A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Chapter 484 - Elorium [1/2]

Fortunately, Erik didn't disappoint her.

His eyebrows twitched as he rolled his eyes, "Yes, I would like to avoid that, you crazy woman. Let's never discuss this again!"

"Really? Are you sure?" Elora teased playfully. "I have some really strong ones, you know? They won't bring you to Lilith's level, but you wouldn't be so helpless anymore… And all you have to do is make me suffer a little!"

Erik knew she was teasing him. They both knew there was no way he'd ever accept such a thing. Yet, he didn't find it as funny as Elora seemed to do.

He looked at her sombrely, "I mean it, Elora… That's enough! No, I won't be using a technique like that, now, or ever. Don't mention it again."

Despite pouting sadly because he wouldn't play along, the fairy also couldn't help a small smile from appearing on her face. "Spoilsport," she teased while sticking out her tongue.

A warm feeling spread through Erik's wives as they all cuddled up to him a little tighter. His protective instincts filling them with happiness.

After things had settled down again, Erik decided to address the second matter burning a hole on his tongue.

"Anyway… that's as good a segue as any, I guess," he frowned thoughtfully. "Because the other thing I was wondering about is why you aren't spending every possible moment in my soul to expedite my healing? I know you wouldn't do so without a good reason, so… is there anything I should know?"

The fairy sighed sadly and nodded, "Right… I won't be able to merge with you for a while…"

"What do you mean!?" Erik blinked in surprise. He felt shocked and worried—like there was a pit in his stomach. For eight years, Elora had been a near constant presence in his soul, filling a hole he never knew he had, and now he'd lost that? He didn't like it one bit.

Feeling the complicated emotions spilling over through their bond, Elora shook her head helplessly, "There was no other way! Your body was breaking down, because it couldn't handle both the fusion of aetherium and runic power, and the usage of it. So, I had to take one of the two out of the equation…"

Instantly, realization struck. There was no way she could have taken the usage of it, as that required his runes and glyphs, which Elora didn't have access to, so there was only one possibility…

"You… transformed your space into some kind of fusion core!?" he exclaimed in shock. "What does that mean for our bond?! And for you?!" Despite the pain he was in, he began to sat up slightly, concern showing in his eyes.

Smiling at him, Elora quickly put a small hand over his heart, just besides his barely-healed-wound. "Our bond is fine, my love, as am I. I promise you," she said sincerely.

Seeing the truth in her eyes and feeling it through their bond, Erik quickly calmed down again. He sagged back against Emma's thighs, but continued looking at his first wife with concern.

"I just won't be able to merge with you for a while," she continued sadly. "At least until we find another solution."

"Are you sure you're alright…?" Erik asked her gently. "It's been a long time since either of us were… functionally separate beings. I know you enjoy watching the world from inside my soul, plus…"

Elora giggled happily, "Yes, I'm really alright. I'm a big girl, you know? I can handle a little change…" she raised teasing eyebrow, "can you?"

Erik chuckled and rolled his eyes at her obvious provocation, "Of course, I can!"

"Good!" Elora grinned and winked. "We'll make it through this until we can merge again."

"I know," Erik nodded softly, although the concern did not leave his eyes. "But there's a reason fairies look for a protector, and I can't properly protect you if you can't merge with me."

"You worry too much," Elora waved a hand dismissively. "I can still handle myself, and besides, isn't it basically the same if I just remain in your dimensions instead?"

Erik opened his mouth to protest, but Elora quickly interrupted him, "I know, I know, it's not the same, but it's what we're dealing with right now, so let's just learn to live with it, alright?"

Reluctantly, Erik sighed and nodded, "You're right, of course, little Ember."

"Aren't I always?" Elora grinned smugly. "Now, why don't I tell you what this means for you?"

He smiled slightly as her confidence began to affect him. "Fine, what does it mean for me? No more boost to my body, I suppose? No targeted healing? No using your omnisense and third rank pressure to help me fight third rankers?"

"Yes, to all of the above," the fairy nodded mercilessly, causing Erik to sigh helplessly at the loss of all those benefits. "But it's not without new perks," she reassured him with a smile.

"Although your body still can't handle the full power of this…" falling quiet, she seemed to think for a moment. "Runic aetherium?" she finally continued, suggesting a name for the fused power of aetherium and runic power.

"Why not call it Elorium?" Emily snickered on Erik's side, causing Astrid to chuckle a little as well.

Yet, despite Emily's somewhat mocking tone, Elora's eyes began to shine a little. Casually, she snuck a glance at Erik, as if to gauge his reaction.

Naturally, her desires didn't pass him by. "I guess we're calling it Elorium," he grinned mischievously. "After all, it wouldn't have come to be without your help."

That was true for multiple reasons. After all, it wasn't just that Elora helped him to initiate the fusion, but without her he wouldn't even have the aetherium to fuse with.

Surprisingly, Elora began to blush a little, and even her heartbeat sped up. She was excited. With everything that's been going on, the discovery of a new kind of power was more or less pushed to the side-lines. Yet, the knowledge-hungry, research-loving fairy had only suppressed her enthusiasm for a later time.

A time like now, for example.

After all, something like this was sure to upset the balance of power in the universe… so long as they could live long enough to utilize it.

More importantly to Elora, however, was dark fairy culture.

Among the Obsidian Enclave, naming an important discovery after yourself was the highest honour. Usually, this was only reserved for the most powerful fairies, who had the ability to pursue these discoveries. But now she had a chance to get one herself, and Erik's injuries had almost made her forget about the excitement she should be feeling about this.

To be fair, the usual goals of the people she'd grown up with had taken a back seat to Elora's desires of being partner to a powerful conqueror, but now that she had the chance to fulfil the goal any self-respecting dark fairy would have killed for… she couldn't resist.

'I can't wait to tell my mother about this,' she giggled to herself, before looking up at Erik again with a wide grin. "Alright… Elorium it is!"