Unspoken

by elerielina

"Every story is true if you tell it right. What I can tell you pal, is that what I'm 'bout to tell may not be known yet, or there're many versions of it. But, can I assure you, whatever y'hear or understand of all this, there're will always be only two options: Tell it, or do it right. Otherwise, it's better remains untold."

10. Chapter 10

The place teemed just with the group that had come from patrol and was there firsthand. Soon after they found their place in there, some people started to get inside until there was only enough room for the table, in which that hefty package laying on it. The squad of captains and their partners, and some people who were not on duty at that time, just finishing their meals, was in there; everyone taking a place as well as to get comfortable, trying to keep quiet to hear the news. It was for sure that many would be left outside because of the confined space of the cabin, and to listen through the now open small windows as keeping the door open would be, for now, the best option for them.

In the meantime, Joyce and Yara were giving details of their discovery to Andal, Carina and Darwin, and also seemed to be listening attentively to the situation's report of those squads that had remained in the frontline keeping an eye over the enemy's territory until a few hours ago. While Yamir was inspecting the device with meticulous seriousness, Brent was observing and at most helping him by extending some tools as he needs it. The rest were there, just listening as some shared hushed and brief words with one another, until the muffled voice of Cayde making his way inside the place warned them of his proximity, as well as the person who he brought with him.

Before passing through the threshold of the busy door, he stopped his tracks to spoke to her in a hushed tone, startling her for the little distance that now was between them. "Just listen and all will be OK…", He whispered almost in her ear, startling her, and taking notice of that. Daring to motion his hand hovering on her lower back, a sudden light touch took her by surprise making him aware of the restlessness on her face as in her body language as well. This was something new, and it was not surprising if this made her feel afraid at all; she was wary, vigilant but still attentive, and even if this set his all attention in motion to see how she would unfold her expectations and reactions in the next couple of minutes to prevent of scaring her unnecessarily, it was an unmissable step to observe if from now on and in further situations, he could guaranteed her safety.

As they finally entered, he gave a quick glance at the place to check if his presence was noticed, and as they made their way into the crowd, was Carina who saw them, somewhat distressed, having to double-check if her eyes were tricking her, growing impatient as she detected the thin figure of Tulisse right beside him.

Those who were with her immediately turned around, inquiring by her sudden reaction, all except Andal, who merely crossed his arms and just glanced at the newcomers with a sly grin on his face.

With the place turned into silence, he stared back at everyone in clownish shock. "What? Couldn't bring anyone to the party?" There was no answer. Feeling Tulisse's disquiet against the palm of his hand, he let his thumb gave her a needed reassurance with a light touch on her back.

"Can I ask you what are you doing?" Carina's voice sounded restive and so did her expression, even as she tried to hide it.

Cayde appeared being puzzled, and stared back at Tulisse, still playing the fool and making her sketch a nervy simpering because of his droll responses. Her eyes grew huge and twitchy.

Then, he turned his attention to those who were inspecting that piece of technology, both boys expectant by the girl's presence in there, and questioning whatever thought he could have had to believe that was a good idea to involve her in this. Thus, seeing both Joyce and Andal seemed to share a complicit grin for his reasons on this, he returned to Carina's impatient stance, her scowl and face full of disapproval.

"I'm a reliable grown-up on a diligent task", He replied mischievously. "Didn't you say she should settle in with the team? Well... I'm just doing my best by being a good host!" He looked at Tulisse again in complicity, her eyes lowered to hide a smile as he guided her steps, still with his hand in her back, right to the table where Yamir and Brent were trying to refer to their tasks. Without even the need for a cue, Yamir immediately understood and began to tell her how to use each of the tools, and what they were doing.

"Can I talk to you for a moment...?" Carina approached him at quick steps, not looking at him, but noticeably concerned. He had no choice but to accept the request.

Giving a brief glance back to Tulisse, who seemed uneasy as she saw them sneaking through the crowd, he hinted a sign to her, giving her a reassurance gesture that everything was in order. Just a waving jokily and giving her a heedful gaze before leaving her there.

Once outside and far enough away to be heard, Carina waited for him, arms crossed and stirring in place visibly upset. Without even giving him time to mention a single word, she spat.

"I know what I said, but this isn't the time or the place to do it."

He blinked, baffled, seeing in the woman's face the disquietude to this action presented for her as he tried to be mindful of his case. "So... when then? It didn't seem to me we'll have time for this later when we get back on track. It maybe jumpy once we left this place, and if we're lucky enough to have any surprises..." He pressed.

"Yes, I think that so, Cayde. But when we're not in the middle of a situation like this one we're into now, I'll consider your suggestion," Carina retorted, trying to conceal her displeasure by lowering her voice and putting further distance when she saw there were some curious eyes from the cabin.

"OK, gotcha. But I do think we have to be prepared for anything, and it serves no good to leave the new ones out of this," He added. "And that includes Tulisse," There was emphasis on his last words, giving them meaning to his intentions. Carina exhaled even more unsettled, still trying to keep the conversation between them.

"They are. And those who are not now will participate, eventually, like everyone else. But right now, I can't count on everyone, and that goes for Tulisse too. She can't be there," Carina's eyes were blazing with exasperation. "You know what I mean, Cayde. The situation room is not her place."

"Doc, I can't pretend everything's just fine. Ain't fair! And this could be a good chance for her to see what we're up to. I know she can handle it," Cayde asserted, arching his synthetic eyebrows. Carina just pressed her eyes shut and shook her head nervously, denying and trying to hide her growing irritation. "All I'm sayin' is I'm tryin' to make things easy for her. And leaving her out isn't a good idea. She needs self-confidence, and not only that but trust in us, too. You know what I'm talkin'-".

"And I need you to listen to me, Cayde!" She shouted, glaring him with a heavy eye. The dark circles under the eyes of Carina's tired face only emphasized her concern as she saw him there, it was evident. Those outside the cabin fell silent at the sudden raise of her voice in the exchange and pretended not to be listening as the rumbling of their voices disappeared in the air night, trying to mind their own business with secrecy.

He stared at her in that brief but tense stillness. Carina stood, arms crossed as her whole stance turned into a fit of indignation and nervousness, glaring at him. "This is not the time or the way! I don't want to scare them or think about losing anyone right now. Not tomorrow, not the days to come, not ever. I need to protect them and know that every one of them will be safe", In her languid features was the phantom of the Siege, and the night he brought Tulisse in, with all the implications and circumstances about, as a remembrance of that fateful day. "I know you don't want to lie to her, but this is for her own good. I want her safe, and that includes everything about how the World is outside these walls… She's not prepared…" With a turned-around voice made a trembling whisper, she begged.

He fell silent in dismay. Carina's eyes were reddish from helplessness, but tearful because of the restlessness with which they were pleading.

He worried too. When he agreed to let her attend with him at the assembly, the very idea of having her involved in any incursions or even knowing the risks implicated on them unsettled him in the most dreadful way, deep inside him. Yet the sole notion of her, feeling small and powerless every time he had to leave her in there, alone, was something he was not willing to tolerate.

She asked to go with him, to be with him. He wanted the same thing.

He was not going to leave her.

Pondering her words for a few moments he let his gaze wander on the surroundings, knowing where the reasons she was saying came from, and he understood them perfectly.

Still, he refused to comply with that request.

It was just… unfair.

He knew the price of truth too, and Carina's plea began to crumble his bullish assertion.

But not its basis.

Cayde stared back, his artificial lens of electric blue watching the exhausted woman with resolute. "She'll be…" He replied in a very calmed voice, knowing that she would understand the meaning of his every word.

He saw her ease off her posture without even taking her eyes off him, almost as if she felt the imminent defeat. Those tired eyes stared at him, knowing perfectly well with that sole statement that he could validate all what he meant before, or the things Andal said to her just moments ago. Even in the shade of the bonfires that lit in the night, the glow reflected her gray hair slipping through her dark brown mane, showing the heaviness of all those years wandering in the barren land without hope, but still, seeking it for her people.

Perhaps that's why, in the end, she decided to give in.

Stirring in place, she gaze down mulling over something, and without even say a word on anything started to make her way back the cabin, where some prying eyes looked at her as she entered into the crowded place once again in complete silence, well aware of the scene witnessed from afar. Cayde followed her just a few minutes later, head low and sank into his own thoughts as his companions gave him way to pass.

When he entered, he saw Carina's figure next to Tulisse's. There was emotion in her gaze, hardly visible at first sight. It was like the same sentiment that was there when the girl regained consciousness, and with which she looked at her every time it was under her care. It was that feeling that can only be seen in the protective embrace of a mother, giving her a gentle squeeze on her shoulders with a smile.

He sought his return to her side again still observing the surrounding scene, some of them sharing their glances between him and Carina, and also towards the girl, among whom there was, moreover, the always expectant presence of Sarah, the other doctor of the shelter whose gaze never leave his trace.

It was almost instant as soon as Carina returned from that interlude. She sought his presence among the crowd furtively; those sharp eyes sited him as soon as he set his eyes on her. There was not the same indulgence as Carina had in them.

He saw her approaching her quickly, looking concerned.

When he finally reached the girl's side, there was the joy of having him near her again in that place full of strangers. He found those expressive almond-shaped eyes, shining and embellished with that long eyelashes of hers, eyeing at him with inquiry, her lips pursed with some apprehension for the tense moment.

"See? All good..." He whispered to her with a wink. Tulisse grinned, blushing in her little cheekbones. Clearing his throat, Brent wanted to point out the opposite, but it was cut out for him quickly. "Don't you have to do something now, pal…?" Without a word said, hearing Yamir stifling his laugh, the blond man snorted, though jokingly, at the comeback.

