Resistance

Over the Horizon - Part 2

Once more, Syrus found himself waking up to sunlight filtering in through the partially opened window, carrying the scent of the sea.

His thoughts still muddled by sleep, Syrus was struck with the sensation that he had just woken up from a very long dream...However, for the very first time, he found himself slowly recalling bits and pieces of that very dream.

He recalled the brightly burning flame, in all of it’s glory, a mysterious entity, and it’s words...Perhaps not all of them, but some.

The brilliant flickering flame, the magnificent dragon….The memory of it all seemed as though it just might have been ripped straight out of some fantastic fairy tale...And yet, Syrus knew it had all been as real as the air he breathed. He found himself almost wishing he could have slept a bit longer, could have dreamed a bit longer...He had so many questions he wanted to ask. Perhaps he would yet again meet with that entity when he next fell asleep.

For the time being, he thought it best to push himself out of bed so he could greet the day, so that’s just exactly what he did.

Upon stepping outside, a fresh, sea breeze swept up from the shoreline, brushing through his white hair softly...The feeling was somehow invigorating. He felt as though he could just disappear within the endless blue of the sky and sea...And that would have been perfectly fine. He was calm, his mind clear...The clearest it had been in a long time.

“...Alright!!” He muttered to himself out loud, patting his face and feeling motivated. Whether or not he understood this ‘power’ of his, whether or not he could return home...Whether or not he was still truly afraid deep down, none of that mattered. Syrus would just take things one step at a time. That was his way.

“Well aren’t you looking motivated today?” Calem’s voice sounded off from just a ways behind him, Syrus’ ears perking at the sound of his voice.

“Is that a bad thing?” Syrus pouted, raising an eyebrow with a flick of his tail.

“Not at all.” Calem laughed, giving Syrus a little pat on his head, as to what seemed to be his norm by now.

Rather, Syrus couldn’t help but notice there seemed to be a sense of relief reflecting from within those lavender eyes of his...Or was it his imagination??

“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“…” Syrus didn’t respond right away, his gaze trailing back ahead of him, towards the sea. “...I guess...I wanted to stop being afraid. I wanted to stop doubting everything.” He admitted quietly before perking up more. “That just isn’t like me at all. Not one bit. So I thought; ‘Time to stop that!’” He nodded.

That fear...Syrus was certain he may never truly be without it from now on, but he wasn’t going to let it stop him anymore. He didn’t want to be controlled by it any longer. What he needed to do...Was remember the important things. The promises-No, the resolutions he had made to himself, made to others. His friends, his family, and the city...His resolution was to set them free.

He had the power to do such a thing, to fulfill such an ambition...Or so he had hoped he would learn to make use of it. To use that power, and bite that man right back in the ass with it. The man who seemed to covet it so much.

Now wouldn’t that be irony at it’s finest? Syrus felt a wave of satisfaction at the thought.

Calem’s gaze fell upon Syrus, listening to him speak, and while he was curious what it was exactly that he had been afraid of...He didn’t feel hard pressed to question him about it. No, he felt a sense of satisfaction and relief just seeing the lack of that cornered look in Syrus’ eyes.

Those beautiful, emerald green eyes...How they reminded him of someone who was once precious to him...But that remembrance brought a painful ache to his heart.

“...Well, since you’re obviously in good spirits, why don’t you tag along with me into the village today?” He questioned, giving Syrus a little smile. “It would be a great chance to put your disguise training to the real test, don’t you think?”

“...And if I mess up?” Syrus rose an eyebrow. “What do you plan to do then??” He added in, crossing his arms.

“...Hmmm…” Calem pressed a knuckle against his chin, giving such a possible scenario some thought...Before promptly giving a nonchalant shrug. “...Who knows?” He laughed light heartily. “We’ll cross that bridge, should we get to it. Besides, I think you’ll do just fine.”

...How could he be so sure? Syrus couldn’t help but feel a bit skeptical, but despite that skepticism, Calem still walked on ahead, gesturing for Syrus to follow him with a jerk of his chin.

...What a carefree guy.

And so, Syrus eventually followed after him, the two making their way towards the little, seaside village.

Of course, it went without saying that he was nervous, even after hiding away his ears and tail as he was shown to. He couldn’t exactly say that being without them was a comfortable experience either. He felt awkward, having to restrain the urge to think about them too much, lest allowing them to reappear.

