-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gemini's Journal- Entry 16
I'll admit, sometimes, I don't know when to stop running my mouth. I've always been a bit of a hot-blooded person, so uncontrollably, I might say something in an argument I don't mean.. Hell.. people have tried to kill me over the stuff I've said, but I digress… basically what I'm trying to say is think before you speak. If you don't watch what you say.. You will regret it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We shoot through the sky, plummeting into the center of the maze with the grace of a hand-cuffed swan.
As we soar into the familiar clearing devoid of fog, screams of terror threaten to shatter my ears.
"Huh? AGHHH– Make way! Make Way!!" The pilgrims shrieked, scattering as they spotted us shooting into clearing!
"CRAPP!!" On instinct, I call upon my Ichor, I pull from my chest, and force out lumps of it, pumping it though my left arm pointing at the ground: the result is a geyser of mist erupting into the planet
CRASH—
I avoid hitting anyone, and manage to slow our descent, only resulting in a "half" crash landing..
"Ooow.." I whine.
I landed on my knees managing to keep the sleeping beauty in my arms unharmed..
Thud-
Klive goes limp and slides off my back, clearly worn out from the events of the day.
Looking at him lets the endless events of the day catch up with me and as I breathe a sigh of relief, a wave of drowsiness washed over me.. Oh I need a nap..
"Nova!?!"
But the sound of a gentle silky voice shouting in panic behind me brings me back to not just my senses.. but reality..
"(Shit.. uh.)" I cursed under my breath.
I turn to her, and rushing in along with a few other pilgrims is Casa..
Casa clutches Nova's head, as the group basically crashes into me!
Casa stares at her brother, tears welling up in her eyes, "O-orion.. W-what happened to him?" she says her voice shaking like a leaf.
All while mine seized up like a dumbass.
"Uh, well.. Y-you see uh.." I basically whisper.. dammit come on just say it!
But the adults surrounding her, pull him off me before I can continue, "Put 'em' down! He needs to lay down and we need to examine him!"
Torn from my arms they gently rest the muscle-bond man on the smooth marble, as more and more people surround us.
Two men pull off their ragged shirts, leaving them in just trousers, they then fold them up, and slide it under Nova's head.. It can't be all that comfortable.. But I guess it'll have to do..
Next a older woman comes though, and sits beside him. Running her hands along his body.
"..." Her eyes widen in horror, everything you need to know is already written in his face, and yet she finds the strength to speak it anyway.
"He's fading.. fast.. he's been bleeding internally very slowly.. he most-likely has only very little time left.." she whispers, clasping her hands together in a silent prayer.
…And just like that the truth's out.. Half of it at least.. I hang my head in shame, and grit my teeth. I don't even want to imagine the look on Casa's face.. I don't even want to look.. But.. It's my responsibility to face her.. That's the least I can do as her brother's killer..
I muster my courage, and slowly crank my head, jerking it toward Casa… and I see..
A…. Smile?
….
The hell?
A warm gentle smile is painted across her porcelain face, all while as her eyes are lidded, as if veiled in a sweet dream.
"Oh.. thank goodness," she whispers, then lifts her head and squeezes past the crowd, then reaches behind her and pulls out a bottle of some green liquid.
The adults around her gasp, and an amalgamation of shock and delight lights up on their faces.
"Ah! Good going! To think you'd have a spare on you!" a man beside her cheered.
She shakes her head, refusing the praise, "Oh no, it's just something I have a habit of making, He has an unnatural knack for getting hurt.. So I always have a potion ready for him everyday..
She gingerly lifts the bottle to his lips, while sliding her hand to the back of his head, lifting it, and lets the elixir spill into his mouth.
As the last droplets slip out the bottle, she rests his head back onto the crude pillow, and in no time, his chest starts pumping, and throbbing, as if the inner workings of it was under maintenance.
And after a moment, the stirring stops, and the color returns to his face!
….What?
Casa lets out a deep sigh of relief, seemingly having been holding her breath the entire time, and in the same breath..
SLAP–
"You overgrown Baboon! You almost got yourself killed again, just who do you think you are!" she yells, slapping the sleeping man awake!
