Until We Fly: The Guardian Legacy

Chapter 22: Loss of the Great

-Jake-

Unexplainable visions flashed and floated in my mind as I panted, back against the chair with my eyes closed.
Everyone else was asleep now, even Nim.

Tsuki lay unnaturally straight, thankfully still unconscious.

My wounds were taking longer to heal.
I was getting weaker.

Forcing my eyes open, I glanced over at the clock on the wall.

4:26am

Guess it would be another sleepless night.
I could manage.

As goes the usual routine, rain was pounding against the window. Battering down as if it were trying to get inside to dwell within the warmth of the indoors.

My mind raced back through the days.
Things James had said, Nim had said, Static had said.

"...sparks..."
I chuckled, holding my palm up in front of my face.
"Delicate fractures of light, flickering through the fingertips of a fragile holder. Desperate to be released."

My smile faded slightly.
"...they said there was only two colours. One for Light and one for Dark. But they were wrong."
I mumbled, letting the tiny, blue snaps of energy crackle across my hands.

"...there's always a middle ground."

Assuring that Tsuki was safe, I made my way downstairs, treading each step slowly as if trying to waste more time.
Though who's time I was wasting, I've no idea.

As my foot hit the familiar feel of the hallway carpet, I saw the light bursting through the open kitchen door.

Static was floating high, close to the ceiling and humming quietly.

I leaned against the doorway and grinned.
"...hey."

With a small yelp, her head jolted up and hit the roof.

"S-sorry. I didn't mean to make you jump."
I snickered as she returned to the floor, rubbing her head with a glare that angrily followed my movements.

With my hands in my pockets, I slumped into the chair beside her.

"So...why are you still awake?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"...fair enough."
I shrugged, leaning back.

Static looked around uncomfortably, rubbing her shoulder.

"...are you...okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I just...something doesn't feel..."

"...what?"

"...nothing."
She mumbled, turning away to stare out of the window.

"No, come on. It's better to talk things out."

"...I dunno...I've just been thinking..."

"About?"

"The past."

"Oh, don't worry about that. Heck, you know all about mine. We've all had a difficult time."

She turned back towards me, smiling a little.
"Trust me. You have no idea. Think how old I am. I've done it all."

"I'm sure you've not done everything."

"Oh hell yeah. Families, war, work, crime, hunting, fights, school, childhood, friends, love, marriage-"

"Marriage? You've been married?!"

Her smile faded.
"Y...yeah. Just one of the disadvantages of being immortal, I suppose. Having to watch everyone you know, everyone you love...change. Grow. Fade. And eventually...well...you know..."