The Married Life Of Immortals

Lysia's puzzled expression lingered as she rested her head back on Bane's shoulder. The silence between them was filled with the distant hum of magical energy as Wei Nam Lee and Mizuage worked diligently on the final array. The air was thick with anticipation and unspoken words.

As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, a soft glow enveloped the clearing. The Nexus Tree seemed to pulse with a gentle, otherworldly light, its branches swaying ever so slightly as if in response to the magical energies converging around it. Bane felt a sense of calm wash over him, a momentary respite from the chaos that had defined his life until now.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to just... stop?" Lysia's voice broke the silence, her tone reflective.

Bane glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "Stop?"

"Yes. To live a simple life, free from the burdens of the responsibilities we've shouldered," Lysia explained, her eyes distant.

Bane sighed, considering her words. "I've never really had the luxury to think about that. My life has always been about survival, about pushing ahead no matter the cost. There is no doubt that this life has been better than my last, but this one still requires me to keep moving forward. But maybe... maybe one day, when all this is over, we can find that peace. Since we are now stuck together, I just have to save the world and find you a core!"

Lysia smiled softly, her gaze returning to the Nexus Tree. "You really think that all of that is going to be so easy?"

"Easy?" Bane chuckled. "No, I don't think it will, but I don't really have much of a choice at this point. It is going to take a really long time, and I will have to leave the village. Still, nothing ever worth doing is easy. I might be gone for a long time, but if you are willing to wait for me, I will come back when I find your core."

"Will you really come back?" Lysia asked, and Bane nodded.

"I mean, you pretty much confessed your love for me without saying it, so we are kind of stuck together, right?" Bane teased, but then instantly regretted it as a large purple spell ring appeared between him and Lysia.

Before Bane could say uncle, Lysia activated her spell, Thunder Wave. The spell was at point blank range, so there was no chance Bane could avoid it. The crackling energy of Lysia's Thunder Wave spell surged between them, the powerful blast sending Bane tumbling backward. He landed hard on the ground, momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack. Lysia stood over him, her eyes blazing with both anger and amusement.

"Never take my feelings lightly, Bane," she said, her voice firm but with a hint of a smile. "Now, get up. We have work to do."

Bane groaned as he got to his feet, rubbing the back of his head. "Noted. No more jokes about that," he said, still smiling despite the sting of the spell. "But seriously, Lysia, I meant what I said. We'll figure this out together."

Lysia's expression softened, and she extended a hand to help him up. "I know you did. And I believe you. Let's focus on the task at hand for now."

Wei Nam Lee and Mizuage approached, having completed their work on the final array. The intricate design glowed with a pulsating energy that seemed to resonate with the Nexus Tree. Wei Nam Lee nodded in satisfaction. "The array is finished. The portal should be closed and the energy is sealed, but this isn't a permanent fix. At some point, this barrier will break, but the next portal will be sent somewhere else."

Lysia only shrugged, and then pulled out a prismatic crystal and threw it on the ground. "Not our problem anymore," She said, as the crystal broke on the ground and a portal appeared. "We still have two more portals to take care of, and I would like some sleep before we start the next one."

Without another word, Lysia walked through the portal, but Mizuage gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. "That damn elf doesn't care about anything but the island! She has no idea how this will affect the nine heavens! Not only that, but we had to use an array created by myself! When these creatures break free, and people come to investigate, they will know that I was the cause of all of this!"

Bane could only shrug. "And what would you like to do about it? This tree was a stupid idea and if this portal didn't end up on the island, it would have gone somewhere else. Like I said before, whoever designed this place is at fault. Let's go."

Mizuage's frustration was palpable, but Bane's words seemed to have a calming effect on him. He sighed and nodded, following Bane towards the portal. Wei Nam Lee trailed behind, a look of contemplation on his face.

As they stepped through the portal, the world shifted around them, and they found themselves back at the formation Bane had activated. Bane walked over to where Lysia was looking around and frowned when he tried to see what she was looking at.

"We should set up camp here," Lysia said, but Bane frowned, looking at the sun that was rising.

"Now? I mean, I am tired too, but shouldn't we just go back to the village?" Bane said, but Lysia glared at him.

"I told you that I was tired, or are you going to carry me back to the village?" Lysia growled, but Bane shrugged.

"If you want me to," Bane said, and then moved to pick her up, but Lysia pushed him back with a glare.

