Chapter 91: The Holy Scriptures
The tension in Varion's body slowly eased out of him as he listened to Prinz's heart steadily beat and Rimuri's breath brush against his neck. It gave him a sense of security that he never thought would anchor him so much.
This led to the room having gone quiet enough that he could hear the noises of the city through the window, hammers and voices of people working, not the screaming it had been.
He pulled his head back.
"I guess it's time I finally got up," he said. His voice came out rough. "I need to go see the damage."
Both of them tightened their hold on him at once.
"No," Rimuri said, already sitting up just enough to look down and frown at him. "You just woke up and you can barely sit up straight."
Prinz didn't raise her voice but the concern and displeasure was clear. "No. You're staying in bed, you can see the city tomorrow."
"I'm going, no isn't an option." He swung his legs over the side before they could argue the point further. The floor was still too far away. "I want to, no I need to see it for myself, so either help me or atleast don't stop me."
The girls looked at each other having a silent conversation. Then they both sighed, giving up trying to stop him and helped him get dressed.
Rimuri tugged a shirt over his head while Prinz helped him slide his pants on and button them, while looking him in the eyes smirking. Which looked far sexier than it used to due to her new looks.
When he stood up fully both girls kept a hand on him griping his arm steadying him like he might fall at the slightest breeze
He shook his head and sighed fondly. "Girls, I'm tired, not hurt. I'll take it slow and not push myself. It'll just be a walk around the city."
They both looked at him intently as if seeing if he was lying. So he reached over and pulled each of them into a gentle kiss. "I mean it, I won't do anything stupid." That finally seemed to get them to relax as they loosened their grip then wrapped themselves around each of his arms.
They walked out of his house and towards the more populated areas of the city. He expected the streets to be similar to what they were burning, the same faces hollowed out, the same quiet atmosphere.
What he got was the opposite. Scaffolding climbed the damaged buildings, people were already hard at work, talking happily with one another while they fixed their city. The hearty and happy atmosphere made his throat tighten. They still looked a little tense, more on edge, but they were alive, and whole again.
As they walked a hobgoblin spotted him.
"Lord Varion, you're awake!" the whole street turned at the loud exclamation.
The man's face lit up like a light bulb, quickly followed by the others. They stopped what they were doing to greet him happily, saying they were glad he was awake, that they had been waiting eagerly, that it was good to see him on his feet. Every time a voice found him the people around it got brighter, like his being there was permission to stop holding their breath now that both their leaders were awake.
He answered where he could but there were so many greetings all at once that he could only smile and wave greeting them all broadly. As they made their way through the city the girls never let go of him, keeping close just in case his steps faltered.
They eventually made it to the square and he froze just staring at the now cleaned space. Just looking at the stones brought up the memories of what happened. Bodies laying in rows, smoke still thick in the air, Prinz unmoving in his arms.
He flinched at the sudden rush of all that happened coming to the front of his mind. Prinz's hand slid into his brushing across his knuckles and Rimuri just stood there lost as well and gripped his arm tighter.
He took a breath and stayed there, he let his mind sink into the memories. The pain, the despair, he accepted all of it. Then he remembered all the good that had happened as well. His people coming back to life, His father sitting down beside a crying child and calling him son again. The hope that voice brought. The warmth of being held after years of thinking he had killed the man who gave him life.
'You did not cause my death.'
'It was my choice.'
'I am so so proud of you and the man you are becoming.'
'From what I've seen, you're doing pretty well on your own, kiddo. I'll leave the rest to you. I know you will do great, Varion Nava.'
The ache in his chest did not leave. It just changed, becoming warm and conflicting at the same time, because this was the place where both good things and bad had happened.
As he thought that Prinz's pulse under his fingers felt more real to him than ever before.
"Good things happen too. Remember those well, engrave them into your soul." He mutters what his father had taught him in their final moments.
Prinz was here, Rimuri was here, his people were alive and safe, and he had gotten to have a final moment with his father.
Tears slid down his face before he noticed them. They were not one of just sadness, they were also of relief and happiness. A father he was proud to have had. A woman who was breathing. A city that had come back.
Prinz reached over and wiped them away gently, as he let out a deep breath.
The square was clean now. Work had already started at the edges. The only thing left that still remained was the throne that sat in the center.
Rimuri leaned into his other arm, quieter than she had been in the street.
"You good?" she asked.
He nodded once.
"Yeah," he said. "I'm good."
[Let's take a break now, Master Varion. Residual strain is still present. Further walking is inefficient for recovery.]
Varion almost argued on habit. Then decided a little quiet would do some good right about now.
"…Alright, fine, I'm still tired and now I'm hungry anyways."
Rimuri's face lit up like she had an idea. She grabbed his hand tugging him toward the main building with a bounce in her step that did wonderful things to the new bust. He couldn't help but notice and did not look away. Prinz caught him staring and only shook her head fondly. Then pressed his other arm deeper between her chest as if trying to get more of his attention and it worked.
They made their way down one of the halls with Rimuri glancing back at him even every few feet as if making sure he was still following, even though her fingers were locked through his.
"I'm still here," he said teasingly.
She huffed, and flushed embarrassed, but did not let go.
The door she stopped at was an ordinary relaxation room near their normal one. She looked at him one more time, made sure he was actually standing there, then pushed it open and stepped aside.
Both girls let go of his hands.
Varion walked in ready to ask what this was when he stopped in his tracks. He felt an intense aura that felt far too familiar. He turned to the side to see the source.
A man was sprawled across the couch with a book open on his chest. Tan skin. Blond hair. Gold eyes marked with two black zigzag lines underneath, the same marks running down his arms. He was huge even lying down, shirtless under a black cape lined in red, gauntlets still on, black pants, armored boots hooked over the arm of the couch like he owned the building.
The man looked up and froze. For a second he just stared. Something in the air between them pulled at each of them an instinctual sense of family connecting them.
Then he sat up so fast the Manga nearly hit the floor. His back went straight. His chin lifted and he spoke in a deep refined voice.
"Hello there. I am Veldora Tempest. The Storm Dragon. Guardian of this nation. It is only proper that we meet now that I'm free…" He stopped. The dignified look cracked around the edges when he said the next word hesitantly, almost like testing if Varion would accept it. "…nephew."
Varion felt the last of the tension in his shoulders lessen slightly and he smiled.
"Yeah, I'm your nephew. Nice to meet you, Uncle Veldora."
Veldora froze. Then a booming laugh rocked the room hard enough to rattle the windows.
"BWAHAHAHA! YESSSSS! My nephew!" He was on his feet in a single motion, cape flaring, all the seriousness gone like it had never been there. Reaching forward to grasp Varions shoulders "Come, come, sit! There is much you must learn! Allow me to show you the holy scriptures!"
He shoved the book into Varion's hands before Varion could even sit down properly.
Varion blinked at the illustrated cover, then at the first page. The way Veldora was watching him made it feel like this was actually something very important. He started reading.
Two pages in, a girl clad in nothing but a towel punched a man through a wall and shouted calling him a perv.
He stared at the panel then looked up deadpan.
"…This is fiction."
"YES, Sacred fiction!" Veldora boomed, already leaning over his shoulder. "The lessons within are absolute! Here, this volume is essential. Oh and this one. No —wait, start with this instead, the continuity contained is important!"
Varion laughed at his uncle's antics, but didn't discourage him. At some point he looked up to see the girls who were already sitting off to the side watching him amused while they were drinking tea. This was ridiculous, but it was a good ridiculous thing that he would happily enjoy.
He leaned back into the couch, the Manga open on his knee, and let his uncle talk on and tell him all the details he wanted.