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Rowan

It had been a little over a week since Aphmau and I separated. I had returned to Phoenix Drop with no issues, welcomed with a bit of hesitation but once I explained what had transpired at Meteli, everyone was understanding. Well, except for Donna who insisted I ride back and rejoin Aphmau on her journey. I assured her though, that even if I didn't view Laurance Zvhal with high regard, I'd be a fool if I thought he wasn't capable enough to take care of Aphmau during her travels. The man was the fifth highest rank in his class out of two hundred, I believe. That had to speak for something.

The days went by as normal. Zenix, Dale, and I would go on our usual patrols and the residents of Phoenix Drop would do their respective roles to keep the village running as well as it could. It was almost as if the past couple of weeks with Aphmau here never had happened in the first place. It was strange. I found myself missing her lively spirit. She definitely brought a sort of...genuinity to the village. After the fourth day, I was ashamedly taking the patrols by the village's broken gates more often than I usually did. To hopefully see her appear. Zenix did tease me about it and pointed out that she would be arriving most likely by boat so waiting by the gates was pointless anyways. We would laugh it off like normal but, did I then volunteer to take the beach patrols? Possibly.

"When I said that she looked like a real woman, Rowan, I didn't mean that you should literally fawn over her like she was the only living and breathing female on this planet," Zenix poked fun at me once again as we made our way back to the guard quarters for the evening. We took this time as always to talk and eat dinner before heading out on our patrols for the night. It was time I enjoyed with him, even if it meant being made fun of for sport. I knew it was his way of showing his care for me. "Aphmau is only one out of millions, possibly billions of women. So what if she never comes back? You shouldn't let her control your every waking thought."

"She doesn't do that," I say, shaking my head at how ridiculous this conversation had become. "I just worry for her safety, is all. I left her alone with a stranger, Zenix. What kind of guard does that?"

"A responsible one that cares about his village. Besides, you didn't leave her with an incompetent stranger. You left her with another head guard," Zenix assured me as we walked through the rusty door of the quarters. Dale was already there making stew, using ingredients most likely given to him by Donna and Brendan. He was already chuckling, most likely hearing the conversation as we approached. But he knew better than to interject his thoughts. Zenix went on to further mock me, adding a dramatic voice to add some spice to his words; "What, Rowan? Are you jealous you can't s how her the world ? Take her to all the romantic spots that you were thinking of? Oh please..."

"Oh give him a break. Just fill your mouth with stew and let me be on my way, why don't ya?" Dale finally said, pushing a bowl of stew towards Zenix. He handed his to me and said; "I assume you're taking this to your room, Rowan?"

I nodded my head and replied with; "Thank you, Dale. Enjoy your night off with Molly."

"Oh, you know I will." He waved goodnight and headed on his way. Zenix had taken a seat at the table by the fire that still held the pot of stew over it. He was hunched over his bowl as he took his spoonfuls, staying silent. Usually he would put another jab in but, tonight he decided to drop it. That caused my worries to rise a bit more, opting to instead take a seat at the table as well.

I leaned forward and asked, as empathetic as I could; "Is everything alright, Zenix?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" He said, shrugging at me.

"Well, it seems that you have been...distant this past week. Sure, we still jest around and talk like normal but, I feel like you're nervous around me. Or that you would rather be doing something else," I explained, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms. And my theory wasn't unfounded. The days after I returned, he'd patrol on the opposite side of the village than where I was. He'd go silent after a couple of minutes of chatting with me, just like now. He'd even insist on going to bed early, claiming it was due to an aching shoulder, just so he didn't have to see me when we traded shifts. It was so unlike him. I asked, gently, again; "So, is everything alright?"

He huffed and said; "You know, Rowan, being nosey isn't very attractive. If you want Aphmau–"

"Zenix."

His lips twisted for a moment before he set aside his food and saying; "Fine. Yes, I am bothered by something."

"O–Okay...what's the matter?"

"You didn't choose me to go with you. Your second-in-command. Why?"

I was shocked. I didn't expect him to take my decision that seriously. Plus, he already knew why so I explained to him again; "Because that's usually the protocol. The head guard leaves while the second-in-command takes charge while they're away. You know this."

"But Phoenix Drop has special circumstances, Rowan. Aphmau was not as capable of going as me," He said, sitting up straighter and his voice raising an octave. "I have the better defense skills if need be, I know how to be diplomatic if needed, and I know my way around Ru'an. So, why did you choose her?"

