Lightning Strikes Twice

Chapter 17: Blood Red Axe

I wake up. My arm feels better but it still aches and hurts a bit. The sling made from Xenith's scarf has been great help. I peek out my window, it's become really dark. Must around midnight or something.

I get up from my bed, my feet touching the cold floor wakes me up just a bit more. It only takes a few seconds for my stomach to start growling, I hadn't eaten anything all day.

I quietly open my door and step out of my room. I walk over to the counter seeing a plate of food, I touch it. Still a little warm. I start eating some, my stomach hurts a little from not eating anything for quite some time. Regardless, I keep eating through it.

Once I finish my food, I wash it down with some water. Feeling better I turn around to go back to my room. When I do I'm met with Xenith wrapping his arms around me.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"How.. how are you holding up?"

"I'm.. I'm doing better."

"Good.. that's good."

Xenith hugs me a bit tighter. I get a glance at his face, he has a remorseful look to him and his left eye's glow breaks through the darkness of the house.

"I'm so sorry Marsh. She.. if you need anything from me at all, just name it."

I give him a weak smile. I try to hug him as best I can with both my arms.

"Thank you. You've already been great help as it is."

As we let go of each other Xenith looks at the counter and then back to me.

"Do you think you'll be fine going back to sleep?"

"Yeah. I think I'm good, thanks Xenith. For everything. Taking care of me when I'm the one who offered you somewhere to sleep."

"What can I say? I had some experience.. as well as learning from the best. She.. she was the best."

I raise a brow at Xenith. I walk closer and sit down on a small step, I gesture him to do the same.

"Your sister?"

"Yeah.. my sister, Celeste."

"I think.. no, I know she'd be proud of you."

"Hm. I think you two would get along well."

"Really? Why don't you talk about her before we head off to bed?"

"Sure. She was always so kind, always looking for that kind of good on others. Staring down anyone who would betray that too, you would not wanna be on her bad side."

"I'd be afraid if I were."

"You have no idea. When we were younger this guy wanted to get with her but at the same time he was picking on me for my looks. See my sister had was really potent with magic and such, her eyes would glow whenever using the stuff. When she found out the guy had been treating me like that, I thought I'd seen the brightest light in world that day."

"Ha.. wow.. I'd hate to be that guy."

"Yeah.."