A Change of Links

Givale sighed, "My whole existence is linked with this Tower. I cannot leave it, it cannot leave me. The only way to change this is by changing the one I am linked to. This requires a mutual agreement between the two that are linked. However the Tower will only agree to change to someone who had fully completed it."

"Then if you're so against the idea, why not wait for the next person?"

"It's a one time thing, the Tower will only approve of you. For the first person to clear such requirements, its favor of you is extremely high."

In truth, Givale had very little issues with Akiol, she was just irritated that what she believed to be a foolproof plan was thwarted.

Akiol pondered for a moment before asking, "If that's the case why were you so quick to prevent me from climbing the Tower?"

"I believed you to be greedy for its rewards. Climbing nonstop without break."

"Did that change?"

"No, since you still asked for the rewards."

Akiol chuckled, "I didn't wish to be scammed, however I gained a lot from the battle. So I don't necessarily care about the rewards."

"Alright, no take backs. You will not get any rewards from the floors."

Akiol squinted, he hadn't expected this outcome. However he stated the truth, he was just a little regretful.

Akiol asked, "So what is this permanent link going to do? I would much rather not have to worry about some troublesome side effects."

"Ha? You will only gain benefits! It's a link with a Dragon we are talking about!"

"One who's growth is suppressed currently."

Givale had a sudden feeling that she should kill the slime. However she calmed herself, "The only side effect would be that our life force would be combined. Meaning if you die so will I, and the other way around. Other than that due to that same reason you will gain strength that usually only Dragon's get to experience."

Akiol noticed a strange look on Givale's face, "And? What's with the look?"

"It. . . won't be as great as any other Dragon. But I can grow once I am out of here! It's beneficial!"

Akiol suddenly understood everything. Givale honestly wanted to leave, she was only acting like this because of her pride as a Dragon. He felt like she wasn't a bad person. . . Dragon?

Akiol waved a hand, "Worry not, I went through the effort to save you anyway. I just didn't expect all this."

Givale had a burst of excitement, yet she quickly calmed herself, "This will be permanent, since the changing of bond can only happen once. If you have any questions please ask."

Akiol studied her, he had a specific question in particular. Her hair was mostly transparent, though a shade of white could be seen.

"Your element then, Dragon's have one they specialize in right?"

Givale's face fell, "I don't have one. Yet! I don't have one yet! The Tower prevented any form of development. Including my element! Once I am free it will show itself!"

"Alright, then how will you live? You are in this tower because your linked to it right? So what about me? Will you trail behind me your entire life?"

Givale hesitated, she hadn't thought of that. What if she got too far? What would happen? Due to the specifics of this link she wasn't allowed to leave the Tower, but what about the next?

Stars spoke up, 'Although I am reluctant. She can stay with me.'

Akiol raised an eyebrow, "Care to explain?"

'Remember my special space? She can stay there with me, I can let her out anytime though.'

"I didn't know you could do that."

'I don't like doing it with other people besides my wielder, it feels off. But if she has a link with you, I should be fine.'

Akiol thought other things through before coming to a conclusion. He had almost nothing to lose from this! It was almost all benefits!

More importantly one of his main goals would be accomplished, save Ryolu's daughter. He felt bad that someone would be stuck in this place for so long.

Akiol nodded to himself, "Then I have no qualms against it. I suppose it's on you now."

Givale was ecstatic, she was free! After all this time!

Time flowed strangely for her, like it was faster or something. She had no idea how long she was stuck in here, but she was finally out!

She held out a hand, "I need some of your blood."

She made a face, her savior had no blood.

Akiol flicked a bit of slime towards her, "That should work, I've done something like this in the past."

Givale looked at the slime, "I suppose, since I simply needed a part of you. Blood is easier, but this has no reason not to."

She bit her thumb and a droplet of blood came out. The slime and blood hovered in front of her, "I herby declare a link change. I am in agreement for this change."

The Tower seemed to hum?

Givale looked over to Akiol. Having an idea of what was going on he stated, "I agree."

Givale nodded, "The agreements are set. The Linking shall now occur!"

Suddenly a rush of air was sucked into the two droplets. It almost seemed like the white light from the room was being sucked in as well.

The blood and slime droplets merged together and the air was returned to normal. The combined droplet then burst, not a single remanent of it left behind.

Givale sighed from exhaustion, "It's done."

Akiol smiled, "Well Givale, glad to have you."

"I'm sure anyone would."

'I suddenly find my choice to be the wrong one.'

Givale's eyebrow twitched, "What's that supposed to mean?!"

Stars was taken aback, 'That was just meant for Akiol! How did you hear?!'

"You said it loud and clear?! Why are you lying?!"

'Ha! Why would I willingly speak such things in front of you?'

"You coward!"

'Coward? Who do you-'

"That's enough, we shall be getting along from this point forward. Let us not fight mere seconds after?", Akiol reprimanded.

"He started it!"

'What an original excuse! I didn't say anything publicly.'

"Hmph!"

Akiol suddenly though of something, "You're both linked to me right? So if you speak through the link couldn't you hear each other?"

'Oh no. . .'

Givale was about to speak aloud, but tried speaking through the link instead, 'Why are you saying oh no?!'

Stars repeated himself with extra emphasis, 'Oh no!'

Akiol had to agree, it felt like his head became a public speaking room. He could already feel the headache from the future troubles.

"Alright, Givale how do we leave?"

"We will be kicked out here soon."

"Then you can stay with Stars for now. I'll take you on a trip through our City later. I still have something I need to deal with."

Givale was excited at the thought of seeing the world outside the Tower, "Okay!"

Stars also knew what it was like to be locked up in a single place for a large timeframe. He felt the same as her when he finally got free. So he transported her into his space.

Givale looked around, "This is a little. . . No, it is very empty."

Stars appeared in his human form, "I like it like this. I don't have a lot of space free after all."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm a blackhole that was so full it condensed. My existence is based on a near infinite object that somehow filled up."

"So why do you stay in a scabbard on his back?"

"Because it's cool."

Givale suddenly felt like the whole conversation's importance just plummeted. She asked, "Can I at least get a chair?"

"I can do that."

A chair appeared in the middle of the space. Though Givale couldn't tell where the space ended, "Thanks I guess."

Stars moved his hand, "This too, for a little entertainment."

A horizontal oval appeared, on it a look through the pommel of Stars was shown. Like a live camera recording.

Givale was quite pleased with this, "It's like when the tower let me see the challengers."

Stars looked serious, "Akiol is doing something important though. It is of great importance that we do not disturb or interrupt him."

"Okay!"

Stars nodded inwardly, he had an upper hand in this arrangement. Not only was he the first one to link with Akiol, but the Dragon was living in his space.

Perhaps it was a sense of rivalry, or maybe the feeling of a senior teaching a junior. But he had a sense of importance now. He will show Givale the ropes, and show her the greatness of his wielder. Being confident and prideful of her being a Dragon was worthless. He is an Upper Four sword, but was treated like an ordinary weapon when he was in Akiol's care.

He thought to himself, 'If you think that your origins makes you automatically gain his respect, you are very wrong!'