Our Journey

Walking Forward

All was dark.

An empty, narrow space of nothing spanned out as far as the eye could see. A sea of black, only broken apart by the small form of white standing within the very center of it all.

No matter where he looked, the scenery remained the same.  

He couldn’t see a thing, his vision engulfed by that continuous, endless, black. It was as though he were the only living thing in existence.

Even if he walked, nothing changed.

Even if he ran, his legs wouldn’t take him anywhere.

A sense of frustrating helplessness began to settle over his chest, like a dark, murky cloud of turbulence.

Would he simply disappear here? In this bleak, barren, nothingness??

It was as he began to wonder such a thing...That someone suddenly appeared within the empty space, almost vividly reflecting in his darkened vision, back facing him in the distance.

That person...He knew that person.

Hope began to fill his chest, uplifting him as he rushed over to that person.

Surely...Just surely…!

But then...Just as that person turned around...Just as he had seen their face...Just as his hand touched them, they suddenly crumbled to dust before his very eyes.

No.

Once more, he saw familiar faces, but no matter who he touched, the result was always the same. They all crumbled away.

As though merely being touched by his hands alone, was what destroyed their very existences.

No.

Over and over, they all disappeared before him, rejecting his very presence.

No!!

He cried out desperately as they crumbled, one by one, until he was once more alone in that empty void.

But no sound would escape his throat.

No matter how he cried in despair.

There would no longer be anyone to answer him.

Suddenly, emerald eyes shot open, a dark, gray ceiling reflecting in his blurry vision.

He stared up at that ceiling listlessly before pushing himself up into a sitting position, the feeling of something wet slowly dribbling down his cheeks.

Absently, he reached up to his face, realizing tears had begun streaking down.

...A dream.

He pressed his palms against his face with a heavy sigh, furiously rubbing away his tears.

He felt pathetic, crying from nothing more than a dream. Even if that dream...No, he decided not to think about it.

He rubbed the underside of his wrist against the back of his ear, smoothly out the slightly ruffled fur.

That’s right. He needed to pull himself together. If he were to simply engross himself in his grooming like this, he would calm down soon enough. So he did just that, carefully grooming the fur along his ears and tail, his stirred emotions and thoughts going distant.

Occasionally, his ears would twitch as he picked up on sounds from beyond the dark room, a soft knock resounding from the other side of the door.

“...You awake?” Eon’s voice could be heard before he simply let himself in without awaiting a response. Perhaps he had picked up on the fact that Max was awake now...Unfortunately, however, since Max hadn’t had the time to respond, Eon walked right in on him while he was in the middle of grooming still.

Wrist rubbing at his floofy ear, tongue peeping out of his mouth, it was no doubt a curious sight.

“…” Eon simply stared him down, his expression void of any detectable emotion. “...What are you, a cat?”

“...No.” Max frowned, the tip of his tail curling in embarrassment.  

Again, an awkward silence passed between them.

This always seemed to happen. More often than not, the two didn’t seem to know how to keep a decent conversation flowing.

But Max didn’t blame Eon for this.

No that...Was surely his own fault.

“...Get ready, you’re going out shopping with me.” Eon, once more, was the one to break the ice with his sudden comment...Or, rather, it was more of a demand. “I need to make sure to stock up on things you can eat too.” He added in when Max shot him a curious look. “...Unless you’d rather starve?” He grinned, tossing that extra comment over his shoulder as he walked out of the room, his gray-black tail swaying behind him.

Max’s ears flicked back in response to being teased, but he got ready and hustled right on out of the room regardless.

Somehow, he was struck with the impression that Eon had come up with a roundabout excuse to spend a bit more time around him.

And perhaps that wasn’t entirely that far off the truth, either.

Finishing with getting dressed, he left the bedroom, making his way down the short hallway, and into the living room...And to his surprise, there appeared to be some rather sudden, furniture changes compared to what he saw just the previous day.

Along the back wall, there now sat a comfy looking couch, a small coffee table just in front of it, and some other, miscellaneous furnishings throughout the living space. It felt far more homely, and less empty.

...He was entirely certain that none of these existed within this house before today.

Perhaps Eon picked up on the fact that Max was questioning these sudden changes, for his tail was swaying restlessly behind him.

...It was a rather comical thing to witness, really, especially given how he was entirely straight faced the entire time. As though he hadn’t realized his tail was giving him away rather spectacularly.  

