Chapter 46: Getting Some Bearings

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The clouds roll high above, dark, smothering the usual starlit sky. I sit far below, on a rooftop now with a new shirt and a small fire flickering in front of me. 

Its probably been about two days since I talked to Kazuno and all I can say is I've been trying my best. 

Hiding out in secret, making sure I don't make contact with anyone. It's been ok. Though truthfully I don't think I've been giving myself the proper time to reflect on what's happening. I've just been, well, doing a hell lot of doing. 

The flames flickered on, and I slowly move my finger towards it, not feeling much heat at all. Curious, I put my finger as close as I dare to the flame and when I didn't feel the usual scorching heat I place my whole hand in. 

I watch with interest as the flames licked over my hand, not feeling a single bit of pain let alone discomfort.

I could probably go back to my apartment, hide out there until it's time to deal with Shredder. But at this point no part of me wants to go back, my mind swimming in dread everytime I think of that place and the connections it has. 

No, no, I can't go back there, especially if I am supposed to be following Kazuno's plan for the moment. Afterall, if the turtles were to look for me, that would be the first place to look. 

At last, I place my hand right over the source of the flame, closing my fist around it and leaving me in the dark. 

Time for another test. 

I stand up and walk over to the edge of the roof, peering down at the empty street below. There's less people out now, winter seeming to have scared them into the warmth and safety of their homes. And here I am about to do something stupid. Although I can't really think of a better way to go about this. 

Feeling somewhat assured by the lack of people walking about, I move far back from the ledge, making sure I have enough room. 

First I open up my wings, the action making me stumble a little as the wind caught on them a little but I stand my ground. 

Then I took a breath, trying my best to ignore my beating heart as I eye that ledge. 

I mean look, I should be able to take off. This should work. 100%

Absolutely. 

I mean for goodness sake, people who go hang gliding just run and jump and they end up being fine! 

So. 

So, I should be fine too. 

Alright. 

Just gotta. 

Just gotta run for it. 

I exhale, gritting my teeth as I make my mad dash to ledge. Just don't think about it.

Don't think, don't think, don't-

My feet leave the edge and I'm instantly plummeting. But I don't think about it, I hold my breath forcing my brain to not think at all and instead I straighten out my body. 

And then the wind comes and lifts me all of the sudden, startling me as it raises me above the city, the lights becoming small and distant and soon it looked like I had the night sky at my feet. A glorious mash of lights, from the steady glow of street lamps, to the streaking lights of cabs, motorcycles, trucks, that look like shooting comets. And as I watched I realized that my eyesight had somewhat changed, seeming to be able to clearly see what was going on down there from such a high point. So For a moment I stare in wonder at the scene, completely breathless. 

And then the wind shifts and I'm falling again and I'm reminded about what exactly it is I should be doing. 

So I try my hand at flying, preferring to glide across the winds instead of taking any real initiative. And the whole time my insides were tensed, all curled and tangled up in knots as the ever present fear of dying is hooked firm in my mind. But I keep on flying, because I need to get this right. Because I have to. Because if I don't then what the hell was the point in me mutating in the first place?

I think I could see the faintest bit of sun when I finally stopped flying. My body feeling a bit sore, my face feeling strange now that there isn't wind blasting at it. I find that I'm now having an easier time in taking a breath. 

And as I watch the sky begin to lighten ever so slightly, inspiration struck. And so I sit where I am, crossing my legs, getting into position as I allow my eyes close. 

A slow breath in, hold, a slow breath out. 

I find my mind perfetly still, the world around me distant as I focused on my body at this instant. Aware of the new weight on my back, the silent throb from my nose and the slight sting from the healing wound on my arm. And then I move deeper, peering into my very soul. 

The first thing I take note is it's warmth, its rich heat so similar to fire it may as well have been. Then, I note something as cold as ice. Stangely, it was faint, not drawing too much attention despite how ambient it was. And at last there is a third thing, neither hot nor cold but completely inoffensive, a slither of white light just sitting in the center of me gently pulsating. 

It would appear that Kazuno wasn't necesarrily incorrect by the fact that the dragon had attatched itself to me. Something about that fire feels foreign, disconcerting as it grew within me. But it would seem that she failed to mention that there's a part of her soul within me. And it's that revelation that breaks me from meditation as my thoughts trickle in. 

Perhaps I shouldn't be too surprised about the fact there's a part of her in me. She is my ancestor, she got cursed to live forever and I suppose the continuation of her line meant we all had to have a part of her attatched to us. 

And I guess, considering that part of the whole deal of this ritual business requies the death of the other lines it's not too crazy.

But still, to find that I've got like, two other souls attatched to me isn't really something I want. 

Actually I can't help but really, really hate it. 

Still I try to bury that hatred for a moment. If I've got that dragon soul inside me then it does give merit to her initial worry, that I'll end up being unstable as well. But again, sounds like an excuse from her. 

If it does end up being the case that the dragon soul can mess with my own, I suppose I can go to Splinter for help. Afterall, if there's going to be anyone helpful in this matter it would be him. But there is something in me that tugs against the idea, the knowledge of how much the turtles, of Splinter, helping me I can't help but feel guilt about going back to them with another problem. 

I sigh, moving up to my feet, stretching out my limbs as I watch dawn break over the city. 

I should try and find my Dad. At the very least. 

He would be incredibly helpful in this moment, and surely... Surely he won't try and be avoidant with me, or tell me to look at a book I've already memorised cover to cover. 

Yeah, no, I need to find him. It's about time I do anyways. 

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The Run and Go by Twenty One Pilots

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