Death and Tide

[Mirach]

Death held him and talked to him while Tide did the stitches. Then he started healing the rest gradually.

[VisAnastasis]

After stiches were done, Tide eased the hold lightly, letting Death heal without disturbing him. He kept humming sothingly, while observing curiouusly how the wound was mending before his eyes. Cernunnos did not watch, but more healing progress, calmer he felt, and he kept leaning on Death trustfully, breathing more evenly, as if from enduring the moment, he began enjoying the care.

[Mirach]

The two pieces of soul were still different in origin, and it took Death a bit longer to heal them together seamlessly, as if he would be healing one hurt soul. But the boundaries were being blurred under his touch, and soon Cernunnos could feel the limb, a bit awkward, but a part of himself.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide's soul part, that was now his own, felt vibrant and bubbly to touch, and while it loved being part of Tide before, it was full of joy coming with simple existence. It felt joyous and exciting to have such essence a part of his own - essence healthy, unrestrained and feeding of positivity and happiness. Cernunnos couldn't help but grin shyly with the freeing feeling, and he slowly opened his eyes.

The healing of Death was done perfectly, and Tide's stiches held the deep parts together just as well so they would heal with time. He looked at his foot, and shifted a bit, trying out the feeling. It took a moment of figuring out, but creature seemed smitten and delighted as it managed to move the thumb a little bit already, it probably being first time in many eons since his frail body obeyed him so effortlessly, without resistance or braking. He teared up, and looked at them both.
" I... I... " He stuttered a couple of times hoarsely, before finally being able to finish the sentence." Thank you... "

[Mirach]

Death smiled, forgetting his own pain with it as he sensed Cernunnos's joy. "I'm glad we could help..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I... I am afraid I have nothing valuable anymore... to return this kindness with right now. But, now... Now that my forest isn't of danger to you... please, do come again. " the creature said suddenly and overcame with emotions, now that Tide's and Death's hands were free, he took one of each and kissed them earnestly, the joy he felt overwhelmed and needing to be expressed somehow. " Books here are ruined... but Emil still has some old cookbooks left in the other fort. If... When you get back, dear guests, I'll make you pancakes with honey and walnuts, bake you pie of honey and cinnamon, cook you a broth with good vegetables and honey... I'll light for thee fire and give you my best blankets, balms and medicines. Next time, I'll greet you a proper host, and have more to give, I promise... "

[Mirach]

"That sounds delicious," Death said. "I'll be looking forward to it. And we should see then what can be done about the books. If they are just soaked with blood, it should be possible to save them."

[VisAnastasis]

" They did not look salvageable to me... This new invention, paper, that little Svarik brought me, is wonderous, and I stashed the supplies very nicely on their own shelf in my treasury, using it sparingly... But when I tried to see if anything was left untouched, it looked all crumpled and ruined. There was... so much blood. Everywhere.  " he whispered. " The rest of my books are of parchment. But a lot of those were rather old writings... Many were frail, to begin with. They have chipped away and torn by the stream... I... I don't really know how... eager I am to salvage them. " he explained thinly. " It feels... improper... unnatural... To try to dig through layers of mixed blood and pages. It is a gruesome sight to put us all through. Wouldn't it... be selfish, to want that? "

[Mirach]

"It still grieves me when books are destroyed," Death said. "Maybe leave them now, but when we get back and we are all feeling better, we could see what can be done."

[VisAnastasis]

" You are not servants to me... you are my dear quests. You don't have to come just to work. " Creature couldn't help but smile a little faintly. " I loved my books... very dearly. I... would lie if I said otherwise, little snake. But I love company the same... Come to rest, come to visit, not work. I can survive without writing books again... But I am no longer a tree. " he whispered meaningfully. " Trees feel no loneliness, and trees do not long for embraces and company. Do come again, please, not to do me a favor this time... but to share my joy. Maybe this time it will be different. I feel... more whole that I have been since as long as I can remember. I can finally breathe without breathing in the stench of decay I've brought to myself. Now that there's no longer miasma burning through my veins every moment from layers gathered over the ages, maybe... Maybe I won't get in so much pain and excrete so much more of it... Maybe I won't have to stay alone then. There will be more joy I could share with you then, I hope... "

[Mirach]

"We will be happy to come," Death said. "But I think now we should go, so we can get to the sea in time..."

