I was amazed at how weak Estrakulius and I were; my face, arms, and even my feet were numb from the lack of feeling in them. The silence, however, was deafening. I did not have the energy to break it, my head resting in the crook of Leon’s neck and shoulder.   Finally, it was Ivan who broke the spell of the silent walk.

“So… Kora. What happened on your end?”

“Well… I don’t rightly know much. I got hurt, tryin’ to help Yoozoo, ya know? And I got swarmed by a bunch o’ little ones. And oh gosh, well it hurt all over my body, and let me tell you, I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of my clothes being all torn either… Anyway! I got swarmed and cut up really badly and was bleeding everywhere. Yoozoo dispatched the big baddie, then came running to me, and she was so upset!  She was bein’ sweet… and I just kept bleedin’ ya know? 	

Well, apparently, Yoozoo was having none of that. I couldn’t really move, I had a few good cuts all over the place, and I was so tired, I just felt like going to sleep. I could hear Shion yelling at me weakly, telling me to stay awake, but I was just so tired. Then, I felt… something strange. It was warm, and Shion had gotten quiet, which was unusual, ya know? He talks almost as much as I do, except none of y’all can hear him. Well, he went quiet, and I felt this warm, strange… pulling.” She explained, and I could hear the confusion in her voice as she searched for the words. I wasn’t moving, I wouldn’t contribute, but keen interest had me gripped, listening.

“A pulling?” Elliot echoed, confusion in his voice. I could imagine his brows furrowed, his blond hair in his eyes as he carried Kora piggy-back style towards the infirmary.

“Yeah, it was the strangest thing, you know? It was a pulling, like a part of me was being pulled out, kind of like when Shion came out of me, but no pain, it was gentle. And it smelled like Yoozoo’s hair. And then I could feel the wind, and it felt so weird because my Soulmate had never healed me before, but I could tell that it was him! And I think I dreamed this part, but I swear to you, Yoozooki was huggin’ me! And I was feeling better, and better. And soon there wasn’t any more pain. And I just thought to myself, ‘well I’ll be darned.’ So I opened my eyes and grabbed Shion and waved him around, and then the entire thing just sort of went… whoosh, and it spread out.” She said simply, and I couldn’t help but be amused by her explanation.

I didn’t say anything, my eyes closed, my body heavy. We stopped, and I heard a door open, and Leon began to move again. I hated more than anything else feeling incapacitated, and here I was being hauled around by the man I loved like a doll again.

Rachel had yet to say anything, but I could feel her there with us, my senses hyper-aware of everything around me. Energies felt like static on my skin, and it was uncomfortable.

“Thank you, Ivan.” Leon’s voice was soft in my ear as Ivan opened the infirmary door, cool air hitting me, and it wasn’t long until I was set down on a bed. Begrudgingly, I opened my eyes and saw that Leon was still bent over me. When he noticed my eyes open, his strong, large hands cupped my face, and his lips found mine eagerly, almost possessively. I kissed him back weakly, unable to find the energy to reach up and hold him. When he pulled away, everyone looked away respectfully. Rachel snuggled into the side of Ivan, and Elliot was sitting next to Kora on a bed beside me.

“You never stop scaring me. I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” Leon said softly, his chocolate eyes set in his mahogany face, full of an undecipherable expression. I smiled up at him, my heart feeling as if it were squeezing with affection, and shook my head.

“Sometimes it is inevitable that we are apart during times like that. That is our duty, and I know the risks. I wasn’t the one who got hurt anyway, I’m okay. Just really tired.” I told him, hoping to ease his worry a bit. He had a few white lines of freshly healed cuts on his arms, face, and chest. I realized he must have been caught in the dispersion of the healing vortex that I had somehow created with Shion, Estrakulius, and Kumumgwe. My eyes looked back into his face before turning to look at the rest of the room. 

My little group of close friends. It hadn’t been long ago that I thought the only person I could let into my heart was Yuki, my long-lost friend who had the power to channel the voice of the Dragons.

