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theshatteredrose · 2 days ago

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The Curse of Empathy (Chapter 19) - CrossEdge/Original Fiction

AN: Well, it’s been a month. A bit has happened during that time, but thankfully my father is home from hospital finally and recuperating at home. It was touch and go there for a while, I won’t lie. Incredibly stressful, as I’m sure you can imagine. But I feel I can finally breath and will hopefully be back to weekly updates. But don’t hold me to that. Life throws some stressful oddballs at you, sometimes. Anyway, hope you enjoy reading!

Ao3 | Wattpad | Inkitt | FFNet

Chapter 19:

“This seems a little abrupt.”

Lyner looked over at Lazarus and smiled apologetically. He and Zelos had not come out and told their other two companions that Lyner felt that there was to be a fog and subsequential creature attack soon. They did not want to worry them, after what had occurred last time. There was also the fact that Lyner had not endured the telltale signs of an impending attack – the piercing stabbing pain and cold chill.

He just felt uneasy and unsettled, and though he would claim otherwise in front anyone else but Zelos, he also felt unwell. The area did not bode well with him. Hardly a surprise, given circumstances.

Lazarus’ suspicion was to be expected, however. He was a lot sharper than he tend to let on. He knew that the checkpoint was one of the furthest from their homebase, so it took them some time to reach it. To beat a hasty retreat without a significant reason was sure to have him questioning things in his head.

“Sorry, it’s me,” Lyner said as he rubbed his forehead. “The residual energy here is getting to my head. It’s-”

Before he could continue another coughing fit besieged him and he instinctively turned away, his hand over his mouth to stifle the noise. Again, it was not a particular violent fit nor did it take his breath away, leaving him breathless. It was merely irritating, leaving his throat itchy and his voice sure to be hoarse.

Zelos, in the midst of loading the back of the jeep with their hastily gathered gains, paused momentarily to grab a bottle of water for him. “Here.”

Lyner retrieved it gratefully. “Th-thanks.” And he was correct, his voice was indeed very croaky thanks to that little coughing fit, but at least it drove the point home that he was not happy with their surroundings. “Sorry.”

“You’re not coming down with a cold or something?” York asked, his tone somewhat accusatory to cover up his concern as, after all, the only concern he ever shown openly was in regards to Miko.

Lyner waved his hand dismissively. “No, nothing like that. Like I said, it’s the residual energy of what happened in the past. I can still feel it.”

It was bad enough seeing the aftermath.

“Do you need the blanket?” Zelos suddenly asked, referring to the blanket they gathered from that Carnage House.

“No, I’m all right.” He was not suffering from the cold. Yet.

Zelos slammed down the lid of the trunk. “Then let’s get out of this shithole.”

Lyner was more than ready to get far away from the checkpoint and the residuals of despair it produced. So eager to put some distance between himself and the shadows of decay that he was the first to climb into his designated seat in the jeep.

As Zelos started the jeep up and manoeuvred it along the empty road, the realisation of finally leaving did alleviate his unease, though the tickle in his throat lingered. Perhaps his unease was just from the adverse energies that had been left behind. It was similar to that of the fog – cold, heavy, and challenging.

The wind tussling Lyner’s blond hair helped ease his tension further and he forced himself to sit back into his seat.

Zelos was probably right. His abilities were advancing. He was becoming too sensitive. Was there a way for him to somehow put a…cap on it? Perhaps he could craft an amulet or token that would tone down the sensitivity. Just a little. It was useful, there was no denying that. He just…

Some peace would be nice.

Just as Lyner felt himself relax, that oh-so familiar pain jostled him in his seat, and he clutched his forehead with his hand, a motion that was all too frequent and common. The pain, though as uncomfortable as ever, was not as poignant. It was subtle, subdued from distance. Much like what he endured at night while at their safehouse.

That meant that the fog was not in their immediate vicinity.

It was some distance behind them.

“A fog is coming,” Lyner warned aloud, his attention focusing toward Zelos.

Zelos did not show any surprise, simply nodding his head in sign that he had heard him. “We’re close to the safehouse. Let’s get ready.”

Whether it was coincidence or Lyner was right about the incoming fog, it honestly did not matter. They had gotten away from that checkpoint in time to prevent a mad scramble for safety. And with the distance between them, it allowed them to better secure their new surroundings. From the bloodshed that had occurred at that campsite, they would need the time to prepare.

After a few moments, Zelos steered the jeep toward a small driveway and toward their next temporary port of call.

Their chosen safehouse was a quaint, two storied family residence. Windows were boarded on the first floor, but free on the second. And from outside appearance, everything looked to be intact. The front door was slightly ajar, indicating that whoever once resided inside had left under their own accord, choosing another method of escape rather than to bunker down in their home to fend for themselves.

The moment the jeep rolled to the stop, Lyner, along with York and Lazarus immediately jumped out. Lyner reached in the back seat to snare the duffle bag that carried his and Zelos’ weapons. The field medical kit that he crafted himself sat on the floor on the passenger side. He hoped that they would not need it, but he grabbed it as well, wishing to make it a habit.

With the jeep in park and the handbrake on, Zelos jumped out and went around to the trunk, to rummage around through the new weaponry he had picked up from the campsite. “Where are they coming from?”

With the duffle bag on shoulder and the medical kit on the other, Lyner was not sure what help he would be, but he followed the mercenary, nevertheless. “The checkpoint.”

Again, Zelos was not even remotely surprised. He just rolled his eyes as he picked up a rifle and unlatched the safety on it. “Shocker.”

They both turned to look along the road they just drove but could not see the fog immediately. Yet Lyner felt it. It existed. It, however, was not fast moving like the fog from the first check point. It was a slow, methodical crawl. The creatures had awoken and were sniffing about, searching for their scent.

It was…curious.

Was their scent more noticeable out in nature than it was within the limits of the town?

“They haven’t narrowed in on us yet,” Lyner revealed.

Zelos hitched his new weapon on his shoulder and placed a hand on the small of Lyner’s back, urging him toward the safehouse. “I’m not risking it. Let’s get inside and get ready.”

Lyner nodded. He was right. It was too risky to make a break for it. For all he knew, the bastards were waiting for a noise to narrow in on. It was incredibly quiet, after all. The sound of their jeep would reverberate through the valley, easily. The best thing to do was to hunker down and wait.

So, he turned on his heel and hurried inside. With Zelos right behind him.

“Hey, up here!” York called from part way up the stairs leading to the second floor.

“What’s it like up there?” Lyner asked as Zelos closed the door and spent a moment kicking a loaded bookcase in front of it.

“Cluttered. We’re going to have to be in separated rooms.”

Not ideal, but at least Lyner could still keep a spiritual eye on everyone, he supposed.

With the fog drawing nearer, they hurried upstairs to prepare themselves for battle.

Zelos set a miliary duffle bag of weaponry upon a table and began to rummage through it. “How many?”

Lyner set his own bag aside to close his eyes and concentrated on the empty, cold voids that dwelled within the dark cloud of negativity. And came back with a number he was displeased with. “…Eight.”

Zelos did little to hide his displeasure, too. “They really are increasing in number.”

“What’s the gameplan?” Lazarus asked.

Zelos handed him a rifle. “The same as ever. Aim for the head. Use this for distance. If the bastard gets close, use your firearm. Try not to let it get close.”

Suppressing a shiver, Lyner watched as Zelos handed York a similar rifle before he turned his gaze to the world outside. Bright and cheerful, but the unease he felt back at that checkpoint had returned tenfold regardless. His senses told him, warned him that the creatures were hungrier than any they had previously met. The bloody aftermath they had seen offered only a hint of what they wanted to do.

What they would try to do.

As the creatures drew closer, a strange sense of familiarity washed over Lyner and he unwittingly stiffened. He furrowed his brow as he stared outside, trying to grasp why he would be struck with such a sensation. He knew of no one in this world. Except for three people, of course. Two of which were not present. That much, he was sure.

So why-?

Wait…

Lyner abruptly reached out and snared Zelos by his sleeve, at his right elbow, unintentionally startling the other man. “Z-Zelos, one of these creatures. It…it reminds me of that Colonel from the recordings. I don’t know why, but it does.”

“Wait, what-?” Zelos began.

Only to be cut off when the house plunged into darkness around them. The fog had finally descended. And with it, the icy ominousness of danger.

Yet, there was something else. A voice. Faint at first. Indiscernible. Just incoherent mumblings, but there was no doubt a voice somewhere out in the darkness of the fog.

“…meaningful sacrifices…it’s just inevitable…they deserve it…they all deserve it…they all deserve to die!”

Lyner winced and shared a glance with Zelos as the voice continued. “That’s what I mean. It’s him. That creature is that Colonel.”

Not a hundred percent sure, of course. But that voice definitely sounded similar to his from the recordings.

Zelos racked in a round. “He’s going to be a violent bastard. Where is he?”

“East side with two others.”

“Then he’s mine. Stay back, I’ll deal with it.”

“Alright, but be careful,” Lyner implored, his unease already toying with his nerves. “His malice matches with that of the creature’s natural instincts.”

“Where would you like us to go?” Lazarus asked.

Lyner pressed his lips together as he took stock where the rest of the creatures were. “There’s two close to the south of the house and three to the west. York, to the south. That Colonel might cause some trouble, so if the two creatures of Zelos’ wander your way, take them out. Lazarus, to the west. They appear skittish, so they might cause you some trouble.”

“Got it!

Not content to simply ‘stand back,’ Lyner decided that he would stand guard over the stairs. The narrow passageway was perfect for his lightning abilities, taking out anything that would try to ascend the stairs. Zelos and the others were more adept at long-range attacks, so they were perfect for taking aim through the windows.

And where he stood in the hallway allowed him to rush to the aid of the others should they need it.

It was difficult to stay in place with all the gunshots going off around him. Being a shortrange fighter in a long-ranged battle did absolutely nothing for his nerves.

The sound of shattering glass from another room stole Lyner’s breath and had him immediately darting out into the hallway. He spent a second trying to pinpoint which room that sound resonated from when he heard a gunshot.

It came from Lazarus’ direction!

With his sword in one hand and grasping the strap of the medical kit in the other, Lyner lunged toward the area of the house Lazarus was patrolling. And lurched to a stop when he found him in one of the bedrooms.

With a creature that had broken in.

Lazarus had wrapped his left arm across his stomach and his hand was pressed against his side in a desperate attempt to stem the bleeding from a violent injury that began just under his ribs and ended at his hip. The attack had only just happened as he staggered back, his feet uncoordinated, his steps shaky as blood splattered across the floor. Despite his injury, he managed to steadily raise his weapon and aimed it straight at the creature that attacked him.

And shot it straight between the eyes.

The creature released a shriek as it dissipated into the ether instantaneously.

Lazarus’ actions were just as swift – and shocking. His eyes widened as his limbs stiffened. A sheen of sweat rapidly spread across his brow as he simultaneously turned a pale, ghostly white. His weapon, his lifeline, tumbled from his hand as he dropped to his knees with a loud, deafening thud.

It all happened in a matter of seconds.

“Lazarus!”

A terror, unlike anything he had experienced before, filled Lyner as he grasped the doorframe and used it as leverage to his way to Lazarus’ side. He knew the toxin of the creatures’ claws was potent, but he had not anticipated such an immediate response!

