Haru coughed as she woke, trying to focus- her world swam, and slowly, she hurled herself to the side, managing to get an arm underneath herself. Charlotte was there- oh, thank gods, Haru thought to herself, trying to stand; Charlotte helped her up, but she collapsed again, head spinning, beginning to shake Fox's shoulder. Her ears rang like a tornado siren having sex with a dial tone, but still, she fumbled to feel for a pulse; Fox was alive. Before she could focus on anything else, Haru lurched to the side, retching- though her stomach was empty, and she only tasted stomach acid.
Voices, ringing in her ears, she could hardly focus- again, she managed to get an arm under herself and tried to stagger to her feet- Ica, Lif- pulses? Before she could make it, Haru gagged and fell to her knees, head slamming off the floor.
Moments later, she woke, grabbing at the floor, one of her nails snapping. The sound that ripped from her mouth was ugly; a broken, desperate scream that tasted of blood and bile, but she managed to get herself onto hands and knees, reaching out for Aurelia, Lif, Eileen… and then she went down again.
Not unconscious, though- no. Haru was aware of a sickening twisting in her stomach as she grit her teeth, growling, fighting to stay conscious… but the fight was slowly lost, and she blacked out at last, head lolling to the side.
When at last she woke, her head pounded faintly with a headache, and the world felt… wrong. So did her body; her chest tight, her stomach in knots. Exhausted, Haru slowly swung her legs out of her bed- for that's where she was now, and made for the door.
"Hey," A voice, behind her, whispered, stopping her. Fox had stiffened and sat up in an armchair near the bed; there were dark bags under her eyes, and she seemed disoriented.
"You look like shit," Haru muttered, voice raspy.
"You too, lover," Fox croaked, covering her mouth. "Let's get some… water. I was waiting for you."
"Sounds good," Haru agreed, turning and staggering into the hall, trying to make her way toward the kitchens; her head swam, and every step felt like it was carrying her just a bit too far- she was weightless and made of lead all at once.
"Ngh…" Eventually, the badger girl had to pause, tail flicking anxiously, and Fox staggered into her to try and steady her, but ended up hitting a knee.
"Haru…" Fox whispered, and there was fear in her voice. "What's happening to us… Lif got us to bed, but… he's no better…"
"I don't know, maybe Eileen or Ica will know something," Haru whispered, eyelids heavy, and slowly pulled Fox to her feet, clearing her throat. "Come on, let's go and talk to… let's…"
"Don't pass out," Fox whispered, and Haru nodded, swaying, falling to her hands and knees and wincing from the pain to her knees and breasts from the shock.
"I…"
"I'll… get the water, you just sit," Fox whispered, and Haru nodded, hauling herself around and shoving her back against the wall, panting.
"What is… happening to me," Haru whispered, not quite able to focus her eyes, panting; it was as though a fire were being kindled in her chest, and slowly, she succumbed, head falling back against the wall, sleep once again sinking its fangs into her.
-
Aurelia staggered down the hall, grabbing the wall and covering her mouth in the effort not to throw up; every step was agony, and it felt as though knives were tearing through her veins, spinning as they went. Finally, though, she managed to overcome the pain and stagger into the comms office, half collapsing into a chair and weakly pushing a few buttons.
There was silence as she picked up the phone- an encrypted line hidden in this room. For several long moments; nothing but ringing, and then a cocky voice that sounded as though it might belong to someone knowing the world would get on its knees for him.
"Sup?"
"Aerendyl," Aurelia croaked, swallowing. "Please, Wolfpack is dying, get here… figure something out… Aurum…"
"Aurum did this?!" Aerendyl snapped, suddenly lethally serious.
"No… she'd write us off… as dead… need you…"
Click. The line went dead.
-
"I need to go," The blonde angel grimaced, gently disentangling himself from his lover and smiling down at her.
"W-What…?"
"I love you, I do, but some of my friends are dying, I need to save them," He smiled sadly and pushed through the front door, vanishing; the door rattled and the snow around his porch had melted, but all that was left of the archangel was a golden streak blazing into the evening sky.
-
Eileen woke slowly, vision blurred, and immediately she understood one terrible truth; whatever afflicted her, it was eating her from the inside out. Coughing, blood spilling over her chin, she hauled herself slowly to her feet, staggering, hitting the desk- when had she reached a bed?
Grabbing her staff, she slammed it into the floor and began to channel, healing herself… the pain in her limbs faded, but it did not disappear.
Come on, damn you… She fought, channeling firmly, closing her eyes and focusing… but, no. She stalled, she healed, but the virus met her spell in equal force.
"I'll… buy us some, time," Eileen whispered, and raised her staff, slamming it into the floor; from her, a sparkling wave of soft, amber light spilled into the hall, sweeping across the base not in the explosion she might have produced a few days prior, but in a slow tide like syrup. It hit everyone; she made sure of that- and then, she collapsed into a chair, breathing, focusing on the spell.
