This situation was awkward to say the very least…

They had found one of their comrades! And they were happy they had found him, relieved he was alive. Thing just was… He wasn't quite himself.

Worried Hiro, Sylvando, Jade and Rab looked at their friend whom had retrieved into the furthest and darkest corner of the cargo room, wrapping his arms around himself as he wide-eyed looked up at them.

"He is… the thief whom stole Heliodors treasure isn't it?" Hendrik asked. "And aided the darkspawn, forgive me. The Luminary escape." he corrected himself.

"He is our dear comrade yes." Jade nodded as she sat down on her knees. "Erik, it's all right." she spoke in a kind voice. "You said you were hungry, are you still hungry?" she asked. "We have better food than apples and biscuits, you want some?" she asked.

Erik looked at her with deeply distrustful eyes, clearly not intending to move away from the spot.

"Listen lad, we are not going to hurt ya." Rab assured. "And it is no trick, we swear!" he stated holding up a hand. Erik only frowned.

"Erik." Hiro tried. "I'm really glad you are okay." he stated. "You're not hurt are you?" he asked in a kind voice.

That made Erik hesitate slightly.

"Perhaps your head hurts?" Jade asked. "Do you have a bump? You can tell us."

Erik bit his lip. "It… it does hurt." he admitted. "Here." he pointed at the back of his head.

"I can look at it." Hendrik offered as he stepped forward only for Erik to scream as he jumped up and crawled away.

"HENDRIK!" Jade shouted annoyed.

"I have bandaged up many soldiers in the field, I am capable." Hendrik assured.

"NOT HIM!" Erik screamed. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!" he shouted.

Hendrik hissed annoyed. "I swear, I am quite capable."

"NOOO! NO GO AWAY! NOT HIM!" Erik screamed and Hiro pushed Hendrik back.

"Perhaps just… Go back here." Hiro asked as he pushed.

Hendrik frowned annoyed.

"Don't take it personally darling, Erik is clearly not well." Sylvando pointed out.

"Why is it me he reacts so strongly to though?" Hendrik asked clearly frustated.

"Erh Honey, I don't want to sound nasty but." Sylvando tried.

"What?" Hendrik asked in a huff.

"Well, if you are really asking." Sylvando shrugged. "You are kind of big. And you are pretty scary when you are frustrated. Also you literately chased Erik dear across the world trying to kill him so." he counted three fingers.

"Oh." Hendrik realised.

They all stood in awkward silence.

"I, ahem. I see, please forgive me." Hendrik asked as he formally bowed. "I… I should probably… Go."

"I'm sorry Hendrik, I know you just wanted to help." Jade assured.

"It's quite all right." Hendrik assured. "I will just… Go make sure we are still on course." he stated as he finally left.

"Oh dear." Sylvando bit his lip. "I didn't mean to sound so nasty."

"You had a point though." Jade had to point out.

Hiro sighed. "I wish Veronica and Serena were here." he admitted.

"We sure could be using Serenas healing magic around now." Jade admitted.

"Also… Erik did tell me Veronica reminded him of someone. And you know, I think that made him more comfortable around her. That's why he could tease her so much." Hiro admitted.

"Oh." Sylvando blinked. "Who did she remind him off?" Sylvando asked.

"I dont know." Hiro admitted. "I guess someone important to him."

Rab sighed. "Look, I don't like the idea of leaving Erik alone as he is now. One of us should stay guard." he stated.

"I'll do it." Hiro stated without hesitation.

"Are you sure?" Jade asked.

"Yeah." Hiro nodded. "Erik and I promised each other to always have each others back. What use would that promise be if I don't have his back now?" he asked.

"I suppose that is settled down, the rest of us better move out." Rab noted.

"Uh! Perhaps some good food would put a smile on dear Eriks face!" Sylvando stated. "Erik honey, is there something you want?" he asked.

Erik looked up, but kept being tight lipped.

"Come on darling, what-ever in the world you desire. Your friend Sylvando swear to get it for you!" Sylvando stated.

Erik frowned, clearly not buying it. Even if all the rest knew better, that Sylvando would probably do it.

"You like omelets don't you Erik?" Jade asked. "At least that I can make."

"Uh wonderful idea darling." Sylvando smiled. "Let me help."

"Sure." Jade nodded and finally, the three left.

Leaving Erik half hidden in the dark and Hiro standing up, then Hiro sat down crossing his legs as he looked at his friend. "Its okay Erik, they are all gone now." he promised.

"What do you guys want from me?" Erik finally asked. "You are acting weird, I dont know you."

Hiro hesitated. Then he glanced down. "I just realised, I don't even know where you are from." he commented. "I told you all about Cobblestone, and you told me about Derk and how you travelled but not… Where are you from Erik?" he asked.

Blankly Erik looked back at him.

"Do you have a home?" Hiro asked. "I guess I kind of assumed it was in Heliodor but… If it were you would have shown it to me when we were there right?" he asked.

"I…" Erik halted. "I think I have a home." he admitted and Hiro looked up. "But… I don't know where it is… And… The place is not very nice anyway."

"Oh." Hiro realised. "Did you… Run away from it?"

"I don't know." Erik admitted.

"You must have left at some point." Hiro pointed out.

"I guess." Erik admitted closing his eyes.

"Do you… Remember anything?" Hiro asked.

Erik squinted his eyes as he shook his head.

"Nothing at all?" Hiro asked.

"I.." Erik swallowed. "I remember that when you take things that don't belong to you, you get punished."

"Well, I suppose so. You go to prison." Hiro commented.

"No, you get beaten." Erik stated firmly. "That is why you want me to get out, I know your game! I stole your food so I must be punished. I am not going out! You can't fool me."

Hiros eyes widened by that realization. "Wait… Hold on." he stopped. "Are you telling me that, if you are hungry. And take food because you are hungry, you expect to be beaten?" he asked.

Erik hissed. "That is how it works! I am not stupid!"

"Erh yeah, no. That is really not how it works. Or at least it shouldn't be." Hiro replied stunned. "Erik… What is your story. Where did you come from?" he asked. "Why did you need to become a thief?"

Erik lowered his head as he closed his eyes.

"Erik?" Hiro asked.

"Please stop asking me these things, I told you I don't know." Erik hissed. "Urgh, hurts." he grabbed his head. "It hurts so bad."

Hiro halted, then looked at his hand, for the first time truly missing the powers of the luminary. He had learned how to heal and ease pain. But without the power of the luminary, those gifts were gone too. Perhaps he should ask Rab?
Then he decided against it, he was not going to leave his friend.

"Don't worry Erik, I got your back." Hiro promised.