Rachel moved from Ivan and sat down on the other side of Kora, looking at her friend, who was lying down comfortably now, her arms tucked behind her head as a pillow. She had rapidly fallen asleep since being placed on the bed, and I wasn’t surprised. The girl had been mortally wounded, and while no physical evidence showed, I knew from my own personal experience that she was probably feeling it as much as myself. I watched as Rachel lay down next to her friend and wrapped her arms around her. Elliot watched his sister, standing up and leaning against the wall to give the girls more room to be comfortable on the bed. His beautiful golden eyes turned to me, and for the first time since I had met him, I dare say I saw a serious expression on his face, and he looked as if he were chewing on the words. I smiled at him knowingly as Leon sat down beside me, keeping one hand on me always as if I were going to disappear or run away.

“What is it?” I asked him, and Elliot sighed, running one hand through his hair.

“Just kinda wish the doctor would get in here…” He said gruffly, and Ivan stirred at the notion.

“Right. I’ll go get her!” He said, turning and leaving the room quickly. My eyes searched Elliot’s face, and I almost laughed at how conflicted he seemed. I knew he had feelings for Kora, I also knew that Kora favored his presence more than any other man’s. It made sense, the two of them together, though neither one of them would ever voice the affection they had for each other.

 They were both young at heart and playful, and love was too serious a notion for either of them to talk about. I knew that, but so did everyone else in the room. Being so exhausted that I couldn't even lift my arms to hold the man I love wouldn't stop me from teasing Elliot at this moment. Revenge is sweet, even while battle-fatigued.

“What else is it?” I asked softly, feeling the amusement tug at the corners of my lips, as he scowled and looked at me again. After a moment of quiet, Elliot resigned after once again checking to make sure Kora was sound asleep. He shrugged, his hands finding his pockets shyly.

“She scared me. I was scared. I thought for a second there that we were going to lose her. I panicked. And I was useless. And then you… What did you do?” Elliot struggled with his words. 

No matter how carefree and happy Elliott always presented himself, he was true to his own form of masculinity. Feelings were not something he spoke about, not unless he was talking about how much fun he was having. Even though he was not particularly big or masculine, I admired his inner strength. Perhaps I read too much into it, but Elliot always portrayed himself the way Claus did, a form of positivity, a form of shining energy. Someone everyone could count on to bring a smile, no matter the turmoil he faced on his own. Or perhaps Elliot didn’t have a lot of inner turmoil. It was something I was sure I would not have the privilege to know until long into the future.

“I will tell you what I felt, but not right now. Estrakulius is resting, and I will require his help in explaining.” I answered him gently. “All that matters now is that she’s safe, and resting too,” I told him, and he nodded, looking over at Kora, and finding his twin sister examining him quietly. He looked away quickly then, his cheeks flushing bright red. Rachel and I shared a look, and I took the liberty to snuggle deeper into Leon’s side as he lay down beside me, wrapping his arms around me. “If it makes you feel better, Elliot, I don’t think you were the only one scared today,” I said softly, my eyes closing again in exhaustion, as Leon tucked his arms around me, his long, thick hair brushing against my face. Rachel’s voice chimed in now.

“No. Certainly not. I take her for granted. She’s my very best friend. Running to her, but not being able to go fast enough. I was panicking. I could see her on the ground. I could see her bleeding, but my feet just could not go fast enough.” She sighed softly. The sound of the door opening met my ears, and a light footfall made its way closer to us.

“What did she do now?” Nakita’s rough voice asked briefly, and I heard Leon give out a soft chuckle in my ear.

“Which one, Kit?” He asked playfully, and I could hear Nakita make an exasperated sound.

“Both of dem I be thinkin’. Look at da state of dem! Absolute mess they bein’.” She said, and I almost laughed along with them, though I felt a little defensive. It wasn’t as if I meant to attract trouble everywhere. I had the silly urge to defend Kora too. It wasn’t her fault. She was distracted in battle because I was losing, and she sent me her help – something that cost her dearly.

