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THE UNRESTING EXPANSE - EARLY AFTERNOON
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Nesseth rests on a cot at the medical section of the camp, his consciousness slipping in and out of focus as he continues to deal with the injuries he'd sustained fighting against Xeilzrus alongside Xochi. Currently, he's conscious, if a bit fuzzy-brained, as he simply whiles away the time staring at the canvas ceiling above.
Victoria walks through the medical section, looking slightly less ruffled (and back on two legs) than she was when she first returned with Annika. She's mostly dodged questions of where she was, using her reputation of vanishing for long hunting trips as the excuse. Still dealing with the exact nature of her feralness herself, she's not terribly fond of discussing it with many people. However, her memories of how she ended up feral this time in the first place are fuzzy at best, so looking for answers she comes seeking one of the few people who potentially have an idea...
Victoria finds Nesseth and gives him a small if wry smile: "...so you did survive, at least."
Nesseth slowly responds as he lifts his head off of the bundle of cloth that acts as a pillow for him, grunting in discomfort as his body shifts. "Nngh... barely, honestly. F-feels like I'm one good sneeze away from dying... ugh..." He manages a small, wry smile, even if his gaze is slightly unfocused, "Good to see you're okay, Victoria..."
Victoria gives a soft chuckle, crossing her arms. She's wearing what can be generously called 'cloth wraps', seemingly torn from the side of some unfortunate guard's tent. "I have no memories of what happened up there. Clearly something rather... explosive."
Nesseth chuckles rather giddily, nodding after a moment as Victoria's comment registers properly. "Oh... right, yeah... The Prominence is a crater, now. A bloody giant dragon woke up thanks to Xeilzrus and flew off."
Victoria is surprised by this, her arms falling to her sides: "A what... huh. I guess that's whose names these Saurs have been muttering when I kill them, then."
Nesseth nods a bit as he regains a bit of focus. "Yzzayt. That thing was Yzzayt, and it woke up and flew off to the southeast. Xeilzrus managed to wake it up before we killed him."
Victoria 's expression darkens: "...did we at least get that 'Whisperer' asshole? I only recall pouncing to sink my blades into him, but not what happened after."
Nesseth nods again. "The Whisperer, Xeilzrus, is definitely dead. He managed to run away further into the amphitheater, but we pursued him. We had a bit of a scuffle deeper inside the structure, where he managed to wake Yzzayt up, but I put a couple of bullets into him before anything else happened." He grins lopsidedly at the last statement, knowing Victoria can probably appreciate the efficiency.
Victoria gives a toothy grin: "I hope it hurt before he died. A lot." She then sighs, looking aside: "...still not sure what happened to me, though. Clearly I survived, but I woke up..." She glances around, then lowers her voice: "...feral again, Nesseth."
Nesseth slowly blinks and tilts his head, curiously looking Victoria over. "...Again? That'd explain the change to your wraps... I know you got a hit on Xeilzrus, and I remember you getting knocked off of him a few moments after that. I lost track after that, because I got swarmed by..." His expression darkens at the memory, "...A bunch of phantoms the Whisperer summoned up."
Victoria tilts her head: "Phantoms? That sounds just..." She shivers: "Lovely."
Nesseth shrugs his right shoulder, as his left is a bit too painful to move. "They were at least easy enough to put a hole through..." He grimaces as his arm starts to burn again, "Mmngh... they got me good, though. Friggin' electricity... Anyway... next thing I remember is you tearing past me and Xochi for the exit. Considering how many Saurs were fighting, that was the smart move, since you don't wear armor."
Victoria shakes her head: "I don't remember any of that. If I ran away from a fight... that's not right, but that's what me... my other side... would probably do if there's no prey on the line." She sighs: "Don't ask me how I know that."
Nesseth shakes his head, though the motion makes his head spin, and he has to lean it back onto the cloth bundle. "I know you wouldn't run, but it was the smart thing to do. If you stuck around, you might have been part of the casualty list." He grins a little, trying to joke, but it looks more like a pained grimace, "I had a bunch of armor... and look at how I ended up."