"I… shield myself at all times… I can manage this…"
She, too, was beginning to fall asleep again, but the spell was cast, and death was, if but for a time, biting at the bars of a cage she'd put them all inside.
-
Aerendyl didn't hesitate; he never did. Unfurling his wings, he touched down on the helipad of Wolfpack's Castle, walking forward and looking about; a few guards waited for him, uneasy.
"What's going on?" He, Aerendyl, asked sharply, crossing his arms.
"King of Starria attacked," the soldier to the right explained, clearing his throat. "They said he crushed some sort of orb and black smoke filled their meeting areas- now they're all sick. Eileen is keeping them alive."
"Eileen, the elf?" Aerendyl clarified, stepping toward the door, and the other soldier nodded, replying now.
"Soldiers who've brought them food aren't getting infected- you can go inside, and as best we tell you're safe. Please be careful, though, and try not to touch them. Thanks for coming, sir," He added, opening the door for Aerendyl, who nodded and strode inside.
As he went, he took out his cell, dialing.
"Aurelia, where are you?"
"Bed," The voice came back, and Aerendyl nodded, hanging up and making his way toward the dorms. As he walked, soldiers and janitorial staff looked at him with unease- some bowed, some nodded, but Aerendyl ignored all of them on his way to the hall of bedrooms, checking one.
Ica, sleeping.
Lif, asleep.
Aurelia, awake.
"Good morning sleeping beauty," He chuckled without humor, walking in. "Tell me everything."
"Don't call me sleeping beauty…" Aurelia whispered, swallowing. "I look like hell," SHe added, whispering, and she was right; dark bags under her eyes, and her veins were visible through her tanned skin; dark, muddy, more visible around her eyes and along her arms.
"King of Starria did this, right?" Aerendyl raised an eyebrow, and he never would have admitted it, but his chest felt tight with a worry he hadn't felt in a long time; Why am I so worried? It's not like I'm close with any of these people- and Charlotte hates me. Still… I can't let them die. "Tell me everything."
"He said that he wanted to meet to… talk about a truce. Made it sound like there was… something unjust about the war," Aurelia croaked, coughing; when she did, blood hit the corner of her mouth, and Aerendyl scowled, stepping forward, but the half-fairy shook her head and raised a hand as if pleading with him to back off.
"We're dying, and…" She continued, and Aerendyl nodded, narrowing his eyes, taking in every word as if any breath might hold the cure, here. "We've already had specialists from… across Mir, and one from Alcantore… visiting us, but they can't find anything… cept for one…"
"One? Got it, what did he say?" Aerendyl pushed.
"He's waiting for you… in the lounge… go talk to him," She whispered, eyelids fluttering. "I need to close… eyes…"
"Don't you dare die, Aurelia," Aerendyl nodded, quite aware of his heart beating on the right side of his ribcage, wings rustling uneasily as he turned, folding them behind his back and shoving out of Aurelia's room.
"Back to the lounge," He muttered, voice soft, and started down the hall at a jog.
"Sir," a voice greeted him when Aerendyl reached what seemed much like a dormitory lounge, and he turned, walking forward; if this was the specialist, he looked the part- rich, aloof, with skin like sable and warm, dark eyes. The man wore a pale sweater and dark slacks, and he'd accessorized cleverly; single stud earring and a golden watch that sat, subtle and striking at once.
"Good to meet you," Aerendyl reached out for a handshake, and the doctor took it, shaking firmly.
"I am Jabari," He introduced himself with a slow nod. "My mother told me- Jabari, your name means to be fearless, and to help others, even when it is easier to walk away. So I became a doctor; it is fitting, no?"
"Sorry, but I don't care about your history- what do we need to do to save them?"
"Classic politician," Jabari sighed, nodding. "I have ascertained one thing for certain; this virus is sentient. It is seeking, actively, to kill your friends- they are to die, and killing the virus would be to kill them. As a parasite, it has attached to their nervous system, and removing it would leave gaping holes inside of their body- it is as though the entity will keep them alive until it has consumed all of them, from the inside, so zat there is nothing left to heal." As he spoke, Aerendyl felt his chest tightening, stomach twisting into knots as he imagined their final moments- but no. He'd save them. He had to.
"I see zat look in your eye," Jabari began, a warning in his voice. "However, I am archangel- as are you. Our power is not enough- if you know any gods, or any very, very special arch-healers, now would be ze time. Even ze elf cannot save them; she stalls- and for how long, we cannot be sure."
"What are you planning to do?"
"I am planning to do what I do best, Mr. Angel; study, understand, and try to find a cure. I will continue to contact my friends and my colleagues and all of the favors that I know- to save these people. In the meantime, director of the Contracted Arms of Ravenwood- now is your time to call in favors, as well."
"Right." Aerendyl nodded, stepping back slowly. "Right. Favors."
Do I know any gods that might be able to help? I've heard of Playwrite, but never met him. Then, there's the bargainer. Any other god I know wouldn't be able to help here. I should go to Starria- interrogate the king, make him talk.
"Thanks Jabari."
