A week of travelling had already passed as the three companions sat around their campfire for the evening. Donoma was munching on a persimmon as she watched Aster with wide eyes. Saelak and Aster were sitting next to each other also eating their dinner and, as Aster broke off a piece of his bread to feed to the water lark nestled in his dark hair, Donoma pointed at the small bird and broke the comfortable silence with yet another question, “Why do da animals act like that ‘round ya?”

Aster and Saelak stared at her for a moment, unprepared for the question before they looked at each other as if silently asking the other if they knew the answer before they shrugged in unison and Aster replied, “They always have, I've never really thought about it before.”

They both turned back to their dinners as though that was the end of the matter but Donoma pressed on, “But it be awful odd. I mean, wild animals don' normally hang ‘round people.”

Aster fed the bird a bit more bread as he chuckled, “I don't know. I've always believed animals can sense the intentions of people, perhaps they know I'll feed them?”

The woman scrunched her nose, clearly not liking that answer as she replied, “Mayhaps, but I've only seen wild animals get friendly with people if they share a blessin’, and even that be rare.”

Saelak glared at Donoma, who didn’t show any reaction being completely accustomed to the withering look by now, “You know that's not the case… maybe you've just never been quiet enough for animals to get close?”

Aster pat Saelak’s shoulder, trying to head off the argument, “It's alright, Saelak. If that were the case she wouldn't have noticed anything now.” The elf gave a hmph before returning to focus on his meal.

As Donoma continued to chew thoughtfully she swallowed and said, “Mayhaps it be ‘cause ya don't ‘ave any blessin’? I don't know many Cursed. Where I come from, our village absolves their presence, seein’ ‘em as a blight, and da bigger towns usually use ‘em as slaves for-” this time she did notice the death glare Saelak was giving her and quickly tried to correct herself, “Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean that ya were a blight or anythin’, I just, I mean…”

She searched for the words to try to explain herself before Aster interjected, “It's fine, I know you didn't mean that towards me. Besides, I've been called much worse before.” He broke off a large chunk of bread as he bent down to feed it to a small fire rabbit that was begging at his feet. The flame covered bunny took it and started nibbling happily. “I've always been grateful to the animals who don't shy away from me just because of what I was born as in this world.” He smiled down fondly at the little creature as he patted it’s head, not being burned by the flames. He was always amazed at how the animals seemed composed of their element but it never affected their surroundings, it truly was one of the best displays of magic to him.

Donoma glanced away slightly abashed, “I’m sorry”

He waved a hand in the air dismissively as he said nonchalantly, “Don't worry about it. I try not to any more.”

As the bunny finished its snack it glanced up and quickly jumped on Aster’s lap, startling everyone, “What in the-” Aster’s words cut off as he locked eyes with the rabbit, surprised that he couldn’t look away as he gazed intensely at the small eyes that were now glowing violet.

“Aster!” A clasped hand on his shoulder broke him from his reverie as Saelak said his name.

As Donoma tried to scoop up the rabbit from his lap with a cheerful “Come ‘ere, lil darlin’!”, the bunny leaped away and into the treeline, obviously frightened off.

Aster shook his head while he rubbed an eye with a palm, saying with a weak smile to the two people giving him matching concerned looks, “That startled me. Boldest little bunny I've ever met. Haha”

Saelak’s frown deepened as he continued watching Aster and the half-elf gave him a nod, trying to reassure him, “I’m fine. Why don't we get some sleep? We still have a few more days of travelling till we reach Ahtil.” They agreed and took out their bed rolls, trying to get as comfy as possible as the fire died out.

About an hour after the three passed out a small light could have been seen moving from the treeline up to the dark skinned half-elf. The fire rabbit had returned and quietly hopped its way right up to where Aster lay asleep, its eyes began glowing that light purple again and it slowly extended its head, touching its nose to the tip of Aster’s.

The half-elf’s eyes shot open but they weren’t seeing anything in front of him as they matched the rabbit’s glow. What Aster did see was a black void space and he was naked looking around and confused about this weird dream he found himself in as that small fire rabbit appeared in front of him, seeming to float in the black void with him.

