Sona and Ayame were in the changing room drying off after their long bath. An awkward silence hung in the air after their bonding outside. Sona was certain something was different about Ayame. 'Perhaps demi humans mature at an earlier age.' Sona pondered in silence as he threw his uniform on for the time being. He had forgotten to grab their change of clothes before coming here. "Alright, Ayame. You about ready to head to our room?" Sona called around the lockers after her.
"Uh-huh. I'm almost finished, Master. Aaaannndddd, done," She said happily as she walked around into view again. Her hair was a mess and her tail was fluffed up from the bath.
"Hahaha. I hope Deltune has a brush in her room. We are definitely going to need it," Sona said as in burst into laughter.
"Master," She pouted and walked past Sona. 'He is a weird one, but...' She smiled at her thoughts and stopped by the door out of the changing room. "Are you coming, Master?" She turned around with a sweet smile on her face. She held her hand towards him, her tail wagging happily back and forth.
"Yes, ma'am," He rose to his feet and reached his hand out. Ayame snatched his hand up in hers and giggled softly. "Let's go get ready. Saphira should be waiting for us."
They left the changing room and headed to the second floor. They passed Jaesu on the way. He was headed to the kitchen since it was his week to cook. They walked into their room and saw Deltune dusting the sitting room. "Hey Del. Guess you got stuck on cleaning duty," He joked and let go of Ayame's hand.
"Yeah. This place is huge. We might need to hire a live in maid," She joked back.
"Ah, speaking of which, I have something for you," He pulled out a small gray pouch with Deltune's name on the side. "10 Gold pieces. Courtesy of the Headmaster," He sit her bag on the table. "Ayame and I are going to get changed before Saphira shows up. Oh can I borrow your comb?"
"Yeah, it's in my bathroom," Del replied as she focused on her task.
"Ayame, will you run and grab it? I'll go lay out your clothes," He asked as he walked into the left room.
"Yes, I'll be right back, Master," She walked into Del's room and straight to the bathroom. She found the comb and quickly made her way across the living room.
Sona finished laying out Ayame's clothes. "Master, I've got the comb. Wow, that dress is beautiful. You got this for me?" She covered her mouth with both her hands.
"Of course. I'm going to go into the bathroom while you change. If you need help, ask Deltune," He kissed the top of her head and walked into the bathroom. "Guess I need to choose something for myself when she is done," He said aloud and looked in the mirror. He washed his face with a damp wash cloth. After a few minutes, Sona heard two knocks on the door.
"I'm ready, Master," She called through the door and heard it unlock. "So, what do you think?" She turned around twice when the door opened.
"Wow," Sona was flabbergasted.
The black dress left her shoulders mostly uncovered and flowed down into a tasteful Queen Anne neckline. It was a snug fit that added to the grace and elegance of the dress. Her arms were completely uncovered.
The dress was waist thin, but it was a tight fit. A white bow had been wrapped around her and rested gently on her lower back. Below the waist the dress widened and had multiple diagonal layers from top to bottom. The dress reached all the way down, almost covering her feet and was the same length all around. The bottom trim was white in color. She had on cone heels, which further added to her elegance and class.
"Master, you're staring again," She placed her hands behind her back and swayed side to side shyly.
"I'm sorry, it's just, you look beautiful, Ayame," He complemented and she giggled happily. She reached one hand up and motioned with her finger for Sona to lean down. "What's wrong?"
"Just this," Ayame stood up on her tippy toes and kissed Sona's cheek. "That's for everything you've done for me," She whispered and turned around quickly. "Now, I thought you said you would comb my hair?" She boldly stated.
"Haha. You're right, I did. Come, sit on the floor here," Sona patted the ground in front of the bed. She nodded happily as Sona sat behind her, comb in hand. "Okay, I'm a little inexperienced but I'll try my best," He admitted as he started running the comb down the back of her hair. Even though he had said that, Sona was surprised at his movements. Each swipe was almost professional and had an air of elegance.
