Chapter 10 - Unity prevails

Lumen opened his eyes, blinking to get used to the fire’s dim light shining like a beacon in the darkness. 

The heat.
On his face. 
On his arms. 
Embers. Suffocating smoke. 

No. It’s merely a campfire. Not the memories he almost witnessed.
“You should breathe.” 
Surprised, he released the breath he didn’t even know he was holding. Taking another gulp of air, he sat up. Aurora was sitting next to him, her breastplate reflecting the dancing flame. 
“I… Sorry.” 
“Shhh. You don’t have to explain what happened. We all have our moments.” 
Shifting to the side, she glanced at the fire. 
“But I need to know. Was it the fire?” 
“Ah—no. It’s…” He shifted his weight uncomfortably. “Nothing.” 
“No. You can keep secrets if you want. But I must know your triggers, for everyone’s safety.” 
Her tone wasn’t gentle anymore. It was commanding, her words heavy with the weight of experience on the battlefield. 
Lumen couldn’t muster more than a whisper. “The knife…” 

A long silence settled between them. Lumen was weighing his words. He couldn’t lie to her. Not a full lie at least. 
“I was daydreaming. I got surprised. I…” 
Without a warning, she bent over and hugged him. The sudden contact with the metal took him by surprise, but it was nothing compared to the warmth of her embrace. The warmth that kept the memories at bay. He connected the dots. She had his head on her lap while he was sleeping. She was there. For him. She didn’t even take the time to take off her armor. Not because she didn’t trust him… 
“I have visions.” He started sobbing, his words caught in his throat. Unable to say more. 

“You don’t have to carry it all alone. There’s four of us. You’re not alone anymore.” 
Heilig’s voice came from behind him, loud enough to reach him through his tears. 
“… brat… annoy… mine…” 
He couldn’t understand Morgan’s mumble, but a few words.
Overwhelmed by emotions, Lumen couldn’t hold back the tears. Aurora didn’t say anything else, embracing him. Heilig put a hand on his shoulder, while Morgan grabbed his hand. 
Four. The heroes of the prophecy. So different. Together. 
But they couldn’t. They shouldn’t. 
He knew. He had to tell them. 
But all that was coming out of him were whines and tears, drowning his attempts at telling them. 
“Take your time. You’ll tell us when you’re ready.” 
They stayed like that for what felt like the whole night. Once the tears ran out, Aurora let go of Lumen, but all three of them stayed by his side. 
“hungry…” 
“Morgan’s right. We should get something to eat. That rabbit has been smelling too good for too long.” Heilig took his hand off Lumen’s shoulder and went to the fire. 

He’s leaving you. 
They will all leave you. 
Nobody will ever believe you. Nobody ever listens to you. Nobody can understand. Nobody will stay. 
You’ve been through it all already. 
He back-stabs you. 
She burns you alive. 
She drowns the truth out of you. 
They all betray you. You can’t trust them. 
Nobody. Only you. 
Only us.