CHAPTER 11

Alya and Nyx were on their way back home. It was already dark, and most of the townspeople were in their homes. The cool evening breeze blew, causing a silent and refreshing atmosphere. The street lanterns glowed brightly as soon as the sky got dark.

Alya felt at ease, she walked slowly as the cool breeze hit her face. Her hair and tail swayed back and forth along with the motion of the wind.

Nyx walked beside her, she still carried all the things that Alya bought, while Alya wasn't holding anything.

Nyx was exhausted. She stole a few glances, and the more glances she took, the more her frustration grew.

With a forced smile, she spoke up.

"Hey Alya, if you don't mind carrying some of your things by yourself, that'll be much appreciated."

"Huh?"

Nyx's got Alya's attention. Her expression instantly dulled the moment she saw Nyx's face.

Nyx's lips twitched with the look she gave her.

Alya then glanced at the bags she was holding, they looked heavy. Alya had bought a lot of things; a few were fun things and necessities, while most were different kinds of food, fruits and vegetables, and snacks. She was so tempted that she bought all the food she could find. And she did not intend to share.

Alya had only the bags of food on her mind. She stretched her hand towards the bags closest to her.

"I'll hold the bags of food, carry the rest."

Nyx was not surprised. With a few loads off her hands, Nyx could walk properly. The food bags were the heaviest.

"So, how was your day in town?" Nyx suddenly asked as she stretched her limbs. Alya's eyes quickly shone.

"Not bad."

Nyx gazed at the happy redhead and smiled. Alya's eyes reflected the bright golden lights of the street lanterns. They really looked like orbs filled with dancing flames.

"Good to know." She nodded satisfied. Moments later, she suddenly remembered something. Her brows raised.

"Oh, Alya, do you still remember the exact moment you glared at me earlier today?"

As soon as she heard Nyx's question, her expression dulled once again.

"I always glare at you. You're annoying."

"Such a sharp tongue you have....makes me want to cut it off." Despite her words, Nyx had a warm smile on her face. Alya didn't utter a word then. She felt shivers go up her spine, and it was definitely not the cold night air. Nyx's words didn't sound like some joke; she could feel the severity of her words and aura.

"What's with the silence, cat got your tongue?" The moment she asked that, Alya felt the air around her lips get very dense. She gasped and moved back swiftly on instinct.

*Snap*

At that exact moment, she heard the sound of scissors snapping.

*chuckles*

Alya had unconsciously halted her breath the moment she saw Nyx's finger in a scissors position. The streets felt strangely silent.

"Get it?" Nyx chuckled as her cat ears twitched.

Alya didn't have the stomach to comment. Her bloodshot eyes were glued to Nyx's slender fingers. She could swear she heard the sound of scissors snapping. And she was sure she felt a dangerously sharp aura in front of her lips before she jerked back fearfully on instinct.

Was she imagining things?

While she was in a daze, Nyx moved her fingers again.

"Not funny huh?" Nyx's ears and tails drooped as she pouted.

Alya got out of her daze and slowly turned to Nyx with an awry smile.

"N..n..not really...." She forced out from trembling lips.

Nyx mumbled as she stood straight, then huffed.

"Earlier this afternoon, when I knocked on your head by accident....."

"What of it?"

"At that exact moment,  I felt your forehead get hotter. Also, the time you were warning me seconds after, the temperature rose exponentially."

"Maybe it was the heat of the sun," Alya answered without much thought. Nyx shook her head knowingly.

"But did you feel the heat?"

"No."

"But I did," Nyx answered, then strolled forward. Alya quickly followed.

"Maybe it's the way your body is, or maybe you have a fever."

"No...I'm definitely healthy."

But Nyx felt it, and she didn't, or was she the one who was sick?

"So....what does it mean?"

"Your ability is manifesting." Nyx smiled.

Alya stared at Nyx in shock.

"Really?"

"Yeah, your anger triggered it."

Alya was ecstatic. She really had a mystic ability. It felt so sudden she couldn't believe it.

Nyx had said that her rage had triggered it. This made her worry a bit.

"That's good....right?"

"Yes...but no."

