Cairo

Chapter 44: Ashes to Ashes [end]

The rebel group that marched forward towards the array of abandoned buildings were a small group of normal members from the different factions and each of the leaders. In the front Xi lead the group without wavering. Near the back was Cane, Houri, and Sia. Cane's face was twisted as he looked in front of him. Houri put a hand on his forearm.

"I know it's a hard decision to purge your friend, but..." Houri looked down, squeezing Cane's sleeve as she bit her lip. "We've tried all reason with him; it's what has to be done. Please understand that the situation is out of everyone's control. Besides, we've sent Fina after him, so at this point, he's probably..."

"He's alive," Cane sneered, pulling his arm back, however the sudden motion made him weave.

Cane stumbled along the dirt path, crossing his feet as he tried to regain balance. He stepped on rock and tripped. Houri caught him by the arm and pulled him up. She smiled down at him, though it didn't reach her eyes.

Her smile wavered on her lips as she pleaded to Cane. "Please don't do anything stupid. Xi has never had much patience, and he doesn't like this as much as the rest of us, but it has to be done fully now that we've almost finished."

"This isn't right. Cairo, he's—"

You should have been prepared for this when you joined us," Sai said from beside him, folding her arms to glare at him.

"I don't want to see you hurt because you can't let go," Houri said. Her voice was calm and soft compared to Sia's, and Cane turned to give her his attention. She placed a hand on his cheek and tried to give him a smile, though it came out as a shaky maybe. "Please, please, Cane, listen to me. You're still young; you have your whole life ahead of you. Don't risk it for this. It'll be quick, then it'll be all over."

"You don't understand," Cane said, pulling away from her touch. "How can you even pretend to understand what I'm feeling like? I may not be as old or as talented or brave as Cairo, but I can't tell you how many times he's risked his life to save me. I'm just a normal person; I can't stand up to the face of danger without feeling like I'm about to piss my pants. My legs shake and I've cried more times than I'd like to admit. I can barely shoot a gun... I'm not anything special, but if I can't at least stick up for my friend and try to persuade Xi then what kind of a person am I?"

Hesitantly, Houri took a step towards Cane, wiping a tear from under one of his eyes. She scrunched her face together, feeling the damp chill of his teas. "You're crying," she said softly. "It's okay to be scared. There are things you can't change."

Cane shook his head. "I'm sorry. I have to go."

Something shinned behind his eyes that pierced through Houri's heart. She could feel her insides burning, images flashing through her mind, and she bit her tongue so hard until she tasted the familiar putrid taste of copper. Shaking fear engulfed her and she lunged forward, grabbing Cane by the wrist. He winched at her strength.

"I don't want you to go," Houri pleaded, so desperate her voice began to crack as tears brimmed in her eyes. "He's too unpredictable. I don't know if he will sympathise with you or lash out at you. You shouldn't take that risk; it's too dangerous."

"This isn't about, Xi! He's already made it clear that he won't hurt me."

Houri flinched, her eyes shaking as she clasped her hands together over her chest. "I-I know, but... but it's still... you can't! You just can't." She pulled his arm towards her, looking just as distraught as Cane. "You don't even have to go see him. Xi will handle it. We'll stay back here with you. It'll be over before you realize it."

Once again, Cane shook Houri's arm off of him. This time he didn't give her an answer. Instead he made sure to push her hard until she stumbled back, almost tripping with the force. His eyebrows creased together as he watched her, a moment of lingering regret for her kindness. Only for a moment. He turned and pushed his way through the small group of rebels, trying to make his way up to the font.