“To be honest Kit, we have no idea what happened. All we know is that Kora was hurt, and somehow Yuzuki forced Shion to heal his other half.” Ivan’s voice flowed from the door, and I could hear another set of quick footsteps. A clucking maternal sound filled my ears as Leon let me go and got out of the way as firm hands began checking my vital signs. Opening my eyes, I could see the mistress of the infirmary above me, a look of disapproval on her face.

“Dear, dear, dear.” She muttered as she moved to Kora. “Okay, everyone. Out! I have a lot of work to do on these two, and I do not need you lot in my way!” Her sharp tongue caused me to flinch. Leon stood, and I almost voiced my complaint, discontent ripping through me. I looked at him tiredly, my eyes heavy, my vision blurry. He leaned down and I could smell him before I registered what was happening. His lips found mine again briefly, a hand cupping my face.

“Behave. I’ll see you soon.” He told me softly before his presence faded away. I fell asleep finally, the last of the adrenaline keeping me awake after everything that had happened finally dissipated to allow me to rest, all the while the bustle and clucking of the infirmary mistress swaddling my senses comfortably.

Dreams plagued my deep sleep, but not the kind of dreams you wake up regretting. In my darkness, I felt as if I were floating, just before plummeting into the world of my subconscious mind. I landed in the living room of my old house in Japan. My brother tended to his katana lovingly, shining and cleaning the metal as if it were a cherished lover. My sister and mother cleaned up after a cup of afternoon tea. I could smell the jasmine and sakura flowers wafting in from the outdoors, as the paper door to our old traditional house kept none of the outdoor smells out. I walked to my brother first and reached down, touching him on the shoulder, but he did not seem to feel me. I sat down in front of him and frowned, but still he did not look up. For a moment, it bothered me. I could hear my mother and sister talking in soft voices, laughing quietly. I wanted to participate. I missed them terribly. A strange part of me recognized that this was a dream, though.

And still, it felt so real with the fragrance of tea and flowers in the air. The scent of incense drifted gently across my senses, too. A tribute shrine to those my family had to take. The fact that incense was lit meant that there was a recent, successful assignment. My eyes went to my brother’s sword. He had that troubled face, the same face all of us but my father wore when we completed an order from the Empress. I resigned myself to not being able to communicate with my loved ones. And so, I merely watched.

For what seemed to be a long time, I just watched my mother, sister, and brother. Following them around the house and grounds. My brother’s ritual after a kill is to pray at the palace shrine after extensively removing the evidence of it from his katana. My sister helped my mother make poisons and arrows. My mother and her creased face worked tirelessly to keep the house clean, food made, and to fulfill her duties as assassin, mother, and wife to the coldest man to have ever been born. Time moves differently in dreams, and soon I began to feel the confines of my mind. I feared and dreaded the chance of seeing my father. 

But the nightmare never came. It was all just images of my beloved family, the ones who were murdered the same day I was. The same day that he became the most monstrous Tisin in all Limbo’s recorded history. I had taken to watching my mother, her swift hands chopping as she prepared for dinner, deftly flying back and forth between meat, veggies, and rice.

I had lost focus, simply enjoying the sight of her cooking. Mother was tender but stern. She was a friend when you needed one, a nurse when father’s hand was too abrasive, and a teacher of the finer subtleties of assassination. It figures a woman like her would work mostly with poisons. I was just remembering with amusement how father would always switch bowls with a random family member every night, for fear of poison. And then he would wait until the rest of us were halfway done eating before digging into his own food.  

It was around that time, when the sour thought crossed my mind, a tug at my sleeve caused me to turn. My arms were folded as I leaned up against the wall, invisible to my mother as I watched her, and thus far nothing had bothered to try and interact with me. Alice stood at my side, smiling, and the shock I felt rocked me, causing me to drop to my knees and hug the little girl.

“Alice!” I breathed as I hugged her tightly to my body, the scent of her hair, which usually smelled of grass and a mixture of whatever plants she’d been playing with, filled my senses. It brought tears to my eyes as I looked up at her, searching her little face. “Alice… what are you doing here?”