The creature took another hop forward and Aster started to panic slightly as he realized he couldn’t move his body at all ‘What’s going on? Why can’t I move? Where in the abyss am I? Wait, is this actually the Abyss?’ so many questions ran through his mind but they were interrupted by the small high pitched voice that filled the space, “Hi! I am a Fire Rabbit!” The rabbit had sat back on its hind legs and lifted its paw up in what seemed like a small wave.

Aster just stared in disbelief for a moment, wondering if some strange mushroom had made it into his dinner, when a bright red chain surged out of the bunny’s chest towards him but stopped halfway in the space between them. Aster felt the compulsion as he spoke aloud, “I am Aster.” ‘What the resh? Why am I talking? What is going on?’ Those thoughts were halted by a light purple chain bursting from his own chest to connect to the rabbit’s red one. Aster was thoroughly freaked out now but he didn’t feel any pain or anything, it was like the chain was ethereal.

The bunny continued to speak telepathically, “With this bond, I am no longer my own, our lives intertwine, we are more than we’ve known.”

“With this bond, our blessings combine. You grant me your blessing and I grant you mine.” Aster didn’t know where the words were coming from as they spilled from his lips. ‘Wait! Resh it! I don’t have a blessing!’ his thoughts felt delayed and it was as though someone else was controlling his body and his mind was just along for the ride. ‘What is this dumb little bunny thinking?!’

The rabbit’s eyes went from glowing light purple to a bright red as it said, “I share with you my Fire. In return you will share-”

“-My Spirit” Aster almost choked out and a purple mist seemed to flow out of him and down the chain, consuming the rabbit and growing. When no trace of rabbit could be seen the mist grew about a meter and a half tall before it dissipated and where the rabbit had stood was a small teen girl that looked no older than 13 with long wavy orange hair covering most of her naked, now-humanoid, body. Her pale skin was covered in a fine spattering of freckles and she smiled at him looking lovingly towards him with big warm red eyes. The most notable thing though was the long red furred rabbit ears poking out of her head.

“I thank you for your blessing and my name: Hitsuki” The girl spoke aloud now in that same voice he had heard before and suddenly fire spread from the girl’s chest down the chain towards him in a rush.

His eyes went wide as he only had a second to think ‘Oh resh’ before the fire slammed into him.

Back at the campsite everything was quiet in the still night. There was no bunny and only soft snores could be heard coming from the three bodies. Until an inferno burst to life around Aster’s body and his scream pierced the silence.

Donoma and Saelak shot out of their beds only to stare in horror at their friend, now in the fetal position and clenching his body as it was wracked with pain, being consumed by flame. Saelak’s hand shot forward, water following the trajectory and quickly dowsing the fire.

Steam rose from Aster’s body as his companions rushed to his side but Donoma stopped Saelak from touching him. ‘Resh! How badly is he hurt?’ the elf thought as he went to his own knees next to his friend, “Aster?” he asked hesitantly as he gently reached out a hand and guided the half-elf’s face to look at him. ‘He’s not burned? His eyes-’

Tears were running down his cheeks and glowing red eyes stared back at him as Aster said, “Saelak?”

“I’m here,” Saelak said trying to sooth him and carefully put a hand on Aster’s shoulder but yanked it back quickly as it hissed, burning his fingers.

Aster winced as he muttered through clenched teeth, “It’s so hot… reshing crazy arse bunny” and then he spasmed again before passing out. Saelak quickly worked and put a layer of frost over his hands as he moved Aster back onto his bedroll and before he even needed to say anything Donoma was at his side, handing him a towel from her pack and then went and grabbed Saelak’s bag in case he had anything else that would help. Saelak quickly removed Aster’s top and soaked the towel in cool water, placing it directly on Aster’s chest. He pulled a kerchief out of his own pack as Donoma handed it to him and quickly soaked that as well, placing it over Aster’s forehead.

