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#Post#: 1411--------------------------------------------------
Reunited Again
By: Minyaagar Date: February 16, 2026, 11:46 am
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After spending several hours and many tries dictating the letter
he was going to send with Naz to Saga, Cisco finally got a
version completed that he was happy with. It expressed his
feelings and told Saga about the baby he was now carrying.
He read it over one last time, reading to under his breath.
**My Dearest Saga,
The nights are colder without you. The world feels wrong without
the sound of your voice curling around my name. I can still feel
the imprint of you — in the sheets, in the air, in the hollow
ache of my chest — as if you’d only just left the room, as if I
could turn and find you there, smirking at me like always.
But you’re not. You were torn from me, ripped away by hands that
never deserved to touch your shadow. And still, I know you’re
fighting your way back. I feel it, every night, in the strange
pull under my skin — the bond between us stretched thin but
never breaking. I whisper to you, hoping the words find their
way through whatever hell stands between us.
And now I carry a piece of you. Our child.
The moment I realized, the world shifted. A part of you is still
with me, growing stronger by the day, stubborn and fierce — just
like you. I wish you could have seen the look in my eyes when I
knew. I wish I could have told you, whispered it against your
lips, let you feel the shape of it in the air between us.
But you’re not gone. You’re not. I refuse to believe in endings
for us. You’ve always been the one to defy fate, and I’ll hold
on until you tear the world apart to stand beside me again.
I love you, Saga. I miss you more than words can hold.
Come back to me. Both of us are waiting.
Forever yours,
Francisco**
Cisco let out a soft sigh and folded it up before sliding it in
an envelope and used wax mixed with a bit of his blood to seal
it shut. He placed a protective spell on it so only Saga could
open it.
When Naz returned later he entrusted the letter to the demon
prince. "Don't even try to read it, you'll get hit with a pretty
bad hex," he warned.
"I wouldn't dream of reading your private letter Cisco. You're
my bestie, the peanut butter to my jelly," he replied seriously.
"I'll go asap. Just don't wait up it'll probably take Saga
awhile to answer depending on how busy he is,"
"That's a weird thing to say, but okay. Thanks Naz,"
-fin-
Saga was making his way for a break. The demon had been pissed
for weeks. He didn’t know what the hell Elysia was thinking.
Saga felt a profound sense of betrayal when he first arrived,
the severance from Cisco, the person he had just begun to
cherish struck deeply at his heart. His feelings of hurt clouded
his ability to reflect on his own actions, preventing him from
recognizing the role he might have played in Elysia's decision
to break the blood bond. Instead , Saga's focus remained on the
sting of the feelings of treachery, leaving him trapped in his
own cycle of resentment and misunderstanding.
He let a breath it as he sat down. Lost in his own thoughts
before he’d go for some water that was being handed out.
—fin—
The demons gathered around Saga all jumped, startled by the
sudden appearance of a door a few feet away. Their jaws dropped
when Lucifer's heir, Prince Nazarin emerged, his clothes
slightly covered in ash.
"Prince Nazarin, are there orders from his majesty?" One of the
demons asked, looking a bit warily at him.
"I'm here to talk with Saga, don't mind me," Naz replied
heading over to the resting Saga.
"Hey, we should talk privately," he said lightly nudging Saga's
foot. "Best if other ears don't hear this," he added, a serious
look on his face.
-fin-
Saga noticed the door open, initially frowning as he wondered
why the visitor was there. As far as he knew, Lucifer was trying
to keep his son safe. He took a drink, feeling a nudge at his
foot.
“Private... right,” Saga said. He moved to one of their war
tents to activate the silencing charm, carefully checking the
area to ensure there were no eavesdroppers or signs of magic
that could allow wiretapping. "It's safe," he confirmed,
crossing his arms. "What's up?" he asked, sipping water as he
sat down.
—fin—
Naz followed Saga to the tent ignoring the looks and chatter of
those around them. He stayed quiet, as Saga put up a silencing
charm then pulled out the letter from inside his tunic to hand
over to the demon.
"Cisco asked me to bring you this letter. Since it's not safe to
try any magical means, I told him I'd play messenger between the
two of you. No need to rush reading through it, and I can wait
for you to write a reply before I head back." Naz replied and
then moved to sit down a few seats away and began fussing over
his nails with a fancy gold plated file.
---fin--
Saga sat down to read the letter. He would stop and reread a
line. - more than once. His hands tightened on the paper as he
finished it. A soft sigh came out. “Give.. me a few days- this
definitely is not a day one letter..” he told Naz before he
would burn the note out of safety.
Those days would go as he would write when he could in between
his fights. By the end of it he had two different envelopes- one
looking thick and the other half of that. He handed the thicker
one to him.”hand that to el. The other is for Cisco.” He
said.”do not open them- I hexed them.” He told him.
The one for Cisco would read.
My heart,
Every moment that I spent with you is like a beautiful dream
come true. From the moment we met, my life has been filled with
happiness and love that I was lookin for.
The way you smile, the way you move, and the sounds are burned
in me.. your memory keeps me going.
The fact we have a baby will drive me further on. Keep safe and
I’ll see you as soon as I can.
I wish to continue growing and thriving with you by my side. I’m
counting the days till I can be with you two again.
Forever yours,
Saga.
Inside would be objects of his, protective charms and more for
Cisco to help him in times of need.
—fin—
Naz gave an understanding look and got up to stretch out. "If
you don't mind, I'll return back here. I'm sure my father
wouldn't mind a visit, even if there is a war going on,"
Being in hell, he didn't need to use a door to move around and
snapped his fingers to teleport himself to his private quarters
on his father's garrison.
The few days he stayed there, his father insisted on learning
more about his lover's Aether and Claymore. Naz shared what he
could, finding it a bit unusual to see how amused his father
was.
He was feeling a bit homesick and missing both men when he
finally returned to Saga's tent to retrieve the letters.
"Please, I'm not about to read your private letters." Naz said
rolling his eyes as he took the letters.
"I'll be back when I can. I hope it won't take too long. I'm
rooting for you two," he added before heading back.
-+++-
Cisco accepted the letter from Naz and went up to his room right
away to read it in private, ignoring the looks from the others.
Once he had his door closed, he sat down on the bed and slowly
opened the letter.
His eyes slowly read it over, hearing Saga's voice saying each
word. It was almost as if he was there.
He lifted the letter to his lips, imaging how Saga's hand had
moved across the page.
After memorizing the letter word for word, he set the letter in
the nearby bin which immediately incinerated it. He then
examined the charms and other items he put one on the chain
around his neck and then put the others away on his magical
chest for later.
---
It was a few days later that he started a new letter, telling
Saga about there being two babies not one. He explained that not
only had the succubus Selene confirmed it, but so had Cruz.
I hope this doesn't make you freak out more, but it's likely
with twins, I won't be going a full 9 months. I'll see if one of
the magical healers can help them stay in as far as they can.
I was hoping you'd be here to see your child born. Now I realize
that may not happen, but don't try to rush what you need to do.
When you get back, I want you whole and healthy. I love you.
-Cisco
-----
When Saga gotten the letter, his face changed a few times. He
burned it after his mind whirring a little, there was no way he
was going to let Cisco do all of that- without him. He knew
Elysia was there but he knew how child birth was, and just how
much harder and scarier it be without someone you love.
After a fight would the troops come in and the demon would go to
Lucifer and give his report as usual.”now.. sir, I’m just
asking.. can I please just go to Cisco? He’s having twins and I
just can’t just stay and fight - hell I’ll come right back if
you need me- just please let me go see the man.” He asked the
demon clearly looking stressed.
—fin—
Lucifer was quite pleased with the reports from the day, the
battle was going well. It was looking like his forces would
quell the uprising in no time at all.
He paused when Saga came in and listened to the man's report. It
was a bit of a surprise when the demon remained, requesting to
leave early and why.
He considered it for a moment, doing a quick sweep of the mana
that Saga had managed to build in such a short time.
"Your mana level wouldn't sustain you for long. Your time would
be spent trying to find another witch or wizard to bond with.
Though there is another alternative that you seem to have
forgotten." He murmured as he stood up to walk around his ear
table.
His eyes softened at the memory of when Naz had been born. A
screaming wiggling beautiful demon baby and how his
protectiveness had surged forth when he'd first held him.
"I understand your need to go back now, it will take me a few
days though to fulfill your request. You may need to think of
rewording it though," he hinted, hoping the demon knew favors
granted from him had to be specific and in one sentence.
---fin--
Saga listened to Lucifer to make a small sigh. The frustration
at first before a small nudge. As he pondered Lucifer’s words, a
realization dawned on him. Despite the initial tension, he still
held Lucifer’s favor. This understanding brought a sense of
realization and relief as his mouth formed the words.
"Prince Lucifer Morningstar, my favor i wish to call you n it-
please Restore my mana and give me leave." He said almost
rapidly. Cisco consumed his thoughts than taking back what was
his. Or the anger that once consumed him over Elysia.
“Please..” he said at the end once again as he practically
kneeled before
The man given he was king. He knew he had that sort of power and
he wouldn’t have to rely entirely on bonding for a very long
time.
—fin—
Lucifer broke into a pleased grin when he saw the light bulb go
off in Saga's mind. He held back a chuckle at how fast the words
came from the others mouth.
He could kind of make it out, but had to be sure. His request
wasn't out of spit in any way.
"Slower please," he asked in a kind tone.
Once Saga had repeated it, still in his respectful pose, Lucifer
moved to lift Saga's head up and unleashed some of his own power
into him. Saga's mana surged to full capacity in moments.
Lucifer kept a hold of Saga for a few minutes, knowing it would
likely make the demon feel overwhelmed and unsteady at first.
"Well? How are you feeling?"
------
Saga felt a surge of mana, his face slightly flushed. After all,
being touched by the king was an intimate act and an honor.
He took a moment to process the overwhelming energy coursing
through him as his wings shifted on his back. Blinking his eyes,
he spoke, "Better... You truly are powerful." He shifted
slightly as he expressed his gratitude. "Thank you," he said,
already looking forward to seeing Cisco again.
Saga, brimming of the mana tingling through his veins, found his
way back to the familiar realm of Elysium through the ominous
gateway known as Lucifer’s door. The door pulsed with latent
power, a stark reminder of the formidable forces he had just
harnessed. As he stepped onto the shop of Elysium, his gaze
immediately fell upon Elysia.
There she stood, half-frozen in place, her eyes wide with a
mixture of fear and anticipation. The weight of her betrayal
hung in the air like a storm cloud, and Saga’s heart was a
tumult of emotions himself.
While he longed to express his thoughts, there was someone far
more important consuming his mind. The silence seemed to stretch
endlessly until Saga finally spoke, "Where is Cisco?" He ignored
the earthbound completely.
“He’s around here, not sure if he’s in the bathroom again.. “
admitted the girl as she heard saga make the most unnatural
sound of a whimper of concern. A mild look of jealousy crossed
her face briefly. But it was as if she reminded herself- with
how her face would change - that they were no longer attached
her getting water ready for cisco.
—fin—
Lucifer pulled back, watching as Saga's wings shifted and gave a
nod at the demon's reply. "You can thank me by letting me see
your twins one day. My power will allow you 5 years in the
mortal realm without the need of a bond...but I'd advise you to
find one before that time is up. I can only do this type of
exchange once," Lucifer explained. "Your loyalty and Service are
admired. One day we'll meet again,"
Lucifer wasn't about to just let go of one of his best warriors.
