Death and Tide

[Mirach]

"Yes..." Death whispered. "Yes, it's what we hoped for and yes, we lured them quite effectively to one place towards the blood. But still they used to be my friends... and... that death wasn't nice. Please allow me a moment of mixed feelings..."

[VisAnastasis]

A shadow of pain at the memory passed across Being's eyes - no death coming from the shadows in the night was a nice death. He seemed torn for a moment, and then unexpectedly, he raised up the creature slowly upwards with both hands to his shoulder, and it leaned against it and hugged it.

" My friends also hunted me, and I had to defend myself, and my people, unsuccessfully, unlike you... Whatever's left of them is killing your friends right now.  " was all that he whispered compassionately, holding the creature close.  "Things shouldn't be like this, but they are. We all are loosing. I am sorry for your loss... "

[Mirach]

Death leaned on his shoulder, needing a moment of comfort. "He killed one of the shadows too," he whispered. 

[VisAnastasis]

It was Tide's turn to be stunned.
" We hoped for it, but... Nobody's ever done it before, " he whispered, astounded. " How did he do it? Was it an accident, or can it be repeated? "
Nature Being, just as surprised, had a higher perception of the situation, though, and there were mixed feelings on his face, as he whispered.
" I... don't know. I wasn't looking. It's too scary to look. But I think... " Spirit could feel his fingers twitch a little bit as he focused in the distance. " I think the hunters found your sword... " he said to Death. " I don't know if that's what made a difference, but... You must have dropped it before when you collected the blood... I can feel it's moving around... Maybe it's in a fight... "

[Mirach]

Death froze. "Yes... I don't have it... I must have dropped it when I turned to the winged form to carry Tide inside..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Probably... " Tide seemed regretful, biting his lip. " I am sorry. I didn't want to be such a burden. I was often close to dying, but never so terribly close... I couldn't move... "
" I feel great power outside. " Cernunnos replied quietly. " It can't be any other weapon than that one. And it's certainly in hands of someone that knows to use it... Is it a good or bad thing? " he asked with dread, seeming a little fearful anew as if focusing outside has been raising his anxiety. " Do-do we want him to stand a chance or not? I don't think anyone would stand a chance without that terrible sword. Do we want shadows to stand more chance or the swordsman? I hate... their terrible unrest. They kill so many people, and nobody stood a chance. But... it's as bad for us if a person with the power to wield that sword turns victorious. Maybe... " he gulped, but it wasn't easy for him. " Maybe I could try to distract him, in hopes he'd drop his sword. Without it, he doesn't have a chance to keep up for too long... I don't know if I'll be able to, but I could try... "

[Mirach]

"No, let them weaken each other. Maybe the shadows kill him despite the sword. Or he kills them and you will be free of them. Then we will figure out what to do about the sword. We are at a river, maybe you could use the water to pull it out of his hand?" Death asked Tide. "After the fight, he will maybe want to wash himself..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I could do that if I could watch him so I can aim. I can't aim if I don't see him or sense him, and protective spells are really muddling with my perception.  I can't feel or see anything from here. If I could go out and remain hidden with one of your illussions, I could see him and try to overpower him with water..."
" You can't go out at night!" Cernunnos looked horrified, before he realized suddenly." Oh... Except... If there are no shadows left, I guess then you could... You are right..."

[Mirach]

"Right. We just need to wait and see how the fight develops. Do you feel up to it, if the shadows are killed?" Death asked Tide. "You were quite weak just a while ago."

[VisAnastasis]

" It was a big strain on my heart... I needed a little moment to get a hold on myself. It was just too much. I am not so sure about my chances, but what better choice we have?" He whispered." We are beside water,  and he would be tired from the fight. " He paused, whispering." Because, if we give him time to recover, and he has your sword... We are pretty much done for, aren't we? I have to try something. And... Even if something happens to me, this fortress is safe." His voice broke a little under uncomfortable possibility. " You would be safer here in the fort with Cernunnos for a while, than in open space,  if he would accept you... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, I should be safe here, and so will you, if something goes wrong. We can stay here for a while, until you are reborn, in that case. But I would rather avoid that. Let me heal your heart again..." Death said.

[VisAnastasis]

" I would rather avoid that too... " Tide said faintly, it being apparent that he's trying to stay collected but was unsure before the uncertain future too. He seemed timid, but there was some more warmth and trust in the gesture, as he offered Death his burnt hand to touch, knowing that Death needs contact to heal easier, and knowing by now that he much more prefers to soothe through his hurt hand than unhurt one.

