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AN: And we’ve reached the last chapter! This was certainly a fun project, but I’m going to take a break for a little while. Knowing me, it’ll be probably a week or so. Anyway, I’m going to crawl into bed for a while. Hope you enjoy reading~!
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Chapter 6:
He was going to be achy and sore for a few days at the most, but otherwise he was physically fine.
Mentally and emotionally, however…
In the room that Rahas was intentionally guarding sat Shiki and Gerald. And of course, Ghali, who was nestled safely in Gerald’s arms once more. The kid had torn himself from Angie’s arms to race into Gerald’s.
Honestly, that man was just a big cuddly teddy bear, wasn’t he?
Shiki’s paralysis had waned for the most part, and it took a simply refresh to remove it completely. Gerald’s eyesight had also been restored, causing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief that it wasn’t permanent. Otherwise, the two men were largely unharmed, which was a godsend and a surprise.
Ahimoth took too much joy in mocking and mentally scarring them to do anything more.
Conceited bastard.
Rahas watched with mild frustration as Lynus flittered in and out of hospital rooms. Tch. For someone who was supposed to be on health leave, he was certainly the one at the centre of everyone’s healing. Not that it was a surprise. Not the slightest bit.
He was likely checking up on Tiffany, who was in recovery after surgery on her arm and wrist. That knife, thrown casually yet with precision, had severed and torn multiple muscles and tendons. Would have hurt like hell, he was sure.
It…kinda show the total disregard Ahimoth had toward others. Tiffany was just a minor annoyance. Someone stopping him from mentally and emotionally abusing his true victims; Shiki and Gerald. So, he got rid of her. He would have hunted her down later, no doubt.
Rahas shook his head to clear it. Right. No more thinking about that asshole. His remains were sure to be digesting in the bowels of some monster now anyway.
Tiffany would likely need some physical therapy on her wrist, which was sure to get her down. Maybe Gerald could teach her how to use her left hand. Dexterity was useful for any weapon, honestly. Or maybe Macerio would. Despite his complaints, he did worry for his cousin.
He watched as Lynus stepped from the room and left the door slightly ajar behind him. “How is she?” he asked quietly.
Lynus turned to give him a small smile. “Sleeping. Kerri is curled up on the bed next to her. That is sure to bring her some comfort.”
Hopefully.
“And…Axel?”
“Minor wounds, thankfully,” Lynus replied, his smile dropping into a soft frown. “I know how he got them. He told me everything.”
Not a surprise.
Rahas took a moment to glance into Simmons’ room, his gaze falling upon said landsknecht sleeping quietly on the bed. He took as pale as the white sheets draped over him. But he appeared to be sleeping peacefully. No doubt Lynus’ work.
While it was time for Simmons and his family to find peace and comfort, there was something that was bothering Rahas. Something that he needed…reassurance of.
“Lynus, I need to ask you something.”
Lynus tilted his head to the side in curiosity. “Hm?”
Rahas turned to face him, keeping his voice low. “Simmons. He was cursed, wasn’t he? And you knew?”
He wasn’t accusing Lynus of anything, and Lynus didn’t react negativity to his questions. He sighed quietly, rather sadly, and nodded his head. “I did. I found a dark spot in his mind. Holding back a flurry of memories.”
“And removing it could have…?” Rahas really didn’t want to finish that question.
Especially when Lynus gave a small, slow nod of his head. “Yes. That is one of the reasons why I crafted that ointment. To suppress the bad memories while simultaneously lessening the hold the dark curse had on him. I couldn’t bring it up to him, as it might trigger something I was unsure of. Though, I feel that he is more aware than anyone gives him credit for.”
Yeah…
“Is he safe?”
“He’s safe,” Lynus replied immediately, a comforting smile, his usual gentle smile, returning to his lips. “Should Simmons ever need healing, I’ll do it. To free him completely, the curse will need to be removed. But we can do it slowly, sorting through each painful memory in a controlled and comforting environment. With his guild and family by his side, hm?”
It had always amazed Rahas how…efficiently Lynus could alleviate someone’s concerns with a few words. “Yeah.”
Lynus suddenly turned his head toward Simmons’ room, his violet eyes seemingly focused on the man himself. His smile grew even more gentler as he turned back to Rahas once more.
“I feel that he will be waking up soon.” He patted Rahas’ arm. “Go on. Normally, Dr Stiles would want everyone out of the room when a patient wakes up, but I’ll make an exception.”
Wordlessly, Rahas moved into the room. As he made his way to stand at the foot of Simmons’ bed, he shared a quick glance with Shiki, who had been the one closest to the door. With the man pushing himself to his feet, he likely had overheard Rahas’ conversation with Lynus.