Though he'd allow Saga to go to Cisco and his family to be for
now.
----
Cisco felt disgusting, his body seemed to hate him more than
ever. The first few months he hadn't had too many symptoms. But
now?
He heaved a bit as he pushed up from the toilet and moved to
rinse his mouth out. Seeing his hair messy and the dark circles
under his eyes had him groan slightly.
"If Saga saw me now.. he'd run the other way," he sighed and
then washed his face and dried it off.
He slowly padded out of the bathroom and headed to his room to
try change out of his dirty shirt. He paused to run his hands
over the now very prominent bump on his stomach. "Hey little
ones, maybe you can be kinder to your dad? Maybe stop making me
get so sick everytime I smell food cooking, you like food don't
you?" He asked. "You want to grow up big and strong don't ya?"
He added in a teasing tone.
----
Saga saw cisco come out. The man looked tired and.. big. His
mouth formed a few ways as he watched him talk. His gaze
softening a little.”mmm.. seems the little ones are giving you
fits hm?” Asked Saga smoothly as he saw the water in front of
him. He took it and walked over to the steps to head up, his
hand holding out the water.”el made it for you.. I just got
back… you are definitely glowing.” He said smoothly to the man
that certainly looked like a hot mess.
—fin—
At the sound of Saga's voice speaking, a shock went through
Cisco and he twisted to stare at him. He shook slightly, his
jaw mouth open, his eyes wide as Saga came up towards him with
the glass held out to him as if it were a peace offering.
His eyes slanted slightly at the last line and he snatched the
glass and set it down. "Stop lying," he ordered then grabbed
Saga and pulled him in to claim his mouth in a deep hungry and
passion filled kiss.
He had no clue how Saga had managed to come back so quickly, but
at the moment he didn't care. All he wanted was to hold onto
Saga and get lost in his arms.
The smell of brimstone was heavy on him, but Cisco ignored it.
He finally pulled back to catch his breath. "I am so fucking
happy you're back. I missed you so damn much. " He murmured.
"I'm not letting you out of my sight ever again. From now on,
consider us connected by the hip,"
-fin-
#Post#: 1412--------------------------------------------------
Re: Reunited Again
By: Minyaagar Date: February 16, 2026, 12:07 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Saga chuckled before he got snagged to kiss back just as
passionately. “It took a bit but a favor granted me at least
five years- I still have to find someone to bond with.” He said
honestly.”but that is a conversation for later- now. What can I
do to make you comfortable right now- I don’t think it’s best we
leave here right now.” Said saga with a bit of concern to turn a
little to notice his little bed gone, but also there were some
noticeable differences around Elysium. While the ravens still
remained in some places. He took notice of foxes that
mysteriously popped up. A painting on a wall, and a fox shaped
pillow.
He shook it off.”anything the doctor said recently?” He asked as
he went back to fussing over cisco.
—fin—
Cisco's eyes widened a bit and he got a relieved look on his
face hearing that Saga had time before he had to go back.
"That's good, I'm glad you have some time."
He wasn't quite ready to let go of Saga just yet and got a
thoughtful look on his face at the question.
"Lay down with me, hold me for awhile. Just having you close is
enough for now," he said softly before burrowing his face under
Saga's neck.
"Watson Said I should try and rest more, and try to not stress
out so much. Having you here will help with the stress level
dropping," he admitted.
-fin-
Saga softened his expression as he listened to Cisco, unwilling
to let him go any more than Cisco wanted to release him. Gently,
he placed his free hand on Cisco's head. "Then let's get you to
bed and rest some more," Saga whispered, his face nuzzling into
Cisco's hair.
—fin—
"might grab that water to take with me too," he murmured back,
hoping his breath hasn't been too nasty when Saga has kissed
him.
He pulled away long enough to grab the glass and then tugged
Saga into the guest room that had transformed into a far more
inviting and personalized room since he'd moved in.
"I'm still working on adding more, but I'm liking it so far," he
told Saga.
Cisco kicked off his slippers near the closet and moved to slide
under the covers. "Come spoon me," he demanded, motioning Saga
with a finger.
Once his boyfriend was wrapped around him, Cisco let out a soft
sigh relaxing even more. "Watson's coming by tomorrow with a
sonogram machine, we'll get to see the baby's together for the
first time,"
---
Saga entered the room and glanced around, a warm sense of
comfort washing over him. It felt familiar, cozy—like coming
home.
A small, content smile tugged at the corners of his lips
enjoying the moment.
"Let me shower real quick—I smell of brimstone, and I'd rather
not carry it into bed," Saga admitted with a chuckle.
Quick to freshen up, Saga borrowed the shower, letting the warm
water rinse away the day's weariness. Afterward, he slipped into
a pair of sleep pants he found nearby and nestled into bed. The
softness of the sheets and the presence of his lover brought a
calming peace.
As his lover began to relax beside him, Saga's heart swelled
with anticipation. Then came the news. His lover revealed they’d
see the baby on the sonogram. Joy surged through Saga,
overwhelming and radiant.”I can’t wait to see them.” He said
with a warm tone as he snuggled near the man closely.
—fin—
"if you insist," Cisco murmured back and waited as patiently as
he could for Saga to get back. Even those few minutes of Saga
in the bathroom were hard.
"From now on, we're showering together," he murmured once Saga's
arms were around him.
Hearing and feeling the joy from Saga had him turning just a bit
to see the look in his lover's eyes. "I can't wait either.
So...should we start thinking about names? Or just wait until
they are here? Watson's already suggested it might be best to do
a C-section. Not that I'm looking forwards to that..or going on
bed rest for the last month,"
--fin--
Saga chuckled.”Of course Cisco, now just relax.” He murmured
softly. He saw the turn to hear the man’s speak. “Us demons
usually name the moment they’re born- sort of a feeling when we
see them. But I don’t mind going over name ideas.” He said with
a chuckle. “C sections are difficult but Watson is the best that
I know.” He told the man. “And you’ll have a lot of support to
make your recovery time seem like a blink.” He said with a warm
smile. “Especially since I’m here now.” He added.
—fin—
"I'm working on it," Cisco replied, though he was already far
more relaxed than he'd been in a long time.
He made a thoughtful sound as Saga explained that demons usually
waited until their offspring was born.
"I mean, that's kind of what my mother did, she had a few names
she liked, but when she first held me she said she knew I was a
Francisco." He said softly.
The memory of his mother made him suddenly sad that she'd never
get to meet or know her grandkids. It has been a dream of hers
to one day be a grandmother.
"I kind of want to have either their first or middle names start
with E. A short of tribute to my mother, if that's okay with
you,"
Talk of the C-section had him shifting and turning to face Saga
and moving closer. "Well hopefully it does go by more quickly. I
know I won't worry as much having you here by my side,"
---
“That’s fine with me,” Saga said with a warm smile, gently
patting his stomach in a thoughtful gesture. Sensing Cisco’s
unease, he added in an encouraging tone, “You’ve got this,
Cisco. I believe in you.” His words carried a genuine
warmth.”and I won’t leave your side.” He said cuddling the man
more.
—fin—
Cisco relaxed a bit more, his face flushing slightly at the
patting. "Good, cause I don't plan on doing this alone," he
murmured back.
He was soon sliding into a restful sleep, clinging to Saga.
Several hours later he woke and stretched out as much as he
could in Saga's comforting embrace.
He nudged Saga gently. "Hey, let's get up. I'm sure you're
starving by now. Though...when you see the weird stuff I like
eating these days you may get grossed out,"
--fin--
Saga, having drifted into a rare, deep slumber, slowly stirred
as he felt a gentle nudge. A long, lazy yawn escaped him, the
kind he hadn't indulged in for what felt like ages. Short naps
had become his norm amidst the ongoing battles. Blinking away
the remnants of sleep, he turned slightly, as he asked softly,
"I don’t mind. How are you feeling?"
Moving slowly, he began to shift, savoring the lingering comfort
of rest. He stretched, his muscles unfolding with satisfying
tension. "And don’t worry about what you’re eating—if you’re
craving it, it’s what the baby wants," he added with a gentle
smile.
__fin—
"I'm feeling pretty good," Cisco replied, smiling happily at
seeing Saga looking more rested.
"How are you feeling? Your back needing some attention? I could
rub it for you later, if you want you can return the favor," he
added.
Cisco moved into a seated position, stretching a bit more.
"Elysia and Kit keep saying that too, even though I know it's
weird to want potato chips in pudding," he said with a chuckle.
"Or pickles and ice cream,"
Cisco slowly pushed himself up onto his feet and headed down to
the kitchen. "Though at the moment I'm craving a grilled cheese
and potato chip sandwich. Do you want one? They're actually
pretty good,"
Cisco started pulling out what he needed from the fridge and
started making up a sandwich.
--fin--
Saga chuckled. “That would be great, and you know I’ll rub your
back if you need it,” he said.
“Honestly, pickles and ice cream seem to be a common craving,”
Saga added as he moved.
He descended the stairs and briefly sat at the kitchen bar to
watch the man work.
Hearing some movement, he noticed Elysia coming down and heading
to her workroom—as if nothing had changed. Saga observed the
absence of alcohol, wondering if she had cleared it all out of
guilt or celebration. That was something he’d never know.
“I’m fine at the moment,” he mused. “I might peek around to see
what I can make for dinner.”
Elysia called back, “Don’t bother—I’m cooking tonight.”
Saga froze, an expression of shock crossing his face. “You…
cook?” he asked incredulously. “Since when?”
Without turning around, Elysia replied, “Right after you left.
Granted, I almost burned the kitchen down a few times—Cruz ended
up teaching me.”
“Here I thought you’d panic without me,” muttered the demon
under his breath a little before leaning on his hand.
Elysia seemed to peek at Saga a little. “Surprised you still
picked that form of everything,” she said before Saga would
chuckle. “It may have been for your comfort at the time, but
Cisco knows this one—and walking around in my demon state would
be strange.” He admitted.
Elysia sat in silence for a few moments, her gaze distant and
thoughtful. To Saga's surprise, her voice broke the quiet, soft
yet steady, "I'm sorry." She paused, gathering her words
carefully. "I'm sorry for how things unfolded, for the pain
caused by the breaking of our bond. But I am not sorry for the
choice itself. It was something I needed to do—for me."
Saga then heard something incredible. “And thank you.”
>>>>
Elysia’s voice softened with emotion as she said, "I shouldn’t
have taken you for granted, Saga. This thank you has been a long
time coming." She paused, her eyes reflecting a mix of regret
and gratitude. “You’ve done so much, and still continued to help
me even after the fact. I just did what I pleased- least now you
can enjoy yourself freely and not tethered for a while.”
Saga made a deep sigh. “Honestly- that was my apology for what I
said and did that day.. I hurt you, and a real familiar wouldn’t
go out of their way to do that.” Said saga.”I just got stupidly
desperate- this time though I have five years to find someone to
bind to. I’ll do it right this time.” He said.
Elysia’s tense shoulders relaxed. Hearing saga actually letting
go and accepting things made her stress less. She continued her
work on the ink.”If you plan on working here still- I’ll pay
you.” Said Elysia.”did open a bank for you, the checkbook is in
a bag that I packed before we learned about Ciscos pregnancy.
