Leo wakes up, feeling pain across his whole body. This is the repercussions of abusing his essentia ability, even though that he received a major help from a top-grade healer like India. It's visible the dark marks on his arms and chest while he puts on his shirt. He tries to conjure essentia on his hand, succeeding in it. He smiles as he walks out to the Serpens streets.
Two weeks have passed since the hectic events on Serpens City. The Nation troops had caught one of the rebels officials, Lima, and some more rebellion members to execute that day. The purpose was to make Serpens City citizens to fear and respect the power and status of Nation, with a demonstration of their power, making the town folks to not raise their hand against their authority. However, some outsiders make a move against the Nation and saved the lifes of the people in the gallows ropes. The Nation forces fought them and almost annihilate them, even with the popular backup. At the last moment, the rebels officials Delta, India and Tango appeared and changed the flow of the fight, dominating the entire battlefield by themselves. They established Serpens City as Nation free, declaring a rebels city with the support of its citizens. Even after two weeks, the Nation didn't make any move to reclaim the city. The rebellion focused on rebuilding the ruined buildings and areas affected by the previous events.
The rebellion officials left Serpens City after a week, due to a higher up meeting summon of all officials. They entrusted the Serpens City to a small council constituted by citizens, decided by the citizens. This committee included the old town man who sell out Lima, who was truly ashamed of his actions and want to atone them. Joining them was brat Jay, who would be the link between the city and the rebels. This led to an even stronger bond between them, consolidating their relationship.
Before leaving, India spend three more days exhausting his essentia to help Leo's recovery. After seeing that the situation was under control with the arrive of Delta and his brother was safe, Leo fell unconscious in that same day. His overdo on that day with his ability was patched up by a top-grade healer like India, yet his body couldn't hold all the damage and was only his mind to make him be on his feet. Leo entered on a small comma, just like India foretold before leaving. Jax stood by his side day and night, waiting for Leo to come back, just like Kai. Lima would like to be there with Jax and Kai too for when Leo woke up, however she had to answer her summon call. She left Serpens City with sorrow, not before leaving an emotional kiss on Leo's forehead in sign of a promise.
Jax got back to Leo's room only to find it empty. He quickly goes out, searching for his brother. Jax always thinks the worst possible scenario, they could have taken him. Leo is the only one who Jax can count on, and Jax would do anything for him. Anything.
-Hey Jax, where are you going in such a rush?
-Huh? Leo?
Jax turns his head and sees a pleased Leo eating a turkey leg on a house's roof. Leo is in the company of Jay, Kyle, and Stacey, who are playing with each other. Jax stops on his tracks, relieved to see his brother on his feet once again.
-Are you okay Leo?
-Well, I think that this leg is not really on point but is delicious. Want some?
-I see you are fine if you are stuffing up like that. What about your body?
Leo looks at Jax and channels his essentia, forming a blue light across his body.
-Hey stop that Leo, it's cold!
-Yeah, I can feel my bones shivering! I can't even eat properly.
-More to me, I guess. Jax what about you how are you?
-If you are fine, I'm fine.
-Yeah, but you did overuse your essentia.
-Really? You are saying that to me?!
-You know you are a special case Jax. Don't you ever forget that.
-You always treat me like a kid! I know what I'm doing.
-Yeah, I know but you are far too important to me to fall here. Forget this, what about Kai?
-He is ready to go, he was just waiting for you. He said he invested to much on you for leaving us behind.
-That sure looks like Kai. Can't be out without making a profit huh? Well, I think it's time for us to go.
-No, we have to celebrate your rising from the comma. We have to party!
-I think you want to party for any reason, but we wasted too much time here. Jax Are you ready?
-Yes. Uh Leo, about the rebels…
-The kids already told me what happen while I was out. The guy who saved me and Lima have already left the city.
-Yea, they left already… I know that Lima stole your heart, and you would love to have some more time with her…
-It's not like that!
-It sure it seemed when you blushed right before the comma.
-I was already weak, I was under too much pressure, and she caught me by surprise there. And…
-Mmmhmmm… we totally believe you. We heard that you were thinking of joining the cause for Lima…
-Who told you that? That's a lie!
-Ahahaha, being young is so nice.
Behind them Kai appeared.
-I hate to be like this, but if you are good to go, we can finally get back to our trip.
-But the people on this city have yet to see one of its heroes. Leo deserves to be praised for all he has done.
Leo rubs Jay's head, smiling for being acknowledge by him.
-It's okay Jay, I don't need to be praised when I know I did the right thing. I'm happy enough that you guys can have better lifes now. And now we have to go, we have things to do and see. Adventure is calling for us.
-We would like to go with you, but the city needs us. We are the link between this city and the cause.
-We know that. You have a duty with this city people. Take care of everyone, I'm sure you can do it. And always believe in doing what is right, no matter the cost. Goodbye.
Leo turns his back to Jay and his friends, and with Jax and Kai company he disappears in the darkness of the night. In the way out of the city Jax couldn't help but see the smile cheek to cheek of Leo.
-What are you smiling about?
-It's nothing really but seeing this city people helping and enjoy the company of each other looks like just a step further to a world that we dreamt about. Don't you think?
Jax smiled back at Leo, as they vanished from Serpens city sky sights.
*****
Without being noticed, Leo and the others left Serpens City. They resume their trip well rested and ready for the challenges ahead of them. This time they travel by foot; even though that it is not as comfortable as traveling with an axel rhino, it's stealthier. Due to the recent events on Serpens City, the Nation dispatch several squads to avoid another riot. And the Nation most wanted was updated, giving Leo more notoriety. For this reason and to avoid a new overuse of his ability, Leo stopped using his essentia and concealed his face with his hoodie all the time.
After two weeks of traveling and avoiding several encounters with different potential Nation troops, Leo sighted an old farm far from the Nation Road. Their rations were almost inexistent, so it was a good thing to have find the farm. However, as they got close to it, it was looking more and more like an abandoned farm, with no resources available.
-It looks like we found some deserted farm, I don't think we can take anything from here.
-I was really hoping to find something here.
-Well, we are already here, so we can just take a look around. We have there some ruins that can be used as a shelter. It seems that tonight maybe raining.
Jax, Leo and Kai walk towards the unexplored ruins of the main house, not sensing the fixated pair of eyes on them, lurking from the debris surrounding them.