Sneak Peeks - Ruben Ch7 (1)

Mindful Route

You walk the last few steps until you are at his side, noticing him stiffen and how he fixates his eyes on his clans' members.

"Do you wish to join them?"

"In the past, I would never let such an opportunity go." His hand balls into a fist, but he releases it shortly after, "but now I'm just tired. I only want to bring this journey to an end and finish what I started."

You frown, "you sound as if you have given up."

"Perhaps … $name, tell me something. I have been without my form for a little over a week, and I feel empty, almost lost without it. How have you managed to survive this long?" <<if $shift>>It has been so long since you've shown him your second form, the details of that moment vague and coming to you in fragments. In all truth, you had believed he would never ask you about it.<<else>>You had wondered when he would bring this up, especially since he had seen it with his own eyes during the attack.<</if>>

<<if $shift>>\

"Let's do it again, an answer for an answer."

He cocks his head to the side but nods, "let's hear this question first."

"What were your thoughts when you first saw me shift?"

"The truth?" he asks, and you nod, preparing yourself for whatever this truth may be. "I thought, what luck must have I been given to be handed such a crippling phoenix. If this was the heir of the great and prosperous House Phoenix, how could you help right the wrongs? How could dragons fall to such a level as needing your help?" His eyes meet yours, the emotion there not matching anything he says, "how could someone allow themselves to be on the same level as a runt. For a while, I pondered how you were any better and believed that perhaps I have finally found the reason why runts were disgraced."

"You speak as if that's not the case."

"It isn't," he snorts. "Take your state and mine. I have been without for a week, and I am suffering, doubting who I am and showing my vulnerability with every breath. You. You know who you are. You are not afraid. You radiate strength regardless of form."