Chapter 113: Running Water

Ty exhaled a sigh of relief as the Kama blade returned to his skeletal grasp, holding the hilts together. "You really have a mind of your own, don't you?" he mused aloud, half to himself and half to the blade.

Curious, Ty tapped one of the blades with his bony finger, a thoughtful expression on his skull. "Can you talk, by any chance? Do you have a mouth somewhere on here?" he asked, though it was more of a rhetorical question, spoken into the vast space of the dojo.

Meanwhile, Mattison landed with a thud from the ceiling, dropping to one knee, visibly exhausted. His Crow armor dissipated, revealing his fatigue. He commanded LT Jeryln to fetch him a bottle of water, trying to regain his composure.

He made his way to the clipboard, jotting down his observations with a sense of urgency. "If he ever goes rogue, we'll need at least two capable fighters to stand a chance against him," he muttered under his breath, a note of both respect and caution in his tone for Ty's formidable abilities.

Ty, watching Mattison take meticulous notes, chimed in, his skeletal hand resting thoughtfully on his skull. "You might want to note that I get exhausted quickly," he suggested, a hint of dry humor in his tone.

"The more I exert myself, the longer I'm out of commission. So, theoretically, a fatal blow could take me down if I'm overworked." Ty's words reflected a keen awareness of his own limitations, despite his remarkable abilities.

He then shifted the topic, his curiosity piqued. "You mentioned seeing my soul, or the orb that houses my existence. Could you see it when I was unconscious for those three days?"

Mattison, setting the clipboard aside, took the sparkling glass of water handed to him by LT Jeryln. The glass had a peculiar green film on top, catching the light in the dojo. He took a sip before responding, "No, during those days, you were just a skeleton. Completely lifeless, but your structure was perfectly intact."

Mattison, maintaining his expressionless demeanor, acknowledged Ty's sentiments. "A rematch in the future would be an excellent opportunity for both of us to test our limits. Your unique abilities have certainly set a high bar," he said, acknowledging Ty's formidable skills.

Ty, placing a hand over his skull, responded with a touch of humility. "I'm glad to hear I've been able to contribute positively. Your hospitality since my arrival has been greatly appreciated." His voice carried a note of genuine gratitude, reflecting his appreciation for Mattison's support.

Mattison then outlined the next steps. "I'll escort you to Lady Nanako. She's still recuperating from her injuries and could probably use some company. Seeing a familiar... skeleton might cheer her up," he said with a slight nod.

His next comment carried a hint of insight. "You know, you seem to express emotions more genuinely in your skeletal form than when you were using that disguise. It's quite remarkable," he observed, pointing out the authenticity that Ty's true form brought out in him.

General Mattison chuckled lightly at Ty's comment. "Well, I'll certainly consider that beer offer. It's not every day you get to share a drink with a talking skeleton," he said, his tone lightening slightly with amusement.

As they approached the exit, Mattison added, "It is indeed hard to apply logic to your situation. A walking, talking skeleton isn't something we see every day. But your presence here, in the midst of normalcy, is a testament to the extraordinary times we're living in."

Mattison, intrigued by Ty's comment, replied with a hint of confusion, "And you'll have to explain what these 'wires' are. That could make for an interesting conversation."

They reached the showers, and Mattison indicated he needed to attend to some reopened wounds. "Wait here for a bit," he said before heading into the showers.

Ty hesitated for a moment at the entrance to the shower area, the gleaming white tiles reflecting the light in a way that seemed almost too pristine for his skeletal form.

He stepped in cautiously, feeling the coolness of the tiles beneath his bony feet.

The sensation was peculiar, a reminder of the physicality he still possessed despite his skeletal state.

In the shower, Ty reached for the water controls, turning them on. The water cascaded over his skeletal frame, creating a rhythmic patter as it hit his bones.

He didn't need the water for cleanliness in the traditional sense, but the act of showering brought a sense of normalcy, a connection to his past life.

He methodically ran his fingers along his ribs, down his spine, and across each bone, ensuring every part of him was rinsed. There was no dirt to wash away, but the water seemed to cleanse away some of the invisible weight he felt.

As he showered, his thoughts drifted to Nana, the events of the past few days, and the surreal reality of his current existence.

The water's steady flow provided a backdrop to his reflections, a soothing constant in a world that had become unpredictable and often chaotic.

Emerging from the shower, Ty felt a sense of renewal. The water had rinsed away more than just the physical remnants of his recent battles; it had also helped clear his mind. He felt ready to face whatever came next with a renewed sense of purpose.

Running his bony fingers along his frame, he remarked to himself, "Smooth and knocked a bunch of rust off. This should do." He felt lighter, in a way, refreshed despite the absence of skin and muscles.

Mattison soon joined him, freshly dressed with his bandages rewrapped. His eyes widened slightly in surprise upon seeing Ty. "I didn't know skeletons even wanted to shower," he remarked, his voice tinged with amusement.

Just then, the LT returned, delivering a set of clothes for Ty. He handed over black pants and a matching shirt, both adorned with red lines crisscrossing in a stylish pattern. Ty examined the clothes, noting their slight bagginess but appreciating the design.

"A bit baggy, but I think this is stylish enough," he said, holding them up against his black skeleton frame. "Blends in perfectly with my skeleton color," he added, a hint of a smirk playing on his bony visage.