IV. Aegis' Remaining Arms

Ryder had Raeya's left hand. 

She was not yet awake and neither was Leison in the other room. Their light was the lampshade on top of the bedside table. It was a good thing the second house that the government gave to them included a good infirmary. They could treat themselves here with ease and minimal supervision from the eyes of the people. If they were in a hospital right now, the outside of their room would be full of the media and wary eyes. It was what Ryder hated because no one was there when Aegis is doing their job but when they are in their weak times, all lights are suddenly upon them. 

It’s part of the glory and honor of being a soldier of Khenealm, Fhae often said.

There, he stared at their sigils for a while. The crooked dagger on his and the black flame on hers. It meant they were under a Khenealm Contract, the one thing that always fascinates the outsiders whenever they set their foot into the land. Khenealm people, even those who were not soldiers or didn’t undergo Shore training, could get the blessings from the Shore with ease unlike the foreigners. That’s why anyone from here could actually enter into a contract because Khenealm was a place ‘where the Shore shows its favor’ and there was no place like it.

As Ryder clutched Raeya’s hands, he felt rough patches on her skin. He pulled her hand closer and saw that she had many scars from her palm until past her elbows. As far as he knew, she was not the type to get hurt or to be involved in accidents. They were old so it didn't seem like she got them from her fight earlier in the desert. 

Where did she get them?

Then again, he wasn't paying much attention to her these past few weeks. He was glad that she let him be, just occasionally checking up on him from time to time through messages or calls. But now that he was looking at her full of white patches and bandages underneath those blankets, he dreaded himself. 

Ryder realized that this was the first time he had seen her for a week. He looked at her with guilt. He felt his jacket hug his chest tight and he felt the weight of his necklace pull his neck down. What was he doing? He was always supposed to be by her side. He promised her that and it was what triggered the contract. As far as he could remember, he did a good job keeping his promise since he was seven years old. For ten years, he never left her side once. But now, was he being complacent?

Earlier, if only he hadn't encountered Macy, he would have been able to make it in time.

But at least Raeya's bandages were not as bad as Leison's. That alone made him breathe a little. After leaving Absinthe, he was passing through Veystown when he heard the explosions in the desert and felt the familiar presence that was being radiated by the fight.

Ryder could still remember Raeya in the desert earlier. He was riding full speed and he passed by the disappearing bodies of the shadows. When he saw their numbers, he knew already that Raeya had lost control of herself. Raeya was someone who was not honest with her feelings. She was always a victim of being drained by the Shore though that was already expected since she was a Rigiddin. Her family was well-known to be natural vessels of the Shore. One second of her emotions reaching its climax would automatically set her powers off.

When Ryder saw her kneeling, that was when he noticed the last shadow coming from behind her. If he had come any later, Raeya would have been dead by now. Ryder shrugged off the thought. He would lose his sanity if that should happen.

But at the very least, their mission was accomplished. The purification ceremony of the priests was a success without a single conjurer or a Shadow interrupting. They were all apprehended by Raeya. Ryder felt proud. The bad news was that they had two casualties---their manager and Raeya. That was really bad news. And it did not make up for what they gained.

He knew he was at fault. Had he been there with them from the very start of the mission, things wouldn’t have escalated so quickly. He knew that it would do him good if he started practicing shutting his mouth now in preparation if he would get scolded by the people at the headquarters. Worse, the higher-ups were really hard to please and Aegis was already in a tight spot. He had to redeem the reputation of the team.

Raeya seemed to hear his thoughts. Her head moved slightly to the side. At least she was resting peacefully. Their AI nurse’s readings were also not that bad. She would recover in a few days.

Raeya was not an ordinary friend. They had always been together ever since they were kids. Their friendship started even before both their parents were killed by the Shadows. Truth be told, they had an ordinary beginning just like any other children in the village. Raeya was from the ruling clan of the village. In the city, she was equivalent to a princess. They met when Ryder’s father was called to their house. His father was the village doctor. Raeya’s father, the Chief, was ill at that time. Ryder and his father stayed at their house until the Chief got better. Those several days sparked the friendship bound for a lifetime.

