Kaiden drifts in and out of consciousness as Loden carries him throughout the city back toward the palace. His blue eyes opening briefly before closing again as he succumbs to sleep once more. Brokenfang and Loden were silent the whole time the pair walked, not conversing with each other or looking at one another. The journey back to the palace is filled with this constant battle between wakefulness and sleep, each time Kaiden stirring only to sink back into slumber once more. Kaiden's slumber remained devoid of any dreams or visions. It was an empty temporal expanse, devoid of any communication from the deity Astryaln. This absence left Kaiden feeling a sense of longing, as he yearned for another conversation with the deity, his previous connection having occurred during the proclamation ritual.
Kaiden's sleep was abruptly interrupted as he felt Loden's sudden tension and his near drop from Loden’s back, causing him to jolt awake. Blinking away the grogginess, he raised his head slightly from Loden's shoulder and finally became fully aware of the scene unfolding before him. A cacophony of voices blended together, making it difficult for Kaiden to discern and comprehend the individual words and phrases. Confusion and frustration mounted within him as the sounds of "abomination," "monster," and "traitor" echoed through the air, their meanings lost in the chaos. Kaiden's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the situation.
Kaiden's gaze shifts around, taking in the presence of the guards surrounding them. The guards stood with their swords and spears poised, their weapons drawn and pointing directly at both Loden and Kaiden. Their expressions revealed a mixture of conflicting emotions—confusion, anger, and unease. The tension in the air was palpable as they seemed to struggle with how to proceed. Wulfric stands in front of them, his expression stern and disapproving. His armor shining in the half light of the shaded buildings nearby blocking the sun. A sense of unease washes over Kaiden as his eyes dart behind Wulfric, finally noticing the cloaked warrior being held firmly by three guards. The three guards stood in a tight formation around the kneeling cloaked warrior, each one grasping a different part of the warrior to restrain him. One guard held tightly onto each of the warrior's arms, firmly holding him in place. The third guard stood behind, brandishing his sword and pressing it against the warrior's back, an intimidating presence meant to ensure compliance. The warrior's hood is pulled down, exposing his animal features and face. His mix colored eyes are averted, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.
Kaiden tries to remove himself from Loden's back, attempting to push himself off by using his palms to press into Loden's shoulders and shifting his weight. The process is a bit clumsy as he tries to coordinate himself using Loden's back as leverage. Kaiden's concern is evident for the new warrior as he tries to get off Loden's back, determined to intervene. "Stop! He's a celestial warrior!" he asserts, attempting to defend the cloaked warrior. Loden, however, holds Kaiden in place, using his strength to restrain him gently. "Kaiden, please, stop moving," Loden implores, his voice filled with concern. "You need to rest. You're exhausted and you were injured, let us handle this."
Wulfric's gaze shifted from the cloaked warrior to Loden and Kaiden. Irritation flickered in his expression as Kaiden's words reached his ears, further heightening his annoyance, his expression hardening even further. “What are you doing?” he demands, his tone laced with irritation. “I told you to take him back to his room. The Guards and I will handle this.” Kaiden ignores Wulfric’s words and continues to squirm. Loden holds Kaiden in place still, trying to restrain him from moving any further. "Kaiden, stop! Listen, You need to rest," Loden implores, his voice tight with the strain of effort and concern.
Kaiden continues to protest, his voice growing more agitated. "No, no, he's not the enemy! He's the warrior we've been looking for. Let me go! Let me down! I am not a kid." In his struggle to be let down, Kaiden suddenly feels a wave of dizziness wash over him, depleting his energy levels slightly. With a resigned sigh, he lowers his head back onto Loden's shoulder, his strength dwindling.
A sudden twinge of pain resonates in Kaiden's leg from the once-healed cut. It's as if it's trying to open again, adding to his growing discomfort. Kaiden lets out another weary sigh, feeling the poison's presence beneath his skin, still dormant but affecting him in subtle ways. He shivers involuntarily as chills spread through his body, the poison's insidious influence slowly seeping deeper throughout his system.
Loden attempts to soothe Kaiden, gently reassuring him, "It's okay, just rest."
