#his rage at himself with be extended outwards until he finally and completely destroys himself

[eric-the-bmo]

So for my game tonight- Theodore's unconscious right now, but as soon as he wakes up... Imagine this, because this is what the session's opening will be like for him:

You're ripped out of whatever dream-state you were in (was it a nice dream? did you forget everything you've gone through while you were sleeping?). You're on the floor.

You realize your body Hurts. Your nose is broken.

Maybe you'll vaguely realize where you are, or maybe you'll try to remember what happened-

But you're going to get decked with a baseball bat, held by your former friend/party member, who most likely has the intent to kill you. He's knows it's you.

Panic- fight back? Do you fight out of instinct or because you remember what you've caused and decided this is a viable act of karma, so you fight to get him to hit you more?

If you haven't by now, realize the consequences of your actions: Your mentor, who kept you from dropping out and had hope for you, both for the changeling and human world, is gone- possessed- and it's your fault. Your former friend's boyfriend is also gone, you tried to kill another party member's friend (and the party in general), and you've practically kickstarted a war while you were possessed by the BBEG. Your party already lost some trust in you earlier before- all trust is obliterated because of this.

Do you have anything left?

#ended up writing a whole essay in the tags again #im so normal about how horrible his life has become #he just wanted to have some escapism but got caught up into a resistance #and his quest for investigation and escapism lead to intense trauma but he couldnt just Leave #he has to stay and help save the world now #so he's plagued with nightmares and the escapism has become worse that what he originally tried to escape from #but he keeps going #because while both options are Bad at least there's fantasy and wonder here- he cant leave #and so he's offered power by the bbeg and fights against it #but he steals its artifact and tells himself its for research #and then he gets offered power by a villain and declines- he doesnt want that he just wants knowledge #he wants things to think about to distract himself from everything from the fact he's a college failure & from everything he's been through #and then the artifact offers him an escape with the possibility to change things- the Power to do that and make things better for himself #and to maybe release some of the anger buried in his heart #and theodore knows its fake. he Knows. #but he fails to resist just for a moment and now he's lost everything #and what does he have left? #he was failing college anyway and now there's no one in the changeling realm to help him. he's the cause of his own ruin #and so he's going to spiral. #his rage at himself with be extended outwards until he finally and completely destroys himself #theodore absolutely deserves consequences for what he's done #but that doesnt deny the fact i view him as a tragic character #(though i do worry if he comes across as too pathetic and/or whiny at times) #the discovery of the supernatural world made his life worse not only bc of outside factors but also bc of his own actions #Theodore was made to be a tragic character- he was never meant to have a happy ending- and by god is that happening #eric finally speaks #ttrpg oc #theodore carter #rainbow in the dark #ttrpg character

[darkelfshadow]

Session Summary - 87

AKA “The Birth Of Darkness”

Adventures in Taggriell

Session 87  (Date: 12th June 2020)

Players Present:

- Rob (Known as “Varis”) Elf Male.

- Bob (Known as “Sir Krondor) Dwarf Male.

- Travis (Known as “Trenchant”) Human Male.

- Arthur (Known as “Gim”) Dwarf Male.

- Paul (Known as “Labarett”) Elf Male.

Absent Players

- John (Known as “Ragnar”) Dwarf Male. <Played by Rob>

NPC

- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>

Summary

- Oathday, 11th Gozran in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Summer.

- The party begin this session, once again in the underground lair of Throstulgrael, the Dragon the party slew last session. The large prone body of the Dragon rests unmoving on the wet floor.

- Immediately a large giant like figure emerges from behind a thick curtain from a lit side chamber. Before the curtain could fall back, Naillae observed four Red Wizards of Thay in the chamber. One of the wizards was holding an unknown glowing object, but before she could identity the object all four wizards teleported away.

- Emerging from the curtain was a large Half-Dragon Troll wearing armour and with a large sword slung over his back, speaking in a deep voice, “Praise Tiamat”

- Naillae quickly flew back to the party, as the sound of the Half-Dragon Troll splashing through the foot high water and his slow clapping could be heard. The troll rounded a corner, now in sight of the rest of the party, still clapping.

- Trenchant immediately began casting Detect Thoughts.

- The Troll spoke, “Well done, well done! You have killed Throstulgrael, my master would be most pleased.”

- Labarett, the closest to the approaching Troll, crouched back, his long sword raised high, “And who would be your master Troll?”

- The Troll stopped and smiled, “Why, my master is Throstulgrael of course. A most fitting death for my master, much more fitting than for me to have simply killed him. It is most fortuitous that you came now and not sooner, the ritual was only just completed, having taken a month. Had you not arrived today I would have had the honour to take my master’s life.”

- Varis, understanding what was about to happen, began to back away from the corpse of the Dragon.

- Trenchant, his Detect Thoughts spell now active, looked into the thoughts of the Half-Dragon Troll. The creature, its name Graxxygak, was thinking of the complex ritual performed by the Red Wizards of Thay, under command of the Cult Of The Dragon Queen. All the vast treasure of Throstulgrael, his coins, gems, jewellery, and powerful magic items, all given to the Cult for payment. The ritual of transformation, of a dragon into a creature of immense power and evil, the Dragon’s soul now confined within a phylactery and granting the creature immortality. Even if the skeletal body of the creature is killed, the soul continues and will return in a new body.

- Graxxygak’s voice became louder, passionate, “You all are privileged to witness the raise of my master, to true power and evil. You shall bare witness to the birth of darkness! Behold Throstulgrael, Dracolich!”

- As the party watch in horror, the scales and flesh on the prone body of the Dragon begin to crumble and fall off as black dust, exposing the bones underneath. The skeletal frame begins to move upwards, pushing itself off the watery floor, the bone wings extending outwards. The skull turns towards the party, and the two empty eye sockets erupt with two glowing points of light. The bone jaw opens and a deep, loud voice, cracked and rough, shouts out, “I am immortal!”

- Battle starts and the magical Dragon Fear washes over the party, but only Sir Krondor and Naillae succumb to it. The Dracolich opens its jaws and a stream of acid shoots outwards, directly towards the cowering pair of Sir Krondor and Naillae. Naillae manages to dive behind one of the detached doors and Sir Krondor kneels down using his shield to deflect all the stream away from himself.

- Graxxygak is walking towards his master, seemingly unconcerned with the party. The Half-Dragon Troll does not even unsheath its massive sword but instead just keeps pushing Labarett back into the large water pit, Throstulgrael’s escape tunnel, effortlessly with one hand. Labarett tries to trip the large giant creature into the pit but is unable to do so. The Barbarian keeps having to climb out the watery pit and reengage the giant over and over, pushing forward constantly, knowing that the powers granted to him by the Hero’s Heart will be over soon.

- Ragnar and Varis remain outside the main chamber, and from the adjacent room, fire spells and arrows towards the Dracolich. Gim has rushed into the room and is delivering a series of swings into the Dracolich with Narhethi, his enchanted great sword, and mage killer. The arcane frequency given off by the sword disrupts and interferes with the casting of magic and the effects are flowing into the Dracolich.

- Naillae, having overcome the Dragon Fear, is flying into striking distance with the Dracolich, plunging Urramach, her enchanted dagger, into the bones of the beast and then quickly flying back before she can be struck.

- Trenchant, having levitated himself to the ceiling is casting magics and inspiring the party.

- Sir Krondor is desperately trying to overcome the Dragon Fear but is unable to do so, forced to stay away.

- The Dracolich is pounding on Gim and the Dwarf is dropped to the ground repeatedly, deadly wounds appearing on him. Thanks to healing spells by Trenchant and Ragnar, Gim keeps avoiding death. The Dwarf never falters, never stops, and continues to attack.

- Large cracks are appearing all over the Dracolich but just as the party sense they are getting the upper hand, Graxxygak who has now reached his master, pulls out a flask from under his open cloak. The giant creature throws the contents of the flask over the Dracolich and most of the damage to the beast is healed.

- Naillae sees another flask under the coat and yells this information out to the rest of the party.

- Labarett roars in rage and frustration, “Kill the troll!”

- Gim continues his assault on the Dracolich, whilst everyone else now turns to attacking the Half-Dragon Troll. It does not take long and soon Graxxygak falls to the ground dead, the sound of braking glass indicating that the other flask has smashed. The Dracolich bellows out loudly in anger at seeing his servant fall.

- Trenchant begins to cast one of his most potent spells, but the Dracolich senses the powerful spell and begins to cast a Counter Spell. The arcane interference flowing through the Dracolich from the attacks of Gim’s great sword Narhethu stop the Counter Spell taking effect and Trenchant’s spell is cast. The Bard animates one of the large stone doors and the now dead Graxxygak, to raise up and begin to smash into the Dracolich. The rest of the party now turn their full assault onto the undead abomination, except for Sir Krondor who still is struggling to overcome his fear.

- Seeing two easy targets, the Dracolich snaps out to the animated door and smashes the object into oblivion. The party are relentless towards the undead foe and once again large cracks start to appear in the bones. Sir Krondor, having spent the entire fight struggling to overcome his fear finally does so and gives a loud battle cry.

- Throstulgrael realises that this current body of his is badly broken and now that his servant is dead he will not get another healing dose. Though his soul is immortal, he does not wish for this body to be destroyed, as he would need to wait for many, many months until he could claim another. He looks across at the escape tunnel, which the party have not blocked or closed.

- The Dracolich swings his tail about knocking Labarett and Gim to the ground and then lunches off the ground into the air. Labarett and Gim, still laying on the ground, uselessly swing at the beast but miss.

- Opening its jaws the Dracolich spews out a stream of acid towards Sir Krondor and Labarett, each getting hit. Sir Krondor, now no longer afraid, peers over his shield, acid vapours raising from it, “Now you will see what a Knight Of the Anvil can do!”

- Throstulgrael then speaks, “You are not worthy of my time. I will let you all live, and know that all the destruction and death that I wrought upon this land and its people shall be from your folly!”

- The Dracolich then dives directly into the large pool of water, his escape tunnel, and away. As the room and the party are drench by the massive wave of water that washes over them, Sir Krondor, looks at the undulating waves in confusion, “But … but I didn’t get to swing at the evil bastard!”

- Naillae flys down to the ground, “I don’t understand, did we win?”

- Trenchant looks at Varis and an unspoken understanding passes between them. The Bard turns to Naillae, “No, we lost. We,” and the Bard’s voice falters momentarily before he regains his composure and continues, “We need to search the rest of this place and return to Phlan. The War Duke in Crescent Moon and the rest of the alliance will need to know about what happened. The Cult now has a Dracolich doing their bidding.”

- The party search the remainder of the large cavern, Trenchant using the animated Troll to push over a couple of braziers that were emitting acid vapours. The Troll falls to the ground lifeless once again, as the spell ends. As Trenchant moves to the hanging curtain that blocks the lit side chamber, he is suddenly enveloped in a Cloud Of Daggers, triggered by an Arcane Ward. The Bard jumps back, small bleeding lacerations all over his body. The Cloud does not disappear.

- Naillae remembers that Graxxygak spoke words as he passed the curtain, and once again Trenchant moves forward but this time says out loudly, “Praise Tiamat” and the Cloud disappears as he speaks the words.

- In the next area, the party find a large well lit chamber with a single large cage with one human occupant. The rest of the large chamber is empty, though the scrap marks on the floor would indicate that it contained a large quantity of items that were dragged out. The prisoner, an adult male, is badly wounded and by his mannerism and speech appears to be simple of mind. It appears this person was being held separately and tortured as he broke out of his cell, and instead of fleeing, was caught stealing copper coins from the Dragon Hoard. It appears that this male, his name being Tevish is obsessed with collecting “shinnies”.

- The party also learn that this cavern was filled with treasure but it was all taken away, bit by bit, over many weeks. Taken by “men wearing red robes”.

- Through talking to him, and the use of Trenchant’s Detect Thoughts spell, they discover he has a small collection still, hidden under the hay pile in the cage. Most are worthless, some copper coins, some polished river rocks, a small rusty metal figurine of a bull and a small leather bound notebook with a shinny gold clasp.

