#rhix

He set to work on unloading the supplies and tending to Secret, brushing her coat, feeding her and getting her settled for the evening. He smiled at his birds once the work was done and let them do as they wished for a while until dinner. He'd hunted some rabbit along the way so their dinners were sorted. He didn't really feel like eating after killing that man. He'd deserved it for causing such pain, but Avizon still felt like a monster, he still felt out of control. He did wish he could give up his power, but he just didn't have the courage. He knew what he was with that power, but what would he be without it...

He sighed, thinking back to the time where he'd returned to this castle years ago after his wounds eventually healed, after he'd lost Ro and been found after weeks of torture. He'd kidnapped the king with ease, teleporting in, grabbing him from his bed, and teleporting out. It had been that simple. He'd forced him down on the stone altar despite his cowardly begging and pleading.

Oh, the riches and powers he had promised him, wealth beyond measure, the ability to pick any man in the land to replace Ro and Halve would make sure he was able to have him as he wished, fine steeds, castles and servants to command. As if Ro was some cheap toy! As if everything he'd suffered through was so quickly washed away. He'd stared him in the eyes and stabbed him clean through the heart, giving him the sacrifice he'd needed to be able to inherit the dark powers that had soon controlled him.

That had been the easy part, but the sacrifice he had to personally give in exchange had been his eye. That pain had been unlike anything he'd ever felt, the heavy rotting, burning sensation. He didn't like taking off his patch. He hated seeing his eye, how it was black as coal, weepy and so painful whenever light reached it. It did nothing to stop him feeling like a monster. Sometimes it still hurt, the heavy burning withering feeling returned and nothing could ease the pain…

He'd taken over the palace in a rage after that. He'd given the innocents the chance to leave, Orrien helped see to that. Avizon had been left with the scum, and their screams still echoed in his mind. He didn't fully regret what he'd done. Especially to the princess. Eriona had deserved it and so much more. Not just because of what she did to him, but to her two cloudwalkers. Fluffy and Flutter had suffered just as much as he had, perhaps worse at times.

He wanted to find them as soon as he could. Now he was finding himself again, he wanted to give them a chance at happiness. He should have remembered them, he should have cared more. He'd remembered to save Rhix before he drowned in darkness, but he hadn't been able to remember the birds. Back then he was a different man and didn't view them as well as he should have. He'd hated their suffering of course, but he hadn't considered them to be so human… but things were different now.

If they were out there. He would find them and give them the chance to be safe from harm.

Avizon sighed, thoughts wandering to Rhix. Rhix had been a good friend before he'd taken over the castle. Avizon had been the only one Rhix had dared tell about how the King, Kellis, treated him, how he suffered and was constantly being humiliated, treated like some common entertainer. His castle had been almost as bad as Avizon's. Avizon had saved him from that, giving him the chance to grow into a more confident young man. He'd saved him, and it hurt to think all the circle saw him as a truly evil. But Orrien's words gave him hope. Maybe Rhix hadn't completely given up on him…

-----

Avizon struggled within his own skin as he sat on the throne in the gallery. Sometimes twirling a small parchment around in his fingers, other times scrunching it up, waiting impatiently for his 'guests' to arrive. He'd sent a message days ago, a message to the neighboring kingdom where Rhix 'served'. In his hand he held their cowardly answer.

Surrender your sorcerer, Rhixius, to me, alive and well. If you do not bring him, your kingdom will be next to fall. It is my one and only demand.

It was no surprise when a message had been returned quickly. They'd given him up, without even thinking about the possibilities of what Avizon could do with dark magic and a sorcerer with containment talent. Fortunately for them he wasn't interested in that, though the darkness inside certainly was. For now Avizon could only wait for them to bring him. He'd managed to fight the dark part of him that wanted to tell the king he knew his secrets, how they treated Rhix, and send all his rage at him. But he feared that they would harm him for telling someone. Avizon wanted Rhix alive and well and there was no point in risking that.

He felt the presence of men in his domain. He could feel Rhix was with them, but his powers were… weak, incredibly so. As if he'd been sapped of all his energy. He crushed the paper in his hand. If they'd leeched him then so help him…

The men carefully made their way to the throne room. Avizon barely managed to tuck away his shock. He'd expected for Rhix to have resisted, to be bound, but this was different.

