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Chapter 41 ~Bonding~

  Acacia sliced through the clouds, her gaze sweeping the ravaged landscape below until a walled encampment drew her attention. A cluster of figures moved within, and a closer look revealed Henry amongst them. With a silent descent, she landed softly on the parched earth behind him, the whisper of her wings lost in the murmur of the crowd.

  "Hey." Her voice was low, a quiet greeting in the tense atmosphere.

  A strangled yelp escaped Henry as he spun around, his eyes widening in disbelief and fear. Elric landed with a soft thud beside him as Acacia released her burden.

  "Where did you just come from?" Henry exclaimed, clutching at his chest.

  "Up," Acacia replied simply, tilting her head towards the sky.

  "Senior!" Poppy's joyful cry echoed as she launched herself towards Acacia, her small arms wrapping tightly around Acacia's waist.

  "Miss me that much, huh?" Acacia chuckled, a genuine smile gracing her lips as Poppy nodded vigorously, nuzzling her face against Acacia's stomach.

  "But your clothes... they're torn. Were you hurt?" Henry asked, his brow furrowed with concern as he glanced at the still form of Elric on the ground.

  "Just a few scrapes," Acacia waved off his worry, gently ruffling Poppy's soft white hair. Poppy beamed up at her, her fluffy white tail giving a happy flick, though her feline ears remained slightly drooped.

  "Um... excuse me... can... can I have that?" A tiny voice, barely above a whisper, broke through the moment.

  Acacia's gaze softened as she turned towards the speaker... a small girl with wide, earnest green eyes and tangled brown hair. "That?" she asked gently.

  "She's new here! They just arrived from the south!" Poppy declared proudly, her fluffy tail swishing excitedly. The girl shuffled her small feet, her gaze fixed on the dusty ground, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "And she's my very best friend! This is Jia."

  A soft smile touched Acacia's lips as she observed Jia's bashful demeanour and her obvious fascination with Poppy. "Jia," Acacia said gently, her voice warm. "You seem... interested in a hug?"

  Jia's nod was immediate and enthusiastic. Acacia smiled and extended her hand, and Jia didn't hesitate, launching herself into a heartfelt hug. Henry, witnessing the exchange, rolled his eyes dramatically.

  "The mysteries of the female hug. I'll never understand it."

  "Sounds like someone needs a hug," Tosic's voice quipped, followed by a playful flick to Henry's head, which Henry responded to with a childish glare.

  "Greetings, Princess of the Ruins. Back from your little excursion?"

  "Don't," Acacia said flatly, the affection from the hug dissipating at the unwanted title.

  "Don't what? Don't point out that you've returned with a known enemy?" Tosic's voice rose slightly, and Acacia could feel the shift in the crowd's mood, a palpable tension replacing their earlier relief.

  'He's playing this crowd,' Acacia realized with a sinking feeling.

  "A promise is a promise. Wouldn't sit right to break it with a quick kill," Acacia replied, a hint of exhaustion in her voice. Tosic simply offered a knowing, unsettling smile.

  "Alright, little blossoms! Adventure calls! Time for flower pots!"

  "Flower pots!" Jia and Poppy cheered, their faces lighting up with pure joy as they released Acacia and scampered after Tosic, their small hands reaching out to grab his.

  "Flower pots? Seriously? That's kid stuff!" Henry complained as he grudgingly followed.

  'Flower pots... feels like a lifetime ago,' Acacia mused internally, her gaze drifting over the makeshift settlement. Homes leaned precariously, patched with whatever materials could be salvaged. The imposing, roughly constructed wall stood as a stark reminder of their precarious safety.

  "Acacia!" Kel's familiar voice, though rougher than she remembered, cut through the air. He rushed towards her, and Acacia's breath hitched.

  "Kel! Your face... what happened? So many more scars!" she exclaimed, reaching out instinctively towards the disfigured skin but she caught herself and put her hand back down.

