By the time daylight came, Matthew was curled up close to Ivan and the man wondered if the guardian would wake to the sun like he usually did while he watched the boy sleep. Not a moment later, Matthew gave a soft groan as he started to wake. The prince wished he could get a more restful sleep, but it was hard to do so on a stone floor.
"Good morning." Ivan says with a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, now..." Matthew stretched his arms where he lay with a big smile. "Remove your shirt. I want to finish what I started yesterday."
"That is good." Ivan chuckled a bit and sat up, doing as Matthew asked. The guardian sat up with him, giving his feathers a good spread. He then placed his hands on Ivan's skin again, healing the last of the cuts in a matter of moments.
"Thank you Matvey." Ivan says quietly with a small smile, putting his shirt back on and stifling a yawn.
"Come." Mathew patted his lap. "Rest, even if it's only for a little while. Please."
Ivan hesitated for a moment before nodding and lying down, resting his head on Matthew's lap. Matthew then rested his wings over Ivan as a blanket, and to block out the sun. The guardian also gently ran his fingers though Ivan's hair with a soft smile present on his lips as Ivan closed his eyes. After a few minutes, he was sound asleep at the feel of the fingers in his hair.
)*(
"Come on, come on, you're not a vampire Francis and the sun doesn't even reach down here." Alfred whined. They had set up camp a little ways in and he was eager to get going; he feared for his bother.
Francis scowled softly and debated for a few moments before sighing. "Fine, let us go then. But do not blame me when I speak harshly or am easily irritable. I am a nocturnal creature. I suppose I can forget about that for now though, it will be easier to travel without vampires up and about anyway."
"Splendid!" Al cheered and continued onwards. Arthur made little comment; the lad had a point, but he was still sleepy himself. After all, Francis had woken him up.
"The sooner we save them, the sooner we both can get rest Arthur." Francis reminds him, knowing the mage was probably about as sleepy as he was.
"Indeed, but magic requires energy. Before we attack we need to make sure we all get our rest."
Francis nods in agreement. "True. Maybe we should try to locate where they are first though?" He paused for a moment before blinking in surprise. "Ah wait. I seduce people in their sleep through dreams. Perhaps I can find where they are located if one of them happens to be sleeping right now?" He suggests.
Arthur paused. "That... Sounds like a very good idea."
Francis nodded. "Mhmm, you two stay here so I can easily locate you again." He disappeared into the shadows and Arthur told an annoyed Alfred to wait.
After some searching, Francis managed to locate Ivan's dreams. Instead of seducing like he normally did, he tried contacting Ivan and asking where they were. Francis continued trying to contact him, asking, "Where are you?" repeatedly, until finally a clouded image of the tower where they were located formed back in response.
Francis returned to Alfred and Arthur within fifteen minutes, materializing quite suddenly with a rather pleased look on his face.
"Well...?"
"Well, good news and bad news. Good news, I know where they are. Bad news, it's in a cage up at the top of the tallest tower in the vampire's castle."
"What!?" Al's jaw dropped and Arthur looked a little pale.
Francis nodded. "I would assume they got into trouble and are currently being held as prisoners."
"Great, now we really must hurry. They could end up dead if we're not there in time." Arthur cursed.
"Mmm, I don't think it's too far from here since it didn't take me that long to get back." The incubus muses thoughtfully. "If we're lucky we may be able to locate it before nightfall."
"I don't think we should get too close before we've had time to rest. It's just us against an army. And only two of us have war experience." Arthur thought aloud. Alfred didn't like waiting, but he did know that if he was taking on that many he would need all his strength. He learned on the battlefield the hard way.
"Maybe our main goal shouldn't be fighting the army but just rescuing instead?" Francis suggests. "You know, get in, reach them, and then you could just magic us and them out…?"
"It's not that simple, I'm not the only one with magic that will be in there. And if they're keeping them alive for a reason, they could be expecting someone to come for them." He huffed and crossed his arms. "And this is the Deadwood, meaning cursed. Teleporting could have me end up anywhere, due to the woods messing with the flow of magic."
"Of course it wouldn't be that simple." Francis sighs. "Well later I will try Matthew's dreams and see if he is a bit more cooperative in communicating with me through dreams."
"When you think that will be?" Alfred asked.
"I do not know. I know Ivan doesn't like sleeping when the enemy is awake so it makes sense he's asleep now. They're probably taking turns sleeping so I'm assuming not until nightfall?"
