Horatio breathed slowly. His fingers ran over her palm, his eyes down towards the hospital floor. The pulse monitor was his lifeline, he listened to every single beep intently, as though it would stop if he did.

She was alive, at the very least. Sylvia, though drained, had sustained no injuries, not even a split end, but her eyes remained closed. Another day was coming to a close and he had not heard a single sound from her. Not a single heavy breath, or fitful dream. She laid still, alive and immobile. He had been told she would take some time to recover her light.

"Sylvia, please wake up." Horatio begged.

Sylvia remained motionless. The beeping continued.

Horatio took in a deep breath, sterile air filling his lungs. "Hey you, do something...anything." Horatio's body heaved as he spoke.

"Report: There is nothing we can do. The Toldaap's advanced V.O.I.D. technology has already accelerated Sylvia's healing, outclassing anything we are capable of." The Analyst replied.

Horatio cursed. He knew there was nothing he could do. 'How did this happen?' He thought. He knew that answer, Margulis had supplied it to him, the doctors had said the same. The shroud had dug into her and drained her of 'light'.

But he had saved her hadn't he? He had done his best to keep her safe, had taken a spear to his shoulder to make sure she was unharmed. He did not understand. The pain he felt through the bandages said that was true, he had indeed done that, yet Sylvia was like this. What's to say she's going to wake up at all? And even if she did, would she still be the same Sylvia who had raised him.?

He never forgot what Nora had told him, of the other Sylvia. Even then he had been worried, had felt that shift in personality at least once before. What if the Sylvia they knew was her light, who would this 'dark' Sylvia be?

Margulis had told him not to worry too much, that Sylvia's light would eventually regenerate. He would believe her, of course. He needed any hope that she was fine, that he had not caused the destruction of his last remaining family. Could he possibly abandon her just like their parents had them? He wasn't even sure he could say that of them, when neither of them had any memories of parents to begin with.

But no matter what he knew with absolute surety, that this was his fault. He had thought this a game. He had agreed to Margulis' invitation for his own selfish reasons. He had had his fun, and someone had to pay for it.

Horatio fell to his knees, grabbing hold of the bed cloth. He sobbed quietly, shaking and cursing fate. It was almost routine at this point, the grief was renewed every day as his actions stole that day away from her. Over and over he would remind himself that he was at fault. He would not let himself forget this, no matter what.

"I'm sorry Sylvia, this is all my fault, you shouldn't be here," Horatio sobbed. he was alone with Sylvia. For the first day Margulis was here. She had not come again, telling him she could not bear to see him like this. He knew she wanted him to cheer up. He knew she would not want him to be broken for no reason. He knew she was right and that Sylvia would be okay. But what he did not know was what he should do.

Horatio slid the door open stepping out of the medical room. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. It was a sleek new model Margulis had gotten for him. Guilt hit him again, leaving Sylvia's side was robbing him of his penance.

"Hey, Margulis." He said into the phone. He was walking through the Toldaap mansion, making his way towards the exit. He had her number on speed dial and she always picked before the third ring.

"Horatio." Margulis' voice came through, "I'm a bit busy right now, is there an emergency?"

"No, nothing like that. You're at our spot right? I'm coming over." Horatio hit the 'end call' button before Margulis could answer. He didn't need her to, he could tell exactly where she was from how her voice sounded.

Horatio breathed deeply, taking in the crisp smell of the thick trees. If everything went according to plan this would be the last time he would walk through these woods.

"Flauna," Horatio called. The flame came into his palm exactly as he wanted it. The Flauna had become more obedient after the incident. Horatio waved the fire away.

"This is stupid." The Analyst spoke out of line. Horatio ignored it.

"Don't ignore me, you know I'm talking to you! You're overreacting Horatio." It said.

Horatio chuckled "You know, this is the first time you've ever called me by name, I was begging to think you didn't even know it." He said. The Analyst did not speak again.

"Hey Margulis." Horatio waved at her, walking into the clearing.

"Horatio-" Margulis jumped. Horatio noticed a few sigils closing. "How did you know I was here?"

Horatio laughed, "Where else would you be?" He said as he drew close.

"Is everything okay, Horatio?" Margulis' face softened as she watched Horatio's slowed gait. He gave her an apologetic smile, realising she had noticed.

"I um, I was just with Sylvia." Horatio began, gesturing generally, "She doesn't seem to be waking up soon." Horatio said keeping a straight face "I'm worried." He shook his head dismissively, "I'm scared Margulis."

"Horatio," Margulis started, she paused searching for what to say. "She's going to be fine. Sylvia is one of us, she can't be taken down by something like this." She said.