There was a rumor of voices in the place as the animosity on the issue that had them there seemed to be slowly returning in the crowd.

While Carina was again taking her place next to Andal, still trying to hide the concern in her features to him and her restless colleague, Cayde turned to the rest almost instantly with clapping hands as he raised his voice.

"OK, listen up people! Our good friend Brent here will explain what we have here and what this's all 'bout. Some of you are already familiar with this stuff, but ain't bad idea to brush up your memory. So, pay attention please," Once he got everyone's attention, he patted a nervous Brent on the shoulder giving him the word.

"I Huh... 'Course. OK- For those of you who don't know what the hell this is: This is a Walker's autonomous and integral memory, or AIM for the nerds in the room like me. It's what maintains that bulk-ass tank operational, keeping in check everything that moves around it; motion recognition, infrared and heat detection, non-Ether based life form threat detection, everything that's not Fallen alike, this piece of technology analyzes and processes every bit of information based on radar tracking within a radius of about 300 meters. Yara and company found it about 3 miles northwest of our current position on last patrol-" He explained clearing his throat before the hushed hum of someone's voice entering the cabin interrupted him.

Without much ado, Armand entered with mocking gestures of salutation to everyone, who cast uneasy glances and called out to each other in silence as he settled into the packed place.

Brent struggled to hide his awkwardness and tried to not to look directly at him. The guy just displayed a wry smile in return, first placing Joyce in the crowd with a tacit nod of disrespect, and then just smiling and waving to the boy to continue with the explanation.

Cayde scrutinized him, his arms crossed with a tense stance, his features showed rejection before turning to Brent and give the cue to continue.

"As… I was saying, the AIM keeps the Walker functional. As everyone knows, these hulks are unmanned, heavily armored assault vehicles with different types of weaponry and self-defense mechanisms, including an Arc pulse that can knock out our only two assets capable of incapacitating it," There was a fleeting silence as he was aware of everyone following his explanation. "No need to mention what could happen if that hits us…" He asserted in a raspy whisper as everyone looked disquiet at the thought. "But… that's when this baby comes into play, and Yara had a good eye for taking it as our ace in the hole," He added, easing his voice. Joyce stirred uncomfortably in her place, disguising her discomfort with a concealed exhalation.

"This might help us neutralize the hostiles in The Passage and the weaponry they have, plus the Walker. But we'll have to do it 'old-fashioned way'…"

When Brent mentioned this, a loud buzz of voices in disagreement went around the room.

"I know- Guys… Guys! I know! It's risky, but it's something we're used to," He tried to pick up the explanation by raising his voice. "With Ghosts' aid using their signals as a beacon, and Cayde and Andal's skills, we can even make our incursion even more efficient and overwhelmingly conclusive, because the Fallen will be more worried about getting gunshot by them than about us!" Brent said.

"That doesn't mean anything! What's the plan, Brent? What the hell is 'old-fashioned way', my dude? Can you be more specific?" Someone in the audience charged as Brent felt overwhelmed by everyone's discord.

"Means that we're going to hack it," Yara spoke, her soft voice burst with determination, her little curls moving nervously as looking into everyone's eyes.

Concern was now evident on several faces, some not knowing what they were talking about, others knowing it firsthand. The tone in some people's voices was heard more than others.

"Buddy! Ain't Antigua anymore! Its walls ain't here!" Another man said. Carina held an apprehensive exhalation.

"Guys I know that! But this isn't an option we have to let go. In fact, it is the best shot we have so far to get over with this," Brent added in a loud manner.

Another exchange of heated opinions came among them and seemed to grow even louder and louder until Joyce's thunderous holler silence all at once. Both crossed glances, barely held for few seconds, with gratitude only from the boy.

"Listen: I know it sounds crazy, but seriously, it's the only way we can get rid of that beasts without risking a direct attack," He acknowledged, trying to make himself explicit. There was a little hesitation, but he continued. "And… yeah… I know this is not Antigua anymore... but, with proper planning, it can work too."

A sneer was heard among the crowd, and everyone recognized who it was.

"You're a nutter, aren't you…" Armand glanced at those he knew this suggestion came from, besides Brent.

This one concealed his uneasiness.

"That strategy only worked in Antigua, not anywhere outside its walls. And as far as I'm concerned, there are no tunnels in The Passage. And there's still the detail of the drill…"

"Do you have a better idea to get that huge fucking ass piece of junk out of the way without us dying?" Joyce challenged, looking at him with utter contempt.

"Why yes now you mention it! How 'bout these two getting their asses over there to clean out the mess!" He yelled to her in anger, pointing both Andal and Cayde who were tensing in their spots, both glaring him with gravity. "Folks can come back as many times as they want from Death? Then better them to do the job than us! We'd do the mopping afterwards. As we have been doing every bloody time a squad of Fallen appears! Every single goddamn time!" Armand spat out still indignant.

He now faced Carina, eyes flaming. "This's your idea of 'few casualties'?" He let out another scoff. Carina remained in a tight-fisted silence.

"Are you deaf-dumb or something? This could kill them too! It's not something they can just thwack with gunshots while they're coming back 'til they get bored to tears," Joyce repeated, ditching her supposed self-compose and turning back at him with eyes full of indignation. "That shit is a fucking bunker! We need to take it down, whatever it takes and that's why we need to hack it. We need to do what we used to and use it to our gain!"

"That's exactly what I'm tryin' to get you to notice!" Armand raised his voice, enraged. "That thing's going to wipe our asses off the map with just one Arc pulse! And you intend to get close enough to hack it?!" He Let out another sneer, looking at all of them. "You're completely insane!"

"No, 'cause that's why we need a plan and be fully coordinate to be thorough," Andal interrupted with a steady voice, scrutinizing him with obvious disgust. "Brent's plan…" He emphasized with both eyebrows raised, marking his facial expression, defiantly towards Armand, whose indignation grew even greater when the brown-skinned man gave him the word again.

With a flat smile, he continued. "As… I was saying, we're going to spot ourselves at several points throughout The Passage, letting the sharpshooters get rid of the marauders first at Andal's signal, and thus create a kill zone where we can get them in our range without them spotting our advance. According to the reports earlier today, they're mining the location that's exactly on the eastern side of the narrow roads, right at the entrance of the canyon, which means they have the tactical advantage of a quick withdrawal if we pushed them back," He explained, having everyone's attention. "Once we get our shooters in position on enemy's perimeter, we kill the marauders, secure the zone, pushed them into the canyon, which is narrow and difficult to make a counteroffensive, and block their escape," He gestured with his hands. "There'll be two large squads, 20 people each one. The first one will be at the front, with Andal and Darwin covering the whole perimeter, and Cayde securing Yara and the AIM," He pointed as marking every party involved. "At the enemy's back will be you, Armand, with all your squadron. Jocelyn will be there too, with hers in order to place her at the highest point of the terrain…" He saw how both were displeased with the idea, one more than the other. "We need the Walker completely alone and Jocelyn at the top so she can execute. So, first, we must get rid of the marauders, then, the extractors…" He concluded.

"And once they're done, we can take care of the Captains and the Drill," Cayde added coolly.

"Yeah…? How...!" Armand grunted.

"Why with the Walker, 'course!" He swaggered around waving his hands.

Armand smiled sordidly, shaking his head, still dazed, annoyed as he stirred in place. "You do realize there'll be a support vessel lurking nearby, don'tcha? Same ship that all those squads came from, as well as that damn tank!", He retorted with gloomy mood. "Do you know how long it takes to hack into that thing before someone realizes something's fishy and sends in more troops? Or worse?"

"5 minutes," Yara replied, lifting her chin in confident posture, "I know those pests and their damn technology. I just need 5 minutes to get it purring me like a lil' kitten."

Armand laughed contemptuously again. "5 minutes onto that thing?! And what are you going to do about the Arc pulse?"

"That's what marksmen are for," Andal asserted.

"And yours truly!" Cayde joined with a gestured with a showy reverence. Armand arched his eyebrows in disbelief, flabbergasted.

"Shooters can disable the charge cycle; firing one at a time at joints on its legs will give us time to override the Walker's master code. Once we have disposed of the marauders and scorched cannons of the Extractors, the front will proceed by pushing what's left of the rest of the enemy squad into the corridor. The squad in the back will open fire, and then finish them off," Brent finished explaining in his monotonous raspy voice yet heavy mood. "And... that's the plan…"

"Meanwhile, because I love making a scene, I'll be the bait as Yara slips onto the Walker's neck and has the best ride of her life. No pun intended." Cayde walked over her letting notice how small she was beside him, giving her a flattering pat on her back.

"Ugh! Cayde, don't be nasty!" The brown-skinned woman smirked.

"It won't be that nasty when you fire that thing at a Captain, or a Fallen skiff," He jested with a wink.

Despite that, Armand remained in his attitude. "That, assuming you get your 5 minutes and the front can handle all the marks and herd the Captains into our position," He snapped, folding his arms in a defiant attitude.

"She'll get them," Joyce rebuked to him. Her voice was a stern note, like a statement. "I know my girl and my team. I've got their backs," She crossed eyes with that guy and the tension spiked. "I'll have yours covered too, Sweetie. As always…" Finally added with a proud grin in her freckled face, making Armand sneer as he scratched his chin, nervously.

"We just need the teams in position and being extremely careful, on the front and behind the enemy so the shooters can make it happen. Once we're all in position and I gave them the signal, Cayde and Yara will override the Walker," Andal summarized in confident voice, turning to him with determination, "5 minutes, and it's all over," He said.