Their first meeting was a silly one. He was curious as to why Raeya, a daughter of the most powerful man in their village, was hiding behind Jin. Jin was a Quohora, the clan sworn to protect the Rigiddin, so he was expected to be the one behind Rayea but it was the opposite. But with the three of them playing alongside each other, she gradually improved her confidence.

When the Shadows attacked their village, their parents were killed, all three of them. It was a memory that Ryder had already put behind him. They say that in every generation in Khenealm, there are those unlucky kids who become orphans because of Shadow attacks and he, Raeya, and Jin were part of that 'batch'. But what the Shadows did just made them closer still to each other.

Their journey together started when they were just seven, after they made their contract accidentally. Both of them didn’t know what to do. They were just mentioning a bunch of stuff and promises to each other when green and bluish light, the colors of the Shore, suddenly enveloped their hands and their personal sigils were already on each other’s left hands.

They didn’t have to consult the elders to know what just happened. It was already innate in every person inside Khenealm. Even kids knew what a Khenealm Contract was.

When they realized that they could access the Shore and use its power to fight those who killed their parents, they ran off from the orphanage until they found Aegis. A lot of unfortunate circumstances tried to hinder them but they survived them all.

Now that they are eighteen, he couldn't help but be amazed at how strong they had been for more than a decade.

"This is not going to end, right, Raeya?"

He clutched her hand more tightly. Ryder knew he was being difficult now but he had to believe they would still survive this post-war dilemma of his.

"Well, that depends on you."

The high-pitched voice of Seyin, one of his friends, didn't surprise him but the way Ryder didn't hear his footsteps did. 

Wasn't Seyin supposed to be loud and noisy? 

Ryder looked back and saw him leaning at the open door with his arms folded. He also noticed Seyin's new black neckerchief, a sign that he just came back from the market.

"Geez, why not turn on the lights? Anyone passing by would think you're an intruder sneaking up on her."

Ryder was about to protest but Seyin had already switched on the lights. Intruder. He knew it was just a part of Seyin's vocabulary but it made him wonder. Wouldn't his friends recognize him? Was he already being a stranger in their own home?

"Raeya sleeps better when the lights are off," Ryder defended.

"Huh, really? 'Cause these past few days she's not sleeping anymore, whether the lights are on or off. Ask the girls. They're getting worried about her health, especially that she trains so hard everyday. "

That took Ryder by surprise. Raeya loved balance and hated overworking. She was training? He looked at her hand again and the scars came in a clearer view. They were certainly the marks of being scraped and the tiny blues on her fingers were most likely from overusing her sword . Ryder uncovered the blanket on her sword arm and pressed his knuckles gently on her arm. True enough, her muscles had grown bigger and were tougher. He suddenly couldn't decide whether this was a good thing or not.

"I...I didn't know."

"Well, now you do. This is the only time we know that she has truly slept."

Guilt crept up to his nerves. He seemed to be missing a lot in Raeya even if they were just small changes. He looked at Seyin. For him to notice such things, it was obvious he paid a lot of attention to her. Well of course he would. It was clear. Seyin still liked her.

"Thanks. Looking after her."

At that, Ryder didn't expect a laugh as a reply, and certainly not an evil one. Seyin even slapped his knees as he laughed. It was not loud but it sent down shivers to Ryder's spine. What's so funny?

"Seriously? That's your reaction? You're thanking me? Ryder, did you hear every word that I said?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, sorry. Let me rephrase."

And Seyin approached him.

"Did you understand every word that I said? You didn't, did you?"

Ryder was lost. As far as he knew, they were only talking about Raeya. What part of that did he not understand?

Seyin was glaring at him. He couldn't see why. Did he do something wrong?

"I don't quite get your point."

As soon as he said the last word, Seyin's hands were suddenly on his neckline.

"You fool!!!"

Ryder recoiled in shock but Seyin's hold was firm. He was definitely hissing now.