His antidote? Was it strong enough?

He…he could not let Lazarus turn into one of those creatures!

A looming white shadow behind Lazarus immediately drew Lyner’s attention, alerting him to the realisation that there were yet more creatures on this side of the house. Having discovered the same opening as the one that had breached their defences and attacked Lazarus. And one said creature was attempting to try again.

Lyner dropped his medical kit right in front of Lazarus as he led with his right foot, manoeuvring his blade to pierce the creature’s skull – right down its throat. He shifted his momentum to his right, to throw the monstrous being off balance, and to slam it unceremoniously upon the floor.

It crashed in a mess of flailing limbs, scratching, and clawing at the hardwood floor. Where Lyner promptly delivered a bolt of lightning straight into its skull.

The shriek it emitted as it disappeared into the ether hurt his head, but he really could care less. It was nothing to the pain that Lazarus was in.

He was wasting too much time. He needed to get to him with his medicine.

“Zelos, Lazarus has been attacked!”

“Deal with him!” Zelos shouted back. “We can deal with the rest of these bastards!”

Lyner could not sense any more creatures near his side of the house, so for the moment, it was safe for him to step back from battle. And to finally do what truly needed to be done. He had crafted the medicine with his own hands, with hours of research, he could only hope and pray that it worked.

It was, unfortunately, time to find out.

“Two by the east and two to the south!” he called as he dropped his sword and crouched down by Lazarus’ side.

“Got it!”

It was extremely fortunate he had the foresight to drop the medical kit right in front of Lazarus. As Lyner dug around in the bag, he studied his patient carefully. The blond-haired gunner had fallen to sit haphazardly on his feet, his left hand clutching his side with blood seeping through his fingers, and his right hand firmly planted upon the floor in a desperate attempt to keep himself upright.

His breathing was shallow, his skin pale, his pulse rapid, his skin icy cold – he was not in a good state. He would deal with the wound and bleeding later. The toxin had to be dealt with first. It had been in his system long enough. He had to hit it hard and fast.

Plucking three vials of the antidote from the bag, Lyner sat on the floor and laid them on the ground next to him so that he could carefully manoeuvre Lazarus to rest against him, his upper body on his lap in a half slumped, half sitting position.

“Sorry,” Lyner began as he wrapped an arm around Lazarus’ shoulders and lifted the vial of the antidote toward his lips. “But you’re going to have to be the guineapig.”

Despite his pain and discomfort, Lazarus managed to grant him a half-hearted smile. “Someone has to,” he croaked out.

It was imperative that Lazarus drank the antidotes as quickly as possible, but Lyner still had to be careful. The last thing he wanted was for his patient to start choking. They could not afford to put any more stress and pressure on Lazarus’ body.

The sounds of battle continued around them and Lyner could still sense the creatures, but he had to trust in Zelos and York to do what needed to be done as they trusted in him to look after Lazarus.

Lazarus drank the three antidotes with ease, thankfully, and there did not appear to be any immediate side effects. To be certain, Lyner pressed his hand against Lazarus’ forehead and concentrated on his aura. His breathing was still slightly laboured, but not as bad as before and he still suffered a fever, yet there was something immediately noticeable – he was not icy cold.

That was significant.

He…was not going to “turn.” He was still going to be sick and unwell, but he was still going to be the Lazarus they all cared about.

Lyner rummaged around in his medical bag for his ointment and bandages. In order to ensure that Lazarus recovered quickly, he needed to cleanse and cover the wound. It would be a hasty job out on the field, but it should be good enough until they got him back to their homebase.

“I need to lift up your shirt.”

“Usually, I’d only let a pretty girl undress me, but for you I’ll make an exception.”

“I’m flattered.”

Lazarus really could joke under any circumstance, huh?

Lyner peeled back Lazarus’ clothing to reveal his injury, and a frown tugged at his lips. The injury was not all that deep, thankfully. Nothing like the brutal gouges and tears they had seen upon the numerous structures they had encountered. He would not need stitches. The ointment that Lyner had crafted should be enough to help the wound etch itself back together.

Yet it was enough to drop Lazarus almost immediately. The toxins these creatures possessed was beyond hazardous. He would need to focus his attention on crafting more antidotes. Perhaps work on a stronger antidote.

That would have to be worked out later. He needed to focus on Lazarus first.

With the use of wading, Lyner used a jar of ointment and slather it over the three grazes against Lazarus’ side. He used the whole jar, its antibacterial properties aiding it destroying the toxins and preventing infections. Lazarus winced and grimaced his way through the procedure, but that was a good sign. The medicine was taking effect.

It was an immense relief to know that the medicine Lyner had crafted with his own hands was working.

“Get down!”

Instinctively, Lyner lunged forward and protected Lazarus with his own body best he could. The presence of a creature drew close. Very close. Over the top of him. Only for there to be a loud crack of a gunshot and a screech. The high-pitched shrill of a death cry before that void of emptiness dissipated completely.

It was the Colonel.

That creature was no doubt that blasted Colonel. It was no surprise he was the last one to go down, being as vicious in life as he was.

Lyner breathed a sigh and straightened up, idly rolling his shoulders. That appeared to be all of them.

“Are you all right?!” Zelos suddenly barked, his sharp tone hiding his concern once more.

Lyner looked over at Zelos and smiled. “I’m fine. I knew you would get him, so I wasn’t worried.”

Zelos stared back at him, his expression stunned, his emotions conflicted by his complete trust in him. He had no response, so instead chose to simply sigh himself and allow the tension to leave his shoulders.

“Are you all right?” Lyner asked in return.

“Of course I am,” Zelos responded calmly. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Lyner tilted his head to the side, his smile not wavering. “Just thought I’d ask.”

Zelos calmly holstered his weapon on his shoulder. “I take it that’s all of them?”

“I can’t sense anymore.”

“Good.”

A soft glimmer of light prompted Lyner to glance to his side. It was meant to be a fleeting look, one out of instinct more than anything else. But he did a doubletake when his mind registered a silver token on the ground near his med-kit.

A dog tag.

He plucked it up with his fingers and idly turned it over to glance at the name.

Arihara.

That confirmed it. Lyner was right. That creature was the deformed form of that belligerent and heartless Colonel. He had been turned into the same monster than he had so readily enforced upon others. Lyner would call it ironic justice, but no one deserved that fate.

With the man and creature no longer any concern of his, Lyner flicked the dog tag aside and returned to rummaging through his field medical kit.

York appeared from another room and immediately made his way to Lazarus’ side. “How is he?” he asked, remarkably doing little to mask his concern as he crouched next to his fellow gunner.

Lyner pressed a dressing against Lazarus’ weeping wound, haphazardly taping it against his still too pale skin as it was difficult to do a proper bandage from where he was situated. “He’s going to be ok. The antidote has worked on the toxins and the ointment is working on healing the injuries, but it’s not an immediate solution. Lazarus needs time to heal.”

“The fog has finally cleared,” Zelos exclaimed. “Let’s get him back to the safehouse.”

The bandage should hold until they get back to base. There, Lyner would do a much better job cleaning and bandaging it. First, they had to get there. “York, take his left. I’ll look after his side.”

York took a hold of Lazarus’ left arm as Lyner helped him ease into a sitting position. They moved slowly as not to cause him to become lightheaded, lest he passed out, which was the last thing they wanted. Lazarus was quite obviously not used to being manhandled or fussed over to such a degree, being as skilled as he was. He probably did not recall the last time he had been injured, so he was definitely left winded and dazed.

“Easy,” Lyner chided lightly as Lazarus tried to push himself to his feet, in spite of his obvious vertigo. “Don’t push yourself.”

Lazarus shook his head lightly. “I-I’m all right.”

Lyner knew better, but did not push it. The need to prove that he was fine was for Lazarus’ sake as well for the others, so he simply aided him to stand to his feet. And with York’s help, aided him step by step down the stairs. Of which was undoubtedly painful for him as it jolted the injury to his side.

Lyner best remembered the painkillers when they returned to their safehouse, too.

As Lyner and York devoted their time to Lazarus, Zelos had packed up all their belongings and had them already loaded in the jeep by the time they made it outside.

“Lyner, get in the back with him,” Zelos ordered as he set about resorting their belongings in the trunk. “Matchstick, you finally get shotgun.”

“Can you get the blanket from the trunk?” Lyner requested quickly. “I don’t want him going into shock.”

“I’m all right,” Lazarus insisted again. “Just a little winded.”

Again, Lyner was able to tell Lazarus was not exactly ‘all good,’ but he held his tongue as to not alert the others. “We’re going to fuss because you’re the first one to get attacked,” he said as he helped lower him into the lefthand side of the back seat. “You’re our honorary guineapig.”

Lazarus barked out a half laugh, which he regretted instantly with a wince. “Lucky me,” he muttered as he idly clutched his side.

Lyner waited for Lazarus to scoot his legs into the vehicle before he closed the door and hurried his way to the other side, passing Zelos and grabbing the blanket from him as he did so. He jumped into the back with him and draped the blanket over him before gently coaxing his fellow blond to rest against him to increase his comfort levels, and not to place any more unwanted stress and strain on his injured side.

“You better know how to read a map, Matchstick, I’m not doing everything.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

As Lyner idly tucked the blanket around Lazarus, he felt his worry. He tried to hide it, his expression passive as he turned inward to deal with his pain and discomfort. But it was tangible in his aura. Understandable, of course. Anyone in his position would be after enduring an injury from an entity that have been known to turn others into mindless, bloodthirsty creatures like them.

“You won’t turn into an entity,” Lyner soothed, placing his arms around his neck and shoulders to comfort him. “I promise. I made sure of it. So, get some rest. It’s bit of drive back to homebase.”

His words had the desired effect and Lazarus relaxed against him. “After you get me back to the safehouse, you and Zelos get back out there.”

That caught Lyner off guard. “What?”

“I’m not going to be the cause for the waste of a day,” Lazarus began. “We still need to find information. It’s been seven days already and we’re no closer to finding out why the hell we’re here. If I stay with you guys, I’ll slow you down, but if you stay with me at base, we’ll be sure to miss out on any leads. York can stay to make sure I won’t keel over, but you two need to get back out there.”

Lyner did not immediately answer, falling silent as the jeep roared to life. Separating did not sit well with him, but what Lazarus said made complete and total sense. They were a week in. Seven days. They had a vague sense of what was going on, but nothing factual. No idea of how or why. Especially not who was responsible.

But to separate?

“We’ll…talk about it later.”

#fanfiction #original fiction #adventure #young adult #scifi fantasy #mystery #suspense #action #intrigue #lyner #zelos #york #lazarus #crossedge #the curse of empathy

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theshatteredrose · 26 days ago

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I need to go on a bit of a hiatus - my father is in hospital, has been for the last five days, and his condition hasn't improved. So, as you can imagine I'm under a quite a bit of stress right now. Hopefully he'll start to pick up soon and we can bring him home.

Thank you for understanding!

#author ramblings #personal

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theshatteredrose · 28 days ago

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Fandom Problem #9361:

Why is it that readers demand a five-page essay for something writers did or did NOT add to their story? And why are they always accompanied with the latest buzzword accusation?

"You didn't add a yuri pairing. Do you have something against lesbians?"