And then...As they passed through the entrance to the little village, that sense of nervousness completely vanished.

The experience of walking past those old, wooden gates was in utter contrast in comparison to Syrus’ first taste of walking up to this little village.

Not a single person stopped to give them a second glance. There was no reason to. To them...Both Calem and Syrus looked as ordinary as anyone amidst them.

As for the village itself...It was Syrus’ first, real look at it, and he was completely taken by the sight before him.

At first, Syrus had thought that the little village consisted of just those rugged, dirt pathways, the straw and wooden buildings...But no, there was so much more than that.

Walking further in, those dirt paths were steadily lined by worn, rounded stones, inconstant as they were. The buildings seemed to share the same material, different from the materials used back in the city he called home, but still incredibly sturdy. They looked neither extravagant, nor mundane, but gave a comforting sense of homely-ness.

Like back in the city, kiosks lined the busiest parts of the village, shop vendors calling out to passerby exuberantly. Both familiar and unfamiliar scents wafting in the air, mixing and merging until they were no longer distinguishable...Syrus was on a sensory overload, and yet, he wanted to soak every bit of it in. To burn each of those new experiences into his mind, and never forget them.

His eyes practically glittered with awe.

“...It’s so...So different.” He whispered out loud, closing his eyes and letting it all sink in. Every sound, the lively energy in the air...It was pure chaos, honestly, but Syrus wanted to immerse himself within that very chaos.

The merchants calls, the hustle and bustle, the sound of children playing...Not a single one was weighed down by a sense of repression. They flowed freely, like a silly, loud symphony of messy noise.

This is what Syrus wanted his home to sound like...This sound of freedom.

More than anything...He wished he could show this all to them.

Humans and Demons...What did that matter? He didn’t understand it, even now, and he didn’t think he ever would...All that mattered to him, was that he wanted them to see all of this with their own eyes too...Someday.

...Someday…

The duo spent quite some time in the little village from that point on, Syrus excitedly looking at this and that. There was just so much for him to see. So much, in fact, that it would have been impossible for him to see it all in just one day.

They would eventually return some time in the late afternoon, and as Syrus stepped back into the little home, Aaron was finally awake, however...Cai didn’t seem to be anywhere in sight...Syrus couldn’t help but fret a little, considering that Cai had been acting so strangely just before disappearing.

Oddly enough...Syrus also felt a wave of agitation.

One moment, Cai was hounding him like a nagging parent, and the next, he just...Disappears.

“...And he tells me not to wander off.” He hissed under his breath, his tail thrashing slightly just behind him, expressing his agitation.

“What’s that?” Aaron’s voice reminded Syrus that he wasn’t alone within the small living room, Aaron looking up from where he sat on the sofa.

“...It’s...Nothing.” Syrus replied somewhat blandly. He didn’t exactly have a cover-up, but it also didn’t seem as though Aaron heard what he had said either. “...I think I’m just a bit tired. Yeah. I’ll just head off to the bedroom and rest a little.” He nodded, hastily coming up with a reason to excuse himself from the room, and taking off down the hall.

For once, he decided to take the only bed, curling up on it and staring off into space for a bit.

Despite the fact that he wasn’t really tired, it wasn’t long before Syrus had unintentionally drifted off into a deep sleep.

Once again, his vision was dyed in a deep black. The sound of a ripple echoing throughout the darkness, as though a single, drop of water fell into a shallow pool.

He wondered if he could meet it again?

The thought alone already sprung his legs into motion, and he ran, ran towards that light, that beautiful, flickering flame...It wasn’t long before he came upon it, out of breath, reaching his hands out towards it.

A gentle heat.

A soft pulse.

He wondered if that heartbeat came from the fire or himself??

“Where are you??” He called out, his words echoing until they vanished into the endless, mass of black all around him. “I want to talk to you!” He called out louder, his words piercing through the silence.

“I am here.” That voice called out only after a brief moment of silence, a gentle breeze sweeping out from behind him.

The dragon. It looked as magnificent this time as the last when Syrus first saw it...And yet, he was seized by the moment, unable to speak.

Rather, he couldn’t even begin with knowing where to start.

