Walking Disasters and Me

A Proposition for the Soul – Ch 165

True to my words from earlier, Sandra and I both are sobbing wrecks by the end of the well... wreck that took our old lives. That horribly visceral scene still flashing in my mind. The blood. The way my body was shattered and broken like the windows of the truck. The metal pole from the semi truck's grill impaled into my sister's stomach, though she didn't even register it at the time.

The unbelievable amounts of pain despite the shock she was in when she crawled towards my dying form. An action that ripped the pole through the side of her torso, spilling her insides into the open. Something else she didn't even realize, so lost in her desperation to get to me that she essentially condemned herself to death. The soul crushing despair of loss when I beat her to that morbid punchline.

Then the titanic showing of will and determination to reunite with me after death. The dazzling display of protectiveness when she thought I was going to be tampered with or erased. After feeling and living through these myriad memories, I can't help but be completely and hopelessly in love with the person now cradled in my arms if I wasn't already before. Both of us wailing into the void as those tremors of tragedy shake their way through us.

We cling and cloy to each other like a drowning man to driftwood, desperate and needy for the presence of the other. Bodies racked with sobs and shoulders wet with tears as we mirror our faces into the other's necks. No words spoken between the sharp inhales of breath. No words needed between us as the void mixes and meshes between sapphire blues and relieved golds.

After who knows how long, the wails turn to whimpers turn to sniffles. Both of us emotionally spent and mentality shriveled to husks from the pure and needed release. With her still resting in the crook of my neck, I raise a hand up and begin softly stroking her hair. The loss of even one arm around her instantly making a pitiful whine slip past her lips, only to be cooed back to calm when my fingers slip into her hair.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Sandra. That you had to witness that awful scene and watch me leave you all alone. I promise, I'm right here. I'm never leaving your side again, okay?" I gently try and reassure her. Nuzzling my head against the top of hers while my fingers work on her scalp. Pressing soft kisses into her chestnut hair between my own lingering tear falls.

At first, she merely burrows deeper into me. If it weren't for my own soul being a 3rd Rank and all the points into Wisdom, I might actually have begun to be crushed by the sudden titanic grapple. A weak whisper of a reply dusting against my skin as she says back softly, "I'm so sorry, Amelia. I'm the reason you still had all those mental health issues when you woke up here. Why you had to face them all by yourself. Why we don't look the same anymore. I... I changed you... Its all my fault..."

"Hey..." I coax down despite her tightening grip. I'm still so surprised that such a forceful and bright personality like hers can so easily switch to such self-berating means. Is... Is this what I was like when I first started getting sick? The question only bolsters my resolve as I manage to untangle from her just enough to look into her still teary eyes.

"Hey. I don't blame you for a second, sunshine. You were scared, and angry, and just went through something beyond traumatic. All you wanted to do was be with me forever, right?"

A nod holding a quivering lip and trembling eyes answers back.

My hands go to cup her face while my lips pull upwards softly, comfort and love slipping between our bond, "Then why would I ever be upset at you about that? And I didn't face them all on my lonesome. I had people who love and care for me nearly every step of the way helping me out, just like you will now. Obviously, I'll be included in that group too~. And as for not looking the same anymore... do you want to look like me again?"

A series of desperately quick nods nearly fast enough to make me lose the grip on her cheeks which makes me giggle. The patent desire in her eyes and response too precious with those still welling eyes~. That rare, soft vulnerability kind of makes me want to just lean forward and lavish her with kisses and eat her up~.

Which, I do~. Much to the surprised and cute little squeal of Sandra dearest~, at least until she starts giggling along with me. Some of those darker tints of color fading and slipping back into the nothingness. Both of us still impossibly entangled with wrapped arms and locked legs as our chests press flat against the other with me on top.

Her honeyed eyes now hold a touch of playful mirth in them after the little distraction - which was a critical success hehe~ - as she leans forward and pecks the tip of my nose with a chaste press of her lips. "Thanks~. I... I needed that. If it wasn't apparent, I want to look like twins again. If you don't think that's... weird."

Though she mumbles the last bit, I catch it easily enough. Shaking my head softly side to side, I plant my own counter attack kiss to her lips before saying back, "I don't think it's weird. In fact, I was also going to... ask you if you would change when you came back. The thought of us not looking similar is just kind of... off in my mind."

My sunshine gives an adorable snort before raising her eyebrows in a questioning way. "Sure we both aren't just massive narcissists or something?"

