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curruid_coinchenn) wrote in
middaeg2020-01-02 05:54 pm
Entry tags:
Behind the flames and the prayers, soulless creatures burn [closed]
Who: Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) and Flat Escardos
When: Ieneuer 6th
Where: Dorchacht Wilde
What: High-risk quest #1 - Search and Rescue
Warnings: Blood, violence, the usual
[ Dorchacht, the city he never wanted to see again. He'd left it burning in the night, his final memories of it a glowing ember in the distance. A factory that produced the potions that helped make monsters docile destroyed with the help of Geralt. Anyone who opposed him and Diarmuid killed in the night without a second thought. Countless others killed as he freed monsters and passed them to the resistance. The city of darkness he was forced to be in disguise just to traverse it like a witch or even a normal human would. Bile rises in his throat as he thinks about what he experience, about what Waver experienced...
Why is he back here again? Because of Flat. Flat went to the city and Berserker followed. If it had been Diarmuid or Geralt, he would have let them go alone. They can handle themselves. Flat, however, is not a trained fighter like his other two Bondmates. Even though they're outside the walls, a deep sense of unease fills him. Anxiety and discomfort, a sign of the trauma he experienced, get passed through the Bonds he shares. As uncomfortable as he is, it doesn't show on his face.
The plight of the Wilders in Dorchacht didn't concern him -- he was simply here to kill the monsters threatening them. That and track down Flat, who someone had just seen go into the Wilde. Berserker pulls the barbed, red spear off of his back and snaps it down into a ready position. As he makes his way in further to the uncharted area, he seems a familiar slender blonde. ]
Flat. Come here. Now.
[ He hears something coming and he's not about to risk the witch not having the reflexes to react in time. ]
When: Ieneuer 6th
Where: Dorchacht Wilde
What: High-risk quest #1 - Search and Rescue
Warnings: Blood, violence, the usual
[ Dorchacht, the city he never wanted to see again. He'd left it burning in the night, his final memories of it a glowing ember in the distance. A factory that produced the potions that helped make monsters docile destroyed with the help of Geralt. Anyone who opposed him and Diarmuid killed in the night without a second thought. Countless others killed as he freed monsters and passed them to the resistance. The city of darkness he was forced to be in disguise just to traverse it like a witch or even a normal human would. Bile rises in his throat as he thinks about what he experience, about what Waver experienced...
Why is he back here again? Because of Flat. Flat went to the city and Berserker followed. If it had been Diarmuid or Geralt, he would have let them go alone. They can handle themselves. Flat, however, is not a trained fighter like his other two Bondmates. Even though they're outside the walls, a deep sense of unease fills him. Anxiety and discomfort, a sign of the trauma he experienced, get passed through the Bonds he shares. As uncomfortable as he is, it doesn't show on his face.
The plight of the Wilders in Dorchacht didn't concern him -- he was simply here to kill the monsters threatening them. That and track down Flat, who someone had just seen go into the Wilde. Berserker pulls the barbed, red spear off of his back and snaps it down into a ready position. As he makes his way in further to the uncharted area, he seems a familiar slender blonde. ]
Flat. Come here. Now.
[ He hears something coming and he's not about to risk the witch not having the reflexes to react in time. ]

no subject
[ flat turns around with a jump, eyes wide as he stares at berserker with a look of surprise. he had purposely gone without him, having sensed the mix of complicated feelings coming from the other. sneaking in wasn’t a problem, either, as they were always looking for assistance.
as asked, he goes over to cu’s side, looking up at him with some frustration of his own. to think that he’d be found so easily—!! ]
How did you find me so quickly? In fact, why are you here in the first place?
no subject
[ His eyes narrow, but there's a larger problem at hand. He steps in front of Flat protectively, similar to the way he did when they were fighting shades in Aefenglom. ]
I should ask you the same thing. This is no place for you to be right now.
[ Hoofbeats? He'd heard they'd looked like mutated horses, but he didn't think it would be so literal. The unease being shared across their Bond ceases and it's replaced by a disturbingly emptiness. Berserker has shut himself off from his emotions right now, knowing he has to in order to be most effective. His stance shifts to lean his weight on his forward foot, ready to spring the moment the beast stalking them decides to strike. ]
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[ flat announces it in a chipper tone, already filing it in his head to find out how to momentarily cover that connection.
but it’s something to think about for later, as he hears the hoofbeats in the distance as well. the emptiness that comes from cu doesn’t seem to bother him at all, instead falling behind him with a neutral look of his own. ]
We have to find those missing people. [ he talks neutrally, even as the beast approaches them, the grotesque heads turning towards them. ] They’re in danger. But will you be okay?
