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Interlude 9

Carmesi was... not awake.

Her body was sore- she could still perceive the pain coursing all over her frame as she rested somewhere safe. But her mind, the very thing that should help her wake up, kept her from opening her eyes and seeing the world around her. Instead, Carmesi felt paralyzed- no, she was dragged deep into a hellish hole that further heightened her agony. It's been a while now, and the Fire Crest was starting to feel like the Emperor had done much more than just damage her body. The feeling of inner distress first arose when she felt her mind... 'invaded'. It wasn't just something painful- it just felt horrible, unpleasant- unnatural.

The Emperor's laughter echoed left and right, her body rigid, unmoving, she was perpetually stuck in that endless state of dread that couldn't be ignored or even changed. She was forced to be weak, for she was nothing before that monster. Was this true fear? The moment where anyone feels the need to shiver, to cower, to be drowned by the need to run away from the origin of that terror? Carmesi was shivering, expecting some form of closure that wasn't reaching her. It was a long session, one that drained her mental strength, that left her absolutely terrified of making a single move out of worry that it could be her last. Was she even truly paralyzed now? Were her eyes forced shut? Or was she... willingly imposing these conditions on herself.

It became a difficult question to answer as the laughter ended and the nothingness became something softer. A pillow- no, an outright mattress. At first, Carmesi thought that it was some a new stage of torture, a way to further frighten her into submission but...

" Your hair is a mess."

This voice felt familiar... and not. Where did she hear this... woman?

"W-What?"

"Your hair- it's so indecent. Have you taken care of it? I thought even warriors would care about looking at least decent."

"I'm... you-"

" What? Chaos got your tongue?"

"Y-you? Chaos?"

"Ah, I recall hearing you speaking more intelligently. Seriously, how bad could it be?"

"H-How bad? H-How could you-!"

" Yeah, yeah, too harsh on you even though you got close to death. Got it, but... I also find it ironic how you, the toughest of the group, are the one breaking so quickly from this experience."

Carmesi wanted to rebuke that statement, to defend her already bruised pride but... she couldn't find the strength to do so. Had that defeat really impacted her that badly? Definitely yes. Her body was in the worst shape ever, and even as she could feel close to recovery, her mind was far from it. She felt reluctant- unwilling- her usual bravery went down the trash bin.

"Stupid," The voice chided. "You're so stupid for letting that bring you down."

"I'm-"

" Can't you see? You're stuttering? A few hours before the Emperor showed up- heck, even as you were fighting him, you were holding up against him. You were standing against the equivalent of a God and you didn't falter. Only now you did."

"I- I almost died-"

...

" But did you?"

Carmesi fell into silence. She didn't. She survived but... luck? It had to have been luck and-

"Luck doesn't excuse your own strength and mind, Carmesi. You stood your ground and won your survival. Be a little more honest to yourself."

"Why... Why are you helping me?"

" Am I? I'm just stating the obvious and... You should wake up. They are waiting for you."

"It's..."

A pause.

"It's not simple."

" Nothing is simple. You should know this better than many of those waiting for you."

"I don't want them to- what if the next time it's not me? What if it's one of them? How can I live with myself if I fail them and-"

" Theo just went and captured Minos. All because he was so furious with himself he could be there to at least stand beside you in that fight."

Carmesi paused, perplexed by that news. She knew Theo would have exacted some revenge but... this was absurd to believe and... it felt right. It felt like a Theo thing. He would have done this for her. In her name, in the name of their friendship and... love.

This is so... so stupid. Why was she giving up like that? It was horrible- but war was horrible, she just got a taste of what others had in the past. Her first real 'fight' with the Emperor himself. So terrifying and... yet something that confirmed her commitment.

"Why are you-"

" You selfishly took the blame for something you didn't have much of a choice for. That battle, as things are now, would have either ended with your death or your survival. There was no 'running away' or 'winning' though. No more."

...

"I'm... What you're saying is-"

" Get up, get back in the best shape and start pulling your part. You're not alone, no more, fight that ugly fool and win with others. Together you will all stand on the path to victory."

Be fire, for you are the ever-destroying force that shall scorch down those that stand against you and hurt those you cherish with your indomitable passion.

"I... I see."

Something, a burden, seemed to fall out of her back and the mysterious woman giggled.

" See, Carmie? You have something- a fire in you, that can never be extinguished. You just need someone that, from time to time, tells you that you're a dummy for quitting. Because you are not a quitter, aren't ya?"

"...No."

" Glad to hear that and... see you next time, perhaps on a better note. And with your eyes open."

Another giggle, and the Fire Crest felt pulled out of that darkness and-

Carmesi... was awake. The hospital room, she was mostly alone and... she got a scar. Looking down to her exposed belly, she could see what was left of that nasty wound. An 'x-shaped' scar on her right in the middle of her belly. Still, she felt a need or a desperate craving for- training!

_ The Fire Crest was soon spotted bolting from a few guards by the infirmary in an effort to hit the gym room. She just felt... determined to blow up some frustration and steam the good ol' way, kicking butts and claiming names. _

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AN

Carmie is back!