ORIGIN

He awoke suddenly, cold and tired as ever.

Nothing had changed for Mercurius: here he was, inexplicably drawn to the frigid wastes of this tunnel. The center of four caverns that seemed to embody the elements. Not quite to the core and not quite away. His stone ached against his crown, sore from the chill. Moonlit eyes glanced around fervently, checking for signs of the corruption driving him to consider insomnia. As he found nothing and the shock wore off, he blinked blearily. Pulling back inky lips, he yawned deeply. The lights had come back on at some point, making him feel safe enough to wander the caves without the constant casting of magic — which was, admittedly, taking quite a toll on him. Regardless of the point he subconsciously made to himself, his stone buzzed softly, shaking away the chill as it glowed. Light would begin to condense upon his pelt. A temporary bauble for his first few waking moments. Very temporary, he'd note upon realizing the ebbing flow of magicka.

It must be the constant casting.

Stretching downwards, he felt the vertebrae of his spine snap, crackle, and pop into comfort. But, of course, not without a jagged pain shooting up his one leg. Rudimentary yoga was tending to hurt a lot more than usual. Another result of lying about without much consciousness but to constantly cast light into the world. Paranoia was a sick little thing. Uncertainly, Mercurius plodded forth, slightly overgrown claws out so that he wouldn't slip too much.

@Faelan

Faelan's golden orbs opened slowly, his unwillingness to face the world a constant drain on him now. Even the energy of Polaris didn't help. He had thought that coming back here, and getting out of there would fix things. It hadn't though, and he had slowly started to succumb to a moping and brooding his way through the vast room.
He'd hoped to find Sebastian again too, and push away the bad memories with new, good ones like he had when first meeting the young Gembound. That hadn't happened either though, and in his search, the lion had ended up beside the huge, gaping archway of another tunnel.

His gilded gaze slipped over the yawning mouth of the tunnel, before settling on its depths. It didn't seem familiar in any way, and it was a pretty good distance from Orion. It would be fine as a new place to be, he thought as he slowly pushed to his paws. The tawny brute had to lean heavily on his right side, due to the injures of his left front paw, shoulder and side. Every time his paw twinged, or the bruises along his side ached, he thought of them.

Faelan scowled as he set one paw in front of other, and slowly began to limp down the tunnel. The brilliant blue light of Polaris lit everything from behind him, leading him deeper into the unknown. He heard the whistling of wind first, and then spotted the widening space ahead a short while after.
He tried very hard not to think about them, but they kept creeping in. Every step he took reminded him of the goose's beak striking his paw. When he leaned against a boulder to rest at the mouth of the intersection, he felt the scrapes and bruises from the moose's antlers.

The broad-shouldered lion let out a deep sigh, still struggling with the reality that such cruelty existed. Just as more memories of the fight began to flood back in, Faelan heard the scrape of pad against stone. His ears, buried amongst thick golden threads, perked up as he struggled to stand straight. He wouldn't be unprepared for a fight again, although he was hardly in any state to go through another.

@MERCURIUS

As he shambled along in the cave, his ears flickered forth, telling him that he must certainly was not alone. Moonlit eyes shifting to the side, Mercurius suddenly found the sight of a lion far larger than himself. Looking injured, none the less. He set his jaw against protesting muscles and trotted over to the stranger, careful to not slip and wind up biting his own tongue off in the fall. Watching the stranger tense up, he chuffed softly, "I'm not one to do harm." Slowing down about five feet from his distant kin, he murmured softly, "I'm going to approach you. I want to help." Hoping the other lion would approve, he sidled closer and set his gaze on their wounds, new with fresh blood about the centers.

"I'll heal you. At least enough so that you can be on your way," Mercurius stated, hoping that his voice held true and left no room for protest. "Can you lay down for me?" Waiting for a response, he cast forth a bit of magicka, hoping to at least encourage some subtle health in the stranger's prokaryotic world. As a searing bolt of misfired magicka shot through his gem, he gritted his teeth. He'd been through worse. Aside from the subtle set of his jaw, there was no sign he had ever failed to cast — other than the abruptly silenced glow. At least there was still light.