Rhixius had been a pitiful sight, his hands were bound in front of him with rough ropes and he was shirtless, covered with shining jewelry and silky baggy pants. His body was littered in bruises and scratches. Avizon wondered how much he'd struggled on the way here. They really thought he wanted Rhix as a partner. No doubt Rhix was terrified. He didn't suppress the growl that rose in his throat, seeing Rhix's pale skin, the old scars and signs of torment, new and old.

He'd been gagged and blindfolded, and was so unaware of what was going on around him. He swayed, but Avizon wasn't sure if that was because of the blindfold or not. Rhix whimpered when they forced him to a halt and shoved him down on his knees. He groaned and struggled not to fall forward. A hand in his hair ensured he couldn't.

"We brought your whore," one man sneered. Avizon brought fire to his hands and glared. "Repeat those words." The man gulped and let go of Rhix, backing away and bowing. "I… I.I thought that you- I didn't- I beg your forgiveness-"

Avizon had already hurdled a ball of fire at him, hitting him hard in the shoulder. The man screamed and rolled around the floor, trying to put out the flames. The flames tore through the clothes quickly and chewed at his skin until he managed to put the last if it out, panting, sobbing. Avizon didn't care.

Rhix tensed up, bracing for pain. Avizon saw how he ducked his head down, trying to seem as small as possible. Avizon didn't want to scare him too. He'd clearly been through enough. The others deserved to suffer. He clenched his fists.

"Do not speak of this man as though he were nothing," Avizon snarled. "One word from him seeking revenge and I will destroy every last brick of your kingdom!” "B.but we have your word you will not attack our kingdom or any other?" The leader spoke up carefully.

"It's true I have what I wanted. But I will not deny Rhixius the chance of revenge if his heart desires. You'd best pray he is far more forgiving than I. If I am left alone and Rhixius chooses peace, then you've nothing to fear. But if I ever hear-" Avizon summoned a wave of dark magic, the deepest he could feel at the time which engulfed the room in darkness.

From the shadows, hands reached out and grabbed all the men, restraining them. He brought fire to his hands and approached the leader slowly, bringing the fire closer and closer to his sweating face. "-that the king is using another man and hurts him as he did Rhix I will not hesitate." Avizon clenched his fists again to put the fire out, ignoring how his hands went numb for now.

"I… I will inform him of your conditions, my Lord." The men bowed, fear radiated off their bodies. Avizon stood and snatched the rope from him that was connected to a collar around Rhix's neck. He let the magic disappear in the blink of an eye and his body felt so heavy from it. His eye throbbed, but he let the pain fuel his anger for now.

"Out."

That had been enough for them to flee, as if they'd never even been there.

Avizon's attention turned to Rhixius. He struggled with his dark side, he could feel it churning inside him. He circled his trembling form. Part of him wanted to savour the sight, but the rest of him was appalled at the thought, yet unable to stop himself. He felt like a puppet. He grabbed Rhix by the chin and made him look up. Rhixius whimpered. Avizon groaned trying to beat his urges back. He let go and Rhix's head dropped forward limply.

He wanted him. He wanted a pet, a servant, something to be dependent on him and to have complete control over. Rhix would be perfect- He was able to break out of it when he saw Rhix sway badly. He slumped forward with a groan and Avizon's body acted without his mind. He caught him and pulled him close to his chest protectively. No. Rhix was a friend. He would not hurt him! He had to protect him, even from himself.

Avizon was stunned at just how cold he was. He reached for his blindfold. Rhix yelped and flinched away. "Shhh, be at ease." Avizon continued, sliding the white material up, revealing what really were beautiful iridescent eyes. Rhix blinked hard to adjust before he stared up in shock. Avizon ignored him and carefully eased the gag out of his mouth. He cupped his cheek to support his jaw.

"There… I always swore to you that I would save you from that place. I have done so."

"A.Avizon… why…" tears shone in his eyes. "Why did you turn to the shadows… y.you were free…" "Because I wasn't strong enough," his voice harsh like sandpaper. "I couldn't protect him."

