Several soldiers gathered at the base of the tree saw nothing but dirt as they continued to search around. Separating into groups as they savaged the ground. Followed by a single golden feather slowly trailing behind them, floating in the sky. Echoing a cold, callus voice from deep inside.
"He couldn't have gotten far alone, he's just one man! Search everything! Even if it calls for a minor— disturbance he must be found."
Past the far side of the tree, sat an expanding place, made to appear small to divert watching eyes yet always fit in. It is the perfect place to hide away. An deep within this labrenth is where Iramo laid, guarded by its secrets and Saranai, leading their pursuers astray.
I didn't like the silent so I made it go away. In this world it will be known as labrenth forever more. Now, back to the story you go!
"He's still out cold and it's been hours! After he crashed into the tree like that, I knew it wouldn't end well. I had to carry him all the way back here. And he's definitely anything but light. Gosh I told that idiot not to overdo it and now look at him!
It's still hard to believe he even made it this far on his own with these injuries. Let alone that he could outrun the soldiers without using an Izoa. He really is amazing. Not even the Sentreons can do that. It's almost unheard of that somebody can use an ability on their own. Especially for that long.
It must have drained him yet he kept going like he was invincible. I wonder what it's like where Iramo's from? He must of had a crazy life up until now to be able to be so resilient. I wish he was awake right now to tell me all about it.
I want to learn to be strong like that. If I had even half as much strength as he does, I'd be able to change my life. I might even be able to help the others out too. I could change their mind! Who am I kidding? Maybe if a miracle happened but I've never been that lucky.
Slapping herself in the face, Saranai says to herself "Snap out of it!"
"You can't think like that. Not if you want to change! You're going to grow strong Saranai. Believe in yourself. Manifest it for yourself! You got this girl! Be the change you want to see!"
"Who saved him after the crash? You did! Was it easy? No! Was it hard? Absolutely! But you did it all on your own!"
Walking into the room Saranai began walking up to Iramo as he laid fast asleep, continuing her rant.
"Who's nursing him back to health? You! Who's the one keeping this idiot alive! You! Exactly my point! So be confident!"
"For now I have to endure. I'll do what I can to improve while I wait for Iramo to recover. No big deal! Then we'll do everything else just like we planned."
Laying on top of Iramo while she pouts, Saranai rants to him in his sleep. "I don't know what to do! It's not like I can go out and beat monsters on my own."
"It's not as easy."
"Especially when you're cooped up in a sanctuary all your life!"
"I mean the whole point of bringing him here was to team up!"
"I don't know a thing about fighting and here I am hoping you can teach me and this happens!"
Looking at Iramo's face as he's fast asleep. Saranai puts her ear to his chest. As she swipes her finger across the band on her arm. Forming green rings around Iramo's arms and legs.
"I know it's not your fault but you seriously need to be more careful. If any normal person got damaged like this they would be as good as dead. Lucky for both of us, you're special. Like, really special! You ran into a Xaride and lived to tell the tale."
Weaving her fingers together while she extends her arms, Saranai yawns and rolls off of Iramo. Landing onto the big, blue, oval shaped bed. Crawling pass the cloud shaped pillows scattered across it and sitting on the edge, kicking her feet as she looks around the room, admiring the beautifully marbled interior of the cerulean closet. Walking over to it with pure excitement in her eyes.
"While he's asleep I can dress him up! Ouuu this is going to be so fun. It's like I have a life sized doll to play with."
Using the control panel for the closet connected to the wall, Saranai looks for clothes that fit his style.
"Let's see. There should be something in here I can put on you."
"Ah Ha! Oh wait, no that's way too pink."
"That one's just going to make him ugly."
"Ah, here we go! Oh … actually never mind that's tacky!"
"Why is it so hard to dress a man? Oh well, at least I've got something to do now. I'll make him some new clothes while I wait for him to get up. Just gotta take his measurements real quick."
Running across the shining opal floor. Saranai slides right in front of a mirror. Taking a good look at her sweet violet skin. Saranai turns to her side, admiring her curvy hips and her slim waist in her blue half jacket and matching joggers. Doing a spin as she puts two fingers to her lips and blows a kiss to the mirror.
"I'm so gorgeous! With a body like this I should be a model! When I get off this planet. I'll be known for my looks throughout the galaxy – no galaxies!"
Fawning over her beauty, Saranai walks models in the mirror. Turning back to look at her skin glowing in the soft blue light.
