Unwanted Attention

Satisfied with the progress Ian spent the rest of his day idling around and teasing Myrra every now and then.

Even now, Ian lounged lazily on the couch, his arm casually draped around Myrra's waist as she sat beside him, completely absorbed in the holographic display before her. She was scrolling through potential places for their upcoming excursion to Ial Themar, places to visit, food to try, and so on. But Ian wasn't paying much attention to the list.

Instead, he found himself more interested in the way she gently swiped through the floating images. He let his fingers rest lightly on her waist, his touch soft but deliberate, drawing her closer without saying a word.

Myrra, unaware, or pretending to be, continued with her planning, flicking through the options. After a few moments, her attention seemed to shift. She stopped on a hologram of a clothing store, her eyes scanning the items on display.

"Hmm…" she murmured, her eyes scanning the screen. "This place looks interesting. They have some really nice dresses here."

Ian leaned over just enough to get a good look at the dress, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You'd look incredible in that one," he said casually, his voice low, his gaze lingering on her.

Myrra let out a soft chuckle, her gaze flicking back to the dress display. "I think I'll have to check it out. Who knows, I might find something nice."

"Well, while you're at it, we could always pick up a few more... daring choices," Ian suggested, his voice playful as his fingers gently traced the curve of her waist. "Maybe something a bit more... enticing,"

Her eyes met his, a mixture of amusement and challenge in her gaze. "Is that so? And what makes you think I'd wear something like that?"

Ian leaned in closer, his lips almost brushing her ear as he whispered, "You don't have to, I will help you put it on..." He gave her a slow, suggestive smile.

Myrra rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Before she could respond, Ian gently turned her, his lips finding hers in a slow, teasing kiss. His hand moved to the back of her neck, fingers brushing against her skin as the kiss deepened, tender yet filled with a quiet intensity.

His lips left hers, trailing down her jawline, then lower to the soft curve of her neck. He pressed his lips against her pulse point, then continued down to the delicate nape of her neck, his breath warm against her skin. His hand slipped lower, guiding her just a bit closer as his lips traced a path down her collarbone, each kiss slow and deliberate, as though savoring the moment. The world seemed to fade away in their lingering warmth, the only sound the steady rhythm of their breaths.

Days passed, and Ian remained deep in his search. Luminis Sangua. What did it truly mean? What were they referring to?

Apart from the Lord's Blood and Phyrra, this was something else, something that had taken root in his mind. Before, he had been too preoccupied to focus on it, but now, with his thoughts clearer, he needed to understand what exactly had been put inside Enira. The conversations he had pieced together suggested that the Quiet Testament had been running numerous experiments, and Enira was their first success in this particular endeavor.

There were two reasons for Ian's search. The first, of course, was simple, he was deeply interested in Luminis Sangua. He still had a drop of it. The second reason was more practical, Enira was technically his employee. Well, allegedly. But still, as a good boss, it was only right to ensure her well-being, especially when this was a work related matter.

Now back to Luminis Sangua. Ian kept coming back to it, trying to make sense of it. The first thought was that it could be the blood of some powerful being, maybe even a divine god. But it didn't add up. It didn't have the properties of blood.

Could it be something similar to blood, but not exactly? Perhaps an artificial substance made to resemble blood's effects, but even that felt wrong. Luminis Sangua was far too potent, too different from anything he knew.

Another possibility: what if it was some kind of energy? A concentrated liquid form. But that didn't sit right either. The fluid seemed too connected to the essence of the person it was inside, like it had a life of its own, rather than being some neutral energy source.

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. Whatever it was, it clearly wasn't something easily explained.

And while Ian was busy with his research, their day off finally arrived.

It was time for a break. The group took the Elysian Line to Ial Themar. It was a well-deserved getaway, and the perfect way to unwind from the intense schedules of their respective fields.

The group was a lively one. Ian, of course, was there, along with Myrra, who had been the mastermind behind the trip. Reina came along too, still the picture of elegance even in more casual attire. Rhys, with his usual laid-back demeanor, kept everyone laughing. Then there was Lirien, who always had her nose buried in something, even on a day off. Cailen and Varian rounded out the usual suspects from Arcane Engineering, while Lysian, a member of Synthetic Alchemy, joined the group as well, Ian just asked him randomly and he agreed.

And of course, there were Sylve and Elara, the two flatmates from Runic Casting. Elara and Lysian were bickering as always, their voices rising in playful irritation, keeping the group more entertained.

The journey to Ial Themar was smooth, and soon, the group found themselves arriving at their destination. The city was bustling with activity, the towering structures glistening under the bright sun. As the group disembarked from the Elysian Line, the air smelled fresh, a mix of nature and the faint scent of the city's unique culture.

Enira was already waiting at the station.