[ there’s a hint of worry in his voice as the beast smells them, and gallops, screaming. ]
no subject
So of course he charges the beast without a moment of hesitation. He gets too close for it to be safe and the sharp teeth in the screaming human head dig into his shoulder. The dragon's face doesn't change as though he doesn't even register the pain at all. The tip of his spear flicks up and severs that head cleanly. Separated from its body, its bite soon releases and it drops to the ground, face contorted in a scream. Blood soon oozes from the fresh wound, darkening the fabric around it.
Flicking his wrist, the beast's blood sprays the grass around them. ]
There are more...Keep moving.
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You can’t get that close to them like that! What do you want, to end up as their meal? I can’t heal you, you know!
[ he thinks of jack as he speaks, and the way that the archer servant had nearly killed them. he thinks of their mangled body as they returned to him, their saint graph sliced in half.
he can’t afford to have something like that happened to cu as well.
with that in mind, he moves. ]
If you’re going to mindlessly slaughter them, then at least let me support you. I may not have had my magic back in the beginning of December, but I sure have them now!
no subject
[ His steps are hurried but calculated. Nothing about anything he's doing now is unintentional. The wound on his shoulder throbs, a dull ache he can deal with replacing the one he couldn't. ]
If you want to support me, I won't stop you...Just stay out of my way. You shouldn't be among the ones to die.
[ As they continue on, more of the grotesque creatures make themselves known. Hooves crunch the grass, stalking alongside their path. This is not the worst odds he's ever faced nor the most hopeless and he will not back down. Berserker stops again and stands ready, eyes cold and apathetic. ]
Be ready...And don't try to protect me.
no subject
[ flat remains unusually silent as he moves alongside cu. somehow, he seems to understand the cold, unfeeling, and apathetic tone in his voice, but it doesn't mean that he has to agree with it.
staying out of his way would be easy enough for flat to do. he could conceal himself, letting the beasts hone in on the dragon while he runs off. what he could do now with his illusion magic was now more than just mere parlor tricks--hiding his entire presence was the reason he had made it so far into the wilderness unscathed.
he looks up at cu, and then the creatures that are beginning to circle them. their mouths are open, eyes and mouths wide open with hunger. even when faced with the impending danger, flat can't help but find them fascinating.
but above all that, there's a hint of mischievousness as flat settles on an idea. it is not one that berserker will like, he's sure of that, but it's better than to watch him get ripped up to shreds.
he smiles. ]
You shouldn't be among the ones to die either. You're mortal too, you know?
[ he stops in his tracks. ]
Have you ever heard of the anglerfish? They have this flesh thingy that's used as a lure for prey. Well, they're not the only animals to do that, but they're the most famous. It's pretty cool really, if you ever get the chance to watch a documentary.
[ whether or not cu notices what he is insinuating, flat activates his magic wordlessly, focusing on erasing cu's presence as well as possible from the outside world. it is not an easy task, considering the dragon's...everything, but he'll do his best--even if it means leaving himself wide open. ]
no subject
[ A brief, white hot flash of anger seeps through his careful control. It's not as though he expected Flat to obey him, but he wasn't expecting this kind of reaction from him. It makes it safer for him, but so much more dangerous for the witch. Berserker can handle it; he can take the injuries and wounds and pain and keep fighting. Flat can't fight like he can -- no one can.
There's nothing he can do about the magic. He's not a witch and can't dispel the illusion. Somehow he feels that while he can't be seen, these creatures rely on more than just their vision. His bloody wound makes him easy to scent and keep track of. Flat being the only one visible makes him the only target the monsters are focused on. They're quick to surround him. ]
You idiot...You should have listened to me.
[ Berserker leaps in and beheads the closest one, but takes a sharp strike to the head -- a blow that had been aimed at Flat and not the currently invisible dragon. It splits his scalp and a thick, crimson curtain pours down one side of his face. There's another beast closing in on Flat that he can do nothing about at the moment; he's still reeling hard from the strike to the head, struggling to keep his senses about him. ]
no subject
before it all disappears into a wisp of smoke.
finally, months of wearing himself thin while practicing magic without a bond are starting to bear some fruits. while his multitasking skills are nowhere near the level that they were back in london, flat is capable of layering an illusion over another, if only momentarily. he appears a few meters away, neck intact, as if the previous form was a mere afterimage.
he takes another few steps back, barely missing a strike from one of them. in a way, he seems to be trying to lure them into the path of cu’s lance, similar to how a bullfighter guides the bulls toward them.
but from the sweat that’s forming on his forehead, it’s obvious that flat is pushing himself to his new limits. ]
Keep yourself from bleeding! Their senses are sharp and god knows what I’ll have to do to distract them from it!
no subject
You...
