caughtinanetwork | Cowards die many times before their deaths

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Cowards die many times before their deaths

[The feed flicks on to a clearing somewhere in the forest quadrant. A stream runs through it and trees are all around as would be expected, but the camera is slightly tilted and at ground level. It seems it's been dropped or thrown aside.

There's Zelos, jumping back from Duke's sword...but not quite far enough, neither aware that their encounter is being broadcast.]

((ooc: Zelos speaking is in pink, Duke is in red))

Dein Nomos ricochets off of Zelos's Cruxis Crystal, leaving a crack on its surface that chops all the way into the crest surrounding it.

The noise of metal on glass resounds through the otherwise silent clearing. It's a small, tinkling sound, barely worth a mention if overheard, but suddenly Zelos's entire body feels as if it's on fire. Tendrils of untamed mana cause the skin around his crest to bubble, warping the flesh unnaturally in patterns like the veins of a leaf. Pure agony courses through every vein, every pore, as the Chosen staggers back from Duke, clutching at his chest ineffectually and gasping raggedly. He crumples to his knees, eyes wide in true, raw fear.]

G-get... augh... get away! Run!

[It's not the angry command of someone wronged, or the childish request of a kid who's lost a fight, but a true command with the threat of something terrible coming behind it. Already Zelos's extremities grow distended and sinewy, as if being stretched on a medieval rack.]

[ Zelos. That was fast enough that the frustrated blow hadn't done anything too bad, which is good. Duke takes a half step back, than stops when he feels....

Something very wrong with the man's mana. He hadn't even really hit him - just that gem - Blastia? Couldn't be, he'd felt nothing like Zelos' mana before, thus it wasn't a bodhi blastia and it still felt nothing like the false heart. He.. does not like how this mana feels.

... What is happening to his limbs? ]

.. What do you think I had been trying to do. [ But.. he really does not want to turn his back on that feeling. ]

Don't argue and just go!

[Everything is pain, ripping from the inside outward as the mana of the crystal reshapes his body. He can feel his skin hardening, taking on a green cast, his nails turning into sharp claws, his clothing beginning to tear as his body morphs and expands, muscles twisting and resituating. Every breath is an effort, sounding raw and labored. His head pulses, his vision swims...

He can't. He can't turn into a monster. He can't hurt anyone and Duke isn't leaving and everything hurts so badly from the tiniest nerve to the very core of his being, it's all excruciating.

He's still a coward, but even cowards have limits of what they can endure before they've had enough. With shaking hands, Zelos draws his sword. No one is going to have to kill him, loved ones or otherwise. He won't put anyone through that and...

and he needs the pain to stop now.

Grip wavering, Zelos plunges his sword into his own stomach. He'd meant for the chest, he'd meant for it to be quick but the pain wouldn't let him focus long enough. And yet... the mana of the crystal winds back into itself and Zelos's body returns to its normal shape. The feeling of his sword in his own abdomen is almost a relief after the intensity of that transformation.

The Chosen collapses onto his side, panting hard, and makes no move to pull the sword out.]

....... [ What even did he just see.

This... was not what he wanted to happen. Yes, he can't stomach the idea of Zelos near Zelda, if Zelos had betrayed friends before. He wouldn't mind him being dead, if it wouldn't have upset Zelda. He wouldn't.. have had too much of a problem if his blade had found itself in Zelos in that strike. But. This is something he doesn't understand. The reaction; he doesn't understand that.

He doesn't like this situation. The mana had stabilized, and it would hurt Zelda to lose her friend.

Duke does not look particularly thrilled with that train of thought, but this is a start of a healing spell. ]

Don't.

[Zelos's voice is stronger than it should be, given the life leaking out of him onto the dried leaves and brambles, but only for that one command. The rest of his words are shaky at best, continuously interrupted with pauses and coughing. It hurts especially to cough, his abdominal muscles forced to contract around the still protruding sword.]

Don't... try and heal me. It'll... [He winces at a hard cough, a quiet groan following it and a long pause until he can continue.] It'll just go... out of control... again...

......

... didn't intend.... [ But... it's mostly on a "because it would hurt Zelda" level. The spell falls apart. ]

... very well.

((ooc: SFC reactions are all fine and will be answered by Duke if you're quick, possibly (but improbably) Zelos, and later possibly Zelda, Guy, or Lloyd as the situation warrants/if they want to, but I'd like to request that no one give action tags unless they've cleared it with us first. Thank you!))