- Trenchant releases the prisoner and Tevish agrees to give the book to him. Opening it up, Trenchant sees that it is the lost Harper code book he was tasked to recover. Trenchant walks Tevish to the opening of the temple and lets the simple minded man leave, to wander into the dangers of the Twilight Marsh alone.

- The party decide to camp in the ruined temple, and get some much needed sleep. Watches are set, but the party are not disturbed.

- Fireday, 12th Gozran in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Summer.

- The party awake and leave the ruined temple to continue back east through the Twilight Marsh. Coming across an area that Sir Krondor noticed on their initial travel, Varis confirms he can detect a Humanoid somewhere to the north.

- Taking a small detour they party came across a shallow river running through the muddy ground of the marsh. On the far side is a prone and struggling female Drow, her leg caught in a bear trap. A group of four crocodiles, one being gigantic, are approaching the struggling and bleeding Drow.

- Sir Krondor immediately moves forward, “I need that Drow alive!”

- The party spring into action. The muddy ground is proving a challenge and some of the party keep slipping or tripping and falling into the mud in their attempt at reaching the Drow.

- Arrows and spells fly. Three of the smaller crocodiles are trapped within a Stinking Cloud cast by Trenchant, whilst the other larger crocodile is slain by spell and arrow.

- The Drow prisoner, who was trying to reach her dropped scimitar, is secured and freed from the bear trap, as the final three crocodiles are slain.

- The Drow prisoner, the assassin known as Yustena Karas, is taken in custody by Sir Krondor.

- They party continue to travel through the Marsh, returning to the now deserted Lizardfolk village and then use the borrowed canoes to travel the rest of the way to the edge of the marsh and the Crossing Inn. The party return the canoes to Rhomsan Kal, the inn keeper, and then gathering their waiting horses start to make their way back to Phlan. Sir Krondor keeps the tied Yustena secured over the back of his horse.

- After a couple of hours, just after midday, the party see the silhouette of Phlan on the horizon.

<And as the party sit upon their horses looking at occupied city of Phlan, wondering what awaits them, that is the end of the session.>

XP Allocation

Group - Combined (This is equally divided by the number of players who were involved)

Quests (Only quests that are completed or rendered undoable, during this session, are shown here)

- “The Cost Of War” Secure Funds for the Alliance = FAIL

- “The Birth Of Darkness” Allow Dracolich to enter the lands = -9000 XP Penalty

Creatures Overcome

- Graxxygak (Half-Dragon Troll) = 1800 XP

- Throstulgrael (Dracolich) = 18000 XP

- Crocodiles = 300 XP

- Giant Crocodile = 1800 XP

Individual (This is only given to that person and is not divided amongst all players)

Special Bonus (Outstanding Role Playing)

Nil

XP Levels and Player Allocations

Player : Start +  Received = Total  (Notes)

Rob : 110596 + 2302 = 112898

Arthur : 88660 + 1842 = 90502

John : 82940 + 1381 = 84321

Travis : 101054 + 1842 = 102896

Paul : 89437 + 1842 = 91279

Bob : 98797 + 1842 = 100639 (Level up to Level 12)

NPC (Naillae) : + (921)

#D&D #DnD #5th #5e #ROT

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

🏰⚔️🐲 DMODT- 24 update... yessssss

Ignoring Erwin and the sword until the dishes were dried, Eren now stood at the kitchen table, staring down at the sword. It still gave him a bad feeling, and he still didn't particularly want to touch it. Despite the fact it was wrapped in thick furs, and was yet to be unwrapped "It's just a sword" Resisting the urge to roll his eyes at Erwin, Eren wished he could voice his inner thoughts. If it was just a sword, then the three of them wouldn't be standing around the table and staring at it "It's uncomfortable" "For God's sake. Get out the way" Snatching up the bundled item, Erwin pulled the furs from the scabbard, before placing the sword down on the table much harder than was necessary. The teen was almost tempted to ask which God, Erwin was referring too. They all swore to god, but that changed from region to region and from religion to religion... Eren would have liked to think he'd have asked, if a pungent smell hadn't filled the room once the sword was unwrapped. Gagging, he turned from it, fanning his face in an attempt to dilute the stink. It was somewhere between fish left to rot in the sun for days, and the stink of a body left in a street to rot. But sickly sweet and nauseating at the some time "Eren?" Looking to his boyfriend, Levi's face was filled with concern "Sorry. It's just the smell... it's revolting" "What smell?" Taking a step away from the sword, he waved his hand at the offensive item. Picking the sword up, Levi sniffed at it, before shaking his head "I don't smell anything too bad... other than the dust. Is it really that bad?" "We're taking it to Historia. I don't care what you say, there's something not right about it" "Enough of these dramatics. You're a royal mage in employment by the court of Eldia, I command you to look at the sword" Levi growled at Erwin, the alpha looked ready to deck him, while Eren's stomach clenched so hard he hunched over in pain "Undo the command! You have no right to put a command on my omega!" "I can when he's ignoring what he's told. Look, I'll even make it easier for you" Taking the scabbard, Erwin ripped the thin leather ties off from around the hilt, drawing the blade as Eren screamed "Don't!" The effect was immediately, the moment the sword left its sheath. The blade began to shake, sending out a rhythmic pulse that Eren could only describe as the thud of a heart. Joining the pulsing, a sweet sharp melody seemed to play through the air, Erwin crying out in rage and pain, trying to release the sword, only to find his hand turning a deep blood red. Extending from his hand, long red tendrils began snaking their way up the alpha's arm, as if there were actual snakes beneath his skin, the skin bursting and cracking audibly as they pushed their way forward. As Levi grabbed for the sword, Eren's magic rose without his control. The power within him desperate to protect his rider and his alpha from the sinister danger. He had no control as he swung his hand out. His eyes were black as the world around the three of them exploded outwards. Containing in within a shimmering bubble of volatile magic, his fingers glowing red at the tips, as a large disc of wind severed Erwin's arm just above the elbow, sending a bloodied spiral spraying across the insides of the bubble. The blood rushed to clash against his magic, black weeping openings forming as his magic rose further to keep the substance contained. Clutching the stump of his arm, Erwin swayed on the spot. The blood gushing from the wound would kill the man at this rate. Tearing Erwin's hand from away, the omega pushed his fingers forward, sealing the open wound, in much the same way he'd sliced through Levi's clothes. Taking off the very outer layer of stump and cauterising the flesh as Erwin howled in pain, finding enough strength to backhand him so hard, Eren crashed into Levi. The contact from his rider, rushed to pull him back to reality, as the bubble of magic they were in, swirled and swept up the blood, forming a dozen differently sized, yet perfectly shaped black balls which fell to the floor... or at least what was left of the floor... in his altered state, the cabin had been completely destroyed, as had everything else in a 10 foot ring around where the building stood. But none of that mattered to him, all that mattered was the man beneath him. Scrambling off Levi, Eren snatched the sword up. Levi had managed to get most of if back within the scabbard, enough that he shouldn't look so worried. Sliding it in completely, his boyfriend's eyes widened "Le..." Fucking command! Something was wrong with his alpha, his own emotions so overwhelming he couldn't feel like as deeply as he usually could... dropping the sword, Eren's voice trembled "Master?" "I... got his blood... in my mouth" Turning as he pushed himself up, Levi's whole body clenched, his boyfriend heaving and clawing at the ground as black vomit splattered between his hand. Not giving two shits about possible infection, Eren threw himself back at Levi, his alpha throwing out a hand to stop him as he scrambled "Get back..." "No..." "Eren, get back!" "No! No... let me see..." He could see his magic trying to work, but on Levi's hands where the vomit has splashed up, festering wounds were beginning to form. Tearing his hand from Eren's line of sight, Eren's eyes filled with tears as black blood dribbled down Levi's chin, a smile appearing across his lover's lips that wasn't his own. It only lasted for a fraction of a second, before reality seemed to hit, everything that had happened in a few moments felt like it'd taken hours to transpire. Above them, the sky grew dark as Levi slumped forward, his body fitting and seizing on the ground. Still blind to all that had happened around them, Eren started fighting as an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him from Levi's side. Snarling, he clawed at the unwelcome hold, not caring who it was, only that they were taking him from Levi's side "Eren! Snap out of it!" Historia's soft voice came from beside his ear, Ymir grabbing the sword off the ground "Steege's got him. I'll grab the big stupid one, you make sure he doesn't lose control again" "Eren, we need to move. Can you stop crying for me? I need to know what happened?" The teen's breath hitched, shaking his head as he tried to fight Historia again. "Levi was hurt". "Levi is dying". The two sentences played on repeat. Their bond felt wrong, and Eren couldn't stop ugly crying if he'd wanted to... Coming to Levi, Steege hurled him up and over his shoulder, like Levi was a sack of flour and not the love of Eren's life "Lee!" "Eren..." Sobbing and grabbing for Levi, Historia hefted Eren off his feet. She might be slight and quite petite for a dragon rider, but she had the strength to lift him and carry him as if he were a toddler "Lee!" "We've got him. We've got him, Eren. I need you to breathe for me" Fuck breathing. He wanted Levi! He wanted his alpha! Levi was in so much pain... and it was all his fault. If he'd thought. If he hadn't used his magic. If he'd insisted on calling Historia... If... if he'd been better... He knew there was something wrong with the sword! He'd known it! "Eren, calm down. You're not making sense. We've got you, and the prince. We're taking you up to the house" He didn't know if he was saying everything out loud or if Historia was using her magic to get a feel for what he was going through, but he knew he needed Levi "Need... him. I can't lose him... I can't..." Hauled up to the manor, Eren still couldn't bring himself back under control. Taken beneath the manor house, he had no idea where Levi had been taken. No. Instead of being with his suffering lover, he was stuck in a medium sized room used for overflow staff, with Historia, Ymir and Erwin. Forced to sit on the edge of one of the single beds, Eren dissolved past sobs and into whimpers and whines. Sitting beside him, Historia gathered him into her arms, whispering words of comfort as her magic went to work soothing him. He couldn't get the image of Levi's skin rotting, or that revolting black vomit ruining his alpha's beautiful face. Holding him until he was finally calmed enough to collect his thoughts, he still felt immensely ill. His skin had begun to itch, while a fever was starting to set in. Neither his nor Historia's magic seemed to be making a difference. Sitting herself down on the other side of her mate, Ymir held the stupid sword that had started it all. Erwin was now out cold, snoring in the bed across from them. Most probably a spell to make him sleep, so he wouldn't feel any extra pain from his wound. Kissing his temple, Historia rubbed his arm softly "Eren? Can you tell me what happened?" "It's all my fault... Historia, it's all my fault" "Can you tell me what happened? What do you know about this sword?" Sniffling, Eren shook his head "It was the sword Zeke wanted" "The one with the egg?" "Y-yeah... I wanted to bring it to you, but he... he commanded me to look at it... I didn't... it smelt so bad. I didn't want to, but when he drew the blade... I'm going to be sick" As Eren threw up on the floor, Historia held him upright "Ymir, can you please retrieve Freya. I need her help to stabilise Eren. Also, make sure my father doesn't know about the sword" "Historia, he destroyed the whole cabin. Rod's going to want an explanation" "I don't care. Right now, we have a gravely ill rider and a dragon responding to his condition. We also have a prince who's now lost an arm, and absolutely no explanation as to why all of this happened, other than this sword. Erwin wouldn't be able to describe things as accurately as Eren can, but I can't stabilise him without Freya" Slipping into a fevered state, Eren didn't respond to anything Freya or Historia tried. He felt as if he were dying, and if he was to, he wanted to see Levi one last time. Still beneath the manor, he had no need to worry about Mikasa and Armin. They'd be taken care of, he knew Historia would see to that, as would Erwin. The prince had already been moved to another room, for which Eren was grateful. He hated the man seeing him writhing in pain from the fever and the never ceasing burning of his skin. He couldn't eat, he couldn't drink, his temperature wouldn't lower and he no longer had control of most of his bodily functions. Each cough he gave was wet and bloody, his lungs not having been this bad for years. All he wanted was to see Levi again. When Ymir took Historia's place beside his bed, Eren knew he'd have a better chance at seeing Levi again. Being a dragon, she knew the love they felt towards their riders. She knew the desperate need to be by her riders side. Coughing as he fought to push himself up, Ymir scowled down at him "Quit moving, you idiot" "Need... to... see... him" The rattling in his lungs was so dry that even Ymir looked uncomfortable. It wasn't like she never showed emotion, she just usually limited it to all things Historia "No one's allowed to see him" "P-please... Ymir" It was useless trying to be playful, or jokingly fluttering his eyelashes. He could see on her face that she was waiting for him to die. Sighing exaggeratedly, Ymir dusted herself off as she rose "If you get your blood on me, I'm not going to forgive you" "Sorry... I can't make any promi..." His coughs cut him off, so did Ymir as gathered him up "You fucking stink. I hope you know that. Rod's absolutely livid. Freya's been out of it since she did a reading on that sword of yours, and the shitty Eldia prince is making demands to. He wants to see Levi, but that's not happening. Oh! Oh! Your little friends refuse to leave, and now I have to share my Historia. You lying down here dying, is probably the safest place in the whole manor" If he could have laughed, he would have. Despite her harsh words, there was no real bite in them, it was just how Ymir was... There was probably more than few questions over what had happened, and they were lucky that the incident had been contained. If the visiting dragons and their riders had been effected, the whole dragon populace would have been in threat. Chained to the oracle's altar beneath the manor, Levi had been left alone. Feeling anger flaring as his magic jerked back from their boyfriend, Eren didn't care. It didn't matter if Levi was under the affects of whatever happened, he was still the man he'd fallen for. Approaching his alpha, it was clear the curse had hit Levi ten times worse than him. His boyfriend rose to kneel, snarling and hissing as they came closer, tugging on his chains "Put me down" "Eren, he's not right in the mind" "It's ok, Ymir" If Levi wanted to kill him, that was ok. If his blood on Levi's hands was what it took to calm his alpha, that was also ok. Wobbling as the blankets fell from his shaking frame, Eren tried not to let his fear show. This was his Levi... just a little different from normal "Eren?" "It's fine, Ymir. You can leave us" "But..." "It's ok... it's what I want" Thank god for heightened senses. He could barely hear his own words, but Ymir heard, cursing him as she left. Making it to the altar, Levi laughed a cruel high laugh. Not his alpha at all. Collapsing forward, Eren grabbed the altar, engulfed by a sick feeling. Reaching out, Levi grabbed him by the throat, pulling him in to sniff deeply. With each movement, Levi's joints seemed to crack, the sores across his face popping and running as Levi held his gaze "You pitiful thing. You're dying and they do nothing" Sniffing louder, Levi pulled him up upon the altar by his throat, growling and clicking with his tongue, when Eren tried to help himself up. Flopping uselessly on the altar, Levi moved to straddle him. This wasn't his Levi, but how could he look at the man and think of anything other than his lover. Moving his free hand to his forehead, a blissfully cold feeling flooded his burning body, Levi's voice filled with annoyance "You're the one who heals this body, but couldn't heal yourself. You stupid fool" How was he supposed to heal something he didn't understand, and something Historia didn't understand. If she, a healer, couldn't figure it out, what chance did he have?! "Still. You're not without your charms... Sleep" Sleep was not kindly gifted. Levi's hand squeezing his throat so he couldn't breathe. Left with no choice, all he could do was pass out beneath the man.

