Saphira wiped away the salt to allow Aether to leave the barrier. Aether stepped out and started walking around the area. He was laughing and flapping his wings up and down. "Ah. It feels like I haven't been outside in an eternity," Ayame followed after him giggling and speaking with him.
"Don't wander off to far, sweetheart," Sona called after her and nodded happily. "Well, do you want to go next or should I?" He looked over at Deltune who was smiling as she watched Ayame playing, too. "Del? Earth to Del?" He waved his hand trying to get her attention.
"Hm? Oh, I'm sorry, Sona. What's wrong?" She snapped back to reality and smiled at Sona. "Oh, I think I'll go ahead and take my turn now," She smiled and walked up to the circle this time. Saphira had finished rebuilding the circle by filling in the rest of the salt. "Okay. I'll give this a try. Wish me luck."
"I will, but you won't need it," He whispered softly and smiled back.
"Ah, Sona's Number 1 is up next," Saphira grinned mischievously and chuckled softly. "Alright, Deltune, you can do this girl. Show Sona what you can do," She whispered these encouraging words to Deltune.
'Number 1? What's she mean by that? Oh. I don't have time for that, focus on the task at hand. Sona needs me to be strong.' Deltune thought to herself as she slapped both sides of her face two times to psyche herself up.
"Go for it, Del!" Sona shouted and clapped for her a few times.
'That man. He is something else.' Deltune thought to herself once more and giggled softly. 'You give me strength when I have none. I'll do this for you, and prove to both myself and you, that we can stand together as equals.' Sona's encouraging words lit a fire under this young water goddess' heart. 'Reach out with my mind. Feel for that right weapon. How do I contact an inanimate object? Like a sword?'
'Hmmm.' A soft, gentle voice echoed in her mind.
'Hello? Is somebody there?' Deltune called in return.
'Hmmmm.' The voice continued in contemplation. ''Ah!' The voice echoed again. 'Forgive me, forgive me. I didn't realize I had company. It's been many ages since someone paid me a visit. Now, tell me fallen goddess, what happened? Why do I not sense any divinity within you?' The sweet voice resounded in her mind. It was heavenly and feminine.
'Ah, well you see, that's kind of a long story.'
'Well, I don't have anywhere to be in particular. If you've got time, I've got an ear.' The voice responded.
"I gave my divinity to a human from another world. When I chose to reincarnate as a mortal with him, my father took away the last of my divinity. He then championed the man I brought and has now tasked him with saving this world. He is to fight Eslios. For that, I seek the power to protect him. To save him. To save Sona. I brought him here for a second chance at living a good life. Not for him to die saving this world. I won't allow that. That's why I need help. I'm weak on my own.' Deltune replied.
'Hush, child. Sona should in all rights be dead. You gave him more time. More memories. I know Saphira chose this man as her heir. In this regard, I know he has a righteous heart. Saphira would never choose an unworthy man to inherit her powers. And if this man is to save the future of this world, he will need help. I can grant you the power to protect him. The power of the Wind Elementals will bend to your command. Would you like that?' The voice asked.
'Inherit her powers? What would you ask for in return?' Deltune questioned. She was unsure whether to trust this voice.
'To stay by that man's side. More specifically, for you to stay by his side. He needs you, as you need him. I can sense his presence within your soul and his feelings for you are reflected. He cares greatly for you, young one. Even now I can feel his worry for you.' The voice sounded happy.
'He cares...greatly for me?' Deltune's face turned red. 'I mean, I know he is always sweet on me, but it's the same for the other girls, too.'
'If that is true, then he probably feels the same about them, too. However, I do not know these other women nor his feelings for them, so I am not qualified to make a hypothesis. Back to our immediate topic, do you accept my terms? If you do, then name me. I shall appear before you.'
'Hm. Then, if you can give me the power to protect him. I'll name you, Sylphia. Will that work?' Deltune questioned.
'Very well. From this day forth, I shall be called Sylphia.' The voice echoed back inside her mind.
