Sometimes, I wonder if the power that which we hold is too much for us. If it's righteous or simply not enough, but I guess we will never know. -retro
Retro leaned heavily against the wall, his hand covering his face as he spoke, his voice tinged with frustration. "Our time in this cursed world is slipping away. It's like we're mere pawns in some twisted game, at the mercy of gods we can't hope to control," he muttered, his words sharp and laced with exhaustion. "These last two weeks have been nothing but one absurdity after another."
His eyes, usually a fierce yellow, had faded back to a weary, dark green. He lowered his hand, glancing out the frost-touched window as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon. The sun's rays fought against the bleak, unrelenting winter, casting a dim glow over the cold, snowbound world outside.
"I'm exhausted from all of this," Retro muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Pushing himself off the wall, he moved toward his bedroom door with a heaviness in his step. He opened it slowly, the faint creak breaking the silence of the early morning. With a sigh, he kicked off his shoes, letting them fall carelessly to the floor before slipping under the covers, finally allowing himself to surrender to the day's start.
As he settled into the bed, the door remained ajar, letting a sliver of dawn's light spill into the room—a quiet reminder that, even in this momentary rest, the world outside carried on.
As daylight crept into the room, Lilly stretched, her dragon scales catching the morning's first light, a shimmer that seemed to brighten her entire figure. She yawned, running a hand through her hair as she moved to get dressed, choosing a simple outfit to start the day. Heading out into the hallway, still a bit drowsy, she paused when she noticed Retro's door was slightly open.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Lilly took a cautious step forward, peering inside just enough to see Retro sprawled out under the covers, looking as though he'd finally succumbed to a rare, deep sleep. She smiled faintly, deciding to let him rest a bit longer after everything they'd been through. With a quiet exhale, she continued down the hall toward the kitchen, her mind already wandering to thoughts of breakfast and the calm of a new morning.
As the first rays of daylight filtered through the window, Atlas stirred awake, his breath hitching as a sharp pain shot through his chest. Clutching it tightly, he sat up, beads of sweat forming on his brow as fragments of the memory played vividly in his mind—Nexus falling lifeless, the desperate struggle to bring him back, and the rage that had consumed him.
He exhaled shakily, loosening his grip on his chest, and tried to steady himself. Rising from the bed, he moved toward the window, drawn by the sight of the early morning light. The cabin was surrounded by the towering redwoods, their snow-covered branches casting soft shadows across the forest floor. The scene was serene, a stark contrast to the turmoil within him.
Atlas placed a hand against the cold glass, his jaw tightening. The peace of the woods seemed almost mocking, but it reminded him why they fought—why they endured. Taking a deep breath, he resolved to push forward, for Nexus, for the others, and for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Atlas pulled his head away from the frosted window, letting out a heavy sigh. The lingering thoughts of past events weighed on him, but he shook them off as best as he could. Deciding it was time to face the day, he moved to his wardrobe and began dressing, layering himself against the chill of the cabin.
Once ready, he hesitated by the door, his hand hovering over the handle. Taking a moment to compose himself, he finally stepped into the hallway. Almost immediately, his attention was drawn to Retro's door, left slightly ajar. Curiosity tugged at him, and he carefully peeked inside.
Retro was sprawled on the bed, his usual tense demeanor replaced by a rare, peaceful stillness. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, the exhaustion from their harrowing journey etched into his features.
"It's best to let him rest," Atlas murmured softly, his voice tinged with gratitude. "After all, he's been the one holding us together through all of this."
With a final glance, he stepped back, quietly pulling the door to leave Retro undisturbed. Turning, Atlas made his way down the hall toward the kitchen. The house was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floors. As he entered the kitchen, he resolved to start the day by preparing something warm and comforting for everyone, a small gesture to bring a sense of normalcy to their chaotic lives.
Daylight filtered softly through the frosted windows, its beams carrying an odd mix of warmth and chill, casting gentle patterns across the room. Nexus stirred beneath the heavy quilt, his body aching faintly as the memories of the past two weeks came rushing back. The battles, the blood, and the close call with death played over in his mind like a haunting melody he couldn't escape.
His hand tightened around the Sunstone, its faint warmth contrasting with the cold air that filled the room. The relic, a gift from his father, seemed to hum with a quiet reassurance, grounding him amid the storm of his thoughts. It had been handed to him with care, just before Atlas had laid him down to rest.
Nexus sat up slowly, his fingers still clutching the Sunstone as if it were a lifeline. He glanced around the room, the faint glow from the stone illuminating the faint scars of the past week's chaos etched into the wooden walls. Despite his exhaustion, something within him stirred—an urge to push forward, to prove himself worthy of the faith his father and their companions had placed in him.
Drawing in a deep breath, Nexus exhaled slowly, the mist of his breath visible in the chilly air. "Another day," he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. The Sunstone pulsed faintly in response, as if agreeing.
Sliding his legs over the side of the bed, Nexus braced himself against the chill as he stood, still clutching the relic. Today, he resolved, he would face whatever came next.
Getting to his feet, Nexus let out a weary sigh before pulling on his clothes, the Sunstone never leaving his grasp. The relic's faint warmth seemed to steady him as he made his way to the door. He paused briefly, taking a moment to glance back at his room as if leaving behind the weight of the previous weeks.
Stepping into the hallway, he noticed Retro's door slightly ajar. Curiosity got the better of him as he peeked inside. There, lying still for once, was Retro, lost in a rare and deep sleep. His usually stern features seemed softer, almost peaceful, as if the weight of his responsibilities had momentarily lifted.
