The City of Ionia

While walking back to her cabin, she couldn’t help but think about her time with Lexy: conversations, sparring sessions, bonfire events. Everything rushed through her mind like water crashing on a rocky beach. But out of everything, there was one moment, one request that stood out the most.

***Flashback***

The night sky was a blanket of inky black, dotted with glimmering stars that seemed to pulse with life. The wind was strong, and the tiny clouds drifted with the birds. The silver light shone into the hill and lit up the girl in pajamas who sat on a flat rock.

“The moon sure is beautiful. Isn’t it, Ruby.”

Ruby didn’t think anything of it.

“If you say so.”

“Too bad these moments are only temporary.”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “Wh-What? What makes you say that?”

Ruby knew precisely why she said that. Lexy always joked about death. Anything death-related was one big joke to her.

“Our job isn’t secure. It can’t compare to a merchant who goes to work and comes home later.”

“True, risks are involved. But our job is pretty cool.”

“Cool?” Lexy said, almost surprised. “How so?”

“Saving people from danger. Helping others who need help. Inviting others as a family. The things you do as a leader and we do as a cult are pretty amazing.”

Lexy couldn’t help but smile. “You’ll make a great leader.”

“No way,” Ruby said as if it was an insult. “You're far more capable than I am.”

“As of now, that’s true,” she said while gazing at the moon. “My current abilities are pretty amazing, and I refuse to slow down anytime soon.” Her eyes left the moon, focusing on Ruby. “You’re different, though. Your battle IQ is far better than mine, which is saying something. There’s only room for improvement. Give yourself some time to develop.”

“Really? Do you think so? I can be as great as you?”

The smile on Lexy’s face was empty, lacking any genuine emotion or warmth. Her eyes were cold and distant, not reflecting the supposed happiness her smile meant to convey.

“You credit me far more than I deserve.”

“Huh?”

Lexy looked at Ruby, unsure of how to respond. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, gathering her thoughts. There was a long pause. The only sound in the hills was the soft hum of distant birds.

“Ruby, can I ask a selfish request?”

“I’m listening.”

She got off her rock, embracing Ruby tighter than ever. Her warm breath tapped her eyes as she whispered something that would stay with Ruby forever.

“If something happens to me, please lead the cult.”

***End of Flashback***

“I’m trying my best, Lexy,” sighed the tired Ruby.

Once she entered her cabin, she plopped on her empty bed, laying on her back.

“I’m pretty pathetic,” she scoffed.

Her mind was empty. She didn’t want to think of anything. She lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. Alone.

But the loneliness inevitably brings unwanted thoughts.

What if she connected with her surrounding allies? Even Quinn, who Ruby took as her own child, never really felt like a son. Though she provided him with a roof over his head, she never did anything a genuine, caring mother would do.

When was the last time she played with him? The last time they ate together? Or even the last time they went somewhere together? Those times were so distant it was like they never happened.

“I really am pathetic.”

“Damn right, you are.”

Ruby immediately flung herself upright, her face in total shock. The silvered-hair, bracelet-loving maniac stood over her bed.

“Ha-Harley? What brings you here?”

“To care for my depressed leader.”

Ruby didn’t know what to say. She sat upright, astonished by this random visit.

“Thanks for ditching us. The three of us had to take the Rowdy Express while squashed together.”

“Sorry,” Ruby muttered while facing the ground.

“That’s a lie,” Harley stated, “Jill walked.”

“You made her walk?”

“Of course not! You think I would willingly ride with Jeremy? I could only imagine what his dirty mind was thinking.”

“Save the details. You shouldn’t be barging into my cabin without permission.”

Harley pouted. “Am I not allowed to check on my friend?”

Friend?

That word made Ruby happy yet empty at the same time.

“It’s ok,” Harley said softly, “You’re the leader and whatnot, so we understand why you’re so hard on yourself. But you’re human, too. It’s ok to show some emotion and not be embarrassed.”

“Huh?”

What did she mean? Was it ok to show weakness as a leader? But that’s how she got killed. She let her emotions get the best of her. That’s how it happened.