[ He doesn't falter and the beast that attacked the illusion is swiftly beheaded with a smooth, accurate strike. The protective apathy settles back over him as he follows after Flat, ignoring the stinging pain of the wounds.
The witch's words reach him and the apathy falters for a moment. Keep yourself from bleeding...If he could do that, he would be. Apathy gives way to anger as he cuts down another and narrowly avoids a gnashing bite to his arm. ]
Don't exhaust yourself, you idiot! Let me handle them!
no subject
[ perhaps influenced by cu’s own anger, flat responds with a frustrated tone of his own as he continues to try threading through the monsters, leaving afterimages in his path for
the monsters to chew on for a second before it also disappears.
i’m fine,, he tells himself, even as the tiredness begins to increase, followed a dizzy spell. in the back of his head, he recognizes it all as signs of exhaustion. but the adrenaline that courses through him is stronger than that. he knows that he can pull through it—
until he notices one of the creatures galloping straight towards cu, their teeth bared and ready to sink into flesh. ]
Cu! Watch out!
no subject
Yanking Gae Bolg free with one hand, he crushes the head of the monster biting into his thigh with his other. Claws pierce into its flesh as he squeezes its skull tighter and tighter until a sickening crunch echoes in the air. It drops away and onto the ground as Berserker continues his pursuit, slowed down by his wounded leg. The beasts smell blood in the water and surround where he is. They can't see him, no, but the amount of blood on him is enough to draw them close. ]
Run, Flat. [ An icy cold command as he stands ready with his spear. ] Run and don't stop until you're back in the city.
[ A quick, horizontal slash cuts open several of the beasts and scatters the rest for a moment. ]
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[ flat feels like his feet are made of lead, his body actually shaking from a feeling that’s a little too familiar to him—fear. watching the creature gnaw on his bonded’s thigh only reminds him of how the situation had been with jack, how they had almost died because they hadn’t done enough—
not once does he worry about the gore that’s left behind of the creatures. even as cu smashes their skulls and tears their organs apart with his lance, flat can only think about all that blood and the injuries and the fact that they are no longer a servant, but a mortal.
idly, he thinks of the wilders he was supposed to rescue, because it’s what he should do and what is supposed to be right, and yet he can’t even do that.
without so much as another word, flat breaks the spell, this time applying it on himself. it’s much easier to manage, and he practically disappears as he runs away from the fight. not to the city, but to a tall enough tree that he can climb and stay out of harm’s way while still having a bird’s eye view of the fight.
sullenly, he watches from a tall branch. ]
no subject
The wound on his scalp has at least begun to dry up, dried blood crusting on his face and horns. The one on his shoulder doesn't have time to rest enough for it to stop bleeding. Blood gushes from the fresh wound on his thigh. He's an absolute mess but he will not stop -- it will take him being knocked unconscious or killed for that.
As he kills the beasts and tears into them, it's hard to tell whose blood soaks his clothing. A deep bite into his side gets no response aside from dispatching the monster as quickly as he can; it hurts so badly that his vision goes white for a moment. He can feel his consciousness starting to slip, but he fights it. Berserker's expression is cold and apathetic as ever, even coated in his own blood. His mind knows nothing but to kill the threat to his Bonded and it is his only purpose.
The head of the last beast flies up in an arc and tumbles across the grass. A bloodied, badly wounded Berserker still stands. Limits are not for him, they are for others — limits are for the weak. He is not weak and he will not die here.
Surrounded by gore and the carcasses of many of the beasts, the dragon stands victorious. He lowers his spear to his side and starts to limp towards the tree Flat is in. He doesn't get very far, unfortunately, just far enough to get away from the bloody scene. With a dull thud, he collapses to the ground. Blood starts to pool around him, soaking into the ground. Even as wounded as he is, Gae Bolg remains tightly clutched in one hand. ]
no subject
he can feel his heart drumming anxiously in his ear, trying to think of the healing spells that he can use, but none of them are effective with the little remaining magic that he has. using his whole body, flat forces himself to drag cu's unconscious body, lance included, propping it against a tree before getting to work.
