-128- Everyone Changed

-128- Everyone Changed

Chapter 128

Everyone Changed

Ryne hummed a low beat while slowly going through everything Sylas and Agnes brought forward in the preparation period for the creation of talismans. Even though Sylas wasnt shabby either, it has been quite some time, years even for him, since he last crafted a talisman. He was rusty and decided to just observe for the time being before jumping in himself. Agnes, on the other hand, sat on the nearby chair and drank slowly, observing the both of them.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

This should be everything, Ryne said. Alright, why dont you start preparing the papers, she added, tossing a pile toward Sylas.

Right, I know how to do that, he mumbled, jerking his stagnant memory.

Ill slowly prepare potential rune combinations and then you can inscribe them later.

Why me? Sylas asked.

Uh, hello? she waved her hand in front of her eyes. My failure rate is too high as it is. I need more time to get accustomed to working like this.

Pretty sure its still higher than mine, Sylas commented, slowly working through the parchments. Its been a while since I last crafted.

Its been just over a month, Ryne glanced at him. Do you have a memory of a gobhopper?

Gobhopper?

Two-headed rabbits, she said. Sleep practically erases their memories. They kind of recall scent, but thats about it.

Man, youre just a library of knowledge, huh? he joked.

Are we really not going to talk about it?

Talk about what?

That woman boring her eyes through me, Ryne pointed behind her. Who you claim is your wife.

Im not his wife!

Then stop staring at me as though Im stealing your husband! Ryne fired back.

Wait--what is happening now? Sylas mumbled.

I am not!! Agnes fired back as well.

Oh, please, Ryne scoffed. I may be young, but I am not an idiot.

You may as well be, Agnes said, walking up to Ryne. Do you know why I am staring at you?

Why?

Because I admire you.

... what?

It wont make sense to you, Agnes said with a sigh. But you and I exist practically on opposites of a line. And here I am... crying woes. And here you are... championing. Of course Im going to stare at you. You are everything I aspire to be... yet fail to become, time and again.

... okay, seriously, where did you pick her up? Ryne asked Sylas. Shes already trying to posture herself as my mother.

...

Wow, Sylas exclaimed in awe. You know, Ryne, youve really got a tongue on you. Youve grown. Youve actually made a grown woman cry. Im so proud of you!

I did want to talk.

So, lets talk.

Will you leave me behind? she asked.

Not even if the Gods themselves came down and ordered me to, he replied instantaneously.

What if they threatened to kill you?

Would be mighty ironic, he chuckled. But I wouldnt care.

So, why are you leaving me behind? You didnt ask me once if I wanted to come west.

Because youre blind, Sylas replied. And youd hold us back.

...

Sylas--

No, its fine, Ryne interrupted Agnes who held a shocked expression for a moment. Was that so hard?

Youre a morbid little girl, Sylas sighed.

"Just because I'm now blind doesn't mean I can't see, Sylas," she said suddenly. "I'm the same 'girl' as I was before. The same. And yet... everyone around me is different. It was as though I woke up in some sort of a morbid world similar to the one I knew... but different. People's voices were softer. Their footsteps loud on purpose, as though to announce themselves. Suddenly, everyone thinks I've forgotten how to walk, how to talk, how to eat, drink, and even bathe. Same with Valen. We talk, you know. Among the two of us. And it's different. Derrek got hurt too. He lost his arm. Many others were hurt as well. And yet... why, why is it that the world is so much different for Valen and me?

...

We are still the same people we were before--its not us who changed... its others.

Then go and pour me some wine, Sylas suddenly said, causing Agnes to stand up rapidly but before she could call him out, he looked at her--his eyes full of clarity.

W-what?

You heard me, he repeated, putting down the parchments. Go pour me some wine. Im a guest here, and you didnt even pour me any wine. Since youre the same person and all.

...

You are different now Ryne, whether youre ready to admit it or not. Is it fair that others will treat you differently? I suppose not. But its very naive of you to believe things would just resume as-is. Furthermore, why Valen and you? Because ones a Prince and the others an Exorcist. And a kid at that. Dont tell me you havent realized youve been treated differently even before. Or were you so blind back then as to believe that the castle treated you and an ordinary maid the same?

...

I love you, and I love how brave youve been. And if I were in your shoes, I would have long since crumbled and surrendered. Youre inspiring in more ways than you realize. But you are different. Of course you are. Fuck, even Im different. That day changed everyone, Ryne. Everyone. And thats fine. Give them time. Let them dance and announce their footsteps and speak down to you. Instead, focus on doing what you love. Prove to them that it doesnt matter--blind or not, this world is yours to push beneath your boots.

He walked up to her, loudly, and stopped. Silence fell between the two, with Ryne hanging her head now, the bangs of her hair covering her face. Agnes remained standing, slack-jawed, though silent too.

Youve been hurt, he added, reaching over and pulling her chin up. Broken. Changed for the rest of your life. And, in time, youll learn to live and become stronger than you ever knew. I know you will--you are more than strong enough for it. But until then... fuck, why not let others baby you? It aint all bad, you know. Order maids around, have them do things for you, let the whole of the world spoil you before they grow tired of your shit.

Pfft... her cheeks were flushed and her eyes covered by a cloth. But her eyebrows danced still, as expressive as the smile upon the lips.

"And, in the end, you'll always have me. For as long as I breathe and walk this plane of reality, I'll look for ways to give you what you deserve back. If it needs be, I'll burn the whole of the Kingdom to give it to you. That sliver of hope is the only thing keeping me from gouging my eyes and stuffing them where yours used to be."

Eww, who would want those ugly-looking eyes of yours?

...

...

Pfft, ha ha ha, the two burst out into laughter as Ryne launched herself forward and tossed her arms around his waist, cradling her head into his chest. Sylas replied in kind, hugging her back tightly, while Agnes sat down, tears coalescing in the corners of her eyes, the way she looked at him... shifting ever so slightly.