Just over a week passed before James truly settled. His mind raced, and his heart pounded every night he tried to sleep. More than once, Luna kicked him out of her bed and into Amber's, hoping to calm him while trying to get enough sleep to help him during the day.

The first few days were the worst. The emotions he had absorbed from his people, mixed with his dreams, causing nightmares that plagued him with images of him being in the chairs, or on the tables. Every emotion was amplified the moment he closed his eyes and it was only thanks to Luna soothing him each night, or Amber holding him that he was able to sleep.

Many hours were spent talking with Mother about what he was going through. She was the most experienced out of the family, apart from her husband that he had only met briefly.

Shadow Paw kept him company during the day, and more than once, a vulture would land by him, dropping off feathers to help keep him busy. He would spend time with Linda, who had set up her crafting station in a nearby empty building, and focused on teaching him how to properly make leather armor. In fact, he had gained a few skill increases from her.

New Skill: Armor Crafting: Level 2/10

New Skill: Leatherworking: Level 2/10

He didn't get to work on tanning as much as he wanted. But, she still let him work on it at least an hour each day and taught him various techniques that he didn't know. It was only thanks to her tutelage that he gained a skill increase.

Tanning: Level 2/10 (+1)

Seeing his skills increase that weren't combat related was what he needed to feel normal. The calm that she helped him find was perfect, and Linda was more than happy to help take his mind off the fifty demi-humans that Luna was handling.

The end of that week and few days was even more joyous than he could describe. At midday, he was practicing meditation, hoping to gain a new skill when two familiar souls entered the city. They were both filled with excitement and James could feel his eyes shoot open as he turned toward them.

"They're here," he barely whispered.

Everest, who was laying next to him, looked up. "Who is?"

"Mender and Jamie."

Jumping up, Everest started pulling on his arm, forcing him to his feet. "Let's go!"

He didn't need to be told twice as he started running toward his brother and sister. The city became a blur as he left Everest behind and crossed the city in seconds, only to slide to a stop a dozen feet in front of them.

"James!" Jamie screamed in joy.

Opening his arms, he didn't have to wait longer than a moment before she was in them and hugging him back. Her lower half was dancing happily as she held him, while Mender walked over more casually.

"James?" Mender asked softly. "What happened to you?"

For the first time, Jamie pulled away and really looked at him. "James…"

Letting her go, he stepped back. "It's been a long week."

He could feel his energy waning when both of them hugged him and held him upright. Mender was the first to take an arm and drape it over his shoulder. "Let's sit down and we can talk."

James was moved over to a collapsed wall and sat down. Jamie sat by his side, holding his arm to her chest while leaning against him.

"What happened?" Mender asked softly.

James felt tears well up in his eyes once again as he started telling the story of what he found. He didn't spare them any details and by the time he was done, Jamie was crying and holding him tight.

"We should have been here for you," she whispered.

Mender nodded. "We won't make that mistake again. Let me see if I can help in any way." Touching James's head, he sent warm energy into his body, relaxing him more than he had felt in days.

The emotions that had been piling up dulled and a certain peace washed over him that made the tears dry up. James began to feel normal for the first time since coming to the city. The memories grew distant, yet still there as Mender started talking. "I didn't remove them in anyway, but I helped your brain think they had happened long ago. It should help you sleep at least."

"Thank you." Taking a shuddering breath, James met his brother's eye. "Thank you, so much."

"Of course." Pulling James back to his feet, Mender turned them toward the city center. "Let's find the others. I believe I have fifty demi-humans to look over."

Jamie refused to let go of his arm, her soul filled with emotion. Whatever they had left to do was handled, yet he felt like they weren't happy over the ending. In fact, Mender was wearing a new necklace.

It wasn't James's place to question their past, so he walked. He walked at a leisurely pace until he found Everest, who was still running toward him.

"Jerk!" she yelled.

Jamie giggled. "Did you leave this wonderful dragon behind?"

"Maybe," James admitted.

Everest growled and stepped up to his other side. Without saying anything, she rubbed against him, helping his mind settle the rest of the way.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"I'm glad Everest has been able to help you," Mender stated. "It's clear that she loves you."

"She does," James agreed. "Just like I love her. We're family after all."

"How is Luna?" Jamie asked.

James pursed his lips as he thought about her. "She's been better…"

The siblings nodded in understanding. It wasn't hard to imagine that he had been disturbing her with nightmares and emotions.

"Let's get everyone together," Mender suggested. "I need to know what I've missed while I've been gone."

"Same," Jamie said before yawning. "I could also use a break from running."

James felt three more souls enter the city as they reached the halfway point to the center. "Were you followed?"

Mender snapped his fingers. "The bears! I forgot about them. We brought more friends with us."

Laughing for the first time in days, James glanced over his shoulder at the creatures in the very distance. He couldn't see them, but they were heading straight toward him either way.

Jamie started to hum a happy tune as she hugged his arm. The soothing melody made his heart feel light as they slowed their pace to savor the moment. They'd reach the city center soon enough.

***

Jamie forced herself to keep humming as she ran her soul against James's. The man was in turmoil, and he felt like something had broken in him. They had only been apart for a few weeks, and yet, she had missed so much.

I should have been there for him. Was it worth hunting down our father?

That question plagued her thoughts as she looked up at James. His soft steps felt heavy as he moved with slumped shoulders. His cheeks were gaunt, his eyes haunted as he smiled.

Everything will be alright, James.

She wanted to comfort him more than she already was, but knew there was only so much she could do. Anger surged through her as she thought about Luna and Amber. What had they been doing this last week if he still wasn't better? Were they even trying?

