Night had come quick, Isaac and Lily setting up camp near one of the streams to draw water. Scourge was off the drag sled, himself leaned up next to a tree, illuminated by the fire's light. Lily was cooking at the fire, stirring stew in the cast iron pot. Isaac was changed into different clothing, having repaired his boots by putting them back together by replacing the sinew. Sonic was relaxing in the shelter, the sounds of the wind blowing through the evergreen's branches lulling him to sleep.
As Isaac was keeping the vigilance, Lily used the spoon to scoop up some of the stew, walking it over to Scourge. Scourge frowned, not wanting to be annoyed by anyone.
"What?" Scourge asked, annoyed.
"Taste this." Lily requested. Scourge shook his head, not wanting to try it.
"Yeah, right. What, you got something in there that's going to make me sick?" Scourge asked, not trusting her.
"I would hope not, since we're all going to be eating it." Lily explained. Reluctantly, Scourge complied. To his surprise, it was actually pretty good! Potato, onion, venison, and barley made up the stew, and Scourge was enjoying it!
"Mmm, that's actually pretty good!" Scourge admitted. Lily faintly smiled, her skill in cooking haven't been lost since being in the Children's Quarters. Lily grabbed one of the blankets in the shelter, draping it over Scourge. Scourge was confused, not knowing why she was being nice to him.
"Alright, what's the deal? Why you being so nice?" Scourge asked, becoming suspicious. Lily's smile vanished, leaving only a neutral look.
"Can't anyone just be nice?" She asked. Scourge chuckled, shaking his head.
"There's always something. Were you promised money? Riches?" Scourge asked. Lily shook her head, clearing her throat.
"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Lily said, quoting Matthew 5:44. Scourge rolled his eyes, feeling annoyed again.
"Oh, so you're one of those types. Just because you follow an old book, you think you're better, don't you?" Scourge asked. Lily shook her head, unamused by his assessment.
"We follow Elohim's word because it is the right thing to do. To have no enemies, but only friends, is a true blessing!" Lily explained. Scourge scoffed at it, Lily walking away.
"You know it's all bullshit, right? God, heaven, hell, it's just bullshit." Scourge said, smirking. Lily breathed in, and then out, continuing the walk back to the fire. Lily had no point to make. And she knew a reaction from her is what he was looking for. He was still searching for a way to have power over them. Isaac stretched out his arms, still not breaking his vigilance.
"Lily, is dinner almost ready?" Isaac asked, not turning away from his post.
"A few more minutes. The potatoes need to cook a bit more." Lily answered. Scourge began laughing to himself, catching the attention of Isaac and Lily.
"Why don't you pray for dinner to be done? Isn't that what your fake God does, answer prayers?" Scourge laughed, still trying to get a reaction from Lily. Lily closed her eyes, breathing in, and then out, keeping herself calm.
"Lily… take over for a minute." Isaac said, leaving his post. Lily grabbed her bow and quiver, quickly taking over. Isaac walked to Scourge, crouching down to his level.
"I respect people with different views than us, Scourge. But something tells me… you're just shouting this out to get an ire out of us." Isaac analyzed. Scourge smirked, finding himself amused.
"And is it working?" Scourge asked, knowing he was being a jackass. Isaac responded by grabbing and gripping his broken shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Depends. Is this working on relieving your pain?" Isaac asked, strengthening his grip.
"No!" Scourge exclaimed, still thrashing. Isaac let go, Scourge breathing a little heavy. He got close to his face; his eyes glowing.
"The only reason I haven't allowed you to die is because I believe you can be redeemed. Now, it doesn't mean you have to believe in our God or pray before eating, but you are going to have to change how you see and treat others." Isaac explained. Scourge began laughing, not believing he was having this conversation.
"You think I want to be redeemed? No! I'm fucking bad to the bone, and I love it!" Scourge admitted.
"And being 'bad to the bone' left you with a broken leg and shoulder. If I were you, I'd reassess your priorities." Isaac returned, getting up and walking back to the post. Soon, Lily called for dinner as ready, rousing Sonic from his nap. After getting everyone a bowl, Lily walked over to Scourge and sat down with him.
