40
"How long has it been?"
Wu frowned as he studied Cole's glowing arms. The Elemental Master shrugged.
"Since the night of the rebellion…" he replied, watching Wu's face closely. "What do you think is wrong?"
"It sounds like an elemental block," the Dragon Master mused, dropping Cole's arm.
"An elemental block? How am I supposed to fix that?"
Wu stroked his beard and finally smiled sheepishly.
"Frankly, I have no idea. I just made that term up…"
Cole made an indigent noise as Wu continued.
"It must have something to do with the Alchemist; I wouldn't pin the timing of this problem on coincidence."
Cole sighed. "Yeah, I figured…" He looked down at his arms and clenched his fists, grimacing at the strange squeezing in his chest that occurred when he tried to summon his elemental power. "But I was hoping that you'd know how to fix it."
"Did she do anything to you before the Healer got involved?"
The color faded from Cole's arms as he shuddered. He had spent the last few days avoiding thinking about the Alchemist.
"Um…she started to do something, but I don't really know what it was…" he finally said quietly. He shook himself out of the memory as he continued. "She said she wanted to show me what she could do with pure elemental power, but as far as I know Phos stopped whatever it was she had planned."
Wu nodded, looking up at his student.
"Then perhaps the best bet would be to speak with…"
"I don't want to go back to Phos." Cole interrupted, tone severe, and Wu smiled a little.
"I don't blame you, Cole. Perhaps we could track down another Oni healer that could provide some insight."
Cole blinked in surprise.
"There are other Oni Healers still around?"
Wu shrugged.
"I would assume so. The fellow you've been visiting with claims he's a Master Healer…but how can you be the Master if there are no others?" Wu sat down to pour himself a cup of tea. "Or perhaps he is the last. Truth be told I don't know anything about them."
"Yeah, well, he's been pretty tight-lipped about all that. I didn't even know about the Alchemist until shortly before I met her." Cole pointed out as he sat heavily in a nearby chair. Wu didn't say anything as he sipped his tea. After a few minutes he smirked slightly as he looked back up at Cole.
"So I heard a rumor…"
Cole looked over as his Sensei's eyes twinkled.
"Is it true that you and Keyda are planning on…"
Cole cut him off with a groan, putting his head in his hands.
"Ach, no Wu...I'm not getting married…"
Wu tilted his head, nursing his tea.
"The other realm leaders seem to be under that impression,"
"That's just because Keyda said some things in that last meeting we had…the one where the slave traders were trying to indict me and everyone was screaming for my head and she got mad and…" he trailed off as he shrugged again. "And Phos's been on my case about it too….but I don't want to be forced into any…"
"So you haven't ever thought about it before now?" Wu asked, tone even. Cole exhaled, irritated, as he flashed his sensei and annoyed look.
"Not you too, Wu…"
The Dragon Master held his hand up in defense.
"Cole, I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your life…I'm merely curious if all of this was the first time marriage had crossed your mind…"
Cole glowered at the floor, his hands on his knees now.
"I haven't really had the time, Wu," he said, irritated. "There's been a lot on my plate these last few months. Besides, I can't…" he trailed off and Wu leaned forward.
"You can't what?"
Cole was silent for a few minutes and Wu leaned back to pour himself another cup of tea.
"It's been hard…" Cole finally admitted, and Wu looked back up as his student continued. "I mean, trying to help while being hated by pretty much everyone. But I can handle being in the background, doing what I can. I mean, I'm used to being in the background…" He sighed, running his hands through his hair. "I don't even know what marriage would mean, Wu," he finished quietly. Silence followed and Cole turned to his sensei, changing the subject.
"So you've met the other leaders, then?"
Wu finished his second cup of tea and tugged at his beard.
"Ah, yes. We've had a few joined meeting together in the past, so I've met with them before this week. But considering the recent incidents I did try to call on all of them. Only one of them would even allow me to talk with them."
"Which one?"
"Tala, the Eastern Leader."
"What'd she say?"
"Well…I'm confident she didn't contribute to the rebellion, though she seemed to know about it." Wu fell quiet, musing. "I don't know what to think about the other two…they refused to see me, and refused to acknowledge their part in the rebellion. There's proof enough of their participation—there are guards in the dungeon bearing their crests. It's treason…but if we take them head on, will it lead to a power vacuum as it did when Warrack was executed…"
"There was a power vacuum?" Cole asked, surprised. He hadn't heard anything about that.
"There still is, technically," Wu mused. "It hasn't been too violent from what I can tell, but there still isn't a leader for the Western part of the Oni nation.
Cole frowned, realizing that there had only been three leaders for the last few months. How could they have forgotten about the Western Providence?
"How do you know all of this?"
"I've tried to keep in touch with Keyda." Wu explained. "And…I might have a dragon or two fill me in on the rest," he admitted with another twinkle in his eye. Cole shook his head.
"Guess the Oni are just going to have to get used to that." he mused. He stood up and sighed again. "Keyda said Heavy Metal finally woke up earlier…and those five loyal dragon masters should be done with their report soon. Wu…there's going to be an execution…"
"More than likely," Wu said quietly, also standing.
Cole shook his head again, looking down at the floor.
"We don't do executions back in Ninjago…even the worst villains get locked up or banished…" he sighed heavily. "I don't like it…isn't there something else we could do with them?"
"Execution is a very extreme measure," Wu agreed. "But we both know that it is a precarious balance here in the Oni realm between change and culture. I cannot tell you or Keyda what to do, but I would advise you to tread lightly. You can still chose the right things, Cole…" here he smiled. "Just don't do it so loudly."
Cole smiled back at that.
"Hey, you just taught me to protect those who couldn't protect themselves and never quit…you never taught me anything about being quiet…"
"You're a ninja, Cole!" Wu bantered. "I'd have thought the quiet part was implied!" He stretched and headed towards the door. "Thank you for the tea…and please keep me informed about everything…"
"Wait…you're leaving?"
"I'll be back, but I really should check on the dragons. The incident you had in the woods is unacceptable, especially if we are going to be working towards a more conjoined union." He turned at the door, his expression suddenly serious. "Keep an eye on your powers, Cole…if they don't come back on their own it may be best to go visit the Healer after all. Just make sure you take Keyda with you." The last line was said with a ghost of a smile and then the door closed behind him.
Echo took one look at Keyda and pulled her into a hug.
"It's been awhile…" she mused and Keyda shuddered.
