#ofmythos

[flamesofrebirths]

Joshua opens his eyes, then blinks a few times. He's not sure he remembers everything. He gave Clive's Phoenix powers, knowing he would die and would be a burden instead of being an ally for that fight. But he's awake now, on that beach... Did Clive manage to bring him back ? He looks at the sky for a moment. He did it. Ultima is gone. They can go back to the Hideway, both of them.

He looks around, then notices his brother laying on the beach, a few miles away from him. Joshua stands up, then runs in the other's direction, letting himself fall on his knees before he gently pats Clive's shoulder.

"Wake up, brother. You did it. We can go home," he says, almost whispering. There's no pain inside his chest anymore. He strangely feels good.

@of-mythos ♥'d for a starter!

[flamesofrebirths]

Joshua can't help but shrug, but he still offers his brother a smile. He knows Clive will always remain very dear to him, even if he falls in love, probably a bit like Clive with Jill. But it seems like a very distant possibility for now. He's not even sure this is something for him, even if a part of him is also craving it. But now that he's FREE, maybe he should truly consider it. Maybe.

He chuckles softly. "You know what I would like, Brother ? I would like to be with someone who doesn't care about the Phoenix." Of course, magic disappeared from the world since that last fight against Ultima, but so many people know about who he was. For years, he pushed Joshua away, being the Dominant and nothing else. It's time to start living. "With someone who sees me for me, you know ? Then... maybe I would be open to it." He sighs. The truth is that he's not interesting at all without the Phoenix.

@of-mythos | from here !

[flamesofrebirths]

Joshua is just so damn happy they are both alive. Finding their way back to the Hideaway is important, of course, because the others probably worry and it would be much better if they could tell them they are alive and well. But for now, Joshua is just grateful, happy. He has wanted to survive from the start, but he also knew it could be complicated. And Clive deserves to live happily, too, after all that happened.

He offers his brother a smile. "It really seems it worked. Thank you so much, Brother." He clears his throat, hesitating for a short moment. "I... I must admit, Brother, that it was my greatest wish. You and me surviving this." Of course, Joshua wants to keep playing his part and to help with the rebuilding. But maybe it's also time for him to start living as Joshua Rosfield, and not as the Phoenix, like he has always wished for, deep down.

As they are walking in the settlement, Joshua walks around, trying to find a place they could borrow a stolas. "I would suggest that inn. I think there are stolas there for travelers, right ?" The truth is that he's not that aware of these things because, with during his time with the Undying, Jote was always the one doing such things, but he's pretty sure he's right.

Clive nodded. With any luck, they'd find out soon enough how far they needed to go. There was a good chance they'd run into a few Cursebreakers at some point, scattered about the Twins as they were. Their victory should have been fairly obvious; Origin was no more, and the skies were clear of its foreboding presence.

However, Clive was a bit stunned to hear that Joshua felt so much better. "Then it worked," he breathed out. Even if he'd felt it happen, he couldn't be completely certain the curse of the Dominants had been lifted, or that their powers had at last left their bodies. There was no point trying to prime right now, at least, unless Joshua retained his gifts; the Phoenix would have been useful to get them home, but not at the expense of both of their health.

Looking ahead, and after quite some time of wandering, they came upon a settlement. It seemed they'd landed somewhere in Sanbreque. "There-- let's stop there. Maybe we can send the others a message." As long as they could borrow a stolas, it wouldn't be long before they were picked up.

[flamesofrebirths]

He nods. "I suppose you are right. I hope we are not too far from the Hideaway." Their friends need to know they are safe. The battle against Ultima was a huge threat, but they are safe now. They will be back, and everyone is now safe.

Joshua is feeling much better than before. It truly feels like he's having a new life. Maybe this is how living truly feels like. He can breath without being scared of starting to cough. The curse would have killed him, but it's like life is now giving him another chance. Or maybe it's Clive who did it.

He offers his brother a warm smile. "That's what I thought. Thank you, Brother." He gently pats his brother's shoulder. "I am feeling well. Very well, actually." He chuckles softly. "That's why I suspected you had something to do about it. The curse seems gone. I do not feel... sick anymore."

