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As they walked up the wet concrete slope, Nuallis could hear that the rains continued. It was also getting dark outside she could tell by seeing the cracks in the ceiling that exposed the sky, so Vandal drew his axe, lit the head with a fire enchantment to help them see in the tunnel.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpovt4hizk
Van, every once in awhile, twisted his head, checking on Jayden who would occasionally mutter to himself, and at this man Ignatius. Nu did not sense anything threatening about the one called Carlos, but Van regarded him cooly all the same.
Outside, the heavy clouds bore thunder, anger, and wrath showing itself in the streaks of lightning. To Nu, there was a rhythm to it: the sudden pauses and the way the rumble imitated the sounds of singing birds and roaring wild cats made it seem like it was calling her attention. The relentless chorus of the rain also played a role in weaving this illusion. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp63rwwBfpg
After a minute, she heard the voices.
"Aion ... Key ... Found ... " the forces of nature scolded, "... Aether Spirit ... we must ... "
Nu did not like the voices, not because of its high volume and violence, but because of the uncertainty taking on her duty may bring. What if I can't control it, and I never will? She covered her ears, but it only isolated the voices, the power within her choosing now to be more explicit. Now it was one single voice, one of which sounded like her mother's.
"Reject not our duty," the Aether Spirit said in her skull, "there were many before you, all feared what you fear now. But you must not balk."
Maybe I'm ready. Maybe I'm not. Whatever happens, happens. The voices seemed to subside upon sensing this thought.
She heard Van call her name a few times through the lecture in her head.
"Nu ... Nu," he was calling as the Aether Spirit's voice vanished, "is there something wrong?"373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1GdkQ8ekr
They had all stopped to stare at her. Everyone waited behind a door that would lead out of the sewer.
"Oh," she forced a smile and giggled awkwardly, "It's nothing. Really. Um, do you need help with the door?"
Van wasn't fooled and looked sad at the fact he couldn't help her.
"No." Van too forced a smile. "It's unlocked."
The group walked through some rooms, with switches and pipes that spanned the walls, and they were out. They walked a few blocks, the rain soaking each of them.
"It's getting dark," said the one called Carlos, "and oh so cold."
"I agree," said Ignatius trying to shout over the thunder, "Perhaps we find shelter for the night? Like those apartments?"
Nuallis looked to where Ignatius was pointing. The building was familiar to her. In fact, it was familiar to most of them.
It was their first safe house.
"It was compromised last time," said Van.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nNz48Hnzh
"Better than nothing, isn't it?" retorted Senshi.
Van nodded and shrugged.
"I guess it's ... " Van looked back and smiled, a gleam in his one eye, "... worth a shot." He slung his gun over a shoulder as if to illustrate the point.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY19z4YkdfC
Nu, at that moment, really hoped the thunder drowned out his terrible line. But it didn't373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAD9wp5A5Q
"I don't get it," said Carlos making a face.
"I thought it was clever," added Ignatius, though he didn't deign to chuckle.
"A crummy joke, gunner," said Jayden. When Van looked at him with confusion and just a little hurt, he quickly said, "Uh, Cordis, said that, not me."
Antics over with, they headed up a stairway, to the floor where they thought their old apartment was. They found it and to their surprise, it was maintained. The lights worked and the fridge was once again stocked with food. Though Nuallis knew not the force that provided them such excellent service, she did not doubt they would meet them or it soon.
They all did their own things as soon as they set foot in the apartment. Senshi and Carlos sat on the couch and discussed personal matters, assumed Nu. Ignatius looked through the drawers and found a deck of cards. As this realm seems to have knowledge of its inhabitants, the playing cards were something Ignatius was familiar with, as if it was from his own world. Vandal was intrigued, so he asked the caster if he could teach him how to play. Nu followed Jayden to the kitchen, helping prepare dinner.
Together, at the table, they talked. Not of strategies to avoid or fight their enemies, not of Umbras, not of their tragedies both within and without this strange shifting world they were captives in, but of the happier times. Nu told childhood stories, her tales of mischief with Mag and Ike, that made them laugh. She even thought she saw Senshi smile. Jayden talked about his acting career and spent some length of time explaining cameras, movies, and cinema to Van, who only knew of plays and bards.
With dinner done, they all headed to their rooms. Senshi and Carlos shared a room. Jayden had one to himself. Vandal, like before, set his eyes on the couch. But Ignatius, in one swift move, it looked like, kicked off his boots and threw himself on the couch.
"Uhm ... Ig—" Van started to protest, though certainly, he wasn't going to kick him off the couch. The caster was already fast asleep.
Seeing this, Nu's face flushed before she could say something to him.
"Van," said Nu, trying to be coy, "you like the couch that much?"
Van, for a second, didn't know what she meant. But he got the message from her eyes, she thought. Nu went to him and took his hand lightly, just in case she misread him.
She led him into her room.
Image by Daria Nepriakhina from Pixabay 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLyAAQrxWq
