Chapter 10: Tiniest Tenderness
The majority of the Underworlders worked as miners for the living with Geomarrow being a resource that would not be gone for a long time while being in constant demand all the time. It was easy money, compared to other income sources especially in a place like the Underworld.
Which was why the amount of the wounded easily numbered in hundreds.
Patients flooded the streets and corners of central Boulder Town surrounding Natasha's clinic, all in a varying state of distress that ranged from small to big. The clinic itself had long passed its maximum capacity yet Natasha kept taking in people until it was impossible to put someone down without the risk of accidentally trampling over them. When she couldn't take more in, she ordered the Wildfires stationed on the area to set up temporary encampments around her clinic yet it was not enough.
Stelle, March and Dan Heng could only watch helplessly at the depressing scene around them from a corner, wanting to help but hardly had enough medical knowledge to actually lend a hand for the Wildfire medics and doctors attending the injured civilians. Children crying, mothers trying to comfort their kids and the pained groans from the men as they bled all over the place with one or two medics desperately attempting to stave off their wounds with limited supplies was the sight around them. Wherever they looked or glanced.
Natasha was very busy she was literally a blur, moving from one place to another to help directing her staff. Her dress was bloodied and each time she walked on the ground, the crimson mud would accidentally get kicked up and smeared on her back. But she kept her hands and front as clean as possible, washing her hands every possible time before going again to attend for another patient.
Sometimes, the person she treated would nod when she whispered for them a parting comfort, sometimes they were a still figure she left behind without as much as a word. One thing for certain, the doctor did not stop for more than ten seconds once she was done, much less to rest.
Stelle spotted a familiar figure in the crowd and frowned, nudging March gently to gain her attention. The pinkette jumped at the contact, obviously startled, and stammered. "W—what?"
Silently, Stelle raised her index finger towards a figure sitting on nearby bench and March followed it. Gasping, she suddenly stood up, nearly toppling the hastily stacked planks Stelle appropriated into a makeshift seat off and sending her down onto the cold ground. Stelle grunted and stood up, putting a hand on her bottom to ease the pain. Dan Heng was right to not trust her building skill, moreso in refusing to sit with March on such a dubious set up.
"Lysetia?! Why is she...?"
The girl noticed them approaching and smiled, though it looked a lot like grimace than anything else. They also noticed the thin sheen of sweat covering her forehead and neck.
"Oh, you guys!" She exclaimed but her voice trembled at the end. Lysetia visibly swallowed and patted the seat beside her with her shaking one hand. "Come, take a seat."
Stelle and Dan Heng frowned while March gave the girl a concerned look. "Are you okay? You don't seem great." Said the pinkette.
"Oh, it's just a minor discomfort. Don't worry about it." She assured but they knew she was lying through her teeth. March wanted to argue but Dan Heng put a hand to her shoulder and stopped her, nodding at the girl instead.
"Why are you here?" He asked, a hint of worry was audible in his tone. "It's cold."
"I gave up my bed for someone who needed it more," Lysetia answered truthfully with a shrug, an action that caused her to wince though she tried to mask it, "there's a lot of people who need more help."
"You could use some attention too." Stelle interjected disapprovingly, shaking her head, "you're sick."
"I'm not in any need for emergency, miss Stelle," she smiled then and it looked far more genuine than before, "I heard of your deeds in the mine. You're awesome, you know?"
It was clearly an attempt to steer the subject of the conversation away from her well-being and it was obvious. Stelle's frown deepened until she sighed, accepting Lysetia's wish for a change. "It's nothing," she said absently, "we hardly did anything, anyway."
"That's not true. I heard the kids talk about you and how you fought that one corrupted automaton," Lysetia protested. "If you weren't with them, they surely would've had problems."
It happened on their fourth trip. Stelle didn't know what the thing's name was but it had this big flaming chainsaw and could move fast as hell for its size. The robot was corrupted by the Corrosion with some Fragmentum crystals sticking out of its metal shell and somehow managed to slip through the defensive line amidst the chaos.
They succeeded in dispatching it, though, but not without effort. Bronya told them that the machine was built using ancient technology that had been lost, probably something people dug out long ago from the snowy plains, and used for combat purposes. Under their combined efforts and Bronya's guidance, they could defeat it without a loss.
The Silvermane Commandant was one hell of a tactical genius. The way she directed them during the fight spoke of how great of a leader she was. Calm, collected, almost detached to everything happening yet focused. Bronya hardly flinched when a stray bullet zipped past her head during the fight after it bounced on the robot's armored body and embedded itself in the mine's rocky wall.
At that moment she reminded them of their Bronya, though the comparison didn't really do the Silvermane Commandant justice. While their Bronya looked aloof all the time, the Silvermane Guard one always looked determined with the fight. They hadn't seen how their Bronya fight, though, so none could tell for certain.
Speaking of Bronya...
Stelle's eyes drifted towards the Silvermane who stood like a sore thumb amidst the sea of Underworlders but not because of her regal stance nor setups, but rather the fact she seemed like she had just returned from the battlefield after being soaked in her enemy's blood. Her blue and white uniform was thoroughly ruined with blood, dirt and anything in-between, missing some of its ornaments while her once beautiful silver hair had turned into a dark shade of black and red.