@Faelan

Faelan's bright gold gaze warily slid over the unfamiliar terrain before it finally landed upon the apparition. At first, the pale coat of the stranger confused him. Was that...a lion? It was smaller than him, he could tell even at this distance, but the mane was unmistakable.
Faelan's eyes narrowed whenever the other lion seemed to notice him, and then changed courses to walk toward him. His muscles, already tense, tightened in preparation to flee. The fight between two young Gembounds had been bad enough, he didn't want to even imagine what it would be like fighting someone closer to his size and strength.

As he watched the stranger approach, Faelan couldn't help but notice the slow, careful steps. The other Gembound even took care to stop a couple of tail lengths away and announce that he meant no harm. The broad-shouldered brute stilled as he recognized an offer of peace. After all, had he not done the very same thing just before being attacked?

The stranger went on to announce that he was going to approach because he wanted to help. Faelan gave a faint nod of consent but kept a close eye on the pale feline as he drew closer.
Once they were face to face, he noticed all kinds of things about the other lion. For one, his gem seemed to be the shiny, short horns that speared from his crown and through his mane. Another feature that caught his eye were the dozens of scars along the ghostly lion's frame. Each new one that Faelan noticed made him tense up a little bit more, and just when he'd thought he could start to relax too.

The announcement that the other Gembound meant to heal him made Faelan take a step back. Did that involve magic, he wondered warily as he finally glanced up at the stranger's blue eyes. As soon as his golden gaze met the other's, he went still again. The light blue orbs didn't burn with hate, and rage, like Blackberry and Blueberry's had. They were calm and a little distant, like a pool of water. He was only seeing what was on top, but there was clearly more beneath the surface. That both unnerved and intrigued him. It also made him completely forget about the other lion supposedly healing him, and that he was supposed to be laying down.

@Mercurius

Wary consent was given to approach, but Mercurius didn't get much closer as his request to lay down was ignored. The reason was only to be found in the lost gaze, not quite following him but rather the scars that marked his form. Placid eyes glancing into glazed gold eyes, he sighed softly. "They are not from my own battles." Ebbing closer, treading on gentle paws, he lowered his head, hoping to conjure forth a proper stream of magicka this time. Cleansing magic. Only for good. Mercurius murmured softly, "I did not ask for these scars." Moonlit gaze shimmering with the spell cast, he continued, "and it seems you didn't, either."

Air whistled through his teeth as magic didn't misfire this time, reaching spindly tendrils out as they sought to work against negative bacteria that may afflict the stranger in the future. "You seem to be honest; the caves are not fair to gembound like us." Setting his jaw, he lifted a paw, claws sheathed, and reached forth, gently pressing it against an unaffected area of the stranger's flank. "Please, lay down. I wouldn't dream of harm." Well, perhaps he would, but of himself. Hooves flashing in the half-light, crystalline ice shimmering as it shot through the air. Gemstones rising from nothing, taking her away.

Mercurius steeled himself, bracing himself against the rising surge of nostalgia and trauma. "You'll be okay." He hoped his voice didn't betray his thoughts. The slight rising intonation may have, perhaps given something away. The subtle squint of his eyes against nothing as well. But, he was okay. He could survive without her.

@Faelan

The tawny brute's ears, one tattered and bloody and the other untouched, flicked forward to catch the stranger's words. Faelan watched with slightly narrowed eyes as the other lion slowly inched toward him, pawstep by pawstep. However, he made no further move to step away, too entranced by the stranger's confessions to do so. They were so much like his own, and the other even made note of such, just before a spell swept from him and into Faelan.