"I don't know what I'm doing…" she said quietly, hugging the older woman back. Echo listened as Keyda filled her in on everything that had been going over the last few weeks, stroking the Oni Ruler's hair.
"Oh, Keyda…"
"I don't know what to do about anything…the realm, the insurgents, Cole…" Her voice broke a little. "It's all so messed up. I mean…I almost lost him again and I didn't even know! I was unconscious the whole time; what if I had woken up and he had been…" She shook her head, the thought making her nauseous.
"But he was fine," Echo said comfortingly. "You woke up and he was there,"
"But his powers aren't working! What if that Alchemist did something to him? What if he just gets worse and worst until…" The memory of what happened after they defeated Garmadon came to mind and Keyda held her head in her hands. The world around them grew darker and Echo glanced around, eyebrows furrowing.
"I should have just left…I should have just went and found him and taken us both to Ninjago…"
"But then the realm would have collapsed," Echo pointed out, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Keyda, you saved the realm from dissolving into chaos…"
"For how long?! It seems like the realm is just prone on falling apart no matter what I do to stop it!"
Winds were picking up, causing the heads on the poppies to wave and dance.
"I know it feels that way…but the realm has already come so far with your help," Echo tried. "There's a union between dragon and Oni…that would have never occurred in my lifetime, Keyda…even if…"
Here she trailed off and Keyda looked over as the horned Oni's expression crumpled slightly. Echo sighed and continued.
"You've been through a lot…more than anyone should…but you can't give up. You've still got people to support you…you aren't on your own in this."
Keyda pulled her knees up to her chest so she could rest her chin on them.
"That's what scares me…it's the people I care about that keep getting targeted." She watched the poppies flail in the wind and sighed, looking up at the darkened sky. "I'm doing this, aren't I?"
Echo smiled softly. "Emotions have a lot of sway in places like this, Keyda. You're scared…and unsure…."
Keyda scoffed, her throat constricting.
"I never did learn how to control my powers…or my emotions…and the only person that could have helped me kept things from us and tried to kill Cole."
"Healers are a little notorious for having their own agendas," Echo admitted. "But it sounds like both you and Cole could benefit from a visit."
"Cole refuses to go see him," Keyda answered quietly. "I know he didn't tell me everything that went down that night. I mean…I got the gist, but I'm pretty sure there are lot of details he didn't share. He was so beat up when he got to the battle." She fell quiet as tears suddenly pricked her eyes. She cleared her throat as she continued. "And….and it's so far down the list of things to worry about right now but he doesn't want to be bound to me, Echo…he said…"
She started crying and Echo pulled her close as the winds continued to whip around them.
"It's going to be ok…"
"What if it's not?! Things don't always have to work out!" Keyda argued while she cried. Echo smoothed her hair again.
"I know…trust me, I know…"
"This is the list."
The female dragon master handed a scroll to Keyda and the Oni Leader opened it, her eyes flicking quickly across the page. The office was quiet as she studied it for a few minutes and she finally sighed.
"It's more than I expected, honestly. You're sure everyone on here is loyal?"
"It vould be more accurate to say that no vun on the list vould dare betray you again." Another dragon master remarked. She closed the scroll, sighing.
"How many are there that would dare, then?"
The dragon masters all glanced at each other and one of them—a short man with curly hair—handed her another list. Keyda looked at it, her expression serious.
"Have you decided what you're going to do with them?" The large burly guard asked. Keyda glanced up at him.
"I don't think I can afford to feed them in the dungeons," she admitted. She clenched her jaw, avoiding looking over at Cole. "The insurgents will be executed."
The dragon masters nodded as if they had expected as much, with the youngest one muttering "duh." Keyda couldn't see Cole's reaction where she was sitting and she refused to look at him as she continued.
"But not publicly."
The short man gave a start.
"But…"
Keyda held up a hand to silence him.
"What good does public execution really do? It doesn't dissuade people from making the same mistakes…if anything it seems to bolster them on. And the way everyone celebrates the deaths…" she shuddered slightly. "It's the way it was done my whole life and I never really had a problem with them back then…but I'm not the person I was before, and the nation isn't what it was before either. It will be enough to announce the punishment to the villages and other leaders without having everyone actually come here to watch."
The guards were silent and she sighed.
"Is it true Heavy Metal finally woke up?" the woman asked finally, and Keyda turned to her.
"Yes…" she trailed off, frowning. "I'm sorry…what was your name again?"
The woman looked surprised.
"Um…Jaqah…"
"Jaqah, that's right." Keyda stood. "Heavy Metal is awake, but he's still recovering; he'll be out of commission for a while still." She cleared her throat. "That's why I'm going to need more help from you five."
"What do you mean?" The large guard asked.
"I'll reinstate those on the list…but I don't feel comfortable having them in the fortress without a captain of the guard keeping them in check. The five of you are going to form the head of my guard force." She trailed off, as if she was thinking of something else, but when she glanced up she noticed their surprised and unsure expressions. "What?"
"It's just…none of us have had much experience leading…" the curly headed guard finally admitted. Keyda chuckled dryly.
"Well, join the club. As the only living guards who were willing to stand up for me against the rebellion, I can trust your loyalty. That's why I need you to take the lead over the rest of the fortress guard and make sure that we won't have another incident like we had at the beginning of the week." She paused before looking them in the eye. "Are you willing to take that on?"
They hesitated for a few moments, but then Jaqah saluted and one by one the others did as well. Keyda visibly relaxed.
"Thank you for your time. We'll discuss the effects of this change more later, but for the time being we have the executions to plan."
The five dragon masters bowed in acknowledgement and left the office. Keyda sat back down in her chair and sighed, feeling slightly better now that there were decisions being made and enforced. She looked over at Cole, who was sitting in a chair off to the side. He seemed distracted as he opened and closed his fist, watching the color rise and fade in his arm. She leaned her elbow on her desk and rested her head in her hand as she looked over at him.
"You know, my schedule is pretty clear for the rest of the day…we have time to go visist Phos,"
Cole grimaced without looking up.
"I don't think that's necessary…"
"It's not getting any better, Cole. I know you said you'd go if it got worse…but what if whatever is happening goes really wrong really fast? I can't help thinking of…" she trailed off and he finally looked up to meet her eye.
"This isn't like that time, Keyds…this is just an elemental block."
She folded her arms.
"Oh, an elemental block. Of course…so you know how to fix it, then?"
He dry washed his face and she stood so she could walk over to him. She leaned on the arm of his chair and he looked up at her, wary.
