November 23, 2019

—

Xion

—

We have been on the move for two days now. Maybe it was the constant moving, but Sheila hasn't been the same. In the generals' tent, where we normally stayed until we go out to our duties, she just sits looking into the fire with these glazed eyes. I watch her clench and unclench her hands, her eyes in constant pain.

She was in her own world, I don't think she even realized that I was watching her, and that was odd. Whenever I entered the room, no, whenever anyone entered the room, she would stand and greet us with respect.

Even Cebrus, who hid in the shadows of the tent looked at her with furrowed brows. The straight-faced icebox was worried, I didn't think I would ever see the day. Little did she know, Cebrus had a similar upbringing to herself. His parents, naturally, like all the crows, abandon their children in the woods when they are six, to test their strength. Many die, though some come back soldiers, ready for the military.

There is not a single person in the Mythical Realm that hasn't heard of Sheila's upbringing, which leaves many of us naturally be concerned about her. Abandoned to live on her own at six, just like Cebrus.

I saw him move, he was as swift as the night. He walked, shoulders back, over to Sheila, who is yet to notice. He rested a hand on her shoulder, this sent my eyebrows sky-high. What is he doing?!

I took a step forward out of reflex, though I saw her turn her head to look up at Cebrus. She smiled, it sent chills down my spine. The smile was so mindless, so cold, so forced. What was going on with her? "Yes, Cebrus?" Her voice was calm, though her eyes were like waves on the rough sea.

His eyes widen at the look he received, there was nothing vicious in her eyes, yet it was dangerous. Like a sharpened blade in its sheath, ready to be unleashed. "Sheila, what's wrong?" I took another step forward, my hands splayed out, I could hear the horror shaking my own words.

I move my hand and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind my ear, then dropping it to my hip, right above where my sword was. Her eyes flickered at my words as all the darkness that was just there, scattered. "Huh? Nothing." She shook her head standing up. She looked to the tent flap, "oh my gods, its already that dark out? How long have I been sitting here, I have to go on my shift!" She grabbed the sword that was resting beside the chair. The same one that had stabbed not only her but Kolgrim aswell.

She was about to move towards the opening in the tent, when Cebrus grabbed her forearm, lightly. She jerked awkwardly, her eyes then widening. "I-Im sorry, yes Cebrus?" She restated her words before, though I could see the concern for herself in her dark facial expression.

"I'll go with," his deep voice echoed in the silent tent, then he nodded down at her. Did Cebrus just speak a full sentance? I have been his friend since he was a child, and I haven't gotten more then a yes, no, or if I'm really blessed, a grunt.

"No, no, there's no need, I'm sure there is someplace else you are needed, more important places." Her arm still in Cebrus' hold, he didn't look like he was letting go until she complied.

"No." Ah, that's the Cebrus I know. "I will go." I take all that I had said back.

She sighed and plastered a fake smile back on her face once more. "Then let us go, or we will be even later than we already are," she chuckled, her smile not reaching her eyes. It pains me to see a friend like this.

Was it because of her first battle? Or was it Kolgrims dead body falling against her own, very alive, self? Maybe it was having that collar around her neck? The more I think about it, the more I realize that her life now hasn't been much easier than the life she had lived for the last eighteen years.

The poor girl. Nothing comes easy to her.

Cebrus nodded, a ghost of a smile formed on his lips. He let go of her arms and they proceeded to leave the tent.

Hold on, what about me?

—

Sheila

—

Sometimes Kolgrim's memories hit me so hard that I become paralyzed. He has done such horrible things, things that I couldn't conjure in my worst nightmares. And I had to live through them as if I was him.

Sometimes it made me want to throw up my guts, sometimes it made me want to curl up in a ball and cry, and other times it made me want to bring him back from the dead and make his death much more painful. With all his torture tactics now in my own hands, I could get very creative.

No. No!

I grabbed the roots of my hair and pulled, I wanted to try and pull all of these horrible thoughts out of my mind. Then someone grabbed me by my shoulders, turning me to look at them. Oh, Cebrus was here. He bent his knees so he was at my height, his facial expressions were swimming with concern.

I was concerned about myself too. "You need to talk," he said moving, now pulling me by the arm to my own tent. Talk? Talk about what.

"I can't! I have somewhere to b—"

"Sit." I sat instantly, hands in my lap. I wasn't scared of a lot of things, but Cebrus getting mad was one of those things I'm terrified of. "Speak." He pulled up a chair across from mine.

Then it all came bubbling out. Everything that I have been holding in for the last three days. The things I learned about Kolgrim, the things he's done, his thought, and the plans he wanted do, to people, to me. The horrors that keep me wide away at night. Then finally the sirens, and how I had to get back to them in a month and some change.

When I finished my head was in my hands in between my legs. It felt so good to let everything out. Though it was also terrifying he now knew almost everything about me. I stared at the floor, the only thing Cebrus didn't know about was my teacher, and what she had done to me. I don't think I was ready to relive what she had put me through just yet.

I felt a warm hand on my head. I looked up to see Cebrus looking down at me. He had soft eyes paired with a soft smile. "Everything will be better now," He said, looking out to the fire. "You and I." He smiled looking back at me, "are alike in many ways."

I sat up and eyebrow raised, "the same?" He nodded and then he started his own story. Something I don't think anyone has ever heard before.

He told me about how a shadow wolf had saved his life when he was seven, and how his mother, who he treasured so much, died because of him. She died protecting him from his father, and as a five-year-old, he could do anything about it.

Then how he grew up with only thought of murdering his father. He was so concerned with these thoughts spilling out of his mouth on accident, that he had shut his voice up completely.

We then stood up and walked around the camp, just talking. I had now put my complete trust into Cebrus as a friend, just as he did to me. We learned much more about each other in the late hours of the night, sharing a glass of wine with one another.

These talks spilled into the early hours of the morning, where we finally said goodbye to one another and fell asleep.

It had been the best sleep that I had gotten in the days I had been sleeping in a tent.

Though when I awoke, there were sounds of horns and drums echoing through the campsite. I sprung up and threw on the closest thing and grabbed my sword. I ran out of the tent only to run into something very, very, strong. I bounced back, though someone grabbed both of my arms, steadying me.

I slowly looked up to see my mate smiling down happily at me.

—

TURKEY DAY IS AROUND THE CORNER GUYS!!

ms-5S8KFR.gif

Alright rate your favorite characters in the book as of now. I'll ask you again in a few chapters. There is...

Sheila

Weni

Zaivinth

Selven

Cebrus

Xion

Flores (Wizard)

Herus (Centaur)

Azai (Fae)

Dwarven (Dwarf)

Kolgrim

What do you think about Sheila spilling her soul to Cebrus?

Thoughts on Zaivinth being back in town?

COMMENT AND VOTE PWEASE