”You have questions, don’t you?” The dragon chuckled, as though sensing how he was feeling, it’s brilliant, multi-colored eyes shining with a soft light.

The dragon laid down, crossing it’s arms and resting it’s large snout atop of them.

”No need to be shy, little one. I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have for me. Anything at all, so long as our connection remains.”

“Our...Connection??” Syrus echoed, feeling as though this creature had mentioned something about such a connection during their last meeting.

”Yes. Our connection. This place alone, within the very depths of your soul, is where we can make such a connection. The junction where our souls overlap.” The dragon explained. ”The more we speak, the stronger that connection becomes. Perhaps even, with time, we may be able to speak like this when you are awake.”

Syrus couldn’t help but blink, glancing around the empty space.

This...Was within the depths of his soul?

”Now then...What do you wish to ask me?” The dragon’s question brought his attention back to it.

“...I…” Syrus began, but he faltered, still not knowing what to ask...He wanted to know how to make use of this ‘power’, but it felt somehow wrong for that to be the first thing he asked about. He didn’t want to make it seem as though that were all he cared about...Because it surely wasn’t. He hadn’t even wanted it until recently. Perhaps some part of him still didn’t want it.

More than that...He was curious about this dragon itself.

How did he end up with this power? Why was this creature living within the depths of his soul?? There were so many questions, but he decided to start with a far more simpler one.

“...What’s your name??”

“...My name?” The dragon blinked, taken aback by his question. “...Fiore.” The dragon finally answered after a short pause.

Fiore...Syrus wondered why, but the name seemed to have such a familiar ring to it.

“...Well then, Fiore. It’s nice to officially meet you.” He smiled, taking a seat on the ‘floor’ of the blackened space. “How did you end up here?? I can’t help but feel a bit curious.” He questioned, looking back around the empty space yet again. “Doesn’t it get lonely in here?? It’s so...Dark and empty.”

Fiore continued to be taken aback by Syrus’ questions..But perhaps she shouldn’t have been. After all, this was Syrus, and her vessel was nothing less than extraordinary, in more ways than one.

“...The quiet within your soul calms me. I prefer this emptiness over the world of Man outside.” Fiore explained, her eyes closing quietly. “Here, there is no strife, no greed. Here, I can sleep peacefully.” Her eyes opened back up yet again. ”Did you not wish to ask about the fire?”

“Ah...Well, I do, but...It somehow felt like it might have been a bit selfish of me if that’s the first thing I asked about.” Syrus admitted with a little laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

”You needn’t worry about such a silly thing, little one. My only purpose now is to help you achieve yours. To help you grow and inherit this power, as you were meant to.” Fiore rose to her feet, craning her long neck as she looked down at Syrus. "I’ve told you before, this power is already yours...When you’re truly ready to call for it, it will answer to you, and only you.”

“But I…” Syrus began, looking hesitant before his words trailed off.

There was no clear indication, other than he would be able to use it...When he called for it...But hadn’t Syrus tried to call for this power many times already??

Or...Was it because he had been forced to try and call for it?

How was he to call for it on his own?? Of his own accord?

“...Isn’t there like...Y’know, more specific instructions?”

There was a long pause for some time before Fiore finally answered,

”...I cannot say. You are not I, and I am not you...However this power will manifest within you, will not be the same as when I once wielded it...But I do know that when the time is right, you will master it.” Fiore lowered her head, her snout almost touching Syrus’ forehead, warmth permeating from it. ”Have Faith, my sun. The time I speak of is not far ahead, and I know you will excel brilliantly.”

Fiore sounded...So sure of herself. So much, that Syrus found it difficult to not believe her.

As long as it was him...He would succeed. He had to succeed.

“...Alright.” He nodded, deciding to not fret about the matter. There would come a time when he would harness this power...And when that time came, he would no longer be afraid to do so.

”That’s better.” Fiore’s voice softened, those beautiful, galaxy filled eyes reflecting a gentle light. ”A smile suits you far more than worry.”

That voice was so gentle, so soft...Rather, Syrus realized it was growing softer still. Distancing even.

“Will I be able to speak with you again?” He questioned, fearing that he might not be able to, should their ‘connection’ cease now. “There’s still so much I want to ask you…”

More than just this power...He just wanted to be able to talk to her again.

