Iridescent

33| The Rest Was Black

When we were out of the water, Jaxton and I flopped onto the shore like a pair of dead fish. Both too exhausted to speak. All I could hear was our loud, laboured breathing.

I turned my head, eyeing Jaxton warily, making sure he was okay. He had his eyes closed, his face was stark white, his chest was heaving up and down quickly. He raised an arm, covering his eyes.

Soon, he turned his head, his emerald eyes peeking through the gaps of his fingers. Our chests began to shake from laughter.

"What is up with you..." he gasped, trying to catch his breath, but he couldn't resist his chuckle, "you and overly... overly dangerous adventures?"

I laughed, sitting up, but my laugh soon turned into shivers that rattled my body, and my gasps turned into sobs.

I humiliating decided to cry. At that moment. I wasn't even sure why I was crying.

I wanted to cover my sobs but Jaxton had already sat up and was next to me, stopping my moving hand. "It's bleeding."

I looked down, the cut on my palm began to bleed again, the healed parts vulnerable to rips and tears. I began to cry harder. "S-Sorry... I think I might be... exhausted... I don't know w-why I'm crying."

I inhaled in small gasps, willing myself to calm down. I went to wipe my eyes but Jaxton stopped me with a look. "The other hand."

"Oh, I forgot." Again.

I wiped my tears and stared at my bleeding palm, then at Jaxton, suddenly feeling blank and unsure what to do.

"What was I doing?"

"Cass," Jaxton, after seeing my expression, was trying to resist his laugh but a weary smile still managed to surface. He carefully unsheathed my sword. "Heal yourself."

"Oh, right!" I sniffed, grabbing the hilt of my sword with my unbloodied hand and paused... hesitated... thought...

Wait. Please, not now.

Jaxton's eyes widened with each ticking second. "Don't tell me... you forgot the chant."

"I..." My brain was literally scrambled eggs. "What was the chant again? Do you remember?"

Jaxton couldn't help his laughter, holding his chest as his chuckles ended with chest-rattling coughs. "I was too busy dying back then, so I don't remember."

"Um..." I thought for a short moment. "Oh! Reflecta, lend me your elements..." Then my mind short-circuited.

Jaxton let out another inward chuckle, hugging his body from the cold.

"Shush! Be serious here!"

"Trying... but you're too funny to watch."

I bit my lower lip, thinking hard.

"Lend me your elements... lend me your elements..." I muttered, willing my breathing to slow down. My cheeks felt dry, my skin was icy cold, sniffling was becoming my new habit. I didn't want to stay out here any longer. I closed my eyes, tightened my grip on the sword. "Reflecta, lend me your elements. Close the wound. Heal the hurt."

Jaxton's expression changed. I knew it had worked. He watched with curious eyes as the blade illuminated in a white glow, seeking the wounds I had. I grit my teeth, held my groan in my throat, tensing my shoulders and bending my back as the pain grew and then slowly subsided.

I let out a breath. "Finally..." I looked up. "Why are you here? You don't have camp."

A cold wind howled around us, stirring our hair in the air. Jaxton hugged himself tighter as his body gave a shiver. "Cass, can we do this... another time? I-I'm... freezing."