It’s for the time you spent with me and this shop.” She finished
as shock filled sagas face- but he dared not look back. If Cisco
saw his face- was clear mix of guilt and relief all at the same
time.
—fin—
"I always need your touch," Cisco replied with a lustful look at
Saga.
"Is it? By the looks everyone gives me I wouldn't have known
that," he joked recalling the grossed out look Kit had given him
the first time he'd eaten the combination.
Cisco caught sight of Elysia as he got a pan ready, adding some
butter to the heating pan. He gave Saga a nod then smiled
hearing Elysia calling out that she'd be cooking and chuckled at
Saga's reaction.
"It was quite close that last time," he commented. "It was a
good thing Kit was here to put it out," he added then fell
silent as the two went on to talk through things.
By the time his sandwich was ready, Elysia and Saga had worked
out a great deal. He did notice the look on Saga's face as he
sat down next to him. He leaned in to plant a kiss to his cheek.
"I've got money saved up to, so we should be good for awhile.
It's not like I spend much these days. I don't mind staying
here, but I haven't gone out of Elysium in months. I'm getting a
bit stir crazy. Maybe you and I could go out on a date?" He
asked before taking a big bite of his sandwich.
--fin--
Elysia blushed slightly. "You don't have to tell Saga
everything, Cisco—you're giving him ammo," she said, turning
away.
Saga felt the warmth linger from the kiss on his cheek. He
caught snippets of Cisco talking about having enough money and
feeling stir-crazy. "I mean, we could go somewhere... just not
here," Saga suggested, his tone thoughtful. "Normally, I can
manage the shop transfer, but someone high jacked it." he added,
casting a quick glance at Elysia.
"Mmhmm. I had some friends mark the doors and added a few new
ones," Elysia responded. "But I could definitely set you up in a
place with a clearing by a nice lake—less likely to face an
attack there," she suggested, noticing Saga's shoulders relax a
little.
Elysia clearly showed she still knew Saga. His moods and habits
etched into her memory like constellations in the night sky.
Even after months of his absence, Elysia could predict the tilt
of his head when he was deep in thought, the curve of his smile
when something amused him, and the shadow that crossed his eyes
when burdened with worry..
She knew that it still was time for healing for her. Even if the
talk was good progress. She still worried deeply of what was on
his mind. She knew eventually they’d need one private
conversation without Cisco present, to really let everything
out.
She felt bad enough saying what she needed to. It was as if she
used Cisco as a way of guarding herself from what he could of
really said.
On the other side, saga was his own ball of emotions, the sense
of betrayal forgotten not fixed. Something he sat to the side to
revisit once the bigger issue would be resolved.
“I’d like that- could make a nice picnic for that later?” He
asked hoping that Cisco wouldn’t mind that.
—fin—
"I..I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry Elysia," Cisco
sighed, feeling bad for mentioning her kitchen fouls.
He gave a nod to Saga after taking a bite of his sandwich. He
listened to the suggestion of having a picnic at a lake, and got
an idea that might be better shared when they were alone.
"Yeah, sure that'd be great to get some alone time with you.
though I do think you two should try to talk and work things out
before these babies get here. Cause I'm going to need the both
of you to help me." Cisco pointed out as he cleaned up his
dishes. He paused to brush a kiss to Saga's cheek and headed
back upstairs, catching Kit and dragging the fox into the
reading room.
Kit blinked but didn't argue once Cisco explained that Saga and
Elysia needed some time talk some things through.
---fin--
Elysia seemed to glance back a little before turning back to her
work.
Saga broke into a warm grin. "Sounds good, and you’re not wrong.
Think maybe after our little night together, I’ll be taking a
night to talk to Elysia," Saga said, his voice tinged with a
hint of contemplation.
Elysia kept her back turned, her mind whirring on what he
wanted. He certainly wouldn’t attack her now—given he was in her
magic and not the other way around. But she didn’t want Cisco to
hear what she might say to Saga.
Saga stood silently for a moment, his fingers drumming an absent
rhythm against the edge of the table. His grin faded as his
thoughts wandered, tangled in unspoken words. What should he say
to Elysia? The memories of their past interactions brushed the
edges of his mind, shadowed and vivid all at once. Would honesty
be a weapon or a bridge? He wasn’t sure, and the uncertainty
gnawed at the corners of his confidence.
Seeing how Cisco took Kit into the reading room made her stomach
drop just a little. It felt strangely quiet.
“Well… they took the room we would have used,” Saga said with a
sigh.
“We can use a bedroom—I never liked doing talks where I work,”
she replied, wiping her hands before grabbing a drink or two.
The demon followed her up the steps, his footsteps a subtle echo
of his hesitation. Her eye lingered on her reading room for a
moment before they went inside, the door shutting softly behind
them.
Elysia began to chant softly. The spell weaving about the room.
If anything it muffled the quieter talk. If it got louder it
would break. She did it out of safety if it derailed.
>>>>
^^^^
Saga’s gaze wandered as he stepped into the room, his eyes
tracing the soft glow of Elysia’s spell weaving through the air.
The faint shimmer cast fleeting shadows across the walls,
drawing his attention to something—something he hadn’t noticed
before. There, etched delicately into the wood grain near the
corner, was a small depiction of a tree, its branches sprawling
wide, and nestled behind it, a fox peeking from behind it.
He tilted his head slightly, his fingers drifting toward the
image as if compelled to feel the grooves carved into the
surface. A soft chuckle escaped him, the tension in his
shoulders easing for a brief moment.
“Didn’t notice this before," he murmured, glancing toward
Elysia. "A tree and a fox. Seems like the shop’s grown its own
little stories while I wasn’t looking."
Elysia paused in her chanting, her eyes flickering to where he
stared, then back to her spell, voice steady but softer now.
“Seems your magic and his have mixed… I can see it,” said Saga,
his tone heavy with a quiet melancholy. The words hung in the
air, fragile and brittle, like the fading echoes of a distant
song. His gaze drifted, lost in memories painted with shadows,
the faint tremor in his voice betraying emotions. The feeling of
betrayal hit harder than he expected.
Saga's hand slowly curled over the fox image, a flicker of anger
surfacing. This should have been him. He had saved her life,
nurtured her, given her everything she could have ever needed.
He heard the faint clink of bottles opening, followed by the
soft thud of a glass meeting the counter. His gaze followed her
movements as she meticulously prepared his drink—straight
whiskey in a large glass, just the way he liked it.
Her hands trembled slightly as she poured herself a simple glass
of wine, her fingers tightening around the stem before she
downed it swiftly. Without hesitation, she poured a second, her
anxiousness apparent.
>>>>
^^^^
“I keep telling you, you shouldn’t drink so much and so
quickly,” he chastised gently, settling into the chair beside
the bed.
Elysia’s lips curled into a wry smile, her eyes betraying the
nervous flicker she tried to mask. She took a sip from her fresh
glass and replied, “Maybe I need the courage.”
The demon sighed, its expression twisted into a grimace.
“You go first," Elysia said seeing the face not ready to give
her own.
"Me, huh? Fine. Try to stay sober so you can remember it," Saga
replied with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
He sipped deliberately, prolonging the moment on purpose,
observing as Elysia’s facade slowly unraveled, revealing her
discomfort. He had no desire for her false face. Once she shown
it did he begin.
“You... what were you thinking? I gave you everything—books,
knowledge, the very essence of being a masterful spell weaver!
Do you even comprehend that? I poured my soul into guiding you,
kept my promises even from beyond the cursed demon realm—despite
all the betrayal, all the ungratefulness. And for what? To be
discarded like some forgotten relic? Used and tossed aside as if
I were nothing more than a stepping stone! Truly, the saga of my
loyalty twisted into nothing but a bitter reminder of how easily
devotion is dismissed!” He began his rant as he pushed his hair
back.”I was patient before I waited, but you continued to push
me away, it was wearing me thin on how much time I had left.”
Elysia listened as she became uncomfortable with each word
given. Her eyes closed before she would retort calmly.”"You
didn't have to help me, yet you still did. Was it just so you
could hold it over me afterward? Why, Saga?" she asked, her
voice trembling.
"And I never wanted to do what I did," she continued, her eyes
filled with regret. "But you kept pushing for a bond I wasn't
ready for. That kind of intimate act is sacred—meant for people
who genuinely love each other, like you and Cisco." She said.
>>>>>
^^^
Saga paused before he could argue back, small look of guilt.”I
felt if we did that sort of bond- it be a mate one, I’d be able
to protect you, and you’d have mana in exchange.. I do care
about you a lot more than you know.” Said saga.
“You planned on leaving me once you had Cisco.” Said the woman
her arms going around herself a little.”I feared that happening
and it ended up coming true.. and it was my fault.”
Saga had known even then—she wasn’t entirely mistaken. The first
time he experienced affection, the warmth of a touch he’d
assumed would be fleeting, felt unmistakably different. But
hearing her owning up to what she did and watching her down the
glass. Took the bottle before she could make another and moved
the glass away.
““You smothered me to the point where common stuff I should have
learned I never did—like cooking. But I never felt so weak in my
life against my father without you. Kit stepped in and managed
to push him back with Naz’s help and…” Elysia began on her own
emotional rant, her voice trembling with the weight of her
memories.
Suddenly, she felt hands gently rest on her shoulders, grounding
her spiraling thoughts. A familiar voice broke through the haze
of her emotions, soft yet filled with concern. “He found you?”
he asked.
Elysia’s breath hitched, her heart racing as the vivid memory
surged forth. She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a
whisper but firm with acknowledgment. “Yes,” she replied, her
eyes distant as she drifted back into the depths of that
haunting encounter.
>>>>
^^^
What caught the demon off guard next were the words that slipped
from Elysia's trembling lips, her voice quivering with raw
emotion. "I realized, though, just how much you did for me," she
whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She clenched
her fists, her heart pounding with the weight of unspoken
gratitude and regret. "I know I can't give that time back, can't
undo the sacrifices you made..." Her voice cracked, but she
pressed on, fueled by a newfound resolve. "But I swear—I'll face
my father. I’ll become the Spell weaver you always believed I
could be. So that hard work you put in won’t go to waste, and
don’t you fucking dare say that you’ve been tossed! I had to do
this because I felt it hurt us more than benefited" she said.
Saga listened intently as he sighed, finally gathering the
courage to confess. Though he still felt the sting of betrayal,
his heart wavered upon seeing the fox’s image—a vivid
manifestation of her and his magic, brimming with undeniable
affection. It was clear she had moved on, her feelings now
etched in the delicate threads of enchantment.
“Just so you know- while I’m bound to Cisco- I always thought
your soul would come with me and be mine.. not as fuel but a
potential being to be.. maybe even a fallen like the king
himself. I never intended to leave you entirely alone.. just
when you both go.. least your bound soul would have had me for
eternity.” He said.
With that, he leaned in and surprised Elysia with a gentle kiss
on her cheek—so unlike his usual attempts on her lips, which he
often used to persuade her. "I do love you," he murmured softly
in her ear, noting an unfamiliar expression on her face.
Gone was the puffy, irritated look tinged with a blush that he
remembered. Instead, her face was frozen in shock, utterly
speechless.