"Hmmm?"

"It's a good start, but you have to control it, especially with your temper."

"What temper?"

"Earlier today," Nyx answered.

"Wouldn't you be mad if someone hit you on your forehead and poked it?" Alya glared.

Nyx shrugged nonchalantly.

"I doubt that, but if you say so. Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Someone who'll teach you how to control your ability, at least the basics."

...

Minutes later, they got to Nyx's house. The lanterns of the neighboring houses were still lit, so it was easy for them to see around.

As soon as they entered, Nyx left the bags on the floor and lit up strange-looking lamps. Alya immediately took off her shoes and ran to the kitchen to place the things she bought on the table.

The first things Alya brought out were the things she could eat. While she did so, she hummed a happy tune and her tail gladly swayed with the rhythm.

Nyx followed the happy tune and found Alya at the kitchen counter, with ears perked up. She glanced at the multitude of food that had completely covered every inch of the table.

"Are you planning to eat all that?"

Alya looked up from the table to meet Nyx's gaze.

"Of course not, I'll keep rest in the refrigerator."Alya glowered and then turned away.

Their voices went silent for a moment.

"What's a refrigerator?"

"...huh?.."

Alya turned to Nyx once a gain, confused. Nyx gazed back with the same muddled expression as she cocked her head to the side.

"Hmmm?"

They went silent once again, equally confused as they stared at each other.

"!!!!"

Alya broke the silence with a wail.

"Aaaaaaah come on!!" She banged her fists on the table, which made Nyx flinch.

"Hey! Careful with that!!" She walked up to where Alya was with a lamp.

"Why the tantrum?"

"Urghh!" Alya dropped her head on the table.

Nyx went mute once again as she looked at Alya confusedly. Then, she stared at the scattered food on the table.

Alya also stared at the table. She had forgotten she wasn't on Earth anymore. No electrical appliances like refrigerators. It was like she had gone back in time to the medieval period, no phones or computers, or cars or planes, none of that.

What she really hated was wasting good food; her past life had taught her that. And with this much, she wouldn't dare waste it. She would have to eat it all if she had to.

While Alya was deep in thought on what to eat first, Nyx took out a large blue fruit from the table and then walked towards a large cupboard in the corner.

Alya was seconds away from stuffing four different pastries in her mouth when Nyx interrupted.

"Hey, before you choke yourself look at this."

When she got Alya's attention, Nyx opened the cupboard.

"Hm?"

Alya was dumbfounded by what she was seeing. There was nothing, and when she meant nothing, she meant it literally. Inside was a void, like a cloud of black.

"What is that?" Alya asked.

Nyx didn't say anything at first and just threw the fruit she was holding inside, and it disappeared like it was swallowed whole. Alya gasped in awe.

"A friend of mine made this. It's a space pocket or more of a space cupboard. It's a storage unit, anything can be kept in here."

"ooooh....."

"Food, especially, can be preserved for a long time. And you can take it out anytime you want, just think about the object you need."

Nyx demonstrated by placing her hand in the cupboard and retracting it with the blue fruit in her hand.

Alya was amazed. It was indeed useful on the go, but its only flaw was its size.

As if Nyx had read her mind, she spoke up.

"It can be made in various sizes and forms, even a small bag. Travelers and adventurers often use those."

"What happens if you go in?"

"You'll be trapped for all eternity till someone pulls you out." Nyx gave a smile, which gave Alya the chills.

"Wanna go in?"

Nyx cooed, but Alya abruptly shook her head.

Nyx walked back to where Alya was and took some more food from the table, then walked to the cupboard and placed them inside.

She continued this process until there was no food left on the table. The rest were Alya's toys and important stuff. Nyx handed them to Alya.

"Take them to your room, then come back down for dinner."

"Okay."

Alya ran upstairs to her room and then lit the room lanterns. She looked around, still excited about her new room. She placed the bags on the wooden table, took out the clothes first, and put them in the closet, then placed the accessories inside a small wooden box she bought.

She also got some shoes to wear and kept them next to the closet. She kept the other toys and important stuff in her bedside cabinet.

