“What was that?” Mimi whispered. His whole body was still shaking, mind whirling. He’d never seen anything like that before.
“They looked almost feral,” Sage said.
“That’s—” Mimi shook his head. No. They couldn’t have been feral. He wouldn’t believe it.
“It’s the most accurate description of what we just experienced,” Owen said. “Salivating mouths, bloodshot eyes, unresponsive to words.”
“There’s no way!” Mimi clenched his hands. His father wouldn’t have let anything happen to the tribe.
“Do you think something happened to Lyeokee?” Sage asked, changing to chimeran tongue.
“I don’t believe it.”
“Then how do you explain what happened?”
Mimi didn’t want to admit that something dire had happened back home, but it was hard to prove otherwise. He just didn’t want to know what had happened.
Chimeras only became feral when they were placed in extreme situations, usually under high levels of stress. There were so many questions about how it could have happened. His father was a powerful leader, so what could have possibly happened?
A small gust of wind suddenly blew next to them. Luka and Elliot appeared out of thin air, falling onto the ground with a thud.
Minari pulled Elliot off Luka’s body, helping him sit up. Owen mimicked the gesture with Luka.
Elliot’s eyes opened, revealing his cloudy blue eyes. He quickly pushed Minari away, turning to the side and emptying out the contents of his stomach.
Mimi turned away, attempting to tune out the nauseating noise.
“Are you okay?” Minari asked.
Elliot coughed, taking in a few deep breaths. “Just . . . dizzy,” he mumbled. He wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
“You exerted quite a bit of magic there,” Luka said, rising up. “How is your chest feeling?”
“Heavy. Like there’s a boulder on top of me.”
“You may want to refrain from exerting any more stamina. You performed quite a feat, especially with your current ability level.”
Elliot nodded. “Even if I wanted to, I don’t think I could.” He pressed a hand against his chest. “It feels heavy and hollow at the same time.”
“I had to transfer some of my stamina into you, or else you would have burned out much faster. What you’re feeling is the aftermath of using too much.”
Elliot tried to stand and faltered. Minari caught his arms, easing him to his feet.
“It would be wise to set up camp here,” Luka started. “Night is closing in, and Elliot is in no shape to travel.” The ethereal looked around before heaving a sigh. “I was afraid of this.”
“What is it?” Minari asked.
“Unfortunately, this area of land is barren.”
“We’re close to home,” Sage said.
“This is where Sage and I first set up camp when we left the tribe,” Mimi whispered. He turned around, his sandals kicking up dust. There were patches of grass, though sparse. There were trees, though few.
Mimi and Sage had left home in hopes of finding unclaimed territory to call home. The cramped tribe had been suffering from food and water shortages.
Could that have been why there were feral chimeras?
Had the situation at home become so dire that the chimeras had lost all sense of themselves and gone on a rampage?
But that didn’t add up. The chimeras who’d ambushed them had almost acted out of command, like they were under orders. But his father wouldn’t have issued an order like that.
“It doesn’t look like there’s much for us to make a fire,” Minari said.
Sage scoffed. “This is what we have to live with. We’re given freedom, but this is no way to live.”
“Chloé wanted to,” Elliot said. He pressed a hand against his forehead, closing his eyes. “She will.”
Minari steadied Elliot’s shoulders.
“I can gather some twigs to make a fire,” Mimi said.
He was a few feet out when he heard footsteps behind him.
Sage jogged up, slowing down as he walked beside the smaller chimera. Mimi felt Sage’s hand brushing against his, and he welcomed it, intertwining their fingers.
The two of them walked in silence. They passed by numerous dry bushes without collecting any for a campfire.
“Are you going to ask?” Sage said in their language, finally breaking the silence.
“I shouldn’t,” Mimi said.
“But aren’t you worried about the Lyeokee?”
Mimi’s feet halted. Sage walked another step before pausing and turning. Mimi squeezed Sage’s hand. “I’m scared. Scared of what I might find if I return home.”
Sage cupped Mimi’s cheek with his other hand, tilting his chin up. His brown eyes were soft as their gazes connected. “I’ll be there with you.”
Mimi leaned into his lover’s touch, closing his eyes. “I know. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’d be lost.”
Sage pressed their foreheads together. “Whatever we find, we’re in it together. I’ll be by your side. Always.”
Mimi breathed in Sage’s scent. His woodsy, musky scent had always helped calm his nerves, and this time was no different.
Mimi pushed himself onto his toes. His lips landed against Sage’s in a warm, tender kiss.
Mimi pulled away and leaned into Sage’s chest, sighing as the older chimera wrapped his strong arms around his body. “Do you think I should ask?”
“Ask them?”
“If we should detour. I know how important it is for Elliot to find the last warrior.”
“Do you think he wouldn’t understand?”
“Elliot has a kind heart. I don’t want to take advantage of it.”
“You won’t know unless you ask, just like how we wouldn’t know what was beyond our territory if we hadn’t left home.”
Mimi gripped Sage’s shirt. “You don’t think it’s selfish?”
Sage chortled. “You’re worried about your family. I don’t think so.”
“But the prophecy . . . If it doesn’t get fulfilled, then the entire world is doomed.”
Sage hummed. “I’ll leave you to decide what’s right: the immediate now or the later.”
Mimi knew finding the last warrior was vital to the survival of the entire world. If they failed, there would be no one left. Everyone would be gone. Yet, at the same time, how could Mimi hope to succeed in his role as a warrior if he couldn’t even protect those who were dear to him? Protect those who needed his help? Not only did his father need him, but the tribe did as well. He was the Lykrine, the prince of the tribe. He needed to protect his people.
Mimi placed his hands on Sage’s chest, pushing them apart. He looked up at Sage and smiled.
The taller chimera smirked. “Figured it out?”
Mimi nodded. “Yes.”