Loden's reassuring words offer little comfort to Kaiden as he continues to shiver and feel the effects of the poison slowly coursing through him.
Deciding to ignore Loden and Kaiden, Wulfric chose to focus on the new warrior, his authority reasserting itself. The presence of a Beastel nearby the palace raised alarm bells in Wulfric's mind, seeing it as a potential threat not just to the Emperor and Empress but the Empire as a whole. His gaze turns back to the newcomer, his skepticism evident as he considers the stranger's true identity and motives.
Brokenfang, despite his restrained position between the two guards, instinctively picks up on the subtle shift in Kaiden's scent again, his heightened senses keenly attuned to the change in the young man's blood by the scent of the air. Sensing the growing unease, Brokenfang attempts to voice a warning, but his words are forcefully halted by the guards, who push him back to maintain his knelt position.
Wulfric's gaze fixates on Brokenfang, his authoritative presence palpable. "Name yourself, beast!" he demands, his voice booming in command. "What have you done to Loden and Kaiden to warrant their bringing you here?" A tense silence hangs in the air as Wulfric awaits Brokenfang's response, his eyes scrutinizing the cloaked figure for any signs of deceit or malice.
Brokenfang, though irritated by Wulfric's behavior, maintains his composure and responds with a measured tone. "Brokenfang," he says, his voice steady. "That is my name." A hint of hesitation crosses his face as he looks at Loden and Kaiden. Brokenfang, still kneeling on the ground, feels the soft fur of his tail beneath his cloak, and his ears twitch slightly. He sniffs the air, taking in the mix of scents and emotions from the people around him. The tension in the air is palpable, and the smells of sweat, anger, and fear are clear to Brokenfang's sensitive senses. Then, he continues, "The priestess asked me to come.” The tension around him remains high, making the guards' hold on his arms even firmer, their eyes watchful for any sudden movements.
Wulfric's gaze narrows, his suspicion growing. "An outright lie," he accuses. "Loden would never let a beast near the priestess or himself. Beastels are cursed and inhuman." He casts a disapproving glance at Brokenfang before continuing, "Even if the priestess is not from this world and does not know the customs yet, we wouldn't allow a creature like you to accompany him any further.”
Kaiden, his discomfort mounting, struggles to suppress the urge to intervene. Despite his diminished strength, he finds himself growing increasingly frustrated by the situation before him. In a hushed whisper, he mutters to Loden, "Loden, stop this please." His voice, tinged with fatigue and urgency, betrays his desire for a resolution, yet his weakened state confines him to a passive role.
Loden, having heard Kaiden's appeal, appears to have ignored the plea, focusing instead on the ongoing confrontation. Brokenfang, keenly aware of Kaiden's discomfort and the tense scene in front of them all, also picks up on his desire to assist. Brokenfang's sensitive ears catch Kaiden's whispered pleas, sensing the desperation in his words even at a low volume. He watches Loden turn his head slightly away from Kaiden in a dismissive gesture. Brokenfang can smell the mixture of emotions coming from Kaiden, and he instinctively picks up on the presence of the poison still coursing through Kaiden's body. This awareness heightens Brokenfang's concern for Kaiden's wellbeing. However, being restrained by the guards, Brokenfang's frustration mounts, his innate protective nature fighting against his bound state. The guards tighten their grip, their senses heightened in anticipation of any sudden outburst from their captive.
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Brokenfang's voice rings out forcefully, his ears standing erect in emphasis. "I saved your priestess from thugs in my area of the Northern Gate," he shouts, his tone sharp. "He asked me to help you and I am willing to help, I did heal him as well," he adds, his words tinged with barely contained irritation. His next words carry a hint of accusation, suggesting that they haven't been attentive to Kaiden's needs. "And if any of you actually cared about him, you would help him Now!" The guards exchange brief glances, their grip on Brokenfang's arms momentarily softening as they register the seriousness in his words but return to a firm hold once again.