  "Just a few more chapters in my charming biography," Kel chuckled, a hint of bitterness beneath the humour. "Gotta earn trust the hard way, you know, given my... reputation." He shrugged, but Acacia's concern remained etched on her face.

  "You should take better care of yourself."

  "And you brought a blast from the past!" Kel grinned, grabbing Elric's legs with a surprising amount of energy and dragging his unconscious form across the uneven floor. "Come on, the others are waiting!" He gestured towards a sturdy-looking building, and as Acacia followed him inside, her heart leapt. There they were: Maximus, Bella, Jahir, and Edwin.

  A deep grunt rumbled in Maximus's chest as he moved towards her, his large frame engulfing her in a powerful, bone-crushing hug.

  "Yeah...missed you guys," Acacia murmured, a hint of exhaustion still clinging to her voice.

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  "Finally decided to grace us with your presence," Edwin remarked.

  "With an old friend as well," Kel said and his grip on Elric's legs suddenly slackened, causing the unconscious form to thump onto the floor. Bella's posture instantly became rigid, her eyes narrowed with a palpable tension.

  "Fill me in. What's been happening?" Acacia asked, adjusting her clothes after Maximus pulled away from the hug.

  "Not a whole lot of excitement. More of the same old survival routine. We did get some new faces from the south, which is a plus. And Barcello and Bella are finally putting those weird crystals to good use, trying to rig up some actual collars. You know," Edwin said with a dismissive flick of his wrist.

  "That's underselling it, Edwin." Jahir's voice was low and firm, his gaze fixed on Edwin, who straightened up a little. "And the situation with the survivor from Lalan is far from 'nothing much'."

  "Lalan?" Acacia said, a thoughtful furrow creasing her brow.

  "...Yeah," Edwin sighed, the weight of unspoken events heavy in a single word. "It's a long story."

  "Seems like all our stories have stretched on for far too long," Kel murmured a touch of melancholy in his voice. "Funny how we can live through so much and still feel like we're just scratching the surface of who we truly are."

  "Enough philosophizing for now. Let's muzzle the pretty boy before he causes more trouble and stash him somewhere secure," Edwin said with a decisive shake of his head. Maximus, ever practical, wordlessly hoisted Elric into his arms and carried him towards a back room. Acacia sank onto a dilapidated chair, stretching her aching limbs.

  "Appreciate it," Bella murmured manoeuvring her crutches to lower herself onto another salvaged seat.

  "Anytime," Acacia replied, a small, tired smile touching her lips as Maximus rejoined them.

  "Sì Mala! Victory is mine! Behold, the nectar of the gods!" Fafea bounded into the room, a wide, triumphant grin on her face as she brandished a bottle of alcohol. The others exchanged glances of confusion, a mixture of amusement and resignation in their expressions.

  "Fafea," Jahir sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Indoor voices, remember?"

  "Not when I've made such a glorious discovery," Fafea shot back, her excitement undeterred.

  "Firstly, that is probably expired and lastly, don't call me that." Edwin just pinched the bridge of his nose.

  "Oh no," Fafea muttered, her bright smile fading as she examined the bottle with a newfound air of suspicion.

  "She's from Lalan?" Acacia asked, her gaze sharp with sudden interest.

  "Me? Yes! Sì Mala and I both hail from Lalan. I travelled all this way to bring him back where he belongs!" Fafea declared, nodding emphatically.

  "So, a little runaway then?" Kel asked, a sceptical eyebrow arching.

  "...Nì sì-an om-tala-ta, Fafea," Edwin said, his voice low and stern, his scowl deepening. Fafea visibly flinched at his words.

  "Kera-fayo-ta sì, nì Rano-es," Fafea murmured, her earlier exuberance completely extinguished.

  "Just go. I'll send word when I need you," Edwin said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Fafea hesitated for a moment, then exited. "And for the love of all that's holy, don't drink that," he muttered after the door clicked shut behind her.

  "So," Acacia began, her gaze fixed on Edwin. "You two were just speaking in Lalannese?"