"Why isn't (insert female character) the main character? Do you have something against strong female characters?"

"Um, the popular headcanon says this character is actually trans, so you're actually being really transphobic right now."

"It's current year. Making two female characters fight over the male characters is really sexist."

The list is ENDLESS. If I wrote something, it's because I WANTED to. If I didn't write something, it's because I DIDN'T WANT to. It's that simple. Readers need to accept that simple little fact. Writers are in charge of their own story and they have the right to put WHATEVER they want in it. That does not mean there is something nefarious happening behind the scenes. There is no secret conspiracy happening. Writers don't owe anyone an explanation for anything!

I don't write yuri because I'm not interested in it. I have absolutely nothing against it. It has the right to exist, and I see that it exists. I see it. I know it. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. But I am simply not interested in it, so I don't write it. Writers have the right to choose what they write about and what they don't write about. It's that simple.

#fandom problem 9361 #yup #100% agree

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theshatteredrose · 29 days ago

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#funny #shhhhhhhhhhhhhutup

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theshatteredrose · 1 month ago

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The Curse of Empathy (Chapter 18) - CrossEdge/Original Fiction

AN: Why these chapters so long?? T^T

Ao3 | Wattpad | Inkitt | FFNet

Chapter 18:

A soft light greeted Lyner as his eyes fluttered open. The urge to roll over and fall back to sleep was a powerful one. The mattress was soft, the blankets warm. It had been quite some time since he had felt so comfortable. He wanted so much to indulge a little in his newfound luxury, since it was so rare.

Unfortunately, he knew that daylight hours were valuable. They should not be wasted.

Still, he was surprised that he had such a sound sleep.

Lyner rolled over onto his side and stretched his limbs, expertly ignoring the slight protest he received. “I slept through the night?” he muttered to him.

“I believe so.”

Through his sleepy haze, Lyner was startled by the voice, even though it was immediately recognisable. He raised his head from the pillow and looked toward the foot of his bed. Where Zelos stood with his back to him, idly toying with the sleeves of his clothing. He was fully dressed, ready for the day of exploration and, very likely, battling against yet more creatures.

Lyner mused why Zelos was in his room, yet as he was about to ask the mercenary if there was anything wrong, the haze of post-sleep, one that was only possible from a deep sleep, began to lift and he realised a couple of things – he was not in his room, he was actually in Zelos’ room.

In his bed.

The memories of last night came flooding back. And he felt his cheeks burn with a light flush.

He had not planned on slipping into Zelos’ bed last night. Obviously. But after he had that strange dream, and then awakening to those creatures scurrying about on the edge of town in unpredictable patterns, all he wanted was a few hours of good, solid rest.

A part of him was relieved that his theory had been right. Zelos had kept the feelings of anxiety and uncertainty at bay, allowing him to relax and to finally drift off to get a proper night’s sleep.

Another part of him was embarrassed.

And yet, Zelos had not kicked him out. He did not even tell him to get lost. He indulged him in his selfish little whim once more. He truly was very tolerant of him.

“Oh…” Lyner murmured, as he pushed himself up into a half sitting position, leaning heavily on his hand. “I didn’t bother you, did I?”

Zelos waved his hand dismissively at him, an equally trivializing furrow in his brow. “It was fine.”

“I-I see.” Lyner was certain that he was blushing, though he was certain that it was not just from embarrassment, but he tried to will it away as he folded back the blankets and placed his feet onto the floor. “That’s good. I really needed that sleep.”

“As I’ve been saying,” Zelos immediately griped as he turned to face him. “You’re lucky I caught you sneaking out. You would have tried to grathmeld for a few more hours, am I right?”

Um…probably? Anything to pass the time until those creatures left his sense of range.

“Speaking of which, the medicine is done,” Lyner said instead, desperate to change the subject as he pushed himself to his feet. “So, is the ointment. I hope we won’t need either, but I made a field first-aid kit anyway.”

“So, you’re playing the part of medic, too?” Zelos continued to complain, making no attempt to mask his irritation. But there was no bite to his tone. Lyner could sense that he was bothered, worried about something.

About him, that should be.

Lyner tilted his head to the side questioningly. “Hm? I suppose.”

That certainly was not his strong point, but it made sense that he took on the role. He, rather unfortunately, understood the creatures better than anyone else. If anyone was injured, if anyone was poisoned, it was highly likely that he would gain the innate knowledge to treat said injuries.

He hoped so, at least.

“Don’t you think you’re doing too much?” Zelos suddenly asked.

“Huh?”

“Fighting, sensing monsters, forewarning the fog, revealing information, Grathmelding, and now potentially acting as field medic,” Zelos listed off. His outward irritation grew through the furrowing of his brow and the tension of his shoulders. But his inward concern intensified far more potently, evident in not just his aura, but within his eyes, too. “It’s too much.”

Lyner was rendered speechless. Zelos words struck a chord with him, revealing to him that a lot rested on his shoulders. That he carried the bulk of the burdens, so to speak. So many things hinged on him getting things right, making the right call to ensure the safety of the others.

And it likely fell upon him and his newfound abilities to get everyone back to the world of souls.

If he failed…

Was he unwittingly causing feelings of helplessness in the others? In Zelos?

“W-well, what choice do we have?” Lyner replied, a little shook up. “It’s just the four of us, after all.”

Zelos did not reply. Made no attempt to. He simply looked at him with his dark eyes. Eyes that was soft, in contrast to the furrow of his brow and the tightening of his chiselled jaw.

As Lyner returned his gaze, the true undertone to his words came out in his aura. And Lyner found himself startled once more.

Zelos was not mad at him. He was mad at the circumstances around them. His anger and frustration, tightly controlled, directed at whoever or whatever burdened Lyner with his unusual abilities. Forcing him to endure the pain, the torment, and the suffering that seemed to reside in this realm.

He may not know it, he may not realise it himself, but there was nothing that Zelos worried about more than Lyner himself.

Lyner breathed a small sigh and smiled. How endearing.

“I’m all right, don’t worry,” Lyner said as he crossed the short distance between them and stood before Zelos, to stand toe to toe with him. “You’re doing more work on the battlefield than me. How can I engage with the enemy when you’re the one destroying them from several yards away?”

Zelos, for his part, did not back down. As close as Lyner was to him, he would not be surprised, nor offended if the mercenary took a step back to give himself some space. But he made no attempt. None. Instead, he peered down at him with slightly narrow eyes, a stare that was not at all a glare, that was surprisingly playful.

“At least hold back on the lightning attacks,” he ordered.

“I’ll try my best, but you know how instincts are.” Lyner’s own playfulness diminished slightly as a thought occurred to him, one that unsettled him greatly. He did not want to have to bear witness Zelos being attacked by one of those creatures. “Just…don’t get yourself into trouble, ok?”

A smirk twisted its way upon Zelos’ lips. “Heh, you know how instincts are.”

Lyner gave a short, quiet laugh to himself. Instincts, huh? In some circumstances, he supposed it would not hurt to follow his instincts a little more.

… … … … …

A sight of desolation and upheaval greeted Lyner and his companions as they entered the second checkpoint. With empty vehicles, destroyed equipment, damaged utilities, it mirrored closely to their first encounter with a military basecamp. Yet, there were a few well noted differences.

The blood was the most significant.

On the outsides of the temporary buildings and units were numerous sites of blood, tarnishing the corrugated iron. Some in the recognisable forms of handprints, others just gory splatters, giving the disturbing indicating that something had been thrown against the buildings with force. The indentations found on the structures themselves added to the horrific imagery.

It was not just the buildings that were marred with the telltale signs of the creatures’ unrelenting quest to cause suffering. The grass had also been tainted, smeared with blood in long, unbroken paths that moved toward the natural forest wall. Why the creatures felt the need to drag their victims back into the forests, Lyner could only speculate.

To cause further physiological warfare would be his first guess. Malice, the desire to inflict pain and suffering upon others, to kill for the sake of killing were the creatures’ primary instincts.

Lyner subconsciously sought out Zelos’ presence once more. Much like he had experienced at the first checkpoint, his senses were warning him to be wary. Yet, unlike the first time, he felt something else. That depressing feeling of despair. Like he had at that Carnage House.

Despair.

It was what the people, the soldiers felt before they died.

He could only liken it to a feeling of…decay. How it ate away, little by little, ebbing away at all hope they had at survival. They watched, they listened as everyone else around them died, one by one, and they knew that they were next. Nothing was going to stop that fate. Nothing was going to save them.

They could only wait in complete and utter…despair.

Lyner shook his head and unconsciously turned toward Zelos, hoping to use his heady presence to push aside those painful feelings. An act that thankfully worked, even though it earned him a curious glance of concern from the dark-haired mercenary.

“This is worse than the first,” Lyner said. “There’s a lot of residuals here.”

A flicker of understanding appeared in Zelos’ eyes before he sighed and turned his attention back to their surroundings. “It doesn’t surprise me. With how they were treating survivors, it was the perfect food source for these things.”

Yeah…

“We better be careful,” Zelos continued, his surveillance taking on a decidedly more critical tone. “Some of those bastards might be nearby.”

Lyner could not sense anything, but that conversation he had with Lazarus last night made him wary. The creatures could be hibernating within the forests around them, waiting for a sign, a noise, anything to awaken. Yet, he also knew that the sunlight harmed them, so they could not travel far without the use of their precious fog.

At least the fog would alert him to their presences, allowing them enough time to flee like they had to do the last time. And unlike last time, they already had a safehouse in mind for such occasion.

“Oh, hey, a phone.”

York’s voice pulled Lyner from his inner thoughts and he turned his attention toward the redhead, watching with curiosity as he walked a short distance away and picked up a small, black device that was, despite everything around it, in relatively good condition. It immediately reminded him of the devices he had found at that first make-shift military camp they had found on the side of the road and how the phone he discovered had a recording on it that proved quite interesting.

“Are there any recordings on it?” he asked.

York did not immediately reply, his attention focused on fiddling with the phone. After a few moments, he made a noise of success. “Yeah, actually, there’s a couple of recordings. Just voice recordings, though.”

“Give them a whirl,” Lazarus urged. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”

York idly nodded his head as his attention was drawn back to the phone. He paced his way back toward them and he held the phone out in front of them, allowing everyone a chance to listen to the recording fully.

At first, there was nothing but the sound of murmuring and static, but soon three distinctly male voices, just a little older than they were presumably, rumbled through the tiny speakers.

“Who’s the new asshole?”

“Colonel Arihara, I think he said. Barked, really.”

“A Colonel? Here in this dingy little outpost?”

“Why do you think he’s here?”

“He’s not here to act as a damn cheerleader, that’s for sure.”

“What rank is the Colonel here?” Lazarus asked when the recording finished.

York bit his lips together as his eyes rolled skyward. “…Fourth from the top, I think?”

Zelos immediately snorted. “There’s no way a guy of his rank would lower himself to a checkpoint unless something else was going on,” he stated.

Lyner was about to point out that they were north of the mines, on the complete opposite side of the map, so that could not be the reason, but he held his tongue. York and Lazarus still did not know about that little discovery, and it was only kept a secret for if York knew that the answer to their situation may be held in those mines, he would insist that they should go check it out in his haste to return to the World of Souls and back to Miko.