The tail never lied, after all.

“...I see you’ve been busy this morning.”

Normally, Max would have just let it slide, but maybe, just maybe...He was feeling a tad bit mischievous.

Just a teeny tiny bit of payback for all that constant, incessant teasing wasn’t so bad, right?

The base of Eon’s tail visibly stiffened, having cast Max a little glance over his shoulder.

“...The place was starting to feel a bit empty, is all.”

“Mhmmmm.” Max hummed, his tail trembling with sweet satisfaction.

Eon frowned, but he didn’t exactly have a rebuttal, considering he did sort of set himself up for this one.

It was more than obvious that he made these sudden changes to accommodate to his new, house guest.

As true as it was, he’d never admit it out loud, though.

“Just get outta the house so I can lock up already.” He shot back, hustling Max out the door so the two could begin their walk towards the market.

Even though it was still somewhat early in the morning, the market was already amass with the hustle and bustle of people.

There was just so much to look at, and Max couldn’t resist glancing this way and that as they walked, careful to not lose sight of Eon’s back. He was certain if he did, he would be swallowed up by the crowds.

Suddenly, a pleasant smell brushed against his nose.

Various vendors with delectable looking fruits, vegetables, and fish he didn’t recognize were lined up closely to each other.

Particularly the fish caught Max’s attention, and he naturally gravitated towards that kiosk without thinking as he stared down their wares, almost aggressively, in fact.

He didn’t know what any of these fish were, but they looked incredibly tasty, his stomach grumbling in response.

Eon paused in his tracks when he suddenly realized Max was no longer trailing after him.

His initial reaction was worry, to his surprise, but soon enough, he spotted Max off just a short ways behind him, and in front of a particular kiosk.

As for the owner of that kiosk, he looked rather disgruntled, and understandably so. Max was practically drooling over his wares, staring them down fervently.

Come to think of it, he couldn’t recall seeing Max eating anything the previous day, given how hectic it had been...So the poor guy was probably ravenous by now...But that being the case, Eon couldn’t really understand why Max just didn’t say he wanted to buy some.

“...You like fish?” He finally spoke up after watching the curious display for a few more moments.

Max immediately straightened his back, perking his head up, and folding his ears back before he turned his gaze down with a hesitant nod.

“...You sure you’re not a cat?” Eon crossed his arms with one of those smug grins of his, spread wide across his face.

“Do I look like a cat?” Max hissed, folding his ears flat against his head, displeased about Eon poking fun at him.

“No, but you sure act like one.” Eon shot back smoothly, tail swaying behind him in amusement at Max’s reactions.

Max’s fur swelled out in protest, clearly frustrated for a moment before turning his face away with a wry grin.

“Well at least I don’t look like someone vomited color all over me.”

“V-Vomit--At least I have color.” Eon retorted, clearly taken aback by Max’s rebuttal. “What happened to you? Lose your color from all that hissing and spitting of yours all the time?? You’re all bark and no bite. You may talk big, but you’re more like a little, yipping Chihuahua.”

“…” Max’s eyes narrowed, staring daggers at Eon. “...You wanna go?”

“Bring it.” Eon replied on the dime, gesturing for Max to come at him with his hands. “What you gonna do, attack at my legs? You don’t look like you’d be able to reach anything else.”

That absolutely did it for Max. One insult too many. He looked about ready to pop a blood vessel, and truthfully, he wanted to bite that smug look right off of Eon’s face.

Eon hadn’t entirely been serious, but he did look more than ready to take Max on, that triumphant grin still playing about his face. Like he was just getting the biggest kick out of this.

Max didn’t want to give him the satisfaction, but there was something comical about his attitude, and Max couldn’t suppress the little snort that escaped his throat.

“...What are you, a kid?” He couldn’t stop the small bit of laughter that broke free at how eagerly Eon was egging him on. He just couldn’t help himself.

Eon had been taken aback when Max suddenly broke out into a bit of laughter...But his surprise was for reasons entirely unrelated to the sudden, deescalation.

“...That’s the first time.” The sudden words found themselves coming from Eon before he was even aware of it.

“...Huh?” Max blinked, not understanding Eon’s random comment.

“...The first time you smiled.” Eon said, having been strangely taken by the sight. “It suits you. Much better than that gloomy look of yours.” He blurted out, immediately feeling embarrassed with himself, the tip of his tail curling. “...Anyhow, since that’s what you like, I’ll grab some.” He added in stiffly, purchasing some fish from the flabbergasted shopkeeper, having been awkwardly caught in the middle of their small skirmish.