"Ro? Avizon, that wasn't your fault…" Avizon shook his head. "I don't expect you to understand. I'm not important. Where is your power?.. Did they use a leech?" "N.No… I. I breathed in powder… they found a way of blocking it for hours at a time… I… I don't know how it's made."

Avizon took a deep breath. He felt better, being closer to him, closer to light magic. It was easier to think clearly, but it made his eye hurt more. Avizon hissed and covered it with a hand.

"Let's get you a bath, a meal, and bed," he managed.

Avizon started to free his hands but Rhix whimpered "Is that why I'm here? What the other man said, what they've all been saying…"

"No." His voice was firm. Solid. "I swore I would free you and I found a way of doing so. It's true that I… I want you to stay, as a friend, so I can protect you but… I already know you wouldn't want that. I'm dangerous now, and the best way to keep you safe would be if you weren't here. Once your powers have returned, I can only beg of you to go to the spire. They should be able to do what I cannot."

Rhix's expression was hard to read. Relief, worry, shock. Avizon gave up trying to understand it. He sighed. "Can you walk?" Rhixius nodded hesitantly. "I think so?"

Avizon managed to put his own pain aside and carefully helped him up, teleporting him upstairs. Using his powers, keeping the darkness flowing, made it easier to control the urges. He sat Rhix down on the side of a bed for now. Rhix only frowned and reached up slowly for Avizon's face. "What happened to your eye?"

Avizon turned his face away. "It… was sacrificed, let's say. It's not a pretty sight. Hopefully time will ease the pain." "May I see? Perhaps I can help?" "I doubt it…"

He let Rhix reach up with trembling fingers and ease the eyepatch away. He winced at the sight. It was dark magic for sure. The eye was pitch black, weepy, and looked almost like stone or charred wood. The surrounding skin was practically purple as the darkness had made its way into the surrounding capillaries. It was a terrible mess, and Avizon despised it.

"Avizon…" but words would not come to him. "Please let go of this magic before it's too late. Let go of it a.and I'll stay. I swear it. You'll have enough power to stay safe with me. You don't need it."

Avizon shook his head and moved Rhix's hands away, feeling another wave of darkness. "I can't. I am sorry…" "But it could kill-"

Avizon's mind slipped. He grabbed Rhix by the throat before he could stop himself. Rhix tried to bring magic to his hands on instinct, but nothing happened. Fear glowed in his eyes. 

"The magic stays," Avizon hissed. "Unless you care for a share of it too? We could rule together, be unstoppable, and reshape the world in our image."

Rhix brought his elbow down hard to force Avizon to let go. He coughed hard and shook his head. "I. I don't want that. Take a look at yourself! You can't control it! It's not meant to be controlled. Avizon, please do not go down this path, I'll do anything. Let me help you, let me at least stop it from destroying my friend!" Tears pooled in his eyes.

Avizon groaned and fell back against the wall, clutching his head. He looked up at him and whimpered. "I am so sorry. I.I'll go before I really hurt you… I'm sorry, Rhix. I never wanted this." Avizon rushed away, keeping his hands close to his body. What had he done?!

---

Avizon wished he'd taken Rhix up on that offer. Maybe he'd have been happy with a friend by his side, but there was no point thinking about it. He'd made his decision and had been miserable and alone.

Avizon finished up at the stables and found Dyan's dreamcatcher still hanging up in the cart where he'd first stored it. He'd have to put it up for him before night fell. He sighed, took it down, and went to the birds' room.

He found Dyan laying glumly in bed. He sighed softly. "What's wrong, Dyan?" "Nothing really. Just… I miss Blue. This place is so big that it makes me feel more lonely…" "I understand that feeling all too well. You can stay in the tower today with me if you like?"

Dyan nodded and rubbed his eyes. He watched Avizon put the dreamcatcher up in the window. "There, that ought to help you," Avizon smiled.

"Thank you, master, for doing so much for me a.and buying me nice things. I'm the luckiest cloudwalker in the world to be by your side." That caught Avizon off guard a little. He smiled softly and ruffled his hair. "Thank you, Dyan. Now let's get going. I need to study the venom I collected from Tashka."