[lotornomiko]

The Sacrificial Maiden Overhauled Chapter Two (Still some violence to make it a NSFW read?)

A slow burn kind of romance, Rufus Alicia pairing. Both caught and rescued by a man, a God, who claims to know her by another name, she is a veritable prisoner up in his home in the heavens, past and present at war, her reality versus his memories, and a deal that may cost them both more than they could ever imagine. The revamp of My Sacrificial Maiden fic.

Chapter Two: A Rufus POV

The village lay half in ruin, its buildings on fire, things overturned, smashed, and outright destroyed. The devastation had spread to the fields, the harvest that these people had spent all year working to grow, and the crops not yet picked in danger. Such needlessly cruel havoc, it was worse than anything he might have expected, and yet so completely in line with the malevolent nature of Nifleheim. That brand of evil, it made his fingers tighten on his weapon, his anger such that the man was almost sick with it. That blaze of fury, it bubbled up inside him, a majestic surge of power shooting outward, the light of it spreading slowly but surely over every inch of Coriander.

As potent as it was heady, that use of the power of Creation inside him, Rufus watched as the fires were put out in an instant, buildings rapidly restored, things rebuilt and righted, down to the crops that was so necessary for these people’s survival, it was to his lasting pity that this same power couldn’t right the wrong done to villager’s souls.

It was not that there was a limit to Creation’s power, so much as they were laws that governed just what could be done. A promise that not even God himself could break with, the lives once lost cast into the cycle of rebirth and ruin, souls either reborn or so wholly destroyed that all trace of them were removed from existence.  It was more than a death sentence, that, it was a complete annihilation of a person’s being, such an extreme act reserved for only the most vile of sinners and the most desperate of sacrifices. Rufus had born witness to both suffering that fate, that of the mad man who had blasphemed against the entirety of the world, and that of the brave women who had let themselves be destroyed for the chance to stop him.

Five souls in all had been lost as a result, sinner and saints alike, and with them, balance and order had been restored. Creation itself was saved, the world and its people no longer in such imminent danger. Their every day struggles continued, eight of the nine varied realms content to maintain a lasting attempt at harmony, with only Nifleheim determined to destroy all chance at peace. With Hel as their leader, the demons, monsters, and that of the damned, all strove to steal every bit of existence that they could, to spread their despair and greed to all. Coriander was just the latest in their bid for dominance, and yet it angered him all the more, Rufus aware that these senseless acts of violence, had finally had a true purpose behind them.

Meant to strike a most personal blow to the God who ruled over all of Creation, this unforgivable act had been meant as a trap. Even knowing this, Rufus had still come, discarding Freya’s concerns, putting himself and the world in jeopardy to right the wrong done in the name of catching God. He had been called foolish as a result, deemed needlessly reckless, and far too human in thought. He had argued back that those same faults as she saw them, were what had allowed for God’s benevolence to extend to all the realms, and not just the heavens alone.

Furious as Freya had been, the Goddess has not been able to argue against the truth of that. Creation was thriving, ALL of it, such peace and prosperity the likes of which had never been known under Odin’s thoughtless tyranny. The world itself had become like a paradise, food and resources plentiful, whole nations thriving, Creation remade to be what SHE would have wanted. Freed from the cruel manipulation of the Gods, their mad schemes and blatant toying, it was what SHE, Alicia, had sacrificed her soul for.

“Alicia...” The name and the memory of her, never failed to bring him pain, it and a desperate longing spiking through him. Such bitter sweet hurt, that of a heart never fully healed, Rufus had and still suffered a wealth of varied emotions, the unresolved feelings of a love that had never truly had a chance to be. Now wasn’t the time to slip in to the melancholy over what he had been denied, that poignant loss something to be set aside for a time better spent righting the wrongs of this past night.

“Report.” He said to the sudden presence besides him. The soul, an einherjar, had dropped to one knee, head bowed in a kind of reverent respect that wasn’t easily cast aside. The awe and esteem placed on him, was something Rufus still wasn’t used to, and even less liked, but old habits died hard, more heroes than not resisting the break of tradition.

“Only a few stragglers remain on the outskirts of the village.”

“Good, see that they are caught and returned to their mistress’ stern embrace.” A pause then, Rufus trying to keep the beat of his heart from betraying him. “What of the girl?”

There was a noticeable flinch as reaction from the kneeling einherjar. “Missing.”

He couldn’t stop the surge of unease, the panic and the worry, the alarm bells going off in his head, as the God turned to focus fully on this bearer of bad news. “What do you mean she is missing!?” A different kind of power spread out from him, colored as it was by his spike of emotion, its spread across the village instantly confirming his einherjar’s words.

“Shit!” Rufus swore, already on the move. The einherjar hurried to his feet, following after the God, but there was no keeping up with a man as desperately motivated as Rufus now was. His long strides pounded down pavement and dirt, Rufus passing through the heart of the town, to get to the outskirts, where fighting still took place. It was the heaven’s warriors and it was the scourge of Nifleheim, the damned souls of human sinners not yet ready to give up. Engaged in that bloody and violent combat, no one paid real mind to the cloaked figure who had entered into the midst of the battle.

A rising urgency within him, Rufus began pushing aside einherjar and blasphemer alike, his power still out there searching. Passing over each person, tasting of their soul, and finding them lacking, he continued his frantic quest, until at last before him, stood a demon, it’s malevolent eyes a crimson color that marked it as one of the undead.

Immediate was both their reactions, the demonic creature’s claws going for the God whose weapon rose to block the blow. Sharp tipped nails scrabbled over metal, the divine lance sending off sparks of power that had the monster screeching in pain. With a strong kick out of his right leg, Rufus sent the undead fiend flying back, the momentum only broke by a tree in its path. Its snarl cut off short, to find a glowing arrow in its face, the divine energy slowly but surely burning a hole into the creature’s cheek.

“Where is she!? Where have you taken her!?” His voice was more frantic than commanding, the hand that held onto the bow and the arrows, visibly shaking.

Even so wounded and in pain, the demon still took the time to taunt him. To mock him with a twisted smile, claws grabbing at the arrow head embedded in its cheek. “Hers will make a ripe soul for Hel’s feast.”

Another arrow flew, this time pinning a hand to the bark of the tree. The undead fiend howled in pain, the divine energy pouring off the metal, burning its tainted soul little by little. “She is an innocent!” Rufus was the one snarling now, drawing the attention of einherjar and damned alike. “Free of Nifleheim and its Queen’s grasp!”

Coughing up blood and saliva, the demon spat in the God’s face. “Believe that all you like...it won’t spare her soul from going under.”

Near blind with his rage and with his desperation, a third arrow was unleashed, and with it a horrible, grating sound, that of the monster laughing. It set Rufus off further, Gungnir transforming from bow to lance in an instant, the divine weapon suddenly at the fiend’s throat. Even that didn’t stop that mocking noise, Rufus wanting answers, and wanting them now.

“You have lost.” That piercing laughter continued, the demon brash and bold as it locked eyes with the God. “So what will it be? Creation or the girl? Which one will you see damned for all of lasting eternity?” A smirk then. “Surely God would not be so selfish...to sacrifice the good of the all for one single, solitary soul...” A pause, the smirk growing all the more grotesque. “Ah but we mustn’t forget, that this one is special…”

“Damn you...”

“I’ll extend to you Hel’s invitation.” The demon spoke over him. “You’ve not much time left to accept…”

“Oh I’ll be there.” A hiss followed by the pressure of his arm pushing down on the divine lance. “But old Hel is in for a surprise, if she thinks I’ll give up the world OR the girl!” The monster’s mocking laugh was cut off by its head being severed, the narrowed eye malice of it’s expression captured for all eternity, as it fell free of the body, and rolled to a stop against the God’s foot. He stared down at it, still so angry and full of so volatile a need, Rufus bringing his booted foot down to smash the offending face to bloody pieces.

Turning swiftly, he looked at the gathered einherjar, saw that most if not all of the damned had been subdued by them. Such a miserable and angry lot, their hostility and wicked ambition was radiating off them in waves, the group defiant to the last, and clearly intent on causing more trouble should the slightest mercy be shown them.

“Kill them.” Came the cold order, but it was not the God who had given voice to the command, but that of a Goddess.

“Freya!” Surprise was in his voice, along with a wary hostility, the two a pair that weren’t on good terms under the best of circumstances. “Have you come to stop me?”

“Yes, from being more foolish than usual, you idiotic God!” A emerald colored glare met his, the green clad Goddess standing in mid air, with her hands on her hips. “Honestly, do you ever think things through!?” She gestured wildly with her arm, encompassing the newly restored village. “Unleashing God’s miracles with little regard for the target it paints...”

“Coriander was a target long before that..” He countered, Rufus bristling despite himself. “Freya, they know...” He gave a sharp jerk of his head. “Not only that, they HAVE her.”

“Yes, I know...”