...Just what was he saying, exactly?

He supposed...He had just been a bit surprised.

So he could smile like that too.

Bags of fish in hand, he returned towards Max, about to open his mouth to say something, before a sudden, ringing noise interrupted him.

Not understanding the source of the noise for a moment, he eventually realized the sound had been coming from the communication device stowed away in his knapsack.

“...What is it?” He questioned, feeling oddly relieved by the sudden interruption, walking away so he was out of earshot.

Max’s ears twitched as Eon stepped away, taking some sort of call.  

Like Eon, he had been caught off guard by his comment, staring fixedly on the cobblestone ground as he toiled over his words.

...The first time he smiled?

Max supposed...It had been a long time since he had. In fact...He couldn’t seem to recall the last time.

When was the last time he had smiled so openly??

Before he could contemplate the subject any further, Eon suddenly returned to his side, looking a bit annoyed somehow.

“What happened?”

“…” Eon looked hesitant, but he opened his mouth to answer regardless. “...There’s a Demon running rampant along the city outskirts. I guess the other Hunter’s are having trouble with it.”

“...Hunter’s?” Max tilted his head to the side.

“Ah...That’s the sort of unofficial term for those who work for the Society.” Eon explained, realizing Max hadn’t heard the term before. “You don’t have to come along this time...After all, you don’t even have a weapon assigned to you yet.”  

Max opened his mouth to speak, but he fell silent for a moment, losing his words.

“...I don’t need a weapon though.”

“What was that?” Eon questioned, not quite catching Max’s, little mumble.

“...Nothing.” Max curled his tail, shaking his head. “I’ll go. At the very least, I’ll make sure to stay out of the way.”

“If you insist.”

Back towards the edges of the dense, dark forest, bestial cries and roars resounded along the city outskirts.

As the duo grew closer, a large, black form could be seen crashing throughout the trees.

A group of Hunter’s surrounded a snarling, writhing Demon, glinting white fangs bared, blood red eyes reflecting insanity and hunger. It’s thorny tail whipped to and fro, snapping against trees and underbrush as it fought back fiercely.

One of those Hunter’s, Max recognized as the pompous, black-haired Human who seemed to have a personal vendetta against Eon.

“Stay back.” Eon called out to him, rushing out into the fray, despite the harsh, volatile looks shot his way by the other Hunter’s.

...Why? Even though Eon rushed right out to assist them without a second thought, they still regarded him with such hostility. Why did he fight so hard for people who thought nothing of him in return?

While Max couldn’t understand no matter how he tried, Eon thought nothing of it. He was far too used to that animosity by now to give it a second thought, especially given the moment.

With his arrival, the tides of the battle began to turn, Eon steadily cornering the beast, closing in on victory...However, it was within that very moment, that he heard someone call out to him.

He couldn’t comprehend what those words could have been, being suddenly shoved aside to the ground as a loud bang resounded throughout the area.

The fresh scent of blood hit his nose, his thoughts spiraling.

“Ah, my bad. There were just so many Demons running amok that I couldn’t seem to tell them apart anymore.”

The familiar, snide remarks struck at Eon’s ears, making sense of them bit by bit as he finally realized just exactly what had happened.

Fresh blood dyed Max’s shirt red, pale fingers clutching at his shoulder as blood pooled to the surface of a bullet wound, his emerald gaze locked onto the culprit.

Eon rushed over to Max in worry, trying to gather his scattered thoughts as he inspected the wound, but Max turned away from him.

By now, the Demon had long since escaped into the shadows of the forest, having been given the chance.  

“Ahhh, look at that, it got away.” The black-haired man, Asato, shook his head, presumably troubled by this turn of events...Or so he made it seem, but it was obvious this had been by all means intentional, that wide, smug grin spread across his face. “Why are you looking at me like that? It looks like he’ll be fine, and I’m sure even if one of you wasn’t, no one would complain. One less Demon to worry about.” He sneered.

“The hell?!” Eon lost his composure, wondering just what exactly this arrogant, incessant snob had against him.

It was one thing when it was just him...But even Max. He was involving Max in this too.