Bronya was washing the wound on her cheek with lukewarm water, one she got after accidentally running her head onto an overturned mining cart in her attempt to shove a Wildfire member out of the harm's way during the fight. It cut a little deep and more than likely would leave a scar yet despite it all she still refused treatments from local medics, saying they should treat the civilians first and that her wound was manageable by herself.
Stelle didn't know what sort of approval Bronya would need but in her humble opinion, she certainly had done a lot to earn at least a modicum of trust from the Underworlders.
As if on cue, a pair of man and woman approached her. Although Stelle couldn't hear what they were saying, it was pretty obvious from the solemn smile Bronya gave them both. The Silvermane Commandant put a hand on her chest and lowered her head, saying something that earned her a smile from the couple.
March sat down beside Lysetia after giving Stelle and Dan Heng an implicit question of offer. Both she and Dan Heng shook their head, allowing the pinkette who smiled slightly in return to claim the seat. The worry was still clear in March's eyes as she talked with Lysetia about things Stelle's brain tuned down to half performance to listen.
"Yo!" Someone called out from their right and they turned to face the newcomer who was none other than Kiana. The Kaslana had her hands in her pockets and face scrunched in an easy smile as she approached the four. "You guys look okay," she stated, looking down towards Lysetia and greeted the girl, "and hello again, Lysetia!"
"Hello, Miss Kiana," replied the girl softly, "where's Miss Mei?"
"Don't worry about her, sugar." Kiana chuckled with a shrug. "What about you? Why are you here?"
"Well..."
Lysetia told her of the reason but unlike the trio she simply nodded in understanding. There was not a hint of concern nor pity in her blue eyes, instead there's pride and encouragement beneath the gentle pools. "I see... You did good."
"Are you sure about that? Don't you worry?" Stelle asked Kiana. They found it odd how she seemingly did not care about the girl and her predicament with how easygoing she was being. Kiana saw their thoughts and paused, regarding the group better as her gaze soften.
Wordlessly, she went down to a knee in front of Lysetia, drawing confusion from the girls while Dan Heng hummed quietly. Kiana reached out for Lysetia's remaining foot to tie her shoe, earning a gasp from the girl.
"M—Miss Kiana, you don't have to do that..."
But Kiana ignored her, finishing her job and patting Lysetia's knee tenderly. "It's not that I don't worry." She began softly as she stood up, meeting each and all their stare. "I worry. A lot. But I want to support all of you and your decisions, even if they're scary and will end up hurting you in the future. Whatever you choose to be now and tomorrow is all up to you."
"Is that how adults think...?" March mumbled to herself but Kiana heard her regardless. Chuckling to herself, Kiana continued.
"I was a teenager once, you know. I know the rush of young blood in my veins and being a Kaslana only made it worse. We are known for our stubbornness."
"Just like March?" Stelle piped in jokingly and the pinkette pouted.
"I'm not stubborn!"
"That's what every stubborn people say."
Kiana laughed. "She's right, March. I know because I said pretty much the same thing."
Huffing in a mock annoyance, March gave both Kiana and Stelle an incredulous look before she turned for help from Dan Heng. He raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "I do have to agree."
She made a strangled noise behind her throat, Lysetia who had been watching the entire interaction unfold giggled to herself.
"Well, what I want to say is; just do what you think is right even if you come to regret it later." Kiana continued after a moment. "I'm not Mei or Bronya but I know enough about this stuff. I had an amazing teacher myself."
"Had?"
"She's no longer with us." Kiana heartfelt answer was accompanied with a smile for the pinkette. "But what she taught me, Bronya and Mei is what you see right now."
"You three went to the same school or something?"
"Yep. Bronya, Mei and I went to St. Freya. That was fifteen years ago, give or take." Kiana paused, lips pulling down into a frown as a thought suddenly occured to her. "Holy crap, it's been fifteen years! Feels like yesterday we enrolled together..."
Her eyes grew distant as a flood of nostalgic memory filled the front of her mind. Shaking her head with a smile, Kiana continued. "What I want to say is that I got your back," she said as her gaze skipped over the four of them, stopping briefly on Lysetia, "whatever you do. Just know that, if you need it, I'll be more than happy to help you through whatever you're going. I'll help you end your story the way you want. That's a promise from your big sister."
Seele and Bronya arrived last with a bunch of children close to their tails. Immediately after, the kids dispersed after giving them both a series of gratitude to look for their relatives. Seele waved them off with a hum.
"Don't make troubles now, you brats!"
Bronya watched them go with a fond smile, accidentally meeting Kiana's gaze from amidst the crowd. The Kaslana gave her a little nod Bronya returned.
The kids were fine. Aside from a few minor scrapes and bruises, none of them was hurt badly in their escape which was nothing short of miracle considering what transpired in the mine. Still, Seele insisted to check on them thoroughly which was why they returned last.
Bronya saw Mei speaking with Natasha in front of her clinic with the doctor still moving about the place administering treatments, whatever it was about it certainly serious enough for Mei to frown her permanent frown.
"I'll go check on the princess." Seele said suddenly and Bronya blinked, looking at the purple haired woman. "See you around."
Bronya nodded. "Talk to you later."
Seele's stared lingered on Bronya for a few more seconds before she shook her head and moved on, Bronya who saw it all could only smile in mild amusement. Knowing what to do next, Bronya made her way towards Mei, feeling rather than seeing where she was from their Herrscher Link.
