A House Filled With Night
Strength of Spirit

The question now was: what to do with the books now that they had them? How could they share their discovery without incurring the wrath of the older brothers? Sylvain would never forgive them. Casimir might glare them into nonexistence. Runa, Fiske, and Torin spent most of the next day bleary-eyed and twitchy, discussing in hushed tones what would be the best method of confession. Everything was suggested, from outright declaration of the truth, to apology poems, to throwing away the books forever. Their final decision had its flaws, but it was the only one they didn’t violently disagree upon.

Torin set the plan in motion by suggesting a day of House-searching and brainstorming.

“I’m not quite sure what we can expect to find just by walking around the House,” mused Sylvain, “But I suppose there’s no harm in it.”

“I’m sure we’ll find something if we look long and hard enough,” Fiske piped up. They were walking through the main gallery, Torin and Runa trailing behind the group with gritted teeth and tense muscles. “Just imagine what else is in here that we’ve never found before. Maybe we’ll just—oof!”

Fiske stumbled over a pile of books, looking painfully ridiculous sitting in the center of the hall.

“Oh my goodness!” cried Fiske. “Where on earth did these come from? I can’t believe—”

Torin couldn’t take it anymore. He shoved Fiske to the side, effectively removing a source of much pain for all those gathered. Niko made a move to help, but thought better of it and stayed where he was.

“Fiske and Runa went down to our father’s library the other night. I found out and ended up helping them retrieve the books. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you earlier.”

Sylvain punched Torin in the gut. Runa winced. Too much physical aggression for one morning.

“As you should be.”

“Hey!” cried Fiske, who had just started to recover and was staggering to his feet. “Torin didn’t do anything wrong, he just found us out and helped.”

“You’re pretty defensive of someone who just pushed you across the room,” muttered Torin.

Fiske made his way back to the group and wrapped both arms around Torin. “Don’t be mean to Torin, it’s all my fault.”

Casimir rolled his eyes. “Someone must be feeling a little guilty.”

“I know I am,” cut in Runa. “This was my idea, anyway.”

Sylvain’s sharp eyes snapped over to her, and she couldn’t help but flinch. Was it her turn to get beaten up by someone now?

“You fool,” he hissed.

Runa’s heart clenched. Somehow, his words hurt even more than the strike she had been imagining. All the courage she had worked up for her confession only moments before instantly evaporated into the hot, tense air.

“I-I—I’m really, very sorry. So sorry. I know I was being foolish. I was just so worried after what you said about Celemine and the House and…”

Her eyes began to sting, and she cursed herself for falling apart so easily. She breathed in and out. No, she had become stronger than this. She clenched her fists, swallowed her tears, and found her voice again.

“I know it was a dangerous decision, and I am genuinely sorry for going behind your backs. In fact, I almost certainly would have died if without Torin’s help.”

Niko let out something like a gasp, and Sylvain’s stare grew harder.

“But even so, if given the choice, I would do it again—even just for the small chance of finding something to help you. I will not stand by and watch you die. I’m not your prisoner anymore. I’m your friend.”

“It wasn’t worth the risk.”

“How do you know? You haven’t even looked inside the books yet. Regardless, I think it’s up to me to decide what’s worth risking my life for. This was—”

Sylvain’s voice bellowed above hers: “But what were we supposed to do if you died?!”

The room fell silent after that. Runa had never heard Sylvain shout like that before, and his brothers were scrambling to remember if they had, either. He was looking quite red now; whether from anger or embarrassment, was impossible to tell.

“Perhaps I cannot make you regret your actions,” he said quietly, messaging his temples. He looked back at her. “But I can tell you that, while you remain in this house, you are never to go off like that again. At least, not without all of us there with you.”

“I think what he means to say,” cut in Casimir, draping an arm around his brother’s shoulder, “Is that he was very worried, and he’s very glad you aren’t dead.”