"Huh- Wa- YOUCH!! OI OI OI! Easy! Easy!" The gargantuan gorilla jolts awake, as his sister's tiny hands batter into him, he raises his own to shield himself from her relentless onslaught.
The surrounding crowd erupts into a cheer! And swarm Casa's brother like a moth to a flame.
"Damn! You really had us going there for a second you punk!" a larger man says, slapping him on the back.
"Woah! Hey HEY!!--" his voice is downed out by the chatter of the crowd, and finally the tense atmosphere completely disappears..
…
This is good.. Without a doubt this is great.. But I can't help but be annoyed about how confused I am..
but right at that moment, Casa slips out the crowd and greets me, smiling ear to ear.
"Orion! You did it! You actually brought Nova back, Oh! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!" She commends, as her thin arms wrap around my neck–
WOOOOAH!
Women are soft… when I hug mom, it's like trying to hug a 500-ton gorilla! But this girl feels as frail as a glass doll in my arms.
And I catch a hint of vanilla as her hair bruises against my nose.
"Thank you so much! Truth be told I had no faith in you! But it looks like I was wrong! She hums, still embracing me.
"Awe.. yeah… I get that.. Yeah.. I wouldn't trust me either- WAIT, what?" I squeak, confused
She then pulls back laughing! "I swear! You give a boy a little attention, and they'll say anything they think you wanna hear!" She laughs, wiping a tear from her face, "Sorry I was messing with you, it's what friends do right…"
With her admission, I feel an achingly sweet sensation stinging in my cheeks!
"H-Hey! Did not! I was just confused! ..Man you know what! How about you explain where you pulled that little elixir out of!!" I wailed defensively"
She lowers her head, her gaze focused on the ground, and forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes, "Have you ever heard of potion-making?"
My ears perk at the subject, "Potion-making?" I inquired."
She nods, and continues, "We Pilgrims were born and raised to serve the Donaquestia family, or specifically a certain line in the family, the Vespera.."
"The Vespera, are a branch of the family that specialized in alchemy– specifically the potion crafting variant of alchemy. Their high quality elixirs are unmatched when compared to other Donaquestia, and they managed to outproduce not only them, but witch companies too."
But she bites down on her lips, as darkness swirls in her eyes. "They were praised and celebrated among their customers.. But they can't know the means they'll take to meet their impossible standard…"
But with a deep breath, she lets that burning fire in her eyes extinguish, "from morning to night, brewing potions was my life… Enhancers.. Rejuvenation, nerve mending.. Harming.. If you can name it, I've probably had a hand in making it.."
I stare at her, unsure what exactly to say, "Uh, wow! That's cool– I mean.. Uh… useful! Everything they drilled into you, you can now use for your own benefit.." I chuckle hoping to be encouraging, "So uh.. Do all of you know how to make potions?"
She shrugs, seemingly indifferent to my optimism, "We kinda had different divisions.. potion-making, farming, and cattle maintenance… though I'm sure everyone has some idea how to make some…"
I nod, "Alright.. Alright, WAIT! maybe.. just maybe we can use this? Yeah? How'd you make that healing potion for your brother?"
"Oh no! I'm sorry th- that was just dumb luck.. I made the potion before we fled, and already had it on me.. I don't have any bases or regents to work with here.. let alone equipment, so I don't know if I could make anything.." She hangs her head once again, and grits her teeth, seemingly frustrated with herself.
"Oh no no no no! It's not a problem, look at what you did! You saved your brother's life! That's what's important at the end of the day! All's well that ends wel—"
WHAM—
As I shout I feel a piston, stomp against my face, making me bite my own tongue! Sending me tumble over, completely caught off guard!
After meeting with the smooth marble face first, I push myself off the ground, and meet eyes with my assailant, Nova, That bastard drop kicked me!
"Get away from my sister, asshole." he demands, standing between me and her, like a steadfast castle wall."
"Nova! Stop what are you doing, leave him-" she grabs his arm and tugs at him. But the wall does not flinch.
It simply raised his arm, and pushed her behind him, "Enough Casa, this thing is dangerous, don't fall for its honeyed words, it may be shaped like a boy, but it's a monster through and through.