Armand scoffed, nodding ironically and showing disbelief, almost like insubordination. "Yeah… exactly, all will be over," He reaffirmed in a more somber manner and looking back at Brent with scorn.

Then, he turned to Carina again. "And you approve this…?" He spat.

Carina, severe and deep in her thought, having heard everything, turned to him with severity. Arms crossed as one hand in the air moved her rings nervously. "This will work, as long as everyone does their part, and as far as I'm concerned, was the only viable plan we have," She replied; her voice was almost a low hoarse tone, implying that she was pondering each and every option as she went over and over the steps in her head.

"'Their part'…? Do you realize that these fucking things have 10 times the strength of a human, and that these two here are the only ones who can put up a fight? Any mistake can cost us half our squad and their lives!" He yelled as Carina unraveled her brooding posture and stood looking at him gravely. He approached her like a predator. "We lost good men four days ago for doing a fucking job that wasn't ours! All for nothing! So, say 'As long as everyone does their part' is a fucking insult!" He shouted.

"Don't you dare to say that to my face ever again!" Carina cried out in anger, flustering her tired expression in red and shying away the jaded tone of her voice. The tension was overwhelming. "I knew those men damn too well since we left Antigua, and that job was the only chance we got before crossing the range!"

There was an uncomfortable murmur in the crowd, and Andal could see out of the corner of his eye Sarah's restlessness, understanding why.

Armand stood before the woman, stoic and fuming, her hazel eyes glare at him in defiance, as he slipped poison into his voice. "Then think twice before you go on with this fucking madness, 'cause it's very likely that no matter how much each one does their own bloody part, half of the people who leave tomorrow, will not return."

The figure of Andal appeared behind Carina, his stern black gaze flaring at this man. "We'll stay on plan, Armand. Whether you like it or not," He stated, "I trust each of these soldiers, and therefore Carina's judgement. They follow her because they trust her," he said, without taking his eyes off the guy. "We do this together, or no one does…"

Armand mocked, disdaining Andal now and barely looking at the woman. "She's following you, mate! It's easy for someone in your position!" His raspy dysphonic sneer was a tense note in the room.

Andal disagreed clenching his jaw while shaking his head with the weight of this man's words, closing ranks with Carina. "No, 'mate'. I trust her, and I'm the one who's following. Cayde and I we're just clearing the way," He answered harshly. "Tomorrow, we all be back in one piece."

The guy said nothing and remained silent.

He nodded bitingly, delivering scornful glances but not losing sight of those in front of him, defiantly. First for these two, his blueish-green gaze flustered with rage at seeing such insurmountable stance in front of him; later he glared at Cayde and those at the table, troubled and ready to become one on that imaginary fence where those first two stood, and finally, widening his grin in as an undisclosed menace, to the young woman right beside Yamir.

That right there…

That was their weakness.

And Cayde noticed it.

A primordial instinct, as unexpected as it was difficult to conceal, burst from deep within him, smoldering like an unruly overload. That same compulsion made him step forward, drawing the guy's attention while keeping his casual mood as he prowled around him in a predatory manner. Hands to his waist, but his gaze fixed on the target.

"So! if there's nothing else to add and everyone's informed on the operation's details; all well-fed, ready for to get some good shuteye for the big day..." He summarized by sitting leisurely on the table but making sure to divert his attention to his sole presence, and no one else. "Time to go..." He concluded, intensifying his stare as well tensing the tone of his voice in an evident foul temper, for everyone noticeable.

Armand grasped it, sneered provocatively though no even worrying about to who he was addressing, fully aware of that provocative stance, and no even showing concern about it.

On the contrary, he double down the stakes.

He held his gaze on him, moving in place and smiling. Giving Carina and Andal a scornful look, and one special nasty stare to Brent, he ground his territory.

Then, he turned to Cayde and narrowed the distance between them, staying in front of him, daring to sizing him.

"Rude of you, mate! So uncivilized! Y'know that? Might be contagious…" He hissed with that dysphonic voice of his.

Cayde just stared at him. He didn't need to know what he was implying.

"Trust me. You have no idea…" He made his vocal module fluctuated with a clear, intense bright, like fire.

Armand sneered, hardly breaking that tense line drawn between them, and finally began to walk away, leaving the place with a sly, haughty stride. Cayde tailed his presence with a watchful gaze until he went out through the door, taking other uncomfortable and serious glances upon him as he departed.

Most of those who remained there tried to recover an calmer mood as some started thinking that was all for today, but anyway he kept on eye on him, until saw him go into one of the tents nearby in the almost slumbering camp an disappear in the night.

"Asshole…" Yara murmured in annoyance before addressing a few and waving to some of her colleagues as they retired for rest. Joyce gave a gentle squeeze on her shoulder as a support, and also clenching her frustration, giving a quick glance to those leaving, reading the room.

When he crossed eyes with her, barely exchanging that same gestures of equal irritation about what just happened, a single nod was enough for Cayde to catch there was something he should now be paying attention on other side of the room. He turned around, trying to appear unruffled.

Tulisse jolted as soon as she crossed eyes with him. There was all this body language that set off all his alarms, again. Shoulders shrugged and arms pressed around her torso to have sensation of safety.

But there was something in her eyes, which until a few minutes ago were just filled with tension and wariness of being in a new setting, and he recognized it immediately. He knew that look, and it was not really a surprise for him after this turn of events, even it was sympathetic, it was not pleasant for him to see her like this again though.

He knew because why was it, he knew her, like the first moment he ever saw her. That fearless emotional rush fueled by full-on rampage, almost natural as it was reckless.

But, if he looked closely, there was something else, too. Different now, and even unhinged.

That look also issued other impressions, it was a knowing.

She was terrified.

Shorting the distance by walking around the table again, not wanting to show the unease that seeing her like this caused him, so discouraged and restrained, he reached her. Something inside him felt swamped and restless.

This… wasn't how things were expected to be...

"You OK…?" He whispered to her and hers alone, not wanting to let his tone tremble as he looked for her eyes.

She gave him brief uneasy glances, and only nodded apprehensively before looking away from him again to the device on the table. He noticed it, as well as she gradually become more and more absorbed into herself.

Now, this was enough for today.

After sharing a few worried looks with Yamir and Brent, he tried to regain her attention. "C'mon, let's get you some fresh air…" He mumbled, quietly asking to go with him while keeping a heedful eye on her.

He walked alongside her, and standing in the threshold before leaving, the shape of Carina drawn in the contrast of the dim light in there came to his attention. Though he saw her gaze, between dismayed but stricken next to an undoubtedly indignant Sarah, who can't even stand eyeing him, there was no anger, yet it was concern.

She did warn him.

And- yeah… Perhaps this was too much.

He knew he deserved more than just a look of reproach for this. He couldn't blame her.

It was… an awful start, he admitted it.

So, with heaviness in his heart, he left.

Once outside, it didn't pass more than a second before he lost sight of her, noticing the swift movement of his little companion, suddenly appearing in a spark of light and going after her. Walking at a frighten but constant pace towards the stairs, wrapped in an aura of hopelessness.

In the middle of a darkened half-asleep camp, he caught up with her pace resuming with hasty strides while she was about to go upstairs.

He called her under his breath struggling to catch her attention again, and at moment he attempted to touch her, she jolted, repressing herself even further.

This was not good…

Shrugging, she went upstairs without even looking at him. He followed her quietly, one step at a time, heeding for any response.

When there, he saw her walk-in glum silence, letting her weight sank down onto the cot as she sat. Never minding of taking off her boots and bringing her knees to her chest to hide herself of the world behind her arms in the middle of that gloomy space.

Standing there in silence, concerned at the sight of this scene of utter downheartedness, he walked in.

His boots made the wood creak under his weight as he went, the leather gear filled the silence with a hushed rubbing while moving quietly around the room. Still in silence, he got rid of his sheathed-blade by unbuckling the strap that holstered on his waist, unfasten the case with his gun in it, and leaving them both on that old trunk. Every sound that filled the small space was careful, but not disguised, announcing his every movement. After that, crouching, he lit up the oil lamp using some matches that were hidden under the rug. All in the most attentive of silences.

His companion glided restlessly in front of him, trying to get his attention while sharing uneasy glances between him and the girl, her blades were heard in the chilly stillness with quick uneasy movements, and seemed to express everything he was struggling not to show when he saw her in that state again: frightened, hounded and frantic. Like a wounded animal.

The very idea disgusted him.

So, sitting on his heels where he was, he stared at her again for a few minutes under the glow of the lamp, worrying. And after some deliberation then stood, just enough to come closer, and crouched facing her.

"Tulisse..." He whispered.

His voice was a hum, a plea. He cursed inward the moment when he was so thoughtless for letting her get into this.

She moved, and slowly undo the fortress she had built for herself around her arms. And sadly, there it was, those expressive eyes soaked in tears, shining in the dim light of that flame, and yet her whole face could be seen swollen with grief.

That was it. The full weight he felt over his shoulders was so huge when he saw that tormented face. He was utterly defeated.

"What… what is it?" He muttered, the blinking of his vocal cords lighting in the contrast of his shadow drawn on the young woman frame, who was trying to hide her tears away.

She avoided eyeing him while he insisted on getting close to, stirring in place, aiming to gain her attention once again while this tribulation weighing in his heart. He saw her hesitating, even with that primal need to hide herself away.

"What's going on…? What happens tomorrow?" Was all she said in the turmoil of her emotions pressing to be released.

Cayde went silent, looking at her and seeking in every corner of that flustered face, alienated by the unrest of dread, lamenting his terrible decisions.

She was legitimately terrified.

It took all the courage he had to utter a word about it, while those eyes were urgently searching for answers.

