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Ash didn't believe that Ewron would bring his daughter back to life. Not that he didn't trust his blade, but he didn't want to believe that Ewron would do such a thing and leave him behind. He knew that the consequences would be big for the hybrid and even if he somehow managed to bring her back it would mean that he would lose something. Maybe his personality or look, maybe even his life and Ash wasn't prepared for such a loss. The night was colder than usual when it started raining. Ash could feel that the atmosphere changed and he definitely didn't like it. He could catch the tension in the sphere trying to understand what was happening. Suddenly it became worse. The rain was always a horrible omen. Ash tried to reach Ewron through his communicator but nothing was working during this horrendous storm. Everyone in The Regime was trying to sleep it through but something was keeping him awake. More precisely someone. Ash would be a liar if he had to admit that he didn't care for a redhead. In this short amount of time he developed some kind of sense that if the other one is in danger Ash has to help him. No matter what. Looking through the window Ash tried to untie his strangled thoughts and make an illusion that the weather isn't bothering him. So instead of focusing on what was happening outside he just shifted his mind to something more pleasant. The strands of claret hair were flashing in his mind. The laughter that made him shiver every time he heard it. The small fangs inside the perfect smile. The blue eyes that were in the ideal shade of illuminated ocean that Ash was ready to drown in. The muscles that were underlined in the sparring sessions. Everything was exciting when he was with that person. Every touch, shared look, how the other was holding a blade, how he was talking about something. His smell, his body, his mind, his ideas. Just him. Someone would think that Ash is thinking about something untouchable, unreal. But it was right in front of him. He just didn't want to admit that something was screaming that he wants everything in this person. A memories of boats crashing in the waves, of secrets whispered in the paths of unknown forests, of looks that were meant to mean nothing but in reality were everything. The tiny things that were reserved for Ash' eyes only. Like the scars underneath the robes, freckles that were spread across the body like constellations, the tiredness, the uncertain words, the fear in eyes when there was a creeper around, the quiet huffs when the anger took over. All it was for Ash' eyes under the facade of a nonchalant, not caring at all person. All it was Ash'. Just his and no one else's. So don't get him wrong when he took his coat, his sword and went to the Polish Cave. To his disappointment no one was there. The storm was getting stronger and all of the animals inside the skull of Poles were scared. Ash tried to get their shit together and make sure they feel safe there, but someone from the Polish people thought that the best way to make a base is to open it for everyone. Wonderful. Not only were all of their things soaked but also the pets were petrified. Finally Graf appeared in the entrance looking like a wet puppy waiting for someone to open the door.
"Ash" - he started when he was drying his jacket. The rain must've caught him when he was at the mission. Ash only could deduce it from the full backpack that the witcher was having. - "What brings you here?"
Ash noticed that the other one' glasses were dirty from the mud in The Regime. He probably went to check on Haiper. Ash knew that these two had someone between them and even talked to Haiper to finally grow balls to ask Graf on a date. Still it hasn't happened.
"I'm looking for Ew-" - he stopped realizing how pathetic that would come out if he would tell why he is there. Graf not only was reading him like an open book, but also knew how much Ewron meant to him and in the perspective of Graf working for Federation or Multi it wouldn't be a dream to tell him everything. "For someone"
Graf only smirked when he tried to take deer into one of their tenements for a peaceful night. Ash followed him, counting that Graf would tell him where his object of interest was. Nothing like that happened because Graf was only crooning to calm the animals down. When they finally succeed in helping the pets in the cave Graf proposed a tea and what kind of Supreme Leader Ash would be if he said no. When the tea was finally ready, they sat inside one of the Polish buildings and drank it in silence. Finally Graf muttered:
"He is in the church"
Ash' entire life went by his eyes. Ewron was not only in danger, but he definitely wasn't sleeping which meant that he was terrified of the creatures outside. Ash had to fight the urge to get up and leave their tea party but as soon as he reached for the coat Graf stopped him.
"He's not a baby, he can take care of himself."
The heat was getting to Ash' body and his fists were already clenched. He tried not to use his instinct and kill Graf here and there. What does he mean by saying Ewron didn't need him? In order of everything that happened on the island Ash' only purpose was to keep Ewron alive. That was the only thing that mattered in this shithole. They made plans for what they will be doing after they leave this hell. They would build a house, Ash would adopt a new child, Ewron would be laying in the lavender haze and Ash would only admire how he would be looking. So peaceful, no wrinkles in his face, eyes shut, his mouth open and then Ash would hunt him in the forest just like Ewron loved. Ash even found the perfect place on this island, but in the perspective of war, the Federation, Regime problems, their future had to wait.
"Graf I don't think you understand" - he took the coat, dressing it and walked straight to the entrance. "I need to take care of him"
The only thing that was left was an unfinished cup of tea. Graf sighed, finishing his tea and trying to start working more on the building.
