Cobalt and The Five Stars

Chapter 16

The air in the workshop grew heavy as Lamonte's condition worsened. His sporadic coughs turned into violent convulsions, and with each fit, not only flowers but now streaks of blood were expelled. Panic seized him, and he clutched his chest as if trying to hold himself together.

"I can't get sick," Lamonte muttered through gasps, his eyes wide with fear. "This isn't supposed to happen. I can't."

Mona Amphitrite rushed forward, her expression filled with concern. "Lamonte, we need to get you help. This isn't just the Petal disease anymore; it's something more serious."

Struggling to breathe, Lamonte shook his head frantically. "No, no doctors. I can't let them find out. It's my rite of passage tomorrow. I have to prove myself."

Lucio, who had been watching the scene unfold with a guarded expression, unexpectedly stepped forward. He took Lamonte's trembling hand in his own, surprising everyone in the room, including Lamonte himself. The touch was unexpectedly gentle, a gesture of solidarity that cut through the chaos.

Lamonte's blush deepened, and tears welled at the corners of his eyes. Lucio's unexpected kindness and the warmth of his touch offered a momentary reprieve from the torment of his illness.

Lucio's voice, usually cheerful, carried a rare sincerity. "Lamonte, you can't keep pushing yourself like this. It's okay to ask for help."

As Lamonte tried to compose himself, Lucio opened up in a way that caught everyone off guard. "I left Ironvale without saying goodbye because I couldn't stand it anymore. The constant pressure, the expectations. I created Chiara to be myself without being chastised every single day."

The revelation hung in the air, a shared vulnerability that transcended the animosity between them. The workshop, once filled with the clanging of metal and the hum of machines, fell into a profound silence.

Lamonte, still holding Lucio's hand, looked into his eyes, and for a moment, the weight of their shared history seemed to lift. In that instant, the crew witnessed the complexity beneath the surface – the struggles, the dreams, and the unspoken desires that bound them together.

Mona Amphitrite, with a gentle touch, examined Lamonte. "You need rest, Lamonte. Tomorrow can wait."

Lucio nodded in agreement. "She's right. You can't go through the rite of passage in this state. We'll find a way to help you."

As they prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead, the workshop became a haven of unexpected alliances and shared vulnerabilities. Lamonte's sickness had laid bare the intricacies of their relationships, reminding them that, despite the harsh landscapes of Ironvale, the strength of unity and compassion could light the way through even the darkest of trials.