After a few minutes, he had combed her air down neatly. He reached over and grabbed some bobby pins, hair spray and a length of blue ribbon. "Let's see if I can do this, too," In a matter of minutes, Sona had molded her hair into a half updo and weaved the blue ribbon through her hair while he was braiding. Once the ribbon was weaved through, he took the hair spray and gave her hair a good coating. Once he was done with her hair, he moved on to her tail. The lavender fur shimmered in the light thanks to the recent bath, it's shine practically dazzling. He gently grabbed her tail and started combing down the puff of fur. This took several more minutes, but after he was finished, Ayame looked like a brand new woman. "Voila! Go look in the mirror. Tell me what you think, honestly," He smiled as he boasted with pride in his work.
Ayame dashed into the bathroom to peek into the mirror. "Master it's beautiful! How? You said you never did this before. Were you picking on me when you said that?" She ran her fingers over the braids. 'I look...pretty.' She thought to herself and smiled happily.
Deltune stepped into Sona's room and chuckled softly. "You really are doting on that girl, aren't you?" Deltune smiled and sat down on the bed with him. "How did you style her hair that way?" She asked inquisitively.
"Honestly? I don't know. I just saw something in my mind that would look cute on her and then it was like my hands moved on their own," He admitted and watched Ayame walked out of the bathroom carrying her stuffed dragon. "Well, Miss Ayame, did I do splendid job or didn't I?" He asked humbly and gave her a slight bow.
"You did well. I appreciate your hard work, as always," She lifted the ends of her dress up, put one foot in front of the other and gave a small curtsey. Once she stood back up she started laughing. "You're silly, Master," She giggled.
'Where did she learn to do that? That seems like something nobility would know how to do. It seemed almost...rehearsed. Hmm.' He put that thought aside for now. It didn't matter anyway. Ayame called him silly and he chuckled softly. "You don't know just how silly I can be, sweet Ayame," He lifted his arms up and shrugged.
They heard the door to their room open and close. "Sona? Ayame? Are you guys ready?" Saphira called into the room.
"Shit. I forgot to change. Just a minute, Master!" Sona grabbed an outfit out of the closet and dashed into the bathroom to change. After a few minutes, he stepped out into the room. He was wearing a white, long sleeved shirt that he left unbuttoned at the top for a more casual look. He matched a black pair of pants and left his shirt untucked.
"Hey, Master. Sorry. Ready when you are," He smiled and looked at Saphira.
"It's no problem. After seeing what you did to Ayame, it's no wonder you weren't ready yet. You made sure to dress her up first," Saphira rubbed the top of Ayame's head gently. "You look adorable, Miss Ayame."
"Haha. I'm happy. It's thanks to Master Sona!" Ayame walked over and held her arms up to Sona and smiled sweetly.
"Ah, my heart. That is so beautiful," Deltune whispered as Sona bent down and picked Ayame up in his arms.
"Alright, you three, let's head out. I have everything set up for you," Saphira led them out of the room and deeper into the woods, further from the school.
"Master, why are we coming all the way out here?" Sona asked after several minutes had passed.
"Because the act of summoning and mastering a pact weapon is dangerous. If you happen to summon one that isn't compatible, there's a chance it could try to harm or even kill you. That's why you need someone like me. A person with a strong will can help return the weapon before it does any real harm," She explained along the way.
"So, what can be summoned? Like what kind of weapons?" Sona gulped as he looked at Ayame. She had snuggled into his chest and fell into a light sleep. 'Arzotz, please watch over her during this ritual. Please?' He hoped Arzotz would hear him and give Ayame his blessing.
"Anything. I mean that. You could summon actual weapons, a grimoire, or even a creature or person. If you summon the latter, they are counted as Unique Summons. They come with their own weapons and abilities, plus they are loyal to their summoner. They would never do anything to harm or betray you and they will do anything to ensure your safety. However, they will only accept those they deem worthy. That usually involves defeating them in a dual," She explained as they walked for another fifteen minutes and finally cleared the forests. They appeared on the other side of the forest and stepped into a valley of rolling hills and green plains.
