Aether : Calraem

Chapter 37: Learning How to Fly

When Hikari stepped onto the deck of the Mary Jane, he physically winced when the light of the sun reflected into his eyes. Only then did he realise how long had it been since he came into contact with the outside world.

He blinked a few times to adjust to the light and then continued walking.

Judging from the position of the sun, it was probably around the afternoon.

His steps were not as heavy as he had expected, but they were not light either. It was well balanced and overall comfortable.

He was supposed to be overjoyed, but still found it strange to be walking so well even though his leg had just been replaced. He was wondering if maybe that even might have been one big dream that he had.

But he knew deep down that it hadn't been the case.

How was something like that even possible? He wondered as he kept glancing back at his foot to make sure nothing was wrong or felt out of place.

Everything felt okay, but the uneasy sensation in his stomach refused to dissipate.

I don't think that this is something that I would want to get used to...

A strange array of emotions clouded his thinking as he shrugged at himself. The situation with his leg was something that he would just have to accept.

Then another thought crossed his mind. A thought I mind that he had been putting off.

With an intense focus, Hikari glanced over the whole ship.

He observed the crew members that had been working on deck, each paying special attention to the jobs that they had been assigned to. All of them appeared to at least be recognizable, but none of them seemed to be in mourning for the crew that they had lost. Had he been the only one who was kept out of the loop? Or maybe this had been a regular occurrence on the Mary Jane, and he was on a path of becoming one of these crew members.

Someone who accepts the loss of a comrade without blinking.

"... Stupid," he muttered, then continued walking over to the the ledge.

The ocean breeze was gentle and caressed his skin in a loving manner. The smell of salt that filled his nostrils had become a routine for him every morning on Devil's Peak. It was a feeling that he had grown accustomed to taking.

This was the easiest way to clear his mind from any thoughts that plagued him. That way he could think clearer.

Just then -

"Ah!"

"Hm?"

- he heard the sound of a little girl shrieking nearby.

Hikari whipped his head around, expecting to see someone, but no one was present. But he had immediately recognized the voice.

There had been only one little girl on the ship that he had been aware of...

"Eva," He asked. "Where are you?"

Behind a few barrels, someone had made themselves present and rushed towards Hikari. The little creature with the top of it's tail on fire.

It was his familiar-

"Pyro!" Hikari yelled as he suddenly felt all the darkness in his heart suddenly wash away. A smile appeared on his face as the little creature ran towards its master and made an excellent leap, landing on Hikari's shoulder.

"Hey!" Hikari stumbled, almost tumbling overboard.

Pyro then proceeded to nestle it's face against its master, displaying signs of affection. It's tail burnt brighter as it continued.