"I can feed myself." Scourge said. Lily shook her head, pointing to the binding keeping his uninjured arm in place.
"We're not trusting enough to let you feed yourself. Now, unless you want me to make airplane sounds to feed you, I recommend you open your mouth when I ask." Lily explained, getting a spoonful of stew ready.
"Open." She ordered, Scourge reluctantly complying. After the first few spoonfuls, they got a rhythm going until the bowl was empty. Scourge breathed deeply, feeling tired. Lily put down the bowl to the side, concentrating on Scourge. Scourge noted this, seeing the look on her face.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Scourge asked.
"I'm just figuring out why you're the way you are." Lily answered. Scourge smirked, believing that was impossible.
"Really? Why don't you enlighten me?" Scourge sarcastically requested. Lily grinned, waiting for this opportunity.
"You were born on September 23rd. Your father was King of Mobius, who was the reason the Great Peace was established. You were dating someone named Fiona Fox, but she recently broken up with you. And when you were imprisoned, you were basically at the bottom of the convict ladder." Lily explained. Scourge's smirk soon became a scowl, angered by her knowing this knowledge.
"If you think you're getting to figure me out, you're wrong! Try something else!" Scourge growled. Lily closed her eyes, a single tear streaking across her cheek.
"Scourge… I know how hard it is to lose your parents. I know it from experience." Lily said. Scourge regained his smirk, chuckling.
"It would be more impressive if you knew that I killed my dad. That would've really convinced me." Scourge said. Lily quickly put her palm against his forehead, a light energy radiating from her touch. Scourge felt… some kind of liberation. As if something inside of him was being broken down! Lily took her palm off of his forehead, staring directly at him.
"But you didn't kill him. You had the gun in your hand… but you couldn't force yourself to pull that trigger." Lily explained. Scourge's smirk vanished, instead showing he was slightly upset.
"I… I killed him! He's dead because I wanted him dead!" Scourge exclaimed, trying to show he was angry. Isaac looked from the fire, making sure things didn't get too out of control.
"No, you didn't. You didn't do it because deep down… you didn't want to say goodbye." Lily said. Scourge shut his eyes and shook his head, a few tears escaping from his eyes.
"I didn't do it because he wasn't worth the bullet!" Scourge fired back, more tears streaming from his face. Lily closed her eyes, feeling the pain he endured.
"When he tried to talk you from it, tried to appeal to what good there was in you, you flinched. You never meant to shoot him, Scourge. It was an accident." Lily revealed. Scourge had no words to say. He only bowed his head, letting tears begin to fall.
"And as he lied there, bleeding, he gave you his last words, Scourge. I know you know them." Lily calmly said. Scourge looked up, his eyes beginning to turn red.
Please… don't…" Scourge choked out, still trying to hold back his tears.
"Scourge…" Lily muttered, herself shedding tears, experiencing the last words that was said to Scourge.
"H-he said, 'I'm sorry'! I shot my dad and he said he was sorry!" Scourge cried, not holding back his tears anymore. Lily quickly embraced Scourge, crying with him. Isaac silently wiped a stray tear from his eye, witnessing the entire thing.
"Perhaps, Lily… there is still a chance for him to be saved yet." Isaac said to himself, stoking the fire. Soon, Scourge was moved into the shelter for the night. After falling asleep, Lily draped the blanket over him, leaving the shelter. Isaac was still looking out for Rosy, his eyes piercing through the veil of darkness.
"He's asleep." Lily notified, standing next to Isaac.
"Good. The more he sleeps, the better." Isaac responded, not breaking his vigil over the forest.
"It's strange, Isaac. I do not understand why Scourge is the way he is! He takes over control of his Mobius and turns it from one of peace to one of chaos! But he also completely regrets killing his father!" Lily explained, confused.
"I do not understand many things, Lily. I do not know why he would destroy an era of peace. I do not know why he would kill his father. Only he would know." Isaac responded. Soon, Lily went back into the shelter, going to sleep into the corner.