Horatio sighed, he knew he couldn't drag this out too long. It was the way Margulis made him feel, she could make him reconsider without saying a thing. He played with his fingers, cracking them absentmindedly. He shook his head, it was now or never. "You' know, I've been thinking about where my family fit in this whole scheme." He started.

"What do you mean? Horatio?" She asked. Horatio smiled.

"We're neither here nor there are we. I know we're not really human, the things you told me have cleared that firmly from my mind. I mean, Sylvia closed the rift? I would have thought that impossible." He said, "Then again, it's clear that we're not really Voidwalkers like you Margulis, and no amount of believing will change that. I've begun to notice things I don't want to Margulis, my normal life seems to be slipping away with no hope of me getting it back."

"Horatio, Horatio. Wake up." Horatio rose slowly, his vision blurred, his dream fluttered away. He blinked, feeling residual weariness on his eyes. Before him was a blurry shape, green dots slowly focusing to jade eyes..

"Horatio, what's wrong?" He heard a voice ask. Horatio ran his hands over his eyes, they came away wet. Had he been crying? He looked up to see Nora staring down at him, her face stained with worry.

"Hey." Horatio forced a smile.

His head hurt.

He ran a palm over his face. "This again?" Nora's voice was plaintive, she looked down on him softly, her hand reaching out to his cheek for a moment before withdrawing.

Horatio looked away, his head hurt even more, and so did his chest. "Sorry." He mumbled.

Nora sighed. She pulled a chair and took a seat by him. Horatio felt her hand on his back. "Horatio, tell me what's going on?"

Horatio's fists clenched. As soon as he heard Nora's words his mind and body reacted. He had hidden something and she wanted to uncover it.

He closed his mind, intentionally blocking out Nora's words. He didn't want to remember, it hurt too much. But his brain wasn't listening. He heard the voices, loud as day, then he started seeing the sights.

His memory had become more vivid, tactile hallucinations caused by trauma. He was aware of that now. Every time he had been pulled back into memories, forced to relive them for some form of relevant information. But he had made peace. So why were the visions still haunting him? Even now when he they should not?

"Horatio you can't be serious." Margulis' voice said. Horatio covered his ears, blocking out the sound of her voice, blocking everything out. The memories still came, ignoring the fact he had closed his eyes and covered his ears, he saw Margulis. Her face was pale as she spoke, her voice shaky and weak. And it was his fault.

"I am serious." He felt himself saying. At the time he wasn't really sure of what he was saying. He knew why he had to do it now, but it still didn't lessen the pain.

"Break our bond Margulis," Horatio said, authority in his voice this time. the authority that he lost when he was bound. He glared at Margulis, piercing her with his eyes. Margulis shrunk back, defiance written on her face, but a broken resolve lay under.

"Horatio, please don't do this. Sylvia can protect herself. We could protect her if it's necessary." Her hand reached for Horatio's. He pulled back, watching her with eyes that hurt. He didn't mean it, it was just necessary, otherwise, he would rescind on his decision. "You won't be able to defend her against the rifts if you break the bond." She said.

"I don't want to put the people I love in danger Margulis." Horatio said, his voice rising. He did not want to shout, not after they had moved back to Sylvia's room to talk.

"Breaking the bond would only hamper your ability to protect them." She said. "Don't be silly Horatio, don't let your loss do the thinking for you." She advised.

"Oh, so now thinking about my sister is being silly?" He asked.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"I didn't say that. What I meant was-"

"How about you talk like that once you lose your family!" He shouted.

"I've lost far too many!" She yelled back. Horatio flinched. "I lost both my dad and brother to the Void, this is a mission I'm too invested in." She said.

Horatio shook his head. "And so what? With your mother being so high up that barely matters does it?" He said.

Margulis' hand flew quick as she reached out to slap him. She hit hard, the anger on her face unmistakable.

"Don't you dare Horatio." She warned.

"Or what? You domineering Voidwalkers will force me to put myself in danger? I'm not doing this anymore Margulis, I'm out." He said.

"You're being rash Horatio."

He turned to her with disbelief in his eyes. For a moment he felt bloodlust that he waved away. He shook his head and said, "I don't want to hear that from you."

"We're more alike than you think Horatio. Let the cowardice go." She said.

Horatio had heard enough. Without warning he swung his fist. Margulis had been expecting it. She blocked it and pushed him back with a little too much force, sending him into a rack that carried medical accessories. He hit his back against it and groaned.

