(LORE) HEALING

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:36 pm

Too weary. She was getting too weary. "Get everyone into the forests, it's not safe here." she said with urgency, but her emotion was barely behind it.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:53 pm

Micah hesitated, as if he wasn't sure how he felt about following orders from her. Then he turned and saw the survivors' faces. Nearly all of them were staring their way, watching Mizuki with a curious respect and hope glittering in their pained eyes. It was like she'd spoken to each of them individually, and helped them through their situation. For all he knew, she had. And their unity alone was more than he'd been able to accomplish. If they were of one mind to follow her, he damn well wanted them to follow her. "We'll move further in, half mile," he told her, searching her eyes with his and wondering how she'd done it. "You don't look well," he said low enough for only they two to hear.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:55 pm

She inclined her head to his instructions and smirk slightly. "I am not well. In emotion and physical energy. But I'll live..." She said tiredly and began walking. 'For now, I'll live.' she added to herself.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:29 pm

Micah and about 50 others watched her as she moved. Micah crossed his arms, cringing when the left one throbbed like he'd forgotten it was damaged. "You want me to do something?" he speculated, glancing at the child in her arms and back at her. "You're going after him, I suppose." He couldn't help it; he made a living off predicting people, though it also made him tend to want to know everything that was going on, even when it wasn't his business. But in a way, this was his business. Mizuki was important not just to him, but to the survival of what remained of Hepian city.

* * *

Soran swallowed hard and finally got up from where he lay across Sid's body like the cross on a T. Sid groaned faintly, the sound high in his throat like he'd been holding in a breath for a long time. Sid rolled onto his side using only his hands; his back begged not to use any muscles, but he didn't want Soran to attack him from behind while he lay on his stomach. At least they could both breathe again, though it was foggy with smoke in the room. It was still infinitely better than being outside.

Soran walked slowly around the perimeter of the cellar, exploring their environment. He came back to where he started and sat on the base of the steps they'd fallen down, ignoring Sid's curious gaze as it followed him. Letting out an exasperated breath, he rubbed his throbbing temples; it felt like his head could explode at any moment, and his eyes stung bloodshot from the smoke. Otherwise, though, he was remarkably intact. He rested his elbows on his knees and his forehead on his knuckles, and just sat there.

"You're not going to say anything to me," Sid asked tightly. "Rhen," he tried again when Soran gave no response. "Fine." It hurt too much to talk, anyway, he told himself. Gods, he wished the elf would say something. How petty of him to want his friend's reassurance at a time like this. He dug his face down into the crook of a charred elbow, not caring if he got sliced while he wasn't watching.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:00 pm

"No," she said and glanced over her shoulder. Micha wanted to know what was going on. Where one of Hepian's only hopes was. Mizuki felt sorry that she couldn't get to him. "I could not get to him. I will later." There was a determined promise in her voice. She jerked her head in the direction of the forests.

"Come, we can't stay here any longer." Amazing what the feeling of loss did to a person. She felt torn, weak, defeated, yet strangely strong enough to lead people depending on her.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:09 pm

The refugees looked at each other and in a silent consensus, began following Mizuki deeper into the woods. Micah observed in curious amazement and walked alongside her. After a while he pulled a canteen off his belt, unscrewed it and held it out to her. "The water from the outpost was distributed to the people already," he said, offering it to her. Smoke and burning heat dehydrated people pretty quickly.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:17 pm

Nodding, Mizuki shifted Rai in her arms so she could have a free hand. Taking the canteen, Mizuki to a swig then handed it back.

"How difficult was it?" she asked him, motioning to the townsfolk following behind them.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:23 pm

"I had help," Micah said, not really answering her question, "But they're upset and exhausted. Most of them never met each other before, and they all have different priorities on how to move from here. Right now, they're overwhelmed and accepting any leaership they can find, but I don't know how long I can keep them working as a team. Some of them think I'm responsible for this. And this is just a fraction of the whole. Four other groups are being organized at points around the city, with plans to merge with us later on our signal." Micah's bold face looked deep in thought, and rather pale.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:26 pm

Mizuki thought and watched him carefully. She looked back to Rai, knowing full well she could not keep carrying her around like this.

"Get these people safe first. I'll leave my daughter with them... I know some of the women in this group. Then we'll get the rest, and Soran." It was easier said than done. When they finally made it into the woods, they filed in as deep as they felt was safe and then Mizuki let them go from the calming aura. Many became confused, irritated... Mizuki had just put Rai down by the base of a willow tree when she suddenly fell forward. 'Damn...'

Post by **Emora Deen** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:15 pm

Rai blinked and looked her blury vision around. "Is daddy back yet?" she asked to no one in particular, just wondering if anyone was there since she couldn't really see. Her eyes were clearing and she could smell smoke thick in the air. What was happening?

"Mommy?"

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:40 pm

Inside the foundation of Micah's house, Rhen and Sid sat in total silence, smothered in the muffled roar of the fire above them. The temperature had risen extremely high in the confined room their were in. Soran had removed his sweat-soaked shirt and charred coat and stuffed them around the edges of the door to keep the inferno from vacuuming the oxygen out of their temporary oasis. Sid likewise offered his for the same purpose. Soran had taken it without a word, and they still weren't speaking, though the rising bruises and cuts inflicted on each other's bodies earlier now spoke volumes.

