The Chronicles of Faylon: Saahira | Chapter 21 (Patreon)

The warm bench against Saahira’s legs and back coaxed small bites of the chill from her veins. Nia joined her, setting her satchel to the side and crossing one long leg over the other. Despite the concern on her face, she offered Saahira a companionable silence while she studied the canopy of leaves above them.

Saahira gathered her hands in her lap and rounded one thumb around the other. “Does a demon speak to you, Nia?” she asked at last. She yearned for another student who could hear them. Cyprus had made it sound as if her ability was seen as “normal”—powerful, even—but he didn’t understand what it was like to suddenly have their voices burning into his mind.

Nia shook her head. “No. I believe Kaylee hears one, though she never admitted it outright.”

“I see.” And Kaylee wants nothing to do with me. Saahira sighed. “I hear a choir of them. They just…talk to me sometimes. Lillith calls them the Six.” She pinned her left thumb down with her right. “When Professor Moborí enchanted me, I heard them outside of my head. Like they were standing right next to me.” She clasped her hands more tightly together. “And then there were so many more. The whole room was filled with their voices.”

“Then…you truly heard beyond the Wall?”

“Mhm.” Saahira chewed the inside of her cheek in thought. What had unsettled her so much about the experience? She knew there were demons who existed just beyond her reach—there were six who spoke with her whenever they pleased. Taking a deep breath, she tried to put it into words. “I… I felt like all of them were watching me. Talking about me in a language I don’t understand. And there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t see them, I couldn’t shut them out, and I couldn’t hide.”

Nia laid a hand on Saahira’s arm. “Saahira, the uncomfortable sensations you describe are quite familiar to me. Dressing in layers of silk and satins each day to appear beside my mother. Surrounded by high merchants, nobles, emissaries, and ambassadors who judged my sisters and me in words I did not know. It feels as if you have no control.”

Saahira nodded. “I think that’s exactly it.”

“It is both frightening and frustrating. I understand. At the very least, there is still the Wall that separates you—they cannot appear on this side without a summoner.” Nia lowered her hand and smiled. “Perhaps this is a blessing of fate that will manifest into something greater later.”

“I can hope.” Saahira laughed dryly. “Thank you, Nia. For listening to me.”

“Of course. You are my friend after all.” Nia’s playful grin curled her lips, and she bumped her shoulder against Saahira’s. “Though it should be mentioned that, typically, friends remind friends when there’s an alchemy exam.”

Saahira blushed. “I’m sorry. I should have told you this morning, and I completely forgot—”

“Nonsense,” Nia interrupted. “I listened to Lemae and foolishly spent my first nights in the sanctum ignoring my work. Do not apologize for my shortcomings.”

The blush deepened. I was doing really well with apologizing, too. “If you want to practice or study together later, we can.”

“Well, I am planning on spending time in the library today, if you care to join me.”

Saahira considered the glintsphere in her pack. The library would be a quiet place to practice. Except…Basile’s there. Admittedly, she’d had trouble enough copying Cyprus’s notes down during her prior trip to the library. Trying to stay entirely calm around the handsome flügel was its own challenge.

“P-Professor Gallowood gave me a glinstphere to practice with in a solitary place,” Saahira stammered quickly. “I thought I’d try again back in our room.”

Nia nodded, though her smile languished with mild disappointment. “Of course. Perhaps tomorrow?”

Saahira nodded. “I would like that.”

They parted ways, and Saahira left the sanctum grounds alone. Odalric had a bit of an afternoon lull, likely due to those awkward few hours between midday meals and dinner. Saahira presumed that it wasn’t much different than The Laughing Bull in that regard. A few students lingered at stalls here and there while shopkeepers swept their front porches and cleaned their windows.

One of the food stands caught her attention, and she paused. Shiny apples, dried fruits, berries, salted strips of meat, small loaves of bread, and cheese blocks were displayed in small wooden crates. She would need to eat something for supper, and the prices were blessedly similar to what she would have paid in Almaryn.

Five Chivarian copper later, she held a small bundle with one loaf of bread, a few pieces of cheese, two strips of dried meat, and an apple. It may not have been a meal for nobility, but the purchase helped her feel closer to home.

The fireplace crackled merrily in the common room of the Idrian Block, greeting Saahira as she entered the dormitory. On the couch sat a lonesome figure with white hair and loose robes, hunched over a thick leather tome.

“Anya?” Saahira moved to the sofa and took a seat beside her. She set her food bundle on the table beside Anya’s books.

Anya yawned and blinked, shifting the book in her lap. Three more books were stacked in a pile on the low table that separated the sofa from the fireplace. “Good afternoon, Saahira.”

