24 Beckoning Solace (1/2)

Chapter 24: Beckoning Solace

An abrupt gasp of air came, as Nye's eyes instantaneously opened. She laid still, staring at the ceiling above her, as her heartbeat was rapid from shock. Her eyes danced around the room, trying to figure out where she was.

”This isn't Wynorex... Where am I?...” She whispered to herself, her breathing began to ease up along with her heartbeat. A few flashes came to her mind, from the monster invasion in Wynorex, and then the events that lead up to Finch injecting her with Nightshade. ”Hold up...That's right.... I remember now...” Nye held her head, having a few more flashes of monstrous beasts swarming her, as she slightly shifted herself up on the bed. ”Ugh...Then that dream....”

She lowered her hand, as she noticed something in her peripheral vision. There, sitting on the floor beside the bed that she rested in, she took notice of something. Nye began to relax, slightly shifting on the bed, to peer over easier. It was Jackyn, he had fallen asleep whilst keeping an eye out for her. He had his back to the bed, with his arms crossed, and his head resting against the fur that hung over the side.

Nye appeared surprised, maybe even relieved to see him there. ”Jackyn?...” She spoke quietly, as she softly gazed his way.

As she peered over at him, Jack's eyes flickered open, but he still seemed relatively tired. He shifted his gaze over in Nye's direction, appearing like he was in somewhat of a daze. However, after a brief moment of coming to his senses, his expression shifted awkwardly. ”I was wondering when you'd wake up... It's been weeks.”

”I had no idea...” Nye furrowed her brows, turning away from him.

”How're you feeling?” He inquired, looking Nye over a bit.

”Honestly... I'm not sure... Jack?... Would you mind if we talked a bit?” Nye took a moment to speak up, her tone seeming different than usual. It was almost like she was ashamed.

Jackyn got on his feet, looking to her with an unsure expression. ”What's on your mind?”

”Before I lost consciousness, I learned some information, that I was until now, unaware of... Lenault manipulated my actions, I was basically a pawn to trick the Templar.... I... I don't think I was ever intended to be the Queen of Fiends... I'm sure there's more to it, but I can't be for certain...” She admitted, seemingly gloomy in tone.

”I know...” Jack replied, deciding to take a seat next to her. His gaze wasn't focusing on Nye, but his attention was on her. Nye turned to him, seeming perplexed by his statement. Jackyn's blue irises glanced Nye's way, from his peripheral vision. ”...I had a run in with my older siblings...” He began, glancing away once again. ”They told me everything, your situation, the plan... They even tried to sway my judgment, despite the bad blood.”

Nye looked to her feet, her mood was definitely more doubtful than before. She held her hand, staring to the cursed ring on her index finger. ”I suppose whoever the real heir is wants you on their side... It would make perfect sense for them to claim whatever allies I had. I'm just some... illegitimate bastard... I played right into their plan...” Nye wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her face against them. Nye then closed her eyes with a sigh.

Jack peered back over to Nye, unsure how to respond. He shifted, moving his handover to her shoulder, as if to comfort her. However Jackyn hesitated, withdrawing his action before he made any contact. ”...”

”I've always been on my own, never having anyone... Everything I know, I taught to myself.” Nye hid her face in her arms. Her tone sounded like her voice was cracking, almost like she was holding back tears. 'Then things changed...I made such a fool out of myself, and I can't take back what I said...” She spoke in a hushed tone, before she briefly paused. ”I knew I should have remained on my own, it was a bad idea to take on the role of Queen... I just wanted so badly to have some sort of purpose... It was stupid to trust Lenault...” Nye went on, as if scolding herself, before her voice cracked once again.” The truth is though... I've always been scared of being alone...”

”They used you like some toy; a key to open their path, and mislead the Templar. You always say that 'actions speak louder than words', and I think I've seen enough to know what the Cult of Ghestro is like. You know better than anyone, how hard it is to gain my trust. I don't care that you're not some Queen. Don't you worry, I'm never going to take their side over yours. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way...” Jackyn replied, turning to Nye.

Nye lifted her head, to look to Jackyn. She seemed happy to hear what he had said. ”So the others made it out then?”

However, before Jack could reply, the door slammed open. Jackyn drew a knife, as he turned to the door quickly; only to spot Miles standing there. ”Hey! I thought I told you to stay away from her!?-Nye!? You're awake!?” Miles went from angry to shocked within seconds, but he was relieved to see Nye's face.

”Miles.” Nye looked away, still seeming ashamed. ”Aye. Where are the others?”

”Downstairs. Are you feeling alright?” Miles inquired, briefly glaring to Jackyn.

”I'll manage.” Nye replied, with a nod.

”What happened back in Wynorex, when we got separated?” Miles continued, in concern.

”It's a long story... I think it's best if we gather everyone, so I can let you all know the situation together.” Nye insisted, she was having a hard time looking at Miles.

”Alright... Hey, you sure you're okay? You're acting weird.” Miles asked in a concerned tone.