[Mirach]

Death laid his snake head on it, and let his healing powers work almost subconsciously.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide's burnt hand seemed to have gotten a little worse with the experience they have been through, as it was big strain on his soul, and despite all worry, he sighed with relief with the touch, for the first time since they came leaning back a little himself and seeming to be able to enjoy reprieve. Cernunnos, whose mind has been cleared out quite a bit with the gentle healing, only then seemed to realize that Tide was hurt, and he supported Death with both hands to a comfortable position shyly, so he could keep nurturing his companion.

[Mirach]

Death healed his heart and everything he could, including other little strains and effects of stress, but he could only dull the pain in the hand.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide seemed to have gotten more used to this by now, as he has been eased into entrusting creature with it since they met, and especially after tonight, he seemed a little warmed up to him. After he's been feeling quite better, at one point he felt it's enough. He didn't pull back, though.
" You... you're adorable... " he just murmured with a touch of tenderness in his voice, and using hand Death was leaning on, he caressed his chin with a thumb endearingly, as if in thanks.

[Mirach]

Death chuckled a little. "It seems the snake form has some positive effects..."

[VisAnastasis]

"Yes. It makes things like those easier to say. "demon whispered, caressing the little creature's head gently still, but his voice was a little quieter, with a certain softness. "Things, like - you are such a gentle little blob of life... and I find that so adorable. I was so afraid, but I was wrong to be. I''m glad we are in this together... "

[Mirach]

Death accepted the caress, a bit surprised by the words, but thankful for them. "Are you feeling better already?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

" How wouldn't I? You are a wonderful healer. I would worry if I wasn't feeling better." Demon grinned a bit, but there did seem to be something eating him, and in the end, he admitted it." It's just that... I know it's silly... But if he wins and I go out to fight him I may die... And I would rather say a thing or two before that. I would feel guilty if I do not. " He whispered." It probably won't make too big difference to you, but it will to me. I just feel like... I owe you an apology... No, don't owe, per see, but I wish to give you one... "

[Mirach]

"Why would you want to apologize?" Death looked at him, now looking genuinly confused.

[VisAnastasis]

" Because I doubted you." Tide whispered hoarsely."  I doubted you all the time, sometimes more, sometimes less. And I really hate to say it... But I really doubted you a lot today. " He gulped. " When you were before me, sword in your hand, I just... I feared so much, that you would change your mind... That you would perhaps decide to kill me. If you killed me and erased both mine and that demon's in your care memories, surely you'd be able to convince your hunters that you are no longer a threat. That would be much safer and less uncertain route for you. Trusting me to kill all of them is as uncertain as things can get for you, compared to how you had it before, with your guards and your army." He whispered." But it's not that you didn't try that... It's that I could see... That you didn't even consider it. While I was eating myself with fear, all you were thinking of was my health. Even if you could bring me back, you didn't *want* to let me die. You weren't considering what could be safest future... You were too busy making sure I was okay. You flew into the miasma filled fortress before I cleaned it just to make sure I made it too. It would have been smarter to have me clean it and assure your safety first, because if you die, you die for good. It would have been better for the world but you didn't think of world. Under pressure, your first thought was to protect and take care of, and you believed in me. " He bit his lip, indeed sounding somewhat ashamed, but sure and firm about his words." I misjudged you... "

[Mirach]

"Oh... I didn't know you were afraid of that..." Death murmured. "I was just looking if it would be better to do it right away or wait a day... and picked the lesser evil..." he looked at Cernunnos apologetically.

[VisAnastasis]

" What is lesser evil here? It's fine... It's alright. " Cernunnos smiled at them frailly through fever." You did... A good thing. I kindness. Yes, I grieve for the things I lost..." He looked down" ...but it's been so long I can't remember how it felt to be sane during the night... I... I will manage, kind guests... You did good... "
" No... We tried to do good... but we made lot of damage, and biggest one is not on your things, but you." Tide bit his lip, asking with soft voice." How is your leg? It looks really bad... Can you walk?"
" I... There is no need for that. Who needs walking, anyway? Important is that we are all safe. " Creature's voice broke a little bit, but it kept it's composure, as if pretending all is alright was the last thing keeping him from cracking." I was limping before anyway. This, this will just be... An advanced limping, yes... " He smiled frailly " An improved version... You didn't do anything I wouldn't have approved of had we sat down and talked... So there's no need for two such thoughtful faces to be so long..."

[Mirach]

"I can't heal it like other injuries, but I can do something at least, if we find some usable bandages and maybe some balm. For Tide's hand as well... But I will need to change into a form that has hands..."