Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 82- Trackless

"Claire? Are you okay?" Aegis halts strictly to return to me, Genesis puts her big black nose all in my face. What do I say? I cannot believe I haven't recovered yet, it must've been really bad considering all the healing done on me by the Luzumi and all the time that has passed; however, the pain in my ribs has certainly lessened a great deal.

Back when I was in very stern and hardcore training, we fought with real and sharpened weapons against one another. No one ever was allowed to die and the fight would be stopped if this was the case, but we fought until surrender and no one would treat our wounds unless they proved life threatening; this was to up our pain tolerance. Maybe those Yelmete's did more damage than I first thought? Or maybe it was fighting the Dragons?

"Um, yeah," I sigh when he tugs me back up and steadies me. "I just tripped." I gasp out, taking a lot of energy not to clench my sides with the throbbing. Each step is now even more difficult as hours pass, the freezing temperatures attack the irritation and inflammation though, so I can continue.

Then I stumble in shock and face-plant after a few tumbling steps; we have made it into the trees, at last, great arms of the trees tangle above, walls of snow burdening their branches tremendously, yet they bear the natural burden gladly. My sight reaches much further now with less flakes and more dull sunlight as it must be noon by now. Frosty greens are the needles upon the Pine and the Spruce, wide roofs of the flakes they construct, so blue-white, some trees bend so far I wonder how it is possible.

"I'm fine," I assure Aegis, realizing everyone can see me far better now so I'll need to master hiding my physical pain quickly. He helps me back up again and I am thankful for the newfound shelter.

"Whoa, the trees really make a difference." Rin exclaims in awe at this 'Winter Wonderland' where vines of the snow hang like spineless snakes here and there, icicles gather in choirs of blues and rippling textures. Our mood has been more or less dark and gloomy the past day or more, so this blank canvas of a world lifts or dying spirits.

Snows go to he middle of my shins only now, in many spots lower, at trunk bases you can still see the dirt. Here the trees are huddled much closer together than any tree we've been in thus far. Willow and their line-thin and many river-like branches so black holding such tall piles of snow it gorgeous, solid dark tree tones contrasting the white. It's a firm and solid roof above so I can't even tell how any snow is making it through the sturdy barrier. The flakes are loose and poof gently away from each footfall with satisfying light crunches or no noise at all.

Despite the undeniably perfectious beauty, my mind still weighs down with the haste needed and the urgency we walk with, I can see it plain in everyone else too, but this white snow filtered light seeds new hope in us. Each step we take is with renewed strength and determination, it's easy to spy.

Sounds are muffled in a chilled way, different from the soil of the cave, but also the same...

Birds tweet about in this place since no deadly winds reach into it, only a few odd draft here and there.

"Hey!" Suddenly Aegis is a snowman, Phoenix plucked a tree and released buckets onto him, we all giggle. Normally this would evolve swiftly to a snow battle, but due to the circumstances it fades away; I can tell we would all love to break out into a snow battle and roll around in fun, but, two lives depend on us and we just have no choice but to keep our burdened and pained hearts, no choice to be free with joy yet. On top of that, I think we'd all agree it would never be the same without Dagwood also picking on oblivious Phoenix or Blaze being infuriated.

My heart leaps with the memories of our mud battle and the fights against the Dragons where I first saw how fluidly and perfectly they performed together, pulling moves that would fail terribly if one thing were off by a millimeter.

I shake my head miserably and sigh. When I gaze at the others, it is clear I am not the only one reliving memories with them, and I dare not do anything to steal anyone away from that. Happy memories are all too sacred and precious these days, and the dark nightmares of memories all too hard to lock away or to use and not be overcome by.

Aegis wipes snow off of his shoulders and picks chunks from his hair. Then he is somehow completely soaked with bits of ice sliding down his face and droplets hang silver from his eyelashes.

"Um, Aegis?" I know his wisdom and thus feel no need to elaborate on what it is I am asking.

"I increased my body temperature." He explains deeply and I nod.

Aegis's face is so firm and unchanging, not frowning nor smiling completely neutral; but I would bet deep down he's going at least a little insane, feeling the need to hold it together and show courage for us, so that we feel assured, safer, and also gain our own confidence from him. He has a lot of people and Luzumi who have always looked up to him and admired him so much.

Genesis bites my sleeve and tugs on it to capture my attention; and quite effectively too. She paws at the ground frantically.

"I think Genesis has his trail!" I holler, until I see what she reveals under her paws in the snow, and under that too in the dirt. Everyone gathers around and I regret it, wanting to have moved on without them seeing the mark of a struggle.