"It's a crucial day. That's why the meeting was…"

"And… why do you need a... plan?" She queried, trying to keep her strength up, even though the deep of her voice wavered every time she uttered a word. "What was all that?" She insisted in anguish.

His gaze went down, looking for the right words, both hands clenched in a tensed fist over his thighs. How… to say this…?

"Cayde..."

Her voice also was like a plea, and at once he looked up to finding those eyes, pleading, still bright with tears and wide open looking for answers, frowning in distress with the uncertainty of an implicit request. "Please…"

He can't stand seeing her like this again, a fearful silhouette abandon of all hope, so he extended his hands and took gently her wrists, undoing this restrained posture and firmly holding her hands in his so that she would open herself to him again. And venturing, he meant to explain everything, yet with trepidation.

"There's gonna be an incursion into enemy territory. There's a Fallen squad a couple of miles away. They're in our way and keep us from restarting our march through The Passage. We must get through it, one way or another," He paused. "You… have probably heard some of the guys talking 'bout that place, and I know you're aware about our situation," He asserted quietly as her eyes were two bright lights looking at him, and the glow of his voice blended with the dimness of the lamp. "Remember when I mentioned that this was going to be our home, at least for a few days…?" He asked soothingly without letting go of her hands. She nodded warily. "We're traveling. We had been traveling for months, a year... I can't recall exactly how long now..."

"What… was Antigua?" She muttered shyly. Cayde looked up, cautious.

Hesitating for a few moments, still replied. "A fortified city, far away west from here. It doesn't exist anymore..."

"What… happened…?"

That question revived reminiscences and sounds that he wished to forget.

"It was a siege. Andal and I arrived just in time. Fallen had get through its walls," He hesitated. "We… managed to save as many as we could. Carina and some of these fellas are survivors. Since then, we have been traveling, fleeing from the Dead Zone."

"Europe..." She remarked in a somber whisper.

He nodded with reluctance. "Carina runs this whole company, and she's the one all these people follow. We are helping her," He said, struggling to conceal the ominous feeling that those memories provoked him. He saw that, despite her distress, her attention was again drawn to knowing more, to understand the world around her and attempting to read each one of his expressions in that way that she seemed to know how to do so well.

"And...?" She finally inquired again, and he could feel all inside him crumbling and making him hesitate.

How could he put this into words without aversion and distrust frightened her once again, making her look at him again as the first time she woke up there, discovering his true nature?

Like a freak, or worse, a demon.

A thing. An echo of the past and Chaos.

He faltered, lowering his gaze, pondering the words and then returning to those eyes, passing first through her hands, intertwined with his own.

"One night, there was… a rumor. We were stopping by at a settlement, several miles from the Gulf. A wanderer arrived there. We realized that he was not from 'round, even from the same region; you could tell it had been in The Wilds a long time ago. Years... maybe…" He related, looking away from time to time and then looking back at her again. "No one paid attention to him. Everyone said the guy was telling tall tales, that he was crazy. None of his sayings makes any sense…" He stopped for a few minutes, musing. He looked at her again, and let her study his all expressions in the pause of his words. "But not for us... Not Carina, nor Andal. Neither I..." He drowned out a murmur, barely making his voice blink.

Tulisse vacillated, remembering something. "She said… she wanted them all to be safe… Where...?" She insisted.

He paused at first, still appreciating every corner of her fawn face, but his voice and grit settled later, seeing her hands with his. "A refuge. The Last One."

He could see her still distressed, looking at him puzzled, but trying to understand his words. But not just that.

He was sure that also she had seen something else in the radiance of his eyes at the moment of saying it: Certainty.

Her eyes too were lit up as she gazed him, and the hesitation seemed to vanish from her tearful, red eyelids as she appreciated him in silence.

"You believe it... as if you… feel it," She mouthed to him, looking at him intently. He nodded silently, lost in her. He saw her barely hesitating again. "How…?"

He let out the closest thing of a smile, barely gesturing a subtle brief blink in his vocal cords, and holding onto her hands even more. Stroking his thumbs over the back of her, he asked. "Do you… remember when you asked me how I was woken up…?" It was hard to keep some of his anxiety from slipping away in the shine of his voice.

He saw her blink somewhat uneasily, and since he had seen the light of the Sun again, he was afraid. This is it. Now there was no turning back.

"That's… how we know; Andal and I," He waited. "It calls us…"

Cayde let his anxiety pour, expressing itself in the intensity his sparkling eyes for she to noticed it. Letting her read his features, as she did with his most precious treasure.

And in the keen but aloof tension, she seemed to hold on tighter to his hands.

"Who...?" She asked.

Suddenly, his partner, Ghost, burst into an intense blue-bright projection of images around them, disconcerting her.

Hundreds of thousands of lights surrounding them, like stars gliding in the thin air, turning a miniature of billions of white particles drifting away from her, each with its own intensity.

"The Light, with which we were created: The Ghosts. The force is the one with we bring to life our chosen ones, and it is the one that pushes us along the way. To Him," The shy voice of Ghost explained with solemnity as Cayde noticed the girl's amazed expressions looking in all directions in astonishment.

The image changed suddenly, and what seemed to be a timeless void with millions of lonely stars, became a canvas where those inexorable lights traced in a synchronous and harmonious dance the figure of a Symbol, as simple as it was sublime, that bloomed like a flower.

"Our giver of Light, who created us: The Traveler."

He observed her. She was lost in the screened images by her companion, and all he could see were her eyes flowing into tears of wonderment, wide open, trying to absorb all the knowledge it was manifesting before her, thousands of images around her, spreading like a spring and the liveness and Caydence she had witness in the rain.

Life itself, the vividness of colors she had ever seen, the movement of thousands of souls, the sounds of everything and haunting music. Her hands never let go his.

"He has been here on Earth for centuries since the Golden Age, where in those days life of the planet emerged, enriched, flourished…" She explained, while the multiplicity of pictures, echoes and shades manifested overwhelmed her leaving her speechless. "But now, he remains asleep since the last battle, the greatest that Humanity has ever faced…"

Abruptly, reflections became chaotic, full of anguish and Death, frightening her and making her drop her hands and stand up in one jump, looking around in disbelieve.

The sounds, rumbles, cries of utter despair, and pain weight in her heart.

"The Collapse: a terrible misfortune that plunged the whole World and the Sol System into the most terrible blackness, into the Dark Age," The voice of Ghost was filled with fear and became a whisper. "The Darkness had reached our world and there was nothing we could do..."

He saw her looking everywhere in fear as the images became more and more violent, and while the vitality of once mighty and overpopulated metropolis was taken away by Death. Something in her was stirred, squeezing her stomach until she felt that she can't breathe, as if what she saw she had experienced in her own flesh, and those images were a bitter evocation of a frightening past.

He stood slowly, looking seriously and restlessly at those visions, some of which were repeated in his deepest nightmares, and kept her by his side.

"Since then, we have sought him out; from the very first moment we walked again, surviving the Death that for centuries keeps us on the verge of extinction, haunting us from the shadows, until the first moment each of us, with His last breath and His Light, were born…"

His attention was drawn to her again, and he found her looking at him with wide open eyes, completely shaken, terrified but astounded, illuminated by the celestial blue-light of Ghost, absorbed and moved by the images of a ravaged Earth. Abandoned and destroyed cities all around them, multiplying as their people fled, trying to survive.

"The Traveler is asleep. Resting, surrounded by the most desolate mountains on this planet, in where also our final destination awaits. The Last living vestige of Human Civilization…"

The room became dark again, and only the light from the oil lamp illuminated the small space with its dance, being only a bland glow in comparison of which emanated a few moments ago from Ghost, who remained uncertain and expectant form a distance between them, impatient of her words, moving her blades in an interrogative tone.

He heard her breath turned into an erratic suffocating and distressing sound in the middle of the silent place. Standing in front of her, with an expression of absolute bewilderment and confusion, not even looking at him. He seemed to see her staggering, and as a reflection he held her by the forearms thinking she was about to faint; with concern he finally realized that she was shaking, panicking maybe.

He helped her to sit down again, holding her firmly, while studying her expressions discovering the tears now running down her cheeks without restrain, but not sobbing. Her lost gaze trying to understand what it was that she had seen was the most frightful thing he ever saw in her.

"Tulisse...?" He called her out, anxious, and the brightness of her eyes and the light of her voice brought her out of the dark trance she was in.

She looked at him and swallowed. "That… really happened to the World. Like Antigua…?" She asked stifling her emotions.

Cayde hesitated and nodded dejectedly, as he slowly let go of the young woman's thin arms and squatted in front of her again. He saw her pass her hands over and over on her cheeks, wiping away the tears and seeking to understand what she had seen, her hands trembled.

He knew it was difficult, even for him after so many years, wandering adrift in the middle of a devastated planet, wandering in the memory of what once was a flourishing civilization; the fleeting reminiscence of that day that was something unintelligible and diffuse, frightening and inexplicable, and what, at times, tormented him by the ambiguity of something that he did not even know if he had lived. Or if had ever existed for him.

He could just empathize with the young woman in front of him, accompany her. To be there for her, and only for her.

A lonely figure looking for answers. A refuge in the vastness of the uncertainty.

He bowed his head to managed and capture her eyes, still stunned and confused, which gave him back a feeling of deep pain because of what she just saw. And before he could even react to try to comfort her, she inquired.

"And is it there…?"

Stunned, he looked at her, appreciating each one of her features, every corner of her face in dazed disbelief. Her cheeks were swollen and wet; she was expectant, waiting for his answer. Impatient, longing.

