Chapter six: the blame game
Nights was in a dark room, fiery bodies were dancing all around him, he spun around dancing with the fire.
Suddenly there was a great cold wind, the dancers screamed in pain, and fell to their knees covering their bare, ashen, body's as their fire was snuffed out.
Nights stopped spinning and watched the dancers smolder and crumple into piles of ash.
Nights fell to his knees and cried for his dead friends, then his anger flared he knew who had done this.
"I know you're there," Nights yelled, "show yourself!"
One of the piles of ashes drifted up and reformed into Nights' double, "How could I have destroyed the dancers," his double asked, "I was one of them."
"Then who killed them," Nights asked.
Nights' double shook his head, "when you know that you'll understand."
Nights held his head and groaned in aggravation, "Why are you so confusing?"
"Because if I just tell you nothing will change," Nights double walked over to Nights and grabbed his hands, "I understand so deep down so do you, just try."
The other ash piles drifted up and became his friends, Adia, Reala, Reginald, E.C. Matsu, Adia's sisters, and the visitors.
"The people around you can help you," Nights' double backed up to join the circle, "All you need to do is ask." Nights' double lifted his hands and his friends burst into flames, and once again began to dance.
Nights opened his eyes and saw E.C. standing over him.
"Hey guys," she called over her shoulder, "he's awake."
Reginald and Matsu ran over and stood with E.C.
"How's it going?" Reginald asked.
"You were on fire," Nights said to them.
"Wow," Reginald said sarcastically, "I feel so loved."
Nights slowly got to his feet, "Where's Reala?"
"Over there," E.C. said, "me and the guys were thinking- hey I was talking to you!" E.C. called out as Nights ran up the short hill to see Reala.
Nights ran and wrapped his arms around Reala's waist, causing Reala to fall over.
"I love you Reala," Nights said, still hugging Reala's waist.
"Good morning to you too," Reala said, getting up and giving Nights a proper hug.
"Nights," Matsu came soaring up the hill followed by E.C. who was followed by the puffing Reginald; running wasn't his favorite task.
E.C. and Matsu waited for Reginald who came up next to them, wheezing.
"I could carry you next time," E.C. offered.
"Heck no," Reginald said breathlessly, "I do not wish to be humiliated."
"So you'd rather die of oxygen starvation," Matsu asked.
"I'll think about it," Reginald said, faced with this new outlook.
E.C. looked at Nights happily, "Me and the guys were wondering if you would like to come play sharks and minnows with the Nightopians; we're the sharks and the Nightopians are the minnows."
Nights looked at Reala.
"Yes of course you can go," Reala said to Nights, then turned to his friends, "Make sure he doesn't get into trouble."
"Yes sir, lord Reala sir," the three lower levels said in unison, then E.C. grabbed Nights' hand and they all ran down them hill and towards the lake.
Reala sat down next to Adia, and pulled his knees up to his chest.
"What's upsetting you?" Adia asked, without looking away from the water bag she was repairing.
"Why do you think I'm upset?" Reala asked.
"You're extremely readable," Adia said teasingly.
Reala sighed, "I have a hard time not blaming my self for Nights' condition."
"It's not your fault," Adia said firmly, "The Wizemin is the one that numbed him, and Nights was the one who chose to save his friends, you only brought him back, you didn't know all of this would happen."
"It is partly my fault though," Reala put his head in his hands.
Adia looked at Reala morosely, and poked him with her sowing needle.
"Ow!" Reala rubbed his arm where Adia had punctured his flesh, "that was uncalled for!"
"Yes it was, maybe if you stop having a pity party it wouldn't be!" Adia and Reala stared at each other for a few seconds, then Adia blinked.
"Hah," Reala said triumphantly, "I win!"
Adia laughed, "Some time you can be just like Nights," then she said quickly, "not like he is now I mean-"
"I know what you meant," Reala said tenderly.
Adia leaned closer to Reala and he closed his eyes.
"We should get back to work," Reala felt Adia's warm breath on his lips.
"Right," Reala looked away from her, his cheeks burning.
Adia got up and walked away.
Reala growled at himself angrily, "you're an idiot," he hit his head, "she was right there, and you let her get away."
"Reala,"
Reala looked up and saw Nights standing in front of him, soaking wet, "I don't like sharks and minnows."
Reala laughed, "Come here," Nights sat down with Reala and laid his wet head against his chest, "You're not the only one who's disappointed," Reala looked over at Adia; she locked eyes with him for a second and then blushed and looked away.