Dyan sat sleepily beside Avizon, resting against his knee, drifting off to sleep with his head against him. Avizon smiled and left him to rest, for now focusing on his work. He needed to know what had happened, to know just what Borgurk was planning. Tashka had certainly been right. The magic he could feel in the venom certainly belonged to Borgurk. That scum had lingered in the shadows unsupervised for far too long, ever since Avizon had fought him. In truth, Avizon wished and had even thought him dead. It scared him to know he could come back. He had loved ones he could lose again…

He was still working when Dyan woke up from his rather long nap. He startled awake with a loud cheep before flopping back down against his master's leg. "It's alright, little bird. Bad dream?" "I'm not sure.. I think I was being chased."

"Are you well enough for me to ask for a little of your venom, for comparison?"

Dyan gulped but nodded and got up on his knees. He opened his mouth and waited. Avizon was patient as he massaged behind his ear, sometimes a little rougher than what was relaxing, but it worked. Venom dripped and Avizon collected it. Avizon had what he needed. He patted Dyan's hair and invited him to lie down again.

Dyan peeked over the top of the table to see what his master was doing. He was surprised by all the bottles and tools and devices.

"I don't like this at all…" Avizon mumbled. "Borgurk's up to something terrible… Dyan, I don't want you or Ihuka leaving the magic circle that surrounds this castle, you understand? Something dark and dangerous is afoot."

"Yes, master."

Avizon wished he knew what but until Borgurk played his hand he feared he wouldn't know. Of course he realised Borgurk was interfering with cloudwalker magic, probably to make himself stronger but… Then what? Did he have a target in mind? A goal? That's where he was less sure. He needed to prepare, take measures to protect everyone…

"Master?" Dyan said softly, breaking Avizon out of his thoughts. "Are… are you alright? Can I help?..." Avizon looked down and smiled at him. He stroked his hair lovingly. "You already are helping. Good bird. Are you feeling better?"

Dyan nodded and decided to hug Avizon's leg.

"I wonder where Ihuka wandered off to… its almost dinner time. This can wait a little while, I need time to think. Come, let's go find him." Dyan let go and waited for his master to stand before he rose up off the floor. "Maybe he's at his favourite window?"

"You go search there and then your room. I'll wander until I can sense him."

And so he wandered, Dyan returned without Ihuka and Avizon frowned in mild confusion. He knew Ihuka was still in the grounds. He wasn't worried, just curious.

He didn't expect to find him sitting at the top of one of the towers, looking out at the immense view, hugging his knees with the stuffed toy Avizon had bought him.

Avizon approached noisily so as to not startle him. Ihuka turned quickly, likely not sure if he was in trouble or not. "Good bird," Avizon said softly, hoping to ease that anxiety as soon as he could. Ihuka visibly relaxed and went back to looking at the view.

"It's dinner time… Ihuka? Anyone in there?" Ihuka seemed lost in thought, in emotion. He stared out into the world and… longed? Grieved perhaps?

Ihuka flinched when Avizon carefully touched his shoulder. "You miss your brother?" "Sorry, master," Ihuka said quickly. Avizon hushed him softly. "We'll find him. Let's get you fed now, alright? Dinner time."

Avizon ruffled his hair gently and then made his way down for a meal. Ihuka hugged Dyan when he saw him sitting at the table. Avizon was glad they had each other since they couldn't find much comfort with him. He really did wish he could do more, but as Orrien said, they needed time.

Avizon thought he knew pain. He thought they were well acquainted considering how much he went through daily, but nothing in his entire life had prepared him for this level of pain, the heavy, unmoving, agonising burning. He felt he’d lost the strength days beforehand to scream. Halve was a cruel bastard! Using not one but two star leeches on him- leeches that fed not just on blood, but magic. 

They'd left him powerless, barely even alive, hanging on just enough to be able to produce more magic, to be a host to these parasites. He'd heard them described as perfect agony, but that didn't even come close to explaining the icy cold pain. He could feel their teeth, the huge barbs buried deep in his body. They were living death, sapping away at a victim's life force until they became the person's life force. He guessed they were already at that stage.