"Give me your number, so I can contact you if there is any update, and vice versa," The doctor nodded, pulling out his phone. "-and angel boy, do not fly to the king of Starria. I see zat look in your eyes, but ze political fallout will make waves- and make you, your people, an enemy. Cure first. Vengeance later."
"Right," Aerendyl nodded, eyes glassy, taking a slow breath and walking toward the door, rattling off his phone number. "I'm… gonna see what favors I can call in…"
"Good bye, angel boy."
"Bye, Jabari."
-
Aurum sat quietly in her office, taking a slow breath as she watched the TV; she could see the truth, but Starria wouldn't. The news clip was playing again; it had been, every hour for the last ten or so.
"King Myrkul of Starria has been transported to a private hospital for treatment after he attempted to broker peace via Wolfpack; the prestigious private military of Mir. During his visit, he claims to have been shot, and all of his men were killed in the crossfire. This has in part unified Starria's people in the cause against Mir, and-"
Click, Aurum turned the tv off.
"You're dead, killed in the crossfire," She purred at the two men who sat cuffed across her desk. "I'm going to ask you this only once; did you know that your King planned to attack?"
"He didn't attack!" One spat. "There was an explosion in the room, and then-"
"Silence," Aurum snapped, and both men had the good sense to be quiet, but the other looked more contemplative. Curious, Aurum turned to him.
"What's on your mind, soldier?"
"Not all of Starria believes in this war," He answered. "Ma'am? Your majesty? I think it's possible that we initiated the attack, yes. I don't like it, but his majesty told us all that we were there for peace, and yet asked us to wait in the hall. It could have truly been a show of good faith, and of trying to broker peace. Or… a front, and one that none of us could testify to."
"Oh my, a wise man," Aurum smirked, glancing slowly at the other soldier. "You could learn some things from your friend, you know."
To his credit, the angrier man was silent now. Smiling, Aurum continued.
"We have established that Isabella, the supposed wife of the King, is an arch-demon. Her real name was Belladonna Dinn, and her powers evolved in an old war early on after the formation of Contracted Arms; her village was full of drug peddling and rape, so it was ultimately razed when reformation proved impossible. She slew eighty soldiers and vanished; but she also left dna in the form of blood at the scene. We found it on the nails of one of our agents; maybe one who tried to stop her. That said, I'm positive Wolfpack has done no such thing; and you two? Unfortunate sacrifices, nothing more." Realizing that she'd spoken quite a lot, Aurum sat back, sighing and focusing on breathing.
The men, too, were silent.
The angry one looked… defeated.
The calm one looked angry.
"What do you two want, from here?" Aurum asked, quietly. "In a perfect world, where you never shot at my men, never tried to hurt anyone- what comes next for you?"
"I want to go home," The angry one snapped, but the calm soldier is the one who surprised. Her.
"I want to kill myself, your majesty," He spat, and Aurum blinked slowly, eyes widening.
"Pardon?"
"I won't stay dead. I'm damn sure of it; I want to be killed," He added, leaning forward. "Not because I'm angry- not just that. When I was a kid, I- there was- look there's a lot of swirling thoughts in my head, but the point is that this is a last straw for me and I'm damn sure I'll come back."
"You don't need to be an angel or a demon to fight for me," Aurum shook her head, and the now-angry man shook his head, snapping, such that even his fellow soldier looked horrified.
"It would give me more strength- strength to help! To turn on that backstabbing piece of shit and-"
"Enough," Aurum whispered, and he silenced reluctantly, but he did not deflate. "What is your name?"
"Callum," The man snapped, looking away.
"Callum. I may have a place for you, here. As for your friend… he'll be sent home."
"Really?" The formerly-pissy soldier asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. We are not in the business of keeping prisoners of war," Aurum smiled, nodding. "However- your king is rallying people against us with naught but lies. Remember that you bring your machines to a nation of dragons and magic and patron gods. We will save my wolfpack, and when that is done, there will be no mercy for anybody loyal to your King."
Callum stood slowly, thinking for a moment, looking down at his hands, still cuffed at his waist… and then he stepped forward, putting his arms around his former comrade's shoulders and cinching the chain of his handcuffs around the other man's windpipe before anybody realized what was happening.
Surprised- maybe fascinated- Aurum watched the soldier suddenly buck and struggle, choking, until he turned red in the face, and his lips slowly turned blue… and eventually, the struggle ceased, and Callum stared down at the corpse before looking up at Aurum and spitting on her desk, scowling.
"I won't stand this, anymore. I should never have let that cushy title spoil me."
"You disobeyed my command," Aurum laughed, leaning back and looking out the window.
"A murderer died. May a few more innocents live for it- I'm not going to take this anymore!" Callum snapped, shaking his head. "My entire family line has been royal guards, it's just- I took my salary and I smiled, I'm not-"
"I formed Wolfpack," Aurum cut him off, "-out of people unafraid to disobey me. I will pardon this, but no more killing in my office, alright?"
"...what?"
"Welcome to the winning team, Callum."