Smolder

Chapter 30

Russell tried to run downhill. Fell forward and rolled down instead.

His tongue tasted like blood and sawdust, both of which he had extensive experience with. He spat on the ground, which, being red, didn't offer any information of whether or not Russell's spit was the same color.

Will slid down to his side, shouting, "Hey! I thought you said we can still die!"

He helped him to his feet. Russell even forgot to thank him. Draping his demon skin over himself, he limped towards Arlo.

Arlo laid on his back. His dark hair was matted to his forehead with sweat. His fair skin glistened with moisture. His muscular arms were spread out like a star. A loin cloth was put over his groin( thanks again to Will).

Coming over him, Russell, before letting out a sigh, sob or a laugh, dropped to his knees and grabbed Arlo's hand, putting a finger on his artery. Immediately, a relieved laughter escaped his voice.

He's alive!

Arlo's alive!

He has to let Vivi know! God! After coming so far, risking his life, turning into a monster and being literally plunged into hell, and now, he was here. With Arlo. And everything was perfect.

Except it was not.

Vivi still didn't know that both Arlo and Russell both were alive. Vivi was thinking both of them had died. Somewhere up there, or down there, or through there, or whatever positional relationship one dimension has with another, Vivi was suffering more than she should, more than anyone should.

Wow, this is a first.

For as long as Russell could remember, Vivi and Arlo were the two things he'd go to whenever he felt down. If not cheerful, being around them would always be reenergizing for him. And now, the thought of Vivi and the rest of the team brought nothing but sorrow. Because even if he had Arlo, Vivi had no one.

No. That's not true. Vivi has Elli. She has Arron. She has Lupa. She even has Orpheus, if you wanna stretch the truth.

He supposed that was true. Elli, Arron and maybe even Lupa, in her own awkward way, will protect her. Not that she even needed such protecting.

But still, he reached Arlo after what seemed like an eternity, and Vivi, Arlo's blood sister, wasn't here.

Russell didn't realize the stream of tears that rolled down his cheeks until Will put a hand on his shoulder, "Hey man, it'll be okay," then, as if reading Russell's mind, "you'll meet them again."

Russell could've made a thousand arguments. He could've asked how he could say that without knowing, how was he so positive about it, that it wasn't looking very good. But he didn't say anything. He simply clasped Wills hand on his shoulder and sobbed quietly. The sound of his occasional hiccups blended with the gurgling noise of the glittering river as it snaked through it's green encasing.

It was a sentimental moment, a young boy missing his family being consoled by a young man of his twenties. Alas, the sky chose that exact moment and spot to explode.

A booming sound shook the ground as a ripple of power went across the sky. Something bright and yellow hit the ground, trailing flames that didn't turn into smoke before melting away. Twenty or so yards away from them, where the thing fell, a crater had formed, golden light radiating out of it. Around it, the fog dispersed.

Russell just sat there, a tear still rolling down his cheek. Will, however, extended his hand and flicked.

A small glowing white thing escaped his hand. It shot towards the crater like an arrow. As soon as it went inside, it burst into multicolored sparks like fireworks.