Fall: ...And Inevitability That Which Begets; Despair PT. 1/5

"Oh, I remember."

I opened my eyes to see the sky had darkened to the point where I could barely see in front of me. It looked as if it was late, although it got dark early around this time of year, so who really knows?

"Ugh, it's cold."

I started to shiver as my body came back to life, the cold having enveloped my entire being. I started to sit up before I was forced back down, the cold having been replaced with an overwhelming amount of pain and soreness that pervaded all throughout my body, except, oddly enough, my head.

I grit my teeth as I tried once more to sit up, groaning as I succeeded, taking long, hard gasps of air as I tried to get used to the pain. I shivered again, and I clutched my body as I looked around at the place we called our hideout.

The tree had grown larger over the years, and with it the treehouse. There were three slides down with two ladders reaching up, one for each floor. I winced as the scene I saw changed into the smaller treehouse, vibrant with green leaves and life, before it reverted to the dull leafless brown.

"My head is still a bit fuzzy, I guess…"

Still, if what I remembered is true, then that means that…

I wobbled to my feet, the pain flaring throughout my body once more, but I didn't fall this time, steadying myself as I reached for the phone in my pocket.

"It really is late huh…"

It was past 7 o'clock now, the school day long over. I also had a bunch of missed calls from almost everyone saved in my phone.

"Damn, that's not good."

I scratched my head, tensing up as pain shot through me again. I honestly don't even know why I hurt so much. Is it because I was freezing to death or something? But if that were the case, wouldn't I not be able to feel anything? Ugh, I can't be bothered right now.

I dialed the first number I saw, sighing as I held the phone from my ear, waiting for the onslaught.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED WE ARE!? DEPRA, ANSWER ME RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!"

Yep, there it was. "Sorry Lachesis. I'm fine, I think-"

"YOU THINK!? KNOW GODDAMNIT! WHAT WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAD TO-!"

"I remember."

There was silence, and I glanced at my phone to make sure I didn't hang up before bringing it back to my ear.

"Um, are you there?"

"So-sorry, you caught me off guard. What do you remember?"

"Can we meet at your house?"

"Uh, yeah, of course, but-!"

"And um, bring the others too. The ones who've helped me a lot."

Silence again before I heard a sigh. "I understand. They'll be there, so just make sure you are too, okay? And I expect a full explanation, got that!?"

"Thank you Lachy."

"Hmph, it's been a while since you've called me that. Anyway, meet you there."

She hung up, and I put my phone back in my pocket, looking back at the hideout. I guess I'll get all my answers when I meet them. Although, the problem I have right now is…

I turned my attention to my feet, looking at the trail beneath me. I don't even know if I'm gonna be able to move myself to her house with this pain…

I took a step, and jab of pain shot through me, almost causing me to fall back to the ground. Okay Depra, one step at a time.

And I did just that, pushing through the pain as I made my way out the woods, having to use my phone light to see the way back. Once I made it out of the trail and onto the playground, I collapsed on a bench, sweat dripping out from every pore on my body as I gasped for air, the pain making it hard to even breathe at this point.

It was quiet in the park, not a sound to be heard, not even the wind rustling up fallen leaves, nor animals making their nightly chorus; just silence, as if the world was waiting with abated breath for some event to come to pass.

I took a deep breath, getting my breathing under control before continuing on my painful journey back to Lachy's house, the world around me completely quiet, not a single soul in sight, nor a single car passing, just silence with dark clouds overhead, blocking out any sort of natural light the stars or moon could offer me.

"Oh, I'm here."

I stopped at the house right before mine, stopping at the driveway, seeing two cars parked, Necessitas' and Hemera's. I clenched my fist, pain stabbing through my arm before I relaxed, my resolve renewed.

I walked to the front door and lightly knocked on the front door before taking a step back. After a couple seconds, I could hear the door's lock unlock, and it swung open to reveal the hair of summer and soft blue eyes filled with relief at my sight.

"Hey Lachy," I said, giving her a small smile.