“Please tell me you take breaks to eat while you’re studying.”

“On occasion,” Anya said sleepily.

Saahira frowned. “Just how many classes are you behind in?”

Anya sat up straighter and snapped the book closed, shifting her weight against the cushion. “Only one.” Her tone was a little indignant.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Saahira wasn’t certain what “help” would look like, but seeing Anya so constantly exhausted tore at her heart.

Anya hugged the book to her chest and looked inside the fire for a long time. The flames licked at her bright blue eyes. “No,” she said at last. “I must continue this path alone.”

“Must you, though?” Saahira tipped her head to the side. The least I can do is listen. “What are friends for if not to confide in?” Nia and Cyprus had both given Saahira that kindness. The least she could do was pay it forward.

“F…friends,” Anya stammered quietly. She hummed and repositioned the book in her arms. “You truly wish to know?”

“I do.”

Anya nodded slowly, then lowered the book into her lap. “I take it you haven’t heard of my father? Ryūji Iwai?”

“You’ll find there’s a lot I don’t know.” Saahira chuckled dryly.

“That’s alright.” Anya traced the indents in the leather cover with the tip of her pointer finger. “My father is the only person in Tokiatsu with a successfully summoned Bypochtbonia demon. There are only two others besides in Nagatoshi who have done the same.

“With Enki, his demon, at his side, my father’s bond with earth magic is unmatched.” Anya frowned and fingered the top corner of the cover. “They can sense the barest vibrations in the ground and raise great walls as tall as castles in an instant. These two skills alone prevented a civil war between Tokiatsu and Hiroyuki.”

“That’s incredible,” Saahira marveled. But a point from Lillith’s lectures didn’t quite match. “Aren’t Bypochtbonia typically attuned to dark or light affinities?”

“Yes. But there are plenty of examples of…mismatched summoners, I suppose you could call them.” Anya sighed. “I have an affinity to earth, just like my father. However, a demon has never spoken to me. Worse still…” She hesitated and drummed her fingers along the cover. Then she nodded resolutely. “I’ve held the summoning ritual twice. No one answered.”

Is it so important to follow in his footsteps? Saahira wanted to ask, but the pain on Anya’s face said that it was very important. “Did Lillith have any suggestions?”

“Yes, she did. Lillith says that I am…afraid. She says that a demon won’t answer to a summoner with too much fear in their heart.” Anya furrowed her brow and struck the book with the palm of her hand. “Which is completely contradictory to the nature of Bypochtbonia! They feed on fear, for goodness’ sake.”

Saahira hummed in thought. “Why would they avoid it, then?”

“Because ‘a fearful sorcerer is more likely to get their demon killed,’” Anya said, pitching her voice lower to try to match Lillith’s. “B-but, just because the summoning itself makes me nervous doesn’t mean I’d be a bad summoner!”

Saahira nodded. “Bypochtbonia start their bonds with children, right?” Saahira asked, recalling that morning’s class.

“Yes, of course. I know they do. Enki spoke to my father when he was a boy. But that doesn’t mean they won’t accept an adult. Only that it’s more difficult.” Anya rubbed her hands over her face. “Father believes it’s because I’m a woman,” she groaned.

“Does Lillith agree with that?”

“No, but that doesn’t stop my father’s letters, nor his threats to pull me from the sanctum if I can’t summon a demon this year.” Anya lowered her hands and sniffed. Words tumbled from her lips like an undammed river. “I believe I’ve read every book on demonology the library has to offer. Mr. Hirokazu even lent me a book from his personal collection.” She energetically gestured to the stack on the table and the book in her lap. “But everything I’ve read says that both rituals were performed correctly. The books all end with the same cautionary tale. If a demon doesn’t choose me, then I should find another calling. Winds! This is my calling! It must be! I am my father’s daughter!”

An angry tear escaped the corner of Anya’s eye, and she wiped it away on the sleeve of her forearm. She looked at the fireplace, her lower lip trembling as more tears threatened her eyes.

Why won’t they answer her? Saahira thought, expecting the choir’s usual silence when she asked for help.

-She yearns for the one she cannot have,- they said, much to her surprise.

So she could summon a different class?

This time, they didn’t reply. Saahira exhaled through her nose and considered their words.

“Does it have to be a Bypochtbonia?” Saahira asked softly.

Anya breathed a wry chuckle, attention still on the dancing flames. “I think Father would be satisfied if I summoned a fruit fly at this juncture.”

Saahira reached for the cloth bundle on the table and undid the tidy bow. “Does summoning have intent and purpose like the other disciplines?”

“In their own way, they do,” Anya replied. Her voice broke on the words, and she brushed away another tear.

