A Way To Help

Yoru leads Cage to a table in the corner of the library, far separated from the others, "Really now? It seems you've been meeting a lot of new people," She says with a smirk.

Cage chuckles, "Oh no, I've just seen him in the city a few times," he says, "What race is he? I've heard about a lot of different ones, but never about any with lion heads."

They reach the table, and Yoru continues standing as Cage settles down, "Tanzides. Just like that man, every one of the Tanzides has the head of an animal, and their hierarchy is organized based on which animal they are," she says.

Cage glances at the Head Scribe with an incredulous expression, "That's pretty unfair. No one can change what they're born as," he responds, black eyes narrowing at the Lion still at the desk, "So as a Lion-head, where would that man stand in the hierarchy?"

"That is the strange part," Yoru says, looking confused as she also gazes at the man, "Lions have always stood at the peak of Tanzide society. The entire race mostly stays to themselves and rarely visits other planets. Even if they did have business here on Raj, a lion would never make the trip themselves. They would delegate the task to a lower class Tanzide, a rat or raven, perhaps."

"Yet here he is, in the library," Cage says, cupping his chin, "He seems respectful, at least."

"I suppose so," Yoru responds. She looks at Cage, "Wait here. I have the text we need for your next lesson waiting at the desk. However, I want you to keep studying your notes on Gira Mersa's records. We will get to the second volume later." After receiving a nod of confirmation, she turns and walks toward the desk.

Cage watches with distracted eyes as Yoru walks over to the desk, his mind roaming to his earlier discovery during combat training. When he had paralyzed Ingen's leg, he felt his ever-present hunger grow. If that detail means what Cage thinks it does, then the ability will have finite uses.

Cage has noticed that the more he uses his power, the hungrier he gets. So far, he hasn't allowed the hunger to reach a debilitating level. Something terrible will probably happen if he ignores it for too long. Maybe he'll starve to death, like a normal person. Cage knows how far he is from that though. Either way, no matter what it is, he doesn't plan on ever finding out.

As if summoned by his thoughts, a low growl rumbles from under the table, and Cage sighs, rubbing his stomach. On the way to the Collector Village this morning, he killed and absorbed as many insects as he could. However, the hunger returned by the time he passed through the gates of Yellen again.

A stack of books is set on the table before Cage, and he leans back, gazing at them with raised brows, "Are we gonna go through all of these?" he asks, glancing at the desk. The Tanzide is gone.

"Not here. We'll take them with us when we leave," Yoru responds, pulling out the chair across from Cage and sitting, "But before we dive into that, I want to ask you a question."

"Sure," Cage says, "Is it about those races conquering planets? Why you haven't mentioned them to me?"

Yoru nods, exhaling through her nose. She stares at Cage for a long, almost uncomfortable minute, "You want to find your brother, correct? That's why you want to learn about the Praesi, and how to protect yourself," she asks

Cage wrinkles his forehead, "...Yes. Why?"

The Head Scribe leans in, expression soft, yellow eyes caring, "Are you willing to risk your life to find him? Are you prepared to face armies that want nothing except to use, torture, and kill you?" she asks, her voice firm, "Out of the seven thousand planets in the Praesi, at least half are known to be beneath the grips of Utherians, Paleos, Hazelians, and many others. Cities have been reduced to concentration camps, citizens chained and forced to do the bidding of those with power... If you do this, if you leave Raj, you will undoubtedly encounter these things, and you will not be spared."

Cage listens to Yoru speak, a frown on his lips growing with each word. He is confused by the sudden worry that her eyes show. How long has she been thinking about this? "It seems like you're saying you don't want me to leave," he says.

"That is exactly what I am saying."

"Then wouldn't it make more sense to tell me these things sooner? To drive me away from leaving?"

"Yes, I suppose it would have… I haven't been in the best mind lately," Yoru says, sighing, "It's just... Do you even know if he is alive? Earth is gone, and it's a miracle that you are even breathing. For both of you to have survived, it sounds too good to be true."

Cage pauses, black eyes holding contact with the yellow across from him, "...I know. I know it sounds impossible, but my brother lives," he says, wiping a hand over his face, "I died on earth. I don't remember how, but I do remember the pain, like my entire body being lit on fire. Then, there was nothing. All I had were my thoughts, and everything else was gone. I spent a thousand years there in agony, and right before I woke up on Kalar, a voice, the first one I had heard in all that time said, 'find your brother. Find him and end this'."

Yoru hums as her student finishes speaking, putting a hand to her chin, "I would say that your subconscious overrode your emotions and gave you a way out with those words, but that doesn't explain you being brought back to life," she says, "Does this not seem strange to you? If what you say is true, then someone could be using you. But... I don't know anyone capable of resurrection to this degree."

"I've thought about that. And I would be lying if I didn't say it's strange," Cage responds, "But that doesn't matter to me. Whoever it was that did this gave me another chance to live, another chance to see my brother. He's the only thing I have left from Earth, and no matter what it may take, I want to see him again. Nothing else matters to me right now."

"I see. So there really is no way for me to stop you," Yoru says, cupping her hands to her face, "So much is happening at once. I should be at least surprised to meet someone who has died and come back to life."

Cage purses his lips, and silence takes over for a moment. The Head Scribe is clearly overwhelmed by all of this. He would be too, if he were in her shoes. But that is not the case. There will always be a vast difference between hearing about something, and actually experiencing it.

