Chapter 5.9 - Farewell Gift

As a prisoner on his last meal, the Playboy ate the delicious treats, savoring every bite. Some resembled things from his world, as the muffins Shu stuffed his mouth with and others were completely new dishes. Not being a picky person, Adam ate whatever looked appetizing. 

"You guys don't have eggs here?" He said to no one in particular while searching the table. 

"What would that be?" A sweet velvet voice asked.

"There you are! You guys don't know what eggs are?" He said to Agnis who had shown up behind him.

"I'm afraid not."

"Damn, how can I explain… It is the chicken's babies!"

Agnis didn't respond but her face looked concerned.

"It sounds terrible when I say it like that, doesn't it?" Adam recognized the gravity of his explanation. 

Still a bit horrified, Agnis only nodded.

"I heard you are leaving." The feline girl started, her eyes lingered on Adam's face. "You all gonna be missed, it was a great blessing to serve the Four Elementals at once."

"Don't say that." Adam looked at his plate, suddenly losing the desire to eat.

"But it is the truth!" The girl sounded excited but contained herself which caught Adam's attention. "I got you a farewell gift…"

Stretching his gaze to her hands hidden behind her back, the Playboy got curious, setting his plate on the table. His friendship with Agnis was a fine surprise, he didn't think if it would be possible to get closer to anyone ever again. 

Without saying anything, the girl signaled Adam to follow her to the next room far from the chatter. 

Anxious, the God followed her into a study, probably owned by one of the professors because books were piled up everywhere, creating a maze. 

In a corner, near a window on the furthest wall, the gentle speaker awaited him with her hands back. Honey eyes were popping out under the morning light. Her pupils, as thin as paper, sliced the young man in half.

"Tell me! The suspense is killing me." Adam said as he got closer, leaning against the window, face to face with the girl bathed in bright lighting.

"As you were interested in the Parvatans, I thought maybe I could help you get to know the people from our world a little better."

From behind her back, she revealed a rolled parchment tied with a lasso. Adam had only seen those in movies, it looked old, older than anything in the library. 

"What is this?" He took the weird paper in his hands, then held the tube to his eye, looking at Agnis through it. 

"There's a few tales about different tribes and creatures that might be interesting to you." She watched him intensively, not minding his little joke with the parchment. 

Adam got intrigued, Agnis' tone was very different than usual. He lowered the paper, and tried to open it to get a better look. 

"Don't." She stopped him, touching his hand. "Do it when you are alone." 

With wide eyes, Adam stared at her hand—it was like his, though her skin was slightly more bronzed. Moving up to her face, her cheeks were a bit pink and her eyes very endearing. 

Delicately he rubbed his thumb on her finger. 

The girl's full, curved lower lip parted slightly. 

Adam felt his chest hurt with a pound from within, then a subtle warmth spreading through his body. 

There was a magnetic force drawing him to her…

"There you are-" 

Quickly they pulled their hands back. 

Adam's heart was beating so loud he could barely hear, but he kept his eyes on her while she looked startled at the intruder in the doorway. 

"Sorry." The familiar dry tone made his heart settle down.

After taking longer than usual to take his eyes off the girl, Adam turned to face the door.

"I was just saying goodbye to Agnis." He bowed, putting the paper tube in his pocket. "I'll see you around." 

With a wink he turned on his heels and walked to Hikari. The Goddess was awkwardly waiting in the doorway. 

As Adam got closer she whispered.

"I didn't mean to…"

"Just forget it."

Leaving the study, they entered the loud mass of chatter. 

"Where do you wanna take me?" Arms crossed, Adam turned to her. 

"Let us just wrap this up and we'll leave. Also, you'll need your sword."

Hikari took her place at the head of the table with Adam, Shu and Calder by her side. The scholars quieted themselves and turned to her. 

"We are leaving town in the next hour. I, in the name of all Elementals, wanted to thank the effort and the hospitality. Please, enjoy the breakfast and excuse us." 

The whole table bowed longingly while they watched. Adam always felt uncomfortable in those moments. Once the guests were done they flew away through the door in the fourth balcony. 

"Can you get your sword and meet me in front of the temple?" Hikari addressed Adam without looking his way.

"Yes." 

"Then go." 

They parted ways without ceremony. Adam always responded to her in the same intonation she used. So the conversations were very short. 

On the way to his room, he wondered if she wanted to give him some lessons on sword fighting. If it was that, why couldn't she wait until they got to Marinia.

Annoyed from having to spend time with the woman, Adam took the sword but before leaving he remembered it was best to put his parchment somewhere safe. 

Agni's lips flashed through his mind. 

She wanted me to… He bared the thought, it wasn't the time for that.

Outside, the weather was clear and sunny. The clouds came and went by the volcano's boards. He was still getting used to the fact they were on top of one. 

Hikari was patiently waiting at the stairs in front of the temple. As she saw Adam approaching she flew up to meet him. 

"Where are we going?" The boy asked one more time, hoping to get an answer on the second try. 

"Follow me."