"So do we walk until noon and the sleep then?" Alfred asked.
"As long as Francis can manage and we don't get too close to the castle. The last thing I want is to wake up with a vampire chewing off my neck."
Francis nods in agreement. "Sounds like a plan. I suggest we stop no matter what time it is if we catch sight of the castle though."
"Agreed." And with that their journey continued. Only stopping when it became noon to rest.
)*(
"Did you sleep well Ivan?" Matthew asked softly, still running his fingers though Ivan's hair as the man awoke.
"Mhmm." Ivan replies, smiling up at Matthew sleepily, not fully awake but enjoying the fingers in his hair.
"I'm happy to hear that, any good dreams?" The guardian smiled sweetly.
"Mhmm." Ivan found himself content to just lie there for the moment and let Matthew continue to run his fingers through his hair.
"Care to share?" Matthew asked hopefully; he wondered what the man dreamed about. It wasn't really the best place, but he'd do anything to escape this frightful position for a moment.
"Mmm, well the first one I don't remember fully." Ivan hums, closing his eyes. "Francis' voice interrupted that one. He kept asking me where we were so I finally thought of where we are and that got him to go away." He was quiet for a moment or two before continuing to speak softly. "The next one was… happy but a bit vague. I was back home in the palace and some sort of party or ball was being held. My sisters were there, so was Yao and Matvey, and many others that I know. We danced and big sister seemed very happy that I'd finally learned how to dance." He smiled a bit more. "Then she said something to me that she seemed really happy about but I don't remember what she said." He opened his eyes and looked up at Matthew with a smile. "And then I woke up."
"That sounds like a lovely dream." Matthew said so softly, like he was afraid the words would break as they came from his lips. The guardian had leaned a little closer to Ivan as he ran his fingers though the off-white locks. They may have not had the luxury of cleaning up, but Matthew still very much enjoyed the feeling of Ivan's hair.
"It was." Ivan spoke just as softly, not wanting to break the peace and comfort of the moment. He leaned into Matthew's hand with a soft smile as the touch continued and occasionally fingertips ran over the man's cheek and temple. He was enjoying the warm, gentle caress of a slightly calloused hand. Admiring the way the boy's hair shone like finely spun gold in the light of the afternoon sun, and getting lost in the soft amethyst hue of his eyes. He was content to stay like this for as long as they could.
I have to protect him. Ivan thinks after a few moments, his hand reaching up to stroke Matthew's cheek gently. I have to get him out of this place safely with Kumajiro.
Matthew feels a pull from the touch, even though he knows very well that Ivan is not drawing him in. But— He does move closer to Ivan's kind face, and his bewitching, deep violet pools. Even with the feeling of the older man's breath on his cheeks, Matthew leans in. His heart beats strongly in its chamber as his lips just barely brushed against Ivan's, and Ivan inhaled slowly in surprise as their lips touched. Like being zapped with electricity, Matthew froze with the realization of what he was doing; realization that it was most certainly had nothing to do with the season. This was not for the need of populating, but for the need of Ivan as a person, as a life-mate.
Matthew's cheeks quickly grew red, and as the boy pulled back slowly, Ivan realized that he was holding his breath. Ivan's eyes were slightly wide with surprise, a hand coming up to touch his lips lightly with his fingertips. He cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he lowered his hand again, honestly not entirely sure how to react to that.
How will Ivan take this? He was searching for a wife to be his queen, to bare his children. Even if Ivan felt something for the guardian, it was hopeless before it could even start. The most they could be was friends. Maybe... even secret lovers. But that was not something that Matthew could do. The thought of Ivan and him staying together while he beds a woman whom he could publicly show affection to— It was heartbreaking in itself. Matthew couldn't. So he won't.
"I—I think I'm falling asleep on you. Sorry about that." Matthew forced a goofy smile, one he practiced often on Alfred for his bad jokes.
The prince just ended up blinking up at Matthew for a few moments before responding to Matthew's words. "Ah… you should get some more rest then."
"Y-you know. I think you're right, I should lay down." Right now the boy would do anything to not look at Ivan's face. He felt shamed.
Ivan moved and sat up, stretching. "You may use my lap as a pillow as well if you would like to." He offers after a moment.