With Shiki standing by the left side of the bed, Gerald silently caught onto what was occurring and stood up to take vigil on the right side. Rahas stayed back, watching quietly as the two parental men gently coax a stirring Simmons awake. His movements were slow and sluggish, indications that they were worn and weary from being overused.
Medicine and rest could fix that. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t painful or uncomfortable at that very second.
He didn’t wake up with a jolt, thankfully. He scrunched up his face before he forced his eyes open. He lolled his head to the side to stare up, slightly dazed and confused, at his father. Whom of which had been gently raking his fingers through his hair to ease him back into consciousness.
“Dad?” Simmons croaked out.
“It’s ok, I’m here. Gerald’s here. And Rahas is here. We’re all safe. Everyone is safe.”
Rahas couldn’t even imagine what was swirling through Simmons’ mind. He was conscious during his ordeal. He was aware of everything that happened. Of what he did while under the influence of “It”.
Scared. Remorseful. Embarrassed. Mortified.
A lot of negative emotions, no doubt.
How did one go about alleviating them?
“Where…?” Simmons murmured.
“Shh, you’re at the hospital.”
“Everyone…ok?”
“Yes, we’re fine. All of us.”
“Even Axel…?”
“Oh yes, definitely. Just a few scratches.”
Simmons sunk down onto the bed, his eyes slipping closed. He appeared to be taking a moment to gather his thoughts and wits. He soon opened his eyes, however, and made the motion to sit up. Shiki immediately helped him; slipping an arm around his shoulders and lifting him up off the bed. And Gerald, with Ghali perched on his hip (something that honestly looked natural on the guy), propped up some pillows for Simmons to rest again.
As Simmons rested against the pillows, Ghali began to squirm in Gerald’s arms, prompting the gunner to set him down on the bed. To which Ghali them clambered across it, moving closer to Simmons. Instead of being fearful or even nervous around Simmons, after what had happened and all, the kid boldly plopped himself down on Simmons’ lap, startling the guy greatly.
Rahas felt the corner of his mouth twitch into a half smirk.
Hah. Appeared the kid wasn’t scared of him at all. In fact, it looked as though Ghali was settling in for a nap.
Simmons stared down at the kid for a few silent moments before he slowly wrapped his arms around him, allowing him to become more comfortable. He started off tense, but soon relaxed, uttering a small sigh of relief and sunk further into the pillows to get himself comfortable, too.
Good. Shiki and Gerald were relieved by the sight, also.
“How are you feeling?” Shiki asked.
Simmons looked upon his father with a sad gaze. “I know I’m cursed,” he suddenly said. “And it could happen again.”
“No, it won’t,” Rahas immediately responded, his tone firm. “The whistle has been destroyed.”
Simmons finally turned to look at him. And he did so with regret and sadness in his eyes. Something Rahas instantly didn’t like seeing.
“But-“
“Besides, you broke through the hold yourself, didn’t you?”
Simmons didn’t say anything in response to that. He simply unfurled an arm from around a sleeping Ghali to trail his fingertips along the white bandage wound around his head. His fingers instinctively sought out the place where his scar was, hidden beneath the bandages.
Gah, Simmons still needed comfort, and Rahas still wasn’t good at giving it.
“Oh good, Simmons is awake.”
Thankfully, Lynus had chosen that exact moment to step into the room. Though, honestly, the guy was likely lingering outside. With Axel, it seemed, as the redhead followed him into the room, but chose to linger somewhat awkwardly near the door.
Lynus quickly noticed the now sleeping Ghali snuggled up tight to Simmons’ chest and smiled. He then moved to stand by Simmons’ bedside, Shiki taking just a step back to give the medic some room while parentally staying close to his son.
“Simmons,” Lynus began, softly, as he placed an equally gentle hand to his forehead. Over his scar. “Yes, there is a curse troubling you. But, now that I understand what it means, I can help you. We’ll find a way to carefully release its grip on you. Allow to remember things. They may be painful, but we’ll sort through them carefully. Together. We’ll understand them together, in a safe and comforting environment. I promise.”
He then brushed aside some of Simmons’ blue hair. “You’re safe now. Everyone is. No one is afraid of you. Now, relish in your relief.”
Simmons stared quietly at Lynus for a moment. Just sitting there, still, as Lynus pulled back his hand. Then, the corners of his mouth twitched downwards and his bottom lip trembled. As his eyes began to water, Lynus stepped back quietly, and Shiki pushed forward, toward his son once more.
A quiet sob escaped Simmons’ lips and he immediately reached up with his hand to rub hastily at his eyes. “S-sorry…”
He was soon wrapped up in the arms of his father and of Gerald. Gerald letting Simmons’ cry into his shoulder while Shiki had one arm around Simmons’ shoulders, and the other around Gerald.