Nexus smiled faintly, the sight reminding him of how much Retro had endured for all of them. "I guess with everything that's happened, he's finally getting some proper rest," Nexus muttered under his breath.
Careful not to disturb the quiet, Nexus moved away from the door, letting it remain as it was. His footsteps were light as he continued down the hallway, the faint warmth of the kitchen drawing him closer. The scent of woodsmoke and the promise of a new day awaited him, and though his body still ached, there was a small spark of determination within him to make the day count.
Atlas paused in the doorway, the warm light of the kitchen contrasting with the cold morning air outside. He watched as Lilly, seated gracefully by the fire stove, tended to it with practiced ease. Her long pink hair was pulled back, revealing the bare, pale white scales that adorned her neck. They shimmered faintly in the firelight, adding an ethereal quality to her presence.
In her hands, she held a charred piece of log. With a gentle motion, she brought it to her lips, her breath igniting a small, flickering flame. The log crackled to life as she placed it carefully into the stove.
Atlas stood quietly, captivated for a moment by the almost ritualistic scene before him. Lilly, as if sensing his gaze, turned her head slowly toward him, her sharp eyes meeting his.
"Morning," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that matched the flame she had just lit.
Atlas nodded, stepping further into the room. "Morning. Already at it, I see."
Lilly smiled faintly and shrugged. "Somebody has to keep this place warm. Besides, it's peaceful work."
Atlas moved to the table, resting his hands on its edge as he took in the scene. "Thanks for keeping things together, Lilly. I'll take over breakfast if you'd like."
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her expression. "You cooking? That's a rare sight."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't get used to it."
The moment carried a quiet camaraderie, the kind forged through shared trials and unspoken understanding. For now, the warmth of the stove and the presence of an ally eased the weight of the past weeks.
As the faint sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, Atlas and Lilly turned their attention toward the doorway. Nexus slowly stepped into the kitchen, his small frame silhouetted against the light streaming in from the hallway. His dark fur was slightly disheveled, and his tired eyes still carried traces of the turmoil he had endured.
Clutched tightly in his hands was the Sunstone relic, its faint glow casting soft, golden light that seemed to meld with the morning's warmth. The room grew quiet as both Atlas and Lilly watched him, captivated not by his appearance, but by the weight he seemed to carry.
"Nexus," Atlas said softly, his voice tinged with both concern and relief. "You're up."
The young Shadow Fox looked up, his gaze meeting Atlas's for a moment before shifting to Lilly, who offered him a gentle smile. He nodded silently, stepping further into the room and clutching the Sunstone even closer to his chest.
"You're holding that relic pretty tight," Lilly said, her voice kind but teasing. "Afraid it'll run off?"
Nexus glanced at it and then back at them. "No... It just feels... safe," he murmured, his voice quiet but steady.
Atlas moved toward him, kneeling slightly to meet his eye level. "That's because it's meant to protect you," he said, placing a reassuring hand on Nexus's shoulder. "How are you feeling?"
Nexus hesitated, his grip on the Sunstone tightening. "Better, I think. Just... everything feels different now."
"It'll take time," Lilly said, her tone encouraging. "But you're strong. Stronger than you know."
Nexus managed a faint smile, the first in what felt like an eternity. The atmosphere in the room shifted, the warmth from the stove and the quiet support of his companions filling the space.
"Come on," Atlas said, standing up and gesturing to the table. "Have a seat. Breakfast will be ready soon."
As Nexus moved to the table and sat down, the kitchen seemed to come alive with a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever lay ahead, for this moment, they were together, and that was enough.
Retro shuffled into the kitchen, his presence commanding attention despite his disheveled state. His hair stuck out in wild directions, his usually sharp features softened by grogginess. The oversized, baggy shirt hung loosely on his frame, and his steps were slow, almost reluctant, as if each one took immense effort.
The aroma of freshly cooked food seemed to guide him as he paused in the doorway, rubbing his eyes and letting out a half-hearted yawn. The clinking of plates and quiet chatter ceased as everyone turned to look at him.
Atlas, standing by the stove, was the first to break the silence. "Well, look who finally decided to join the land of the living," he said with a smirk, though his tone carried an underlying warmth.
Retro leaned against the doorway, his green eyes half-lidded as he surveyed the room. "Food smells good," he muttered, his voice raspy from sleep. "I'd say good morning, but it feels more like... late."
Nexus, sitting at the table, glanced up and gave a small nod. "You look... different," he said cautiously, clutching the Sunstone in his lap.
Lilly tilted her head, a sly smile creeping across her face. "Different? More like a mess." She laughed softly. "What happened to the all-powerful Retro? You look like you lost a fight with your bed."
Retro sighed dramatically, waving a hand dismissively. "You try holding this group together while saving the world, fighting phantoms, and keeping my sanity intact." He stumbled toward a chair and collapsed into it with a groan. "You're lucky I even made it out of bed."
Lilly rolled her eyes, but her teasing expression softened. "Sit still. I'll get you some coffee or... whatever it is you humans drink to function."
Retro leaned back, letting his head tilt lazily. "Appreciate it," he mumbled. His eyes flickered toward Nexus, then to Atlas. "What's the plan for today?"
Atlas set down a plate in front of him, the smell of eggs and roasted vegetables wafting up. "Eat first. We'll talk after."
Retro grunted his approval and reached for the fork. As he began to eat, the room slowly returned to its usual rhythm, but an unspoken understanding lingered—there was still much to do, and Retro, for all his sarcasm and weariness, would be at the center of it.