He was glad. Joshua seemed stronger now, and he hadn't so much as cleared his throat since Clive woke. He saw it as a blessing. His healing worked, and he didn't have to worry for his brother's health any longer. It had to be better than being cooped up in a castle; Joshua must have developed a knack for sneaking out when they were children just to avoid it.

"It can't have been that long..." Clive said. "A few days, at most-- I only hope that they haven't given up on us returning." He chuckled weakly as he ambled along the trail.

"... I did. I couldn't bear to lose you again." It had been hard enough the first time, when he only thought that Joshua had been killed. How much worse would it have been, knowing that it was actually true? But he'd been flooded with relief when he saw the blackened scars recede. "How are you holding up? I couldn't be sure..."

[flamesofrebirths]

Joshua offers his brother a warm smile as he offers him a hand to help him stand He still can't believe they are both alive and well. They will finally start to live again. For Joshua, it's maybe even start living, period. And it means the world to him. He would have given his life for Clive, without hesitation, but being at his side again turly means the world to him.

Joshua almost feels like he as a new body now; he doesn't feel any pain for now. He's just a bit tired, but he's not scared to start spilling blood, and Ultima is gone from his chest. He feels... normal, and he enjoys it.

"Of course. I hope we'll quickly find one. The others must worry... I don't know for how long we've been gone." They will probably only learn it once they reach the Hideaway, hopefully very soon. "Brother... You saved me, right ?" he's pretty sure that's the case, but he wants to know Clive's version.

As Joshua spoke, Clive tested his hands and feet; everything was still there, everything worked as far as he could tell. His body felt heavy, and he would likely carry some battle scars, but otherwise he seemed none the worse for wear.

"I think so," he replied. "Help me up." He didn't have much energy to spare; the grand magick he'd cast took a massive toll on him. He figured, though, that he just needed a warm meal and a warm bed. With Joshua's help, he stumbled to his feet. He'd need support through walking for a little while... "Let's try to find a village or something. We can get our bearings there."

His feet dragged along as he kept a lookout for the light of civilization. Maybe people were looking for them, too. "Once we find an obelisk, maybe we can get back to the hideaway." Everyone was bound to be worried about them... Clive wanted to get back as soon as possible.

[flamesofrebirths]

Joshua feels like he's been reborn again, and maybe that's partially the truth. He doesn't remember everything, but he remembers that he gave Clive's Phoenix powers, and then it was dark for he doesn't know how much time. It was just PEACEFUL. But when he opened his eyes, he didn't feel sick anymore. He felt so well, much more than he had felt in the past years.

He smiles, RELIEVED, when Clive finally opens his eyes and looks at him. WIthout hesitation, he holds his brother's back. They both made it. They survived. They will go back to the Hideaway and reunite with everyone. He presses his forehead against Clive's for a moment. "We're alive... Yes." He chuckles softly. "I've always known you would." As for himself, he had been convinced he would die. But he's glad to be alive. And he finally feels free.

He shakes his head, then chuckles a bit one more time. "It's... a beach. I can not say I know where we are, though." He looks away before his attention comes back on his brother. "Are you hurt ? Can you walk ? I suppose we could try to look around, to know where we exactly are." // @of-mythos

Drifting in a dreamless slumber had been so pleasant. Nothing to hurt him, only the sound of the sea and the waves lapping at his feet. Clive felt so tired, down to his bones, but now there was only relief. It was as if he'd been carrying an immense burden and he finally, finally released it. He almost didn't want to open his eyes.

Joshua's voice stirred him first, then his hand nudging him back to consciousness. "What...?" The events from Origin slowly returned to him. The gift of the Phoenix, Ultima's power... and how he'd used it to stop the curse on the world. Clive blinked to take in the moonlight and come back to his senses. "Joshua? You're alright..." He hadn't even fully sat himself up yet, but he couldn't help tugging his brother into a tight embrace. "You're alive-- we're alive."

Truthfully, Clive was incredulous. He didn't think he'd survive the ordeal, but there they were. He let out a laugh before letting Joshua go and sitting upright. "I can scarcely believe it. Where are we, anyway?"