Rahas watched on quietly.
They were…such a sweet, precious little family, weren’t they? A family that deserved protection. At all cost.
He did the right thing. He truly did. And, for them, he’d do it again.
… … … … …
Leaning against a wall, his arms folded tightly across his chest, Rahas found himself observing again, from afar. Watching Simmons interact with his little family. He was getting ready to leave the hospital after staying a couple of nights just for observation. He was eager to leave, to get outside and back at home. A normal feeling, really.
The three of them, rather the four of them now (mustn’t forget about Ghali), would be more comfortable being at home together.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled Rahas from his observations. He turned his head to the left, to watch as Lynus moved down the hallway toward him. Instead of slipping into the medical room where Simmons was waiting, to tell them that they were good to go, he stopped to stand by Rahas. A somewhat knowing, understanding look in his eyes.
“You’ve made your decision, then?” Lynus asked him quietly, yet didn’t want for an actual answer from him. “You’ll be a good addition to the Cosmos Guild.”
Rahas turned his gaze back toward the room, watching as Simmons sat on the bed with Ghali, the kid babbling away about a new toy someone got him. “I won’t let anyone hurt this family again.”
Lynus smiled at him and tilted his head to the side as he folded his arms behind him. “I know.”
Rahas covered up a snort. Lynus probably knew long before he did. “Ol’ Grampa annoyed?”
“Of course not. He always knew you would find a path of your own one day.”
Bet Hamza didn’t predict what kind of path he would choose. No one really could have, he supposed.
“I never really fit in, anyway,” Rahas murmured.
Lynus turned to lean against the wall next to him, his hands folded behind his back. “You never truly felt like you fit in with Lagaard in general, did you? My fault, I suppose.”
No. It wasn’t Lynus’ fault. He tried. He truly did. Rahas was just unable to comprehend a world like the one Lagaard offered. He was born into a life of darkness, after all. He wouldn’t be the person he was today if he had not met Shiki and Lynus.
“But, you’ve made your own decision now,” Lynus continued. “Which is why it feels so right. The Guardian Guild was just a foster guild until you were ready.”
Foster guild, huh? Hamza was probably the one to coin the term. Trust that old man to think that way. Although, Rahas wondered how the other members of the Guardians felt.
Lynus suddenly nudged his shoulder with his own. “Besides, while you’re indeed a member of Cosmos, you’re still part of the Guardian Family. Just like Cosmos and so many others are.”
“Tch, knew I couldn’t get rid of that lot that easily.” Rahas smiled softly, nevertheless. “Though, I do have a place to hide out, huh? Shiki would want me to move in with them, right?”
“He’s already plotting the move.”
Rahas snorted. Of course he was. Although, at this rate he’s going to need to buy a bigger house. Having a guildhouse of their own didn’t sound so bad, though. He could brag about it to Macerio.
Speaking of the gunner…
“Give Macerio my room. Lirit shouldn’t be left alone.”
Lynus wasn’t at all surprised by the request. “True,” he said simply.
The move would have to wait for a little while, though. For them to get Ghali settled in. To make rooming arrangements. Although, the couch was pretty comfortable. Yet, knowing that old man, it wouldn’t be good enough.
“Rahas?”
Lynus’ quiet voice pulled Rahas from his musings once more. “Hm?” he murmured idly as he turned his head to look at the medic. Only to find him stood there, facing him. His expression was warm, but serious, as he regarded him with a small smile.
“I’m so proud of you,” he said, suddenly, inwardly startling Rahas greatly. “You’ve grown so much. But, mostly, I’m happy that you’ve come into yourself as a person.”
He was…proud of him? Really?
“Yes, really,” Lynus suddenly said, as if responding to his thoughts. Though, likely simply in response to the surprise in his aura. “Simmons and his family are alive, because of you. And many other potential victims have been saved, too.”
Potential victims…
Yeah, he guessed so.
“There you are.”
Rahas flickered his gaze over Lynus’ head to watch as Axel walked quickly, but not hastily down the hall toward them. Unsurprisingly, he stopped by Lynus’ side and slipped an arm around his waist. “Everything all good here?”
“Yes, just about to tell them they’re free to go,” Lynus replied.
As if waiting for those exact words, Shiki stepped out of the room. “Ah, Axel, good. I’ve been meaning to speak with you,” he said as he approached the redhead. “How are your hands?”
Axel reluctantly unfurled an arm around Lynus’ waist to hold up both his hands. There was still white bandages wrapped around his palms, but the wadding wasn’t thick nor stained with blood. “Eh, they’re fine. Lynus took care of them. The bandages are just for precautionary reasons.”