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[In an attempt to speed the process along, Dhaos simply takes Zelos from Lloyd, lifting the lifeless man with ease. Perhaps there is little he can do to help in the grand scheme of things, but if he can do even as much as easing the burden of transporting a currently unoccupied body, he will gladly do so.]

[Remembering well the flare of anger she'd felt when Guy tried to take Sola from her entirely, she attempts to help Lloyd to his feet and make it so that Dhaos and Lloyd are both carrying Zelos, doing her best to prevent the larger man from bearing the full burden. Chances are, Lloyd needs to be near him right now.]

[Lloyd doesn't want to let Zelos go, but he's too broken to be angry with Dhaos. Too broken and he knows he can't carry Zelos on his own. He isn't about to let go completely, though. As soon as Zelda helps him up, he reaches for the Chosen's limp hand. He doesn't say it, can't say it, but he's glad. Glad he isn't alone.]

Okay, let's go.

[Dhaos nods and sets off. He keeps a relatively slow pace, matching his strides to Lloyd's to allow him to keep hold of the Chosen's hand. For all his failings in the emotional department, he understands that the contact is important for the boy, and far be it for him to be the one to deny him that.

As they walk, he glances over to see how Zelda is holding up.]

[She seems fine - there's not a hint of sadness on her face, or much of anything else really. To most people it would be a little eerie, but to Dhaos it might just be a reminder of home. She has to remain calm. Lloyd will surely respond badly if she starts to cry, he might even think that she was lying about Zelos returning in five days.

She wasn't lying, but she's not positive he will. Still, she has no solid proof that the coral is breaking down just yet...]

[Guy hadn't seen the original video. The SFC had remained on the kitchen counter as he tinkered his morning away - he hadn't really felt the need to be too particularly social today, anyways. Not when science called so strongly.

But when he finally stops for a moment, standing to wash his hands from oil and flipping open the SFC for a casual glance at the broadcast list... oh, the pit in his stomach that he hadn't been more attentive.

Guy's first thoughts are to rush out to the forest quadrant as fast as he can manage - to see what little help he can offer. But enough time has passed that, if help has arrived, they've already either taken care of Zelos... or...

He grits his teeth at the thought, posture tense as he quickly flips open a message to Zelda. If this was a public broadcast, then there was no doubt the princess had seen it by now. And with her knowledge of the ins and outs of the city? She had probably found where Zelos and Duke were. And right now, Guy could only hope she got to them in time...

The video broadcast is a little rushed as Guy pulls on one of his vests and shoulders his way out the door, a cry of surprise heard from a younger man in the background as he does so. Doesn't seem to stop him - his expression is surprisingly composed, his voice firm.]

Zelda?? Zelda, if you're there, answer me. Where is he, what's going on?

[The walk back to Ordo 3 is mostly accomplished in silence, so the ringing of her SFC is noted. It could be someone asking for details, so she answers it, looking blank still.]

Hello, Guy. I'm afraid an accident happened. We will be tending to Zelos to ensure that he can revive correctly.

[Yes. Revive. He didn't make it.]

[Guy stays silent for a long moment, his lips pressing into a thin line. He doesn't need to ask. Not with those words. Not with the horrifyingly neutral expression on her face.

Zelos was dead, then.]

I'll assume you have someone with you to help. Take your time - don't rush anything, alright?

If you're headed to the apartment, I can meet you over there. [No need to just clutter space with extra people, and he might as well make himself useful right now.] If you need somewhere clean to work, I'm close enough - it wouldn't be a problem for me to set his room up accordingly, if that's what you need.

[That starts her out of her emotionless state slightly, a little light coming back to her eyes.]

Would you? Please set up his room, then... I left too quickly to lock the door, so it is open. I really appreciate it.

Not a problem. Travel safely.

[Aaand he's off, clicking the feed off and moving at a fast pace, arriving at the apartment long before the others and slipping inside the unlocked door. He does as little rummaging as he has to; clearing Zelos' bed of the finer cloths and blankets for layers of clean sheets, a basin of warm water at the side for cleaning.

And while he thinks of it, he'll go ahead and slowly start up a pot of tea. Or at least clean out the tea set for later. He's sure that Zelda, at least, will need some sort of relaxant after all this.]

[Lloyd listens to the conversation with only one ear, his mind much more occupied with the cooling temperature of Zelos's hand, memories of the redhead running through his head. It isn't until they reach Zelda's apartment that he drags his attention back to the present.]