“Could it be that maybe you’re focusing too much on summoning a Bypochtbonia? Thinking about it, since the only way to get rid of a summon is to kill it, the others may be worried that you’ll kill them outright.”

“Mm,” Anya hummed. “Lillith said that, too.” She worked her jaw and set her book on top of the stack.

My advice isn’t helping. Saahira broke off a section of her bread loaf, tore one of the slices of meat in half, and picked up a piece of cheese, then held it out for Anya. She smiled when Anya finally met her gaze. “Well, it’s nice to know at least that I’m not the only one who lets their emotions get the best of them during a spell.”

Anya accepted the food and nibbled on one corner of the bread. “What do you mean?”

“I grew frustrated trying to channel my energy, and my glintsphere exploded in Professor Gallowood’s class.”

“What? Winds! I didn’t know they could explode!” Anya’s eyes widened, and she gaped, but she quickly recovered and returned to eating her snack with a neutral expression. “I-I mean, of course it could. Anything fed too much energy will shatter. It’s only logical.”

Saahira didn’t have to know Ryūji Iwai personally to see the clear influence he had on his daughter. Still, catching the bright hints of Anya’s true feelings felt like glimpses of sunshine between rainclouds.

Moving the cloth to her lap, Saahira joined Anya in eating what was left of her meal. Anya’s pained expression softened, and the tension slowly left her shoulders.

“This is delicious,” Anya murmured. She took another bite of dried meat, then finished her cheese.

“It tastes like home.” Saahira finished her portion and folded the cloth. It was too nice to just throw away, so she stored it in her satchel. “If there’s anything else I can do to help, Anya, you can say so. I, er, know I’m still very new to this, but I want you to succeed.”

Anya lowered her eyes and nodded.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to practice not making my glintsphere explode.”

A rare smile twitched at Anya’s thin lips. “I wish you luck.”

“Thanks.” Saahira stood and gestured to the books on the table. “Make sure to eat and get sleep. You don’t want to suffer in your other classes.”

Anya nodded. “You’re right.” She stretched and yawned. “I think I’ll turn in early.”

“That’s a good idea. Eat a big breakfast when you wake up.” Saahira smoothed her dress with her hands and strode toward the staircase.

“Saahira,” Anya called behind her.

“Hm?”

“You look lovely today,” Anya replied.

Saahira smiled despite the embarrassment flaring in her cheeks. “Thank you, Anya.”

Thanks to higher spirits, the empty room didn’t seem as daunting when Saahira arrived. Since she didn’t plan on leaving the dormitory for the rest of the night, she changed into her white nightgown and washed the makeup from her face. When she pulled her braid over her shoulder, she couldn’t bring herself to undo it. Even after wearing it all day, every strand of hair had stayed perfectly in place. So she left it and crawled on top of her bed, taking the glintsphere from her satchel.

Alright. Relax.

Saahira sat cross-legged on the soft blankets, cupping the glintsphere in both hands. She closed her eyes and began the search for her energy once more, opening her senses to any odd pushes or tugs as she consciously felt each one of her toes, her fingers, her limbs. She recalled the tingling sensation from outside of the demonology shop, and the warmth she’d felt in Professor Gallowood’s class, hoping that it would inspire her energy to react.

But nothing responded. She opened her eyes just a slit. The glintsphere was still clear and devoid of light. She took a deep breath and let her back rest against the wall. The stone was cool against her bare skin, and one of the straps of her nightgown slid down her shoulder. Closing her eyes, she tried again.

The practice continued until the sun left her windowsill and night claimed the sky. When frustration bubbled in her stomach, she would take out her notes or a book and read until it settled. Then she’d try again. But the glintsphere didn’t give her a single flicker of light.

Anger heated her veins. It was time for another break. Flustered, Saahira fell onto her pillow and lifted her arms in the air, rotating the glass orb in her fingers. Somehow, the glass remained free from her fingerprints, still as crystalline as the moment she’d removed it from its box. Reflections of the stars blinked against the surface, capturing the entire night sky.

The glintsphere held the starlight so easily. Why wouldn’t it hold her energy?

Saahira groaned and lowered her arms, letting the sphere rest beside her. Exhaustion seeped into her limbs as she stared up at the ceiling. She just needed a few moments of rest, then she could try again. It didn’t matter how late she stayed up; this was the basis for all of her magic. She had to make it work.

Saahira closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

And then she fell asleep.

---

Hands cradled her face and wrapped around her lower back. Lips nuzzled her throat. Wings brushed against her waist. Hot breath whispered into her ears.

-Saahira.-

Her skin seared against the cool night. A thin sheen of sweat covered her chest and back. Her heartbeat hammered in her chest as fingertips mapped her collarbones.

