Chapter 54 - Too Late for Regrets

Rakasha’s gaze was serene and indifferent as it followed the little boy’s limping figure. Wheezing and panting, tears were freely mixed with snot in his soot-blackened face. Over his thin, trembling shoulders was a thin rope which was coiled tightly around his hands, connecting him to a large, flat piece of spider carapace. Upon it rested two figures which lay side by side, their lengths stretched along the makeshift sled.

One was that of a brawny youth with rich golden locks and a dashingly handsome face. His complexion, however, was pale as a corpse and thick veins of charcoal spiderwebbed all across his skin. These veins pulsed faintly with every second, as though every beat of his heart was threatening to burst them.

The other was a small boy whose face wore a peaceful expression. Through the dirt caking every inch of his face it could be seen that his condition was relatively good, and he was merely slumbering deeply. Though each pull of the sled jerked his tiny head from side to side, he showed no signs of awakening anytime soon. Deep lines of exhaustion were visible etched across his haggard face.

Of the three, Leon’s condition was obviously the most critical. However, in terms of sheer anguish it could be seen that Skyle was not far from the edge, teetering on the brink.

Rarely, even regular people can show incredible resilience when faced with extraordinary circumstances. However, everyone has a breaking point - a hard limit beyond which each step is like treading across thin ice. Only a fathomless abyss beckons underneath, patiently waiting for that one false step, which would prove to be the last.

As for Skyle, he was resilient and remarkable as no other boy could hope to be. Still, he was a mere boy, and any of the trials he had faced could have broken a multitude of lesser men. However, like a full cup which needs only one final drop to finally spill its contents, Leena’s death had a profound impact on Skyle.

In truth, Skyle had grown overconfident over the time he spent in Sanctuary. His various encounters with foes he would not have even dared to even imagine existed had, for the most part, gone very favorably for him. His new gifts have fed this growing confidence, and his recent conversation with the Goddess had only added to it.

When approaching the matter of his confrontation with Leena, in the back of his mind he had known it was unavoidable. Still, he had committed two critical mistakes in a world where just one was enough to spell doom.

First, he had badly underestimated Leena. Her combat prowess, he could be forgiven for. So flawless had been her lost and helpless girl act that he really could not have had any inkling of how deadly a warrior she was. Second, and even more critical, he had badly misjudged the strength of her convictions and the purity of her will. He had naively thought that no matter what misunderstandings there lay between them, surely with the backing of the Guardian of Sanctuary and Rakasha, a fitting compromise could be reached.

After all, she was a nice girl. Deep inside, within her core, Skyle could see she was a kind soul, one wholly devoted to unselfishly protecting others. This was the kind of person Skyle could admire and respect.

He had wished so desperately that he could save her, that even when going through the plan to trap her under the stalactite, Skyle had a blind certainty that Leena would exhaust her powers to shield herself from the avalanche of rocks. Given her prowess, Skyle knew she would most likely survive, and indeed his Far Sight had shown multiple outcomes in which Leena escaped from his trap, spent but alive.

He would then capture her while she was still weak, then carry her to the Shrine of Tears and solve this whole misunderstanding. That would be a happy ending for all parties involved.

Skyle ground his teeth as he pulled harder, letting the rope bite deeply into his flesh and accepting the pain. His arrogance had been colossal, and so had been his downfall. This failure had hit him harder than he could have possibly imagined, and it struck him all the harder because he truly had wanted to save Leena.

Instead, his blind arrogance and overconfidence had gotten her killed with his own two hands.

Sooner than he realized, Skyle had already arrived at the cave’s mouth. Before he could even speak, Rakasha’s claw extended forward and enveloped the spidershell sled with surprising gentleness. Skyle’s own body began to float in the air, and in a mere instant, he was deposited behind the ancient beast’s back.

The journey back was spent in silence. Rakasha maintained her usual aloof aura while Skyle struggled to shake off the depression that had come crashing down upon him. Rationally, he knew he must not blame himself, as Leena had made her own choices. His heart, however, pressed upon him with the irresistible strength of a titanic brute armed with not an ounce of logic, but a deadly arsenal of conflicted emotions.