"Mei." Bronya greeted with a nod to the woman and Mei glanced at her with a strained smile.
"Oh, Bronya. I take it everything went smoothly?"
Bronya hummed affirmatively. Mei was in the temporary kitchen the Wildfire set up, helping cooking up food for the wounded. A good, warm meal would make the situation better and they had the idea right. With Mei, it was more than guaranteed that the food would be great.
"I saw Lysetia sitting outside. Kiana is with her along with the kids." Bronya paused, gesturing at the kitchen. "Do you need help?"
"No, I got this. There's more than enough hands." Mei said and true enough to her words there were at least five people in the kitchen doing various tasks in the background. "I saw her, too. I sent Kiana so she wouldn't be pestering me in the kitchen to check on her. I'm glad to know the kids are also there. Oh! Before I forget, can you go help Natasha?"
"With what?"
"She's running low on medicines and the Wildfire told me they've depleted their stocks. Maybe you can use Truth power to create some?"
"Sure thing. Did you tell her of my power?"
Mei nodded, not stopping from her work. She was cutting some sort of vegetables, probably natives to this world because Bronya never saw them before. Mei being Mei, she mastered the knowledge rather quickly after being told earlier by the local cooks. "I had to. She must understand the risk," she said as she glanced back to Bronya. "You still remember our deal, right?"
It was a rhetorical question. Of course Bronya still remembered it. She remembered everything that happened the past month in vivid details. Nevertheless, she nodded. "Yes. But first..."
She didn't have to say it for Mei to understand. The miners and children needed their utmost attention and came first at the moment. Lysetia would've to wait a little bit more. "Okay, then. I'll see you around."
"Looking forward for your cooking, Mei."
Leaving the kitchen tent, Bronya looked for Natasha next but it didn't take her long to find the doctor for she was a constant blur in the crowd. The medicine issue was probably the topic Mei had with Natasha considering Mei. She liked to worry a lot about the small things.
Bronya didn't want to interrupt the doctor so she waited until she was done treating her patient. A young man who suffered a shrapnel wound from an explosion. There were splotches of blood on his bandaged midriff but overall, he looked fine.
Natasha noticed her staring and glanced at Bronya, not saying a word to her but Bronya caught the slight dip of her head that was directed at her. A simple acknowledgement and message for her to wait a little longer. Frankly, Bronya didn't mind the waiting because it gave her time to browse through her memory. Particularly one involving this Seele.
She was shook. She tried to hide it but Seele was Seele and nobody knew Seele better than Bronya, no matter which Seele it was. After Bronya spilled the beans, Seele tried to persuade her for explanations but Bronya didn't quite give her any. She did tell Seele that they should focus on task at hand and the girl had to begrudgingly accept her words, knowing Bronya was right.
Bronya didn't mean to leave her hanging like that but after they found the kids, she couldn't bring herself to talk about herself further. She was being truthful when she said she didn't talk about herself to just anyone, in fact besides Seele herself the only people who knew about her past were Mei and Kiana and that was because she trusted them both with her life. Bronya didn't hate her past because her past shaped her to who or what she was now. Even if it was filled with tragedy, horror and pain she still found the most beautiful thing in life and she ought to be grateful for her.
Fate had a funny way to entwine people and it was true to Bronya. Going as far back, if the Second Eruption never happened and Sirin hadn't destroyed Siberia, she probably would've never met Seele at all and Bronya couldn't imagine a life without her. Though here, in this world, it was proven that she and Seele would find each other, one way or another and it was possible she might've met Seele in a different circumstance entirely.
But that was a what if. An uncertainty. Bronya disliked uncertainties for the unpredictability. For her, what she had now was the best she could ask for because, in the end, everything just worked for her and Seele. Sure, in a different world or galaxy she probably wouldn't have to jump into the test tube and become crippled, or risking her soul and body to the relentless and chaotic current that was the Sea of Quanta but it had happened and Bronya would do it again and again if it meant she could be together with Seele. Bronya might call Kiana a fool to love but she and Kiana were the same in that regard; helpless fools and, as she told Kiana, fools didn't quit even if they kept hurting because they believed.
Love made people stupid. Love made people irrational. Love was a dangerous thing that drove people to do the most idiotic thing imaginable. Yet life without love was worse than death, a condemnation to happiness no man would want to suffer. Humans needed love, as they did foods and drinks. It was a basic necessity.
Here, Seele and her other self were strangers to each other. They grew without the company of the other, enduring hardships alone. It was unreasonable for Bronya to expect them to get along immediately because, after all, they were their own persons with thoughts and opinions. But it would be a lie if Bronya said she didn't wish for them to get along even though she didn't know why. The simple idea of Bronya and Seele being apart churned her stomach with ugly feelings, as if her very soul despised the idea.
So, Bronya gave Seele a little nudge. Something akin to a gentle encouragement that was implicit as it was obvious. Seele's view on the Overworlders was biased and she had the rights to feel that way considering what she had witnessed and gone through. She needed to understand that everyone had their own struggles, including the Silvermane Commandant.
But Bronya did not want to interfere too much. Everything she had done was all she would do for the two. How they carve their path henceforth was up to them. Bronya chose to believe to those two. Whether it would end up be the best or worst, she couldn't have known. She simply believed them to overcome their differences together.
