Triiffic-Soul: Can I Be In Control?

Chapter 128 – Wounds & Wear

Ash stayed by Anlesa’s side throughout most of the night, only leaving twice to check up on her store and people sleeping inside it.  

Once the morning came around, Anlesa got up and was ready to see the town for herself.

“Are you sure you want to be up moving?”

“Definitely, I want to see what has happened to the city.”

Eva had already given the go-ahead for a short-term transformation, three hours, which was plenty for their trip around Arisea Station.

Once Eva completed the transformation to the Syrus’ disguise.

“Impressive and weird.” Said Ash.

“Just throw me the knife.”

“I’ll pass you the knife.” Replied Ash.

Syrus tidied up her hair, which was a mess from their quick cut earlier. 

“Your hair stays dyed even after you cut it?”

“What did you expect to switch colour?”

“Honestly, I'm not sure what I was expecting. Maybe something special? It could turn grey or something after being detached.” 

Ash picked up a piece of the hair and fiddled with it and confirmed it was indeed red.

“Well, I’m glad your mind is still in working order,” Syrus said as she stood up off the chair. “Do you want some dry bread from my cupboard, or something else?”

“I went outside a moment earlier; they were passing out fruit and water.”

“That does sound better.” Syrus still took the small amount of bread from the cupboard; she needed to eat it soon anyway.

With the morning light shining down, the duo left Anlesa’s house. Outside of a knife, Syrus didn’t bring any weapons or her bag. Her body was sore, and carrying any extra weight wasn’t wanted. 

They stopped by Ash’s store on the way out of the street.

Syrus said, “Looks like the family is gone.”

Ash added. “Probably returned to rummage through their house.”

Ash cleared up her shop and locked some important drawers. 

Once that was done, they left for the main street.

“Busy,” said Ash.

“That’s a way to describe it.”

From the main street, Anlesa could see the damage and destruction that the city had faced. The western side had faced the most damage; the south received a little bit of damage from the rock construct mostly on the main street; the east side also received a little bit of damage, but the north was mostly well off. 

People were moving around quickly, doing one of many things. Some were packing up their things and preparing to leave; others were standing guard while supporting the construction effort; some people were fully focused on rebuilding; some were supplying food to others for free; and some people were trying to get a good deal during the disaster. 

A few of the shops they frequented were severely damaged, including Gery’s Well Grill, the place where they treated Ethan and Cobalt before. But despite the damages, people could still smell the smoke of grilling meat on the barbeque.

[Good to see Garry is still kicking…] Eva smiled once she smelt the meat.

[People are hardy.] (Syrus)

The death toll wasn’t insignificant, but it wasn’t to the point that bodies were being hurled around everywhere. The biggest loss of lives was on the south and east sides with the surprise attacks; the western side, with the most damage, was able to avoid the potential large loss of civilian life. The major amount of death came in the form of hunters who stood to defend. The mourning had already begun for everyone who died, but it was no secret that a large service would be prepared once the city had sorted out the destruction.

[I’ve found Lavender.] (Syrus) 

[Oh.] (Luna) 

Syrus turned to face Lavender, who clearly hadn’t spotted her yet. 

[Really-oh no...] (Eva) 

Lavender's eyes widened. “Ah, look who is still alive.”  

Lavender wobbled, looking worse for wear. Her armour had been replaced with a loose-fitting shirt, and she had kept her long pants on, which were of higher quality than her current shirt and were what she wore while working, but because of that, they had plenty of scratches and torn spots within them. In her hand was a simple wooden cane she was putting her weight on. 

“Says the person looking half dead.”

“With the amount of bandages on you, I can’t let you say you got off scot-free either.” 

Ash, who was by Anlesa’s side, asked. “Friend of yours?”

“Coworker,” Syrus answered.

“Rude, we work together through the bowels of life and death.” Lavender waved the hand not holding the cane in a dramatic display. 

Ash sighed, “Coworker indeed.”

Lavender continued, “Speaking of a friend, I didn’t know you had any Syrus.”

“Everyone in this line of work should at least know a doctor.”

“Cough, true.” Lavender coughed and adjusted her standing position.

Syrus asked. “On a serious note, are you okay?”

Ash added, “I got some supplies in my bag if you want me to have a look.”

Lavender continued to cough before waving away the suggestion. “Nah, I’m good. I’m patched up now, just not in working condition for a while.” 

The trio moved off the main part of the road and talked for a while longer. Their conversation stayed away from the conflict and instead was small talk about food and the weather.

Syrus asked, “By the way, where’s Maca?” 

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him.” Said Lavender. She tapped her lip, “Do you think one of the creatures got him?” 

“I haven’t seen any with broken teeth nor a destroyed throat.” With the hard bones covering Maca’s body, Anlesa doubted any of the mutated creatures would’ve had an easy time swallowing him.  

“Heh, true.” Lavender laughed. After getting the laugh out of her system, she asked, “You plan on staying around?”

“I’ve got some family I want to visit. I’d rather not have them hear the news of the city being attacked than wait a number of weeks for a letter that I am okay.”

“I get it.” Lavender raised her hand. “I thought about doing something similar, but it's a bit too far away, and I’m too exhausted to go on the journey. So, I already got my letter written.”

“Good on you. It's about ten days for the post to come around, right?”

“If there are no delays, which, fingers crossed not.” Lavender began chewing on some hard jerky. “If you are planning to leave, when are you going?”

Anlesa answered, “Two days time.”