Yoru's life is in turmoil right now, perhaps even more so than Cage's. She had a child, only for him to die a world away from her reach. Her Brother and a life-long friend have been forced to risk their lives and slave away, yet she is unable to help them in the slightest. She's been asked to take care of a strange man and teach him about the universe. And with all of this on her shoulders, Yoru stays strong, taking care of what she can without a single complaint.

"Yoru, why do you not want me to leave? I understand being worried, but I can't stay here forever," Cage says, his words soft.

"Why can't you?"

"Because-"

Yoru puts up a hand to stop him, "You want to know why?" she asks, holding a well of tears behind her firm expression, "Because all the men in my life, Kyro, Ingen, Mavyl, and even you. You all throw yourselves into danger, dying without sparing a thought for those left behind. To me..." she takes a deep, shaky breath, "...There is nothing worse than watching someone I care for leave or die, and being unable to help them."

"I'm sorry, Yoru," Cage says, words genuine, "But I have to do this. If I don't, then this life would be a waste. I... I wouldn't have a reason to live."

Yoru shakes her head, drying her eyes with a handkerchief, "No, I understand. Please forgive my childish tantrum," She replies, "It has been a long time since I've acted this way."

"I don't think those feelings are childish. It wasn't exactly the same, but I've felt that way in the past. It wasn't their fault, my mom and brother. But, I guess I needed someone to blame for the hurt," Cage says, pausing. He waits for Yoru to collect herself in silence, the wheels in his mind turning all the while.

Cage smiles, locking eyes with Yoru, "Why don't you come with me? Didn't you say that you've always wanted to travel and visit other planets?"

Yoru is startled by the words, her eyes wide and lips parted. She waits for Cage to laugh and say that it was a joke, but that moment never comes. Her student only sits there, silent, staring with those black, unreadable eyes. The Head Scribe's smiles faintly, "I would love to, Cage, but I can't leave Kyro and Ingen here. They are the only family I have left."

"I know. I don't expect you to," Cage smiles, "That's why I'll convince them to leave with us. If I have you, Kyro, and Ingen with me, then I know I'll reach my brother safely. You get to have your dream, and I get to have people I trust to accompany me on my journey."

Yoru raises a brow, shaking her head with a sigh, "Even if you can convince them, which I have trouble believing you will, it is impossible. As long as Kyro and Ingen are Collectors, they will never leave this planet," she says. the realization brings a mountain of stress to her mind, dousing the slight hope that was there before.

"I know that," Cage replies, an undefeated tone in his words, "But you are partly wrong. I realized it when I saw the other collectors for the first time, sitting around with not an ounce of hope in their hearts. All of them have submitted to their fate. All except for two. Kyro and Ingen still go on smiling and laughing with each other. I see it every day, Yoru," his smile widens, "The tracker on their nape and the leotard on their bodies make others call them Collectors, but on the inside they are soldiers. They may be trapped now, but I will help them escape that trap. And if I do, what will your answer be then?"

Yoru narrows her eyes, attempting to find a lie in those black eyes. She fails to find one, "Do you really think that you can help them?" The Head Scribe asks, the hope inching its way back through her voice.

Cage nods, "I do," he replies, "I have certain abilities. I guess that's what you could call them," he says, "When the time is right, I can use them to remove the tracker."

"I see," Yoru says, "However, only a strong flow of Anima will disable the trackers. I will explain Anima in full to you later, but all you need to know for now is this; if those trackers are tampered with in any way, then Kyro and Ingen will die."

"I won't need Anima or any other magic to deal with them," Cage replies, "You'll have to believe me when I say I can do it. With my powers, It'll be like they never existed in the first place."

Yoru hums, pausing, "...Alright. I'll believe you for now," She says, looking at her student with furrowed brows, "You said when the time is right, but what does that mean? You still have much to learn from both me and Kyro, but for some reason, I don't think that's it?" Yoru says, her words half statement, half question.

"It's not," Cage says, running a hand through his hair with a sigh, "That tracker is embedded deep in their skin, and with where it is on their bodies, a mistake could mean paralyzation, or even death. I know I'm not yet skilled enough to be that precise. After self-study, I've been studying and training my powers, and I've gotten better already. I know that I can do better, enough to remove those trackers. I just need time."

Yoru nods in response, "Do you know how long it will take? An estimation, at least?" she asks.

"I'm not sure. Maybe a month? Two?" Cage says, a nervous chuckle escaping him, "I'll have to test and train more before I can give you a definite answer."

"I understand," Yoru says. She stands, placing her hands on the table, "Will you show me now?"

"What about the lesson?" Cage asks, looking up at her.

"That can wait," Yoru says bluntly, "Kyro and Ingen's freedom is much more important."

"Okay..." Cage says slowly, looking around at the people still in the library with them, "...You don't want to do it here, do you?" He asks, looking back at Yoru.

"Of course not. We're going back home," Yoru responds, picking up the heavy stack of books. She leans back, leveraging the load with her torso, the strain on her arms poking through her facade of strength.

Cage raises a brow, taking a few books off the stack and holding them under his one arm, "I'm not that weak," He says.

Yoru's posture lightens, and she no longer looks as if she is going to collapse under the thick books, "I think I got a little excited," she says, giggling.

Cage chuckles, "I see that."