20- Rehabilitation
#22 of The Legend of Rift Book II: Resurrection
"Please Rift, I need you to pull out of it. Silvus needs you. Kara needs you. I need you..."
Rift was in complete darkness, a weird floaty feeling surrounding him. His wings were flapping, telling him that he was flying. His surroundings flashed.
He found himself in what had to be Sithris' house, as the blue glowly things were prevalent. Jars containing colorful liquids coated the entirely of all the walls. Red and pink liquids flowed from two jars and into a single source.
"A bit of Vitcus and Sano Essentia together, and his neck should be good as new."
Rift watched as Sithris raised his goggles, a proud smile on his face. He gulped as he looked down, gasping I'm horror. His limp body was broken and bruised.
How am I still alive?
"Sithris, I need to talk to you, but you're not gonna like it."
Rift looked over in surprise, his cousin standing by his body.
How did he... oh, the crystal...
Silvus held a towel to the unconscious dragons chest. His eyes were clenched, tears beginning to fall. He stroked the orange dragon's back and turned to Sithris.
"So... when I saw him, I taught him how to create a portal with dark magic. Now, a guardian should have had no problem with creating it. However, he lit the room on fire. That is something that he should have very easily been able to avoid. Seeing this..."
Silvus lifted the towel, showing a black smoky substance on Rift's chest.
"Sithris, my cousin is losing control of his element due to this... taint as you call it. Rift's emotional state is going to degrade to the point of him having no control at all. His power is going to explode in a supernova. I'm sorry..."
Wait... If I go Supernova... Sithy will die too...
Sithris shook his head. "Hmm, nope. I can fix him. I just need some time and more Essentia."
Silvus sighed and turned away. "It's too late. As wise as you are, and you are very wise in your knowledge in magic, he is too far gone. Maybe back when he first had the taint, yes, he could have been treatable. But, he is very close to the end. My suggestion is that you take him to his lake so he may live the last of his life in his home."
But... I'm not ready to die...
The black dragon glared at Silvus and curled around his friend. "Silvus, the Messenger for the Guardian of Light, is giving up on family? How dare you. You underestimate my skill and his stubbornness. I will do everything to save him, and if I can't, I'll be right by his side. If I have to leave this world to comfort someone I greatly care about, then it's worth it."
Silvus couldn't help but smile. "Good dragon. Tell me something, you have feelings for him, don't you?"
Sithris meeped and blushed deeply, his heart rate having skyrocketed. "I-i..."
The silver dragon stopped him. "As much as I want to stay, I have some other urgent matters to attend to. You take care of my cousin Sithris."
Sithris nodded slowly and waved him off, Silvus walking towards the door as everything went dark.
"Rift... please wake up. I need you."
The orange dragon slowly stirred. His eyes begged to stay shut, but he forced them to crack open. The light blinded him for several minutes, finally subsiding and leaving the silhouette of a black dragon.
Sithris smiled warmly at his friend, stroking his back softly. "You have no idea how much joy it brings me seeing you wake."
Rift weakly opened his maw to speak, but his throat was too dry to say anything. He gave a nod as thanks as his friend slid him a dish of water. He coughed in pain as he took his first gulp, throat feeling as if it had been broken and forced back together.
The black dragon rubbed Rift's back. "I messed you up pretty bad. I'm sorry ho...buddy."
Rift gulped more water down, his throat finally rehydrated. "I don't remember what happened, but I forgive you. How long was I out?"
Sithris looked at the ground, hesitation clear on his face. "Rift... I need you to not freak out. It has been a long time."
The orange dragon look at him expectantly, not satisfied with the answer. Sithris sighed and closed his eyes. "Three months..."
Rift was still for a moment, the realization hitting him. Fighting the aching agony in his body, he jumped up. "Nonononono! We need to get out there and get Kara ba- ACK!"
Sithris sighed. "She can wait. First we need to get you moving alright. Then..." His body shook, Silvus' words echoing in his mind. "I think we should head back to your home so you can recover."
The fire dragon laid his body on the ground, the aching pain throbbing at each heartbeat. "How could I have been out that long Sithris?"
Sithris thought out his words before finally looking at his friend. "I was in my Warped form and crushed your neck. The only reason you are up is because you're too stubborn to stay out. But that's one of the things I like about you... before I forget, I would prefer you call me Sithy for now on."
One month later...
Rift slammed his head into the wall, tears falling from his eyes. "I can't fucking do it... my fire is gone..."
Sithris curled around him and licked his cheek rubbing the new chest brace he had made after the previous one was crushed. "It's not, I think you just need something to really push for your control..." He looked around at the scorch marks coating his kitchen. "You definitely still have fire, you just have yet to find control." I need you to, I need you...
Rift grumbled, half to himself. "Sorry Sithy. I just feel like something is wrong with me. I feel this power building like it's gonna explode."
Sithris felt his heart drop, knowing his friend might possibly be spot on with his comment. "I-i'm sure you'll regain control soon. On a different note, I feel comfortable with your recovery enough for us to return to your lake."