genessia | 004: Aftermath [Action/Video, Backdated to Darkness Event]

[When Vyers finally regained consciousness, it took him a moment to remember where he was, what had happened. It was lucky he'd not been too badly burnt as the fire passed over where he lay.

Slowly, memories started coming back through the haze:

Lucifer. The hospital. His wings...

He had to get somewhere safe and make sure no one was hurt. If Lucifer's spell had worked, then those people would be...!

But every attempt to move was agonising - those gaping wounds in his side and across his back. His right arm and ribs heavy, sending stabbing pains through him, probably broken when he fell...

He couldn't get up.

Vyers lay there on the pavement for a little while - he needed to call for help, warn the others, work out what happened - but what could he do like this? That spell... The hospital could never have withstood a power like that.

Reluctantly, he reached for his videophone and - with great effort - managed to open a video feed. He would have locked certain people out the video, but right now it took almost all the energy he had to grasp onto it and get it working - the device had already been damaged by the long fall.]

[It was a few hours after the hospital's destruction when the shakey video comes on - distorted by a rather large crack across the screen - Vyers can be seen lying on blackened pavement, jacket torn and drenched in blood. The hand holding the device is shaking, so Vyers is only in the shot half the time.]

The hospital, I-- D-did those people-- a, anyone--

[Vyers' voice is raspy, delirious, talking through shaky breaths.]

Ergh...! Can't move… [coughs, his voice sounding more strained as he felt another twinge from his back.]

My-- my w-wings, he took--my--wings...

[A strangled sounding sob escaped him, the demon flinching as he did so. Everything hurt. Every little movement sending a flare of pain through his body.]

Thought I, could stop him...as--as I, did before… [coughs, blood running down his chin.]

That spell, it... The hospital…!

...Gods, help... them... p-please...

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When she awoke, she would see one of the Fayren woodlands around her - the closest sheltered place that Vyers had been able to stumble to.

Vyers was sat beside her, leaning against a large tree, keeping close watch. A grave expression covered his ashen face, and it was obvious when he reached over to put a hand on her shoulder that he was shaking.]

Ah... You're awake... Thank goodness...

[Vyers rubbed at his face with one hand, trying to hide the obvious tear-tracks down his cheeks.]

[Terra reaches up and rests her hand on his cheek with a confused expression on her face.]

Of course... but you're not alright.

[Her voice sounds softer and more tired than usual.]

I...will be...

[She was moving, speaking. Her hand on his cheek was warm. Tired, of course, but alive. She was alive. She would be alright.

As that slowly sunk in, fresh tears started to spring up again - this time ones of shire relief than the terror that had gripped him moments before.

He shook his head, resting his face in his hand, but words would not come.]

[Terra is confused and her confusion only rises as she feels his tears trail down her hand.]

What's wrong?

[She pulls back as he shakes his head, moving her hand to his shoulder.]

Hey. It's alright.

[Where could he even begin to explain? The wounds were left raw and he was not certain he could bring himself to talk about his past in this state. The day's battle and Lucifer's mocking only made this worse. This was too all much.]

When you collapsed, I... I thought you had...I...thought you would...die...

[His voice was wavering. Perhaps she thought this would sound ridiculous now, especially given that he had been the one badly wounded.

He was grateful for the hand on his shoulder, though. Right now, he needed the reassurance.]

[Terra isn't really great with comforting people. She doesn't know what to say or what to do that would help. She stares down awkwardly but keeps her hand on his shoulder so he knows she is still there. It's the first time someone has cried for her and she isn't sure how she feels about it.]

[He couldn't bring himself to keep speaking, not right now. They were alright. They were safe, here.

He did not want to cry in front of her like this, but it would probably be a few moments before he started to calm down. Tentatively, he rested his hand over her's, covering his face with his other whilst he cried.]

It will be okay.

[Terra waits patently for him to pull himself together. She is still trying to figure out what exactly is going on. She has never been very good around people.]

[It took a little while, but finally Vyers started to settle down. He was exhausted and drained and all of this was too much, but there was only so long the tears could keep falling. It was perhaps a small mercy that - thanks to the healing magic - the soft sobbing didn't hurt him.]

...I...apologise you had to see that...

[His voice was wavering, but at least he was pulling it together.]

It's alright... Are you... okay?

[She is trying not to be awkward but Terra is trying to still be comforting. She keeps her hand on him and tightens her grip slightly.]

Y-yes...I will be.

...I just...when you collapsed, I thought for certain...

[He trailed off, hesitating a bit.]

Perhaps I was not entirely thinking straight.

I'm sorry. [Her voice is quiet, she had no idea what else to say.]

You should not be the one apologising...That was not your fault.

[He hesitated a bit, wondering if she wanted an explanation.]

I apologise if... my reaction worried you.

...In the past, someone very dear to me died under...similar circumstances. With all that had happened, I... could not see beyond that.

I'm sorry. [Terra isn't sure what to say. She can't understand the feeling of losing someone because she has never had anyone to lose; no one she can remember. Her eyes fall to the floor and she stays perfectly still, like she is back in the army waiting for orders to be sound.]

[He could tell that this conversation was making Terra uncomfortable. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and took a few moments to try and regain his composure.]

... N-no, I apologise. I should not be pushing my insecurities upon you.

[Vyers sighed.]

No... no, it's alright. [Terra reaches out with both hands, placing them on his shoulders.]

Everything will be alright. [Her soft voice rings clearly as she looks him in the eyes. It's awkward but she leans her head forward resting her head on his shoulder in a weird version of a hug.]

[Vyers blinked a couple of times in surprise, before just wrapping his arms gently around her shoulders to return the hug. He had not been expecting her to show affection like this.]

...Yes...the worst is over...we will be alright.

Yes.

[Terra mustered up the biggest she could and gave him a comforting squeeze.]

004: Aftermath [Action/Video, Backdated to Darkness Event]

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