"Eh." I shrug my shoulders casually. "If we are, then all the more reason to be happy with how we look~. Both from our own internal perspectives and how we view each other. But, I don't think so. Its more... tradition, I guess. We've always been the same, at least looks wise. And honestly kind of personality wise too, now that I'm not struggling anymore. I bet when we get your self-recrimination stuff sorted out, people will legit not be able to tell us apart at first."

"Aside from me being possibly the biggest siscon yandere in the universe, you mean." Sandra jokes back, though I can tell there's still a hint of that aforementioned worry tingling between the words.

I lean forward and steel her with my eyes. A clawing possessiveness similar to what she felt in those memories, but wholly mine that I've been coming to terms with as my days on Mara continue ever forward.

"Hmm~..." My voice purrs deep and sensually as she begins to squirm beneath me. An act that only further makes the little voice that loves to tease and play and possess speak up louder in my mind. "That's only because you had a head start on me, my gorgeous, loveable, radiant sister~. I think once I get used to some of those... deeper parts of myself, you'll have a run for your money in those regards~."

I smirk down to her at her wide eyes, arousal easily evident both from the bond and the sweet smell drifting from between her legs~. "H-holy shit, Aims... I like this side of you..." Her voice is as truthful as her body and soul, it seems~.

"Good~." I continue to growl down before locking her lips in mine. The last traces of the trauma we just shared together now completely diffused in a sea of coral and rose. Her grip no longer cloying and pleading, but now hungry and full of desire. Before we get too far though, we're clam blocked by a thing I haven't heard in a while. A system prompt.

[Current Main Quest Complete! Heal your Intertwined Soul.

Heal your wounded Intertwined Soul and bring her back to life. Current amount healed: 100%.

Rewards: 10k Ability Points, 15k Shop Points, 1000 Skill Points. Both Souls will receive the ability to share unspent Ability Points, Shop Points, and Skill Points freely between each other after the resurrection is completed.

Upgrade Title: [Intertwined Souls] to [Perfectly Mirrored Souls].

Begin resurrection now? Yes / No.]

"Oh my Heavens..." I barely breathe out as I stare off into space. Sandra's hand comes to rest on my cheek and bring my gaze back to hers which shows a hint of concern before I lose control of myself.

Tears fall like rain in a thunderstorm, now for the complete opposite reason from earlier as I dive forward and ravish the startled and soon to be material love of my life~. She gives a couple squawks of confusion before apparently deciding to just go along with my mood swings again forthe moment and begin returning my passionate zeal in full fervor, both of us rolling around in the void as relieved and joyous laughs escape me.

Once the high recedes, we have switched positions. Sandra now looming over me with a smarmy smirk on her face that asks the obvious question. One which I answer after another happy, choked sob. "W-we did it, Sandra. The quest to bring you back, its completed! You can be resurrected at any time now! We... we're finally going to be together again. Properly together."Her eyes go wide and then instantly fill with the same salty liquid that splashes against her face. Both of us holding on to the other with everything we have. Relief, joy, and hope bathing the area in pure crystalline gold.

After another few minutes of calming down yet again, we break apart just enough to look each other in the eyes. I sniffle slightly, the exuberant rush of emotions still ghosting along my psyche, "I-if you're okay with waiting for just a few moments longer, I want to talk to the girls before you come back and complete the quest. After our er... session together, I got the option to include them as [Intertwined Souls] too. I just... haven't gotten the time to talk to them about it yet, to see if that's something they even want."

Sandra scoffs playfully before nuzzling against my cheek a few times, "Silly girl~. Of course they'll want to. And of course I'll wait until everything is ready. Your memories don't go as far back as when you landed, but I know that your entry into Mara wasn't the safest. You should probably ask Ios if the same is going to happen when I pop back into reality too, and if that's the case you may be taking a trip to that forest. Since, ya know, everything there is probably still dead."

My eyes widen at the reminder, a soft gasp slipping past my lips. "Oh shit, you're totally right. If something that extreme happened near the Village, it'd probably be leveled. I don't know if that fancy barrier would be enough to stop a Heavenly nuke..."

"Mhm~." She replies back easily. "Plus... there's something - or rather someone - I need to talk with first now that I'm all healed up."

I give her a questioning head tilt until a light crystal dings above my head. "Ilya..."

"Yup~. I can feel her waking up. Or trying to. I'm suppressing her right now since I want to have that conversation on my own terms." Sandra all but growls out.

