middaeg | Behind the flames and the prayers, soulless creatures burn [closed]

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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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I’m fine.

[ 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!

[ Distractions are killer. Not literally this time, but it is a mess. In his haste to chase after Flat, he missed the one coming up on him. Hearing Flat shout, Berserker turns quickly and thrusts his lance deep into the chest of the creature. This leaves him open, unfortunately, to another one that whirls around and bites repeatedly into his thigh. It hurts, though it only serves to make the dragon angrier.

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. ]

Cu...

[ 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. ]

Edited 2020-01-04 04:44 (UTC)

[ As Flat runs off and disappears from sight, relief washes over him. He knows that he didn't run back to the city proper, the tree rustling as he climbed it told him that much. His attention is no longer divided and it allows him to fight the monsters much more effectively.

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. ]

Edited 2020-01-04 05:16 (UTC)

[ the moment that the fight is over, flat doesn't so much climb down of the tree as he does jump. he feels his bones ache in pain over the landing, but nothing matters as much as the moment that cu collapses to the ground. adrenaline runs through his arteries, allowing flat to run towards him without even feeling the exhaustion from overusing his magic.

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. ]

[ Of course there's no reaction to Flat moving him nor to crudely bandaging his wounds. Berserker's body is terribly limp and his breathing labored. At least in this state he's an ideal patient, if a little hard to move.

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. ]

You collapsed, y'know. You would've died. And I don't think anyone would've wanted to come back with me to pick you back up.

[ 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.

I would have survived...It's all I can do.

[ 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...

And? I'll survive, it's all I can do.

[ 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?

[ Now does not feel like the time for that discussion. Memories of his time in Dorchacht and the shared dream still haunt him. Berserker grits his teeth, not from the pain this time. ]

... 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. ]

I see.

[ 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.

[ His emotions are raw and unchecked, burning hot and intense when they strike him. They're so new it's the only way he can feel them and, for better or worse, that intensity passes through his Bonds. He can only wonder what Diarmuid and Geralt are thinking right now as they feel these strong negative emotions from him...

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.

What is it with you and wanting to be abandoned? Is that some sort of soldier thing where you'd rather die in battle than actually live? Jeez.

[ 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.

You'll do neither.

[ 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. ]

You—!!

[ 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. ]

[ Berserker was counting on the exhaustion to stop him from fighting. His own body screams with pain, but it doesn't stop him. Nothing will stop him, at this point.

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...

[ the rough landing doesn’t frighten him as much, simply gritting his teeth and clinging to cu’s neck until the worst is over. when he’s let go, he stays on his knees for a moment, taking deep breaths to settle himself.

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.

[ It's a relief that Flat resigned himself to the order. Berserker refuses to be treated in the Coven on Dorchacht after hearing what happened there before. It doesn't matter if so much has seemingly changed in the city of darkness, he trusts none of it. A gnawing fear that he'd be trapped and separated from his Bondmates dwells in the back of his mind. If he was brought to that place while unconscious, he would probably attack whoever was nearby when he came to -- not really a good situation to be in for either party. ]

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. ]

[ flat doesn’t need to look around to know that the people’s gazes are on him and on berserker. he does nothing to scare them off, but also does nothing to stop cu from glaring and snarling at them. he simply continues walking, hoping with every step that his legs don’t give out on him.

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. ]

[ Of course it would be now that Flat considers the repercussions of his actions. Berserker doesn't stop, practically dragging him to the portal. It takes a moment for it to activate and, in a few moments, they're back in Aefenglom. It's familiar, so gratefully familiar to him...

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. ]

Cu--!!

[ 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Behind the flames and the prayers, soulless creatures burn [closed]

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