A few hours had passed, the moon in its 3:00 position. Suddenly, Scourge snapped awake from his sleep, breathing heavily. He could feel that he was sweating, his dreams having been haunting him throughout the night. His throat was dry, feeling like he was choking. I looked around, seeing Lily asleep in the corner.
"Psst, Lily." Scourge whispered, trying to get her attention. Lily stirred a bit, but she wasn't awake.
"Lily! Psst!" Scourge whispered, Lily actually sitting up. She squinted in the darkness, still very tired.
"Lily! Hey!" Scourge whispered, getting her attention.
"What?" She asked, tired.
"I need water. Do you have any?" Scourge asked. Lily went into her pack, producing a canteen. She shuffled over to him, uncapping it. She put to his lips, gently tilting it. After a few seconds, she took it away, Scourge having gulped down the water that came out.
"Thanks." Scourge said, thanking her. Lily blinked; the first time she had ever heard Scourge thank someone. Lily put the canteen back into the pack, herself laying back on the ground.
"Hey, Lily… I'm sorry for what I said before. About what I said about your religion. I… I didn't actually mean it." Scourge apologized. Lily quickly bolted awake, the apology actually surprising her!
"I… I actually knew you didn't. But apology accepted." Lily said. Scourge breathed, feeling an uncomfortable weight on his chest.
"I dreamed of my dad. He… he was just shaking his head, disappointed in me. He was still bleeding, but… he told me he wanted me to be a better person. You know though… it's kinda funny. Isaac told me I had to change who I was to be better. And now… my dad is haunting me, telling me to be better." Scourge explained.
Lily shifted a bit, looking around the shelter. Sonic was still sound asleep, sleeping near the entrance. Isaac was in the distance, still keeping vigil over the camp.
"Rosy's that way because of me." Scourge confessed. Lily closed her eyes, seeing flashes of Scourge being attacked by Rosy many times, becoming more deranged each occasion.
"She used the ring, Scourge. You couldn't have known." Lily stated. Scourge shook his head, a few tears coming from his eyes.
"She only did that because I didn't take the attacks seriously! If I would've taken her seriously, or not be a father-killing asshole, she wouldn't have become insane!" Scourge quietly shouted, Sonic turning in response, going back to sleep.
"Shhh!" Lily ordered, pointing towards Sonic. Scourge nodded, becoming quiet.
"What did you do to me? I… I would have never told anyone this before…. At least, unless I was going to kill them." Scourge asked. Lily shifted a bit away from Scourge at this admission.
"Oh, not you! I wasn't planning on doing that to you!" Scourge corrected. Hesitantly, Lily scooted back to Scourge.
"When I touched your forehead, I… used some of my powers. I made it easier for you to think clearly. Without restraint." Lily explained.
"I wasn't thinking clearly before?" Scourge asked. Lily shook her head.
"Whatever you did to yourself, all the evil you forced yourself to do, it clouded your judgement." Lily explained. Scourge didn't say anything. Lily could hear his thoughts. It was self-reflection. Lily went back to her bedroll, going back to sleep.
The dawn of morning came by slow, but fortunately, Rosy hadn't attacked throughout the night. But Isaac knew she was nearby. He could sense her stalking them. And she was going to take Isaac out the first chance she got! While Isaac maintained his vigilance, Sonic and Lily began tearing down camp. Scourge was sitting by the fire; his splint modified a bit to allow him to sit up.
"Isaac, everything's packed! We should get going while we have daylight to burn!" Sonic announced, dragging the drag sled over to Scourge. Isaac left his post, walking over to Scourge. Grabbing him, Isaac placed him on the platform, binding him to it.
"Is it really necessary at this point?" Scourge asked.
"If we have to run, this'll make sure you don't fall off." Isaac answered. As they were getting ready to transport Scourge, Lily ran over to the fire, pouring water on it to extinguish it. As soon as it was done, Lily ran over and hopped up onto the platform, sitting next to Scourge. She grabbed the bow from her shoulder, notching an arrow.