It took only ten minutes to sort everything out. Satisfied with her work, she ran downstairs for dinner.

Downstairs, Nyx was heating the leftover soup from earlier with the stove. Its tempting scent was all over the place.

As soon as Alya was downstairs, the mouthwatering aroma got her attention, she ran to the kitchen to help Nyx.

"I'm done!!"

....One hour later...

"Hey!.... Wake up!"

Nyx was shaking a sleeping Alya shamelessly sprawled on the long sofa in the middle of the living room. Finally, after flicking her forehead, she woke up flinching from the pain.

"tch!!"

"If you wanna sleep, go to your room."

*yawn*

Alya lazily rubbed her forehead, then her eyes. She slowly turned to the warm fireplace, then turned to Nyx who was staring at her.

"....."

"Go to your room."

"....."

Alya stayed still for a while then slowly struggled to get up from the sofa, then trying to hold herself up without wobbling back and forth.

"Okay then.....Good night."

"Goodnight," Alya replied drowsily as she dragged herself up the L-shaped stairs.

Right in the middle of the stairs, she paused and then turned to Nyx, who was on the sofa watching her leave.

"Aren't you gonna sleep too?" Alya queried drowsily.

"Oh, I am...but I gotta quickly do something first. Go sleep first, don't worry about me." Nyx waved at her dismissively with a smile.

"Hmmm...okay then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight~" Nyx cooed as Alya continued up the stairs.

"Don't let the roaches bite~"

"....."

'There are roaches here?'

Alya rushed up the stairs in a panic.

"Hmm?"

'Guess she doesn't like those things...I was kidding though~'

..... seconds later...

"~Hmmhmm~"

Low and gentle humming resonated through the living room. Coming from the kitchen sink, the sweet melody was accompanied by the sound of running water. Nyx stood by a sink-like structure, filling a jug with water while humming a soothing melodious tune with a gentle smile on her face.

The sink was constructed from smooth, cool stone, and set on it were two small stones etched with mysterious carvings. Nyx's delicate fingers rested upon the stone with blue carvings, causing it to emit a soft, ethereal glow. Water gushed from a small hole in the center of the stones, filling the jug she was holding.

The moment it was full, she gently withdrew her hand from the stone, causing the flowing water to cease. With the heavy jug in her arms, she made her way to the living room, puffing out every lantern that lit the way as she passed.

Nyx slowly and carefully walked up to the fireplace with graceful steps. She gently tipped the jug over the blazing fireplace, quenching the flames and the last source of light in the room.

Her grey cat eyes glowed amidst the darkness. She looked over at the staircase leading upstairs, her ears could pick up the sound of Alya's slow breathing from the room. When she was sure she was sure she was fast asleep, she sighed.

Suddenly she stopped humming as she kept the jug on the table.

"Well then...."

Nyx stood still in the middle of the room.

The place was dark and as silent as a graveyard, it gave off an eerie atmosphere but Nyx didn't mind it. She found it very calming. Whilst she stood there, she bent over and plopped her elbows on the head of the sofa, her lips unconsciously pouted as she pondered. Her beautifully lazy grey eyes shimmered whilst in the middle of her thoughts.

"Oh?"

Her ears perked up as she glanced at nothing in particular.

"Is that so...." her ears twitched once more. She seemed to be talking to no one in particular.

"******," she whispered something to herself so low that only she could understand. Her fingers impatiently tapped the sofa.

She breathed out once more.

Suddenly then, she muttered,

"Go check them out." Her lazy pupils sharpened.

Suddenly the room fell silent again. Nyx looked down at the sofa, whilst in her thoughts she had unconsciously ripped a part of the sofa with her fingernails. She stared at the damaged sofa with the same lazy look she always had.

'Gotta fix that tomorrow....'

She stepped away from the sofa and then turned towards the stairs. She was completely worn out from earlier, she needed sleep. She slowly walked upstairs and then down the dark hall. She stopped abruptly at Alya's room door. Nyx could tell she was still sound asleep. She stared lazily at the door for a while then suddenly a small smile played on her lips, her eyes narrowed as she did. Her ears perked up once again.

'I'm certain....'