A sensation filled his chest, just like that same day, as soon as he saw her there, at first light in the morning, asleep on the eve of his arrival, and in the twilight of their loneliness, whispering a reconciliation.

He took her hand on his again, looking at her with intensity, and reformulated vehemently.

"Do you trust me?"

His voice was so solemn, so personal. He searched with the same eagerness in those expressive dark gray eyes for the same commitment.

She nodded to him, reciprocating the gesture. He could feel her thin fingers resolutely striking his gloved hand.

The memory of that moment referred him to the first time they held one another, when he baptized her; the reciprocity and similarity of that occasion was something he did not let pass.

Just as he had given her something —a purpose, a life—, she was now giving him something precious in return.

Her trust.

---

The whole shelter was silent.

Just at times, the only thing heard was the quiet voices from the watch relief rumbling into the place.

The lamp was still burning on the trunk, the oil pan was halfway its full mark and at its sides the little marks pointed the time that was left before to be dry out.

He had sat on the floor on the worn-out rug cross-legged, and at times returned his gaze to the shy flame, losing himself in thought. It was a thoughtful silence, looking into the fire had the same effect as staying near to any of the blazes that were beginning to dimmer downstairs. Pondering about the most urgent thoughts and uncertain prospects.

"What was it like, then…?"

Her soft and deep voice whispered on his right, immediately drawing his attention.

Tulisse was lying on the cot, wrapped in the blanket like a cocoon and curled up under it. Her face was the only thing that was seen, and her long-curvy hair slipped down the edges and snaked in light brown-dark locks over the smaller blanket rolled up as a pillow. She observed him between intrigue and circumspection, keen for his answer.

"The world... was a nice place…?" She reformulated.

She was curious though. Cayde looked at her carefully before responding, his features soften as he met the sight of her.

"It's not that I can remember something, as I told you. Sometimes… I'd wish I can recall anything, as much as you want to..." He answered first in a melancholic tone, wondering between the flame and his little friend who looked at her curious. When he turned his attention to her again, he saw her dejected, while the warm glow of the lamp's flame reflected on her pupils as she stared at the light.

A timid stir on Ghost's blades heed for his attention, and for the glare she was giving him while pointing to the girl so discreetly with what it looked like a scowl, he knew he picked the wrong words on what he wanted to say…

"I mean! There's huh… a few things I keep locked away that are… pretty old. It may give us a clue! They're my treasures y'know… indeed you have one there…" He suddenly replied.

Just as he said those words, he saw that gaze brighten up again, full of eagerness and amazement.

"Oh, I see I have your attention now!" He joked, winking at her and regaining his usual self.

He saw her trying to hide a coy smile behind the covers while distracting her eyes somewhere else, and relief returned to him. He realized she was slowly feeling more at ease.

Settling himself again but now approaching with his back to the cot with the strength of his arms, he was now beside her, resting against the planks that served as furniture in where she was laying, hearing the cracks in the wooden makeshift cot as the girl adjust herself to hear eagerly something new. As he turned around to see her, he was relish on her impatient but keen response. He crossed his legs again and stared.

"You know what I'm waiting for..." He spoke in a suggestive low voice, hinting a wink and relaxing both arms on his thighs without taking his eyes of her; blushing, her face was a bashful expression trying to hide a coy smile while straighten up. Poking under the rolled-up blanket and taking out the book underneath and extending it to him, she stared back to him quietly.

He slipped it from her fingers oh so smoothly, never leaving her gaze for more seconds than he had could counted. Then, looking to what she had handed over, while searching through its pages for something, he let himself relax against the planks, nestling a bit closer from where she laid.

There was not even the need to check that she was carefully entranced in his actions. He was sure about those prying eyes on him, and he could tell by the way Ghost watching pass over his shoulder with spirited movements, stirring her blades in circles as she approached to them. By the movement behind him and the slight creak on the cot as she settled down, he heard the swish of blankets immediately over his left knowing how close she was; even had a mental image of her face now.

And to play a joke on her, he turned suddenly...

Oh, there they are…

A pair of vivid dark-gray sparkling eyes, and the involuntary nipping on her lower lip.

So damn close that he could see the old scar on her nose, and the blush crowding on her cheeks.

"Snoopy...!" He mumbled in jest, seeing the glow of his own vocal cords reflected in her eyes as she hid behind the covers, kind of embarrassed. He chuckled softly, dazzled at the face she was trying to conceal whereas making herself comfortable next to him.

Once settled with her chin over both arms, one above the other, she had found the ideal position. Though playfully yet shy, her stare was an implicit enquire for him to please freed the mystery hide in the pages of that treasure.

Gazing in awe, Cayde barely shifted onto his left, so he could share this moment with her more keenly. But also, to see those wonderful gestures of hers, every time he intended on show her something new.

The first thing he picked out, tucked between the joint of the pages, was a thin yellowish paper envelope. Inside it, he uncovered different kind of feathers.

He couldn't help but marvel at her when he rose up on the cot with excitement, sitting cross-legged on the blankets to take carefully between her fingers in amazement one of the feathers he gave her for her amusement; it was a medium, bluish black and grey with thin black stripes sprinkled over its length, the rounded tip was dyed black. He told her where it came from, even though he could not remember why it was there, her eyes grew wide-open when she heard that it was from a bird.

"Like warblers…?" She gaped.

Cayde blurted a genuine laugh, shaking his head. "Nah, Lis! This bird was much bigger than that…" He replied, making his hood bright in his laughter as he watched her. "This was from a hawk."

Tulisse narrowed her eyes puzzled as she looked at him, frowning as she ran the feather through her palm, feeling the softness.

In a blink of light, Ghost projected images in front of them, making the girl gape in wonderment. "A falcon was a medium sized bird of prey known to be one of the fastest birds on the planet. They had thin, pointed wings that allow them to reach extremely high speeds. Peregrine Falcons were one of the fastest animals on the planet, reaching speeds in swooping between 230 to 360 km/h, and in horizontal flight, 96 km/h. It was carnivorous, and of course it feed on smaller animals," It was heard in a ductile explanation.

"Birds can… kill…?" Tulisse sounded worried and somewhat dismayed.

"This kind of bird could," Cayde clarified, extending his left arm relaxed on the edge of the cot, and both legs crossed. "They were hunters. Taking what they need, and nothing else," He added with a sense of pride in his voice.

The girl looked at the feather with some disappointment, then looked at him again, wary. "I thought birds just sing…" She mumbled.

"Oh, but all of them does! Birds can hunt too! Even warblers!" He commented heartily, waving his hands and staring back at her, although became suddenly silent as if he remembered something, "Well, not exactly like a hawk, but… all birds and animals hunt for survival, even us!" He explained.

She pursed her lips, looking at him sideways, and then looked back at the feather between her fingers for a few moments, before gave it back to him.

Cayde barely rest his head back on the cot, just staring at her playfully as he took the feather from between her fingers. She looked at him enthralled and hiding a smile.

"Much better: I can even prove you that not all birds sing, and can be very smart too," he challenged as a game, drawing her attention as he returned to search another thing in the envelope.

From inside he slid out another feather, not as glamorous as the previous one, but totally black; polished and glossy, hardly with a subtle deep blue sheen that caught the girl's attention.

"This was from a raven," He indicated, extending it to him and seeing how careful she was holding with curious the feather in her fingers through the quill. "They didn't sing. Though they made some 'cute sounds' from time to time. They were pretty smart!" He gestured with his hands watching her brush the black feather again and again through her palm and cast a contemplative glance at the plume and him, getting caught by surprised by a hoarse rough sound emitted by Ghost. "Yeah! Somethin' like that!" He guffawed.

Tulisse looked at him unsettled. "That wasn't funny you know…" She muttered annoyed, looking at them sideways.

"OK, OK! Sorry! I couldn't help it!" He excused still giggling and shaking his head as trying to catch his breath.

"That didn't sound 'nice'…" She observed, looking at Ghost with a playful frown as she swirled on her axis in a humorous way.

"I know… many people were afraid of them, seeing'em as a bad omen. They thought something bad was going to happen every time a flock were gliding in the sky," Cayde expounded. "But, from what I can barely remember, they could make nice sounds too. It was just a matter of giving them a chance… or treats," He added at the end, eyeing at her as he arched his eyebrows. Tulisse stared at him, not saying a word, but smirking.

"They were smart and decisive. Many people kept them as pets; animals that were taken under human care and kept in their homes as a friendly company, and which it was quite possibly were not born in nature. If that was the case on ravens, people adopted them for different kinds of reasons: they were found injured in the wild, or as a hatchling. Or because they simply managed to interact with humans with positive results," Ghost made Tulisse's attention turn to a projection where a medium-size dark bird, with apparently unfriendly beak, appeared to validate that explanation. A brief projection at the end, where the shy sounds of the robust bird that seemed to be watching intrigued and expectant towards the camera, made her laugh.

"I told you they could do it…" He teased, emphasizing his gaze.

"Yeah… seems like he sounds smaller for someone of his size…" She added, looking at him with a grin and playing along.

"But you can't deny that's an extra point to see him as a cute boy..."

Tulisse mused for a few minutes looking the feather while playing in her fingers with the quill, grinning, and then stare him back to finally gesturing with her shoulders pursing her lips in a sly manner, not wanting to agree. "Oh, you're so mean!" He joked, squinting and making her laugh. Music to his ears.

"Well… I'd be scared too if I heard those... shrieks and see a bird like this prowling around before knowing it can make those funny sounds," She excused still smiling with shyness, glancing at the feather and then at him.

"That's why they were misunderstood creatures. There were all sorts of stories and legends about'em. People tended demonized them. It was unfair…" He replied in a hushed tone.

