The Journey Home

The warm safety of their familiar vessel echoed with the silence that followed their victory. Sil, his body still slightly battered and bruised, his mind exhausted from the weight of the battle and the hard-fought decision that led him to this point, finally allowed himself to breathe.

Vorden and Raten were still recovering from their injuries, not physically of course, having been healed by Sil, but mentally, they had very nearly died several times, had been broken, bloodied, split down to the bone, each of them took their seats after standing on shaky legs. They were spent. Though the battle had been brutal, they were alive—together. That was enough for now.

"Is it over?" Raten asked, his voice rough, a light tremor still noticeable in his hands as he wiped blood from his face.

Vorden didn't answer immediately. He was sitting, staring down at the floor, lost in thought. His breathing was shallow, his mind still processing everything that had happened—the torture, the fear, the rage—and the relief that it was all finally behind them.

"I think so," Vorden replied quietly, his voice hollow. He turned to Sil, locking eyes with him. "You... you were incredible."

Sil gave a small, tired smile. "I didn't do it alone."

Raten scoffed softly. "We told you over a thousand years ago, you wont have to. We meant it then, we mean it now. You got us back from that hell."

Vorden shook his head, leaning toward Sil and placing a hand on his shoulder. "You got us back... period."

The room seemed to grow heavier with the unspoken weight of their gratitude. It wasn't just the physical wounds that had nearly broken them—it was the psychological toll, the fear of losing each other that had threatened to shatter the bonds they'd forged over the years. Their strength, the stalwart friendships, their unshakable unity, had been the only thing that had seen them through this.

As they began to hurdle through space, toward home there was an odd quiet. When they finally got up and started to move about, their steps were measured, slower than usual, as though the sheer weight of everything was settling in their bones.

On the several days journey back home, Sil explained what transpired while they were frozen in time and how exactly he got his powers back. They all listened in stunned silence. They asked questions here and there for clarity. Shiro and Vorden both held grim expressions, knowing how problematic the gods can be. Raten grew increasingly angry that Mundus had lied to them about Sil's powers. He also made it clear, as he punched his fist into an open palm, that Bliss had it coming. They were all tired. They spent the rest of the journey resting and just visiting with one another. Taking advantage of the brief reprieve from reality, and the stressors of every day life that awaited them, upon their return. 

The only excitement that popped up in those peaceful few days flying through the endless void, was when Jade found herself nauseated from motion sickness. She ended up spending several hours of their trip sticking rather close to the lavatory in case she had to be sick. When they were on the last leg of their journey, Shiro made contact with those he had left to oversee the Blade complex in his absence. They were pleasantly surprised and very relieved to hear that their founders and their valued leader would be returning home in a short amount of time. 

The ship shuddered softly as it settled into their hanger in Blade complex, engines whining into silence, leaving behind only the steady hum of cooling metal and the collective sighs of relief from its battered occupants. The air was heavy, thick with the scents of antiseptic cleaners and the coppery tang of dried blood, a stark reminder of the harrowing ordeal they had just endured.

Raten stretched dramatically, cracking joints and grimacing at the lingering aches deep in his bones. His rough voice broke the silence. "I'm beyond filthy," he complained, rubbing his hands down his face, remnants of dried blood still could be seen in a few places. "I don't think I've ever felt this ready for a shower in all of my existence."

Vorden gave a tired chuckle, standing slowly, muscles still trembling as if unsure that they were truly safe. "You're always filthy," he teased halfheartedly, exhaustion pulling at his voice even as he smiled faintly. His expression softened as he glanced around the familiar hangar, a strange wave of nostalgia washing over him, a sense of appreciation he'd never felt so deeply. "God, it's good to be home."

Sil, his shoulders once again bearing the weight of his renewed powers, glanced sideways at his brothers with affectionate amusement. His lips curled into an easy smile, a lightness flickering behind eyes that had previously been clouded with guilt and helplessness. "Yeah. It really is."

The ramp lowered slowly, a hiss of hydraulic machinery filling the cavernous room. Warm, welcoming air washed over them, carrying the familiar scents of home, like freshly polished floors and distant cooking spices wafting in from the canteen.

Inside the central lobby of the building, a chorus of voices erupted into cheers as the small cohort passed through the large entry way doors. Brightly colored banners unfurled, and confetti drifted through the air, settling gently on the floor. Shiro froze, wide-eyed and bashful, momentarily forgetting his aches as dozens of smiling faces greeted him.

"Welcome home, Shiro!" the small crowd gathered loudly cheered, laughter bubbling up warmly. The growing faction of the Blades and all its extended family of members and residents has mostly gathered, all eager to welcome home their fearless leaders. A mere excuse for a celebration, but a welcomed sight none the less.

Then, pushing gracefully through the bustling group came a rather beautiful woman, her hair just barely sprinkled with silver, and a maturity in her eyes, matched by the captivating elegance of her movements. She looked to be in her mid forties with the carefree vibrance of somebody having lived a life, richly lived.

She looked incredible for her age, and she had a stunning appearance, her face drawing attention everywhere she went. As she passed by heads would turn, some would double take as they were caught off guard by her heartbreakingly alluring smile, a few younger men even blushed as they caught sight of her. If that wasn't enough, it only was made worse by the fact that she had a shapely feminine physic, that told of a body well kept with an active, healthy, lifestyle and daily routine. Vorden had just noticed her when she jumped up and down a couple of times with overjoyed excitement and shouted "SHIRO!"