“Wow so you can get mad, huh?” Asato shot back, seemingly satisfied to have finally gotten a rise out of Eon, egging him on further. “Don’t worry, it was all in good fun. A joke, yeah? I’m sure the boss would be sad if something were to happen to his lapdog, after all.” He threw over his shoulder, the sounds of the others jeering along with him, seemingly amused by the spectacle.

That was the last straw...But not for Eon.

“You know what? It’s alright. It was all in good fun, like you said, right?” Max chimed in with a dry laugh, standing up, his pupils narrowed into needle thin slits. “I’m sure it was an accident after all, but you know what isn’t an accident?” He added in, plucking up a rock and chucking it towards the man with a strong flick of his wrist.  

Like a speeding bullet, it smashed to bits right between his feet with alarming force, eliciting a surprised squeal from Asato as he promptly fell square onto his ass.

“Do you get off on being a jackass or some s**t? How about you cut that ego of yours down a notch or two?? Your head is probably jammed so far up your own ass that your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen to function properly.” Max growled, fur swelling out. “Your head is full of literal s**t, you incessant, pisspot of a man.”

Max threw insult after insult at Asato, the man’s face going bright red in either embarrassment, or anger, if not both. Max didn’t particularly care which it was.

“You little s**t-!” Asato spat, ready to lash out at Max any moment, and Max was more than willing to accept his challenge. Nothing would joy him more than putting a smug, pretentious, little prick like this into his place, a low growl escaping his throat.

Eon simply sat there in a stupor as he witnessed the unexpected outburst from Max...But when he saw Max was so raring to go, he intervened.

“You can’t.” He grabbed Max’s shoulder, trying to placate him, but when Max still didn’t settle down, his tone went harsh. “You can’t hurt Humans.” He hissed, casting Max a sharp, stabbing look as a last resort.

It was enough, Eon’s unusually, sharp tone snapping him out of his fit.

“...You better get this straight, Eon. The only reason something like you is even allowed to work for the Society, is because you’re useful. The Chief doesn’t give a rats ass about anything beyond that. All he cares about is how helpful you’ll be in destroying the rest of your good for nothing kind.”

“If you’re saying things like that, then you really don’t know a thing about the Chief.” Eon shot back smoothly, holding Asato’s gaze.

“Tch!” Asato clicked his tongue, returning his pistol to it’s holster. “You just wait. Sooner or later, there won’t be a place in this world for your kind anymore.”

And with that, he and the other Hunter’s made their hasty exit, leaving the two of them behind.

Only silence remained, the air still teeming with tension, but...Eon was worried about Max's injury, so he gathered his scattered thoughts back together and spoke up,

“...Your wound.” He began, looking down at Max.

“…” Max met his gaze for only a moment before turning away. “It’s fine.”

“Let me see it.”

“I said it’s fine-”

“Just let me see it.” Eon spat harshly, feeling strangely agitated, but he soon caught himself when he saw Max’s startled expression. As startled as he was, he eventually gave in, letting Eon inspect the wound without fussing.

Carefully, Eon rolled Max’s sleeve back, the blood along his shoulder already clotting and going brown, forming a large scab.

Thankfully...It didn’t seem as though the bullet had embedded itself within the wound.

“...Just a graze…” Relief flooded through him, and he felt a strange, sudden exhaustion. The events that had just occurred revived vividly within his mind, and he realized he had risen his voice at Max only mere moments ago. “...Sorry.” He cast him a small glance, feeling as though he owed Max an apology, and his gratitude. He had recollected the fact that not only did Max shove him aside and take a literal bullet for him...But he also stood up for him. Got angry for him.

This teeny, tiny guy certainly had more guts than anyone could have ever expected.

“...Thanks.”

Max’s ears perked, startled, emerald green eyes meeting his own as he looked up at Eon.

“...I couldn’t just sit there and let him talk trash like that.” Max finally responded after some delay, a frown crossing his face...Or rather, Eon thought it resembled more of a pout. “Especially when he aimed at you on purpose like that...Accident, my ass.” A low growl escaped his throat as he recalled the incident, having left a sour taste on his tongue. “What a load of shit.”

Silence passed between them, yet somehow, rather than that usual, awkwardness that hung about in the air...The feeling was more of content.

Eon wasn’t entirely sure, but it felt that way to him.

“...Let’s go back.” Eon suggested, walking on ahead just a bit before casting Max a glance over his shoulder. “You coming?”

Max’s ears gave a little twitch before he nodded, hastily trailing right on along after Eon, as though he were his little, white shadow.

