Star Crossed In Time

After a while, the other women collect several containers of water and make plans for them but Shamo and I both stand off to the side. I stare up at the huge water volcano and say "Sooo... I don't really know if this will stop..." 

Shamo chuckles and says "It's fine. It's better this way." I smile in relief and say "I'm glad. I was starting to panic." This time we both chuckle as she turns to me and says "Since you've held up your end of the bargain, I'll hold up mine." 

She turns and says "Follow me" Women were still gathering water as Shamo and I leave the courtyard. I silently follow after her and after several minutes, we come to a large wooden door with red symbols on it.

Shamo lifts her hand and places it on the door, causing the red symbols to glow as the door suddenly opens. She walks in and goes straight to a large cabinet as I look around the otherwise empty room. 

She digs for a little bit before saying "Found them! These will be better for you but I have to ask... are you sure about being bound to that Deity?" I turn to her and see her holding a red silk bag. I look up to her and nod my head as I say "Thank you for checking but yes, I'm sure." 

She nods and says "Let's go back then. We need him to complete this." I nod and shift back to the Night Palace with her. When we appear together, we smile at each other before walking through the gate. 

Bai Lei suddenly appears within a few seconds, pulling me into a tight hug and asking "Are you okay?" I chuckle and say "I'm perfectly fine. Shamo was extremely kind and caring." I pull back and turn to Shamo. 

Bai Lei looks up and slightly pauses before nodding to Shamo. Ren suddenly appears beside Bai lei and nearly falls over when he sees Shamo without her cloak. I smirk knowing just how pretty she really is.  

Ren looks like a stone as Bai lei asks "Were you able to help them?" I look back to him and nod my head saying "I think so." I turn back to Shamo and say "If it stops or if something else happens, come find me again. I don't mind helping you and the others."

Shamo gives me a warm smile and says "Thank you, Nova." Ren makes a squeak noise, causing all of us to turn and look at him in question. Ren suddenly turns bright red before disappearing without a word. I can't help but giggle as Shamo and Bai lei both look at the empty spot with confusion.

Shamo breaks the awkward silence as she says "I have something that will keep Nova bound to you but it will require your power." Bai lei looks to her in surprise before nodding his head and saying "Let's go somewhere more private." 

We all make our way to the room filled with all the stars and constellations. Shamo looks around with surprise but when she sees the stars following me, she can't help but smile with awe. "I knew you weren't from this world but... are you the star that the Lower Realms spoke about?"

I smile at her and nod my head as Bai lei places his hand on my lower back. Shamo's smile grows as she looks at both of us before saying "If I had known it was you two... I wouldn't have bothered asking if you were sure about being bound together."  

She walks over and pulls out the red silk pouch. She then unties the string before pulling out two delicate red strings. She holds them up before separating them, placing one in Bai Lei's hand and placing the other in mine. 

She tucks the silk pouch away as she says "I need both of you to release your power into the stings. It will absorb everything until it's full. Once it can't absorb any more, you'll feel it. Let me know when you're done." 

We both nod in understanding before doing as we were told. As I release my power, the string in my hand begins to heat up as it starts absorbing my power. It was a strange feeling... almost as if you were pouring yourself into a cup. 

The moment it was full, it stopped absorbing my power so I stop and look up to see Bai Lei doing the same. Shamo nods her head in approval before saying "Last chance... are you both sure about this?" She asks with an arched brow.

We both nod without hesitation, causing her to smile once again. She nods her head and says "Night Deity, tie your string on Nova's wrist and Nova, you need to tie yours on his." I look over to her with surprise before lifting my wrist to Bai Lei.

Why does it suddenly feel like we're getting married? I shake the thought out of my head when I see Shamo watching the strings with glowing eyes. As Bai Lei places his string on my wrist, I shiver at the feeling of his familiar power. 

He ties the string and lifts his wrist to me. I place my string on his wrist and tie it as well. Shamo keeps her glowing eyes on the strings as she suddenly says "Claps your hands together, the ones with the strings." 

We slightly frown but follow her orders. She suddenly steps closer and lifts both her hands over ours as she says something in a language I don't know. The strings begin to glow and with a snap, it's suddenly over. 

The string just feels like a normal string... well, it's a little warm but otherwise completely normal. Shamo steps back with a large smile and says "Done! You two are now bound and no one will be able to just take Nova. She'll be safe from now on and no matter where you are, you'll always be able to feel the other. Always connected"