"Back off from the gate pretty bird." The lackey said to Matthew blandly as he pulled Ivan closer to the cage.
"Keep away from the gate until I am in and it is locked again." Ivan orders harshly, managing to look intimidating despite how unwell he looked. Wobbling a bit as he walked, he was incredibly dizzy and his vision was still blurry. Ivan needed Matthew to stay back until he knew it was safe for the boy to move away from Kumajiro. He did not have the strength, or the coordination right now to protect Matthew properly. Matthew backed up but nervously pulled at his feathers; his eyes were looking over the bite wounds and remaining blood that was on Ivan's neck.
The lackey opened the gate before bringing Ivan inside. He ignored the guardian as he unlocked the restraints, but once they were off the vampire turned and looked over at Matthew with a small smile. "I never did get another chance to play with your feathers."
Kuma hissed and stood up, but Matthew made a small gesture that made Kumajiro stop. "Y-you want to feel them again...?"
"Oh, so you're inviting me this time? You must have reall-" He didn't get to finish as Matthew was suddenly pressed up against his chest. The lackey felt a sharp pain blossom from his chest and vampires have only a few places that they feel such things.
"Here, keep one for yourself." Matthew hissed in the vampire's ear before the other shoved him to the floor.
"What the hell!?" A large feather was sticking out from his dead heart, gray suddenly bursting across the gold. His harsh gaze became fixed on Matthew, but in that moment Kuma charged him with his busted antlers, sending him flying out of the cage. Ivan was not able to move quickly enough to prevent any of it from happening, too sluggish and exhausted to even protest properly, nearly getting knocked over by Kumajiro as the hippogriff rushed the vampire.
The guardian was quick to stand, shutting the door before the vampire could rush back in, Kuma trying to bite him though the bars. Ivan was up against the cage, forcing his body to move to the door of the cell. "Both of you stop that!" He snarls at Matthew and Kumajiro, directing a tired glare at both of them and paining himself more in order to force his way right in front of the lock. He then turned his head to look at the vampire with an exhausted and apologetic look. "I apologize for their behavior, it will not happen again. If you would just lock the cell and leave us be for now please."
The vampire locked the door not a second later. "It's fine. I like things to stay interesting." He grinned at Matthew before pulling out the feather, but it practically turned to dust.
Ivan did not turn to face Matthew until the lackey had left. "Both of you. That was… highly unnecessary." He scolds, pushing himself off the door and staggering over to the center of the cell.
"T-they hurt you! It was completely necessary!" Matthew shouted as Ivan tried to sit down normally.
But with the room still spinning and his vision still blurry Ivan more or less fell very ungracefully to the floor, grunting and forcing himself into a sitting position. "No… it was… not!" It was with badly shaking hands that he pulled his scarf out of his pocket and wrapped it back around his neck, a shaky sigh of relief leaving his lips at having it back on again.
Matthew came to Ivan's side, he was shaking from a mixture of fear and anger, but his voice was soft again as he looked over Ivan scarf. "L-let me heal your wounds... It's the least I can do."
Ivan breathing continues to grow heavier, swaying where he sat before lowering himself to lie down as carefully as he could. "... I will be fine. Just…give me a moment…" He then closed his eyes and just focused on breathing properly, as he was finding it a bit difficult to breathe right now due to the blood loss.
Matthew hesitantly placed a gentle hand on Ivan's arm as he knelt down. "I... I don't want you to die." He choked out. "P-please let me close your wounds."
Ivan didn't open his eyes. "Alright…go ahead…" He says after a moment. Matthew would have to unwrap the scarf; the prince was too exhausted to move anymore right now.
"Thank you." Matthew carefully loosened the fabric, using only his fingertips to touch the wounds. He knew this was Ivan's sensitive part of his body and did not want to bring him any more discomfort.
Ivan hardly responded to the touch, more focused on breathing properly right now. "It did not hurt." He finally says. "I am just dizzy…and exhausted from blood loss."
The guardian took his time to close each wound fully one by one as he dreaded his next words. "You're... Not going to become a...?" He couldn't finish the question, but he was praying.
"No…they did not want to turn me yet." Ivan breathes, voice hardly above a whisper. "That one told me they gain the victim's strength when they feed from them. So all that fed from me tonight stole my strength and became stronger." He stops for a few moments to breathe. "Whereas I have lost strength that I will not regain until my body has replenished what I lost… and also…"
"Also...?" He felt like he shouldn't let Ivan talk, but he was afraid that if he did stop he would die.
"They… they know the others are in the forest." Ivan whispers. "And they have heard them speaking about us so they know why they're here." He took a shaky breath and exhaled just as shakily, cussing softly. "They… they plan to kill the others… and because many drank my blood, they are stronger than them." The prince sluggishly forced his own arm to move up, draping it over his face and obscuring his eyes from view. "I am sorry Matvey."