He understood his haste and worry, he truly did. But rushing into those mines would be far too dangerous in their current state. They needed to trust in their companions in the World of Souls and keep searching for information on their own.

Yet, what could a Colonel be doing at a checkpoint? Were the troops starting to catch on that something untoward was occurring and the higher ups needed to throw their weight around and remind them who was in charge?

No, that could not be the reason.

“Anyway, play the next one,” Zelos ordered.

York messed with the phone for a moment before he presented it before them once more. Again, a rustling sound was heard from the device before hushed voices, similar to those from the first recordings played through.

“Shh, shut up. They’ll hear us.”

“Stick the phone here. Quiet. They’ll do God knows what to us if they find us.”

More rustling was heard for a moment longer before two more voices resounded, louder and deeper than the previous. Voices that did not sound nor match those from the previous recording.

“Ah, Colonel Arihara, what brings a man of your rank and calibre to such a position?”

“That is none of your concern and you are in no position to question me. I am in charge of the operation of this Exclusion Zone and all its checkpoints. I suggest you get used to taking orders from me.”

“No need to be so formal with me, Colonel. I know certain…facts about the situation, I assure you.”

“Good. Then I won’t need to explain myself. I am merely here to do a reconnaissance of a few certain…experiments that have gone rogue. Have you been keeping the checkpoint clear?”

“No one is to enter or leave, just as command has ordered.”

“Good, good. Remember, it’s all for the safety of those who reside outside of the exclusion zone.”

“Of course.”

Lyner felt himself bristle. The arrogance of that man. How the hell did he gain the rank of Colonel when he held such a blatant disregard for the safety and wellbeing of others? The military was created to serve, to protect their countrymen.

That…was their initial purpose, at least.

But more importantly…

“Experiments? What did he mean by experiments?”

“These creatures, obviously.” York was excitable but livid, his grip around the white device in his hand tight, causing it to creak and groan under the pressure. “I knew they weren’t natural. They have to be military experiments somehow.”

At opposites of the redhead, Lazarus was nonchalant as ever, taking the revelation in stride. “That certainly would explain a lot.”

Zelos was also unsurprised, though he was displeased with the notion, likely finding it a complication to their situation. “It would explain why the military was willing to kill everyone in the exclusion zone.”

To cover up their mistakes…

“The guy also seemed pretty confident that they could get things under control,” Zelos continued, casting another wary glance at their surroundings. “Overly confident in that regard.”

Sheer arrogance was the greatest threat to every civilisation.

That unsettling feeling of despair tried to settle itself in Lyner’s heart once more as he unwillingly cast his gaze over the ruins of the checkpoint once more. So many people suffered because of the arrogance and malice of their own government. Left to fend for themselves, unable to escape, prevented by the hands of the very people who were supposed to help them.

“This Colonel might have some idea what these creatures are, but he’s not telling his soldiers,” Lyner said with a sigh.

“Nope, they’re still clueless,” Lazarus agreed before he unexpectedly snatched the phone out of York’s hand and held it up in front of them, presenting it in a manner that its presence was of great significance. “But this recording is proof that someone doesn’t trust him. There might be others.”

That…was a good point.

The soldiers themselves were also victims of their own government. Used as fodder, to test the waters, thrown into the thick of it to see how bad the situation was. They had been lied to, kept in the dark. Likely spun tales about how they were acting for the greater good.

Anything than told the truth.

“You’re right,” Lyner conceded.

Zelos shifted his attention toward him, even going as far as nudging him lightly with his elbow. “You look for information. I’m going to see if I can salvage any equipment.”

Within the haze of negativity and despair, Lyner was nervous about wandering too far from Zelos’ heady presence, yet he knew splitting up to cover more ground would allow them to get things done in less time. And the less time they spent out in the open, in the blood smeared ruins, the better. “Sure.”

With the others agreeing to the idea, each of them chose a direction and set about their own task.

As the others moved about freely, Lyner purposely avoided the blood smears. Out of respect and out of fear. He feared that should he stepped on the blood, spilt in such a horrific manner, that he would endure another vision. Like the one he had suffered through yesterday. The air was already drenched with residual emotions, causing him mental anguish and physical nausea.

The last thing he or his companions needed was for him to emotionally break down and have a sobbing fit in the middle of the checkpoint.

That…yeah, that would not go down well at all.

Hoping that the carnage was isolated to the outside, Lyner made his way to one of the few remaining temporary structures. Remarkably, the one he chose appeared to be an office of sorts. Perhaps even the one that oh-so charming Colonel barked his orders from.

Curiously, it appeared to be in pretty good shape. Sure, there was a few scattered papers and an overturned chair, but no signs of struggle nor any smears of blood. Perhaps it was not the Colonel’s office, after all. Still, those documents and files were worth collecting and searching through.

As Lyner shifted through the files and documents, something tugged at his senses, compelling him to look elsewhere. To search the desk that sat in the corner of the office. But, to search under it. For if the soldiers did not trust their superiors, then they would want to hide their distrust.

Wouldn’t they?

Lyner walked over to the desk and crouched down. The lighting was dimmed, so he could not see well, forced to fumble around in the shadows with his hand. Until his fingertips brushed against something that was out of placed. Something in similar shape to the phone that York had found not long ago.

And it was stuck there with a sliver of tape.

It took him only a couple of seconds to pry the oddity loose and reveal it to the light. He felt a rush of adrenaline when he realised that he was right. It was a phone. And as he pressed a button and tapped at the sensitive screen, it was a working one with a few recordings.

Lyner stood up and leaned against the desk as he pressed play on the first recording. The beginning was scrambled, noises that were unidentifiable, much like the sound of someone rustling about. As one would imagine they would make setting down a recording device. Immediately after that, there was stark silence.

Before a baritone voice, one that was immediately recognisable to belonging to none other than the Colonel himself, burst through the speakers.

“Yes, yes. Need I remind you that the inhabitants and survivors are meaningful sacrifices to ensure the safety of the many lives outside the Exclusion Zone? The deaths of a few to save the lives of many. You must know that, surely.”

“You’re asking us to shoot civilians!”

“They’re infected with a virus that can and will kill billions. Would you rather be responsible for the complete destruction of mankind?”

“Don’t give me that! I’ve seen those monsters, too. They’re everywhere. They’re the things responsible for killing people, not some damn virus. There has to be survivors in the Exclusion Zone somewhere. Are we really going to leave them?’

“It’s much easier to fight than to mount a rescue. If you value your and your family’s lives, then I suggest you never, ever speak back to me again. Do I make myself clear, soldier?”

With an audible click, the recording ended. And Lyner felt his eye twitch with pure distain. Could that Colonel be any more detestable?!

He uttered a sigh and pinched the bridge of his. So, that was the excuse the military and the government were blackmailing their soldiers with. That was quite the burden to throw at someone, especially at a young cadet. Do as they were told and throw their lives away, or the government will go after their families.

Bastards.

With a great amount of trepidation, Lyner pressed play on the next recording.

The beginning was illegible, the voices muffled and low. Other noises accompanied it, giving the indication that the one responsible for the recording had placed it upon a surfaced somewhere and slid it into place as the voices instantly grew louder and sharper in tone.

“They’re so far away from the mines. How the hell did they make it all the way out here? Didn’t Professor Youji state that they were weak to sunlight?”

“And didn’t only a handful escape? Why are there so many of them? I understand keeping important information from these disposable troops, but us?”

“Come first light, I’m leaving. I don’t care what command says.”

The recording ended immediately after that; the one responsible for it unwilling to risk discovery of eavesdropping. And from the two men’s blatant contempt for others, they were wise to keep themselves hidden. If two so-called superiors were willing to allow unarmed masses to suffer the wrath of monsters that had been created by the hand of their own government, who knew what they would do to a subordinate spying on them.

Yet, Lyner was grateful for the one responsible for the recording and their tenacity. It offered some much-needed information and insight, even from just a short conversation.

The mines were mentioned yet again. They were on the right track, then. They were definitely linked to those creatures. And the military. Yet, that still arose a few unanswered questions. What exactly was located in those mines? Were the military conducting some kind of experimentation within the mines? Did those creatures come from there or were they the results of something the military did within the mines?

The finer details were still a mystery, but it was clear that the mines were of great significance.

Still, he would like a bit more information before approaching that location. He was sure Zelos would agree. The mines were located on the very southern end of the map they possessed, so they had not been anywhere near it. Lyner had not the faintest whether anything living resided near the mines. The area could be completely empty. Or it could be swarming with special forces, like mentioned in that note found in that natural therapy store.

They could not risk it.

Wait…

Lyner quickly listened to the recording again. A short, quick muttering from someone other than the Colonel. Only a handful escaped…that was significant. Extremely significant. The military did not expect their little experiments to actually turn their victims into the same, hideous beings that they were, did they? That was why they were so blasé at the beginning, treating the first initial victims as if they were hallucinating. They believed only a few of them escaped.

They truly had no idea that by leaving the inhabitants to fend for themselves, to die at the hands of these creatures, they were only making more of them.

That…explained so much.

They were so clueless.

With the phone clutched in his hand, Lyner spent a moment searching out Zelos’ presence and thankfully found him nearby. He would return to gather the loose document and files later; he wanted to have Zelos listen to the recording first and hear what he thought of it. He seemed to have a better handle on what the military or the head of command could be attempting (and failing) to do.

York and Lazarus seemed to be preoccupied elsewhere, so Lyner slipped out of the office and carefully tiptoed his way around the ungodly smears of blood on the otherwise fresh green grass until he reached Zelos. The mercenary was in a half-torn tent, ammunition tins and boxes scattered around him, no doubt thrown there in haste and desperation by previous occupants. He was likely inspecting the site in hopes of salvaging some of the ammunition for his own weaponry.

Was not having much luck, from the look of things, as he tossed another empty cannister of his shoulder carelessly. He paused in his scavenging to glance over his shoulder when he heard Lyner’s footstep, stopping fully and pushing himself to his feet when it realised it was him.

“Zelos, listen to this,” Lyner said as he reached him and quickly played the short, but significant recording for him.

Zelos did not hesitate to tilt his head to the side and listened closely. As the recording played, his brow furrowed before his eyebrows shot up toward his hairline in disbelief and scepticism. “There’s no way the bastards didn’t know.”

“This Colonel obviously didn’t.” Thinking back on it, it was kinda ironic that a man so arrogant and self-assured was also kept in the dark. “And if York’s right, then there’s only three more ranks above him.”

“Everyone is keeping secrets from everyone.” Zelos uttered an annoyed sighed as he folded one arm across his chest and pressed the knuckles of his other hand against his forehead. “Nothing is ever easy.”

If it was, they would not still be searching for information after seven days.

“But we’re definitely dealing with escaped experiments here,” Zelos continued as he dropped his arm to his fold atop of the first. “Initially, at least.”

Lyner nodded. “The closer we get to the mines, the more answers we might get.”

Zelos was not at all thrilled with that prospect, however. “Seems that way. Still, I’m not rushing in. Something about this smells. If only a handful escaped, that would explain the special forces protecting the mines. But the question is, are they still here?”

Not from what Lyner could sense, but then again, he had not been close enough. “And what exactly is in the mines?”

“Right. A laboratory or something else? I’m not about to rush into a trap.”

