Zira…

Zira, it's Felix…

Zira, it's okay…

Felix drew a steady breath as he tried to reach his partner. He had his eyes closed and his arms wrapped around her neck while his mind slowly waded into a tumultuous, stormy sea of emotions.

Zira's mind was frantic and chaotic. She was awake but not aware, her memories pushing her forward. Worse, the moment he began to reach for her, she immediately latched on and began pulling him further in.

But Felix had braved this once before. He would do it again… And again… And again. He would do it in a heartbeat, gladly and with no questions asked nor with any expectation of the same in return. That is how much Zira meant to him.

It was with that motivation, he bore the brunt of her mind's thrashing, its clawing. He winced and squirmed in his perch as her mind simultaneously attacked and sought to protect him. She was scared– No, terrified of losing him.

Zira. It's okay Zira. I'm fine– He felt a particular nasty lashing. The pain seared and burned, her emotions whipping through his consciousness.

Zira, he continued calmly. It's okay now. You've saved me–

A deep, furious, grief-stricken roar echoed throughout her mind. It seemed she was far too lost in despair. More desperate measures were needed…

While keeping his focus on Zira's mind, Felix let go of her neck with one of his hands. He slowly brought it close to him and pulled gently at his mana–

A new source of agony struck him. His body spasmed as lightning coursed through it. He had expended so much already and now he was asking for more.

Not caring for his own health, he continued pulling at his mana. It fought him harder even as he begged for it, even as he asked for it. Yet, it would not respond…

His mind raced, trying to think of something. He wasn't helped by the new wave of emotions slashing his mind. Gods! Please!

As if answering his prayers, he felt something new. A trickle of mana. It was small and insignificant, yet it was filled with warmth and love. He could not trace it, but he knew it came from Eri. It had to, it felt too much like her for it to not be. And, while it was an insignificant amount, he could use it.

With the tiny but steady stream of mana, Felix gathered it. He took every last drop and focused it in his hand.

Zira, I love you–

He slammed his hand down onto her back, releasing the mana. Instantly, it took shape, form, as he manipulated it with a single command.

Stop.

In the blink of an eye, Zira's mind froze. Her talons dug into the ground, causing long rends as her momentum slowed. It was only as she halted, that he cracked open his eyes.

Thank the Gods… He collapsed onto her neck, breathing heavily. The exertion and searing pain was nearly too much, but they weren't out of the woods yet. Zira had stopped but that didn't mean she had completely snapped out of it.

Fe…lix? Her voice was soft, timid…weak.

I'm here, he answered as steadily as he could.

A-are we safe now?

He did his best to hide a twinge of sadness from her. Yes, you saved me and we escaped, he lied. They won't come after us any longer.

Are you… Are you sure? Her head turned until a single eye stared at him. The emotions hiding within almost brought him to tears.

I am. They're dead– You killed them.

I…did?

Yep, and you were awesome. He forced a smile. This was the hardest part, he remembered.

As someone came out of a soldier's terror, they often couldn't remember details. There were many ways to deal with it, but he found making them the hero often helped. It wasn't perfect, nor did it always work, but Zira wanted to save him. She needed to think she had…at least, until she came fully to her senses.

Gods, who would've thought my old memories would have something actually good and useful? He shivered at the thought and quickly shoved it away to focus on his partner. You can rest now, you've been running for some time.

O-okay… But can you stay on my back?

Sure. Oh, and Eri and Kyrith are nearby. They are worried and want to come check on us.

For a moment, Felix thought he made a mistake bringing them up. He felt her suddenly panic but she managed to hold on to her tenuous composure. He let out a shaky sigh as she responded.

I-I completely forgot about them! Are they okay?

With an unsteady hand, he patted her side. They are. Not a single scratch on them.

He felt relief flow through her. That's…good. Where are they?

Coming, he answered before sending a mental nudge to Eri. She responded with an acknowledgement as he continued speaking. Please lay down and rest. We both need it after the day we've had…

Yeah, you're right. She let out an anxious chuff and a moment later, she lowered herself to the ground.

There was a moment of silence between the two as they waited for Eri and Kyrith. Zira was still on alert, watching and listening for any signs of 'the enemy.' Thankfully, though, she eventually turned her gaze back onto him.

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I… I thought I lost you.

Felix bit his lip, wondering how best to handle that comment. On one hand, he could be honest but it could lead to her panicking once more. On the other hand, he could only continue lying for so long. Eventually, he would slip up and that would almost certainly lead to another episode.

He decided to risk it. I almost did– But! I didn't, as you can see, he swiftly added as her heart quickened. It took her a few seconds to settle down and he only continued after. It was…close and I needed Fea's help.

He unconsciously reached for his chest, nearly choking on his next words. With her help– And you… We were able to win.

Zira listened intently to him, her mind slowly easing. She was nearly out of her terror. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she lowered her head to the ground.

Felix?

Hmm?

Will you promise to never leave my side?

He reached his arms around her neck and squeezed as tightly as he could. I promise.

Thank…you… She drifted off to sleep.

***

"Is she going to be okay?"

