Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 118- Gaze

"Air bending takes a lot of energy from us unfortunately, and we don't want to take advantage of such a gift, we would slowly lose our gratitude for it. Me and Phoenix couldn't handle our entire group at once either, it's too heavy, and doing many trips would be far too wearing for us." Aegis explains; but his hand still thoughtfully holds his chin, reminding me of when I had previously been conversing with Phoenix and he did the same. I can't help but wonder if it is a habit passed on one way or the other.

"What if you and Phoenix only take Dagwood and Blaze down? I could lead Rin and Hester into the valley with ease, and I do not doubt Phoenix could find the energy somewhere to track us down eventually." I suggest thoughtfully.

"Yes, I think that's a brilliant idea! Can't believe I couldn't have thought of that." he whispers and mutters to himself a bit.

The dark rolling clouds are hiking ever closer from the East, the sun is setting to the West, though still standing above the second wall of obsidian. A wind swishes Aegis's light brown hair.

"How's Blaze doing?" suddenly the question feels so very important to ask.

"How could I ever expect to know the answer to such a question?" Aegis responds rightfully as I see the campsite growing near.

At last, the moment I've been waiting for, where Rin bounces over and flies at me, wrapping her arms around me tightly. "Finally you've returned, took you long enough!" she spews.

"Heh, yeah," I stand there somewhat surprised, despite I kind of expected something like this.

"I was so worried, you know? I mean," her head lifts and I see silver tears gathering in her deep round eyes. "I mean, you even returned early, but, I just...just...I was so worried.." her head nuzzles deeply into my shoulder and I am taken aback completely by her enormous worry and new relief of my return.

"You know my strength, you didn't need to be so worried...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." it is easy to tell she is sobbing into me, that her knees have grown so weak.

So I wrap my arms around her at last, and pull her in close and tight. This person is one of few I have to live for, one of few I ever have or will probably trust, knows the most of me and of my past, she stayed when so often and many times I tried to push her far away. Somehow she managed to grip me and not be dragged down or let go. It is extremely likely that she can do accurate guessing at the things I have done based on the fact I work for her father, yet she still doesn't gaze at me with pity or disgust, she still loves me and stays with me.

"You're such an idiot," she mummers and I put a hand on the back of her head, and one on her mid back to comfort, "I was so scared you know," she chokes, and I am surprised she was able to say the words. A few moments pass, me holding her still closer and tighter, not letting her fall. "And you were just going to leave me, for so long," her whispers clearly remembering the day before and of my leave for the bug infested forest.

I had denied Rin, saying she could not come, but she still had followed me and when I found this out, I was both happy but angry and upset.

"I didn't want you to get hurt," I respond and close my eyes, knowing it is partly true. Since I have knowledge of the sword, I know it will drive me to kill her, and I thought if I had to travel far to kill her I might be able to control the sword first. I believe maybe it kills the one you care for most to create a deep hole in your mind it wishes to fit into. Also I know the power of the sword, how I couldn't save my brother, I know the deep tug, how you detach from yourself.

I hold her so close to me, desiring only to protect her, forever and ever, must it cost limbs or life, I want to keep her safe, I want to love her as my sister, I want to take the hits for her, remove her pain and endure it myself. Maybe such thoughts are selfish, for if truly I do care, then I should allow more than myself to keep her and hold her. I want to block the raging waves of flames from touching her, scorching my back while still I hug her.

Then I remember, I am not the only one wanting this.

She pulls away and wipes the silver streaks away, smiling the smile that is engraved forever in my mind, the one that saved me, the one I wish I had always known, the one I cherish. She showed me how to laugh, taught me how to smile. Although still I feel guilty should I smile for reasons I myself do not know.

She stands now beside Hester beaming away. It hurts, it hurts so much, to see this human I care for so much, beside someone else. The one, the only one to ever stick with me through the ride, she's over there, standing next to someone new.

I cannot spend every second with her, cannot make each and every minute a memory with her, I am no longer the one she will come to, no longer will she rely so much on me. Then they take each others hands and I smile, knowing she's so happy.

"You're a perfect big sister," she giggles and, resting a brief hand on my shoulder as they go to greet Phoenix, and I stay where I am, gawking at her mind reading skills.

This Human, right there, she is beautiful, pure, and a perfect being. And she is also staying with me and always has.