Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 95- Frosted Forest

Aegis creates a glowing and controlled fire with waves of a warm tired flow and makes a mood around it as does a peaceful perfect baby dozing away by a warm fire in a warm house as comfortable as can be. Cozy, despite the freedom and space we are encased with for the night.

The constant laughter and sounds of snowballs meeting a target ceases as they hobble back carrying huge grins and a fire in their eyes. They settle next to the flames at the brothers feet with us so we can make a circle about it. Hester takes Rin's hand, and I remember how I've been replaced, how I'm no longer the only one she has to rely on for love and as a friend. I'm no longer the one she puts everything towards to make cheerful, no longer do a majority of her thoughts dwell on me.

Now I am the one percent minority of her mind.

Personally I could never date Rin; as she is practically my sister, so close to my heart do I hold her. Back before I left for this trip I never knew, thought she was another tag-along useless person; but now the veils's been stolen and I realize how I had lied to myself, not wanting to admit it perhaps, not wanting to reveal it to anyone of fear I could get hurt.

Now I am forced to conceive the reality and remember it forever. Now I fully understand how much we meant to one another. Now that she's gone, and now that we can never have what we once did even if they did break up, now that it's lost forever I see it and desire it, thrive from it. Only in memories will I know, yet in those memories I ignored the relationship, I ignored Rin as a person.

I watch ashes rise pondering the relation between them and my current mind.

They rise so high, just to fall dead and bleak, black and dull to the ground in the cold, just as we built such a strong bond that could be broken only but the hardest force.

Of course our bond is still there, it's simply the popsicle stick splintered in the middle by a child who was too weak to snap it correctly. Right now, the ash of me and her which burned so bright, lays dormant in the white.

Deeply I breath in, feeling as though the air in my lungs has been contaminated with dark pondering, the fresh air of nature feels to purify it and clean my body crisply with wisdom. The young breezes of night sway my loose strands of hair slightly and I gaze up.

Silver stars above, night birds singing.

Soon Rin and Hester are sleeping cuddled side by side into one another, Phoenix also breathes deeper in sleep, Aegis seems to have no tire in him, so I decide it's best if I too try to sleep.

My stomach growls in anger and disappointment from lack of food and my mind feels off balance and skewed in return. Aegis takes my hand and adjusts, pouring water into a stone cup he forms for me.

"Here, you need some water and food," He holds it out and I accept it, slowly taking sips; chugging it would make me feel extremely sick. The cool and refreshing water moistens my dry mouth and spreads throughout my body as ice.

"Thank you," I nod between sips to Aegis. "Don't you need water too?" I ask and hesitate to selfishly take more water.

"I have my own," He points to cup sitting next to him rippling with water it holds.

"How are we going to get food?" I question with concern, perhaps we will wait for tomorrow?

"I have some berries still, and everyone else is already asleep, there's also only enough to be of use for two. To make up for it me and you will have to go out tomorrow for something for everyone." He explains and reveals a leaf pouch tied with grass and undoes it.

White and blue berries lay there and make me even hungrier. The amount in measly indeed as I take my share and eat them in relish one at a time, as does he.

"Thank you again," I say and he nods, tossing the leaf and grass.

I remember being told that these berries are what they use for travel because they never dry out.

Soon sleep encases me too and I huddle next to the warmth of the fire and Genesis.

~~~~~~~~~

"Claire, wake up," I moan and wipe at my eyes uncomfortably to see Aegis over me and rousing me and Genesis from our peaceful slumbers.

"Why?" I sit up irritably and rub my face to wake up better.

"We need to go get breakfast remember?" He whispers and drags me up onto my feet. The sun has yet to show, but does an opening act of crimsons, making me gasp as I at first believe it to be spilled blood.

Genesis, me, and Aegis wander from the melted circle towards the nearest and faint treeline.

"Unfortunately I do remember," I sigh and pull myself on, wishing only for more rest to heal my body.

"We must be more swift if we are to get enough by the time they all wake!" He snags my wrist and I am confused until he bolts full speed and I am but a kite behind, my feet touching the snow only every now and again.

I let out a scream at first and am in shock, but Genesis follows in glee, ears flung back and silly looking in her own wind, lips wriggling about on her face and I laugh from the hilarious sight.

Awe takes me and I am held to stop as we stand before a great dark Pine with blue frosted needles sparkling with crimson blood droplets from the sun. I stare at it amazed and wish to feel and know each and every detail of it and see its every memory, learn its wisdom and all its knowledge.

We step back into the beautiful scene of the winter forest.