Wastelands (2)

I clenched my teeth and nodded, bracing myself for what was to come. In a swift motion, Aria bit into my wrist. A sharp, searing pain shot through me, and I had to bite down hard to suppress a cry.

Her grip tightened around my arm as she drew blood, but she was careful, precise, ensuring she didn't cause more pain than necessary.

The initial shock of pain gradually faded into a strange, almost numbing sensation. I watched, both fascinated and horrified, as my blood flowed into her mouth. Aria's eyes fluttered shut as she fed, and I noticed a peculiar intimacy in the act, a connection that seemed to transcend mere survival. It was as if, in that moment, we were bound by something deeper, something primal.

Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity, yet it was likely only a few moments before Aria pulled away. Her lips were stained with my blood, and she licked them clean with a grace that seemed almost ritualistic.

The transformation was immediate and visible. Color surged back into her cheeks, her previously pallid skin now flushed with life. Her posture straightened, the exhaustion and weariness in her eyes lifting, replaced by a renewed strength and vitality.

As I wrapped a piece of cloth around my wrist to stem the bleeding, I couldn't help but notice the changes taking place in Aria. Her injuries, which had seemed so severe before, were starting to heal right before my eyes.

Cuts and gashes that had marred her skin were closing up, knitting together with astonishing speed. The deep wound on her side, which had bled profusely, now seemed to be a mere scratch, the flesh reconnecting seamlessly.

"Thank you," she said, her voice now strong and resonant. "This will help me recover faster. I promise, you won't regret this disciple."

The unease lingered, but alongside it was a burgeoning sense of trust and an inexplicable bond that had formed between us. This was no ordinary alliance; it was a pact forged in blood, and it carried with it the promise of mutual survival and growth.

"Will you be okay from now on?" I asked, I'd be glad if this was the last. Pain such as that was not meant to be experienced regularly.

Aria shook her head slightly. "Not entirely. While my external injuries are healing quickly, my internal damage is more severe. My mana cores are still fractured and unstable. I'll need your blood as sustenance for at least a month to fully recover."

I furrowed my brow. "Mana cores?"

She nodded, her expression serious. "Yes. They are the source of my power, but they've been severely compromised. Without proper nourishment, my abilities will remain limited, and the internal injuries won't heal completely. Your blood has the unique potential to accelerate this process."

I hesitated, the idea of regularly giving my blood making me uneasy. "And what happens if I refuse?"

Aria's eyes glistened, a hint of a dangerous smile playing on her lips. "I don't think you will. After all, how will you survive without me? Besides, I've already recovered some of my powers back."

I swallowed hard, understanding the unspoken implication. "Right... So, what's next?" I asked, eager to change the subject.

Aria's smile softened, and she turned her gaze to the horizon. "We need to reach the settlement I mentioned before. It's called Haven. There, you'll find safety and more opportunities to train. But be warned, it's not exactly a welcoming place for outsiders."

I nodded, trying to push away the lingering discomfort. "Alright. How far is it from here?"

"Not too far," she replied. "With my strength returning, we should be able to make it by midday if we keep a steady pace. There we can get some food and other essentials for your training."

We quickly got ready and started walking out the cave, Aria suddenly reached into a small, concealed pocket on her robe. With a flick of her wrist, she produced two transparent masks. They shimmered faintly in the sunlight, revealing intricate patterns etched into their surface.

"These are the Masks of the Thousand Thieves," she explained, her voice low and conspiratorial. "They're artifacts that can alter your appearance to resemble locals. Useful for someone like me, who's a fugitive presumed dead. They'll work well on the outskirts of Haven, but in the central districts, they might not fool everyone."

I took one of the masks, examining it with curiosity. The magic woven into its design was palpable, a reminder of the fantastical world I had been thrust into. "How do they work?"

Aria demonstrated by placing the mask over her face. Almost immediately, her features blurred and shifted, morphing into those of a different woman altogether—one with dark hair and striking blue eyes. It was an uncanny transformation, seamless yet unnerving in its implications.

"Simply wear it, and concentrate on blending in," she instructed, her voice slightly muffled by the mask. "It won't change your voice or mannerisms, so try to keep a low profile."

I nodded, taking the mask from Aria's outstretched hand. Holding it up, I marveled at the intricate patterns etched into its transparent surface, shimmering softly under the sun's fading light. With a deep breath, I placed the mask over my face, following Aria's example.

Instantly, as the mask adhered snugly to my skin, I felt a subtle but profound shift. It was as if my very essence was being subtly rearranged, not just my appearance. The magic woven into the mask began its work with an almost eerie efficiency.

My once white hair transformed into a disheveled mess of black sun-bleached strands, tousled as if wind-battered by the harsh desert climate. My skin took on a sunburnt hue, tinged with the weathered look of someone accustomed to long days under the relentless sun.

Life seemed to drain from my eyes, their vibrant color dulled to a weary, almost lifeless shade. Meek cheekbones emerged, stark against my now slightly gaunt face, hinting at a life of hardship and resilience.

Aria's voice, though slightly distorted through my altered perception, reminded me of the final details. "Keep your voice low and your movements deliberate," she instructed, her own transformation complete and unsettlingly convincing.

I nodded, adjusting to the unfamiliar weight of this new identity. With the mask's magic fully engaged, I felt both disguised and strangely exposed, as if this facade revealed more about the harsh realities of life in the Wastelands than it concealed.

I glanced at Aria, who wore a reassuring smile despite her now unfamiliar appearance. Her transformation was complete, her own features obscured by the mask's illusion. With a nod to each other, we continued our journey towards Haven, blending seamlessly into the twilight as we approached the outskirts of the settlement.

"From now on," Aria began, her gaze steady as she met my altered appearance, "we'll need to be cautious. What's your name?"

"Kaki," I replied instinctively, hesitating for a moment as I considered her advice. "But perhaps it's best to go by Wade for now, to avoid arousing suspicion."

Aria nodded approvingly. "Wade it is, then. Let's keep moving. We need to find supplies and a safe place to rest before we attract any unwanted attention."

She looked at the road in front. They'd been walking for approximately 2 1/2 hours. It would take at most another 2 hours before they reached the entry point.