[@KactusPunch] [@Adeline]

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	Aksel’s eyes stirred. He was gradually regaining consciousness, the sounds of voices rousing him again. He blinked open to a world that felt... wrong. He didn’t remember falling. Just the flash. The brightest white. Then nothing.

	Now, there was shouting. Movement. [i]Pain[/i]. His body felt like it had been borrowed by something divine and returned slightly misaligned. He shifted, testing his limbs. They worked. Mostly.

	As memory began to return to him, he forced himself onto his stomach and raised himself onto a knee before wobbling to his feet. He stretched his neck and shook his head, the long curtain of his hair whipping about before settling again.

	Looking at the scene, everyone seemed to be okay. He kept scanning, remembering now what he had been doing before… well, before whatever happened.

	He spotted her—not far now, but farther than she should’ve been. The flash had somehow tossed the poor girl from her last known position. Aksel began making his way as fast as his body would allow, which was even less impressive in his current state.

	[color=#DC143C]"Hey Ax. Aksel? You good dude?"[/color]

	He slowed and turned toward JJ’s voice, slow and deliberate.

	[color=#3366CC]"I think so,"[/color] he muttered, raising a thumb, voice hoarse. [color=#3366CC]"Still here."[/color]

	He looked toward his target again. She was breathing. Aksel sighed softly in relief. That was enough for now. He kept moving, each step a quiet defiance.

	The shattered hail glistened like divine debris. The storm had passed, but something had been marked. He didn’t know what yet. His head was swimming, but he could try to do at least this much.

	[i]Some storms were easier to face with someone beside you,[/i] his mind echoed.

	Even if this storm hadn’t played fair.

	Aksel reached the girl, knocked unconscious before that flash even hit. She didn’t look in great shape, and everyone seemed to agree that heading in was the best bet. So, Aksel knelt down, scooped her up, nestled her head onto his shoulder, and began the steadiest march he could muster back toward the community center.

	[color=#3366CC]"Don't worry,"[/color] he began, slow and soft. [color=#3366CC]"About a thing... cuz every little thing... gonna be alright...."[/color]