There was something in her gaze then, like regret, and he saw her tightened her lips and look away before looking him again. Her eyes casted a glance of shame.

"Like I did...?" She muttered, making her voice tremble.

Cayde fell silent, and stared at her confused, sensing in her quivering voice a remorse of something past. He understood of what she was talking about, and the restlessness came back between them again, fearing that once again having achieved this moment of intimacy would fade into uncertainty once more.

He turned to her, extending his right hand to her left hand and held it gently in solace, motioning an affectionate gesture with his thumb on her knuckles.

"You were afraid. I can't blame you for that…" He replied searching her eyes, lighting the inside of his hood with the intense rumbling of his voice. "I heard those stories too, in the same way I imagine you did, and I lived in consequence of that, knowing people would be scared at the mere sight of me..." He seemed to hesitate when he looked at her, seeing her hand entwined with his. Then he looked back at her again, and her gaze was now something different, vivid and warm seeing him directly. "I was afraid people saw me like that sometime ago. But not now…" There was intent in his voice.

She smiled even more just by looking at him, and under the light of that lamp, the warm atmosphere seemed to emulate now the same feeling that was filling her chest.

"Appearances are deceiving! They wronged our thoughts and makes have unnecessary fears, even if they are unsubstantiated," Ghost gently intervened by approaching them with slight movements. Both startled as if was a broken spell.

"Hey! Don't be so mean bud!" Cayde reproached her kindly, letting go of Tulisse's hand to scowl his companion with a finger.

"I… I was just saying!" Ghost excused nervously, then turning her gaze to the girl, validating her reply by swaying her shell cheerfully while looking at her. "It's not her case, obviously..."

"Yeah, I know..." Cayde added resolutely, again with that deep meaning in his voice. Tulisse, a bit intrigued and curious, looked to him. "That's why I learned to use that to my gain, being able to read people better," He explained, pausing briefly and turning his attention to the girl again. "Pretty things don't just look and sound nice. They're can be smart too."

He could see her blushing again, and also perceive hidden in that smile, a slight nibbing on her lip, while playing with the raven's feather on her fingers.

"And can be tenacious too!" Ghost added enthusiastically, spinning her blades.

"Especially that!" Said Cayde before turning his gaze to her, who, again, let out a laugh but blurred her expression with some doubt. "Am I wrong…?" He teased.

Tulisse pursed her lips, still uncertain and wandering her eyes down to her hands, snuggled in place while pulling back a lock of hair behind her ear. "It's… not that… I'm just…" Her voice was a murmur starting to disappear. Out of the corner of her eye she recognized his humorous persistence for she to look at him again, and as she turned her attention to him, she saw him squinting, as if playing a game. She swallowed, and briefly returned her attention to the plume in her hands, admitting with caution. "I'd wish I could do something with that. I don't like to be seen like... this..."

Cayde seemed confused. "Like… what?"

He saw that her gaze wandered again, not wanting to say something, spotting there was something like shame slowly tainting her face. She looked back at him, noticing how she let out a deep exhale and turned to the black feather on her fingers, anxiously. He tilted his head, understanding in that expression what she did not wanted to say. "You are fierce. Not an animal. Don't you think about that…" His voice blinking low and with resolute assertion.

She nodded anxiously, but there was something else in the glint of her eyes that was not said and was implied in her sorrowful expressions.

He stood up suddenly and sat down next to her, calling her quietly, barely making the cot creak under his weight, leaving the book closed at his side. The girl looked at him with big expressive eyes and at times shyly looking at Ghost or the flame of the lamp, baffled for this sudden nearness.

Once seated, one leg resting leisurely over the edge and the other bent onto the cot, he insisted for she look at him in the eye. "Did something happen, Lis…?" He finally asked, tensed.

Tulisse hesitated, embarrassed, but as she slowly raised her gaze back to him. He could notice again that same intensity that was very typical of hers and reaffirmed what he saw in her whenever she made her intentions soundly clear. He insisted calling her by her name again in a low voice when noticing her elusive, and even if it was a stifled whisper of exasperation at the end, he heard perfectly what she had to say.

"I just wanted to punch him! He told me I was an animal. That's all... He- He's an asshole!" She groaned.

Stunned to hear her for the first time with that kind of language, Cayde saw the same perplexity in his partner, but didn't need too much for an explanation to understand who she was talking about, and almost instantaneously felt the fire gushing from inside him like a blast. Stretching his stance and now sitting upright on the cot, undoubtedly upset, he started to tap his fingers against his knees franticly.

"Though I'd love to see that hook of yours snaping his nose off on a rampage, I'll be the one to do it, so. Now… if you'll excuse me-"

In a second, Tulisse held him by the shoulders, stifling out a yelp halfway standing up, clinging onto the leather of his gear tightly so he could not get away. She was ashamed but even more restless for his reaction, no less angry than he was.

"Wait- Please- I did it for Brent!" She admitted with tense voice. Cayde tried refrain himself and saw her. "He… He approached us and started to bother him, and I... I…" She hesitated, swallowing anxiously and trying to keep her eyes on him. "He was… mean... and I couldn't stand it! I just reacted!" In her deep voice was an anguished but restrained whisper of emotive outburst that her eyes echoed in light coming from the lamp. Pure blaze.

He felt the pressure of both her hands against his arms, struggling to keep his build right there and even though he was not even making any effort to get anywhere. Her emotion and her sole presence there were just enough to suppress him, while he explored carefully this close to her face the distress yet powerlessness she was feeling right now, hearing her voice quivering. Until he did not ease himself completely, she never let go.

Cayde gaze down, and then looked at her again exploring her whole face and shake his head, annoyed. "That fucking idiot!" He slurred, restraining himself in anger as the girl sat back again on the cot and peered over the rug searching something on the floor.

He saw her bend down to pick the feather that was flown down while she tried to contain him. Now holding it in her fingers again, she gazed him once more, looking him with a shy and sorrowful expression. Regaining his full attention, she searched for his resting hand on his thigh and held it with hers. Surprised but this response, he looked at their hands together again, and then to her gaze on him.

"I'm fine... I'll be fine..." She said, those dazzling dark gray eyes take notice of his every expression of sympathy.

He was still upset by this unacceptable attitude, and even with her plead to stay here with her and forget about this that had happened, he did not know what to say. Not because of her request but because of what he was seeing in that look now; there was gratitude, that was for sure, but also, something even deeper emerging in response to his concern.

He would've just wanted to know what she was seeing in him now...

Instead, he let himself be lost in that gaze, and remained in soothing silence a bit longer, bringing his attention to the hand that held yours tightly, and returning the same affection as he opened his, letting her thin fingers take shelter in it.

"I won't let this to happen again. There's nothing wrong in what you did. Don't let them think otherwise…" His voice hummed with intensity, the bright of his eyes highlighted his words, underlining a statement.

"I know…" She acknowledged with a soothing smile. "Thank you…"

Tulisse felt a slight squeeze, which she reciprocated by caressing his knuckles.

---

The bright began to diminish as the lamp started to dry out, blinking at the announcing that the oil was running low. Still, its brightness continued to maintain the same magnetism, and in the amidst of silence, Tulisse still gazed at the yellow glow inside the glass.

Again, she curled herself into a cocoon, her knees to her chest on the cot and the blanket over her, completely quiet and immerse in her thoughts that were kept in the privacy of the corners of her mind.

Cayde had laid again next to her, legs crossed outside the cot and with his hands behind his head, resting as he let his eyes wander in the small space. From time to time, he peeped at the wrapped frame of Tulisse, whose only features were the outline of her cheek and her long eyelashes waving behind some locks of hair that slipped out from the cover.

It was a quiet silence, in which they let themselves be accompanied by each other.

In which he knew she felt safe…

He let himself be lost in the ceiling or the ornaments hanging over them, or in his companion, who glide swiftly between and around them in hushed motion.

Until, when he gave a quick glance to her, he noticed the batting of her eyelids seemed to doze under the drowsiness of the sleep at the same time she forced herself to keep awake, sighing and stirring under the blanket with a slight discomfort.

He could not blame her after what happened a few hours ago, with the possibility that nightmares would haunt her in dreams. But, he also knew she needed to rest.

Tomorrow would be a difficult day, for everyone.

He sat himself straight up carefully, being betrayed for the little creaks on the cot and making Tulisse turn around as soon she heard him. Sitting and blinking his cords with a quiet chuckle as he addressed her with both elbows on his knees a kind gesture of apologize, he didn't even need to say anything to know why the girl's face became restless the moment he look at her. She wrapped herself more and go back to her cocoon of blankets, staring back at the flickering flame in front of her.

"You need to sleep…" Cayde said quietly breaking the silence, looking at her.

But Tulisse did not respond. She hid in her personal refuge without saying a word.

He shook his head, resigned, but no less empathetic for the lack of interest she showed, letting himself be trapped again on the lamp's brightness to avoid being forceful.

Another moment passed in silence, where the only thing that could be heard was the sound of the night encircling the whole camp. He became self-absorbed in the warm glow with content, until an anxious stifled exhalation was heard, unsettling him.

He saw her wrapped herself more tightly, as if something were tormenting her.

"Every time I close my eyes… I hear those screams... and… those voices..." She hesitated, as if wanting to take courage. "They sound… like animals. Saying things I can barely understand. They sound horrible... awful. Like insults, cursing... and then… I see myself crying... and- I'm so scared!"

She looked back at him, and even in the dim light and the contrast of the shadows cast by her wool armor, he saw her tearful eyes. "They sound and look so real. And- and then I hear those shrieks... So unnatural…"

He tensed up. Something inside him pulsed with restlessness.

