Death and Howls Part Twenty-Five: Acceptance in it's Finest Form!

Phantom:

Silver lilies swayed around me, ruby painting them. Rebels dropped around me, milkiness clouding their eyes. Freezing in my spot, the thought of Cia snapped me out of it. Shouting shit, silver pollen drifted up with every step towards her location. One of the guards had her pinned to a tree, a flick of my wrist sending a dagger into the slither of skin exposed. Dropping her, people had died because of me. Rushing over to her, silent tears stained our cheeks. Collapsing into each other’s arms, our incompetence had killed multiple assassins. A bomb rolled in, a purple smoke canceling out the silver pollen. Whisking Cia away, a bitter sorrow swallowed me whole.

Sitting up with a deep breath, Dar appearing in his usual leather jacket outfit had me falling out of the bed. Wiping at the clammy sweat drenching my skin, he tossed me my new leather armor. The emerald surface shimmered in the early morning sun, guilt mixing with dread in his features.

“I asked around about the Luna Lilies and you seem to know where they are. As much as I don’t want to wake up the freaking trauma you bear, I require assistance. Cia wants to visit with your father as well. Something about grandparent time.” He implored cautiously, his hand scratching the back of his neck, Fel clinging to his leg. “You can visit him too.” Spinning around, a warmth heated up my soul at him scooping her up. Hoping that I had that with my kid, Dar sure had a way of making everyone feel special. Exiting with her, laughter twinkled in the air. Tugging everything while getting on, my worn boots felt comfortable. Cia met me outside in a flowing light purple gown, a sage belt cinching in her waist. Spirtos cooed in his sling, his laughter not helping me feel better. Following Dar to the stables, our dragons were ready to go. Scooping up my family, Dusk placed Dar behind Fel. Grinning crookedly at their matching outfits, the two of them were two peas in a pod. Taking off into the sky, dirt swirled beautifully underneath us. Zooming towards my old man’s home, anxiety swelled between the flickers of lights. Cia glanced back at me with a deep look of concern, her lips moving. The words didn’t register, the memory not loosening its grip on me. Assuring her with the false version of my real smile, a rush of air gave her no chance to protest. Stewing in my trauma for the next few hours, his mansion came into view. Guiding my scaled friend down, Dusk had a smoother landing. Jumping off with grace, Dar greeted my old man with a bow. Spirit lowered my family down, Dar climbing on with his satchel bouncing about. Pushing me up gently, fresh calluses scuffed up his palms. Someone had been working hard, new scars telling a tale of that as well. Patting his side, cool afternoon air lashed at my cheeks the moment he took off. Helios and Dusk plopped down on opposite sides of the properties, a sense of relief washing over me. Flashing a quick look back at him, a bit less stress wore on his features. Swallowing my fear, my friend needed me. Dar instilled the lesson of persevering into all of us. Guiding Spirit to the southwest, images of my team getting cut down flashes in my mind. A tremble claimed my hands, Dar’s sharp eyes darting over to them. Every breath shortened, clammy sweat shimmering on my skin. Spirit began to falter, Dar flipping over me. Steering him towards the decaying forest, the mission had shifted.

“I can help you with that panic attack once we land. Go ghost, Spirit. Something dark is poisoning the land.” He ordered him calmly, one pat on my shoulder relaxing my nerves a little bit. “Land outside the rot and get to safety for me.” Drifting into the last healthy space, one yank had me sliding off with Dar. Rotten air blew our air back the second he took off, the idiot tying a purifying magical mask over my mouth and nose.

“We can’t have you dropping dead from the rot. No sign of that bastard but a sign of his curse. Keep your guard up. The center of it all has to be around here somewhere.” He laughed lightly, my breathing becoming normal at how natural of a leader he was. Shadowy blackness covered his mouth and nose, his god taking care of him.

“Why did Fel come today?” I asked to calm the last of my fraying nerves, a hearty chuckle reminding me of an older brother. “Isn’t it not safe or something along those lines?” Twisting his hair into a bun, his gloved hands brandished his scythe. Picturing his troublesome smirk underneath that mask, my shyness had lead to a lack of an Acer-like relationship

“Luna suggested it herself. Fel tends to get a bit wild and this was the perfect opportunity for her to get out of the house. Two dragons and two former assassins make the chance worth taking.” He admitted freely, truth lacing his words. “She is my mini-me after all. Maybe you should join our weekly outings if you want to be closer to me, I promise I don’t bite. I swear on my grave." Sighing softly underneath my mask, the guy could have been king if a system hadn’t been set in place. Brandishing my own blade, emerald water twirled around me. Remembering all the deaths, a crippling fear paralyzed me. Grabbing my shoulder, his kind eyes met mine.