"Ready!" Lily announced. Nodding, Sonic and Isaac each grabbed a bar, pulling the drag sled. As they walked through the forest, the sun began to peek out from the branches, the sunlight reflecting off of the snow. Lily kept a vigilance over the area, keeping an eye out for Rosy. What Lily had gotten from Scourge's memories; she may not strike until their guards were let down.
"Everything alright back there, Lily?" Sonic asked, walking with the bar.
"So far. Nothing to report." Lily answered. As they trekked through the snow, the wind began picking up, tossing snow towards them. Some of the snow went into Isaac's eyes, causing him to stop to wipe his face.
"SCOURGEY!" Rosy shouted, bursting from a pile of snow! Keeping his eyes shut, Isaac unsheathed his sword, stepping in between Rosy and the drag sled. Rosy began laughing, twirling the hammer in-between her fingers!
"I just loved that fight yesterday! But Scourge… is coming with me!" Rosy laughed, swinging her hammer a bit. Isaac widened his stance, his eyes still shut. Soon, the world began to reveal itself through him through his ears, Isaac sensing a rough outline of the world around him.
"Rosy, I'm offering one more chance to come with us, in peace. I can get you help! But you need to trust us!" Isaac offered. In response to this, Rosy charged with her hammer swinging! Isaac blocked her strikes, the blade of his sword holding out. Isaac began walking forward, still blocking her strikes.
Suddenly, they created a clashing stalemate, Rosy and Isaac pushing against each other with their weapons for battlefield dominance! Isaac opened his eyes, his eyes beginning to glow brighter than ever before!
"I… just wanted to… smash Scourgey flat! But you… just had to go… and make it difficult!" Rosy complained, her grip on her weapon unfailing. As Isaac and Rosy pushed against each other, Lily silently got off of the platform. She began climbing up one of the trees, getting herself onto one of the branches.
"Now… I'm gonna… smash you flat!" Rosy proclaimed, pushing harder. Isaac held his stance, his feet beginning to slide in the snow, losing his position. Lily moved herself right above Rosy, hanging from the branch. Isaac saw her peeking from the top of his eyes, causing him to grin.
"Hey, Rosy… your shoes are untied." Isaac randomly said. This caused Rosy to stop the clash, looking down at her feet. Seeing the distraction, Lily let go of the branch, falling towards Rosy.
"Hey… I don't have laces!" Rosy realized, Lily suddenly landing on top of her back! Rosy leaped back, trying to reach for Lily!
"Get off of me!" Rosy yelled, jumping around to get Lily to fall off. Lily quickly worked an arm around Rosy's neck, slapping her other hand onto her forehead. Lily focused, trying to peer into her memories. Rosy grabbed her under arms, but Lily's hold around her neck kept her from moving. Suddenly, Lily's eyes shot open, now knowing what to do!
"Sonic! I need the ring Amy gave you!" Lily shouted, Rosy still trying to buck her off like a bronco! Taking off his glove, He removed the inert ring on his finger, throwing it to Lily! Lily quickly snatched it, placing it onto her finger! She quickly gripped the back of her head, causing Rosy to become still.
"Rosy, you are to listen to me. Drop to your knees and bow your head." Lily said. Rosy complied, dropping to her knees. Still maintaining the grip on the back of her head, Lily dropped down from her back.
"What is she doing?" Sonic asked.
"I… I don't know." Isaac answered. The ring on Lily's finger began to glow, showing it was becoming imbued with power. Letting go of the nape of her neck, Lily put her palm back onto her forehead, closing her eyes. Rosy snapped back into attention, but she found she couldn't move her body!
"What… are you doing… to me?" Rosy choked out, feeling herself begin to shake.
