Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 132- Revolve

When again we assist him in sitting on the soft mosses right next to the fire, I come to a realization. My body language is tight and it's how I relax, feel safe and protected; but Blaze no longer has such a luxury. The vulnerability of having no choice but to be so open like this would drive me thoroughly insane, it would be such a shift...

We all congratulate him quietly and he smiles, I think finally realizing, that even though it's small, it's still a huge accomplishment, and we truly are proud, that it's worth celebrating instead of focusing on how small it is in our reality. He helps us then to cook the meats, whisper-talking with us as Rin and Hester, and Nichele still sleeps near.

I glance at the suns rise, the gold rays leak through over the blackened ridges, though it glint on the top stone with great colour not to be ignored. The few puffy clouds sit in wait of the colours spill and the blue expects the warmth of day.

"Morning," a hand sets on my shoulder tenderly, I whip around in immediate fear of danger to find it is only Nichele waking and breath deeply to clear the thoughts of danger.

"Good morning," my reply is rounded as I set my own hand upon hers, partly to reassure myself of safety. Sometimes, I want to stand up and tell them all not to touch or scare me anymore, but do not want to explain the reasons, and I cannot tell them for some reason.

"How'd you sleep?" She inquires as a mother would, sitting up and gazing thankfully upon the food cooking before us.

"Okay, you?" My reply is curt, she seems to notice but does not pry.

"It was the best sleep I've had in a long, long time," she beams at me.

"I'm glad," I say and grin back, before turning to help sort out the food.

I hand her a plate and a cup, she puts her hands together, beaming like a small child given a gift, wanting to dig into it with sparkling dark hazel eyes, reminding me terribly of Rin and Phoenix. As I serve everyone and they all thank me, the fumes having woken Rin and Hester. The berries are ripe, even though this is supposed to be winter, sweet and dainty, the meat tender and moist, hot and steamy. Each herb soaks deeply into the meats, I then eat some of the potent mint leaves, relishing the clear and frozen juices. We eat some of the other herbs such as thyme and rose merry we had the privilege of finding.

Again, Phoenix and Rin spread their cheer which is seemingly in endless supply. It sprouts in us all a hope as Blaze gets back into conversation with us, cracking a few comments or jokes now and again, though, with dull eyes, it seems to ease his mind at least a bit.

"Is it alright if," Blaze begins, the question seems to pain him as though a guilt weighs upon his shoulders. "If we ditch the stretcher and I start to walk on my own? You can go ahead if you want we can catch up, I don't........I don't want to be such a burden....or I mean, more of one." His voice trembles and it seems to upset him, agonize him.

"Blaze, we never thought of you as any sort of burden, you are  family me, and I would do anything for you and never consider it a hassle or nuisance, or blame you for anything it caused because it would have been my choice to stay." Phoenix expresses and stares genuinely at Blaze, who seems shocked at the appeal.

"I would never leave you, be it my life the cost, I could not live if I watched or let you die. You are part of my life and mind now Blaze, no way could I ever consider you extra weight, and your injury was not your fault. You didn't choose to lose that arm, you didn't choose to be taken away; and, even if you had, I'd still stay and not consider you a bother at all, I love to have the ability to help you at all in any way you need." Aegis comforts and bores it into Blaze, with a strict 'don't you dare think otherwise tone'.

"You have kept one going all the time, and I have admired your strength so many times, you are someone rare in this world, and I have gone through so much with you to support me and at my side. There is no chance of me ever leaving you no matter what. You are no extra weight, no extra burden, I care and value you too much for that to have ever even entered my mind. I am honestly shocked you could think such things." I add my own views, Blaze appears taken aback by my deep and meaningful statements.

"From the view of one looking in, I can tell you, they are not thinking any less of you, they love to Hell and back Blaze, that is the honest truth." Nichele puts in, and I think it really approved the truth of our words.

"How could you think that!? Blaze, you are very special and important! I don't care what you think of yourself, but I know you and I know you are strong, and I know you are worth anything, and that you are not a waste of time!" Rin, as usual, gets frustrated by this, Hester just nods silently.

Dagwood needs not say anything, as they both know one could never survive without the other.

"Okay," Blaze responds, his face now peaceful and brightened slightly, until the dullness and weariness returns with his still missing arm.

Phoenix, Aegis, and now even Dagwood get up and collect plates and cups, to return them to the ground once more. Everyone appears grateful and stuffed for the amazing meal, clearly a fulfilling one too.

"Can I try?" Blaze asks Aegis, Aegis smiles and hands him the stack, we watch intently and with much curiosity.