From the Ashes
Chapter 7
After thanking Lady Tethys for their help, Dust and Fidget departed the lake cavern, making their way back up through the caves. Dust was silent, not wanting to say a word in regards to what they'd just learned. Someone had defied the very fabric of life itself and created Steam. They'd corrupted the Life Thread and forced two souls together just as he'd been created. He wasn't sure how, or why for that matter, but in order to find out more, they'd have to return to that place.
The volcano where he'd died.
The bright mushrooms were starting to light the way again, and Dust could smell the faint scent of cooking, telling him they were close to Mudpot. He debated paying the citizens a visit as he continued his climb.
"Dust?" Fidget said timidly, breaking the silence.
"What is it?" Dust asked, his voice surprisingly mute.
"Are you...alright?" She asked.
Dust sighed. "We'll talk about this later, Fidget."
She didn't respond at first.
"O-Okay..." She finally said.
Dust was glad when they finally reached level ground. The smells coming from Mudpot were stronger here, following the slow air currents through the tunnels.
Fidget let out a sigh. "Smells good..." She said, her voice laced with longing.
"Alright, we'll go to Mudpot," Dust said. "Although I'd hate to intrude on anyone."
"I'm sure Bopo's mother won't mind," Fidget said. "So, let's go?"
"Alright, alright," Dust sighed, following the now energetic Nimbat. At the mention of food, she whipped straight for whatever it was with some newfound energy. Dust didn't understand it. He barely had the strength to stand on his own feet, and he was still in a lot of pain from his fall. All he wanted to do at this point was find the softest patch of rock he could and curl up for a long sleep.
Mudpot was closer than he'd originally thought. The glowing mushrooms that lit the town were a welcome sight after all the darkness. Fidget flew into the area first, glancing back at Dust. He followed her at a much slower pace, barely finding the strength to climb up one of the ladders to where Bopo's family lived.
"Dust? Is that you?" A voice asked from behind him.
Dust turned, somehow managing to smile at Bopo's stunned face. "Yes, Bopo. It's me."
"Where've you been?!" Bopo asked. "You promised you'd come back!"
"I did, remember?"
"You brought that snow for me and then you just left..." Bopo said sadly. "I missed you..."
"I'm sorry Bopo, I was...a little busy," Of course he couldn't say he was dead...
"Well, you're back now! I'm sure Ma will be glad to see you too!" Bopo said, smiling brightly and running past him into the village.
"I hope she made dinner," Fidget said excitedly.
"Fidget, don't be rude," Dust said. Although deep down, he was hoping for a hot meal. He hadn't had one for what felt like eons.
Bopo's house slowly came into view, the kid talking animatedly to his mother Mamop. He pointed at them excitedly as they approached. Mamop turned and smiled at the sight of them, stepping towards them.
"Dust, I barely recognized you without the hat," Mamop said.
"Yeah. It got lost, I'm afraid," Dust said. More like burned in a fire.
A wooden spoon suddenly clocked him on the top of the head.
"Ow!" Dust cried, his hand twitching slightly with the urge to retaliate. He'd been beaten around enough. The last thing he needed was to be smacked around by a wooden spoon. "What was that for?!"
Fidget giggled.
"For not coming to see us for a full year! I took you as a better man than that!"
"S-Sorry, Mamop..." Dust said, rubbing his forehead. Sorry he died and found himself unable to make the trip back down here.
"Well no matter. It's all water under the bridge now. Come inside. Dinner's just about ready and you two look absolutely exhausted."
Fidget looked down at Dust, her eyes pleading.
"Thank you, Mamop. We've had a long day," Dust said.
"Well feel free to borrow the guest room too then!"
"We'd really appreciate that. Thank you."
"Now come inside and eat!" Mamop said, heading into the house.
Fidget flew straight through the doorway after Bopo followed his mother. Dust had to duck to get into the house, but pushed the door closed behind him. The house, luckily, was taller than the door so he had no need to stoop. The chairs however were far too small for him. Bopo was laughing at him, as he had to sit on two of them placed side by side. Dust tried to smile, but he was far too tired to manage more than a weak one.
Bopo kept telling him stories as they ate about what he'd been up to the last year. He told them stories of chasing Old Gappy's sheep around, and looking for mushrooms with his mother. Dust listened, wishing he had the chance to do things like that over the last year.
"So what did you get up to?" Bopo asked as Mamop washed the dishes. "What kept you so busy for the last year?"
"Um..." Dust was too tired to think up a massive lie right on the spot. He had no story to tell and he had a feeling Bopo and Mamop wouldn't take the I-was-dead story very well.
"You know Bopo, Dust had a long day and he's very tired," Fidget said coming to his rescue. "But I'm sure he'll tell you all about his adventures tomorrow!"
"Well best get some rest then," Mamop said, gesturing to a door. "This rooms all yours for the night."
"Thank you again, Mamop," Dust said, standing up, wincing at his aching muscles.
"Don't mention it, Dust. It's the least we can do for all you've done for us. I know it's not much, but..."
"It's great," Dust said. "Thank you again," He crouched down to open the door.
"Goodnight, Dust!" Bopo called.
"Goodnight, Bopo. And Mamop," He added.
