Zephyr: The Elemental Clans

5 - Blowing A Fuse

Xyder Zephyr - POV;

That night, I remained fully awake and alert; not necessarily out of a lack of tiredness but because the adrenaline coursing through my blood from the anticipation kept me going. I sat outside the house looking at the koi swim around in the dark waters of the pond, illuminated only by the celestial mass which formed a reflection in the liquid itself; the moon.

"Hey," a calming voice whispered from behind. I looked back to see Evie kneeling alongside me. She began to sprinkle bread crumbs onto the water's surface and the hungry fishes swarmed to grab the pieces. She giggled as she watched them swim around energetically despite the late hour.

"Why are you here?" I asked her.

She stared at me and cocked her head slightly to one side.

"You're so silly, you know," she smiled at me, "I just happened to wake up and I noticed that you were out here all alone. And I can't leave my dashing baby brother in solitude now, can I?"

I giggled myself and shook my head,"You never vease to amaze me you know. You always look out for me and yet I can't say the same about me. I've done too little for you in return."

"Hey, that's what big sisters are for right? How can I not spoil you?" She laughed as she hugged me from behind.

She leaned forward and began to speak again, "Your entire life has been a struggle from coping with your parents' deaths to enduring public shaming at our grandfather's hand and then the long road you've undertaken to prove him wrong. Everything in your life has been a struggle but you never gave up and you have put yourself through the impossible yet somehow you pull through. You have inspired many Xyder....Storm, Satella, Alva, mother, even myself, and especially Caitlyn have grown stronger because of your example. I will stand by you until the day that the rest of the clan can see your true worth and follow your lead because you are my hero, my little brother."

I sat in silence looking out at the stars. I held firmly onto her arms with my quivering hands. Evie tightened her grasp on me and whispered, "It's alright. You don't have to hold back when it's me."

I clenched my teeth and burying my face in her forearms, I let the tears flow. I always saw men to be strong warriors whom never showed weakness and I tried to emulate this but keeping everything bottled up inside would take a huge toll on my mental stability. To be able to pour out my heart like this was a relief and only Evie knew how to bring me to shedding my worries away.

* * * *

"Hey Xyder! You're up early this morning," Alva greeted me as she left her bedroom and saw me in the living room.

"Yeah, I thought I should prepare myself before I headed out. If I am going to get my Persona, I will need some means of support. I doubt brute strength alone will get me anywhere," I explained.

"Hmm? You? Thinking before acting? Hold up. Where is the real Xyder imposter?" Alva jokingly and childishly inquired.

"Hah hah. Very funny," I scoffed.

"Hey, no need to be such a bad sport," Alva chuckled.

"Xyder! You ready?!" Storm shouted from outside.

"Yeah!" I called out as I opened the door and we went on our way.

I had asked Storm to meet me that morning so we could go meet Satella at the hospital together before we left for a neighboring town where the Trials of the Persona were held.