>>>>
^^^^
“So be with Kit as your familiar. Just... if you're sincere
about what you’ve said concerning love-making, you'd better stay
pure since you clearly haven’t been mated yet. If I find out you
laying around at random?, I’ll deal with him first—and then,
I’ll confront you for lying to me," he stated firmly before
heading out the door. His tangled emotions felt lighter now; the
words had finally been spoken.
He exhaled deeply before shutting the door behind him, leaving
Elysia to process the whirlwind that had just unfolded.
He stepped down into the main room and found a seat that still
remained a favorite part of the place of his, he’d shift in the
dog form and curl up clearly looking deep in thought.
—fin—
Kit wasn’t quite sure why Cisco had insisted they go into the
reading room.
“So why didn’t we let Elysia and Saga have their talk in here?”
he asked, leaning against the doorframe as he watched Cisco
slowly settle into a chair with a soft sigh.
Cisco glanced up, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his
mouth.
“Think about it—those two in a small room, having a discussion
that might get heated? They’ll need space to move around, not be
right on top of each other.”
He paused, then added, “Just... if you sense anything off, let
me know. We should step in before it comes to blows. Though I
don’t think it’ll get that far.”
“Ahh, that makes sense. If I sense anything, I’ll let you know,”
Kit replied as he moved to sit against the wall, his eyes
scanning the room.
For a few moments, the two men sat in silence. Eventually, Kit
broke it, his gaze drifting to Cisco’s round, pregnant belly.
“How are you feeling? Is it strange... being pregnant?” he asked
curiously.
Cisco chuckled. “I’m doing well—and yeah, it’s strange. I never
thought this could or would happen. I’ve been thinking a lot
about my mom lately. Makes me wish I could thank her for going
through this for me.”
Kit nodded, a flicker of sadness in his eyes as memories of his
own parents stirred.
“If... you ever want to talk about your past or what you’ve been
through, I’m a good listener,” Cisco offered gently. “I lost my
parents when I was young.”
Kit stared at his hands for a long moment before he nodded.
“Then we’ve got that in common. I was ten when I saw mine
killed... and I was taken by Samael.”
They kept talking, gradually sharing some of the struggles and
pain they had endured. In a quiet, unspoken way, it was
freeing—just to speak, to be heard.
“Thanks for listening—and for sharing, Cisco. It helps more than
you know.”
“Hey, what are friends for?” Cisco replied with a grin.
“Besides, once these babies arrive, Saga and I are definitely
going to need all the help we can get.”
Kit laughed, the weight between them a little lighter now.
His ears twitched, picking up on the sudden quiet from
downstairs and the shifting emotions from below.
“They’re done talking,” he murmured. “Feels like they’d both do
better if we were nearby.”
Seeing Cisco struggling to rise from the deep, comfortable
chair, Kit stepped forward and gently offered a hand, helping
him up.
“Thanks,” Cisco said, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. “With
my balance off, getting out of that chair isn’t easy.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Kit replied with a small smile, then
slowly headed off to find Elysia.
Cisco eventually found Saga and quietly approached, reaching out
to gently stroke Saga’s thick fur. He sat down beside him with a
soft sigh.
“Sorry if I was too pushy,” he said, voice low and sincere.
---fin--
Saga lingered in his thoughts, taking his time to process
everything when he suddenly felt a hand on him. So absorbed was
he that he barely registered Cisco's presence at first. The
familiar scent of the fox reached him just as a mental link
formed—a voice, stern yet calm, informing him that Elysia was in
the bedroom.
His nose gave a soft twitch. *Don’t apologize—it needed to
happen,*he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken
emotions. *Just know it’ll take time for both of us. After all,
we were connected, and now… we’re not.*His words lingered in the
air, filled with a quiet ache as he gently nudged his way to
rest his furry head on Cisco’s stomach.
The rhythmic motions of the baby pressing and shifting offered a
soothing balm to the demon’s restless heart. Yet, beneath that
fragile comfort, a storm quietly brewed—Elysia’s name etched
into every fragmented thought. He loved her deeply, having said
it out loud, and toning down what he normally did left him
restless. The warmth of their shared memories clashed with the
sting of their separation, leaving him suspended in a
bittersweet space where love and pain coexisted.
But amidst the swirl of emotions, a new resolve began to take
root within Saga’s heart. He realized that while the past with
Elysia had shaped him, his present and future rested with Cisco.
With that, Saga set a quiet goal for himself—to become a better
partner, to be present and nurturing in ways he’d failed before.
He would channel his restless energy into growth, into
solidifying the bond that remained, fragile yet enduring.
Saga still felt a connection to Elysia. Though it wasn't the
bond he once wanted, he hoped to create something new based on
respect and understanding. It wouldn’t be easy, but he was ready
to face his feelings with quiet strength between lost and
present love.
Meanwhile, Elysia sat quietly on the bed in the upstairs
bedroom, just below her reading room. She gently clutched a
pillow, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She had heard Kit and
Cisco’s footsteps but made no effort to reveal her presence.
Unlike Saga, Elysia’s love grew through deep, lasting bonds
formed over time. Now, she found herself navigating unfamiliar
terrain—the ache of hurt and the tentative steps of a new
beginning with Kit. Though she welcomed Kit’s gentle displays of
affection—the soft kisses and warm hugs—they moved at a pace
that felt safe and comforting to them both.
Elysia was adrift in her own storm, unsure of how to soothe the
ache within. Yet, in the quiet, there was a fragile hope, woven
into each of those tender moments she shared with Kit, slowly
guiding her through the delicate process of healing.
>>>
^^^^
A profound sense of loss regarding Saga washed over her, as if
all the air had been suddenly drained from the room. The pain
had been there before, dull and lingering, but hearing his
heartfelt confession this time made it cut even deeper,
intensifying the ache in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
She took a deep breath, her fingers trembling slightly as they
gripped the edges of the pillow tighter, knuckles whitening with
the effort. Her shoulders hunched, an unconscious attempt to
make herself smaller, to contain the overwhelming weight
pressing down on her chest.
Her jaw clenched, a subtle quiver apparent. A tear threatened to
escape, glistening at the corner of her eye, but she blinked
rapidly, refusing to let it fall. Her throat tightened, a lump
forming that made swallowing feel like a battle. It even felt..
as if even the simple act of breathing was a fragile thread she
struggled to hold onto.
Her mind filled with "what ifs" and "should haves," stirring up
memories and regrets. But her logic pushed back, reminding her
of what he did and the pain it caused. The clash between hope
and reality left her tense, pausing at the sound of footsteps as
her eyes shifted to the door.
Her lips trembled as she pressed them tightly together, a
desperate attempt to silence the sobs that surged from deep
within. The effort was in vain, each shaky breath betraying her
fragile resolve. She knew things would never be the same with
Saga—their connection now a mosaic of beautiful memories and
painful fractures. The thought of trying again filled her with a
suffocating fear, as if reopening an old wound that never truly
healed. Yet, with Kit, there was a fragile, tender warmth, a
sense of belonging that wrapped around her heart like a soft
whisper, telling her it was okay to feel, to hope, to believe in
something new.
>>>>
^^^^
She sat still, her back straight, jaw clenched, determined to
hold it together. Memories flashed—a time she stood tall, voice
steady in the face of confrontation, and pain, her careful in
not letting on what she was really feeling. She was often
unreadable to those on the outside save for the few that truly
knew her.
But now, as the door creaked open and she saw Kit, that strength
crumbled. The mask she’d worn so well shattered, and tears
spilled down her cheeks, raw and relentless. Her voice broke,
fragile and choked:
“Don’t let him hear me.”
Why do I feel this way? she wondered, the thought slipping
through the fragile cracks of her mind. Is it weakness, this
ache that coils around my heart, this vulnerability I can’t seem
to bury? Saga doesn’t deserve to see this—to hear the silent
tremble beneath my breath. He lost that right, didn’t he? She
grasped at the words like fragile lifelines, trying to convince
herself. This ache isn’t for him anymore. But the echo of her
own reasoning felt hollow, a fragile shield against the truth
she wasn’t ready to face.
But now, kit was here, he was quick to help her even if he
wasn’t strong enough to face her father. He shown her was real
courting felt like. He was a beginning, something she hoped
could deepen one day, and perhaps have a real chance of falling
in love without conditions.
Downstairs, Saga’s dog-like ears twitched at the faint sound of
her sobbing, the fragile echoes drifting through the air like
distant waves brushing against a forgotten shore. A deep sigh
escaped him, heavy and hollow, as if exhaled into an empty room
where warmth once lingered. He knew it would take time—time to
mend, to adjust, to accept. The stony exterior she wore, once a
barrier reserved for strangers, now rose like a fortress between
them, its cold walls casting long shadows over what had once
been vibrant and alive. Yet, amid the ache, a quiet acceptance
settled within him.
>>>
^^^
Saga lingered in his thoughts, lost in the swirl of emotions
until a gentle touch grounded him. The familiar scent of Cisco
filled the space, as he responded by another mental link:
*Do you think we’ll enjoy our picnic tonight? Maybe talk about
what to get the babies and what lives we want to give them, hm?*
His mental tone was tender, wrapped in quiet vulnerability. Saga
lay beside Cisco, heart suspended between past ache and fragile
hope, finding solace in the warmth of their connection.
----
The door creaked open slowly under Kit’s careful hand. He
stepped inside with quiet grace, eyes immediately finding
her—perched on the edge of the bed like something brittle, back
rigid, fists clenched around the pillow.
And then she looked at him.
The moment their eyes met, everything fell. Her mask shattered,
tears slipping down pale cheeks with no warning, no defense. Her
voice cracked in a way that pierced straight through him.
“Don’t let him hear me.”
Kit didn’t speak. He didn't need to.
His chest ached at the sight of her pain laid bare. No more
armor. No well-crafted silences. Just Elysia—raw, trembling, and
vulnerable in a way that humbled him.
He shut the door with a soft click, sealing them in. No one
would hear. No one would enter.
Then he crossed the room in three quiet steps and sank to his
knees before her—not as a healer, not as a warrior, but as a man
who cared. Deeply. Unapologetically.
He reached for her hands, gentle and slow, offering but never
forcing. His touch was steady warmth, a quiet anchor as she
shook. When her fingers finally loosened from the pillow and
found his, he wrapped them carefully between his palms.
Kit bowed his head forward until his forehead touched her knee,
the gesture one of silent reverence. Of grounding. His presence
said everything he wouldn’t make her ask for—I’m here. You’re
safe. You don’t have to pretend.
He didn’t try to fix it. Didn’t rush her grief or fill the
silence with hollow words.
He simply stayed there, kneeling before her like her quiet
shield, letting her fall apart and holding the pieces with
patient, steady hands.
Cisco watched the stairs for a long time after Kit disappeared.
Then, slowly, he looked down—at the soft, warm weight resting
against his belly.
Saga, in his dog form, lay curled beside him, ears drooping
slightly, his breath slow and rhythmic as if trying to quiet his
own storm.
Cisco reached out and ran his fingers through the demon’s
fur—softer than it looked, almost therapeutic. His touch was
calm, gentle, his expression softened with that particular
warmth reserved just for Saga.
*“Do you think we’ll enjoy our picnic tonight?”"
The mental whisper slipped through like warm silk, coaxing
Saga’s attention.
*“Maybe talk about what to get the babies… and what kind of
lives we want to give them, hm?”*
He smiled faintly, continuing to stroke behind Saga’s ears,
careful of the spots he knew were sensitive.