He slid into the room after Fidget and closed the door.
"Thanks for the save, Fidget," Dust said to her softly.
"Oh, don't mention it..." Fidget sighed, settling down on the edge of the very small bed. Dust sighed internally. He was grateful for the bed, but he wished that maybe the people of Mudpot were bigger.
Dust flopped down on the bed, his knees right on the end of it. His feet were flat on the floor as he closed his eyes, Fidget curling up on what remained on the bed beside him, her fuzzy body right up against his side. He hoped he wouldn't roll over and crush the poor Nimbat while he slept that night.
...
When Dust awoke the next morning, he was glad to see that he hadn't squished Fidget during the night. The second thing he noticed was the stiffness of his muscles. If he was sore yesterday, it was worse today. He let out a soft groan as he reached up to his face to rub the sleep from his eyes. He hoped the climbing he'd have to do to return to the surface would make them less sore.
Dust sat up slowly, wincing as he stretched. He was on his feet by the time Fidget let out a yawn and rolled over to where he'd been sleeping the night before. She sprawled herself out across the area and sighed.
"Hey, Fidget, up and at 'em," Dust said.
"It's too comfortable..." Fidget mumbled.
He sighed and sat down beside the Nimbat, resigning himself to using the wake-Fidget-up technique.
He scratched her behind the ear.
"Nyyaaa, Dust why do you keep doing that?" Fidget asked, blinking tiredly, unintentionally leaning into his hand.
"Because it wakes you up," Dust said, smiling slightly.
"Yeah but...never mind..." Fidget said, her ears curling. She would never admit that it felt good.
"Come on. We should get going soon," Dust said, heading for the door.
Fidget took to the air and followed him out as he crouched under the door.
"Oh, you're finally awake!" Mamop said with delight. "You must've been tired! You slept for most of the day!"
Dust had no idea how they told time down here.
"Thanks again for the bed and dinner, Mamop," Dust said.
"Don't tell me you're leaving without having something to eat first! Sit down!"
Dust suppressed a sigh and obliged, sitting down on his double chair while Mamop gave him more mushroom soup. He ate it quickly, Fidget downing hers just as fast.
"Hungry too, are you?" Mamop asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No," Dust replied. "Just...ready to go I suppose."
"I guess spending so much time underground is hard for you surface dwellers...All right, off you go. I'll tell Bopo you said goodbye. He's out with Old Gappy again."
"We'll probably see him on the way out," Dust said. "Take care, Mamop. Thanks again."
"Yes, thank you!" Fidget said in return. "We'll try to come back again for sure!"
Mamop merely waved them out as she washed up the dishes, a smile on her face.
...
Fidget could tell Dust wasn't feeling himself. He looked like he'd slept properly last night, even if the bed was far too small for him, but he was distant and more aloof than usual. The more she thought about it, the more she began to realize that this...aloofness...had started when Lady Tethys told them to visit the fire spirit on the Everdawn Volcano.
Fidget felt herself shudder. She wasn't too keen on returning to the exploding mountain, but if they had to do it...
She looked down at Dust, watching him climb his way towards the light at the surface by way of the small shortcut they'd found after defeating Lady Tethys a year ago. They'd found Bopo on their way and said their final goodbyes. They promised to visit again, but Fidget had a feeling it would be a long time before they ever returned to Mudpot. If they returned at all.
When they finally reached the surface, Dust sighed in relief and sprawled out on the grass.
"I never thought I'd miss the surface so much..." He sighed.
"You said it, Dust," Fidget said, breathing in fresh, clean air for once. She sprawled herself out on the grass beside him, rolling around in it a bit.
"You're going to get dirty, Fidget," Dust said, sitting back up again.
"I know, but it feels so good..." She said, feeling like she was in heaven. "After two days of rocks, the grass is amazing..."
Dust chuckled. "That it is, Fidget. But you know what would be better?"
Fidget looked up at him curiously.
"Returning to Aurora Village."
"Oh. Right," Fidget scratched her head. "I forgot all about that." She took to the air again as Dust stood up, brushing the dirt off his clothes. Once again, she couldn't help but notice the tense expression marring his normally peaceful features.
"Dust?" She piped up.
"Huh?" He looked up at her.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"No you're not," Fidget said, her ears curling. She frowned slightly as Dust began to walk away. "It's the volcano isn't it?"
Dust stopped in his tracks. He stood there for a moment, giving Fidget enough time to fly towards him. What she saw nearly made her heart stop. Dust's shoulders were shaking, and his eyes were wide. Filled with fear, she realized.
Dust was afraid of returning to the volcano.
A paw went up to her mouth. "Oh Dust, you're afraid aren't you?" She whispered.
"...I'm terrified..." Dust whispered.
Dying that day must've taken its toll on him. Sure he'd accepted it when it happened, but he might've been lying when he said he didn't feel much. Maybe it had actually hurt when he'd died. Maybe being dragged back to the Life Thread wasn't the most pleasant of experiences. Whatever it was, returning to his place of death frightened the normally strong Dust.
"I'm here, Dust," Fidget said, hugging his arm. "You don't have to go alone."
"I know, Fidget," He said softly. "Thank you."