Natasha finished a few minutes later and Bronya followed her back into her clinic without a word. Along the way, a lot of people would still look at her but their gazes wouldn't linger for more than a few seconds before they drifted away from her. Bronya hoped it was a good sign for her other self, that she had been somewhat accepted by the Underworlders because of her deeds.
Locking the door of her office behind her, Natasha walked past Bronya and rummaged through her drawers. Bronya waited patiently as she put a stack of documents onto the table, assorting through them until she found what she was looking for.
Her voice was soft when she spoke, obviously exhausted in everything but her appearance. Bronya felt a twinge of sympathy for the doctor but she kept it to herself.
"I have not been entirely honest to you and your friends." Natasha began, looking up to Bronya with a pair of weary eyes. "I'm actually the leader of Wildfire."
Bronya nodded. "I suspected as much. Oleg said he's just a mere field commander and the fact he took us in without complaints under your 'recommendation' was the final nail to the coffin. A mere doctor does not have that much influence in the military. You don't have to explain yourself because I understand. I'd probably do the same thing you did."
"Still, I feel bad for lying at you."
"Technically, you did not. We asked for a leader and you pointed us to Oleg who is a leader."
"He's actually my vice, but that doesn't change anything much does it?"
Bronya crossed her arms over her chest. "He's a good leader and even a better man. He has what it takes."
"I agree." Natasha sighed, walking back to Bronya and handing her a particular sheet of paper. "Mei tried to explain to me how your power works but I honestly still don't understand. Maybe a more proactive example will be enough."
Reading through the list of medicines written on the paper, Bronya gave Natasha a nod. As expected, none of the listed drugs existed back on Earth. Possibly because the difference in naming but that didn't matter.
"The power of Truth allows me to create anything that exist, be it known to me or not prior to it. I don't need to understand the depth like I would've as Reason and all it takes from me is..." Bronya pointed at an empty space in the room and Natasha followed her finger, her confusion barely surfaced when a blinding blue light exploded from thin air and forced her to squeeze her eyes shut. When she opened them again, stacks of crates labelled with the names of the drugs she requested sat on the once vacant space. "That."
Natasha's eyes widened. Hurriedly, she moved to open one of the crates and gasped at what she saw. Looking back at Bronya as if she was some sort of divine being, she could only stare in shock and disbelief at the woman.
"How did you...?"
"That's the power of Truth, doctor."
Natasha lowered her head to look at a pack of anesthetic. Gingerly, she reached out and pulled it from amongst its brethren. She couldn't believe it was real and it was in better quality than any she had ever gotten for the Underworlders. Natasha could feel tears welling in her eyes, a sob of happiness racking her body as clear crystal liquid travelled down her cheeks and fell onto the wooden floor below.
Bronya watched it all silently with a soft smile. After a moment, Natasha succeeded in controlling her emotions back and the tears stopped. She turned around and gave Bronya a look of pure gratitude. "Miss Zaychik... Words cannot describe how big of a deed you have just done for us. I can't give you any recompense but I promise you that the Wildfire will forever be indebted to you and your friends."
She shook her head. "You don't have to worry about it, but I'd appreciate it if you give Lady Rand a chance and your support."
Natasha stared at her with a long, unblinking stare before she chuckled. "It seems you are well accustomed to this part of the world," she said. Bronya simply shrugged, fully aware with what Natasha was referring to. Where she grew up, favors were a great thing, sometimes even worth than your own life. To be indebted to someone in that sort of world was... troubling, to put it mildly, so to pay back quickly was a must. Here, it didn't seem to be that much different. "Okay, I will do what I can."
Satisfied, Bronya nodded. "Is that all, doctor?"
"Actually... One more thing," Natasha began and something in her tone made Bronya frown. She sounded less casual and a lot more serious as she regarded Bronya. She was never close with Raven and there was not many instances where they met, whether in their later years or their teenage days so Bronya's view on Natasha was completely based on her character. Raven was Mei's acquaintance, someone even Kiana was not very close with but admittedly still had a better relation compared to Bronya. Mei told her she could trust her and Bronya trusted Mei's judgment enough to give it a go. "Why Lysetia? What's your price?"
"... I guess you can say she got lucky." Bronya answered flatly. Why Lysetia? Because Mei found and promised her. There was no way to sugarcoat it because the truth was ugly. Bronya genuinely wanted to help her, that hadn't changed, and the same could be said to the countless other currently suffering in the streets. But Bronya couldn't, not because she was incapable but because of one obvious reason. "This great power bears an even greater consequence. It comes from our greatest enemy, one that had been harassing us since the dawn of time itself. We prevailed against it only recently but even so it seemed like it was done out of its permission, despite our efforts. There's no telling what will happen if I use it in abundance but I fear it is something far terrible than the Stellaron or anything else you've faced until now."
"As for the price... there's none. Not on this one. It's for my own selfish desire to quench my guilt and an apology for those I can't help. That's all to it."
Seele's original plan to go to the Silvermane Commandant and check on her met a rather unprecedented failure when her colleagues asked for her help on her way to meet her. Knowing where her priority lied, she discarded the thought immediately and went to help, putting the thought about anything else behind a proverbial drawer in her head.
