Dragon Aster Trilogy

25: FALLEN FEATHERS



Cirrus stopped on the path in the city and tried to think of what Cecil would do in his situation, but that was obvious. He would turn around and run home as fast as he had arrived on Earth. Cirrus wouldn’t consider that option until he found Sybl.

He looked at the sunlight that cut a straight line next to the shadow of the building he hid in. Cirrus took a handful of his long, blond hair, and let the sunlight touch it first. It didn’t burn up, and he got a bit more brave and put his hand across the line. Satisfied that he wouldn’t be killed, he stepped all the way into Earth’s light.

Cirrus had complained that Atrum City and the Harbor were a mess of smells, souls and sounds back on Aster, but this city was a maze endless miseries. When a Tech on wheels nearly ran him down, he decided to step back and try to refocus, leaning his back against the hot brick wall of a tall building. He could feel Sybl getting closer. Trying to find her would be next to impossible in this place.

“Hey idiot, you’re on the wrong side of the planet.”

Cirrus jumped on hearing Hain’s voice, thinking that the heat might have caused him to start hallucinating inside a hallucination. “Hain?” The shadow came out of the alleyway, and it took him a moment to recognize the Awl.

“Looks like Serena wins the argument after all. Nothing but us dark angels here.”

“I saw you die…” Cirrus said.

“Well it would seem that Hino is in need of every Sentry he can get, so I didn’t get the oblivion ticket after all. But the question is, what the hell are you doing here?”

“I followed Sybl.”

“That can’t be good,” Hain said with genuine concern.

“Something happened to Kas—and she went into shock.”

Whatever color the Sentry’s face had seemed to drain away with the news.

“You have to show me where she is,” Cirrus insisted.

“You can look for yourself,” Hain retorted.

“Hain!”

“Don’t even try it, dragoon. I don’t owe you anything.”

“And Sybl? You sacrificed your life to save her to give up on her now?”

“She’s not my responsibility, dragon. She’s yours. So do something for her.” Hain turned to leave but then stopped. “Oh, and another word of advice, don’t touch anyone while you’re here. If the other Sentry realize you’re a dragoon they’ll kill you on sight, with or without that Mei on your arm to Sybl that is keeping you from burning up.” He vanished into the rays of sunlight at that.

Sunlight. Cirrus didn’t think it would ever be something he could get used to. But what was even more improbable was the realization that this wasn’t a Vision or a nightmare, but the very present. As he looked around at the people passing him by, he suddenly felt as threatened as being locked in a small room filled with plumas.

Cirrus took in a deep breath and decided to wear a shroud of confidence instead, as he looked at his Mei and to where he could feel it lead to Sybl.