Currently, Gareicht was at the spell bookshop, he wanted to look at least one more time before he departed back home, while there were certainly spells on barriers, there wasn't any strong ones to remove them, using a weaker spell to disarm it could in fact make the barrier even stronger, Gareicht sighed. However there were certain species that could break barriers no matter how strong they are, the fae. In fact, barrier magic was learned from the fae to begin with.

            Hm, I guess I could try convincing one of the fae to aid me, but I know they're particularly stubborn about leaving their homes. He sighed and grabbed another book to read from. He did notice a few sideways glances coming from the clerk, so after that book he put it away and left.

            "Well, I guess it's true I'm reading for free and I haven't bought anything, no wonder they're keeping an eye on me." He scratched his head.

            He felt and heard the crunching leaves underneath his feet, the brisk air giving his breath color, he put his hood on, and continued forward.

            When he returned back to the cathedral, Ellava was making what seemed to be some sort of stew, he wasn't sure if it was vegetable only or if there was meat in it.

            But it smelled delicious, he inhaled a big whiff of it, and told her, "I'm back Ellava, something smells good."

            "I hope you enjoy it, it's my first time making stew." She turned to him as she happily stirred the contents in the pot. The aroma wafting into their noses,

            "You've never made it before in the cold seasons?" Gareicht was taken aback, through the six months that he's known her, she's literally always cooking or prepping something in the kitchen.

            "No, I used to huddle blankets on myself and eat whatever." She admitted, her tone a bit low as she was feeling a bit shy and embarrassed about it.

            That sounds like myself, He thought and ended up snorting.

            "Are you making fun of me?" Her cheeks puffed. He wanted to squeeze them, but he thought that that might be a bit much.

            "Pft," He smiled, "No I was just thinking how alike we can be sometimes."

            He went over and sat down at the table, beginning to eat alongside her.

            "It's pretty good." His eyes widened in surprise and delight.

            "Is that so? It's not bland or bad texture or anything?"

            "No, everything is cooked the way it should be."

            She smiled, "I'm glad, I'll make this again then."

            After dinner, she called Gareicht over.

            "Gareicht um, how are the markings? Have they...started to expand again? I'm asking in case I need to use that holy spell again."

            "I'm not sure honestly." He took off his jacket, underneath he was only in a t-shirt, so his muscles showed, it took Ellava slightly by surprise.

            "Do my curse markings show enough, or do you want me to take this off too?" He asked pointing to his t-shirt.

            "Um...that is...up to you...?" Her voice was stiff. Why do I feel like if I say no I'm going to have a ton of animosity sent my way...?

            He laughed a little bit at her stiff voice, he started to pull off his shirt but noticed how red she was getting so he put it back down.

            "Oh." She let out the tiniest of voices.

            Taking a moment, she walked forward and examined his markings.

            "They're getting close to your neck again. If I postpone it, it'll probably spread through your entire body. I'll go...grab the book..."

            "Okay, I'll wait right here." He replied, Ellava still by him.

            "Say...has anyone told you that...you're really warm?" Her face flushed.

            "I've been told that I radiate heat. Are you cold?"

            "N-no, it's just...something that I noticed." She slowly backed away and then quickly went to grab the book, Gareicht just stood there slightly confused.

            When she came back, her face was still flushed, and she was holding onto the book carefully.

            He sat down, and so did she, then she recited the spell.

            Holy white light surrounded Gareicht, but instantaneously, it broke into dust, they checked his markings but they were still the same as before.

            Inside his head, he thought he heard a voice as deep as a primordial evil, "Do you really think I'd let you use that spell on me again?"

            He grasped onto his head, and Ellava stood there shocked, and they both knew then and there that their days of spending time with each other was numbered, because the only choice now was to use the spear on him.