Zaine Part 2

The flickering light of the fire danced across Zaine. I could see her disoriented expression and the furrowed brow as she struggled with an unseen battle in her mind. Cautiously, I approached her and knelt before the makeshift bed where she sat.

"Are you feeling alright?" I asked gently.

Slowly, she lifted her head, her unfocused gaze wandering around the dimly lit destroyed room before settling on me. Suddenly, tears streamed down her face as she murmured softly, "Light, at last."

Her words struck me deep within, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and concern. As her tears began to flow more freely, I reached out and took her hands in mine.

"Zaine," I said in a calm, steady voice, "You're free now. Everything will be alright." My words seemed to anchor her back from her thoughts, and for a moment, she looked into my eyes with something akin to recognition.

"Do you remember anything?" I pressed, hoping to learn more about her current state.

She hesitated, her gaze turning inward as she searched her own mind for answers. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she shook her head, "No... I don't know... my name... who I am... or even where am I."

My heart clenched at her confession, and I squeezed her hands tighter, "It's okay. We'll figure everything out together," I assured her, trying to keep the worry from my voice, "Right now, the most important thing is that you're safe," I met her gaze and asked, "Zaine," I asked tentatively, "Do you recognize me?"

She nodded faintly, making a small smile, her voice trembling as she replied, "You're Darx... the one who kept me company while I was trapped in that world of darkness."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine. It was true; we had shared countless hours conversing through the void that separated us, forming a unique bond that saw us both through our most difficult times.

"Thank you," Zaine whispered through her tears, "For saving me, for pulling me out of the torment I endured, and for being the light that kept me sane during all those years of imprisonment," Her voice cracked with emotion, and I could see how much the ordeal had affected her.

"Zaine," I said earnestly, my own eyes beginning to mist over, "I owe you my gratitude as well. You not only helped me when I needed training but also supported me through my toughest times—your presence and your words of encouragement were my solace even in moments when I thought I had lost everything."

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as we held each other's gaze, the weight of our shared history and the relief of reunion heavy in the air around us. We were finally together, and I swore to myself that I would do everything in my power to keep her safe and help her rediscover her past.

Our intense gaze was suddenly broken by a subtle but persistent fidgeting to my side. I turned slightly to see Sunshine hovering there, her wings fluttering with unease. She had been watching the entire time, clearly uncertain of what to do with herself.

"Uh, so this is sweet and all," Sunshine piped up, her voice higher pitched than usual, "But maybe we should, you know, not get too sappy? I remind you that I am still here." I could feel my face flush.

"Sunshine..." My tone was a gentle warning.

Turning back to Zaine, who looked slightly amused by the fairy's interjection, I let go of her hands and adopted a more serious demeanor, "Zaine, how are you feeling? Truly?" I asked, my eyes scanning her face for any sign of lingering pain.

She hesitated before responding, and when she did, her voice was soft but weak, "My head hurts... a lot. And I'm very cold," She admitted, wrapping her arms around herself in an instinctive attempt to ward off the chill.

I followed her motion with my gaze, noting the way her worn and torn clothing hung off her frame, barely providing any warmth or modesty. It was nothing more than a filthy rag clinging to her beautiful form in tatters. Still, I couldn't help but let my eyes linger on Zaine's partially exposed body, my gaze drawn to her breast that was just barely visible beneath the ragged cloth. One of her breasts was practically exposed. The sight of her nipple made my heart race. Then, lowering my eyes further and taking into account that I was kneeling in front of her, I noticed that her legs were slightly parted, revealing her intimate part covered by a layer of pubic hair.

My face flushed a deep shade of red as my mind filled with thoughts I knew I shouldn't be entertaining. I quickly averted my gaze, suddenly feeling like an intruder in this intimate moment.

"Zaine," I stammered, trying to regain my composure, "I-I have some clothes you can use. Please, allow me to get them for you."

Zaine, upon noticing her appearance, becomes embarrassed, closing her legs and covering her breasts with her arm while her face turned just as red as mine.

"T-Thank you, Darx," She murmured, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

I stood up, still blushing, and reached into my magic bag to rummage for something suitable for her to wear. As I pulled out one of my spare shirts, a thought crossed my mind: Syvis had large breasts, but Zaine's are just as big. I shook my head, banishing the comparison as I handed the clothing to her.

"Here, put these on," I said, averting my eyes to give her privacy.

"Thank you," Zaine's voice was a soft whisper.

