Feelings of Hurt

"What are yo-"

Enid cut him off firmly, walking towards Berry, "You might as well tell him the whole truth".

Berry looked at her with widened eyes, he immediately recognized her as she walked closer, "it's you…"

"Yes, it's me and Caelum here has something to tell you"

Caelum gulped nervously, he clenched his fist tight and glared at her. He knew what she was trying to do and it sucked because he was not ready to tell Berry but he had no choice…it's best to come completely clean.

"The attack was planned" he said in one breath.

Berry was confused for a moment before his eyes slowly widened in realization, the Rune that day…that almost killed me? No wonder no one came…

He felt a deep sense of disappointment and sadness and he honestly did not know what to say, in that moment he couldn't even look at Caelum. It was all a joke.

I've always been nothing more than an experiment.

Caelum could sense the resentment grow within Berry, he quickly spoke up once more, "Look I did that because I was pressured, we needed to find answers, I promise I wouldn't have let it get too far, I'm sorry"

Berry didn't believe him one bit and Caelum could see that so he kept talking, "And I regret it deeply, I regret ever making that kind of decision believe me, I never wanted to hurt you, even now…I did not give my approval for that experiment, I was also cornered, please believe me Berry". He said in a desperate voice, it cut deep to see the hurt on Berry's face.

"It's true Berry, Caelum may have done something unruly and betrayed you in the past but I assure you, for this experiment, he saved you" Enid said softly.

Berry looked at Enid then at Caelum, "I thought…you know what, never mind, you did what you had to, if you both say he had nothing to do with this machine…then I chose to believe you, but my trust is broken…if that means anything to you". He said in a cold and hurt voice, he couldn't believe he thought Caelum cared about him a little, he was terribly wrong and stupid. He felt like he had been punched in the gut and thrown to the floor, he was just another experiment.

"Berr-"

"Your Majesty, it's alright, thank you for saving me but I would like to be away from you, if truly you do not want to hurt me, then you will fulfil my wish"

Caelum's eyes widened in shock, "what? No! I am not leaving you here alone!"

"I won't be alone, I would be with her" Berry said pointing at Enid who was also shocked at his decision.

"Who…Enid! You don't even know her"

"I will be fine"

"I cannot leave you alone Berry!"

"Why? Too crucial for the experiments? Can't let your test subject go?" Berry said sarcastically, Caelum was in disbelief, he has never heard him speak this way and it hurt him more than he would like to admit.

"You're not an experiment Berry, you're a person and I-" I care about you, he said in his mind, not brave enough to say it out loud.

Berry glared at him, "Please leave".

Caelum was reluctant about leaving with Enid, especially with all the people out to get him, he wanted to protest again when Enid cut in, "Your Majesty, he will be fine,I will be there to help him fully recover and I will keep in touch, I understand your worries but he is in safe hands" she said reassuringly.

He still felt reluctant but he knew that Berry was in no mood to budge or even hear him out properly so he sighed and gave up, he turned to the door and spoke softly, "if you need anything, please let me know, if you get into danger, anywhere you are, call out to me, I will hear you and I will come to you". He walked out the door and disappeared into stardust.

Immediately he left, Berry let out silent tears he didn't know he had been holding, he just felt so betrayed and hurt, even after knowing that Caelum saved him, he still could not shake off the feeling and coupled with the fact that Caelum did betray him before, it made the pain unbearable.

It's my fault. I trusted him. I shouldn't have.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and then the voice of Enid in his ear, "You're gonna be alright, just take a breather and then you two can talk about it some other time okay?"

He didn't know if he wanted to talk but he said nothing, just simply looked down at his feet while she kept trying to reassure him.

He sat there for a while, trying to catch his breath, he still felt some pain lingering in his body but he brushed it off and wiped his tears, he turned to Enid, "Your name is Enid right?'', She nodded in response.

''The first time we met, you told me some disturbing things and some intriguing things too, but one thing always lingered at the back of my mind"

"And that is?"

"You said you knew about my powers and where I come from"

"Hm…I remember saying that…"

"Is that true?"

"Yes it is true, I do know where you came from, not only that, I also know your purpose"

"M..My purpose?"

"We all have a purpose Berry, some more important than others but we all play a role in life, you are the key"

"The key to what?"

"To salvation"

Berry cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brows in confusion, she sounded crazy but she spoke with such certainty that he wanted to believe every word she said, but why would he be the key? Of all people?.

"I know you barely remember anything from before you became a Rune and trust me…there is a reason why"

"Tell me!" He demanded eagerly, his past was something he so desperately wanted to know.

"No, I will show you instead but for now you have to regain your strength, the journey ahead is treacherous and you must do all you can to be victorious"