With a frustrated exhale he ran his hands through his hair, it began to glow and his eyes sharpened. He flicked his left hand, forming a blue sigil that depicted calm waters.

"I should at least use this before I lose it." He said. Fresh water began to pool at his palm.

Margulis sighed and raised her hands readying herself, "We're going to look back on this someday Horatio, and we'll laugh." She said hopefully.

Horatio rushed her, powered by his energy he was faster than she could react to. He hit her in the gut and pressed her against the wall. "You don't understand my pain!" He roared.

Margulis huffed and pushed against him then swung. He dodged the blow and released the water wave, slamming Margulis into the wall again. He dashed at her.

Margulis set an icy plains sigil at Horatio's feet, sending him toppling into a facefull of boot as she kicked him hard. He reeled back and she pushed on him dropping him to the ground. "Why are you being so irrational Horatio?" She asked.

He struggled in her grasp. "Sylvia is all I have! I don't want to lose her!" He yelled.

"For the last time, Sylvia is fine!" Margulis yelled back. "Can't you see your fear is tearing us apart?" She asked.

Horatio did not answer but blasted her up using a tempest sigil. He caught her in the air, grabbing her as she came down. He tried to slam her but she twisted him as she came down, using the force to pin him once more. "You should be resting Horatio. You're the only one injured here." She reasoned.

He refused to answer. He heart pounding with things he couldn't put into words. "Fuck you!" He cursed.

"Tch." Margulis punched him in the face, once then twice. His grip loosened with each him. "I have no idea why you're being so reckless but you should think about it in your sleep." she said and punched him once more, and a final one for good measure as he passed out.

Margulis sat on his midpoint, breathing heavily. "Dammit!" She cursed again. She could not understand him, building mountains out of molehills.

The ward door opened and in came two people in suits, Aiden and Servia.

"What the hell are you two doing?" Aiden spoke first. "You can't be fighting in a hospital." He said.

"The fight's already over." Margulis said smugly. "I need a favour from you two. Could you talk some sense into this numbskull?" She asked.

That was his memory, the terror that troubled him, the repercussion for his actions. Like a tormenting ghost, it had done its job and then left, leaving Horatio back in his classroom with Nora beside him, her caring notions misplaced on him.

Horatio held Nora's hand tightly. 'If only I could' He complained to himself. He had analyzed every possibility, there was just no way for her to know without raising incompatibility.

He had searched so desperately for truth, and now he would do anything to make that truth a falsehood.

"Horatio tell me, please." Nora begged again.

Horatio felt his heart quicken, blood rushed through his veins in a powerful surge. Nora's tone made him feel different, she was comforting him. 'This is my fault,' He noted 'Nora shouldn't have to worry about me.'

"It's nothing, really." He said, he hated having to lie. It took all he had to say those three words, to keep the others from tumbling out. He had fought with Margulis, again and again. He did it to keep Sylvia safe. If he had to make enemies with the world to keep his family safe, he would gladly do it. Their bond was broken now, they were no longer partners.

Nora was silent. Horatio took that as a good thing. He was happy she understood him, but as he sat waiting for her to move on to another topic another feeling began to show itself. It washed over him like a freezing bucket of water. He felt as though he was drenched in it, drowning in a sea of it. He had began to be more and more acquainted with it. He would speak its name acidly, Guilt.

He looked up to face Nora. He had to do something, say something. Nora looked back, her gaze was unpleasant, an angry visage glaring back at him. His heart sped up, he could feel bile in his throat, he hated himself right now.

"I guess it's a first." She sighed.

"A first?" He asked, the pressure in his chest exploding into panic.

"The first time you've insulted me, and it really hurt. To think I'm stupid enough to believe that." Horatio felt Nora's disappointment. To him, it was living breathing thing. It was a monster that bore on him. A beast of his own making, with claws and fangs ready to strike. He felt it take out his heart and devour it whole. "With what I already know of you, what more is there to hide?" She asked.

"I'm sorry."

"You've changed Horatio." Nora stood up, grabbing her bag. Horatio knew her words to be true, He was no longer her helper, neither was he her savior. It would be a stretch to call him her friend. He was broken now, weaker than that day at the dam seven years ago.

"I'm sorry." He said again. Nora shook her head and left the classroom. Horatio stared at the shut door, then it dropped back onto the table. His mind felt slowed, as though bogged in marsh.

"I need help." He said aloud.

"Indeed you do." The Analyst responded.

"What do I do?" Horatio looked at the door again. He had to leave the class but his body felt unresponsive.

"I simply stated that you need help, I did not say I could provide it, or that I would." The Analyst said.