Shaking those thoughts from her head, she knew they were likely doing everything they could to help him. Jamie just needed to blame someone, and those two were the easiest. Thankfully, Mender had helped him greatly already.

Squeezing James's arm, Jamie reminded him that she was there. When he cast her a smile, she felt warmth in his soul. A warmth that hadn't been there before and long felt absent.

I can't imagine what you've been through, James. I can only pray that I'm here beside you if it happens again.

Their walk through the city was quiet as no one wanted to talk. Like her, Mender continued to check on him, waiting to see if he would relapse. His healing was powerful, but could only do so much for the mind. The brain was a fickle thing and could only be touched so much.

The miles passed slowly as she hummed different songs. Eventually, she caught sight of the first dragon and nearly stopped. A long red tail was resting in the street and it wasn't long before she found the twenty foot beast resting in a makeshift nest.

Apart from that one dragon, there were well over two hundred other souls above ground. She found most of them to be dragons, while a paltry few were animals. Shadow Paw was there with a mate, her belly already swelling from pregnancy.

The vultures were resting on top of nearby buildings and walls, surrounding the place as guardians. Their number was a mere two dozen or so, but they were powerful, if not more powerful than Luna.

James led them over to a nearby building, where Linda was busy stretching leather. The elf hummed a pleasant tune until she noticed them. Gasping, she stopped what she was doing. "Jamie!"

Giggling, Jamie opened her free arm for the elf. Linda promptly ran over and hugged her and also hugged James in the process. Mender grumbled something under his breath about not being included, but everyone ignored him.

"I'm surprised you are here," Linda said after a moment. "I'm glad, don't get me wrong, but I thought you would be longer."

Mender cut in. "We finished what we were after."

Jamie glanced at James and found him looking distant and squeezed his arm. "I couldn't be more glad that we found this one in his time of need."

Nodding, Linda rubbed James's shoulder. "He looks better."

James hummed and blinked a few times. "Hey, Linda."

Forcing a weak smile, Linda continued to rub his shoulder. "I see you found Jamie and Mender."

"I did! Mender help me with the memories."

"Did he now?" Linda turned furrowed brows to the man. Her lips turned down as she shot Mender a question look.

"I helped ease the memories further from his thoughts," Mender explained. "They'll feel distant, rather than present at all times."

Nodding, Linda asked, "how do you feel, James?"

James returned to his distant look. "I feel good…"

Forcing a smile, Linda said, "good. That's very good. Why don't you go find Luna or Amber. They are at Mother's nest the last time I felt them."

James waved at all of them before walking off. Left with Linda, Jamie watched the woman deflate.

"He seems better at least. If only a little," Linda whispered.

"How bad has it been?" Mender asked. "He told us he felt the emotions of all those he absorbed. I felt his fragile mind. It's not good, Linda."

"It hasn't been. He goes through the motions and focuses on work, but he's always distant. His eyes slightly glazed over."

Jamie sniffled. "How can we help?"

Shaking her head, Linda couldn't give them an answer. Instead, she gestured toward the nest. "Watch how he interacts with Amber and Luna."

Nodding, Jamie walked after her brother. Mender joined her, with Linda taking up the rear. It wasn't hard to find his gold soul only a few buildings down in what appeared to be a collapsed building covered in cloth.

Amber was holding his cheek while smiling warmly. "You look happier, Love."

James returned her smile before resting his hand over hers. "I feel slightly better."

Luna joined them before shooting a glance at Mender. She mouthed, "thank you," before turning her attention fully to James. "You look like you could use a nap. Want to lay down with me?"

James nodded right away. "I'd like that."

Jamie walked around until she could see his face and his distant look. He was staring at Luna with a smile, but his focus was on something far away and lost within his soul.

Luna took his hand and led him over to a still standing building. "We can cuddle for a bit. I bet fluffing my tail will help you fall asleep."

A small laugh escaped James before he playfully grabbed her tail. "I can agree with that."

Luna shot Jamie one last sad smile before leading James into the building. Amber deflated once he was out of eyesight and walked over.

"You helped him?" she asked their healer.

Mender nodded. "I did what I could. It'll take a few hours, or a few days for him to adjust. We just need to give him more time."

Jamie rubbed her wet eyes. "Why couldn't we have been here…"

Pulling her into a hug, Amber whispered, "you're here now, that's all that matters."

Mender cleared his throat. "I should get to work with the demi-humans. Should I find them myself?"

Linda quickly shook her head. "No! We'll meet up with Grace and the two of us will introduce you. Humans experimented on them, remember."

Jamie pulled Amber away as her brother was led away. Once she had Amber alone, she asked, "how has he been treating you?"

"Depends on the day," Amber said softly. Running a hand through her hair, she added, "somedays, he thinks we are together, and others, he's with Luna. I think the emotions of those he absorbed are confusing him more than he realizes. Hopefully Mender helped."

"How is Luna handling it?"

Closing her eyes, Amber let out a weak chuckle. "Love, we are all just doing what we can for him. It doesn't matter who he thinks he is with right now. Something broke inside him, and we are all trying to piece him back together, no matter what."

Jamie could only nod. "I thought as much." Looking around, she spotted a few more buildings that were empty, or at least mostly empty apart from animals. "I'm going to claim a spot to sleep and wait for him to wake up. Maybe we can sit around a fire later."

"He'd like that." Hugging her, Amber sighed. "I have to get back to work. He has Luna for now, and soon it'll likely be my turn."

Jamie squeezed her tight before letting go. "I'll be nearby for when he wakes."

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