Requiem for an Aberrant Chapter 27: Chapter 27- Sanctuary Within the Tower

Read chapter 27 of Requiem for an Aberrant by TheJestersGambit on NovelPedia.

Cole stomped against the stone stairs, his footsteps kicking dust and flecks of his own blood. “Your wound’s opened again. From the running,” Aegis pointed out from behind. “You need new bandages.” “It’s just a scratch." An inhuman screech cried out, getting closer than they would have liked. In one fluid motion, Cole constructed a spear of glowing Essentia and hurled it backward with a flick of his hand. “Before you complain,” Cole said between breaths, managing a strained chuckle. “That was a throwback to when I asked about your own wounds in the garden. The bandages would be appreciated." Aegis noticed how Cole was nearly limping, how he winced on the turns but continued onward. He didn’t ask why. Everyone had their own reasons for running toward death, and Cole had never shared his. So Aegis wouldn’t force it. He’d just follow the person he’d come to respect. At the top of the stairs, a corridor led to another bridge of glass, leading them to the previous tower from before—marking their final ascent towards Exrase. Fingers shot from the shadows and pulled Cole into a side room. Cole’s dagger was halfway out of its sheath. “Don’t!” Aegis hissed, diving in after him and shutting the door. Outside, the pounding footsteps of doppelgangers passed them, then disappeared. There was a pause, accompanied by the heavy breathing of Cole and Aegis. “Well done, Aegis!” Ariana praised from the corner. "We were starting to think we'd have to go back down to get you." Filoa lowered her hand from Cole's mouth. “Are you okay?” Sweat ran down Cole’s back and tangled itself into the blood. “Don’t sneak up on me like that. I nearly stabbed you.” “You’d be dead before your dagger left the sheath,” Filoa replied. “Want me to teach you how to actually use it?” Cole gave her a side-eye. “There’s no time. Sorry, but could you—” Filoa stepped in, helping him lift his blood-stained shirt. The bandages had partly peeled away, exposing raw, pink flesh. “That’s bad,” Aegis muttered. Cole gave a tired laugh. “I noticed.” Ariana leaned back against the far wall, giving Cole one last pitiful look. “I’m getting some rest before we have to fight Exrase.” Aegis settled down beside her. “I’ll do the same.” Filoa carefully began wrapping fresh bandages around Cole’s waist. The fabric rubbed against his skin, and he fought not to flinch. Her hands were gentle, but the sting was everpresent, like rubbing salt over a split wound. “I was worried,” she whispered, drawing his gaze. “If it weren’t for you… I wouldn’t have even dreamed of leaving the Lost Gorge. So it didn’t feel right. Trying to leave without you, I guess.” Cole gave her a pat on the shoulder. “It’s fine. After Exrase, you’ll all have to continue on without me anyways.” Filoa let out a strained laugh. “I know.” She tightened another loop of bandage. “I need a favour…” Cole mumbled. Her brow arched slightly. “What is it?” “I’ve been thinking...” He looked away, eyes fixed on the floor. “Can you use your Bloom… on my mind?” “What—?” “My thoughts are too loud." He averted his eyes. “Maybe this’ll help quiet them down.” Filoa froze. “Are you insane?” “Please, Filoa.” His voice shook, and though he tried to hide it, his fingers trembled at his sides. “I think this is the only thing I can do.” Filoa sort of had a grasp on Cole’s character by now. She could tell he wouldn’t explain, not even if she begged him to. So, in the end she surrendered, glancing over to where Ariana and Aegis rested. “Remain silent,” she breathed. Cole watched as Filoa rolled her coat sleeves back. For the first time, he saw the golden roots etched along her arms, tiny veins crawling beneath her skin. “Listen,” she whispered, raising her hands. “I don’t know what you’ll see. I don’t know what this’ll do to you, or what will come of it.” She placed her hands on both sides of his face, grabbing his forehead gently toward hers. “But you’re fine. Everything will be fine .” As he realised where that familiar mantra of his had truly come f