"Paṭaippiṉ āṇṭavarāṉa elōhim, eṉ jepattaik kēḷuṅkaḷ. Avaḷai kuṇappaṭuttum cakti eṉakku koṭuṅkaḷ. Mōtirattiṉ payaṅkaramāṉa viḷaivukaḷai akaṟṟum tiṟaṉai eṉakkuk koṭuṅkaḷ. Nāṉ avaḷ maṉatai kuṇamākki, teḷivāka cintikka utavukiṟēṉ. Tayavuceytu koṭūramāṉa uyiriḻappukaḷait taṭukka orē vaḻi itutāṉ. Āmeṉ.(Elohim, Lord of Creation, hear my plea. Give me the power to cure her. Give me the ability to removed the terrible effects of the ring. Allow me to heal her mind, help her think clearly. Please… it's the only way to prevent terrible loss of life. Amen.)" Lily prayed, the ring beginning to glow brighter, beginning to burn her finger!
Rosy's eyes suddenly shot wide-open, her body beginning to change! Her quills began to grow longer, her bones painlessly breaking and refusing! Her muscles became more developed, her appearance becoming older! Lily quickly let go, the ring falling off of her finger, melting the snow upon contact.
Shaking her head, Rosy slowly stood up, significantly taller. Her dress was too small for her, the seams beginning to strain. She looked around, not quite knowing where she was. She saw Lily standing there, herself confused.
"I… I'm sorry, do you know where I am?" Rosy asked. Lily smiled wider, realizing her prayer worked! She quickly ran to Rosy and hugged her, only further confusing her. Rosy hesitantly bent down and hugged her.
"Do I know you?" Rosy asked. Lily let go of her, still smiling.
"Not quite, but eventually, you will!" Lily explained. Suddenly, Rosy began shivering, finally noticing the cold. Isaac saw this, taking off his cloak and giving it to her.
"Here. You'll need this to cover yourself until we get camp made." Isaac explained. Rosy quickly took it, wrapping the cloak around her.
"Sonic, help me move Scourge. We need to make more room for the platform." Isaac announced. As Isaac and Sonic undid the bounds that restrained him, Rosy began to have flashbacks in her memory.
"Wait, I… I remember Scourge! He… he killed King Jules!" Rosy remembered. Rosy saw her hammer on the ground, picking it up. Lily quickly saw this, leaping for the hammer and taking it out of her grip.
"Wait! That's not how it happened!" Lily exclaimed, keeping the hammer away from her.
"Listen, I need that hammer! I can stop him here and now!" Rosy explained. Lily only shook her head, running off with it towards the platform. Rosy quickly ran after her, but she suddenly stopped, feeling her feet killing her! Rosy looked down, seeing her shoes were much too small for her feet! She quickly took them off, her feet burying into the cold snow.
"Get back here!" Rosy called out, trying to run after Lily. Lily quickly sprung up a tree, getting herself onto the branches. Rosy tried to climb the tree after her, but Rosy lost her grip, her rear end falling into the snow. As Rosy kept trying to go after Lily for her hammer, Isaac and Sonic were just standing at the drag sled, watching this all play out.
"Should we stop this?" Sonic asked. Isaac thought on this, then quickly shook his head.
"If this distracts Rosy, then we can just drag the sled and she'll hop from the branches, keeping up with us." Isaac explained. Nodding, Sonic grabbed the pole in front of him, Isaac doing the same. They began pulling the drag sled, Scourge looking very uncomfortable. But as they moved, just as Isaac predicted, Lily began running through the branches, keeping away from Rosy while keeping up with Isaac and Sonic.
"Fine! Looks like I'll have to stop him the old-fashioned way!" Rosy sighed, walking towards the drag sled, her hands clenched into fists. Isaac stopped the sled, seeing Rosy was going to try to kill Scourge with her bare hands. Scourge began squirming, trying to get himself out of the restraints!
"Isaac!" Scourge yelled, seeing Rosy getting closer. Isaac let go of the pole, walking between Rosy and Scourge, holding up his hand to stop her.
"I don't know who you are but get out of my way! I need to end this right now!" Rosy exclaimed, Isaac being the only thing stopping her from killing Scourge.