Those clipped sounding words raised his hackles, his glare narrowing further as he raged and glowered at the Goddess. “What do you mean, yes, you know…!?”

“Why ELSE would I be here!?” Tensions escalated with that, Rufus feeling very close to throttling the Goddess.

“Well then you understand what I HAVE to do.” It was his tone that was terse, Rufus barely in control of his rage. “And WHY I can’t let anyone stand in my way…!”

Sudden was her reaction, the gold glint of ether the only thing that lingered in the space the Goddess has just been occupying. In the span of the millisecond that it took einherjar and damned to blink their eyes, the lady Freya had gone from her lofty position in the sky, to standing right before the God. That divine energy gleamed upon her hand, followed by a loud slap of sound, the blonde haired woman in green having struck the man’s face.

It was a slap so hard that he actually staggered back, and the sound that escaped him was shocked at best. That nonsensical noise, it and the look that he gave her, were the only reaction he seemed capable of, Rufus doing an open mouthed gape at the Goddess. Freya’s lips pressed together, the woman’s emerald colored eyes looking stormy with her anger.

“You are always such a fool...I fear this side to you will never change, no matter how many more centuries may pass...” She shook her head, and took another step forward, briefly touching fingertips to his weapon, Gungnir. “Coriander may have been ONE of their targets, but never forget that THIS and the power to wield it are their true goals.”

That power came with more than just physical strength, all of Creation’s knowledge stored within, every last rule and responsibility bound to a single choice. To do right by the world, or to do wrong by it, and never had this God wavered with that particular indecision before, Rufus having always wanted to be the direct opposite of his tormentor and predecessor, Odin. It was to his and the realms’ detriment, that the single, solitary element, that one soul in particular, had been found, HERS the only thing in existence that the God might be willing to damn the world to never ending darkness for.

With that thought he could barely meet the gaze of the emerald green eyes that bore into his, the weight of her stare not just one of consideration, but one of daring, the Goddess expression and manner so like that day of a few hundred years ago. That time, on the very tops of Yggsdrasil’s branches, she had put forth a challenge, willing Rufus to prove himself worthy of the power he had been about to claim.

The stakes weren’t much different now, as it had been then, Creation itself seeming to hold its breath, Rufus knowing the one and only answer that could satisfy the goddess, was a promise he could not give.

“I will be careful...” He stated instead. “I don’t intend to give up my power OR the girl’s soul, to the likes of Hel and her minions.”

A great breath expelled out of the Goddess, the sounds so exasperated and weary, Freya taking a step back. “Then you best hurry.” This change in attitude seemed to stagger him as much as her earlier slap had, Rufus just staring at her, flabbergasted. Was it a kindness that had the golden haired Goddess choose not to comment on his slack jawed response? He’d never know for sure, the green clad deity speaking.

“Her innocence buys her soul some measure of protection.” Freya continued. “But there are ways to work around even that.”

“Ways?” He croaked out, barely able to comprehend what she was implying.

“To drag a soul worthy of the heavens down into Nifleheim’s dark abyss.” clarified Freya. “Evil magic,  a long forbidden ritual, that can disguise the purity within...” Her green gaze was troubled, as though the Goddess was doubting herself in telling him this. “It will take time to cast, to make the sacrifice ready for its descent….”

“Sacrifice!?”

“No living creature may tread foot upon the underworld that’s not demon or divine....” She fixed him with a look. “You should already know this...” A shake of her head, a kind of promise in her eyes that foretold that the lecture he was to receive would be put off only for this one time.

“Head to the forgotten temple...” Her arm raised up, ether dripping off one single finger tip. “Those abandoned ruins are perfect for the desecration that must be committed there.”

He has so many questions, might have even owed her his apology, but above all else, amid the many varied emotions he was feeling, the urgency and the desperation, and that thin bit of hope that he’d make it in time, was a sliver of gratitude.

“Thank you.” He said and meant it, the gold orb of divine energy flying free of Freya’s hand. It shot off in an arc, zigzagging past people, marking the path the God needed to follow. A glow accompanied its travels, the light turning faint when it slipped through the trees, and into the depths of the forest.

“We will finish up here...” He nodded, but barely took to the meaning behind those words, a growing sense of urgency worsened, Rufus innately knowing that to lose track of the ether trail would result in a slim window closing, the soul that he was so desperate towards saving, perhaps lost for good. He took off running, the cloak clasped in place over his shoulders, flaring out, and with every step taken, he seemed to fly, moving with the grace of a divine, and a speed that was unnatural to any other of Creation’s beings. His surroundings seemed to blur around him, his focus narrowed down to the one aid Freya had lent him, moving as it did, with sharp zig zags over and around tress, past the startled creatures of the forest, to climb higher and higher up a mountain, until abruptly a drop was upon them, the arc of gold light shooting down into a valley to come circling around what had to be the ruins of a temple.

His expression grimly determined, Gungnir obeyed an unspoken command, shifting from it’s natural form, to that of the shape of his preferred weapon of choice. The polished silver gleamed, reflecting the light and the glow that surrounded the ruins. Save for the ether, nothing else stirred, not animal and certainly not damned or demonic, Rufus taking careful steps forward.

“Too easy...” He murmured with a frown. Did they not expect him here, or was this yet another of Hel’s traps? Whatever the answer, he had to keep moving, and then all attempt at being quiet was lost, to the sight of blood on the ground. What had started out as a few smears, soon turned into a distinct trail, as though something wounded had been dragged. He feared the answer as to what that something had been, but more than that, it made him nearly blind with fury, Rufus taking off running, his booted feet pounding the ground, and then the broken marble of what remained of the interior’s floor. Things spooked inside the temple, animals from the sound of it, both predator and prey made wary by the God tearing through their makeshift home.

The blood trail stopped just short of the flood, a room that was more filled with water than not. From across its icy surface, came a sound, that of a low monotone voice speaking, chanting some kind of nonsense out. He then plunged waist deep into the water, abandoning the cloak that tried to drag him down with its wet weight, and came at last to the deepest part of the temple. To a place that had once been the heart of a divine worship, now made a mockery of all its values, by the monsters, the demons, who played at stealing a soul.

He couldn’t see the soul in question, but he could FEEL it, both the girl and that ebb of her life starting to slip free of her body. She was barely hanging on, and the claws around her throat weren’t helping the matter, Rufus notching an arrow to his bow. Divine energy didn’t just glow on the feathered tip, it poured off it in strong waves, the God a snarling mass of fury, as he proclaimed to the gathered demons that they had NO right.

The blinding blaze of that launched arrow marked it’s path as true, the pointed tip slamming into one of the wrists of a demon. It screamed and dropped its hold of the girl, her pale and near lifeless body, hitting the floor harder than Rufus would have liked. He was beyond furious in response, arrow after arrow flying, the God on the move, nightmares rushing towards him, more than he could keep track of, his figure swarmed and swamped by that dark mass. He went under, with claws tearing into him, the pummel of fists and other appendages striking him, those fiends relentless but then so was he! With a roar, and a power that shot off him in waves, that strong surge of divine energy sent Nifleheim’s worst flying back, arrows again airborne, piercing into body after body, the God this wild thing, an unstoppable force that bit by bit made his way closer towards the altar, and the broken form of the girl who lay unconscious before it.

Not even the reinforcements that came rushing out of the shadows could make a difference, Rufus dispatching them all with an ease that was almost laughable if not for the mad rage inside him. Gungnir’s wire sang with every arrow unleashed, this room of worship lit up by all the divine energy burning apart the very essence of the demons. His own ragged breath was heard, a sign not of exhaustion, but one of wordless fury, nothing and no one able to calm him save for the life he was taking into his hands.  

“Ah….” His fingers hovered uncertain for one second too long, Rufus cursing himself, for now was NOT the time for any kind of hesitation. He was nervous all the same, whole centuries having passed dreaming of this kind of moment. A touch of any kind, his hands a kind of reverence normally reserved for only the Gods, she was then cradled close against his chest, the girl’s head falling back to give him a start of his own.

Far older than he had anticipated, the girl---more so a young woman, and with the body to prove it, marked the passage of a time he had not realized had even fully passed. To him it still felt like it had only been just yesterday, that he chanced upon the child, the soul that had inexplicably been reincarnated. But for the mortals of Midgard, time had never stopped, at least a whole ten years having passed, if not more, for this woman.

He was made stupid in the face of a beauty that didn’t so much rival that of his memories, as replicate it completely. From the sweet curve of her lips, to the honey hued color of her hair, to the thick lashes of her eyes, she was the spitting image of his Alicia. No, she was more than just her twin, branded as she was by the ever weakening soul inside her, this young woman somehow against all the odds, and the laws of providence, this was his lost love reborn!

“Alicia…” His vision blurred with a hint of his gratitude, a tear falling free. It was a miracle, one he had prayed for and given up on ever happening, this soul meant to be struck from existence. It had never sat right with him, the unfairness of it all, the idea that Alicia would be punished instead of rewarded for the sacrifice she had given.

The impossible had happened. Somehow, someway, some power higher than even that of God, having righted a wrong that had tormented him for centuries. He didn’t know who or what they were indebted to, but the grateful deity wasn’t about to squander this, their second chance. Not to Hel, and not to the young woman’s own fragile state, Rufus lowering his head to brush lips over hers.

Cold and trembling at first, the warmth of the ether on his lips began to work it’s own miracle. Her lips began to take on a heat of their own, quivering mouths joined together, and from that merging of flesh, a healthy flush began to overtake the pale skin. It was life, and it was vitality, a healing magic that brought her heart beating a stronger tempo, her chest rising and falling easier with an even breath, a soul that had almost snapped free, instead pulled back, death and damnation both held at bay once more.

Snuggled into the warmth, the young woman began to stir. Slowly at first, but then with a rising panic, her soft hands pushing at him, trying to break them free of the kiss. It was wrong of him, he knew, but Rufus lingered longer than the miracle required, enjoying the kiss in a way that was pure need of a different kind, that of a love and a desire denied for so many centuries thus.

Her hands became more and more insistent, the tension within that frame making her come off as frantic, and only belatedly would he then remember, that mortals had need to breathe. She was already half swooning as a result, eyes that he knew would be colored so beautiful a blue, fluttering to look up at him.

“Hey...” It was more awkward then he felt their reunion should be, Rufus giving the young woman, a sheepish looking grin. “It’s been a long time…Alicia…”

“Ah...” She struggled to form the words, a questioning sound at the end of them. “Alicia?” He could hear the flustered beat of her heart, the sound faster than was healthy, that frightened tempo more than any mortal could maintain, and with it, went her eyes, the blue color lost to the sudden weight slumping against him, the woman having given in to the faint.