“No one is dying today.” He assured me with a firm squeeze, the rot devouring the land underneath our feet. “I find the land often rewards one when they help it out. Might even include you. Keep your chin up.” Winking as he took the lead, eerie fog crept in. Stepping over blackened roots, the source had to be somewhere. Hollow screeches bounced around, sounding like they were everywhere but nowhere at the same time. Focusing on the loudest noise, a shove knocked Dar out of the way. Taking the blow from a shadowy paw, the claw tore up my arm. Silent tears slid down my cheeks, Dar pressing his palms together. His lips moved a mile a minute, panic rounding his eyes at nothing happening. Tears swam in his eyes, my lips parting to comfort him. Golden lightning crackled to life, a darkness devouring his eyes. The device crafted to keep him check shattered, inky blackness dyed his veins. Slamming the tip of his scythe into the loose dirt, the spirit dissipated to nothing. Collapsing into a heap, his scythe clattered a few inches from him. Unsure of what to do, silver lilies bloomed around him. Threatening to strangle him, death was knocking on his door.

“Stop!” I pleaded desperately, the flowers receding enough to give him space to seize. “Cure him or fix his soul! Please! Fix him, damn it!” Sinking to my knees, a train whistle confused the shit out of me. Choking out any evil but Dar, silver glistened underneath the pale silver moon. Squealing to a halt, a scary train sent me into big brother mode. Scooping both him and his scythe up, a shadowy hand prevented me from getting away.

“Gather up as many silver lilies as you can, we need to help Dar out. He is trapped in his mind.” The bastard ordered with tears cascading from his milky eyes. “Please, he helped me get my kingdom back. The kid is like a son to me.” Honesty lightened his aura, his grip tightening in desperation. Dropping his hand to his side limply, a gentle spring breeze blew his robes about. Climbing onto the train behind him, the whistle announced it was moving along to its destination. Shoving a glass of milky tea into my face, disgust wrinkled my nose. Potions never smelled nor tasted fantastic. Then again, why would medicine do that? Belay that, mystery fluids could be a way to kill us both!

“What the hell is this!” I barked hotly, a bigger bead of sweat forming on my brow. “Who the hell are you!” Laying Dar on the closest scarlet bench, he tucked him in. A stern expression met my look of distrust, both of coming to a stand still. Huffing in pure annoyance, his eyes rolled. Grumbling under his breath, strange potions or odd teas weren’t exactly my thing.

“Shut up and drink it!” He retorted impatiently, his finger scratching about where his eyebrow would be. “He is trapped in his worst nightmare and you are being a little bitch. Be the good friend you are and drink the nighty-night juice! Wouldn’t he do the same for you!” Gulping it down without a second thought, his arms caught me. A rough darkness swallowed me whole, dread and fear sinking her claws into my veins.

Heavy raindrops plopped onto my face, lightning illuminating the dark clouds. Mud splashed onto me with every failed attempt to get up, the shadow guy helping me to my feet. Fussing with his robes, guilt ate at me. Wiping my blade clean, an honest thank you escaped my lips as he pressed it into my palms.

“Sorry for losing my temper on you. Friendships are hard for me to gain.” He admitted dejectedly, his eyes refusing to meet mine. “My name is Traumios. Healing people’s nightmares is my job description.” Acknowledging him with a timid nod, there was nothing but fog and dirt. Digging at the dirt, his biggest nightmare hadn’t made itself quite clear. No words passed between us, his scream breaking our hearts into tiny pieces. Crashing towards him, his own dark version of himself held his scythe over his heart. Scanning the scene, my heart threatened to beat out of my chest at our corpses lying next to him. No wonder he was scared of his dark self, a chill shot up my spine. Charging at him, ash floated up behind every footfall. Emerald water twisted around me, his attention shifted to me.

“Back the fuck off!” I ordered vehemently, steam curling into the air with every violent clash. “Dar isn’t you. He will never be you!” Huffing from the constant blows, their strengths most certainly matched. Getting tossed around didn't bother me, a rocking Dar sobbing into his knees did. Vulnerability leaked through his cracks, Traumios rushing up to his side. Slapping his hands away, his breaths drew shallower.

“Leave me alone!” He wheezed while clutching at his chest. The dark version of him smashing me into the ground, a fountain of blood exploding from my lips. Rolling onto my side, true fright rounded my eyes, Dar could destroy everything if he wanted to.

“Help.” I pleaded between getting kicked in the back, organs threatening to burst. Something woke up in him, a bit of life returning to his eyes. Snatching his scythe from Traumios, a single sincere apology escaped his lips. Bowing his head in shame, a devious grin danced across his lips.