It was a quick work, yet when Seele returned Bronya had already gone from her previous position. Feeling a little annoyed, she made her way around to look for her head of silver hair, stopping a few minutes later when she spotted it from across the street.
Bronya was talking with the Astral Express crew, though as Seele approached she could also see a certain girl sitting on the bench they huddled around. A frown graced her lips at the sight, disapproval and disbelief clear in her feature.
"What the hell are you doing?" Seele found herself asking Lysetia who jumped in surprise at her brisk appearance. The girl's eyes widened and Seele had to suppress the urge to stare at her burnt face.
Before Lysetia could answer, however, Bronya stepped in front of her and spoke to her in the girl's behalf, looking at Seele reproachfully. "She said she gave her bed to a critically wounded, please don't be angry at her."
"I'm not—!" Seele caught herself, noticing the stares she received from everyone minus Kiana who was openly grinning like an idiot at the two. Gritting her teeth, she yanked Bronya by the hand and dragged her away so they could talk in private. "I'm not angry at her," she clarified, "I'm angry at her stupidity. It's her goddamn hero complex that put her to this situation and now she even gave up her bed even though she needs it? Just look at her! She's in pain!"
"There's nothing we can do about it." Bronya retorted calmly, holding her hands up in a placating manner. "I saw it, too. She probably hasn't taken her medicine either, that is why she's in pain."
"Don't tell me she also gave up her meds." Seele hissed through her teeth, crossing her arms.
"Probably." Bronya admitted with a sigh. "I need your help." The sheer desperation in Bronya's voice made Seele paused to regard the woman better. Unlike the other Bronya, the Silvermane Commandant was easier to read so Seele had a very good view of her heart as she peered through her pair of silver orbs. What she saw was a mixture of sadness, concern and guilt but above all one stood the most.
Determination.
"Whatever you want as payback just say it later but I need your help."
"I'll hold onto that." Seele replied. "What do you need?"
"I need you to refrain from berating little Miss Ratchford for her actions. She did a noble deed and you must not discourage her for it."
At first, Seele was surprised. But then anger rose, threatening to spill out of her guts and up to her throat and mouth. How could you praise stupidity, was what she would've said but something in Bronya's gaze smothered the flare until it was nothing but a sizzling heat. Kids were dumb and Seele had first hand experience of watching them being dumb for countless times. Lysetia was not an exception to the prospect. That was her argument but Bronya also had her own ground to stand and defend.
Seele spoke of stupid decisions, but Bronya believed kindness of the heart. Both were equally right as they grew in two entirely different worlds with their differing views. Although Seele hated it, she relented. A small part of her, that tender and altruistic side of her, won over the turmoil of her own heart as it always did in this particular kind of situation. It might be small and almost insignificant to her whole personality but it was the most precious part of herself for it reminded her of her humanity.
"Fine." Seele muttered, averting her gaze away from Bronya when the Silvermane Commandant smiled at her in gratitude. "Do whatever you want."
"Thank you, Seele."
Bronya walked back to the group just at the same time Seele's phone chimed with notification for an incoming message. Pulling it out of her pocket, she unlocked and began to read the message, forehead creased with each word.
Natasha: Seele, I'm sorry to bother you right now but can you please look for accomodations for our friends? The Goethe Grand Hotel is full with patients so they can't take any more patrons.
Grimacing slightly, Seele began to type back.
Seele: I have a better idea. I'll have them on my flat.
Natasha: Your house? But you don't like visitors on your personal place.
Seele: It's fine. I'll drop them and return as soon as possible.
Natasha: Actually, I want you to stay with them. I know you might disagree because there's works to be done around here but you have to trust me.
Seele's eyebrows rose. Natasha's next message came in after a little while, whether because she was busy piecing her words or she had something to do she couldn't tell.
Natasha: Kiana, Mei and Bronya wield terrible powers. I have witnessed Bronya's power personally and the folks also speak about Mei and Kiana and how strong they are when fighting the monsters in the mine. It's not something to scoff at. I don't think they are bad people and they've proven themselves to be smart enough but they're still new around here. I don't want someone taking advantage of their kindness.
Seele: So you want me to babysit them, is that it?
Natasha: More or less. That's not a problem, right?
Seele: No. I've got this.
Natasha: Okay, then. Thank you.
Seele shoved her phone back into her pocket, not even bothering to reply further. Running a hand over her face with a sigh, she was met with a rather curious scene unfolding before her.
A rather burly man was bowing deeply in front of Bronya, his fist clenched tight over his heart in what Seele recognized as the Silvermane salute, while a woman mimicked his action albeit in a lesser extent beside him. Bronya had both her hands up trying to make them stop while Kiana and the kids could only watch awkwardly from the sideway.
Seele grinned, recognizing the couple immediately.
"Brandon, Anisa. I think the princess gets it." She called out as she approached them and they straightened up to face her. Behind them, Bronya sighed in relief and Seele had to fight a snort of amusement. "Rather than pestering her, you should go talk to your daughter instead."
Bronya studied the couple before her silently now she was not the subject of the conversation. The man was big, almost a head taller than Bronya in fact, and muscular too with piercing red eyes and long dark beard. A deep line of scar ran down the side of his left hand all the way to his elbow, an old one judging from the appearance, that seemed like it was caused by a large sharp object.
