7. Nova

The sensation was electrifying.

It was the first time my spirit animals had come to life.

And it wasn't just my spirit animals; it was also Ashale's.

The delicate fluttering of wings tickled my skin as the birds spiraled around us, their songs filling the air in harmonious melodies.

Every chirp, every tweet resonated deep within, echoing a profound connection.

I felt as if I was floating, the cool air caressing my face, the world around me fading to a mere backdrop to this intimate dance.

I had often wondered about my spirit animals, trying to discern their true significance.

As a child, during my Soul Dream, I felt an unparalleled connection with them.

It was a bond that extended beyond the realm of physicality, diving deep into the essence of my very being.

Yet, as time wore on, the clarity of those memories had started to blur.

But today, with the ethereal birds encircling us, it all came rushing back.

The aura of the forest, deep and earthy, enveloped us.

It transported me back to that dreamlike world from my childhood, where everything felt both distant and incredibly close.

The aroma of blooming flowers and fresh soil grounded me, reminding me of who I was — or perhaps, who I was meant to be.

The gentle rustling of feathers was at odds with the strength and power of the tiger, and the distant, fiery roar of the dragon.

The two seemingly disparate sensations blended together, creating a tapestry of emotions and pulling me closer to Ashale.

It felt like our souls were intertwining, drawing from the same cosmic well of energy.

Ashale's eyes, intense and filled with wonder, locked onto mine.

There was a glint of understanding in them.

The thought of sharing such an intimate connection, not just with my spirit animals, but with another person, was exhilarating.

My heart raced, and the sound of its beating seemed to harmonize with the chirping birds, setting a rhythm for our entwined souls.

Tasting the air, I noticed an odd, yet familiar, sweetness.

It was reminiscent of the nectar I'd once tasted in my Soul Dream, a reminder of the beauty and purity of the connection I was experiencing.

The taste lingered on my tongue, teasing my senses with its ephemeral nature.

Then, as if in answer to my heart's call, I felt the tiger's raw power ripple through me.

A surge of warmth enveloped my being as if I was being cradled by a loving embrace.

The sensation was both comforting and empowering, and for a fleeting moment, I was the tiger — fierce, protective, and free.

Ashale took a step closer, his gaze never leaving mine.

The air between us crackled with energy. "Nova," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion, "do you feel it too?"

I nodded, unable to trust my voice.

The realization was sinking in, taking root deep within my core.

This wasn't just about the spirit animals or the Soul Dream.

This was about us.

The intricate dance of the birds, the protective stance of the tiger, the distant promise of the dragon's fire — all seemed to point towards one undeniable truth.

Maybe, just maybe, Ashale and I were fated mates.

The weight of that revelation pressed down on me.

It was exhilarating, offering promises of a love so profound it could transcend time and space.

Yet, it was also terrifying.

Were we truly ready for such a connection?

Were our souls prepared to intertwine so deeply?

Ashale's hand reached out, fingertips brushing against my cheek.

The touch was soft yet filled with intent. "Whatever this is, Nova," he murmured, "we'll face it together."

The raw sincerity in his voice brought tears to my eyes.

With a shaky breath, I leaned into his touch, seeking solace in our shared connection.

For now, that was enough.

Whatever the future held, we would face it, side by side, with the spirit animals as our guides.

* * *

The humid airin the fighting pits was thick with anticipation.

The heat seemed to press down from all sides, making the air shimmer with waves of energy.

The stink lingered in the atmosphere, a constant reminder of the violence that was a regular occurrence in this place.

From the overlooking balcony, my heart raced as I watched Ashale prepare for his match.

The sun's glow reflecting off his blue skin made him look ethereal, while the muscles rippling beneath spoke of a raw power that was undeniable.

He looked confident, his posture relaxed, but there was a fire in his eyes, a hunger to prove himself.

A hush settled over the crowd as his first opponent stepped into the pit.

His name was Tarsin, and he was a formidable beast with strange ridges across his skin as if he were wearing a natural suit of armor.

Their eyes met, and there was a brief moment of hesitation.

A murmur of surprise spread among the onlookers.

It was evident Tarsin did not want to fight Ashale, and he held his sword above his head and placed it on the ground at Ashale's feet.

Ashale nodded his head and Tarsin was allowed to leave the pit unharmed.

I just stared, transfixed and totally confused. "What just happened?"

"Tarsin is Ashale's student," Faela said. "He doesn't want to face off against his mentor, so Ashale granted him permission to bow out."

A few more of Ashale's students faced the same dilemma and chose to step back rather than spar with their beloved instructor.

While many in the audience perceived this as a sign of weakness or cowardice, I saw it as a testament to the bond Ashale had forged with his students.

But the relief was short-lived.

The subsequent opponents, not bound by the student-teacher relationship, showed no such reservations.

