Well, it seems when my muses came back to this story they did so with a vengeance cause this was done last night and I forgot to post it cause I was to busy writing chapter 10! Bit shorter then my usual but I wanted to at least cover that terrible cliffhanger and put things in place for chapter 10. Anywho, its late and I'm rambling XD Enjoy!
Horror. Pure heart stopping horror, colder than any Easter Sunday snow storm gripped Aster's heart as he saw Pitch appear behind Jack. His hypersensitive hearing picking up Pitch's sibilant hiss "Be a good boy and die." His breath caught in his throat as Jack stiffened as Pitch stepped back and swung his scythe, the blade sinking into Jack's back and erupting from his chest, now stained with the winter spirit's lifeblood. Pitch cackled as he pulled the blade from Jack's flesh, the winter spirit falling to the ground with a terrible death-rattle. Pitch moved forward, stepping over Jack's broken form as he drew toward Aster, flanked by several menacing fearlings.
White hot rage erupted inside Aster, a bestial roar tearing itself from his throat as he strained against his bonds. At that moment a stone door, previously invisible in the wall, burst open as a low buzzing filled the room, arrows sprouting from fearlings flanking Pitch; the shadowy forms fell to the ground writhing as they were pierced through with feathered shafts before dissolving into nothingness. Several of the buzzing darts flashed through the rapidly dissolving cloud of darkness that had been Pitch Black just moments before. Aster's growl of frustration at Pitch's escape was truly feral, until the retreating form of Pitch faded away to reveal Jack's prone and broken form lying on the stone floor, a dark pool dying his hoodie black in the orange glow of the room and spreading around Jack at an alarming rate.
The rage that filled Aster moments ago was like a candle before an inferno compared to the fear that now gripped him along with an overwhelming need to be at Jack's side. Almost without realizing it Aster pulled at his bindings harder than he ever had, a new strength coursing through his veins. The chains binding him to the wall snapped with a harsh crack and Aster leapt forward, his powerful legs carrying him over half the room and landing him feet from Jack's side. The fluttering of wings announced Cupid's arrival as she came to hover by Aster.
"We got here as fast as we could, but we need to get out of here now, there is an army of fangly beasties nipping at our heels. The others are trying to keep the path clear but-" She froze as her eyes fell upon Jack. "Oh heavens…"
Aster was paying her no attention as he knelt at Jack's side, blood soaking the fur on his knees and paws as he placed his pads on Jack's chest. It had been a long time since he'd had to heal something like this but it was a skill you never lost, and Aster was especially gifted in the area. Taking a deep breath Aster sent his life force out in search of Jack's, concern gripping him when he didn't immediately find it. With his hands on Jack's chest, he should have sensed the winter spirits life force right away, the fact that he was having to search for it had him struggling to keep calm. Finally Aster felt his life force brush up against Jack's, incredibly weak and fading fast. Gathering himself with a quick breath Aster surrounded Jack's fading spirit with his, pouring his own life force into Jack in order to sustain him while he worked to mend the terrible injuries. Aster said a silent thanks that Pitch had missed Jack's heart by a matter of inches, if he hadn't Aster doubted he would have been able to save Jack-he doubted if he could now. No, he would not think like that, he would fight for Jack just like Jack had fought for him.
"Aster, we need to get out of here." Cupid said anxiously as she watched the Pooka labor over Jack.
"Well aware 'o that, bit busy here." Aster said sharply.
"Like, now. There are nightmares and freeing swarming all over this forsaken place, I don't know how long the others can keep the way our clear. Aster we've got to-" Aster cut her off mid-sentence.
"We move now, he dies." He said flatly, having to catch himself as his concentration slipped for a fraction of a second and he nearly lost his hold on Jack.
There was a moment of silence before Cupid spoke again "What do you need?"
"Cover." Aster said. He heard the flap of wings that meant the pixie had left the room and a moment later the rapid twang of a bow followed quickly by the shrikes of dying nightmares.
Aster could feel himself starting to weaken, the effort of healing Jack combined with sustaining was draining what little strength he had left after his long confinement. He could feel Jack's spirit slipping away from him, slowly but surely, as his own life force dimmed.
"Come on Jack, fight damn it! I've not seen ya give up on a single thing since I met ya, don't you dare start now!" Aster said franticly, fighting back the tears that were burning at the edge of his vision, as he held onto Jack's spirit with all he had, his entire body shacking with the effort and still he refused to give in, he only needed a few more moments, just a few…more…his hold was failing, any moment now Jack would slip away from him, into the darkness. "No!" Aster snarled, he was too close to lose everything now. Each second passing like an eternity Aster held Jack safe within his life force as he finally finished repairing the damage to his pale frame.
With a gaps Aster fell back, his chest heaving as he gasped in air, the world spinning around him. In a moment Cupid was at his side, her bow still out and several arrows clutched in her fist.
"Whats wrong, is Jack…" she trailed off, unwilling to give voice to her fears.
With a titanic effort Aster pushed himself up into a sitting position, his eyes immediately focusing on Jack…and the blessed rise and fall of his chest. Profound relief washed over Aster at the sight. "He's alright. We need ta be careful with 'im though, I wasn't able to completely heal 'im, just patch up the damage so he didn't die."
"Alright, can you walk?"
"Give me a minute." Aster said as his breathing gradually slowed to a more normal pace, strength slowly returning to his limbs. Cupid hovered over the pair of nearly defenseless guardian's, her bow at the ready with three arrows knocked. Looking sideways at Aster a devious smile spread across her dark face.
"Soooo, I was right?" She said, half a question half a statement.
Aster pinched the bridge of his nose before letting his arm fall, the required effort of holding it up unsettling, before looking at pixie hovering expectantly before him. "Is this really the time?"
"Well, if I'm going to die by way of fangly fear monsters I'd at least like to know if I've still got my perfect record."
With a resigned huff Aster said "Yes, you were right." Cupid let out a little squeal. Here, in the middle of moon knew where, surrounded by nightmares and fearlings, she was squealing over something so…so…well wonderful, but still! Aster looked at her with a look of such incredulity that she shied away slightly and Aster imagined she would be blushing if her skin tone allowed it.
"What? You can take the girl out of the love castle…" She trailed off.
"But'cha can't take the psycho outa the girl?" Aster supplied, which earned him an unappreciative thunk of the head. He chuckled softly and turned his head, his face falling immediately as it fell on Jack's frighteningly pale face. "Don't worry mate, I told ya I'd getcha out of here and I meant it." He said softly as he laid one large paw on Jack's thing shoulder. A moment later a comforting hand came to rest on his own shoulder, its owner remaining uncharacteristically silent.
It took several long minutes before Aster felt strong enough to move. As he stood his limbs ached and his joints cracked, he let out a low groan as he straightened to his full height. "Alright, let's get out'a this hell." He said as he leaned down and, grunting with the effort, lifted Jack gingerly into his arms, offering a silent thanks that Jack was so light. Without another word Cupid turned to the door, bow at the ready, followed closely by Aster who was carrying his precious cargo, holding Jack close to his chest. He couldn't help casting one last glance at the room, the room so filled with terror and nightmares…and one beautiful dream.
There it is, Next chapter is going well, should be out soon (most of my school stuff has been taken care of now besides one monster paper but that shouldn't be too hard so I've got more free time to write!) Really hope you guys liked this chapter, if you did you should click that little review button over there and let me know! Love you all! ^^
