After a few minutes, Lukas was asleep again. When he woke up this time, his exhaustion was mostly gone with a minor headache being all that remained. He wasn't sure what time it was, but it likely had only been a few hours since Skyla last spoke with him.
A few other people were in the barracks either from injury or similar exhaustion. They paid him no mind and Lukas went up to see the time. The sun was setting but still had another hour left of light. It seems he may not sleep the whole night.
On the main floor were a few members eating dinner, as well as Kai sitting in a corner dozing off. Lukas grabbed his sketchbook and some writing equipment. He sat down at an empty seat and began to write a report of his recent ghast encounter. Including sketches, to the best of his ability.
'...It had the unique ability to rapidly shift its form to suit its needs. Despite this and its enhanced regeneration, it was not a special or rare ghast. As its heart never changed positions and it only had one, once severed it died...'
At some point, Kai sat next to him, watching Lukas document his findings. He seemed fixated on the sketches and would stare at them with a blank indescribable look in his eyes. Somewhere between longing and hesitancy.
Lukas didn't notice Kai as he focused solely on his report. By the time he finished, the sun had set and most of the other member had finished their meals and headed to the barracks. His headache had grown, but it wasn't imperative.
He looked up to see Kai looking down at his journal. But he wasn't too taken aback by his presence. Instead, he continued as he would. He ripped out the pages containing the ghast's information, rolled into a small scroll case, and put it in the folds of his uniform.
As he got up to leave, Kai looked up at him.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to deliver some information to Wels."
Once outside, Lukas whistled a specific melody and within minutes a crow came down to him. Lukas attached the small scroll case to its foot and signalled for it to return to Snakewell.
"Are you feeling better?"
He turned around to see Skyla behind him. She looked worse for wear than she did before, but he didn't ask her about it. It was probably just another ghast encounter.
"A little, I had to get the information to Wels before I forgot about the details."
"I never got the details from you. What happened in that fight?"
Lukas was about to say he told her but stopped himself. He thought he had told her, but as he tried to recall it, he drew nothing but blanks. She had asked him, but he never told her.
'Was that a dream? Or wait...'
"Right... Well, I don't remember all of it. It was kind of... a...blur..? I think I've said this already..."
Skyla tilted her head slightly.
"No? I haven't heard you say it. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Just some déjà vu. As for the details, the ghast could change its shape and had extreme healing. It wasn't a rare one though."
"I'll read the rest of the report later, you should probably get some rest."
Skyla left and limped inside, and soon after so did Lukas. But, he didn't go to the barracks, instead he sat down next to Kai again and pulled out his sketchbook. He began to draw his family again, this time only headshots of them.
"Who are they?"
Lukas briefly glanced at Kai before continuing.
"My family. Here's my mother and here's my younger brother Caleb."
"Oh. Why are you drawing them?"
Lukas thought about his answer for a moment. Of course, he was drawing them because he missed them. But, something wasn't right about telling Kai why he missed his family. Maybe because Kai reminded him of Caleb. But, he couldn't bring himself to say that to Kai.
"I... ever since I began my training I haven't seen them. So, sometimes I miss them."
"Is it because they're gone?"
Lukas froze.
"I- uh..."
'Oh gods, what do I say? Why did he have to ask that? Why would he ask that?'
"I... Yes... they're gone."
The awkward silence filled the space between them. Kai turned away, seemingly focused on something else. Lukas tried to not think about it too much, and instead focused on his drawing.
"What was it like to have a family?"
Lukas turned to Kai out of confusion, but he still wasn't looking at Lukas.
"I tried to ask Skyla, but she doesn't want to talk about it. She seems sad... does she hate me?"
A wave of sadness and pity washed over Lukas. He didn't know what connection Skyla and Kai had beyond their blood. But every time Lukas caught a glimpse, it looked more and more strained.
"I'm sure she doesn't hate you. She's trying her best to protect you."