“I know you miss her,” he added, quieter now, “but I want you to
know… you haven’t failed. Not with me. And not with them.”
Saga shifted slightly, pressing his head harder against Cisco’s
side. Cisco chuckled softly, brushing a bit of fur away from the
silver mark near his temple.
“If they turn out like you, you know what we’ll have? Two tiny,
overly dramatic shapeshifters with dangerous charm and
absolutely no fear of chaos.”
A beat.
Then Cisco added with mock gravity: “We’re doomed.”
The corners of his lips twitched with mischief, but the way he
leaned down to press a kiss to Saga’s furry head was anything
but joking.
“But we’ll love them anyway. Just like I love you.”
They lay there for a while, the flicker of distant laughter
returning to the house, muffled but real. The world outside
could wait—for now, there was only warmth, quiet connection, and
the slow but steady rebuilding of something worth keeping.
---fin
Elysia felt a gentle touch against her hands, grounding her in
the moment. The pillow slipped from her lap as she allowed
herself to release the tension she’d been holding. Her head
bowed, emotions swirling in restless waves.
Grasping softly at kits hands, she sought an anchor, something
to remind her she wasn’t adrift. She knew healing would take
time—time to be okay, time to process, time to mend what had
been broken.
A sharp gasp escaped her between ragged breaths, each one an
attempt to regain her composure.
——-
Saga listened quietly to Cisco’s words about Elysia, a soft sigh
escaping like a gentle breeze from the wolf. *Failure is a part
of life—I taught her that, too. But still, I failed her. But I
know at least I managed to get back to you and the babies.* he
said lightly
A faint, mental chuckle followed as he enjoyed the comforting
strokes. *Ah, the dramatics. Be warned—if they are anything like
I was growing up, expect tantrums that defy nature, *he joked
lightly.
After a while, nestled in the warmth of Cisco's presence, Saga
gently shifted away. The thought of preparing food surfaced,
despite Elysia’s earlier insistence she would cook. He felt he
needed to move, and get back to how he was. Even if it was a
little bit. His human form in his sleep pants would show. He
would grab a hair tie and begin to move in the kitchen.
Almost without thinking, his hands found their rhythm, gathering
ingredients to make one of her favorite comfort foods. "Hope you
don’t mind potato soup," he said softly, beginning to wash the
potatoes, "It’s actually really good for you—and bacon makes it
even tastier." His movements were steady, each action laced with
his habits of soothing the ache of another.
—fin—
#Post#: 1414--------------------------------------------------
Re: Reunited Again
By: Minyaagar Date: February 16, 2026, 12:15 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Kit stayed still, the quiet between them speaking louder than
any rushed reassurance ever could. When her gasp escaped—sharp,
raw—he felt it like a thread pulled tight in his chest.
But still, he didn’t flinch. He stayed.
His hands tightened slightly around hers, never enough to
constrain, only to remind her—he was here. That she wasn’t alone
in this storm. His head lifted, just enough for their foreheads
to touch, breath mingling, a soft exhale meant to ease the
weight pressing down on her lungs.
"You don’t have to carry it alone anymore," he murmured at last,
voice low and thick with quiet emotion. "You’ve been strong for
so long. Let me take some of it now."
He didn’t ask her to explain. Didn’t demand her pain be clean or
linear.
Instead, he shifted just enough to sit beside her, pulling her
gently into his arms. One hand settled between her shoulder
blades, the other cradling her head as though she were something
precious, not broken. Never broken. Just weathered by too many
storms.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered again, words like a warm blanket.
“For as long as you need.”
----
Cisco didn’t move when Saga shifted away, only lifted his gaze
to follow him, quiet pride flickering in the warmth of his eyes.
“You didn’t fail her,” he said again, gentler this time, letting
the words land where they needed to. “You loved her. You stayed.
Even when it tore you apart. That’s not failure, love. That’s
being family.”
As Saga returned to human form and began his familiar rhythm in
the kitchen, Cisco slowly got to his feet. He leaned against the
doorway for a moment, arms crossed, watching the soft curve of
Saga’s back, the careful way he handled the food.
The smell of bacon began to fill the air.
“Mind?” Cisco huffed playfully. “If you’re cooking potato soup,
I might just propose to you again.”
He padded over and wrapped his arms around Saga’s waist from
behind, resting his cheek against his shoulder. He stayed there
a moment, breathing in the quiet closeness, before he slowly
pulled back.
“Let me help,” he said, already moving toward the prep area. “It
needs garlic, onions, carrots, and celery, right? I can chop
those.”
He rolled up his sleeves and reached for a cutting board,
grabbing a clean knife from the drawer like he belonged
there—because with Saga, he always did.
“Oh, and I’ll prep some bread to go with it too,” he added,
glancing over his shoulder with a soft grin. “Something crusty
and warm to dip into all that comfort.”
He began peeling the garlic first, the sound of the knife
against the board rhythmic and calm. The domesticity of it all
didn’t make the pain go away—but it gave them both something
real to hold onto.
“We’ll get through this,” he murmured. “All of it. With
tantrums. With potato soup. With whatever messy miracle comes
next.”
A pause.
“And when the babies arrive… I hope they have your eyes,” he
added, softer. “The kind that always made me feel like I
belonged somewhere.”
He looked up then, eyes meeting Saga’s.
“You’re home, Saga. To me. To them. Always.”
--fin--
Elysia felt Kit's hands gently but firmly tighten around hers.
Her breaths were ragged, punctuated by soft sobs. The tender
press of his forehead against hers, coupled with the rhythm of
his steady breathing, gradually calmed her own.
Being called strong felt like a lie. She felt worn down, reduced
to a fragile shell that held a soul.
The way he held her next soothed her, compelling her to remain
in his embrace. His scent carried hints of earth and nature—so
different from the brimstone and fire that defined the saga. It
was grounding, comforting, as though she were no longer
teetering on the edge of despair.
——-
Saga chuckled. “Propose, hm? Well, I've been proposed to a few
times over the hundreds of years for my cooking alone,” he
joked.
He felt comforting arms around him, the man's presence resting
against his shoulder. Just as he was about to jest about the
necessity of cooking, he heard an offer. “That’s fine. Let’s
make a good meal for everyone. Some crusty bread would be
great—perhaps with a light brush of garlic butter; that would be
a nice touch,” he mused.
As familiar words drifted to his ears, Saga's mind echoed with
the memory of Elysia’s voice, calling him her home. A fleeting
thought, quickly replaced by a warm smile as he turned to Cisco.
“And you, mine,” he said softly.
—fin—
🌒
Kit’s arms tightened around her in a slow, deliberate
motion—steady enough to be a shelter, not a cage. He didn’t push
her to speak, only let the rise and fall of his breathing match
hers until the jagged edges of her sobs began to smooth out.
He shifted slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her damp
cheek with the backs of his fingers. “You don’t have to be
strong for me,” he murmured. “You just have to be here. That’s
enough.”
For a while longer, they stayed like that—wrapped in quiet, the
world beyond the closed door feeling very far away. Then,
faintly, something else began to thread its way into the
stillness.
The warm, savory scent of bacon and garlic drifted under the
door, followed by the mellow undertone of potatoes simmering.
Kit’s lips curved in the faintest smile.
“Smells like they’re up to something in the kitchen,” he said
softly, tilting his head toward the door. “Want to go see what
they’re making before they eat it all?”
He offered his hand again—not as an anchor this time, but as an
invitation. “Let’s go join them.”
🐺 Cisco with Saga
Cisco grinned at Saga’s comment, his knife working through the
carrots with smooth precision. “Garlic butter bread, coming
right up. Between you and me, if I’d met you centuries ago, I
probably would’ve proposed on the spot—never mind the soup.”
He slid the chopped vegetables into a waiting bowl and reached
for the onions, leaning into the easy rhythm of cooking
together. The warmth in the room was more than the stove’s
doing.
When the sound of footsteps reached him—soft but unmistakable—he
glanced toward the hall and caught the faint murmur of voices.
The corner of his mouth tugged upward, pleased.
Raising his voice just enough to carry, he called out, “Come on,
you slowpokes—food’s about done! Bring your appetites!”
He gave Saga a playful nudge with his elbow, as if sharing some
private joke. “Bet you five silver they head straight for the
bread. Actually let's make that a date of my choosing," he added
with a spirited gleam in his eyes.
--fin--
Saga chuckled softly, shaking his head with feigned
exasperation. "You’re on," he replied, arching an eyebrow as he
wiped his hands on a dish towel. His gaze drifted toward the
doorway, anticipation mingling with warmth in his expression.
Moments later, Kit and Elysia appeared, their steps quieter but
lighter than before. Elysia’s eyes were slightly red-rimmed,
though a shy, grateful smile played at the corners of her lips.
Kit’s hand rested gently at the small of her back—a silent
reassurance.
""Smells wonderful. I suppose I'll have to cook for you another
time," Elysia remarked, her voice still hollow from her earlier
tears.
Saga gave a soft smile, motioning them toward the table. "We
couldn’t let you miss out. And Cisco made the bread."
Elysia slid into a chair, the warmth of the room seeping into
her bones. A heaping basket of warm, golden bread sat in the
center, the butter glistening under the soft light.
Elysia smiled a little—she reached decisively for a slice of
bread, tearing off a piece with deliberate care. Saga sighed.”
Looks like you won that bet cisco. “ he said with a chuckle.
The meal began—not just with food, but with healing and the
quiet, steady heartbeat of understanding.
As Elysia and Saga sat eating at the rustic wooden table, a firm
knock resonated through the space , interrupting their meal.
Elysia exchanged a quick glance with Saga, excusing herself to
go answer the door.
Opening it, she found Ender standing there, his familiar,
observant gaze immediately sweeping over her. His presence had
become routine, after the incident with the curse of Elias. his
visits frequent to ensure she wasn’t overexerting herself with
her magic. However, today his expression held a shadow of
urgency.
Upon noticing Saga seated inside, Ender's shoulders relaxed
slightly, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been
holding. “We need to talk,” he murmured, his eyes settling on
Saga, hinting at the gravity of his words.
>>>
Ender glanced over, his curiosity piqued. "Has the saga been
told yet?" he asked, his eyes shifting toward Elysia.
Elysia shook her head, her expression composed. "No, I was
giving Saga and Cisco some time to bond."
Saga's brow furrowed slightly, a curious glint in his eyes.
"What’s going on?" he inquired, studying their exchange.
Ender leaned in slightly, his voice lower. "Did you know
Elysia’s magic is bound and being siphoned?"
Saga's gaze grew distant as he tried to recall. "I remember when
I was summoned... her mana was part of the summoning circle. The
man who did the summoning didn’t have enough mana of his own, so
he must have used hers." He paused, his eyes narrowing
thoughtfully. "But since I took her- it should have stopped
why?"
“It never stopped.” Said Ender.
Ender leaned against the ancient stone wall, his eyes reflecting
the flickering light of the nearby campfire. "Elysia’s lesson in
breaking curses isn’t merely about unraveling magic," he
murmured. "It’s about comprehending the very threads that bind
it. She’s shown remarkable knowledge and capability—but what has
happened to her? Being entwined with her own essence has become
a restrictive burden."
