Chapter Text
Three years.
It had been three years since Rayla left him to find Viren. Three. Long. Years. Three painful years. Three sad years. All Callum wanted was for Rayla to come back.
Tomorrow was officially the start of the fourth year Rayla left. It was also his birthday. He had come to hate the month of July, all it reminded him of was pain. Pain and sadness.
Callum had spent these past three years focusing on magic and connecting to the other five Primal Sources. Star Magic was the most painful and difficult one to master, as it reminded him of the people he loved. The people he still loves. Rayla, in particular, had given him some of his painful memories, the other ones of his parents dying. But since Star Magic focuses on the near future and the recent past, the memories and visions were all of Rayla.
That damn Moonshadow elf. That damn Moonshadow elf who he still loves. He knows why she left. He doesn’t know why she left him. They had promised each other that they would go after Viren together. And she had broken that promise. He wants to hate her. He wants to hate her so badly. But he just can’t bring himself to it.
Another figure pulled up beside him in the air. He didn’t care who it was, he just wanted them to leave him alone.
“Oi, lovebug. Where’s your girlfriend?” the person asked.
Callum rolled his eyes in annoyance. Of all the people that came across him, it had to be Nyx. That damned Skywing. And she had just brought up the sorest spot in Callum’s heart. “Nyx, I swear to God, if you don’t leave right now I will electrocute you so bad you will wish that it was baby Zym again.
“Yikes, what’s got your tunic in a twist?” She flew in front of Callum.
“Nyx, I’m warning you. Leave,” Callum was getting really annoyed now.
“Aw, did your girlfriend leave you?” Nyx played, either clearly not getting the hint or just fully ignoring it altogether.
Alright, that does it. Touching into all of the Arcanums at once, his eyes and skin glowed. “LEAVE!” He shouted in a distorted voice.
Nyx looked at him wide-eyed. She just gulped and flew under him and slowed down her flying. “I’ll take that as a yes, then,” she muttered softly, but loud enough for Callum to hear.
He turned around and glared at her, earning another loud gulp. Nyx started to dive down. Callum really wanted to chase and end her miserable, perverted, pigeon life. But he knew that he had to get back to the Storm Spire. Ibis and Zubeia needed him tomorrow for a celebration. Apparently, it was a tradition for a new archmage to celebrate their official archmage-hood with a party on their birthday. Callum really didn’t feel like partying, but since it was on the order of the Queen, he had to accept. So, instead, he turned around and flew as fast as he could towards the Spire. Besides, he needed some sleep for when he got there.
When he landed at the top of the Spire, he was greeted by Ibis and later by Zubeia. After about an hour of preparations(which Callum said wasn’t necessary, but Zubeia said otherwise), Callum went straight to his guest room and plopped right onto his bed. Within the next five minutes, Callum was passed out from all the flying.
The Next Morning…
“Wake up, sleepyhead,” said a voice Callum faintly recognized. It had changed a bit over the years, but he still recognized it.
Jumping up immediately and rubbing his eyes, Callum was greeted by a now older and more muscular Rayla. “One second,” Callum said. “Don’t move.”
He went to the washroom and splashed water on his face. He went back outside and Rayla was still there. “What, did you think I was some kind of illusion?” Rayla smirked.
Callum said nothing as he enveloped her in a giant hug with tears streaming down his face. “I thought you were dead. I thought you were gone forever.”
“No, dummy. I came back,” Rayla said.
Callum remembered the times when Rayla called him a dummy. When they were bringing Zym back to Xadia. Much simpler times , he thought. “How could you, Rayla?!” He screamed. “How could you just leave me like that. You promised. Together.”
“I did it to protect you, Callum. To protect the world,” Rayla blinked back her tears. “And I did it. He’s gone.”
“So does this mean you’ll stay this time?” Callum asked quietly.
“Yes, if you’ll still have me,” Rayla’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Just know that I still love you, and I always will.”
“I love you too, Ray,” Callum said, his voice wavering. “Stay this time. Please.”
“I will. Happy birthday, Callum,” Rayla said before she pulled him into a passionate kiss. “I love you,” she whispered against him.
“I love you too,” he whispered back before they melted into each other.