [Solace]
"Did you now? Were you ever planning on letting me know you were my spirit?" [Fina]
"...Eventually?" [Solace]
I mean… I wasn't lying. It's just that I've never really set a date for it.
"Okay, I want you to tell me something else. All spirits don't have sentience until they are at a very high rank. We both know you're not a high rank so since when have you had sentience?" [Fina]
I figured I should be honest.
"...From the start?" [Solace]
Fina gave me a blank expression.
"I'll go out on a limb here and assume the first time you took human form was when we were in that dungeon. You know, the one I almost died in." [Fina]
"...How did you know?" [Solace]
"You were naked." [Fina]
Makes sense. How was I supposed to know I wouldn't have clothes when I first used |Mimic|?
"...I have one more question." [Fina]
Her expression hardened, as if trying to hide anxiety.
"Ask away." [Solace]
"Is the reason… you always went so far to protect me… only because you were my spirit?" [Fina]
I didn't really think about it all that much. However, now I was sitting there contemplating the answer.
("I always felt compelled to help her… Maybe that might be why?") [Solace]
"I think… I think I just didn't want to see you get hurt." [Solace]
Fina's expression relaxed upon hearing my words.
"Is that so?" [Fina]
A smile spread across her face as if all her worries just vanished. Then, that smile slowly turned into a mischievous grin.
"That's a relief. Still, I can't believe I fell in love with my own spirit." [Fina]
I froze.
"...Um, did I hear that right?" [Solace]
"You didn't hear it?" [Fina]
She crept closer.
"I said, I can't believe that I, Finea Kane, fell in love with you, Solace. My very own spirit." [Fina]
I could feel myself turning red at her aggressive approach.
"Wh-Whew, it's getting kind of hot." [Solace]
As I tried to scoot away a little, Fina wrapped her arm around my shoulder.
"What should I call you now? Alt? Or maybe Solace?" [Fina]
"I-I-I'd prefer Alt for when others are around." [Solace]
"So it's fine to call you Solace when it's just us?" [Fina]
"Hey! Can you two not flirt on my mount?! I know you two lovebirds want some time to yourself, but don't forget this old man is here! My wife isn't here and you two are making me feel lonely!!" [Fettle]
Calling from the front of the whale, Fettle grinned mischievously.
"We'll continue this later." [Fina]
She whispered into my ear before separating from me.
"Uncle, don't tease us! It's nothing like what you were thinking of, gosh!" [Fina]
It was EXACTLY what he was thinking of.
("Holy shit, Fina is good at acting.") [Solace]
She was acting like a blushing maiden. Wolf in sheep's clothing for real.
("I'm glad we've cleared up any misunderstandings and stuff, but I hope she doesn't try anything else for the rest of the ride.") [Solace]