Gently, his fingers brushed a few strands of Elysia’s hair,
tender as a father’s touch to a child, before the ripple
revealed the bindings woven around her form. "This curse, the
one draining mana from its bearer, is more complicated than
most. To break it, we must return to where it all began," Ender
declared softly.
>>>
Saga exhaled heavily, a sigh carrying years of unspoken guilt.
"I never took it off," he admitted quietly, his gaze distant.
"It forced her mana to expand beyond its natural limits. It
seemed cruel, perhaps, but it wasn’t without purpose. I intended
to remove it, I did. But to do so…"
His voice trailed off, shadowed by memories. "To do that, we’d
have to return to a place best left forgotten. A place tainted,
less than desirable. The summoning circle still stands there,
etched into the ground like a scar. Only within its confines can
the curse be dismantled completely." He said softly.
“It’s in a place where she nearly died.. I could go myself but
she’d need to come with me- and I certainly will need more
muscle to deal with what is protecting it.” He said as his spoon
played with his food.
Elysia who settled down made Ender a bowl with some bread and
drink to get back to eating. She was quiet. The idea of going to
that place weighed on her.
Saga technically had no reason to help her, but here he was
giving a solution. But saga suggesting going into the fold
itself felt some shock.
Ender nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of both the
curse and Saga’s burden. "Then that’s where we must go.
Potential like this should never be bound." He finished before
trying the soup.”mm… not bad-“ he mused to eat more.
—fin—
🌒
Kit had been quiet through most of the conversation, his hand
resting lightly on the back of Elysia’s chair. As Saga spoke of
returning to the place where the curse began, Kit’s jaw
tightened, though his expression remained calm.
He glanced at Elysia, catching the flicker of worry in her eyes,
and immediately shifted closer, his fingers brushing hers under
the table.
“You’re not going there alone,” he said, his voice low but
steady. “If you have to face this place again, we’ll face it
with you. Whatever protections or monsters are waiting, they’ll
have to get through me first.”
His gaze slid toward Saga, not challenging but resolute. “You
said you needed more muscle? Consider it done.”
Then, softer, to Elysia alone: “We’ll get you through this.
Together.”
🐺
Cisco leaned back in his chair, processing Saga’s explanation
and Ender’s grim news. His mind ticked through possibilities
while his hands absently tore a piece of bread into smaller and
smaller pieces.
When Saga mentioned needing more help, Cisco’s lips curved into
a thoughtful smile. “Sounds like a proper adventure… and it
means I get to pick where our next date is. A cursed site with
old summoning scars? Very romantic.”
His joking tone softened as he leaned forward, elbows braced on
the table. “Seriously, though—this doesn’t have to be just us.
There are members of the Magic Council who specialize in
situations like this. I’ve only been to a few council meetings,
but…”
He tapped the table lightly as the memory surfaced. “There’s
this elf wizard, Sylasz. Light elf, incredibly powerful. If
anyone can help fix what’s happening with Elysia’s mana, it’s
him. Caelan would know how to reach Sylasz. I'm pretty sure
they've worked together before,” Cisco mused for a moment.
“ I’d feel a hell of a lot better with one of the oldest living
elf wizards on our side when you all go marching into whatever
nightmare nest that place has become.”
He reached over and brushed Saga’s hand with his fingertips, a
subtle grounding gesture. “We’ll get her free,” he promised.
“And after, you’ll come home and eat something much less
terrifying.”
Cisco already knew that Saga wasn't about to let him get
anywhere near dark magic with him carrying their babies. He
wasn't going to fight Saga about it. "Just please, be careful,"
he added.
-Fin-
Elysia's breath hitched as Kit’s fingers brushed against hers
beneath the table. The warmth of his touch grounded her, a
fragile anchor against the rising tide of fear. She squeezed his
hand gently, drawing quiet strength from his presence.
Her gaze shifted from Kit to Cisco, lingering momentarily on
Saga and Ender. “I’m scared,” she whispered, her voice soft but
clear. “But I’m more afraid of what happens if we don’t face
this. I can’t keep hiding in my shop, pretending the inevitable
isn’t coming. If we don’t act—I’ll probably die.”
A shadow crossed her face, but determination flickered in her
eyes. “I’ve never been one to live in a cage. Not with my
father, and not with Saga's antics.” The last part muttered.
Saga’s jaw clenched, but Cisco’s grounding touch pulled him back
from the spiral. He covered Cisco's hand with his, thumb grazing
his knuckles, the simple connection steadying him.
Meeting Ciscos gaze, his voice firmed. “That is fine with me If
Sylasz can help, more help the better, and I promise I’ll be
back safe.”
His tone softened, but held an underlying guilt.”I didn’t
realize just how things could have turned out for you El.. I
know I failed as a familiar- I can take this as a way to not
just atone.” He said softly. “I want to gain some trust back..
and if it means breaking the webs I can.. it might be a little
risky getting in- so prepare for sure.“ he said and tapped his
fingers.
“I’d give a few days, then we go in.” Said saga as Ender seemed
to take it in.”it’s going to be a big fight.. last time she
faced her father it ended nasty.”
Elysia flushed a little before feeling a hand on her other one..
sagas.”she won’t be alone this time- and he will see exactly
what he tried to toss away and regret it.” He said smoothly.
“Then you will see why I did choose her.” He said with a breath
out.
—fin—
Kit’s thumb brushed the back of Elysia’s hand in a silent
promise, his expression steady even as her words settled heavily
between them.
“You won’t face him alone this time,” Kit said quietly, but
there was steel beneath the calm tone. “Whatever monsters are
waiting there, including your father, they’ll face all of us.
Together.”
He glanced briefly at Saga, acknowledging his vow with a firm
nod. “We’ve got a few days to prepare. That gives me time to
make sure we have enough supplies, weapons, and healing tools
packed. Once we go in, we can’t afford to run short.”
Looking back at Elysia, his voice softened. “We’ll end this.
You’ll come home free.”
---
Cisco leaned back in his chair, thinking through the logistics.
His gaze flicked to Elysium’s sturdy walls, then back to Saga
and the others.
“While you’re all out there risking your necks, someone’s going
to have to watch Elysium,” Cisco said, practical as ever. “The
last thing we need is for trouble to come knocking here while
the whole crew’s away.”
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as a thought struck
him. “I can reach out to Cruz. He’s got Council ties and knows
how to handle himself if anything shady comes knocking. Plus, he
owes me a favor or three.”
He turned his focus back to Saga. “Between Cruz and a couple of
trusted hands, this place will be secure while we’re gone. And
Cruz has direct access to the Council. If anything goes wrong,
he can get messages to us fast.”
Cisco’s expression grew more serious as he continued, “Speaking
of the Council—while you were talking, I remembered Sylasz isn’t
the only one who can help. Cruz has contacts who could get word
to him quickly. If anyone can give us insight into dismantling
that summoning scar before we step into it, it’s Sylasz.”
He reached over and clasped Saga’s hand, holding it tightly.
“We’re going to do this right. No rushing, no surprises. We’ll
gather everyone we need, make a plan, and when we strike…”
A wolfish grin broke through. “We strike hard and don’t stop
until Elysia is free.”
-Fin-
Elysia’s fingers curled slightly where Kit’s touch had lingered,
drawing strength from his silent promise. She met his gaze, her
usual guarded demeanor softened by the fierce loyalty reflected
there.
“Together,” she echoed, her voice steady despite the whirlwind
of emotions beneath. “I’ve carried this weight alone for too
long. It’s time my father sees I’m not the same frightened girl
he left behind.”
Turning to Saga, she gave a slight nod, acknowledging his
steadfast presence. “Your strength was
my anchor, Saga. I am willing to trust you again.”
Saga’s stern expression softened slightly, the corners of his
mouth twitching into a rare, reassuring smile.
He glanced at Kit, then Cisco. “We’ll prepare, we’ll plan, and
when the time comes, we’ll fight as one.”
Ender, who had been quietly observing, finally stepped forward,
his sharp gaze flickering with determination. “While you do that
I can see if I can look for the blue prints and map potential
escape routes and weak points within the compound. We won’t just
rely on brute force—we’ll outthink them too.”
Elysia inhaled deeply, the weight on her chest lightened by the
undeniable camaraderie surrounding her. “And we can finally live
freely after. And I can give back what I taken.” She said softly
her eye on saga.
—fin—
Kit’s jaw tightened slightly as Elysia spoke, her words stirring
a fierce protectiveness in him. He gave her hand a final squeeze
before rising to his feet, his posture straight and resolute.
“Then we’ll be ready,” he said firmly. “We won’t just show him
that you’re not the same girl he left behind—we’ll show him the
strength of everyone standing beside you.”
His gaze shifted to Saga and Ender, his tone calm but
commanding. “Ender, those blueprints aren't going to be easy to
find. If there's a way I can help let me know,”
Turning back to Elysia, his expression softened. “You’ve carried
this burden alone for too long. When the time comes, you’ll walk
out of that place free. I swear it.”
He positioned himself just slightly in front of her, his body
language protective without being overbearing. There was no
mistaking the quiet vow in his stance: *no harm would reach her
while he still drew breath.*
----
Cisco rubbed his stomach absently, watching the exchange with
quiet pride. Though a part of him ached to go with them, he knew
his role now was to keep their home base safe and ensure Elysium
remained a sanctuary while the others were away.
“You’ll have a solid team going in,” Cisco assured, glancing at
Saga, Kit, and Ender. "As for finding any blueprints, or secret
ways of getting I'm sure there are ways of finding them. If
anyone knows how to, it'd be Sylasz. He can get pretty much
anything anyone wants,"
Cisco’s gaze swept over the table, lingering on Elysia. “You
don’t need to worry about what’s happening back here. Focus on
the fight ahead. When you come back, this place will be waiting
for you, whole and safe.”
----
A firm knock at the door cut through the moment. Before anyone
could react, it swung open to reveal Cruz, framed by the fading
light of evening.
The tall, broad-shouldered man was hard to miss—green hair swept
back in a tousled mane, tattoos curling across his arms and neck
like living runes. His sea-glass eyes glimmered faintly, a mark
of his siren heritage, while a sharpness in his expression
hinted at the fae bloodline he rarely spoke about. He gave Cisco
a quick, assessing look, his protective instincts immediately
kicking in.
“Everything good here?” Cruz asked, his voice a deep, steady
rumble. “The wards are holding, but there’s been… movement in
the area.”
Before anyone could answer, another figure stepped forward from
the shadows behind him—a tall, ethereal elf whose very presence
seemed to make the air hum with magic. Sylasz moved with a
predator’s grace, his silver-white hair flowing around angular
features, his pale silver eyes sharp and piercing.
His gaze swept the room, lingering briefly on each person before
settling on Elysia. The weight of his stare was like being
pinned by moonlight—cold, ancient, and utterly focused.
“We need to move quickly,” Sylasz said without preamble, his
tone as cutting as the edge of a blade.
“Especially with Samuel Meadows involved.”
The room stilled at the name.
Kit’s hand instinctively brushed against the hilt of his weapon.
“Then we don’t waste time,” he said grimly. “Tell us what we’re
walking into.”
Sylasz inclined his head ever so slightly. “I will. But first…”
His gaze flickered briefly to Cruz and Cisco, then back to
Elysia. “if you don't mind, miss Elysia, I'll need to check out
what's going on with your tethered mana. I don't have to
physically touch you," he assured her. "Each tether has its
unique markers, and limits. It's likely there's a certain time
of day when it will be more vulnerable as well," the ancient
mage explained.
