This is the first time Felix have seen her in this state, she looked so weak.
All he knew was that the elite squad died nine years ago on this day, that's all Stormie had imparted him.
And that two of them were the elder siblings of Drake and Saphira.
"I'll tell you what happened," Ridge said to him.
Felix looked at him in wonder.
"I think, you now have the right to know the things surrounding this group," Ridge added seeing his look.
He gestured for him to sit down before ordering something to drink.
They spoke until dusk and Felix couldn't believe what he had heard.
"You remember when you and Stormie fought back in your kingdom when we just met?" Ridge asked him.
Felix nodded his head, it was as clear as day to him.
"Those words also came from this experience. But other than this, we still have traumas or painful memories that hunts us. All of which could cause us something in the future."
Felix looked straight in his eyes as Ridge removed his glasses, then he suddenly bowed his head.
"As someone who loves Stormie, I hope you could be one of those who could protect her. Because of all the burden we carry, we can't always be there to protect one another."
Felix was so shocked he didn't know how to react.
"And..."
Ridge raised his head, "Don't look at Saphira differently, she is not her sister. We are all separate person after all."
Felix instantly shook his head, "I will never think of her in any way other than the respect that I have for her. She had shown so much dedication to what she is doing now that I can never compare. I can never have that right."
Ridge smiled before nodding his head, "At the same time, I told you this not to look at her with pity. Saphira would suerly hit you when you do that."
Felix chuckled, "I won't, thank you for telling me."
The information wasn't something anyone would have wanted to hear but he was happy he was able to hear it.
This showed his relationship with them has deepened and now he can tell that there is more to respect towards them than what was simply being shown.
That night, Saphira had indeed fallen sick.
"Why..."
They were discussing how things will turn if by the next day she wouldn't get better when they suddenly heard her whimper.
"I can't..."
This was the very first time they had heard her cry in so much despair.
"Please..."
She was whimpering looking like she was crying, but there were no tears.
"No..."
One word or tow words, they can't understand where this is coming from.
One thing is for sure, she was definitely hurt so much on what is happening in her dream.
Hunter walked over and cradled her in his arms.
"It has passed," he gently said.
His hand caressing her back, trying to get her to sleep peacefully instead.
"It has passed."
Even though he didn't he was sure this was connected to the past.
The others couldn't help but to pity her as they looked at her weakened state.
Laughing.
Getting angry.
Teasing.
She had shown all of this but had she shown them her weak side?
No, for as long as they can remember in the past year that they were together, she haven't shown this.
It felt as if something was gripping their heart seeing her like this.
Hunter patiently patted and caressed ehr back until her frown disappeared and her whimpers ceased.
"We'll see what will happen tomorrow, for now, you all should go adn rest as well. Us being here might not help her at all," Hunter told the rest.
They agreed and gave Saphira one final look before leaving her room.
Hunter stayed in her room and looked after her.
*****
'Have I done something last night?' Saphira asked Vermilion Bird and Light upon waking up.
Hunter was asleep on the chair beside her bed.
'Why do you think so?' Light asked her.
'He won't stay by my side unless I showed that I really needed some support at the moment.'
'Well you did cry out words but only one or two. Though you were looking like you were in serious pain,' Light said.
Saphira sighed before sitting up.
Her fever was gone and she feels light.
She don't remember if she had a dream but if she did as what Light said then she must have had a nightmare of what had happened back then.
'Why does it feels like my secret is about to be revealed with the intensity of my subconscious emotions?' she asked touching her nose.
'Then you really should prepare,' Light commented.
She kept her silence.
Prepare?
No one would be prepared for that.
Not her and not even them.
She would surely be pained when she sees their pained looks.
"You're awake."
As she was pondering over this, Hunter woke up.
"Yeah," she nodded.
"Are you hungry? How do you feel?"
"I'm quite good, the sleep was great I am no longer sick. And yes, I really am hungry, haven't had anything since yesterday."
"Can you stand?"
He extended his hand towards her as he stood up.
She laughed before accepting it, "Quite refreshing being treated this way."
Hunter raised an eyebrow and his eyes were implicating that being treated like this was something she really didn't like, so how can he treat her this way all the time?
"That's why I said it is quite refreshing," she laughed.
"If one day I suddenly bercome meek and weak, how would you treat me?" she asked as they walked out of her room.
He furrowed his brows.
"The best way I can."
Saphira laughed, "I'm lokoing forward to that 'best way' somehow."
"Saphira!!"
She smiled at the others who was already downstairs.
"I guess we already know what to expect nest year," she joked.
"We won't expect for anything," Ridge replied.
She smiled before she and all of them who had waited, ate their breakfast with renewed strength.