"I'm mad at him too, Cole…"
"This isn't me being mad," he argued. "This isn't me just holding a grudge over something inconsiderate…he's not the person we thought he was. I…" he huffed, his voice getting quieter. "I trusted him, Keyds. Sure, I thought he was kinda crazy…but I never would have thought he'd hurt any of us." He shook his head. "When I woke up in that tent, after Syn got me there…it was like seeing who he really was for the first time. He lied to me, used me… and at the end of the day he had no qualms about just getting rid of me altogether. If I go back who's to say he won't just do it all again?"
Keyda's grip tightened on the chair, the stress that had ebbed somewhat after the meeting coming back again.
"I don't want to trust him either…but he's the only one that could help…" She exhaled, overwhelmed. "So if you do go see Phos bad things could happen, but if you don't go see Phos, bad things could happen…how am I supposed to know which of those is the worst threat?!"
"Can't you just trust me that I know what's best for myself?" Cole asked, looking away in irritation.
"Hey," she said, reaching out to turn his face back towards her. She looked at his annoyed expression between her two hands and gave him a ghost of a smile. "I trust you to do lots of things, Cole, but you doing what's best for yourself has never been one of them." He rolled his eyes a bit and she scoffed. "After everything that's happened to you since I've known you, can you really blame me?"
He looked like he wanted to argue more, but he finally conceded.
"No…guess I can't." he murmured, still annoyed. She moved one of her hands into his hair, fingering the small braid.
"I don't know everything that went down between you and Phos…and I believe you that he isn't everything he's set himself up to be. But he did stop the Alchemist, and he did save you. He saved Heavy Metal. So I just have to believe that he could help you now, whether or not he actually cares about us personally."
He looked up at her and suddenly gave a dry chuckle. She frowned.
"What?"
He reached up to fix her circlet, which had slipped down on one side.
"You've come a long way, Keyds…you're a lot more trusting than you used to be," he pointed out. She stared at him a few moments and finally sighed.
"It's like you told me once…I have to trust somebody, right?"
"Yeah…" he murmured. "But it's possible to take it too far…the guys back in Ninjago were always getting after me for trusting people against my better judgement…"
She leaned in closer. "Oh…like when you trusted me?"
He finally smiled as he raised an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes.
"Shut up," she chastised as she leaned in to kiss him. She felt a worm of worry inside as she did so, but she sagged in relief when he kissed her back. She let go of her fears and stress and when they finally pulled apart she fixed him with a determined look.
"Please, Cole…I just need to know you're ok…."
He glanced away, but he finally smiled grimly.
"Alright. Let's go see that spiteful old Oni…." he turned back to her with a determined expression of his own. "But he threatens us, Keyds…we're out of there and I'll find some other way to fix this. Ok?"
She nodded, just happy that he had finally agreed.
"Ok."
41
Syn gazed down the deep well, purposely taking as long as she could with her chores. The last few days had been so tense in the Healer's tent and she still didn't exactly know why.
"If you aint getting water, move outta the way!"
She jumped at the gruff voice and turned to see one of the burly farmers scowling at her. She darted away from the well, biting her lip as she waited for him to tie his buckets onto the rope, lowering them down and heaving them back up again. After a few minutes he finally wandered away, muttering something about cursed brats under his breath as Syn approached the well once again with her own bucket in tow. She was busy lugging it back to the surface when a sudden dragon roar startled her, causing her to drop the rope. She stared at the receding cord for a few seconds before lashing out and getting ahold of it again, wincing as she heard the bucket crashing and sloshing into the walls of the well. Syn slowly lowered the bucket back down for a refill as she glanced up at the sky. She caught sight of the Earthy dragon making its way towards the village and her heart started beating faster. She pulled the bucket up quickly even though she knew a lot of the water would be lost from the rigorous towing.
The bucket finally breached the surface of the well and she shakily untied the rope and wrapped her arms around the large bucket before running back towards the tent, the murky liquid spilling out over the sides of the bucket as it was jostled and bumped. She burst through the back of the tent, gasping and half-soaked.
Hershel turned and frowned, concerned.
"Syn, what did you…"
"It's the Outsider…he's on his way here!" she gasped, and Hershel took the bucket from her.
"We know, Syn…we heard the dragon call…" his frown deepened as he saw how much she was trembling. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Hersh…last time he was here…"
"Hey, I told you things were going to be alright, didn't I?" He said, kneeling down. "You don't need to worry about the visit…no doubt he's just coming to see the Master Healer, just like he did lots of times before all the bad stuff went down…"
"But…but what if he's here to punish us?" she squeaked out. "I lied to him, Hersh… and you attacked him, and he's basically leadership…"
"He's not leadership; he's an outsider. And he's not the type that does that sort of thing," Hershel reminded sternly, standing up. "He's just coming to talk with Master Healer." He studied her a few more seconds and shook his head. "You're soaked, Syn…and you aren't doing your healing wound any good by running around for no reason. If the outsider's visit is making you this worried then go collect more tea-herb while he's here."
He handed her a basket and she looked down at it, seemingly torn. Finally she shook her head.
"I…I want to stay here," she finally said quietly. Herhsel sighed.
"Then start boiling that water you brought," he ordered, and she ran into the other room to grab the dented kettle off the stove.
Phos was seated in the front of the tent, fingers drumming on the side of his tin cup.
"What are you doing?" he snapped, and Syn jumped as she grabbed the kettle.
"I…I was just…"
"There's perfectly good tea in there right now, idiot child…leave it alone!"
She bit her lip and released her grip on the kettle's handle. Phos narrowed his eyes as he watched her darting glances towards the entrance to the tent.
"What on earth are you waiting for?" he asked again, though he knew perfectly well the reason the small slave was loitering.
"I just…"
"There's too much to do around here for you to be dawdling! You don't want to be useful then perhaps I have no more need for you," he rebuked. Syn blanched before sprinting back into the back of the tent. A few moments later Hershel burst into the room, eyes flashing.
"Did you mean it?"
Phos fixed him with an irritated look, but the boy didn't back down.
"Master Healer, did you mean that?"
"Course I did...If slaves don't want to work than why should I keep you around?"
Hershel marched over to his chair.
"She is being useful…"
"Then she has nothing to worry about, does she?" Phos retorted. Hershel bristled, voice rising.
"Then you shouldn't have…"
"Is now a good time?"
Both Hershel and Phos turned at the dry comment to see Cole and Keyda standing in the doorway. Keyda looked about the same as she always did, but Cole's expression was more serious and wary than usual.