Back into the city, the hours had ticked by while they had been dealing with the problem along the outskirts.

The hustle and bustle had all but died down, the crowds of people thinned out, the sounds quiet and calm.

However...Eon could feel it.

Could feel the eyes on him, as though he were being watched. As though something had been beckoning him.

“...Why don’t you head back first?” He spoke up, breaking the silence between them, and passing Max the bags of fish that he had purchased prior to the incident. “I just need to stop by the Society for a little while.”

Max felt as though there were something more to this, seeing the tip of Eon’s tail flicking restlessly behind him...Truthfully, he wanted to ask, but at the same time, there was a strange sense that he shouldn’t pry. There wasn’t any room to.

“...Alright.” He finally agreed, albeit hesitantly, his head hanging down slightly.

Relief. Eon found himself more than relieved to see Max was being obedient for once.

“Thanks. I’ll be back.”

And with that, he left Max behind, making his way straight to the Society, a sullen feeling overcoming him.

He only stopped when he reached the foyer-like lobby, that peculiar, singular door between the split staircase just before him.

He was reluctant to turn the knob and step inside...But sucking in a small breath, he realized he had no choice, and with a slight creak, he opened the door.

Spread out before him was a vast, round room, entirely made of that bright, white marble. An almost ethereal sense was given off from the room, a dais spread out spectacularly in the center, the same, spiral like pattern from before displayed along the center.

That very dais was exactly where Eon headed to, standing along the very center.

With a click, it began to lower into a dark, barely illuminated room.

All around, he felt eyes boring down on him from above, the tip of his tail trembling in response.

“Eon.” The voice echoed, booming oddly loudly throughout the empty space. He could feel the scornful gazes prickling at his skin. “How disappointing, to hear that the day you’d turn on one of your fellow Hunter’s has finally come...The stipulation to allowing you to remain under the care of the Society...Surely you haven’t forgotten?”

Eon’s gaze remained fixated on the dais beneath them, feeling a small sense of resentment burning within his chest.

How ridiculous, to say he’d turned on them. He’d done no such thing, but he remained quiet regardless. He understood that the situation had gone out of hand, and they had to make an example out of him.

“It would seem that the other Demon mentioned to us the other day had some involvement as well, is that true?”

“...He had nothing to do with this.” Eon spoke up, surprising himself. “I was the only one causing problems.”

Why was he taking the fall like this?

Because he owed it to Max? Yes. Because Max stood up for him. That could have been the only reason. Coming to that decision, he opened his mouth again,

“I was heated about some things that were said, and I lost my cool, so…” He lifted his gaze firmly. “...The blame is mine alone.”

“Then you are prepared to accept the consequences?”

A cold sweat broke out along the palm of his hands, and he clenched them into fists, resigning himself to his fate.

“...Yes.”

…………

In the end, Eon never returned home.

Max sat huddled on the couch, tailed tucked neatly within his lap as the hours ticked by, the events that took place earlier in the day rolling about in his mind. Over and over, and the longer he waited, the more uneasy he became.

It was well into the night by now, and yet, there was simply no sign of Eon returning...Should he go look for him? Even though Eon had told him to go back…

...Since when had he become so obedient?

He clicked his tongue, feeling annoyed with his docile attitude as of late, deciding to go search for him. He’d figure out the rest as he went. However, it was just as he came to this decision, that the gentle sound of the doorknob turning resounded through the room.

Almost too quickly, he already closed the distance between the couch and the door, waiting eagerly as the knob turned, as though in slow motion. His tail flicked behind him restlessly, Eon finally stepping through the door, looking a bit stunned to see Max was right there at the door.

“...I’m back.” He spoke up warily, looking like an utter mess.

His body was battered and bruised, a particular, few spots sporting gruesome, veiny wounds. They resembled those awful, festering wounds he’d seen before, albeit on a lesser scale...They still looked painful, and he nearly winced at the sight of them.

“...What happened to you?”

“…” Eon opened and closed his mouth, but no words came out as he averted his gaze, looking reluctant.

He clearly looked as though he didn’t want to say, but he couldn’t exactly come up with an excuse on the fly, either.

“...I just got scolded a bit, is all.” He finally answered flatly.

Scolded…? Max rolled those words around in his mind a few times, trying to grasp them.

“You can’t hurt Humans.”

Suddenly, Eon’s words from before revived within his mind.

