----------------------------------------------------- > You Continued From (Run After Ion) ----------------------------------------------------- > Return to the Beginning -----------------------------------------------------
~ Ion wandered into the forest alone, torn by the actions he had committed, the realization that his friends watch him loose control, he couldn't face them after what had transpired. In a small clearing in the forest, Ion knelt down in a small flower field, throwing his sword and dagger to the ground as he looked at all the flowers around him, their petals red as the blood on his hands that he looked at, "I... I'm a monster" Ion said as tears ran down his face, "your not a monster!" a familiar voice called out to him as Flint and Zephyr came into view, "yes, what Flint said, you are not a monster" Zephyr chimed in, kneeling down beside Ion as he placed a hand on his shoulder, "we never had to kill like that before, there was no way we could have known it would turn out that way" Zephyr continued but Ion didn't seam to resonate, "but, I... I enjoyed it, the feeling of blood splattering on me, I was yearning for it, wanted more, I couldn't stop it" Ion muttered back as Zephyr continued to comfort. "What's all this commotion about?" another voice echoed through the trees as the boys looked over in the direction it came from, Flint seamed to recognize who was calling out to them, "elder Ember, what are you doing out here?" Flint called out to the older fennec fox walking towards them with a couple of tribal warriors in tow, "there forests are our domain, it is the elder's job to know the ins and outs of what is going on" he started saying, "it looked like you boys needed some help so I gathered some reinforcements but it looks like you were able to take care of things, given what we saw back there." "Well not entirely" Flint started saying, "that was mostly Ion... " "so is that why you are feeling down son?" elder Ember called out as Ion looked him in the eyes which caused elder ember to take a closer look, "you know, defending yourself is nothing to feel regret about" elder Ember continued saying but Flint shook his head, "it is not that, it is... um do you mind if we talk in private?" Flint asked looking back at Ion and Zephyr who nodded, Flint went over to elder Ember as they went off in the distance a bit, "it is not that we had to kill the bandits to defend ourselves, it is just how Ion went about it is what is worrying all of us, he looked like a different person, like a beast" Flint said as elder Ember raised an eye brow, "tell me then, was there anything else that looked different about him?" he asked as Flint went into thought, "his eyes, they were glowing, almost like he was possessed" Flint said as elder Ember nodded, "well that is to be expected" he said as Flint raised an eye brow, "what do you mean by that?" Flint asked, "it just means Ion in undergoing a natural change that someone of his ilk could be expected to go through, almost anyone really" elder Ember started saying, "the behavior you saw is nothing to worry about, at least right now as Ion is trying to find his way, he is a strong one and I am sure he can conquer it" he continued, placing a hand on Flint's shoulder, "but he could use someone like you to be by his side, to keep him grounded, to make him feel that there is noting to worry about as you will protect him, can you do that?" "I sure can!" Flint responded with determination, "good, you fit each other perfectly" elder Ember said, as they started walking back towards the others, "make sure he keeps on fighting, doesn't give up, be by his side always" elder Ember continued, "don't worry I promise" Flint replied as they grouped back with Ion and Zephyr. "Well then I guess you boys should be off" elder Ember started saying, "I don't know if I can" Ion replied back as elder Ember shook his head, "what happened is nothing to fear, it is just the first step in a new journey you are taking and the next step is continuing on with this quest your father sent you on, trust me all these things are connected, woven together" elder Ember continued, "you have two good friends by your side, trust in them to keep you guided." "Ok, I guess I can do that" Ion answered, "but we strayed from the path too far, I don't know where we should be going next" he continued as elder Ember pointed off in a direction, "continue following the road down through the woods a bit longer, when the sun glistens through the trees and wind wind cools you should see a wooden gate up top some stone steps, that is what you are looking for" he continued as Ion nodded. "got it" Ion said as he turned to his friends, "well do you wish to continue with me?" ~
--------------------------------------------- > Continue the Journey Together ---------------------------------------------