“I’m here because you needed me to be.” She answered, her little face sad, reflecting the conflicted heart inside my chest. “What are you doing, Yuzu?” She asked curiously, and I smiled, her sweet little voice causing the dream world around me to shimmer and change into a field of wildflowers, much like the one she was attacked in on the day I met her.

“Dreaming,” I answered softly and she nodded, her little hand reaching up and cupping my face. 

“None of our deaths were your fault.” She said softly, and it felt as if my heart shattered with those words.

 Tears filled my eyes, finally, and I looked down at the ground, my whole body trembling with agony. She was wrong, my heart felt she was wrong. Every single one of their deaths had been my fault. My brother, my mother, my sister – all because I just couldn’t keep my nose where it belonged. And Alice, sweet little Alice, had died trying to help me fight a monster. And then Kora too. Even though she had survived, it was all by luck, and perhaps by sheer stupidity that she had survived the attack, where she was left vulnerable because she was helping me.

“Yuzu?” Her sweet little voice made me look up, the tears falling down my face.

“No one should have ever died at my expense. On my watch.” I choked out. “Especially not you, sweet little Alice.” My voice caught in my throat, forgetting for a moment that this was only a dream, and that I was not speaking to the real Alice. The little girl in front of me climbed into my lap and snuggled into me, both of us sitting on the ground, the scent of wildflowers strong around us.

 “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” I whispered in her ear as I cried. Alice was silent and just let me hug her. I let the pain roll through me for what seemed like a long time before I could cease the sobs that wrenched from my frame almost violently as I hugged the little girl that I cherished so much.

“Do you feel better now?” She asked softly, looking up at me with a gaze that was full of love and understanding. It almost made me cry again, but I nodded nonetheless. “It’s not your fault, Yuzuki.” She said again, and it tore at my heart.

“Then why do I feel like it is?” I asked softly, the raw guilt and sorrow from the loss heavy in my voice.

“Because that’s what you do. There was nothing you could have done. You know that. Everything happens for a reason. And I turned out okay! I got to enter the soul cycle again. You have my flower to remember me by. I don’t want my memory to hurt your heart, Yuzu. I loved you very much!” She said, her face crumbling unhappily in her childlike innocence and honesty. 

I swallowed back tears and closed my eyes. It did hurt. It hurt to breathe when I thought about Alice. It hurt to remember her. A memory ensanguined in my mind. It was so hard to not associate any good memory of Alice without seeing her covered in blood, pale, and stiff. It was hard not to remember the day that I purified her soul and sent her onwards on her next journey, her Amaranth still preserved in a shrine in my house. 

“Isn’t it silly to be sad anyway?” Her voice made my eyes open again, and I frowned at her.

“What?” I asked, not certain where this conversation was going. Alice giggled, and she wiggled away out of my lap to run to a huge purple flower. She plucked it, brought it to me, and held it up to my nose. Its sweet scent filled my senses and almost soothed me in my distress. “What do you mean, Alice?”

“Well, I’m not technically dead.” She answered happily. “Technically, you saved my soul. And now I’m being reborn into a different world. My body might have died in Limbo, but I got there by dying in the first place. And now I’m moving on to repeat it, and maybe next time transcend to a different place other than Limbo.” She explained. “I thought you learned all this when you first got to the Warrior City?” She teased, and I sighed, a small smile creeping onto my face. 

She was right, of course. I had learned all of that; however, it did not make the loss of my little friend any easier. In this world, I felt alive, and so did everyone else. For Alice to die in the world we were in didn’t feel any better than a death in the physical world I had lived in before. But, of course, how does one argue with a child, especially when they are right? I looked at the little girl and sighed.

“You’re right, sweet Alice,” I said softly, and she smiled big, and again climbed in my lap, and I kissed her forehead. The little girl I had loved like she was my own. She was the reason Estrakulius had awoken so early on my journey. She had always proudly taught me about the medicines she’d learned to make with Malakaii, crawled and played all over Okard as if the giant dragoness was a gentle puppy. This little girl, who sat in my lap and fell asleep during my visits to their cottage. The year I had known her, the innocence, kindness, and purity of her existence had captured my heart. I could not go on with an existence where her memory haunted me.

