Chapter 43
The streets were quiet. With the exception of fairly constant wind, no sound disturbed the night air. Thaddaeus walked glumly with his hands in his pockets. His gaze alternated between the sky above him and the path under his feet. He had just seen Lux walk into the middle of the legendary storm the others had been referring to. It was quite a sight to see, and it was a significant event as well. However, it wasn't the Inauguration of the Tempestas that occupied his mind. Rather, his mind had been dwelling on a single issue for a while now.
"Why do I do the things that I do? Do I care about others?" The questions resounded in the young lad's mind. They repeated themselves over and over. Fira had certainly given him plenty to think about.
Before he met the Primis, Thaddaeus considered his lifestyle to be perfectly reasonable, admirable even. He was just doing what everyone did. He was pursuing his passions. In his case, it was obviously a chance to gain significance, but he never thought of these desires in a negative way. If anything, they seemed positive. They enabled him to be happy with himself for once. But now, he could clearly see how these ideals led to his loneliness. He thought pursuing his passions would solve his problems, but instead, it caused more serious ones. Any happiness he could claim only came after he met his friends. He had met a group of people who made him part of a family.
What if he failed them? What if he betrayed them? If he did something to hurt them because of his selfishness, he could never forgive himself. If he was indeed still being haunted by all of his old demons, then, this was the time to defeat them.
"What if I didn't sacrifice myself for Ignis? What would've happened?" He wondered aloud. "I need to figure out why I did that. I've never done anything like that. I've never even considered it." Stopping for a moment to think, Thaddaeus stared into the mysterious Vellstone sky. Then, suddenly his eyes grew wide in shock, "It's so simple, I can't believe it took me this long. This is no mystery!"
He whirled around and ran at a full sprint. He retraced the steps he had taken. Running back into the small city, he approached the storm. He passed Telu who waited patiently just outside the heavy clouds and violent winds of the Great Storm. Without a word, Thaddaeus shot past her and disappeared into the darkness of the tempest.
***
Earlier that day marked the morning of the Inauguration of the Tempestas. The storm had reached the climax of its strength and encircled the House of the First. The massive building was no longer visible as it was covered by the dark clouds. The entire population of Vellstone braved the strong winds in order to gather on the path leading into the storm. They stood together to see Lux begin the ceremony.
It was a simple ceremony. The Tempestas was meant to gather the ones closest to him, and they would see him off. The expression on Lux' face was clearly one of apprehension. He was nervous. Nevertheless, he bowed to his friends and moved closer to the storm with Telu beside him. He held her close and hugged her as he said his last word of farewell.
Watching the situation, Thaddaeus became curious. He leaned toward Ignis in a whisper, "Why is Lux so serious? Isn't this normal?"
Ignis nodded, "It is normal for our people, but the actual process is very rare. It is the unknown. Our Tempestas knows not what he will encounter. It is a two-day journey into mystery. It could well be dangerous."
"What?! I had no idea. Can we go with him?"
The large warrior furrowed his brow, "Of course not! This responsibility is his and his alone. The Great Storm may very well destroy any other who enters."
With a look of surprise, Thaddaeus nodded and shifted back into his place. As he cast his eyes back to Lux, he saw him separate from his Life Socis. Their leader walked slowly toward the swirling darkness until he disappeared completely.
After some time, the people began filtering away slowly until only his closest friends remained. They each wished him well in their own thoughts. They stayed until, finally, it was nearing dark.
"Well," Solis broke the silence, "When our Tempestas returns, he will be at a level we cannot match. Luna and myself will attempt to limit the gap in our power. We are going to train. Anyone else?"
Fira smirked, "He will never surpass me, but I am always willing to punch something. We will come."
Solis looked a little nervous, but quickly regained his composure, "Telu?"
The delicate soldier turned to look at them, "I will stay, but my thoughts go with you all."
As the four walked away, Ignis turned to see that Thaddaeus stayed as well. He started to call out his name, but his young friend looked deep in thought so he decided to let him be. He turned his attention back to his plans for training leaving Thaddaeus to his thinking.
After Telu knelt to the ground in anticipation of Lux' return, the young lad was stirred back to reality. He told her he was going to take a walk. Then, he was off to figure out life's great mysteries. Even he was unaware, at this point, what would happen later in the night.
***
Telu sat quietly in disbelief for a moment. She stared blankly at the swirling clouds covering the entrance to the storm. Then, she stood to her feet absentmindedly running her fingers through her hair.
"I have come to the unavoidable conclusion that it was most certainly young Thaddaeus. He went forth into the deadly storm. I am confounded. What thought would bring about such nonsense?"
"It was concern, I think," Ignis spoke from behind her. "I had a feeling he would attempt something of this nature. He was very worried about Lux earlier. I do know this: there is nothing we can do for either of them now. If, by some miracle, Thaddaeus is not dead yet. We would only hurt his chances if we entered in to retrieve him."