Lysia's cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson, and she quickly turned away from Bane. "Set up camp here," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Bane chuckled under his breath but nodded, understanding her unspoken need for some rest. "Alright, alright. Let's set up camp then."

Wei Nam Lee and Mizuage silently began to prepare the area for camping, setting up tents and gathering wood for a fire. The air was still charged with the remnants of spiritual energy, but the surrounding forest seemed to offer a serene respite from their recent ordeal.

As Bane and Lysia worked side by side to set up their tent, a comfortable silence settled between them. Despite the tension and the weight of their past day, there was an unspoken bond that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

Once the camp was ready, Lysia sat down by the fire, staring into the flickering flames. Bane joined her, sitting close enough to feel the warmth of the fire and her presence.

"Do you really think we can find a way to extend my life?" Lysia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I mean, I won't stop till I find it. Even if I have to tear this world apart," Bane said firmly, his eyes reflecting the determination in his heart. "It's not going to be easy, but I've faced worse odds before. Together, we'll find a way."

Lysia sighed, a mix of hope and doubt in her eyes. "I hope you're right, Bane. I really do."

The cresting sun was now lifting up into the clear sky, and the crackling fire provided a comforting backdrop to their thoughts. Wei Nam Lee and Mizuage had already retired to their tents, leaving Bane and Lysia alone by the fire.

Bane stared into the flames, his mind racing with possibilities. He had faced many challenges since arriving in this world, but this one felt different. It was personal, and the stakes were higher than ever. Lysia had given him a new purpose, and he was determined to see it through.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" Lysia's voice broke the silence, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips.

Bane chuckled. "How could I forget? You were so serious, and I was sure that you were hellbent on trying to kill me!"

Lysia laughed softly. "I treated you like any human, but you keep proving to me that I have been underestimating them."

Bane shrugged. "Don't start giving humans credit. Whether it be beast, man, or whatever, good or bad should be measured on a personal level, not so wide spread to think that one description fits all. There are good humans and bad ones. There are smart ones, but there are also dumb ones...What I mean to say is that individuals should be judged for who they are, not by the race they belong to," Bane concluded, his voice filled with conviction.

Lysia nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the fire. "You're right, Bane. I suppose I've been guilty of generalizing too much. It's easy to fall into that trap when you've lived as long as I have."

Bane smiled at her. "Well, it's never too late to change. And we've got a long time ahead of us to learn and grow together."

Lysia smiled back, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "Thank you, Bane. For everything."

They sat in silence for a while longer, each lost in their thoughts. The morning was peaceful, the only sounds being the crackling of the fire and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze.

As the fire began to die down, Bane stood up and stretched. "We should get some rest. We've got a lot to do today when we get up."

Lysia nodded, standing up as well. "You're right, so let's go. I have always wondered what it was like to have a man sleeping beside me."

Bane nodded, and started to stand up, but then froze as what Lysia said sank into his head. While knowing that the woman had feelings for him was fine in his books, Bane was not prepared to be called to a bed in his current form.

Lysia, seeing the emotions play across Bane's face, slapped her hand to her face. "You idiot! We are both still in these childish bodies, so you had better keep your hands to yourself! I just mean being in the same bed! Why do men's minds always go to sexual places?!"

Bane let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, Lysia. I guess my mind was running wild there for a moment, but I am just not used to any of this. Let's just get some rest."

Lysia rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile. "Just get in the tent. We have a long day ahead."

They settled into the tent, the small space forcing them to lie close together. The shared warmth was comforting, and despite the strangeness of the situation, there was a sense of companionship that made it easier to relax.

As the sun rose higher and the forest around them quieted, Bane found himself staring at the tent's ceiling, his mind still racing with thoughts of their journey and the challenges that lay ahead. Beside him, Lysia's breathing gradually slowed as she drifted into a restful sleep.

Bane couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for her presence. She had given him a purpose beyond just survival, and her unwavering support meant more to him than he could express. He glanced over at her sleeping form, a small smile playing on his lips. This was all new for him.

In Bane’s past life, he had never had time for any relationships, or at least anything meaningful. His old life had been constantly moving forward, just trying to survive each day. Being a criminal didn’t leave much room for love, or anything of that sort. Yet, now he was in another world, and there was a woman beside him who had bonded herself to Bane for the rest of their unending lives.

Life's path was a winding road, and it was hard to see what was around the next.

"Rest well, Lysia," he whispered, closing his eyes and letting the weariness of the day finally overtake him.