Wulfric's gaze turns sharp once more, his tone hardening as he addresses Brokenfang close to his face. "Kaiden is our priestess," he asserts, "and you have no right to speak of him or to him. No Beastel does." Wulfric then turns his attention to Loden, eyeing Kaiden with a brief moment of softened gaze before hardening once more. Wulfric shakes his head, his skepticism evident in his expression. From his perspective, Kaiden appears fine, merely tired. He interprets Brokenfang's words as a deceptive ploy or a manipulation attempt to gain an advantage. His stern gaze returns as he directs his attention to Loden, asking, "Is it true that this 'thing' saved Kaiden and helped heal him?" The guards' hold on Brokenfang remains firm, their eyes darting between the two warriors, anticipating the response.
Loden's gaze flits between Brokenfang and Kaiden, his attention briefly lingering on the subtle movements of Kaiden's closed eyes and twitching mouth. This sight momentarily surprises Loden, as he hadn't noticed Kaiden exhibiting such behavior before when he was fatigued or unconscious. However, he pushes the unease aside for the time being to focus on Wulfric.
Loden's words carry a note of sincerity as he admits, "Brokenfang is correct, Wulfric. I lost track of Kaiden around the Northern Gate by accident earlier today.” He continues with his resolve, "When I found Kaiden, he was already hurt." Loden's gaze briefly flickers to Kaidan, his concern evident in his expression. "Brokenfang had already dealt with the thugs before I arrived, saving him from danger," he adds, his voice steady. "Kaiden reached out to Brokenfang himself, and was healed by their connection to Astryaln. There is proof of Brokenfang’s celestial warrior status from his ability to heal Kaiden and his celestial mark.” Loden’s words carry a ring of truth, though his expression remains concerned as he glances briefly at Kaiden's twitching form here and there during his speech. The guards' grip on Brokenfang's arms eases slightly, their skeptical expressions giving way to an air of contemplation from Loden’s words.
Wulfric's mind works through Loden's words, grappling with an internal struggle to maintain composure despite the anger coursing through him. His discipline holds him back, but his trembling hands betray the extent of his inner turmoil. Wulfric’s face flushes red as anger seeps through his expression. "How could you have taken Kaiden out of the palace? Loden, How could you have lost Kaiden in the first place especially near the Northern Gate?" he fumes, his frustration palpable. He paces a little, moving closer to Loden but staying closer to Brokenfang as well. "You two should have never left the palace in the first place." His voice rising with each word, Wulfric’s accuses, "All of the reckless ideas you could come up with. Look at him, you put the priestess in danger again." To emphasize his point, he throws his arms up in the air in exaggerated movements, the guards still closely surrounding Brokenfang watch their commander with expressionless eyes.
Brokenfang's heightened senses pick up on another subtle shifts in the atmosphere, his attention drawn to a change in Kaiden's condition. Brokenfang utilizing his acute sense of smell, notes the more pronounced presence of poison in the air. The absence of emotions, coupled with the absence of any stirring from Kaiden on Loden's back, further intensifies his concern. The silent stillness from Kaiden only serves to fuel Brokenfang's growing worry about the priestess’s condition more. He discreetly and deliberately clears his throat, drawing the attention of Wulfric and Loden. "Please, cease this arguing," he interjects, his voice quiet but firm. "Don't you sense that the priestess is in distress? Look at him." Brokenfang's words carry a sense of urgency, imploring them to divert their focus from their conversation and to focus on Kaiden's condition.
Wulfric's face reddens with anger as he steps closer to Brokenfang, his voice raised in irritation at his words. "Don't you speak to me in that manner, beast!" he snaps, his tone sharp. Loden, his concern growing, gently directs his attention to Kaiden, his voice laced with worry. "Kaiden! Are you okay?" The guards surrounding Brokenfang remain on edge, their hands still loosely gripping his arms, uncertain about the impending confrontation between Wulfric and their captive.
Loden's concern deepens as he tries to elicit a response from Kaiden, gently moving the motionless figure with a slight turn of his body. However, Kaiden remains unresponsive, offering no sign of awareness to what is happening around him. Loden notes the absence of the burning or discomfort he usually feels in his mark when Kaiden is injured or in distress. A sense of unease envelops him, further fueling his concern. The guards surrounding Brokenfang watch the exchange between the unresponsive Kaiden and the worried Loden, their attention firmly fixed on the unfolding situation.