“How about you play with someone at your own level of skills? Or are you too chicken?” He teased the darker version of himself with a purpose, his other self’s veins black veins visibly bulging. “Did I strike a nerve? Sorry, not sorry. Kicking my friend when they are down is downright atrocious. Let’s settle this. First one on the ground wins. We can’t kill each other but we can live with each other. Sound dapper to you?” Nodding at the same time, cracks echoed in the still air. Maneuvering their joints into place, black and gold lightning zapped to life. Traumios popped up behind me, his arms sweeping me away behind a wall of shadows. Positioning me to where I could see, a backhanded slap had me shooting a death glare in his direction.

“What the hell was that for!” I hissed back furiously, his unimpressed expression shutting me down. Gathering his composure with a deep breath, palms pressed together. What the hell was his deal?

“I didn’t say to get killed. Dar would go nuts if you fucking bit it. He adores you all to bits.” He chastised me in a fatherly manner, my mask hitting the dirt. “Look, they need to duke this out. Stubbornness can be a weakness with him.” Too stressed to respond, balls of black and gold bounced around the sky. Spare energy shot in random places, a couple of blocks with my blade protected us. A loud boom broke the realm, an immense cloud obscured the winner. Waiting with baited breath, a battered Dar towered over the other version of himself. Pressing the edge of his scythe into his throat, mixed emotions dribbled off of his chin. Stumbling back, he sank to his knees. Wiping away his tears, shuddering shoulders spoke of a broken man. Approaching him cautiously, every footfall felt like a train hit me. Wet eyes met mine, his trembling fingers dug at his knees.

“I must be pathetic to you.” He sniffled dejectedly, a respected no leaving my lips. “You have to say that. Everyone has to be nice to me.” Lacking the ability to comfort most people, Traumios motioned for me to do something. Struggling to find the words to say, Cia would be better at comforting people.

“Simply not the case at all, my dear friend.” I choked out awkwardly, a fit of laughter exploding from his lips. Wondering if I did something wrong, his crooked smirk never left his face. Picking up on my earned confusion, a wink shut it down.

“Thanks for that. Sometimes the angry thoughts get too loud. Say, do you want to go to the pub by ourselves when we get back.” He offered with his real smile, excitement causing my heart to skip a beat. “No, how about tea at my place? Less loud. You like to like calmer places. I can make us lunch. Nothing fancy. Maybe a walk. Is that better? You can bring your kiddo as well. Fel is usually attached to my hip but you probably knew that.” Tapping his boot incessantly, Dar struggled with his own problems. Then again all of that sounded like more fun in my eyes. How was he so human right now? Shooting him a quick yes, his features brightened visibly. Was this what having friends felt like?

“You do know that I think of you as a family member, right?” He pointed out with an earnest expression, something about him feeling quite pleasant. “Hell, Lottie found me in my hour of need. Can I tell you something? None of me wants to move back home. Visiting is fine but people like you make it home.” Touched by his words, scarlet flushed my cheeks. Laying on his back, silver roses bloomed around us.

“Did anyone tell you how powerful you are? It would have taken both twins to kick my ass in that overpowered mess of myself. Good job!” He continued heartily, real bliss buzzing in my head. “Would you like to train with me? I would love to learn some of your techniques. Water magic is my weakest branch of magic. Heal!” Silver pollen floated in the air, my wounds sealing into rough scars. Tracing the lines, Acer must have felt a similar emotion. Clapping his hands, the edge of the dreams frayed.

Sitting up with a jerk, Dar was sipping on a cup of tea. Traumios lowered a plate with a sweet cake and a cup of tea onto my lap, the smells blending perfectly. Excusing himself to maintain the train, Dar waved from the other side of the car. Playing with the pastry on his plate, the inky trails down his cheeks spoke of a nasty side effect.

“Sorry for my horrid appearance.” He apologized sincerely, a minor quake claiming his hands. “I appreciate you standing up for me. Would you lend me an ear if I ever feel down?” Tears swam to life in my eyes, Cia being the only one person to request this from me. Babbling on about something else, the casual conversation brought back the days of my younger years with the old crew. Engaging with him, anxiety melted from his face. The vast knowledge he had amazed me, curiosity driving me to soak it all in. Brakes squealed to halt, my old man’s home coming into view. Swinging his feet over the edge of the bench, Traumios greeted him at the exit. Fixing my armor as I slid on my boots. Devouring the last of the sweet treat, butter mixed with tart fruit flavor flawlessly. Adjusting his boots, Traumios and him bantered for a minute. Placing my dishes neatly on my bench, Dar leapt off in a blink of an eye. Mouthing thank you on the way out, Traumios tossed our weapons and bags onto the swaying grass of the lawn. Fel skidded out to see the train leave, Dar spinning her around. Stealing her away, Cia spun out to me in a sparkling sage dress. Smothering her in feverish kisses, all felt flawless in the world.