"This is good. Now I have to create the summoning circle. Go ahead and prepare yourself. Focus your mind and steel your resolve," Saphira offered them some advice as she pulled out a bag of salt. "Oh, Xiazenth, Protector of Life, I beseech thee, bless this salt with your strength and look after my students during this time. I ask this as one of your faithful. In your name, Amen," She finished her prayers to the Dragon God and started pouring the blessed salt into a circle shape.
Sona had decided to wake Ayame up once Saphira started explaining everything. He watched as his Master prayed and then started making a symbol with the salt. 'The longer she takes, the antsier I get. This sounds dangerous but I can't help being excited.' He thought to himself and looked around for Ayame. He found her nearby playing with a butterfly. She was chasing it around and laughing as she tried to catch it with her hands.
Deltune was sitting down nearby hugging her knees to her chest. She seemed calm but Sona felt like her emotions were all over the place. Before he could find out, Saphira finished and motioned them over. "Alright. Your task is to try and focus on summoning. It will appear inside this ring. It should protect you during the binding ritual. So, who wants to go first?" Saphira clapped her hands together and looked at the three students in front of her.
"Me! Me! I'll go Miss Saphira!" Ayame shouted excitedly as she jumped up and down with joy.
"Haha. Alright come on up, Ayame," Saphira laughed as she ran up to the circle. 'She really is just a kid still.' Saphira thought. "Okay. Close your eyes and reach out with your mind. Focus," She walked her through the process.
Ayame nodded and followed her instructions. 'Reach out with my mind. Focus. I want something strong so I can repay Sona someday.' She thought and reached out with her mind.
'Wow. Such a young child. Tell me, little girl. How does one so young have the mana to reach my domain?' A gruff, guttural voice echoed in her head.
'Sorry, I don't understand the question. I just did what Miss Saphira instructed me to do. I need a power in order to protect my Master. He was hurt because I was weak.' She answered back.
'Saphira...' The voice repeated her name and a soft gasp echoed in her mind. 'Saphira. She recently took on a young human disciple. If I remember from her declaration, she said his name was Sona?' The voice questioned.
'Yes! Master Sona saved me from death and a life on the streets. I wish to repay his kindness in anyway I can.' She responded and the voice laughed and echoed in her mind.
'A human saved a demi human? Saphira could not have chosen a better man. Even after three thousand years this world never ceases to amaze me. Very well, young one. You wish to protect your Master and the man you love, correct?'
'Love...yes, yes I do love him. He is a kind and very compassionate man. He doesn't see himself as superior or better than anyone. I idolize him.' She replied and the voice could feel her honesty and her affection for this man.
'I have made my decision, young one. I will grant you my power and my services. Speak my name and I shall appear before you.'
'What is your name?' She questioned.
'You must decide on my name. It is how you bind me to your service.' He replied.
'Hm. Then, I shall call you Aether.' She responded. She heard the creature laugh as she opened her eyes. Sona and the others watched as she raised her hands towards the circle. "Aether, please answer my call," She said out loud with a smile on her face.
The air surged around them. Inside the circle a tornado formed and persisted for a few seconds and then slowly dissipated. Standing inside the circle was a massive Gryphon. "Hahaha. Finally I can have a chance to spread these wings of mine," The Gryphon bellowed out in laughter and looked to Saphira. "It is good to see you in excellent health, my friend," Aether laughed once more and took a knee, bowing to Ayame. "I am Aether, young one. I am yours to command," He swore his oath of loyalty to her.
"It is good to see you well, my old friend," Saphira smiled and nodded at Ather. "That's awesome, Ayame. Aether and I have been friends going on Six Hundred years now. You could not have summoned a more loyal creature. Not only can he fight for you, but if you have need, he could transform his body into a spear for you to fight with. That's incredible," Saphira was surprised and she couldn't hide that. For someone so young to summon such a powerful creature was incredibly rare. She looked to Sona and figured it probably had something to with him and Arzotz. 'He might just change this world for the better.' She smiled sweetly at Sona. 'I think I might be falling in love.' She thought to herself again.