Centrik's home was at the top of a mountain, with a flattened expanse before it that was open enough to stand safely. As Jerric and I stood on this ledge, the world seemed to open before us. Vast expanses of rocky land appeared, stretching out infinitely towards where it met the darkening sky, embracing it with the arms of the mountains. Across the trail of cliffs that walked away from where we stood, light from the fading sun splashed across the stony crags, shattering them into shapes and shadows. Sharply intaking air as I was met with this sight of utter beauty, I took a long look at it in silence. Jerric was probably telling me something or other, but I ignored him. My expression softened as I took in the hugeness of nature, letting myself relax. For once, I was able to convince myself that the Emperor couldn't reach me here, on the edge of a cliff with the wind blowing through my hair and rippling my clothing. I recklessly stepped near the side, taking chances and expecting to keep my balance. Most swordsmen had good footing, and I was no different. Jerric appeared at my side, although not so close that it was uncomfortable. He still looked highly bothered. Did he think I was going to jump off? That would be a nice way out...it wouldn't be right, however. As much as I wished I could end it all and escape this hole of misery that was my life, I had crimes to pay for. If I ever got away from the Emperor, I could start trying to make it up to all the people whose lives I had made worse. That was a dim hope, and I didn't want to get attached to something that wouldn't happen, so I forced it out of my mind. Eventually turning my back to the magnificent view, I decided I may as well climb further up the mountain, even though night had come down upon us like a dark sheet. Leaving Jerric where he was, I clambered up the stones, using my arms to aid my legs when necessary. My limbs still felt weakened from my experience with Centrik's pain test, and it was a slow process to reach the summit. It was farther than I had thought, and the oxygen levels thinned out until it was difficult to breathe, but it was worth it. With the added height, I could see the same sights as before, but I also felt far nearer to the clouds and stars overhead. As if to touch them, one of my hands reached upwards temporarily. They looked so close, shining and floating in all their otherworldly brilliance. The moment was slightly ruined when the quiet was broken by some light, quiet footsteps. Turning out of instinct, of course it was Jerric that I saw. He'd followed a bit behind me, coming to join me on top of the immense heights. Equally stunned by the view, he didn't say much at first. It was nice to just quietly stand there in the presence of the world, feeling less of everything weighing down on me. Centrik could be ignored for now, Yviss was across the world, and Hunters didn't climb this high into the mountains.
"You're kinda cute when you're alone, you know." That generally would be considered weird, but Jerric was the kind of person to say things like that to everyone he met. I just ignored him, not even sparing a glance in his direction. He kept talking.
"Anyway, I have a question. Just something that's been on my mind."
"Go on." I raised an eyebrow, still not looking at him.
"Do you still think friends aren't necessary?" Jerric asked innocently. It made sense, when I thought about it. Our relationship had progressed quite a bit in our journey after Dranum, and I supposed that he could now be considered a friend. Attachment was dangerous, though. Very dangerous. The Emperor would use that like he used everything else.
"Maybe not," I said slowly, "Why do you ask?"
Jerric inhaled deeply before responding to that, as if working up the strength to do some hard task.
"What if we were...more than that?" His head turned to face me with nervous brown eyes. I took several seconds to process his question. Was he asking me to be his boyfriend or something of the sort? I supposed gender wasn't much of an issue, as technically the Crystalborn had no reproductive organs and were able to choose whichever gender they wished to identify as. It also made sense that he would want such a thing. I'd seen him watching me in certain ways throughout our journey, along with the constant attempts to talk to me. He also mentioned enjoying the brief dance in the palace, even if it was just to kill someone. Lost in thought and consideration, I left Jerric with no answer for several minutes before he cleared his throat to bring me back to the present. This wasn't something I should have just shoved off like all the other times Jerric talked to me, but I did it anyway.
"I'll consider it. You shall have an answer by tomorrow."
Jerric seemed happy with that. He smiled cheerfully and ran a hand through his hair smoothly, likely expecting he'd be simply rejected. Although now that I'd said I'd consider it, I had to hold myself to such a statement and keep it at the front of my mind. But not right now. I kept my eyes on the skies, away from the earth that I had power over. How would it feel to be up there? Nothing was stopping me. Calling on my Gift that Centrik had informed me came straight from a god, I reached into the stone beneath me and forced it to detach from the mountaintop. Swaying and bending my knees slightly to hold my balance, the ground rose while darker thoughts did the same. The fresh feeling of Centrik's torture device was helpful in this way, at least, and my body still felt reminiscent of pain. Jerric had mentioned once that he didn't know why feelings were connected to the Gifts of the Crystalborn in such a way, but supposedly it was rarer for them to use the more depressing times as strength. Lucky me. Though bothersome, it was useful, and I hovered in the air on a large segment of rock, slowly rising higher and higher until my head was literally in the clouds. I left Jerric where he was, not having a purpose in bringing him. The sky was now mine and mine alone. My flight continued until I was standing on a small chunk of rock above the clouds, surrounded by glittering lights in a room of darkness. It was almost reminiscent of the sea; an endless range of color broken occasionally by waves of stars tossed erratically across it. My breathing slowed, becoming almost absent. I'd have stayed there for eternity if I could, but as time dragged on and my strength diminished, I sank back to the spot I'd departed from. Not surprisingly, Jerric remained, although he'd randomly set himself on fire at some point or another, warm light flowing from him and splashing on the ground. As I lowered myself to his level, he looked at me, seeming slightly embarrassed.
"Can't control it sometimes," he said, likely referring to the flames climbing on his arms, "Just don't touch me for now."
I had no problem with not touching him. Physical contact was one of the things I primarily avoided. Doubt at his reasoning for burning was vaguely present, but I didn't care. At this point, if anyone chose to investigate this mountain, I doubt they could do anything to us between Centrik, Jerric, and I. Centrik seemed to have some sort of immunity to Gifts, as if he was made of Crystalglass. That couldn't be right, but it was all that my mind came up with. Staying up late into the night wouldn't be intelligent if the next day was going to be as bad as that one had been, so I slid down the side of the mountain gradually until I was back at the front of Centrik's home. Jerric came a bit later, successfully extinguished. We re-entered the home of the floating man together.
Centrik was waiting for us, arms crossed as he hovered a few feet off the ground and stared at us. I wondered if he even needed sleep. Probably not. His very appearance still disturbed me, and I doubt his habits were any better.
"You two can sleep anywhere. Just don't break anything," he said in his strange voice while floating into one of the branching off sections of the cave, "I'll be in the back. Unless you like dying, don't follow me."
That was enough information for me, as Centrik's business was none of mine. Yet. I noticed he'd moved the swords out of sight, so we couldn't just grab them and go. It looked like me and Jerric would be sleeping on the floor tonight. Having nothing against that, I took a seat up against the wall, leaning against it while I watched the room with thoughts pummeling my brain in a constant repetitive hammering. Mostly about Jerric, who was now lying comfortably on the other side of the room with his hands behind his head. Not much time went by before he dropped into sleep, while I stayed up through the early hours to keep watch. Centrik didn't return until the sun had risen, and nobody attacked us through the night.