That’s how she got a sword through her stomach.

“Forget it. Words aren't going to do any good. Alright, bring him out!”

Two people crept out of the dark, revealing their faces. One held a small box, while the other was empty-handed.

“What have the three of you planned?” Ruby asked with frightened curiosity.

“I’m glad you asked. Jeremy, release the beast!”

“Yes, my queen.” He was going to open the box but was abruptly stopped by Harley.

Harley, who was visually terrified, yelled as if she was scolding her little brother.

“Why the hell did you refer to me as ‘queen'?! These aren't some weird fantasies that’s kicking in, right?”

“Now that you mention it, I did have some weird dream—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Harley shouted, knocking Jeremy to the ground with a punch. “Sorry for the brief delay. My assistant couldn’t do one job. Take two, shall we? Ready? Three, two, one! Jill, release the beast!”

“...”

“Jill? I said to release the beast, meaning open the box.”

“I feel guilty. I mean, Jeremy said he really wanted to do it. That’s all he babbled the ride home.”

Harley slapped her face, giving up. “Ugh, fine. Jeremy, do the honors,” she said with zero enthusiasm.

Jeremy, on the ground with a smile, sat on his knees with the box in his lap. “I owe you a solid, Jill.”

“Just open it already so I can sleep,” responded Jill.

“R-Right. Ready? Go!” Jeremy opened the box and plopped it on its side.

Ruby couldn’t believe it. Were her eyes deceiving her? Were they lying? Maybe she was exhausted to the point of hallucination? No. That couldn’t be true. There was no way her eyes were lying. Not in a moment like this.

Not at a time like this.

Out came a ball of fluff and quietness. She could see her reflection through those emerald eyes. Those eyes were so wide. So curious. The black cat took its first few steps, wobbling, looking around the dark room.

As the cat hobbled closer and closer, a smile spread across her face. A singular tear of joy sprang to her eyes as she stoked its soft fur. She didn’t know what to say. Her brain wasn’t working. It was too much to take in.

Ruby carefully picked up the cat and placed it on the bed. It didn’t put up a fight, but Ruby could tell it didn’t like being picked up. She stared at her new friend for a few seconds longer.

Ruby stood, facing the other three. She tried her best, but the words wouldn’t come out. They were trapped in the back of her throat, banging on an invisible door. If words were out of the picture, then Ruby had no other choice.

She hugged them.

All three of them.

It was a weak hug, one where the arms refused to work. Expressing her thoughts in words was impossible, so this was the best she could offer. But this was better than words. She was grateful she couldn’t speak.

Harley patted Ruby on the back. “We care. We care about you a lot. You don’t need to hide your emotions. It’s ok to cry sometimes. We all do it. Me, Jill, Jeremy… especially.”

“Hey.”

Harley continued, ignoring Jeremy’s interjection.

“You’re a great leader. The way you shine on the battlefield. The way you plan everything before an attack. The way you lead your people: campfires, picnics, group events. What you gave us, all of us, is beyond what we deserve. But Ruby, one thing separates you from being a great leader and an amazing one. You shelter yourself. You lock yourself away, unwilling to open. Ruby, all we ask is for you to care for us the same way we care for you. Love us the same way we love you because it’s true, Ruby. We love you. We all do.”

Ruby held onto the hug even tighter. Harley’s words pierced a hole in her heart. A hole she didn’t know she needed.

She thought everyone would die before her. What was the point in forming connections? That was her wicked mindset. They would die, and she would be left alone. Those entwined feelings would eventually come to unfasten towards a dead morning. She would lose them. Lose them all. She would get by on her way. Smile as if nothing even happened.

How long can someone live like this? How long till they break? Deep down, locked away, the faces of her fallen comrades lay. The people who helped, fed, taught, sparred, led; she remembers them all. How could she possibly forget?

One by one, those buried memories resurfaced.

The memories of the fallen and the forgotten.

She took those days for granted. She took those moments for granted.

I refuse to live in regret, she thought. While they’re still here, while I’m still here, I’ll make the most of it.