Victoria crosses her arms again: "Maybe, maybe not. If I ran, I still don't have to like that I did." She looks Nesseth over: "You're alive though, and the asshole who started this isn't, and that's what's important."
Nesseth chuckles a bit as he gazes up at the canvas for a little bit as he wills the dizziness away. "I'm alive, but we'll see if that sticks... I didn't think I was going to wake back up when I first passed out." He leans to the side a bit to look at Victoria again without lifting his head, "And... I can say the same for you. You're alive, and the war is over, which is what's important."
Victoria swishes her tail agitatedly, giving the lizard a stern look: "You're going to live, because the other option is not acceptable, Nesseth."
Nesseth lifts his good hand and waves it a bit. "Don't worry, Victoria... I've got plenty of reason to not die. Plume would revive me just to kill me themself, Louma would demote me, I'd not get to enjoy everyone's company anymore, and I'd miss out on all the sunny days..." He sighs, "I wasn't ready, so much as just... accepting the possibility, I guess."
Victoria tsk's: "Accepting that possibility is for wimps. And you most certainly aren't one." She sighs: "So don't you dare."
Nesseth hums quietly and smiles. "Mmh... thanks, Victoria. Seriously..." He pauses, then nods his head, "But yeah... that's kind of the long and short of it. Xeilzrus fled deeper into the amphitheater, woke up Yzzayt, died, and then we all immediately evacuated the Prominence before Yzzayt blasted out. Some of the Saurs went their own way to found a new home somewhere, and the rest are joining up with us in Respite."
Victoria nods, grunting: "...not sure what I imagined to happen up here, but this probably wasn't it." She shakes her head: "At least it's over with."
Nesseth nods again. "Yeah... we don't need to worry about Xeilzrus causing issues anymore, and with Yzzayt having destroyed the Prominence, a lot of the Saurs just had their faith shattered." He thinks for a moment, "I think I've heard more than a few calling the crater Yzzayt's Transgression, now."
Victoria nods: "That makes sense... I wouldn't believe any of that either, if something like that went boom."
Nesseth hums. "Mmh, so the continent is safe again... except for a giant dragon flying around somewhere past the horizon."
Victoria sighs, then shrugs: "Well... can't really do much besides hope it stays somewhere past that horizon, then."
Nesseth nods in agreement. "Yeah... at the very least, we know it's out there. If it stays out there, good..."
Victoria nods, looking aside: "Whatever it exactly is, if it can just..." she gestures vaguely towards the mountain: "...do that, we're out of luck if it decides to target us."
Nesseth sighs quietly. "A literal force of nature... awakened and wandering." He pauses, then chuckles, "Honestly... I think I'd prefer if all forces of nature were like Melia, that elemental from Erika's garden."
Victoria looks at Nesseth, smiling: "Haven't had the pleasure to meet her... but I've heard enough to agree."
Nesseth chuckles quietly. "You'd probably like talking with her a bit, I bet." He sighs again and angles his gaze back up to the ceiling again to stretch his neck and stop himself from cramping, "But yeah, once we get back to Respite, I'm looking forward to things being peaceful for a while... Really hope things stay nice and mundane for as long as possible."
Victoria nods, giving a lopsided smile: "I agree. Just get back to... what was."
Nesseth smiles in turn. "What I wouldn't give to just... doze on the wall like I used to some months back, before all this." He pauses, casting a bit of a look down at his burned arm, "...Well, maybe not my arm, anyway. I'd like to keep that."
Victoria chuckles: "Better to have arms..." She looks at herself: "...well, you know what I mean." She sighs.
Nesseth manages a smirk. "Better to have all of one's limbs, anyway." He nods at Victoria, "So, uh... what about all of that stuff with you changing, anyway? I thought we got that figured out a while back?"
Victoria looks aside: "Yeah... so we thought. But... no. Been having these... flashes, of me back in the jungles of Mean Peak. Except not even as... all there. Visions of going fully feral. Except... I guess they're not really just visions."
