The Inner Odyssey

Chapter 85 Spark

As he entered his home, Alden steeled himself.

He was prepared to accept the worst.

...That Ignia had not yet awoken.

However, no sooner had he placed a foot inside the door...

A black blur crashed into him.

Read new adventures at empire

Alden's eyes widened.

He instinctively wrapped his arms around it.

Sensing a familiar and comforting heat, Alden froze.

He snapped his neck down, gazing at his pet familiar.

"Ignia! You're awake!"

A boisterous laugh escaped Alden's throat.

Tears of relief welled in his eyes.

A wide smile split his face.@@@@

His precious baby was awake!

Alden spun, lifting the little bird through the air as he hugged her close. Ignia nuzzled his chest, crying through their bond.

A sweet warmth filled him.

He scrutinised his familiar more closely and discovered she had grown bigger.

Was the way to expedite her growth through depleting her reserves of fire essence?

'Seems so.'

Alden shelved the interesting detail for later as he sensed three figures draw near.

...One quicker than the rest.

He looked up just in time to see a flash of golden hair before the scent of his precious love enveloped him whole.

"Al!"

A soft smile appeared on Alden's face.

His gaze turned tender.

At the same time, a sense of deja vu assaulted him. He sighed a little wistfully, relaxing under Celeste's touch. The events of the First Trial threatened to escape their seal. Alden gritted his teeth and suppressed a shudder.

He closed his good eye and shifted to free an arm to wrap around Celeste - the other wrapped around Ignia. Alistair and Elara joined their hug very soon after, and Alden drowned in the affection he held for those dearest to him, and the affection they felt for him in return.

A satisfied smile slowly spread across his face as he beamed.

'It's always good to be back home.'

***

Later in the evening, it was time for dinner.

Alden had arrived approximately sometime in the afternoon, so he had a few hours to himself before the family meal. He had used that to rest and catch up on some of the sleep he had missed while taking the Trial. Washing the sleep from his eyes, Alden stared at his reflection for a brief moment.

As he scrutinised her more closely, a subtle frown knit his brows. She had dark circles under her eyes, and her face was paler than usual.

Was she not getting enough sleep?

What had kept her up?

'I doubt it was just my absence alone...'

It was probably a mixture of different factors.

Alden's eyes narrowed slightly.

He received the answer to his question almost immediately as Celeste caught his gaze.

She flushed slightly.

"Al..."

Her tone was strangely hopeful.

"Yes, my love?"

"I... I think I can heal your eye now. Can you let me try?"

Alden blinked.

Then, he sighed.

"Cece, we've gone over this."

"But I've worked hard to improve my knowledge and powers! I'm a lot more confident now!"

Her jade green eyes shone with a tenuous spark.

Alden's insides twisted as he realised he was about to douse that hope.

"I'm sorry, Cece. That's not possible."

He closed his good eye and sighed again.

"I need it to remind me never to panic and let my emotions get the better of me again. I also need it to remind me that I should analyse things logically with a cool head."

Celeste just stared at him, silent.

The spark in her eyes was gone.

An expression of hurt flashed across her face before tears of frustration welled in her eyes.

A sudden pang struck Alden's soul.

He watched, dazed, as she took a deep breath, composing herself, before pushing her plate away and standing up. Without another glance at him, Celeste nodded to her mother and father and went up to her room.

Alden, still shocked by the suddenness of her actions, remained in a daze.

Eventually, he broke out of it.

"Should I...?"

"No. Give her some time alone with her thoughts."

Elara replied with a conflicted sigh.

She then stood up as well, glancing meaningfully between them.

"I'm sure you and your father have much to discuss."