As Calguas observed Vilyn's willingness to help Ixartxist find Tassa, a sense of worry crept over him. He realized that hiding Tassa would be futile if Vilyn assisted Ixartxist in locating her. Anxious thoughts clouded his mind, causing him to appear visibly concerned in front of the two of them. Fortunately, Ixartxist remained oblivious to Calguas's unease, as his cold gaze remained fixed on Vilyn after she expressed her intention to aid him. Ixartxist questioned her motives and inquired about what she desired in return, his tone calm yet frigid, never breaking eye contact.
Rising from her seat, Vilyn stretched her arms before embracing Ixartxist, whispering into his ear with a plea. "Before I find her, let me stay with you, just for one night. One night, Ixartxist, that's all I ask. No sex, just..." Her words trailed off as Ixartxist gently removed her hands from him, expressing his inability to fulfill her request. "You know I can't do that now. Forgive me, Vilyn, but what happened before was a grave mistake that I committed. I am deeply sorry," Ixartxist confessed.
Vilyn released her grip on him, turning her back to Ixartxist. Slowly, she walked away, removing the gloves from her right hand. Gazing at the tattoo adorning her hand, she softly touched it, lost in a moment of reminiscence shared only between herself and Ixartxist. Ixartxist noticed her attention drawn to her right hand and attempted to persuade her to move on and let go of the past. However, Vilyn sweetly smiled at him upon facing him, slipping her gloves back onto her right hand as she replied, "I know, but I will still do it."
Ixartxist was taken aback by her agreement to help him find Tassa, prompting him to question her motives. Vilyn slowly distanced herself from him once again, her gaze fixed on the dark sky outside the window, her thoughts solemnly reflecting on something significant. She observed the city's illuminated skyline, realizing that it possessed its own captivating light, surpassing the need for the moon and stars that once guided people in the past. Vilyn compared herself to the moon that once illuminated Ixartxist's life, acknowledging that Tassa now had the power to make his world glow in the darkness without her assistance. She found solace in his happiness and gracefully accepted this truth.
Turning her gaze back to Ixartxist, she smiled and replied, "If she can make you happy, then okay. I'm fine with that." Ixartxist noticed that Vilyn continued to touch her right hand, where her tattoo resided, but he averted his eyes, offering a kind smile as he expressed gratitude for her understanding. Vilyn blushed and looked away, feeling a surge of anger as she scolded him for looking at her inappropriately, reminding him that such behavior was unethical. In that moment, Ixartxist yearned for the times they spent together and remembered that, despite her thousand-year slumber, her inner child remained, forever a part of her. Despite the occasional annoyance it caused him, he cherished and missed that aspect of her.
Vilyn, feeling increasingly uncomfortable in Ixartxist's presence, averted her gaze and accidentally locked eyes with Calguas, who sat on her left side. Seeking solace, she clung to Calguas's arm and declared, "From now on, you're my new boyfriend, Cal-gu-as."
Ixartxist rolled his eyes, pouring himself a glass of wine and settling onto his bed. "Calguas is on a different level. He is even harder to win over than I am," he remarked dismissively. Ignoring Ixartxist's words, Vilyn embraced Calguas, her smile sweet and genuine.
"At least he offers a new and different flavor. What does it feel like to be loved by you?" she whispered, her voice filled with curiosity and longing.
Ixartxist rolled his eyes once more, urging Vilyn to release her grip on Calguas. However, Vilyn paid him no mind, hugging Calguas even tighter. Their bodies pressed close together, and Calguas felt the warmth of her chest against him. Sensing his discomfort, Calguas gently removed Vilyn's hands from his body, slowly rising to his feet.
"Please excuse me, Ixartxist and Vilyn. There is something I must attend to," Calguas declared, his voice calm but determined. Ixartxist offered his assistance once they found Tassa, but Calguas declined, keeping his plans hidden. He intended to check on Tassa and keep her hidden from Ixartxist, relying on Vilyn's help to locate her. Unbeknownst to him, Tassa was already in the clutches of the military as they spoke.
Calmly, Calguas looked at Vilyn, placing a hand on her shoulder as he made a simple request. Vilyn readily agreed, her willingness to comply evident. Seizing the opportunity, Calguas asked her not to perform any spells without him. Ixartxist grew suspicious of this request, prompting him to question Calguas's motives. Unfazed, Calguas calmly replied, "I wanted to witness her abilities firsthand. She is a half-demon, and I am curious to see her in action. If it's alright with you, Ixartxist?" Vilyn blushed, her eyes sparkling as she took hold of Calguas's hands.
"Of course, it's alright. I wouldn't do it without you watching, my love," Vilyn responded, her voice filled with adoration.
