Resistance

Over the Horizon - Part 1

The distance sound of the waves and birds echoed, a strangely soothing sound, but one that was enough to awaken Syrus from his sleep. His thoughts were still dregged with sleep, remnants of his dream lingering on his mind...Yet, as with each time, those memories seemed to all but fade the more his mind was brought back to reality.

He was yet again seized with that feeling, that feeling of having forgotten something important...And yet, as he sat up, Syrus couldn’t seem to recall what that something might have been...It was all but gone with the breeze that swept in through the partially open window. That breeze carried the calming scent of the sea, sunlight filtering into the room.

His body was somewhat stiff from sleeping on the hardwood floor, the bed taken up by one of the other two at the time being, and both Cai, and Aaron still sound asleep. The hour appeared to still be quite early, after all...But rather than sitting around waiting for them to wake up, Syrus decided to step outside for a bit of fresh air.

The scene that awaited him upon stepping out of the little home was a breathtaking sight, to say the least.

Being quite some distance away from the little village, the little home sat atop a small hill, which overlooked an awe inspiring view of the sea, practically a stone’s throw away.

The sea...Was such a beautiful blue, catching the sun’s rays and glittering in the distance, like strands of bright gold. That light almost made it seem as though the water were actually made of fire, and spanned out as far as Syrus could see...No, even farther than that. Syrus couldn’t possibly see past it.

“...Wow…” He whispered out loud, absolutely enthralled by the sight before him, a small smile spreading across his lips.

“It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Cai’s voice sounded off just a ways behind him, but Syrus didn’t find himself feeling very surprised or startled by his sudden appearance. By now, he had grown accustomed to Cai keeping tabs on him pretty much every waking moment.

“...At this point, I might start considering this stalking, just so you know.” Syrus replied, though it was obvious by his sarcastic tone that he wasn’t really being serious, or so he hoped.

“As long as I feel like you could be in danger, I don’t plan on taking my eyes off of you.” Cai admitted without batting an eyelash, but his expression softened a moment after, to what Syrus almost thought looked like a hint of worry. “...Does that bother you?”

Ah, so that’s why.

“Not really.” Syrus reassured him, the tip of his long tail twitching slightly, noting that his reply seemed to relieve Cai a bit. The realization that he was actually worrying about such things was actually a little amusing to Syrus, honestly. He never struck Syrus as the type…Then again, Syrus didn’t really know much about Cai to begin with, now did he?

Truly, he was an enigma.

“You really have a bad habit of wandering off alone, don’t you?” Cai spoke up, breaking the momentary silence between them. “Like right now, for instance. Despite everything that’s happened to you recently, you’re still dashing right off by yourself. It’s like you’re asking for trouble.”

Syrus’ ear gave a slight twitch in response to Cai’s comments, casting him a sideways glance.

...Since when had he gotten so naggy? Or was it that he was always like this and Syrus was only just realizing that now?? Despite whatever the case might have been, Syrus had to admit Cai had valid points, so he couldn’t exactly come up with a rebuttal at the moment.

Really, this whole mess had been the outcome of his own rash decisions and negligence.

“...Still…” Cai suddenly continued. “I’d much rather you be smiling like you just were, over how you were before. If a little running off on your own helps with that, I suppose I can’t complain too much.”

Syrus cast Cai another, sideways glance before falling silent in response, recalling that Cai was the only one who really knew about what had happened to him.

Things he’d been doing his best to simply not recall. He did everything in his power to just forget they happened in the first place...But deep down, he truly wondered if he ever could.

Those memories and experiences had long since been burned within his mind.

“...Did you want to talk about it?”

The sudden question from Cai had caught Syrus by surprise, especially since it was coming from Cai.

Unintentionally, Syrus met his gaze, emerald eyes meeting amber, and Syrus noticed Cai looked hesitant. Perhaps that was because he worried that he was being too nosy.

“…” Syrus brought his gaze back ahead of him, kneeling down as he stared off towards the sea, watching the gently rolling waves. “...You saw, didn’t you?” He questioned, falling silent for some time, the tip of his tail curling slightly.

...Did he want to talk about it?? Syrus had no idea, but if he were to try and recall…

...No, he didn’t want to. If he were to recall, the first image that came to mind were those awful, silver eyes. He felt as though he could see them even if he closed his own eyes, and he was hit with a small wave of anxiety.

