Chapter 5, Part 07: Leaving

Deygo paced restlessly outside Origin, waiting for the three women to emerge. He was anxious to help, but knew that if he entered the building he would only be making things more difficult. The Spirits of Origin disliked any intruders, and all who had ever entered had never returned. Except for Eris. The only possible explanation he had for this was that she had been present at the time of the Spirits’ demise and had suffered with them. They saw her as one of their own, and allowed her passage in Origin. He was grateful that Eris had volunteered her assistance. She really was the only one who had a chance in rescuing the two foreigners from within Origin and from the grasp of the ghosts. But he still wished there were something more he could be doing. Not to mention he was worried about being able to get the ‘thought-binder’ back on Eris.

At last, someone finally began to climb through the window. Deygo hurried over to help pull RK the rest of the way out and into the open.

“Deygo!” RK shouted joyfully as she glomped onto him. “It’s so good to see you! I thought we were gonna die!”

Deygo smiled, patting RK comfortingly on the head. “It’s okay now. You should know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you two.” He looked back toward the window to see Mars clambering through. He attempted to disentangle himself from RK, but to no avail. “Um, RK? Would you mind letting go so that I may help Mars?”

“Nuh-uh,” RK said, tightening her hold.

Deygo sighed and moved awkwardly over to the window anyway, dragging RK with him. He helped Mars as best he could with RK still attached to him. Once Mars was standing, she paused a moment to compose herself, then took a deep breath and smacked Deygo on the shoulder.

“DEYGO!” she shouted. “Why the heck did you leave us alone!? You should know we can’t be trusted to follow Rules!” Mars berated him.

“’S right!” RK chimed in, releasing Deygo and stepping over to Mars. “We are two havoc-causing individuals. We may not look for trouble, but it sure as heck always seems to find us. I would’ve thought you’d have realized that by now.”

“Yes, but I just thought…”

“Shsh! Don’t want ta hear it!” Mars said, holding up her hand in front of his face. “I’m still mad at you. C’mon RK, use that sense of direction to get us the heck out of this freakin’ place.”

“Yes, Sir!” RK saluted, then looked around and pointed. “That way!” she declared, going around the corner of the building toward where Deygo and Jodin had battled earlier. Mars followed her.

Deygo turned around when he heard laughing. “What?” he demanded of Eris.

“{{You lose, IndiEygo. But I would suggest catching up with them before they get into trouble again.}}” Eris moved to follow the two women, but Deygo blocked her path.

“{{Huh-uh, Ris,}}” he said, dangling the ‘thought-binder’ in front of her face. “{{We aren’t leaving until you put this back on.}}”

“{{Don’t be ridiculous, IndiEygo. I am not letting you put that thing back on my head.}}” She moved to leave again, but Deygo grabbed her arm with just enough force to let her know he was serious. Eris glared at him. “{{Give me one good reason I should let you use that ‘thought-binder’ on me.}}”

“{{Because if I do not use it, I will not be assured that this current reality is real. You may fabricate an illusion and I would not be able to fully protect the foreigners… or you,}}” Deygo said while continuing to hold Eris’ gaze.

“{{And you’ve done such a dandy job of ‘protecting us’ thus far,}}” Eris retorted.

“{{Ris…}}” Deygo said his voice wavering slightly. He sounded hurt, almost pleading.

She sighed. “{{Fine, if it will be of a comfort to you. But I am not wearing those cuffs again, no matter what you say. I want to have at least my hands free, since I know you put some sort of spell on this band to prevent the wearer from removing it.}}”

“{{I’m sorry, Ris. It’s really just… insurance,}}” Deygo told her while placing the band on her head. He actually did look rather apologetic.

Deygo and Eris both turned suddenly when they heard a loud exclamation from the direction the two women had disappeared in. They quickly ran around the side of the building to see what was the matter.

“Holy cow, Deygo! What the heck happened!?” RK asked, stunned. Both she and Mars were staring at the bloody mass of Jodin laying crumpled at the base of the building.

Deygo closed his eyes and turned away before speaking. “Nevermind him. Think nothing more of it and come away. He is no one to be remembered,” he stated flatly. He hesitated a moment more, then walked on his way.

When it was obvious Deygo was not going to stop, Eris turned to Mars and RK who were still standing dumbstruck in the middle of the “battlefield.”

“Hey, you two,” Eris called to them. “It won’t accomplish anything standing there. Come. Walk with me and I will explain.”

The two women dragged their gazes from the mutilated body. “Come on, now,” Ris encouraged. Mars and RK shuddered slightly, then moved over to Eris, the three of them following a ways behind Deygo as he continued to make his way towards the gates of Oraton.