-Fin-
Elysia’s breath caught for a moment under Sylasz’s piercing
gaze, but she lifted her chin, meeting it with quiet resolve.
“If it will help us be ready… then do it,” she said softly,
though her voice carried an edge of steel. “I’m done letting
anyone else hold the strings to my life. If dad thinks he can
use that tether against me, he’s wrong.”
Saga shot Sylasz a small side-eye, his tone carrying a warning.
“Just don’t tamper with it—given its nature and its connection
to my summoning circle. It has to stay there. I’ve already
called in a few more backups. Corven’s planning to dive in—he
even tried to get Casper involved—but Casper keeps saying he
wants you in exchange for working with the gang.” Saga grumbled
immediately, his dislike for pushy Casper evident.
“Aether, Ling, and that crazy witch said she’d help,” he
continued. “She mentioned dragging along a friend, but she
didn’t sound friendly.” Saga sighed. “Still, we can use their
help.”
Elysia seemed a bit perplexed.
“We’ll see them when we meet up. If we’re moving now, I’ll make
my signal,” said Saga as he moved.
“Wait,” said Elysia before turning to her mechanism. “Cisco, I
know I’ve shown you this before, but if you ever feel it’s an
emergency, pull it. Your safety is the top priority, especially
with the babies.” Her voice softened. “No matter what, don’t
hesitate to pull it. I know Saga will make it back, no matter
how good or bad the situation is. We just can’t risk you ending
up a hostage.”
“I’ll get ready,” said Elysia as she made her way to her
room.>>>
She wasn’t one to step out without pulling herself together. She
slipped into a lacy corset top and tugged on a zip-up hoodie,
letting it settle loosely around her shoulders. Torn jeans
hugged her legs, and she laced up her combat boots with
practiced ease.
Leaning toward the mirror, she traced her lips with bold red
lipstick and smudged her eyeliner into a smoky black haze.
Snatching her pack of smokes on the way out, she was finally
ready to face the fight.
Her feet carried down the steps, as saga had done the same, the
man lookin like the night they met. His outfit looking not of
their century, frilled sleeves, and an air of elegance she
recalled seeing. “Pulling that old thing?” She asked as saga
simply smirked.
“It’s my battle armor.. like you and that old get up.” He said
with a small tease.
—fin—
Once Elysia had returned from changing, Sylasz began his work.
His hands moved with deliberate care, pale light weaving between
his long fingers like spun silver. The runes he cast were
intricate and refined, drifting over her form without ever truly
touching her.
Kit hovered nearby, watching every move Sylasz made.
Sylasz’s piercing gaze snapped toward Saga at hearing his
warning, unimpressed. “I am no novice, demon,” he said, his
voice cool and sharp as glass. “I have been practicing precision
magic for nearly five centuries. I do not make mistakes.”
Kit exhaled slowly, feeling some relief as he watching closely
as Sylasz traced the last of the runes.
Finally, the magic dimmed, leaving only Sylasz’s unreadable
expression. “As I suspected, the siphon is stable but
worsening,” he said softly. “We don’t have much time.”
He straightened, folding his hands behind his back. "There is no
way to sneak into his territory even with blue prints."
Sylasz continued, “We have his blood in her veins. It will allow
us entrance—but only briefly. No matter what magic we use, he
will know the moment we set foot inside his domain. We must move
quickly once we’re in, or risk being trapped there.”
Kit’s mouth set into a hard line. “Then we strike fast, get what
we came for, and get out.”
---
Cruz crossed his arms over his broad chest, his sea-glass eyes
flicking toward Saga and Sylasz before finally settling on
Saga’s list of names. When Ling’s name came up, Cruz’s jaw
tightened for the briefest moment. He schooled his features into
neutrality, but a faint crease formed between his brows.
“Make sure everyone you take has protective wards,” Cruz said,
his voice calm but carrying a subtle edge. “Especially the
younger ones.”
He didn’t elaborate, though his gaze lingered just a beat too
long on Saga, as if silently conveying something unspoken.
Inside, his heart twisted—worry for Ling gnawing at him—but he
kept their relationship carefully hidden. For now, only he and
Ling knew, and that was how they both wanted it.
Sylasz inclined his head. “I will see to it personally. My wards
will hold.”
As Elysia turned to him with the small emergency mechanism,
Cisco felt his chest tighten. Her words about the possibility of
him being kidnapped hit like a stone to the gut. Without
thinking, his hand settled protectively over his rounded belly,
his posture shifting automatically into a shield.
“I understand,” Cisco said softly, his voice steady despite the
flicker of fear in his eyes. “But don’t worry about me. I’ll
stay here and keep Elysium safe—and keep these little ones
safe.”
His gaze moved between Elysia and Saga, lingering on both of
them with fierce affection. “And you two…” He let out a slow
breath. “You fight smart, and you come back.”
Then, with a glance at Kit, Cisco’s voice firmed. “And you,
fox—stick to her like glue.”
Kit’s lips curved in a small, confident smile. “You know I
will,” he said without hesitation, his hand brushing lightly
against Elysia’s. “Nothing will get past me.”
Cisco’s expression softened. “Good. Because I’m counting on you
to bring them home.”
Cruz shifted beside him, resting a grounding hand briefly on
Cisco’s shoulder. “No need to worry,” Cruz added. “I’ll stay
here with him. If anything happens, I’ll call for backup
immediately.”
Cisco nodded, visibly relieved. “Then it’s settled. You go do
what you have to do. And when you come back, there’ll be a safe
home waiting for you.”
-Fin-
#Post#: 1460--------------------------------------------------
Re: Reunited Again
By: Minyaagar Date: February 17, 2026, 10:48 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Elysia met Cisco’s eyes, the weight of his words settling deep
into her chest. She stepped closer, her hand resting briefly
over his atop his rounded belly.
“We’ll come back,” she said firmly, though her voice trembled
with emotion. “I promise you, Cisco. I won’t let anything happen
to us—or to them.” Her gaze moved to Kit, and then to Saga,
determination sparking alongside fear.
Saga exhaled through his nose, crossing his arms. “Promises are
only as good as the plan we make,” he said, his tone gruff but
steady. His eyes flicked to Sylasz. “We move fast, we hit hard,
and we get out before he can cage us. If anyone hesitates, we’re
done.”
He looked back at Cisco, softening—just barely. “Please stay
safe, and try to not worry.” He said before drawing close to
give the man a soft kiss.
Elysia withdrew to give the two some space, her thoughts
churning. She poured herself a small glass of whiskey, letting
the burn ease her frayed nerves as she leaned against the table.
The sharp scent and warmth steadied her enough to think clearly.
If the bond was stabilized, then… why did it feel like they were
preparing for something else? A flicker of unease ran through
her as a sudden, chilling thought struck—another sacrifice. She
kept her mouth shut- last thing she wanted was to bring up the
idea and stress Cisco out.
If they knew saga wasn’t tethered to her anymore- it may be
another attempt to try again. Just some one else’s blood being
spilled.
Right then, a knock sounded. Corven entered with Luna and the
woman who had nearly shot up Elysia’s shop. Elysia’s face
twisted in anger.
“Why is that bitch here?” she demanded, pointing at Smoker.
“Fuck you too,” Smoker spat, folding her arms.
“We needed some help, and I know she’s good. Al is resting right
now,” Luna said with a smug look, while Smoker rolled her eyes.
“Plus, she’s really quick. When I told her about Meadows, she
was on board.”
>>>
Her eyes settled on the collar to sigh.”you did it again? What I
say about using people against their will?” Said Elysia as Luna
flushed.”all I did was make it so she can’t harm anyone! Mean
you heard her swear!”
“Yeah mmhmm..” said Elysia folding her arms.
“Does this mean you’ll take this off?” Asked smoker in a sweet
sticky mocking tone.
“Now? Fuck no.” Elysia said dryly.”shouldn’t have done what ya
did.. and Luna you so much step towards ling I’ll knock your
block off- he’s still scared of your ass.” She said with a
darkened look and smoker glancing over.
“What did you do?”
Luna would stiffen for a moment.”we are moving now right?” She
asked as saga sighed.”yes we are, settle your squabbles for
another time.” He said as people started to organize and get
ready.
-----
Cruz’s jaw clenched the moment Luna entered. He didn’t miss the
way her smug grin lingered or how Smoker practically radiated
hostility beside her. But it wasn’t either of them that made his
pulse spike—it was remembering what Ling had told him. How
Luna’s magic had ripped through Ling’s mind when breaking the
brainwashing spell, efficient but merciless.
He shot her a glare sharp enough to cut. Though he wanted to
growl a warning at her, he held his tongue, knowing Ling
wouldn't want everyone knowing about what he'd gone through. His
hands flexed into fists by his sides before he turned to busy
himself so not to draw too much unwanted attention.
Sylasz moved through the group with silent efficiency, his
silver eyes assessing each person as though seeing the threads
of magic woven through them. “Gather close,” he instructed, his
tone clipped and professional. “I’ll place the wards now—strong
enough to resist most curses, but you’ll still feel the pressure
when we breach his territory.”
Starting with Ling, Sylasz’s expression softened minutely. “Hold
still,” he said. His hands hovered inches from the younger man’s
chest as faint runes spiraled outward, settling against Ling’s
skin like thin silver chains before fading from view.
Next came Kit, who offered a small nod of respect. Sylasz’s
magic shimmered briefly around him, the protective charm
settling like a second heartbeat beneath his skin.
Sylasz stopped next in front of Smoker, shooting her an intense
look,The faint warning there silenced her. He traced a rune in
the air that dissolved into her collar, strengthening it before
weaving a defensive charm that glowed faintly before vanishing.
Saga, Corven, Luna, and the others each received their own
intricate layer of protection. The air hummed with arcane
resonance when he finished, the faint smell of ozone lingering.
“Keep close,” Sylasz warned. “If the wards begin to hum or heat,
it means his magic has found you. Don’t hesitate to retreat
through the portal.”
Kit gave a quiet nod, glancing toward Ling and then to Elysia.
“You can stay near me and Elysia,” he said, his voice steady but
gentle. “We’ll make sure nothing gets near you.”
Kit didn’t need an explanation to understand the protective
look Cruz had given earlier; he knew enough to piece it
together.
Sylasz straightened, the faint glow of magic still flickering
between his fingers. “We move now,” he announced. “I’ll handle
the teleportation—Meadows won’t recognize my magical resonance
like he would yours.”
He turned toward Elysia’s training room, gesturing for them to
follow. Runes lit up across the floor in a circular pattern, the
air shimmering with power. “Once we cross, there’s no turning
back until we’re done.”
With a sharp motion of his hand, the portal flared to life—pale
and silver, its surface rippling like liquid moonlight. One by
one, they stepped through, their figures vanishing into the
luminous haze.
The room fell quiet once the shimmer faded. Cisco stood staring
at the empty air where the portal had been, his hands still
protectively resting on his stomach.
Cruz stepped beside him, laying a large, calloused hand on his
shoulder. “Hey,” he said gently, his voice softer than usual.
“Come on. Let’s not stand around worrying. You said the
storeroom needed an inventory done, right?”
Cisco blinked, then gave a faint, knowing smile. “You’re trying
to distract me.”
