Blossoming Flora and Fauna

Morning light filtered through the window, gently illuminating Anastasia's sleeping form. Astra carefully left a handwritten letter on her desk, expressing his gratitude and affection for her support and understanding. It was a simple gesture, but it meant the world to him.

As he stepped outside the inn, he found Cheshie standing by the window. She watched him with a mix of admiration and longing. Astra noticed her hesitation, and with his perceptive nature, he decided to address it.

"Cheshie, is there something on your mind?" he asked, his voice gentle and inviting.

Cheshie hesitated for a moment, her tail flicking nervously. "Well, Astra, I've been watching you, and I can't help but admire your strength and determination. But I don't want to make things more complicated for you. I'm not sure how to express myself without making you uncomfortable."

Astra appreciated Cheshie's honesty and concern. He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Cheshie, you don't have to worry about that. We're allies, and your support means a lot to me. Just be yourself. We're all on this journey together, and we need each other's strength."

Cheshie smiled, relieved by his understanding. "Thank you, Astra. I'll do my best to be there for you and the others."

With that, Astra and Cheshie shared a moment of understanding, knowing that their bond as allies was growing stronger. They faced an uncertain future, but with the support of their newfound friends, they were ready to confront the challenges that lay ahead.

Then she sways her body as her cat ears flick being sad , Then Astra thinks (is this how animals feel when a species that what over them is bothered?) flickers a bit what his father's said in one of the flashbacks before taken away that's vaguely influence his hand by reflex to gently Pat Cheshie's head and spoke with no emotion "Hey , Seems you realize yet…since You do adore me more as both a fan and my first apprentice of my skills…an ally and soon I may think about it , however you are aware-" Cheshie nods "I am aware you aren't the many girls type and that thought of sudden attention and affection.." Astra cut her off "No…my female Faction Knights comrades are distant with me and even fear my feats…while Dorothy….yet that faction knight was one of the few that accept me and the captain or older ones…before they get targeted by Estella once they rebel against her..Especially Dorothy I mean-" his soulless blue eyes gaze at Cheshie "Maybe I shall thank you , since thanks to you…Anastasia is open for her feelings for me and I am slowly improving my negotiating skills" Cheshie headtilt (Negotiating skills? Woah my Idol really is far gone how REAL romance works? Well how do I know? My tribe before part of the cult) she spoke "Then when I kiss you without consent on our first meeting when you spared me and use me to find the cult group and the surviving turn into loyal followers.." Astra felt he doesn't need or want to use her feelings as he spoke "I admit it's true , but I don't mind…it did surprise me you admire me so much.." use his dagger to corner Cheshie as she blush as he uttered "You still not afraid of me and despite eavesdropping seeing me as weak?"

Cheshie's heart raced as Astra's dagger playfully cornered her, and she blushed even more. She felt a mix of excitement and fear, but her trust in him prevailed. She looked into his soulless blue eyes and said with unwavering determination, "Astra, I've admired your strength and resilience, but I also believe in the good that's hidden beneath that stoic exterior. You may have your flaws, as we all do, but I'm not afraid of you. I see someone who's been through a lot, and I want to stand by your side, whether as an ally, a friend, or something more."

Astra couldn't help but be touched by her words. He realized that despite his rough exterior, there were people like Cheshie who genuinely cared about him. He slowly withdrew the dagger and gave a faint smile. "Thank you, Cheshie. Your unwavering support means more to me than you know. Let's face the challenges ahead together, as allies and friends."

Cheshie's face lit up with joy, and she nodded enthusiastically. As they stood there, they both understood that their bond was growing stronger, and they were ready to support each other in their quest for justice and revenge against Estella.

Cheshie spoke "So besides Estella being a manipulative Ruler as the so called Equinox of all 7 Kingdoms of Coloria…she really manipulated you so far compare to the faction knights only brainwash by-" squeaks as she was hush for Astra spoke "Listen , my life is terrible thanks to her yet I can't deny this is how I came to be and the other faction knights also been traumatized despite being milder..her tyranny and manipulation has no bounds so.." Cheshie gasp to blush to notice another mask assassin outfit with the crest of a black peryton that it was revealed to be as Astra uttered, "Silhouette I trust you dearly…so any reports or plan discuss ahead thanks to Clifford as a manager?" The special unit member nods with her code name "Aye, Ad Astra, Shadow Knight and Leader…Shall I punish Cheshie for eavesdropping?" (And ahh I admire him so fair and strict) she thought internally as Cheshie got nervous as Astra held Cheshie's hand "No spare her as frankly her mild punishment will be she can't join us on our next assassination-"

Astra's voice held a touch of authority as he made his decision. Cheshie, who was initially worried about her punishment, sighed in relief. Astra continued, "Now, Silhouette, let's proceed with our plans and discuss the next steps in our quest to bring justice to the kingdom and eliminate any remnants of Estella's rule."

Cheshie, feeling grateful that Astra spared her from more severe punishment, nodded with determination. She was ready to contribute to their cause, knowing that her idol and leader was by her side.