I sighed and said; "Zenix, what if something were to happen? What if we both died on the road because of some tragic accident? Who would take charge?"

"Dale, obviously! And this trip was not a dangerous one. You know that out of anyone. You chose the route yourself!"

I obviously needed to take this debate more seriously. I could tell that Zenix was visibly distraught about this and it pained me to see that. Why would he think that I see him as less than Aphmau?

"Zenix, I had you stay here because I think you are the best candidate to protect Phoenix Drop in my absence. So, no, it wasn't because I believed Aphmau was the best option. It's because I trusted you the most with our biggest responsibility as guards," I say to him, leaning forward once more to get my point across. "You're my second-in-command. My closest friend. Of course I wanted you to come. But it didn't make sense in these circumstances."

He scoffed, shaking his head as he got up from the table to just stand over me. "You obviously don't trust me enough to make sure you get back here safely. Isn't that what you want at the end of the day? To be safe?"

"Y-Yes, of course but–"

"Rowan, you don't even trust me enough to take that stupid helm off your face," He said, looking more disappointed than angry. I felt a sharp pain in my chest due to guilt before he went on to say; "We've been friends for five years. At this point, I consider you an older brother of sorts. Well...maybe a father if you're lying about your age under there. But nonetheless, Rowan...it hurts to think that you don't view me the way I view you."

I sat there, gobsmacked by it all. Zenix barely ever got this serious with me so I knew it was not something to take lightly. He must've been feeling this way for a while now too. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was hurting so, I stood up to join him, placing my hands on his shoulders that were covered in his leather and steel armor to say; "Zenix, I can assure you that you are on the highest pedestal in my mind. You are always going be the first man I rely on. For anything."

"T-Thank you, Rowan," He managed to say, a small grin finally reappearing on his face.

"Of course...but, you do understand that by caring about you this much, I need to hide some things from you, yes? To keep you safe," I say, seeing his smile slowly fade away again but, I kept on explaining myself. "My life before Phoenix Drop was not a luxury. If I were to reveal anything about it, it could put you and everyone I care about in danger. Do you know that?"

He stood there, silently. So, I added one more thought. "You don't know how hard it is to keep it all from you. There's been moments where I've almost slipped and spilled everything to you. So, yes, I trust you with my life, Zenix. But you need to understand that I'm hiding things from you to keep you safe."

At this point, there was a deep frown on his face and I debated on whether or not I had used the right words to express myself at that moment. Or if my thoughts themselves hurt him that deeply. He meekly began to speak out again, saying; "Rowan, I–"

But we were cut off by the sounds of distant screaming. "What in Irene's name..."

I grabbed my sword and began for the door, Zenix grabbing my wrist saying; "Rowan, don't."

"Zenix, don't you hear? Irene man, we need to check your—"

"Trust me, Rowan. Don't go out there."

I peered at him through the view of my helm, raising a brow to ask slowly; "Why?"

"Because...we were discussing something important. I would like to continue. Please," He begged me, feeling his grip get tighter around my wrist. Even with the glove that covered it, I still felt a bit of pain...and a burning sensation. It caused enough alarm in me to yank back my hand and say, with a bit of a frustrated tone; "Zenix, for Irene's sake, it's our duty to make sure everyone is safe. We can discuss this later when we know everything's fine now, grab your sword and let's be off."

Before he could stop me again, I rushed out the door and to my horror, I saw flames engulfing...everything. The homes of families, the fields of wheat that Brendan and Donna worked so hard on, Molly and Dale's Inn and the townsquare's stalls. My heart rate immediately began to spike, the feeling of panic washing over me. All I could even think of was how in the world this began. Only a mere ten minutes ago, everything was peaceful and safe. How could I have not heard this sooner? How could I have not caught this?

I saw Dale in the distance rushing with a pale of water, rapidly trying to put out the fire of Molly and his' Inn. Molly was not too far behind. Many of the other residences were doing the same or trying other methods to ease the chaos. With no clear threat in my sight, I thought that was the best course of action and I called back to Zenix; "Grab the buckets from each of the rooms in this building as well as any other—"

But when I looked back, my eyes met with a blade directed right at me. I looked further down to see Zenix's eyes looking right at me, peering at me with such anger that I hadn't seen since my childhood. "Z-Zenix? What are you–"

"I can't allow you to do that, Rowan. Now, you have two options. Either go back inside with me and we'll wait this out. Or...I'll stop you here and now."

