The Phoenix and the Lamb

Chapter 122

Disclaimer: I do not own Cult of the Lamb. I am simply a fan of the game. I was inspired by Jbrine061. Please check out her story. She is amazing. Now onto the story.

TW: Slight heavy topic about mental health.
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On the next holy day, the lamb and the cat set off to Noonveil. Hector was in charge and would have help. His wife, Feldoh, and a few more trusted followers would mind the Cult in Edan's and Narinder's absence. Webber arrived after receiving Edan's letter. He'd be their guide to Noonveil, at least, to where they needed to go. The infant god and his future demigod set off with the little spiderling once the teleportation circle was active. The three appeared in Noonveil, in the place where Rose had made her own teleportation stone. Edan and Narinder looked around, seeing the beautiful hiding place and the secret door that kept the location hidden.

Thanks to Ebany's magic, Webber had been able to enter without her amulet. Webber led them to the outside where Max and Melody waited for them. Riding would save time and sore paws and hooves. Webber warned them that Max would be the picky one since he only allowed Ebany, one of her parents, or himself to ride him. Max nudged the spiderling teasingly. The horse bent down and allowed him on. One could ride with Webber and the other could ride on Melody. Melody was fine with either. Though she was the only one with a saddle. Max hated them.

Narinder got up on Melody and helped Edan up. It felt strange to be that high for him but not Narinder. He was tall as a god, larger while imprisoned, and taller than the lamb. Webber snickered at Edan's surprised face and rode off. Melody followed after. She didn't need a rider to tell her where to go. Webber rode to Merlin's castle where Ebany was resting in bed. No one had told her that her brother would be visiting to surprise her. Edan hoped that she would be better and well enough to see him.

Narinder sat behind the lamb, keeping one arm around him and the other one the reigns. It was strange riding a horse, but he quickly got used to it. The lamb wore clothing along with one of his old ponchos on this crusade. Narinder preferred him shirtless though, but that was their secret. Narinder looked around at the scenery and where the path to the stone was. Rose truly did have amazing power even if she no longer had the Crimson Stone with her.

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Ebany woke up before they arrived. She was feeling better now that wer body was warmer. The morning sun did wonders for her and her wings. It had been a while since she basked in the sun and let its light warm her wings. The fever was gone too, but her sore throat remained. Whenever Ebany got sick normally, with a cold or something like that, she noticed that her throat would be the first hurt before the rest. She could still talk, but it hurt to swallow. A hot meal for breakfast helped ease her throat. Rune ate from a bowl beside her. As a pup, she used to eat kibble, but since she was a wolf, raw and cooked meat were now her diet.

Richy would come in to check on her, happy to see her better, eating and feeling better. Ebany had started seeing a therapist regarding her mental health. Ebany had dealt with grief, loss, trauma, nightmares, you name it. After losing another friend so soon after the other... She wanted to seek out professional help. Richy was more than supportive about it. He wanted to see Ebany happy and well in all aspects. Her parents and mentor also supported her. They weren't there with her during the year she wasn't in Noonveil. They could only help with letters. But even then... Ebany didn't tell them everything.

The sessions have indeed helped Ebany feel better mentally and helped her understand her emotions. She's seen others go through various types of mental health struggles, but no one ever thinks that some day, they would go through the same. Ebany's glad that she began counseling. It feels good to express how one feels, especially when you feel like no one can truly understand. Ebany was in a different place, met a lamb that she came to love as a brother, almost lost him for good, was kept prisoner for a while, subtly experienced loss, went up against a god, returned home and things seemed to repeat in some aspects.