Wild Rose
As was in consistency with the mysteries of this realm, Lightning and Firion found themselves at the throne of harmony itself; the Goddess, Cosmos – Order's Sanctuary. Interestingly enough, Lightning felt a sense of hope. Surely, if anyone would know the whereabouts of the rose, it was Cosmos. This was the one time she was willing to get her hopes up.
She and Firion trekked forward, approaching Cosmos and her most loyal warrior – the Warrior of Light. He stood proudly – in defiance of any and all threats to peace and Cosmos as they came up. Lightning and the Warrior looked at each other in silence for a moment before nodding.
"Lightning. Firion." he said, looking from one to the other as he said their names.
The two friends nodded again in response.
Cosmos stood up and looked at the two with concern. It was hard to tell if she felt something was on their minds…or if it was just how she was due to usually wearing the same expression most of the time. However, her voice as she spoke revealed the more expected logic.
"Is something the matter?" she asked, in her usual hushed tone.
Firion started to speak up, but even though this was Cosmos, the one whom he'd expected to be the most understanding of everybody…he was still a bit embarrassed to bring it up. Maybe it was due to the Warrior standing in the vicinity. Whatever the case though, the situation was still the same as always.
"Well…"
They all stood in awkward silence and Cosmos looked at him with a puzzled expression. It was like she was trying to read his mind, clearly noticing he struggled with something. However, being one whom she was…Lightning again took the lead.
"We've…lost something. Something important." she said, dropping her head as she finished.
She closed her eyes and a light sigh emerged.
Cosmos and the Warrior glanced at each other with blank expressions, but then Cosmos nodded as if she understood their predicament.
"I see."
She closed her eyes as she spoke her next line – her voice more soft and gentle than usual.
"…The "wild rose".
It sounded as if she'd really felt for them and knew exactly what they were going through. How she could even begin to relate so completely to her warriors was a feat no one could even begin to try and comprehend. It was just another thing best left to rest for now.
Despite having begun to lose that same comforting sense she'd had when first arriving, Lightning still held to her hope that maybe any chance of finding what they searched for lied with Cosmos. That in and of itself is what compelled her to keep talking – though her voice revealed hints of doubt just the same.
"…Do you know where it might be?" she asked.
She looked at Cosmos, her eyes clearly showing that she'd hoped for a positive answer; that their apparent search thus far had left much to be desired. It only served to dishearten Cosmos due to the answer she had to give – her head dropping in regret as she spoke.
"I'm sorry. I do not." she replied, shaking her head slowly.
Lightning and Firion really did begin to lose hope now. If not even Cosmos could lead them in the right direction - give them any hope even for the smallest thing…how much of a chance did they really have? In this battle…or this search?
Lightning couldn't believe it – though most of it was directed at her for allowing herself to get her hopes up in the first place. She'd known better, but for some reason, had still let herself out of her comfort zone - placing trust and hope in the person responsible for bringing them here in the first place; someone whom didn't even know anything about the situation at hand. A bit of anger began to smolder within her - at herself…and at Cosmos. The so-called "Goddess of Harmony" and their "light of hope" was proving herself to be more useless than Lightning originally led herself to believe. It only served to further her thoughts that it was meaningless to trust her any more than others.
However, overcoming her rising anger, despair, and aggravation, Lightning forced a calm expression and light nod – acknowledging her genuine response and thoughts on the matter. Showing any signs of resent at this time was pointless. She'd just have to hold it all in for now.
"…Right." she mumbled.
She quickly and quietly turned around, leaving Cosmos and the Warrior behind without another word or thought. Firion looked at them once more and, too, nodded in appreciation for their time on a seemingly trifle matter – at least to others.
He then turned to follow Lightning while Cosmos and the Warrior watched them walk out of sight. Cosmos sighed, wishing she could have been more helpful in their search…but, still wishing them the best all the same. However, she was also troubled by something. She could sense Lightning's emotions and feelings toward her and it had been obvious from the very beginning. She was aware the warrior didn't trust her. Though she had only been honest, she'd still wished she could have said or done something to have a chance at changing Lightning's opinion towards her.
*Author's Note* - Yeah, so…I'm uploading these at a rather quick and unexpected rate because it's the only thing I really feel like working on right now. Plus…I've been far too slow with this story.