Midnight visit?

I awoke to a soft rustling within the confines of my tent. My mind instantly sprang into alert, thoughts of intruders poised to interrupt our hard-earned rest flooding my mind. Yet, as my eyes focused on the figure in the dim light, I found Esther sitting cross-legged, her blue eyes reflecting a vulnerability that caught me off guard.

“Esther?” I questioned, my voice heavy with sleep and confusion, “What's up? Why are you awake?”

In the quiet space of the tent, she began to unspool a narrative that tugged at my heartstrings. She spoke of the battle with Varis, of her powerlessness as she exhausted her divine power trying to fend off his goons. The words fell from her lips like weighty stones, echoing her fears of being the weak link that might lead to our downfall.

“I-I felt so helpless, Jasper,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly, “And then Cyrus… he came. Promised to help because… because I mattered to you.”

A silence settled over us, hanging heavy like a thick fog. I couldn't find the right words to interrupt it, my mind too busy processing her revelations.

“Cyrus… he used his mana to help. He was so… tired, but he kept pushing,” Esther continued after a while, her voice steadier, “I've been having nightmares ever since that day. Waking up scared and… and he's always there. Talking me down.”

Her voice softened into a chuckle, one tinged with a hint of sorrow. “Funny, isn't it? He's been so busy consoling me, he hasn't had time to sneak into your tent for your… nightly rendezvous.”

I managed a chuckle at Esther's words, a warmth spreading through me at her jest. “I did wonder where he had been,” I confessed, my mind a jumble of thoughts. It wasn't just about the physical needs Cyrus managed to satiate, but a connection that was blossoming.

Esther nodded, her gaze dropping as she began speaking again. “Nia… she's been struggling too, you know,” she said, her voice softer. “She couldn't do anything at Varis' layer. She was hurt and helpless. But Cyrus… he was there for her too. He bore the pain for her, allowing her consciousness to rest.”

The words hung heavy in the air, a revelation that drew a pang of guilt from within me. I felt remorse creep up my spine, wishing I had known sooner, wishing I had been there for them as Cyrus had been.

“Hey, Jasper,” Esther broke into my spiraling thoughts, her hand reaching out to rest on my arm. “I know you're feeling guilty about Cyrus. But… you shouldn't. To us, to me and Nia, he's our savior in many ways. Even though he sometimes… well, you know… uses our bodies.” A soft blush painted her cheeks, but she pushed past it with a small smile, adding in a whisper, “It always felt good, though.”

She cleared her throat, her gaze meeting mine once more, a resolute shine in her eyes. “Cyrus being there… it makes us feel safe, Jasper,” she admitted, her voice resolute. “Even if he might go rogue sometimes. Cyrus… he's an undeniable part of us now.”

Silence consumed my tent once again.

“Would you like to talk to Cyrus?” Esther asked, her tone gentler than before. I was startled at the offer, but after a moment of reflection, I nodded. I wanted to hear from Cyrus. I wanted to understand.

No sooner had I given my agreement, Esther's eyes shifted color, taking on the distinct purple that signaled Cyrus's control. A ripple of anticipation coursed through me as she spoke, her voice now sounding older, weary even. “Greetings, Jasper,” Cyrus's voice came through Esther's lips.

“Cyrus,” I acknowledged with a nod. It was strange, but at that moment, he felt more like a confidant than the true form I previously knew him for. “How have you been?” His question was met with a rueful grin from me.

“Better than you, I'd wager,” I answered, managing to elicit a chuckle from him.

“Why didn't you say something to me?” I found myself asking, my curiosity piqued.

“I am old, Jasper,” he started, an oddly self-deprecating tone in his voice. “I don't like to show weakness.” I let out a soft laugh at his self-directed jest.

“But it's more than that,” he continued, his tone serious. “I don't have your complete trust yet. I wanted to prove myself to you. Show you that I am more than a... horny, body-hopping slug.”

His words were like a punch to my gut, leaving me stunned. I hadn't realized how much Cyrus yearned for my trust, how much he sought my acceptance, he meant it when he said he wanted to be my friend. Silence fell between us as I grappled for words, Cyrus waiting patiently for me to digest his revelation.

“Are you alright, Jasper?” He finally broke the silence, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Stuck for words, I managed to croak out, “I don't know what to say.”

Cyrus, through Esther's form, offered a soft, understanding smile. “Perhaps you could start with 'thank you'? It's a simple phrase, but it does carry a lot of weight.”

Feeling a sudden rush of gratitude, the words escaped my lips before I could even think. “Thank you, Cyrus.”

At this, a satisfied grin curled on Esther's lips. “That wasn't so hard now, was it?” he teased.

We continued to talk, our conversation meandering through a multitude of topics. As the night wore on, the atmosphere between us grew more relaxed. Cyrus, even through Esther's body, had a way of making things feel…comfortable.

As we sat in companionable silence, Cyrus suddenly broke it. “Jasper,” he began, his voice just above a whisper. “How about a kiss? A little token to remember this moment by.”

Looking into Esther's eyes, they were tired but genuine. And at that moment, I realized that I was comfortable with this new dynamic. “Only a kiss?” I found myself asking, a hint of teasing in my own voice.

Cyrus's reply came in the form of a hearty laugh, his face lighting up in amusement. “For now, Jasper, for now.”