luckily he is not without provisions, having at least packed a a roll of bandages in case things went awry. with one of his knives, he tears off the fabric above cu's thigh wound, making sure not to nick the skin with the blade--he doesn't want to test if the dragon is capable of being poisoned. with a good amount of bandages, flat proceeds to apply pressure on the wound in order to stop the bleeding, ignoring the way that his arms shake as he presses the bandages against the skin.
flat realizes that it's his fault, but it's too late for that-- all he can do is make sure that cu does not die here. with more bandages, he wraps it around his thigh until he assumes that it's good enough. from then on he moves to the head, and finally his shoulder. only then does he allow himself to take a step back, looking between cu and the expansive wilde.
he can't carry cu back. not even if he were at full strength, and much less now. but leaving him here was out of the question, too. and while he's no good at using healing magic properly, flat doubts that it's that important to do things correctly anymore. if he uses his own life source as the catalyst, then--
he kneels down in front of the lance, not hesitating as he grips the blade hard enough to cut through the palm of his hand, drawing blood. as he does so, he mumbles a healing spell he read about, one that he's only had the chance to practice on himself. it's not good enough to heal cu back to health completely or even moderately, but should at least be enough to push him back to consciousness. ]
no subject
The spell does the trick, though, and the dragon's eyes flutter open. His vision is hazy and his eyes refuse to focus immediately. Everything about this feels strangely dreamlike, if painful. He grimaces as his eyes focus and he sees Flat before him. ]
I told...I told you to run...to the city, [ he says with considerable effort. ] You shouldn't be here.
[ Berserker immediately tries to stand. It hurts and he manages to get into a kneeling position but no further. ]
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[ flat gives him a small, vague smile as cu complains, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes either. it's a bit forced, but it's difficult for it not to be when the adrenaline is finally wearing off and you feel like your limbs are made of lead.
he grabs for the bandages as cu stands up, quickly wrapping them around his own hand. once that's done, he pulls himself up with the help of the tree. his own face is pale as death, but there's no choice now but to push past it. ]
I couldn't carry you unconscious but... I think it'll be easier now.
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[ He manages to get to his feet, using Gae Bolg for leverage (and support once he's upright). The bandages on his thigh are already getting soaked through with the blood that gushes from the wound with each slow step.
A mortal body has its limits and he is nearly at that limit. Conscious only because of a spell, it's all he can do just to keep moving. And so he does. It's his only purpose to get out of here with Flat and to ensure Flat survives. If he dies...so be it. It would be in defense of someone he truly cares about and he can be satisfied with that. ]
...You used your own blood to cast a spell, didn't you? [ The blood on the tip of his spear smelled differently than that spilled by the beasts he felled. ] Idiot...
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[ flat parrots cu's words with a self-mocking grin. surviving is all that he has done, mostly by dumb luck, at the expense of those around him. in the back of his head, he wonders when that luck will finally run out, or if it ever will.
he walks behind cu, his own steps even slower than the injured dragon as he looks to the sky. his muscles scream with every step he takes, but flat does a good job ignoring it. ]
What happened here that you hate it so much?
no subject
... Part of it was a shared dream where I was captured and put to auction. Bought and sold like livestock. My freedom meant nothing when it could be taken away without a thought. I was nothing but a tool to be used once again.
[ He doesn't stop moving despite the deep turmoil he feels when he remembers what he went through. It's deeply unpleasant and Flat gets to experience when he's feeling, too. ]
When I came here with the diplomats, it was worse. I had Caster tattoo runes on me so I couldn't be controlled by the witches here with a suggestion spell...The monsters here were subjugated, enslaved, and worse. [ The breeding facilities Geralt spoke of were horrifying, even for someone like him who felt very little. ] I went out in disguise and caused chaos to free monsters in the auction house. Waver...They...They drugged him and had him sold off. If I hadn't been around to see him there, he would have been sold like cattle. Geralt, my other Bonded, helped get him out of there.
[ The discomfort only intensifies as he recounts the bare minimum of what he experienced. It's unpleasant and makes him feel sick. ]
Diarmuid and I killed a lot of people to ensure the safety of those who wanted to escape. I took Geralt to a factory that produced the raw materials for breeding drugs...I leveled it and he killed a human alchemist. The last time I saw this place was a burning ember in the distance as we left on a boat...That was the last I ever wanted to see of it.