The church was placed on the huge mountain right at the top. There were no stairs so Ash had to climb all over there with his own strength. Stupid panda that was always doing some reckless shit and Ash always had to save him. Or forgive him. Just like he did when Ewron killed his daughter. Ash knew it was an accident however the scar on the heart was left. He took the torch praying that no monsters would appear in his hike. He would prefer to not fall in the attempt of saving his not so smart friend. Well Ash doesn't like it when someone thinks that Ewron is more than a friend to him but he knows that deep in his heart he wishes for him to be someone more. He will never say it out loud, but it's there. That's what matters the most right? The weather was getting so much worse when he started his walk. Not only was the wind stronger, but the lightnings were more present than before. He had high hopes that Ewron hid himself in the basement of the church because the lightning was directly focused on the church tower. When he finally reached the peak he was more than concerned when he heard the voices inside the shrine. Not just the one he knew by heart, but also the one he didn't recognize. The doorway was blocked so Ash had to sneak into the balcony to see what's happening. It wasn't that easy considering that every brick was covered in the water and he slipped more than a few times. However he made it without much damage so he took it as a win. The scene that he saw wasn't something you see everyday. The candles were spread across the building making it seem like a performance, by the altar there was a coffin that Ash believed was a body of his daughter and the most shocking was his blade kneeling on the floor with the thing in his hand that was probably some kind of wand. Then Ash understood, Ewron was about to resurrect his child. Ghosty was about to live again. And then the other voice, almost like a whisper said:
"Ewron the resurrection comes with the consequences."
It happened too fast. Ewron was lifted in the air, unconscious by the Fed worker. Ash tried to stop it but he didn't make it. They already put some kind of fluid into Ewron' body and just dropped him on the floor. The light was so blinding that Ash couldn't see what was happening. In one moment he tried to get to Ewron and on the other he was watching like Ghosty was coming alive again. The flesh and blood from the coffin started to place in one piece again and there she was. Healthy and alive, floating around Ash exactly like it was when they first met. He knew she would understand that he wasn't running to her. He was running to him, because at that moment he was the one who needed Ash more. Even if it would cost Ash losing Ghosty again he couldn't ignore Ewron. He even prayed that she would fly out of the window and find peace on her own. He knew she was capable of that, she could never stay at the one place. He kneeled over Ewron' body trying to shake him, to wake him up and to see his beautiful eyes again. Nothing was working. Not screams, not tears, not the words. Ash knows that he is running out of time. The blood was coming out of Ewron' eyeballs when he finally opened them.
"I'm here Ewron. I'm here" - Ash sobbed when he was holding him like it was the only thing he cared about in the world. And it would be true. Because no matter how many important things or people Ash had in his life, the only one who cared about the most was Ewron. Ewron between the panic and with the raspy voice finally managed to say something:
"I can't… I can't feel or s-see anything." '
Ash hugged him tighter trying to comfort his own peace, he didn't know why he Ewron did it. He just wanted him by his side till the end. Till they will be old and they will be telling stories about how they get to this point. But at that moment Ash didn't feel like it would be a future for them. Because Ewron was dying, slowly but he was dying.
"Ewron, why would you do that? You know that there's no her without you, you fucking idiot" - two of them knew that the last words were the mechanism for Ash to copy with something he didn't know how to deal with. He didn't know how to live without someone who he admires the most in this life.
"Because I love you Ash" - Ewron whimpered between the agony and pain. Ash only pulled him closer, closing the gap between Ewron and his mouth. He was tasting the blood of his not friend now, but someone more powerful than a mate or a lover. His soulmate. Their tongues were connected and they were working on the same rhythm. It wasn't angry or rushed. It was almost sweet how they were looking. The sun was rising and the church was getting lighter. And they were still sharing the same breaths, same mouths, same saliva. They were connected by blood, tears, dirt and dust. By the ballad of their hearts beating in the same tact. It was messy and sorrowful, but it was theirs. It was perfect in its imperfection. Ash imagined it differently, he imagined their first kiss on the lavender haze with his favourite smell and blue eyes that were looking at him before he would take the shot. Because Ewron was like a shot of espresso, he was like being bathed in the sunlight. Even now, he had his useful smirk and playful ticks that made Ash know that everything was like always. Except one thing. Ewron was getting weaker and weaker. He didn't have the strength to say something so he just kissed him like it was the last time. And it was, because Ewron took the last breath from Ash's mouth and his head fell down on Ash's knees. Through tears he acknowledged his daughter being by his side all the time.
"I love you too, Ewron."
From that moment Ash knew that the Federation took something more than a close person. They took everything he had to lose and he was ready to show them the real show. With Ghosty by his side, he was ready to show the Feds where their place is.