Sid thought nonstop about how to approach Rhen and come to terms with everything, working in anxious circles in his normally carefree mind. The worry on his face looked out of place for his features.

For Soran, Sid was the last thing on his mind, except that he was grateful for his silence. He'd lost contact with Mizuki before; was that his fault, or had something happened to her? His head was swimming from the oppressive heat; he could only hope that was the main reason they were disconnected. Still, he kept trying to find her again in the darkness. After a while he felt stupid, looking for voices in his head where he knew perfectly well there should be none. Had he imagined her from the start? He went on calling out, or that's what he thought he was doing. Mizuki was the seer...he didnt know what he was trying to do. His heart kept beating faster, trying to keep his body cool and only making it worse. He avoided panting, wanting to conserve oxygen for as long as he could.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:04 pm

Squinting her eyes and breathing hard, Mizuki tried to give Rai a look of reassurance. All the fields of protection she had placed on Rai, Micha... others, had fallen and everyone was beginning to feel the surpressed sensations once again. Rai and Micha were probably in pain right now.

"Mommy's here sweetheart." Mizuki said through a struggled gasp. She had really over done it. Damn, she couldn't even remake her connection with Soran...

She had actually lost her power temporarily. The blackness began to slowly burr the edges of her vision, if it persisted she'd be unconscious. All her plans would fall short, by the time she even managed to wake up everything would be too late. Soran...

'I need to stay awake... I can't fall alseep...' she thought to herself. She hoped her private prayer would unlock some hidden reserve of energy and power that would keep her awake long enough to save the one she loved.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:18 pm

Micah's breath caught as the spell surrounding him released. He'd known it would happen eventually, though, which took some of the shock out of it. Walking a bit shakily to where Mizuki was, he put his good hand on her shoulder almost supportively. For her to drop her spell, he had a feeling she was reaching a limit of some sort. "Try to stay with us, my dear," he encouraged with a casually chiding manor. "I will look after the others for the time being. And Rai, if you wish. It's okay; go to him while you still have the strength, if you really think he's alive." It was clear he was doubtful, but the rogue had quite a reputation for resourcefulness; perhaps he'd come up with a plan.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:30 pm

Wearily she got to her feet. Amazingly she had managed to regain her edging away consciousness. Her vision still felt blurred though. She spun and swayed on her feet 'til one of the women from the Parent's Day came to steady her. An understanding had come upon the women of the group. Those who knew Mizuki and Soran, trusted them already with the decisions.

"I'll watch her, Mizuki." she told her. The woman's name slipped from Mizuki's memory, but she thanked her anyway and knew her child was safe with her.

"I'll--I'll go, just stay here and don't move." She turned to go them stopped. In her current state, if Soran was unconscious she'd never get him out herself... "I need two men to come with me. Please..." she pleaded when some men hesitated on going back into the destruction and despair of the town. But two men came forward confidently, again, it was two fathers from the Parent's Day. They had been with Soran's group during the treasure hunt.

"Mrs. Nightblade, we'll come with you." said the taller one covered in soot and looked as if he had lost an entire world. In truth, he had. His children, wife... he lost them all. If Mizuki's powers were available to her, she would know that and offer him some kind of comfort. But she couldn't and didn't know. For this man, retrieving Soran from the destruction would be like helping to revenge his family.

Mizuki nodded gratefully and they walked off towards the town, both men flanking her sides, helping her back up when she stumbled. They stayed in the shadows, and avoided conflict with the stray soldiers overlooking the area for survivors.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:54 pm

The town was still a raging inferno, particularly around the edges of the city. Toward the very center, the flames were stifled somewhat from sheer lack of oxygen to fuel them, drowned out by the surrounding blaze.

"Rhen...if we're going to die in here anyway, can we at least talk?" Sid said seriously.

Soran's neck and skull were still throbbing from being knocked out by that beam earlier. He was not a happy camper, but he graced the human with a response. "Sounds like a waste of oxygen."

"Would you stop being so rational for once!" Sid snapped, stopping when Rhen flinched almost imperceptibly at the volume of his voice. He looked down at his knees again, preparing himself to accept silence for the time they had left.

"What do you want me to say?" Soran said quietly, sounding eerily subdued.

"I never meant to betray you, Rhen," Sid said, his nerve snapping back at the slight encouragement of the elf. "Even with Rone, and the spying, I was trying to look after you. It's because I know the only way to get close enough to protect you is usually to do it behind your back. I thought you were dead...I hated Reya for what she did to you. I had no idea that the military would stage your death..." He stared at Soran, who wasn't meeting his eyes and wasn't responding.

"And when I realized you were alive, the first thing that ran through my head was that i had to tell you and your family to get out. But I was pissed! Damn pissed, Rhen, I thought you'd left us on purpose. I was going to tell you everything, but first I had to make sure. Everything went to hell. I know it's all my fault, but damnit... can you at least not seem so happy to hate my guts?" His voice sounded soft, and hurt.

Soran looked away. He didn't know what to say or how he wanted to feel. He was angry and frightened for his family. He didn't hate Sid, but he wanted to. He deserved to hate someone for all of this.