"A lot of the people around us have an impressive tenacity, I have yet to find worry for anyone we know. Even those who currently seem lost in hopelessness... still have a chance to come out of it okay," He nodded sagely. "You and Dan Heng indeed have a path that has become intertwined..."

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · 19h ago

"Mm." He had never doubted their strength. Dan Heng had endured more than most ever should. Khamorosha, too, possessed a resilience that often went unnoticed beneath her gentler disposition. "They're both stubborn."

Elio listened, smiling knowingly. He was well aware of their beginnings, and the possible futures that the two shared. Seeing Blade go from bitterness and rage to this newfound peace and contentment was so good to see. He didn't need to be so concerned for Blade now.

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · 2d ago

He looked up from his cup at the mention of Dan Heng, momentarily reflecting on how normal the question had become. Once, that very question might have unearthed centuries of bitterness and hurt. Now...

The Aeons are moving in mysterious ways this afternoon...

"Heh, it is simply good manners," He chuckled softly, sipping at his tea in comfortable silence as Blade spoke. Now, onto more "normal" topics. Maybe. "So, how are things with you and Dan Heng? I have heard things got rough for him for a while there."

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · 2d ago

He gave a small shake of his head, eyes flicking over to Elio's figure in the other seat. "It's only tea. You don't need to thank me for every small thing." Not when Elio had spent so much of himself ensuring each of them might one day reach the futures they sought.

Rubbing his temples slightly. The lingering effects of his migraine, he'll be fine soon enough.

"I appreciate all the faith you've put in me," He smiled gently, settling himself back down, petting the cat that had settled on the arm of the chair. Elio was content in the silence, just thinking about the possible futures, the possibility of whether or not they could stop Finality...

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · 3d ago

"In that case, we'll leave the pathfinding to you. You've steered the course well enough so far." With that, Blade pushed himself to his feet, the armchair giving a quiet creak beneath the shift of his weight. He disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Elio to the silence for a few minutes.

"This is the path we walked upon, and the future is still not set in stone, we simply have to wander down the path that won't, as they say, screw us over," He nodded, chuckling softly. "I'll rest, tea sounds lovely."

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · 5d ago

"Guess we'll never know. In the end, it doesn't matter. This is the path we chose." Elio's mood seemed to have improved greatly since Blade joined him in the darkened room. Reaching down, he absentmindedly scratched behind the ears of the cat that had wandered back within reach.

Elio couldn't help it- even if their fight was against Terminus, he had grown fond of the little felines. They were well-kept with the Stellaron Hunters, and well-liked by all of the members. "Hehe, that is indeed true," He nodded his head, chuckling softly.

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · 6d ago

A faint huff escaped him, letting his head rest against the back of the armchair he was sitting in. Blade had grown accustomed to the cats long ago. They were simply part of the Hunters' little ecosystem. "I didn't forget you. We wouldn't be here otherwise."

"It's alright. I am well used to Terminus' influence."

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · 7d ago

"Oh... I'm sorry... I didn't know..." She murmured, looking down. Way to go Kham.

Elio was truly grateful for the rest of the Stellaron Hunters. He never had the opportunity to express his gratitude often, so when he did, he tried his best to give them his full sincerity. "Ha... our little group of oddballs is indeed strange," He laughed softly as Blade listed off everyone.

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · last wk.

There was something oddly sincere in the way Elio said it. Not merely satisfaction at having assembled a capable group, but something akin to gratitude. Blade was silent for a moment, his gaze lowered. "...As am I."

"Sometimes the cats are fragments of Finality... bringing bad news."

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · last wk.

"You are surrounded by cats? I've seen worse fates." She teased playfully, offering Elio a kind smile.

"Indeed," He nodded. Elio was proud of his little group. Seeing their end, and hoping that he could help them fulfil what they set out to seek, was something he found himself living for, despite the crushing weight of Finality trying to sink in. "I'm glad I managed to gather you all."

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · last wk.

"She is not one for giving up." They were a tenacious bunch, each of them. "Mn, I suppose so. That trust is... important." Elio, and the girls especially, had been a vital lifeline for him, and until their journeys had been fulfilled, he would continue to be their blade.

