Sector Break: Battle of Ratikstead

Silver-Eyed

"Rex!" Cecilia yells out worriedly.

"Take it easy, Cecilia. He is worn out pretty badly from the lack of food and sleep. His injuries aren't helping either," Sandraudiga says as she tries to heal my arm.

"The roles are reversed now, huh?* I ask Cecilia in a teasing manner.

"How did you find us?" Cecilia asks curiously.

I remember the rage.
"I was just lucky. I wanted to avenge Lesnyr and the others. And I saw a fight going on, so I headed in that direction," I explain with a sad smile.

"You are taking it pretty well that I am...using Lesnyr's body," Sandraudiga says nervously.

I still can't look at her.
"You're assuming a lot. I still can't un-hear her words. Her scream when I amputated her arm...." I respond softly.

"Rex..." Cecilia whispers as she looks at me.

"I almost forgot! Lesnyr..., she told me I needed to ask you about something called the 'Day of Sacrifice', or something like that. What's that?" I ask curiously.

Cecilia looks shocked for a moment.
"It's something that happened on Earth. Why?" she asks with an apparent worry in her voice.

"I heard about it, so I wondered what it was and why you would know about it. But if it's a Terra-6 thing, that makes sense," I respond without pushing on.

"If I may interject on this topic. The Day of Sacrifice is the day our creator was born. Why it was called the Day of Sacrifice is unknown even to the oldest of this planet," Sandraudiga explains calmly.

Cecilia looks worried.
"It was the day a very dear friend of mine, and I lost our lives. Along with a quarter of the Human race," she says softly.

"So, that is why you said you were given a second chance...." Sandraudiga comments worriedly.

"I'm sure your friend is out there, somewhere. I promise you that I'll help you find them!" I say as I raise my right arm, which is still injured.

"By Aquela, would you stop moving? Can't you see I am trying to fix that arm of yours?" Sandraudiga asks sternly.

"How is it doing?" Cecilia asks worriedly.

"He can move it, but it's best if he would sit still and let me finish my healing," Sandraudiga says with frustration in her voice.

A silence falls between us.
Cecilia decides to get some rest within Sandraudiga's warmth that now protects us from the cold.

"I've noticed you're avoiding eye contact with me," Sandraudiga comments out of nowhere.

I remain silent. Not because I am angry, but because I don't know how to respond.

"In my heart, I feel a yearning to stay by your sides. But my mind is still conflicted. I don't want to return to the life dictated by others," Sandraudiga continues calmly.

"I can't say I don't know that feeling. All my life, fate had been decided by others. And the one choice I did make ended up killing the ones I trusted. Only Cecilia and my sister remain," I respond with a hollow smile.

"It isn't your choice that caused this. Lesnyr tells me more and more. You going with them only helped them die without regret," Sandraudiga says calmly.

I chuckle slightly.
"Lesnyr reminded me of my old sister. So strong, even until her last words, she tried to support me. I don't bear any ill will towards you, but...." I comment softly.

"I see her last moments. They're her most prized possession and my most painful ones. Sometimes, I wondered if Odr was right." Sandraudiga gently touches Cecilia's hair.
"Lesnyr, she speaks to me. And her stories make me believe that my weakness is not a curse. It was a key for a door I had yet to find all this time."