Matthew thought about it. He would have jumped to saying no, but when would he get the chance to do this again? Or would this add more to his own suffering...? "I-I don't know." He still wouldn't make eye contact.
"Matvey, look at me?" Ivan requests, tilting his head and looking at the boy curiously; not liking how Matthew was avoiding his gaze suddenly. Matthew mustered up some courage and looked Ivan in the eye. He smiled, though it wasn't very noticeable. "Matvey, it is all right. I am not mad at you for doing that." He says giving a slight smile. "I was just surprised, alright?"
Matthew laughed awkwardly. "I-I'll make sure I don't fall asleep on you again. I guess I just didn't notice I was dozing off while petting your head." He was going to pretend that he never made contact with the other's lips or just never noticed.
Ivan smiled a bit. "It is all right. Get some rest Matvey."
"I will. Thank you." The boy whispered.
Ivan smiled. "It is no problem."
Matthew lay down and closed his eyes, praying that his mind would not be filled with Ivan.
)*(
After only a few hours of sleep, Francis awoke feeling anxious to know what exactly was going on at the castle. He wrote a small note in case either of the others woke up before disappearing into the shadows and going to see if either Matthew or Ivan were asleep. Pleased to see Matthew asleep, he slipped into the boy's dreams, calling out his name and praying communication would be easier with him than with Ivan.
Francis? Matthew felt puzzled. Was he calling him?
Matthew? Can you hear me Matthew?
Um, yes? What's going on?
Wonderful! Matthew I am a demon of dreams, this is the only way I can contact either of you without alerting the guards. Ivan is more resistant to me though but while he was asleep earlier I was able to learn where you two are.
Y-you're coming for us? Alone? You have to turn around. It's too dangerous. Matthew pleaded.
No. Arthur and Alfred are with me as well. They are resting right now while it is still light out.
"Alfred..." He mumbled aloud. O-oh no... Alfred's going to kill me...
Why? He is very worried for you.
That's understandable, but once he sees Ivan, he's going to be enraged.
They already know you've been travelling with him. I told them. Arthur was furious when I said I'd been teaching you two. But that's beside the point. Matthew, what is going on? Why are you three being held captive? What happened?
We're in the top tower; they call it the Crow's Grave.
I know where you are Matthew. But why did they put you there? Summarize all that happened after the vampires appeared up until now please. We need to understand the situation so we can figure out the best way to approach it.
After Matthew explained, Francis was silent for several long moments. …He did not include himself in the terms of surrender…?
I-... I don't know.
Well, given that someone would have to pay their price I'd assume not. He was quiet for a few moments. How are your wings? I know you're not whatever you told me you were that one day. I've already seen your brother's wings.
It was Matthew's turn to be quiet. They... Are fine, clipped b-but no problems.
So neither you nor Kumajiro can fly out… Hm, all right. Franciswas quiet for a moment more. Oh! How did clipping your wings go? I remember that area on your back is rather sensitive…?
I-I-I don't want to talk about it.
Your wings are even more sensitive than that spot on your back and the vampire was teasing. Francis guesses, though it wasn't hard to guess based on Matthew's memories, which provided an image or two.
Is there anything else you need?
Not right now but if we need anymore information I'll try contacting one of you again like this. Just let Ivan know we are coming for all three of you, but it will likely be a fight to get out so be prepared for that.
Francis returned to the others, resting a bit more and then waking them about an hour before sundown. He woke Arthur and Alfred up, telling them that he had news on the situation. Arthur was grateful to a point, but still didn't want to go any further at night. Alfred was back to sleep the second he heard his bother was fine and that they weren't going any farther for now.
)*(
Matthew then awoke with a jolt. "Ivan."
"Yes Matvey?" Ivan asks tilting his head curiously.
"Francis... He told me that he's brought others to come get us a-and to be ready for a fight." The boy whispered.
"Ah, who did he bring?" The man whispers back.
"My brother and Arthur..." Matthew closed his eyes, it wasn't much help, but it was something.
"It is good to know we are not alone."
Matthew just nodded; he felt something was going to go wrong.
Ivan reached out and stroked Matthew's hair gently. "It will be all right Matvey." He says with a soft smile.
Matthew jumped and moved away from the touch. "D-did anything happen while I was sleeping?"
Ivan pulled his hand back quickly and shook his head. "No, you were not asleep for very long. Only an hour or two."
"I see." Matthew sat up and looked around. It was so dreadfully boring when trapped in a giant cage.
