Rythian, I'm Back Again

Rythian, Where have you been?

Rythian very carefully walked past the vines, cautious not to step on any of the mushrooms. He could barely believe he was doing this. He could hardly believe his own sister got him in on this.

"For love Rythian. For love." Raven said, their telepathic bond still connected. He sighed. He wondered if his own thoughts would be safe, but Raven said nothing to that.

If he were to be perfectly honest, Rythian was actually really happy that she made him do this. Because she was right. For love.

Rythian looked around, trying to decide where to go. It was strange. There was a limit to what he could believe, but a camp of rebel mushrooms was a little much for him. A sight to behold it was, seeing little mushrooms bouncing about, more or less skipping their way to different areas.

"Now I have seen everything." Rythian said to himself, and the expected result came quickly.

"Not everything." Came Raven's reply, as Rythian spun around at a second voice.

"Rythian?"

"... Zoey..."

○●○●○

Raven paced back and forth at Blackrock Stronghold. She wondered if she did the right thing in throwing Rythian over, it was so risky.

There wasn't anyone there to activate the switch.

He might have gotten stuck halfway. But he did not. So Raven was counting her lucky stars, thanking the Gods that he was alright.

Our minds are one and they are connected...

She paced some more.

Is it time yet? Oh... But it has only been a couple of months...

Hello, Raven Enderborn.

... Mi'lord.

●○●○●○

"Rythian, where have you been?"

"... Zoey..."

"Yes Rythian it's me."

"I just... I.."

Rythian was at a loss for words. He did not expect to see her that soon. He expected a search, but there she was, in all her glory, standing before him. She in her beautiful flowing red hair...

She who meant most...

"Rythian... I don't know what to say..." Zoey said, stammering slightly. Overcome with emotion and guilt, love and regret and longing pulsing through him, Rythian embraced her.

"Then say nothing. Say nothing at all. Zoey... I'm so sorry..." He said, allowing emotion to find its way to his words. Rythian's hands shook with awkwardness and nervousness. Then, he felt equally nervous hands find their way to his back. Zoey's soft touch, the silent tears that fell onto his clothes, soaking him through...

"I'm so sorry I left Rythian... I'm sorry that I did science. I'm sorry I hid it from you. I'm sorry I lied. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

"You did more good to me than anyone else ever had. You saved me. Zoey... No please don't cry..." He could hear her sobbing. He let go of Zoey, cupped her face with firm hands and made her look up, into his eyes. She continued to cry, as Rythian looked into her tearful eyes. He wanted nothing more than to take away those tears, to make her happy. He wanted her to be happy. Raven asked if he wished it was something more than a friendship... He didn't.

He wished she would be happy. Her happiness was all he desired. Rythian didn't wish for her to be his, he only wanted her to be happy. To question if he could give her that happiness was beyond him. There was only the option to try. That's all he could do. He could only try. So Rythian leaned forwards, so close he could see every tear hanging on her eyelashes. They sparkled in the dim light, as she blinked. Zoey did not push him away. It was as though she was expecting it. Her face was so close...

"I missed you."

"Zoey..."

"I need you."

"...I love you."