Was he...Punished for what happened with that snobby, arrogant man from before? Even though Eon was only retaliating??

...No. Max was the one who retaliated.

That being the case...This meant that Max alone was the one who allowed this to happen. He was the one responsible for this outcome.

This was his fault.

Why was it that people would always get hurt because of him?

He fell silent, contemplating before casting Eon an upwards glance.

He wondered if he would regret this decision...But he owed it to Eon, at the very least. He couldn’t get cold feet now.

“Let me see them.” He finally said, his tone soft. “Your wounds.”

“...It’s fine.” Eon’s tail stiffened, finding the sudden reversal in their roles from earlier today a bit ironic.

“Just let me see.”

“…” Eon didn’t want to concede, but he was struck with the impression that Max wasn’t going to back down, no matter how he protested...So, with a sigh, he allowed Max to glance over his injuries to appease him.

Max gently took ahold of Eon’s arm, inspecting the ghastly, vein ridden injuries. Even just looking at them was painful, but he sucked in a small breath...And then, a soft, warm light began to permeate from his hands.

Eon was so astonished, that he nearly drew his hand back in his surprise.

Warmth flooded from Max’s hands, to his own arm, steadily flowing throughout the rest of his body in gentle waves...And his two-toned eyes widened as he watched the wounds across his body steadily begin to vanish, one by one.  

The pain grew distant, until disappearing altogether...As though he had never been injured in the first place.

And as Max finally released his arm, his gaze bore down onto his own skin, as though he didn’t believe his own eyes.

They were gone. Every last one of them.

“Better?” Emerald eyes met his own, startled gaze.

“...How did you…?” He was flabbergasted, really, not knowing what to say, what had just transpired.

“...Magic.” Max answered him, flicking his ears back. “Healing magic, to be precise.”

Eon had never heard of such a thing before in his life.

You would think it odd, really. That in a world where it was normal to see Demons, and other, strange creatures, such a fantastical thing as magic shouldn’t have been so completely irregular.

“Is that...A Farronian thing, or…?” He found his voice to question Max, trying to piece words together past his amazement.

Max held Eon’s gaze for a brief moment before turning his face away.

“Not...Really.” He admitted reluctantly. “...Don’t say anything about this to anyone.”

Once more, Eon caught sight of that cornered look in Max’s eyes. From time to time, he would catch a glance of it, but he wondered why he was…?

Just what was it exactly that Max was so afraid of? That he was running from??

Suddenly, Eon was struck with the strong need to know...And yet, he felt as though he couldn’t press the subject.

It was such a contradicting feeling.

“...I won’t. Don’t worry.” He finally answered, burying that strong impulse somewhere in the back of his mind. “Thank you, by the way.”

Relief colored Max’s expression, and he gave Eon a little nod in return.

However, now more than ever, Max had questions, and it became apparent by the look he gave Eon. A look that Eon picked up on with little to no effort at all.

“...What?”

The tip of Max’s tail curled, dropping his gaze down to the hardwood floor before having come to a decision.

“...Why...Do you work for people like this? If that’s how they treat you??” He questioned, looking back up at Eon, trying to make sense of him. “You didn’t even do anything wrong, I was the one who-”

But Eon interrupted him, shaking his head.

“Despite how it may seem, I owe a lot to the Society.” He interjected, explaining without reservation. He saw no reason to withhold this information from Max at this point. “...Or rather, to Azuma.” He corrected himself, his gaze going distant. “...I...Don’t remember anything from my early childhood. It’s like one day I just...’Woke up.’ I woke up, knowing nothing of who I was, where I was, or what I was supposed to do. I probably would have wandered until the day I died, if Azuma hadn’t been the one to reach out to me that day.” Eon’s gaze returned to Max, who listened to his story intently. “I was taken in by the Society and trained to Hunt Demons...But despite the rest of the Society, Azuma’s goal isn’t really the same. I don’t think many people really understand what that man’s true intentions are, but it’s probably better that way.”

“...His true...Intentions?” Max echoed absently, trying to make sense of what those ambitions could have possibly been.

“I’m sure you’ll understand eventually.” Eon answered with a nod.

...How could he speak so confidently? Once more, Max realized Eon didn’t for a moment doubt what path it was that he wanted to walk down.

He trusted that path wholeheartedly with unfaltering certainty and determination.