Hershel swallowed hard…in his anger he had forgotten the dragon call and now stood frozen. He felt a little spark of fear despite the fact that he believed what he said to Syn; Cole had never seemed the sort to hold grudges and punish those who went against him, like the Baron did. However, seeing the ninja's somber expression Hershel just wanted to disappear.
"Well, it's about time." Phos growled, pushing himself up out of the chair. Cole's jaw clenched and Keyda moved to hold his arm. The Healer made his way over, pointing his finger accusingly.
"It's been a week, boy...I saved your life and you decide to repay the debt by avoiding me?"
Cole scoffed angrily, turning to leave. Keyda kept a firm hold on his arm, staying stubbornly rooted to the spot. The Elemental Master sighed and finally turned back to the Healer, eyes hard.
"I didn't come to translate, Phos. I came because I think the Alchemist did something…"
"She would have done a lot more if it weren't for me!" the Healer snapped, refusing to let it go. "Meanwhile, you're debt's been waiting for…"
"You don't need me to translate those!" Cole argued, voice rising and he gestured to the scrolls. "Why on earth would you even need those in a Kanji you can't even read?! You only had me here to translate so you could control me-keep me in line-just like everything else people have been making me do for the last…"
"You owe me, Outsider…it's not up to you to decide how…"
"I'm not about to…"
"He needs help!" Keyda cut in, eyes flashing. Cole's gaze dropped as his fists clenched and Phos looked over at her. Hershel finally unfroze and slipped away into the back room as Keyda exhaled and continued.
"I don't know everything that went down that night and frankly right now I don't care…but the Alchemist did something to him and you're the only one who can fix it. So shut up and do it already and if you need someone to pay for it then I will."
Phos's angry expression melted into intrigue and Cole turned sharply to the girl at his side.
"Keyda…" he muttered warningly, but Phos was scratching his chin.
"Deal." he said, tone suddenly calm. He looked Cole up and down and raised an eyebrow. "What seems to be the problem?"
Cole didn't answer and Keyda rolled her eyes.
"He can't use his elemental power," she explained. "He hasn't been able to since the Alchemist…" she trailed off, not really sure what the Alchemist did. Phos had already moved away towards the fireplace, where he picked up a sturdy metal rod. He glanced over and gestured to the table impatiently. Cole hesitated, but after a few moments he groaned and trudged over to the table. He boosted himself up and sat down on the edge of the heavy wooden structure, stubbornly refusing to lie down. Keyda stood nearby, arms folded as she watched Phos closely.
The Ancient Healer came over with the rod, tapping it in his hand as he studied Cole.
"Show me."
Cole sighed and color rose in his arms and scar. Phos scratched his chin and then gestured for the elemental master to continue. Cole clenched his jaw, but nothing else happened. Phos watched as the boy grimaced, as if in pain. Cole relaxed, and the color began fading.
"Don't stop!" Phos snapped, coming closer with the rod. Cole glared at him but seconds later his arms were glowing again. The Healer held the rod close to Cole, carefully tracing Cole's outline. When he finally reached Cole's middle the rod began to glow strongly. Phos muttered to himself and finally pulled back, and Cole relaxed, rubbing his chest ruefully where the squeezing sensation had been.
"Seems you've got an elemental block." Phos finally said. Cole huffed.
"Yeah…that's what Wu called it too…"
Phos's eyebrow rose as he shook his head.
"Oh, well I didn't realize that old Dragon Master was such an expert…it's a wonder you even came to me since he obviously knows so much…"
"Can you fix it?" Keyda cut in, and Phos looked over at her serious expression. He scratched his chin again, considering.
"Must have been what she was doing when I reached you," he said, not answering Keyda's question.
"The Alchemist, you mean?" Cole asked dully. "Why put a block on my elemental powers?"
Phos shrugged. "Several reasons, really…would have kept you from being able to use them against her, for starters. But I think the main reason is it's easier to extract this way…"
"Extract?!" Keyda cut in, tone sharp. Phos glanced over at her as she shook her head. "What do you mean?"
"Elemental Powers are rare ingredients for experimental spells. To the Alchemist, this Idiot is nothing more than the vessel that held the ingredient. It's difficult to extract elemental power when it's fused with every fiber of the vessel, but when it's been forced into a single location…"
He moved the rod suddenly, touching Cole with it for the first time. He struck the spot in his chest where the horrible sensation came from and Cole cried out as it felt like something was ripped out of him.
"STOP!" Keyda yelled, but Phos had already pulled away, the top of the rod pulsating with elemental aura.
"….It's easier to extract." he finished drly, while Cole pressed the spot Phos had touched.
"Can you fix it?" Cole asked, glaring at the Healer and his strange rod. Phos looked at the elemental power in the rod.
"Yes." he finally said. "I believe I can…"
"What are you going to do with that?" Keyda asked suspiciously, gesturing to the rod. Phos rolled his eyes.
"Nothing I can do…it will fade away soon enough, most likely drawn back to the main store within him. Elemental power can only be held in very specific vessels; Elemental Gold can be used, and the Elemental races of dragons can hold it." He glanced over at Cole. "And somehow, there are even people that seem acclimated to carrying it. That's why she didn't just take the power when she had you…she needs you in order to store the element because she would have to extract it fresh anytime she wanted to use it. The power block and erasing your mind just make it that much easier to…."
Cole grabbed his head, as if he was on the verge of a migraine.
"I don't care, Phos…just fix it already!"
Phos rolled his eyes.
"So impatient." he muttered, and his hands lit up with power. "Let's get this over with then, shall we?"
The basket banged against her legs as she ran. Syn had made it out of the village by the time the first tears slipped down her face, which was just as well; no need to make herself a further target in the eyes of the villagers. Her vision was bleary, but she had long since memorized the path to the caves where the tender herbs grew.
Master Healer was going to get rid of them…she had suspected it, but she hadn't wanted to believe her doubts. He would throw them out to the mercy of the village…or maybe he would even sell them back to the slave traders…
She collapsed to her knees, sobbing as she clutched the basket to herself like some kind of lifeline. She had messed up. It was that dragon master….the big scary one who had always come with Cole. If he hadn't come and tried to take the Outsider, Cole never would have escaped and Master Healer wouldn't be so angry. She had tried to stop him…but…
She sat like that for a while, the wind blowing dust in her face to get stuck in her tears. She coughed and dropped the basket to wipe her face, her sobbing subsiding as hopelessness set in. Hershel said things would be ok…but she knew her brother. He was scared too…she knew he was. It wasn't fair…they had finally found a place that they felt they belonged to and they were going to lose it.