Loden, his worry mounting, urges Wulfric to consider Brokenfang's words. "Wulfric, Maybe Brokenfang is telling the truth," he insists, his focus shifting back to Kaiden. However, before Wulfric can respond, Loden interrupts him, his voice urgent. "Kaiden! Wulfric, Kaiden's bleeding!" The tension in the air escalates as Loden's words carry a sense of alarm. Everyone's attention immediately shifts to Kaiden, and they notice the blood seeping out of his nose. Loden's concern intensifies as he tries to examine Kaiden, trying to assess the severity but cannot due to Kaiden being on his back. The guards tighten their grip on Brokenfang unintentionally, their attention suddenly shifting to Kaiden's condition while Wulfric's anger is momentarily forgotten, replaced by concern for the young priestess.
Loden, his voice filled with urgency, cries out to Wulfric again, "Wulfric, help me! Don't just stand there, heal Kaiden! I can’t reach!" Loden's frustration and helplessness is evident in his tone. Everyone seeing that he cannot make direct skin contact with Kaiden since he is on his back, their clothing interfering. Wulfric snaps out of his previous state, rushes to Loden's side, his concern etched across his face. He quickly removes one of his gloves, revealing his glowing celestial mark on his hand. "Okay, I'm on it," he says determinedly, placing his hand on Kaiden's bare arm.
His mark emits a soft but intense glow, the silvery celestial energy begins to seep into Kaiden's body once again, seeking to stabilize and heal the young man. A blinding surge of silver energy bursts forth then, causing the guards and Brokenfang to instinctively look away from the intense glow. However, both Loden and Wulfric quickly recover, their eyes adjusting to the bright light. The guards, momentarily stunned, shield their gaze, while Brokenfang quickly acclimate to the luminescence, his vision adapting swiftly.
As Wulfric's celestial mark emits the surge of energy, its form changes to sparks of silver energy, it momentarily envelops Kaiden and Loden and then vanishes. Wulfric steps back, giving Loden space as he attempts to rouse Kaiden one more time. Loden gently maneuvers Kaiden, his voice filled with concern as he calls out, "Kaiden, hey! Open your eyes!" The guards surrounding them maintain their watchful positions, their gazes fixed on the unfolding scene, while Brokenfang observes silently, his expression a mix of worry and anticipation. Brokenfang utilizing his acute sense of smell, notes the less pronounced presence of poison in the air than a few moments ago. The silent stillness from Kaiden only serves to fuel Brokenfang's growing worry about the priestess's condition. A collective sigh of relief spreads through Loden, Wulfric, and Brokenfang as Kaiden begins to move on his own. The subtle movement from Kaiden lifts a small burden from the celestial warriors, providing a momentary respite from their worry.
Kaiden slowly stirs on Loden’s back and arms, shifting his head from Loden’s shoulder. Though his energy has been somewhat replenished, it remains significantly depleted. His leg continues to sting though, as if needles are still embedded within it. Kaiden's voice is weak and strained as he murmurs, "My leg...it still hurts." The tension in the air remains palpable, with the guards and Brokenfang all watching intently as Kaiden awakens and speaks softly.
Loden nods in agreement and swiftly proceeds to go into the palace, his mind focused solely on Kaiden's condition now. As he passes by Wulfric and the guards, their weapons having been lowered, he gives a brief instruction, "We need to summon a physician to check on Kaiden. The healing isn't working." Stopping right beside Brokenfang, Loden then addresses Wulfric again, "For now, let's consider Brokenfang one of us. No Beastel, but a Celestial Warrior of Astryaln. Kaiden trusts him, so we must trust him too. Brokenfang, quickly follow me."
The guards exchange glances but comply, their grip on Brokenfang loosening, allowing him to follow Loden into the palace through the main entrance. Brokenfang quickly pulls his hood back up as he walks quickly behind Loden, his eyes maneuvering around as they briskly walked, taking in all the sights of the palace.