“No, I mean she is never to do something like that again.”

“And you’re glad she’s not dead.”

“I…I am glad of that.”

Niko kicked at the pile of books in their midst. “So, what do you think is inside?”

—

“I don’t see how this is necessary,” Runa gritted out, as Sylvain pulled the lids of her right eye open to peer inside.

“Just a precaution.”

“What do you expect to find in my eyes, anyway?”

Sylvain moved to her next eye, his hold gentle but stubborn as he continued his examination. “The eyes reveal the spirit. Our father’s eyes changed as he dove deeper and deeper into Celemine’s teachings.”

“And Torin’s change when he’s going all demon-eyes on us,” added Fiske.

“What, so will my eyes turn blood red when I become evil from reading the books?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

Sylvain pulled back, satisfied with his observations. “You didn’t seem any different this morning, either. The House hasn’t been acting abnormally.” He frowned. “Not that I’ve been as keen as I usually am. But I believe you’re all fine.”

Runa smiled brightly. “Good, because I’m going to read those books now.”

“Hey, hey, wait a second there—” started Casimir.

“Runa…” Torin warned.

“That’s not a very good idea,” said Niko.

Runa sighed. “We have them now, shouldn’t we use them? Your father seems to be the only one who knew anything about Celemine. He could have written about who she is, or where she lives, or—”

“Do you really think that thing lives somewhere?” wondered Casimir.

“Anyway, we might find some vital clue that can save us all,” finished Runa.

“You mean save us,” said Torin, pointing to himself and his brothers.

“No. I don’t mean you—” She pointed at them. “I mean us.” Her finger made a wide circle in the air, closing it as she brought it back to herself.

“It’s not your responsibility, Runa. We’ll figure out something. We will.”

“It’s not like I have any delusions of being a hero. In fact, you could say I have a very selfish reason for wanting to help you. I can’t run away from this now. I’m in danger too. If I go back to the city, someone will recognize me. Lord Cargan will find me. If I try to run somewhere else, Celemine will find me. I’m a part of this now. I’m fighting for my life just as much as I am for yours.”

“But reading Celemine’s books…” Niko said, “That just feels like giving up everything we believe to be good, just to survive.”

“I won’t use it for evil. You know that. And you can all watch me, very carefully. I’m fine with that. You can pull my eyes open every day and check if I’m going insane. You can do whatever you want, just let me do this.”

“I vote yes,” said Sylvain.

Runa’s eyes popped.

“Eh? Really?” asked Casimir.

“Are you crazy?” cried Torin.

“Well, whatever, I vote yes too,” said Casimir with a shrug.

“Are you crazy?!”

“You’re really okay with it, Sylvain?” asked Niko, curious to hear what the eldest brother had to say.

“This doesn’t mean I’m no longer angry with you for going off into the dark pits of hell without telling any of us. That was foolish. I meant it when I said I don’t trust myself with those books, and I don’t really want to let Runa look at them either. But Fiske was right when he said she isn’t like us. I trust her strength of spirit. I believe that, if we stay by her side, all will be well. But let’s agree to burn these books once this is all over. If we see the end of all this, that is.”

“See? That’s what I was thinking,” said Fiske.

“I’m only saying this because I’m beginning to believe it really may be our last hope.”

“I vote yes, too, then,” said Niko.

“Me too,” said Fiske.

Runa looked at Torin. He was still silent.

“Well, what about you, Torin?” asked Fiske.

“If you want my honest answer,” he said, “I still vote no.”

Runa swallowed.

“But it seems like I’m outvoted. And I can’t deny that Runa has a better chance than any of us sorry devils. So, I suppose I don’t have a choice. I wish you wouldn’t do this, Runa. But regardless of how I feel, I’m prepared to do my best to help you.”

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~ A/N ~

Sorry for the slightly boringish, shortish chapter guys >_< But there was definitely some heart-to-hearting that needed to happen in the House!

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