Jackyn got up, and grabbed Miles' by the back of his jacket; forcing the cat to the door.

”Get your hands off me!!” Miles demanded, struggling as he was dragged from Nye's sight.

Nye was staring in confusion briefly, before the door closed behind them. Once outside the door, Jackyn looked sternly to Miles. ”Oh, cut the crap. If you went through the same shit that she did, you'd be acting strange too!” He flared his fangs, as he scolded Miles with a hushed tone.

Miles pushed Jackyn back, his hand immediately grabbing to the hilt of his blade. ”You need to stay out of this! I told you to leave her alone!”

”Just let Nye rest, and she'll explain everything when she's ready. So shut up!” Jackyn sneered, before walking down the stairs.

Miles stood, watching Jackyn head over to the bar. ”...He needs to leave.” Miles gritted his teeth, trembling from adrenaline.

Somewhere, deep in the slums of Skyworld, the canine Leashed, Grave, had dragged the man's body into a rickety old hut, carrying a small sack with her. The hut was barley being held together, with how decayed the wood work was. Many holes lined the walls, and dust seemed to be everywhere. The only thing inside was a tattered blanket and dirty old pillow laying on the wooden floor. Nails were coming up with the uneven floorboard, and there was cobwebs that lined the room. It was cramped inside, but seemed to make a decent shelter.

Grave dropped the man, onto the make-shift bed, before deciding to sit down, with her back against the wall. She sighed, pulling her beanie off her head, and placing it to the ground. Grave then pulled the draw strings on the sack, and reached inside to take out a half eaten apple, that was already starting to rot. Looking to the fruit, she begrudgingly took a bite from it. She glanced up, upon seeing the man shift from his position.

”Ugh...” He groaned.

”Eh?!” Grave gawked over to him, seemingly stunned.

The man shifted, propping himself up, but was struggling. He must have been in a world of pain. ”Dammit...” He winced, peering over to Grave through one half shut eye, as he managed to sit up.

She had dropped her apple, staring at him, awkwardly. He only had glanced to her for a second, before focusing to his injury. The man pulled to the knot, undoing the wrap that Grave made on him.

”I don't know if you wanna do that. You're bleedin'.” Grave quirked a brow at him, carrying a surprised expression.

The man only glanced her way for a moment, before carrying on with whatever it was that he was doing. ”Then why don't you lend me a hand? I'm sure that you brought me here for a reason.”

”Well, I dunno about that.” Grave muttered to herself, quietly with a crazed expression.

”Whatever then...” He muttered, flipping his wrist forward to expose the inside of his hand. Blue flames immediately lit in the center of his palm, like a matchstick.

”Ack!FIRE!? W-What the HELL are you DOING!?” Grave panicked, getting to her feet,

”Don't worry about it.” He replied, calmly as he decided to shift again, reaching his arm around to connect the flames with his broken wing. He managed to endure the pain, as he cauterized his wound. It was too much though, and he fell to his side, squinting from the burning on his back. Sweat was rolling down his cheeks, and he was clearly very fatigued.

Grave rushed over to him, scrambling in confusion. She was taken back from this, staring at him like he was an idiot. Then she noticed what he did to his back, shifting her mood to surprise. ”The bleedin'... It... It stopped. Hehe...” She muttered softly, as she dropped to her knees. She was struggling to grasp the concept of what he just did.

The man glanced up at her through droplets of sweat from the overexertion. His single wing shifted behind his back, weakly, as his breath staggered momentarily. ”Why does it matter? You're just some stray.”

”H-Hey! I am NOT a stray! I-I had an owner, alright!? A scholar!.. She was sick for a long time, and...” Grave retorted, seeming flustered by this. ”Now I'm alone.”

The man didn't seem to expect that response, deciding to close his eyes. ”Sorry.”

”I just thought that maybe we could help each other, since we're both outcasts, ya'know?” Grave turned back to him, with a shrug and an unsure smile. ”My name's Grave Kesmer.”

”Vaugn Taiko... Honestly, you'd be safer on your own.” He quickly dismissed the offer.

”Pfft! As if! Templar catch me, it's all over. Hehehe!” Grave cackled, with a manic tone.

”Ookay. You're nuts.” Vaugn rolled his eyes a bit, looking away from her with a soft sigh of annoyance.

”I take offense to that!” Grave barked back at him. However, she saw his hand coming at her, which caused her to immediately flinch.

Unexpectedly though, Vaugn placed a hand on top of Grave's head, between her ears. This caused her to shut up, and stare at him with a flustered blushing expression. He just sort of looked to her, his eyes examining her facial movements in silence.

”You can't take care of yourself, can you?” Vaugn finally spoke up, still looking to Grave.

”...” Grave turned her head away from him, shaking it in embarrassment. ”No. I get into too much trouble. I can't really help myself though... Hehe, It's so much fun.” She smiled, in an unstable way.

Vaugn shrugged, ”Seems I'm stuck with you then.”

”What!?” Grave was taken by surprise.