I feel my pulse quicken and and my vision blurs, seething with rage, "What're you talking about? I saved your ass! You would have died, if we didn't come get you?"
"Saved? If I remember correctly, you're the one who has me on hospice! And I'll be damned if you hurt my sister, or any of my family here!" He spits, pulling out his silver sickles, armed to rend flesh from bone.
"W-Well uh… That's irrelevant! You attacked me! I didn't even mean to hurt you! It's not my fault you about died from a push!" I argue, stepping forward.
But as I step closer, His silver sickle juts out, and presses against my neck. "I. Said. Back." he warns,
…
…
I speak, slowly, and dangerously…
"...What are you gonna do.. Show me, really– what the hell do you think you're gonna do?" I warn, reaching my boiling point, the entire day of anger, suddenly bubbles back up as I see red.
From behind the man, Casa watches the scene unfold like a caged bird, "W-Wait I don't…Lets just calm down for a second.."
But the man pushes his sister further behind him, disregarding her words, "Just let me handle this…"
He turned to me– and smirks.
I feel the cool metal start to bite into my skin.. And after that quite frankly…
I lose my shit.
My body moves before my mind does, what actions I took I could only guess, because there is no longer any voice of reason guiding my movements.
In my hands, I cup something, and squeeze it tightly– but carefully, It's as frail as a glass bird, and make sure not to break it despite my lack of reason.
My vision clears up a bit, and I see the man writhing on his knees clutching my hands cupping his wrist, teetering on the edge of snapping it.
…
Punishing this man brings me no joy, I don't feel happiness seeing him grovel at my feet. That's just not who I am, but regardless, the tighter I squeeze the more that seething rage dissipates.
Then again maybe I'm contradicting myself, because I don't want to let go.. That smug attitude its nice seeing it flipped on its head-
SMACK–
I'm struck by a sharp, stinging sensation zapping into my cheek, knocking sense into me, I immediately let go.
I grab my face, and realize I was slapped… and.. By Casa no less..
"What do you think you're doing!?!" she yelled, fury permeating her voice, wow I- I didn't realize someone could look so… angry
Tears well up in her eyes, the worn dam struggling to hold them back.
"I… Well… H- He provoked me! What was I supposed to do!" I shout-
"Not breaking his hands!" she countered immediately
"I… Well.." I stammer, unsure what to say.
Whispers and remarks close in on me from all sides, they talk under their breath, caging me in.
"Did you see that.. his eyes were bloodshot.. It looked like he was gonna kill him.." a voice said in a hushed voice.
"And he was smiling too… I think he might have been enjoying it.." an older lady said..
"Did you see how he flew in her from the sky and shot out that explosion.. He almost killed someone.." a man pointed out."
"I knew that black skin was a sign of no good.. Looks more like a damn monster than a kid.." a tall man spat.
The Voices grind on me.. We're supposed to be friends now! What the hell's going on???
I shouted at the top of my lungs, almost shattering my voice, "SHUT UP! I just grabbed his damn wrist! Big deal! I wasn't gonna kill him dumbass!"
As I wail, they only reel back and suddenly their looks of suspension turn to horror.
"Ah.. E-Everyone.. g-get away from him!" The group surrounding me suddenly started backing up. As the air shifts into a tense atmosphere.
"Uh UH! Get over here! I'm not done!"
I begin to chase after them, when then, I feel a small, shivering hand grip my arm.
"What!" I turn to see who's grabbing me when–
"Orion." Casa says, her eyes drilling into me, she wears not an expression of Fear, anger, or caution, but just… disappointment?
…
I feel my anger completely dissipate as I return her stare..
"I– think everyone needs time to cool down.. Just.. just.. Can you… can you go somewhere else.. Give them space.. You're scaring everyone." She struggled to find the words, aiming to use the least offensive ones as possible… sugar coating the situation..
"I.. just don't understand! Everything was fine just like… a minute ago! What happened?" I say desperate for understanding
Casa stays quiet, thinking for a bit, as a quiet turmoil stirring within her, she then replies honestly, "Well.. I'm afraid.. you ruined it.." she says bluntly.