“...I...” He began before his words trailed off, biting at his bottom lip a bit, and finally shaking his head. “...I can’t say it. I don’t want to say it out loud.”

It wasn’t as though Syrus intended to keep things from Cai, but...He just couldn’t say it. The thought of those experiences, much less speaking about them was far too difficult right now.

More than Syrus was even aware, the psychological and emotional scars from them ran incredibly deep.

“...I’m sorry.” Cai replied quietly, feeling a prickle of guilt stab at his chest...He still felt incredibly responsible for the way things turned out. He loathed himself for not being able to do more to protect Syrus...Perhaps if he had tried harder to convince Syrus to stay out of the castle that day...If he had stopped him…

“Don’t be.” Syrus said, pushing himself up so he could stand, and giving Cai a reassuring smile. “I just need to move past it. Even if...Even if I still worry sometimes. Even if I might still be a bit afraid, that’s alright.” He nodded, as though to reassure himself as well. “I just need to keep moving forward.”

Cai listened to Syrus speak, not being able to help but look over at him.

Syrus’ eyes looked so clear, a sense of confidence burning within them...Those belonged to the Syrus he knew, and Cai couldn’t help but feel a newfound sense of respect for Syrus.

Even though he was afraid...Even though he’d gone through so much, so much more than anyone should have gone through...He still stood strongly. He refused to give into his own doubts, his own insecurities. Cai always admired these things about Syrus. No matter what he thought...Syrus was such an incredibly strong person.

No matter what...He had to protect Syrus.

“...Do you really think he’d follow you all the way out here?” He questioned, his gaze drifted off in the direction of the forest surrounding the city, seeming so incredibly far away now.

“...I do.” Syrus answered after a brief moment of silence in response. “If I’ve learned anything by now, it’s that he probably wouldn’t let me slip away so easily.” He admitted, rubbing his arm a bit. “...Rather, I’m surprised he hasn’t shown up already?”

Syrus had tried to escape once...But it was all just a game to that man. A twisted game of cat and mouse, and the irony was that Syrus wasn’t even the cat in this little game of his.

Maybe even this too was…?

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” Cai stated firmly, taking ahold of Syrus’ arm. “Already once now…”

Already once...He’d failed to protect Syrus. He wouldn’t fail a second time. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he did.

More than what his past role had been, more than what Syrus was...To Cai, what mattered most was Syrus himself.

Just...Syrus. Syrus was what mattered.

However...Iuno’s words seemed to ring loudly within his own ears, as though slapping him in the face with a wave of ice cold reality.

The truth...He wondered if Syrus would be able to accept it...To accept him. He wondered if Syrus would truly come to hate him if he learned the truth...If he learned what Cai was, the secrets he’d kept, and what he was meant to do.

Rather...Cai was shocked that the notion of Syrus rejecting him terrified him so much...But even so...Syrus of all people deserved to know the truth.

“...Cai?” Syrus’ voice snapped Cai out of his thoughts, amber eyes meeting with that clear emerald.

Cai felt like he had been seized by those eyes.

“...I…” He began, his throat going dry, the words sticking in the back of it, forming into what felt like a lump.

Cai felt as though he were being suffocated by it, but he was unable to tear his gaze away...Even though with each passing moment that he maintained eye contact, it felt unbearable.

...The truth.

Tell him the truth.

“...Syrus...T-The truth is...I-”

“Heeeey, you two! Up early, eh?!” The sudden, familiar sound of Aaron’s voice made Cai’s heart leap into his throat, and he quickly released Syrus’ arm, stepping back.

Aaron was descending the grassy hill to approach them, unaware of whatever moment he had interrupted. He was completely oblivious.

“...Rather, it’s more surprising to see you’re awake.” Cai shot back, his outwards demeanor shifting back to his norm. “Anyhow, now that you’re here, see to it that Syrus doesn’t run off again and get himself into any trouble.” He added in, brushing past Aaron without another word, and heading off somewhere beyond the house.

It was only then, that Aaron felt like he might have done something wrong.

“...Did I interrupt something? He looked kinda pissed…” Aaron frowned, rubbing the back of his neck as he cast Syrus a sideways glance, hoping for an answer. “...Syrus?”

“...Ah...Yeah, I wonder why?” Syrus finally answered, having zoned out for a moment before he processed what Aaron was trying to say to him...And he couldn’t help but glance off in the direction Cai went for a moment or two.

