Shadow of Elements

Recovery

During the next few days, X never left Alpha's thoughts. Despite the medics telling her that he was going to be okay, the red hunter couldn't bring herself to leave him. She couldn't even sleep since she was worried about him. She couldn't help but feel guilty for not figuring out Sukaji's message sooner. She couldn't help but think it was her fault that he was in this situation. She was even reluctant to leave when the doctors told her to take a break for herself.

On the evening of the fifth day, Alpha returned with a few flowers; a lavender, a daisy, goldenrod, and an edelweiss. "Hey X.... I was out today and I saw these..." The red hunter set the flowers on one of the blue hunter's hands. "I immediately thought of you so I brought them here. I hope you like them" She gently held his other hand. She didn't want to lose him. She'd lose herself in thought. She wasn't even sure if X had heard her. Could he sense her? Who knows... She nearly dozed off when she felt something. She'd look up and notice that X was grasping her hand gently. At first, she thought she was just seeing things. She heard a soft grunt escape the blue hunter. Alpha turned to face him. He was sitting up as he started opening his eyes. He blinked a few times as he opened them. He saw Alpha and looked at her.

"A....Alph...a? Is that you..?" A wave of relief flooded over the red hunter. She went in for a hug.
"I'm so sorry.... I'm sorry you had to go through that....!" Alpha was doing everything she could to not break down. X would gently shush her and return the hug.
"Hey... hey... It's okay... I'm here.... I'm not leaving anyone anytime soon, especially you." He gently stroked her. As he let go, he wiped a tear from Alpha's eye. Despite him looking tired, he sounded very kind. "I promise." He glances over to the flowers that Alpha gave him. "You left these for me..?"
"I thought of you when I saw them."
"I figured as such." He gave off the brightest smile he could, then an expression of confusion came up. "So I'm here... The last thing I remember was getting ambushed while on patrol duty..." The blue hunter looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "What happened?"
"Over-1 told me... It was the silver scourge... He took you to an abandoned temple in the mountains. I can only imagine the terrible things he did to you... But you don't need to worry about him anymore. He's been defeated. He's gone: for good." He listened to her. X was rather shocked.
"Hold on... He's gone?" He asked, perplexed. Alpha nods.
"As much as I hated him.... It was difficult... but he asked me to end his life. I don't mean to say anything morbid... but it was almost as if he was grateful for it and finally achieved inner peace." Alpha heaved a sigh. X gave her a sympathetic look. As a fellow pacifist, he understood that it was harder for Alpha to take someone's life than most hunters. He stroked one of her ears.
"It's okay...You won't have to worry about him anymore. Since he's gone, he can't get in your nightmares. He won't be able to talk you down. He can't hurt you anymore. Because of you, no one will have to suffer what he put us through." X would notice the red hunter starting to doze off. "Rest easy Alpha.... It's been rough for you... You've earned this...." He held Alpha's hand gently, stroking the underside with his thumb. He started to doze off himself. Both hunters were now asleep. They were finally at peace. Neither one of them wanted to lose the other. They made a promise to keep each other safe for the years to come.

-Fin