Felix carefully crawled down from his seat upon Zira's back and onto the ground. He took a moment to collect himself before answering. "Yeah, I think so."

Eri stepped up to him and bore into his eyes. It hadn't been long since Zira fell asleep and now she and Kyrith were here. "Really?" she pushed.

"Really." He plopped down onto the ground, leaning against his partner. A compromise he hoped Zira would accept. "There's a chance she'll have more moments like that but once you know the signs, you can often stop it before it gets out of control."

"A…chance? Can we not do anything to prevent it?" Eri asked, taking a seat next to him. She pulled his arm into hers and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I don't want her to suffer."

"Neither do I, but these things…time is the only remedy." He paused and rested his head against hers. "Zira is strong. She will get through this and we will help– Actually, it helps that everything ended well… Well enough, I guess."

Watcher's lifeless form flashed in his mind, causing him to wince.

Eri suddenly pulled away from him, turning her gaze upon him once more. "And what about you? Are you okay?"

"Besides this, being exhausted, and mourning the loss of a friend?" He shrugged. "Yeah, I'm alright."

"Felix… I'm being serious." She gave him a stern look.

"So am I. I mean, I'm still working through everything. Right now I'm fine, I'm coping. Later? I don't know. Maybe I'll have another breakdown."

She looked…disheartened by that. "If… If you want to talk about it–"

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Not now. All I really want is you in my arms."

Felix gestured for her to come closer and after a few moments, Eri obliged. She scooted over and onto his lap, his arms wrapping around her tightly.

"Thank you," he whispered, leaning his head back against Zira's cool side. He closed his eyes but did not drift off to sleep. Instead, he…relaxed. He let the tension in his body go and tears started to form, slowly rolling down his cheeks.

"I-I know you can't stay long," he said with a shaky voice. "Eventually you'll have to head back to the clearing. They need you there…far more than we need you."

She shook her head, her hair tickling his face. "I'm not leaving you and Zira here by yourselves," she responded sternly.

"I can stay," a voice said.

A shadow appeared over them and Felix cracked his eyes, finding Kyrith looking down upon them. The expression on the dragon's face was depressing.

He gave Kyrith a half-hearted smile. "If you want, but I won't force you. I know you want Eri on your back just as badly as Zira did about me. I don't want to hog her affection all to myself."

The ember-colored dragon drooped his head and looked torn. "I-I want to make sure Zira is okay…"

Eri let out a sigh. "Fine… But I want to be kept in the loop this time. No blocking me!"

"I promise. Besides, I want you to keep us in the loop as well," Felix said, shifting their weight to a more comfortable position.

"I-I promise as well!" Kyrith added, forcing himself to sound excited.

Felix noticed but chose instead to change the topic. "Thank you, Eri."

"Hmm? What for?" she asked, doing her best to crane her neck to see him.

"I know you are the one who gave me that mana. Thanks for that, it really helped."

"Oh… Well, you should really be thanking Kyrith. He's the one that suggested it. But I'm glad that I was able to help, even if by so little."

He raised an eyebrow and first looked up to Kyrith. "In that case… Thank you, Kyrith."

For once the dragon looked bashful. "I-I simply remember what you did earlier…"

But Felix shook his head. "That doesn't matter, the fact you remembered does. I didn't…though I was a little preoccupied. So, again, thank you."

He watched as Kyrith's tail began to sway from the praise but his attention fell quickly back onto Eri. "And your mana was enough. A trickle was all I needed." He leaned forward and pecked a kiss on her cheek, causing her to squirm uncomfortably.

"A-all I did is what you would have done," she stammered. "I can't control my mana like you though… I'm glad it was enough!"

Seeing her like this caused him to chuckle. It was rare to see her so flustered… And from something so minor.

He decided to peer into her mind and found an odd, but not necessarily bad, change. She seemed more accepting of things. It felt like she was letting go of something, something that was holding her back. He hadn't noticed it earlier because of her fears of losing him, but now it was evident.

I…came to a realization, she spoke, catching him. I realized that you were right.

He furrowed his brows in confusion. Right about what?

About needing to think not only about me, but our child. I'm going to be a mother and mothers have to make certain sacrifices, she answered unwaveringly. Not to mention, I am going to become Queen by tomorrow's end.

Ah. He nodded.

Is that all you have to say?

He gave her a mental shrug. What else is there to say? Especially when I can simply do this… He let his affection run free and watched with amusement as it flooded her mind.

Eri let out an audible shudder.

I really hate when you do that so suddenly… But, I suppose, I do love it too.

He considered leaning forward again and giving her another kiss. However, before he could, the sound of footsteps could be heard. A moment later, one of Eri's guards popped out from the brush.

"I found them!" they called out and soon more began to appear…

Felix let out a sigh and relaxed his arms. His time with Eri had come to an end.

"Good luck," he said as she stood up and dusted herself off.

She gave him a frown in return. "I should be the one saying that to you. Please let me know how Zira is when she wakes up."

"I will. And hopefully that won't be too long from now. I do want to get back and help, especially with how low the sun is getting." He pointed up to a small opening in the canopy above. The sunlight streaming through told him it would be evening soon.

And tomorrow is the big day…

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