It was a faint feeling, but an almost recognizable one. The energy in Polaris usually coursed through him, heady and strong, filling him to the brim. This magic swept over him though, or was it through him, like a gentle breeze. It particularly soothed the burning in the cuts on his side. Albeit only slightly, but it was the most relief he had gotten since the battle.
For some reason, the gouges from the moose's antlers were not scabbing over and healing like the other wounds. They smelled strange and were constantly sore. Faelan faintly remembered something being in Blueberry's antlers whenever he attacked, but he couldn't recall what. The glimpse he'd gotten before the young moose rammed him hadn't been very clear.

The pale lion's voice pulled Faelan back from brooding over the fight, again, and made him focus on the present. He couldn't help but gape at the stranger though. How did he know everything, Faelan wondered just before the second request to lay down was made.
Although a very large part of him was uncertain about trusting another Gembound, he admitted to himself that he needed the help. The deep cuts on his ribcage were not healing properly, and at the very least, they alone needed to be addressed. The cut on his forepaw could probably use rest too, but he hadn't been willing to stay still for very long yet. What if the pair came back, he wondered fearfully, would they...finish him? Would they really have taken it that far if he hadn't fled?

The possibility unsettled Faelan, so he took one step back from the other lion, letting his paw slip away. Then, turning about so that he could lay down on his left side, the broad-shouldered Gembound finally eased down. It took him longer than usual, he hadn't expected to lay down so soon after his short nap earlier, but he finally managed it after a couple of moments.
Once Faelan was settled, the pale healer assured him that he'd be okay. How the other Gembound could possibly know that was beyond him, but he hoped it was true. The other lion saying so helped him believe it a little bit more, enough for him to finally want to introduce himself.

"I'm Faelan," He croaked, voice breaking from lack of use. He cleared his throat before repeating more clearly,"I'm Faelan, and...thank you. For helping me."

@Mercurius

As the other lion eased hesitantly onto his side, Mercurius took a moment to survey the damage done. The lacerations were deep, unforgiving. Perhaps close to bone. They pulsated with sickly blood unwilling to clot. "My name's Mercurius," he hummed, side-stepping to take a glance at the paw, already slightly healing. Not a priority. The greatest definitely had to be the ribcage. "You're welcome," he suddenly appended as an afterthought.

Glancing at the other's wounds once more, the pale wanderer sighed softly, calling upon his magicka. "I can't wash your wounds as much as I would like. There's no water." Focusing quietly at the earth underfoot, he hoped that he could coax tender life to bloom. "This should---hopefully---be lamb's ear. It'll make your blood clot and stop bleeding. It's the best I can do until I can get you to Pisces." As he lifted a paw, the silken leaves slowly, but steadily protruded from the ice-laden earth, rebelliously shoving aside the cold.

"Can you tell me what happened? What caused this? It might help," Mercurius offered as he plucked the little leaves from their roost. Any indication or clue could help. Poisoning was up there, but he needed to know if he was to save this gembound's life.

@Faelan

Mercurius.

The name echoed in Faelan's thoughts. His vision swam, and he heard Mercurius's acceptance of his gratitude as if from a distance. Shadows pulsed at the edge of the lion's sight, threatening to overtake him. He held on to consciousness, to reality, as tight as he could though. He didn't want to sleep anymore, didn't want to fall into that nothingness again. It was too much like the void.

Mercurius's voice pulled Faelan back from the edge, anchoring him to the present. His eyes, which had drifted closed, peeled themselves open to look at what the other lion was talking about. He saw the plant bloom, its leaves unfurling and reaching up as if to welcome the Gembound that had summoned them. He watched as Mercurius picked them, heard the questions that were asked while he did.

"I can," Faelan said shakily, though it was a few more moments before he actually did so. As soon as his thoughts turned toward his attackers, his pain seemed to spike. Memories, all too fresh in his mind and on his hide, made the tawny brute wince at the other lion's touch. He stilled after the initial touch though, and gathered his thoughts before finally parting his jaws again.