"Scourge is my prisoner now. He's coming with me to the Kingdom of Acorn to stand trial. Now, I will not stop you from coming with us, but if I find you attempting to kill him, I will not hesitate to correct it." Isaac explained.
"He deserves death!" Rosy exclaimed. Isaac frowned at this, feeling his blood begin to boil!
"And I already told you that it isn't your decision to make!" Isaac yelled, causing Rosy to flinch. Suddenly, Rosy's memory flashed before her, remembering her fight with Isaac. The brutality of the fight, and what Isaac was capable of scared her! She backed up a bit, her fear beginning to overwhelm her. Seeing this, Isaac breathed in, and then out, calming himself.
"I apologize for yelling, but I made a promise to get him back, intact and alive! But if you wish to come with us, I will not stop you. Now, there's room on the platform, but I warn you, Lily will be watching you. And if she sees you trying something I won't appreciate; I will not hesitate to correct it." Isaac explained, grabbing the pole on the sled.
Looking around the forest, Rosy couldn't make anything out about where she was. Her recovering mind couldn't tell where in the forest she was. Her feet were freezing, beginning to go numb. Deciding to go with the best option, Rosy hoisted herself onto the platform, sitting next to the bound Scourge. She looked at him, displaying a face of great contempt. Scourge could only look away, feeling the slightest feeling of regret.
"Isaac! If we go this way, we might be able to find a good camping spot for tonight!" Lily announced, pointing Northeast. Isaac nodded, pulling the drag sled with Sonic towards her direction. Rosy took off the cloak, wrapping her feet with it to provide them with protection from the cold. She looked over to Scourge, then finally noticing he had a large splint and a sling.
"You deserve worse!" She hissed, venom spilling from her voice. Scourge turned his head towards her, his eyes looking tired.
"Yes… I do." Scourge muttered, before turning his head away from her. Rosy was surprised by Scourge agreeing with her, but she quickly hardened her heart, turning away from him. Soon, when Isaac saw the sun in its 1:00 position, Isaac stopped the drag sled, motioning for Sonic to let go of the bar. After setting it down, Isaac took off his pack, rummaging through it.
"Lily! We need to eat before we keep going!" Isaac announced, Lily dropping down from the branches with Rosy's hammer. Feeling that Rosy wasn't going to attempt to kill Scourge, Lily gave it back to Rosy.
"Here, but please, at least listen to what I have to say." Lily requested. Rosy looked at her hammer, and then back to Scourge. Rosy knew it would be easy. Easy to kill Scourge right now. But she also knew that Isaac wouldn't let her get away with it! And Lily… she couldn't quite remember what she did, but if Lily could cure her of the effects of the ring, then what else would she be capable of?
"Okay…" Rosy acknowledged, her hammer disappearing from her hand. Lily faintly smiled, knowing that at least Rosy was beginning to trust her. As Isaac began to go through his provisions, Sonic looking through for first picks, Lily motioned for Rosy to lean forward. Rosy did, Lily hopping up to whisper into her ear so as Scourge wouldn't hear her.
"It was an accident! Scourge didn't mean to kill his father!" Lily revealed. Rosy shook her head, not caring about the situation that led to King Jule's death.
"He still took over! He's still just as guilty!" Rosy argued.
"I'm not arguing if he's guilty or not, but you must understand, just like I did with you, I helped him think clearly! He's been self-reflecting on his actions. I truly believe I can help him redeem himself." Lily explained.
"He's crossed the line for redemption too long ago! The only thing he can do to make things better is to throw himself off of a cliff." Rosy responded. Lily shook her head, not believing what she was hearing!
"They said the same about you!" Lily fired back. Rosy was taken back by this, this little girl talking back to her like that. While Rosy was now physically older, her mind aged with her. And she didn't take to being talked back to like this! And Isaac could feel Rosy becoming angry.
"You threaten my sister, you will be dealing with me!" Isaac sternly warned, sending chills through Rosy's spine. Rosy kept her mouth shut, knowing what she was about to say would probably end with Isaac throwing her through a tree! Rosy turned away from Lily, keeping herself isolated from the others.