Right, but how much longer could they gallivant around the region before there was some kind of outside interference? Surely, with at least two checkpoints out of commission, along with every soldier and commanding officer involved, the higher ups would be starting to sit up and take notice?

Lyner was about to voice his worries when a strange and very, very abrupt tickle in the back of his throat set of a slight coughing fit. His hand flew up to cover his mouth in an attempt to suppress the noise and his shoulders shook ever so slightly from the reverberation. Yet, it was not what he would describe a full-on coughing fit. Not the hacking, burning of lungs kind. Just the persistent tickle in his throat that he could not get rid of.

He could not exactly control it, either.

“Hey…” Zelos started, unsure of what to do as Lyner continued to try to suppress his coughing. “That’s not from the fog this time.”

“N-no, that…” Lyner tried to respond, his throat itchy and voice hoarse. “I’m not sure what started that. I am starting to feel…a little unwell for some reason. I think it’s the residual energies here.”

That…had to be it. The sudden nausea had to be because of the negativity; the residual energy of the terrible events that had occurred in the past poisoned the land and the air. He may have stayed too long.

Otherwise…

“Zelos, I-I think there will be a fog soon.”

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theshatteredrose · 1 month ago

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#bird #I want one #so fluffy

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theshatteredrose · 1 month ago

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The Curse of Empathy (Chapter 17) - CrossEdge/Original Fiction

AN: Hope you enjoy reading~!

Ao3 | Wattpad | Inkitt | FFNet

Chapter 17:

Lyner sat at the work desk in the medical office, reference books sprawled across one end of the table with a myriad of materials and ingredients spilled across the other. Equipment and other utensils cluttered another table that resided in one corner of the room, just a few paces from the desk.

Thanks to all the encyclopedias and guides, creating a tonic from scratch was relatively easy. Of course, he could only speculate and hope that it was viable antidote against the poisons and toxins that smeared along the length of those creatures’ claws. The only way to know for certain was for someone to endure an attack and that was not exactly something he wanted to occur.

He was not satisfied with just an antidote, however. With the amount of materials he had to work with, he had his intention set on creating and crafting other products. For two main reasons. One, because there could never be too much medical materials. And two, it was therapeutic for him to use his grathmelding skills again.

Yet, as he worked, Lyner felt his attention drift back to the note found in the apothecary. He had previously believed that the residents had not a clue what kind of danger they were in, but after that vision and that note, he was beginning to understand that the inhabitants, perhaps rather unfortunately, had a better grasp of the situation than he gave them credit for.

Did little to help them, unfortunately.

The residents were trapped and had no choice but to work together, desperate to come up with some plan to survive. York had stated that this ‘internet’ was out and the phonelines were down, so the residents likely had no choice but to verbally communicate with each other. Barring that, they used notes.

The note he had found was likely given to the owner of that natural remedies store. It may have been passed around.

Could the inhabitants have been monitored somehow?

Perhaps at the beginning. If there was any monitoring, it was shut down or disconnected now. Lyner was highly doubtful the realm’s government would allow four unknown guys, who showed up out of the blue, to just gallivant around, doing their own thing without some kind of contact. They had not been subtle. At all.

Something terrible had happened. Or something else was going on that they were too busy to deal with them.

When another bitter cold thrill raced along his spine, Lyner suppressed a sigh as he rubbed his eyes. It was becoming increasing hard to concentrate on his work. It was nighttime, after all. That meant creatures and monsters were roaming about as they usually did. At a distance, thankfully.

Every night. Those creatures scurried and skittered around the outskirts of town every single night.

Lyner was pulled from his thoughts and from his work when he felt the gentle brush of Zelos’ presence against his senses. The other man was fast approaching, his intent set on the medical room. There was nothing of concern in his aura, other than the very mild sense of irritation. He was very likely on a mission to find out just how long Lyner planned on holding himself up in the medical room with his work.

Zelos had little right to be irritated. It was his idea that they find a medicine to counter any attack those creatures might land on them, after all.

In truth, Lyner was grateful for the distraction. While his work in itself was a great distraction, allowing him to focus on something other than those creatures that roamed the boundaries of the town outside. It was just too quiet. The chill that seemed to accompany those creatures, especially at night, forced his mind to constantly move toward them. To constantly check and reevaluate their level of threat.

A threat level that, thankfully, did not change. Something he hoped would not change.

Still, he would not mind a bit of company.

Zelos soon appeared in the doorway and frowned slightly. “You’re still here?”

Lyner smiled patiently. “Hm. I’ve made a tonic to deal with the possible toxin from the claws of those creatures.”

Zelos walked further into the room, an uptick of curiosity in his aura. “Then what are you working on now?” he asked, indicating toward the endless number of notes and reference materials.

“The antidote is just the start.” Lyner leaned back in his chair to ease the slight ache in his back. “I also want to make a potion and ointment to speed up the recovery process. Can’t be too careful with these bastards, after all.”

There was little doubt in his mind that he would get his work done sooner if he could concentrate fully and completely on his task.

Maybe…

Lyner lightly tapped his pencil against the desk for a moment, struggling with what he wished to say in his head. He had already mentioned to the mercenary once that his presence alone was enough to ease his, well, unease whenever the creatures were active. He already felt calmer with Zelos simply being within the same vicinity, his grounded, take-no-prisoners presence effortlessly pushing aside the unearthly voids of those creatures.

His research would greatly increase with Zelos nearby.

Yet, Lyner also felt that he had already burdened the guy enough that day. In the past twelve or so hours, no less.

“Sorry, could you…stay in the same room or something?” Lyner eventually asked, concluding that the dark-haired mercenary would either agree or tell him no, so there was literally no harm in asking. “It’s hard to concentrate because of those creatures roaming about as per usual. I want to get this done tonight and I won’t be able to if I can’t concentrate.”

Zelos did not immediately respond, which in itself could be considered a good thing as it was in his nature to react impulsively, especially verbally. “…Fine,” he finally replied. “I’ll clean and maintain some of the weapons here.”

Lyner smiled, truly grateful that he was so tolerant of him. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

But Zelos had already turned on his heel and headed out the door in search for some weapons and equipment to maintain. He did, however, wave a blasé hand over his shoulder in clear indication that he had heard him.

Lyner relaxed back into his chair and closed his eyes for a moment. He kept his focus on Zelos’ aura, sensing him as he moved about their homebase in an attempt to ignore the cold voids of nothingness loitering far off in the distance. A feat that was, thankfully, easy. And it was not long before Zelos returned to the medical room.

“You’re not going to pull an all-nighter, you know,” Zelos suddenly stated as he sat himself down on the couch in the corner of the room, depositing the duffle bag of weapons and military equipment they picked up during their travels upon the small coffee table in front of him.

“Hm?”

“You’re barely getting enough sleep as is.”

Far from bothered by the light chiding, Lyner regarded the other with a curious tilt of his head. That was quiet the issue with him, wasn’t it? He pointed it out whenever he could.

He was not exactly wrong, either. Sleep was hard to come by.

“I can’t really argue with that,” Lyner relented. “As I said before, it’s hard to rest with those things outside. Knowing they’re out there is one thing, being able to feel their presences is another.”

Zelos idly pulled out a rifle from the duffle bag and began to tinker with it. “But I’m here, so you should be able to relax a little.”

Lyner gazed at Zelos for a moment before he smiled softly. Again, he could not argue with that. “Yeah, you’re right.”

With a new peace of mind, Lyner returned to his research.

While he was correct in his assumption that Zelos’ presence would diminish the effect the creatures would have on him, he found him sidetracked by a different kind of distraction. He could not help but muse about the dark-hair mercenary himself. About how different he was from the man he knew in the World of Souls.

The Zelos he knew back then was rude, brash, harsh, and abrasive. Not to mention dishonest to everyone, including himself. Perhaps the most guarded person he has ever met. Someone who refused to allow anyone near simply because he did not have time for that.

The Zelos he knew now was still very guarded, but because of Lyner’s new abilities, he knew him to be lonely, self-depreciating, expecting everyone to betray or hurt him for that was what he had experienced in the past. All that he had truly known. The walls he had built up around himself was for his own protection, yet he knew he had built them so tall and so strong that he had no idea how to lower them.

Though Zelos would deny it to his dying breath, he did want to lower them. He was just scared to as it would mean becoming vulnerable. And he could not afford that. Not for even a moment.

It was…sad, really.

Lyner also could not help but ponder how differently Zelos treated him in regards to how he treated York and Lazarus. That was not a bad thing, of course. It did not perturb him in the slightest. In fact, he would admit to himself that he felt a little, well, thrilled, he supposed.

Yet, in another way, it made sense as Lyner treated him differently in return. They were both from the same world and had found themselves in yet another world that was not their own. They only had each other to turn to.

A sudden, cold chill against Lyner’s back abruptly pulled him out of his thoughts.

Lyner lifted his head up sharply, his gaze toward the ceiling. There was a sudden increase in creature activity. They were still settled on the boundaries of the town, thankfully. But the numbers of packs had increased.

“What?” Zelos suddenly asked.

Lyner did not immediately answer at first, his attention focused on the cold, chilling voids that made up the fogs that were clustered on the south end of town. “…There’s six different packs of creatures on the outskirts of town,” he muttered.

“What?” Zelos immediately paused in his own work. “What are they doing?”

“I’m…I’m not sure. They’re focused at the southern borders.”

Why they did not venture further into town, he did not know. It did not make any sense to him as there was evidence that they had in the past. That site near the doctor’s clinic was proof of that. Why the creatures did not roam willingly and freely throughout the entirely of the town was baffling.

What were they doing?

Lyner shook his head slightly when another presence came to his attention. He turned his gaze toward the door just as a certain blond-haired gunner stepped into sight, and into the room without a care.

“Hey, just checking in on you,” Lazarus announced cheerfully. “How you doing?”

Lyner decided not to inform him of the strange cluster of creatures on the town’s boundaries and forced a pleasant smile to his lips. “Not too bad. I think I’m getting there. I’ve already made an antidote that removes toxins that these creatures could inflict with physical attacks. I’m just working on a potion and ointment that will help with a speedy recovery now. What brings you here?”

“He’s probably sulking because York kicked his ass at that fighting game again,” Zelos unexpectedly commented as he turned his attention back to his own work.

Lazarus immediately planted a hand on his hip and shot the guy a glare that was absolutely not a pout. “Not true, I’m just taking a break.” He soon turned his attention back toward Lyner, his expression surprising passive. “Anyway, I do have a reason for stopping by. Truth be told, there’s something that’s been bothering me.”

Lyner tilted his head to the side questioningly. “Hm? What is it?”

“These creatures,” Lazarus began as he leaned back against the wall near the door and folded his arms across his chest. “When we were fleeing from them from that checkpoint, you said they must have been hiding somewhere. Do you think these things actually do that during the day?”

Huh…He did say that, didn’t he?

Lyner closed his eyes and pressed his fingertips against his temple. “Hm, kind of. Give me a moment…” With the creatures greater in number and choosing to linger, maybe he could get a handle on them. And if he concentrated, some information. “…I feel that they are rather sensitive to light. They…hide in shadowy areas and must create that fog in order to block out the sunlight. Which is why they appear more active at night.”