Nesseth hums thoughtfully, his thoughts sluggish still even though he's been carrying a conversation well enough. "Sounds like you've got something of a wild side..." He raises an eyebrow, "But how'd you bounce back this time? If you were like that when you fled the amphitheater... it's only been... what, one... two days?"
Victoria looks at Nesseth: "Annika, uh... found me. Taught me... or showed me... change? Sort of. It's hard to explain."
Nesseth takes a few seconds to register that, but his brow furrows once it does. "...So... magic, then? Strange... maybe you had some kind of ability this whole time, and those flowers at Mean Peak just... I dunno, unlocked it?"
Victoria shrugs: "Possibly. I'll... well, I am going to try and find out. Somehow."
Nesseth hums and nods. "If you want, you could probably chat with Teis back in Respite... She's something of a researcher, and she might have some ideas? Else... there's Elizabeth, as she's another mage that might have some ideas."
Victoria hums, then shakes her head: "I don't like the idea of anyone poking at me. I'll find my way." She then leans over and gives Nesseth's shoulder a gentle poke: "Get better, you hear?"
Nesseth nods as he smiles at Victoria. "I'll be sure to do that as fast as possible. You'll see me back on my feet before long, Victoria."
Victoria winks: "You will. And, uh... I will find out whatever it is I have. Somehow." She turns to go, letting her arm drop down: "I'll check on you later."
Nesseth nods again, clearly grateful for the visit. "If you need any help with that, and I'm... you know, not stuck like this, I'll be happy to help out however you need me to." He chuckles, smiling cheekily, "And I'll see you later, Victoria. I'll be right here. Thanks for stopping by."
Victoria gives Nesseth a smile and a wave: "Laters, slow scales. Take care of you." She then leaves the tent.
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THE UNRESTING EXPANSE - EARLY EVENING
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Usid walks back from the campfire for the night, having eaten in silence after checking on the wounded Saur still being treated as the group has started its travel away Yzzayt's Transgression. Those who had decided to come with him and his clan were the hopeful, the ones who believed that Respite could still offer a better life, and Usid was now their champion... a position Usid only felt all the heavier as a burden upon him. He walked out to the edge of the camp to find somewhere peaceful, away from the others, and sat down, staring up at the stars.
Tizza has been distant and quiet since the events at Yzzayt's Transgression. She's often been found staring off into the void, barely eating, and communicating only in short bursts typically filled with dejected hums and nods. It's as if she isn't even here anymore. Whether or not Usid has noticed, and by how much, well. . .That depends on how much stress he's been under. As Usid approach and sits at the edge of the camp, he'd spot Tizza another good 100m out on the dunes just. . .Standing there, staring off in the direction where they'd come from.
Usid watched for a moment, then indeed spotted Tizza. He had noticed her distance of late, but suddenly being thrust into leadership of not just the clan, but the Saur refuges has kept him too busy to approach her, something he has regretted immensely. Now, he pushes himself back up and walks towards her, clicking the claws on his feet to announce his presence. "Tizza..." He reaches a hand out towards her, in an attempt to be supportive, but his gesture is awkward, uncertain of himself.
Tizza's feathers ruffle slightly at her name, though she doesn't turn around to face Usid. It's only when Usid's hand makes contact with her does she consciously react, her own hand shifting to take Usid's in her own, though even her grip feels as empty as her soul.
Usid swallows, taking her hand. "Usid is here." He squeezes her hand. "Usid... is no healer. But... Usid is learning. Trying. Usid is here for you. To talk... listen..." He sighs, and follows her gaze out into nothing. "Or neither. Usid is here."
Tizza nods in response but nothing more. She spends the next five minutes simply staring in silence until she finally decides to speak. ". . .All gone." She mutters.
Usid merely waits with her, holding her hand. He does not speak until she breaks the silence. He sighs. "Usid did not want this... no one wanted this. Except maybe the Whisperer."
Tizza: "Yzzayt, he. . .He wanted peace. He. . .Wants us to live with Respite. He. . .Destroy home on purpose?" Tizza sounds unsure of her own words, seemingly struggling to admit Yzzayt's Transgression.
