Ashen Light

Chapter 9: Withdraw

The quiet of the late-night desert cloaked Clankal in a thick, still darkness as Cyrus quietly rolled up his bedding, packing his things with deliberate care. The small room he'd called his own for these last few months was sparse now, each item meticulously stowed away in his satchel, leaving barely a trace he'd ever been there. He paused for a moment, resting his hand on the hilt of his holy blade, its weight familiar yet foreboding, as though it were reminding him of both its power and the burden he bore.

Just as he moved to the door, he heard a quiet shuffling outside. The wooden door creaked as he pulled it open, and there stood Zack, hands in his pockets, an unreadable expression on his face. Skylar leaned against the wall behind him, arms crossed, her usual look of annoyance softened slightly. She usually wasn't around much, but no matter how proud she was, too proud to admit: She was broke, and Zack enlisted her help around the shop to eat a little bit of coin. They had known Cyrus well enough by now to notice something was off, even before tonight.

"You really thought you'd slip out without saying anything?" Zack said, a faint smirk on his face, though his eyes held a hint of something deeper.

"How'd you know?" Cyrus demanded, his grip on his sword hilt firm, though he had no intention of using it right now. 

Zack waved towards the ground carelessly. "Floorboards. Quiet as you are, a lot of creaking in the middle of the night usually means somethin' is going on. Either you're up to somethin', or my house is getting robbed. Either way, I gotta come check it." He said cheerfully, though he was watching Cyrus closely.

There was a long silence.

"Where are you goin'?"

"Nowhere."

"Bullshit."

"None of your concern."

"It is now." Skylar joined in, standing up straight and looking Cyrus up and down. "You're leaving for good, and I just met ya. You're the first alright guy I've met in a long time."

"Didn't you meet me first, technically?" Zack chided, looking sideways at her, his usual mischief returning to his eyes.

"That's why I said alright guy." Said Skylar coldly, shooting him a glare before looking back at Cyrus. "Whateva it is, I'm sure we can help you out."

"No." Cyrus said, not letting anything show through his face. "No, it's alright, it's just a quick run."

"Mate, it looks like you never even stepped foot in this room." Zack said, looking over Cyrus's shoulder at his quarters, which were barren. "Looks like longer than a quick run."

Cyrus sighed, glancing back at the empty room, unable to deny the truth in Zack's words. He turned to face them both, steeling himself. "It's... complicated. I can't explain everything right now, but trust me - this is something I need to do alone."

Skylar crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Look, we get that you've got secrets. Everyone does. But what kind of 'alright guy' ditches his friends without giving a real reason?"

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Cyrus's mouth, though his eyes remained resolute. "I... appreciate you both. I do. But there are things out there, things I don't fully understand, and I need answers. Answers that won't make much sense to anyone else."

Zack raised an eyebrow, the teasing in his expression tempered with genuine concern. "Cyrus, come on. You think you're the only one who's got things to figure out? Besides, friends help friends. Even when one of 'em is all broody and mysterious."

Skylar smirked a little at that, though her gaze softened as it shifted back to Cyrus. "You don't have to carry whatever this is on your own, y'know. You don't have to go it alone." Her tone went back to normal, saying snappishly, "Trust me, I know. It sucks."