The feline fragment just blinked slowly, looking very wise and knowing. Elio chuckled. "They always show up around me."

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · last wk.

"Good." She smiled down at the cat, bowing her head. "Good evening." Greeting politely as well, even after the pets.

"Her will to live is very strong, despite her condition doing its best to bring her down..." A sad smile graced his lips. "I know. You all have become so close since you all joined me on this journey."

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · last wk.

The breath that left him was almost a laugh. "Glad to hear it." Not out of the woods, but her condition hadn't worsened. "Silver Wolf misses her." She wouldn't admit it aloud, not in so many words, but he could tell all the same.

Elio nodded, looking up at Blade. "She is fine. Her ending has yet to come," He stated softly. "But right now, she needs rest. Her condition has been, as the youths say, kicking her ass."

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · last wk.

There was always something just around the corner, though perhaps he would be afforded a few days rest. "How is Firefly?" he asked after a few moments of silence, letting his gaze linger on the vague shape of the cat he could make out through the dark. "Haven't heard much from her in a while."

"Yeah, much better. For now." Until the next episode, which he hoped wouldn't be a long time. He had no plans to look too far at the possibilities in the future just yet, not unless something required him to look again. He pet the cat's dark fur gently, looking thoughtful at their knowing eyes.

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · last wk.

As the feline settled into his lap, whether it was a thread of Terminus or a stray they had picked up along the way, Blade let his fingers absently stroke through its soft fur. He let time slip away from him, taking the quiet respite to sort through the many things on his mind.

"I do, yes," He nodded, smiling a little. "Good evening, fragment of Terminus," He greeted the cat with great respect.

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · last wk.

Kham smiled at the furball, gently petting it, all while checking on Elio every now and again. Humming. "Feeling better?"

Elio did not like to think about his own ending, so distant, so close. All paths eventually led to the end, even his own. It was just a fact of life. As he rested, a black cat wandered over, climbing onto Blade's lap as he was the warmest body in that dark corner.

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · last wk.

(Once Elio settled, Blade let his own eyes drift shut, arms folding across himself. In the quiet dark, his mind began to wander, as it so often did. Elio had promised each of them an ending. What, he wondered, awaited Destiny's Slave at the end of his own script?)

In the dark corner, a black cat casually wandered over and sat nearby. Elio rested the entire time, until the pain eased up.

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · last wk.

And she stays there with him, silent, simply offering company and affection.

He's just letting himself sit quietly in his dark corner. No thoughts, no prophecies or futures.

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · last wk.

Smiling reassuringly, a hand moving to rub his back, willing to bring him some comfort.

His eyes fall closed with ease. "Alright..."

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · last wk.

"Close your eyes." A kind order, voice sweet and low. "Try and relax."

"Yes... seeing everything all at once is... taxing on me..."

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · last wk.

Sitting by his side, her attitude one meant to soothe. "Migraines?" She inquired kindly, observing him.

He is not moving from his dark spot, but he acknowledges her presence with a nod. "I will be fine, Miss Khamorosha. Just... an unfortunately side effect of my gift."

Khamorosha@gambleranchor.bsky.social · last wk.

Noticing he seems... Pained. "Are you alright?" Approaching.

(His eyes are closed, just resting in the dark. This was the price he paid for being able to see the future. Terminus' "blessing")

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · last wk.

(He took a seat nearby, happy to sit in companionable silence until Elio's migraine passed.) Then close your eyes... The future will still be there when you open them.

Sometimes the gift of seeing everything... is more like a curse. (Nod nod, that's why he's sitting in darkness)

‍ ً𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗘.@deathundone.bsky.social · last wk.

You've been quiet. Headaches again?

How peaceful it is. I wonder what future possibilities will bring some liveliness to tonight. (He knows, but his head kinda hurts today so he will not reveal his visions)

What a lovely day. I shan't ruin it with my prophecies.

I predict... Gentle souls losing their hard fought control.

"Ah. There we go. I was fully right." Sips his tea, pets the fragment of Terminus.

I was half-right... It is not quite slutty, but it /is/ a maid's dress~

⌛Elio🐈‍⬛@destinysslave.bsky.social · 3w ago

I predict.... Someone's going to end up in a slutty maid dress by the end of tonight. 😔🍵