"You haven't done anything wrong, Ivan." Matthew said softly as he felt his eyes beginning to sting; moving one hand, he meekly placed it on top of Ivan's arm. "You are only doing what you can to keep us all safe."
Ivan just sighed and lay there on his back silently, just slowly taking deep, even breaths and resting his body. He was cold and clammy and his whole body felt as if weights were holding them down. The single shirt he had on did nothing to protect him from the cold of the stone floor, which only made him feel worse. "It would not be necessary for me to have to do this if I had just listened to you and not insisted we go through the forest."
The prince hated feeling this weak and helpless, but he couldn't help it; letting the vampires feed from him had been a necessary action for him to take. Having his neck exposed always made him feel uncomfortable and after that dinner, it was extremely uncomfortable.
But despite this and how sensitive his neck was usually; Matthew's touch only felt warm and soothing against his chilled flesh right now. He could not bring himself to ask for his neck to be covered again despite his discomfort so soon after the experience with the vampires. Doing so would mean that the warm hands touching his neck and arm would disappear, and with how cold he felt right now; he did not want that warmth to be removed just yet.
"There's nothing that can be done about it now, we can't change the past. What matters is what we do now." Matthew whispered as he tried to finish up the healing.
"Yes, I know… however if the others attempt a rescue tomorrow I fear it will end in failure." He says with a sigh. "I will be of little to no use in battle in my current state unfortunately."
"... We won't be fighting." Matthew says quietly so the guards won't hear, a small smile even lay on his lips. With Ivan's wounds healed now, there was sure to be no scars to add to the ones he already had. The guardian then moved his hands away and began to pull up Ivan's shirt. It took Ivan a moment for his tired mind to register what exactly Matthew hands were doing after their warmth left his skin. He shifts his arm slightly to open one eye and peek out at Matthew, a questioning look on his face.
"I have to get you warmed up, but I need to get you into some dry clothes first." Matthew explained has he untied the man's shirt and tried to get it off without bringing him any further discomfort.
"Ah." Ivan removed his hand from covering his face and placed a palm flat on the cold floor. With much difficulty, he forced himself into a sitting position, panting softly from the exertion.
"Easy, you don't have to sit up." Matthew was quick to grab onto Ivan and hold him so he did not strain himself. With great care, he helped Ivan lay back down. "Please... just relax and trust me." Worry was clear on his face.
Ivan gave a nod and closed his eyes, taking time to regain his breath. He shouldn't have sat up in the first place; it had just made him dizzy again. "Yes, I trust you Matvey." He whispers after a few moments, keeping his eyes closed.
After Matthew got the shirt off and had tossed it off to the side, he started on the man's pants. At this, Ivan's eyes opened, frowning at how the world spun slightly. "What are you doing…?" He asks, looking at Matthew in confusion.
"Y-you have cold sweat everywhere. I-it is going to make you freeze." The guardian mumbled and did not make eye contact.
"Ah… all right." Ivan closed his eyes again, too exhausted to really protest to it. "Would you mind wrapping the scarf back around my neck fully?" He asks quietly after a moment, uncomfortable with how loose the scarf was.
"O-oh! Sorry." Matthew did as asked as carefully as he could. "There, is that better?"
"Yes." He gave a weak smile, but kept his eyes closed, not wanting the world to start spinning again. "Thank you Matvey."
"Kuma," His partner perked up, showing he was listening and ready. "I'm going to need you to give me a hand." Matthew then grabbed the man's coat and dressed him in it. Though it was tricky, as he had to get Kumajiro to help hold him up a little in order to get the cloth under him. Ivan was doing his best to help make it as easy as possible. It was dry, but it would still take bit to warm him up.
After the man was dressed, the guardian ruffled up his feathers. "Lift him up again, I have to get my wing under him." Kuma squawked at the proposal. "J-just do it, please."
At hearing Matthew's request Ivan frowned. "Matvey you do not need to do that. My coat is thick enough that it is fine like this." He protests softly. "My weight on your wing would not be pleasant."
"That doesn't matter. This will help you rest more easy and keep your body from overexerting itself." Matthew moved closer to Ivan and aided the hippogriff in letting the man up enough to slip his wing under. After Ivan was lying on top of one, Matthew snuggled up next to Ivan so he could take his body heat, his other wing resting over Ivan's front. Kuma then took the other side of Ivan to help keep the warmth in.
Ivan gave a small smile, enjoying the warmth that Matthew was giving off. After a moment he gave a short, soft chuckle. "This is similar to what happened in Solstice, hm?" He asks in tired amusement, referring to when he saved Matthew from freezing to death.
Matthew laughed a little. "Yes, only this time the person in need is willing."
"And not on the verge of death." He adds, smiling a bit more.
"You're getting close to it yourself..." Matthew curled in closer with a small frown.
Ivan gave a very slight shake of his head. "No. I have been on death's doorstop more than once. I am not anywhere near there yet." He says with a slight smile. "Much closer to unconsciousness though."
