AETHER BEASTS

Chapter 184

[Just want to let everyone know that soon there will be auxiliary chapters explaining the magic system by the end of this arc before the great scar arc, but not spoiling anything, and I will be updating them as the novel progresses.]

Your eyes are crimson oceans that draw me in, and…"

Misty sighed as Rall once again complimented her, and reached for her hand. She pulled it away and shook her head.

During their walk back to Shana's living space, they had been spotted by a satyr, a beast that looked like a very handsome man, but with a pair of goat-like legs and horns. His eyes had immediately been drawn to her figure and the dress she was in.

He had followed them back and had begun to try and seduce her, even outside the building as she had been getting changed.

She was currently dressed in a similar set of clothes to Shana. A short miniskirt made up of intricate vines, though she wore underwear beneath and a white blouse embroidered with green flowers and a few jewels which might have cost a lot in the plains, but apparently not so much in the lands beyond the scar.

Shana's collection of clothes was great, and Misty had to admit she was somewhat jealous of the girl, especially when Shana had said this was just a portion of what she had since she had left everything else back home. Misty imagined that was going to very much like the lands beyond the scar.

"Your skin glows like angelic light," Rall said, and Misty once again asked herself why she hadn't hit him already.

For any other person she might have just threatened them and then attacked if they didn't get the memo, but Rall was amusing and despite his words, he didn't push it, and when she had raised an eyebrow as his gaze over her body he had kept his eyes on her face, noting how it was just as beautiful. If Aiden were here then he wouldn't have been as friendly, at least not at first. Shana had kindly explained that satyrs were like male dryads, and not to be too harsh on him.

Misty didn't particularly care as long as he didn't push it, and if he did, then she would deal with it herself. Words were words and he wasn't overly crude or lewd, just very poetic and flowery.

"Rall, I have a lover," Misty said for what was probably the fourth time.

"Ah, but he isn't me," Rall replied, and Misty rolled her eyes.

"No, he's better," Misty said.

Rall adopted a look of hurt. "You wound me, pale princess. Do my words not please thee?"

"I don't understand half of them," Misty replied. "And I appreciate the compliment, but I'm just not into you."

"Never say never," Rall said.

"Never," Misty replied flatly. "You should be careful and not push, especially not around Aiden. He's not the jealous type, not like Julian, but if you start hitting on me in front of him, then what happens isn't going to be pleasant for you. The only reason I haven't hit you is that you're more annoying than anything, and aren't pushing your luck, not to mention apparently it's in your nature."

Rall flexed his muscle. "I can handle myself."

'Not against Aiden,' Misty thought.

As a beast, Rall didn't function like humans. He didn't absorb essence from cores. Instead, he had been born with a core that had naturally developed into a crystal core as all beasts had. Aether beasts had at least one core, their first, at the crystal density. Of course, this was the reason why they couldn't increase its strength. It's not possible to absorb essence into their crystal core so they form more cores which all start with smoke and they increase the density of those, usually over far longer periods, at least for the less intelligent beasts.

Rall's core held dual affinities of earth and nature, and he increased in strength through aether infusion and forming more cores of his affinities.

Rall had three cores, his primary at crystal, and another at iron while the last was at the hydro stage. He was average from what Shana said, and well, Misty knew he would not stand a chance against Aiden.

"Listen, Rall," Misty said with a sigh. "I've given you a warning. Whether or not you choose to heed it is your choice, but when you lay in the dirt, half-dead don't come crying to me and don't expect help from Aeverie. Aiden is bonded to Zirani, you know, the daughter of the queen?"

Rall seemed to take that more seriously and bowed. "I shall heed thy warning, but thy beauty, it is something I would fight for, and your lover is from the plains, he cannot be that strong."

Misty sighed and raised her hands. "I warned you."

Shana bustled out of the space and frowned when she spotted Rall. "You're still here?"

"I am wherever beauty is," Rall replied, and offered a hand to Shana who only stared down at it.

As Shana replied, Misty suddenly felt her instinct alert her to something, and she turned and took notice of a woman that was watching her from a nearby area.

Misty immediately knew it was a vampire, and her inner beast stirred slightly as Misty met the ebony-skinned woman's eyes. Her hair was a mess of brown curls, and her amber eyes were slight slitted, and glowing faintly.

She was dressed in black leather armor underneath red robes, and stirps of red blew in a faint breeze like ribbons.

Misty didn't feel any violent intent from the women. In fact, it felt more like the woman wanted to speak to her. Misty also sensed that the woman was near the same level of power as her at the third level with two cores. Misty couldn't tell their density, but from what her instincts were telling her and what she could sense, it wasn't too high.

"Who is that?" Misty asked, interrupting Shana and Rall.

"That's one of the red ribbons," Shana said, a tinge of fear in her voice.

"A deadly beauty," Rall said. "One I would not test my luck or charm upon again."

"I think I'm going to go over and talk to her," Misty said.

"No," Shana hissed in a whisper. "She's dangerous."

"As am I," Misty replied. "Do you forget I'm also a vampire?"

"You are," Shana said. "But not like her. She attacked Venn, and tried to burn him."

"She threatened to tear my heart out," Rall said and that time there was no sweetness in his tone. "That one is more thorn than rose. You'd be best staying away from her."

"I'm not going over to start a fight," Misty explained. "Just to talk, and if she tries to attack me, then I have you two and I can call for backup, if I can't handle her myself that is."

Both seemed hesitant, but they nodded and promised to watch from afar so Misty took a deep breath and walked over.

The woman smiled as Misty approached, a friendly smile.

"I didn't think the plains had our kind," The woman said in a cheerful and lively tone, holding out a hand. "I'm Vita."

Misty shook it and noted the woman's strong grip. "Misty. You seemed like you wanted to talk to me?"

Vita nodded. "I did. I noticed you with the green bunch. Are you there to trade?'

Misty shook her head. "I'm actually going to be traveling with them. I'm not sure if you've heard, but their princess, Zirani, is alive."

Vita raised an eyebrow. "As in Zirani Atmore?"

Misty nodded, slightly unsure.

Vita took that in for a long moment and there was clear surprise in her eyes. A thoughtful look appeared on her face before she turned her attention back to Misty. "And you are her…?"

"Student and friend," Misty replied. "She trained and took care of me after I changed."

"Interesting," Vita mused. "You do seem very strong for someone of the plains. Who turned you?'

Misty didn't answer and just stared at the vampire. Everything she had said so far was knowledge that the woman would have found out eventually, but Misty wasn't going to so easily hand over information she thought might be even slightly important. Her father had tutored her well in trade and negotiating, and while this wasn't that, some of what she had learned did apply to the situation, and Zirani had told her to take care with what she said.

Vita waited, but when it began clear Misty wasn't going to answer, she shrugged. "Ok, you can keep that to yourself, was just curious. How about your age?"

"I'll answer that if you answer a question of mine," Misty said.

"Deal," Vita agreed. "What's the question?"

"Why did you come with the expedition?" Misty asked.

"I am a bodyguard for an alchemist, along with my two sisters." Vita shook her head. "It's boring work, but pays wells."

"That's it?"

Vita nodded. "All I know."

"Well, I'm eighteen," Misty said.

That got a look of shock from Vita, though she quickly hid it. "Young, very young. Say, Misty, how would you like to join the red ribbons?"