The woman, meanwhile, was the exact opposite. She wasn't pristine by any means with dried blood sticking on her clothes but she didn't have the same rough complexion the the man had. In fact, she was beautiful with shoulder length blonde hair and gentle emerald green eyes.
"Ah, Seele." Said the man while the woman smiled at Seele in greeting. "My apologies, I didn't mean to make Mildly Rand uncomfortable."
"It is quite alright, Mister and Missus Ratchford," Bronya assured the couple. "You said you were a Silvermane Guard?"
"Yes, ma'am. Fourth Battalion, Second Company, Tenth Platoon," said the man proudly before his expression turned downcast. "Until I deserted, anyway."
"... the Silvermane Guards take an oath to protect Belobog from both foreign and domestic threats. I still see you holding on to the core value of the Codex to protect the people down here."
"... Ma'am? I don't get it?"
Bronya regarded him in silence. For a moment a glimpse of Rand, the Supreme Guardian lineage, appeared and took over. It was not an unkind stare for it was filled with compassion and pride.
"People make mistakes, Lieutenant. The Supreme Guardian is a mere human, in the end"
The man's eyes widened in shock. "Ma'am... are you implying...?"
Bronya hummed, neither in affirmation nor denial. "Deduce it however you want. Sometimes, staying true to your heart is the best choice. Even if by doing so you must disobey an order."
Anisa chuckled and the smile she gave was so much like Lysetia's own it was obvious who the girl took after. Bright, unreserved and genuine. "You are very wise, Madame Rand. I'm certain you will rule fairly one day." She said to Bronya.
"Our duty as a Silvermane is to protect humanity, whatever the cost. This is also true in a degree for a Supreme Guardian. However, to sacrifice her own people is not the way to conduct her duty. She must ready to sacrifice herself, not her people. It is my sincere hope that I will stay true to myself in the future."
"Indeed," Brandon chimed in. "The way of the Silvermane is to differ between wasting and spending lives and it is the Supreme Guardian's duty to choose between the two."
It was a harrowing duty but someone had to do it. The Rands took it upon themselves to carry the sins on their backs, to write to the widowed and visit the abandoned. Even if they spoke of honor and sacrifice, their words ultimately meant nothing to those bearing the pain. Maybe, that was why many of the previous Supreme Guardians lost themselves and their original visions in their line of duty.
It would be a lie if Bronya said she was not scared that she would lose herself too. Her mother was a prime example, after all. Bronya did not know what had become of her but her earliest memory of her mother told a kind and caring woman who smiled for the world. Ambitious, eager and loving, she wasn't much different to Bronya when she was her age.
But she had changed. Over the course of the year she had grown distant and cold like the mountain ranges surrounding the city of Belobog itself. Far and unreachable, Bronya did not know how to climb her wall of ice so she could feel the warmth hidden deep in her mother's facade.
She loved her mother. Despite what misdeeds she had done, there was nothing in the world that would change her. Only Bronya knew of her mother like nobody else. For the Overworlders, she was the Supreme Guardian and for the Underworlders she was a tyrant who ruled with iron fist. Yet to Bronya she was simply mother. The mother who held her close in the cold nights, the mother who told her stories of past heroes, the mother who taught her the way of combat, and the mother who cared after her until she became an independent woman herself.
Try as she might, she couldn't bring herself to hate her.
"I shall remember this day for it is an invaluable lesson for myself." Bronya told them solemnly. "I do hope that my rule will be fair for all of Belobog's citizens, regardless where, who or what they are."
Mei found them a few moments later, carrying with her foods and drinks in containers. Kiana caught a whiff of the delicious scent and ran immediately towards Mei like a starved kitten, clinging to Mei's front while begging for the foods with watering mouth.
Mei, for the most part, simply shook her head and told Kiana to unhand her self. The Kaslana visibly deflated as she obliged, that was until Mei whispered something to her ear that caused an invisible pair of ears to perk up over her head. After that, she was more than eager to let go, grinning a wide grin as if she hadn't experienced what would've been the most disheartening moment in her life.
If their best friend was there, she would've scoffed and commented on how easy Kiana was and how easy it was for Mei to play with her. Kiana was dancing on Mei's palm and she didn't even know it.
Mei gave the bag to Seele. "I heard Natasha asked you to bring them to your house. Good thing you're still here."
"I haven't told them that. I wanted to but Bronya is a little preoccupied." She gestured towards the Silvermane Commandant who was now talking in a more casual way with Brandon while his wife's attention was entirely on their daughter and the trio teenagers. "They seem to be busy."
"Who are they?" Mei asked curiously.
"Lysetia's parents. I heard Kiana went to look for them back in the mine. What's that about?"
Mei took a moment to answer, looking between the man and woman and then Lysetia. The girl caught her staring and waved, earning a smile and wave back from Mei. "Bronya, our Bronya can fix Lysetia. I wanted to ask for their permission."
"Huh, how? She lost her arm and leg."
"Bronya's power is unique, she can create anything she wants. That includes limbs or even a whole body."
"So she's going to use it to regrow her arm and leg?"
"Yes, that works the plan." Mei eyed Seele for a moment. "You took the information quite well. When I told Natasha that, she was confused and surprised."
Seele shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't care about the technicals and all that shit. Besides, I've seen a lot of strange things in my life already. If she can do that, then good for Lysetia."
