The King's Remorse

Fight Me

"Fine," he growls. "But you'd better not slow me down."

"Deal," Dove replies immediately.

"S-sure," I say, nodding my head. Brook and Wolf simply nod in reply.

"Let's get some rest now. Shall we?" Brook looks at each of us in turn.

"Like I said before, I'm not five. I'm not taking a nap; I'm going to find Arcane and make him bring back Ky."

"Wh-why d-do you now b-believe that A-A-Arcane exists now? Y-you didn't before." I frown.

"He's the one who can bring Ky back to life, so he'd better still be alive." Phoenix curls his lip in a snarl.

"Brook, let's skip the nap time and get going. We're not safe here," Dove says.

"Fair point. Let's go then." Phoenix grabs Ky by the scruff of his neck and starts to drag his brother towards where the rainbow barrier once stood. We follow him.

xxxx

Ragdon Volcano looms in the distance. And we're going to the top? It's so tall. How are we going to make it?

"Do you need some help with Ky?" Dove asks Phoenix. The black cat has been struggling to keep Ky from getting stuck on branches and rocks. for almost the entire time we've been walking. Ky's fur keeps snagging on twigs and burrs.

"No," Phoenix snarls. "I'm fine."

"K-Ky k-keeps getting s-s-stuck," I point out.

"Like I said before: I'm fine. I don't need your help." The black cat bristles, irritated.

"Ok, ok," Dove replies, holding up his hands slightly. "I was just offering since Ky's fur is getting caught on branches. It also might allow us to reach Arcane faster."

"Do I need to repeat myself yet again?" Phoenix growls, curling his lip as he looks at us with an expression seemingly of disgust and annoyance. I can't quite tell.

"But i-if you keep dragging K-Ky, his f-fur will g-get a-a-all messed up. Don't you want h-him t-to look the same?"

Why does Phoenix keep refusing to let Dove carry Ky? Ky's going to lose all his fur. Phoenix is forever angry, so perhaps he's mad at Dove and that's why he's not letting Dove carry Ky? I guess, like, Phoenix is stubborn, so that's probably it.

Phoenix drags Ky a few more feet by the scruff of his neck before stopping and setting his brother back down. He stands there tensely for a moment or two, hackles beginning to raise. 

"Fine," he growls.

"You'd like me to carry Ky?"

"I never said that, but... But fine. Just don't hurt him. If you do, you're dead." Phoenix curls his lips.

"I promise I won't." Dove cautiously makes his way over to the two brothers. Phoenix watches with the eyes of a hawk as Dove gently scoops Ky into his arms. The tan cat's head falls limply toward the ground over Dove's elbow.

We're walking at a snail's pace. My legs itch to go faster, to get the thrill of racing, the wind in my face, the rhythmic pattern of my paws hitting the ground. I prance, nearly in place, beside Brook. I need something to do. I look around to see if there are any squirrels or other small creatures to chase, but I don't find anything.

"Are you alright there, Clap?" Wolf asks with a smile and a chuckle, moving to walk alongside me.

"Huh?" I turn to her as I slow down to a walk.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, y-yeah. I just want t-to b-be going faster." I duck my head.

"Like how fast you're going when you break the sound barrier?"