 “I miss you,” I told her, and she looked up at me and nodded, shifting so she could lean up and kiss my cheek affectionately.

“I know, Yuzu. But really, it’s almost time for you to go, okay?” She said, patting my face playfully with both hands. I grabbed her hands and smiled. She was right of course. We couldn’t just sit here in this dream forever, no matter how much I longed to. She climbed off of my lap and held my hands, staring at me with a happy smile. “No matter what happens, Yuzu, keep me close, okay? Don’t forget me. Don’t forget the things that happened before that bad day. Please?” She asked, and I nodded, leaning in and kissing her cheek. 

“I promise,” I answered. It was then that I noticed that things around me were fading, and I sighed softly. “I guess it’s time to wake up,” She nodded. “Be a good girl,” I told her sternly, and she laughed, rolling her eyes. I joined her, knowing that was never an issue. “I love you, little Alice.” Before she could answer, everything faded to blackness, and it wasn’t long until I felt the return of my consciousness rising as my body began to stir from the deep sleep. When I awoke, it took a very long moment to open my eyes. The sun was shining outside, although the blinds were drawn. It was eerily quiet in the infirmary. I turned my head and noticed that even Kora was gone from the bed beside me.

It’s good to see you awake, my Other. Estrakulius’ voice echoed gently in my head, and I was flooded with relief. I’d been worried about him since he’d gone so quiet following the events of healing Kora. And if you look, you’ll see someone else who will be relieved to see you awake. This confused me slightly, and for the first time, I made an effort to turn to the opposite side of the way I was facing. Leon was in a chair, his head against the wall, eyes closed. His chest, bare as usual, was evenly falling up and down, and I couldn’t help but smile at what I perceived as his perfection. But I was troubled.

“Why would he be so relieved to see me awake?” I asked quietly, nonplussed. Wasn’t I just asleep for a few hours? I looked to Estrakulius, whom someone had found pertinent to find his sheath, and lay him against the wall near my headboard.

You’ve been asleep for two days, my Other. Short. To the point. And utterly shocking. As everything with Estrakulius was. I sat up, finally noticing just how stiff I was. Two days? I felt a sense of lost time. It felt as though I had been robbed of more time than anything since I’d come to Limbo. I worked the muscles in my back and legs by stretching. I was irritated at everyone. Why hadn’t anyone woken me? Why did they let me sleep for two days? I couldn’t fathom the reason for letting me waste away there on a bed for so long. Estrakulius could feel the irritation rolling within me, and I could feel his amusement within the depths of my emotions.

“It’s not funny,” I said out loud, before turning my attention to Leon’s sleeping frame. How long had he been there, waiting for me to open my eyes? I reached up and touched his cheek gently, rubbing my thumb back and forth across his lips. He stirred then, lifting his head and opening his beautiful dark chocolate eyes. His face was confused for a split second before a big smile lit his features. He leaned in and pulled me into his lap forcefully and I laughed softly, burying my face in his neck.

“I’m so glad you’re awake!” Leon breathed into my ear, his body rocking us back and forth. “What took you so long?” He grumbled, and again I laughed softly, my heart pounding at the joy I felt at this moment. 

“I had to come to terms with some things, I guess. Or maybe I was just tired. Why didn’t you try to wake me?”

“I did! Nothing would wake you. We were all really worried.”

“Wow. Well. Did you miss me?” I teased, deciding to focus on the here and now. This time I felt Leon laugh as he shook his head.

“No. I just can't handle hearing Kora feel guilty anymore.” He said lightly and I smacked his shoulder gently. “Yes, of course, I missed you.” He corrected himself hastily, squeezing me tighter. “I hope you’re ready for CiCi. She’s been on a rampage because you hadn’t woken up.” He warned me, and I sighed warily.

“I’m going back to sleep.” I groaned, letting go of him, and attempted to crawl back into the bed.

