Guilt

"There was a Rune and he was feral and-" Berry's words cut off as he remembered the fear he felt earlier, still lingering in his chest.

"Y-you're okay now" Caelum said softly, the guilt eating at him.

"Where we you?" Berry whispered, becoming emotional, "I was so scared".

Caelum's guilt grew, his palms becoming sweaty, He's just another Rune, I shouldn't use my emotions to ruin things, he thought but every time he looked into Berry's doe eyes, he couldn't help but feel like a piece of shit for his actions.

"You're okay now Berry" He said, sounding firmer than usual.

"What happened to the Rune?"

"He…reverted"

Berry's eyes widened, he lifted his head slightly, "what? Reverted? I did it again? But I didn't see the sadness in his eyes and I was afraid".

"It seems feeling any strong emotion can trigger your powers"

"Any strong emotion…" The pink haired Rune looked down at his hands, the place were he was bitten now covered up by a bandage.

"Yes"

Berry hummed and stayed quiet, not sure what to say, he was still trying to process what Caelum told him, Does this mean that if I can control my emotions, I can control my powers?. He thought, feeling a sense of hope and determination, Maybe I could finally be able to save the Runes.

While Berry was feeling hopeful, Caelum on the other hand only felt a deep sense of regret and shame. Should I tell him the truth?.

He was torn between his duty and conscience, he had carried out the awful text without the Rune's consent and it filled him with remorse and guilt.

"Berry I-"

The door opened, interrupting him. Sepehr walked through with grumpy Asher behind him. "Ah! I see you're awake Berry" he said with a usual friendly smile on his face.

Berry looked at him warmly, "I did it" he said innocently happy, "I used my powers, even though it was in a scary situation, Caelum says strong emotions can trigger my powers".

"Hm…what do you know…the Rune is now useful" Asher remarked, with a condescending smirk.

Sepehr gave him a glare before speaking, "Be nice for once Asher".

He turned back to Berry, putting on his smile again, "It's good that you are making progress, the sooner you master your powers the better".

Berry nodded filled with enthusiasm, then his eyes went to Caelum and he didn't get the reaction he was expecting. He knew the dragon was always stoic but at least he would acknowledge the progress they just made.

Maybe he doesn't see it as progress, Berry was unaware of the turmoil that went on in Caelum's mind and he interpreted it the wrong way and it caused his own mood to sour a little bit.

"Okay, over the following weeks we will run some tests and give you a bit of practice, sounds good?" Sepehr asked.

"Yes, that's okay, I hope I will do well"

"You'd better" Asher said sarcastically before letting out a loud scoff.

Sepehr rolled his eyes, "Okay enough of this, we'll leave you alone to rest" he pushed Asher to the door as they both made their way out, leaving Caelum alone with Berry.

The silence between then was awkward and the tension was so thick, one could cut through it with a knife. Berry felt nervous with a hint of sadness, Caelum on the other hand felt torn and remorseful. Both of them were caught up in their own thoughts, which were about one another.

Berry summoned his courage and spoke up, "Is there something wrong?" he asked softly, no wanting to anger Caelum.

"Everything is fine"

"You do not seem fine"

"I said I am fine Berry" he said firmer, not wanting to talk about anything related to that.

"Is it the attack? I'm fine, I have gotten over it, sure I'm still scared but that feral Rune came as a blessing, it helpe-"

"Enough!" Caelum could not stand the words, you wouldn't feel the same way if you learned you were deliberately attacked, he thought.

Berry flinched at his harsh tone, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion, he wondered what he might have done to warrant such aggression from Caelum.

He quickly straightened up himself and bowed his head, "I…I apologize".

"I need a minute" Caelum walked out of the room, not sparing him another glance, his aura retreating along with his form.

Berry watched as he left, he took a turn and disappeared, leaving the Rune alone with his thoughts. What happened to him? We were fine before.

Berry felt hopeless, he had discovered something new, something useful but it seemed it only came with problems, I don't even know what I did wrong, he should have at least told me.

He sat on his bed, touching his blankets, hoping Caelum would come back and he they would at least get to talk about it, but they never came.

Berry sighed in frustration and laid down to sleep. He'll come whenever he is ready.

He was about to drift off, when he heard the door opened, he turned his head on the bed to look at it, hoping it was Caelum.

Simultaneously, he also wished it wasn't a Rune, the past incident had left a scar in his mind, the fear slightly lingering.

But he never expected the person that walked through the door to be a woman, someone he had never seen or met before, just some strange woman who wore a stoic look and stared at him.

She's human.

She had short blonde hair, straight and shoulder-length, she was tall and young, with bright brown eyes and an indifferent expression that held a bit of defiance. She was good looking and she seemed to not be hostile, putting Berry a little bit at ease.

"Who are you?" He said softly, moving to sit up on the bed.

"My name is Natalie, I am here to tell you something important"

"What?"

"There is something you need to know, it had to do with your powers"

He widened his eyes and said quickly, "Then we have to call Caelum and Sepehr, they should kno-"

"NO! It has to be you and only you"

"But the-" he was cut off before he could finish.

"I said no Berry!"

How does she know my name? He started to feel uneasy.

"Look, I do not have much time right now, I have to tell you this, but you have to promise to keep it a secret"

"But why can't they know?! They have been helping and protecting me, I do not even know you!"

"Because you can't trust them Berry"