"Can't you see that she is suffering?! All right, then. I'll tell you---"

"Seyin, don't."

And he stopped. Ryder looked past Seyin's shoulder towering over him and saw that the team of Aegis was there---Rhed, Aura, Nique, and Keyanne, minus Leison.

Rhed, the tallest, was one step ahead of them, as if about to barge in. Their faces were all solemn like they knew this would happen but they just couldn't do anything about it.

"Huh. Rhed, he didn't come home for a week and he only showed up at the last minute... He's the one whom you should stop. He's the reason why Leison almost died."

Seyin had let go of his grip and now faced Rhed, but he still jabbed a finger at Ryder.

"I'm not wrong, right? He's the reason why Raeya is in pain physically and emotionally. All she wanted was the best for him... but this bastard is doing his worst!"

"Seyin, don't make this more difficult."

"Well, tell him that! If only he's acting as what befits the 'Roar', then maybe we would still be having our late night stay-outs there around the fire, maybe drinking and being merry, and not here on the recovery rooms feeling pity on what is happening to our half-broken fami---!!!"

A sickening slap echoed across the room.

Seyin dropped his finger but didn't fix his head that was now facing the opposite side. Everyone held their breath. Even Rhed didn't mask his surprise as he usually did. He hadn't moved.

"Both of you are fools."

Even when angry, her voice was still like a whisper. But a deadly one this time. Keyanne, the least talkative of the group, flexed her fingers as she stared at Seyin with burning eyes.

She straightened her poise before talking again, but her hands were clenched like she was itching to slap Seyin one more time.

"It's one thing to get angry with your brother, but another when you drag the whole family."

And then, she locked eyes with Ryder.

"Ryder, I hope you realize that your relationship with Raeya is what holds our group together. We are witnesses of what both of you could do together. Also, remember that when only one is bending, it's obvious who will break first."

Ryder closed his eyes in shame--- the words started to sink in. I see, so this is what Seyin was talking about. Ryder wanted to laugh at himself--- for being such a bastard and a fool as his friends had called him. Although he knew that he was really being difficult to Raeya nowadays, he thought it was okay because she wasn't talking about it. He assumed it was just a part of them growing up and that misunderstandings like these couldn't be avoided. He thought it was okay to have some space for a little while but now he realized that he was just being selfish.

Seyin finally moved. He cracked his neck first before going past Keyanne and then Rhed, but he stopped at the door.

"Goodnight, then. I hope everyone remembers that tomorrow is reporting day ."

No one responded. Aura called after him but Seyin just waved his hand. His footsteps echoed in the hallway until they became too distant to be heard. Aura then cleared her throat. Ryder waited for her to speak, maybe to scold him also, so he prepared himself. But the awkward silence made him look at his four friends. With quick intuition, he realized they were the ones waiting.

"I-I don't really know what to say... But I'd like to say sorry first, and thanks."

Aura scoffed at him but it wasn't in hate. The relief in her eyes suggested otherwise.

"Well, we'll just accept your thanks. But it's not really us who should be asking for forgiveness."

Ryder looked back at Raeya and smiled a little.

"Yeah, I know. All of you can sleep already. I'll take care of Leison and Raeya for the night."

The girls said their goodnights and went out immediately. Ryder noticed Rhed's reluctance to leave.

"Don't worry, I won't disappear. You'll find me in the morning at the breakfast table."

His friend looked at him too long, like he was weighing whether he meant it or not. Rhed was always the doubtful one so Ryder knew the look that he was giving him.

"Fine," Rhed finally gave in. "Good luck being the guard for the night."

When he was alone, he went by Raeya's side and fixed her blanket. She was now sleeping peacefully, like she was having a good rest. Ryder looked outside. The outlines of the trees were swaying---their tops dancing with the spring breeze. There were no stars this night for the moon was out in its perfect form. He walked towards the door and switched off the lights. The moon's light peeped through the thin curtains. He then slowly closed the door as he stepped out. This was his only chance.

The hallway was empty. He looked at the next room. The door was fully open and the lights were off. But he heard movement.