Leon laughed. “Oh no, you don’t. It’s not all bad, I promise. You have a few surprises in store for you.” He said, pulling me back into his lap. I pouted and looked up at him, making sure to make my bottom lip quiver.

“Do I have to?” I whined and I was met with a firm kiss pressed against my pouting mouth. I sighed softly, resigning to the silence of the room. It was a passionate moment, hands roaming through my hair as mine rested on his chest. But a moment was all it was as he pulled away grimly. I groaned as I stood up, picking Estrakulius up gently on my way out. 

Yes, I had to. As far as I knew, I pulled off something that no one had ever pulled off in Limbo before.

When Leon knocked on the door and we were told to enter, CiCi’s emerald eyes found me immediately before narrowing. The lump of dread that had formed in my stomach hardened, and I looked to Leon for permission to run away. CiCi was terrifying sometimes, despite her sense of humor, which she often had.

“Well, it’s about time!” She declared, and I sighed, approaching her guest chairs and making myself comfortable, dangling my legs over the side.

“I was tired,” I said simply, attempting to give her a bored expression, and CiCi stared at me for a moment before letting out a small laugh. She pushed herself up from her chair and walked around, surprising me by leaning down and wrapping her arms around me.

“And don’t you ever scare me like that again!” She whispered in my ear. All of my pretenses dropped, and I shyly hugged her back, my heart aching with affection.

“Sorry, CiCi,” I murmured, and she pulled back, clearing her throat. Turning to Leon, she nodded.

“I will fill her in about what we talked about while you go and fetch Claus, Vivian, and Artemius.” She ordered him, and quietly he left.

“What is it?” I asked curiously when we were alone, the door clicking behind us. CiCi went back to her desk and gave me a tired smile.

“You’ll be happy to hear that Kora made a very quick and thorough recovery. She wasn’t even hurt, according to the infirmary nurse. No internal injuries, no bruises, cuts, or broken bones. Not even a blemish on her skin.” She told me, and I smiled happily. The idea of my talkative friend being completely okay pleased me to no end and Estrakulius, whom I had leaned against the arm of the chair by my head, hummed with pride. “She’s taken on a few of your demeanors, though.”

At these words, I stopped smiling, and Estrakulius went silent. I swung my legs around and planted my feet on the floor, my hands resting on the arms of the chair as I stared at CiCi with narrowed eyes.

“Are you going to elaborate on that or just keep me guessing?” I asked nervously, and CiCi chuckled.

“Well, for one thing, she became less talkative and more sullen, if you will. Ponderous. Like you. And she’s had a horrible craving for raw fish. According to Elliott, Kora would have never eaten ‘that stuff’ before.” She said, her face twitching as she held back what must have been the most obnoxious grin ever, as my mouth fell open in shock.

“That’s awful, I felt bad for all of you when you only had to deal with one of me,” I said in a shocked voice, and CiCi rolled her eyes, letting out a chuckle.

“Don’t fear, it seems to be fading away slowly. Over the last day, she’s steadily become a little more like herself. Nakita reported she was more talkative yesterday.” She reassured me, and I nodded.

“Okay. Good. Well, good then.” I stammered. “I don’t suppose it’d be socially acceptable to avoid her until she stops acting like my weird doppelganger?” I asked meekly and CiCi snorted, shaking her head.

“Considering she won’t shut up about how she can’t wait until you wake up? I doubt it. You’re such a mean friend, Yuzuki.” Her retort was full of sarcasm and mockery, and I rolled my eyes.

“I guess it can’t be helped. Shall I be going then?” I asked hopefully, and CiCi’s amusement faded and she glared at me.

“Dream on. There’s more.” She snapped, and I made myself comfortable and grinned at her, knowing I was going to get in trouble if I kept it up.

“Well. Go on then! I’m a busy girl, you know.” I said playfully to her and CiCi smiled at me in return. However, the nature of her smile held no amusement or mirth whatsoever. It was the type of smile that your mother gives you when she’s about to tell you to do something incredibly awful. Like chores. Or poison lessons.