By the time they landed back at the nest, time had flown by and Skyle was still in a daze as he gingerly descended from Rakasha’s back. The great crystal phoenix carefully laid the stretcher down next to Skyle.

“Thank you for all your help, Rakasha.” The boy bowed deeply to the ancient beast, for he knew now that she had repeatedly saved his life. Beyond that, she had also treated him with kindness, though she did not need to.

Rakasha seemed to regard Skyle with a deep, meaningful gaze. Her head dipped in Skyle’s direction just a fraction of a degree, so minute that the movement was almost imperceptible. Had that been an encouraging nod, or was Skyle simply imagining things?

Then the moment was gone, and Rakasha’s gaze shifted to her side. There, Birdy was surreptitiously approaching the stretcher, bloody mischief likely in its mind. Saliva drooped from a corner of his beak as he eyed Emil’s tender complexion.

This little glutton truly had a one track mind.

Rakasha did not move, but Birdy abruptly squeaked and fell back on its haunches. After a quick glance towards its mother, Birdy shook its head vehemently and flapped its wings back and forth. Only after Rakasha’s dignified gaze left him did Birdy turn its eyes to Skyle, once again glowering as though this had also been his fault, somehow.

“Rakasha, I must speak to the Guardian.” Skyle paid Birdy no mind, as he understood better than anyone what kind of state Leon was in. His friend’s face was permanently twisted in a rictus of agony. His lips were cracked and bleeding, and from time to time terrible seizures would convulse his whole body. If his outer appearance was worrying, his aura under the True Sight was simply appalling. Chaotic streams of red and purple were running rampant within his core, while every other aura grew increasingly faint and sporadic. It was a wonder that his body could hold itself together at all. Worst of all, Skyle saw the torn remains of his friend’s elemental veins and knew that even if he survived his wounds, this genius elemental summoner would never channel his power again.

Like Skyle, he was now a cripple.

Skyle stretched his hand out towards the stretcher, but at this moment a silver aura noiselessly enveloped Leon’s body. This energy flowed into Leon, seeping into his eyes, nose, ears and mouth. Immediately, his face relaxed and his breathing seemed to stabilize.

“Come, Skyle Arrow. We must have words, and I shall tolerate no further delays,” came the imperious command from within the Shrine.

Confused at the sudden coldness of the Goddess’ voice, Skyle glanced towards Leon one last time before reluctantly making his way down the stairs. The darkness welcomed him into its embrace. Within its heart he found the Goddess fully awake and enveloped by divine might. She regarded him with the domineering eyes of a sovereign gazing upon an unworthy subject.

Skyle swallowed painfully, licking his lips to moisten them but was not sure what he ought to say. Clearly, the Goddess was displeased, and Skyle did not understand if this was because he had killed Leena, or because he had failed some other hidden test.

“Your first boon is thus granted, mortal. Step now onto my hand.” the Guardian of Sanctuary’s voice boomed within the enclosed space, echoing loudly against the walls. She stretched a gigantic hand towards Skyle. “That I may cleanse the vile taint within your veins, and thus fulfill my word. Then begone henceforth from Sanctuary, and may you never return.”

“L-Lady, I don’t understand. May this poor child ask-” Skyle winced as his whole body shook from the sheer weight of her words, feeling as though irresistible ripples of divine might were emanating from the Goddess.

“The time for questions is done, manling. Step forth, then begone at once!” The tone had not changed, but the air within the chamber dipped into freezing temperatures. Skyle’s teeth actually began to chatter uncontrollably while steam rose from his mouth.

“Great Lady, I- I must ask a further boo-” Skyle began, fear seizing his heart in a tyrant’s fist that squeezed all the breath from his body so that only a pathetic squeak made it past.

“You dare!” The Goddess cried, and this time Skyle’s hair was pushed back from his face in a wild corona as he was blasted with a wave of power that covered his face in a thin layer of ice. “Have you a deathwish, mortal child?”