Myrra was the first to notice, her eyes widening in surprise. Enira was standing there, looking almost... otherworldly. Her golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, each strand catching the light like it was woven from pure sunlight itself. The faint glow around her skin seemed almost divine, giving her an ethereal, holy presence. It wasn't just her appearance, but the aura surrounding her that left an impression.

Her dress, though simple in design, clung to her body in a way that left little to the imagination. The fabric molded to the full curves of her chest and hips, accentuating every line of her form. It was as if the dress had been made specifically to highlight her silhouette, the way it hugged her waist and then flared out just enough to suggest an unspoken promise of softness beneath.

Myrra blinked, momentarily lost for words, as Enira smiled at her. 

"Sister Enira," Myrra finally said, breaking the silence. "You... you look so different." Her voice held a touch of awe, and there was no mistaking the surprise in her tone.

Enira gave a soft, almost amused smile, her golden eyes glinting with a quiet confidence. "I suppose I do."

"How did this happen?" Myrra finally asked, her voice quiet but laced with intrigue.

Enira met her gaze with a calm smile, her voice soft but firm. "These are changes due to my path I think...."

"I see…" Myrra murmured.

Myrra gave Enira a small hug, her curiosity piqued, but she pushed it down for now. Next time, she told herself. There would be time later to ask questions. 

Pulling back from the hug, Myrra smiled at her. "Well, now that you're here, let me introduce you to everyone."

Enira nodded, her serene expression never wavering as Myrra gestured toward the group that had gathered nearby. One by one, she introduced her to the others.

Once the introductions were finished, the group headed off to explore Ial Themar. The city was lively, bustling streets, vibrant markets, and a mix of people from all walks of life. Enira, now their guide, led them through the winding streets with ease.

She took them to a beautiful old temple first, its tall spires reaching up toward the sky, casting long shadows over the courtyard.. The stone was weathered with age, but still held an air of reverence, as if the very structure itself had witnessed millenniums of devotion. The temple was dedicated to the God of Life, a deity revered for its embodiment of growth, vitality, and the cycles of existence. Statues of the god adorned the outer walls, each depicting different aspects of life, birth, flourishing, and the sustaining power that life brought to all.

Myrra, always dedicated to her beliefs, stepped forward with reverence. The God of Life, Nohlous, was considered the senior of Emnia, the God of Tranquillity, the deity from whom Myrra had received her blessings and whom she follows. She placed her hand gently on the cool stone of the temple's entrance, feeling the weight of the ages in the structure around her. She offered a quiet prayer, her voice low but filled with intent. The others followed her lead, some very devoted though not all.

Ian, of course, was reluctantly pulled into the moment. His lips quirked in an amused but slightly resigned smile as he glanced at Myrra, who had her eyes closed in solemn prayer. It wasn't that he didn't respect the gods, but coming from a place where gods were more of a metaphysical concept, it felt... strange for him to physically partake in such rituals.

Next, they made their way through the city, stopping at cute cafés and enjoying the lively atmosphere. The scent of fresh pastries and coffee filled the air as the group lingered, chatting and sipping their drinks. Ian, while usually indifferent to such places, couldn't help but enjoy the change of pace.

Afterward, they made their way to the historical district, where towering buildings and ancient inscriptions gave a glimpse into the city's rich past. They explored the area, admiring the craftsmanship of the old architecture, pausing occasionally to read the plaques or take in the view. 

But soon the group paused as the voice broke through their casual chatter, and they turned to see a man approaching them, flanked by two others. He dressed in finely embroidered robes, signaling his wealth and status. His gaze swept over the group before resting on Enira, his eyes glinting with interest.

"Ah, it's a pleasant surprise to see you here, young lady Enira," he said, his voice smooth, almost dripping with charm.

"Hello, Mr. Vulas," Enira replied politely, though her voice had a cool edge to it.

Vulas stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Enira. He leaned in just a little too close, his gaze lingering on her golden hair and glowing skin, savoring every inch of her presence with an almost predatory air. 

"What brings you here?" Vulas asked, his voice smooth, almost too casual.

Enira's response was measured, her tone composed. "I'm just showing the group around," she answered, her gaze unwavering.

Vulas shifted his attention briefly to the others in the group, but it was clear they held little interest for him. His eyes quickly returned to Enira, his focus solely on her.

"Why don't I offer my services?" he suggested, his voice dropping a notch, his gaze roaming over her figure with no attempt to hide the appreciation in his eyes.

Enira's expression remained neutral, but her response was firm and tactful. "We're almost done here and will be heading back soon."

Vulas finally tore his gaze away from her, though his smile lingered. "Well, perhaps another time," he said, his tone smooth, though there was still an unmistakable hint of intent. He gave Enira one last lingering look before stepping back. "Enjoy your day, young lady."

As Vulas and his followers walked away, the group couldn't help but notice the lingering tension, though Enira herself remained calm, unfazed by the encounter.