ME?!
I want to wail, but I bite back my words… and meekly hang my head..
I then reevaluate my response.. then continue.. "Alright.. I'll go to the corner I guess.." I waddle away in defeat, the Pilgrims seemingly staring daggers into my back, weary of my every move.
…
…
I huddle in the corner, a thousand thoughts bounce around in my mind, but none stay still long enough for me to grasp, so I just lay there, attempting to sleep.
…
The sound of footsteps lightly crunch on the grass as someone approaches me, I don't even have to check because only one person would.
"Hey Klive.." I sigh, making no attempt to move.
Without a word, he settles at the wall beside me, and leans on it, still keeping a distance, but close enough to reach.
"...You look like you could use a drink." he states, staring off into the starless sky.
"...Bit young ain't I? I'm only 12." I clarify, but he just gives a sharp shake of his head. "I started when I was 11, only way I could manage to get through the days- Well, I was pressured into it at first, but it just kinda stuck, helps you trudge though the vile cesspool known as life..." he sighed, with a sort of nostalgic tinge.
I look up at him, "Hm…. I think I'm good, My Mom would rip out my liver if I ever touched alcohol, even if she can't tell I drank it.. I don't ever wanna break that trust."
His gaze falls from the sky to me, "It's not like she'd find out right? You're already climbing this death trap of a tower, what's one more bit of mischief?"
I then shake my head, "Even if she'd never know, if it was no big deal, if there's no real consequence, I'd still never break that trust." I smile.
He lifts his eyebrow, clearly taken aback, "I gotta say, I didn't peg you for a momma's boy, honestly I figured you were raised by a pack of wolves." he chuckled.
"Ooo.. is that a smile on the emo boy? Careful.. Your gonna lose your cool factor-"
Im then suddenly kicked in the stomach
"Y-OUCH! Oi! What're you doing?" I yell in mock anger.
"Oh please, don't pretend you're hurt, I've had front row seats to see just how freakish your physiology is, we both know that didn't faze you."
I breathe a heavy sigh while rubbing my belly, "Sigh… fine, fine, fine.. But about the wolves thing you're not far off.. I will tell you that.."
He nods, and a long stretch of silence, fills the warm air between us, shifting it into a bit of an awkward atmosphere..
…
Wait? We're just talking normally… Did hell freeze over?!
I lean into him and stand on my tip-toes attempting to whisper into his ear, "just to make sure, we still hate each other right?"
Then the corners of his mouth raise just the tiniest amount, "Oh, without a doubt, I'm just talking to you because I need something." he admits without hesitation.. and a bit too happily..
I sigh heavily, more from relief than disappointment, because I can recognize the stone faced man once again.
"Alright what do you need?" I ask.
He then pulls off the wall, stands in front of me, and grabs my shoulders, this does not please me.
"Hey.. personal space–" I whine, but am cut off, "Now that we have found Nova, I want to devote our full attention to reaching the egg. After a couple more hours, I'd like to do some reconnaissance, and figure out what's going on with it.
My eyes squint as his demands, not at his objective, but the "certainty" of them.
"....You know… this whole time you've been pushing heavily to go find this egg, not search for it.. But just getting to it.. sounds like a tall tail to find one little thing in this foggy maze.. But from the way you act you seem to already know where it is.. What's with you Klive?
He turns his back to me, whatever's on his mind he doesn't wanna say… but whether from compromise.. Or trust..
"In my old life.. I was born with a tool that let me.. "Find my path".. It leads me to somewhere I need to find, that's all I'll say for now."
He then walks along back toward the center of the clearing, "Let me know when you're ready, then we're heading out." and strolls off without another word..
…
Hmm.. "Find my path huh.." I'm not sure what to make of that right now exactly.. But that sounds awfully useful, besides this test.. It must have been useful in whatever you did before.. Mm.. Just how often was this tool of yours used, Klive..
I lay back down, my thoughts finally clear, I'll worry about how the pilgrims hate me later.. For now I'll just set them free.. Then they have to like me…
My eyes close.. As sleep finally washes over me..
And for the first time today… I relax..
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 5- END