To Be Continued…

I’m glad I took a nap in the middle of writing this. I was having SO much trouble with my first draft of the Freya Rufus scene...so much so, that upon coming back, I HATED that first attempt, and trashed it into what felt like the better read. Overall, Freya aside, I had enjoyed writing this chapter. XD

---Michelle

#valkyrie profile #Rufus #princess alicia #fanfic #fanfiction #The Sacrificial Maiden

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

⚔️🏰🐲 DMODT- 24. God. Is this short? It feels short? Do I leave it here? I don't know how long this is getting

Ignoring Erwin and the sword until the dishes were dried, Eren now stood at the kitchen table, staring down at the sword. It still gave him a bad feeling, and he still didn't particularly want to touch it. Despite the fact it was wrapped in thick furs, and was yet to be unwrapped "It's just a sword" Resisting the urge to roll his eyes at Erwin, Eren wished he could voice his inner thoughts. If it was just a sword, then the three of them wouldn't be standing around the table and staring at it "It's uncomfortable" "For God's sake. Get out the way" Snatching up the bundled item, Erwin pulled the furs from the scabbard, before placing the sword down on the table much harder than was necessary. The teen was almost tempted to ask which God, Erwin was referring too. They all swore to god, but that changed from region to region and from religion to religion... Eren would have liked to think he'd have asked, if a pungent smell hadn't filled the room once the sword was unwrapped. Gagging, he turned from it, fanning his face in an attempt to dilute the stink. It was somewhere between fish left to rot in the sun for days, and the stink of a body left in a street to rot. But sickly sweet and nauseating at the some time "Eren?" Looking to his boyfriend, Levi's face was filled with concern "Sorry. It's just the smell... it's revolting" "What smell?" Taking a step away from the sword, he waved his hand at the offensive item. Picking the sword up, Levi sniffed at it, before shaking his head "I don't smell anything too bad... other than the dust. Is it really that bad?" "We're taking it to Historia. I don't care what you say, there's something not right about it" "Enough of these dramatics. You're a royal mage in employment by the court of Eldia, I command you to look at the sword" Levi growled at Erwin, the alpha looked ready to deck him, while Eren's stomach clenched so hard he hunched over in pain "Undo the command! You have no right to put a command on my omega!" "I can when he's ignoring what he's told. Look, I'll even make it easier for you" Taking the scabbard, Erwin ripped the thin leather ties off from around the hilt, drawing the blade as Eren screamed "Don't!" The effect was immediately, the moment the sword left its sheath. The blade began to shake, sending out a rhythmic pulse that Eren could only describe as the thud of a heart. Joining the pulsing, a sweet sharp melody seemed to play through the air, Erwin crying out in rage and pain, trying to release the sword, only to find his hand turning a deep blood red. Extending from his hand, long red tendrils began snaking their way up the alpha's arm, as if there were actual snakes beneath his skin, the skin bursting and cracking audibly as they pushed their way forward. As Levi grabbed for the sword, Eren's magic rose without his control. The power within him desperate to protect his rider and his alpha from the sinister danger. He had no control as he swung his hand out. His eyes were black as the world around the three of them exploded outwards. Containing in within a shimmering bubble of volatile magic, his fingers glowing red at the tips, as a large disc of wind severed Erwin's arm just above the elbow, sending a bloodied spiral spraying across the insides of the bubble. The blood rushed to clash against his magic, black weeping openings forming as his magic rose further to keep the substance contained. Clutching the stump of his arm, Erwin swayed on the spot. The blood gushing from the wound would kill the man at this rate. Tearing Erwin's hand from away, the omega pushed his fingers forward, sealing the open wound, in much the same way he'd sliced through Levi's clothes. Taking off the very outer layer of stump and cauterising the flesh as Erwin howled in pain, finding enough strength to backhand him so hard, Eren crashed into Levi. The contact from his rider, rushed to pull him back to reality, as the bubble of magic they were in, swirled and swept up the blood, forming a dozen differently sized, yet perfectly shaped black balls which fell to the floor... or at least what was left of the floor... in his altered state, the cabin had been completely destroyed, as had everything else in a 10 foot ring around where the building stood. But none of that mattered to him, all that mattered was the man beneath him. Scrambling off Levi, Eren snatched the sword up. Levi had managed to get most of if back within the scabbard, enough that he shouldn't look so worried. Sliding it in completely, his boyfriend's eyes widened "Le..." Fucking command! Something was wrong with his alpha, his own emotions so overwhelming he couldn't feel like as deeply as he usually could... dropping the sword, Eren's voice trembled "Master?" "I... got his blood... in my mouth" Turning as he pushed himself up, Levi's whole body clenched, his boyfriend heaving and clawing at the ground as black vomit splattered between his hand. Not giving two shits about possible infection, Eren threw himself back at Levi, his alpha throwing out a hand to stop him as he scrambled "Get back..." "No..." "Eren, get back!" "No! No... let me see..." He could see his magic trying to work, but on Levi's hands where the vomit has splashed up, festering wounds were beginning to form. Tearing his hand from Eren's line of sight, Eren's eyes filled with tears as black blood dribbled down Levi's chin, a smile appearing across his lover's lips that wasn't his own. It only lasted for a fraction of a second, before reality seemed to hit, everything that had happened in a few moments felt like it'd taken hours to transpire. Above them, the sky grew dark as Levi slumped forward, his body fitting and seizing on the ground. Still blind to all that had happened around them, Eren started fighting as an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him from Levi's side. Snarling, he clawed at the unwelcome hold, not caring who it was, only that they were taking him from Levi's side "Eren! Snap out of it!" Historia's soft voice came from beside his ear, Ymir grabbing the sword off the ground "Steege's got him. I'll grab the big stupid one, you make sure he doesn't lose control again" "Eren, we need to move. Can you stop crying for me? I need to know what happened?" The teen's breath hitched, shaking his head as he tried to fight Historia again. "Levi was hurt". "Levi is dying". The two sentences played on repeat. Their bond felt wrong, and Eren couldn't stop ugly crying if he'd wanted to... Coming to Levi, Steege hurled him up and over his shoulder, like Levi was a sack of flour and not the love of Eren's life "Lee!" "Eren..." Sobbing and grabbing for Levi, Historia hefted Eren off his feet. She might be slight and quite petite for a dragon rider, but she had the strength to lift him and carry him as if he were a toddler "Lee!" "We've got him. We've got him, Eren. I need you to breathe for me" Fuck breathing. He wanted Levi! He wanted his alpha! Levi was in so much pain... and it was all his fault. If he'd thought. If he hadn't used his magic. If he'd insisted on calling Historia... If... if he'd been better... He knew there was something wrong with the sword! He'd known it! "Eren, calm down. You're not making sense. We've got you, and the prince. We're taking you up to the house" He didn't know if he was saying everything out loud or if Historia was using her magic to get a feel for what he was going through, but he knew he needed Levi "Need... him. I can't lose him... I can't..." Hauled up to the manor, Eren still couldn't bring himself back under control. Taken beneath the manor house, he had no idea where Levi had been taken. No. Instead of being with his suffering lover, he was stuck in a medium sized room used for overflow staff, with Historia, Ymir and Erwin. Forced to sit on the edge of one of the single beds, Eren dissolved past sobs and into whimpers and whines. Sitting beside him, Historia gathered him into her arms, whispering words of comfort as her magic went to work soothing him. He couldn't get the image of Levi's skin rotting, or that revolting black vomit ruining his alpha's beautiful face. Holding him until he was finally calmed enough to collect his thoughts, he still felt immensely ill. His skin had begun to itch, while a fever was starting to set in. Neither his nor Historia's magic seemed to be making a difference. Sitting herself down on the other side of her mate, Ymir held the stupid sword that had started it all. Erwin was now out cold, snoring in the bed across from them. Most probably a spell to make him sleep, so he wouldn't feel any extra pain from his wound. Kissing his temple, Historia rubbed his arm softly "Eren? Can you tell me what happened?" "It's all my fault... Historia, it's all my fault" "Can you tell me what happened? What do you know about this sword?" Sniffling, Eren shook his head "It was the sword Zeke wanted" "The one with the egg?" "Y-yeah... I wanted to bring it to you, but he... he commanded me to look at it... I didn't... it smelt so bad. I didn't want to, but when he drew the blade... I'm going to be sick" As Eren threw up on the floor, Historia held him upright "Ymir, can you please retrieve Freya. I need her help to stabilise Eren. Also, make sure my father doesn't know about the sword" "Historia, he destroyed the whole cabin. Rod's going to want an explanation" "I don't care. Right now, we have a gravely ill rider and a dragon responding to his condition. We also have a prince who's now lost an arm, and absolutely no explanation as to why all of this happened, other than this sword. Erwin wouldn't be able to describe things as accurately as Eren can, but I can't stabilise him without Freya" * Slipping into a fevered state, Eren didn't respond to anything Freya or Historia tried. He felt as if he were dying, and if he was to, he wanted to see Levi one last time. Still beneath the manor, he had no need to worry about Mikasa and Armin. They'd be taken care of, he knew Historia would see to that, as would Erwin. The prince had already been moved to another room, for which Eren was grateful. He hated the man seeing him writhing in pain from the fever and the never ceasing burning of his skin. He couldn't eat, he couldn't drink, his temperature wouldn't lower and he no longer had control of most of his bodily functions. Each cough he gave was wet and bloody, his lungs not having been this bad for years. All he wanted was to see Levi again. When Ymir took Historia's place beside his bed, Eren knew he'd have a better chance at seeing Levi again. Being a dragon, she knew the love they felt towards their riders. She knew the desperate need to be by her riders side. Coughing as he fought to push himself up, Ymir scowled down at him "Quit moving, you idiot" "Need... to... see... him" The rattling in his lungs was so dry that even Ymir looked uncomfortable. It wasn't like she never showed emotion, she just usually limited it to all things Historia "No one's allowed to see him" "P-please... Ymir" It was useless trying to be playful, or jokingly fluttering his eyelashes. He could see on her face that she was waiting for him to die. Sighing exaggeratedly, Ymir dusted herself off as she rose "If you get your blood on me, I'm not going to forgive you" "Sorry... I can't make any promi..." His coughs cut him off, so did Ymir as gathered him up "You fucking stink. I hope you know that. Rod's absolutely livid. Freya's been out of it since she did a reading on that sword of yours, and the shitty Eldia prince is making demands to. He wants to see Levi, but that's not happening. Oh! Oh! Your little friends refuse to leave, and now I have to share my Historia. You lying down here dying, is probably the safest place in the whole manor" If he could have laughed, he would have. Despite her harsh words, there was no real bite in them, it was just how Ymir was... There was probably more than few questions over what had happened, and they were lucky that the incident had been contained. If the visiting dragons and their riders had been effected, the whole dragon populace would have been in threat. Chained to the oracle's altar beneath the manor, Levi had been left alone. Feeling anger flaring as his magic jerked back from their boyfriend, Eren didn't care. It didn't matter if Levi was under the affects of whatever happened, he was still the man he'd fallen for. Approaching his alpha, it was clear the curse had hit Levi ten times worse than him. His boyfriend rose to kneel, snarling and hissing as they came closer, tugging on his chains "Put me down" "Eren, he's not right in the mind" "It's ok, Ymir" If Levi wanted to kill him, that was ok. If his blood on Levi's hands was what it took to calm his alpha, that was also ok. Wobbling as the blankets fell from his shaking frame, Eren tried not to let his fear show. This was his Levi... just a little different from normal "Eren?" "It's fine, Ymir. You can leave us" "But..." "It's ok... it's what I want" Thank god for heightened senses. He could barely hear his own words, but Ymir heard, cursing him as she left. Making it to the altar, Levi laughed a cruel high laugh. Not his alpha at all. Collapsing forward, Eren grabbed the altar, engulfed by a sick feeling. Reaching out, Levi grabbed him by the throat, pulling him in to sniff deeply. With each movement, Levi's joints seemed to crack, the sores across his face popping and running as Levi held his gaze "You pitiful thing. You're dying and they do nothing" Sniffing louder, Levi pulled him up upon the altar by his throat, growling and clicking with his tongue, when Eren tried to help himself up. Flopping uselessly on the altar, Levi moved to straddle him. This wasn't his Levi, but