Ixartxist attempted to interject, but Vilyn cut him off, asserting, "Not now, Ixartxist. We have chosen different paths. You with Tassa, and me with my Calguas. I will help you find her, so do not worry. But will you please help me capture the heart of your friend?"
"He will never fall for you," Ixartxist retorted.
"But he might," Vilyn countered.
"He will not, not ever."
Calguas despised conflict more than anything, detesting the sight of others fighting over trivial matters. He intervened, holding Vilyn closer to him and expressing gratitude for her agreement.
Vilyn's face flushed with excitement as she exclaimed, "Of course, Calguas! I will do anything you ask of me. I will do everything for you."
Calguas smiled at her, bidding them farewell before leaving the room. Vilyn lay on Calguas's bed, holding his pillow close and letting out a scream of joy. The memory of Calguas's smile and the warmth of his embrace filled her with happiness. However, Ixartxist grew irritated by her squeals, berating her and demanding that she quiet down. Paying no heed to his frustration, Vilyn smiled mischievously at him, rising from the bed and settling onto his lap. She enveloped Ixartxist in a tight embrace, softly caressing his arms.
"Are you jealous, Ixart-xist?" she playfully inquired.
Ixartxist gently grasped the hand that caressed his face, pressing a tender kiss upon it. He knew he couldn't resist Vilyn's allure whenever she was near. Removing her gloves, he tenderly touched her tattoo. Vilyn returned his gesture with a kiss, but Ixartxist stood abruptly, informing her that they couldn't continue down that path. Leaning against the window, he gazed out into the night, a sense of melancholy enveloping him.
Vilyn sensed the somber atmosphere and embraced Ixartxist from behind, questioning why they couldn't pursue their desires. Ixartxist turned to face her, his touch gentle as he caressed her face. "Because, my dear, they will kill you," he replied, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and resignation.
Calguas hurriedly made his way back to his mansion, a sense of unease gnawing at him. As he set foot inside, an eerie feeling washed over him, as if someone had intruded upon his sanctum. Despite the immaculate order of the mansion, he couldn't shake off the unsettling sensation. He called out for Yellaine, his loyal servant, but there was no response. It dawned on him that something had indeed occurred within his mansion during his absence. His thoughts immediately turned to Tassa, and he rushed to her room. To his dismay, she was nowhere to be found. Determined, he scoured the entire mansion, but it remained empty, devoid of any trace of Tassa or Yellaine. Worry consumed him as he wondered about Tassa's well-being. He contemplated using his magic to search for her, but the concealing spell he had placed on her prevented him from doing so, as it would endanger her life.
In the midst of his concern, Calguas's suspicions turned towards Yellaine, considering her sudden disappearance alongside Tassa. He swiftly sought out Yellaine's whereabouts, utilizing his teleportation abilities to appear before her. Yellaine, engrossed in washing dishes, was taken aback by the sudden presence of a tall figure standing behind her. Standing at six feet tall, he possessed a striking appearance with his unique yellow hair and an aura akin to that of an angel. Clad in a refined suit, he exuded a sense of calmness as he regarded Yellaine. Trembling with fear, Yellaine mustered the courage to inquire about his identity and how he had managed to enter her home unnoticed. Although fear coursed through her, there was also a strange familiarity in his presence.
Drawing nearer, Calguas reassured her, "I mean you no harm, Yellaine. Just tell me, where is Tassa? Where can I find her?" His voice remained calm and composed.
Yellaine, her voice filled with a mix of despise and resentment, responded, "Are you... Are you like me? Do you also feel a strong sense of loathing towards that wicked girl? She deserves to suffer and be burned alive. They should crucify that devilish girl!"
Calguas was appalled by Yellaine's words, prompting him to press further, "Where is she?"
"Where do you think?" Yellaine retorted.
"The military? Don't tell me you... You reported her to the military and the police?" Calguas calmly inquired.
"Only the military, and yes, I did. But she deserves it. She killed my husband and many other soldiers. What about their families? What about their loved ones who wait for them to come home?" Yellaine's voice carried a mix of anger and grief, yet a tear escaped her eye, and she wept before Calguas.
"But I can't bear to see her suffer as I have. The military has captured her, and they are likely torturing her as we speak. I can't blame her for killing those military personnel. I know someone who accidentally killed his own family and was sentenced to a dreadful death. The fact that she was with him during the times when he needed me the most... But I abandoned him and forgot about him. And now, the military relentlessly pursues him, wanting him dead. Yet, he only did it to save me. And he succeeded, at an awful cost. So please, save her, for she is incredibly important to him," Yellaine pleaded through her tears.