Deltune opened her eyes and was back in reality once more. Laying on the ground inside the ring of blessed salt, laid an ancient looking tome; a grimoire. "Is this?" Deltune stepped inside the ring and brushed her hand over the aged leather cover. It sprung to life with her touch. The grimoire floated up in front of her and the pages started flipping rapidly. It came to a stop on a page that simply said Summon. Deltune stared at the pages and when nothing happened, she decided to speak. "Summon," She repeated that word she read and her voice echoed.
A blinding light perforated the air around them, causing temporary blindness. When the light faded, a small, beautiful creature hovered by Deltune's face. "Mmm. It's good to get out of that book every few hundred years or so," She said happily as she stretched. "Wow," Sylphia flew over to Sona and started circling around him slowly. "Hey handsome, why don't you come home with me? I promise I'll be gentle," She smiled coyly at Sona.
Sona was baffled as this little pixie or fairy or whatever floated over to him. Her words caught him off guard and he paused for a second. 'Hm. I seem to recall something similar happening in a movie. I know how to play this.' He thought to himself. "Baby, one night with me would leave you aching for the rest of eternity for just one more night," Sona put on his most suave voice and flashed Sylphia his most dazzling smile. 'Thank you, Hollywood!' Sona thought as he made reference to one of his most favorite films.
"Oh, wow," Sylphia was breathless and almost fainted. "Such a smooth talker. No wonder the ladies can't resist you. I'm having a hard time myself now," She replied as she used her hands to try and fan away the heat in her cheeks. "Anyway, judging on your appearance and that massive amount of mana residing inside you, I'm gonna hazard a guess and say you're Sona. Correct?" She questioned and sat down on Sona's shoulder.
"Well, to be honest, I wasn't very popular before. Now though, it's like I have to beat them back with a stick just to have a moments peace. And yeah, I'm Sona. How did you know my name?" Sona asked inquisitively and looked at the tiny creature on his shoulder. "Also, are you a fairy?"
"I know your name because..." Sylphia looked over at Saphira and smiled. "Of her. Remember when she first made you that offer?" Sylphia asked trying to help him recall what happened.
'When she first offered me her powers...No way.' Sona turned to face his Master who just nodded her head when she saw his expression. "You mean when she first declared that I would become a Dragoon?" He looked at Sylphia who was grinning ear to ear.
"That's right. Every creature that resides in this world, knows of Saphira's declaration or has now been told of it by another. You will gather many allies, and yet, you will make just as many enemies. This will not be a life without hardships..." Sylphia was cut off as Sona raised a finger and pressed it to her lips gently.
"I made a choice a long time ago. A promise to myself, and to any Gods who might have been listening. I swore that I would turn over a new leaf. If given a second chance, I would walk a righteous path and become the type of man I always wished I had been," Sona removed his finger from her lips and gently rubbed the top of her head. "That choice has pushed me further every day. Master gave me the chance I needed to be the man I wanted. Because of my choices and the people who followed me," Sona looked over Deltune and Ayame and smiled happily. Ayame and Aether had both stopped playing to listen. "Because of them, I will give my life to protect them and this world they call home," Sona's eyes teared up a little.
Sylphia flew up slowly and wiped away his tears. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to question your decision. I just wanted you to know the difficulties you will be required to face, but it seems you have already made up your mind. In that case," Sylphia flew back to Deltune and sat a top her blue hair. "The two of us will grow strong enough to protect you and your friends," Sylphia finished and looked down at Deltune.
"That's right, Sona. I will protect you," She whispered softly and averted her eyes. 'My heart won't stop racing. His words sent shivers down my spine.' Deltune thought to herself.
Ayame ran up and wrapped her arms around Sona's waist. "I'll protect you, too, Master. You focus on your goal, and leave your back to us. Aether will give me the strength to fight for you. Right, Aether?" She looked back and smiled at her new friend.
"That's right, Master Sona. Leave your protection to us," Aether laughed loudly and bowed his head to Sona.