I nodded and turned my back to her, focusing on the jagged shadows dancing across the cavern walls from our dim campfire.

As I listened to the sound of Zaine getting dressed, an unexpected warmth surged within me. I clenched my fists at my sides, chastising myself for the lack of control. I felt it then, the unmistakable tension against the fabric of my pants—an erection, firm and undeniable.

"Dox?" Sunshine's voice chirped, appearing to my side at the height of my waist, tinged with amusement, "You're looking... tense, huhuhu!"

"Mind your own business, Sunshine," I grumbled, knowing full well that my current state didn't escape her sharp eyes.

"You are so HARD on me sometimes, huhuhu!" She teased with a giggle, flitting closer to examine my discomfort before landing on my shoulder. Her tiny weight was barely noticeable.

"Please, just—don't," I hissed under my breath. I needed to focus on something else, anything else.

"Alright, alright, I'll keep my lips sealed," Sunshine promised, though her twinkling eyes suggested she found the situation too entertaining.

I listened intently for the rustle of fabric, indicating Zaine was finished changing. After a few moments, which felt like an eternity, her voice broke the silence.

"Darx, I'm done."

I took a deep breath, trying to relax before turning around. The sight that greeted me was disarming. Zaine stood there, clothed in my t-shirt, which was stretched tight over her ample breasts, and my pants, which hung more comfortably on her hips. Despite the ill-fitting nature of the garments, Zaine wore them with an air of elegance, transforming the simple attire into something almost charming.

"In the place where I was trapped for so long, I felt naked, so wearing clothes now feels strange," Zaine spoke, her tone uncertain as she smoothed the shirt down self-consciously.

"It suits you, surprisingly," I replied, my voice steadier than expected.

"Ah? I see..." She breathed out, relief apparent in her posture as she relaxed slightly, "I feel warmer now. Thank you, Darx."

"Of course," I said, offering her a small smile.

I'm used to hearing her voice, yet seeing her in front of me and hearing those words pass from her lips still feels oddly surreal. What's more, I hadn't expected Zaine to be taller than me. I've noticed that demons, in general, tend to tower over humans, and Zaine seems to be no exception. I also observe that she doesn't have wings, so she's not a succubus like Usofra and Namy. Given her more human-like appearance—aside from the horns—she likely belongs to the Devil category. Another striking detail is that, despite having lived for centuries, Zaine looks like she is in her early thirties. Once she regains her memories, there are so many things I want to ask her.

"You must be hungry," I said, "I have some things in my magic bag. I'll prepare something."

Searching through my backpack, I saw that I had enough food for more or less a week. I have some meat and vegetables preserved by my ice magic. I guess I'll do something with that. It will be a simple fare, but after her ordeal, anything would be a feast.

"Hey, Zaine," Sunshine's voice thrilled, the fairy's luminescence flickering like a flitting candle as she approached Zaine, "You're finally up! I've been dying to talk to you!"

Zaine looked at the tiny fairy, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles, a rare sight that seemed to transform her expression from stern to tender, "Sunshine, if I'm not mistaken. Darx has told me a lot about you. What would you like to talk about?" She asked in a voice that carried curiosity.

"Everything!" Sunshine exclaimed, hovering inches from Zaine's face, her wings fluttering rapidly, "Like, how does it feel to be free? And what's your favorite color? Mine's yellow, like Sunshine, duh!"

"Free..." Zaine echoed, her gaze distant momentarily before refocusing on the fairy, "It is... liberating. As for a favorite color, I do not remember having one."

"Whaaat? You don't remember?" Sunshine gasped dramatically, "That's okay, we'll find you a new one! Your purple hair is very pretty; maybe that should be your favorite color."

"Yeah, perhaps..." Zaine replied, amusement coloring her tone.

"Also, also," Sunshine continued, barely pausing for breath, "What's it like having those cool horns? And why is one of them broken? Can I touch them?"

Zaine reached up to the horn split in half, a shadow crossing her features, "They are... a part of me. But yes, you may touch them."

According to Usofra, a demon's horns are a symbol of their pride. A broken horn signifies that they've lost a battle. From what I've seen, demons with incomplete horns aren't treated kindly—some even end up as slaves. I can't help but wonder if Zaine remembers that. I hope not, especially since it's likely she lost her horn during the fight with her brother. And, of course, losing that fight was what triggered everything that happened afterward.