I cup her cheek again, a worried seriousness falling over me. "Sandy, remember what you promised. Please don't piss off Ilya right off the bat. You may still have Raphiel's powers for the moment, but when you come back they'll be gone. And I doubt some cosmic entity that is soul bonded to you and has access to your system holding a grudge will lead to our continued survival."

Turning her head, she gives a huff but nods her assent in the end. I rectify her wandering vision back to mine before giving her a deep, loving kiss. Our tongues easily slipping free from their homes to go on a play date together to the sounds of heady moans and heated breath.

"Alright, baby girl~." She coos whisper quiet after we break apart, "I'll be good, promise. You go have a chat with Akiko and Ios then rally the girls, I'll go say hi to my new eternal roommate. When you're ready, pop back into the soul space and let me know. I can't waitto see you again~."

"Me too, sunshine~. I'll see you soon~." I say even as the blush creeps to my face, both of us giving one final parting kiss before separating and my vision slips back to the all too familiar wooden support struts above my bed.

"Amelia!" The mature yet gentle voice of Akiko fills my ears and heart in exclamation. I shift slightly on the bed, surprisingly still sore, and take in her worried face framed in snow white hair and her drooping tails and ears colored the same. Those violet eyes now back to vulpine that hold equal parts worry and relief.

I smile over to her, stretching my arms out in invitation. One that she readily dives into strong enough to make me huff out a forced breath and then a giggle.

"Hi Akiko~. Sorry for worrying you~." My voice is lost amongst the keening and smothered by her scent as she marks and nibbles at me. The ticklish sensations make me squirm despite my best efforts, a peal of laughter that is equally ignored as Akiko's relentless assault continues unabated.

I hear Ios chuckling from somewhere else in the room, but my eyes are blinded by hair, tails, lips, and then finally a pair of mountainous breasts~. Content to just let the kitsune do whatever she needs to do have her worries settled, I tuck into the blissful paradise and rest my eyes for a time.

The clock strikes its signaling bells which apparently is enough for Akiko to somewhat snap out of her frazzled state. Her tails still cocooning around us protectively, but her hands slink to my shoulders and begin extricating me from the soft and fluffy prison.

While still holding a slightly dejected look, she fixes me in her eyes and begins softly, "I am glad you are well, my love. I was worried that you would still be... upset when you woke. Disheartened or frustrated with yourself or me after our bout. But it feels like this is not the case?"

I nuzzle into her face a couple times, imitating the marking she was doing so fervently prior, before answering back, "I... was. At first. But I met up with Sandy and she and I talked it out some."

A sigh leaves me as I gather my thoughts. "I won't lie, Akiko. Part of the reason I was so adamant about trying to limit the bloodshed was because I knew if I was in your shoes, I wouldn't have hesitated to do exactly what you are planning to do. And that scared me. Still kind of does, to be honest, but I'm working through it. Accepting that its just... part of how this universe has to operate."

She gives a forlorn smile before resting her forehead to mine and cuddling me tighter under the cover of her tails. "I can only imagine how brutal and barbaric such notions must still sometimes seem to you, my love. And believe me, I do not crave nor wish for it to occur either. But there must be consequences when lines are crossed, and sadly there are always fools who deign to cross said lines."

A touch of that old sorrow comes back to my heart, but I give her a quick kiss and dispel it away. "I know. I'm sorry for being so stubborn about it instead of talking it out. It just... felt like something I had to do, if that makes sense."

Warmth returns to her smile as well as her amethyst eyes as she leans down and pecks my forehead. "It does. You have grown into a wonderfully mature and powerful cultivator, Amelia. Fighting for your ideals is never a bad thing. Just be wary that the idealism does not blind you to reality either. Are you well enough to meet with the others? They are quite worried for you."

"Oh, right. They probably saw you carrying me out of the barrier like a sack of potatoes, huh." I offhandedly remark which makes both women giggle, though Ios is still hidden behind fluff and curves. "Yeah, I feel fine. I actually need to talk to all of you about something serious that happened when I was with Sandra just now."

Akiko nods before taking out a talisman and empowering it. "Girls, Amelia is fine and well. Meet us in the gardens as soon as you are able, she has matters she wishes to discuss with us." The little piece of paper burns up after the message is inscribed and the beautiful fox woman flits her eyes back to me. "I hope it is not troubling news, but let us gather and converse in the free air. You've been asleep for most of the previous night and now morning. Some sun would do you good."

