Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 145- River at Last

The tension held between me and Rin is sharp and stabbing, the pit heavy and dark in my stomach makes me feel sick, the paranoia of snapping the thread boils my mind. Aegis even feels tense and stiff as Phoneix leads us on in the purple forest of night; the silver light hanging through as strings and staining the leaves. To our right shadows hang off the ridges, consuming and savage, hungry for more to kill. Stars give the sky some shape and mimic things of this Earth.

Kol shivers at my side and the key laps against my chest and it is not long before time drags the sun back to us. Gold and silver rays swirl and twirl in the dawn air to form temporary bonds of peace. Peace before chaos.

"What were all those Imzana doing do you think?" I cannot help but wonder to Aegis.

"Hester was like an enormous dark magnet, I'm sure she was attracting more than just the Imzana, perhaps even some Mortubrae, and others. The aura emanating from her was terrifying and everything told me to run and hide as far away as possible but I knew I couldn't. We should be extremely cautious from now on." It is not difficult to tell he's been pondering this for a while now.

"But how is that even possible? And she said something about other groups going after Siron, that some want to harness him, others wish him to just stay forever dormant, and others to destroy the blade he lives in. I believe she also said some of his followers still exist too, though my memory isn't all too clear in terms of the talking part." The files in my mind shuffle and open rapidly with thought, also in an attempt to forget how terribly and tremendously I screwed up my friendship with Rin.

"I have no idea how it's possible, I'm trying to figure it out, though perhaps we haven't yet come across such a possibility yet...As for other groups, I was aware of this and I would certainly never doubt that there are some of his goons and mutations out there." his tone is dark and disgusted talking about the 'mutations' which piques my curiosity.

"Mutations?"

"Yes, Siron was known for changing and modifying the creatures of nature to make them 'stronger' and breed certain ones for certain purposes. The process is grueling and horrific at best, but he shortened it to make it more gruesome still. I once saw one of the rooms he used for it. The cages. The experiments. Horrid. We were forced to kill the ones that didn't...'turn out'...they were all sad and deformed creatures beyond simple capabilities such as walking much. We were left with no choice. After that day all us Luzumi grieved a week for the losses." Aegis tells a tale that I don't even want to imagine or picture myself.

"You were on the island?" I inquire suddenly.

"Yeah, we managed to get there and assist the wizards, you Humans were of no help at all and we could have prevented so much had you simply agreed." he lets out a sigh and shakes his head, sleep clawing at all of us very clearly now but we must keep going to meet up and find the wizards.

I can feel Oswald becoming restless in the Key bout my neck, sometimes burning or freezing the skin to remind me of his presence at which I grip him in my fist and run a finger along the intricate designs. We must almost be caught up since I can now hear the tumbling of the river not far off and only growing. The scent of fresh waters and lush leaves and trunks with sap, the scent of water splashed Birches fills me with a spreading peace and smearing the awe over me entirely. But most of all I can't wait to wash the thick layers of sticky dried blood off my skin.

Each time I catch a glimpse of the scarlet coating my arms and clothes knowing it is all up in my hair and platered cruelly to my face, the smell has been constant and sickening all this way. Now, however, I am inclined to feel the rain of guilt, not wanting to bring such savage a scene to the river, knowing also this is not part of nature, what I've done. I don't want to watch it flow away in the pure and joyous waters, don't want to contaminate it with my sickening presence.

Suddenly I always feel the trees know my memories yet still tower as guards over my head with thick and long roots beneath me. The river is strong and courageous, rolling about when we reach its shore, and still, I feel like a violation and unworthy of such grace and beauty. My feet drag, not wanting to bring such horror with me as the others collapse and soak in the soothing water.

"Claire, it's okay, I know what you are thinking. That is the pure grace and the ultimate beauty of nature, the trees, the river, they will accept and protect you anyways and take a hold of your burden; for nature is stronger than any multitude of people and their weights." The smile from Phoenix and comfort of his guidance allows me to simply enjoy the fact I need not worry about it, knowing nature can handle anything.

No way can I doubt his words to me either since his entire being, life, and position belongs to the trees, the rivers, lakes, airs, and Earth in itself. Rin has already stripped shamelessly down to her panties and bra and is now entering the current silently. Phoneix leaves his cloak and everything on as does Aegis, at first I am skeptical but then remember they're Luzumi, nothing is weird when it comes to them.

I remove my shoes and socks, washing them off first, very thoroughly too. The water is icy and smooth, wrapping around each of my fingers tightly but gently. Then I slip off my shirt awkwardly but happen to trust that Phoenix and Aegis aren't perverts or anything, they certainly won't find it strange or awkward, they have probably seen other bath naked in rivers many times before.

I begin now to step into the current, not removing my pants. Underneath my long pants are mountains of scars, they cover my upper body too, but not near as badly. Due to my fighting style, the legs aren't as vital if you must take a blow, then use your legs to block. Sometimes I think my arms are better to wound but then I would lose more fighting ability. Scars to me are a very strong show of vulnerability, like wearing your past and battles right where everyone can see.