10 ways siblings can suck the life out of you

Life had not been kind to them. Not once since their birth had things been easy for any of the princes and princesses born to Mars and Eira. However, Ignatius had always held on to the hope created by what he could do, what little he could control. Sometimes he had to waste a whole day taking lessons he loathed, many of which seemed useless and unnecessary, and far too many would have him as the sole student. So, when his day was wasted and stolen from him, Ignatius would seize control and flee their quarters with Sephira, racing off to while away the nighttime hours as they pleased because it was the one thing they could do that was entirely their own decisions. Their lives had always been a power struggle it seemed, and often they weren't even the ones playing the game but rather ended up becoming casualties of the wars of others.

He was so done with being someone else's pawn. Done with getting others mixed up in things that hurt them. Resting his head protectively over Sephira's neck as she sobbed into his shoulder, Ignatius vowed to do better. He wouldn't let anyone he cared for be hurt this way again. There would be no more tears for the fallen so long as he could prevent it. Whatever shortcomings he had that had led to this would be found and dealt with. For Avis's memory, and for Sephira who still stood by his side.

For a while he simply held her close, standing there and letting his own tears mix with the rain that still poured down from the heavens. They were both likely soaked down to the bone. The sky was even darker than before by the time he'd managed to stop the flow of tears and look skyward briefly. Most likely it was only going to continue raining, and lightning suddenly seemed like a possibility so at last he'd gently nudge her shoulder with his nose and direct his sister back towards the rusty old car. "Come on, let's dry off." Drawing Seph along with him, Ig made his way back to the shelter of the ancient metal cave, shaking out his pelt before climbing in.

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