[VisAnastasis]

" If the sea is safer for you... Yes. You should go. Once you get out of the forest, I won't be able to protect you, so after you go beyond it's borders you shouldbe as swift as you can... " He whispered." As soon... As soon as you eat, you may go... "
Tide in meantime passed through the layers briefly, appearing with a leg, as if it was never lost. He listened to Cernunnos's words, but suddenly, he reached for his pockets and seemed to panic. He searched through them.
" Where... Cernunnos..." He whispered, appearing at a loss." Where is my mirror? I left it with you last night... "

[Mirach]

Death understood what the mirror meant to Tide, and so he looked around, as if hoping to find it.

[VisAnastasis]

It was nowhere there, though, and Tide seemed to grow miserable realizing he doesn't know where it is. Cernunnos bit his lip, trying to remember.
" I am sorry... I am so sorry... The memories are so blurry..." He whispered." I just... The trees, the flowers, the sea under sunlight... It was so beautiful. I wanted to watch it until the end. But one minute, I was watching the sunset... The... The next..." He grimaced." The river of blood poured over me. I don't remember anything afterwards, before I recall finding myself carried away in Tide's arms... Only flashes.... Of broken clay, and bloody papers scattered everywhere... "

[Mirach]

"You can try to find it," Death told Tide. "I'll wait here with Cernunnos."

[VisAnastasis]

" It's not some tiny room... The whole basement level of the fortress I used as my treasury, keeping my precious things... " Cernunnos whispered unhappily. " Maybe... Maybe I should go too. I won't walk, I promise, I know I shouldn't. Xia can carry me if she is kind enough. Maybe if I go there, maybe I could remember where it was last time... "

[Mirach]

"I'll stay here with Emil then and wait for you," Death said.

[VisAnastasis]

" You were really ill before... If Xia is going with us, may I wake Emil? " Cernunnos pleaded. " Just to keep you company and make sure you have anything you need. I'll be happy to let him sleep after you go, just not to leave you awake on your own. I... Don't really know how well we will fare down there. It may take a while... "

[Mirach]

"Alright then," Death said hesitantly.

[VisAnastasis]

It seemed that whatever Emil was doing last night took a lot out of him, and he was sleeping deeply, even in sleep curling close to his father. Despite not seeing him often not to get ill, there was clear gentleness between him and Cernunnos - demon shook his shoulder gently, and whispered soothingly to him, explaining the situation as the child was rubbing his eyes. He must have noticed there was some difference to his father's voice, as it wasn't filled with pain and struggle as it always was, and when he looked at him and noticed the new, although awkward, the whole leg, he was at a loss. Cernunnos stuttered to explain shyly, but Emil was bright and understood quicker than old creature could explain - and it sobbed with happiness, and embraced him firmly, not seeing his father this whole and well in years.

[Mirach]

Death did not interrupt their exchange, taking a moment to close his eyes and rest.

[VisAnastasis]

They spoke in whispers for a short moment to take it in, and then Cernunnos bid from him to keep a watch over his guest, while they go search for the mirror. The child glanced at Death a little hesitantly but nodded.

Xia was a little unsure to leave Death's side, being worried for him, but when she was convinced he'd be fine, she gently licked his hair twice, comfortingly, as if in promise she'll get back. Then, Tide helped the weak demon climb on her back, and they left to seek for the lost object, leaving Emil and Death alone.

[Mirach]

Death looked at Emil after they left. "Do you feel deceived?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

The child looked back at him. It was looking at him intently for a moment.
" What for? " it whispered in the end.

[Mirach]

"Not telling you who I am," Death replied.