Arc One: Awakening

Chapter 39: Temporal

Clearing the gap between the car door and the uneven cobbles in one confident hop, Alek welcomed the cover of Azuris's streets. Out in the dunes and outer ridges of Eternity, nothing abated that baking heat. The capital at least provided some protection and comfort, and after the scorching return journey, he silently thanked the recycled wind flow cooling the sweat on his brow.

Military personnel and numerous senior members of the ruling government flocked the avenue, splayed trees providing adequate shade from the beating afternoon sun and the half-broken buildings supported with netting to prevent more mortar from falling. At the double slam of the vehicle doors, every face shot to their position, eager gazes standing by for some indication of success or failure.

"What are you all gawking at?" Rhena called, undeterred by their rapt attention. "Does it look like we failed?" At her triumphant laugh, the stares eased into relief, consoled smiles exchanged and victorious cheers spreading through the younger recruits until barked orders from their superiors jarred them into action.

Mere seconds separated the moment between Rhena spotting Cas and landing into her waiting embrace, squealing at the elated spin before arriving on her feet again. Tight arms held her close. "You haven't twirled me round like that in a while," she jested. "Maybe I should go on dangerous adventures more often."

"Don't even joke," Cas warned her, retracting enough to encourage her to tilt her chin. She examined her freckled skin, sweeping aside red, coiled curls to check for signs of injury.

"Stop fussing, I'm okay. The plan worked. Those buzzing bastards are gone."

Cas cradled her in loving hands and pressed her lips to her sandy forehead. "Let me fuss," she muttered. "I was worried."

"I always come back," Rhena assured her. "You know that."

"This was different. There were so many things that might have backfired. You could have been hurt or worse."

"You worry way too much." Lifting to her tiptoes, Rhena pulled her in for a kiss. "See. I'm perfectly fine." To further prove her point, she presented a toothy beam that earned her a fond smile in reply.

The hours of concocting dire, distressing situations ebbed at Rhena's playful spirit. Cas would never dream of hampering her adventures, but it didn't lessen the worry every time she suggested another perilous feat. And this, the endless stream of danger over the past couple of days, revived the uncertainty and imminent threat from the civil conflict.

"I see that now," she said reflectively. Beyond the mass of military uniforms, Alek digressed from the stationary vehicle and closer to the hubbub, hands stuffed into his baggy trouser pockets and innocent eyes roving over the proceedings as troops dispersed to release the concerned citizens from the shelters. "How's the kid? Doesn't need medical attention, does he?"

"I checked him over before we got in the car," Rhena replied. "I think he's okay. No bleeding, at least. He was real quiet the whole journey. Kept looking out the window like he expected those things to come back. Tried talking to him, but he didn't seem in the mood."

Cas wasted no time in dragging him in for a squeezing hug as soon as he was in range. "Are you hurt?" she asked. To her relief, he appeared unharmed, if not despondent.

"Only my pride," Alek responded sheepishly. "All of this was my fault."

"Mistakes happen, but you put it right." Cas dusted a speck of dirt from his eyebrow with the pad of her thumb. "Who is to say something else wouldn't have woken those creatures up in the future? Your knowledge and your bravery ensured we kept the casualties to a minimum and successfully got rid of them. Remember that, soldier."