"Ugh! I'm literally gorgeous! I should be fought over, not fighting for my life! This world sucks."
The green rings around Iramo grow dark. Covering his entire body as a purple silhouette appears by the side of the bed. Making an announcement in an alluring voice from his side.
"Update time! What's going on with him? Is he better now?"
Scaring Saranai so bad she almost fell as she stumbles around, barely getting back to her feet as she pouts and puffs up her cheeks.
"YOU SCARED ME MARADI! DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!"
Confused but unbothered Maradi shakes her head and walks into the light next to Saranai, making her figure as clear as day. Beneath the lights was a taller, vibrant woman with luscious skin and long, curly black hair. Putting her chest on her sisters back right next to her head as she wraps her arms around her neck.
"Oh you'll be fineeee! Now show me this runway trick miss model, you kinda ate that time. Are you practicing for him?"
Clearly flustered by the question Saranai twitches her eyes trying to fight it but she can't help but blush and push away her hands, scrambling too change the topic fast.
"Shut up! His current condition is stable and his external recovery rate is at seventy percent. He's managed to heal remarkably fast from the burns and they're healing great so far. He won't have a single scar to show."
Poking Saranai in the butt, Maradi smiles as she pushes her hand away.
"That's good news! Seeee he'll be fine!"
Furrowing her brow in annoyance, Saranai places her hands on his head as Maradi hugs her from behind.
"He should be fine but his internal readings are off. While he isn't suffering any serious pain internally minus some minor bleeding. His brain readings show his internal recovery rate remains at fifty percent, almost like somethings holding him back. At first I though it because of psychological damage accumulated from the repeated injuries to his head since his skull does have signs of previous fractures but they healed a long time ago. An that leave only one other reason why he hasn't been able to fully recover but I want you to make sure."
Putting her right hand out Maradi opens Iramo left eye and looks deep into the swirling sea of colors swirling in the black and grey clouds filling his eye. Then closes it back shaking her head.
"Yeah your right, its his state of mind thats keeping him in this state. An I'm guessing whatever is affecting him, is also why he had such a hard time controlling his abilities before. When your fighting internal battles wether you like it or not your focus is split and you won't be able to preform at your best. An he still outperformed Daison's squad? That would make him Sentreon level at least when he's fully in tune. Aren't you lucky to pick up a superpower who fell from the sky."
Looks at the wrapping around his arms covered in dried up blood and strong residue energy, Maradi amplifies the rings intensifying the healing glow seeping into his body.
Huh, maybe this was just what pushed him to his limit. He fought something much worst than a Xaride, making it all the more impressive that he can still stand.
"Looks like he went through plenty already so its best to just let him rest for now."
Saranai lifted her hands from the temples of his head, an for a moment… saw the pain in his face.
"Yeah I know and its still crazy to think he was moving how he was without any proper treatment for who knows how long. His body should of shut down on him long ago but he's somehow here right now. Since he made it here I'll keep him alive! An with some additional treatment to help sync his mind back up to speed with his body, I'll bring him back. It might be a few more flips before he gets up even after his body has fully recovered."
Flips are what the people of this world call days by the way. Just so you know.
Lifting up off Saranai and making her way up to the window, Maradi leans against the glass and waves her hand.
"Okay sounds good but for now just make sure you feed him well and pay attention to any sudden changes in his condition. He's cute so I'll let you two have your fun alone while I go take care of somethings.
Blushing as she clenches her fist turning to face Maradi, Saranai shouts to the top of her lungs.
"HUH?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!"
Vanishing as the lingering purple light glimmers, slowly fading away as The rings around Iramo expanded covering his full body as they began to emit a dark green glow around him, in a consistent flow.
"Oh wow gotta go! See you later, Sa-ra-nai!"
Looking concerned yet annoyed, Saranai sighs as she turns towards the bed.
"I was hoping for you to get up right away but now I have to wait a couple flips before you open your eyes."
At least your making a smooth recovery for the most part, I'm happy your stable now. I'll have Allie lookout for you and let me know if anything happens while I'm out. An in the meantime I'll go practice in for a while, my strength isn't gonna build itself.
Turning to look at Iramo one last time as she walks out the room, Saranai smiles.
"I'll make sure to come back and check on you later ok. Get better soon Iramo."
But as she makes her way to the training grounds, Saranai can't help but wonder… what is going on inside of his head?
The wise rest when they can for the journey ahead. Such rest is important, you never know when such a time will come again. So sleep well and prepare for what is next my friend.