It was as if no time had gone by. The lights were shining brightly overhead, the garden was thriving, and Rift was busy tending to the tender leaves and herbs and flowers. He had fallen back into his rhythm of digging out weeds, gently burning away the overgrowth, watering the healthy plants, and strengthening the sick ones. Perhaps the only thing that was different was Rift himself, so different from his past self. No more plants hanging off of his body, bar the stray leaf or two that he hadn't bothered to pluck off, and, of course, the mutations.
But Rift could see how the garden had changed. There were more younger plants then older ones now, more pathways through so that the children of the Kingdom could pass easily and safely. And, of course, the Hollow at the edge where Rift had had the idea to plant a flower for each of the Kingdom's members. Wild carrot for Mercurius, a sunflower for Enka, iliamna bakeri for Sebastian, moonflower for Oliver and, for himself, a small patch of rosemary.
For a moment he grew distracted from his job and drifted over to the Hollow. The flowers were growing strong but still, Rift worried for them. He had created this symbol and if any of the flowers died...what would that mean? He gently reached a paw forward, allowing his magic to flow into the air around the delicate petals. He could see a faintly visible change as they grew taller and stronger. Satisfied, he pulled his paw back and sat himself down at the edge of the Hollow, watching the flowers with affection, a gentle purring beginning in his throat for the first time in quite a while. He had grown used to things now. He was the Guardian of the Kingdom of Eridanus. It was one of his dreams as a child come to life, although perhaps it had not come about in the way he had intended.
It was hard to believe that, only a few Cycles ago, a war had torn the Garden apart. And a few more Cycles before that, a fire had raged, although the Forest as a whole still bore scars.
Sebastian waited in the trees, trying to gather his courage. Rift--would he be angry with him? His brother would have every right; he had failed him, failed to protect their Niece, failed them to the point they had collapsed into their Chrysalises, been permanently changed. And he had destroyed the Forest before that, even if he didn't remember doing it. He would never be able to forget waking up to the flames, the burning forest, the screaming Gembounds.
And not long after that, there had been the scent of blood, of Magic in the air, of ozone. The sound of screaming, of agony and fear.
He wavered, watching as Rift began to overlook his flowers, no longer tending them. Perhaps now might be the best time? He seemed to be in a good mood, so the Panther jumped down from where he sat, landing on the grass. Not trusting himself, nor his Magic, he made sure to stay well away from the flowers, clearing his throat and rasping
@Rift
Rift's purring died away when he heard the voice. Even now, cycles after it had changed, he still didn't recognize it immediately and turned to see his brother. He relaxed and his tail flicked, oddly relieved to see his brother.
It all came to him suddenly that they had never spoken properly, not since before the fire. At least, not in a collected and calm manor. He had certainly spoken to him while the fire raged but they had been nasty, hateful, and furious words. He had blamed him for the fire. Of course, Rift still had no idea how it had happened, but it was in the past now. Watching his brother die like that, seeing an empty socket where his eye once rested, it made everything else seem unimportant.
He didn't hesitate any longer. He bounded forward, avoiding the patches of flowers and plants until he was standing right in front of him. He pushed himself forward so that his head was pressing against his neck and the purring started up again, louder then it was before. He didn't care about any of the animosity he had held for Sebastian for too many cycles. He didn't care that they had been at odds. All that mattered was that he was here now, alive.
The Puma shifted his weight nervously, tail lashing. He was always glad to see Rift, and even now that feeling of calm rushed over him. But still, he felt anxiety in his stomach. He had... he had messed up. About as badly as he could have ever messed up. If Rift decided to never forgive him, he wouldn't blame him in the least.
It was still startling to see Rift; he was still green, but not as he'd been before. He lacked the many plants that had clung to his fur, finding life from Rift's own, replaced instead by warm browns, and wood bark. The mask was probably the most startling part--everything else was mostly Rift, but the mask hid his face a great deal, and he couldn't get used to it.
He couldn't help but to stiffen as Rift stood, and then charged at him, expecting a blow. Sebastian would deserve it--but then the green Puma was butting his head against his neck, and he found himself purring too, pressing himself against Rift. His eye wet with tears, and he shivered, grinding his cheek against Rift's fur.
