Chapter 28

"Have you ever felt useless?". Rufus asked while he watched Dzarma pour some cereal into the bowl.

"No". Dzarma replied as he opened the fridge to get the milk which he also poured into the bowl containing cereals.

"So you don't know how I feel". Rufus stated.

Dzarma signed as he leaned his hands on the kitchen counter where he had been working on, he already knew what happened because Hamlin and Aisha had explained everything to him.

"If Rufus wasn't adamant, if he didn't go into the woods that day, then all of this wouldn't have happened". Dzarma thought inwardly to himself.

"Well at least I know that it's not a good feeling". Dzarma said curtly as he scooped some of the cereal with the spoon he was holding and ate it.

Rufus sighed, "Aren't you going to give me something to eat?".

"Are you still hungry?. You ate two kilos of rice, a full chicken, twenty chapatis and mokimo all by yourself and you want more?". Dzarma asked, he had never seen any human eat like the way Rufus had eaten earlier, it made him wonder how much Rufus ate when he was still a phoenix.

"Of course, eating is the only way I am coping with easily than any other thing". Rufus replied and gave out a small yawn.

"Rufus, Lucky saved your life..." Dzarma started but Rufus interrupted him.

"Please let's not talk about that. I don't want to talk about it again. If you don't want to help me out then I'll leave". He said almost in a yell as tears threatened to stream down his cheeks. It hurt him a lot like a hot knife pierced through the whole of him. He didn't want to talk about and he didn't care.

"Fine by me but just you know, if it wasn't for Lucky, you could have been long gone and your parents?. We both know how they would be feeling at the moment". Dzarma said before scooping some more cereal and eating them, listening at the crunchy sound it gave out beneath the crush of his teeth making him to giving out a small content purr that he always hoped was audible to him alone.

Rufus looked at him, eyes glistening with unshed tears. Dzarma stared back, concern laced his features as he straightened up and walked towards Rufus, engulfing him in a tight hug.

"Just cry it all out Rufus. I know this is what girls do but we are all human". Dzarma remarked.

"I am the human not you". Rufus remarked back beneath the tears that were streaming down his cheeks.

"Well, at least we all have tears so let then out and you'll be fine". Dzarma said.

"It really hurts that I don't have wings and claws anymore. I don't know how to be human". Rufus cried out, he was even surprised with the hiccuping sound he let out.

"Ssshh it doesn't matter. Just know that I am here for you. I'll be with you until the day you'll be able to cope up".

"All my life, I lived as a Phoenix. How can I cope like this?. It's hard". Rufus said, he tightened his grip on Dzarma, seeking comfort but he needed something else... he needed Lucky here but then again he didn't want to see him. A part of him felt as if it was Lucky's fault that he had lost his Phoenix but still, deep within him even in the absence of his animalistic nature, he still had feelings for the other teenager in the familiar orange hoodie miles away. Strong feelings that he couldn't get rid of.

"Nothing's hard in this world. You just need to change your attitude towards it.. that's all that you need to do". Dzarma whispered but the other boy was already asleep.

He understood that Rufus was exhausted, with all the walking and what had taken place in his life, truly, the lad needed to rest.

He dragged Rufus to the nearest coach and made him lay there before he untangled himself from Rufus' hold and left to go hunting in the present water body... he was craving for some sea food but for now, Rufus would be fine on his own.

•••••

"You still have done nothing to get closer to Lucky. We thought you were the one best for this job but I guess we were wrong about it!". Roma exclaimed bitterly.

"Ninah, I wish I could disagree but my sister is right". Mirida said with a sigh as they both stood in front of Ninah.

"I know I'm planning to act before the third day comes but I will only go there only if you give me something". Ninah said.

"We gave your life back, a new body and identity plus a chance to get closer to your son. What else do you want?". Roma asked agitated.

"We all know that you both want my son to fight the dark Phoenix and even kill him if possible so that he doesn't get the star of salvation". Ninah started.

"Go straight to the point". Mirida remarked.

"There's no way Lucky is going to defeat him like that. He's not strong enough". Ninah answered.

"If you had gone to him earlier and stopped dilly dallying, then this wouldn't have been much of a problem". Roma said quickly giving out a huff.

"I need the crossbow that belonged to the first golden fiery red phoenix which the council took after his death". Ninah demanded, her voice becoming hoarse a little on the edge.

"It belongs to him by right. Think about it, if Lucky has that spiritual weapon, he can at least defend himself from the demon Phoenix". Ninah added.

"She's right sister. If Lucky dies...." Mirida trailed off.

"He has a three jade piece and he'll come back to life!". Roma snapped.

"Do you think that that will work with the inactive phoenix in him?. We need him alive and this is the only way". Ninah urged.

"You're the cause of his inactive Phoenix". Roma complained.

"I know. My death caused such a great emotional trauma but I'll fix that, won't I?. But first, give me the crossbow and I shall go be with him as you requested". Ninah tried.

Roma looked away from her, debating the odds against her giving out the crossbow. She had nothing to loose. The council wouldn't reprimand her for giving it out they needed Lucky and the crossbow would be in good use in his hands compared to anyone else's.

"It contains a lot of power. It's a spiritual weapon and he has to learn how to use it before the star falls". Roma piped out still not looking at Ninah nor her sister Mirida.

"Yes we know that". Ninah responded.

"If he learns how to use it in it's best way he'll be able to injure the dark Phoenix severely thereafter he should kill it completely unless...". Roma trailed off.

"Unless what?". Ninah and Mirida asked in unison.

"Unless the Phoenix finds a body to settle in, it'll take longer to recover but Lucky won't be able to kill it, if he kills it he kills the body as well". Roma explained.

"It'll just look for a dead body right?". Mirida asked.

"Why is it looking for a body?". Ninah asked.

"It needs a body that is healthy and working. It's like an evil spirit which possesses and the star will make it even more powerful. It doesn't have a body and a body will make it be able to blend in and restore any lost skills or strengths". Roma explained.

"I'll make sure that Lucky knows of all of these. Now, where's the crossbow?". Ninah demanded. Time was running out. The day was almost over thus leaving her with two days for the star to come.

"I don't have it but I know where it was locked in". Roma answered now turning to look at her.

"Tell me".

"I cannot get it for you. You must get on your own. It's between the seven seas. In a place no mortal ever reached. It's heavily protected and you might not make it if you're reckless". Roma explained. "You'll need to transform into your original form of a ship shifter and swim down the sea. You need the map and healing herbs to give you strength".

"That's all?". Ninah questioned. She was going to do anything for her son even if it meant risking her life. She didn't fear death in any way.

"Yes but only a SeaWing can get you the map. The healing herbs are in Mountain Waters Channel". Roma replied.

Ninah nodded her head in accordance. Thanked them then left for the Mountain Waters Channel to get the herbs needed.

"You called?". Ambrose asked as she landed suddenly in front of Ninah.

"I need a favor from you". Ninah answered.

"Shoot". She replied as she got closer to Ninah. She still had no idea that this was Lucky's mom. But that was the idea all along, right?.

Ninah smiled with contentment as she breathed out a sigh of relief. Now all she needed was get the crossbow.