Fate's Emergence

•] XXII [•

] XXII [

"No Judgment"

     The sins awoke to the sound of Pilo neighing , they were all sluggish from yesterday's hard training . Some more than others . "Cypris can you wrap these for me ?" Ceres asked as she walked into her sisters' hut . Cypris looked onward in shock , she pulled the cloth from one of her many bags , this one labeled 'Medicinals' .

     "We've been here for little over a week and you've had more injuries than anyone else . Are you having a hard time transitioning ?" Cypris asked concerned for her sister's health , not just physical but mental as well .

     "If you're asking am I purposely hurting myself because I hate being on this island ? Frankly , I don't think so , but my hands were a result of Hofkiin's training last night . Live and learn you know ?" Ceres said as she watched Cypris pull a canister of topical cream from the nearby bag . "Carterize your wounds then I'll apply this ." Ceres hissed as she ran a finger over her hand , then did the same to the other . Her Kundalini was still thriving within , waiting to be unleashed .

     Cypris wrapped her hands quickly and carefully . "Since you're playing medic would you mind taking a look at this ?" Barqael hopped into her hut on a twisted ankle and bruising all along his body . Cypris and Ceres aided him to her cot and laid him down . "What in the world did you guys do ?" Alizae said as she wandered in .

     "Great , a party ," Cypris whispered , she was quite upset about Alizae being the first to descend the mountain considering her absolute failure of a light show . The other sins soon filed in sitting on Cypris' floor , which was just big enough to fit them all cozily inside .

     "Do you guys want to talk about yesterday's training ?" Nau'Jour asked , the others all turned to look at him in dismay . He raised his hands , palms forward , "Hey, no judgment here ." His words echoed in Marisol's mind as she contemplated telling the others of her suspicions .

     "Let us go with the order we left the mountain , huh ? Abridged versions only please ?" Ceres suggested , she knew some of Barqael's troubles and felt a great deal of pity for him , which she knew Boziik could feel as well .

     "I learned how to use the electricity in between molecules ," Alizae said , looking towards the others eagerly . Cypris began to wrap Barqael's ankle tightly , slowly flexing and bending to ensure he still possessed mobility .

    "I learned that I am more than darkness , I am also the ability for light to exist ," Iniko said confidently . Stunned by the other sins , from his display in the clearing to a vibrant outlook ? Impractical , but definitely applaudable .

     "I went toe to toe with a tsunami and a volcano in my domain , stress-inducing but exciting ," Marisol said lowly as Alizae looked towards her from the corner of the room . They'd shared very few glances since they'd departed for the mountain yesterday . An unchecked tension fills their being to an involuntary burst.

     "Boziik dropped me during flight and I passed out strange and distant fever dream , Ceres helped me get back here ." The sins looked at him with horror in their eyes , Ceres hung her head in shame .

     "Damn that's horrible ," Nau'Jour said , resting a hand on his shoulder sympathetically , "all I did was make a little garden in the back , I didn't plant anything yet cause I was going to ask the twins if they had seeds . Unslaad and I think it'll be a group effort , you know ." Ceres looked at him slyly .

     'While we were out killing ourselves in training , he was planting ? For us , I suppose .' Iniko gave a short-lived chuckle . His eyes had been shooting daggers toward Nau'Jour .

The way in which he spoke , dragging out the last consonants of his words . The way his fur curled and pressed against his nape . The innocent eyes that had gazed three lifetimes of events that still held a singe of mischief .

Iniko had found Nau'Jour's being mesmerizing . And every movement is a sight to behold .

"How sweet and endearing , Hofkiin instructed me to open my Kundalini . I brought a snake I met back to camp . Don't worry she's not venomous , or he , I haven't quite checked ." Cypris gave Ceres a gentle fist bump , she knew better than anyone that her sister had a difficult time reaching such a state in the past .

    "Please tell me the snake is not just out and about ," Alizae questioned but Ceres shook her head . "It's in a satchel of mine ," Ceres explained , which gave the others little to no comfort .

     "I completed a pentagram and hatched an entire generation of cave creatures ," Cypris said , getting ready to leave Barqael's side to search for seeds for Nau'Jour's newest venture . She didn't feel the need to mention she'd bested her guide in light-hearted sparring .

     "Barqael you need to rest a bit longer , the rest of us will find something to do in the meantime , hm ?" She ushered the others out of her hut and gave Barqael a canteen of water and an assortment of dried meats . Ceres had run down to her room and gently picked up her satin-lined satchel .

"If you need us , just give a holler , and we'll be listening out ," Nau'Jour said before exiting Cypris' room , he left the wooden door slightly open . Her window would provide all the light Barqael would need .

     With a seed canteen in hand , Cypris leaped from the low-hanging branches and gracefully landed with the assistance of a light breeze . "Would you like to meet my snake ?" Ceres said , her voice etched with excitement , the others agreed hesitantly .

     She slowly opened the large satchel at her hip and placed a hand inside . The snake flicked its tongue to sense for an intruder and soon slid up her arm .

     Alizae looked on in amazement , "That's a Thamnophis breed , better known as a garter snake . Amazing coloring !" She praised , but the snake had no appeasement with these meaningless words .

     Its sides were lined with a vibrant shade of blue , a singular strip of a deeper blue etched down its back , and black and grey hues adorned it like a backdrop .

"You can tell gender by the cloacal area , male snakes generally have thicker tails too ." Nau'Jour chimed in . Ceres gently turned her arm over and uncoiled its tail to reveal much of the underbelly .

     "Looks like a male to me !" Cypris said , peering over her sibling's shoulder , "Got a name in mind ?" Ceres examined her new friend aimlessly , pondering a fitting name . "How about Basilisk ?" He flicked his tongue with interest , Ceres quietly celebrated so as to not cause him any more stress after meeting five new strangers .

     "First try ! Nice ." Iniko applauded as he walked away from the group towards the soon-to-be garden . Nau'Jour followed suit , the sparks of communication lingered in the air , ready to be plucked. While in the safety of shadow , someone lurked , peering at the group with interest .