Every day, he thought he was at his limit, but they pushed him even further. Unconsciousness couldn't come to him for long enough and death didn't want him. There was nothing but the suffering, the void of pain. Everything hurt, and that was a strange sensation to understand. No matter what part of his body he thought about, it hurt, not just his joints, not just skin, or muscle, or bone. It was his every nerve. If he moved, one pain was relieved, but another flared up.

It was difficult to breathe being tied as he was. Left on his knees, fallen onto his side with his arms above his head, numb, dislocated, and as far as he was concerned utterly destroyed. He remembered the feeling of his fingers breaking one by one. He remembered being pinned down and choked for hours and hours. His dry throat was still painful from it. 

Every breath stung, even as weak as it was, and the gag tied tight between his teeth did not help. He remembered the feeling of men beating him, kicking his ribs until they caved, he remembered his panic when they first brought the leeches out, how he screamed and begged and struggled. He shuddered and tried to forget about the fact they were still on him, sucking out his life force. He wished he had it in him to just cry, but he was broken beyond tears.

He’d lost track of the days, of the injuries, fever raged a war across his body at the cost of the sharpness of his mind. So little made sense to him anymore, so little mattered. He'd lost Ro. There was nothing left to fight for. Orrien probably hated him for not being strong enough, which also hurt to think about. Orrien had been the closest thing he had to a father, a parent. Now there was nothing but pain, suffering. He didn’t know if Halve intended to kill him, or just keep him alive long enough to break him and turn him into a mindless monster. He feared losing himself more than death...

He barely heard the door open, but he braced for even more pain. He tried not to whimper, to plead. There was only silence, or at least in his mind there was. His body acted of its own accord, flinching, groaning. Heavy footsteps marched towards him, the soft noise of a knife leaving its sheath. He shuddered, more pain, more and more and more. Was it ever going to stop?!

The blindfold kept him in hideous apprehension as he waited to see who it was, what they would do to him. He didn’t have to wait long. They grabbed his hair and yanked his head up. He winced as the pain flared up in his back. He felt long fingernails scrape against his scalp.

"Hello again, you little rat," a female voice hissed. He'd have sworn if he had the strength. Not her. Please not her. Erionna took so much pleasure in hurting him, she knew how to really make him hurt. He felt the stinging pain of the blade digging into the inside of his arm. It hurt, but it could have been so much worse. The knife was sharp, which made it better for him, cleaner- and he knew it was a knife. He’d suffered enough under the feel of a blade to recognise it. He tried to block it out, but groans still left his torn throat. That only got worse when she grabbed him by his broken jaw.

"You dared strike me?! Do you really think you deserve so much as a second of mercy?"

Avizon didn't answer. He couldn't understand what she was even saying, he didn't have the energy to try to process it. It didn't matter. Nothing he would say or do would change this. Nothing she said mattered to him. He wished he’d had the strength to just kill her and her father.

He was lost to indistinct thoughts, to heavy eyes, but he didn’t get to rest in the dullness, not while she was here. She dug the blade in deeper, pressing it deeper into his skin until she got the reaction she wanted, when she pried a scream out of his cracked, blue lips, until he managed to scrape up the energy to jolt, but the chains only bit deeper into his infected wrists. Tears escaped him as she dragged the blade down his tricep.

He heard a bang, he managed to guess that it was the door. More enemies, perhaps. He heard a scream, felt a gust of magic in the air, felt the pain stop, or at least die off into a constant throb. Where had she gone? The waiting was almost worse than the pain and he started to panic. What was she planning? Where was she?!

Suddenly there were hands on him and he yelped in fear, barely managing to throw himself back as hands came too close to his throat. He whined as best he could with the gag. It only made him choke and retch. He trembled.

"No, no, no- Rest easy, lad. It's Orrien. I've got you. I. I'm going to get you out of here. Shhhh, it’s me."

He wasn't sure if hearing that was a relief or not. It took him a few moments to process it, to realise Orrien was really here. His prayers had been answered. But it meant Orrien could stare at his body, the branding on the inside of his arm, the whip marks that completely covered his back and removed skin- the aftermath of a flogging. The wounds were deep and angry. Infection raged across his body. 