"You're not going to ask why we don't do it to everyone?"
"No, why would I? You're the one helping, you get to decide who to help. It's not my place to judge or whatever. Don't let people tell you what and what not to do."
Mei nodded in agreement. "Right. Well, I won't hold you up any further now. Do you mind taking the kids with you? There's enough food for everyone."
"Sure," Seele said with a nod, "thanks for the food, I do look forward to tasting it."
"Don't get your hopes up, it's my first time cooking with local ingredients."
"Eh, food is food. As long as it's edible..." Seele trailed off, eyes drifting to Bronya, and she unceremoniously grabbed the Silvermane Commandant by the hand to drag her away.
"S—Seele?! I was in a middle of conversation!" She protested, weakly tugging against Seele's hold to no avail. Seele was simply too strong for Bronya to do anything even with the former being lenient, years of years hefting tens of kilograms of scythe and other things in the Underground paid off for Seele. "You're being rude to Mister Ratchford!"
"Just shut up and follow me." Seele growled, casting her gaze next to the three teenagers. "All of you follow me."
"Huh, to where?" March asked, confused, as she stood up.
"My house."
Mei watched them go with a small smile, giving Stelle and Dan Heng an encouraging nod on their way out. Shaking her head, she turned to face Lysetia and her parents, smile thinning until it disappeared.
She was still aware with Kiana's presence a little bit behind her, the warmth she radiated seeped through her clothes and into her bones comfortingly. Yet, she didn't do anything besides watching her. Mei understood, that this was something she had to deal herself.
Clearing her throat, she began. "My name is Raiden Mei, it's a pleasure to finally meet you both." Mei extended her hand to Brandon and then Anisa, both returned her gesture with an equal amount of kindness. "I have a proposal, no, an offer for you and your daughter."
"We're all ears, Miss Mei."
Mei sucked in a breath, index finger tapping her thigh absently as she mulled over her words. The was no easy way to say it so Mei simply went with it.
"We can heal your daughter, but she will have to suffer through it all again, there's simply no way to negate it. Will you accept my offer?"
The hot water felt sublime on her tense muscles and she allowed a content sigh to escape her lips as she slipped deeper into the bathtub until her face was completely submerged. Basking in the quiet hum of the water surrounding her ears, Bronya let her mind wander along the thoughtless flow of her memories.
Seele's house was surprisingly well kept, not like the ones she often saw in the Overworld but it certainly was in better condition than most Underworld housings. Seele actually managed to find a fertile plot of land and dumped it on her yards where she had planted flowers, beautiful flowers that must have been a rare commodity down here.
Frankly, Bronya did not expect that from a brash girl like Seele but she certainly did not know her enough to judge her character. She had a soft side, just like anyone else, with the difference being how obscure she was with it. Just like everyone else, she had something she liked to do when she wasn't fighting, something to get her mind off of everything, really, and that something was her flowers. Bronya could tell that Seele was rather proud of them, speaking with her head held high when Stelle and March asked her about them.
The house was not big, in fact it only had two bedrooms with one reserved for guests which didn't see many as Seele said it herself. The living room was quite barren without a single personal belonging in place and instead Seele had only the basic necessities like sofas and tables to make it like an actual living room, though without broadcast the TV there was mostly left untouched for years.
Seele made it pointedly clear for them to do whatever they wanted and she said it with not a single concern as she dragged Bronya to the bathroom, leaving the three teenagers to lounge around the living room. Seele practically yanked Bronya's ceremonial dress off, rolling her eyes when Bronya's embarrassed protests were becoming too much, and shoved her into the bathroom in nothing but her undershirt. It happened so fast Bronya couldn't help but to be a little baffled.
"You reek so go take a bath. I'll clean these in the meanwhile. Just take your time"
Seele left without another word after that, leaving Bronya alone in an unfamiliar bathroom. Like the rest of the house, it was also properly maintained and cleansed so it wasn't terrible. Bronya resigned to her predicament and began to strip off the rest of her clothes then, hitting the shower and warming the bathtub. All the grimes and blood clinging to her body was washed clean, visibly turning the water dark red as mud and blood were washed down the drain.
Now here she was in the tub relaxing, for a moment thinking of nothing but the silence around her. No Underworld, Overworld, Silvermane or Supreme Guardian. Just her and her thought.
That was until a soft knock resonated from behind the door, reverberating through the air and into the water. Bronya opened her eyes, rising her head slowly to the surface and leaned back on the bathtub.
"Yes?" She asked worriedly, shifting so she was more comfortable.
"It's me," Seele's answered, "I'm leaving the towel here along with some underwear for you, they're my sizes so they'll probably be a tight fit on you."
"I can just use mine..."
"Just shut up and take them, will you?"
"... sorry. I shouldn't have refused your generosity."
A pause. The sound of droplets hitting the water surface was the only one filling the silence. Bronya's long silver hair cascaded her back, her wet bangs dripping with warm water. A loud thump from beyond the door interrupted the melody as Seele leaned her back against the door and slid down so she was sitting against it.
"It's okay if you really don't want them," she said quietly but it's still loud enough for Bronya to hear. "You shouldn't let people tell you what to do."
"You've been a good patron and host. It will be rather uncouth of me to refuse your kindness. Thank you, for everything."
