"Fuck, fuck!" Az muttered a string of curses under his breath as he made his way back to Lumi and the rest of the group. The javelin he had slung over his back reminded him of his failure to take over it. His pride felt considerably bruised, and a part of him wished he could simply discard the troublesome javelin.
As he trod along, a multitude of thoughts clamored for attention in his mind, yet the most unnerving one persisted—the memory of that ominous eye in the sky.
The mere recollection of its existence sent an eerie shiver down his spine, reminding him of an unshakable presence looming over Earth.
Az's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Lumi's voice. He turned to see Lumi and unconscious Hex in a room that resembled an alien medical center.
In the heart of the alien medical facility, Lumi had already bandaged Hex's shoulder wound by the time Az entered the room. He was surprised to see Hex's shoulder wound was bandaged well by Lumi, and seeing how Lumi worked so well with the unfamiliar language of the alien.
"Lumi," Az began, "sorry for disappearing earlier. I went back to grab this," he said, holding up the javelin.
Lumi's gaze fixed on the javelin. "You went alone?" she asked, concern etched in her voice.
Az nodded. "Yeah, I thought we might need it." He glanced around. "Where's Beatrice and Elodie?"
"They helped bring Hex here and then went to check on Arnold's location," Lumi explained, her brow furrowing in worry.
Hex's consciousness returned, his eyes scanning the room, settling on Lumi and Az engaged in conversation. His voice croaked as he inquired about their well-being.
"We're fine, Hex," Lumi replied with a small smile, adjusting the bandage on his shoulder.
Hex nodded weakly, grateful for their care.
As Hex turned to Lumi, he managed a hoarse, "Thanks for looking out for me," he turned to Az with gratitude in his eyes, murmuring his appreciation to both of them. He winced as he tried to shift his position, clearly in discomfort.
Lumi, with her empathetic nature, assured him they'd found temporary refuge but expressed concern about the potential dangers lurking in the alien base.
As Hex's heavy heart weighed on him, he attempted to broach the subject of Arnold's condition, but before he could voice his thoughts, Beatrice and Elodie burst into the room.
Their sudden entrance startled Hex, and he rushed to meet them, a mix of emotions flooding his expression.
"I'm so sorry," Hex blurted out, his voice tinged with guilt. "I couldn't save Arnold. It's my fault..."
Beatrice's eyes softened with empathy as she stepped closer. "Hex, no, it's not your fault. Arnold knew what he was doing. He made his choice."
Elodie joined in, her voice trembling slightly. "Arnold... he saved you. He did what he believed was right."
Hex's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I just wish I could have done more."
The room fell into a solemn silence, their sorrow palpable as they grappled with Arnold's sacrifice. Despite the heaviness in their hearts, their camaraderie and shared sense of loss bound them together in solidarity.
With a heavy heart, Az turned away from the emotional scene unfolding before him. But as he headed for the door, Beatrice's voice cut through the tense air.
"Where are you planning to go this time, Az?" Beatrice's words were tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Az halted then he turned to face Beatrice, a conflicted expression on his face, unsure of his own intentions. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of uncertainty. "I just... need some space, I guess."
Beatrice observed him for a moment, her eyes discerning. "You can't keep running away, you know."
It seems Az prefers keeping a low profile, steering clear of conflicts, and avoiding getting entangled in others' troubles was deeply ingrained in his nature.
He's more content in enjoying the present moment rather than dealing with the problems others bring. It's a way of life that allows him to avoid unnecessary entanglements and keeps the spotlight away from himself.
The concept of keeping away from complicated situations had been a coping mechanism for him, allowing him to maintain a carefree facade.
Az's mind wrestled with the conflicting desire to remain detached and the growing understanding that sometimes, facing challenges head-on was an inevitable part of life.
Despite his yearning for a carefree existence, the circumstances around him were pushing him toward a different reality.
Az slammed his fist on the table making the whole atmosphere in the room tight. He glared at Beatrice with a mix of anger and frustration.
"Why do you have to stick your nose in everything, Beatrice?" he shouted. "Can't you just mind your own business for once? You don't know anything about me or my life. You're just an annoyingly happy-go-lucky woman who can't leave me alone!"
Beatrice felt a surge of fear and sadness as Az's words hit her like a slap. She remembered how her father used to yell at her when she was a child, making her feel worthless and unloved.
She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over but quickly wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, Az. I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to help as your friend."
Before Az could say anything more, Lumi stepped in between them. She put her hand on Az's chest, trying to calm him down. She looked at Beatrice with sympathy and concern. "She's only trying to help, Az," Lumi said softly.
"You can't keep everything bottled up, Az. We're here for you whenever you need someone to talk to. You don't have to face everything alone. Besides, you've got me," she offered, her tone filled with warmth and support.
Az excused himself from the room, his steps carrying him to a quieter part of the alien base. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and he needed a moment to gather his thoughts. He wandered into a dimly lit room, its walls adorned with peculiar symbols that glowed softly in the alien light.
The air in this chamber felt heavy with an otherworldly ambiance, a contrast to the turmoil churning within Az. He walked to the center of the room, staring at the enigmatic symbols, trying to make sense of their meaning, though they appeared cryptic and indecipherable.
As he stood there, he felt a mix of frustration, confusion, and something else—a deep curiosity. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, attempting to calm the storm inside. He leaned against the wall, allowing the silence of the room to envelop him, hoping it might bring some solace amid the chaos. "Damn, how can I let something like this get to me?"
Az's breath steadied, each inhalation a conscious effort to regain control. The words echoed softly in the cavernous room, a gentle reminder to himself. "You're going to face something more challenging, right?" he murmured in an attempt to reassure himself.
He leaned against the cool alien structure, feeling the intricate etchings under his touch. His thoughts darted, imagining the intense battles he was going to face in the future, the fearsome adversaries, and the unexpected turns. "This is nothing," he muttered, trying to rekindle the spark of resilience within.
He shook his head, the determination in his eyes resurfacing. "Can't let this get to me," he muttered, rallying against the lurking doubts. With a resolute breath, he straightened up, "Aren't you the main character here," he murmured, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Az stops his soliloquy and is ready to face the group again, only to find Beatrice standing right behind him, startling him in the process.
Caught off guard, Az stammered an apology for not realizing her presence. "You, uh, heard that?" he inquired, his cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and curiosity.
Beatrice met his gaze, an awkward smile playing on her lips. "Oh, I just got here," she replied smoothly, deciding to let the moment slide to save Az from any further discomfort.
Az let out a nervous chuckle, relieved by her response. "Good, good. I was talking to the walls there for a moment," he quipped, trying to downplay the awkwardness.
A brief pause settled between them before Az extended his hand toward Beatrice, breaking the lingering silence. "I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier," he expressed, his voice laced with genuine remorse.
Beatrice was taken aback by Az's unexpected apology. She hesitated for a moment before accepting his hand. "I also apologize for overstepping," she replied, her expression softening.
Their handshake lingered for a moment longer, and just as the tension eased, Beatrice seamlessly transitioned into her playful self. "Don't worry, Az, your secret's safe with me. I won't tell anyone about 'her,'" she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Az raised an eyebrow, playing along. "Who are you talking about?" he feigned ignorance, even though he knew exactly who Beatrice was referring to.