His arms and legs were littered with scratches, cuts, and burns. He'd lost a lot of weight too. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d drank anything. His broken jaw throbbed and his arms were wrapped tight in agony. He knew there was more, but everything was blurring together, it was getting hard to remember the long list of injuries.

Orrien hushed him gently and put his hand on his cheek. The suddenness made Avizon flinch away. “I’m sorry. Trust me… It’s all going to be alright… Let’s get that gag out.” He hesitated before very carefully taking it away. Avizon whined as best he was able as Orrien eased his mouth open after so biting down on the material for so long. Orrien supported his jaw where he was able until it was gone. Avizon closed his eyes tight as he carefully spat on the floor, letting it slip down his chin and onto his chest. His breathing was so painfully raspy. “W.where… E.Er-” “Dealt with. You’re not going to get hurt by her anymore. Rest, lad. Don’t speak. I will deal with everything.”

Orrien eased off the blindfold, for now just moving it up his forehead. Dark unseeing eyes looked through him. The pain was just too much for him to acknowledge. He was hiding in his own mind, He was defeated, broken in spirit and body. He felt like he was nothing but ash.

"'lease…" he slurred.

"Don't speak," Orrien repeated. "Focus on your breathing. I'm here to save you," Orrien promised him. He stroked his hair and took a moment to assess the damage. He carefully ran his hand down his spine and gradually over the rest of his body, feeling it with his power. He soon grimaced as he discovered so many injuries.

"Your arms… Seven realms, I hope they haven't started healing… This will hurt, Avi, I won't lie, but there's no way to avoid it. I have to lower them.” “N.no more,” he rasped, with new tears forming in his eyes. “N.not… y.you too… I. I thought… wouldn’t… s.see you again...” Orrien reluctantly moved his hands away from Avizon’s hair and stood to get to the chains. “I'm so sorry I wasn't able to bring any herbs… I’m so sorry, Avi. I took too long. I’ve failed you, but I am here now. I can make this better. You have to trust me, Avi. Please, trust me." 

The only words Avizon was really able to focus on was that this would hurt. He didn’t want to hurt anymore. He felt so broken beyond repair. Halve had destroyed him from the outside, and Ro’s death had destroyed him from within. But he could feel Orrien’s guilt. He’d already failed Ro. It wasn’t fair that he had to suffer more because of him.

All the same, he couldn’t endure any more. He couldn’t take it, he couldn’t do this. “Please,” he slurred. But they both knew Orrien didn’t have a choice. "I'll be as careful as I can, I know, lad, I'm sorry. A little more pain and then it'll all be over. A little more and you'll be free. I’ll take you away from here."

Avizon started very weakly struggling. He didn’t care if he was promised freedom. What was the point without Ro anyway? He couldn’t take anymore. He just couldn’t. He yearned for rest. Orrien knew what had to be done. He used his powers to keep him frozen in place, supported until he could get the shackles off his battered infected wrists. He gagged at the sight, at hearing Avizon's whine.

It was a strange sensation to have his wrists out of the irons after so long. Now Orrien could only begin to lower them with extreme care. Pain exploded in his arms, sending white-hot spasms down his arms and over his back. It was enough to draw a scream from him, raw and soul-wrenching. He pleaded with what little strength he had. “S.stop, O.Orrien-” Orrien hushed him gently as he worked, and really there was little else he could do for him. He had to get him out of here and this was the only way. Tears streamed down Avizon’s face, clearing a path through the blood to show bruised skin. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t breathe!

But finally, his arms were down by his side, and Avizon was left a panting wheezing mess on the floor. He coughed and choked on blood, but coughing disturbed his broken ribs. Orrien knelt beside him and kept him sitting upright. There was no direction in which he could comfortably lie, not until his shoulders were mended and the leeches gone. Avizon pressed his head against Orrien’s chest and groaned. For the first time in weeks, he’d been held, comforted, given the chance to hope. Orrien held him close, using his arms to shield him from the cruel world in which he lived. “I’m sorry, but it’s done. I’ve got you, lad. Hold on. I’m here...”

“Father...” he murmured. In his mind, he’d said more, said he was like a father to him, but his fever was too fierce. He wouldn’t even remember saying it. Orrien pulled him closer. “Oh, lad… My poor boy, I am sorry. I am so sorry. But you’re safe, I’m here... Shhhh, don’t talk anymore, save your strength. You’ll feel better soon. Let’s go.” 