“You have been promoted to Chieftain.” She declared, and again my mouth dropped open. Of all the awful things she could have said, that was not one I ever saw coming.

“WHY?” I asked incredulously. What kind of decision was that? I was an assassin. And the entire reason why there was a monstrous, massacring Tisin on the loose. And I kept doing crazy things and ending up in the infirmary. “Ugh! No!” I shook my head, the defiance in me rising.

“You don't have a choice. And because I said so.” She responded, and I felt for a moment like I was talking to my mother again.

“WHY did you say so?” I demanded, irritation swelling through me. She sat back and sighed, resting her cheek on her fist. Strands of fire-red hair fell in her eyes as she explained her reasoning.

“Every person who has ever transcended to Limbo straight from their previous life has been appointed to Chief at one point or another. The reason is that they are stronger, and they all have unique abilities that give them an extra push above all the rest of the spirits here. Claus has incredible physical strength, Leon can manipulate Earth and summon environments from nothing, I have the ability to spread my protection to my allies around me without touching them or being linked, and I am awesome, and you? You appear to be able to control and manipulate the spiritual energy around you. And that, by far, is the most powerful ability I have ever seen. Not only have you been promoted to Chief, but you are now my second in command. And you will spend a lot of time with me, learning to run this city and adapting to life as a leader and warrior. Do you understand?” 

She made it plain and simple. I clearly did not have any choice in the matter, so arguing was useless. It was a lot to take in, and I was feeling a little numb. I stiffly nodded.

“CiCi. Why is it called Chiefs and Braves? Opposed to say, Captains and Lieutenants, or something that makes more sense?” I asked, and CiCi looked at me very seriously.

“Chiefs because, well, they are chiefly responsible for keeping my Warriors and the citizens of Limbo alive, well-maintained and trained.” Her voice was so serious I couldn’t help but blink in surprise. Seriously? Was that answer as honest as she was making it out to be? “And Braves because they’re very brave to follow us crazy ass Chiefs around every day.” She smiled and answered cheerfully. I held in a groan, reaching up and pinching the bridge of my nose between my forefinger and thumb, shaking my head.

“I don’t dare ask why the rest of them are called Warriors instead of soldiers.” My voice sounded shaken as if the sheer awful reality of the fact that the ranks of power within the military in Limbo were based on bad puns.

“Because it would be so lame to have something like that after Chiefs and Braves,” CiCi answered, her voice disgustingly pleased with herself, and I could hold the groan in no longer. She laughed, delighted in the sound of hollow horror coming from me.

“CiCi, you are so lame!” I looked up at her, my expression a mixture of amusement and horror. She held up a finger and shook it at me, clicking her tongue in disagreement.

“No one else knows that! They think it’s because I was obsessed with Leon at the time. I’ve allowed them to think that as it gives me an excuse to have my names for silly reasons and keep the truth of it a secret. It’s my own personal joke against them all! And now you’re a part of it. You are guilty by association. If I go down, so do you now!” She said in glee, and I groaned again, shaking my head.

“I don’t agree with being a Chief, and I don’t agree to be a part of your terrible jokes!” I said stubbornly and again she clucked her tongue at me.

“You have to learn to lighten up, girlfriend.” She scolded me and I rolled my eyes.

Memoirs of In-Between Chapter 15

Acknowledgement 

Chapter 15

I was amazed at how weak Estrakulius and I were; my face, arms, and even my feet were numb from the lack of feeling in them. The silence, however, was deafening. I did not have the energy to break it, my head resting in the crook of Leon’s neck and shoulder.   Finally, it was Ivan who broke the spell of the silent walk.



Memoirs of In-Between Chapter 15

Acknowledgement

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Hope Martin

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Memoirs of In-Between Chapter 15

Acknowledgement

This is an Exclusive Story for supporters of .css-13w9qce-Text{display:inline-block;color:var(--text-accent);}Hope Martin

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Ugly Truth: Most U.S. Citizens Can't Afford Thanksgiving This Year

This is an Exclusive Story for supporters of Hope Martin