Broken Chains

Getting down from the monolith had been even harder than getting up and Scarlet had needed to help Puck so that he didn’t worsen his situation any further.

Having expected a harsh lecture from Scarlet on his dump actions, Puck was surprised as she simply remained silent as she brought him back to their resting place.

Together they simply sat there in silence as Scarlet prepared food and cooked up ice to drink.

Feeling like something or better said someone was missing, Puck summoned Zephyrian from his soul and asked Scarlet to stab him into the ice next to them.

Both Scarlet and Puck having gotten much help from Zepyhrian there was a silent air of gratitude as they ate without saying anything.

It simply felt right to remain silent in the moment as they had an instinctual understanding among them. Every single one of them was also very tired and as such they all soon lay themself to sleep.

After finally laying himself down to rest, Puck threw one last gaze up to the top of the cavern. There above them Brock as Puck had named the buzzard was drawing slow circles. Both enjoying his own existence and looking out for enemies.

Puck was unsure if he could summon Brock forever, but for for know the mental strain felt none existing and as such Puck wouldn’t dismiss his new friend.

The next morning met Puck in a divided condition. On the one hand every single place of his body still hurt, on the other side, Scarlet had let him sleep till he awoke by himself and Brock was still flying above seemingly without ever tiring.

Hearing his friend screech a greeting above, Puck was remained of his other companion and opened the mental connection to Zephyrian.

The sword seemed a little grumpy, telling Puck that it wouldn’t have helped if it knew the result of Pucks success would be a constant anything bird, but Puck knew he didn’t really mean it.

Slowly pealing himself out of his sleeping pelts, Puck greeted Scarlet with another yawn and sluggish smile.

Together they prepared the meal and ate. Now and then, Brock would swoop down from above and pick up a little strip of meat to than eat in the air with great gusto.

First Puck had been a little fearful of Scarlets reaction to the antics, but thankfully she seemed to like the bird too and even held him something out on her hand now and then.

Wanting to ask about their next moves, Puck opened his mouth only to be come before by Scarlet.

“We have taken enough time now and need to get going before the heart regenerates anymore and as such we will both heal you today and set out.”

Only being able to agree with her sentiment of needing to getting going soon, Puck still wasn’t sure what he would be able to do in just one day.

“I think I will be able to heal myself to some degree, especially with Brock's help, but I’m not quite sure how much exactly I will be able to do in just one day.”

Smiling in response, Scarlet surprised Puck with her own news.

“While you certainly mad impressive strides in your abilities, you're not the only one. I too managed to reclaim some of what I lost. Moreover, we also certainly both benefited of a breakthrough regarding the abilities of Zephyrian.”

Gesturing for Puck to stay where he was, Scarlet walked around the fire place and set herself directly in front of Puck. Reaching out with both of her hands, Puck hesitatingly laid his own hands into hers.

Feeling himself getting red in face, Puck was thankful that Scarlet had already closed her eyes in concentration as she instructed him to do what he could do to recover while she did what she could to help.

Trying not to concentrate on the feeling of her slim hands in his, he closed his eyes to and focused on the connection to his ideal as much as possible.

First, he called Brock down from above through his ideal, trying to communicate to him what they wanted to do. First, the bird didn’t understand but after a while he landed on Pucks head, seeming to be ready to do his part.

Willing his ideal to help him to become bodily free again, Puck envisions the help of his bird companions in the tree again.

Feeling a strange warmth starting to emanate from both some place near his heart and the claws on his head, Puck knew it was working.

Soon an additional stream came flowing in from Scarlet through his hands and Zephyrian tried to help to by lending them a little of his strength again.

Together they sat there, mediating and healing Pucks body.

Even though the stream of healing came steadily, it was not instantaneous.

Pucks own healing and that of his flying friend dried up after only half an hour, when their ideal was overstrained, but not so Scarlets.

For hour after hour, she poured her energy into Puck until not even a scratch remained on his body.

Closing and opening his fist in marvel, Puck tested his legs and his own body. Much had changed since the time when he had lain for months in the sick bed to now where grave injuries were mended in the matter of hours.

Making eye contact with Scarlet he saw his own tiredness mirrored in hers. They both had exhausted themself but they wouldn’t wait any longer.

To rest another night, would give the heart another night to prepare, they would set out now and hope that by the time they reached their enemy their tiredness would be washed away by the excitement of the fight.