"Sure." Seele said plainly and Bronya could picture her shrugging her shoulders, a thought that brought a small smile to her face. "I heard of what you did to Little Marco back in the mine."
"I'm... not familiar with the name."
"The kid you carried, his name is Marco. Tough brat, I'd say. He lost all his family members in an accident two years ago so now he has to work to feed himself."
"I see..." Sadness clenched at her heart but she fought it away, shaking her head Bronya then asked "People in the Underworld have suffered so much and I want to help everyone but... Do you think I can do it? Do you think I'll be enough?"
Seele didn't answer right away as she stood up, the sound of her dress ruffling the only noise coming from her side. After what seemingly an eternity, however, she began. Voice soft unlike anything Bronya heard before.
"I can't give you the answer to that question. Only you know your own capability, but if you feel like needing help, just know that I'll be there for you."
Bronya's eyes widened. She scrambled off the bathtub and stood on the cold floor, skin glistening under the yellow lamp. "Seele, I... I promise you that I will change this so none will have to suffer any further than they already have. But I can't change what has happened. I can't return those they've lost and I'm afraid that they won't accept me."
She laid her body and heart bear to Seele, separated by a wall no thicker than an inch. But what the eyes couldn't see, the heart delivered in absolution. Eyes are the windows of the soul, as the proverb said, clear to peer through despite the glass covering them. But if eyes were the windows, then mouth was the door. It might hide hidden intentions, colored in lies and twisted truths, but it also held the honest truth if the soul desired so.
Seele could hear the honesty in the confession, a moment of vulnerability Bronya otherwise couldn't afford to show to someone else for she was the Supreme Guardian heir. People expected greatness from her, but right now she was just a woman with her own insecurities.
"Words mean nothing, princess." Seele reminded Bronya who could only lower her head as a response. If she was a little bit more perceptive at the moment, she would've heard the tenderness in Seele's tone. "I've given you a chance and you've proven yourself. This time, I'm willing to hold on to your word."
Bronya sucked in a breath, staring ahead where the door was with wide eyes. Disbelief, surprise, and joy filled her heart yet she couldn't express them with the torrent threatening to drown her. In the end, she settled to a simple gratitude. "Thank you, Seele."
"Don't disappoint me, Bronya."
That was the first time Seele addressed her by her name instead of her title, one of many to come in the future. At the moment, Bronya couldn't have known but it was the future she would have.
They brought her to this room again.
Vaguely she could remember, a memory her brain repressed to keep the pain from hurting her but it was there. She remembered the long, bright lights above, the smell of sterile tools and medicines, and the soft fabric covering her body.
This time, however, the doctor wasn't alone with the nurses. This time she was surrounded by her family and strangers who quickly became friends in the short time they knew each other, hand holding her mother's who stared at her with her kind emerald gaze.
Once, she found a rock with the same color. She gave it to her father who then had the local jeweler make a necklace for. One she would wear around her neck so she would always be reminded of her mother and how close she was to her heart. Sadly, it was gone now. The chains snapped and it fell somewhere in the mine when she was attacked. She couldn't bring herself to ask for it, knowing people had been busy with more pressing matters to search for an object of mere sentimental value.
Her father was also there. His big, protective presence calming her soul. He had always been her guardian knight, one that was true in more than just a sense some time ago. They told them how they met. A Silvermane Lieutenant falling in love with a nurse who treated him once after he ran straight into a group of monsters to save someone, earning him a deep laceration on his left arm, it was nothing sort of miracle he didn't lose his arm. People said it was cheesy, but she found the story beautiful.
There was also Mei who stood a little back further. She looked concerned, though she tried to hide it. She gave Mei a small smile and the woman smiled back, not quite relieved but it did seem to make her a little better.
Mei was a miracle in itself. She didn't expect she would meet her savior that way. She asked for a simple help and she received more. She should give her one of her books and she had the idea which it would be.
Mei's wife was a lovely woman. Always smiling and energetic, she seemed like she was always sure with herself. Kiana was the hero she read about in her books. Strong, humble, happy and funny. She heard the miners and Wildfires talk about her deeds in the mine and it cemented her view on the woman even further. She wished she would grow up to be someone like her.
Mei's friend was not someone she knew very well. She had the face and name similar to the Supreme Guardian heir's but she wasn't quite her. Frankly, she couldn't discern her character but that was okay. Mei and her friends were always kind people.
Natasha she was familiar with deeply and she trusted her with her heart. The doctor put a mask over her mouth and nose, whispering a simple sentence to her.
"Be brave."
Natasha pumped anesthetic gas into the mask and she breathed in deeply, feeling her eyelids grew heavy with each inhale until her vision swam. Half awake in numbness, it was only a matter of time until slumber embraced her.
But before it could cast her into the darkness, she saw a flicker of light in the corners of her eyes. Two white figures, one was cascaded in a little bit of purple while the other in blue. They stood on each of her sides and her vision burned from the seemingly blinding brightness. Yet despite it, she could still make out the the blue halo hovering over the head of the blue figure, her right arm raised over her body.
At the moment, in her fleeting consciousness, a thought occured. One she had before darkness fully claimed her.
An angel...
Indeed, an angel had descended to grace her with her blessing. A blessing that was also a curse.
TBC.