Cheshie thought (I still had a chance!!) as Astra went ahead already in a blink of an eye due to his shadow travel back in hide out and Silhouette smirk chuckle that Cheshie glares "Tell me Silhouette why did you had a code name and in a special unit despite not being an apprentice?" Silhouette fix her white hair "Ohhya? It's because Baka neko….He can already tell I had other expertise in addition I had photographic memory of assassination along with merely to mentioned-I want to see my Shadow Knight-sama…untainted and unbothered..I do dislike someone softens him up yet if it's not someone like you and it's an outsider that has no signs of skills to betray our leader guess it's okay-" Cheshie hissed as they jumped and discreetly traveled about to reach the underground hideout for she uttered "Badmouth me how I look up to our idol, YOU look up to him too yet…Don't Badmouth Anastasia!!! She is more than a mere outsider" Then as they travel Silhouette and Cheshie parried daggers and short sword quietly with a small shimmer of spark of two sides quitting for Silhouette "Then tell me Cheshie since you are the one that led such a sudden new leader for our remaining members that aren't cultist anymore…what is Anastasia to Ad (term for leader is Ad) Astra? Why should a random outsider willfully be involved with him? Even Finn admits it's odd.."

Cheshie, still somewhat miffed by Silhouette's earlier comment, replied as they moved through the shadows. "Anastasia... well, she's more than an outsider. She's the one who helped him when he was at his lowest, when he was on the verge of becoming a puppet for the cult. She's brave, kind, and has a deep understanding of what it means to care for someone. They've shared experiences that the rest of us couldn't possibly understand. That's why Astra cares for her."

Silhouette seemed to ponder this as they continued to shadow travel. Cheshie added, "Anastasia may not be a trained assassin or a faction knight, but she's proven herself to be resourceful and devoted. She's not just a random outsider, she's an important part of Astra's life now."

Silhouette nodded in understanding, and the two continued their journey in silence, contemplating the complex web of relationships that surrounded their enigmatic leader.

Then Silhouette gets soft "Unlike you Cheshie I don't approach Ad Astra so recklessly yet soon I too hope to get his attention to my devotion Woah…I shall write literature in my free time…." She added and uttered "Plus, is that why back then our associates and cult leader used her as bait to Astra yet failed and he managed to make you spill the beans and casually admire him more?" Cheshie nods and whispers "Besides, she is an anchor for our leader's sanity…" Then the giant Anti-matter is the code name (from the special unit) asks to get inside to prepare for the meeting and doesn't understand what the two girls talk about and also mentions Cheshie stands by with Clifford while the others have a meeting.

As the two of them entered the hideout and joined the others for the meeting, Cheshie stood by Clifford, thinking about the complex dynamics at play. She couldn't help but admire Astra for his strength and resilience, and she knew that Anastasia had become a crucial part of his life.

In the meeting, the group discussed their next mission and the ongoing efforts to dismantle the remnants of the cult. Cheshie listened intently, knowing that every mission brought them closer to their ultimate goal – taking down the shadowy figure who had once controlled Astra's life and who continued to pose a threat to Coloria.

As the meeting concluded, Cheshie couldn't help but glance at Astra, who was deep in thought. She knew that despite the challenges and complexities of their mission, she was determined to prove herself and, just maybe, capture the attention of the enigmatic Shadow Knight.

With that in mind, she prepared to face the next mission, driven by her admiration for Astra and the desire to be a valuable member of their team.

Then Clifford spoke to Cheshie as he notice "ahh Cheshie I think Ad Astra or Shadow knight well..Astra-Senpai wants and needed us to stay put and still evaluate our Bestialkin recruits.." She nods as she admits she was aware as it's her mild punishment , meanwhile Silhouette spoke with Astra refining his weapons at his disposal and making pointers to a squad needed for this mission for Astra spoke "You must be curious why Anastasia is involve in me no..don't mistake-I had no intention to drag her into this and in addition Silhouette I shall give credit you understand since I befriended her for atleast half a week now (6 days out of 12 days a week on this fantasy world) , along this organization gone well for the past 4 days…in other words do you believe me when I say I had no intention to lasted my outsider connections?" (Best I protect Anastasia I can't burden her with my revenge..) as Silhouette with mask out , white hair and lashes except black eyebrows as she has blue eyes and uttered "Senpai , are you aware I admired you so yet different how Cheshie lavishly flirt with you or other recruits does..what I mean is despite this special unit recently formed I admit we may be amateurs yet you sure we can assist you in the operation for the next set of other cultist bases?"

Astra listened attentively to Silhouette, knowing that her perspective was different from the other recruits. He appreciated her dedication and the fact that she was looking out for his best interests.

With a contemplative expression, he responded, "Silhouette, your dedication is truly remarkable, and I value your loyalty. As for the upcoming mission, I believe in our team's potential. We may be relatively new, but we've already shown promise. We'll start with less critical tasks to build our experience and coordination. Anastasia is involved because of her own choice, and I trust her."

Silhouette nodded beneath her mask, her blue eyes reflecting determination. "I understand, Leader. We'll do our best to prove ourselves."

As the preparations for the mission continued, Astra couldn't help but think about the delicate balance he needed to maintain between his personal quest for revenge and his growing relationships with those around him. The past continued to haunt him, but he was determined to protect the people he cared about, including Anastasia and his new allies.