Skyle shook his head frantically while cracking noises filled the air. Had he dared to risk a glance, he would have seen the multitude of crystals covering the walls of the shrine trembling as they resonated with the divine power being emitted by the Goddess. Small fracture lines could be seen running through several, threatening to collapse altogether.

“I- I must still ask, please save-” Skyle cried out hoarsely, his body trembling uncontrollably as he forced the words past numb, unfeeling lips.

“Silence!” came the furious cry from the Goddess, and hundreds of crystals shattered with a deafening explosion, sending glittering shards flying about everywhere.

Skyle staggered as dozens of sharp crystal fragments shot into his body from all around. Blood began to drip down his face from several deep cuts. His heart nearly lurched into a halt as an unthinking, irrational fear rose from his heart and strangled his throat.

He had finally come to realize that he could really die here. After all his trials and struggles, for this Goddess to kill him would be like snuffing out a guttering candle with a single breath. All of Skyle’s dreams, hopes, and love for his family and friends would end right here and now. No one would know of his fate, and he would forever vanish from the universe as though he had never even existed.

The Goddess wouldn’t care. The world would not even bat an eye. Only his family would mourn his loss, but so what? They were worlds away, unable to aid or comfort him. They couldn’t even see or hear him, so what use was all of their love and wisdom and care now?

Again, the unfairness of it all burned in Skyle’s heart. The flame was born out of despair, and this despair was the essence of the void within his heart. There was nothing left when a little boy must stare eye to eye with death while holding nothing in his heart - nothing but an all-consuming void.

At this point, something broke with a sharp, crystalline noise inside Skyle’s chest. At first he thought it was a bone cracking under the pressure, but he could now feel it come from somewhere far beyond the realm of mere bone and flesh.

A great, deafening roar filled Skyle’s head. Strangely, he did not feel it was loud at all. Instead, it was like a formless pressure that had been pent up for a long time, and finally burst forth with terrifying momentum. It swept past everything in its path, and howled a great, titanic roar of defiance.

“Little Sky,” came the soft call from within his heart, barely audible in the midst of the storm ravaging his mind.

“Ah?” There was only one person in the world who called him little Sky.

“My little Sky.” This time, because he had been listening for it, he could clearly recognize his mother’s bright, gentle voice. It fluttered airily into his consciousness like a spring breeze and filled the terrifying void inside of his heart like a ray of sunlight banishing the darkest night. “Little Sky, will you now fly far, far away?”

“I- I-” Skyle found that he didn’t know how to answer. He somehow knew that now that these invisible chains had shattered, he could simply not go back to the old Skyle. Beyond that, he wasn’t even sure if he would wish to. But above all else, he did not want to disappoint this voice with his answer. During this moment of intense inner struggle he watched the beam of sunshine begin to flutter its wings and turn into a beautiful butterfly of golden light.

Here, Skyle finally found his answer.

“Yes, but I will always return home.” Skyle found himself whispering this solemn promise.

“Then go, little Sky. Spread your wings and fly, but always remember home.”

Tears had slid down Skyle’s cheeks without his knowledge by the time his consciousness slammed back into his body. It mixed with the blood to create a truly grim visage out of his face, but the fear was now gone. So was the anger and confusion.

Instead, only a will of iron remained, tempered by years of gentle, nurturing love.

In the midst of the wild tempest unleashed by the Goddess’ might, Skyle straightened his back and lifted his gaze to match the Goddess’ own.

“By your word and promise, I beseech the Guardian to use my boon to heal Leon’s veins, then send us away.”

Loss and disappointment flashed across the Goddess’ storm-filled eyes. The feeling was mirrored by Skyle, but was quickly washed away by a calm acceptance.

The storm was suddenly gone, every terrifying ripple of power sucked out from the shrine as though it had never been. A bright glow surrounded Skyle and the wounds on his body disappeared at a rate visible to the naked eye. Within moments, he stood whole and unafraid before the immortal’s regard.