He knew was coming next, and he needed to avoid it.

"That… That is what really happened to me, isn't it? The night you found me…" She tensed. "Is that why I can't remember? Because… it's was horrible?" She mouthed at the end, keeping an unsteady fear.

He looked at her, and saw expectation in her eyes.

She was looking for answers.

The truth…

And Carina's forewarn weighed heavy on his consciousness.

He hesitated to search in the tense silence for words, any explanation, especially those that marked a before and after, and a meaningful difference between trust and disaster.

Intertwined his fingers in thoughtful motion with his forearms on his knees, he contemplated, as wandering his gaze over rest of the room. Until time seems to run over for this…

"We… managed to make contact with a village on the outskirts of what people known as The Red Desert, a few miles west after a month of having found this place. The travel through the Desert left us low in almost everything; food, ammo, water... Crossing the open space without calling someone's attention, not to mention that we're talking about a desolate wasteland of miles and miles of nothing can be a pain. No fauna to hunt, or water to drink," Cayde explained sharing quick glances to her. "When we arrived there, no need to say half of the people there wasn't very receptive on seeing us… If they've had the chance, they'd have killed us without even thinking twice..." He added with a sad and ironic tone as her look sadden but grew in irritation. He could not help but feel grateful for it, and relieved by her empathy. He understood why.

"Once there, and people reluctantly said to us who was in charge, we had a very long and tedious discussion, and he agreed to give us the supplies..." He paused, downcast. Then, turned to her.

Tulisse eyed his expression for a few moments out of the corner of her eye in understanding.

"He asked you for a job…" She muttered.

Cayde became restless, trying to hide the growing anxiety that telling this caused him. He was tensed, his whole body became stiff. Thousands of possible conclusions could result from this very moment, crossing his mind in matter of seconds. And before she noticed, being absolutely aware of his body language, he nodded thoughtfully, analyzing carefully what to say.

He waited impatient, just for a few minutes before resuming, because the next thing was critical.

"He'd agree to give us the supplies if we first… provide him with the goods he needed. He never gave us any details on the issue. Just coordinates..." His voice became somber, trembling in a deep glow as he scrutinized her closely through the brightness of her gaze.

His all attention was on her, and the slightest of her reactions.

She too, was expectant without taking her eyes off him again, analyzing him, trying to see the true significance behind each sentence.

"Some of us disagreed on those terms: Andal wanted to leave as soon as possible, let alone me; those folks were tearing us apart just for glaring to us. Even Armand voiced several times his displeasure 'bout doing this, with… so secrecy involved. Taking risks at the edge of Fallen territory was a gig that could cost us a lot of things, not just getting paid..." He paused, warning that the flame flickered too much, finally not resulting in anything relevant as he resumed his story. "Meanwhile, in here, Carina was cornered: we needed the supplies but everyone there thought that, at the end of the day, it'd be a very bad terrible idea… even if we didn't say it so openly…"

With all of his senses firing all the alarms, he warned that she was tense.

He observed her for a few more minutes before continuing.

"Without many options and discussing it for almost… an hour… in a bad mood and with an awful radio signal, we searched for the coordinates the chief gave us, and arrived at the place at nightfall, having to make a detour a couple of miles into the desert," Then, he paused. "A few miles before arrive, we saw them coming first, down the hills. After that, the explosions, the fire..." He hesitated, warning that she was trying to conceal her shiver.

He knew now, it was too late…

Gesturing with his hands a dull wave and almost making his voice blink in a whisper, Cayde concluded. "When we handled to make a plan, well..."

There was a tense pause, as he saw her processing everything in her mind.

"So that's what happened…" She let out with a sorrowful whisper. Cayde asserted with a quick nodding.

Still tense and looking her sideways, measuring her reactions, he saw her pondering, letting her gaze be lost in the turmoil of her thoughts while all the words she just heard try to make sense in her lost mind, and as if selecting the next questions carefully. However, there was something in her gaze, besides anguish, that seemed to want to pierce even the tiniest shadow of doubt that kept him in the verge of a dreadful uneasiness, making him feel disturbed, terrified.

And suddenly, her eyes turned to him again, with the suspense of a dreaded answer. "And what was it…?" Tulisse questioned.

Cayde petrified.

"What…?" He stifled a whisper.

"The supplies the man asked for. What was it...?"

This is it.

There was no turning back.

He remained in a dangerous silent, until something in the back of his mind make him react, and answering he shook his head, without losing detail of any of responses as he finally replied.

"We… never knew…"

He saw her look downcast, restless and distressed. But there was something else in that look...

An inescapable conclusion, like an agony.

For him, a nightmare, or worse… a reality.

They share sympathetic looks, there in comforting silent that speak for itself, and he could see her struggling on not to give in to the maelstrom of emotions that was pushing to tear her apart from inside.

Part of him decided to hide the details of that tragic night that many had witnessed, and few survived. From the truth both Carina and Sarah… and himself knew.

Part of him decided, finally, to do what he had said it wasn't going to do…

Lie…

From a truth which he finally swore not to mention a word. Ever.

From the truth he swore to protect her. From which he needed to protect her.

From which in that moment of communion between them, gave her the opportunity not only to trust, but to live. And to forget.

Because he saw so many things in her about him, and understood them perfectly.

Because she was more than just a mark.

No one deserved this. Not her.

He narrowed the distance between them under her tearful gaze, and once at her side, he comforted her with a gentle caress on her back. Those shining livid eyes, which did not stop blinking nervously, tried to hide away the tears and grief on the understanding of what the world was, a misfortune of stories about survival and anguish.

But in which also was the flicker of a kind-hearted smile, now appearing in the warm of her face as a response to him, like a tale of compassion…

…in which he could clearly see his own persona, glowing in the eyes of this woman he had swear to protect. Like kindred spirits…

Oh, how he would wish to hear any jerk trying to mention, even infer, talking about her as a thing!

They would never see him coming…

"I know this is… complicated…" He confessed quietly, trying to have a light tone on the issue. He saw her lower her gaze, dreading and repressing her tears in the middle of the silence.

"How to sleep, then…" Tulisse confessed all the sudden, raising her eyes to him again as a casual tone tried to disguise her distress and the tears were slowly flowing down her cheeks.

Cayde could feel her shivering under the caress of his comfort. It took all his might to fight the urge to embrace her, to hold her close to him, knowing that it would make her breakdown even further.

"Well… for starters… maybe you can… y'know… have a good rest…?" He tried to ease the anguish with a practical joke, shrugging as trying to sound casual. He noticed the girl's bewildered look, and even Ghost, who had stood expectantly at some distance, gestured a disappointed motion, bringing her front blades to her iris.

It was impulsive and instant yet obvious to see her react by smacking him on his left arm, her face turned into a blushing mess between indignation and anguish for being so thoughtless.

He mumbled a giggle, illuminating the inside of his hood and faking being in pain as he passed his hand there. "I was making an observation-!"

And it was a second though, in when she embraced him tightly, abandoning her own fortress of comfort, not wanting to let go. He cannot overcome his impulses and embraced her, too.

Those heartbeats resonated within him once more.

"I'm not going to sleep!" He heard a fearful plea over his shoulder, hidden in the arms around him.

He felt her whole body trembling and held her, tighter.

Caressing tenderly her head, he responded in a whisper as he closed his eyes. "And I'm not going anywhere…"

There was a small silence between them now. He felt both arms around him, thin but steady, holding him closely before noticing that she was settling better beside him, hiding her face in the space between her embrace and his neck.

And without neither both noticing, the lamp went out.

---

He didn't know how much they have stayed like that…

Cayde simply let himself be carried away by the rhythm of her heartbeats. It was the closest thing to a lullaby he ever heard. It was hypnotic…

He even bothered to open his eyes to check. He knew that the lamp had run out of oil way too many moments ago, and even Ghost had left them be when he heard her fade in a flickering, giving them the space they both seemed to need.

His arms were enclosed around her, like a shield; holding her skin-tight to keep her with him. He had placed his head in the space between her neck and the embrace, just like her, resting the right side of his rough features against her. He could feel the sway of her breathing against his chest, peaceful and steady, as if she were asleep. He could hear her breathing, only in this quietness that was unique because of this closeness they shared, so peacefully.

Again, he didn't even want to make a sound, or even a wrong move.

Opening his eyes, Cayde saw everything was dark around them, except for some distant glow downstairs.

What he did notice was a subtle tremor in her body. Perhaps he didn't feel it as much a human body does, but he was aware of it. She was freezing.

Trying to take some distance from her, he was able to confirm if she was soundly asleep; perhaps, he thought, she even noticed, and as soon as she closed her eyes and remained like this, in his embrace, in peace, she just… fell asleep.

He loosened both arms, letting the hold be by his forearms, so that he could lay her down on the cot and let her rest for the night. But, as soon as he tried to pull her away from him, she reacted by holding him close again. A small whimper escaped from her throat.

"Lis..." He mumbled, making the bright of his voice light the darkness. "It's cold. You must lay down…" he added. Embraced her again had any effort, and it was instinctive for him to give her caressed her gently, making her tremble.

He felt her barely move her head, saying no.

"C'mon, don't be hard-headed. You're going to get sick. Doc'd be mad at me if I let you get sick…" He whispered again in a cheery tone, leaning his head against hers once more.

She shook her head, again.

He hummed and mumbled in complicity in her ear. "As I said, difficult…"

He heard the closest thing to a giggle. "You said fierce, too…" She replied back in a whisper, drowsy against the folds of his hood.

Cayde mumbled yes in a blink of light, chuckling.

