Companions

"Mister! Come with us! Come!" An echoing voice reverberated in his mind, replaying like a haunting melody and unraveling the last threads of his sanity.

Cornelius sat motionless, his eyes void of life—hollow and dull, as if they had seen too much.

His body slumped forward, burdened by the unbearable weight of his emotions. 

His sagging shoulders, caved chest, and bowed head gave him the appearance of a man defeated, wilted and worn.

Grief etched deep lines into his face, and sorrow drained him to his very core.

Every detail of his posture—the way he stared, the way he carried himself—spoke of a soul troubled and fractured beyond repair.

"I can only fix his physical state," Reiji broke the heavy silence lingering in the air. "My ability doesn't extend to the spirit," he added, beset by regret.

"He'll be fine. Cornelius is a fighter," Lyra said, her voice attempting to sound optimistic, though her worry was unmistakable.

"Our mother can help him," Lyrien reassured, her confidence unwavering. "She'll bring Cornelius back to us, I'm sure of it."

Reiji remained silent, his gaze fixed on Cornelius. Thoughts swirled in his mind as he studied the man's lifeless expression. "He looks broken…" Reiji reflected. "Dead inside—a victim of unspeakable trauma."

Lyra stepped closer, her expression soft but serious. "Reiji," she said gently, drawing his attention.

"Yes?" he responded, meeting her gaze.

"When you asked about the direction to the North, and I suggested you join us because we were headed there too... do you remember?" Lyra's voice wavered slightly, hesitant.

Reiji nodded slowly, sensing the weight behind her words.

"It was me taking advantage of the situation," she admitted, guilt threading through her tone. "The truth is... we followed you here, hoping you might help us find our way back home."

Reiji's expression softened, and a faint smile curved his lips. "I planned to go even without you asking," he said simply. "I've got people to look for up north too."

Lyra's eyes glimmered with relief. "Thank you, Reiji," she said.

"You have my thanks too, Lyra. I'd be lost without you," Reiji replied.

Lyrien glanced at her sister, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "That's the Lyra I know."

Reiji nodded gently, offering a soft smile in return before Lyra turned to face her sister.

"Let's get moving. It's already past midday," Lyra said, her tone decisive. "Lyrien, come. Help me with Cornelius."

Lyrien hesitated, and said, "Shouldn't we look for food first?"

Lyra shook her head, already walking toward Cornelius. "We'll find something along the way. And let's keep an eye out for Faify while we're at it."

Reiji's gaze lingered on the two sisters as they moved, his thoughts swirling. "I can trust them, can't I? Especially Lyrien…" He paused, uncertainty creeping in. "I guess I'll just have to see where this takes me."

Then, his mind shifted to other matters. "Tatiana… The Felinials... I hope I find them up north."

The group began packing up their camp.

Lyrien murmured an incantation, casting her water spell over the smoldering embers of the campfire, ensuring it was completely extinguished.

"Lyrien, hurry up!" Lyra called from ahead.

"I'm coming!" Lyrien shouted back, jogging to catch up.

The group set off toward Bellatoria, their eyes constantly scanning the forest around them, alert for any movement.

They stayed watchful for signs of the Grombles—the relentless monsters that had pursued them before meeting Reiji—knowing they could emerge from the underbrush at any moment.

At the same time, they listened for the soft rustle of leaves or the snap of twigs, hoping to catch a glimpse of their Faify.

Reiji breathed deeply, taking in the fresh air. "I still can't get over how crisp and clean the air is here, filled with the scent of wildflowers," he murmured, appreciating the surroundings.

The sunlight was bright, but shadows lingered in the underbrush and beneath the canopy of trees, adding an eerie stillness to the landscape.

"This is the first time we've traveled this worry-free since we fled Monolithia," Lyrien said, breaking the silence that had hung over their journey.

"I'm still worried, Lyrien," Lyra replied, her voice laced with concern. "Krogar was just one of the many generals that Beast Magnior sent after us. And…" 

She faltered, her voice thick with emotion. "We've lost almost everyone just to have this moment of peace." Her eyes darkened, the weight of her words settling heavily between them.

Lyra glanced back at Cornelius, trudging along behind her, then at Reiji, who followed quietly behind him.

Her gaze turned forward again, her words barely a whisper. "We've gained nothing… and at what cost?"

Lyrien fell silent, her gaze distant. But it didn't carry the same grim weight that Lyra's did.

Reiji broke the somber silence with a question. "How far are we from your kingdom?"

He let the question hang in the air, his thoughts swirling. "So, they didn't reach their goal and failed this miserably, huh? Is this why Cornelius ended up like this?"

Lyra answered, her tone subdued. "We're at least a few days away if we continue on foot… and if we don't encounter anything along the way."

Reiji studied her carefully, sensing the shift. "She's showing pessimism now," he noted inwardly, the lack of energy in her voice striking him. "All the optimism she showed yesterday seems to have vanished the moment she saw Cornelius."

He glanced at the man ahead of him. Cornelius' steps were slow, aimless, as if he were a mere specter of his former self.

Just then, Lyrien suddenly shouted in excitement. "There they are!" She pointed ahead as they reached the edge of the forest, spilling into an open plain.

"Our Faifies!" Lyra's voice brightened, echoing her sister's excitement.

Reiji watched them, his mind racing. "It's the ostrich-like mount they had when I first saw them. What a beautiful creature," he thought, admiring the steeds before him.

They quickened their pace, gradually drawing closer to the Faify within a few minutes. The creatures were alert, their heads raised as they watched the approaching group.

Lyra and Lyrien exchanged a knowing glance, both remembering how the Faify had been spooked the last time they were with them.

Approaching cautiously, they were careful not to startle the steed again.

"Easy," Lyra whispered, extending her hand in a calming gesture. "It's us."

They moved slowly, speaking in soothing tones to reassure the Faify.

Lyrien held out a handful of seeds they had collected, offering them to the creature as they drew nearer.

The Faify seemed to relax, and Lyra breathed a sigh of relief when none of them ran away.

"Good girl," she murmured, gently stroking the Faify's plumage. "We're sorry you were left alone. We couldn't follow you right after you ran."

Carefully, they mounted the steed, making no sudden movements that might startle it again.