“I fought back,” Josselyn grumbled, dropping down to the ground beside Kella and leaning into her side. “But I lost.”
Kella's chest rumbled with a low growl. “So you lost. So what? No one ever said you had to be undefeated. You have the heart of a warrior, and I am honored to be a part of you.”
“Thank you.”
The words were whisper soft, but Kella's responding purr confirmed they'd been heard. “We are tied together, Shendri, bound by ancient magics. Our very existences are dependent upon each other. The more we connect and train, the further we'll be able to push our limits. I'm not sure what those limits are at the moment, but I'm eager to find out.”
“As am I.” Josselyn grinned into Kella's fur, giving it a loving stroke. “Will I still be able to hear you, once I'm out of this dream world, or wherever it is I am? To be honest, I'm not entirely sure...”
“You should be able to, and I you. Call for me when you have need. I'm always ready for a good fight.” Her eyes glinted, and Josselyn chuckled.
“Just so long as you leave the prince for me.”
“Hmm. I'll try to hold back, but no promises.”
“So... how do I get back, anyway?”
“ ….”
“You have no idea, do you?”
“Not so much, no.”
“I would think a celestial beast like yourself would have a bit more knowledge about these things.”
“Hmph. The dragon was always the tediously 'wise' one. I'm more interested in the physical, myself.”
Josselyn's jaw dropped open, and she sat back, looking at Kella with round eyes. “There's a dragon?! Are you serious?”
“I wouldn't get too excited. If he's been dormant as long as I have, he's probably been reduced to lizard status. Which would suit me just fine. Pompous piece of work, that Artemis.”
“You mean the celestial beasts can change over time?”
“Well, not if they're as strong as me, but, in general, yes. Take your friend Lily, for example. Her beast used to be the great, red phoenix, Suzaku, and now look at her. No bigger than a robin.”
“So there was you, Suzaku, and Artemis. What was the fourth beast?”
“The wolf, Kitsune. Now, she was magnificent. Almost as fine a hunter as myself, though she allowed her warrior to ride her into battle. I found that rather demeaning, but you know how it is with dogs. Always so eager to please.”
Josselyn laughed. “You mean you're not going to let me ride you?”
Kella let out an indignant huff. “Certainly not.”
Chuckling to herself, Josselyn felt her eyes begin to grow heavy. She leaned into Kella's side, yawning loudly. “So... sleepy...” she murmured, darkness closing in as her eyelids became too heavy to keep open.
“Maybe I'll just take a little nap.”
“Another nap? Goodness, child, you've been lying there asleep for the past two hours. If you're that tired, you might as well just retire for the night.”
Josselyn sat up with a jerk, her eyes flying open.
“Luxeos?”
“Of course, dear. Who did you expect?”
She looked around, finding herself back in the clearing by Luxeos' cottage, the moon and stars already lighting up the evening sky. She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her head of the thick grogginess that clung to it. Standing up slowly, she stretched her sore muscles.
“What was in that drink you gave me? That was crazy.”
“ Grated ginger root, a pinch of turmeric, dandelion greens, and a dash of magic.” Luxeos smiled, handing Josselyn another glass. “And this, my dear, is plain, old water. Drink up, you'll need to be well hydrated for tomorrow.”
Josselyn sipped the cool water, giving Luxeos a suspicious look over the rim of the glass. “Why? What's happening tomorrow?”
“Your reunion, of course,” Luxeos replied, leading the way back into the cottage. Josselyn followed her, waiting for the goddess to explain herself, but instead, the woman knelt down in front of an old chest and began pulling things out, muttering to herself as she worked. With a sigh, Josselyn dropped into a chair, tucking her legs underneath herself as she watched.
“May I ask whom I'll be reuniting with? Or is it a secret?”
Luxeos made a humming noise, placing a wrapped bundle to the side before continuing to dig around in the chest. “No secret, dear,” she replied without looking up. “I've been getting flashes of a little birdie flying our way all evening. She seems to be making her way down the Eastern Road, though not as quickly as the men who stole you away. I suspect she'll arrive at the barricade I made a few hours past sunrise. Which means you'll need to get some rest now if you're to meet her in time.”
“A bird? What in the world are you... wait, are you talking about Lily? Lily is on her way here?” Josselyn gaped at the woman in front of her as realization dawned. “You can sense her beast, can't you? Like you sensed Kella before.”
“I am connected to all of the celestial beasts, that is correct. I am, after all, their creator. Unfortunately, my powers have weakened greatly over time, given the damage to my robes, and I can only sense the beasts when they are called upon nearby. Power releases from your marks like a signal. Lily's mark has been pulsing on and off ever since you disappeared from Tallis. I imagine she's using Suzaku to search for you, although only in small increments. She has yet to tap into her beast's full power.”
Luxeos let out a triumphant cry as she pulled a sword out of the chest, the light from the fire reflecting off the gleaming blade, giving it a mysteriously dangerous appearance. She pressed the tip of her finger against it, grinning as a drop of blood appeared. “Still as sharp as the day it was forged. Reaper, the sword made especially for Fiona, Kella's original counterpart and your ancestor.” Luxeos placed the sword on top of the bundle she had set aside and turned to face Josselyn.
“I want you to have these, Fiona's sword and armor. May they protect you in battle as they did her, over two hundred years ago.”
Josselyn slid off her chair, eyes wide. She reached a tentative hand out
