Leyland Adventures Chapter Thirteen: Part Seventeen

"I think he's waking up!"

"Tysashi! Tysashi, can you hear us?!"

Various, desperate shouts filled the room. Their melancholic screams were warped by the exuberance of tears held in their eyes. His vision, clouded. His hearing, muted. Over time, these senses improved as the gears in the body began to rotate. Soon, the entire factory was functioning properly.

His vision, cleared. His hearing, revived. He arose to the welcoming sight of Aradressa and Marissa standing by his side, recognizing the area as Aradressa's bedroom. Immediately after gazing into his perplexed stare, Aradressa dived into him with open arms. Their bodies mashed together; their warmth inviting one another. Marissa sat her hand on his head, patting him with a genuine smile.

"Tysashi, I can't express how alleviated we are to know you're ok! When Mr. Dell brought you to the castle, our hearts froze!" Aradressa cried, still holding on to him.

"Yes, it was quite the sudden scare. He told us you drowned, though your lungs didn't possess any water when Alfred was trying to remove any liquid. Needless to say, it was questionable. He guessed the water was somehow evaporated from your lungs; I assume that's due to your elemental category. But that begs the question, didn't Aquiline give you her Blessing to fight Phospozoa?"

"B- blessing? Like a...prayer?"

"No, a Blessing is a temporary ability a Gemstone Wielder gives you in order to achieve a specific task. Blessings are supposed to allow any elemental type to complete their assignment, despite their elemental disadvantage. Peoria enforced this rule to grant some mercy on those who chase gemstones. Aquiline's Blessing would prevent you from drowning and grant incredible mobility in the water. I wonder why this wasn't given to you, perhaps she forgot?" Marissa placed a finger on her cheek, pondering a reason for such a fatal accident.

"When I got to her domain, she gave me a rushed description of Phospozoa, and kicked me out."

"I've heard stories about Aquiline being more inconsiderate than she appears. If she's occupied with an activity she has an affinity for, her mind becomes clouded with forgetfulness. I assume this is what caused the terrible incident." Aradressa chimed in, letting go of him.

A rare emotion swelled within him, an emotion he's only felt every blue moon. The thought of anyone being that selfish left a poisonous taste in his mouth, so he decided to take care of that taste. He stood up and retrieved a shard from the Aqua Gemstone; traveling to her domain immediately afterwards.

The two could only imagine he didn't take the matter very kindly. It was an understandable reaction, though this powerful emotion and Tysashi were two things that swore to never meet again.

"So Aradressa, are you heading out to confront Abliss herself?"

"I am, mother. Very few have gone against her and emerged victorious, in which her unparalleled ego was birthed. I plan to cut that self-esteem in half during our duel. If you'll excuse me, I must prepare myself."

"Yes, of course dear. Mommy has immeasurable hope for her little supernova." She cheered with brightened cheeks.

"...I wish you'd stop referring to yourself as mommy..."

⊱⋅ ────── ⋆★⋆────── ⋅⊰

"Aquiline!" He snarled, expecting her appearance.

At the speed of a fired bullet, Aquiline formed herself before him, confused.

"Why are you here, I don't sense a shard on you. And what's with the look?"

"I'm here because you didn't do your job correctly!" He barked, balling his fists.

"What the hell are you talking about? I already told you about Phospozoa; I'm not responsible if you failed to do that."

"You don't get it; you didn't give me your Blessing to deal with Phospozoa! Because of that, I drowned trying to get the shard! All because of your selflessness!"

With that, she stood there in silence as if she was paralyzed. If she had a heart, it would've skipped a beat as his words echoed in her head.

"I- you drowned?" She asked, finally having some concern in her tone.

"Yeah, I drowned because Phospozoa just took off all the gear I had to ensure I wouldn't drown! I had a guy drive me to Swealie Sea with his boat, and he had to bring me home! What were you doing that was so important that you couldn't remember to give me your Blessing?!" He shouted, losing a part of himself with every word.

"I...was organizing my aquarium." She explained, having shame conquer as her head bent down.

The raging, barely sturdy flames inside him continued to aggressively develop. Her words only added more fuel to the already unstable fire.

"Aquiline, I don't know if you realize this, but I have a home to get back to. My friends and family have been waiting for me for too long, and your actions are just a huge slap to the face to them. For as patient as they've been, I can't afford to die here! It's not even just about me; this incident could've gotten anyone killed! I was lucky to survive, but I'm more than positive someone else won't be! I just don't understand how you could be so irresponsible, especially considering your position! Is this what you do with Peoria's trust?!"

Despite being overly heated by flames of burning rage, the water falling from her face exhausted his anger. She fell to her knees, gripping the floor with her hands. A similar feeling washed over them both, guilt.

"This...is my fault. I'm screwed if Peoria finds out. I suppose I deserve it." She said, submitting to her fate and drowning herself in shame.

He paused, taking steady breaths and rummaging through his hair. He kneeled down, attempting to remove the weight of guilt from her being. Wishing to take back the tone of voice he used against her. "Hey, she doesn't have to know. It's not too late to make everything right."

Her head lifted up, locking eyes with him. "Wait...you're willing to forgive me?" In that very moment, she failed to understand how much empathy a single person could possess.

"Yes, I am. It wasn't completely your fault; I got distracted by the glimmer of the shard. Plus, all the water got evaporated thanks to my abilities, so my insides are fine."

She stared at him with a dumbfounded glare, picking herself up. "I don't understand you. First you get angry at me for being selfish, and now you're willing to keep my failure as a Gemstone Wielder a secret?"

"Heh, I guess so. I'm not a person to hold a grudge, and I can't blame you entirely."

"...Thank you, Tysashi. I'm truly sorry for this entire ordeal; it won't occur again with you or anyone else. From now on, I'll work on being selfless like...you. I'll give you my Blessing now."

She walked toward his, tapping a finger on his chest. A pleasing sensation touched his heart, feeling a new power within him.

"You can keep the ability as an apology."

"Hey, thanks! I hope your road to bettering yourself is smooth. I'll be going now, have a good day!"

Out of the blue, he didn't seem like an annoying teenager to her anymore. She watched his powerful figure escape her line of sight; a pulsing feeling surged within her. Her insides bubbled with beastly urges, urges she's never felt.

Before Tysashi left, tepid liquids could be felt around his waist. Tiny dancing bubbles covered her skin, speeding up as she pulled him closer. Not a word left his mouth; he only let her spread this appreciated affection.

"A few more things about Phospozoa. Her bell is filled with water, which helps her survive on land and grants access to certain attacks. She can refill her bell by absorbing water through her tentacles, so try to empty her out so she'll be forced to replenish. This is useful if she's traveling above the water."

"Thanks, that'll help alot."

"Hmm. Come to the docks at nine, don't ask why."

He nodded, becoming free from her grasp. She swayed her hand in a sluggish manner, seeing one last smile before he was gone completely. Even without his presence, her body still bubbled profusely. She took this time to examine her own feelings in the silent void that is her domain.

"This only happens around him...there's no way I could actually...no no. I don't, I could never. There's...no way."