Yet, that did not explain why they did not roam throughout the entirety of the town. Sunlight harmed them, not artificial light from the streetlamps. Had they met some resistance in town before? No, that could not be it. They had no problem brazenly attacking camps armed by military enforcers. Those things hunted anything that moved, anything living.

So, what was keeping them away?

“If that’s true, why come out at all during the day at all?” Zelos questioned as he set aside his own project once more.

That was a much easier question to answer. “For the hunt.”

“For prey like us?”

Lyner opened his eyes and nodded his head, a frown tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yes. I feel…that they know that we are here. They’re looking for us.”

Not them in particular, just something that was running about the countryside that they could attack.

“Well, isn’t that just fantastic?” Lazarus commented, surprisingly sarcastic. An expression of contemplation soon appeared on his face, and he idly tapped his cheek in thought. “So, all this means, these things are brazened enough to hunt for us during the day, unconcerned about the sunlight. They just make their own fog to hide themselves.”

“They make it at night, so it’s no problem for them,” Lyner added as he leaned back into his chair once more.

“Could it be considered a fog, though?” Zelos asked, bringing up a good question.

That dark grey, smoky haze did not have the quality of a natural fog. Perhaps they should stop calling it that? Though, there was no need to get technical when they all knew what they were talking about whenever the word ‘fog’ was mentioned.

“Hm. These things are pretty powerful, huh,” Lazarus continued to muse aloud. “But they must go into hibernation of sorts. And with us trapezing around, we’re unwittingly waking them up.”

“That explains why they always target the locations we’re at,” Zelos muttered, his brow furrowed deeply.

While that made sense, Lyner could not find it in himself to agree to it a hundred percent. Something else was involved. He just was not sure what. “I only know of them when they make that fog and come into ‘range,’ however far that is.”

“But you can still sense them individually, right?”

“Right.”

“So, I suppose there is little to worry about,” Lazarus announced suddenly, his serious contemplation replaced with his usual carefree nonchalance as he pushed away from the wall. “You can sense them, we can shoot and destroy them, and hopefully you can make a medicine that will heal any injuries that they inflict upon us.”

Lyner found his abrupt change in demeanour curious but opted not to question his fellow blond further. “Hopefully.”

“Just a bit more information for us to take into consideration. Hopefully, if we keep driving around, you might be able to narrow in on the source of these things,” Lazarus added, optimistically, for good measure.

That, unfortunately, sounded like their best course of action.

“I’ll try my best.”

His best…

Lyner looked down at his research and bit back a frown.

No, that was not good enough. Not anymore. He had to give it everything he got. He was the one who was given the ability to sense these creatures, able to forewarn when they would attack. It fell to him to keep everyone safe. And he had to do whatever it took to ensure that everyone came out alive.

Even at the cost of his own health.

… … … … …

With his arms folded under the pillow beneath his head, Zelos laid on his bed, stretched out on his back, his gaze focused up at the ceiling. He had no idea of the time, but he knew it was late. The curtains to his bedroom were drawn, saved for a slight gap, allowing for a single sliver of light from the streetlamps outside.

He was unable to sleep.

It was not the revelation that there was an uptick in creatures on the south edge of town that kept him awake. His thoughts kept drifting to the blond asleep in the room across the hall from his.

Zelos liked to think himself an expert in ignoring people. Especially ignoring people and things he did not want to think about. As a mercenary, he had done some shit he would rather forget. It was simpler that way.

But Lyner kept creeping back into his thoughts.

It was not something that he was used to.

He had pushed plenty of people away during his time. Kept them at a distance, even while travelling with them. No matter how intrusive, how incessant, how insistent, he had pushed them all away. Without a second thought the moment he felt them get too close.

Why was it so difficult to do the same with Lyner?

The situation was a little bit different, he supposed. It was just the four of them. No one else. Literally, just the four of them. Out of the three that he was stuck with, it made sense that Lyner was the one he decided to get along with. The other two drove him nuts.

Zelos scoffed at himself. That was not even close to the truth.

He could not trick and manipulate himself into believing it was all due to the fact that Lyner was their key to getting out of this messed up situation alive. It may have been at the beginning, when he first realised just how crucial those new abilities of his were. He was their forewarning, their radar, their monitoring system. Hell, the guy was able to pull random pieces of information out of thin air. All because of that marking on his forehead.

That was not the case anymore. He had to admit that to himself now. Something had changed. There was something else propelling him to protect the guy. He did not need protection. Zelos was not at all the type for giving compliments, but the blond could definitely handle himself.

Zelos had no idea where this…need to watch over the guy came from. He was never the protective type. Sure, he had taken bodyguard missions before, but they were more of ‘make sure this dumbass did not die at the hands of assassins’ type deals. There were never any…caring about his charges. Heck, he only took missions where he was paid half his fee upfront, so he still got some money out of it, so he could have cared less what happened.

But with Lyner, it was different. Firstly, he was not being paid squat. A big deal for a big named mercenary. But he also found himself constantly, and he truly hated to even acknowledge it, nagging him to get enough sleep and enough to eat. The guy did not know the first thing about self-preservation.

The guy got under his skin like no one else.

And that should piss him off. Shit, he had countless dumbasses purposely try to get under his skin and in his head for the sole purpose of getting him to “open up” and “lighten up” or some other braindead bullshit excuse. He should rightly be pissed that Lyner was attempting and seemingly succeeding in getting under his skin.

But…he wasn’t.

And that in itself kinda pissed him off.

That guy, he made him act so…differently.

There were times where he was harsh and snappy with the guy. It was a façade he had polished over years. It was second nature to him. But, unlike previous times, he immediately regretted it. He did not regret shit normally. But he saw that he had genuinely…hurt him. And he did not like it. Not one bit.

He…tried to reign in the snappy comments after that. Which surprised him. It helped that Lyner did not make a big deal out of it, which a lot of other people he knew absolutely would.

Lyner was incredibly tolerant of him.

His newfound abilities to sense auras and presences probably had a lot to do with it, but he was lenient all the same. Not fighting him when he was feeling protective. Not objecting to his commands out in the field. Open to actual communication. Shit, Zelos could not remember the last time he had an actual conversation with someone that did not result in awkward praise, half-hearted threats, or shrill chiding about his unacceptable behaviour.

Lyner really was unlike anyone he had met before.

Zelos pulled his hand out from under the pillow. He looked at his mechanical hand and frowned. Did not want to hurt him, huh? That was what he would do eventually. He should push him away. For his own good.

Even if he did not really want to…

Zelos dropped his arm harshly onto the bed next to him in irritation. The whole thing was so annoying.

A rustling sound caught his attention, and he immediately lifted his head up from his pillow to look over at his bedroom door. The noise continued and it reminded him of the sound of shifting bedsheets. When another sound followed, one that was unmistakeably that of an exasperated sigh, Zelos sat himself up in bed, his own sheets pooling on his lap.

From where he sat, he was able to see the door leading to Lyner’s bedroom, though not see the bed and ultimately the blond himself. But he knew he was the one making the noises and he would hedge a bet that he was about to get up and try to do something to keep himself busy.

He had been doing that a lot lately. A few nights with little sleep, fine. But he was looking down the barrel of a full week.

Maybe Zelos needed to come up with some bullshit excuse to have them stay in the safehouse for a day so the guy could get some proper sleep. The creatures did not seem to prowl about as much during the daylight hours.

He would need to think of something later. Just as he had figured he would, Lyner had stepped from his room with a throw blanket draped over his shoulders. He appeared slightly unsteady on his feet, with one hand grasping the doorframe and the other idly rubbing his forehead. Clear evidence to how tired he actually was.

And proof that he had no idea anyone else was awake, otherwise he would have kept all of that hidden.

“What are you doing up?” Zelos called out.

Lyner’s head snapped up, clearly taken aback and surprised, which only added more evidence to how fatigued he really was. Otherwise, he would have sensed him. Instead of making some excuse about getting something to drink or the like, he pushed away from the doorframe and crossed the short distance between their rooms.

“Sorry, can’t sleep,” he said instead as he leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. “Did I wake you?”

Zelos pulled his legs toward his chest and rested his elbows idly atop of his knees. “Those creatures again?”

“Sort of,” Lyner admitted as he nodded his head toward the window of his room. “The numbers have thinned, thankfully. I just had a strange dream.”

A dream, huh?

“…About that vision?”

Lyner, however, shook his head. “No, surprisingly. I had feared I would.”

He then fell silent as his gaze shifted toward the window once more, lingering there for a moment, likely assessing the locations of the creatures that were still loitering about. After he was certain that they were still at a reasonably safe distance, his gaze flittered back over to Zelos. And he pushed away from the doorframe to walk into the room.

“It’s hard to explain,” Lyner said as he sat down on the edge of the bed, one leg tucked up beneath him as the other rested over the side of the bed. “I was outside, in the forests that surround this town when I came across someone. A human male, dressed in strange robes. Like that of a priest of some kind. He said something that didn’t make much sense. “In the world but apart from the world.” Or something close to that.”

“…Sounds like some cryptic bullshit.”

Lyner laughed tiredly and shook his head in exasperation. “Doesn’t it? Everything has to be in riddles. I really wish someone would just come out and tell us what’s going on,” he lamented.

That would be too easy.

Still, he could not disregard Lyner’s dream so easily. It troubled him, obviously. That priest, or whoever or whatever they were, might have something to do with the situation they were in. And it was possible that Lyner’s abilities were advancing further, thanks to that vision he had earlier that day.

Whoever the hell it was that Lyner spoke with, the dumbass could at least have the decency to be straightforward with them.

Lyner suddenly leaned forward and began to tug at the blankets on Zelos’ bed, folding them down and pulling them back. As if to make room. “Move over.”

Zelos blinked at him as he instinctively moved to the side. “Eh?”

“Your presence helps ease the tension of those creatures,” Lyner replied simply as he tugged off the throw blanket around his shoulders and boldly slid between the sheets next to him. “Maybe I can get some proper sleep, too.”

Zelos said nothing. Unable to bring himself to. He just watched, in the dim lighting of the room, as Lyner slipped further down the mattress. He rolled over to his side, onto the side that had him facing Zelos’ side of the bed and pulled the blankets over his shoulder. He uttered a quiet sigh as he sunk into the mattress, dropping his head upon the pillow.

Somehow, despite the circumstance, Zelos noted the tension immediately leave Lyner’s body as he rested, surprisingly comfortably, upon the bed next to him.

And, in spite of himself, Zelos let himself fall back to rest upon the bed also. He laid on his back once more, one arm folded under the pillow beneath his head as the other rested across his stomach.

He had never shared a bed with anyone before. The closeness was something he never felt he needed, and in all honesty, it would have just caused far too much drama than it was worth.

He could feel Lyner next to him. There were a few inches between them, they were not touching, but he could feel him somehow. The dip in the bed next to him, the slight tug of the blankets, the quiet sound of his breathing. He should be annoyed that someone was invading his personal space.

But he wasn’t.

Was that what Lyner meant when he said he felt comforted by his presence?

“I suppose it’s back to driving around aimlessly again tomorrow?” Lyner asked quietly.

Zelos kept his eyes toward the ceiling. “Unfortunately, if we want to learn more about those mines, we’ll have to inspect the other checkpoints.”

“They’re probably like the first.”

