A sense of urgency pervaded Akida's whole being when he burst into Syryn's view.

"Utsui is missing.

"

"What? What do you mean Utsui is missing?

" Syryn understood the bad news that Akida had delivered but he had to ask again. In war-like conditions when confusion and mistakes were the norm, it wasn't unheard of for identities to be mistaken and for families to be parted from their loved ones only to be found later. The teen refused to entertain any thoughts of a scenario where the young avian had come to harm. Utsui should have evacuated with the other civilians, he would have.

"He's not at the mountains, Syryn. The only other place he might be at is the border but Utsui had no reason to go there.

"

Syryn could allow himself to believe that Akida was wrong about having searched everywhere. It would stave off the panic that was creeping in at the edges of his consciousness. But what good would he get out of it? If Utsui was somewhere, alive and in danger, the best decision he could make for all of them was to start looking for Utsui.

There were two scenarios now for the teen to consider. Utsui was alive, hiding, hidden, injured, stuck, or at the war zone. The other scenario was Utsui - dead and alone, waiting to be found.

"Riaku, your highness,

" Akida realised with surprise that Riaku was awake. The guard took in the sight of his fully recovered body.

"Utsui must be found.

" Riaku left the bed and it was only then that Syryn really noticed the condition of his clothing. Despite the armour, Riaku's robes had taken a burning. The left side of his midriff was exposed through a patch that had burnt through. His right sleeve was also missing half of its length.

"We can help,

" Artemus said. He had noticed the tiny signs of distress in the teen's body language. Syryn was breathing faster, blinking more rapidly.

"I'll fly to the borders,

" Akida volunteered.

"It's the only other place where healers would gather to help.

"

"I'll come with you,

" The prince said as he began stripping off the tattered robes on his body.

"We'll search Helios.

" It was the last place Syryn had seen Utsui at. The avian had called out to him when Syryn had turned his back and left him alone amidst danger. What ate at him was the thought that he could have escorted Utsui somewhere safer. He had been so eager to save the other avians from the sorcerers, he had abandoned his friend.

"S'ryn, we'll find this person yer looking for.

"

The teen nodded to Sebastian. But what condition would they find Utsui in? Syryn was already preparing himself for the worst kind of news. He had saved so many people who had been sentenced to death by fate. But he knew he couldn't save everyone.

Syryn went back to the spot where he had last left Utsui. The building that had been standing at that point in time had fallen over. Broken burnt timber was strewn across the space that engulfed the spot where Ustui had been at - kneeling on the floor and staunching the bleeding wounds of an unconscious avian.

"This is where I left him,

" Syryn numbly told Sebastian.

It was his fault that Utsui was missing. If he hadn't invited the avian out with him, the avian would have been safe with the other healers and not in the middle of a burning Helios. Syryn had gotten too used to being around companions who were fighters. Utsui wasn't one. He was a scholar and a healer. How stupid of Syryn to forget.

"Step back S'ryn,

" Sebastian said from behind him.

"I'm goin' ta clear the rubble.

"

The teen put some distance between himself and the broken-down building. His thoughts were spiralling in a direction that was unhealthy. What was Utsui's life like in the previous timeline where Nua hadn't been attacked by the demons? Did he become a master healer like he wanted to? Did he find someone and fall in love? Did he give his heart feather away? It was Syryn's fault for changing the events of this life. Nua was supposed to remain a happy place with happy avians. Utsui was supposed to be alive and well.

"Syryn, you can't mourn the missing like they're already dead. I know it looks bad but we're not giving up.

" Artemus said to him. The anti mage wrapped an arm and tugged Syryn close. It was a little bit of comfort for the teen. Inky fragrance and the clean scent that always clung to Artemus brought some calm to his spiralling mind.

"I know,

" Syryn replied, realising that he had been shedding tears. Once upon a time, he had cried like this but it was Alka comforting him.

"To have Syryn crying for him even though you've known him for such a short span of time, Utsui must be a very special person,

" Artemus murmured to Syryn.

Syryn nodded. He couldn't explain why but the avian was special to him. Maybe it was his innocence, the teen thought. Blunt, innocent, sweet Utsui who hated being teased by Syryn.

Sebastian had now cleared a huge swathe of the neighbourhood with the force of his wind. The larger chunks of buildings, wooden supports, and debris were cleared off but there was no Utsui. What they did see was the crushed body of an unlucky avian woman. The sight put Syryn into a worse mood. His friend could be in the same condition somewhere else.

"It's a good sign S'ryn. Not findin' his dead body means he left the area,

" Syryn heard Sebastian say.

"Come, we'll sweep the entirety of Helios if that is what it takes to find your friend.

"

"It'll be too late if he's somewhere dying alone,

" Syryn replied.

Behind him, a redhead who had woken up from his sleep in one of the beds downstairs came trudging through the rubble.

"You guys left me alone in the house.

"

"Red?

" Syryn turned on.

"Utsui is missing.

"

"That's.. no good,

" Red slowly replied. He observed Syryn's puffy eyes and reddened nose.

"Are you looking for him right now?

"

"Yes.

"