[ The city walls are finally in view. His body aches and he can barely keep himself upright, but he refuses to fall. ]
no subject
[ flat says it softly, closing his eyes for a moment. somehow, the discomfort that passes through the bond is oddly relieving. the pangs of honest emotion, be it disgust, anger, and/or discomfort are true and legitimate emotions from cu.
even knowing the fact that waver was so horribly mistreated here doesn't seem to get any reaction whatsoever from flat-- time has passed, and anger isn't something he feels very much of.
the story is enlightening in a way, and explains clearly why berserker would want to do anything but to come here. and yet he was here, barely conscious, dragging his body back to the city after saving flat. he did not have to come here, and yet he did. the thought alone brings a small smile to flat's face, despite everything. ]
You helped a lot of people back then. I'm glad.
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Not important right now. He makes it as far as the wall and falters before collapsing to one knee. They made it to relative safety...Berserker looks back at Flat, his face devoid of emotion. ]
Go...Leave me here and go.
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[ flat stops in his tracks as soon as berserker falls on his knee, a mix of annoyance and intense worry gripping his chest. the idea of leaving cu behind has been ridiculous since the first time he mentioned it, and the fact remains now. ]
I either leave you fully healed-- [ which would involve sacrificing a good amount of blood ] --or I'll drag you to an actual healer.
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[ Berserker stands up suddenly and slips his spear into a leather loop he has on his back. This is a stupid idea and it will only aggravate his injuries, but he can't care. He lunges at Flat, scoops him up against his chest with a tight grip, and takes off into a run. His thigh throbs with an intense pain, but he ignores it as he picks up momentum. After a moment, he takes off suddenly with powerful flaps of his wings. It's so painful, the wound on his shoulder tearing open again as his muscles move.
It doesn't matter...all that matters is getting Flat to safety. ]
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[ flat shouts as cu picks him up, and he swears he can hear the wound rip open for a moment as they take flight. he feels an intense pang of guilt, something that superimposes itself over the pain that flashes from his bond and the worry that doesn’t seem to go away.
but he’s too tired to fight it anymore, whether it’s with a sharp comment or with an idea even stupider than cu’s. he’s tired, drained of energy, and he feels awful in a way that he hadn’t felt in years. he feels vulnerable and he doesn’t like it one bit, preferring to hide his face in cu’s chest. ]
no subject
Above the city of Dorchacht, he starts to descend, aiming for an alleyway. It's empty and that's a good thing because his landing is rough. He lands on his bad leg and pitches forward, though he doesn't let go of Flat. His body twists and he takes the brunt of the fall on his uninjured shoulder. It's only after he comes to a complete stop that he lets go of the witch. ]
... Don't heal me and don't take me to the Coven here. [ He tries to push himself up, but doesn't get very far. His body is at its limit. ] We can make it back to the transporter...
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he looks back at berserker, eyes wide as he considers the situation. there’s no reason to continue complaining, it seems, so he nods. he walks back to berserker, bringing an arm behind his shoulder and trying to lift him up. stupid dragon is stupidly heavy and stupidly tall. ]
Fine, fine, you win. [ it’s said with the least amount of enthusiasm possible. ] But I am taking you to the Coven back in the city. Or maybe we’ll pass out and they’ll take the both of us when we get there. Either one’s good enough.
no subject
Fine...Just not here. It's not safe here...
[ The dragon forces himself to his feet and tries to keep most of his weight off of Flat; they're both weak and it's more likely that they'll collapse in a heap if he relies too heavily on the witch. Thankfully, it's not far to the portal, but they are drawing attention with how badly injured Berserker is. Anyone that gets too close gets snarled at. He's determined to get back to Aefenglom...Then he can rest. ]
no subject
and yet somehow they actually make it to the portal, weird looks and all. flat looks up at cu, suddenly hesitant of taking the first move. he’s already messed up so many times today, the last thing he wants is to add one more to the list and have that be fatal for the dragon. ]
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He lets go of Flat, walks a few feet away with purpose, and completely collapses. His body is absolutely as its limit. Survive... He pushes himself up, face contorted in frustration and pain he refuses to acknowledge, and tries to get to his feet again. Again he collapses and consciousness slips through his fingers like so many grains of sand. Finally, his body stills and there are no more attempts to push forward. The dragon has been shown what his limits are in no uncertain terms.
They're not far from the Coven, at least, and it will be easier to get help here. ]
no subject
[ at least flat's shouts gets some attention from some nearby witches, who immediately pale at the sight of the the passed out dragon and the witch companion.
flat tries to reach out to them, to take a step towards them, but his knees finally give in, and his voice comes out as a small, weak gasp before he feels his consciousness fading and he slumps against cu's passed out body.
before it slips away completely, he hears the steps and shouts of villagers that are coming to help them. at the very least, they'll be taken to get help. ]