He’d never...Seen Cai act in such a way before. He looked nervous, scared even...A side to Cai that Syrus hadn’t known until now.

...Just what had he been trying to say to him??

Somehow, Syrus was seized with the feeling that he might not be able to know now.

“Well, aren’t you two up early??” A voice called out to them, belonging to Calem, who also soon descended down the hill as he approached the duo, his darkened tail swaying with each step. “The view’s nice here, isn’t it?” He questioned, a little smile forming along his lips. “I’ll bet it’s quite a change of pace in comparison to the city.”

“It really is. The only thing to really see around there are the trees and buildings.” Aaron replied with a little snort.

“Ahh, but the forest is nice in itself sometimes too, don’t you think??” Calem pointed out with a little chuckle, to which Aaron didn’t seem convinced...However, Syrus couldn’t help but pick up on the slightest hint of longing in Calem’s tone...Or had it been Syrus’ imagination? Calem came from within the city too, after all...Perhaps there were some things he missed about it??

“At any rate…” Calem began, stretching a bit before his lavender gaze fell on Syrus. “Did you want to start learning how to hide your ears and tail?”

Speaking of ears, Syrus’ perked at the mention of this. He did recall Calem mentioning that he intended to teach him...Though the aspect of being without them was still probably the most bizarre image Syrus could picture...Still, knowing how to do so would certainly make things more convenient.

“...Alright then.” He nodded with a swish of his own, white and black tail. “Teach away.”

“I’ll leave you two to it, then.” Aaron nodded, crossing his arms behind his head before walking off with a little whistle.

Needless to say, as weird as it sounded, Syrus was beyond curious as to how he would make his ears and tail just...Disappear.

“I believe I mentioned it before, but the feat isn’t quite as fantastical as you might be imagining.” Calem chuckled, seeming to pick up on that burning curiosity from Syrus.

“Can you blame me? It sounds unbelievable...Actually, I’m not really sure if I even believe that you can make them disappear at all.” Syrus frowned.

“Oh really?” Calem grinned, crossing his arms, and...Almost in an instant, both his ears and tail just...Faded away. Like they had been nothing more than a mirage this entire time. They just vanished into thin air. “I can’t exactly blame you, no. You likely don’t even know the first thing about your own species. I know I sure didn’t after passing through the forest the first time.”

Syrus felt somewhat wounded at having his own naivety pointed out so openly, but he couldn’t deny Calem’s words. He truly didn’t know anything...And that fact went beyond just his own species.

“Well then why don’t you teach me, rather than yakking on about it?” He said with a slight ‘humph.’

“Cheeky, aren’t you?” Calem smirked, seemingly amused. “You likely won’t let it on your first try, but think of it like…” He paused for a moment, pressing a knuckle against his chin pensively. “...Pretend your ears and tail don’t exist. Envision yourself without them. That’d be your first step.”

Syrus looked openly skeptical, one ear flicking back slightly, but Calem said nothing else. He seemed to be urging him to try, but...Well, Syrus didn’t really get it. Envisioning himself without his ears or tail...They were just so natural to him. In fact, he supposed so natural, that he never really paid much attention to them to begin with.

Rather than overthinking things though, he just...Did as Calem advised him, trying to envision a rather ear-less and tail-less version of himself.

Seconds ticked by, transitioning into minutes.

...Was it working?

He felt a little foolish, just standing there focusing on seemingly nothing like an idiot...But as he looked up at Calem for some sense of guidance, he was confused to notice that Calem looked rather taken aback.

“...What?” Syrus rose an eyebrow, wondering why he was gawking before promptly losing his balance as he tried to take a step forward...Actually, rather than just losing his balance, he downright flopped over like a stiff, wooden plank.

………………

He just...Laid there for a moment, dumbfounded before he pushed himself up so he could sit, rubbing the back of his neck...And noticing he seemed to be lacking something.

...His ears...He couldn’t help but reflexively panic a little, but no sooner than they had come to mind, he realized they were in fact, still there.

His imagination, perhaps.

“Amazing…” Calem finally spoke up, flabbergasted by the fact that Syrus had succeeded so easily, albeit for only a moment. “It was only for a short minute or two, but you made them disappear.” He nodded, walking over towards Syrus and patting the top of his head. “Well done!”

Syrus felt...A bit embarrassed at his praise, surprisingly. He couldn’t resist the urge to turn his gaze to the side shyly.