Destroyed with signs of a battled being raged? Probably. “Makes it easier for us. It’ll be better if we avoid any inhabitant, anyway.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Lyner conceded with a sigh. “I haven’t sensed a single thing.”

That did not surprise Zelos.

Those creatures hunting humans was reasonable and expected. Hunting other animals was also plausible. Birds? That could be explained with them flying away due to the unnatural fog, as farfetched as that could possibly be.

But the insects? Those little bastards would have a fucking field day without any natural predators. There was absolutely no way those creatures would have hunted down and killed every single insect in the area. Even less likely for the little bastards to leave on their own accord, not when there was food for the taking.

There was no explanation as to why it was so quiet and empty.

Something was not adding up.

And he might have an idea as to what it might be.

Lyner shifted slightly next to him. “It’ll be seven days tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” Seven days in and they were still hunting for clues.

“What do you think is happening in-?”

“Nothing we can control,” Zelos immediately interrupted as he rolled his head sharply to the side. His gaze immediately colliding with that of Lyner’s. “We have to focus on us, here and now.”

Lyner fell silent as he gazed back at him, his deep brown eyes surprisingly vivid in the dim lighting of the room. After a moment, he uttered a sigh and sunk further into the mattress before he mustered up a small, apologetic smile. “You’re right, sorry. York asked me earlier if I could sense anyone else from the World of Souls and it got me thinking.”

That damn matchstick.

“Forget about that moron and some sleep,” Zelos ordered.

Lyner chuckled tiredly as his eyes drooped close, and he buried his face further into the pillow. Not a moment later, the tension in his face lifted and his breathing smoothed out. He had already fallen asleep. Yet, another indication that he was far more tired than he wanted others to know. Probably more than he himself realised.

Zelos found himself watching the blond as he slept, waiting to see if another strange dream or possible nightmare would awaken him once more. But he slept soundly, not stirring for even a moment.

He had not the faintest idea why someone like Lyner would find him, of all people, comforting, but he supposed he was not going to question it. Not while they were in this messed up situation.

He would just have to accept his role as protector, he supposed.

#fanfiction #fiction #adventure #suspense #action #mystery #sci fi fantasy #fantasy #romance #young adult #slow burn #lyner #zelos #york #lazarus #zelos/lyner #the curse of empathy

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theshatteredrose · 1 month ago

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I'm likely to take a couple of months off just to figure out what I want to do first. I still have a few more chapters to do with my latest project, but once that's done, I can really panic :'D

Sorry for being so absent lately, but I've been trying to sort through my Story Idea folder and to figure out what I want to do after I finish "The Curse of Empathy".

And whooo boy do I have a smorgasbord of options. I have no idea what I want to do next.

What do I doooooooooooooo? 😭

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theshatteredrose · 1 month ago

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#funny haha #this made me laugh

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theshatteredrose · 1 month ago

Text

Sorry for being so absent lately, but I've been trying to sort through my Story Idea folder and to figure out what I want to do after I finish "The Curse of Empathy".

And whooo boy do I have a smorgasbord of options. I have no idea what I want to do next.

What do I doooooooooooooo? 😭

#T^T #I'm trying #but too many options leaves me floundering #someone save me from my muse

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theshatteredrose · 1 month ago

Text

Sorry for being so absent lately, but I've been trying to sort through my Story Idea folder and to figure out what I want to do after I finish "The Curse of Empathy".

And whooo boy do I have a smorgasbord of options. I have no idea what I want to do next.

What do I doooooooooooooo? 😭

#author ramblings #writer problems

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theshatteredrose · 1 month ago

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The Curse of Empathy (Chapter 16) - CrossEdge/Original Fiction

AN: Hope you enjoy reading~

Ao3 | Wattpad | Inkitt | FFNet

Chapter 16:

The crunching of wheels against gravel echoed loudly as the jeep rolled to a stop in the empty main street. They had been cruising through the centre of town slowly, following a hunch, when a storefront, seemingly like any other, finally caught their attention.

It was a simple store, if a humble one, blending easily into its surroundings. On the large glass window, of which was blacked out from the inside with thick curtains, were words etched in white paint. Words simply stating Kampo and the promise of good health through traditional medicine.

Exactly what they were looking for.

“See? I told you I had seen an herbalist store while we were driving through town,” York said, a hint of triumphant and even a bit of smugness in his voice.

Zelos shifted the jeep into park and switched off the engine. “If it hasn’t been ransacked, it will definitely make things a lot easier.”

“Absolutely.” Lyner pivoted in his seat to look over into the backseat of the jeep, more than willing to give the redhead the recognition he deserved. “Good job, York.”

“Don’t congratulate me yet,” York replied, uncharacteristically humble, or perhaps he was simply being pessimistic. “We gotta see if it’s well stocked first.”

Lyner saw the merit in that, so he climbed out of the vehicle alongside the others as they made their way over to the storefront. The entrance seemed to be locked, with plywood barring the entrance from the inside.

There was a high chance that there was a back entrance, but with them having spent an hour or so searching for the place, and with Zelos already reaching into the duffle bag to pull out his weapon, there was little to no chance Lyner was going to talk anyone into searching for a more peaceful solution.

And in truth, he was rather impatient himself. He wanted to get his hands on some ingredients and get to work grathmelding where he was in his element.

“Hey, Lyner?” Lazarus nudged him to get his attention. “What else can you make with this Grathmelding?”

“Anything that alchemy can, really,” Lyner answered simply.

“Just focus on the medicine for now,” Zelos interrupted, his tone scolding, but Lyner knew that it was just for show as there was an obvious undertone of concern in his aura.

“Sure,” Lyner returned as he shot the mercenary a quick smile, showing that he was completely unbothered by the chiding. “I’m starting from scratch in this world, anyway. Don’t worry, I’ll make York the guineapig.”

“Hey!” York immediately protested, which was to be expected. “I just hope that you’re better at this grathmelding stuff than Marie is at alchemy.”

Again, another completely expected response. Everyone was well aware of York’s aversion to Marie’s alchemy creations. He begrudgingly excepted some items, through Miko’s insistence, but if he could avoid anything of hers, he would.

Of course, not that Lyner could blame him. He had been on the receiving end of some of Marie’s failed ‘experiments’ too. And they were not pleasant by any stretch of the imagination.

“I won’t poison anyone, I promise.” Lyner could not help but smile wryly. “Though, that is a pretty low bar you’ve set for me.”

York turned his head away and snorted roughly, an act to cover up a laugh of genuine amusement. He was not the only one amused. Lazarus sniggered at the comment, his reaction unashamed and out in the open. But it was Zelos’ aura that draw Lyner’s attention. His amusement was subtle, but genuine. Yet, it was fleeting, purposely restrained, and suppressed.

Lyner’s gaze flittered over toward the dark-haired mercenary. He had turned his back toward them, to give the false image that he was busying himself with lining up the perfect shot to open the way into the store. But Lyner knew that he was attempting to put some distance between himself and the others.

He…did not understand why he felt the need to do so. What made him believe he should. But it…hurt. In a way.

Zelos pressed the muzzle of his weapon against the lock keeping the store closed and squeezed the trigger. A crack of gunpower and splintering metal immediately rang out, causing Lyner to wince as the sound cut straight through his head once more.

Alongside making medicine to counter the poison that those creatures carried on their claws, perhaps he could spare a moment or two making something for his headaches.

Zelos lazily pushed the door open with the dangerous end of his weapon. “And we’re in,” he announced as he instinctively stepped inside first.

Lyner was unable to sense anything untoward, especially no presences, but he waited a moment to allow the protective mercenary the chance to inspect their new environment before he stepped inside himself.

Thankfully, he did not receive that heavy, foreboding sensation like the one he endured back at that…Carnage House. And the store itself was quiet and tidy. Quaint, actually bringing Lyner a strange feeling of nostalgia. When he took a moment to inspect his surroundings, it soon became clear why.

It was an apothecary. The way the store was set up, the scent of dried herbs, even the counter where the materials were stored and accessed by someone with immense knowledge of both medicine and natural remedies. It looked just like an apothecary back in his home world.

Lyner immediately moved behind the counter and began searching the many little drawers, carefully inspecting the contents inside. Much to his relief there were dried herbs and flowers stored within; each little drawer labelled with a name. Some he even recognised.

“Well?” Zelos asked.

Lyner looked over at him and smiled. “Looks good. I can definitely work with this.”

“There’s even some encyclopedias,” Lazarus unexpectedly exclaimed as he appeared from a backroom of the store, in his hand one large book and another in the crook of his elbow.

That immediately caught Lyner’s attention. Even better. With those books, he could get a better handle on the herbs within the store and their medicinal properties. “Let me see.”

Lazarus placed the two books over to the counter and Lyner quickly snatched one up, flipping through the pages in the hope they would be the useful encyclopedias he had hoped for. Thankfully, he recognised some of the herbs from the shelves to be within the book and the entries went into detail of their healing properties. So, they were sure to prove useful for him.

He had a long afternoon and night of study ahead of him, it seemed.

Hmm…Kampo. There was that word again. Must have an important meaning in the Human Realm.

“We’re going to have to cart all of this back to the safehouse. You’re definitely not setting up shop here,” Zelos stated, leaving absolutely no room for argument.

Lyner would never have dreamed of doing so, but Zelos’ instant protectiveness was still amusing and endearing all the same. “Right, right,” he said in a pacifying manner and closed the encyclopedia. “I better grab all the equipment I can find, too.”

That would save them heading to the school at all.

“Well, we’ve got the herbs, anything else?” Lazarus inquired.

Lyner idly tapped his fingers against the countertop. “I could do with some crystals. They help with enhancing the potency of the medicine.”

York immediately frowned. “I don’t know where we can get those.” The wrinkle in his brow unexpectedly deepened as he held his chin in a pondering position. “Unless…”

Lazarus arched an eyebrow and nudged him with his elbow. “Unless?”

“If we can find one of those New Age stores, we can find some crystals,” York stated rather matter-a-factly. “Miko really likes those stores, for some reason.”

Lazarus raked a hand through his hair as he looked around the store before unexpectedly throwing a glance toward the front entrance. “I don’t know if our luck will hold up, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a quick look along main street. It does appear that this place relies on some tourist action.”

Lyner supposed it would not hurt to have a quick look. Gaining access to some crystals would help in the strengthening of the medicine and that, in turn, would ease his mind further. “Alright,” he relented. “I can’t sense any activity along the town’s boundaries, so we’re good for now. Don’t wander too far, just in case.”

York openly rolled his eyes. “Man, you really are turning into a mother-hen. We can’t possibly get into trouble with you constantly peck-peck-pecking at us.”

Lazarus grinned an amiable grin, but it was clear as day that he agreed with York’s statement. “We’ll be good, promise.”

Rather indignant, Lyner placed his hands on his hips and frowned (not pouted) as he watched the two children snigger and smirk to each other as they scurry out through the shop entrance and out into the main street. With the two quickly out of sight, he cocked one hip to the side and threw a quick glance toward Zelos.

“I hope they’re not in their terrible-twos phase,” he simpered.

A slight, half smirk twisted upon Zelos’ lips and he gave a curt snort. “I told you they were a pair of idiots.”

