Greetings all
It's been a long week, but here is your update! Be sure to read the update by @zakludick before you dig in!
Nothing surprised Magna anymore. She had hated how callous she had become, but here she was witnessing a scene she had never thought she would have to see, yet here it was.
Millmor was growling and straining against several vines that were wrapped around his frame. He looked horrific as his jaw kept opening and shrieks of fury echoed out of them. Derrik was standing before his father figure with his arms outspread. Thick crystals appeared around his wrist giving off a sickly purple glow. Next to him was Mortis with his blade drawn. His skeletal face gave nothing away, but Magna could feel the anger that flowed from him. Behind him lay a crumbled form that seemed to be groaning. Arms were wrapped around its chest while feet kicked out against the dirt. This wasn’t pain, this was agony, and no one was doing anything.
No, she could feel that they wanted to do something but there was nothing that could be done. This must have been Leo. After everything the man had done to keep them safe, he was going to bleed out or worse. How long had she been asleep? Surely, he would have bled out by now.
The shrieks of Millmor were drowned out as vines wrapped around his snout. Yet, the shrieks continued, but at a lower pitch. Magna realised that this was coming from Leo. He wasn’t Leo anymore, not quite. He was changing and if it wasn’t killing him, it was pure agony.
She looked to the forest goddess, who had tears in her eyes. She hadn’t thought. Acted like a child to prove her power and it had cost them two of their friends. A warmth was spreading from her chest, but Magna took a deep breath and looked at the others gathered.
Lucien was paler than normal, but a bestial snarl was on his face. She couldn’t help but wonder how much of his old power was still in his veins. Next to him was Adiran, who seemed to be standing with the Lifedrinker. Adrian was standing between the two parties, keeping both from acting without rational thought.
Leo’s shriek turned to something resembling a human scream and the parties turned from her to squabble once more. Had Magna been a year younger, she would have allowed them to fight it out, but she was older and wiser. She was starting to understand curses and how they ruined everything around them. However, she also understood that curses could be used to improve lives if challenged correctly and controlled.
Ignoring those fighting, she walked around the party to where Leo had drawn his knees under him but kept his forehead pressed into the ground. He was hissing through his teeth and was fighting something. Magna couldn’t imagine his pain but remembered her own pain and fevered dreams after Mortis had used her blood for the first time. She knelt next to the man and lay a hand on the back of his neck.
“Do you want death?” she whispered to him.
It was at that moment that there was silence and the bickering stopped. Everyone looked at her, but she ignored them. She was queen, or would be one day, she needed to make a ruling here and no one was considering the voice of the one suffering. She could see but one outcome and the only way it could work was for everyone to work together.
Leo turned an eye to her. A black eye with a golden iris looked up at her with so much pain she almost fell back. Instead, she took a deep breath and pulled the man up by his armour until he was on his knees before her. His armour was slashed open and black liquid oozed between his arms. His face was set in a snarl, but he was fighting with the last of his strength to remain as human as he possibly could. His weapon wasn’t too far away. Had he wanted to die, he could have done himself in, yet he fought. He wanted to live; she knew he wanted to live. One human eye and one inhuman eye stared at her, hoping for an answer as pointed teeth snarled at her.
“Do you want life?”
Unable to find the words, or perhaps no longer able to speak, Leo planted a foot and brought his hands before him, as if praying. Magna had her answer.
“I will grant what you wish, but life will never be the same.”
Leo growled under his breath, and she was sure he was muttering a prayer. Mortis seemed to notice and lowered his blade in surprise. Magna looked up at Vitex and Derric before growling.
“The only way you can stop this is by joining. The longer we wait, the more Leo becomes like Millmor and the less Millmor becomes. Together the two of you can make two new creatures under your rule and Bellum’s rule. A bridge between war and peace if you wish.”
“Hold on Magna…” started Lucien.
“I don’t remember asking anything of you.” She said coldly.
Lucien snapped his jaw shut, surprising everyone.
“None of you thought to ask either of them what they want. Leo can still communicate; his weapon isn’t too far away. If he wanted death, he could have done something. Derric if you want to save Millmor from becoming an animal and getting more answers about your family, you must trust me.”
“I trust you with my life.” Said the young man who immediately stepped aside to have her kneel next to Millmor.
Magna placed a hand on the Ghoul King’s head, there wasn’t much time. She turned to Adiran, who didn’t look amused.
“You have a spell to fix this. Perhaps not one you have tried before but one you have read, one that needs copious amounts of power. Power that needs vessels and gods. We have everything you need here. All we need is for Bellum, Vitex, Derric, my brother, and I to agree. Isn’t that right?”
“They both could still die or worse.” Said Adiran.
“Better than doing nothing.”
The prayer coming from Leo was becoming more audible and it was clear he was fighting. Even Millmor was responding as he relaxed against his bonds. They understood. She just needed everyone else to understand. She looked up imploringly at her brother.
“I know I don’t get magic and stuff, but Leo is fighting. He deserves a chance, Adrian. Stand with me.” She demanded.
Adrian had a cold look on his face as he surveyed everyone around him. He had tried to stop the fighting, but he had been alone. Now his sister was asking him to stand by her. He wasn’t sure of this plan and knew that a spell to even partially fix what Vitex had wrought would be dangerous. He sighed heavily and said, “If this fails, you have to agree to let them both go.”
“Yes.” Growled Leo, surprising everyone.
“Yes.” Echoed Magna as she wrapped an arm around Millmor’s neck, while her other hand gripped Derric’s ankle.
“That goes for you too, Derric.” Said Adrian looking at the prince.
And now Zak gets to decide who lives and who dies. Let's see what he does.
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