A roar of crackling blue fire signaled the return of Octavius and Mia to Octavius’ world, the same, desolate desert sands still stretching out around them for miles, and the blood red moon still high in the sky. Octavius sighed as he let his magic release, a light shock wave of blue fire erupting from the two before all of it dispersed.

“Well… That was more fulfilling than I thought it would be,” Octavius said with a smile.

“Yeah. I liked scaring the shit outta that one dude with my dragon form,” Mia said with a smirk. Octavius chuckled.

“It was a little amusing,” he admitted as he looked around. “Hmm… Let’s see if we can finally find some shelter, shall we?” he said, starting to walk in a random direction. She nodded, following after him.

“I could fly us,” Mia offered. Octavius smiled.

“Where’s the fun in that?” he replied. Mia simply shrugged.

“Where’s the fun in walking in a barren desert for hours?” She said right back.

“Mainly the sound of the wind whistling through your ears and the feeling of sand crunching beneath your feet,” Octavius said with a joking grin hidden behind his helm.

“Literally the first of that but better is achieved with flight. And the second is just annoying,” Mia jokingly replied back. The two gave one another a look as they stopped on a dune before erupting in laughter. “Seriously though, fly?” Mia asked with a chuckle. Octavius nodded.

“At your leisure, my lady,” he said. Walking behind him, she picked him up, wings of energy appearing on her back as she flapped, the two shooting into the air and going off in the direction they already were. Octavius smiled as he watched the world pass by below, and a few minutes passed before they found a group of rocks in the distance, creating an overhang.

Octavius pointed to it. “There! That should work nicely for a place of refuge!” he yelled over the winds. She silently nodded, flying down there and landing softly, setting him down. He smiled as she landed as well, and laughed when she lost her balance for a moment and fell on him, making him fall to the sand himself.

“I hate landings where I can’t just slam into the ground,” She said, a bit irritated at herself, face a bright red. He chuckled, getting up and helping her stand.

“Always the brute,” he joked with a shake of his head. “Come on, we have a camp to set up. Under this overhang seems perfect.”

“Right,” She said, pouting at him. She used some magic to form some wood, before letting a small puff of fire shoot from her tail, lighting it ablaze as she made rocks appear around the wood. Impromptu fire pit complete. He smiled and sat down on one of the rocks.

“Good work. This would have taken me hours to do by myself,” he praised. She blushed a bit, taking a seat on another rock. He smiled again, and, after some time of sitting by the fire in silence, he began to ponder things.

He couldn’t bring himself to endanger others for his quest, but at the same time, having companions helped him cope and keep his Hollowing at bay. He wanted to be normal, but he knew he could never be that. He frowned, before sighing deeply, bringing Mia’s attention to him.

“What is it?” She asked with a tilted head, still in the dress from the party. He said nothing for a few moments as he watched the fire dance and listened to the sounds of the night.

“...I’m afraid we must part ways, here,” he said after a bit more of a pause.

“W-w-what?” Mia asked, eyes widened.

“This isn’t because I dislike you, Miss Mia, quite the opposite,” he began.

“T-then why?! I can defend myself!” Mia said. He, for once, shook his head.

“Worms are far from the deadliest this world has to offer. And it isn’t just about them, either,” he looked up at her, then sighed deeply as he, for once, willingly took off his helmet, his empty eye sockets still somehow conveying sadness. “I am a danger to everyone I meet, Miss Mia. All I truly need to survive is hope and faith. You, young Chris, and Miss Ita have given me all the hope I need to continue my journey through to the end.”

Mia couldn’t come up with anything to say, tears welling up in her eyes. He frowned, walking over and wiping her tears with a gauntleted thumb.

“You, and young Chris, and Miss Ita… I am proud beyond words to call you my friends, short as time as has been since we met,” he smiled lightly, taking his token out of his pocket and placing it in her palm. “This isn’t goodbye. Not forever. This is… Farewell.”

She sniffled, before closing her eyes and leaping forwards, planting a kiss on his lips. If his eyes could widen, they would have. She kissed for a bit more, before pulling away. “C-call m-me when y-you need me…” Mia mumbled. If he could blink, he would have.

Slowly, he retracted his hand as she gripped his token, before he nodded dumbly.

“R-Right… Miss Mia, our contract is complete,” he said, and watched as a portal opened behind her. She walked back, flame on her tail a bit down. Before she left, she left a pokeball down on the ground. Then, without another word, she left, and the portal closed.

I think you all already know I'm pooped so.... Yeah, thanks for sticking with me, guys.

-Timeless Celestial