#doubledragon

Triggers: Blood

Mentioned Malais @mining-for-days

Something felt off the moment their feet hit the ground when they exited the eluvian. Actually something had been feeling wrong for a while now but Polaris hadn’t been able to pin down what it was. He also forwent bringing it up to anyone because what was there to say “Something feels wrong, and not to freak anyone out or anything but I’ve been having horrible nightmares. Different than blighted nightmares, that fill me with a sense of impending doom”. Oh yeah that would definitely go over well with everyone. Which was why until they knew more they were keeping it to themselves. Maybe it would just go away like those odd dreams they had been having.

Polaris gave a quick glance towards where they had split off from Malais, only catching a last glimpse of their partner before the voice of his commander speaking drew their attention back. Jin was giving some sort of instruction which with all the commotion going around them even if she was speaking loudly was difficult to hear. What also wasn’t helping them hear her was this sudden soft ringing in his ear that felt as though someone had forcibly shoved their head into water and yanked them back out. Giving their head a shake to hopefully cut off whatever was causing it, which only started up a slew of barky coughs that left their chest feeling sore.

They were startled back into awareness by a firm and steady hand pulling them out and away from the crowds. Their feet backpedaling to just keep themselves standing upright. “Seriously Polaris? I’ve called out your name for the last two minutes. We were given our position, so stop looking like a halla spooked by firelight.” Stated Hesperia, who for what it was worth was practically skipping and putting in no effort at all in pulling Polaris along behind her.

“Sorry, Hesperia. You can let go now.” Polaris hastily replied and felt the hold on them release.

“Well then, let’s get moving! We have a dragon to help kill!” Hesperia said with a giddy enthusiasm she always seemed to have whenever she got to do field work. The taller elf just looked at their companion with an amused smile; they had only known the small warrior for a few years but she never seemed to let anything rain on her parade. Polaris was going to take hold of some of that optimism and use it to get them through this and back to Malais in one piece.

-Time skip-

The darkspawn just kept coming like cockroaches funneling up from the ground, over the broken wall and from every direction that Polaris and Hesperia could see. No matter how many they took down, it felt as though more replaced them in a matter of seconds. It didn’t help matters that Polaris ached from head to foot, the Wardens having taken an involuntary tumble off the wall when the second blighted dragon appeared. From the corner of their eye he was pretty certain they noticed Hesperia was favoring her left side as she continued to fight on.

The ringing in Polaris’s ear had not relented, instead increasing in its persistence to annoy them as it merged from just a sound to a distorted melody. Needing to remain focused elsewhere they did their best to ignore it; ignoring the way it made his skin crawl. It had to be because Ghilan'nain was here messing around with the Blight for her damn dragons. On top of it all the blood was rushing through his ears because of the constant dodging and maneuvering the duo was needing to do. But as quickly as that feeling had come it was soon gone.

Hesperia swung her hammer with all the strength she could muster with her good side, seeing as there was nothing but shooting pain on her right. From the corner of her eye as she went into a spinning strike, caught sight of crimson leaking from Polaris’s ears.

-Time skip-

Polaris leaned against a piece of rubble, their head was a mess, skin felt like there were ants crawling over them, chest feeling as though if they cough one more time a lung was going to come up. The distorted melody felt like it was tugging at something inside of him. Hesperia came limping over to their side, covered in the muck and gore of battle, and with a rather decent hit to the head that had left blood staining her face. Neither could bring themselves to sit for if they did the fatigue would’ve kept them there. 

A cloth appeared before their eyes. “You have blood in your ear.” Hesperia muttered looking out at the slew of darkspawn bodies and not at her friend. She hadn’t seen Polaris take any hits to their head that should cause them to bleed from their ears. But she also didn’t want to speculate.

Polaris took the offered cloth and wiped at their ears. “Thanks, Hes.” Polaris’s voice came out shaky and a little raspy. They knew now what that feeling had been. Why something had felt so wrong. They didn’t want to say the word, if they did then it was real, and it was too soon. They were happy. They were in love, why did their world have to begin to crumble around them now. What was he going to tell Malais?!

“Let’s get you to a healer.” he said and pushed away from the rubble, crouching down in front of Hesperia. She rolled her eyes at them, and bumped Polaris with her foot.

“I can still walk, just help keep me balanced.” Hesperia said, trying her best to ease the tension that had settled around her friend. Polaris stood back up and offered their arm to the small warrior, who took it gladly. This was gonna be a long walk. A bit of silence fell between them, and the only sound was their footsteps sinking in the wet greyish marsh soil.

“You know what’s happening?” She whispered to them, eyes focused forward.

“Ye-” Before the words can finish leaving their mouth, Polaris erupts into one of the worst coughing fits yet. Their throat burning, chest feeling as if it might cave in or explode and then the copper taste hits their tongue. Bringing the cloth still clutched in their hand up to their mouth and watching as it is stained a dark murky red. Polaris doesn’t know how to react, it's all overwhelming.

Their emotional spiral was cut short by the sudden outburst from their friend. “Shit! What happened to them?!” Hesperia said with a sharp intake of air. The taller elf makes quick work of wiping any remaining blood from their mouth, and follows Hesperia’s gaze to the approaching figure. As they drew closer and closer the figure seemed to resemble their partner. Polaris had to blink several times to be sure of what they were seeing. It was Malais, coming towards them covered in blood. Their heart sank, what had happened?! Dropping Hesperia arm and rushing forward, Polaris shoving their own worries to the side. Hesperia caught the shift in Polaris as soon as they had seen the other coming towards them. She smiled softly and pressed onward using her hammer as a cane to get to the healers. 

Meanwhile Polaris had come to an abrupt stop in front of their partner, the blood draining from their face. “Malais?! Ma’ fenor! Where are you injured? What happened?” Polaris asked in a panic.

Emerald eyes that had been looking at the ground a moment ago turn to look up at their partner, their usually sparkle now dull as Malais mumbles. "...I- Polaris... I didn't mean to. I was just trying to help, I- I didn't mean to-"

Links/notes in the YT description.

Tested several emulators, only major issue was with Mesen.

Jhfer is doing a lot of good work on our old project Pocket Dimensional Clash 2.

This is one of the new bosses, Burnov from Double Dragon, adapted to the NGPC style we use.