Bonds

Katania exited the bath feeling slightly damp but refreshed as she toweled dry her hair. Her skin was a deep blushing scarlet, a result of the hot steam. She left small wet prints in the carpet as she traipsed her way towards the canopied bed. Seeing Empress sleeping peacefully in her transparent state, she felt her heart fill with different emotions.

"I can finally be whole," she thought, "we will never again be separated." she made this promise deep in her heart as she lay by her side.

When Empress awakened the following morning she found Katania cultivating, a dense field of energy surrounded her. Katania was extremely focused but still aware of the changes occuring in her field of perception.

Sensing her sister had regained consciousness, her eyes fluttered open, a hint of a smile gracing her face.

She pulled her into a tight hug and as she did so planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

Standing inside the doorway was a little boy bearing two things. A tray laden with food and an expression of shock. Seeing this, Katania beckoned him in. He entered slowly, his footsteps were as if he were wading through a bog. Impatient, Katania waved him in again. His footsteps quickened, however, the look of puzzlement did not fade; his eyes darted back and forth between the two before he opened his mouth to ask: "Sister, what is that?" 

"Who," She corrected him, and at his confusion she offered, "Who is that," his expression did not change; releasing a deep sigh she explained; "This is Empress, my sister." Katania said, "Sister? we don't have a sister, and besides, she looks just like you." Erik had an expression of concern on his face thinking his sister had gone mad.

Pride caused Katania's chest to swell slightly, "That's exactly right," she said, "she is my twin!" 

At this, Empress spoke up, "Little brother, we have never met before, but I have known you all your life." she offered a small smile. 

Feeling slightly taken aback, Erik took several steps backward; his mind reeling from this strange revelation. Glancing at Katania he began to stutter, "Tw-Twin? what twin? how come I've never heard of it!" he demanded throwing this question at them as his gaze darted back and forth, surely this was a joke right? Seeing his distress Katania made an effort to explain, "When we were born, there was only one body, Empress did not have her own, she was forced to exist in mine." Erik took a few moments to absorb this, he seemed to relax a little. 

"Do mom and dad know?"

Katania snorted, she covered her mouth with a hand and her eyes gleamed with a strange light, but she did not offer anything more than this.

Erik sighed and shook his head, "Forget it, forget it, here; I've brought you breakfast," he angled an eye at Empress, "Do you eat?" he asked clearly attempting to discern whether she was real or not. Empress displayed a wide smile, "I can eat," she said while grinning, "as to whether I need to," she shrugged and left that sentence hanging in the air.

Erik was smart enough to know that he was being toyed with, still, he felt a strange kinship with this new sister of his. She greatly reminded him of Katania, but after giving it some thought he thought it reasonable, "They are twins after all." 

Returning his gaze to Katania who had already begun shoveling food into her face, his mouth twisted slightly, "Pig," he sneered, "slow down it isn't going anywhere." Katania indeed slowed down, she hurled a pillow at him, "Brat, come and say it to my face!" she yelled as he took cover behind the wardrobe. He stuck out his head, and with it- his tongue, further taunting her shamelessly. she leaped up from the bed and in a flash was beside him holding him by the scruff of his tunic. She tossed him to the bed where he was subsequently pinned down by Empress, Katania leaped atop the bed feet first and straddling his small body she began to tickle him. He shrieked and laughed in delight his breath coming in short gasps. He struggled to speak, "I...can't...breathe!" he managed, but Katania continued her relentless assault until tears formed in his eyes and she felt satisfied.

she collapsed on the bed beside him and ruffled his hair, "Training, 1 hour," she said, and with some effort he managed to sit up, tickled pink, he managed a small nod and a wide smile. As he walked out through the large doors of the bedroom she called out after him, "and congratulations on reaching grade 3 spiritual realm," he turned around his eyes filled with surprise right before the door slammed shut in his face. "only slightly less talented than me," she muttered quietly.

It was actually quite normal for children to remain at grade 1 spiritual realm until they reached ten years old, however Katania had never been content with that, and it seems, neither was Erik. She felt a smile spreading across her face. Seeing this, Empress spoke up, "Quite the proud elder sister," she said pouting, "Empress... what's wrong? Katania was confused.

"I have, with great effort and expending no small amount of energy, managed to condense this body for myself; and yet I've received no praises from you." she muttered.

Suddenly understanding, Katania began to shower Empress with praise, ranging from the luminescent glow of her new body to that of the shape and style of her breasts, saying so she grabbed them in her palms and began to fondle them.

"Release me you sexual deviant!" Empress squealed as she fought back.