"I was attacked," Faelan began slowly, his gilded gaze staring over Mercurius into the depths of the tunnel,"by two Gembounds. One of them had, uh, antlers. That is what caused this." Faelan nodded toward his side absently, his gaze still far away.

"They were young, so young..." He trailed off, wondering where the pair were now. They would grow, he thought fearfully, and they would hurt others. Faelan didn't want that, but...what could he do to stop them? He had barely escaped the first time, there was no guarantee he'd be so lucky again. They had been heading somewhere, he remembered now, and he'd stopped them on their way. What if next time, they had nothing better to do than cut him and pound him until he couldn't move anymore. Until he didn't wake up...

@Mercurius

The stranger's eyes were drifting shut, and he was glad that they snapped open as he drew conversation. That was good. He'd keep talking. Asking questions. Making sure that he didn't fall into a long dark. He needed Faelan awake to gauge reactions and find answers. Mercurius hesitated slightly as the brute flinched at the touch of lamb's ear, pressing it against the wounds with some amount of pressure until it stuck and the leaf was laden with blood. It would have to do. Again, he hesitated at a mention of antlers, because no, it can't be him, he's dead. His breath hitched, but he forced himself to keep working, continuing to ask questions and keep up the engagement, murmuring, "was there---something on the antlers? Ice?"

Magicka surging slightly as he covered the wounds on the tawny lion's sides, Mercurius prodded gently his leg. "Hey, don't---don't fall into a daze or fall asleep. You can rest in a minute. Keep an eye on this." This being a glowing sphere, delicate like a firefly, dancing in front of Faelan's face. It careened back and forth, twirling about. It was bright, but not blinding. Something to keep attention. "I'm almost done with what I can do for you right now. Just... give me a little while longer." He reiterated, "you can rest in a moment and we'll get you to Pisces or somewhere with water. Do you have a preference for when you wake up? I'll watch over you. So that they don't come back." It was a bit of an empty promise, as his overgrown claws wouldn't find themselves in the chest of another, but he would try.

@Faelan

Another question tugged Faelan back from the brink of darkness.

He tilted his massive crown curiously, and tried his best to think back to the blurry, fleeting memories that directly followed the fight.
His paws had carried him through a short, well-lit tunnel into Polaris. There, he had collapsed and rested for an unknown amount of time. Sometime after waking though, he remembered trying to clean his wounds. He wasn't able to do any more than lick at the dried blood on his paw, and rub at the edges of his ear. His ribcage though...he had noticed something about it.

Faelan heaved a sigh, the memory just out of reach, eluding him at every mental twist and turn. Just when his vision began to darken, and blur again, a light appeared before his eyes. It twirled, catching his attention, and helping him to focus as Mercurius explained its purpose.
So he did this too, the tawny brute thought as he gazed at the magic with eyes wide in wonder. The previous, and still unanswered, first question was soon forgotten in the wake of another. It was pushed further back whenever the other lion offered to guard Faelan himself.

No one ever had offered him anything so selfless. A warmth blossomed in Faelan's chest, which he assumed was gratitude. It felt kind of like it, and kind of like the peace he had found at Sebastian's side.
"I do not...have a preference," he finally said, his words hitching as the previous question suddenly shot through his head. As it did, and his gaze glanced toward his now bandaged wound, the elusive memory finally struck him.

During his rest, the bleeding from his side had slowed to a faint trickle. He tried to lick the tender, open gashes like he had his paw, but it was too painful and, any touch, however light, made them begin to bleed more profusely. The most he could do without causing more pain was sniff at them, which he had done.
When he did, he caught the whiff of something foul, and...earthy. He'd stared long and hard at the ugly red wounds, but all he could see was torn flesh and clotted blood.

"There may have been a plant on their antlers," Faelan blurted a moment later, when he finally figured it out. His gaze, having zoned out on the light while he was thinking, now turned and focused on Mercurius.

@Mercurius

"speak"

Mercy

Faelan

Mercy

Faelan

Mercy

Faelan

Mercy

Faelan

Mercy

Faelan