“Blood does not lie, after all. Skyle Arrow, truly you disappoint this immortal. Must you refuse my grace and defy my will to the very end?” The fury was completely gone from her expression, replaced by a great exhaustion. Though her skin remained radiant and her hair glimmered brightly, her eyes reflected a deep weariness like that of a pebble worn smooth by the flow of countless years within the river of time.

“I thank you Lady, for your great grace and good intentions. However, my friend lies dying, his talent crippled. How could I do otherwise?”

“His bodily wounds, I shall restore for you. Must you give your gift to him as well?” The question was a sigh, all hope slowly shedding from it like the branches of a tree during winter.

“I have lived all my years without knowing the touch of the elements. I can live a few more without. My friend, however, is different. His talent is like a mighty river, and when it dries up his whole world will wither and die. His indomitable will surely allow him to recover his spirits, but he lives and breathes in a whole different world from mine. It is a cruel world that will never give him the time or opportunity to do so.”

Skyle sighed deeply as he spread his hands helplessly to his sides. “I’m afraid he will be murdered in his weakness, before he can rise again.”

“Listen well, manling. Such are the decrees of fate. Each of you has a path to walk, and destiny does not take kindly to the intervention of outside forces. Even gods must pay a dreadful price for such presumption. Much less a little mortal such as yourself.”

“I understand, yet again I must refuse the Guardian’s grace.”

“Even knowing the foul corruption within your veins shall claim your life five years hence?”

This last statement struck him like a physical blow, for this was surely a death sentence. Not even Skyle could stare death in the eye without a trace of regret and sorrow.

“Yes, even still,” came the boy’s calm reply.

A long sigh was the only response he received, and Skyle couldn’t help but echo it himself. Giving up the chance to heal his own talent for Leon’s sake, was it the right thing to do? Was he being impulsive? Would he not regret his choice a thousand times over? Every time his veins burned with yet another failure, would he not howl and curse the day he had chosen this doom for himself? That fateful day five years from now, when he lay on his deathbed and finally succumbed to this strange sickness, would he weep and desperately wish to take back his decision today?

“Ah, regret. Maybe this was the true meaning of the Goddess’ warning. But it is far too late for regrets, even now.”

Skyle knew that he could not take any other decision, here and now. Not with who he was, and the home that he had left behind, and still lay waiting for his return. A part of him had come to deeply understand that home was not simply a physical place that he could yearn for, nor a family that he could return to. Every path he walked, every choice he made, a part of home would be there with him.

If the choices he made and paths he walked made him into another, lesser man, would he not lose that precious home that was built from the love, hopes and dreams that they had all built together?

Yes, he would sacrifice his own talent for Leon because he was his friend, his brother. He would willingly give his life for him. That was the meaning of friendship to Skyle.

However, the main reason he could not make any other choice, here and now, was because of who he was, and who he wanted to be, when he finally returned home.

“Mom, little Sky will be there soon. A little worse for the wear, but I am coming home.”

Tears spilled unbidden from Skyle’s eyes, but neither the Goddess nor the little boy minded at all.

“As you wish, it is done, then.” This carried an air of finality that suddenly sparked a sense of panic within Skyle’s heart. He still had something he needed to do, someone he wanted to see!

All his desperation was useless, as Skyle felt his consciousness rapidly begin to fade. Though he struggled, his vision grew blurry and his legs unsteady.

“Wait, please. I want, I need to see someone. Please! I may never see her again!” Skyle suddenly cried out in a panic. “Can you tell me where Ria is?”

The Guardian of Sanctuary looked at him in askance. “There is no Ria within the confines of this Sanctuary, Skyle Arrow.”

“But the girl, she helped me. She healed me. You must know who she is. Please, let me see her one more time!” Skyle begged, his heart pounding in his chest as darkness crept up upon him.

“Some things are beyond even my power, Skyle Arrow. Return home with my blessings and make the best of these final five years you have left. Know that the Goddess is always with you.”

“Ria..” Skyle wanted to cry out, but darkness descended upon him and he knew no more.