While Max…

...What path was he taking? To which direction was he walking?? Whom and what did he hope to find at the end?? What...Was it that he hoped to find? To strive for??

...Was he even walking at all?

Suddenly, Max felt as though his own footing faltered. As though the ground beneath him became unsteady, uncertain.

His dream from this morning suddenly revived within his mind, vividly, painfully.

He was alone, the people he once knew gone...The people he strove for, fought for.

There were all...Gone….So...Just what was there...?

All he was doing was stumbling around blindly, desperately finding something to hold onto. To keep him grounded. He was just letting himself get pulled along at someone else’s pace, for the sake of simply having something to keep himself distracted from reality.

“...I don’t get it.” He mumbled, his thoughts growing turbid, his repressed emotions slowly spiraling beyond his ability to control them. They settled in the pit of his stomach, making him feel heavy. “...How can you be so certain…? What if you were to find out that, in the end, it was all for nothing?? What if you found out you were wrong all along?? That your efforts were in vain?? Would you still be able to walk that path, if that were to happen?”

“Even if that were to happen, I would continue walking.” Eon’s response was immediate, unfaltering.

“How can you say that?!” Max rose his voice, not comprehending his mindset. “Would you still be able to think that way if you lost everything you had fought your heart out for? If what you thought you were protecting suddenly vanished right before you?? If you were to end up with nothing all over again? Would you still keep walking, knowing nothing was waiting for you at the end of that path?!” He snapped, his tail whipping behind him in frustration, agitation, confusion. “Don’t make me laugh! How can you keep going like that, knowing it was all for nothing at all?!” Max felt out of breath, his muddled thoughts having overtaken him completely by then. “...If...If that were to happen...What would you do then…?” He questioned, his tone growing weak.

Perhaps the reality was...He wanted an answer. He wanted the answer to how he could possibly keep going on like this, even though he was still so utterly lost.

Would there even be that answer?

Silence ensued, Eon’s gaze never once leaving Max as he listened quietly, finally understanding what must have happened to Max. The reason for that cornered look within his eyes.

Just what could it have been? To leave him in such uncertainty, such despair?? Who or what could have taken everything from him??

At the very least...He had to give Max an answer, even if it may have not been the one he had been hoping for.

“...I would still keep walking forward.” Was his eventual answer. “...Maybe in the end, things won’t work out...Maybe, in the end, you’ll have lost much more than you have gained, but even so, you have to keep walking forward.”

“That’s…” Max let out a dry laugh in return, hanging his head down. “So even if you fail over and over, you just have to keep going? No matter who or what you lose, or how many times you lose it, or how much it hurts...You just have to…?”

Eon was quiet, regarding Max quietly before turning to face him, reaching his hand out to gently flick Max’s forehead.

Max in return, flinched, looking startled.

“You might fail. More than once, more than twice, maybe even many more times than that. There will be countless time where you’ll fall over, where your face will hit the dirt, and when you’ll be at your lowest...But even so, keep walking. Get back up again. Over and over, just keep getting up and walking forward, down that path, as unclear as it may be….Because someday, you’ll finally find something at the end of that path. Something that makes all your pain, suffering, and struggles worth it in the end. Eventually, you’ll find that something, but you can’t get there if all you’re doing is looking backwards. If you keep looking behind you.” Eon’s words were soft, gentle. “The only way to get there, is by walking forward.”

Max was struck speechless, processing Eon’s words, his advice. Those words rolled about in his mind, over and over...And eventually, he felt their weight upon him. Felt their meaning, even if he didn’t yet know what their meaning was to him specifically.

“If you don’t have anything to walk forward for now, walk forward for the day that you do find that something. Whatever that something turns out to be.”

Max lowered his gaze, his ears twitching as Eon suddenly ruffled his hair.

“You’ll get there.”

Looking back up at him, Max did so just in time to catch sight of Eon giving him a soft smile...Probably the first he’d ever seen from him. A reassuring smile...As though, somehow, it was telling him that everything would be okay.

“Come on, let’s get something to eat, yeah?” He finished, heading off towards the kitchen, that gray-black tail gently swishing behind him in time with each step.

Max simply followed him with his eyes for a moment, and then...He felt it.

Felt as though something within him began to stir. Something that had long since gone cold, static.

But more than that, he felt...Relieved. An overwhelming sense of relief.

Like a suffocating, crushing weight had finally been lightened off of his own heart, even if only a little.

He felt like he could breathe again.