Snippet #2557200

Oberon, feeling the sudden change in mood from Haru, ran towards the door and smashed through without question. It was a heavy feeling that struck him, something that felt absolutely off and yet familiar. He knew a curse when he felt one hanging around his head.

Upon seeing the blood on Haru, Oberon froze up for just a second before running up towards her. He clutched her hands and felt around for the wound.

"MILI-AN," he cursed, "Haru, what ails your form?"

Haru squirmed, blinking back tears as the fire ate at her heart and at her flesh. Pain rippled through her body like the waves through the sea. Tears welled up in her eyes, her vision swamped in red and black as definable details began to swamp into fuzzy shapes. Oberon's voice was just an echo, shouting over her now as Haru begged for death. Her skin seemed to be devouring itself, disappearing more and more from the two points into larger and larger holes. Blood and tissue, veins and arteries were being severed at an alarming rate and little by little, Haru was dying.

Her heart beat, rapidly expanding as her chest quivered and jerked and she found she could suddenly scream as the pain intensified at the source. Her arm twitched, her lips parted in jagged breaths. The pain left her chest, her lungs drawing in a wet breath as Haru suddenly went very very still.

Not wasting a minute, he pulled her clothes back to keep the wounds in the open air. His mind frantically searched the area around him for something, anything, that he could use to treat the ailments, but there was nothing. A few precious seconds and he gulped, there really wasn't much he could do other than heal her himself.

Though there was some initial backlash in his mind, like the point about him simply touching her, he didn't seem to care about such things seeing as this strangely calming being was now dying in his arms. She was important, he told himself as he tried justifying removing his glove.

When his uncovered glove touched her wound, a sudden shock was sent through him and Haru. The feeling was absolutely invigorating as his inner energies forced itself through and into Haru. It was . . . pleasing . . . was this sex?! Wait, OH GOD, WHAT IF HE GOT HER PREGNANT FROM HIM TOUCHING HER!?!??!

He almost pulled back before he could heal her fully, but kept on as he powered through the embarrassment.

Haru gasped. Her hand grabbed at his own, tenderly, her skin silky and soft, as a strange sensation filled her body. It wasn't a feeling of dread, a knowing that one is about to die. It was a feeling of life and of power. It surged through her body, crashing against her quivering breath and stammering heart. She quieted under him, struggles vanishing as little by little the pain in her chest left, creeping back up along her arm until it had been replaced by a thick humming coursing through nerves. It was a feeling often given to her by Elisa in the dark of night, a rejuvenation ritual. Did he know of it too?

Her eyes fluttered and she locked them onto that strange metal helm, daring enough to reach up and touch the cold steel.

The first thing that Oberon did was pull back and put on his glove. With the look on Haru's face glaring into his soul, he just couldn't handle it embarrassment of being so naked in front of her. As soon as he did this, however, he pulled her in for the hug. Though he wouldn't have admitted it, he had been very much afraid of what had occurred. The thought of her passing was just such a earth shattering realization that he was shaking to the core.

"Obra-da-jael" he said with bated breath, "You made me feel fear priestess Haru . . . what was that?!"

"I-I," she stammered quickly, blushing as he pulled her close against him. Her cheek rested against his shoulder, her body giving a small tremble as she rested against his robes. What had happened? She hadn't been wrong in saying her illumination spell. It had only backfired into her. By what? It had to have been a curse, a backfiring curse. But who would want to kill her?

The only people who used the altar were her and Elisa. Elisa! Haru's eyes flew wide and her voice grew urgent as she pushed herself up to meet Oberon's eyes.

"I think someone tried to kill Priestess Elisa!"

"I think that is to be expected, no?" Oberon said still holding her in his arms.

Oberon didn't have much to say in terms of what she was suggesting. An assassination attempts were of the norm within Tyralin society given the amount of sects and sub-groups within their religious community. Indeed, though they were united under one banner and under the leadership of their Praetor, the Tyralins were, as they said, squabblers. Honestly, he was surprised that Haru wasn't remotely aware of being near a large political figure.

As his panic passed, he helped Haru up, looked around with his mind to see if there were any traces of magical intrusions. There were none and even the damn fish-man was no where to be found. Then again, Kilroy never did use curses . . . he preferred to carve his prey up.

"But what of you, has it passed?"

He knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from her. It would have made him feel better.

In all truth this was the first time she had been exposed to an attempt on Elisa's life. The Priestess had been wise to keep Haru in the darkness about the attempts. It was said Haru was so sweet and innocent, so pure and white as freshly fallen snow, that news of an attempt would have broken her heart. Elisa hadn't wanted to worry her pupil and so didn't divulge the information. However, this experience had shaken her to her core and as Oberon held her she trembled.

"I think I'll be alright," she said, smoothing down her dress with a small blush, "Thank you, Oberon. I don't know how you did it, but you saved me."

She reached up and gently kissed the metal mask where a cheek would be. She held both of his hands, her eyes were fearful, burning with a blue flame.

He was quiet at this. Technically, since he was only watching Elisa, he didn't have to stop Haru from warning Elisa. Following her would be the best option, or so he said to himself.

"And I shall follow," he said coming along her side, "If the assassin knows of his or her failure, you may be attacked as well."

"Or maybe I should wait here," she said suddenly, "You don't think they wanted me, right? Of course not, nobody would want me."

She shook her head, looking into the seeing glass above the altar.

"No, Elisa's being protected by the Lion, I'm sure she'll be alright. I'll tell her about it when she gets back."

"I would have liked you-" he said with the slip of the tongue.

He froze, that was not supposed to come out of his mouth. Immediately he tried to catch his words, "That is, if I was with them and you were away. You are pleasant company . . . and you would most likely prevent me from murdering one of the idiots around her."

Haru gave a small smile.

"Thanks. But you shouldn't joke about killing things, Oberon. I don't think you're a killer," she gave a small shrug, "Come on, we shouldn't linger here. Only Elisa and I come back here."

With that she walked forward, staggering slightly as her head spun. Blood loss was no small thing and Haru felt so thirsty. Her head hurt as she made her way to the entrance of the temple and out towards the soft glow of sunset with Oberon following as faithfully as he said he would.