Natros

Chapter 5: Catharsis

 Vahn was aboard the Wisteria once more. He prepped himself for whatever was on its terrible way. As he waited, Nathaniel appeared in front of him and passed him a mug of Grim. The mug was inspected after Vahn received it, but he found nothing wrong with it.

"What, you don't like Grim anymore?" Nathaniel asked with a grin plastered on his face.

 Vahn smiled and took a swig. The familiar burn brought back memories. As he finished the rest of the Grim, the rest of the Wisteria Crew appeared. They started playing music and singing songs. Merriment filled the air as they partied, no Diablo in sight. As the party went on, Nathaniel put a hand on Vahn's shoulder.

"It's not your fault."

 Before Vahn could say anything, he woke up. Sunlight flowed through the window and the sound of bird calls filled the air. Vahn tried to get up but found himself pinned downed by a substantial weight. Kibo and Milana were sprawled on top of him, and Oesha was sound asleep to his right. Over the course of the night, she had wrapped her arms and a leg around Vahn. Once he realized this, Vahn's face grew scarlet.

"Oesha...psst," he whispered "Oesha, wake up."

 Her eyes fluttered open. She sat up and yawned. She looked over at Vahn and a small smile appeared on her face.

"Someone is up early. Did you have any more nightmares?"

"None at all"

  Oesha released  Vahn, allowing him to move Kibo and Milana. He then stood up stretched, working out any cricks he received in the night.

"Want to go get some breakfast?"

 She nodded and the two of them climbed out of the treehouse. It was the early hours of the morning, so the air was chilly. A sudden gust of brisk wind ripped through the tattered remains of Vahn's shirt, causing him to shudder.

"Would you like my cover?" she said, lifting her cloak.

"Keep it, I'll be fine."

 As the two of them walked, they looked around. Workers are trying to stoke the flames. All that has been produced was a tiny ember, and none of the food has been cooked.

"I guess we woke up too early....," Vahn said, crestfallen.

"That is fine, we will just sit and wait."

 As Vahn lamented, he felt something tap on his shoulder. He turned, and it was Elder Kytal, staff in hand.

"Hello Vahn, hello Oesha. I see you are both up early? Have any special plans?"

"What?" Vahn asked, face growing a deep shade of scarlet "No, we're just getting some breakfast."

"Whatever you say, Vahn. But, that is not my reason for meeting you here. I came to give you a gift."

 She tapped the ground with her staff and a man holding a pelt walked up to Vahn and presented it to him. Vahn took it and held it out in front of him, instantly recognizing it as the Attaxan. Its pelt has been turned into a cloak, the top half of the jaw functioning as a hood.

"To symbolize your feat yesterday. Try it on."

 Vahn put on the cloak and stopped shivering immediately.  After he put on the hood, he fastened the chord and spun around.

"How do I look?"

"It looks good on you," Oesha told him.

 He grinned at the compliment, and Oesha gasped.

"I suspected this may happen. After you killed the Attaxan, you absorbed a large portion of its Life Energy. Wearing it's pelt will draw out the Energy, giving you features akin to the Attaxan."

 Vahn ran his tongue across his teeth, noticing his canines had grown longer. His sense of smell became more acute, and his nails had become claws.