Cinder: In No Way, a Hero || Book 3

~ Chapter 23 - Family ~

Darkness.

That's all Cinder saw.

She tried to walk, but all around her was dark.

She looked around, hoping for something.

Was this it? Was this all death offered?

Well, she had to admit, she didn't feel anything. She was, for once, neutral.

She kept walking, eventually seeing a dim light.

Was that the other side?

Would she see her father there? Or Skyblaze? Or anyone else she hated?

She knew she wasn't going anywhere good.

She kept walking towards the light as it gradually became bigger. Soon, she was standing right in front of it.

"Well, here goes," she said. She felt no fear, no happiness, nothing, as she walked into the light.

Suddenly, her eyes shot open. She gasped for air, as if it had all been a dream.

Then the pain hit her. She cried out in agony. "AHHH MAKE IT STOP!"

"Cin!" a familiar voice yelled. "Calm down, Cin! It's okay!"

Cinder looked around, trying to find the voice. "R-Ronin? Ronin is that you?"

"It is, Cin. Can you calm down now?"

Cinder's breath slowed. "Wh-where am I? Is this heaven?"

Ronin laughed. "No. But with you here, it might as well be."

Cinder groaned, holding her head. "Owwwww. Everythin' hurts."

"Well, you did have a bunch of open wounds," another voice said.

"Soot? Y'er not dead."

"No, and neither are you."

"What?"

"Eagle, can you come patch these up?"

"Yea, hold on."

"What is happening? I thought I died. I..."

"You've been revived, smartass," Soot said.

"What? By who?"

"Eagle," Ronin answered. "He revived me, too."

"Well ain't that somethin.'"

"Just...go back to sleep, Cin. You need it."

"What if I die again?"

"I'll make sure you won't," Eagle said. "Now sleep."

Cinder sighed, closing her eyes.

...

Comet paced around the room. What if Eagle's spell didn't work? What if Cinder was still dead? What if she fell asleep and couldn't wake back up?

"Ahem, Comet," a voice said. It was Ronin.

Comet looked to the RainWing. "Yea?"

"Someone wants to see you."

Comet held in all her anxiety, nodding. She walked into the room.

She took in the surroundings. It was a pretty blank room, except for the medical instruments that were everywhere. There was only one dragon. She was blood-red and covered in bandages.

The SkyWing looked at Comet, making eye contact with her. She recognized those yellow eyes anywhere.

"Cinder?"

"Hi, Comet," Cinder said.

Comet ran to Cinder, hugging her tightly. "Oww," she squeaked.

Comet had the widest grin. "Cinder! Oh my moons, you scared me! You can't get hurt like that again, ok? I can't lose you. I love you, Cin."

Cinder returned the hug slowly. "I...I love you, too, Comet." She shed a tear, holding Comet tightly.

Comet laughed. "You do?"

"Yea...wait, what?"

Comet smiled, backing away. "You admitted it! You love me!"

"That's not what I..." she sighed. "I guess I did say that. Well, 'bout time you knew."

Comet hugged Cinder again, this time tighter. Cinder rested her forehead on Comet's, and Comet did the same.

They sat there for hours, stuck in each other's embrace. Finally, Cinder grabbed Comet's face and kissed her. Comet's stomach erupted in butterflies as she accepted the kiss.

The door suddenly opened. "Bad timing?" Ronin's voice asked.

Cinder and Comet looked toward Ronin, smiling awkwardly. "Nope, we were just finishing up," Comet said.

"Yep, definitely," Cinder said. "Nothin' romantic here. Just two friends huggin'."

Ronin rolled his eyes. "Well, you have more visitors." Jacques and Angel ran in, hugging Cinder as well. Ronin joined in.

Soot and Eagle stood awkwardly by the door. "Mind if we join in?" Eagle asked. Cinder waved her wing. "Get over 'ere." The two joined in on the group hug.

Comet smiled. Finally, they were a family again. No matter what came next, she would make sure nothing would separate them again.

Nothing.