The Morning light filtered through the window as Cyrus slowly sat up. The blanket falling off of his body to his lap. He looked at Soren's bed. It's empty. That's alright, Soren had a habit of walking up early.
Maybe he woke up before Cyrus and left without waking him up. But Soren's blanket was hanging loosely off the bed on one side. Soren never leaves the bed unmade. Cyrus shrugged. He was broken by the news of the temple burning down the day before. Maybe that's why he forgot to make the bed.
Cyrus got up from his bed and stretched. He made his bed and got into his usual clothes. There isn't any class today as there would be a funeral held for the deceased priests/priestesses and Saints/Saintesses.
Cyrus stepped out of his room. The hallways once filled sounded dull with the news of Master Elric's death hanging on heavily. The kids all gathered in the dining hall. Cyrus's eyes scanned for Soren. He isn't here as well. Where could that annoying ass crow would have gone?
Soren looked tense. Like he was over on edge yesterday. Maybe he has noticed something Cyrus didn't or he simply doesn't want to wait for Cyrus in the morning anymore. But Soren should've been in the dining area. No, he isn't here. Just the other kids eating in silence. No loud laughter could be heard.
Cyrus made his way beside Fallon. Normally he would sit alone to avoid all the kids climbing on him like they do with Soren but today he needs to know where his annoying roommate is?
"Big bro Cyrus?" Fallon looked at Cyrus, "Aren't you going to eat something?"
Cyrus shook his head, "I'm not hungry, Fall."
"I can't believe Master Elric's gone." Fallon almost sobbed. Elric was the one who taught Fallon on how to use his healing powers effectively.
Cyrus was silent. Only Soren knows how to comfort other people, not Cyrus. Cyrus is the opposite of Soren. They are like water and flame which never mixes together but rather the water current extinguishes the blazing flame.
Cyrus sighed and as condolences, he put a comforting hand on Fallon's shoulder, tugging him closer to him.
Fallon nodded slightly grateful for the gesture, he continued eating in silence just like the rest of the kids inside the orphanage.
Cyrus wasn't close with Elric as much as the other kids. But he had been close with the matron. The Matron had taught him how to properly use his ability. That's why when Soren suspected the Matron and told him about it. Cyrus dismissed it. He didn't want to believe it.
Now Soren's… Lord knows where he is… maybe Fallon knows?
"Hey Fall?" Fallon glanced at Cyrus, "do you know where Soren is?"
Fallon shook his head, "I don't." He said, "wasn't he in the room with you?"
Cyrus frowned slightly, "no, he wasn't." He replied, "he was not in the room when I woke up."
"I see…" Fallon thoughtfully nodded, his rims were red from sobbing, "maybe he is out for fresh air somewhere."
Cyrus nodded, despite not believing any of Fallon's words. Cyrus sighs. Maybe Soren is getting fresh air grieving somewhere. The matron had taught Soren as well. Just like Cyrus. She treated the two of them like her own two sons. But now Cyrus had noticed that she seemed a little… distant.
Maybe Soren had noticed that too. Maybe months ago. Maybe two weeks ago. Maybe that's why he has been trying to tell Cyrus. If Cyrus hadn't brushed him off and let him talk, would he also be able to figure out the truth? Maybe what Soren had seen or figured out had terrified him enough to run away– no Soren's not that kind of guy who would run away. Maybe Cyrus would see Soren at the funeral today.
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There were no priests or high-priests to lead the funeral. Matron Nell took charge of that. She began rallying us as we stood before coffins covered with white sheets. Cyrus knows those coffins lay there empty as a sad memorial since. The Matron had informed us that the bodies were burned to ashes in the fire.
The Matron stood on stage to give some sort of speech but all Cyrus could focus on was trying to find Soren. His eyes wandered everywhere. To everyone's faces. He couldn't find Soren in the midst of the crowd of children. He sighed. Where could that guy be? Did he really run away?
He then looked at the Matron. Really looked at her and… it infuriates him to see that Soren was right, she did act a little different. How long she had been like this, is unknown to Cyrus. The posture, the slight tone… it was all different. How long has that woman been like this? That posture and those eyes are familiar to him but it's not the Matron's.
After the Matron's speech ended. One by one the orphanage kids came up to the Matron to express their feelings. Everyone did. And among those 'everyone' Cyrus was unable to see those familiar piercing blue eyes which are deeper than the ocean itself. The odd part of it all was that the Matron didn't look worried as if where that guy might be. She was neutral in that aspect.
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The funeral had ended earlier than he thought. It was late afternoon and almost evening. Means dinner time's right around the corner. Cyrus lay on his bed exhausted. He turned to the side and looked at Soren's unmade bed. He had kept it how he saw it in the morning. But no sign of Soren. Maybe if he skips dinner too. Soren might come out of hiding and feed him just like he used to do. He just stared at Soren's empty bed.
There was a tug on his heart that he couldn't name. Why isn't Soren here yet? Cyrus needs Soren. Well he needs someone infuriating to keep him entertained. He sighed in frustration and sat up. Staring out the window towards the setting sun. He imagined Soren coming through the door. Maybe in a towel with wet hair and water dripping down his body. Cyrus shook his head.
He stood up. He needs to find the Matron soon. Maybe she knows where Soren is? And Cyrus's patience was wearing thin. He stormed out of his and… Soren's shared room.
He stopped as soon as he saw the matron coming out of her office. Cyrus stopped before her.
"Matron Nell," he said, he had never talked to her like that before, "may I ask you something?"
The Matron smiled as if she didn't care about Cyrus's behavior, "yes, my love?"
"Please tell me where my roommate Soren is?" Cyrus tried not to sound desperate.
The Matron's smile widened, "your friend?"
Cyrus felt something in his heart as he heard the word friend. Was Soren his friend? No, he was his rival, his enemy. But he had protected Cyrus countless times. Then allies are the best thing Cyrus could come up with. But aren't 'friends' and 'allies' the same thing?
"Yes." Cyrus answered, simply.
"I'm quite sorrowful to tell you, Cyrus but…" The Matron said as Cyrus felt goosebumps on his body but he waited and dreaded as the Matron continued and what she said next made Cyrus's heart clenched.
"He had run away…"