Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 131- Walk Again

At first, I am panicked to feel warm arms wrapped around me until I recall the previous events and realize it is Nichele. I relish the feeling that someone is looking out for me, the sense that I will always have her, and she will always have my back, no longer do I feel isolated from the rest of the world, but more bound to it. This feeling I longed for, all those years after, wanting to feel it once more, moving on believing I never would; however, now here I am, locked in the beauty of it.

The flames sizzle and crackle, heating my face, night has not yet run out. A round beaming moon shines a prideful silver over every leaf and moss, there is not yet any gold upon the horizon of the East and no clouds shield and hideaway the stars in greed for their beauty.

I hear rustling ever so slight, Aegis comes into my vision over near Dagwood and Blaze. His face is lit and lined with flame so clean and sharp, eyes flickering and mixing with the fires. That glint in his eyes...what is it? It has been a long time I began to suspect something happened to or with Aegis involving all, most, or just the Luzumi with us, just the way I see how the others act around him or how they look at him sometimes, or how he talks to them or treats them.

Not that he's rude, he's very calm and peaceful, as though he has something hidden, as though he's going to protect them no matter the cost. Now I must wonder, are the flames I see now in his eyes, is that the reflection from the fire, or is it the reflection of his mind?

It's nagging at me all the time now as I continuously notice now the smallest things here and there. I don't have any reason to think it was something negative, but the extreme opposite, based off how even Phoenix, leader of the Luzumi, treats him with the highest respect so often, as though he owes Aegis; yet Aegis turns it as though saying 'you don't owe me'. Blaze and Dagwood always fell to him in their deepest need, they relied on him, it seems they just, they just, somehow knew for certain that Aegis was there.

And that's not all, Hester, Nichele, they're both acting strangely. Hester has become quieter, as though trying to fall from the picture, yet is forced to stay by her love for Rin. And Nichele, she keeps gazing with a pained look towards Hester quickly now and again.

There's so much to notice, so much going on. Though, with Aegis, it's a wonder, something amazing, some story of glory it would seem, glory through a pain.

Carefully I move from Nichele's grip, wanting terribly to ask Aegis so bluntly, yet, how? What words could I possibly use?

"Good morning, I didn't think you ever got up early," Aegis makes an attempt to crack a joke, and it does give me a smile.

"Haha," I roll my eyes. "Want me to wake everyone so we can start?"

"No, Gen probably needs the rest. Oh, I, I mean...Nichele? What are we supposed to call her? What's her real name?" his gaze is bothered and seems that this is an extra hassle to deal with.

"We can ask when she wakes up I guess," my shrug slips the conversation away and he gives a sigh.

"Morning!" Phoenix shoots up from his peace and scares the life out of me.

"AH, Phoenix! We've talked about scaring me!" I whisper-yell disapprovingly.

"Oh, sorry, heh" he scratches the back of his head and laughs innocently.

"Like hell you are." the mutter gives him a look of defeat.

"So...where's breakfast?" Phoenix gets up, stretches, yawns and begins gazing around for it.

"We could start preparing it while we wait I suppose, we have an hour before the sun begins to rise, so they will all have warm food still." Aegis decides, then, suddenly Bagels is sitting on his head. Me and Phoenix chuckle. It is hilarious to see such a bizarre and funny creature sitting atop the sternest and most serious person of our company.

"Hm?" Aegis is confused, Phoenix and I point at Bagels, using our energy to try and stop from bursting out into laughter and waking everyone else up. "What is it?" It takes a few minutes for Aegis to find Bagels and stare at it after he holds it in his palm. Aegis sighs and sets it down, then Genesis awakens and plays lightly with Bagels as we start preparing the meal.

The first sign of any light prophesizing day peaks up just as we are cooking the meat, Aegis and Phoenix having once more provided the cups and plates, and filling the cups with pure water. Having finished rationing out all the berries and herbs, I get up to check on Blaze and Dagwood.

Both brothers are in such peace and relaxation. Blaze's eyes then open slightly right along with Dagwood's. Dagwood is half curled up and snuggled into Blaze.

"Morning," I whisper gently and grin. Blaze stares up at me drowsily before coming to.

"Morning," Dagwood yawns and pulls himself to sit up and stretch. "Mind helping me and Blaze?" he asks.

"Of course not," I already know he needs help getting Blaze sitting as Blaze's body is still delicate from all his previous wounds, scars littering his body.

"Wait, I want to try sitting up myself," Blaze seems determined to try and conquer this so as his hand firmly sets beside him, he sighs, getting ready and tenses, pushing and pulling himself up with much energy. Blaze's body is still fragile and considerably weak from his great loss. Dagwood encourages him and we support him when he falters.

"Yay!" Dagwood cheers as Blaze now sits cross-legged and he breaths in relief, relaxing his muscles.

"Nice!" I congratulate, though I can see his eyes are still dull and face still bored in a way.

Aegis seems to have observed and puts a hand on Blaze's shoulder caringly but also firm, nodding with a grin. Blaze glances up at Aegis as a child up at his father, this appears to comfort him, as a child takes comfort and excitement when their parent says they're proud of them.

But, why? What is this? What happened?

"Want to try walking again now?" Aegis inquires him carefully, Blaze takes a few moments before answering yes. I almost forgot, it's been at least a week since he's walked at all, and again, his body is still recovering.

Blaze weakly readies himself and we all help him stand, practically pulling him up ourselves understandably. I can feel how weak the entire journey and the tragedy has made him, let alone the tolls on his mind, as we help him take his first steps closer to the fire.