I was so lost and confused that I could barely form the words. It wasn't until I heard Dale shout out; "Zenix! Rowan! What are you two—"

Even he must have seen the dire scene unfolding because the next thing I heard was Molly shouting with a terrified tone; "Zenix what are you doing?"

Then I heard in the distance, causing my head to finally snap back to look was Donna and Zoey screaming; "Everyone run!"

I looked to see two masked figures, all in black riding on horseback, that were stolen from our stables, through the village's streets carrying flaming maces, causing now the shrubs and any remaining flammable objects along the road to catch ablaze. The people were screaming, grabbing their children before making a run for it. Even dogs and cats were desperate to find shelter and all I could do was stand there frozen in complete shock. I turned to look back at Zenix, now finally with enough courage to ask; "Are you going to kill me?"

"I don't want to. Like I said in there...you're my brother. I told them that. If you go inside, you won't be harmed. They gave me their word."

"You know I can't do that," I replied, loud enough for only him to hear. "But I'm not going to fight you, Zenix. I need to protect this village. Even if there won't be much left of it."

He pressed his lips together, seeing those eyes morph into a pained expression once more. "Don't make me do it, Rowan."

"You won't hurt me."

He let out a desperate and strained laugh, saying; "You obviously don't know me that well then, huh?"

He raised his sword and was about to swing at me but I was able to raise my own blade to block his strike. That was all I was planning to do. Block his strikes for as long as I could before he came to his senses. Because I refused to believe this was more than a simple outburst from him. He was strong and I knew that. Each swing of his sword became more and more aggressive, making it harder to control the fight between us. I was able to land a hit with the hilt of my sword at his nose to hopefully knock him out but, all it did was draw blood and make him angrier. When he regained his composure, all I saw was red in his eyes. I kept taking steps back, trying my best to not only keep myself stable during the fight but, see through the darkened street behind me. Even with the raging flames, I struggled to see where to put my feet. Everything was just happening so fast that it was hard to believe that it was truly my reality. As if in mere moments, I would wake up in a cold sweat in my bed. But, that moment never happened.

As I took a step back, I lost my footing and felt myself slip back. I landed with a thud onto the broken cobblestone path, groaning as I knew it would probably leave a bruise. My sword had scattered far my reach and when I regained my focus, the tip of Zenix's blade was right in front of me. And as if in a moment of passion, he slashed upwards, causing my helm and face to fly along with it. I yelled out in pain for a mere second, feeling the metal slice through my skin where I had no protection. I quickly raised my hand to not only realize that my helm had flown off somewhere but blood had already began to spill from my neck and jaw. Again, I looked up at Zenix, still in a state of shock as my blood spotted the ground. He seemed just as lost for words, a small chuckle escaping his lips as he said; "I guess my theory of you being a hideous beast under there is wrong."

As much as I wanted to laugh with him and accuse him of giving me a compliment, my heart was too shattered. Seeing his stand above me, with such empathy in his gaze towards me while the village around us crumbled to the ground...it was too much. I heard someone call out into the distance, causing Zenix to look over; "No witnesses, Zenix! You know the rules!"

Zenix once again looked at me and for the first time, I saw my friend. My closest friend I've ever had. He didn't want to do it and I knew it, so I silently begged him; "Please..."

"I...I'm sorry..." He said, only a little above whisper as he raised his sword once again. He lifted it over his head and paused, his eyes scanning me up and down. Then, he let his arms fall and I felt the blade of his sword pierce my skin and all I could do was scream in agony. Everything just screamed in pain. My skin, my bones, my muscles, and if I could have guessed where his sword hit me, it had to be my heart because it's what hurt the most.

He pulled out the blade and he took a moment longer to look down at me, tears in his eyes. He then turned to walk away, leaving me there to just lay on the ground in a puddle of my own blood. I turned to my side to watch him as he made his way over to the two in black and I could have sworn in my dazed state, I saw green...

But that didn't matter. I wanted to so badly grab Zenix and tell him to listen to me. Tell him everything that could possibly make him stay. But it was pointless. I probably couldn't even stand if I wanted to...so I was left to watch him leave and feel my eyes get heavier with every step he took. The last thing I saw before it all went to black was him at their side, looking back at me. Eyes still red and filled with tears. And at that moment, I let my eyes close, knowing it was over.

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