He writhed and groaned.

All night he was like this. The pain was soothed a little, but he often made noises of soft moaning.

He was feverish and drenched in sweat. At times, he'd lash out with his claws.

The day wasnt much better.

He'd mumble in his fever-ridden sleep.

After all he'd been through, this was the worst. He'd cough, moasn, toss and turn.

For an entire week, he was delirious and his clothes and bedding needed to be changed twice a day because of how much he sweat.

But...slow and steady, it began to slow, his beast calming.

Arissa had been holding Ryker's hands.

"Arkus was only close to being this bad once. But...Eke's...i have never seen a beast flare so bad." she said worriedly.

"Even Arkus never was that delirious...nor Therius..." she said with a sigh.

"How is he doing today?" she asked

@Colin: oops i think wrong thread

Arissa nodded rubbing Ryker's back.

"Ive been doing what i can to help" she said kissing his hand.

"Is he even consious yet? Or is he still delirious?" Arissa asked.

Eke muttered in his sleep. It was like he was having nightmares the way he mumbled.

He suddenly began screaming. He was still very out of it, but his delirum had him screaming bloody murder.

Arissa squeezed his hands.

"Hey...he'll recover. Every dragon goes through this." she said smiling

"Its a part of growing up. He'll be fine. That screaming probably means he's at the end of it" she said gently.

Eke eventually calmed down. And for the first time in a week...he was quiet.

His breathing was finally even.

Arissa looked to Ryker.

"He still has time left you know..." she said referring to Eke.

Her white hair draped over her pale shoulder.

"The boy still needs you both" she said rubbing his shoulders.

After a while, Eke finally woke.

"Aly...? Savra? Ryker...?" he mumbled slowly sitting up, his hair still sticky and wet from sweating.

"Just as long as you dont leave us yet" she said taking his hand.

Her tufted tail swished a little.

Eke looked to Savra.

"I...yeah...think so..." he said. He tried to get out of bed.

He quickly had to use the bed for support. No he was going to walk. He'd ruined enough things.

He found the cane the hospital gave him a while back and grabbed it.

He hated that he needed assistance, but he was walking.

He gives Savra a pet with a smile. "Im alright." he said warmly.

Despite all of that, despite their trip being short, he was not going to give up this time.

He slowlky makes his way to the shower. It tok him a while, but he got clean and changed.

Hm...hairs getting long, he thought. He didnt want to cut it though.

So he put it up in a small pony tail.

Then he made his way back to his room, finding his phone, checking the date. He blinked. He had missed his birthday.

"Huh..." he muttered. "Alright Sav, im starving and i want to let Ryker know im fine" he said smiling.

"Wanna help me downstairs?"

"I...i didnt..." he sighed smiling.

"Thanks..." he said making his way down.

"Helloooooo!" he called out

"Im awaaaake!"

Eke slowly makes his way to the den, cane in hand.

"Hey you" he said grinning.

"How are you doing? I uh...yeah!" he said chuckling.

"Wow...seventeen can you believe it?" he said before grinning

"Four years" he said holding out a brightly wrapped candy

"I cant keep letting this stuff get to me" he said

"Im tired of wearing you guys out. I...im tired of being sad" he said shrugging.

"Even if the cane is now permanent, im going to keep going." he added before smiling

"Bout time i actually listened to what you guys have been saying all this time." he nodded.

"Ive been through hell, and i should be stronger for it"