”Of course.” Fiore spoke gently, her voice steadily lowering to a quiet echo, threatening to vanish within the infinite black that surrounded them. Syrus had to strain his ears just to make out her words, a white fog seeming to creep over his vision. ”I will always...be here...For y...o…...u…………”

Slowly...That white fog began to envelop him, dying his thoughts with that gentle white.

When he next opened his eyes, all was dark. Syrus could barely make out his surrounding past his hazy vision...Had he slept all the way into the evening? He wasn’t entirely sure, but he was struck with a strange sensation, as though someone were watching him...And yet, while that alone would have been more than enough to send him straight to his feet...He didn’t feel as though he were in any danger.

Who was it…? Syrus was still dregged with sleep, but he recognized the figure standing beside his bed.

It was Calem.

His lavender gaze was fixated on Syrus, unaware that he was only partially asleep.

Syrus wondered why, but...His eyes looked somehow...Sad.

And then...A hand was gently placed along the top of Syrus’ head, a strange sense of warmth permeating from it.

...A familiar feeling…

“...Lucelia…” A soft, pained whisper escaped Calem’s lips.

That name...Syrus was so certain he had heard it somewhere before, but he was unable to recall from where, his thoughts once again drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

The sound of nearby seabirds calling in the distance was what Syrus next woke up to.

Morning...Had he really slept all through the previous day? That certainly seemed to be the case, and Syrus felt incredibly well rested as the result.

And just like before...He recalled the contents of his peculiar dream, the words he exchanged with the mysterious entity that slept within him.

“...Fiore…” The name escaped his lips as a small whisper as he looked out the window, the blue sky spread out endlessly...Such was a sight he could never tire of seeing.

He wondered when he would be able to speak with her again??

When he was finally able to tear his gaze away from the window, he was surprised to see that no one else was in the room...For Aaron to already be awake meant that he must have slept in quite late...Just how late was that, exactly?

Before wasting any more of the day laying in bed, Syrus hustled to get ready, heading out of the room, and down the hall to the central living space.

“Oh, morning!” Aaron was the first to notice him step out from beyond the hallway, closing the book he had at hand with a soft thump. “It’s pretty unusual for you to sleep in so late...You feeling alright?”

“Oh...Yeah...I had just planned on taking a little nap, but I suppose I was more tired than I thought?” He replied with a little shrug, glancing around the room, but...It appeared as though Aaron was the only other person who remained within the house at this time. “...Where’s Calem? And...Cai…?”

“Calem stepped out into the village, and as for Cai…” Aaron paused mid-sentence as he thought about it, before tilting his head to the side a bit. “...Actually, I haven’t seen him since the last time I ran across you two talking to each other the other day.”

“...I see.” Syrus’ shoulders sagged dejectedly, feeling that small sense of irritation rise back up within his chest again.

Just what was Cai’s problem, exactly?

“...Well, if he wants to be obstinate, who am I to stop him?” He unintentionally snapped out loud.

“...Did something happen between the two of you?” Aaron questioned, curious as to what could have happened...Especially since Cai was usually always trailing after Syrus as though he were his own shadow. It was unusual to not see him around.

Syrus looked over at Aaron for a moment before his gaze dropped down to the hardwood floor.

“...I really don’t know.” He admitted flatly.

He just wasn’t sure.

“...I’m gonna go get some air.”

And with that, he left the house, stepping outside with a heavy sigh.

...Just what was he getting so worked up over, anyhow? There was nothing particularly unusual about Cai distancing himself...In fact, that was more of the norm for Cai to begin with, so how was this any different??

But...But Syrus couldn’t stop recalling his behavior from the other day. The desperate look in his eyes, the fear, the anxiety...Expression and emotions Syrus had never seen on his face before.

A Cai he wasn’t familiar with.

The more he thought about it, the more he truly wanted to know what it was that Cai had wanted to say to him that day.

Before Syrus had known it, his legs had already taken him far out along the shoreline, the beautiful, blue water sparkling under the sunlight in the distance. The fresh breeze sweeping in from somewhere beyond it...The feeling alone was enough to help his tension fade away, as though washed away into the sea...Somewhere far away.

He felt relaxed here, taking a seat along the sand as he just stared off, letting his thought wander off into the horizon.

Just like that...He let everything go. Let it all be swept away by the gentle, lapping waves.