Magicians Of Terra Majica: The Emblem Keeper

Chapter 9: Breathing Space

"Ced?" a smooth, deep voice Cedric all too recognized rebounded in the room. The said boy shuffled his feet ever so slowly, not wanting to talk to Hadrian after what happened. He was lying with a purple set of pajamas with crescent and full moons dotted cutely.

His honey hair was a bit rumpled, unlike the bird's nest we saw on Elaine earlier (don't tell her I said that-), his face was contorted in a mix of guilt and shame. He didn't want to hear what Hadrian would say nor would he want to see him. Sure he did something wrong, but did he really have to yell at him?

Hadrian sighed, knowing this wasn't gonna be a walk in the park. He, much as he would like to deny, was clearly in the wrong back there and screaming to the younger Malcolms just added fuel to the fire.

"I know you're awake," the rumpled hair stiffened, before the boy beneath a thick baby blue blanket sniffled. Hadrian approached the boy before lying beside him. The boy curled up, not initiating talks of any kind.

It made Hadrian feel more nervous on how he should open up, not wanting to look like a fool. He may be a caring sibling who'd kill to keep Cedric safe, but that doesn't mean he can throw his pride out of the window like it's just trash. Dignity and self-respect is still a virtue all should uphold.

"Look, I get it, you're mad at me, but did you really think I'd just be okay with it?" He started a bit harsh, "You know how I am Ced, all I want is that you'll be alright. I mean, I'm already roped up in a destiny that could kill me in a moment's notice but- oh crap," Cedric immediately got up with wide, worried eyes.

"Kill you in any moment's notice?! I almost saw you get killed by that lich Hade! No- YOU WERE ABOUT TO DIE! IF YOU THINK I'D BE OKAY WITH THAT HAPPENING THEN YOUR DEAD WRONG! YOU KEEP SAYING THAT YOU ONLY WANT ME TO BE ALRIGHT BUT HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THAT IF I'M WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU!?" he ranted, his loud voice attracting the nine other inhabitants inside the magic house. Eight fluffy, feathery in the case of one, appeared by the door sill with curious eyes while Elaine scrambled up the stairs when she heard the loud voice.

"Yo is everything alright-" she cut herself off when she saw the frantic eyes of Cedric and Hadrian's flinching face. She didn't notice the eight Incarnates look at her with amused and curious looks and a rather surprised face courtesy of Simian.

"You know what, I'm just gonna go get ready for school. Bye!" She made a quick run down the stairs, not in the mood to be involved in private, family problems.

The eight Incarnates continued their peeping despite being noticed by Cedric, who didn't really care. All the boy felt right now was worry that came in the form of an angry dumpling.

"Ced-"

"I'm not done! Don't even get me started with me not being strong enough! I can easily take care of myself! I-"

"Then what happened at Joton then? If you were strong then why were you crying when we came to take you with us back at Poly?! What happened huh?" Hadrian couldn't hold it, not when he saw him crying as Cedric cried and cried in his arms when they met up.

He wanted that image to burn, not liking to remember that face of pure agony and fear on his brother's face. Let's not forget the near-death experience he witnessed when the rifts of the void and the nether were wide enough for those dark entities and an empowered lich to escape from.

Cedric stiffened, struck right at the core as Hadrian slammed him with truth. He was right, but he wasn't gonna back down that easily.

"What happened? I WAITED FOR YOU BACK AT OUR HOUSE! I WAITED FOR YOUR RETURN! YOU PROMISED ME THAT YOU'D BE BACK BEFORE I LOOKED. WELL GUESS WHAT LIAR I KEPT ON WISHING YOU BACK BUT DID YOU APPEAR? NO! NO YOU DIDN'T! YOU DIDN'T!" He cried at the last part, screaming at his brother who couldn't hide his guilt. If Hadrian slammed Cedric the truth, Cedric outright stabbed him with guilt. Both boys worry for each other, but in no means will they hold back on showing their other emotions too.