Levitate || Joshler

t w e n t y ø n e ☄️

Back in Trench, the people anxiously awaited for Josh and Kai to return, and prayed that they would find Tyler safe and sound. Jenna sat in the center area of the camp, with Linh, Ari, and Olene at her side.

Rani, Fauna, Ilse, and Shiloh, were also with Jenna. They were horrified when they learned the flowered child had been taken, and they began to fear the worst. Fauna and Ilse held on to hope that he would be found, while Rani and Shiloh kept their composure.

The women remained together when they learned Lilac was killed, along with many women that used to be in their group, but to possibly lose a child, that was something they never dealt with before.

When Petruso and Dasha brought out chamomile teas to calm the people, Jenna took hers and slipped vodka in it. She wanted to drink away the fears of what she thought was to come.

Next to Ari and Olene, little Lilya and Maks were next to them. They each held sunflowers in their hands. Although they barely knew their beloved flower lord, they prayed that he would come back to them.

After what seemed like long endless hours, the crowd saw a torch lighting in the distance, among shadow and mist. When the light got closer, Jenna stood up; aided by Linh and Olene.

The women huddled together; holding hands. The little children hugged Ari and Olene. The people were anxious, while some were afraid.

The first to appear out of the mist, and shadow was Kai. He was the one holding the torch in his hand. Linh wanted to run out and embrace him, but after looking over his appearance, she sensed that something wasn't right.

Kai's curly hair was drenched in sweat, and his Bandito attire was wet. He had cuts across his face, and a slight burn on his forehead. This told Linh and that crowd that he was caught in a struggle.

Then, as if a mysterious figure appeared from the shadows of the unknown, Josh came out right next to Kai. He too was drenched in sweat, with his attire soaked in water. 

Jenna stepped out and walked towards him, but as she did, she noticed he was carrying something. When she took a closer look, her heart dropped at the sight of what she saw.

Josh was carrying the lifeless body of Tyler Joseph in his arms.

"NOOO!!" The girl screamed.

As she fell to her knees, Linh and Olene came over and grabbed her by her arms; holding her as she screamed and sobbed.

Ari watched and fell into shock. He couldn't believe what was happening. He remembered what he told the sweet flower days ago, and now it had come true.

Fauna and Ilse held each other and sobbed. Rani and Shiloh held hands as they quietly mourned. Little Lilya and Maks began to cry, before Dasha came over to comfort them.

Everyone, all the Banditos, stood in mourning.

As Josh slowly walked towards the crowd; carrying his dead lover's body, he looked and saw how united his people were.

Even though they barely knew Tyler, they knew how precious he was to their leader.

Josh walked past Jenna, who reached out and grabbed Tyler's hand, which was cold to the touch. The poor girl continued to sob; until she fell on to her face.

Linh and Olene's eyes were red with tears, but they kept on consoling Jenna, as Tyler's life was just as important to her than it was to them.

For every one of the Banditos, who stood together to grieve, they all knew deep down in their hearts, things were never going to be the same.

~

Tyler's body was laid on a table in the council tent. Josh watched over him. He wasn't crying, or expressing any emotion. He was numb, and didn't feel anything.

He had expressed every bit of sorrow when he found the Tyler's body in the water, and now he was filled with grief, anger, and hate.

Kai, Linh, Ari, and a few Banditos stood in the room with their master. As Kai stood next to his leader, he heard the angry words come with Josh's lips.

"Wren did this to him." The man said. "She killed my beloved flower."

"My lord, how did this happen?" Ari asked.

Josh was too numb to speak of what happened, so Kai spoke on his behalf.

"He was taken by Ender and Wren, where it was revealed to him that she is Tyler's biological mother." The Bandito said.

Kai took a deep breath.

"Wren killed her son to silence him."

"H-How did Tyler die?" Ari asked; trying not to sob.

Kai held himself back from crying anymore tears.

"He... drowned."

Ari wanted to cry. He wanted to show grief, but he kept his composure and stayed strong for the sake of his leader.

Josh reached out his hand and lightly stroked Tyler's curls in his hair, then rubbed his cold cheek. Then, as he felt tears flooding his eyes again, the man stepped away and started walking out of the room.

Kai, Ari, and the rest of the men didn't stop him. They just let him go.

Linh, however, was worried.

"Master, what must we do?" She asked.

"We have to bury him." One of the Banditos said.

"No!" Josh shouted; turning back to his staff.

Kai saw the anger and grief leap back into his master's face.

"You will not bury him!" Josh said.

He started huffing and puffing.

"That... is an order."

Kai and Ari nodded, along with the men.

Then, Josh turned his back and walked away.

When they were all alone in the room, Kai stepped up and expressed how he felt about Tyler's death.

"Our Lord will get his revenge." He said. "I swear it."

"Wren planned to do this?" Linh asked.

"She and Ender escaped execution and murdered our beloved flower." Kai told her. "I will not let his death be in vain."

"I agree." Ari added. "But first, we must do Tyler the honor and give him the proper burial."

"Josh doesn't want his body to go into the Trench ground." Kai said. "I mean, look at him."

The Bandito looked back upon the child, who lay motionless on the table.

"It doesn't look as if he's dead."

Linh came over and saw as well.

"He looks so... peaceful."

Kai reached over and took Linh's hand, then he turned back to Ari and the rest of the men.

"Tyler was one of us. Let's give him the greatest honor as a Bandito."