“Damn right I am,” Cruz replied, his lips quirking into a small
grin. “Besides, I’m terrible with numbers—might as well get your
help before I mess up the count.”
Cisco laughed quietly, the sound easing the tension in the air.
“Fine. But you’re lifting all the boxes.”
“Deal,” Cruz said, steering him toward the storage room. The
faint laughter that followed was soft, but it lingered—a fragile
thread of normalcy in a world on the brink of another storm.
-fin-
The air was thick with tension as the group prepared. A lone
smoker, shoulders tight and eyes sharp, flicked a lighter and
drew in a drag before Sylasz reached her. He gave a look that
could cut steel; she only smirked, the edge of a snarky retort
curling against her teeth. She had agreed to this mission solely
because it involved a meadow—and because he was notoriously
dangerous.
Luna raised her hand silently. In an instant, Shadow shifted
from his sleek black cat form into a man, his sigh dripping with
irritation. He never truly understood Elysia’s hushed words to
Luna, but Cruz’s stern expression spoke volumes. Without a word,
the man crossed his arms, planting himself protectively between
Cruz and Luna.
The portal shimmered open, and the group began to move. Elysia
felt the smoker brush past her, the faint scent of tobacco
trailing behind. She caught sight of the woman loading her gun
with practiced precision.
“Do your thing—I’ll cover you,” the smoker said, exhaling a lazy
puff of smoke. “Gonna be a pain without Al, though.”
“Who says you’re going alone?” Ling’s voice cut in as he stepped
forward. The smoker’s head tilted, and for an instant, Elysia
thought she saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes.
“Nah—you stay with little miss,” the smoker said, jerking her
thumb toward Elysia. The dark-haired woman glared for a
heartbeat before sighing. “No one’s going alone, Smoker. Ling,
stick with her.”
A groan escaped the smoker as she waved him over. “Fine. Stick
close so I don’t have to face your boyfriend with bad news,” she
muttered as they slipped off together.
Elysia caught the lingering look from the man who didn’t seem to
see her as an enemy like the others did. She straightened, voice
smooth and commanding. “Let’s get this done. If you’re playing
distraction, go with Smoker. The rest of us will take the magic
circle.”
>>>
Saga straightened, his posture sharp with authority.
“Listen carefully,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of
warning. “No one enters that Place unless I call you. The wards
I’ve set are delicate, meant to keep the ritual focused and the
energies from spilling. If anyone else steps inside, even by
accident, it will disrupt the flow and could backfire on all of
us.” His gaze shifted to the fox. “Kit, you follow only when I
give the word. I’m a demon who needs to be contracted to tether
myself here—any disturbance could sever that link. But you, born
of the earth, can cross without unraveling the spell if things
go wrong. If a fight breaks out, I’ll need you to breach the
circle and guard us, no matter the cost.”
—fin—
🌒 Sylasz’s
Sylasz’s silver eyes glimmered faintly in the dim light, the
glow from the open portal reflecting like liquid metal. He
inclined his head slightly toward Saga, his posture poised yet
deliberate.
“Understood,” Sylasz said, his tone calm but edged with quiet
authority. “I’ll hold the containment field steady. The circle
is fragile enough with the tether’s influence still active—any
interference will ripple through every barrier I’ve placed.”
He adjusted his gloves with meticulous precision before raising
a hand, thin threads of light flickering between his fingers.
“If the connection between you and Elysia weakens, I’ll
reinforce it remotely. But if the balance tips toward collapse,
you have less than ten seconds to pull out before the backlash
destroys everything inside.”
His expression hardened as he looked at Saga. “I won’t let the
spell unravel, but I won’t risk everyone else’s lives to
preserve one bond. Keep your focus, demon. If he—” Sylasz’s gaze
flicked toward the unseen threat of Meadows’ domain “—catches
your attention, stall him. Don’t engage him alone.”
With that, he turned toward the outer perimeter of the ritual
space, runes unfurling from his hands in precise patterns. The
energy hummed through the air, bright but controlled—Sylasz’s
magic at its most refined.
---
🐾 Kit
Kit listened quietly to Saga’s orders, every muscle coiled but
still. His golden eyes flickered once, their sharp gleam
betraying both readiness and restraint.
“Got it,” he said simply, but there was a quiet steel in his
voice. “You focus on holding that circle. I’ll keep her safe.”
He moved closer to Elysia, checking the strap of his weapon and
the faint shimmer of the ward Sylasz had placed on him. The hum
of it beneath his skin felt strange but comforting, like the
deep pulse of the earth itself.
His tail flicked once, betraying a hint of nervous energy before
his tone steadied again. “You won’t have to worry about anyone
breaching the circle before you give the word,” he assured Saga.
“But if things start to go bad—if you or Elysia even flinch—I’m
breaking through.”
He glanced at Elysia then, voice softening. “You lead the
charge, I’ve got your back. Always.”
Sylasz glanced over his shoulder, offering a faint, approving
nod. “Good. Stay alert, fox. The moment that barrier hums,
you’ll be the first to move.”
Kit gave a tight smile, settling into his stance beside the
ritual’s edge. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
-Fin-
Saga stood just outside the crumbling threshold, the night air
thick with ash and the faint hum of old magic leaking through
the stone. The burned runes inside the building pulsed faintly
through the cracks in the floor—familiar, dangerous, and far too
still.
He folded his arms, crimson eyes cutting briefly toward Sylasz
as the elf made his last adjustments to the containment wards.
“You know your part,” Saga said, his tone calm but threaded with
warning. “Just… be mindful once we’re inside. The circle’s
old—burned in from the last summoning. It’s tied to me, and to
*her*. If your resonance presses against it the wrong way, it
won’t take much to send the entire field sideways.”
He looked back toward the building, the faint pulse of energy
casting a dull red sheen across his expression. “I’m not
questioning your control. You’ve earned better than that. But
this isn’t about trust—it’s about reflex. I’ve seen what happens
when elfcraft crosses demonic imprinting unguarded. I don’t plan
to relive that.”
For a long moment, he just watched the faint shimmer in the air
ahead—then turned to Kit. The fox’s eyes met his, steady,
unreadable. Saga stepped closer, lowering his voice until it was
only for him.
“If things go wrong in there,” he said, quiet but absolute, “you
get Elysia out. By any means necessary.” His jaw tightened
slightly, the faintest waver of honesty slipping through his
usually controlled tone. “I don’t know if this will break the
tether the way I want it to. If it doesn’t… I won’t risk her to
fix it.”
He lingered just a moment longer, eyes flicking toward the faint
glow within the building—then back to Kit. “Don’t wait for me.
Just move.”
Straightening, Saga drew a slow breath and rolled his shoulders,
the dark energy under his skin responding instinctively. “Once
we cross that line,” he said, voice steadying again, “we’re
committed. No second chances. Ready yourselves.”
~~~~~
The moment they stepped through the warped doors, the air
shifted—thick, stale, and heavy with a scent Elysia couldn’t
quite name. It was something between incense and decay, clinging
to the cracked marble like old perfume. The faint glow of
Sylasz’s runes flickered against the walls as the group moved,
their footsteps echoing through the empty corridors.
Elysia walked at the front, her pace measured but purposeful.
The mansion felt alive with memory—every hallway, every turn she
took came not from sight, but from instinct. Her fingers brushed
along the faded wallpaper, tracing symbols hidden beneath layers
of dust.
“It’s this way,” she murmured, voice low but sure. “The stairs…
they’ll be just beyond the west corridor.”
A sudden sound cut through the silence—a deep, muffled *boom*
followed by shouts and a flicker of red light from somewhere
above.
Smoker. Then Ling’s sharp cry echoed faintly through the halls.
Luna’s laughter—a haunting, lilting sound—followed soon after,
blending with the hum of Aether’s runes as another explosion
rippled through the upper floors.
They moved quickly now, guided by her soft voice and the
flickering light of Sylasz’s containment wards. The mansion
trembled as another burst of power shook the ground, dust
drifting down from the ceiling like slow-falling snow.
As they reached the final stretch of hallway, Elysia slowed. Her
breath caught. The door ahead loomed taller than she
remembered—blackened wood, carved with the same sigils that
haunted her dreams. The brass handle gleamed faintly, polished
as though time itself had refused to touch it.
Her hand lifted, trembling slightly as her mind filled with
fragments—shadows of the past bleeding through the present.
>>>
The same hallway, lit by torches.
A procession of robed figures.
Her father’s voice—low, commanding.
The smell of iron and ash.
A gloved hand pressing her forward.
Then the *basement*.
Dark stone. The circle burning beneath her feet. Faces bowed,
murmuring. The taste of smoke and blood on her tongue.
A sharp memory—white pain—her throat opening under a silver
blade. The world tilting, dimming.
And then—Saga’s arms, the rush of his power closing around her
like a storm.
A hand reached out, steady and grounding. Saga’s hand. The
familiar heat of his presence pulling her back to the now—the
mansion, the silence, the others watching.
His crimson eyes met hers, calm but burning with quiet resolve.
“Elysia.” His voice was low, rough around the edges but steady.
“Ready?”
For a heartbeat, she could still hear the echoes of the past
whispering beneath the floorboards.
But she nodded—once, firmly.
“Let’s finish this.”
In the chamber, the air shimmered with tense energy as Saga and
Elysia stood within the ancient circle. The runes carved into
the stone glowed faintly, pulsing like a living heartbeat.
Saga’s eyes met Elysia’s, steady and sure.
“Quickly now,” he said quietly, his voice grounding her as the
air seemed to hum with gathering power.
He drew a small ceremonial blade from his belt — its edge
gleaming in the rune light — and pressed it lightly against his
palm. A single drop of crimson fell onto the circle below, a
ripple of red light across the floor gleamed.
Elysia tensed but didn’t look away. Saga’s voice softened as he
reached out, his hand resting warmly on her shoulder. “It’s
alright. After this… it’ll be quick- promise.”
>>>
He moved behind her, careful and deliberate, tracing the flat of
the blade near her collarbone — pressing enough to get blood,.
The runes flared brighter as a thread of energy connected them
both, the air thick with power.
The circle responded at once, the symbols pulsing in rhythm with
their breaths. Elysia felt her legs give almost immediately.
But,Saga steadied her, his hand still firm on her shoulder.
“Focus on my voice,” he murmured, his tone low but commanding.
“I’m going to tear it off, ”
She nodded, eyes locked on his. The chamber trembled, the red
glow blooming as it got brighter, the shimmer showing the tether
that bound her mana. Then he began to break it little by little.
In the middle of his work,the doors slammed open. Cael stormed
in, shadowed by three silent minions. “Stop him!” he shouted,
his tone sharp and urgent.
Elysia’s concentration faltered, the circle flickering
dangerously as her focus went to the man.Saga held her steady,
his gaze locked on Cael- him keeping an eye on the group.
Cael’s foot landed on the edge of the circle. The circle seemed
to lash out, him feeling the brunt as he grunted granting him
pause.
“Come any further Cael- you’ll be ripped apart with the rest of
us.” He warned as he continued to snap another string.
“Take out the fools. And the bigger idiot that stepped near the
edge!” He called out to kit.
That’s when he heard Elysia gasp painfully and reach for her
neck. Every break of the tether sent a sharp sting through her,
and her body shuddered under its force.
“It’s almost over.” He said in a warm tone as he reached for the
next one.
—fin—
*****************************************************