"Yes, not much happens when trapped."
"Well... This isn't all that new to me. I'm just glad it's a bigger cage." The boy said sadly.
"Matvey's been caged before?" Ivan tilted his head curiously, looking surprised.
Matthew ducked his head into his arms. "Sadly..."
"What happened…?" Ivan questions softly.
"... Remember how I told you my parents died when I was very young?"
The man nods. "Yes."
"After they died. The village we lived in sold my brother and I to pay off a debt." The guardian said softly. "We didn't have our wings yet... But we were "pretty" enough to be someone's pet or entertainment for a circus."
Ivan frowned softly. "Whom were you sold to?"
"Some trader. That was as far as we ever got. No one wanted guardians with no wings and not much is known about us outside our kin so naturally... Everyone either thought we were cripples or had our wings chopped off."
"What happened then?" Ivan didn't enjoy what he was hearing, it didn't seem right for someone so sweet to have had to been through so much. But he was also curious and wanted to know more about Matthew.
"Three seasons of being locked in a cage like poultry shakes you up pretty bad when you're a child. The Vernal guards finally caught him one day, he got a cage of his own for selling counterfeits and we were sent off to the orphanage. Alfred was ten at this time and I was eight."
"Ah, I understand that." The man nodded. "At least he was caught while you were still young though."
"Yes... I suppose that was good that it happened like it did." The boy frowned out of sight, his head still tucked in his arms.
"Do not worry Matvey." Ivan says softly, reaching out and tentatively petting Matthew's head, not sure if the boy would jump away again or not. "You will get out of here much sooner than that."
Matthew flinched a little and gave a small smile. "You are right."
Ivan pulled his hand back and smiled back, though a bit sadly. He looked away for a moment before looking back at Matthew, tilting his head and tentatively asking the question that had suddenly come to his mind. "Does being trapped in a cage like this... frighten Matvey…?"
"It does in some ways, but mainly brings back painful memories."
"Ah…" Ivan nods in understanding, going quiet for a few minutes in thought and Matthew looked up at Ivan after a bit. Ivan was frowning down at his lap softly, there was something he kind of wanted to try, to see if it would make Matthew feel even a little bit better and hopefully forget about the painful memories for a while, but he didn't think he would be able to since Matthew kept flinching away from his touch.
"Ivan, everything all right? I didn't... Upset you with my story. Did I?" Matthew frowned.
"Hm? Ah, no. I do not like the idea of you having to have been through that but that is not what I was frowning at." He says looking up and then away from Matthew. "I was thinking of how when I was being plagued by bad memories, my big sister would do something to comfort me and make me forget about the memories. I was thinking her method might help you forget about bad memories for a while. But it requires physical contact and you have been flinching away from me every time I touch you since you woke up. So I was thinking you probably would not want to try it anyway…"
"Can I ask what it is?" If it's family like I think I'll be fine...
Ivan smiled softly, playing with the ends of his scarf a bit. "Ah, she would just have me lay down with my head in her lap and close my eyes and then she would run her fingers through my hair and sing to me; usually until I either felt better or had fallen asleep. She usually sang happy songs or lullabies but sometimes she would make songs up, singing about how I was loved and cared for, and about how everything would be okay, and that the bad times would get better..." His hands stilled and he smiled down at his scarf quietly, getting lost in his memories for a few moments.
Matthew just smiled; it was very sweet. But with his new heartbreaking discovery... He didn't think he could do that right now. He was afraid he'd start crying.
"Ah, so if you would like, I could try that for you but I do not have to if you do not want me to." Ivan says after a few moments.
"That is very sweet of you Ivan. But I think I'll be just fine. They will go away after a while."
The door opened shortly after and the lackey stood in the doorway. His eyes were glowing more brightly than before. Ivan moved in between the cage door and Matthew, eyeing the lackey warily, instantly on guard again.
The lackey just smiled and pulled out a pair of iron arm restraints from behind his back. "Time to eat." He said as he walked up to the cage.
Ivan narrowed his eyes, standing up. "For us or for you."
"Well, not just me. What, did you think that everyone got to lick the floors after the bird got stabbed?" He got the gate key ready. "On your knees big guy and the other two move to the far back."
Kuma growled and didn't move from his warm spot. It was hard to get stone this thick from being ice cold all the time. Matthew looked up at Ivan with frightened eyes, they didn't mean what he thought they did, did they? "Ivan." He whispered.