She finally calmed down enough to pick up the basket, numbly getting to her feet. Maybe….just maybe… she could prove that she was useful and Master Healer wouldn't kick them out. She started to walk the path towards the caves again when she heard a strange noise. She paused, looking over to her left, but all she could see was scraggly underbrush and wind-whipped rocks. She cautiously walked closer as the strange little cries echoed. She walked around one of the large boulders and blinked in surprise when she caught sight of something cowering in the underbrush. She swallowed; there was no mistaking the night-sniffer. She bit her lip as she started to back away; they were quite nasty, night-sniffers…and if it howled it could bring the whole pack down on her. But as she was making her retreat the creature let out another plaintive cry and she paused. She knew what pain sounded like.
She approached the bush and the night-sniffer bore its teeth at her, making a strange guttural sound before hissing. She knelt down, trying to determine what the matter was without having to actually touch it. Upon closer inspection, she realized that the night sniffer was a young one…too young to be without the pack. She frowned; must have gotten hurt and left behind…or separated somehow. She started reaching towards the night-sniffer, and it lunged out to try to bite her. She squeaked in panic and fell backwards, but the animal didn't leave its small branchy shelter. As it moved to hide further down in the bushes, she saw how skinny it was. It hadn't eaten in a while, she realized. She glanced over at the basket and then caught herself.
"No Syn…don't be stupid…" she chastised out loud, but the pitiful creature let out another hunger-wracked cry and she bit her lip. She knew what it felt like to starve. She walked over and picked up the basket, her mind racing. After a few minutes she set off for the village crops.
Cole's mouth went dry as Phos approached. As much as he wanted his powers back, the whole set up was reminding him far too much of his night with the Alchemist.
"Wait…" he said before he could think better of it. Phos scoffed angrily, eyes flashing.
"You're the one who wanted this…" he reminded with a growl. Cole opened his mouth to reply, but his mind was going blank as he watched Phos come closer. He felt someone grab his hand and he looked over to see Keyda looking both worried and determined. Cole took a few shallow breaths and glanced back at Phos. He gave a little nod for the Healer to continue and Phos made a show of rolling his eyes before placing two gnarled hands on the sides of Cole's head. Once again, the power was icy and Cole flinched at the feel of it. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to keep calm but every part of him was resisting the freezing tendrils of power…
"I can't do anything if you fight me, boy…" Phos muttered angrily, and Cole felt Keyda squeeze his hand. He swallowed, eyes still closed, as the chill crept inwards; the strange wrongness felt identical to what the Alchemist had done to him nearly a week before. He immediately stiffened again, and Phos let out an exasperated sound.
"Just…you're not…you're not going to…"
Cole's words came out slurred, his tongue feeling thick. Phos stared at the boy, annoyed, but after a bit longer his expression softened slightly.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Cole…I'm just going to fix the block," he murmured grudgingly. Cole's eyes opened and he met the Healer's calm gaze. The Elemental Master swallowed, his vision blurring in and out, and he finally closed his eyes and relaxed, allowing the icy tendrils to invade deeper.
Keyda watched it all with a knot in her stomach. She wasn't sure what Cole's reservations were stemming from, but it was rare she saw him so spooked. She glanced down as his tight grip relaxed, and she tried not to worry as his whole body seemed to sag. Another minute went by and Cole went totally lax, falling forward. Phos dropped his hands so he could grab Cole's shoulders, stopping his fall. Keyda helped the Healer lay Cole onto his back on the table, her eyes flicking over his seemingly sleeping form.
"He's going to be ok?" she finally managed to ask, and Phos nodded.
"Fine," he replied, dusting off his hands. "He'll wake up in a little while…"
Keyda sat heavily in a nearby chair, dry-washing her face. She felt both relieved and exhausted, and wished for the millionth time that things could just be simpler. She finally exhaled and looked up at Phos, who was watching her with an unreadable expression.
"What is it you want?" she finally asked, and he raised an eyebrow. "For payment," she explained, and Phos let out a humorless laugh.
"Like the Idiot would ever let you pay for him…" he muttered, and she bristled.
"I didn't say I would pay so you could manipulate him again!" she argued. "It's my debt…what do you want?!"
Phos continued to fix her with an unreadable expression, and he finally walked over to grab one of his clear crystals, looking down at it as if he was debating. He finally turned towards her and tossed the crystal. She caught it deftly, brow furrowing in confusion.
"Change the crystal," he ordered, and she looked down at it.
"You mean…like you did all those months ago? Phos, I couldn't even do the exercise lying on the table…"
"Try it," he snapped, and she exhaled angrily before holding the crystal in one palm, glaring down at it. Oni aura flowed out of her hand, enveloping the small rock. Phos had come closer, and after a few moments he moved a few of her fingers into the proper place and the clear gem began to levitate into the air. Keyda clenched her jaw, not daring to even glance up at the Healer and risk losing her concentration.
"Now change it," he commanded again, and she swallowed.
"How?" she asked, voice strained.
"Emotions, girl. Oni power is run by emotion…"
She narrowed her eyes, heart pounding. Slowly a prick of deep green began to glow in the center of the gem, slowly stretching out to the edges. Keyda glared at her palm, and after a few minutes the crystal had been transformed into a deep emerald color.
Phos began wandering away, and Keyda glanced up, the gem wobbling.
"Keep it going." Phos demanded, and she immediately looked back down at levitating crystal.
"For how long?"
"As long as you can," he replied softly, walking over to where Cole was. Keyda's heart was pounding, but she couldn't look up at what Phos was doing without losing her concentration.
"You've got to get through to him," Phos finally said, and Keyda's face contorted further.
"What are you talking about?"
"The Outsider…you've got to convince him to be bound to you…"
The crystal wobbled dangerously, and Keyda's eyes flashed.
"That's none of your…"
"The realm is in ruins…and you have the unexpected opportunity to change it. This is about more than just the two of you…this is about bringing order to a place that has…"
"He doesn't want to be bound!" Keyda snapped angrily. The gem was beginning to change color, the green becoming murky.
"Then don't let it be up to what he wants," Phos answered cooly, and Keyda began shaking with both effort and anger. The gem was nearly completely changed to a deep red.