Sunshine's excitement was palpable as she gently brushed her tiny hand against the smooth surface of Zaine's horn, "Wow, they don't feel as hard as I expected. I like them better than the other two."

"Thank you," Zaine murmured, her expression softening further, "Your curiosity is endearing, little one."

"Ooh, I have lots of questions!" Sunshine announced, zipping around Zaine's head, "But first, tell me, are you also a whore like Namy and Usofra?"

"Ah?" Zaine looked confused.

"SUNSHINE!!!!" I yelled at her, "Stop asking those stupid questions," Then I looked back at Zaine, "Please ignore her. Sometimes, she doesn't know what she's saying."

"Okay, okay, I'll ask something else," Sunshine said, sounding disappointed, "Tell me, do you want your memories back?"

"My memories..." Zaine stated, her purple eyes locking onto mine, "Yes, of course. I feel like I have something important that I have to do."

I paused a piece of dried meat halfway to the makeshift plate. Her words resonated deep within me, stirring something I couldn't quite name, "Don't worry. We will find someone who can help you recover your memory," I assured her, meeting her intense gaze.

"Indeed," Zaine nodded, her attention returning to Sunshine as the fairy launched into another enthusiastic inquiry.

The crackling bonfire before us cast a warm glow on our small circle, the dancing flames reflecting in Zaine's eyes as she watched them with a childlike fascination. I could feel the heat against my skin with the cool night air. The simple meal I had prepared from the magic bag's contents lay mostly finished between us. Everything was calm until Sunshine accidentally drank from the wrong canteen.

"I think I'm drunk," Sunshine giggled, doing a somersault in the air, "Sounds like a party I'd love to join!"

"Sunshine, that's enough," I warned gently, though I couldn't suppress a smile at her antics.

Zaine chuckled softly, a richer, more melodic sound than I remembered from the darkness, "You have gathered quite the eclectic group, Darx. It speaks volumes of your character."

"I don't know if that's a good thing..." My gaze lingered on Zaine's face, noting the gentle creases around her eyes as she smiled at me.

"Tell us more about this world of darkness," Sunshine prompted, floating down to perch on a rock next to the fire, "Darx never wants to tell me when I ask him."

A collective silence fell upon us as memories surged forth, "A place devoid of light. A place with nothing. Many times, I prayed for **** to come for me, but it never happened," Zaine began, her voice low, almost a whisper, "Silence reigned supreme—until I heard Darx's voice."

"Zaine..."

"Darx. In the last few months, we have hardly been able to talk. Tell me what your journey was like to get here. Tell me everything that happened." Zaine, sitting next to me, said, looking at me intently.

"Sure," I replied, brushing my fingers through my hair to move a stray lock from my eyes.

Zaine and I talked for a long time until suddenly, I felt the warmth of her body against me, her head resting on my shoulder, a stark contrast to the coldness of the night. As Zaine's breaths deepened into slumber, her hand instinctively found mine. In that tranquil moment, the dangers of our situation felt distant.

"Darx," Sunshine whispered, her voice barely audible above the whispering wind, "We can't stay here for long."

I nodded, my eyes scanning the desolate plains surrounding our temporary haven, "We have enough supplies for a week at most," I said quietly, careful not to disturb Zaine, "And we need to find Usofra and Namy. They're out there waiting for us."

"Isn't it risky to move Zaine now?" Sunshine questioned, "Even though she doesn't look like it, she is frail. I don't think she can handle traveling in her condition."

"True," I admitted, "But the Demon King will start searching for her soon—if he hasn't already. I'm unsure if the best option is to hide here and wait for everything to calm down or leave these ruins as soon as possible, hoping to stay hidden from whatever the Demon King sends our way."

"Then let me go," Sunshine offered boldly, her tiny frame glowing with determination, "I'll find Usofra and Namy."

"It's too risky. Your presence is too noticeable. That's why we use the medallion to hide you in public." I replied.

"Darx," She chided, floating up until her face was level with mine, her expression fierce, "You forget I'm not just any fairy. I know how to dim my glow and fly high—so high that only the stars could see me. And Usofra knows my presence; she'll spot me before anyone else does."

A heavy sigh escaped me, torn between my concern for her safety and the knowledge that her plan was our best chance, "Can you really do it without being seen?"

I watched as Sunshine practiced dimming her luminescence until she was nothing more than a flicker in the darkness. Sunshine had always been full of surprises.