how could he look at the man and think of anything other than his lover. Moving his free hand to his forehead, a blissfully cold feeling flooded his burning body, Levi's voice filled with annoyance "You're the one who heals this body, but couldn't heal yourself. You stupid fool" How was he supposed to heal something he didn't understand, and something Historia didn't understand. If she, a healer, couldn't figure it out, what chance did he have?! "Still. You're not without your charms... Sleep" Sleep was not kindly gifted. Levi's hand squeezing his throat so he couldn't breathe. His chest shook as he choked on his own coughs... this wasn't his boyfriend. Levi would never raise a hand to hurt him so. Left with no choice, all he could do was pass out beneath the man, wondering if he'd wake again. * A soft warm bed and the warmth of the sun were the first things Eren noticed. Groaning, the teen rolled over, nuzzling into the pillow in attempt to fall back to sleep. Feeling the bed dip, the omega whined his annoyance at whoever dared to wake him "Eren?" Levi?! That was Levi's voice! Shooting up, he headbutted his boyfriend in his hurry. Hissing, Levi rubbed his head as they both fell away from each other "God! What the fuck was that?! Why is your head so fucking solid!?" Rubbing at his forehead, his magic was already healing the impact, while his brain felt bruised "L-m-master?" Dragging himself back up, Eren looked to Levi. His eyes filling with tears as he did "You scared us. You weren't getting better, then you slipped into a coma. We... we weren't sure if you'd wake" A what now?! What? He'd been sick and Levi hadn't been Levi... They'd been down beneath the manor, and now... the sores were gone and Levi, Levi was looking human... not like the thing chained down on the altar. He was so confused... "But... you? The sword? What happened?!" This felt like his Levi... but not... but more than before... Levi sighed, turning to sit facing him "We need to have a talk about that, but first..." "No! Just... what happened? I remember being sick, and I remember you were sick. You were covered in sores, and vomiting black blood stuff... and Fluffybrows gave me a second command..." "Calm down, you're talking a million miles an hour" Maybe this was a dream?! Or was that the dream?! He'd headbutted Levi, and it'd hurt like hell... but he'd felt like he was dying. Confused, his scent flared as he drew his knees to his chest. He'd been sick... and now... "Eren?" "I don't understand" Reaching out, Levi cupped his cheek, tilting his face up to look the alpha in the eyes. His touch was just as warm as he remembered... but Levi's eyes... there was a blackness in there that he didn't remember "We need to talk, but first Historia has to make sure you're alright. A lot has happened while you were unconscious" "You?" "We'll talk. I'll be right outside that door" What? No. He wasn't awake enough to be talking, let alone sorting his chaotic thoughts into something tangible. He'd woken up like two minutes ago, been headbutted and formed the words. And now Levi was leaving?! "I... I don't want you to go" "You'll be fine with Historia" Leaving him, Eren felt as if Levi was dismissing him. Normally the alpha would have stayed, especially with the way his scent was at the moment. Rushing into his room, Historia seemed happier to see him awake than Levi had "Eren! You scared me!" "I'm sorry" Dropping down in the same spot Levi had sat in, Historia smiled softly "It's so nice to see you awake. We've all been so worried" "Historia... what's going on. I... I'm so confused. He... he was coughing up black vomit... and now he won't talk about it" "He's the most stubborn patient our healers have ever met" "You're the predominant healer of the household" "That's how I know. Now, let me have a little touch" Reaching out her hand, Eren jerked back from her magic, taking them both by surprise "I'm not going to hurt you..." "I know. I'm sorry. I don't know what that was" "I do. You're scared and confused. Don't worry, I just want to make sure your infection has passed" "Infection?" Placing her palm against his forehead, Historia sighed softly "I think you're safe. You got quite ill there for a while, your magic was trying to heal you and causing you more harm than good" "I don't know what happened... Erwin drew the sword, than everything went to shit... and Levi... he was chained up down on the oracle's altar, and it was him. It was him, but it wasn't him. Historia, what's going on?" Sitting back, the princess closed her eyes. Eren knew she probably needed a moment to collect her thoughts, but he wasn't in the mood for any of this "Please... Historia, please" Opening her eyes, Historia pulled her hand back "The sword they brought, it... it was made with a scale from Obsydin. Smith had sworn all of him had been burned, yet the man kept a sword made from his bone, fangs, tears and scale. I'm so sorry, Eren. If it'd stayed in Eldia, this never would have happened... if... if we'd just taken a look while were in Eldia. If we'd taken a look when Freya had examined the egg..." Historia's blue eyes filled with tears, the princess seeming so very human as she wiped at her face. Obsydin was bad news, but now he... Was Levi infected by Erwin's blood? No. Levi had been infected by Erwin's blood... but it was just a sword. Erwin had said it was just a sword... "Historia, you need to explain right now. I need to know what's wrong with my boyfriend. I need to know if everything actually happened, and why he's acting like nothing at all happened. I need to know what's going on" Historia wiped her cheeks dry, though her eyes remained wet with fresh tears "I'm sorry. You're right. Freya examined the sword, and it was indeed part of Obsydin. You know how dragon magic works, how it seeps into the soil, and how all things are connected. An egg and a clutch cannot hatch without it feeding from the magic of it's parents. Obsydin's egg was devoid of that chance, but the sword..." Eren nodded, with a heavy feeling in his stomach. It'd been part of the great dragon, imbued with all of his magic... "Despite it's being locked away, there was magic left in the scale. If it'd been left down there for a few more decades, it would have become just a pretty ornament. Even with your magic in the castle. Here... here is where he lived. Where his clutch lived... his blood and their blood stains this soil" It was like how he returned his scales to the ground, as an offering to Earth, only their offering hadn't been willingly given. They'd probably cursed Draecia as they burned... Dragon magic was unique to each dragon, and three hundred years ago, it would have been so much more pure. The bloodlines for dragons weren't as diluted as now... and for his clutch to be killed, he must have been carrying some impressive powers "So the sword contained part of his soul?" "This is what Freya said. We've examined the remains of Erwin's arm, it was infected by Obsydin's negative magic, and for a non-magic user, the power was too much. He would have lost his life had you not severed his arm" "Don't say it like it makes anything better... It doesn't change that... My master is infected" "Eren..." "It's my fault. He grabbed the sword to save him... but then when I... his blood got in his mouth... I did this to him" Eren felt as if he'd cried a lifetime's with of useless tears, yet more tears were stupidly forming as every part of him filled with guilt. Pulling him up against her, Historia rubbed his back gently as Eren broke down further "No! No... this was King Smith's fault, and the fault of our ancestors for not making sure every fibre of Obsydin wasn't erased" "It is. I told him I didn't want to do it. I told him it felt wrong... I should have done something. I should have..." "You did what you could. Erwin is still alive, and so is Levi. That in it's self is because of your magic. You contained the infection" "It never should have happened... he... I couldn't even help him. He was acting like he had no idea. How do I help him? I can't undo time, none of us can... what's the point of having magic if I'm going to be so fucking useless when my alpha needs me" "Levi's infected, we cannot change that, but we can research and we can see if we can find a way to help him" "Help him, not cure him. I saw him Historia. I saw him on the altar. His skin was covered in wounds, they kept popping. Pus was running and oozing from Levi's face, while the sounds he was making... they weren't human. It... it was him, his body, but not my boyfriend... I can feel it... he's not himself anymore" "He's still Levi, but he's just a little different around the edges, and a little cursed" Jerking back, Eren half-screamed/half-sobbed in Historia's face "Cursed?!" "Infected. A little infected... He was unconscious for the first three days, but you took a full week to wake" Letting Historia pull him back against her, the princess stroked his hair "N-no... I remember. I was sick with a fever, and still underground. Ymir took me to see Levi and..." "Eren, trust me. That didn't happen" "But..." "Freya and I couldn't stabilise you, and yes, you came down with fever like Levi did. But it broke. It broke and you've been unconscious since. Levi's been so worried that he hasn't left your side. Erwin also came to see how you were. Don't tell him, but I overheard him apologising to you" "Are you sure? He'd never say that to my face" "You were unconscious... He's having a hard time coming to terms with it all" Whining miserably, Eren nuzzled into Historia's neck. Her scent was like jasmine in bloom on a warm summers night. It was nice, but it wasn't Levi and wasn't working to calm him like Levi's scent would. He knew Levi had moved from outside the bedroom door. The alpha was probably sick of being dragged around by him, and forced to feel all this shitty emotions "Eren, I promise Erwin regrets it all" It was a little late for regrets. He'd fucked up Levi's life, even if Levi forgave Erwin, Eren wasn't sure he could... and what happened between Draecia and Eldia? Erwin was the prince and he'd been harmed on Draecia soil... God. If they went to war, Eldia would be erased from the map in a matter of minutes... Rod didn't like having them there as it was, and if Eren was honest, the man scared him "What happens now? What did Rod say?" "We haven't told him. Not everything. Only that there was an accident in which the prince's bodyguard was injured, and that both you and Levi fell ill as a result. Luckily he was too busy with the festival. Now, we need to all sit down and have a talk. Steege and Maria have both been searching for any record of Obsydin's bloodline, though most of the records from that time were still an oral history. Freya's been tending to Levi, because Ymir lacks in bedside manners... it really is a bad habit for a healer to have" "He... he must hate me" "No. No, Levi doesn't hate you. He's worried about the effect of the infection" "He left. The moment I woke up, he left me... he..." Every good thing in his life had been taken away. His parents in the war with Marley. His desire to be a soldier by presenting as an omega. His place by Levi's side by being part dragon... and now... his place by Levi's side again, as his boyfriend suffered because of him... "I can't even say his name to his face. Not once since this started..." "I'm sure Erwin would lift the command" "I'm not even supposed to talk about it all... it... pulls against the command when I do. I hate it... I hate stupid alpha commands. It's not fair... I don't want to lose him" "You're not going to. I don't know how we're even going to untangle all of this. I have no idea how we're going to deal with any of it... None of us expected a relic of that time to still burn so brightly with life, and nothing like this has ever happened before..." Sitting back, Eren wiped his face. He hated how he felt. He hated having his emotions so out of control, and out of everyone he'd ever met, it was only Levi who could mix him up in such a way... Not that he wanted his boyfriend to see such a messy sight "You're not making me feel any better" "I don't feel great either, but I feel better now you're awake. You really have no idea how worried I was" "Did my magic go out of control?" "A little to begin with, it settled when Levi came to your side" "It always does... I wanted to be beside him every day I was here, and now... He came because of me" "And he doesn't blame you. He wouldn't have spent four days by your side if he wasn't worried. He cares deeply for you, but he's also worried about what happened. You may have created a creator in the manor lawns" "Seriously?" "Yeah. You blew up the whole cabin, but I'd say that it was justified" That wasn't good... Rod didn't like him at the best of times, let alone when he was going around blowing things up and making a scene "No one was hurt, outside of you three. Mikasa and Armin have been quite upset, they've stayed in the sitting room nearly the whole time you've been unconscious. Erwin's managed to keep the peace. Honestly, being unconscious to it all has been the best place to be" Eren's thoughts snapped back to what Ymir had said... in his dream? It hadn't felt like a dream... "Eren?" "Sorry, Historia. I just feel a bit out of it..." "You look a little peaky, and you haven't eaten in nearly a week. Your poor stomach. It's just not healthy... Then you have me dumping all of this on you. How about I ask one of the maids to bring you up something to eat? You and Levi really need to talk, but right now, I think you just need some cuddles with your boyfriend" Placing his hand on his stomach, Eren rubbed lightly... he felt nauseous thanks to the guilt echoing in his mind, but if he didn't eat, he'd only feel worse "I think I'm hungry" "I know you are. Sometimes you just need a cuddle with the one you love" "I think you're the only one Ymir would cuddle with" "She's not as prickly as she seems, you know that" "I do... I'm just lashing out. I'm sorry" "You're not lashing out. You're highly emotional right now, and it's understandable. You have a deep bond with Levi, and I'm sure we'll be able to figure this out" "I hope so... he's... he's all I want" "And you're all he wants. Trust in that"

