Fenrin groaned as Jayln tipped the water between his lips. "Come on, stay with me," she muttered watching satisfied as the man swallowed, his body shuddering.

"If we can't get him up tonight, I don't think he's going to make it." Jayln sighed turning to Matius who had his eyes closed, focusing on his magic. Fenrin’s body was already weak, but now that he was trapped unconscious in his mind, the last of him was wasting away.

"I'll do as much as I can." Matius's eyes flickered under his eyelids. He reached out and Jayln took his hand.

They both coughed as smoke clouded their vision. The air was hot and heavy, Fenrin was fighting off a number of black robed figures, a silver sword gleaming in his hand.

"Do you see her?" Matius asked peering through the smoke.

Jayln also scanned the mindscape and then pointed. "There!"

The Niv form watched Fenrin fighting, creeping closer with each swing of his sword.

"Right, you stay with Fenrin." Matius flew off, his hands glowing blue to try to banish the demoness once and for all.

Jayln ran to Fenrin, grabbing one of the robed figures and sending it crashing to the ground. "I'm here, what do you need?" she said, whirling to kick another cultist in the jaw.

Fenrin turned to her, recognition crossing his scarred face. "I need them off," he said, glancing down with gritted teeth. Jayln followed his gaze and winced to see the ball and chains wrapped around his ankles. They were the ones Jakob made.

Jayln flinched as Fenrin roared in pain, a number of black splashes of energy burning into his side. He tried to turn but the manacles slowed him down and one of the cultists slashed his arm. Jayln pulled the cultist back, the figure seeming to dissipate her hands.

She moved to Fenrin, kneeling to try to take the manacles off but her hand went right through. "I can't touch them," she said frustrated.

"Then get the damned archer yourself," Fenrin roared and Jayln looked up to see an arrow pierce his leg. She followed its path to the shadowy figure who lowered the bow, nocking another arrow. She ran, tackling it and wrenching the bow out of its hands as it too disappeared. Jayln drew the bow back aiming as a cultist who raised a fiery hand towards Fenrin. Her arrow cut him down and she moved to the next target.

Her and Fenrin fought for what seemed like eternity against the never ending wave of enemies until at last, an exhausted Matius stumbled to her side.

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"I think I've done it," he said, panting. "The rest is his own torments. I can't do anything against them here, but at least the false memories should be gone."

Jayln caught Matius as his legs gave out and they both hit the stone floor of the cell. Fenrin was twitching and breathing heavily. Jayln watched as the torchlight played over his gaunt face. The man was starving to death. She looked determinedly at the food they'd brought for him and lifted Matius up.

"Wake him up."

"You sure?" Matius said his words a bit slurred. "He's still a mess inside."

"He's going to die if he doesn't eat something regardless of the state of his mind. If Niv’s influence is gone, then his best bet is to wake up."

Matius nodded and pressed a hand to Fenrin's forehead. Fenrin froze and then fell limp for a moment before his eyelids flickered open weakly.

Jayln gently touched his shoulder and he flinched. "It's me, Jayln. Can you move?"

Fenrin turned to look at her suspiciously but his muscles tensed and he hissed before falling limp again. "No," he said weakly through gritted teeth.

"You need to eat something."

Jayln went to the tray of food and brought back an apple, not one of Matius's, but red and delicious nonetheless. With a small knife, she cut a thin slice, reached, and pressed it against Fenrin's lips. He accepted it, chewing slowly. One by one, he got each slice down as Matius rested against the wall, head between his knees exhausted from banishing Niv’s shadow.

As Jayln got more water down Fenrin, he coughed, "Where am I?" He tried to look around but again his body wouldn't respond.

"You're in Aziron. Safe," Jayln said soothingly and Fenrin looked at the ceiling, a strange expression somewhere between confusion and distrust on his face.

"I don't feel...it doesn't hurt."

"You're safe here. No one is going to hurt you. Eat more."

She managed to get him to eat a few bites of eggs before he closed his eyes. "I'm tired, so tired."

Jayln stood up and turned to Matius, who was asleep against the wall. She stepped out and called for Fa'raz. The girl peeked in and Jayln said, "Do you think you could get me some blankets and a cot if possible."

Fa’raz nodded and disappeared returning with an armful of blankets and word that a cot was on its way. Jayln thanked her and placed one of the wool blankets over Fenrin who had his eyes closed and was breathing slowly but a bit unsteadily.

When she went to drape the other over Matius, he jolted. "Wha--Jayln? Makers, I fell asleep."

Jayln leaned forward and kissed him. "Go get some sleep in an actual bed. I'll stay here and watch Fenrin."

Matius ran his hand down his face wearily. "You'll be careful and get me if you need?"

"Of course."

With a nod to Fa'raz, the girl eagerly moved forward, helping Matius up and pulling him along to his apartment. Soon a cot whistled through the open door, Jayln shaking her head still not used to objects moving on their own. At first she put the cot next to Fenrin's but then bit her lip and with a sigh shut the cell door and laid down safely on the other side.