The Aria of Lumi and Anemos (Revised)

Chapter 8 - Burning Pile

"Azura?" I heard a voice enquire as I slowly awoke. My body was gently laid down on top of a hard mattress, compared to the last few weeks this was nice, with a sheet covering my freezing body. Opening my icy-blue eyes, a figure with dark grey hair sat on the edge of the bed next to me, as per usual he dawned the scent of smoke and ash.

"Oh Azura! Finally" His voice sounding relieved as he twisted his body to face me.

I sighed as I looked into his remaining amber eye and shifted myself to an upright position, throwing the sheet off me. His face still made me want to throw up. As I sat up my head began to pound as memories of what had previously happened flooded my mind.

I brushed those memories aside, glancing at Ignacio. I sighed as I realised where I was.

"I'll get back in the chair" I muttered, slowly standing up, holding my burning head. I threw my legs over the bed onto the ground and went to stand up, only to be stopped by Ignacio. He didn't mutter a single word and simply wrapped his warm arms around me. I attempted to pick up any trace of alcohol on him but there was nothing.

I'd always hated physical touch, coming from him it was the most vile thing possible.

"I'm so glad you're Ok, I was worried there for a second" Ignacio whispered, still not letting go.

"Are you drunk?" I questioned as he continued to hug me. After a month or so of being stuck with this man I started to hate him less, he hadn't hurt me and cared for my injuries. He still didn't let go. It reminded me of how much I missed Elektra's touch.

"Hey I'm ok now, you can let go" I fake smiled at him as he let go. He stood back a little and dawned a crooked smile, all he could really do.

"I know Ventus is hard on you, he just wants you to do well and be a part of us, if that makes sense" He confessed, looking at me with his intact eye. I stood still trying to make sense of what he had said. Ventus has tried to get me to join him for years, if he wanted me dead I wouldn't be here right bow.

"He was hard on me at first" he continued "He still can be, but I'm his friend and he lets me live here with him. I had no one else before" he half smiled and sat down on the end of his bed, I placed myself down next to him. He placed his warm hand on my shoulder. "I promise it will get a little better"

I stared into his eyes and found something in them I never thought I would find; Vulnerably. I remembered he was human, just like me. Taking a deep breath, I attempted to get information from him.

"Ignacio, I Hope you don't mind me asking but, Why were you all alone before?" I gave him a sympathetic smile and spoke softly to him, hopefully encouraging him to answer.

He let out a long sigh and looked away before answering. "Well.. I— um" He trailed off thinking.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" I placed my hand on his arm trying to assure him and I smiled.

"I had a family— once. Nowadays I don't even remember what they looked like"

5th November Year: 12 Years prior
Location: outskirts of Zephyrus

"Wake up! Wake up!" A young boy with glowing Amber eyes attempted to shake his parents awake. "Come on! Get up!" He playfully giggled as his mother slowly woke up.

"Ignacio do you know what time it is?" His mother yawned, barely opening her eyes to look at the younger Ignacio. He paused for a second, pretending not to know.

He tried to contain his excitement a little when he spoke. "I know it's early but it's my 5th birthday! People will be here soon! Come on! come on!" Ignacio bounced around the room as his mother slowly got out of bed, cradling her stomach. Ignacio clutched his mothers hand and began to lead her out the room.