"See! I can do it!" She affirmed with seriousness and determination rare in her, "Besides, I'm part of this team, too," She said, her voice softening as she hovered closer to my face, "I want to help Zaine. After seeing her, I kind of liked her. Also, don't forget that there is something I want. I want to know what happened to the fairy goddess, and now more than ever, I think that Zaine is the person who can help me solve that mystery."

"Alright," I conceded, my trust in her abilities outweighing the trepidation that clawed at me, "You can go."

"Trust me, Dox. I'll be swift as the wind!" Her wings fluttered excitedly.

"Then rest tonight as you will need the energy," I instructed my gaze, following the subtle movements of her wings.

"Got it! And I'll return as soon as I find them," Sunshine declared, puffing out her chest, "We'll have an escape plan ready before you can say 'Demon King' three times fast!"

"Coordinate with Usofra and Namy to create something solid. We need a strategy that accounts for all possible threats, especially if we're moving Zaine in her current state," I continued, my eyes scanning the darkened horizon beyond our shelter.

"Sure. You just focus on keeping your girlfriend safe here," She replied with a mischievous curl, "And without me here you can fuck her without fear of me interrupting you."

"S-Shut up and go to sleep."

"HAHAHAHHA!"

"Alright, enough chit-chat. Time to rest up for the big day tomorrow!" With a yawn and a stretch of her wings, Sunshine flitted towards the medallion resting against my chest, preparing to tuck herself away for the night.

I glanced down at Zaine, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, her face serene in slumber. Still, it was freezing.

"Zaine," I murmured, nudging her gently, "You need to get into my sleeping bag before you freeze."

She stirred, her eyes fluttering open to reveal pools of violet that seemed to capture the very essence of twilight, "I'm fine," She whispered, her voice a breath of warmth against the cold air. She shifted closer to me, seeking the heat of my presence, her body pressing against mine.

I felt a jolt pass through me as her skin brushed against mine, a surge of primal awareness that I quickly tried to quell, "No, you're not fine. You're exhausted, and it's freezing."

Her lips curved into a faint smile, one that held more fatigue than humor, "Then maybe you should just keep me warm." Her arms slid around me, tentative yet trusting.

My heart started beating fast. With shaking hands, I reached into my magic bag, pulling out a thick blanket that I draped over both of us. The fabric settled over our shoulders, creating an intimate cocoon of warmth.

"Thank you," Zaine murmured, her breaths forming clouds in the chilly air.

"Of course," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. Her arms tightened around me, and I hesitated momentarily. Slowly, I allowed my own arms to encircle her, returning the embrace with a gentleness I had long thought lost to me.

As Zaine's breathing evened out and her grip relaxed in the depths of slumber, I remained vigilant, watching our small fire's flames.

A few hours passed. Zaine slept soundly at my side, her chest rising and falling. The night was eerily silent. That's when I heard it: a faint, ethereal humming. A woman's melody weaving through the air, haunting and beautiful, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. Instinctively, I scanned the dark expanse around us, searching for its source, but only the silhouettes of the rubble of these ruins could be seen. Stranger still, no matter how much I focused, I couldn't detect any presence or even what direction the humming was coming from.

The humming didn't seem to grow any closer or fade away, and for some reason, it didn't give me the impression of an enemy or anything threatening. With that in mind, I chose not to investigate. After a few more moments, the humming ceased entirely.

What the hell was that? The wind? No, it was definitely the sound of a woman humming a song. Ghosts...? I don't believe in them, but given the devastation around me, it's clear that many lives were lost here, so who knows...

The first light of dawn arrived, signaling the end of my watch. With it came the moment to part ways with my companion, however small she might be.

"Sunshine," I whispered, gently nudging the medallion on my neck. The tiny fairy emerged, stretching her wings with a yawn.

"Time to fly," I said, my tone laced with concern.

"Gotcha, Darxy!" She chirped, her usual playful demeanor firmly in place, "I'll be stealthy like a shadow and swift as the wind. Don't you worry!"

"Good luck," I told her, though the words felt inadequate for the gravity of her task, "And remember, if anything goes awry, return here immediately. I'll protect you."

"Aw, aren't you sweet? But don't get all mushy on me now," Sunshine teased, fluttering up to eye level, "I'm tough enough to take care of myself, you know."

"Of course you are," I agreed, allowing a small smile to crack through my stern façade, "But we look after our own."

"Then consider it done," Sunshine affirmed with a determined nod. She offered me a brisk salute before flying away.