The clang of metal against metal, grunts of effort, and occasional roars of pain filled the air.

My fingers curled around the railing, the cold biting into my skin.

Every hit Ashale took was like a stab to my heart.

The thud of fists on flesh, the sharp sting of kicks landing; I could almost feel them, making me wince in empathy.

The scent of sweat, blood, and dust became almost overpowering.

But then, there were moments of triumph.

Whenever Ashale landed a punch or executed a flawless move, my spirits soared.

The sweetness of those moments, combined with the earthy aroma of the sand beneath and the touch of the cool breeze against my flushed skin, was intoxicating.

As the matches progressed, a realization struck me.

There was no sign of Sneik.

My heart, which had been racing till now, seemed to skip a beat at that observation.

The very absence of Sneik, the one who had been a looming threat ever since I got here, should have been a relief.

And yet, it made me more nervous.

The unknown was always scarier.

But for now, all that mattered was Ashale's victory.

As the last opponent fell, the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and boos.

But for me, it felt like the world had faded away, leaving only Ashale standing tall in the pit, a picture of triumph and resilience.

Without a second's delay, I dashed towards my platform, my heart singing with joy and anticipation.

Every step felt light, the world around seemingly painted in brighter hues, the sounds more melodious.

I climbed onto the platform, feeling the rough texture of the wood beneath my feet and the heat of the spotlights overhead.

My pulse quickened as I waited, knowing that any moment now, Ashale would come to claim his prize.

And as he approached, our eyes locked, creating an electric connection.

The world around us blurred into insignificance.

All that mattered was this moment, this feeling, and the promise of a love that defied all odds.

* * *

Nestled in the soft,silken sheets of the bed, with Ashale's warm body pressed gently against mine, a sense of calm serenity enveloped me.

Gently tracing the patterns of his tattoos, I turned to him with a curious gaze. "Tell me about these, the animals from your world."

Ashale smiled, taking my hand and guiding it over the intricate markings on his body. "Let's start with yours. Earth's animals all have stories behind them. What do they signify?"

I looked down at my own tattoos, the ink vibrant against my pale skin. "The bird," I started, feeling its delicate lines on my forearm, "represents freedom and perspective. On Earth, birds are seen as messengers, connecting the heavens and the earth."

He hummed in acknowledgment. "In my world, birds are revered for their ability to navigate the vastness of the cosmos, bridging distances with their song."

My fingers drifted over to the fierce-looking tiger on my thigh. "The tiger stands for strength, courage, and power. They are one of the most majestic creatures on Earth."

"We have a creature similar to your tiger," Ashale replied, his voice soft. "It's called a tarigon. Bigger, with six legs and an ability to blend into its surroundings, becoming almost invisible. They symbolize stealth and endurance."

The mention of the octopus on my ankle made Ashale chuckle. "On Earth, the octopus is a symbol of intelligence, flexibility, and mystery. With their eight arms and incredible adaptability, they're one of the ocean's most enigmatic creatures."

Ashale grinned. "Ah, we have the octar. Not as flexible, but with telepathic abilities. Communicating without words, they represent deep connections and understanding."

Finally, I traced the elaborate dragon on my back. "Dragons are mythical beings on Earth. They're symbols of strength, wisdom, and protection. They're also considered magical and mysterious."

His face lit up with excitement. "Ah, the Space Dragon! On our planet, they're real and majestic. Their shimmering scales allow them to blend with the stars, and they navigate space with ease. They're the ultimate sign of freedom in the cosmos."

Lying there, absorbing his words, the realization that our worlds, despite their differences, had such similarities was both astonishing and comforting.

Our tattoos, once just ink, had come to life, bridging our worlds in an intimate dance of understanding.

Ashale's voice brought me back from my reverie. "You know, our tattoos coming to life is a phenomenon few have witnessed. Much of our knowledge of fated mates has been lost over time. But after yesterday, I'm starting to believe that some myths might hold truth."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Like what?"

"That we can summon and even control these creatures," he whispered a hint of wonder in his eyes.

"How?" I asked, my heart pounding with excitement.

"It's about practice, connecting with the essence of the creature within the mark," he explained, cocking his head to one side. "Is it something you wish to learn?"

A smile tugged at my lips, the idea of unlocking such power was tantalizing.

But more than that, the idea of learning and exploring this new facet of our relationship with Ashale filled me with warmth.

His fingers intertwined with mine, the feel of his skin against my own sending pleasant shivers down my spine.

The taste of his lips as they met mine was sweet, reminiscent of the fruits from his home planet.

Drawing back, our eyes met, and the depth of emotion in his gaze was palpable.

We were two souls from different worlds, united by destiny and the magical marks on our skin.

In this moment, the universe felt infinite, filled with endless possibilities and adventures waiting to be discovered.

And I was eager to embark on this journey, hand in hand with Ashale.