Marriage in Spheraphase is a deeply spiritual and mystical bond that roots itself in the very essence of the couple's being.
Its origins trace back to Lanthadale, a legendary dragon who broke boundaries when he fell in love with an elf and introduced the concept of binding one's soul to another for eternity.
The vows he made to his beloved became the foundation for marriage across all races in Spheraphase, immortalized as Lanthadale's Vows. Over time, the gods and Supreme Entities formalized these vows into a universal ritual that not only unites two individuals but also strengthens their connection in ways beyond mortal comprehension.
The process of marriage in Spheraphase happens in two main forms and both are equally respected.
The first is the grand ceremony, which is a public, coordinated affair that involves family, friends, and sometimes even the whole community. This is the route people take when they want to celebrate their love in front of witnesses, complete with elaborate decorations, food, and often a magical display of their union. It's like a festival, a day to rejoice and show the world the strength of their bond.
But then there's the second way; the private, intimate version, which Vastarael and Adelasta were on track to follow.
In this case, the process is both beautifully simple and profoundly powerful. All it takes to begin is for both partners to say one word: Zatelxi, the Xinoraci word for marriage. Once this word is spoken, it initiates the ancient magic tied to Lanthadale's Vows, setting the stage for what comes next.
Here's where it gets interesting: saying Zatelxi is like unlocking the ritual. The couple must then exchange vows, which are personal promises to each other. And it's not just about romantic poetry or pretty words.
These vows have to be specific and honest, reflecting what they are committing to for the rest of their lives. It can be about protection, loyalty, or simply being there for each other. The magic of Lanthadale's Vows absorbs their words, intertwining them into the fabric of their bond.
Once the vows are exchanged, a mystic circle appears around them, specifically a marriage circle born from the ancient runes Lanthadale himself carved. The circle is said to represent eternity, binding their souls together for all time. It is an actual, unbreakable connection. In this moment, they seal the union with a kiss that serves as both a symbolic final step. Once their lips meet, the circle activates, cementing their bond in a way that can never be undone.
From that moment on, the couple is more than just husband and wife in name; they're bound at an intrinsic level. This bond goes deeper than mere companionship. It's said to make them feel each other's presence no matter how far apart they are. Some say they can even share strength in moments of desperation.
What makes this tradition even more fascinating is its universal application. It doesn't matter what race, background, or species you come from.
Lanthadale's Vows work for everyone. Even gods respect the sanctity of these unions. It's rare, but there have been cases where divine beings have married mortals using the same ritual, further proving its timeless and universal appeal.
The room was quiet, the silver glow of the two moons spilling through the wide-open window, casting an ethereal light over the two figures sitting cross-legged on the plush floor. Both Vastarael and Adelasta had changed into simple nightgowns.
Vastarael's long white curls were tied back neatly, save for a few loose strands that rebelliously framed his strikingly handsome face. He looked effortlessly breathtaking.
Adelasta, on the other hand, was the picture of elegance, though in a raw, unguarded way. Her long, wavy crimson hair was loose, tumbling down her back like liquid fire. The glow of the moons seemed to dance in her fiery orange eyes, making them almost hypnotic. If she was aware of how stunning she looked, she gave no sign of it.
Adelasta tilted her head slightly, her piercing gaze locked onto his face.
"We're really doing this," she said flatly, though her voice held a trace of something softer, curiosity, perhaps.
Vastarael leaned back slightly, resting his weight on his palms as he studied her. His lips tugged into a faint smirk.
"Is that doubt I hear in your voice, Adelasta? You're not getting cold feet now, are you?"
"Cold feet? Hardly. I'm just surprised you didn't hesitate. You, of all people," Her voice softened at the end, her gaze searching his for answers.
"What, exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"You're too... pragmatic, Vastarael. You analyze everything and calculate risks. I thought for sure you'd reject me outright. Especially considering… our history."
Vastarael's smirk faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He lowered his gaze for a moment, gathering his thoughts, before lifting his head to meet her eyes again. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, causing more of the curly strands to fall loose.
"Do you remember when we were children? When we trained each other practically every morning? You were always so competitive, always so… insufferable."
His lips twitched into a faint smile at the memory.
Adelasta crossed her arms, frowning.
"You weren't exactly easy to get along with either, Vastarael."
He chuckled lightly, "Fair enough. My point is… even back then, I think you brought something out in me that no one else ever did. You made me stronger. You kept me on my toes, forced me to fight harder, think faster. But it wasn't just that. You—"
He paused, searching for the right words.
"You made me feel alive in a way no one else ever has."
Adelasta's breath hitched slightly, though she said nothing, her orange eyes fixed on his face as though she were afraid to look away.
"I don't know what it is, Adelasta," he continued, his voice quieter now, more vulnerable. "But there's something about you. Even when we're at each other's throats, even when you're driving me insane… there's this part of me that wants you there. That needs you there."
He exhaled slowly, shaking his head. To be honest, he didn't know why he was accepting this. He just felt like he should do it and when he did, he wouldn't regret it.
