Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 104- Learning

Like eggs in a nest, inseparable, me and Genesis sprint along the icy snow crust, as it's been hardened by a few more nights now. The wind is harsh and scarring, forcing tears to my eyes and down my cheeks. Because of the forced tears my eyelashes freeze so I must blink often and fast so they won't stick together, my cheeks flush chilled and my nose is lost from my face.

Genesis has her lolling tongue and wind wriggling face on as we go skimming with enormous power, speed, resolve, and a blanket of determination back to our forbidden campsite. Our sisterhood allows a new and different strength to flow in my veins.

Clouds  hang overhead dark and shapely with crisp and beautiful edges among them, now they don't allow the new night sky still so young to peak through. No moon and no silver starlight to guide us tonight. The everlasting North Star is such a precarious reliance, the Big Dipper too unofficial to trust and the Little Dipper too small and insignificant to break through a cloud.

So now we go, two creatures alone but together, each one the others only company and reliance, each one so alone yet so needed and loved by another. Skimming swiftly and graceful on in the dark with clouds as our roof.

Soon I spot a faint orange-yellow light flickering steadily in the distance, embroidering the snowy horizon with a fresh blush as there is no other distraction from its heat in this field of nothingness. I smile and wish to go faster, yet my heart thrums and my mind throbs from the effort; especially due to my lack of any hydration and food whatsoever. 

Selfishly I hope in my mind that there are still some rabbit kabobs left packed away secretly in the natural freezer. Genesis lets her nose twitch in excitement and she howls. Her vocalization reaches far and wide across the oh so vast plain.

Two dark figures appear, the obvious flame increases in its magnitude as we draw forth. One of the figures waves as two more stand also beside them, then all of them are waving and a few hollering greetings reach us.

At long last we step into the dry, warm ring of refuge panting and attempting to catch some hollow air before speaking.

"I imagine you need some of this," Phoenix grins and holds out a clay cup filled with water so clear. I nod vigorously and gratefully.

"Th-thanks," I sputter trying to be polite and gulp more. Right when I finish Phoenix's kind offering, Aegis hands me another with simple worry sparkling is his fire-lit eyes, as usual no obvious emotion in his face, just the soft, stern features of care for an existence.

I thank him too and gladly take the renewing refreshment. Somehow the Luzumi's water tastes and feels better than any other water from any other river or lake I've stolen some from. Probably because it's a supposed 'gift' from the Earth.

Honestly I have proof that their values, beliefs, and ideas and correct and true, but I have yet to experience anything for myself. Surely they've got something right, otherwise they couldn't use elements or have their cloaks, right?

Still, I would never say anything; that'd simply cause unneeded and unwanted conflict, or would it? They are all quite open minded, more so than many others of the regular world.

I don't even know what I believe.

They believe in the Earth, its powers and ability not because of force or peer pressure, but because each and every one of them has experienced something that is undeniable. And if that's not the case, I'm positive they have questioned it and tried to find answers

Now is not the time to ask about these things though. Blaze is still in grave condition, and questioning, perhaps stealing or killing some of their hope is the last thing any of us need. It gives Rin, Hester, and me hope even.

It is also a plain fact that the powers of the Earth they believe in healed Blaze and saved him from ultimate death too. To call that fake would be foolish of me, I saw it with my own eyes.

Then Aegis forces a stick of rabbit into my hand out of concern and care for my well being.

"Thank you," I say and nod, taking it, he nods in return and sits by the flames, which look to be well fed. A stack of wood sits off to the side. Someone must have gone and got some.

The food is amazing but I know better than to eat it too quickly. With the water I knew not to chug it too fast, yet I was too greedy to not, now I feel the consequences with an angry stomach.

I too sit by the fire next to Aegis. Phoenix, Rin, and Hester join us too. All of them look far too solemn as no one even dares speak, faces are wrinkled with worry and something I cannot place at this very moment, and maybe I won't want to.

Then I glance over to where Dagwood sits on Blaze's left side, checking where his brothers arm was and feeling for infections and other wounds. Dagwood must be worn to the bitter bone looking after Blaze so carefully and constantly, though how could he sleep after all that time of searching for his brother.

Admittedly, I am not best educated on phantom pain and on the physiological damage of something like this, but I will try my very best to learn, to have empathy, sympathy, and to understand with the best of all my abilities.

My knowledge is limited to the understanding that phantom pains can last for several years, months, weeks, or days. The pain can be excruciating to a degree I cannot describe. Back in the Human world we have prosthetics so advanced they can be made of light metals like carbon fiber. We have advanced so much in our technology in this field.

But out here, they don't have that. once it's gone, it's gone. I also know that there are stages one usually goes through as it was part of my studies in case we do happen to come across such a challenge. The brain and nerves expect information and sensations from the limb, yet they are not there. many feel incomplete, like something's missing.

All the stages and pains depend on the person; but generally it starts with shock and denial, then anger and questioning one's self, next is trying to fix it or find a way to feel more complete, sometimes people get quite depressed and see no point in trying since they find there's nothing they can do to fill the 'void'. The last stage mentally is acceptance.

The length of time one takes to reach acceptance depends on them and what they will allow or decide on and who they are.

One thing is for sure though, Blaze will come through this, and he will not arrive from the water dry.

He will change.

This will change him. He will never be the same. How he ends up, is something only he can make and decide.

But I can also say without any doubt in my mind, that we will all be here to help him out and we will never abandon him. He's so lucky to have Dagwood at his side as his shadow.

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Any comments about this would be helpful, if you have suggestions or constructive criticism, I would really, truly appreciate it. If you have any knowledge on this kind of thing, I would love any advice or wisdom!

Have an amazing day, and if you're still reading, THANK YOU YOU ARE AMAZING!