Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 97- Cooking Lessons

The sun has risen a great deal among the thin streaking clouds weaving over the blue above, streaks of gold rake down through slits in an effort to meet its polar opposite laying upon the Earth it loves. We trek back through the thick heavy snow where we formed no previous trail; as Aegis was skimming the surface in his haste. Genesis waddles in annoyance beside me, puffing in spite.

Aegis walks behind, and as the loser it is my duty to lead and make a path for him, this was what he decided on. I spot the blur of bodies in the wide grey circle where it is as dry as ever and try to make them out but give up. 

My cheeks and nose sting with the general cold ceasing the air; though I do appreciate this more than suffocating humidity and relentless mosquitoes.

The sound of me and Genesis plowing on, birds laughing in joy, and Aegis's sled are all that disturb my mind through my ears. Suddenly I don't want to return and see them all; Rin and me separated in a way that can never be mended to how things were, Dagwood and Blaze with their inspiring and strong connection I'll never feel nor know, Aegis and his role as protector over the other Luzumi and the respect they hold for him due to unknown reasons.

Of course I plan on hearing the stories and explainations at some point. It is obvious to me that they do not need to regard him as they do, that these subconscious movements and postures are formed from a memory or some kind of knowledge. This is amazing to watch, how Aegis would face his darkest demons and fears he has without a single thought to protect them, how he'd do it with such fires in his eyes. Even if something came to be that never was, right in front of him, something dreadful and more dangerous than anything to ever be seen before, he would kill it.

Aegis is different though from what I've observed. He would not rush in with his flames and heated anger and determination, he'd let it brew and begin in the embers and ashes, keeping his head clean and straight. He it strategic and clever, never would he throw his life away, never could he; too many people care too much about him and rely on him, sometimes him alone.

Then there's Phoenix who has his bird newly named Paracorus, how they grew up together and stuck together, more adhesive a pair than twins joined at the hip. Phoenix also seems to have an even deeper connection with Aegis on top of all that.

So, do I really want to return and merely observe the care and relationships I've never had yet long to feel. I already sense the feelings and heat from their bonds, it gives me a sample, a taste, and leaves me addicted, wanting more. But now, I have no one to help me with that. At least not anyone doing it permanently, as there have been moments here and there.

I am interrupted with arriving and quietly Aegis bring to life a new flame and dumps the rabbits to use the sleds and baskets as fuel.

He skins them and leaves me to check up on everyone and especially get an update of Blaze's current state. Carefully, stealthily, and tip toeing, I sneak about our little forbidden den or campsite. I lean over Blaze and Dagwood to spy for any infections; but it seems Dagwood has done a marvelous job of eliminating that.

Blaze's cloak is no longer red but a camouflage of grey from the stone beneath and slashes of snow whites which means he is no longer in any way still critical, this relieves me when I report back to Aegis, who has now insanely swiftly finished the rabbits and sliced them to make perfect kabobs of rabbit meat sizzling over the smoking flames.

I sigh still feeling defeated and wondering how it is possible to be so fast and efficient. Each skin is flawless and they lay in a neat pile at the snows edge. Other leftover parts remain untouched and unused a foot away from that to keep them nice, I guess? Knowing that Genesis deserves a reward and some good quality food, I summon her and point at it.

While she savors, or more accurately gobbles, down all the bits, I sit beside Aegis to help cook our brunch.

Again my extroverted and introverted sides clash, one side wanting to enjoy the silence, the other wanting to burst out a comment.

"Man, I wish things were as easy and fast and you make them seem." I express my despair in my own skills in which I once took pride.

"Well, I'm not exactly a Human, and I do kind of 'cheat' in sense since most of my abilities are 'borrowed'." Aegis chuckles humorously as he checks one of the sticks.

Genesis is occupied licking at the blood on the stone, trying so desperately to remove the stains with her tongue. In her disappointment and despair with the sight of unreachable food, she lays down and is satisfied lightly gnawing away on what seems to be a femur.

Flames pop and crackle every so often as we try not  to wake anyone; we have been walking on no water, food, or sleep for days, on top of which we had to endure a rough battle. I am almost completely convinced that we would have lost had Aegis not taken Kol secretly along.

"Where did you put Kol?" I ask, knowing it is no longer a secret as everyone has seen me use it, except Dagwood.

"I hid it in my cloak," At first I am confused so I take off the blended cloak and see a black fabric package as long as the sword fastened on by two straps which I imagine the cloak formed with the need as it seems to do.