Orrien was just about to teleport him away when he heard someone rushing towards the door. It was none other than Halve. Avizon could feel himself trying to shrink away. He curled up as best he was able. Fear paralysed him. He couldn’t endure any more of this. He just couldn’t. He whined, the best he could do to beg. Orrien held him closer and ran his thumb back and forth for added comfort and reassurance. “I’ve got you,” he mumbled, holding him close. Avizon felt more protected than he expected.

“You have no right to be here,” Halve growled. Then his gaze looked up, he froze for a moment. “Erionna!” “Nor do you have the right to call yourself human, neither does she. You are monsters, the worst kind of evil. I hope you get everything that ought to be coming to you,” Orrien snarled.

Halve barked out the order for the guards that followed him to attack, but Orrien didn’t engage. Avizon clamped his eyes shut, feeling a cool breeze as Orrien teleported him away, to get Avizon as far away from this hell as possible. 

*Break*

Orrien had used more energy than he’d wanted to in getting Avizon to safety. He’d need so much more power than he anticipated to heal him. They materialised in a location known by very few people. Though people knew of its name, no one had found where it was. How could they? A simple cave entrance hidden in a small cliffside, protected by magic, deep in a forest that led to their stronghold: The Spire of Miracles.

Orrien appeared in the courtyard of the fortress, cradling Avizon's body from where they still sat. He didn’t doubt the surrounding dimness was better for Avizon’s eyes. The only light came from the glowing blue fire torches that filled the darkness of the cave. Avizon’s consciousness was fading from feeling so much magic suddenly around him. To go from feeling nothing to the power of some of the most powerful sorcerers in the land.

Azeera and Zena had waited in the courtyard for him. They hurled out gasps and exclamations of shock, seeing the state of him. Avizon turned his head away in shame, hiding in Orrien's shoulder. He didn’t have the energy for this, Orrien knew that much.

Orrien cradled his head close, giving him the comfort he so desperately needed, mumbling reassurances. One of the sorcerers, Zena, knelt by him and put her hand on Avizon's chest. She was a quiet young lady from the south, with dark skin and a beautiful spirit. She was good at sensing things, and listening to the things that did not have voices. She could even speak to animals.

Avizon wheezed as she tried to sense how much magic he had left. She took her hand away sharply, wiping it on her dress as if it would rid her of the pain she felt. "Too much," she mumbled, backing away. "Far too much…"

Azeera took over and knelt down by their side and looked at the blindfold that was still on Avizon's forehead. "I'm going to reach for your head and cover your eyes again. Don't be afraid. All will be well." He carefully slid it back down. "The magic will be too bright for your eyes if you have been without light for too long. I doubt you want to see the wounds you carry. These…" he looked down at the star leeches. "Need to be our first priority. These wounds won't heal until they're gone. It won’t be easy, I fear they’ve tapped into his life force… Go to sleep, Avizon, we will watch over you." “N.no...” he groaned.

Avizon went deathly still in Orrien’s grip now his vision had been taken from him, like how an animal might. Orrien hushed him gently, despite grimacing at the sight of the leeches. "We need Rhix, is he here?"

"Aye. He's getting ready for the two of you. Alore and Rikora are there too, ready to help. Let me take you both. You need to save your power."

Orrien nodded, holding onto Avizon while Azeera whisked them up to where the others had a stone table waiting in a room full of shelves and bookcases. Hopefully, Rhix’s powers of containment would help save him. Orrien could only hope. He could not lose this boy.

Rhix swore out loud at the sight of Avizon’s weak body. Orrien and Azeera worked together to pick him up and ease him onto it. The runes on the table helped to ease the pain of those on it, but still, Azeera hurried to get him some medicine made of blue kisses, a small flower that was difficult to harvest. Those would hopefully dull most of the pain. Avizon refused to lay down, he was too afraid, too sore, and so Orrien could only hold him and keep him sitting upright, letting him rest his head on his shoulder.

