I Guard The Book That Slays Gods

The sun hovered above the horizon as Raiden and Ash stood within the gazebo, examining their surroundings and running their hands along its frame, feeling the texture beneath their fingertips.

"I think this takes three days because of the sensation in the air." Ash said as Raiden turned to her.

"What do you mean?"

"Each day we all grow more and more vulnerable," she said, turning to their right and gesturing toward Chrono and his crew walking in the far distance. "The Sleeping Star wants us to reveal our secrets over time, and they know it. That's why they keep their distance."

Raiden glanced at them, finally understanding the purpose behind their three-day stay. But his mind was on his own concerns rather than what Chrono was trying to hide.

He glanced at his hand as he watched it tremble. He couldn't help but want to be honest with Ash. Even though she looked like a child, voicing his actual feelings was hard for him, regardless of who was listening.

"Ash," he called out as she turned his way. Raiden gave her a soft smile and extended his hand toward hers. The moment she placed her little hand in his, they began walking through the flowers, heading left.

"Do you feel my emotions as well?" Raiden asked gently as his expression slowly shifted.

"No," Ash responded. "I bonded with you; only you can feel my emotions, and I can't feel yours."

Raiden awkwardly scratched the back of his head, offering a nervous smile. If she could feel his emotions too, this would be much easier, but unfortunately, he had to man up.

As they walked, Raiden paused, and Ash stopped with him. "I need to have an important conversation with you, but first, there's something you must know," he said, gazing through the distance.

Ash tilted her head up toward Raiden while he continued to gaze at the horizon. His chest tightened and his heart raced as if he were being chased by a monster. But somehow, he couldn't help but speak.

"I had this weird feeling when I saw you playing with Noelle yesterday." He glanced at her, his golden eyes meeting her blue ones before quickly turning away.

"At first, I wondered if you weren't happy with me anymore, and then I couldn't bear to look at you two anymore."

He took a deep breath. "I think I'm jealous."

Ash fell awkwardly quiet after Raiden's words, making him even more uneasy. Sweat formed on his forehead, and his eyes struggled to look at her, his heartbeat rising while Ash simply stared at him.

After a brief moment, however, she spoke up. "No one makes me happier than you do, Papa," Ash said with a grin.

"When I am with you, I feel more comfortable and at peace," she said, glancing back at Noelle while Raiden still struggled to meet her eyes. He knew Ash wouldn't lie to him, but he couldn't shake the feeling.

"You are different, Papa. I'm okay with Noelle just as I am with Leo and the others," she said, glancing back at Raiden. "We share the same body—that isn't something anyone can replace."

Raiden's expression darkened. He knew all that, knew everything she said was true, but he still felt jealous. What was wrong with him?

"I can't be running around with you like I do with Noelle, Papa." she said gently, "That isn't you."

She smiled. "You'd rather have me lay on your shoulder like I did in my dragon form, or just stay by your side."

Raiden's eyes narrowed as he finally turned to Ash, locking eyes with her. "You're right, Ash. I wouldn't want to run around with you."

His expression darkened further. "So why am I still jealous?"

Ash smiled as her white hair danced in the wind. "I don't think it is jealousy, Papa."

This was unexpected for Raiden. He waited to hear what Ash thought it was, certain he'd felt uneasiness when he saw them happy together.

"You are afraid," she said bluntly.

Confusion dawned on Raiden as he squinted. He had been scared before, on multiple occasions, but what he felt didn't seem like fear. Was this some new type of fear he hadn't experienced?

"How?"

"You fear you might lose me," she said with a smile, which made Raiden even more confused. "Don't worry, I feel the same way too."

"Wait, what?"

She gave him a gentle nod. "Those feelings aren't your own… they're mine."

This only confused him more. He crouched down beside her to match her height and held her by the shoulders, his fingers brushing against her pale skin.

"What are you saying? What are those fears?"

Ash shook her head. "I don't know, but I think you can feel it now," she said, reaching toward Raiden's heart.

"My heart must be resonating with yours—it's beating so fast, and my chest keeps getting tighter."

Raiden gulped as he stared at her. If those were her feelings, then why did she seem so happy?

"Why are you feeling this way?"

"I don't know, Papa, but it starts when I see you," she said, squinting thoughtfully. "Maybe I'm afraid of losing you."

Raiden rubbed his temples as he tried to process what was happening. What he thought were his own feelings of jealousy weren't his at all, and they weren't even jealousy to begin with.

"I wanted my time with Noelle to be with you instead, but I knew you wouldn't like that. Something told me to keep my distance."

Her words were making things more confusing than clear. "Why would you feel that way?" He shrugged. "I mean, I have no plans of dying soon."

"I don't know, but I don't think that's the case."

Raiden rose to his feet and began pondering what the possible reasons could be. Was it because of the mysterious person Alora had told him about?

His eyes widened as realization struck, and he began describing the mysterious girl to her.

"No, I can't think of anyone with such an overwhelming presence."

Raiden let out a sigh. The mysterious girl who was after him had been one of the main reasons he'd decided to speak with Ash about this, even though he suspected she wouldn't know her.

If Ash was feeling anxious about losing him, it might be because of that mysterious girl. If so, he would seek answers the moment they left the Isle.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine," Raiden said, patting Ash on the head. He could feel her heart grow warmer.

"Okay, Papa," she said with a huge grin.

Now, all Raiden had to do was make sure they got back home, deal with the FIRMO affairs, and most importantly, discover more about the mysterious girl after him and eliminate her before she eliminated him.

Perhaps Klein el Seer knows something—he thought.

He took Ash's hand once more, and they began to stroll through the flowers.