Triiffic-Soul: Can I Be In Control?

Everything had been packed. Clothes and equipment they had originally brought with them, trinkets they bought, food and water for the journey, and new supplies for Eva’s at-home workshop. 

[This sure was an eventful trip.] (Syrus)

[One wouldn’t normally refer to overthrowing the governing body of a country as simply eventful.] (Luna)

[Well… we didn't exactly overthrow the whole thing? Just the one guy that was in charge?] (Eva)

[Sigh…] Luna was worried Eva was getting infected with a bit of Syrus syndrome. 

Two large bags that were tied together. Everything she needed was in the two of them. 

The journey back home would be a little lonelier, as this time they would be the only ones returning. 

Upon leaving the room, Anlesa was met by a few familiar faces. 

Syrus smirked, “Hadn’t I already said goodbye?”

“You did.” Lavender shrugged, “But we are still allowed to have a send-off.” 

“Indeed,” Maca added. He was also wearing a tailor-made shirt to fit his unique physique. Almost weird for Anlesa to see him properly clothed. 

“Sure, sure.” Syrus patted both on the shoulder and walked by, and they followed towards the entrance of the building.

Lavender asked, “Do you have plans for when you return?” 

“Too many, but most just require getting back into the regular swing of things.” Syrus nodded. “Though just seeing a few people again will be the important part. I promised a few people to help them with some tasks when I got back.”

“Hmhmm.” Maca agreed. “I put some precautions in case I was away for a long while. I should return at some point.” 

Lavender rolled her eyes. “You sent a few letters. Everything will be fine if the scary bone man is not there for a bit.” 

Maca quietly chuckled at that comment. Which surprised both girls, as that got him to laugh. So many jokes flew over this man’s head, but that got him.

Exiting the hallway, they reached the open area. Where the boys and pup were waiting. They quickly stood up to meet the group. 

Ehtan’s and Max’s eyes flicked back and forth between each other. 

Max asked, “You are really going now…?” 

“Yes.” 

Ethan added, “Are you sure you can’t stay for a little longer?”

Cobalt stood by Ethan’s side, supporting his friend, to help with the goodbye.  

“I already told you in advance when I was to leave…” Syrus sighed. “I do appreciate it. You wouldn’t be saying this if I were unwanted, but I got places to be and things to do.” 

[This was meant to be a shorter trip anyway.] (Syrus)

[What was it? A week's stay in the city.] (Luna)

[Yeah, it ballooned quite a bit past that.] (Eva)

[Travelling alone should make the trip back faster, at least.] (Syrus)

Mary came quickly down the stairs to reach the group. Calming down once she realised she hadn’t missed Syrus’s exit.  

Mary walked forward and raised her arms to hug Syrus. “Thank you for the help.” 

“It was nothing. Just stay safe now, you all.” Syrus tilted her head over her shoulder. “That is for all of you. I better not be hearing about your untimely deaths by slipping on a banner later.”

Lavender scoffed, “We will try not to.” 

The exit farewell was quick and without fanfare. 

There were a few things that ended disappointingly. They weren’t able to learn anything about any possible connection to the incidents in the past, but they hoped that perhaps something would come up one day. They also tried to find some new equipment now that the city was stable-ish, but even with a recommendation, nothing met their standards.

They didn’t immediately head for the exit. 

Anlesa was a little hungry… and turning around to go back just to get food from the manor was too embarrassing for Eva. Syrus had dug this hole for them because she thought it would be funny and would give them one more chance to explore the city for anything interesting before they left.

Eva’s eyes darted over a familiar group of people.

[Oh…] (Eva)

Whether it was just a coincidence didn’t matter. Eva watched the family walk through the city. The couple who had seen better years walked the small boy through the streets. The child had no reference to the chaos of the city and seemed unaffected by the lingering atmosphere. 

The mother pointed towards a shop and the kid jumped. With a small laugh, they went to sit down to eat. 

They were about to eat in a public space. It would be the perfect time. No strangeness. Just a happy coincidence of being sat at the same or nearby table. 

Anlesa—Eva ended up staring at the group for a while. 

Luna felt like she needed to ask. [Are you sure you don’t want to interact with them at all?]

[Yes.] Eva held back her watery eyes. Swallowing all the feelings that tried to surface and just chose to be happy, happy that they were alive, that her former family was happy. [I am content.]

She had been thinking. 

Content. 

That was the best way to describe her current mindset. 

Was there still a mix of emotions? Yes. Plenty of negative ones as well. So many that wanted to bring her down… Eva didn’t think she could be like Syrus and cleanly cut away the past. The latter only looked at the fallen leftovers as a record, if only they ever came crashing into something from it. 

For Eva, the past would still be personal, but she had seen that everyone was still okay. They were happy. So after a long deliberation. She was able to take a step back. 

[...] (Eva)

It still hurts to do so.

Eva took the initiative to turn around and walk away. With that final pause, there was nothing else keeping them in the city. Fuel in their stomachs, they passed the guards at the city’s gate and slowly walked through the surrounding farmland along the path towards him. 

Reaching a spot that neared the forest. 

[We have some company.] (Syrus)

[Bad?] (Eva)

[Not this time.] (Syrus)

The old ox Beara stood near the path that officially led to the exit of the country’s territory. Looking as bright as it did when they saw it last time. 

[Good… it’s alive…] (Eva)

They hadn’t seen the creature since it last appeared during their attack on the city. It had been a large surprise for the trio as the beast had been completely missing for a while. Leaving the city to try and meet the beast had basically become impossible with everyone staring at them. The creature hadn’t followed them inside and disappeared before they even reached the city’s gate. 

Beara saw Anlesa walk down the path and then turned around and walked into the forest. No indication that it wanted them to follow it. 

[Does it know…?] (Eva)

[...I have no idea…] (Luna)

[Mythic creatures are certainly strange… let’s just say yes for the worst-case scenario and be happy it can’t speak and is mostly alone.] (Syrus)

[Then…] Eva looked at the spot where Beara had been resting before their arrival. [It was just here to say goodbye… In its own Oxy way?] 

[I guess so…] (Luna)

Syrus said into the forest. “Take care, Beara, stay safe.” Even with her senses, she couldn’t track where the Ox had disappeared to. 

With the final goodbye of the trip. They continued the walk; they had a long journey ahead of them. 

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