-We’ve never been so close…-

Saahira opened her eyes, and the visions consumed her. Her nightgown torn away from her skin. All manner of tongues, tendrils, wings, and hands touching, exploring, groping, caressing. Her breath hitched in her throat.

She’d had countless nights waking up like this in Almaryn. But this…this was so much more intense.

Y…You already chose me… Saahira searched for something beyond the visions. Anything. The ceiling, darkness, clarity. But they continued.

-Your lust is not our doing,- the choir mused.

I… She quivered and writhed, squeezing her thighs together and willing the tension to leave her.

-You force us to wait,- the choir murmured. -Yet your hunger consumes you.-

The echoes of fingertips moved from her waist to her hips, pinning them against the blanket. A quiet gasp escaped her throat. Nia snored lightly in the bed beside her. Saahira covered her mouth with her hand.

H-how can you touch me? She asked, though she already had a guess.

-The black moon.- The visions evaporated, revealing a hoard of shadows shifting and bowing around her bed in the starlight.

Watching. Waiting.

-What do you desire, Saahira?- Their carnal voices pierced her head and chest. Summoned forth needs she tried to hide from the sunlight.

Release.

-Then allow us to partake.-

But… Nia… Saahira was paralyzed between cravings and fear. Invisible fingers traced around her hips, then urged her thighs apart. Ten heartbeats raced by, and a cold bead of sweat rolled down her spine.

-We cannot pleasure you still,- the choir murmured. -You know what you must do.-

Saahira inched her trembling hand away from her mouth and trailed her fingers over the soft white fabric against her stomach. She closed her eyes and bit her lip when she reached the hem of her underwear. Sliding her hand beneath the thin fabric, she parted the soft folds of her sex and pressed her middle finger against the slick, vulnerable skin beneath.

A shuddering sigh escaped her lips, and she felt the choir breathe it in.

More fingers stroked her hair. Wings brushed against her face.

She drew small, rhythmic circles with her middle finger. A soft whimper hummed against her tongue.

-Call on your energy, Saahira.-

The pleasure building between her legs summoned the same tingling sensation she’d tried to force for hours. Saahira didn’t think; she simply commanded that feeling to respond. Warmth flooded her veins and brought a feverish heat to her already searing body.

And it made her so much more sensitive.

Saahira parted her lips to moan, but forced it back. Her hips rolled against her hand, and she reduced the sound to a strained breath.

-Will that power outward.-

She did. The tingling left her fingers like an exhale, still leaving an enormous excess behind. A sudden glow at her side made her open her eyes. The forgotten glintsphere was warm and bright in her palm, the light even and tame as it should be. Above her, a dozen tiny orbs glittered in the ceiling like stars.

-Delicious…-

Nia shifted in her blankets, and Saahira froze. Her body throbbed with neglect, and her pulse hammered in her ears. Nia murmured something unintelligible, rolled toward the wall, then went back to sleep.

 Shivering, Saahira dropped the sphere on her blanket and pushed herself up to sitting. She was drunk with need, desperate to find release. After tearing her underwear away, she leaned her back against the wall and spread her legs. Then she plunged three fingers inside her heat.

-You wonder why we chose you,- the choir said softly.

Shadows converged around her, more distinct beneath her newly created sky. Invisible hands rested on her knees and head. Tendrils caressed her face and breasts. And still they watched.

She loved that they watched.

Saahira’s eyes rolled back as she stretched herself wider, willing more of her energy to flow through her, amplifying the sensation.

-How can you not see?-

Saahira added her left hand to her machinations, massaging her clit while her right hand kneaded her depths. It was so hard not to moan or gasp. Her lips parted again and again, threatening to betray her.

The fever peaked. Sweat blanketed her skin. Her toes curled, and every nerve in her body burned with yearning.

I’m so close…

-Give in.-

The first pulses of her climax throbbed around her fingers, and her head lolled back.

-Release your energy.-

Saahira willed all of her collected energy outward. The lights above and the glintsphere near her foot flickered. The shadows swelled. Then darkness blanketed the room as ecstasy crashed over her.

She bit down hard on her tongue, cutting off staccato whimpers before they could become moans. The strong convulsions wrapped her hand and commanded her breaths.

All while the choir watched.

-Saahira.-

The throbbing slowed, and her body relaxed. She gently withdrew her fingers and pushed her knees together, resting her forehead against them. Satisfaction gradually yielded to clearer thoughts. She steadied her breath.

Why did you choose me?

For a time, there was only the sound of her and Nia’s breathing.

Then they answered.

-You embody all that we desire.-