She looked to Scourge, who was covered with a blanket. While the cloak would probably be warmer, Rosy's feet were only just warming up. Scourge noticed her staring at the blanket.
"Rosy… you can take it. You… need it more than me." Scourge hesitantly said. Rosy didn't hesitate to tear it away from him, wrapping herself with it. As Isaac and Sonic continued onward, Rosy kept looking back at Scourge, quickly turning away the moment Scourge notices her staring at him.
"I saw that, you know. Staring at me." Scourge noted. Rosy only tightened the blanket around her, trying to ignore him.
"You know… you're actually pretty hot, right now." Scourge said, some of his old personality leaking out. Rosy responded to this by slapping him hard across the face! Isaac did nothing to correct her, feeling it was warranted.
"You're nothing but a chauvinistic, misogynist hog!" Rosy scolded, Scourge's pupils contracting in response to this.
"You just kill, bully, and manipulate! I don't care what Lily says, you can't change! You'll never change!" Rosy yelled, Scourge reeling back. Isaac cleared his throat, getting Lily's attention.
"Get them under control!" Isaac whispered. Lily nodded, reaching into her pack. Lily quickly produced a small copy of her brother's bible, each word handwritten in their native language. She opened it, looking for something to help them. Soon, she found what she was looking, for clearing her throat.
"I'd like to tell you about a man named Saul of Tarsus. Saul of Tarsus persecuted and killed those who followed Emmanuel. But during his darkest hour, he was given vision of Emmanuel before him, blinding him!" Lily began to explain, reading from her bible.
"He was guided by hand back into Damascus. But after three days of not drinking or eating, only praying for forgiveness from Elohim, his sight was restored. He was forgiven for his sins against Emmanuel and his followers!" Lily finished, closing her bible.
"What are you getting at?" Rosy asked, not sure where this is coming from.
"Scourge is Saul of Tarsus! He had spent his life being evil, tormenting the people around him as his display of power! But now… he's blinded! He can't see where his direction is anymore! His mind has been opened to the truth! But right now, he needs to be guided back to find his forgiveness!" Lily answered.
Rosy sighed, becoming annoyed by this. She felt herself too set against Scourge. She truly believed that Scourge was too far from redemption.
"I don't care what you say or believe, nothing is going to convince me otherwise!" Rosy exclaimed. Isaac looked towards Sonic, motioning his head towards the poles they were pulling. Sonic nodded, Isaac and Sonic quickly dropping the sled. Isaac stretched out his arms, looking up to the treetops.
"Lily, how much farther until we get to the clearing?" Isaac asked.
"It's not a clearing! It's actually an old cabin I found out here a year ago! No one has lived in it for years!" Lily explained. Nodding, Isaac breathed in, and then out, feeling his back muscles begin to contract. Isaac took off his shirt, feeling his back begin to burn! Suddenly, his wings erupted from his back, causing him to kneel! He slowly got up, looking again to the treetops.
"I'm going to get up past those treetops. Sonic, keep an eye on the sled. Lily, keep an eye on Rosy and Scourge." Isaac said, his wings beginning to move. Isaac leaped upward, his wings carrying him to one of the branches. While his wings couldn't maintain true flight yet, it allowed Isaac to reach high places much easier when given a boost!
As Isaac leaped to and landed on the branches to carry him past the treetops, Scourge and Rosy only looked upwards towards Isaac, shocked by the sudden show of ability.
"Uh… well, I didn't see that coming." Scourge reacted, not the most surprising thing he had ever seen before. Lily walked back to the sled, sitting on part of the frame.
"Do you remember anything else?" Lily asked Rosy. Rosy snapped back into focus, looking away from the treetops.
"What?" She asked.
"I asked if you remember anything else from after you used the ring the first time." Lily answered. Rosy tried to remember, but besides the memories of why she was targeting Scourge, everything was just a blur. She shook her head, answering Lily. Lily quickly stood up, putting her hand onto Rosy's forehead.