Once it looked like Aster was stabilized and in a fitful sleep, Saelak took a deep breath, slightly shaking from the crash after that rush of adrenaline. There was nothing more he could do except keep watch and keep his friend cooled down. Donoma was hugging her knees on the opposite side of Aster from him when she said hesitantly, “Sooo… Has he ever done that before?”

Saelak just gave her an appalled look.

23 hours later…

Saelak was cooling down the towels some more when Aster groaned and opened his eyes slowly. Saelak was relieved to see the red glow dissipate and his friends' odd black and gold color return. He spoke softly not trying to scare him, “Hey Aster, are you still hurting?” Donoma perked up from her tending the campfire and quickly walked over to join them.

Aster smiled weakly after taking stock of his body, “Not so much anymore, sorry for making you worry.”

Donoma smiled coyly and said jokingly, “Saelak was just like a mama bear! Doting on ya all day.”

Saelak flushed in embarrassment but didn’t seem to snap back at her, simply saying, “Hey now…”

Donoma grinned at him a little brighter like she had just defeated some sort of boss monster before getting a bit more serious as she asked Aster, “So, what happened? We saw ya catch fire but nothin’ was burned. Only Fire Blessed are able ta do somethin’ like that… How did ya get da Provider ta grant ya their Blessin’?”

Aster looked up at the night sky and said meekly, “Promise that you won't think I'm crazy…” They both promised and Aster went on to explain everything that he had experienced.

Donoma’s eyebrows seemed to raise higher with every part of his story until he finally finished and she slowly said skeptically, “Da bunny from yesterday?”

Aster’s nose scrunched as he said, “I know it sounds crazy or like some wild dream but I swear to the Divine that it happened.”

Saelak had the best advice for him though, “What do your system messages say?”

Aster looked at him for a moment before smacking his forehead, the wet cloth making the noise even louder as he said in annoyance, “Why didn’t I think of that sooner?” He quickly focused on the blinking pink dot in the bottom right of his vision.

A Fire Rabbit triggered a hidden ability: Soul Bond!

Congratulations!

You discovered an Elemental Affinity!

You are Blessed by the Sovereign with a deviant affinity for Spirit!

You gained a Title: “Deviant”

Something about you is just not normal, but that’s probably a good thing.

Effect: When this title is equipped, +10% effect when using deviant based abilities, spells, or techniques, -10% success chance with social interactions.

Your Spirit Affinity reached 100%!

Skill Acquired: Magic (Spirit) (Beginner 9, 95%)

One of the rarest skills to exist, commanding the souls of friend and foe alike.

Your Intelligence increased by 1.

Skill Acquired: Resistance (Spirit) (Beginner 4, 90%)

To protect one's spirit is to protect one's very existence.

Your Constitution increased by 1.

Your level is now unlocked; accumulated experience is being evaluated.

You gained 102,175 experience.

You leveled up x 20.

You gained 100 Attribute Points to distribute.

New Abilities are unlocked.

New Class is unlocked.

New Technique is unlocked.

New Spells are unlocked.

New Party Ability is unlocked.

Crimson Destiny gained 51,087 experience.

Crimson Destiny leveled up x 16.

Soul Bond Acquired: Hitsuki the Fire Rabbit

Hitsuki shared her Blessing of Fire from the Provider.

Your body will now undergo Acclimation to Fire.

You are burning.

You are unconscious.

Acclimation to Fire complete!

You gained an Elemental Affinity!

Your Fire Affinity reached 10%.

Skill Acquired: Magic (Fire) (Beginner 10, 0%)

Some people just want to watch the world burn and others want to ignite the passion to build from the ashes.

Your Intelligence increased by 1.

Skill Level Increased: Resistance (Fire) (Beginner 19, 3%)

New Abilities are unlocked.

New Technique is unlocked.

New Spells are unlocked.

New Party Ability is unlocked.

Your Luck increased by 1.

Your Karma increased by 1.

You gained 1166 experience.

Crimson Destiny gained 583 experience.