From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 48  Mutual Understanding

Ty and Todd proceeded down the long, dimly lit corridor.

The flicker of torches cast a burning green tinge in Ty's eyes that was noticeable even in the subtle lighting.

Todd, with a touch of concern in his voice, glanced at Ty as he asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, just focused and ashamed that I was out for so long. I don't have time to be messing around," Ty's words echoed slightly in the quiet passage as they continued to move forward.

They soon reached an open chamber which had a somber ambiance, with several beds laid out, awaiting their occupants.

One bed was occupied by a man who was lying on his back, his gaze fixated on the ceiling. As Ty and Todd entered, his focus shifted toward them.

Wearing a plaid white tunic and dark-colored bottoms, the man sat up, pushing his long brown hair aside and addressed Ty. "Thanks, for everything you did," he said, his voice carrying a quiet gratitude.

Ty took a seat beside him, a puzzled expression clouding his skeletal face before he inquired, "And who are you?"

The man chuckled softly, rubbing his temples and responded, "I suppose I never got a chance to introduce myself properly. I'm Sogetsu. I'm the one who failed to protect my loved ones, if you ever forgot," his words carried a somber tone, a story of loss etched into them.

Before Ty could respond, a voice emerged from beneath the bed. Suddenly, a sword swooped out, its blade gleaming in the torchlight. "You did your best all those years; you have nothing to feel ashamed of, Master," the sword spoke out, its voice resonating from the lips at the edge of the blade.

The unexpected response momentarily startled Ty, but he recalled the unusual companions Sogetsu kept. The past was catching up,

"I wasn't aware you tagged out," Ty spoke out with indifference, his words carrying a hint of detachment since his thoughts were still clouded with concerns regarding Jade, making it hard for him to focus on the current discussion. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Yeah, it was a rough way about, but now that I finally have your attention again, other master, I wa—" the sword began, but was suddenly cut off as Ty interjected. "I'm not your master. I just killed the guy using you." His tone was flat, yet there was an underlying frustration that seeped through.

"And if you're so buddy-buddy with this Sogetsu guy who's been locked up all this time, what were you doing being wielded by some jackass head captain in the first place?" Ty's voice rose slightly with each word, his irritation becoming even more evident now.

"When you could have been trying to save him or doing anything while he rotted in some hell dungeon while being tortured endlessly until Elithira showed up."

Sogetsu suddenly stood up, his eyes hard as he looked at Ty.

"That's enough," he stated firmly, the unspoken emotions heavy in the air between the two. He then turned to the sword, whose blade seemed to droop a bit, casting a shadow on the floor.

"He did everything he could to avoid being destroyed," Sogetsu added softly, defending his companion.

The sword glanced at its shadow on the ground, and spoke up with a hint of sorrow in its voice, "No, Sogetsu, he is right. After I thought you were killed, I became lost again and only thought about myself. I engrossed myself in fighting. It never dawned on me that you might have survived those injuries that day."

The room then suddenly fell into a somber silence, the sword's words echoed the bitter reality of choices it had once made and the heavy burden of regret that followed. Ty threw his hand over his skeletal face with a wave of regret washing over him as he reflected on his choice of words. "Maybe I could have avoided all of this if I didn't walk through that damn park," he muttered, the bitterness in his voice apparent.

"Just my luck, to be targeted and my love is being dragged into this mess," he continued while his voice continued to grow softer as he slid down against a wall, ending up in a squatting position on the floor.

The cold stone against his bony frame did very little to soothe the turmoil within him.

Sogetsu, who had been quietly observing Ty, spoke up, "You must have the story of a lifetime to explain your current situation," as he tried to divert the heavy atmosphere that had suddenly filled the room.

"SIGH"

Ty sighed while the green flames flickered in response to his emotions. "No, if we rewound back far enough, I'd just be working a normal job, trying to get ahead, and making a better life for me and Jade. It was hard, but life was simple," he reminisced, his voice carrying a trace of longing for the mundane yet comforting routine he once used to live.

"I don't even know what I'll do if I get back, or if she'd even accept me like this," Ty added, his voice barely above a whisper as he grappled with the overwhelming uncertainty that lay ahead.

His thoughts swirled in a tempest of the unknown, each scenario in his mind playing out with a different shade of fear and hope.

Before he could spiral further into the abyss of his fears, Sogetsu reached out, placing a hand on Ty's armored shoulder as he attempted to offer a semblance of comfort.

However, he quickly retracted it before wincing slightly at the intense heat that was radiating from Ty's flaming armor.

Waving his hand slightly blowing on it, he fixed himself before addressing Ty.

"Listen, Ty. I might not understand your story or your life. Or even what you really wish for in the end. But I know you're putting your best foot forward and if she is your love, then you need to have faith in her to handle her business while you handle yours," Sogetsu said in a sincere tone.

"Otherwise, you'll only continue to tear yourself apart," he added, his voice laced with concern.

Ty remained silent for a moment as the reality of Sogetsu's words settled within him. Sogetsu continued, "I mean, from the sounds of it, she got into a fight with someone that killed you. Or that's the gist of it that I've gotten from word of mouth."

"And she didn't die?" Sogetsu finally questioned, his face showing a hint of admiration.

"That has to be worth something, at least," Sogetsu said softly, looking at Ty with a comforting gaze.

"Control what you can, and shelve what you can't for the time being," Sogetsu concluded, his simple advice resonating with Ty, making him feel a slight ease wash over him.

Ty then nodded, realizing the truth in Sogetsu's words. He couldn't control everything, and worrying about something that he couldn't control was nothing but a futile endeavor. It was straightforward advice, nonetheless, it carried a weight that helped him to lessen the burden of anxiety that had been piling up within him.