Pool of Dreams

Shadow's entire being was relaxed beyond anything he thought possible. His muscles were no longer taut and ready for action, his brain passively thinking of new ways to kill and escape, his fingers, or paws in this case, itching to be used. He could finally omit any complicated thoughts from his mind and be free.

{This pool is dangerous}

[Very dangerous]

{But it feels so good. What spell is this?}

[There isn't actually any mana in this pool. Any that's active at least, it's just warmed water]

{Blasphemy; how could something mundane feel so heavenly}

[Have you ever actually bathed in warm water before?]

{Uh, no, cold dips in a river keep you more alert while on missions}

[I thought even assassins leave room for comfort in their resting periods]

{I only slept and did my job}

[That explains a lot]

'Master, doesn't this feel great?'

Even though she was attempting a conversation, Shadow could tell she had her thoughts drifting elsewhere. She wasn't very present at the moment, but he would answer anyway.

'Better than you know. This feels magnificent, splendid, outstanding, all of those words and more.'

He wasn't exaggerating either. He hadn't ever felt anything like it, he wondered why such divine methods of relaxation were kept secret from him back on Earth.

This was obviously a ploy to hide the truth of the world from him, he wouldn't stand for it.

{Wait until I get my hands on those slimy, greedy, imbeciles, they won't know what hit them.}

[Over a bath?]

'Tell me Lohita, what's your family like'

[I know you heard me]

{Quiet Aariv, Lohita is talking}

Shadow didn't quite understand why Aariv was being so rude, even if she wasn't, he was interested in the story, albeit barely.

'Well it's extremely simple and I'll keep the explanation as such. My mother and father are dead due to humans, my brother is insanely strict and wishes nothing but for me to continue our bloodline since he is incapable, and our entire clan died a long time ago.'

{Well it got dark very quickly}

While he figured there was tension between Lohita and her family since she's been staying with him for several weeks and had not once gone back to either find them or alert them that she was safe, what he didn't expect is for everyone except a seemingly distant brother to be dead.

[You're the one dredging up bad memories for the poor thing]

{How I was supposed to know the hyper-active and overly joyful Lohita was disguising a painful past?}

[Apologize]

{I was going to, but you interrupted me}

'Hey Lohita, I'm sorry for making you remember something that's most likely painful to you, I didn't mean it.'

Although Shadow has never apologized to anyone before, he truly felt sincere with this one. He knew how the wish to forget everything was strong after a life-changing incident.

Sometimes you just wanted to delete everything but that would take away from the learning experience.

Whether she knew it or not, the steam of the spring didn't do much to hide the depressing expression she wore, with her drooped ears and sad eyes.

'Master there is no need for you to apologize, you didn't bring up any memory, they're on my mind every second of the day. Shall we head back to the cave?'

Shadow agreed with Lohita, they should probably go before such a fantastic experience is ruined. Somehow, her statement meant to put him at ease, only sounded worse than what he initially thought.

'Yea, let's go back to training, I got something else I want to try on you.'

'Somehow that makes me uneasy master' she nervously laughed.

He wasn't new to her tactics; forget and dodge, you couldn't be sad if you didn't acknowledge the memory. It was effective and if he did it, he couldn't stop her from doing it.

Fate seemingly had other plans since on their stroll back home, someone was obstructing their path