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

🏰⚔️🐲 DMODT- - ashamedly, it's not a real update. My anxieties decided to be a bit*h so I gamed for most of the night

Ignoring Erwin and the sword until the dishes were dried, Eren now stood at the kitchen table, staring down at the sword. It still gave him a bad feeling, and he still didn't particularly want to touch it. Despite the fact it was wrapped in thick furs, and was yet to be unwrapped "It's just a sword" Resisting the urge to roll his eyes at Erwin, Eren wished he could voice his inner thoughts. If it was just a sword, then the three of them wouldn't be standing around the table and staring at it "It's uncomfortable" "For God's sake. Get out the way" Snatching up the bundled item, Erwin pulled the furs from the scabbard, before placing the sword down on the table much harder than was necessary. The teen was almost tempted to ask which God, Erwin was referring too. They all swore to god, but that changed from region to region and from religion to religion... Eren would have liked to think he'd have asked, if a pungent smell hadn't filled the room once the sword was unwrapped. Gagging, he turned from it, fanning his face in an attempt to dilute the stink. It was somewhere between fish left to rot in the sun for days, and the stink of a body left in a street to rot. But sickly sweet and nauseating at the some time "Eren?" Looking to his boyfriend, Levi's face was filled with concern "Sorry. It's just the smell... it's revolting" "What smell?" Taking a step away from the sword, he waved his hand at the offensive item. Picking the sword up, Levi sniffed at it, before shaking his head "I don't smell anything too bad... other than the dust. Is it really that bad?" "We're taking it to Historia. I don't care what you say, there's something not right about it" "Enough of these dramatics. You're a royal mage in employment by the court of Eldia, I command you to look at the sword" Levi growled at Erwin, the alpha looked ready to deck him, while Eren's stomach clenched so hard he hunched over in pain "Undo the command! You have no right to put a command on my omega!" "I can when he's ignoring what he's told. Look, I'll even make it easier for you" Taking the scabbard, Erwin ripped the thin leather ties off from around the hilt, drawing the blade as Eren screamed "Don't!" The effect was immediately, the moment the sword left its sheath. The blade began to shake, sending out a rhythmic pulse that Eren could only describe as the thud of a heart. Joining the pulsing, a sweet sharp melody seemed to play through the air, Erwin crying out in rage and pain, trying to release the sword, only to find his hand turning a deep blood red. Extending from his hand, long red tendrils began snaking their way up the alpha's arm, as if there were actual snakes beneath his skin, the skin bursting and cracking audibly as they pushed their way forward. As Levi grabbed for the sword, Eren's magic rose without his control. The power within him desperate to protect his rider and his alpha from the sinister danger. He had no control as he swung his hand out. His eyes were black as the world around the three of them exploded outwards. Containing in within a shimmering bubble of volatile magic, his fingers glowing red at the tips, as a large disc of wind severed Erwin's arm just above the elbow, sending a bloodied spiral spraying across the insides of the bubble. The blood rushed to clash against his magic, black weeping openings forming as his magic rose further to keep the substance contained. Clutching the stump of his arm, Erwin swayed on the spot. The blood gushing from the wound would kill the man at this rate. Tearing Erwin's hand from away, the omega pushed his fingers forward, sealing the open wound, in much the same way he'd sliced through Levi's clothes. Taking off the very outer layer of stump and cauterising the flesh as Erwin howled in pain, finding enough strength to backhand him so hard, Eren crashed into Levi. The contact from his rider, rushed to pull him back to reality, as the bubble of magic they were in, swirled and swept up the blood, forming a dozen differently sized, yet perfectly shaped black balls which fell to the floor... or at least what was left of the floor... in his altered state, the cabin had been completely destroyed, as had everything else in a 10 foot ring around where the building stood. But none of that mattered to him, all that mattered was the man beneath him. Scrambling off Levi, Eren snatched the sword up. Levi had managed to get most of if back within the scabbard, enough that he shouldn't look so worried. Sliding it in completely, his boyfriend's eyes widened "Le..." Fucking command! Something was wrong with his alpha, his own emotions so overwhelming he couldn't feel like as deeply as he usually could... dropping the sword, Eren's voice trembled "Master?" "I... got his blood... in my mouth" Turning as he pushed himself up, Levi's whole body clenched, his boyfriend heaving and clawing at the ground as black vomit splattered between his hand. Not giving two shits about possible infection, Eren threw himself back at Levi, his alpha throwing out a hand to stop him as he scrambled "Get back..." "No..." "Eren, get back!" "No! No... let me see..." He could see his magic trying to work, but on Levi's hands where the vomit has splashed up, festering wounds were beginning to form. Tearing his hand from Eren's line of sight, Eren's eyes filled with tears as black blood dribbled down Levi's chin, a smile appearing across his lover's lips that wasn't his own. It only lasted for a fraction of a second, before reality seemed to hit, everything that had happened in a few moments felt like it'd taken hours to transpire. Above them, the sky grew dark as Levi slumped forward, his body fitting and seizing on the ground. Still blind to all that had happened around them, Eren started fighting as an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him from Levi's side. Snarling, he clawed at the unwelcome hold, not caring who it was, only that they were taking him from Levi's side "Eren! Snap out of it!" Historia's soft voice came from beside his ear, Ymir grabbing the sword off the ground "Steege's got him. I'll grab the big stupid one, you make sure he doesn't lose control again" "Eren, we need to move. Can you stop crying for me? I need to know what happened?" The teen's breath hitched, shaking his head as he tried to fight Historia again. "Levi was hurt". "Levi is dying". The two sentences played on repeat. Their bond felt wrong, and Eren couldn't stop ugly crying if he'd wanted to... Coming to Levi, Steege hurled him up and over his shoulder, like Levi was a sack of flour and not the love of Eren's life "Lee!" "Eren..." Sobbing and grabbing for Levi, Historia hefted Eren off his feet. She might be slight and quite petite for a dragon rider, but she had the strength to lift him and carry him as if he were a toddler "Lee!" "We've got him. We've got him, Eren. I need you to breathe for me" Fuck breathing. He wanted Levi! He wanted his alpha! Levi was in so much pain... and it was all his fault. If he'd thought. If he hadn't used his magic. If he'd insisted on calling Historia... If... if he'd been better... He knew there was something wrong with the sword! He'd known it! "Eren, calm down. You're not making sense. We've got you, and the prince. We're taking you up to the house" He didn't know if he was saying everything out loud or if Historia was using her magic to get a feel for what he was going through, but he knew he needed Levi "Need... him. I can't lose him... I can't..." Hauled up to the manor, Eren still couldn't bring himself back under control. Taken beneath the manor house, he had no idea where Levi had been taken. No. Instead of being with his suffering lover, he was stuck in a medium sized room used for overflow staff, with Historia, Ymir and Erwin. Forced to sit on the edge of one of the single beds, Eren dissolved past sobs and into whimpers and whines. Sitting beside him, Historia gathered him into her arms, whispering words of comfort as her magic went to work soothing him. He couldn't get the image of Levi's skin rotting, or that revolting black vomit ruining his alpha's beautiful face. Holding him until he was finally calmed enough to collect his thoughts, he still felt immensely ill. His skin had begun to itch, while a fever was starting to set in. Neither his nor Historia's magic seemed to be making a difference. Sitting herself down on the other side of her mate, Ymir held the stupid sword that had started it all. Erwin was now out cold, snoring in the bed across from them. Most probably a spell to make him sleep, so he wouldn't feel any extra pain from his wound. Kissing his temple, Historia rubbed his arm softly "Eren? Can you tell me what happened?" "It's all my fault... Historia, it's all my fault" "Can you tell me what happened? What do you know about this sword?" Sniffling, Eren shook his head "It was the sword Zeke wanted" "The one with the egg?" "Y-yeah... I wanted to bring it to you, but he... he commanded me to look at it... I didn't... it smelt so bad. I didn't want to, but when he drew the blade... I'm going to be sick" As Eren threw up on the floor, Historia held him upright "Ymir, can you please retrieve Freya. I need her help to stabilise Eren. Also, make sure my father doesn't know about the sword" "Historia, he destroyed the whole cabin. Rod's going to want an explanation" "I don't care. Right now, we have a gravely ill rider and a dragon responding to his condition. We also have a prince who's now lost an arm, and absolutely no explanation as to why all of this happened, other than this sword. Erwin wouldn't be able to describe things as accurately as Eren can, but I can't stabilise him without Freya" * Slipping into a fevered state, Eren didn't respond to anything Freya or Historia tried. He felt as if he were dying, and if he was to, he wanted to see Levi one last time. Still beneath the manor, he had no need to worry about Mikasa and Armin. They'd be taken care of, he knew Historia would see to that, as would Erwin. The prince had already been moved to another room, for which Eren was grateful. He hated the man seeing him writhing in pain from the fever and the never ceasing burning of his skin. He couldn't eat, he couldn't drink, his temperature wouldn't lower and he no longer had control of most of his bodily functions. Each cough he gave was wet and bloody, his lungs not having been this bad for years. All he wanted was to see Levi again. When Ymir took Historia's place beside his bed, Eren knew he'd have a better chance at seeing Levi again. Being a dragon, she knew the love they felt towards their riders. She knew the desperate need to be by her riders side. Coughing as he fought to push himself up, Ymir scowled down at him "Quit moving, you idiot" "Need... to... see... him" The rattling in his lungs was so dry that even Ymir looked uncomfortable. It wasn't like she never showed emotion, she just usually limited it to all things Historia "No one's allowed to see him" "P-please... Ymir" It was useless trying to be playful, or jokingly fluttering his eyelashes. He could see on her face that she was waiting for him to die. Sighing exaggeratedly, Ymir dusted herself off as she rose "If you get your blood on me, I'm not going to forgive you" "Sorry... I can't make any promi..." His coughs cut him off, so did Ymir as gathered him up "You fucking stink. I hope you know that. Rod's absolutely livid. Freya's been out of it since she did a reading on that sword of yours, and the shitty Eldia prince is making demands to. He wants to see Levi, but that's not happening. Oh! Oh! Your little friends refuse to leave, and now I have to share my Historia. You lying down here dying, is probably the safest place in the whole manor" If he could have laughed, he would have. Despite her harsh words, there was no real bite in them, it was just how Ymir was... There was probably more than few questions over what had happened, and they were lucky that the incident had been contained. If the visiting dragons and their riders had been effected, the whole dragon populace would have been in threat. Chained to the oracle's altar beneath the manor, Levi had been left alone. Feeling anger flaring as his magic jerked back from their boyfriend, Eren didn't care. It didn't matter if Levi was under the affects of whatever happened, he was still the man he'd fallen for. Approaching his alpha, it was clear the curse had hit Levi ten times worse than him. His boyfriend rose to kneel, snarling and hissing as they came closer, tugging on his chains "Put me down" "Eren, he's not right in the mind" "It's ok, Ymir" If Levi wanted to kill him, that was ok. If his blood on Levi's hands was what it took to calm his alpha, that was also ok. Wobbling as the blankets fell from his shaking frame, Eren tried not to let his fear show. This was his Levi... just a little different from normal "Eren?" "It's fine, Ymir. You can leave us" "But..." "It's ok... it's what I want" Thank god for heightened senses. He could barely hear his own words, but Ymir heard, cursing him as she left. Making it to the altar, Levi laughed a cruel high laugh. Not his alpha at all. Collapsing forward, Eren grabbed the altar, engulfed by a sick feeling. Reaching out, Levi grabbed him by the throat, pulling him in to sniff deeply. With each movement, Levi's joints seemed to crack, the sores across his face popping and running as Levi held his gaze "You pitiful thing. You're dying and they do nothing" Sniffing louder, Levi pulled him up upon the altar by his throat, growling and clicking with his tongue, when Eren tried to help himself up. Flopping uselessly on the altar, Levi moved to straddle him. This wasn't his Levi, but how could he look at the man and think of anything other than his lover. Moving his free hand to his forehead, a blissfully cold feeling flooded his burning body, Levi's voice filled with annoyance "You're the one who heals this body, but couldn't heal yourself. You stupid fool" How was he supposed to heal something he didn't understand, and something Historia didn't understand. If she, a healer, couldn't figure it out, what chance did he have?! "Still. You're not without your charms... Sleep" Sleep was not kindly gifted. Levi's hand squeezing his throat so he couldn't breathe. His chest shook as he choked on his own coughs... this wasn't his boyfriend. Levi would never raise a hand to hurt him so. Left with no choice, all he could do was pass out beneath the man, wondering if he'd wake again. * A soft warm bed and the warmth of the sun were the first things Eren noticed. Groaning, the teen rolled over, nuzzling into the pillow in attempt to fall back to sleep. Feeling the bed dip, the omega whined his annoyance at whoever dared to wake him "Eren?" Levi?! That was Levi's voice! Shooting up, he headbutted his boyfriend in his hurry. Hissing, Levi rubbed his head as they both fell away from each other "God! What the fuck was that?! Why is your head so fucking solid!?" Rubbing at his forehead, his magic was already healing the impact, while his brain felt bruised "L-m-master?" Dragging himself back up, Eren looked to Levi. His eyes filling with tears as he did "You scared us. You weren't getting better, then you slipped into a coma. We... we weren't sure if you'd wake" A what now?! What? He'd been sick and Levi hadn't been Levi... They'd been down beneath the manor, and now... the sores were gone and Levi, Levi was looking human... not like the thing chained down on the altar. He was so confused... "But... you? The sword? What happened?!" This felt like his Levi... but not... but more than before... Levi sighed, turning to sit facing him "We need to have a talk about that, but first..." "No! Just... what happened? I remember being sick, and I remember you were sick. You were covered in sores, and vomiting black blood stuff... and Fluffybrows gave me a second command..." "Calm down, you're talking a million miles an hour" Maybe this was a dream?! Or was that the dream?! He'd headbutted Levi, and it'd hurt like hell... but he'd felt like he was dying. Confused, his scent flared as he drew his knees to his chest. He'd been sick... and now... "Eren?" "I don't understand" Reaching out, Levi cupped his cheek, tilting his face up to look the alpha in the eyes. His touch was just as warm as he remembered... but Levi's eyes... there was a blackness in there that he didn't remember "We need to talk, but first Historia has to make sure you're alright. A lot has happened while you were unconscious" "You?" "We'll talk. I'll be right outside that door" What? No. He wasn't awake enough to be talking, let alone sorting his chaotic thoughts into something tangible. He'd woken up like two minutes ago, been headbutted and formed the words. And now Levi was leaving?! "I... I don't want you to go" "You'll be fine with Historia" Leaving him, Eren felt as if Levi was dismissing him. Normally the alpha would have stayed, especially with the way his scent was at the moment. Rushing into his room, Historia seemed happier to see him awake than Levi had "Eren! You scared me!" "I'm sorry" Dropping down in the same spot Levi had sat in, Historia smiled softly "It's so nice to see you awake. We've all been so worried" "Historia... what's going on. I... I'm so confused. He... he was coughing up black vomit... and now he won't talk about it" "He's the most stubborn patient our healers have ever met" "You're the predominant healer of the household" "That's how I know. Now, let me have a little touch" Reaching out her hand, Eren jerked back from her magic, taking them both by surprise "I'm not going to hurt you..." "I know. I'm sorry. I don't know what that was" "I do. You're scared and confused. Don't worry, I just want to make sure your infection has passed" "Infection?" Placing her palm against his forehead, Historia sighed softly "I think you're safe. You got quite ill there for a while, your magic was trying to heal you and causing you more harm than good" "I don't know what happened... Erwin drew the sword, than everything went to shit... and Levi... he was chained up down on the oracle's altar, and it was him. It was him, but it wasn't him. Historia, what's going on?" Sitting back, the princess closed her eyes. Eren knew she probably needed a moment to collect her thoughts, but he wasn't in the mood for any of this "Please... Historia, please" Opening her eyes, Historia pulled her hand back "The sword they brought, it... it was made with a scale from Obsydin. Smith had sworn all of him had been burned, yet the man kept a sword made from his bone, fangs, tears and scale. I'm so sorry, Eren. If it'd stayed in Eldia, this never would have happened... if... if we'd just taken a look while were in Eldia. If we'd taken a look when Freya had examined the egg..." Historia's blue eyes filled with tears, the princess seeming so very human as she wiped at her face. Obsydin was bad news, but now he... Was Levi infected by Erwin's blood? No. Levi had been infected by Erwin's blood... but it was just a sword. Erwin had said it was just a sword... "Historia, you need to explain right now. I need to know what's wrong with my boyfriend. I need to know if everything actually happened, and why he's acting like nothing at all happened. I need to know what's going on" Historia wiped her cheeks dry, though her eyes remained wet with fresh tears "I'm sorry. You're right. Freya examined the sword, and it was indeed part of Obsydin. You know how dragon magic works, how it seeps into the soil, and how all things are connected. An egg and a clutch cannot hatch without feeding from the magic of its parents. Obsydin's egg was devoid of that chance, but the sword..." Eren nodded. It'd been part of the great dragon, imbued with all of his magic... "Despite it's being locked away, there was magic left in the scale. If it'd been left down there for a few more decades, it would have become just a pretty ornament. Even with your magic in the castle. Here... here is where he lived. Where his clutch lived... his blood and their blood stains this soil" It was like how he returned his scales to the ground, as an offering to Earth, only their offering hadn't been willingly given. They'd probably cursed Draecia as they burned "