"What are you suggesting?" she said, voice dangerously low. Phos didn't answer, watching as she struggled to keep the gem afloat. The gem burned crimson as she continued. "You've talked to him, haven't you? You're the reason he feels like he's being forced into…"
"What do you want, and apology?" Phos asked dryly, and Keyda's jaw hurt from clenching it. "It's the only reason I let him live…"
"So you did try to kill him!" she spat, tearing her gaze away from the crystal in her hand so she could give him a murderous look. However, the gem didn't waver or bob as she did so this time; instead, power began to surge out around her hand and buoyed the crystal up as it started to darken. Phos glanced at it briefly before looking back at her.
"Did you think he lied to you about that?" He shook his head patronizingly. "Are you used to him lying, then?"
"Shut up! You're one to talk about lying…"
Phos came closer as Keyda continued to glare, her eyes filling with loathing. She wasn't even paying attention to the gem above her hand any longer; unlike Phos, she was unaware of the darkening color.
"You haven't trained him well enough, it seems…" he sneered. She scoffed furiously, the bruise-colored crystal bobbing.
"I am not training him…"
"No? No wonder he's so disobedient…."
Aural winds began picking up, causing the tent flaps to begin to wave as small items were blown around. Rustling could be heard as the wind disturbed the scroll cubbies. The gem hovering above Keyda's hand was pulsing dangerously. Phos seemed composed as he continued, voice rising to be heard over the sudden noise.
"You'd think he'd have learned his lesson by now…but I guess he should get used to being hurt if he's going to spend the rest of his life with a monster like you…"
The deep purple gem throbbed with a dark light.
"I am NOT A MONSTER!"
The crystal exploded, shooting tiny fragments around the entire tent. A vase exploded as one launched through the porcelain, and Phos grimaced as a shard embedded itself into his leg. Keyda dropped to her hands and knees, trembling with exertion and fury. Phos scratched his chin.
"Your control has gotten better…"
"Why are you like this?!"
She looked up to glare at him and he clenched his jaw as she continued.
"It's a good thing you're used to being alone…why would anyone choose to stay with someone so heartless?!"
Phos scoffed, as if he found Keyda to be naive.
"You think you know heartless?..." he started.
"I was raised by heartless!" She screamed in reply, finally pushing herself to her feet. "By someone who manipulated and used everyone he possibly could in a quest for power…who hurt others merely because their pain was his pleasure!"
Phos's voice rose as well. "Shazier was…"
"I don't care!" She yelled, putting her hands to her head in frustration. "I don't care what you think about his nature….whether you think I suffered...I don't need you to tell me what to feel!"
For once, Phos was silent as she glowered at him. Finally Keyda stood down, looking disgusted.
"Cole was right…we shouldn't have come," she finally muttered, shoving past the Healer to get back over to the Elemental Master on the table. Phos jeered.
"What…are you going to carry him?" he asked dryly, but she ignored him as she reached Cole and put her hands on his shoulders, closing her eyes. Aural wind began picking up again and Phos narrowed his eyes as he realized what she was doing.
"You certainly don't have enough energy for a…."
There was a flash of light and the Ancient Healer cursed as he covered his eyes. When he looked back the table was empty, and he shook his head in both amazement and annoyance. He glanced around the room at the mess that had accumulated.
"Hershel! Syn!" He called, but there was no answer. He frowned, striding to the doorway leading to the back half of the tent, and his scowl deepened as he saw that there was no one back there. He let the doorway flap drop as he walked back into the front, scratching his chin as he looked around. He spotted a piece of broken crystal and bent to pick it up, scrutinizing it closely.
He looked over at his tea kettle, but decided against it as he sat wearily in his armchair. He sat with his head in one hand, looking at the broken shard as the light slowly faded from the tent.
42
"Syn!"
Hershel looked at the setting sun, worried. Where on earth was she? He had seen her take the basket as she left, presumably to go collect herbs. He had stayed in the tent long enough to hear the fights going down between Master Healer, Cole, and then Keyda…but after a while he thought it best to just go help his sister with the chores and stay out of everyone's way. It had taken a bit to make it to the caves, but Syn hadn't been there. Now he was frantically retracing the trail, trying to figure out where she was.
He tried to tell himself to calm down; this wasn't the first time he didn't know exactly where Syn was—they had both done their share of foraging. But he knew his sister, and he knew she had left the tent scared to death. Where on earth had she run to?
"Syyyyn!"
He calmed his pounding heart and forced himself to focus. He just needed to use his senses, like Master Healer was always telling him…
He heard the howling of night sniffers and he grimaced, fear darting through him. He could probably ward them off…but Syn was alone and defenseless…
"Hershel?"
His eyes flew open and he looked over to see Syn's small form peeking out from around a rock.
"Syn!" his voice was both relieved and angry. "Why weren't you answering? Where have you been?!"
She came out from behind the boulder, carrying the empty basket with her. Hershel looked down at it, eyebrows furrowed.
"Where are the herbs?"
Syn looked confused for a second, but her eyebrows shot up and she glanced down at the basket.
"Oh! I…um…"
"You've been out here for hours, and you weren't even collecting anything? What on earth were you doing?"
His tone was sterner than he meant it to be, and she sniffed as she stared at the ground.
"I dunno…" she said, and he could tell by her voice that she was on the verge of tears again. He sighed heavily and sank down next to her.
"Alright, well…we'll have to go early tomorrow morning then. You're ok, yeah?"
She nodded, curls bouncing as she continued looking at the dirt. He bit his lip, not sure what else to say. He finally just stood and took her hand.
"C'mon, Syn. Let's get home and get you something to eat before bed. It's been a long day."
She hesitated. "But…but Master Healer…"
"He's had a long day too. I don't think he has the energy to yell at you tonight, Syn. We're ok."
She finally relaxed, following her brother as he led them home.
When Cole opened his eyes he was staring up at tall Evergreen trees. He frowned, trying to figure out where on earth he was and how he got there. He really was sick of waking up in random places all the time…
He sat up and realized that he was feeling better rested than he had felt in a long time. He looked around and spotted Keyda a few yards away, lying face down in the pine needles and dirt.
"Keyds!" he said, moving to get up and go over to her. She stirred at his voice and opened her eyes, moving her head to squint over at him as he approached. Her hair was all in her face and there were pine needles and sticks stuck in it.
"Cole…" she muttered, worn out. He knelt down to help her sit up.
"What happened?"
She groaned, holding her head in her hands.
"I think I overdid it…"
"Overdid what?" He looked around. "Where are we, exactly?"
Keyda moved her hands so she could look around too. She finally sighed.
