Legend of the Pure Era

Chapter 2 - The Present

We're at the den, we are fine. Zap followed me back to our den, they're okay, a little confused, I don't blame them. I couldn't let the fact they've been left alone for two days go. Zap isn't old enough to hunt for themselves, let alone old enough to be left alone in the den. By the Pure Tree's roots, I'll have Zap living in this den if it is the last thing I do. Pearl's way of shutting everything out just isn't good enough anymore. Zap needs people to watch over them and make sure they are able to survive the isle life.

"Firera?" Flow spoke with concern leased in the fibers of their voice. I didn't know how to answer them, "Hi, again." Flow stepped a bit closer, a quiet way of saying that everything was okay, most likely to get me to try and answer the hidden question in their mind. I still had no answer for them, what should I say? I'm just after stealing Zap from my Sheling and then dropping us both at the den's mouth. Quickly I was snapped out of my thought spiral with Flow's wing placed to my shoulder. Shaking my head clear I locked eyes with Flow. Seems that did all the answering for me, Flow somehow understood what we were here for. Understanding and sorrow pooled into Flow's eyes. Flow turned to Zap, the poor thing more confused than they were when they left their Sheling's den. They still think this is just a visit, but with how I left without asking Pearl, this will probably be the last time they have to deal with them. For all Pearl knows we're dead. They wouldn't care. I most likely got both of us killed in their mind, whether it was true or not. Just a thorn pulled out of their side, that's all we'll be. Thorns plucked from their side to ease their mind of one other little thing that was in the way of their peace.

Flow had brought Zap inside by now, they're back to snap me back into reality. "Firera? Are you able to hear me?" Their voice washes over the thoughts that have paralyzed me. I nod, slowly at first, "Yeah, yeah I can, I'm okay." Flow sent me an understanding smile, slowly moving to my side, placing a wing to my back, guiding me into the den. I stumble forward on numb limbs. My eyes are glued to the ground, I couldn't move them if I tried. Even so, everything's become a blur. Am I looking at the ground? All I can feel is Flow's wing placed in comfort to my back. Finding our way into the den didn't take long, along with Flow sitting me down against the wall to steady me. Tin was messing with Zap to ease their confusion and to keep them happy. Bloom must not be in the den since they aren't running around the place like a headless Avicat, which might be a good thing. That would send Zap into shock, or something like that, and I'd just be annoyed by it.

I heard foot-fall against all of the thoughts spinning my mind helplessly into the void. Soft, not like Blossom's foot-fall, careful, feather-light. "Firera?" There they are, they always seem to be near to help when I'm not myself. Flow spoke for me, "We're in here Lightning." They round the little corner of the den. They sit by me until I'm able to breathe normally, when I could they just sat with me. Flow had left me with Lightning, knowing I'd be fine. Once I was able to stand I brought myself to the mouth of the den for some air, Lightning followed me. "Thank you, Lightning." They look over at me as if I have two heads. I think of a counter to the questioning stare, "What? I can be grateful for the small things you do for me." They let slip a small mix of a laugh and a huff. "You shouldn't have to thank someone for being by your side, it should be a given."

I wasn't sure what Lightning meant, which seemed to show on my face. They spoke again "Don't worry about it, just you don't have to thank me for something like that okay?" I nodded in understanding, making a mental note of that. We sat in the sound of the world around us for a bit after that, just staying in the calm moment for a bit. Then I realized Lightning must have come to the den for a reason, quickly asking, "Did you have something to talk about?" Lightning jumped slightly at the sudden sound of my voice. Answering softly "Not really, just wanted to see if you were at the den, since I missed you before." I huffed out a small laugh, countering with, "You of all Liora know where I go when I'm not at the den." Lightning gives a small smile, "Yes, but when you do go to your viewing spot, it's usually to deal with your thoughts, you don't need me taking you from that."

I must have been staring at them blankly, making them speak again, "What I mean is, I sometimes need time for myself, and it's something I understand, you have to deal with things on your own from time-to-time." I smiled gladly at them, "Yeah, I sometimes forget that there are people who can help with my thoughts, but it is easier to deal with them when there's just one voice going through them." Lightning nodded their head.

I couldn't tell you how long we were walking for, I didn't even realize we were walking away from the den. Even so, we found ourselves by the base of the Pure Tree, craning my neck to look up at the isles only tree, it's size floors me most times. My stopping got me caught, as Lightning looked back and playfully said, "If you keep staring at the tree all the time, you won't be able to beat me to the perch!" That snapped me out of my staring, "Says you! I always get there first!"