Lightning Strikes Twice

Chapter 21: Well Earned Rest

I stand nearby Kron and Xenith. After some distant yelling I loom back and see both Martix and his sister walking towards us. I feel nothing short of confusion seeing that as the last I saw of her, she had tried to kill him.

"What.. happened?"

"We just needed to talk. I made that happen."

I nod. Kron starts to get up, I assume the first thing he saw was Martix' sister as he looks quite shocked. Martix points at us in order.

"Celosia this is Marsh, Kron, and Xenith."

She smiles looking between all of us. I notice she pauses at one point staring for a bit but I recognize I'm just being to observant for caution.

"My name is Celosia. It's nice to meet you all."

She shifts her gaze back somewhere else and starts staring again, I pay it no mind. I start scratching my head feeling a little awkward in the silence.

"Should we start heading back then?"

"Yeah, I think that sounds good."

Despite everything that was against us.. they managed to pull through. I'd like to think my gamble helped quite a bit, still their feats are impressive. Celosia seems nice, I think we'll all get along well.

---

As we walk I see Celosia walk over to Kron as he gets her attention, probably asking about her powers. Maybe her spear too. Xenith steps closer to me, leaning in and starts whispering.

"Hey, um. Your sister, what's her name again?"

"Its Celosia.. were you not paying attention..?"

"Uh, yeah. Sorry, I was spacing out."

"Oh. Alright."

Come to think of it, I did see him staring off somewhere.

Looking at him I have this sinking feeling of guilt. We both had to fight sisters we had lost. It doesn't feel fair.

"Xenith.. I'm.. I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"I got my sister back. But.. you didn't get to keep yours, it's not fair."

"Don't be sorry over that. What happened, happened. Celeste wouldn't be happy with me if I fell back into tears over that after finally coming to terms with everything."

From the look in his eyes, I can tell he's smiling now.

"Its a blessing I got to see her one last time. That's all I needed, all we needed."

"It seems she was lucky to have such a strong brother."

He turns to me. I can't see all of his face, but his eyes are saying everything for him.

"Thank you."

I nod and look ahead.

After a few minutes pass as we continue walking. Celosia walks back over to me and leans in. She starts whispering to me.