"Still in our realm…er, my realm. I was trying to get to Ninjago, but I don't think I had enough energy…"
"The first realm," Cole mused, looking around him. "So we must be in the Dragon Woods, then?"
"I was trying to get to that forest we went to in Ninjago…but the power must have just transported us here instead…"
"Keyds…what happened?"
He wrapped an arm around her and she leaned into him, still exhausted.
"Phos happened." She finally answered bitterly. She felt him stiffen.
"Did he hurt you?"
"No…he just said some stuff…" Her expression darkened. "You were right Cole…we shouldn't have gone back to him…"
She stopped, looking over at him with a sudden realization.
"Your powers! Are they…"
"Oh." Cole looked down at his arm; in all the excitement he hadn't even tried them yet. What if Phos hadn't fixed them? Or what if he had made the problem even worse?
He flexed his fist and the color rose up his arm. He slammed his fist into the earth, and sagged in relief as power rushed out into the ground, forcing a jagged wall of earth to shoot up. The squeezing sensation was gone and he turned back to Keyda, relieved.
"They're back…er…fixed. I guess they were never really gone."
She looked relieved as well as she relaxed and leaned back against him.
"Good…then the trip wasn't a total waste…"
Cole pulled her tighter as they sat in the strangely silent woods, the air chilly in the dappled shade.
"Keyda, I wish you hadn't agreed to pay Phos. I should have…"
"Don't worry, Idiot. Debt's already been paid." she muttered, and his expression became concerned.
"What?" He took in her lack of energy and clenched his fist. "What did he do to you?!"
She looked up at him, expression tired. "Nothing. I told you…he just… said some things…."
"About us getting bound?" he asked quietly. She swallowed and looked away.
"Yeah…yeah a little about that…."
"I don't get why he's so hung up on that," Cole muttered in reply. "It doesn't make any sense why he would care so much…."
"Cole,"
He looked back at her as her tone became tense. She was staring straight ahead, looking distressed.
"Have I ever…do you…" she trailed off, unsure of how to phrase it. Finally she looked over at him. "I don't own you. I'm not training you…you don't feel like I'm training you, right? Like I'm forcing you to be…"
"Ah, Keyds….he said that?"
She opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out and her eyes filled with tears. Cole pulled her close, rubbing her back.
"Of course not," he murmured. "If anything, that's how he treats me…"
She clung to him, eyes closed as she tried to speak with a constricted voice.
"But you said that it feels like you're being controlled…"
"Not by you, Keyda….I didn't mean by you. It's just this place, yeah? I'm the outsider…the one nobody trusts and yet everyone seems to want to keep in line or use…" He winced slightly. "Not you using me, I mean people like Phos or Heavy Metal or the villagers…even Dorhn and his crew had plans for me, apparently…"
"But you wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for me!"
"You're right, I wouldn't. I love you, Keyda… I'll put up with all the crap because I want to be with you."
She buried her face into his shoulder and he held her close as they sat there among the dragon-made trees, listening to the breeze weave through the pine needles.
She finally spoke, her voice quiet and sincere.
"Then why won't you get bound to me?"
She was scared he'd just shut down…or that she'd lead them into another fight. But she had to know. If he didn't feel like she was controlling him and he loved her, then why was he so against it?
He didn't answer for a few minutes and she finally pulled away so she could at least see his expression. He seemed to be thinking deeply, and he finally looked at her.
"Who would I be, if we got bound?"
She blinked, not expecting the question.
"What…"
"Back home, when leaders and rulers marry people, their partners become…." he trailed off and he sighed. "Who would I be if we got bound, Keyds?"
"You'd…" she didn't even know how to answer his question. "You'd be part of the hierarchy, Cole, you'd be leadership…"
"Exactly," he said, and she frowned, not understanding. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out how to phrase it. "Keyds, right now I'm the outsider. I'm not part of the Hierarchy, not part of the culture…just someone who can be with you while helping in the background. I'm used to the background. We get bound and I'm not the Outsider from Ninjago anymore…suddenly I'm woven into everything, part of the society…front and center…" he sighed in frustration, not sure if he was explaining in a way that made sense. "I couldn't be the same person anymore. Keyda….if we get bound I'd have to change."
She shook her head.
"No, Cole…you wouldn't. I mean, you'd have a higher rank, and I guess the way people saw you would change…but you yourself wouldn't…"
"When I met Wu and became a ninja, I changed. When you became leader over all the Oni, you changed. We had to; our roles were suddenly different and we were forced to adapt to them…" He shook his head. "I just…I just want things to stay as they are. I want to be with you and help out without having to become someone different all over again…"
"Then don't!" She said, grabbing him by the shoulders with sudden energy. "I don't want you to change! You, as you are now….that's who I want to be bound to! That's who I'm in love with!"
It all came out in a rush, but as the words left her mouth she froze, realizing what she said and marveling that she was finally able to say it. He looked just as shocked and she swallowed, voice becoming quieter. "I…I don't want you to have to change, Cole…and I don't want to force you into anything. I just want you to know that I'm ready to be more with you than we currently are…"
He didn't say anything and her heart pounded. She was literally trembling as she waited for him to reply; she wasn't used to sharing her innermost feelings and she was feeling nauseous. He finally glanced away, swallowing hard.
"But…but is the rest of the realm? You only mentioned it and people freaked, Keyds…imagine what they would try if we actually…
"I don't care!" She argued, grabbing his hands. "They hate us regardless! Why should we base anything we do off of their approval?"
"It's not their approval that's the problem, it's the fact that they keep trying to kill us…"
"So? I thought you were used to that lifestyle!"
He stared at her for a few moments and then couldn't help but laugh. She realized she hadn't heard him laugh in a while…she missed it.
"I guess that's a fair point," he admitted. His smile faded slowly. "But they wouldn't hate you so much if it wasn't for me…who knows? Maybe this whole rebellion would have never even happened if I wasn't here."
"Adalaide called me an impostor…she didn't care about you, Cole. She just wanted to rule and I would have been in the way of that whether you were around or not."
He started pulling pine needles out of her hair, not saying anything. Keyda sighed again.
"I'm sorry I keep bringing binding up. I'm not trying to force you into anything before you're ready…" She winced. "Not saying that you ever have to be ready, I mean I'm not trying to assume…"
He kissed the top of her head. "I know, Keyds…"
"I needed to know the truth behind your reservations, Cole. Otherwise…well, I guess I made up some of my own explanations for why you were so distant about it."
He leaned his head on hers.
"Nah, Keyds…I promise what I said before is true…it has nothing to do with you. I mean, if it were just me and you in a different place with different circumstances…"
He trailed off and she swallowed.