After a brief silence, he corrected himself.

"Nah… Brave is the word. You're brave..." There was commitment in his voice. "Things are difficult. You are not. You're brave, Lis..."

There was no more response than her embrace becoming firmer.

"And because you're brave, there's no need to be scared by those nightmares…"

There was hesitation.

"Do you trust me…?" His murmur was just a soft sound, like a rumor that only the light of his voice let be seen.

She nodded, and reluctantly broke the embrace, finding her face illuminated by the light of his eyes.

Perhaps she could not see in the dark, but he could. Blinking in the glow of his presence and for drowsiness which she struggled to shy away. He giggled, captivated for seeing her like this, shedding light on her face, between light blue and gold.

He whispered to her to lie down, to which she nodded and almost by inertia, almost sleepwalking, patting awkwardly against the improvised mattress as she through the cover messily over her, she let her body fell heavy on it, while him helped her get rid of her boots as the night before and tucked her in.

The murmur of the wool of the blanket and the creak of the makeshift bed subsided once she felt cozy and warm, and he remained seated beside her, resting his hands on his knees and gazing at her.

Soon as he thought she had finally fell asleep, he noted a quick movement underneath the cover, finding the brilliance of his own eyes reflected on hers in the darkness, watching him. Puzzled, he made an interrogative gesture for her to share her curiosity.

"Were there brave people then…?" Her low-pitched voice was heard as a sleepy but longing murmur.

Cayde nodded, looking at her silhouette lit by the blue light of his eyes. "As far as I know, half the people left this planet to be see the stars. To go beyond… So… if that's not being fearless, I dunno what it is!" He replied, and even in the darkness he could see that that only managed to wake Tulisse up again.

"Really?!" She marveled. He nodded and blinked affirmatively his voice. "And were there brave women too?!"

He faltered before wandering his sight into the nothingness of the blackness, and then returned to her, finding her somewhat confused by his sudden reaction. It was noticeable. Having been taken by surprise was even more noticeable in the darkness.

This particular question, somehow, disquieted him.

"They were all brave, but the women were braver; always looking ahead. To the future…" He replied with a lingering sensation.

He hardly looked away when he could feel Tulisse's intrigued gaze on him, noticing what was not said and knowing something else laid between words.

"I knew one. Always enthusiastic, hardworking. Always seeking to do good..." His voice slipped away like a whisper. "Every time I saw her, she always burst with passion, courage. There wasn't a moment when she didn't show how much she loved what she believed in..."

"Reminds me of Sarah..." He heard her say. Cayde eyed the girl, tucked in the covers and wandering her eyes elsewhere. "She said 'we can be strong without even using an ounce of our strength. Just with our wits and courage'," She added with eagerness.

Cayde nodded restlessly at the hearing of that name. "That's true! You don't have to be strong, or a loudmouth like that jerk Armand to be brave," He mentioned with irony, and making her smile.

"What was she like?" Tulisse asked keenly all sudden.

He froze, looking back at her, baffled.

He saw her watched him, realizing what the suddenness of this question caused on him. Even if in the darkness something couldn't be seen so clearly, it was something she could see through him with just looking into his eyes.

"What… was her name?" She asked now shy and careful.

He felt a pressure on his chest, while anxiety made him held his hands tight, trying to keep his eyes on her as a lifeline.

That emptiness felt heavy again, like the first time he woke up, reading the traces of a life he did not know if was his.

"I… can't remember..." He confessed.

There was a brief silence, melancholic but empathetic.

"I… I'm sorry..." He heard her whisper. There was sorrow in there.

He shook his head. "Don't be. It's OK…"

Again, they didn't speak for a few moments, but something was different now.

This bittersweet feeling, coming back again, like a wound not yet closed, did not bleed like in the past.

Now it was the painful sting that presides over the necessary healing, the intense burning by which the wound settle, and heal.

And since a very long time, in that dark void, there was a little spark.

"Do you know what happened to her…?" Tulisse inquired quietly. Cayde turned his attention to her again.

She was curious, genuinely interested, and with those eyes that he knew damn well, completely drawn to him.

Wanting to know him. To reach him.

Hesitating for a few minutes, he answered.

"Being brave's a lonely road. It pushes you to places where not everyone can follow, or… take you apart from everybody..." That's all he said, before turning his eyes to the floor, musing.

She didn't say a word, and gave him that minute of quietness.

As the seconds passed, he looked back at her again, gathering his courage.

He found her watching him, silent, patient, keenly, waiting for him without any need of clarification. Perfectly knowing the significance of that moment between them. Empathy.

They spotted each other in the darkness as if it even existed.

"I wasn't brave enough at that moment..." He revealed, breaking the silence as he stared at her, the voice remained at first with some uncertainty. But as the seconds passed, that fear seemed to fade as it now recognized those keen eyes, searching in the depths of his being. "I'm trying to make things right now…"

The warmth of that moment was endorsed by the same intensity of his voice.

And in the dimness, he saw the numb smile of Tulisse slipping off the edge of the blanket, brighten up her own expressiveness.

Cayde leaned forward on her knees, resting her elbows as he just gazed at her. Never missing sight of one another. Everything was said…

They were there for each other.

He watched her until the blinking of her eyes became sluggish, but still, looking for his eyes ever shining, even in the darkness. He heard her complaining with a groggy exhalation, perhaps struggling against the drowsiness that started to take her away, and before settling down just a little more, making the resting place creak, she mumbled almost sleepy.

"I'm… just going to... rest my eyes..."

"And I'll stay here… without making any sound. I'm not going anywhere," He whispered in a close and gentle tone.

"I know... You… always come back..."

---

Author's Note:

Hey guys, what's up! ^^

I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!

And yes, in that part where Ghost reveals the truth about what happened on Earth, I couldn't help but put "The Traveler" on loop in my Spotify and let myself go. It was really nice to write it the first time, and it was another wonderful experience just as nice as the first one to edit it and giving it the finishing touches while listening it.

It was like feeling the essence of what Destiny represents to me. Not only when I play, but also when I write this story.

It's a shame knowing that Bungie may never going to release D1 for PC because they are so into D2 and the future of Destiny in general, which is good! But whatever... It would be nice you know...

Before I started editing this update, I was watching some D1 videos to instruct me about some things that will appear here in later chapters, and I couldn't help but get carried away by seeing things that I may not be writing about (yet...) but that make up the whole history of Destiny.

Well! Going back to this particular story, (which is like all the stories that conform Destiny, but ours... :P) you will notice that I have taken some liberties, like describing a Walker. I haven't found much description on the internet on how they are made, so I decided to improvise... like those of us who write these stories in the outer spheres of the canon. :P

One more thing! Story related: Now we know a little bit more about what happened to Antigua, the city that Cayde mentions in chapter four. Carina's homeland and some of the company too. We now know that many of them were used to coordinate incursions or defend themselves from the Fallen by organizing militarily, preparing the defense of their city with a whole infrastructure adequate for the field work. Something like what we already know about, but Dark Ages' Edition! :P

Maybe someday, when I get back to my old drawing habits, I'll make some sketches about how it was... so you know what city I'm talking about… ;) and which inspire me to set my OCs' stories.

This is what I like about Destiny's Worldbuilding, it invites you to participate and describe the stories that might have happened, not only in the settings we know, but also in the rest of the world, just by telling the stories about our guardians.

I understand that in Lore there are stories about other cities that may have existed, besides The Last City. So I decided to create my own 'great' city in a different setting to give my story that sense of 'belonging' that the game offers when it comes to give the space to tell those stories. It also allows us to introduce, either in canon or in the fanfiction community, other stories about what could have happened with those other cities that were or could have been during the Dark Ages.

But I'm going a little bit out of my way...

Coming back to this story, now... we know a little more about Tulisse's story and the circumstances that led to her and Cayde to cross paths...

I know that you probably have doubts or opinions about my choice when it comes to tell what is and what is not about what Cayde remembers or takes as his own past before his story as Risen. Well, the only thing I can tell you for now is that I have many projects in mind for it, haha...!

But that's all I can say about it for now. What I can talk about is THE decision Cayde made on the mentioning of Tulisse's past, maybe a little influenced by Carina's reaction at the end...

Well... that's what the 'Drama' tag is for... HAHA!

OK! OK! I promise I won't go any further!

Finally, let me tell you that I am currently on social media.

YES, FINALLY!

Twitter and Tumblr are the places where you can find me with my user name if you want to know about upcoming updates, or chat about Destiny or other things. You're more than welcome! ^^

I hope you are all well and have an excellent Spooky Month!

Don't forget to participate on October's activities that are many and they're all SO creative and wonderful throughout social media.

And remember…

BEYOND LIGHT IS A ONE MONTH AWAY!

EUROPA, STASIS, DEEP STONE CRYPT AND STUFF!

AHHH~~! :D

See you later guys, love ya!

---

LATE EDIT:

OMG Stranger! I am so sorry I didn't respond to your review! I am really sorry! My bad! The truth is that I rushed to update and completely miss to thank you again for the support with my writing! I really appreciate that.

Yes! Since this began until now, Tulisse has taken several steps in her growth. But there is still more to be done! And as I have said in one occasion, I like to think that I write partly feeling what Tulisse feels, and that I grow with her by writing her story as a way of healing my wounds, too. But more than anything I like to see that anyone can heal from a horrible past, and in doing so, learn to find the right person to help them with that process. From my experience, Cayde's character help me with that... that's why I feel to write again, and... some how... even if it sounds odd, return the favor.

Again, I apologize for not responding sooner. I realized it now while I was having tea and I felt bad. ^^u

I hope you're doing fine! :)