“...You think so?”

“Of course! It took me a long time before I was able to do the same.” Calem replied, still beaming.

One might even say there was a bit of pride in both his tone and expression, and his hand...Was warm. Syrus could feel that warmth seeping into the top of his head little by little.

Calem’s smile too was...Comforting somehow.

“Let’s work on maintaining it longer. Just make sure to keep that visual of them not existing. I think your only mistake was recalling their presence too quickly.”

Syrus absorbed Calem’s advice like a dry sponge. He actually felt a bit excited, admittedly.

He wondered what else Calem could teach him??

So, the two continued like that for the remainder of the day, and somehow...Syrus was reminded of back home. Those peaceful moments he’d spend with Taharo...Peaceful moments that made every bit of trouble, every bit of conflict, seem non existent.

Peaceful moments that Syrus treasured more than anything else in the world.

Truthfully...His heart hurt. It hurt knowing he may never be able to spend those peaceful moments with him...Ever again.

At the very least...Syrus wished he could have apologized to Taharo one more time.

However, Syrus buried that pain within his heart. That hurt...He wouldn’t allow himself to dwell on that pain. Those thoughts.

Moving forward was far more important.

As night fell, Syrus remained outside, sitting atop that grassy hill as he looked up at the stars...Stars that glittered so brilliantly against the blackened sky, various colors blending together in that infinite black…It was breathtaking. Syrus felt as though his thoughts might wander off into that sky, never to return.

“You’re not heading inside?” A familiar voice called out to him, but it didn’t belong to Cai, who Syrus had been expecting...Rather, Syrus hadn’t seen Cai at all since earlier that morning...He felt strangely disappointed.

The words that Cai had wanted to say to him...Just what were they?

“...I suppose I wanted some fresh air.”

“But we’ve been outside all day as it is.” Calem chuckled, eventually taking a seat beside Syrus along the grass. “You look like you have something on your mind.”

Syrus cast Calem a small glance, admittedly surprised that Calem noticed. While Syrus was a terrible liar, he was very good at keeping his personal thoughts and feelings to himself...Well, until as of late, that is.

Since when had he begun to display his feelings so openly??

“You’re not being obvious, I’m just unusually perceptive.” Calem spoke up, as if reading Syrus’ thoughts with a surprising accuracy. “Of course, if you’re not up for talking, I certainly won’t force you.” He added in. “But sometimes, it’s nice to have someone lend you an ear, don’t you think??”

“...I guess I’m just worried about my friend.” Syrus spoke up openly, surprising even himself...But somehow, he felt as though he could express himself comfortably to Calem. “He was trying to say something to me earlier...But Aaron popped up before he could.”

“Ahh, that touchy one with the red hair?”

Syrus couldn’t suppress the little snort that escaped him in response to Calem’s description of Cai, to which Syrus himself couldn’t have stated any more perfectly.

“Yeah, that one.”

“He’s a strange one, that’s for sure.” Calem continued. “He’s pretty protective of you.”

“Too much, if you ask me.” Syrus frowned before shaking his head. “...No. I suppose it makes sense, given everything that’s been happening as of late.” Calem was quiet, letting Syrus speak, and Syrus did. He couldn’t seem to bring himself to stop. “I got a bit too ambitious and make a mistake. I thought...I thought that if I understood more, I could help everyone in the city...But I…” Syrus lowered his gaze. “...The few answers I received only left me with more questions...And more uncertainty.”

There was still so much that Syrus just didn’t understand.

“...You know...There’s only so much one person can do alone.” Calem spoke up, taking some time to deliberate on Syrus’ words before he had done so. “There’s only so much you can bottle up inside. You’re just one person, Syrus.”

“I know, but--”

“If you know, stop trying to take the whole world upon your own shoulders.” Calem interjected, almost scolding Syrus a bit. “You’re not alone.” Calem’s gaze trailed off in the direction of his little home. “You have people with you. Good people. People willing to fight for you and protect you, right to the end. Not many have companions like that.”

At those words, Syrus lifted his gaze.

He wasn’t alone...Of course he wasn’t. Syrus knew that better than anyone.

He supposed...It was because he so badly wanted to protect them...To protect his family...But Calem was right. Syrus couldn’t do it all alone, even if he wished more than anything, that he could take all of their pain and suffering on his own shoulders. If only he could be the one to bear it all...For them.

