Ren sat up, coughing and sputtering.
Xernes stood over him, looking slightly amused.
"My friend you seem to have a fever."
The others looked on, either packing or standing off to the side.
"Absol! I do not think this will be of any concern. He will be able to come with us."
The wolf slipped into view, a slight tension in his features.
"Could've sworn he was worse." Absol muttered, then extended a paw.
Ren stared at it in a mix of anger and horror.
"See? This is what I've been telling you about! He did this same thing every time he woke up!"
Xernes regarded Ren with curiosity, his eyes shining with barely concealed laughter.
"My dear friend do not worry. He's had a nightmare or bad dream. He was sick! Ren is most likely delirious."
Ren was still backed up against the edge of the plateau, eyes wide in fear.
Absol muttered something about ghosts then walked away. Ren followed the wolf with his eyes before a massive antler blocked his view.
"Need some help?"
Ren hesitated, then grabbed the antler. Xernes lifted the Blaziken to his feet.
"We were just about to leave you here with Absol until you awoke. It seems you were quite sick."
Ren opened and closed his mouth, unable to speak. Xernes waited, still smiling.
"I...I don't...I ca--"
Ren doubled over, wheezing. His tongue felt like the back of a Hippodown.
"We can speak another time if you want." Xernes said softly.
"No! No. I had a dream. A dream about Absol."
At this Xernes flinched.
"He, he was telling me to...to..."
Ren trailed off, lost.
"Well, it's time to go. I believe you must speak to Absol if you dreamt about him."
Now it was Ren's turn to flinch.
Xernes didn't wait for a response. He walked back to the group. Ren paused for a minute, then followed. He saw Gabriel waiting with his things already neatly packed. Aegeas was still haphazardly grabbing his gear, fatigue making his features droop slightly. Perhaps he to had a nightmare.
Fluer was standing off to the side with Absol, looking somewhat timid and taking quick glances at the wolf.
"Friends! We leave in a minute. Whoever does not have their rations and sleeping roll will be left behind. Ren?"
Xernes glanced at the smoldering ruin of the Blaziken's sleeping roll.
"Do not burn the berries."
Soon they were off, Gabriel leading with Xernes behind him. Ren walked behind Xernes with Aegeas in tow. Fluer was in front of Absol, who bought up the rear. As he looked at the wolf, a voice echoed in his head.
They are all your burden.
Ren shuddered and looked away. Xernes said it was a dream and he was a god so it had to be a dream right?
The Blaziken had a sinking feeling it was not.
But how can I carry them? How can I love everyone?
Ren dismissed it. It was impossible.
The group scaled the rocky slopes, following long forgotten trails and hovering over gaps via Xernes. Soon they made it to the foothills. Massive pines bent in the crisp breeze and now and again, Ren caught a glimpse of the blue eyes of a Snorunt or a tuft of brown fur from a Piloswine.
You can love them. You can accept their flaws.
Ren considered this.
There nothing but wild animals.
He paused to watch steam rise up from behind him, hitting the sun and becoming a quivering rainbow.
See? You have love in you. Why not just let it out?
Loving and admiring are two separate things.
Ren's face set in a determined scowl as he moved on.
You cannot love everything. It is impossible so stop bothering me.
This time there was nothing but silence. Yet to his horror, Ren felt found doubt in that silence.
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