This takes place two days after chapter 22. Make sure to go read that first to understand this side story! Enjoy!
Side Story 5: Comfort.
It's been about two days since we tried to make it past the first floor of the labyrinth. The first night after we met up was like a living hell for me. I could hardly go to sleep and when I was able to go to sleep for a tiny bit, I was hit by a nightmare. They would usually go with me witnessing Kathlyn or Leo dying, or with me getting absolutely mauled and massacred by a S rank monster that was stronger than usual. That wasn't the worst part about the nights either. I was constantly sweating and trying to get into a comfortable position on the bed, but couldn't because I didn't want to wake Eleanor or Kyra up. At least I was still able to go to sleep somehow.
Whenever I would wake up though I would be hugging either El or Kyra. It wasn't just a normal hug though. My arms were wrapped around her waist tightly while I was crying and whispering out, "P-Please don't leave me! Stay with me! I need you!" and so on. On the second night, apparently I was holding onto Eleanor so tightly that Kyra had to shake me awake. It just pains me that I'm bringing them into my suffering, trying to find a way to deal with what happened and so on. I have to find a way to overcome this trauma.
"Hey Everett, can we talk for a bit."
I peeked over my shoulder while I was training in a field that was near the inn we were staying at, only to be surprised by Leo. I dropped my stone sword and wiped the sweat off of my face with a towel.
"Hey Leo, something bothering you man? What are you so serious about?" I asked.
Leo conjured a stone chair for the both of us and we sat down. The way that Leo is acting right now is kind of scaring me… Only because I'm so used to him being so relaxed and cheering. For him to be this serious must mean that something has happened, or he has a lot of things going on in his head right now. I just hope that it has nothing to do with me.
"How have you been lately, comrade. You haven't been having nightmares lately because of what happened about three or two days ago, right? I would hate for you to take on all of this pain because of what happened in that damn labyrinth."
"W-What the hell are you talking about? Why the hell would I, the Everett Anemoi Asura, be afraid of something that happened? So what if I almost lost my left arm, or almost died in there. That won't be e-enough to scare me.."
I looked down at the ground while my hands started to shake uncontrollably. Images of what happened when I almost lost my left arm started to appear in my head ever since I mentioned it. My breathing was also growing out of control, it was almost like I was having a full on panic attack. It wasn't until then that Leo got up from his chair and pulled into a hug.
"Come on Everett! It's ok to be weak, you dumbass!" Leo yelled.
The second I heard him say that, tears started to pour down my face. The strength in my legs went away and I collapsed onto my knees. I have never cried this hard in my life until now. The way I was screaming while crying, and grabbing onto Leo's shirt is going to be something I will never forget. Maybe I was longing to hear someone tell me that it was ok to be weak, or that it was ok to cry sometimes. Either way, I will have to find a way to repay Leo for his kindness.
"Thank you Leo… Thank you so much for standing by my side… I don't know what I'd do with you, Kyra, Kath, and Eleanor… I truly mean it when I say that I'm glad that you're always there for me, Leo White..!" I cried out.
I cried for about thirty minutes before stopping.