That brought a small smile to Lyner’s lips. Zelos may refer to the two as such, but he knew he worried for them. In a big brother, parental way. He would deny it if confronted with such. Deny it until he was blue in the face. But Lyner knew the truth, so there was no need to force him to verbally confirm it.

He was more caring than he was willing to let others, and himself, believe.

“And with those two idiots gallivanting across town, let’s start packing all this up,” Zelos ordered, his tone notably softer, calmer now that it was just the two of them. “I’m going to go in search for some boxes. You make sure everything is well labelled. It’ll make things easier.”

Lyner nodded his head in agreement. “Right.”

Zelos turned and made his way to the back of the store while Lyner stayed by the counter. He would likely need to make his way to the back of shop, too, where the surplus of materials was to be stored, but front of store allowed him to get a pretty firm grasp on what kind of herbs and ingredients he would eventually work with.

It would be best to take everything they could back to the safehouse. Hopefully they would not need it, but it was better to be safe than sorry. And it would give Lyner something to do during those downtimes, where he could not rest and settle due to the constant movement of creatures outside.

He decided the best way to move and transport the herbs and materials was to simply remove the small drawers from the storage unit. He obviously could not take the unit with him, but with the drawers already labelled, that would make the sorting and cataloguing so much easier for when he made up a workbench for himself back at the safehouse. Probably in the medical room.

Before he touched anything, though, he inspected the numerous drawers and alcoves behind and under the counter. He located a few more books, quite worn with age, alongside equipment crucial for an apothecary. Perfect. Things he would definitely need for his grathmelding.

As Lyner began to remove the items he deemed useful and necessary, he paused when an unexpected object stared back at him. Something he had not expected to find behind the work counter of an apothecary.

A small, fluffy stuffed animal. A black and white cat. With beady green eyes and whiskers that were slightly bent out of shape. And a delicate pink ribbon tied around its neck.

He picked it up and stood up straight. He stared down at the silent child’s toy in his hand as a sombre wave of emotion washed over him. It caused him to unwillingly think back to his vision back at that terrible Carnage House. To the young children that were…

There were such young victims…

“What?”

Lyner snapped his head up, startled. He was so deep in thought that he had no sensed or felt Zelos approach. He turned to look to his side where Zelos stood, before the counter with a few boxes as promised. And a rather passive, if curious expression on his face.

“O-oh, no, it’s nothing,” Lyner stuttered as he hastily placed the child’s toy back behind the counter. “They just…they probably had kids or grandkids, that’s all.”

Zelos chose not to verbally respond, thankfully. Though, Lyner did feel a sense of pity, no, sympathy in his gaze and in his aura. There was also a light sense of…worry. Perhaps, due to wondering whether he had received another vision of some kind. He found him somewhat unresponsive so soon after the first, after all.

Lyner gave him a small smile, a hopefully reassuring one, as he retrieved a storage box from him and tried to busy himself with packing away from of the equipment and reference guides. Still, as he did so, a new fear crept into the back of his mind and despite himself, despite being the one who always offered reassurances to others, he found himself seeking comfort from Zelos once more.

It might seem strange to outsiders, that a man who was so prickly and flighty toward others would be the one that brought him a sense of calm. But it was true. He did not know when it came about, yet he also did not care.

“There was a creature with a set of dog tags,” Lyner began slowly, choosing his words carefully as he continued to fill in the storage boxes with materials and equipment. “They were obviously that of a soldier. Will we…encounter small creatures, the size of children?”

“Probably not,” Zelos immediately replied, without missing a beat or hesitation. “Other than the dog tags, there was nothing else to differentiate that creature from the others. And if we do, I’ll deal with them.”

‘So, you don’t have to.’

Those words were left unsaid, but they raced through Lyner’s mind all the same. Whether he felt them through Zelos’ aura or was simply wishful thinking on his part, he found comfort all the same.

He also felt a light sense of guilt.

“I’m sorry, I’m being really difficult about this, aren’t I?”

Zelos waved his hand dismissively before he grabbed the box Lyner had been working on. “After what you’ve just seen…it’s fine.”

Lyner watched in silent gratitude as Zelos hitched the packed storage box under his arm and headed out the entrance door, to place their newly gained materials into the back of their jeep.

Zelos was very tolerant toward him.

Was it because he bore the mark on his forehead, thus new skills and abilities that had proven crucial for their survival and success? Or was it something else?

…He hoped it was because of something else.

Lyner turned and threw himself back to work. He did not know how much material was stored in the backrooms of the shop, so it was possible they may need to make two or more trips between the store and their safehouse. Thankfully, by being located in town, Lyner had greater leeway when it came to warning times.

Still, he wanted to get to work on a medicine or antidote as soon as possible.

As Lyner sorted through the materials, he stumbled across handwritten letters and notes. Hundreds of them, without exaggeration. Hastily written notes scattered all over the apothecary. The great majority did not make much sense to him and he paid little attention to the others.

One note stood out to him, however. It was simple, short, and abrupt, yet it held significant meaning to him. Haunting in its relevance.

‘There are special forces near the mines. Can’t go there.’

The mines…Lyner felt an uneasy feeling creep into his chest. Not unlike the feeling of dread that would befall him before a fog, but more like a deep-seated feeling of apprehension. A feeling that he wanted to brush away, to forget and ignore for warmer, calmer feelings. However, an inquisitive part of him wanted to…concentrate on it. To, perhaps, learn more on it.

Yet, something stopped him. All he felt was that strange feeling of foreboding dread, without a single cause or explanation. No rhyme or reason. No matter how hard he tried.

It, however, was not the first time he had seen or heard the mines mentioned. First the police station where they believed the creatures originated from. And then his vision, where that poor family spoke of trying to escape through the mines.

But why would…?

“Zelos?” Lyner immediately called out to the mercenary. “Have a look at this.”

Not a moment later, the dark-haired man appeared from the back of the store with more empty boxes in hand. He, however, set them aside on the counter and made his way to Lyner’s side. He stood next to him, his left hip resting against the counter as he quickly ran his gaze over the note that Lyner had discovered.

And a pensive expression appeared on his face. “Special forces, huh? They weren’t here for the people. They don’t do crowd control, you could say.”

Yeah. With them involved, the orders to shoot escapees on sight was a very real threat.

Lyner turned to face him fully. “It also means there is something going on around the mines.”

Zelos nodded, having reached that assumption already. “Where are the mines?” he asked as he set the note down onto the counter.

Lyner idly pointed toward the front entrance of the store. “South of the region. At the very bottom of the map.”

“Ok, good. We’re not anywhere near and haven’t been anywhere near them.”

A frown tugged at Lyner’s lips as the light ache in his chest returned and he tried his best to ignore it. “You don’t think there’s still encampments there, do you?”

Heavily armed encampments at that.

“I don’t know,” Zelos admitted freely to him. “But I’m not going to head down there and confront the fuckers head on. They won’t take lightly to invaders like you and me.”

Lyner winced but conceded to Zelos’ words. They were indeed invaders in the Human Realm, and if the military and their so-called special forces would treat their own people so poorly, what would they do to those of another world’s origin?

“We might have to visit the mines at some point.” Lyner idly rubbed his chest as the pain increased further still. “The mere mentioning of the place makes me incredibly uneasy, for some reason. And…I just can’t get…a grasp on why.”

“I’m not letting anyone near the mines until I know what they are and what to expect,” Zelos suddenly stated, his tone sharp and his words firm.

For a fraction of a moment, they startled Lyner. Yet, the truthful undertones soon became evident and Lyner was touched with feelings of caution and protection. Toward him. He could not read Zelos’ mind, far from it. But something in his presence told him, not in words but in feelings, that he did not want him specifically near the mines. His intentions were to keep him safe.

He found such intentions warm and comforting, openly endearing. They diluted the ache of fear and uncertainty that welled up in his chest, replacing it with a sense of calm.

Lyner smiled softly and nodded. “Right. Let’s spend some time gathering information on these mines before we approach them. And we’ll keep this conversation between the two of us.”

In response, Zelos looked at him, his dark gaze quietly searching his face. In return, Lyner fell silent, also taking the moment to study the other man’s features. Sharp, fierce, but chiselled with years of trials and heartache he did not want to accept or acknowledge. The features of a man who had been through a thousand battles yet would willingly walk through a thousand more.

And yet, there was a…vulnerability to him. He surrounded himself with near impenetrable walls, kept everyone at a distance, invoked negative and often malice emotions in others to…protect himself. Protect his fragile heart.

That…was not fair. Zelos should not have to do that. Should not feel that he needed to do that.

In the silent lull that fell between them, Lyner came to the realisation that they had moved closer to one another. Perhaps unconsciously on both their parts. Perhaps Lyner had been the one who subconsciously moved, closing the distance between them in his endless quest for peace and comfort, both he found in Zelos’ presence.

What was more striking, however, was that Zelos did not try immediately try to lengthen the distance. Had he…not noticed?

Yet, Lyner had noticed. It was up to him to put some distance between them, knowing full well that Zelos did not take to anyone entering his personal space. Up to him to take a respectful step backwards.

Despite knowing all that, his body would not move.

Instead, he felt that strange feeling again. That unfamiliar sense of yearning to do something. Yet, he still did not know what he was meant to do. Just a vague need to…close the gap further…

“Hey, you two!”

Lazarus’ voice was jarring.

Lyner felt himself jump, a motion that pulled him back into the present, and he skittishly whipped around to face the entrance of the store. He…he could scarcely believe it; he had been caught completely off guard by his companion’s voice. After days of sensing nearly everything before it appeared, virtually before it happened, he had been caught off guard. He had not sensed Lazarus’ presence. He had not sensed York’s either. He had not taken any noticed when the two approached.

If Lazarus had not called out to them, cheerfully and without a care in the world, the two could have walked straight up to him and he would not have noticed.

What…what happened…?

“Good news,” Lazarus announced cheerfully as he and York strolled casually into the store once more, storage boxes in their arms. Without a concern, he then dropped one said box upon the counter with a loud thud. “We managed to find that New Age store York mentioned.”

Lyner immediately perked up. “Really? You got me some crystals?”

York deposited the box he carried upon the counter, also. “Heavy as hell. We just grabbed what we could. Unfortunately, a lot of them weren’t labelled, so we don’t know amethyst from quartz.”

Honestly, he was not all that surprised nor bothered. He was working with a few unknown materials from the apothecary, as well. Some trial and error were the appropriate course of action to take anyway.

“We did find a crystal encyclopedia,” Lazarus added.

“Perfect,” Lyner replied as he retrieved the thick book from his fellow blond and instinctively began to flip through the pages. “That makes things a lot easier.”

Before he could get too far into the compendium, however, Zelos effortlessly grabbed it with his hand and snapped it shut. Right in front of him.

“Now isn’t the time for reading,” he chided as he tugged the book from Lyner’s startled hands and lifted it out of reach. “You can do that once we return to the safehouse.”

“R-right.” O-of course, he was not about to start his research right there and then!

“Well, then, let’s hurry up and pack this place up so Lyner can get to work,” Lazarus said in his usual carefree manner. “And before it gets too dark. We also need to make a quick run to the store as well.”

“Right, right.”

#fanfiction #fiction #adventure #mystery #suspense #action #supernatural #fantasy #young adult #lyner #york #lazarus #zelos #the curse of empathy

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