"Well, so far things have progressed without any trouble, but..." Saphira looked to Sona as she spoke. "You may bring about some difficulty. There are many who will be drawn to the presence of your Mana. I told you before when we first met that your mana presence is like a beacon shining in the night, and now with my power inside you, many will find you a threat and some may even try to devour you. Be careful who you trust and don't believe everything you hear. They will try to lead you astray. You must remember that this is your reality. Ground yourself here with your thoughts. This could be dangerous. Do you still wish to proceed, Sona?" Saphira asked against her better judgement. She didn't want to expose him to this great a risk, but it was his choice.
'Ground myself in reality? What does she mean? They will devour me? Should I go through with this then?' Sona's anxiety resurfaced again as he looked to Aether and Sylphia.
Saphira walked over and kissed Sona's cheek. "You are doing it again, sweet Sona. You think to much. Not everything can be solved with this," She gently touched her fingers to his temple. "Think of everything in this world you wish to protect. Focus on them. Let them be your anchor. When your ready, approach the circle," She took a few steps back to allow him to collect his thoughts.
Sona rubbed his cheek and smiled as Saphira retreated. 'Master. You always know when I'm at war with myself. Thank you.' Sona approached the circle and took a deep breathe as he sat down on the ground. He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes. "Jaesu. Ellie. Kono. Del. Ayame. Saphira. Valindra." He whispered all the names of the people he wished to protect. He allowed their faces to fill his thoughts as he extended his mind into the unknown.
Many voices perforated his thoughts. Hundreds of voices echoed in his mind. 'She was right. There are so many seeking my attention. None of them seem hostile but..' Sona's thoughts were cut off.
'At last. I've found a body worthy of my powers.' This voice was malevolent as it tried it to invade his mind. 'The amount of mana you posses is staggering. Hand it over. Give your body to me!' The voice demanded as he felt Sona push back against him. 'Do not deny me!'
'Guh.' Sona felt his mind being forced to surrender. 'N-never! I will not fall today to some faceless demon!' Sona felt his friends beside him and in his mind. 'You will not take me without a fight.'
Saphira paced back and forth as she watched her student.
"Ahhhhhh!" Sona shouted loudly as his body collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain. His body squirmed and struggled on the ground.
"Master Sona!" Ayame shouted and ran towards Sona.
"Ayame, no!" Aether went to cut her off, but it was to late.
Sona rose to his feet and grabbed Ayame by her neck. "Ha," The voice chuckled. "Hahaha!" The voice let out a malevolent laugh. Sona's head raised and every one saw his face. This wasn't Sona. His eyes were black with red pupils that shifted violently.
"Guh. M-Master Sona," Ayame breathed raggedly. "T-this isn't...who you are," She reached her hand out slowly.
"Hah. That weak human is dead. He was powerless to stop me," The voice mocked the little girl squirming in his hand.
'Damn it. Damn it! Sona! I knew I should have waited longer.' Saphira cursed in her mind. She dropped her arms to her sides and extended her claws. "Put her down, Sona! I know you are still in there. If you can't overcome this, I'll have to kill you!" She shouted as the creature in his body turned to face her.
Floating along inside a void of nothingness, Sona's body drifted. "Is this the end? Am I seriously going to die again?" Sona muttered and sighed helplessly. "I thought I was invincible. That was my downfall. I got cocky and arrogant," He muttered again. "Master, forgive me. Del, Ellie, Kono. Sorry. I guess I won't ever be able to make you all my wives. Nor will I get to see your smiling faces. Ayame, I with I could watch you grow into a beautiful woman. Stay strong for me," Sona said his goodbyes. What else could he do but wait?
"She won't have the chance to grow up," The voice returned and mocked Sona using his own voice. "I'll let you see her one last time before you both die," The voice dispersed the blackness. Sona could see through his eyes.
"Ayame!!" He screamed as he watched his arm squeezing Ayame's throat. "Let her go! Let go of her, you bastard!" Sona screamed. The voice just laughed as Sona drowned in despair.
"M-Master...no, Sona..." She gasped his name and reached her hand out again. "I...love you," She admitted her feelings as she reached out to caress his cheek.