Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 126- Bump

With a sigh, I give in to the fact that I can't sit here in self-pity any longer, not only because I don't have the right to, but because I will only be letting others die in the process. Right as I stand myself up Genesis saunters out from the lush bushes and licks my hand. Her comfort allows me the strength to take my first steps back to where everyone else waits.

The clouds are now clean and white, the sky a lively blue, winds course natural between trunks and bird songs weave about the strips of grasses and each leaf, thus my return feels more bearable. When I get closer, voices reach my ears, this heightens the attention I put into my hearing. Blaze seems to be upset, each tone trembles with frustration and despair. What did I miss? What did I cause?

Phoenix remains unheard, Aegis is mumbling, Rin and Hester are silent, and Gen must be confused by what I can construct. I reveal myself from the green-hued shadows, each and every head lifts, as though expecting some kind of hope or light, or a break as though having been on a long journey.

"Here," Aegis slides a hand under Blaze's back and the other under Blaze's shoulder. They must be working to rebuild his strength then.

"Claire! You're back, I was so worried! Are you okay?" Rin takes no time to shove into my personal space and inspect me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to, I just needed some time alone." She gives me a suspicious glare before taking the hint I don't want to share it and continues to watch Blaze at his first attempt towards physical recovery.

Hester merely waves, Gen glances at me quickly, her dark hair and round pale face still reminding me painfully of Nichele. It takes much effort to revolve my mind away from memories. Phoenix gets up and touches my shoulder, eyes darting through my walls as a ball through glass, startling me with his ever-increasing intensity.

When his firm and solid hand hangs again by his side, I feel as though he has just absorbed all my recent thoughts, feelings, and memories.

"What happened while I was gone?" my voice stays low and hidden.

"Not much, Blaze just started to get angry and frustrated, he felt sort of claustrophobic apparently, then he said no more; however it is clear that his mind is in great conflict." We stand observing Aegis slowly raising Blaze so he can sit up.

The expression on Blaze's face would end up being forever burned into my mind and would bring up feelings so stern and strong in the future. Blaze's normally deep brown eyes suddenly flame with gold glitter and new intensity, his eyebrows bend down so strict and firmly, all the muscles of his face are bent and twisted, hardened in a determination I can't seem to understand. It's as though his determination is fueled by his crevasses of despair.

Once he is sitting up we all clap and cheer, he smiles profusely, the expression whisks away, leaving behind a solemn face, one with dulled eyes and loose muscles that don't seem to care anymore, eyes dragged with tire. He must still be walking the path of shock and comprehension, trying to wrap around his new reality, so warped and changed, as though an artist came in with a pencil and decided to disturb the measure of time and works of the world, drawing new and darker lines.

Some lines are drawn in sand above the tides, some are drawn within the tides reach, in the wet sands, and others are carved into stone like a ravine.

I believe I am the only one to hear him mutter "It's sad that my biggest accomplishments in the future will be things like this." for these thoughts I do not blame him and try to understand. With this, I begin to see how he could feel trapped and stuck, claustrophobic even, in your own body or mind, perhaps a sense of suffocation with a change you cannot simply ease into. To me, something like this would be utterly unbearable.

"At least it was my arm and not my leg," Blaze shrugs and jokes, we all chuckle and agree.

Aegis carefully releases his support, Blaze then shuffles to face the flickering fire were we are all gathered about. His movements are rough and awkward as his mind still tries to used his missing left arm; which seems to have healed well thankfully.

Blaze shakes his head, probably to try and rewire his mind and learn how to move again, especially considering how unbalanced it might feel. He crosses his legs and stares into the flames. Dagwood remains right at his side and is grinning for the improvement.

"You should eat this," Aegis shoves nearly ten skewers in front of Blaze who is startled and goes to take them clearly, except with a hand that no longer exists. He winces and realizes the new challenge already before him.

"Thanks..." Blaze takes one and Dagwood offers to hold onto the rest as he works his way through the pile of rabbit meat. His left hand is unstable and wavers, very shaky.

"So where did you run off to?" Aegis swivels to gaze right at me. I am surprised and taken aback, "You can't have expected that to go unnoticed by me." He expresses and seats himself gently across the fire of me. I also sit as does everyone else.

"Uh," I clear my throat, "Just for some alone time in nature." the attempt to avoid detail is valid in my opinion, though I know better than to think Aegis will let me off so easily.

"For what reason?" Aegis continues to pry, probably trying to judge how secretive the reason really is.

"Just because." I say and he drops it after that, but not after inspecting my eyes thoroughly.

"We are going to need to go get some food today," Aegis decides and everyone agrees, then looks to Gen, wondering what that's all about.

"Now is when you tell us why you have been following us and for how long." Aegis drives into her.