City of Fire

Chapter Forty-One

"Tidus"

The room was quiet as he stared into the fire. The flames danced before him, the flickering reds and oranges seemingly to pull him into their wild and free dance.

Ilona...

The name kept drifting before his eyes, making his heart squeeze inside his chest. He reached up and ran a hand over his face, hating himself for what he'd done. He'd known that he'd drank too much, but seeing her talking with Zane, seeing her getting ready to dance with him, had snapped something inside of him. He lowered his hand and sighed.

She was his friend...

His Dominus...

Yet...

He shook his head once more, as if the simple action would clear it. Turning away from the fire he went to leave his room but halted at the figure that stood in the doorway. Her blonde hair was down, her violet eyes shimmering softly from the firelight and a small smile played about her lips. Tidus halted, surprised, but not at seeing her. He was surprised at the emotions that filled him when he saw her. That same feeling made his gut tighten, made his skin crawl as if something compared to ice were running along it but he found it wasn't unpleasant.

Not in the least...

"I love it when you try and think," she whispered while entering the room, her simple work dress swishing softly at her movements. Tidus lifted a brow, a smirk spreading across his lips.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" She halted in front of him and winked.

"That if you do it too hard, smoke starts coming out of your ears," she teased and he snorted.

"Remember the one who was always smoking, cinder." He replied and her eyes narrowed, but shined. Reaching up she smacked his arm.

"You and I both know very well why I was always the one." Her eyes were narrowed, but her tone was light and teasing. Tidus chuckled and he suddenly wanted to reach out and hug her. Loosely draping his arms around her shoulders, he pulled her to him and despite her height, managed to rest his chin atop her head. He felt her stiffen ever so slightly before relaxing and putting her arms around his waist.

"Tidus," she murmured and he grunted a response. "I'm scared." The words were so quiet, so timid that he wasn't sure he'd heard them but when he pulled back to look at her face he saw it in her eyes. It alarmed him to think that Teresa, the girl who would leap into danger with him, who'd happily get into trouble and play pranks on others with the knowledge that if caught, they'd be punished later, was scared. Nothing scared her, and that's what he liked about her, her strength, but he saw it crumbling underneath him and he frowned, desperately trying to think of a way to build it back up again.

"Don't be," he whispered and pulled her into a tighter embrace, "I'm here." He gently rocked them back and forth, "I'm here." Teresa buried her face into his chest and squeezed tighter. He was shocked to find her trembling and tightened his hold on her. He opened his mouth to comfort her again when there was a knock on the door. Teresa's head shot up, fire in her eyes before she could conceal it a moment later and Tidus wondered at it.

"Come in," he stepped away from her and faced the door. It was pushed open and Fendrel stood there. His face was lined with worry and tension as his eyes darted about the room. "Uncle?" Tidus walked towards him, "What is it?" He halted beside him but Fendrel was looking at Teresa.

"I need to speak with my nephew, alone." The last word was biting and Tidus frowned, looking over his shoulder at Ilona who bristled. She flashed a glare at Fendrel but gave Tidus a long look before leaving.

"What was that all about?" Tidus demanded as the door shut and Fendrel suddenly relaxed. His shoulders slumped and he crossed the room to plop down in one of the chairs, sighing as he did so.

"I'm sorry, Tidus, but I find myself trusting few people these days." He murmured and Tidus snorted.

"You can always trust Teresa," he replied firmly. The look Fendrel gave him proved otherwise. "What makes you think this way?" He sat across from his uncle and Fendrel sighed once more, his massive chest heaving with the breath.

"It is not me who distrusts Teresa, but the Fire Council." Tidus snorted and waved his hand dismissively.

"They are hypocritical fools," he spat and Fendrel shook his head.

"Do not be so apt to insult them, boy." He straightened in the chair, "They are not people to cross." He looked towards the large windows where the night sky was giving way to a gray dawn.

"So were my parents." The words were low and filled with anger. Fendrel's eyes came back to him and he saw that same anger mirrored there in his eyes.

"Yet, we must be cautious." He leaned forward and grasped Tidus by his forearm, "Tensions are already strung tight. If one plucks too roughly, they shall snap." He leaned away and released his firm grip on Tidus's arm.

"That's an excuse and you and I both know it," he felt that same anger returning to him and his fingers curled into fists. Fendrel noted that with a slightly raised brow.

"Yes, it is an excuse." He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose with his first finger and thumb. "But for now, this is what must be done." He lowered his hand and his dark eyes resembled steel. Tidus stared into them, knowing that he was right, but deep down it felt as if someone were taking a piece of him. He inwardly flinched and clamped his jaw.

"Fine." It was all he mustered up for an answer and Fendrel nodded. Reaching out he clasped Tidus on the shoulder and squeezed, "That's a good lad," he murmured while standing, wincing as he did so. "I'm not as young as I used to be," he mused with a soft twinkle in his eye and Tidus snorted.

"No, you old bear," he stood, "you're not." They grinned at one another and Fendrel chuckled low in his deep chest.

"Then it is a good thing we have you young bucks to replace us, eh?" He thumped Tidus on the arm once before crossing the room to the fireplace. He rested an arm against the mantle, staring into the flames. The friendly and relaxing aura that had filled the room vanished, replaced by a quietness that threatened to smother him.

"What is it, uncle?" Tidus stood beside him and it was a moment before Fendrel replied.

"The demons have destroyed the northern gate." He looked up at Tidus, "They'll be here by morning." The words felt like hammer blows, pounding harshly against Tidus skull. He felt his knees go momentarily weak before he hardened.

"What do they plan to do?" Tidus glanced back towards the window, mentally calculating how long it would take for dawn to split along the horizon.

Three hours...

That was all they had...

"They're going to hold a Gathering within the hour." He straightened and fixed Tidus with a stern look. "Whatever happens, be prepared to fight." Tidus dipped his head in acknowledgement of his words. A long, throaty horn filled the castle and Fendrel frowned. "That would be it." He pushed himself away from the fire place. "Let's go then." He headed for the door and Tidus gazed into the dancing flames a moment longer before following.