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

🏰⚔️🐲 DMODT - 24 start

Ignoring Erwin and the sword until the dishes were dried, Eren now stood at the kitchen table, staring down at the sword. It still gave him a bad feeling, and he still didn't particularly want to touch it. Despite the fact it was wrapped in thick furs, and was yet to be unwrapped "It's just a sword" Resisting the urge to roll his eyes at Erwin, Eren wished he could voice his inner thoughts. If it was just a sword, then the three of them wouldn't be standing around the table and staring at it "It's uncomfortable" "For God's sake. Get out the way" Snatching up the bundled item, Erwin pulled the furs from the scabbard, before placing the sword down on the table much harder than was necessary. The teen was almost tempted to ask which God, Erwin was referring too. They all swore to god, but that changed from region to region and from religion to religion... Eren would have liked to think he'd have asked, if a pungent smell hadn't filled the room once the sword was unwrapped. Gagging, he turned from it, fanning his face in an attempt to dilute the stink. It was somewhere between fish left to rot in the sun for days, and the stink of a body left in a street to rot. But sickly sweet and nauseating at the some time "Eren?" Looking to his boyfriend, Levi's face was filled with concern "Sorry. It's just the smell... it's revolting" "What smell?" Taking a step away from the sword, he waved his hand at the offensive item. Picking the sword up, Levi sniffed at it, before shaking his head "I don't smell anything too bad... other than the dust. Is it really that bad?" "We're taking it to Historia. I don't care what you say, there's something not right about it" "Enough of these dramatics. You're a royal mage in employment by the court of Eldia, I command you to look at the sword" Levi growled at Erwin, the alpha looked ready to deck him, while Eren's stomach clenched so hard he hunched over in pain "Undo the command! You have no right to put a command on my omega!" "I can when he's ignoring what he's told. Look, I'll even make it easier for you" Taking the scabbard, Erwin ripped the thin leather ties off from around the hilt, drawing the blade as Eren screamed "Don't!" The effect was immediately, the moment the sword left its sheath. The blade began to shake, sending out a rhythmic pulse that Eren could only describe as the thud of a heart. Joining the pulsing, a sweet sharp melody seemed to play through the air, Erwin crying out in rage and pain, trying to release the sword, only to find his hand turning a deep blood red. Extending from his hand, long red tendrils began snaking their way up the alpha's arm, as if there were actual snakes beneath his skin, the skin bursting and cracking audibly as they pushed their way forward. As Levi grabbed for the sword, Eren's magic rose without his control. The power within him desperate to protect his rider and his alpha from the sinister danger. He had no control as he swung his hand out. His eyes were black as the world around the three of them exploded outwards. Containing in within a shimmering bubble of volatile magic, his fingers glowing red at the tips, as a large disc of wind severed Erwin's arm just above the elbow, sending a bloodied spiral spraying across the insides of the bubble. The blood rushed to clash against his magic, black weeping openings forming as his magic rose further to keep the substance contained. Clutching the stump of his arm, Erwin swayed on the spot. The blood gushing from the wound would kill the man at this rate. Tearing Erwin's hand from away, the omega pushed his fingers forward, sealing the open wound, in much the same way he'd sliced through Levi's clothes. Taking off the very outer layer of stump and cauterising the flesh as Erwin howled in pain, finding enough strength to backhand him so hard, Eren crashed into Levi. The contact from his rider, rushed to pull him back to reality, as the bubble of magic they were in, swirled and swept up the blood, forming a dozen differently sized, yet perfectly shaped black balls which fell to the floor... or at least what was left of the floor... in his altered state, the cabin had been completely destroyed, as had everything else in a 10 foot ring around where the building stood. But none of that mattered to him, all that mattered was the man beneath him. Scrambling off Levi, Eren snatched the sword up. Levi had managed to get most of if back within the scabbard, enough that he shouldn't look so worried. Sliding it in completely, his boyfriend's eyes widened "Le..." Fucking command! Something was wrong with his alpha, his own emotions so overwhelming he couldn't feel like as deeply as he usually could... dropping the sword, Eren's voice trembled "Master?" "I... got his blood... in my mouth" Turning as he pushed himself up, Levi's whole body clenched, his boyfriend heaving and clawing at the ground as black vomit splattered between his hand. Not giving two shits about possible infection, Eren threw himself back at Levi, his alpha throwing out a hand to stop him as he scrambled "Get back..." "No..." "Eren, get back!" "No! No... let me see..." He could see his magic trying to work, but on Levi's hands where the vomit has splashed up, festering wounds were beginning to form. Tearing his hand from Eren's line of sight, Eren's eyes filled with tears as black blood dribbled down Levi's chin, a smile appearing across his lover's lips that wasn't his own. It only lasted for a fraction of a second, before reality seemed to hit, everything that had happened in a few moments felt like it'd taken hours to transpire. Above them, the sky grew dark as Levi slumped forward, his body fitting and seizing on the ground. Still blind to all that had happened around them, Eren started fighting as an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him from Levi's side. Snarling, he clawed at the unwelcome hold, not caring who it was, only that they were taking him from Levi's side "Eren! Snap out of it!" Historia's soft voice came from beside his ear, Ymir grabbing the sword off the ground "Steege's got him. I'll grab the big stupid one, you make sure he doesn't lose control again" "Eren, we need to move. Can you stop crying for me? I need to know what happened?" The teen's breath hitched, shaking his head as he tried to fight Historia again. "Levi was hurt". "Levi is dying". The two sentences played on repeat. Their bond felt wrong, and Eren couldn't stop ugly crying if he'd wanted to... Coming to Levi, Steege hurled him up and over his shoulder, like Levi was a sack of flour and not the love of Eren's life "Lee!" "Eren..." Sobbing and grabbing for Levi, Historia hefted Eren off his feet. She might be slight and quite petite for a dragon rider, but she had the strength to lift him and carry him as if he were a toddler "Lee!" "We've got him. We've got him, Eren. I need you to breathe for me" Fuck breathing. He wanted Levi! He wanted his alpha! Levi was in so much pain... and it was all his fault. If he'd thought. If he hadn't used his magic. If he'd insisted on calling Historia... If... if he'd been better... He knew there was something wrong with the sword! He'd known it! "Eren, calm down. You're not making sense. We've got you, and the prince. We're taking you up to the house" He didn't know if he was saying everything out loud or if Historia was using her magic to get a feel for what he was going through, but he knew he needed Levi "Need... him. I can't lose him... I can't..." Hauled up to the manor, Eren still couldn't bring himself back under control. Taken beneath the manor house, he had no idea where Levi had been taken. No. Instead of being with his suffering lover, he was stuck in a medium sized room used for overflow staff, with Historia, Ymir and Erwin. Forced to sit on the edge of one of the single beds, Eren dissolved past sobs and into whimpers and whines. Sitting beside him, Historia gathered him into her arms, whispering words of comfort as her magic went to work soothing him. He couldn't get the image of Levi's skin rotting, or that revolting black vomit ruining his alpha's beautiful face. Holding him until he was finally calmed enough to collect his thoughts, he still felt immensely ill. His skin had begun to itch, while a fever was starting to set in. Neither his nor Historia's magic seemed to be making a difference. Sitting herself down on the other side of her mate, Ymir held the stupid sword that had started it all. Erwin was now out cold, snoring in the bed across from them. Most probably a spell to make him sleep, so he wouldn't feel any extra pain from his wound. Kissing his temple, Historia rubbed his arm softly "Eren? Can you tell me what happened?" "It's all my fault... Historia, it's all my fault" "Can you tell me what happened? What do you know about this sword?" Sniffling, Eren shook his head "It was the sword Zeke wanted" "The one with the egg?" "Y-yeah... I wanted to bring it to you, but he... he commanded me to look at it... I didn't... it smelt so bad. I didn't want to, but when he drew the blade... I'm going to be sick" As Eren threw up on the floor, Historia held him upright "Ymir, can you please retrieve Freya. I need her help to stabilise Eren. Also, make sure my father doesn't know about the sword" "Historia, he destroyed the whole cabin. Rod's going to want an explanation" "I don't care. Right now, we have a gravely ill rider and a dragon responding to his condition. We also have a prince who's now lost an arm, and absolutely no explanation as to why all of this happened, other than this sword. Erwin wouldn't be able to describe things as accurately as Eren can, but I can't stabilise him without Freya"