"Yeah," she whispered.
The woods were getting dimmer—it was getting late. She was wondering how they were going to make it back to the fortress when he turned to her.
"Could you…could you say it again?"
She blinked, shooting him a puzzled look.
"Say what again?"
"The part where you said you love me?" he asked, his expression both sheepish and hopeful. She stared at him a few more moments before making a show to roll her eyes.
"Fine, Idiot…I love you. Happy?"
He laughed out loud and she couldn't help but grin.
"Yes," he said, his laughter fading into a soft side smile as he turned to her. "Now let's go home, Keyds."
Hershel tried to be as quiet as possible as he led Syn into the tent. She seemed exhausted and was adamant she wasn't hungry as she curled up on her mat. He sat next to her and pulled the thick blanket over her shoulders. He still wasn't sure where it had come from, but Syn had become attached to it and couldn't seem to sleep without it anymore. After a few moments he heard his sister's breathing become slow and even.
"Hershel."
He looked over at the door as the Master Healer's voice came from the front of the tent. The ancient Oni wasn't speaking very loud, but his tone was stern. Hershel sighed and pushed himself up off the mat so he could go into the other room. The Master Healer was sitting in a chair, and Hershel noticed how dark it was in the tent. He walked over to the fireplace to start the fire up.
"Where have you been?"
Phos's voice was soft; he sounded tired. Hershel didn't look up as he worked.
"Had to find Syn."
"Did you?"
Hershel nodded and the Ancient Healer muttered something as he readjusted his position in his chair, holding something tightly in one fist. The younger boy finally got the fire going and turned to face him. He caught sight of the fragment in Phos's hand and scratched his arm.
"She's never going to come back now," Hershel commented. The Healer turned sharply to look at him.
"Eh?"
"Keyda." Hershel gestured to the shard. "She's never going to come back. Why on earth did you do that?"
Phos relaxed slightly and looked back at the small shard.
"I wanted to see if she could do it."
Hershel scoffed slightly and moved the kettle so it was back over the fire, reheating the tea inside. "Well…you got your answer. Was it worth it?"
Phos didn't say anything as he watched the boy work. After a few moments he scratched his chin.
"You don't hate me then?" he finally asked dryly. "Everyone else seems to…."
"Only because you want them to." Hershel replied calmly, pulling the kettle off the stove so he could pour Phos a cup of tea. "I meant what I said to Cole all those weeks ago, Master Healer. I'm not afraid of you. I've been yelled at my entire life…and I've been used. Even when you yell at us there's something hiding behind it…" he shrugged as he turned back to the Healer. "I don't know what you would call it."
Phos didn't answer as Hershel brought over the cup of tea. The Healer took it, but didn't move to drink it. Hershel backed up and sat on the rug, his usual spot for lessons and exercises. Phos finally went to sip the tea, and Hershel swallowed.
"Master Healer?"
Phos's eyes looked up over the rim of the cup and Hershel willed himself to keep talking.
"What does Phos mean?"
The Healer scoffed, his expression darkening a little as he stared into his cup. The boy continued.
"I know it's not your name…but it's what you have Cole and Keyda call you. What does it mean?"
"Does it have to mean something?" Phos muttered, and Hershel gave him a ghost of a smile.
"Well, you're adamant that names usually do," he pointed out, and Phos grimaced as he nursed his warm cup. It was a few minutes later before he spoke again.
"It comes from an ancient Oni word—Phosomere. Like most ancient terms it has more than one meaning, but the most common translation…" Phos hesitated a moment. "…is Friend."
Hershel's eyebrows shot up. "You've been having them call you 'friend' this entire time?"
"Name's got power, kid," Phos growled, glaring down into his cup. "I needed them to trust me."
Silence fell as Hershel digested this.
"So…do you even care about them? Or was that just another way to use them?"
Phos set down the cup of tea so he could fix Hershel with an intense look, but the boy returned his gaze calmly. The Healer finally leaned forward.
"Sometimes, there are more important things than being loved."
"What do you mean?"
Phos scratched his chin irritatedly.
"I know my actions today…and over the last weeks….haven't won me any affection. But there are more important things. I needed to know that girl isn't going to crack under pressure, you understand; she needs to be strong. The things that have happened over these last few months are just the beginning! Those kinds of things are going to continue happening for the rest of her life, as long or short as it may be. And that Outsider underestimates his role in all of this. This set up has got to end in binding—he's already too big of an influence in the government and politics of the realm. He can't afford to be in the sidelines; fence-sitting won't do him or the realm any good. He's got to pick a side."
"Would you have really killed him?" Hershel pressed. "You told us you wouldn't hurt him…you said if Syn went and got him here that he would be safe. Would you have really killed him?"
Phos sighed.
"Only as a last resort…It was never my plan to kill him, see. There's no real point. But he was going to go get himself caught, and that would have spelled disaster…" He shook his head. "If I have to be the bad guy to keep this realm from falling apart, so be it."
Hershel clenched his jaw and looked away. Phos fiddled with the small shard once again, and he began speaking softly, though whether it was to himself or to Hershel the boy couldn't be sure.
"It's been a while since anyone's been able to shatter one of these crystals….she's stronger than she thinks she is…and sometimes it takes facing a villain for someone to figure that out."
"But couldn't you have helped her realize that without saying all those horrible things?" Hershel countered, drawing his knees in to his chest. "You…"
"I know it seems I was cruel…and perhaps that's because I was." Phos interjected. "No doubt you saw an old man heckling an insecure ruler…praying on her doubts and insecurities…"
"What else was there to see?" Hershel asked, his tone slightly bitter. Phos waited a few moments before answering, turning a shard around in his hand once again.
"How about a young woman finally rebuking her own biggest fear about herself?" The Healer said softly. "As painful as it was…she was finally forced to realize that she is not the problem…"
"And that was the only way for her to realize it? To make her hate you?"
Phos scoffed again, hand closing around the fragment as he turned to face Hershel again.
"I told you before, Hershel…there are more important things in this world than being loved."
His tone had an edge of finality to it, and Hershel nodded his understanding before standing up to head to bed. He paused at the doorway and turned to ask one last question.
"Then why are you so afraid?"
Phos gave a start and turned to glare at him, eyes flashing.
"What are you talking about?"
"I've noticed it over the last week, Master. You…you smell of fear."
The young Oni didn't actually wait for Phos to answer as he disappeared, letting the door flap swing closed.