"Just relax." Lily instructed, closing her eyes. Rosy felt her head begin to clear, a tingling sensation beginning to radiate throughout her body. Suddenly, all the terrible memories of her attacks, all the people she had killed, came rushing back at her! Rosy began shaking her head, feeling herself begin to spiral out of control! Lily quickly took her hand off of her forehead, Rosy regaining her senses.
"That… that can't be true! None of it!" Rosy exclaimed, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, but… all of that you saw happened. That was the cost of using the ring. Your sanity." Lily explained.
Rosy just sat there, the memories of her insane state clear as day! She couldn't figure it out! How did her mind deteriorate so much? And why was it that this little girl could do all of the things she did?
"How are you doing this? And why are you doing this?" Rosy asked.
"My brother and I, we are Nephilim. Our mother was an angel. But our father… he was a demon. We have their powers… but it seems I take more from our mother." Lily explained.
"But why are you doing this?" Rosy asked, feeling herself become physically sick.
"I just wanted to help you two! Scourge, because Isaac and I believe that he can be redeemed. You, because you shouldn't have to live without your sanity." Lily explained.
"You shouldn't have! I'd rather be insane than remember the people I killed!" Rosy yelled, Lily leaping back in response. Scourge looked over, seeing Lily's lip begin to tremble.
"Hey! Don't yell at the kid for helping you!" Scourge yelled, angry. Rosy was taken aback, not expecting Scourge of all people to defend her.
"Why do you care? It's not like you cared about anyone before!" Rosy asked.
"I… I don't know why! Maybe… maybe it's fucking time I stop only thinking about myself! I don't know! But if I find a way to get out of these bonds, I will snap your neck for yelling at her!" Scourge threatened. Suddenly, Isaac came gliding down from the treetops, landing hard into the ground. His wings receded into his back, Isaac grabbing his shirt from his belt.
"I saw the cabin a few miles from here. We should be able to get there in about an hour. But first…" Isaac said, walking over to Rosy and pressing a pressure point into her neck.
"Aagh!" Rosy exclaimed, pain coursing through her entire upper body!
"DO! NOT! YELL! AT! MY! SISTER!" Isaac yelled, his breathe radiating with fire! Rosy trembled from the volume of his yelling, her ears practically ringing! Scourge was stifling laughter, seeing his mortal enemy suffer.
"Scourge, I have something for you." Isaac said, walking over to the other side of the sled, rooting through his pocket. As soon as he got to him, he quickly grabbed Scourge's injured shoulder, gripping hard.
"Aagh!" Scourge exclaimed, mirroring the sound Rosy made.
"You like this?! The bones in your shoulder breaking apart?!" Isaac asked, furious.
"No!" Scourge choked out, unable to stop him! Isaac let go, Scourge breathing heavily.
"Then stop laughing at Rosy! She's not your enemy anymore!" Isaac scolded, walking to the bar, and picking it up. Sonic grabbed the bar in front of him, helping Isaac pull the drag sled.
"Son of a bitch!" Scourge muttered, the pain lingering in his shoulder.
"Penance isn't pleasant, Saul of Tarsus." Isaac said, hearing him curse.
"Wait, you heard that?" Scourge asked.
"I heard everything! My hearing is keen from years of hunting! How do you think I heard you and Rosy yelling at each other?" Isaac revealed.
As the drag sled slowly moved its way through the forest, Rosy and Scourge were silent, the tension practically building between them. They both wanted to kill each other! But Rosy knew she would be used to knock down trees by Isaac if she tried. And Scourge knew he couldn't because of his bindings. But even if he could, he only had one good arm, and Isaac... he'd probably break his other shoulder… or his leg… alright, Scourge knew something of his would be broken! By Isaac! The one who threw him around like a ragdoll and managed to snap his femur, being one of the strongest bones in the body!
"How are you holding up, Sonic?" Isaac asked.
"Good. I can do this all day!" Sonic boasted.
"We should actually be nearing the cabin. Once we get there, we can set up camp for the night." Isaac stated.