Orrien helped Avizon to drink some water while Rhix inspected the leeches. He was a young man, optimistic and bright. His hair and skin were pure white, but his eyes held an iridescent shimmer. They were usually so full of magic and joy but now they looked dull and heavy with concern.

"They've been snuggled down for far too long. We will have to be so careful… In truth, I’ve never done anything like this before,” Rhix admitted.

“The first one isn’t the biggest problem, it’s the second,” Orrien explained. “The first one we remove will try to take all the energy it can, but the second leech should actually be enough to keep some energy in him. They’ll compete, so we should take the weakest one away first. For the second one… well, that’s where it will be difficult.”

“I might be able to protect him, my power should be enough to keep him alive,” Rikora suggested. “If I protect what energy and magic he has left?” She was a tall woman with short red hair with a small tattoo under her eye of a wing. She was a fiercely loyal friend, and right now, her talents of protection magic were going to be sorely needed. “That should work," Orrien confirmed.

“I'll have to try to keep him alive until we can get the second one removed and then it will probably take several of us to get some magic into his body… I knew Halve was harsh, but this…" Rhix shuddered.

Orrien put his hand on Avizon's hot forehead. "This is worse than ever before. I'm not certain of what happened…"

He looked at Rhix who was reaching for the leech on his stomach with one hand and had a knife in the other. "For Avizon's sake, this has to be quick. I will need you to lend me your power, Azeera, can you go and get Zena? I think we’ll manage without Ignium-” “N...no more… l.let me die… please… j.just...” Avizon’s words faded off and he whimpered.

Orrien hushed him softly. He was not going to lose this boy, not when he was so close to freedom, to recovering and having a chance of happiness, even if he had lost Ro. Azeera did as he was asked, and with six out of eight sorcerers surrounding the table, Rhix was able to set to work. 

He grabbed the fat beast by its bulging body and held it still while he carefully used the knife to pry its teeth out of his skin as he slowly pulled it away. Avizon screamed as the leech dug its remaining teeth in, all the more determined to cling on. Rhix strained, abandoning the knife to produce fire to force the leech away through pain, but it meant Avizon hurt too. Rhix did his best to not touch Avizon’s skin. Orrien held him down carefully, minding his battered arms. Avizon pressed his face harder against Orrien and sobbed. The others held him still as best they could without hurting him more.

Orrien cradled his head and let him scream and cry. He'd seen this treatment before and the fact Avizon was still conscious was a surprise. Even with the pain medication, these leeches were pure evil. But finally, Rhix was able to force it away from Avizon's body and threw it down on the floor. A blast of fire and it was dead.

Avizon fell back limp in Orrien’s arms, barely clinging onto consciousness, convulsing in his grip. He looked down at the awful festering wound on Avizon's gut. The deep stab wound left behind by the leeches massive spike on the inside of its mouth, and the five groups of teeth shaped in a way that looked quite like a star, hence their name.

"Infected," Orrien mumbled, "But that's no surprise."

"Now the hard part. Everyone get ready. Once it is out, lend me your power, and I will transfer it." Orrien carefully put his hand on Avizon’s forehead. “Sleep.”

The process repeated again, but this time Avizon did not stir. Orrien slowly began to ease healing energy into him as the leech came further and further away, healing wounds that should have been fatal. Rhix finally got the creature out, stunned at the size of the barb on the end of the spike.

They quickly began giving him magic, helping to return Avizon's life energy. Rhix passed the magic onto Orrien to turn it into healing magic. They did everything they could to ensure he survived. But despite it all, by the time they finished, Avizon was not fully healed. Replacing the missing magic and healing the internal wounds had taken up most of their resources. He still had broken bones, he was still beaten and painfully thin and weak. Fever still raged. Orrien tensed his jaw. Those damned leeches!

Orrien still held him close, kissing the tip of the boy's sleeping head. "I will mend the rest myself manually. Thank you, for all agreeing to help. I couldn't lose him too.”

"He's one of us, we couldn't have left him behind," Azeera said. "I'm only sorry I couldn't do more. If you’ll let me, I’m well trained in healing and stitching wounds." Orrien nodded and lay Avizon down on his back for now and began to tend to the wounds. They’d stopped bleeding at least, so he had time.