Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 146- Ahead

My pants immediately absorb the flowing water and become heavy. I watch surprised somehow that the currents are gently and swiftly pulling and tearing the crimson from my skin and wiping it from my pants. The past keeps distorting my mind and tearing me apart inside so I can't seem to heal, my vision keeps going back and reviewing the awful memories, shaking me and making me want to scream.

Shaking it from my mind doesn't work anymore, but none the less, I try. Still, I find a way to ignore it though it remains and clings to me I just show no outward sign anything is wrong. Sitting on the rocks where I am safe from the torrent out further, I watch in awe as the blood is stripped away from my mind and being. Though visions swim before me and my hands shake uncontrollably, I manage to stay grounded. Each noise I automatically associate with danger and my heart pounds with adrenaline.

Suddenly a cloud rolls away from the sun on a finger of wind and gold rays glitter atop the rolling waters and add glitter to the scarlet blood being carried away. Phoenix and Aegis lay on their back floating but not moving downstream; undoubtedly due to their strange Luzumi powers. Their cloaks sprawl out around them and it wraps around every bit of them but their faces. Was it up to me to guess, I would suggest they are either gaining more energy, reconnecting, or thanking the Earth. Either way, I am sure there is some sort of communication or connection between and them and nature right now.

There is no stopping myself from watching and staring at them curiously and in wonder, wishing I could feel and see what they are. RIn is much further upstream from me and I do not dare even make the most minuscule movement in her direction. Despite my refusal to believe it, the day has come where I am again left and abandon by one who said they never would; although, Aegis and Phoneix promised the same and they haven't left yet, well, they aren't like all us destructive and naive Humans but do I dare hope for better?

Would it be disrespectful to think they might leave and not have complete faith and hope in them? Or is it stupid and foolish to think with such hope and imagination? I can't think with confidence that anyone could answer any of these questions, all responses would be understandably affected by a persons past.

Aegis and Phoenix rise after a few more minutes and arrive back to the round stoned shore furthest from me to hang their cloaks on branches in the sun. Not a spot of blood if left on them and I now dip and swish my hair to rinse it out and splash my face too. I feel much better after this but when I look back I feel my face growing hot as they are both now hanging their shirts up too.

The muscles are obvious reminders of their strength and I immediately feel inspired to go and work myself as hard as I can and become stronger. They are fricken strong, like oh my goodness. They don't appear as the people who you suspect are on steroids but aren't, they still appear perfectly healthy but more broad and sturdy, yet agile. Aegis is somewhat shorter and broader, Phoneix being taller slightly and more firm built.

Phoenix's long brown hair floats lightly down and whisps in the winds, as does Aegis's hair. Thankfully, they don't remove their pants, probably knowing how uncomfortable that would make me.

They turn back and Phoenix does and belly flop in, laughing as the water sprays us all, he pops back up joyously, wiping the streams from his face to open his bright eyes. He hops onto his back and appears right at home happy as can be, smiling endlessly at the clear sky above. Aegis has a more graceful and disapproving entrance into the water.

My eyes are extremely heavy as are Rin's and my stomach aches terribly, making me feel lightheaded and sick.

"Here," Aegis approaches me with one of his clay cups filled with drinkable water, I take it, thanking him, and relish the savory river water.

He offers some to Rin too before drinking himself and Phoenix provides some for himself to rise at the sight a berry bushes, he picks loads of them and hands me a wide leaf with them. We took none of the food we stored so we have no other choice and we don't have enough time to get any protein either.

I accept the blueberried gladly but eat carefully as to not make myself sick. A few rounds of berries go to us all and I feel stuffed by the end, and grateful. Aegis offers me tons of water and forces me to drink and extra cup even after I assure him of my wellbeing.

"Alright, let's get going," Aegis announces after a few more minutes of peace and rest, rising still soaked to fetch his clothes from the branches, Phoenix following him.

Rin gets up too and I rise cautiously to slip my shirt back on and tie Kol back around my waist, feeling freshened up and relieved.

"Are we really still behind them?" I sigh as Genesis emerges soaked and shakes off, having been nestled quietly in the current to finally relax. It's been a rough go for her and I lent her many of my berries so she is all fired up. Bagels poke out of Phoenix's cloak apparently not fond of water.

"Yeah, though I imagine they have slowed down for us just in case." he and Phoenix redress as we start off at a hasty pace again," Phoenix confirms from the front, Rin behind him and like before, me and Aegis side by side at the rear. Genesis helps by finding the trail to solidify our conclusion that they are still ahead of us.

Noon has not yet come but we still have not had a wink of sleep, though I am perhaps still too terrified of my mind for such.