Usid: "Usid... does not know." He does not give voice to his own fears, that his betrayal angered Yzzayt. For if Yzzayt were to punish Usid alone, why must all suffer? It makes no sense. But none of this does. "Perhaps... Yzzayt is pushing hatchlings from the nest? Time for us to find our own path... without Yzzayt's guidance." His own suggestion sounds as uncertain as he is.
Tizza nods emptily. The truth is too hard for her to admit, so this alternate narrative is the only thing that could possibly make sense. "But. . .Why Xeilzrus?" Tizza questions.
Usid glances at Tizza. "Why... Xeilzrus? Why did... why did he betray us? Why was he given such power... only to go against Yzzayt's will?"
Tizza: "And Nyzai. . .Zayzzes. . ." Tizza replies. "Nyzai even given The Spark of Life. Can. . .Could Xeilzrus do that? Without Yzzayt? How?"
Usid sighs, "Usid does not know. Usid is... small. Weak. Usid is only just learning how little Usid knows. The Whispe-" He stops himself, shaking his head. "Xeilzrus gained power. But Usid does not know from where. Sister Xochi said they were from darkness, evil, but this is beyond Usid. Usid has no answers, Tizza... Usid is sorry."
Tizza would normally rebuff Usid's self-diminishing thoughts. Not today. She nods. "Yes. . .Yes. Xeilzrus must have angered Yzzayt." Tizza shakily agrees. "Yzzayt. . .Pushes us out and leaves. To stop us from having another Whisperer like him."
Usid brings up his other hand and holds Tizza's between his own. "Tizza's pain... Usid wishes he could make it go away. Usid has been trying to do much... trying help others of all tribes, leaders of Respite, all. But Usid has neglected helping you, who has given Usid so much strength."
Tizza: With her other hand now awkwardly dragged at an angle, Tizza turns to face Usid. "Tizza. . .understands. Usid important for future." She sighs, saddened by her own words.
Usid lowers his head, "But... Tizza is important to Usid. Everything... all Usid has done, turning against Xeilzrus, joining Respite, freeing the prisoners of the Abyss, all of it. All of it was because Usid could not bear to think of being forced to raise a blade against you." He hesitates realizing he has forced Tizza in closer, holding her hands like this, he catches his breath, as if just realizing this for the first time, and terrified to say it. "Usid... needs Tizza. Usid Loves Tizza."
Tizza cracks a small smile at Usid, though it quickly wavers and disappears. "Tizza. . .Understands." She repeats, pulling Usid into a brief hug. When she backs off, "Loves Usid also. But. . .Not sure Tizza can help. Tizza. . .Hurts greatly." She sighs.
Usid hugs back, something he has not done often. He blinks on confusion at her words, chuckling softly. "Tizza... misunderstand. Usid not asking for Tizza's help. Usid... Usid is offering his help to Tizza. Usid... feels it too. The hurt. Usid just... wants to be here for Tizza."
Tizza nods. "Tizza. . .Not sure Usid can either. But. . ." Tizza clutches Usid's hands just a little bit tighter. ". . .Will let Usid try."
Usid lowers his head, leaning in to press his snout against Tizza's. "Usid believe in Tizza. Tizza is strong."
Tizza holds the moment in silence for several seconds, closing her eyes and focusing on her breathing. "Take. . .Do. . .Tizza away. Unable to think. Trust Usid to do what is best for Tizza."
Usid releases his grip upon Tizza's hands, only to reach down and lift her up off the ground. Yzzayt's gift is still in him, just as it was still in Dyvrisse, and he is easily strong enough to pull this off. "Tizza needs food. Rest. ...and time. Usid shall take care of Tizza. Usid promises." He begins to carry her back towards camp, to ensure she gets something to eat first.
Tizza allows herself to be lifted with no resistance. "Yes. . .All sounds good." Tizza nods in response. She certainly does need to eat.
Usid at the very least feels more stable, with some sense of purpose crystallized around Tizza, all his efforts and pain and doubts brought him to this point, and as he spends time with Tizza, helping her recover her physical strength at the very least, he has more thoughts of hope than he's had in quite some time.