She gave me a hug without warning, causing so much pain that it felt like I was about to black out, but I managed to hug her back as she buried her head in my shoulder.

She didn't say a word, but she didn't have to as I felt my chest grow wet and warm, and I hugged her tighter, relaxing my body for the first time since I started my long walk here.

"I'm home…" I murmured, and she squeezed even tighter, the pain almost unbearable now. But I can't show her that, not right now anyway.

We may have stood there for a second or an eternity, I honestly couldn't tell, but when it was over, I felt a feeling of warmth overtake my heart, wrapping it's warm branches around me as buds started to sprout.

She turned away, not letting me see her face as she sniffled. "You're late."

"Sorry, it took me longer than expected."

"I see…" She trailed before nodding. "They're in the living room. Don't wait for me; I need to go to the bathroom."

She walked back into the house, towards the bathroom, and I walked in, closing the door behind me. I took off my shoes and made my way to the living room, where I saw the six people I had left earlier that day.

They're faces went slack with relief when they saw me but tensed up once more when they saw my expression, and I stopped as I looked each of them in eye.

"Erebus, Eros, Aether, Hemera, Nyx, and Necessitas, there's something I have to tell you." Silence, and I knelt down to my knees, bowing my head so it touched the floor.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, but, I'm glad now." I looked up at their shocked faces and grinned.

"Glad that I remember who you guys are."

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"I see, so that's what happened," Lachy murmured, sipping at her cup of tea.

It was around 9 o'clock now, and I had just finished explaining everything that had gone on after lunch. We were all sitting in Lachy's living room, she and I sitting together in a chair, the guys taking up one couch and the girls taking up another, each of us haven been served tea by Lachy's mother, who had disappeared into another room to let us talk.

"Sorry for the trouble, but I really did have to know," I said, bowing my head once more. "It's hard to explain, but I just had to."

"Stop apologizing! Oh, really, it's fine, so long as you're okay!" Hemera let out, pouting in between Nyx and Necessitas.

"I have to agree my dear Deppy~. It is quite alright. So long as you weren't harmed, it as fine," Eros purred, sipping his tea with a pinkie out. "Still, can't say I was expecting this development."

"I must concur! I thought that King's memories would forever be lost in the annals of history, trapped-!" He got cut off by a glare from Necessitas as she adjusted her glasses, and he cleared his throat. "Although, how did you know where to find the hideout?"

"Memories told me, I guess. I don't really understand it myself…" I said, trailing off as I sipped the warm tea. Lachesis had wrapped a blanket around me when she caught me shivering earlier, which she decided to share with me. The pain from earlier had also subsided, now just a dull throb throughout my body.

"Well, I guess the secret is out now. You wanted to know why we wanted to help you so much? It was because you helped us out a great deal, all of us," Nyx said, a small smile curling onto her lips as her white eyes gazed into her tea, which she was swirling around with a spoon.

"I really don't see how," I said, putting the teacup down. "I mean, for Aether and Nyx I get, but what about the rest of you?"

Eros let out a wry smile, his sparkles losing some of their luster. "You've seen them, haven't you? The scars on my back."

I nodded, the memory flashing back in my head as little Eros gave me a grin.

"If you think so, I'll be proud of the Major~."

I shook the memory off, my head starting to feel fuzzy. "I remember. I never got to ask you how you got them though…"

I trailed off as I put two and two together, and his smile widened as my eyes did the same. "It seems you've put it together, haven't you~?"

I could only look down, cursing my ignorance. "I, I don't know what to say…"

"It's no problem at all now, since you were the one who helped fix it my little lamb~," Eros purred, taking another sip of his tea. "By the way, I still do it to this day, and will probably continue too until I go off on my own~."

I looked up, and his caramel eyes still held the same warmth it always did, but only now could I see the other side of that warmth and realize what sort of place it came from.

"Oh, me next Depra!" Hemera exclaimed, raising her hand excitedly. I turned to her cheery face as another memory flashed through my head, this one of her crying as we gave her all those old clothes. Now that I think about it…

"Your place when we stopped by over the summer seemed run down. Do you just not have money?"