  "...Did you... understand any of that?" Edwin asked, his eyes flicking nervously towards her.

  "Not a single word. But the fact that you both hail from Lalan... it doesn't take a genius to figure out the language," Acacia replied, crossing her legs deliberately, her expression unreadable.

  "Seriously, Edwin? Enough with the secrets," Kel groaned, running a hand through his hair. "We've got the Miss Flow Society cooling her heels, and now we've got the Mr mysterious Lalan. What the hell is going on that we don't know?"

  "Exactly," Bella stated, her gaze sweeping across the room, meeting each of their eyes. "If we're going to call ourselves a family, then let's start acting like one. No more keeping secrets in the shadows. Either we trust each other, or this whole thing is a lie." Acacia's eyes flickered towards the door Elric disappeared behind before settling back on the group.

  "Alright, alright," Kel said quickly. "How about we put a pin in the heavy stuff and focus on something more... edible? A good old-fashioned feast is long overdue. We can swap war stories over drinks and maybe it can be a little reunion party."

  "Good enough," Acacia said with a slight shrug, a sense of resignation settling over her as she closed her eyes, seeking a moment's respite.

  "Suppose so," Edwin replied, rubbing the back of his neck with a sigh, the earlier tension still lingering. Maximus offered a low grunt, a sound of weary agreement.

  "Alright then, roasted meat and water it is, since I don't have any ingredients." Kel announced, already heading towards the exit. "Turn this place into our new mess hall before I get back!" He strode out, the heavy door creaking shut behind him.

  "Alright, let's get this place sorted," Bella announced, gesturing with her crutches.

  "Woah there, slow down," Edwin said, gently but firmly pushing her back down into the chair. "You'll just be a tripping hazard. Relax." He huffed, then began clearing debris alongside Maximus's silent, efficient movements.

  Acacia didn't stir, her eyes remaining closed, her breathing evening out. The grim reality of their surroundings seemed to melt away as sleep claimed her. Abruptly, she found herself in a realm of pure, blinding light, where a misty vapour swirled endlessly. Below, a silent ocean stretched, mirroring the ethereal glow, yet she floated effortlessly above its surface. Then, a voice, a perfect echo of her own, resonated through the fog.

  "The silence before the fall is always the loudest."

  A knot of apprehension tightened in Acacia's chest. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper in the vast emptiness. Without warning, a pair of hands, cold as death, covered her eyes, stealing her sight and locking her in place. The familiar voice whispered, a chilling caress against her ear.

  "Sometimes, the only way to heal a wound is to cut away the rot. This is a mercy you do not yet understand," the voice continued, its tone both chilling and strangely knowing. "I'm eager... to watch how you navigate your path."

  Abruptly, the cold hands vanished, replaced by a forceful shove that sent Acacia plummeting into the unseen water. She gasped, the shock of the cold jolting her awake. Her eyes snapped open, her chest heaving as she sat up abruptly, blinking against the dim light of the room. The others were gathered on the floor, a makeshift feast laid out on a large cloth: roasted meat, a jug of water in the middle and a collection of mismatched plastic cups.

  "Rough day in dreamland?" Kel asked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Dreamt of a ghost or something?"

  "If only," Acacia murmured, a shiver still tracing her spine as she rubbed her temple. She took a slow, deliberate breath, trying to shake off the lingering chill. 'An illusion? A side effect of overtaxing my abilities? Or something more... insidious?'

  "Earth to Acacia? You joining the living or still communing with the dead?" Edwin quipped, she pushed herself up and settled onto the cloth between him and Maximus, the remnants of the dream still clinging to her thoughts.

  Kel offered her a generous piece of roasted meat and a blue plastic cup filled with water. She took a tentative bite, her gaze distant as she stared at the water.

  "Alright, looks like we've staved off starvation for another day. To breathing air and not being monster-food!" Kel declared, raising his cup with cheerfulness. A chorus of "Cheers!" followed, a fragile attempt at normalcy in their fractured world. They all took a sip and set their cups back down.

  "Who goes first?"

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