Shankha

After going through my things, I realized I was without a shield.
I knew I had had one before, but had sent it back to Ghrenn.
Perhaps I could obtain one without having to visit the Auction House.
I cracked open my big book of all things Vana’diel and leafed through the section titled "Shields".
One caught my eye.  Adoubeur's Pavise.
I read on to find that a creature called Shankha possessed it.
Hmm that reminded me of an ancient language that Sha-chan had been trying to teach me...  sanskri---

A light knock at my door stopped my thought.

Kiki it's Sha-CHAN!!!  I will let him in!!

I didn't even bother to hide my grin as I looked up over the big book at him.

Hi Kiamo.^^

I was just thinking about you! (When wasn't I...)

He smiled and seated himself beside me.  I hefted the book so it sat on both our laps and pointed to the image of Shankha.

I read the name and it uhm...

It sounds like sanskrit, let me have a look at that.

He bent in closer to the paragraph under the image.  His thick brown hair made a curtain that I had to push back with my fingers in order to peer at the text as well.

Yes... I thought so too.  It's so funny that I would find this just now and you stop by at the exact same moment.

So you want to hunt this?

I.. maybe?  It's in Purgonorgo Isle.

I think we can take it.  Would you like to go there now?

I happily nodded.  If it pleases you.

Okay, then lets go.

Shagrath took the book from our laps, closed it and set it on the table.  I followed him out to Port Windurst.
What luck!  One of the Super Kupower's was "Thrifty Transit", so we were able to get to Buburimu Peninsula for free!
Before we accepted the teleport, I couldn't resist hugging him.
He didn't even mind.  Usually he would tell me to stop, or blush.  But this time, he hugged me back with the same endearment.

Kiamo, you’re a vision in your red mage clothes.

I blushed…  He’d never spoken to me quite like that.

Thanks! Hehe

As we made our way across the beaches, toward the dock, Shagrath reminded me of our first time in this place.
The goblin that attacked me…  That helpful white mage.

Once at the dock, we spoke of swimsuits.  Neither of us had one, we hadn’t done the summerfest event to get it. 

As we rode the ship, we reminisced of our first voyage.  Going to the Isle purely on a whim.
This time, we went with purpose.

Kiamo, you know I really did adventure for you.  I’m sorry I had to leave…

It’s okay Sha-chan.  Don’t be sorry for seeking something bigger then adventuring can yield.  I just hope that in time, I can learn even just half as much as you have come to understand…

Do you know what Shankha means in Sanskrit?

I shook my head no, knowing Sha-chan had an answer for me.

Vishnu is said to be the all-pervading essence of all beings.  In one of his hands he holds a Shankha, or conch shell.  This shell can be the giver of fame, longevity, the cleanser of sin…

As he said that last part, I saw a glimmer of sadness in his eyes.
I thought of what had happened earlier, when I dabbled in the ways of Dark Knight.

Shagrath, I’ll never let anything cause me such hate again.  I swear this to you.

He smiled and placed his hand on mine, where it rested on the deck.  We sat in comfortable silence the rest of the way, watching waves play tag against the ships bough.

We spent four nights together on that island.  Finally, on the fifth day…   Shankha gave up the shield we were after! :D

Kiamo, this shield will protect you while I am away.

You…  You’re leaving again?

Yes.  Kia…  I must.  The bad karma you accumulated by slaying all those creatures in hatred and rage...  Without a purpose, but to drink their blood…
This karma will surely bring you worlds of suffering and I don’t wish to see you suffer that fate.
We surely can not be happily together until this karma is expelled.  So I took it upon myself.

I don’t understand…  How can you do that?

In the time I have trained in meditation I have gained understanding of the subtle workings of the universal law.  And my love is great enough for you, that I would manipulate that law so that your karma will befall me.  It is not by my own force that I am able to do this act.  It is that the universe understands the infinite caring that one being can have for another and allows them this opportunity through its benevolence.

I nodded, fighting tears and whispered that I understood as he enveloped me in his arms.
The beautiful sunset painted the sky lilac, dusted with dark blue.  We stood there like that as violet hues gave way to sparkling stars peeking down upon us.  Not speaking.  Just recalling fond memories as the gentle breeze off the ocean tussled our hair.

I stepped back from the embrace.  There was nothing more to say.
So I started to take out  my scroll of instant warp.
But before I could unroll it…

Shagrath pressed his lips to mine.











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