...But he couldn’t do that. He wouldn’t have ever gotten even this far if he were on his own.

Not without those precious people at his side.

Rather than wasting so much time and energy trying to do it all alone...No, rather than letting himself sink further and further like he had been. Fretting alone, suffering alone...And dragging the others down with him. He single-handedly let himself drown in these doubts and worries.

That wasn’t like him at all...That wasn’t Syrus.

The person he was...Was the kind to charge into things head on. To do so without fear or doubts. To press on confidently doing what he felt was right...That was Syrus.

He’d nearly let that man take that away from him.

“...Thank you.” Syrus finally replied, giving Calem a smile. “You reminded me of what’s important.”

“Glad to hear it.” Calem smiled in return, satisfied to hear that before reaching over to lightly ruffle Syrus’ hair. “Now, why don’t you head inside to sleep before you stay out here all night long?”

“Alright, alright.” Syrus laughed, pushing himself off of the grass before the two headed off into the house.

And for Syrus, sleep came easily, but once again, it wasn’t a quiet one.

All too familiar now, he recognized the dark, empty space that spanned out endlessly around him...However, he felt strangely coherent compared to his last several visits within this strange, recurring dream of his. He found himself actively seeking out that single, sliver of light...And when he caught sight of that light, he ran to it.

In the distance, that flame flickered gently, but it was Syrus himself who sought it...And as soon as he came upon it, he reached out, his fingers grazing that gentle heat, feeling that soft pulse. That quiet heartbeat...And he felt a strange sense of resolution harden within him, lifting his gaze.

“...I’m not afraid anymore!” He called out, his words coming from within, before he was even fully comprehending them. “I won’t run anymore.” He sucked in a deep breath, a rekindled feeling of confidence burning within him.

And in response to that resolve, that conviction...The flame, flickering so gently, suddenly exploded, flaring up higher than Syrus could possibly even see.

His heart began to race.

Brilliant arrays of colors burst throughout those flames, seemingly alive, filling Syrus’ vision...And yet, he wasn’t afraid. Syrus felt no fear within his heart.

”...I hear you.”

The voice called out, unseen, but felt.

”I can feel your conviction...Your resolve. It burns brightly...As bright as the flame that burns within you.”

The voice echoed softly, reverberating throughout the air.

“...You told me, that when I wish for it...I’ll lead this world into something brighter...I don’t know if that’s true or not, but...But I do know that I want to protect it.” Syrus explained, those feelings of resolve coming from within his very core. “My family...My city, and everything else...I don’t know if I can. I know so little. I know I’m naive...But that doesn’t matter. Even if I don’t know anything, I want to do what I can. I want to protect what I can.” He fell silent for a moment, feeling strangely out of breath before lowering his gaze. “...Can I do it?”

Silence. For a moment, Syrus wondered if he would receive a response.

”...If you can’t, no one can.” The voice responded. ”Only you...Only you alone can do it. You, who can move the hearts of many. You, who burns brightly in this world of shadows.”

The flames danced about in the infinite blackness, twining together and giving birth to a fantastical beast.

A Dragon, glittering green scales, smooth, jet black horns, and beautiful, white, feathered wings.

The creatures eyes glittered like stars, shining not in one particular hue, but many...As though the galaxy itself lived within them.

The dragon lowered it’s head, it’s entire body, as though to bow before Syrus.

”As long as you breathe, as long as you live...I am here with you. This power, and my life are yours alone.” Its voice echoed within his head, powerful, yet remaining gentle.

Without thinking, Syrus reached out towards the dragon, his fingers delicately brushing along it’s snout. The smooth scales were warm to the touch...Somehow comforting.

“...I know it’s not mine, nor do I know how to use it, but...I promise to never abuse this power.”

The dragon’s eyes softened, not seeming to mind Syrus’ touch in the slightest.

”...Foolish child...This power...It’s been yours from the start.” The dragon replied, the slightest laugh seeming to be laced within it’s words.

Syrus wondered what the dragon could have meant, but he couldn’t wonder for very long, feeling as though his surroundings seemed to be growing hazy.

Little by little, it felt as though that black all around them was steadily overshadowing his mind.

”...Our connection grows weak, but we shall meet again…”

The voice grew soft, even softer still as the moments ticked by, until Syrus felt as though he no longer was able to hear its words.

”Until then…”

“...Farewell..."

“...My sun.”