Chapter 21- Hope

As I approached the tall crystals of the burial location I drew in sharp breaths, a feeling of dread and sorrow filling me as I approached the last place I saw Vincent's body, before it turned to ash and flew away with the wind.

I wasn't entirely sure how to do this….I had never thought about religion practices or beliefs…maybe it was time I started learning and practicing along with everyone else…just so I could believe that someone was looking out for me.

Soon it was like everything went silent, the birds quit their harmonic tune and the insects ceased to create their chirps and hums, soon it felt like it was just me and these crystals…alone…it was almost…peaceful.

"Vincent…." I cleared my throat before continuing…."Are you….there? Here?" I stumbled for a suitable word, feeling stupid for having to ask or 'summon' him here so confusion filled.

For sometime nothing happened and I considered leaving, dismissing the whole thing for a later date.

But I couldn't I was going to wait here as long as it took…

Suddenly the clouds covered the sun; blocking the bright rays and making everything seem darker while the tallest crystal, the one in the middle, the orange one began to glow.

Tikal had said that there were eight crystals, one for each Kingdom, and all in their respective colors.

Hesitantly I approached the crystal, the radiant orange glow making my body carry a small orange hue and my hazel eyes appear to be engulfed in flame.

"Show me Vincent." I demanded, feeling more confident.

A shadowy silhouette appeared, a distant figure, and it was a bit hazy…like getting bad reception on a TV.

As the figure grew closer the air became hot. I had never felt hot before, or even relatively warm even, this feeling was odd…strange even, the closest thing I had ever gotten to being warm was the comforting sensation of my parents' touch.

The figure returned in color…he looked good, well, peaceful, and carefree even. All his battle scars from the past were gone, his clothes were fresh and well kept, his hair shone and his eyes that were usually fully alert and cold became filled with peace and carelessness.

"Vincent?" I asked, blinking a few times…barely being able to recognize him.

He smiled, "Been awhile hasn't it kiddo?" He chuckled.

"It's only been….a few months…" I said quietly, feeling vulnerable and weak, like I was five years old again.

"Has it really? Sorry but I can't really keep track of time Here." He said.

I bit my lip slightly as he continued, taking a breath before boring his eyes into mine.

"Look at you Blaze, its seems to have been forever since I last seen you…" He chuckled before adding, "I remember when you were just a kid, always riding on my back because it was 'fun' as you put it."

I smiled slightly as he continued, "Now look at you, nearly a woman…and the bravery and spirit of a warrior…"

My smile vanished as a thought crossed my mind, "Vincent….do you…regret what you did?" I asked.

"Saving you? No way, I'd do it a thousand times over if it meant saving you."

My fists clenched at my sides. "Didn't you ever stop to think about what it would've done to me…if you…died!" I hissed.

His facial features softened but I continued. "For as long as I can remember you were the one person that I could count on to be there for me, always….you taught me everything I know…..and then you just decide it would be okay for you to leave me alone?" I choke.

"Blaze….it was either you or me…I was always thinking about you…always." He swore.

"You know that you and mom and dad were the only people I ever loved….and when each and every one of you died….it felt like I died too…" I took ragged sharp breaths….my chest heaving as a single tear trailed down my face.

"Every sacrifice comes with sorrow Blaze….you should know that…Believe me the last thing I wanted to do was leave you by yourself…but you have become independent and resourceful…and you have wonderful friends that will always be there for you, they know what it's like Blaze…." He sighed.

"This is it Vincent…we're ready…and we're going to beat Vulgar….for good." I pushed the previous argument aside.

He smiled, "I know Blaze…I'm so proud of you….we're so proud of you."

His image began to crack and frizz out like bad reception on the TV again.

"Blaze….I- I can't stay here long…." His voice was faint and he only said every other word clearly.

"Wait you can't go!" I said, pressing my hands to the crystal, ignoring the searing pain as a sensation that one could only describe as burning coursed through me.

'What's happening to me?' I asked myself.

"When we go to battle….I…" I trailed off as the image disappeared, more tears trickling down my face as I crumpled to the ground.

"I hoped you could be there…with me…" I sobbed.

I stood there, crumpled on the ground like a little girl that just got her toy taken away from her without a good reason.

Soon it seemed dark and gloomy, owls hooted in the distance and everything seemed distant and depressing.

"Blaze?" A deep voice called through the darkness, followed by footsteps.

I just let out a low whimper as the silhouette grew closer.

"Blaze." It called again, the figure crouching at my side, a hand moving to feel my forehead before hissing.

"Damn Blaze, you have a high fever what have you been doing all day?" The voice was definitely male, with his crimson eyes piercing into mine.

"All….day?" I whimpered slowly, my lip quivering.

"Yeah all day, we've been looking for you for hours." He scolded.

"I'm sorry." I sobbed.

He took a breath, but his tone softened and he helped me up, "Don't worry about it…its just we don't know what we'd do without you…"

"I feel so alone." I said to myself…the reality that I had just been with Vincent…and he had been ripped away from me yet again, the feeling hurt twice as much as the first time…knowing he was so close…and when I was with him it was like he never left…

"Blaze…you sure you're okay?" He asked.

I whimpered and without thinking I threw my arms around him burying my face in his chest as I desperately needed someone to be there for me.

Truth was…I wasn't okay…for the first time since I was born I was finally feeling the heat, whether it was the power of the Kingdom's crystal had somehow tampered with my abilities or maybe it was just me wearing it our finally.

It was unnatural….it was scary…I was scared…

What if I lost my powers in a fight?

I continued sobbing as he stiffened for the slightest moment, before slowly wrapping his arms around me, feeling me with the safe and comforting sensation that I had only felt with Vincent and my parents…a feeling that had been gone for too long…a feeling I missed…

"Come on, let's get you home…" He said, but his hands never stopped stroking my hair that was out of its ponytail and the other still rubbing my back soothingly.

"About me being okay?" I began, feeling my voice return to me.

"I wasn't okay….but I am now…."