I should... get my tools.

[He doesn't want to let go. But this is something he needs to do, something only he can do. He very reluctantly releases Zelos's limp hand.]

Very well. We'll get him cleaned up and moved upstairs. I will leave the door unlocked.

[Oh, she knows Zelos wouldn't really want her seeing him like this, but... what other choice is there? If he's a bloody mess while Lloyd and Dhaos are working on him, it's unlikely either one of them will be able to concentrate.]

...all right. I'll be back soon.

[He wants to stay, but he knows that isn't how he's needed now. He lingers for only another moment.

Then goes. Never mind that he's still streaked with blood, never mind that his eyes are still red. He has a goal and a purpose to fulfill. Zelos needs this from him.

For now, that's all that counts.

Turning, he takes off, heading back to his apartment.]

[Dhaos nods once to Lloyd as he departs, then follows Zelda inside and up the stairs to what he can only assume is the Chosen's room. He notes the other man already in the room - the one Zelda had been talking to he assumes - but mostly ignores him in favor of carefully arranging his cargo on the bed. Task complete, he then acknowledges the other blond's presence.]

...You are Guy I presume?

[Guy glances up from his work as the group enters, his eyes clouding slightly at the sight of Zelos' lifeless body, at the blood dripping onto the carpets, onto the other man...

Damn it, you bastard.

He keeps his silence as the body is moved, nodding slightly when the stranger acknowledges him by name.]

I'm not quite sure what you would like to do with him, but I got what I could. There's hot water over there and washrags - let me know if they need to be cleaned, and I'll see what I can do... ah, and there's salts if you need them as well.

[He pauses, turning to Zelda with a soft glance, just hinting at concern.]

I went and filled the kettle - I haven't warmed it up yet, but it's there. When you have a moment, let me know and I'll get you a cup ready, alright?

Thank you.

[Gently, she removes his blood-soaked jacket and undershirt, healing the wound over so that he doesn't continue bleed out, as slow as the trickle has become now. It's going to be difficult enough for Dhaos and Lloyd to repair his crest without removing it, he doesn't need to smell of blood the entire time.

She goes about cleaning him off wordlessly, wincing at the cool feel of his skin. It's so surreal, seeing someone as vivacious as Zelos laying there lifelessly. Taking a deep breath, Zelda removes his headband and braids his hair back carefully before laying a spell on him to keep him from decomposing. The less the Lamufao has to do the better.]

[Dhaos nods to affirm he heard Guy, then patiently waits as Zelda goes about the task of cleaning up the dead man, mentally going through the possible runes necessry to repair the Key Crest. As soon as it appears she is done, he moves to her side and places a hand on her shoulder, doing his best to smile for her.]

Thank you. Rest now. I'll do what I can to assist Lloyd in his task now.

[With that he sits down and begins to examine the broken mount for the Cruxis Crystal. No wonder there was such a problem, he thinks. If this is like the other Crests I've seen depicted, Gar would be in the center of the damaged area...]

[Guy stands his distance, merely watching for several long minutes as the two work. His expression tightens a bit, watching Zelda handle the dead body when she herself looked ready to collapse. But he keeps silent.

When Dhaos finally sits down to do his own work, Guy has already left; slipping out the door and back downstairs with little more than a polite nod. They knew where to find him if they needed him, but this was not his place right now.]

[When Lloyd comes back, it's with a sack carrying all the tools he thinks he'll need. He's a little out of breath from running, but while his eyes are still red, he's not crying. Grief has been pushed aside for the sake of something more important.

Saving Zelos's life. Or the life he'll have when he comes back.

It's a relief to see that his friend has been cleaned up, his hair braided back. Like this he can almost pretend that Zelos is just asleep. He gives Zelda a grateful look - he knows who to thank for that - then sits down next to Dhaos, getting a good look at the damage himself. He takes a deep breath.]

Okay. I think I can still make the first one out, but that one...

[He touches the crest with a fingertip...

And together, he and Dhaos compare their knowledge of the dwarven runic language, heads bowed together over Zelos's still form. Slowly, carefully, Lloyd's hands and tools shape the crest.

All else forgotten, the two work together for many long hours into the night.]

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Cowards die many times before their deaths

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[Video] c-c-combo breaker! Sup, guys

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[Action] [out of the thread for now o/]

[action] Kindly ignore my derp there

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[action] haaaa whoops gettin' back on this now, yep

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