Agreeing, she helps me off the bed and into some more casual wear. Ios finally making herself visible known as she stands up from the couch and comes over to give me a kiss which I return whole heartedly~. The knowing smirk and twinkle in her eyes tells me she likely already knows what I'm about to drop on them, but she is enough of a prankster to let the secret stay mum for now.

A quick and mostly silent trip through the hallways leads us back to the gardens, Jun Li and the others already present and waiting. As we enter the space, all three come up to give me comforting hugs and kisses, and a few tail caresses for those who have them~. I try not to let the pleasant pink tingling from the pampering throw me too off track, but I don't rush away from it either~.

Eventually, we are all setting on a wide, thick red and white checkered blanket on the ground. Various wicker baskets filled with sandwiches, the Mara equivalent of lightly fried, salted, and thinly sliced potato slices, and various individual bowls of stew and soup sitting between us as we casually partake in their contents. A couple bottles of burgundy wine are also in the mix, but I forgo them for now.

After some continued reassurances that I am indeed fine and not upset about anything, everyone sets down their food and looks at me expectantly. Clearing my throat, I begin to explain why they're gathered here.

"So, after the... spar with Akiko, I passed out and met up with Sandra. Aside from helping me through some of my lingering doubts and such from the fight itself, she also told me she wants to come back to life. Her logic - which I agree with - was that this next week or so is probably going to be the last 'safe' moments in time for us for the foreseeable future. At least the next few months. And she... well, she didn't want to be left all alone for that long. And I don't want her to be alone that long either."

Everyone gives nodding ascent but waits to state any questions or opinions as they let me carry on. "In order to do that, I had to help her through the last few memories she was struggling to relive on her own. They were... dark yet beautiful. I don't know how much she'd be comfortable sharing without being present, but just trust me when I say that I completely understand why she didn't want to view those by herself, especially the last one where we... died. On Earth."

All their eyes, even Ios', widen to dinner plates as I take a breath. Everyone's hands coming to rest on my shoulders, lap, or head in comforting, chaste ways. I sniffle a little, the brief mention of the trauma still sending a ghost of remembrance into my mind of a broken body and a ripped open stomach.

"T-thanks." I mutter quietly but sincerely as I wipe a few errant tears from the corner of my eyes. "Like I said, I don't want to be too detailed about stuff without her consent, but I have no doubts that she will readily share it all with you guys when she's back. And yes, she can now come back whenever things are ready. The Main Quest from the system is complete."

The concerned touches transform into jubilant ones as I'm suddenly cuddle piled by all four women at once.

"That is marvelous news, Miss Amelia~! I am so happy for you both! I cannot wait to meet your beloved sister!" Jun Li happy barks into my ear as she presses my arm between her breasts with all three of her tails eagerly wagging up a storm~.

"I knew you could do it, little bird~! If she is half the ball of joy and chaos you are, then I think we'll get along just fine~!" Gerra comments from my tummy, her feline head rubbing into my stomach as she purrs away happily.

"Congratulations to you both, love. I know this has not been an easy trial for either of you, but your determination and steadfastness to each other has now been properly rewarded." Sam says like the dreamy poet she is as she kisses my temple and rests her head on my shoulder.

"I am so proud of you, my love. I know how you have longed for this day ever since your abrupt arrival to Mara. You both have earned this." Akiko whispers softly against my scalp as her large, bushy tails come to envelop all of us.

"Congrats, sweetheart~. I never doubted you for a second~." Comes Ios' more subdued praise as she stands next to all of us, her face leaning down to give her own little kiss to my eyebrows.

Despite my best efforts, the overwhelming love and praise bring sniffles and then tears to my face. No one speaking anything further as they lovingly press and hold me in their shared warmth and pride for what seems like both not long enough and eternity.

After recomposing myself some, I take a stuttering breath. The weight of the world now suddenly off my shoulders. "T-thank you, all of you, for being by my side and loving me despite all my craziness. I love you all."

Another round of kisses and hugs later, we all pull back a bit so I can look at Gerra, Jun Li, and Sam with leveled eyes. "And I do mean it. I love all of you with all my heart. Same as I do Sandra, Akiko, and Ios. When we all joined together, I... I had a message from the system. I know this is sudden, but..."

I bite my lip, worried about their responses even if I know its foolish. Ios lays a comforting hand on my shoulder making me look up towards her. She simply has a warm smile and gives me a nod, squeezing my shoulder one more time before stepping back again.

Gathering my courage again, I reach out and manage to take a hand from each of them in mine. All four of us uniting together. "If you want, all three of you can also become my soulmates, like Akiko and Sandra are."