As the two walked around the city, they continued their back and forth chatter until they arrived at Aidan's house. Aidan handed the large bag he was holding to Kharon who begrudgingly swallowed the last of his cake before carrying the bag. While Aidan unlocked the door, Kharon's eyes shifted towards the large rift in the sky. It was as imposing as always. However, something seemed very wrong. There seemed to be something inside the rift; like a giant eye...
Kharon stared for a while before saying with a hint of worry, "Aidan... do you notice anything different about the rift today?"
As Aidan turned the door handle, he slowly turned around and looked up with a nonchalant expression, "Oh, I almost forgot it's Rift Bloom Day. It's pretty normal so you don't have to worry. It happens every thirteen days or so... Anyways we should be getting ready."
Kharon's gaze lingered on the rift for a few more seconds before he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head. It felt like his brain had been set aflame as he staggered back before catching himself. His vision turned red as he saw flashes of a dark, star-filled sky with the rift at its center. And inside the rift, staring back at him was a large, multi-coloured eye which seemed to encompass the whole world. Kharon shuddered and began to violently cough as Aidan turned towards him.
"Kharon are you o-. You are bleeding! What happened?!"
Aidan quickly pulled him into the house and shut the door as began healing him. As the bright yellow light passed over his head, the strain on Kharon's eyes slowly lessened as he wiped the blood from his face. It took him a while before his eyes fully adjusted to the brightly lit house.
"I think I remembered something from my past... The eye inside the rift, it looked directly at me... It felt like I was being watched by a God... the pressure it exerted on me was... I don't even know how to describe it, but it was much worse than the Iron-tusked boar..."
Aidan quietly listened to him as he suddenly pulled him closer and hugged him.
"You are ok now, right?"
"Yes, I am doing much better. Thank you for healing me."
Aidan slightly tightened the hug before letting him go.
"We can talk about it if you want. We don't have to go to dinne-"
"We are still going. A little headache wouldn't make me stay down. I am going to have a shower before we go. I need it after your ritual and just happened. Are you going to have one too?"
Aidan looked at him with a bewildered expression before smiling, "No, I feel perfectly clean. Wielders on the path of radiance don't tend to sweat. Even when we are tired or exposed to high temperatures."
"I guess that makes sense..."
Kharon quickly stood up as he handed the bag he was carrying to Aidan. He took out his suit and started making his way towards his room. As he walked towards the corridor, Aidan suddenly called out to him.
"You forgot something."
"What di-"
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw something flying towards him and instinctively caught it. It was a small, red, velvet box with a golden ribbon attached around it.
"Why would you do that? And what is this?"
"I was just making sure you weren't too hurt. Anyways, open it and find out."
Kharon slowly undid the neat bow and opened the box to find that it was empty.
He looked at Aidan with a blank stare as he said, "What's the point in-"
Before he could finish his sentence, the box suddenly shone. There was a bright flash of light as an obsidian watch was revealed. It was placed on a little red pillow. Its strap was completely black, it's bezel was made of pure silver, and there were many other intricate components which all had varying shades and colours.
"This looks quite stylish... Is it for me?"
Aidan slightly shook his head as he chuckled.
"Who else would it be for? I had it made specially for you. If you don't like it, I could always just-"
"No no I do like it. I am just surprised that you would get me something so... luxurious. It looks like it's worth a fortune. When did you have it created?"
"When you were in a coma and I was buying you clothes. I picked it up from the store today as you can see. It wasn't too expensive, so you shouldn't worry."
Kharon looked at Aidan with a questioning gaze as he said, "Can I get an estimate of the price?"
"It is over ten times the price of the suit..."
Kharon stared at with for a while before he continued walking.
"I will accept it this time. But if you want to buy me something, it shouldn't be too costly. We haven't even known each other for very long... I want to one day repay the debt I owe you. So don't make it too big."
As he said this, a slight smile crept onto his face as he looked at the watch.
"I know we haven't been acquitted for very long, but it feels like I have known you my whole life. I can't explain it, but that is how I feel. And you don't owe me anything. Friends are allowed to buy each other things without expecting something back."
"I feel the same way. But I still owe you for everything you have done for me."
"If you really feel like you owe me, then become a tier 1 wielder as quickly as you can. That way, we will be able to reach our goal. That is the only thing that I will accept as repayment."
"Fine."
Kharon quickly reached his room and placed the suit and watch on his bed. He changed and had a quick shower before he put on the suit and watch. The suit was light grey in colour and the shirt was pure white. However, Kharon fiddled with his suit before learning how it functioned. He spent several minutes changing the colour until he settled on black.
'It will fit really well with my watch. It also matches my aesthetic; Aidan's clothes are way too bright. How can someone like such bright colours, especially as a hunter?'
As he made a few changes to his suit, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. As he opened it, he didn't see Aidan. But he could see a black box on the ground. He picked it up as he closed the door and opened it. Inside were a pair of black, stylish shoes. They looked a bit too big for him, but as he put them on, they slowly shrank down until they perfectly fit him.
The shoes matched his outfit perfectly as he looked at himself on the mirror Aidan had added in his room.
'Did he plan this whole outfit? No wonder he spent so long in that shop... Anyways, it looks great. I really should get him something. I might become too used to receiving things if this continues.'
Kharon turned off the lights as he walked out of his room. He made his way to the living room as he took a seat on the sofa. After a few minutes, he heard footsteps. As he turned towards the open door, he saw Aidan in a yellow suit. He was wearing a white shirt and a yellow tie under. His shoes were light brown and fit his outfit quite well. On his wrist, there was a watch which was very similar to Kharon's. However, it was golden and was inlaid with diamonds.
As Aidan stepped into the living room, Kharon stood up.
"You look great Aidan."
"So do you Kharon. I hope you like the suit."
"It's great. Thanks again for buying it. I like your watch."
Aidan smiled as he said, "Thank you. It was another gift my mother bought for me."
Kharon chuckled as he asked, "Just how many gifts did your mother get you?"
"You don't want to know..."
The pair laughed as they made their way towards the front door. Kharon couldn't help but stare at Aidan. His heart pounded in his chest, and each shallow breath felt deafening in the quiet air. He wondered if Aidan would hear him as he walked.
'Maybe he will think I am nervous. Yes that makes sense, I am about to go to a very high end place which will be filled with rich, intimidating people. What if there are a few tier 3 weilders dining there? They might notice my strange presence...'
As Kharon thought about this he suddenly heard Aidan say, "You don't have to be so nervous. Everything will be fine. I will be right next to you the whole time. They will probably focus their attention on me as I have just ascended."
Kharon stared at Aidan for a while before saying, "I am not nervous. Well, I am not only nervous because of that."
"Why else are you nervous then? I can try and help if you tell me."
"It doesn't matter."
As they stepped out of the house, they were suddenly hit by a cool breeze. After Aidan locked the door, they began to walk through the streets. It wasn't as loud as before, but the voices of passers-by could still be heard.
"How are we getting to Starfall district? And can you tell me a bit about it...?"