Forged In Freedom

Chapter 3 - I choose not to lose

"Listen, if Phoenix wants to sit down, she can. But why can't she just sit next to me?" Karma slurs, waving her hand vaguely.

"Karma, she can't sit because you're hogging the entire couch. And on top of that—you're drunk," I say, my voice stern but not unkind. I've seen this play out enough times to know when it's best to intervene.

"I am not drunk!" Karma protests, a drunken grin spreading across her face. "I'm perfectly fine and sober." She shifts a little, but still doesn't make enough room.

Phoenix stands nearby, visibly uncomfortable. Her gloves are on, as usual, but the thought of having to touch anything or anyone is clearly unsettling her. This is only making the situation harder for her.

"Karma, move over or go lie down in your room. You can't take the couch all for yourself," Silver interjects, her voice carrying a note of finality.

"Fine, fine! I'll sit up if Phoenix gives me a high-five." Karma raises her hand, smiling brightly as if she's made a grand offer.

"Stop using her like some kind of toy to play with," Silver snaps, clearly reaching her limit.

Phoenix steps in, her voice soft but steady. "It's okay, Silver. I'll do it." She approaches, lifting her hand slowly, her discomfort evident. But with a quick motion, she taps her hand against Karma's in a brief, awkward high-five.

Karma squeals in delight and sits up, making space on the couch. "See? Easy!"

Phoenix gives a small, strained smile, trying to ease the tension. "It's good for me to push my boundaries," she says quietly.

"You handled that well," I say, offering her some encouragement.

With the situation defused, everyone settles down. Silver takes a reclining chair, Phoenix and Seraph sit on the newly freed couch space, and I remain standing.

Kai enters the room, wheeling Blink beside him. All eyes turn toward them. The attention shifts, and Karma's playful energy fades into something more serious, though she forces a half-hearted smile.

Kai breaks the silence. "So, what happened while we were out?"

I glance at Silver before settling my gaze on Blink, who looks up at me expectantly. "I'll fill you in," I say, taking a deep breath and beginning the story.

We arrived in the forest in a panic, desperate to find you both. The body of the beast—the same one you fought—lay sprawled across the clearing, its massive form still and lifeless. But our concern was for you two.

You and Blink were barely hanging on, slumped against the trunk of a tree. Karma and I were the first to reach you. You looked up, barely conscious, but the first thing you did was point out Blink's injuries. Arch and Blaze came next, trying to patch you up, but with no proper medical equipment, they could only do so much.

While they worked, B.B., Ace, and Seraph investigated the creature. I joined Silver and Legion, who stood back, surveying the situation with an air of quiet authority.

"Echo, what's your read on this?" Silver asked, her voice calm but focused.

I crouched beside the beast, inspecting the wounds and the strange purple liquid seeping from its body. "It looks like Blink took it down by firing inside its mouth," I said. "But the venom—whatever it is—has already entered her system. Kai's wounds are severe too. They must have given it everything they had to win."

When I finish the story, Blink lets out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, clearly relieved to have the gaps in her memory filled.

Phoenix speaks next. "We need to find a proper medical facility soon. Without full diagnostics, we can't guarantee they'll recover."