Depression and Development
The war took many things from each of us. Loss wasn't easy, and deaths were commonplace. We were all silent as we sat down on the cramped ship. The scene replayed in my head, over and over again. I clutched my head, and I felt sick. Blood stained the walls of the ship. Everyone except Axl was severely wounded. Heck, I don't even know how I managed to get out. I couldn't leave it like this! Ending on a loss? I couldn't quit now. But... I felt something in my heart that I had only felt once before. Ah... like when my grandfather died.
When we got back to the mansion, we sluggishly walked out. My legs were like jelly, and I collapsed on the couch. Asia came wagging his tail, but even his tail stopped wagging when he realized that the Builder wasn't coming back. I held a hand up to my forehead and suddenly, it was wet. I felt my cheeks. Tears were streaming down my face uncontrollably.
Elaine and Michael looked depressed as well, though they didn't cry. Axl looked at me with pity. No doubt, he knew what I felt.
For the next few weeks, I stayed in bed. I didn't want to see or talk to anybody. I wasn't eating much either. I wondered how this was different than when my grandfather died. I was filled with that familiar undying rage. I guess the only difference back then was the fact that not being able to do anything wasn't actually my fault. This time, I felt that I could've prevented it.
"Veris!" exclaimed Michael, as he burst into my room.
"Veris?" he took a good look at me. There were bags under my red eyes. My cheeks were waxy, and my hair was messy. My skin was a pale white like a vampire's. He sat down on my bed gently and put one arm and said gently, "Do you want to hear the good news?"
"What?" I asked in a raspy voice.
"Remember when the Builder introduced you to your armor?"
"What of it?"
"He had a bandana on, which he said was an artifact."
"And?"
"Well, he wore that artifact during the ambush. Artifacts have the power to store souls."
My eyes lit up in realization.
"We, or rather, you, should help him pass on."
"I suppose I can give it a shot."
I put on my armor and held out the headband. I concentrated. I wasn't sure exactly what I was supposed to be doing, but suddenly, I heard a voice.
"Veris?" It was the Builder. He was in his normal outfit; he was wearing a smock and a dirty black apron. A ghostly aura surrounded his figure.
Tears streamed down my already worn-out face. He didn't say anything and just let me cry.
"I...I...I'm sorry for taking the cowardly way out."
"Why do both of you keep saying that?!"
"Huh, what do you mean? Who else said that?"
"The Leader called it the exact same thing. You have to understand. Nobody thought of it that way."
He didn't make eye contact.
"You're a valued member of our team. I don't care what anyone else says."
"You promise?"
"I do. I can't believe I'm the one comforting you when I'm the one who's a mess."
He gave me a sad, but awkward smile.
"You don't need to be tied down to this place any longer. I've already known that you were scared this entire time. Whether you say anything or not. We were, too."
"It really wasn't anything glamorous. It really was the cowardly way out. It's just that I stayed longer than intended to. I don't know why, but something in me just kept me going. I wanted to run, but something in me just told me to finish it. I thought I could stop the Leader. I thought I could be the hero. For once. "
I listened to his entire speech without saying a word. I gave him a slight smile, "Part of me wanted you to stay. For you to never get over it. That way, you would never leave us. But that's selfish. Selfish to me and to you. So I'll move on. You have to as well. "
He started to disappear, "But...is that really ok?"
"You've already accepted that," I said, not looking away for a second, "And...and now, we have to as well..." I started crying again.
"Will you tell me your name?" I asked, one more time.
"My name is Corso," replied the Builder with a relieved look on his face.
"Thank you," I whispered, and he disappeared.
__________________________________________________________________
I took a deep breath. I had to keep going. My friends hadn't given up, so neither could I. It was a harsh lesson, but I couldn't keep on being held back. Still, I was glad that the frequency of death hadn't dulled my emotions. I know what we have to do next. I called my friends over for a meeting in the library. It was time to discuss the plans moving forward.
"I want to discuss the plans moving forward," I said.
"Yes. I believe we already have a solid position," said Michael, " The path forward is to declare war. We already have a connection with the rebels, so I can try to recruit them. The only problem is, I don't know if there will be enough troops."
"There is one way," said Axl, "You can visit the underworld."
"Who is that?" asked Elaine.
"Oh, that's-"
"Let me formally introduce myself," he interjected, "Axl Corvac. Nice to meet you."
"You're a prince?!" we all exclaimed.
"You didn't know?!" exclaimed Michael, turning to me.
"To be fair, we only found that I was a prince just a few months ago as well."
"You're a Prince?!" exclaimed Prince Axl.
"That's right," I nodded smugly, "Anyway, what were you saying about the underworld?"
"Ah, that's right. I was saying we could hire some mercenaries from the underworld. The only question is who should go."
"Me, obviously. I have a reputation for having beef with the Leader. Since my skills are high, I'll have a higher chance of being able to acquire some men. Elaine should go with me since she's been to the underworld more than any of us has. She'll be a good guide. I think Prince Axl should also join Michael. He should be able to help with the political negotiations. As for Bucket, it would be a good learning experience. I'd like for him to take charge this time."
They all nodded, seemingly liking my idea.
"Let's establish one thing before we go, since I want to see where we're at," said Elaine, "As of right now, we know that the Leader got the Cookie Bandit's painless power so he could imbue himself with a magic tattoo. We also know that he's building something at the supposed desert island that's actually a fortress. Did I miss anything?"
"Doesn't seem like it," said Bucket, "Hey, Axl, don't you know more than us?"
"I don't. As you know, all captains are kept in the dark. It was like that for Elaine and you; it was the same for me."
I nodded and bit my lip. One more piece of the puzzle. That's it.