@Rift
For a moment, Rift just enjoyed the company of his brother, happy to have him back and safe. But then something wet touched his own neck and he flinched, more out of surprise then anything else. He pulled back and narrowed his eyes at his brother's face. Were those tears? And his apology...Rift felt confusion starting to stir.
He could be apologizing for the fire, but that didn't seem right. The fire was a long time ago. Or maybe even for leaving his home here but that was even less likely. To be honest, Rift wasn't even sure what he was apologizing for in the first place.
They had all failed each other.
He shook his head.
The puma flicked his ears back as Rift withdrew, wondering what he had done wrong. He squinted, trying to force them away, but they refused to stop, and his breath hitched. Sebastian swallowed heavily, finding himself looking at his paws, unable to meet Rift's gaze.
Why was he sorry? Was Rift mocking him? The thought put a lump in his throat, a sour feeling in his mouth. Rift had never been one to mock, but after all that had happened... well, he wouldn't blame him.
But Rift was wrong, he needed to apologize. Even if it was just to put his own conscience at ease.
@Rift
Rift sighed. The destruction the had come down upon them had left them all with mental scars. He knew that Sebastian had resented himself for what had happened with the flame, although Rift had trouble believing that Sebastian had done that much damage to the forest in the first place, especially unintentionally.
He closed his eyes for a moment, recalling his oldest memories. They were only cubs, his pelt was still a warm brown color and Sebastian had both eyes and a body devoid of scars. They laughed as they ran through the forest, hunted together, played together. They had been as close as two brothers could be. They could never have that back, but Rift would be damned if he didn't try.
When he opened his eyes, it was so jarring to see the cat in front of him. Only one eye, an eye filled with regret and remorse and haunted by what he had seen.
As for the fire, Rift didn't at first speak. He looked down at his paws. There were a clump of weeds between them. With careful, gentle claws, he plucked one of the thick, spiny leaves from the stem and held it out to Sebastian. Magic coursed through his paws, heating up the leaf until it shivered and then blackened into ash. Rift turned his paw and spread the ashes onto the ground.
Sebastian could remember being cubs as though it were yesterday. Leaping through the trees, whispering secrets, lacking the worries they would have as adults. Not yet knowing the name Bloodberry--would probably have laughed at such a silly name, not yet having such a blood-soaked meaning.
He felt as though he had taken a blow to the stomach--'we all feel the same way, you know'--although it was allayed after a moment. Perhaps he was being too hard on himself, as he had thought that everyone blamed him as he had. But when he said that Enka and Rift felt that they, too, had failed, Sebastian's eyes, no, eye, widened, and he rapidly shook his head.
He watched as Rift plucked a weed, a single spiny leaf, and showed it to him. Sebastian leaned in to see what he would do, eye widening as the leaf suddenly shivered, and turned to ash, a familiar, stomach churning scent of burning plant and ash in the air.
His inhale was shaky, eyes wet, this time, with relief.
@Rift
Rift certainly noticed the shock on Sebastian's face when the leaf charred and turned to ash. A small, twisted smile appeared on his face.
His tail flicked and he nodded.
A sudden thought came into his head as he gazed at Sebastian. A way to make him feel better, perhaps.
Despite himself, the Panther couldn't help but to relax. They were all changing--some more than others. Rift had gone from being a long legged, tawny cub, to a plant colored, green cadult. And now he was green, covered in bark and spikes. And Ekna, poor Enka, had gone from being a normal, if beautiful, deer, to a scale-covered, odd-looking beast. He hadn't changed as much as they had, but he still had changed. His handsome, sleek back fur that he had taken such care of as to be vain was dull in places, where he had been burned. And he had lost an eye, lost his voice.
Sebastian took a deep breath, tension visibly leaving him. He hadn't known just how much he needed to hear that Rift forgave him, to hear him say it word for word. his eye welled with tears, and he reached up with his forearm to wipe them away.
His ears perked up, and he listened to Rift. He was taken aback, and he was sure it showed on his face, tilting his head. The thought of being able to put his destruction to good use... to be able to help sounded-it sounded incredible but...
@Rift