"Maybe it's not something I fully understand yet. Maybe I never will. But if there's even a chance that this... us, could turn into something good, something real… then I'm willing to wait. I'm willing to fight for it."
Absolute, deafening silence filled the room.
Adelasta stared at him, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to speak, but no words came. Her pale cheeks flushed with a soft, rosy hue. She opened her mouth to respond but closed it again almost immediately, as though nothing she could say would be enough. Her hands fidgeted slightly in her lap. Vastarael tilted his head, his smirk returning faintly.
"You're not going to say anything? That's a first."
Her lips parted again but the only sound she made was a soft, almost inaudible breath. Finally, she managed to find her voice, though it was uncharacteristically shaky.
"I… I don't… You…"
"Speechless, huh? I didn't think this was possible."
Adelasta's flushed face deepened in color and she quickly looked away, her long crimson hair falling over her shoulders like a curtain.
"You're insufferable," she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
"Maybe. But you're stuck with me now, my lovely wife."
Her head snapped back toward him, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and something softer, warmer.
"You... don't call me that so casually."
"Why not? It suits you. Also, you can't call me husband and not expect me to retaliate now, can I?"
Adelasta glared at him, but the glare quickly softened into something more vulnerable. She looked at him for a long moment, her fiery orange eyes shimmering faintly in the moonlight.
"Can't argue with that..."
"And you're beautiful," Vastarael countered without hesitation. "I don't know if anyone ever told you this but you really are pretty. I think that if you did become a Duchess in the future and someone wanted to marry you, I would definitely kill them. None of them deserve your beauty. You're reserved for the best of the best. Like me."
Adelasta froze, her cheeks practically glowing now and for the first time, she found herself at a complete loss for words.
Basically, even though Vastarael said that he didn't want to get involved with women, that never meant that he never had feelings for them.
Vastarael Richinaria had always been a walking contradiction when it came to relationships, especially romantic ones.
On one hand, he was charming, magnetic, and so devastatingly handsome that women (and men, let's be honest) found themselves drawn to him like moths to a flame. On the other hand, he had built these thick emotional walls around himself, reinforced by years of self-imposed isolation and an unwillingness to be vulnerable.
It wasn't that he hated women or the idea of love. Far from it, actually. He had feelings and deep down, he wasn't blind to the idea of wanting someone. But there was always this constant tug-of-war between his heart and his head, a struggle that defined so much of who he was.
You see, Vastarael wasn't scared of love itself. No, what truly terrified him was the idea of falling. Falling meant losing control. Falling meant surrendering to something larger than himself. And for someone like him, whose entire existence was built on defying fate and carving meaning out of the chaos he was thrown into, surrendering wasn't an option.
Fate and destiny had already been cruel to him; a life built on suffering, betrayal, manipulation, and the knowledge of a tragic end that hung over his head like a blade. The more he fought against that fate, the more he distanced himself from the idea of sharing his heart with someone.
After all, wasn't it safer that way? To never love, to never let someone in, so he could never lose them?
But here's the catch: Vastarael never said he couldn't love. He never said he wasn't capable of feeling. It was more about not wanting to take that risk, one he knew could destroy him.
And yet, the feelings were always there, simmering under the surface, locked away because he feared what might happen if he gave them life. This wasn't just about romance. This was about survival in the most literal sense. Vastarael had lost so much, endured so much and faced a future so uncertain that adding love into the equation felt reckless.
Would it even last? Would it just hurt more when it was inevitably taken away? These were the questions that plagued him, no matter how much he might have wanted to ignore them.
And then there was the nature of his Fate. He knew it wasn't a happy one. His fate was tragedy incarnate: 'A Death in the Embrace of Love.' How could he even begin to open his heart to someone, knowing that love itself might be the weapon that brought him to his knees?
It wasn't just self-preservation that kept him distant. It was also a fierce desire to protect anyone who might get too close. Vastarael didn't want to be the reason someone suffered. His love, as powerful as it could be, felt like a curse rather than a blessing. So, he turned away. He kept his focus on survival, on his goals, on fighting the unfairness of the world... and avoided the terrifying vulnerability that came with love.
But of course, he wasn't immune.
Feelings didn't just evaporate because he willed them to. There were moments, subtle but undeniable, when his heart betrayed him. Growing up, he fought Adelasta every day, but those sparring matches weren't just about sharpening their skills.
There was something else there, something he didn't want to name. She challenged him in ways no one else could and even though she drove him mad, she also brought out a side of him he rarely showed. Someone who could laugh, someone who could feel. He noticed her, even if he pretended not to. And as much as he tried to keep those feelings locked away, there were cracks in his defenses.
Still, he hesitated.
Still, he kept his distance. Because what if it went wrong?
What if, by some cruel twist of fate, she became the reason for his undoing?
Vastarael wasn't naïve. He wasn't the kind of person who threw himself blindly into something without considering the consequences.
But even he couldn't ignore the pull he felt, the way his heart raced when Adelasta looked at him, the way her presence seemed to ignite something in him that no one else ever could.
And perhaps, deep down, that was what scared him most of all not the possibility of loving her, but the possibility that he already did.