Chapter 134: Eight Hours Remain

Monica waited in her room waiting by the present Howard had wrapped in a green bow.

She had on a black dress with torn fishnet stockings, and black mascara. All night, she had waited for Howard to come to her room, but he never came. She felt terrified. If he died, she'd have no one to turn to in the middle of the darkest nights, to hold with all her love, or to caress when her feelings swarmed her heart.

She wanted him to be alive, so bad that her frigid Ki leaked out of her body and spread into the room. The walls had been covered with sharp icicles, and the windows had turned glossy and opaque. The only thing not frozen in the room seemed to be her tears.

"Howard, I-I'll be a better girlfriend, please be okay!"

Monica slammed her hand into the bed and looked at the door. "Please! Please come in right now or I'm never forgiving you! I'll damn you for all--"

"Monica!" Howard slammed open the door. He rushed inside and immediately spread his arms wide.

He looked like a bird spreading its wings to catch its prey before he swooped into Monica's arms. He instantly smothered her with a kiss, but because of the pressure her black stockings tore in half. They fell onto the floor before he worked his way up to her lips and kissed her with all his might.

"I-I'm sorry, but I got you another present!" Howard hugged her tightly. "I-I'll make it up to you okay? I-I just ran into a little problem,"

"Mmmm, is this a dream? Kiss me, damn it! I-I don't care what happened! Just make it up to me right now!"

Howard smiled and hugged Monica in his embrace before he pushed all his love into her body through their connecting lips. He couldn't help but caress her back and intimately pull up her body. She immediately felt caught in his embrace, however, when she lifted up her hand a streak of blood had appeared.

"You-you're bleeding? Howard, stop kissing me and tell me what happened!"

"It's your birthday. I don't want to ruin it," Howard smiled and kissed her supple hand, "I-I just had a run in with a Jarkales! That's not as important as your lips!"

"Damn it! This is serious!" Monica slightly trembled as Howard kissed her neck. "Stop kissing me! It feels good and I need to listen!"

"I-I need to get stronger in 7 hours," Howard said with a smile, "However, in 1 hour, I'm going to give you the bet birthday present ever! Now sit back! You can't escape me no matter what!"

Monica blushed and felt Howard gently rub her down the back before he entire body seemed to explode with rage. She-she didn't need a present! She needed to make sure her boyfriend didn't die!

She hadn't ever imagined she'd find someone to like in the Furnace, let alone love. She had her brother, Zack, but loving family was much different than loving someone like Howard. Her heart beast so fast that she could feel it touching against her chest. She didn't understand what the hell Howard was thinking!

"Hmph, Howard. You have two minutes to give me a present, and then you'll have 7 hours and 45 minutes to train. However, tomorrow, you're celebrating with me all night! I'm going to be cuddled, and kissed, and massaged! You hear me!"

"Of course! Hehe, however, first, can you open this present. I had Jenny make it for you."

"Talking about another girl on my birthday? You're lucky I care about you." Monica snatched a small grey present from Howard's hands. It had little silver penguins on it with white fur and a white bow. She smiled, and rubbed her hands on it. With her green hair behind her head, she looked almost too pretty to be real. "Hmph, what is it?"

"It's called a Ki Catalyst. She told me when you take it, you'll gain control of Dark Ki. It-it will supposedly stop your Ki Cells from overreacting when it's activated! You'll be the old you."

"I-I don't want to," Monica shook her head. "Give it to Zack. I-I want to be your generous girlfriend Howard. Mmmm, don't you like the me that's fine with four girlfriends?"

"Just think about it," Howard smiled and tossed it on her bed. "I'm trying to be a leader, and I also want you to improve! I want you to be the third of the next generation of Four Gaurdians!"

Howard tucked the present under Monica's arms, and smiled before he kissed her gracefully on the lips. While this happened, two flames of Dark Ki spread around both of them. The blue, clear ice crystals on the wall slowly began to melt ,while the two of them kissed one last time.

At the same time, Howard could feel an extreme sense of excitement and danger about the upcomming battle.

"Monica, I-I need to ask you a favor? Would you mind standing outside the room for an hour. I-I have something I need to do, and no one can see me do it." Howard pulled out the Ki Jar he'd gotten from Demon King Earl, and took a deep breath. He needed to see what it had inside to make him stronger.

He'd spent lots of months thinking about the right time to use the jar, but part of him didn't want to have to rely on what the Demon King left behind. He already gave him lots of techniques, but he didn't want to rely on his weapons as well.

Howard had a little bit of pride, even though it didn't seem that way. He wanted to defeat his own foes by himself. Unfortunately, that wouldn't be possible against General Lorklan. He simply had too much strength and too much power. He needed a miracle, more powerful than Monica's lips full of love on the darkest, loneliest nights. 

"Hmph, It's my birthday, and you want time alone in my room. You better behave. If another one of your girlfriends stops by today, I'll bite you!"

"Heh, it's not that. It really is just training,' Howard kissed her one more time and smiled. "Mmmm, Hehe, I'm going to protect you no matter what Monica! You hear me! I'm going to make a difference!"

"And that's why I care about you," Monica sighed and walked towards the exit. "Now, hurry up and train! A lot of people are counting on you, Howard!"