His armour took the brunt of the blade, it seemed.
“Good, I’m relieved,” Shiki replied in earnest before he suddenly reached out a hand, and rested it upon Axel’s shoulder. His expression turned serious. “Listen, I want to thank you, for what you did for us.”
Axel was momentarily startled by Shiki’s words, reacting as if he hadn’t received such a sincere show of gratitude. He, however, shook his head a moment later. “No. It was the least I could do.”
His gaze unexpectedly flickered over in Rahas’ direction, briefly catching his, before he turned back to Shiki. He glanced over the older man’s shoulder for another brief second before stating in a low voice, “I was just speaking to a couple of guards. They went in search of the bastard.”
Shiki’s hand abruptly tightened on his shoulder. “He’s…?”
“He’s dead. He’s beyond dead. What was left behind…someone really couldn’t last too long without it, you could say.”
Heh, a bit of dark humour to lighten the mood. Not bad.
Shiki released a sigh of relief and nodded his head. “Good. Good. We’re finally free now…”
Yeah, they were. And Rahas was going to make sure of it.
“Well, best get ourselves ready,” Shiki said, abruptly changing subject and giving Axel’s shoulder a squeeze. He then turned to start to head back into Simmons’ temporary room. “Don’t want ol’ Derek to change his mind and plot to keep us here a moment longer.”
“Um, hey,” Axel called out, causing Shiki to pause in his steps. “Do I really have the same eyes as Sandra?”
Shiki was surprised by the question before he smiled sadly and nodded. “You honestly do. Same hue and everything. Sandra was proud of her eyes, you see. Though, it did bring her some regret. She had a younger sister. They had falling out long before I met her. She said that she had started the argument. It was one of her greatest regrets.”
A frown tugged at Axel’s lips as his eyes took on a faraway gleam to them. “Huh. I remember my mother saying something similar.”
Shiki stilled. “Your mother. What was her name?”
Axel blinked. “…Anthea.”
Shiki suddenly inhaled sharply through his noses as his eyes widen. He then threw his arms out from his sides, as if on the verge of enveloping Axel in a great big bear hug. “Nephew!”
“What?” Axel spluttered out, instinctively taking a step back from the man.
“Sandra’s sister’s name was Anthea!” Shiki announced with a broad grin, quickly closing the gap on the redhead. “I knew it!”
“W-wait-a-minute!”
Too late. Shiki had already launched himself at him. “Give your ol’ uncle a hug!”
“Get back-gah! H-hey! Get off me, you lunatic!”
Rahas honestly felt like laughing at Axel’s plight. The way he was caught in a bear hug. The way he used a desperate hand to the man’s face as he tried to push away did absolutely nothing.
Good. Axel could now deal with Shiki’s shenanigans, too. In broad daylight, in the middle of public. That should be fun to witness.
“Don’t smirk,” Lynus said as he smacked at Rahas’ chest with the back of his hand. “That means he’s Shiki’s family. So, you have to be nice now.”
Rahas hadn’t considered that, though it made sense. Damn it, that meant Simmons would be harping on him, too, huh?
Wait…did that mean that was actually true?
Speaking of Simmons, the blue-haired landsknecht had stepped out of the room with Gerald after they heard Shiki’s grand announcement. He watched as Axel fruitless tried to pry himself free from Shiki affective man-hug with his mouth slight agape in surprise.
“Family…” Simmons said slowly, an expression of realisation flickering across his face. “Does…does that mean Axel and I are…cousins?”
Lynus turned toward Simmons and smiled warmly at him. “Yes. Yes, I feel that is true. Honestly, I had sensed something before, but now that Shiki has mentioned it, that feeling makes sense.”
They really were cousins?
With a sigh, Gerald handed Ghali over to Simmons to hold, before he moved toward the scuffle, valiantly trying to get Shiki to release his grip on Axel. Simmons dutifully sat Ghali on his hip, still watching with increasing interest at his now new family member try to wrangle himself free with Gerald’s sympathetic help.
“It’s wonderful to see, isn’t it?” Lynus suddenly asked with a smile, his question directly toward Simmons. “You have so much to look forward to in the future now, don’t you? You have a full family; a new baby brother, and now a cousin. And, of course, a new teammate. You’re very lucky. You all are.”
Simmons continued to simply observe the sight before him in silence for a moment. Then, a smile, an honest, genuine one. A smile that Rahas hadn’t seen for a few, long days, appeared on his lips.
He then turned to look directly at Rahas, his smile never wavering. “Yeah,” he said. “I am lucky.”
Rahas felt a small smile grace his own lips as he looked back at Simmons. There was absolutely no doubt about it; Rahas won’t let anyone take away Simmons’ smile.
Never again.
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