"Ding-dong! I'm as poor as poor can be!" Hemera said, winking at me. "It's why I take Nyx's stuff instead!"

"Ugh, don't remind me," Nyx muttered, and Hemera took a sip of Nyx's tea as if proving a point.

"So, do you guys still give her clothes and stuff?" I asked, looking at everybody, and Lachesis nodded.

"Every year at the same time. Although we tend to buy her stuff now instead, since we have different sizes."

I was stunned, and I leaned back into the chair, sighing. "This really is a lot to take in you know."

"You're telling us King," Erebus said, rolling his eye. "I was shocked to find out you forgot, but even more so now that you remember. I honestly never thought…"

It went silent again, and another memory came to pass of young Erebus with a medical eyepatch over his right eye, and I raised my hand to my head, wincing as the dull throb panged through me, and Lachesis noticed, scowling at me.

"What's wrong Depra?"

I shook the memory off, relaxing again. "It's nothing."

She glared at me, grabbing my hand, and I couldn't help but let out an audible gasp as pain flashed through me.

"I knew it, you are hurt. Where and how?" She asked, looking me up and down.

"I'm fine Lachy, really," I said, but she wouldn't let go, and I exhaled sharply through my nose. "You were a lot nicer as a kid, what happened to that?"

She rolled her eyes. "I grew up, just like you did. Now tell me."

I stared into her soft blue eyes, and I relented. "I don't really get it myself, but before I remembered, it felt like I was rejecting something…"

"Rejecting what?" Aether asked, spilling some of his tea on himself.

"I dunno really," I said, frowning as I clutched my shirt with my free hand. "It was as if my very being was rejecting myself, or something like that. All I know was that it hurt, a lot, and when I woke up it hurt to just move. Still does, but it's bearable now."

Lachesis released my hand, looking at me with wide eyes, her mouth slightly open. "Then, when we, you were…"

I nodded, understanding what she was trying to say. "Sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

"By the way Erebus, how did Depra help you out?" Aether asked, and Erebus gave off a wicked smile.

"He taught me the art of being cool of course." His smile faded as he grazed his fingers over the hair covering his right eye. "Well, that among other things."

Another memory flashed before me, the wind sweeping away Erebus' hair, showing me what was underneath-!

"Ugh," I groaned, holding my head as the memory went hazy, and everyone looked concerned as I took a deep breath.

"I'm fine, my memories are still a little hazy is all," I said before continuing. "But, how did I forget in the first place? Does anyone know?"

"Eh? You mean you don't…" Lachesis trailed off, looking away from me as she did so. "No, I guess it's fine. Don't force yourself to remember, alright?"

"But it's so weird," I said, scowling. "I remember a lot, but I don't understand the context of some memories though. What is it that I'm-!"

Another hazy memory came forth, too hazy for me to see anything, but I was so close, and yet, what is this?

I shook my head, sighing. "Maybe you are right. I guess I'll leave it alone for now…"

Necessitas sighed, taking another sip of tea. "Well, I'm just glad you're alright Depra. It seems are efforts weren't wasted after all."

"Why do you make it seem as if it was a pain in the ass?" I grumbled, and everyone started to chuckle as I let loose a smile.

Maybe things won't be so bad anymore. Maybe, maybe I really will be able to…

In the end, I couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if I truly left it alone. But maybe even that thought is the reason I couldn't help myself.

"Well, I think I understand how I helped everyone out, but what about you Necessitas?" I asked, taking a sip of tea. "You really are the odd woman out."

She shrugged, taking another sip of tea. "Who knows, maybe I didn't want to deal with the idiot who gave me the name Dark Empress."

"But you named yourself, didn't you? I remember on that school trip when you introduced yourself. It threw me and Erebus for a-!"

(Remember DEPRA!!!)

Another memory surged forth of a messy brown-haired girl reaching out to touch me, and I felt all the haze and fog in my head clear up as I blacked out into my [Slothful] Remembrance one last time.