The Warmth of the Hearth
Thora Loft

Thora Loft sits on the bed that she can’t even remember sleeping in, a photograph in her hand. A single luminescent candle faintly lights up the entire room, giving it an orange tinge. The photo contains a young Loft and a taller man with both of her parents, smiling at the camera.

A figure makes his presence known, a cold air surrounding his strides. “Thora, what are you doing?” The broken voice echoes throughout the room, its enclosed walls amplifying it. His blonde hair was now replaced by a dark auburn; his young physique is nowhere to be seen. He approaches Loft and puts a hand on her chin, making her face him. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

Loft does not retaliate, and instead proceeds to speak her mind, something that she doesn’t usually do. “I still can’t believe I’m with you again. Do you have any idea how much I longed to see you?” She pauses, catching her breath. Loft pulls herself away and proceeds to keep the photograph in the wooden drawer found beside her bed. “A century Kein, one filled with nothing but longing. That is the suffering I went through.”

She looks at him once more, his face now resembling the one that she remembers as his vessel and madness wilts away. A memory resurfaces on her mind; a taste of bitterness overwhelms her. She remembers seeing him in immense pain, screaming in agony as he was forced into exile. The feeling of being powerless is stapled in her mind, and she doesn’t want to experience it again. “I take it that you have regained your memories? Seeing as you no longer want to tear me to pieces?”

Kein flinches, the thought of even hurting her gives him an ache he can’t explain. He was a demon, made from nothing but negativity. Shame fills him, guilt floods his senses. He speaks again, his voice still broken. “Forgive me Thora. Memories had no place in Blepalon, it gnawed at everything I held onto.” The feeling of the cold haunts him, years without anybody but himself. There were gaps in his mind, ones that contained the answers he was looking for. Loft approaches him, an urge to step away rises, but he brushes it off. “There are things that are missing. Questions still flood my mind.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Loft stops in front of him and proceeds to embrace him. Cold, yet comfortable. She looks up into his dark purple eyes, an unexplainable sense of security floods her. This body was his now, which meant that she has found him again. Her hand touches his cheek, and his hand caresses hers in kind. He was there, the same Kein that she had come to love centuries ago. She speaks, her voice soft. “In that case, let me remind you of what once was.” Loft pulls him in, her hand at the back of his head. She presses her lips on his, his scent flooding her senses. She closes her eyes, a hand on his chest. Her heart beats like it never has before, a sensation that she only found with him. It was just her and him, and she won’t lose him again.

Memories flood Kein, familiarity was all he felt. He finds himself in the outskirts of the Slums, to when he first met her a century ago. A young Loft stood in front of him, squealing with excitement. She exclaimed, unable to contain her emotions. “It worked! The summoning worked!” Thoughts of attacking her provoke him, and he attempts to lunge at her. Loft simply smiles and before his hand reaches her, he freezes. He screams at her with anger. “What have you done to me?!” His voice was still full, whole. He was powerful, but unable to hurt such a puny human.

Loft smirks, as if she was proud of what was happening. “You are now Bonded with me! That also means you can’t hurt me, whether you like it or love it!” She extends a hand, knowing full well that he can’t hurt her. “My name is Thora Loft, nice to meet you!” She smiles, warmth surrounding her.

He swipes her hand away, and is suddenly met with excruciating pain. Seeing as he had no other choice, he answers. “I have no name. Your kind calls me a demon, a monstrosity, nothing but an anomaly.”

Thora’s face scrunches, “Well that’s just mean. I’ve been called names as well…” She pauses. “I’m not like the other kids from around here. I can use magic, unlike them. They call me a witch for it.” Her face suddenly brightens up again, an idea coming to her. “I’ll give you a name! That way, you won’t feel unaccepted. Let’s see…” She stops to think, muttering words every now and then. “A-ha! I’ll call you Kein! Don’t ask me where I got that, just go with it.”

Kein looks at her, confused by what her true motives were. Kein. He never got a name before, and he never expected to receive it from a human.

They were now racing through the town called the Murkville, a much older and beautiful Thora leading the way. She walked with a spring in her step, Kein carrying dozens of bags behind her. “Hey Lazybones! Don’t tell me a few groceries are enough to tire you?” She picks up a stone and infuses her wind with it, throwing it straight at him. It hits him straight in the stomach, a loud thud accompanying the impact. Kein however, does not flinch, and continues to walk as if nothing happened.

Thora frowns, no longer facing Kein. She continues to move ahead, losing the enthusiasm she once had. Her eyes fall on the lines of broken houses that make up Murkville, the dingy atmosphere was always a sight to see. She continues to look around when another person bumps into her. “I’m sorr---“

Thora gets cut off by the taller girl, accompanied by two others. “Oi! Witchy, what’re ya doin here?” She nods at the others and they proceed to subdue Thora. The first girl speaks, “I believe ya owe me quite a few, what do you say ya pay me back now?”

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