Rhianna nodded. "If we don't do something, he'll end up in a coma, and we'll be carrying him the rest of the way."
The girls' voices faded.
It felt like drowning in a crushing sea, each wave a fresh scream. The corridor's walls had dissolved, he was nowhere and everywhere, swept along by the tide of the dead.
A child wailed for her mother, a soldier retched in terror, a woman shrieked as her hands turned to glass and shattered. Yet he felt more than their agony, he sensed their relief, their surrender, and that final breath of peace before oblivion.
They surged over him endlessly, wearing down his sense of self.
Aether's own memories thinned, almost invisible against the light. And for a moment he forgot why he was here or if he even cared. He tried to grab onto something real, but his thoughts broke apart like glass. His body felt strange, like electricity running through every nerve.
It wasn't exactly painful, more like being crushed from all sides at once.
Everything he could see turned gray and blurry. All that existed now was this endless hallway, the line of suffering people, and the feeling that he was falling through cracks in reality itself.
Then, just as he felt he would be lost forever, a small burst of warmth touched him, like a match lit against his skin. He reached for it, but it fades before it comes back. He realized it was a hand on his face, cool and strong, holding him together.
It was just a simple touch, but it felt so close that his jumbled memories pulled back, not knowing what to do with this kindness.
In the fog, he saw Lyria's beautiful face, her hair falling across her forehead, and her blue eyes bright.
Each time she blinked, she became more real and the empty space around them shrank until she was all he could see. Her hands felt solid, strong as metal against his jaw. She didn't look sorry for him or scared but just determined, refusing to let go.
Then she drew him close and kissed him.
The kiss was fierce and deep before deepening naturally as he feels Lyria tongue tracing his lips in a silent request. He opened his mouth and felt her tongue enter before intertwine with his own.
Their tongues danced together as he felt small shocks of pleasure rushing through. Then heat surged through his body as something deep in his chest unlocked.
The chaotic magic that was tormenting him began to flow, drawn through their connection like water finding a new channel. Silver light seeped from his skin, crossing the space between them to disappear into hers.
Like a fever breaking, the wild energy inside him subsided. His mind cleared, the pounding in his temples quieted, and the world around him snapped back into crisp reality.
Rhianna tilted her head. "I see, that works. The magic leaves his body and goes to a Witch who can handle it."
Mila blushed a little. "I never thought Lyria would do something so bold! Chief, you really changed her."
Rhianna gave her a look. "It does make me wonder what happened when she reached him."
The kiss lasted until the last of the wild magic was gone. When they pulled apart, Lyria was breathing hard, her face pink and she was trembling.
Aether blinked before he smiled softly. "Thank you. I feel… much better. Much better."
Lyria smiled, small and shaky, then turned to Rhianna. "You were right. When I kissed him, all the magic rushed into me and now he's stable."
Mila blinked, trying to take it all in. She looked between Aether and Lyria. "So… the Chief helps with our madness, and we help with the magic inside him. We trade the trouble."
Rhianna nodded once. "A fair exchange. Your presence stabilizes our minds, while we prevent your body from being overwhelmed."
Aether felt steadier. "But how did you know about the magic building up?"
"Rhianna sees the world as patterns and magic," Mila explained. "Magic flows visible to her eyes, like watching pressure build in a system ready to rupture."
Aether looked at Rhianna with real interest. "Now I want to know more about you, Rhianna."
The corner of Rhianna's mouth lifted slightly. "Likewise, Chief. You're quite the puzzle that I plan to piece together." Her attention shifted abruptly. "Mila, I need you here."
Before Mila could do or say anything, Rhianna grabbed her hand and guided her over to Aether. "What-?"
"With all three of us, we can pull out the rest of the magic faster," Rhianna said, like this was a normal everyday thing. "There's still too much left. Lyria needs a break."
Lyria's eyebrows went up. "There's really still more in him?"
"There is." Rhianna's eyes did not waver.
Aether focused on Mila, who stood in front of him looking unsure for once. His fingers found her chin, tilting it upward with a gentleness that made her eyes widen slightly.
As his touch traced the line of her jaw and brushed across her cheek, he heard the small hitch in her breathing.
"Are you curious, Mila?" Aether asked softly. "You're not backing away."
Mila's eyes narrowed and she gave a playful pout. "Chief, teasing isn't fair right now... When I was just pulled into this 'session'…"
She stopped talking as Aether moved closer and saw how gentle his golden eyes were as they locked onto her. She saw her own reflection in them as he whispered, just for her. "But it's fun teasing a woman like you. After all, I can't help myself with you."
Mila's eyes widened before he captured her lips.
This kiss was slow and gentle yet he felt a beautiful sound ring through his mind. Mila trembled briefly with a soft sound before melting against him. Her hands finding his chest and caressing it, her body responding with an honesty her words never could.
The magic began flowing from him in a rhythmic beat that matched the music he was hearing. Silver light mixed with gold as it transferred from his body to hers through their kiss.
Lyria slightly blushed as her gaze kept on Aether and Mile while Rhianna just watched. "The magic is leaving him a lot faster. Good."
"How can you be so detached about this?" Lyria muttered, half-irritated.
"The mission takes priority," Rhianna replied, tracking the energy patterns. "As does ignoring your obvious-"
Lyria's hand clamped over Rhianna's mouth. "Enough commentary."
Rhianna made a noncommittal sound as Lyria released her.
They're watching, well I don't care. This feels too good.
Meanwhile Aether drew Mila even closer with one hand splayed across her back and the other through her golden hair. The kiss deepened with him feeling unhurried yet certain, and his body trembling in delight as the harmonic pleasure grew stronger.
Mila made small sounds against his mouth, little gasps and sighs that created new frequencies each time. Her hands moved from his chest to his shoulders and then into his hair. The resonance between them intensified alongside the music he could hear.
He could taste her now, she was sweet like honey. Her lips were soft but demanding, taking as much as giving, the confidence she always showed bleeding through into every movement.
In addition, the magic transfer felt different with Mila than it had with Lyria.
Instead of rushing out all at once it flowed in rhythmic waves that built and crested and fell in time with the music only they could feel. Each pulse sent pleasure cascading through both of them, making Mila tremble and press closer while Aether's grip on her tightened.
When they finally separated after what felt like hours. Mila trembled visibly with her face flushed all the way down her neck and her gold eyes unfocused.
A breathless laugh escaped her as she tried to collect herself. "That was... I've never..." She couldn't seem to finish a sentence.
Aether was smiling at her as he reached up to gently caress her cheek with his thumb. "I want to know all of you," he said softly. "Even the parts you keep hidden from everyone."
Mila's eyes went wide as fear flashed across her face before fading. "Chief… I'm not sure you would…"
Aether held her hands tight. ""I do. And I'll wait until you're ready."
A soft golden light glowed between their hands, it was clear and bright, like music you could see. Notes of light danced in the air, gathering on Mila's side, right above her hip.
When the glow faded a mark stayed there, shining gently through her skin and clothes.