Ivan stepped up next to the gate, kneeling down right by it so the lackey would not need to go far to get to him, his head held high and his arms held out, expecting them to be restrained. "Stay by Kumajiro." Ivan orders, slipping into a military habit, not looking at Matthew. "Kumajiro, guard him until I return."
"But-" Matthew stood up, but his leg was grabbed by Kuma's talons.
The lackey opened the gate. "Arms behind your back, we don't need you knocking anyone out or harming someone."
Ivan turned around and put his hands behind his back so the lackey would not need to enter the cell to restrain him. It took the lackey a moment to lock Ivan's forearms into the iron contraption. He even made it uncomfortably tight and gave the restraints a hard pull. "Alright up, we have people waiting."
Ivan didn't complain about the tightness, taking it all in stride. He stood up obediently, head held high. Once the gate was closed, Matthew bolted and grasped the cold iron bars. "I-Ivan—! Why are you letting him do this to you? D-don't you understand what's about to happen!?" He felt panic rising.
The lackey didn't so much as look back at Matthew as he gave Ivan a shove to start walking. "Yes, I understand." Ivan says calmly, walking away as directed. "I will be fine. Go back and stay by Kumajiro until I return please."
When the door was shut and Ivan was out of sight, Matthew started shaking like crazy. "I-Ivan..." Kuma got up to comfort Matthew as best he could, but he was also worried for Ivan.
)*(
Ivan let himself be led down the stairs and back the way they had come up to the tower, his head held high, a calm and reserved look on his face. The lackey didn't say anything as he lead him past the great hall and on towards the dining hall. Once inside there had to be thirty vampires and an addition of fifteen or so servants lined up against the far wall. The men were drinking Ivan's vodka and assortments of wine, being merry and having a good time. The king sat at the head of the table on the other side of the hall with a lovely lady standing next to him. She was possibly another servant, but more of a personal one.
Ivan let his eyes briefly flicker around the room, mentally counting the vampires before returning his gaze to straight ahead of him, continuing to let the lackey lead him.
"Stay here." The lackey ordered, leaving Ivan to stand by the rest of the servants. He then moved to his own seat near the king. The king glanced at him with a smirk, liking that the powerful man was forced out of the use of his arms. He then whispered to his lackey, who nodded and got up to go to pass the message onto Ivan. "The king wants me to inform you that we will not be turning you, not tonight away. Any questions?"
Ivan gave a short nod. "I will be returned to the cell after this, correct?"
"Yes, returned is the right answer. You may not be walking up those steps after dinner."
"I did not think I would be." Ivan replies with a slight shrug. He figured they would drink from him until he passed out from blood loss.
"Sounds like you're prepared." The lackey said dully before he walked back over to the table. Ivan gave another shrug, not moving from his spot unless he was told to.
But the lackey did not resume his sitting; he instead picked up a goblet and a knife off of the table. He held the objects in one hand as he returned to Ivan. The lackey's eyes trailed over the scarf around the taller man's neck before he grasped it and removed it, letting the cloth hit the floor.
The lackey then whistled, bring the attention of many eyes. "Looks like someone's already dined on your neck."
"I would appreciate it if you would place my scarf in my pocket please. I would do it myself if my arms were not restrained." Ivan says with a smile. "And I think you may find my arms bleed easier than my neck does."
A few vampires laughed. The lackey sighed and picked up the scarf, and then half-ass stuffed it in Ivan's pocket. "Neck is tradition and we would prefer that you didn't bleed easier. Let's us get a good long suck without draining you dry and killing you." Some of the men cheered and grinned at each other.
"All right then." Ivan says with a slight shrug, tilting his head a bit to give the lackey better access to his neck even though he hated having it exposed like this.
With a quick swipe, the lackey cut the length of the underside of Ivan's jaw. There was just enough flowing at the moment to make a small pool of blood in the bottom of the goblet. He then let the little droplets trail down Ivan's neck as he skipped over to the king and held out the goblet. "My king." He bowed his head low as the king took the small taste of blood. The age old man gave a soft hum, he approved of Ivan's blood like it was some rare wine.
With that, it was like the dinner bell had been rung. The servants moved forward and spread about the table. But rather than bringing them meals on a platter or in cups, they were the meal themselves. The vampires were quick to dig in, sharing up to three people at time on a servant.