Horatio sighed.

The classroom door slid open. Horatio froze, so did the one who entered.

Horatio felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. He couldn't believe his eyes. Fire burned at his throat, he felt like throwing up. The heat hammered at his chest and a sharp pain touched his palm.

He closed his hand into a tight fist, feeling his nails cut into his skin. When he spoke his voice was a dangerous growl, the word 'red' raced through his mind.

"Margulis." He said acidly. The red-hair did not break her scowl. The air was icy, chilled electricity zipped through.

Margulis entered the classroom, not breaking eye-contact with Horatio, piercing him with her glare. "Don't soil my name with your lips boy." She warned simply.

Horatio smirked. He held out his palm, ordering her to stop. He had noticed it now, the stressed crackling that brought her here.

"This one is mine." He said. He had become much better at sensing rifts, he had to, to keep those he cared about safe, their number recently lowered by one.

Margulis smirked at his statement. "Try and take it from me, Horatio."

A glassy shattering rang through, Horatio swiftly assimilated the energy, mixing it with his as he pushed it through his body. His body took it readily, his eyes and hair turned red, once again he was back in business, after weeks of silence.

Horatio pushed open the small white gate, stumbling into his front yard.

"Ow!" He cried accidentally pushing too much weight on his injured leg. He dragged himself inside wobbling dangerously.

"Another fight!?" He heard Sylvia ask as he wobbled inside.

"Don't worry, nobody was seriously injured." Horatio huffed, propping himself against a wall.

"Well except for you." Sylvia noted, her eyes moved over him. Horatio noted her worry.

He smirked, Sylvia was too caring for this world.

"I'll heal." He groaned. He felt frustrated and angry. He though again about the fight.

'That cheating bitch!' he cursed mentally. He definitely would have beaten her, if she didn't fight dirty. Just how was he supposed to avoid a fireball at point blank?

Luckily the fire element he gleaned from the rift protected any major damage. 'Wait, was she trying to kill me?'

Sylvia sighed "Wait there, I'll go get the first aid."

Horatio watched her go. He was grateful to the Toldaaps for speeding up her recovery with their V.O.I.D. technology. She had woken up just a week after he broke ties with Margulis, three weeks after his first fight with her.

It was explained to her that the Toldaaps owned a highly advanced private hospital. A front Horatio had requested, though they would have lied anyway, his request was ignored.

Sylvia came back, holding a black box. "Take off your shirt, let me get a good look at your injuries." She said.

Horatio hesitated. "Maybe I should do it myself. You shouldn't have to worry about me." He said with a light laugh.

"Nonsense Horatio. I'm your big sis, it's my job to worry. Now take off your shirt so I can treat your wounds, and no more fighting." Sylvia said sternly.

Horatio gave her a tight smile. Slowly he took off his shirt. As expected Sylvia stood motionless for a while. She said nothing about the scar on his shoulder or about the claw marks on his chest. She began dabbing at the recent injuries with disinfectant.

Margulis hadn't fought him for real in the hospital. No matter how much he agitated her she would not seriously fight him. She knew he was weaker than her and did not want to injure him, he knew that too. He had said unsavory things just to get her to hate him. None of the things he said had any long lasting effect, Margulis was exceedingly patient with him. He had tried everything and finally he came to her in private and begged.

She had looked at him that day with a strange first look. He did not know it then, but it was the begging that broke her and her love for him. Their bond was gone now, along with it, the relationship he had with her. They still closed rifts, each to their own, but they were not togethere anymore.

Horatio tugged on a black tee and headed out of his room. Sylvia was coming out of her own room, looking dressed to go outside.

"I'm going over to the Toldaap's place for dinner with Nora. Do you want to join us?" She said, answering Horatio's questioning look. He waved off her invitation.

"I've got homework." He explained.

Sylvia sighed, "I know when you're lying Horatio." She said, "What's wrong with you and Margulis? She hasn't been coming over anymore."

"We broke up." Horatio said easily, much too easily.

"I see." Sylvia said. "Though, I would have loved to see our family back with the Voidwalkers." She said.

Horatio's attention was immedietly pulled. He turned to Sylvia, meeting her unnaturally sharp eyes. His memory went back to something Nora had said once, not too long ago. "Sylvia?" He called.

She shook her head and turned to leave. "She doesn't know anything." She said, the door slammed shut.

Horatio stood silently. Much too much was happening for him to keep up. He sighed, returning to his room. He passed by Nora's on the way, she was not in there. He heard the car start up outside.

He continued to his room, her light was back, but the dark had not left.