For Ivan, it seemed as though only the top knights would be partaking in his blood. They were the only ones left without a servant to feed on. "Come." One demanded with a gruff voice.
Ivan obeyed and the vampires were quick to sink their fangs into his neck. Though they did not take much, for Ivan was the only one to be shared with everyone. Every knight got a bite of Ivan's neck and if they weren't biting, they were lapping up the spilled blood across his neck like dogs. Ivan did not mind the bites, though the lapping made him a hell of a lot more uncomfortable than he would like. Not that it wasn't a pleasant feeling, since his neck was so sensitive, it was; he just didn't enjoy so many touching his neck in such a short time span. However, he was damn determined not to give any indication of how it felt and he was doing a pretty good job of hiding it. His face would have been flushed and given him away though, had he not already lost so much blood.
By the time the lackey got his turn, Ivan was seeing the room spin which was rather disorientating, especially with his arms restrained like this, making him feel off-balanced.
"Don't fall over now, if you pass out we may have to turn you without feeding off you for a few more times." The lackey smiled and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, both to hold him still and to bring him in close.
"I'm not going to pass out yet." Ivan grumbles quietly. "I am just dizzy and feeling off-balance since I can not use my arms to steady myself." He didn't pull away from the arm around his shoulders, knowing that any resistance at this point would just be stupid and futile.
"Ah, so you are still able to speak. Good, want a little lesson on vampires while we enjoy dinner?" The lackey asked, though he really didn't care if Ivan would respond.
"…Sure." Ivan replies after a moment or two of thought.
"Vampires are interesting creatures. They can't stand the sunlight, silver, strong smelling foods, and get shivers that run up their spines when they see grave markers. But in return they can see in absolute darkness, smell an injury, withstand a fatal wound, and go months without feeding." The lackey gave a somewhat pleased sigh. "But you know all this already, don't you?"
"All except for the grave markers, yes." Ivan says with a slight nod.
"But do you know why we feed off blood? Aside from food, I mean."
"No, I do not." Ivan shook his head very slightly.
"Ah, well you see. When we drink another's blood, we gain all their strength. That's why you were unharmed during the fight and your friend took the blow. All of us here that had some of your blood have our own strength and yours on top of that." He gave a small chuckle and licked at the blood on Ivan's neck. "So your partners camping out in the woods have to deal with us and, thanks to you, we are even more powerful."
"Ah, I see." Ivan frowned. "Partners…?"
"I would assume so. They have been talking about you and... Matthew was it?"
"That is his name, yes." The man says with a nod. He then gave a slightly confused look. "I do not know of anyone in Vernal whom I would call a "partner". Any partners I have are back in Solstice and I highly doubt that any of them are aware of my current whereabouts."
The lackey gave a shrug. "Either way, they'll be dead soon enough... I wonder how an incubus' blood tastes."
"An incubus?" Ivan blinks in surprise. "Ah, I think I know who that one is then. But he is not anyone whom I would describe as a partner."
The vampire did not reply only biting down into his neck with more force than needed. Ivan did not flinch nor did he complain at the harsh bite, letting the lackey feed off of him.
Once the lackey drank his fill, he licked up the blood smears on the man's neck. Ivan let him, forcing away any response to the lighter touches. He was even more determined not to let the lackey know how sensitive his neck was, despite how dizzy he was. His vision was blurring, but he remained conscious, doubly determined not to pass out either.
"I think that's enough for tonight..." The lackey gave Ivan a shove, pushing him to the floor. "But you can stay here until we're all finished." Ivan grunted a bit as he fell to the floor, working to push himself up into a sitting position and then staying where he was. "All right." He says with a nod.
)*(
More hours passed before the lackey dragged Ivan's bleeding body back to the tower. Ivan did his best to walk back, though he ended up stumbling more than once, especially on the stairs. Traversing stairs while dizzy with blood loss was not something he enjoyed doing nor was it something he wanted to ever experience again. His body felt sluggish and weak at the loss of blood, but they made it to the cell eventually. His face was paler than it normally was and he was breathing like he had just run a marathon, feeling exhausted after climbing the stairs.
Matthew had nervously been playing with his wings, almost cationic inside the cage with only Kuma for comfort. Once the doors opened, Matthew was quickly on his feet. His eyes were wide in shock and fear at the sight before him. "I-Ivan..."