"You are certain of this...?" The guardian had a rather frightened and worried voice.
Ivan shifted an arm slowly and tugged Matthew closer so the boy's head was resting above his heart. He pressed Matthew's ear to his chest, his own eyes still closed. "Listen. It is weaker than normal, but still going steady, correct?"
Matthew listened and grasped a hold of the man's coat. He was still scared that he might lose Ivan, but it was reassuring that it was a steady beat. The part of him that was a healer was calm and told him that he would be fine with a month's rest. But the part of him that had found he wanted Ivan for a mate was frantic like bird; tangled in a net and telling him that the man might die is his arms while he slept.
Ivan rested a hand on Matthew's shoulder, lightly stroking the back of his neck with a thumb, too exhausted to move anything else to offer the boy comfort right now. "Do not worry Matvey, I will be fine." He murmurs sleepily. "I have endured much worse and lived. This will not kill me."
"Y-you should rest. Kuma and I will stand guard until it is time to move." Matthew whispered, he didn't move from the touch this time. He needed the comfort from Ivan and he did not wish to stress him out.
"Matvey should rest too." He murmurs sleepily, holding the boy close. He lowered his voice before speaking again. "Hopefully Francis will contact you again. I am too tired for dreams I think." Kuma gave a sound, agreeing with Ivan. He was willing to stay up and watch.
"Alright, but after you are asleep." The guardian replied. Ivan gave a hum of agreement and was soon fast asleep and Matthew, too, drifted off. He hoped Francis would contact him again.
)*(
Matthew?
Francis! Thank goodness you came. Matthew responded with some panic and stress. You must be careful; the vampires already know you're out there! They have been watching you from the beginning. They know you intend to rescue us.
We have been suspecting as much. Arthur and Alfred came prepared to hunt vampires though. Silver and other things, you know?
That's wonderful, but we have a very big problem...
Oh? What happened Matthew?
Ivan's blood has been drained to feed the dead king's army. If you don't know what that means, just imagine an army of vampire Ivan's.
They stole his strength… wonderful. Francis says unenthusiastically. Thank you for warning us Matthew. How is Ivan faring? He is not a…?
N-no, thank the west winds. Ivan's immobilized; so long as he doesn't do anything that will raise his heart rate I believe he will be fine.
I do not know how we will get all three of you out with him in such a condition. Francis sighs.
… I do.
Oh? How?
While Ivan was... Stolen from us. Kuma and I began to plan our escape. The lackey of the king had brought us food two days ago; from the fruit he had given us I took the seeds. I know that this land is cursed and nothing will grow, but I can focus my magic long enough to get us out of the cell. While Kuma handles the guards, I'll be carrying Ivan though the castle. We will start at high noon tomorrow while the vampires sleep. The guards during the day I believe are human. But we will need your help to get out of the town. We are certain we can get out of the castle in under an hour without raising the alarm. But the town will most likely be filled with more guards and by the time we get out the castle gates we may not have enough strength left to protect ourselves. Do you think you can make it to the castle gates before noon without being noticed? Matthew was terribly nervous, he wasn't sure if the plan would work. But they really didn't have any other options.
Francis had listened with quiet interest. That is quite an impressive plan Matthew. I think it just may work. I do not know if you can make it to the castle gates before noon without being noticed on your own but perhaps Arthur has a spell that will make you invisible to others?
We are too far away for his magic to reach, but he could use it on you and Alfred.
I do not need it. I can travel through shadows. It may benefit Alfred though.
Make sure you are all ready and well rested... I do not know if everything will go according to plan.
All right. Do you have a backup plan if this one fails?
No... There will only be one shot. Matthew replies sadly.
Then we all must be ready. Get some rest Matthew. We will do the same. I wish you the best of luck.
To you as well, do not let the spies know of our plans.
Of course not, I shall visit Alfred and Arthur in their sleep soon and alert them that way.
Thank you and I hope to see you at noon...
)*(
Kuma was awake until the guards that he would have little power against him came in before sunrise. Once they were swapped, he took a nap, but his ears still twitched at every sound.
Matthew awoke just an hour after sunrise; he looked around to see if things had already started in their favor. He doubted Ivan would wake unless Matthew himself woke him. "Kuma...?" He whispered and the beast gave a short huff, noting that his partner was ready when needed. Matthew spent the next few hours watching Ivan and Kuma sleep. Ivan needed all the rest he could get right now so the guardian wasn't going to rush anything right at this moment.
)*(
Meanwhile Francis was waking Alfred and Arthur now. Alfred stretched and yawned as he spoke. "I had the strangest dream, Francis here was talking to me about some sort of plan and a vampire..."
"That was no dream to halfwit." Arthur grumbled.
"I am an incubus Alfred. That is how I work." Francis smiles. "Normally I use it for my own gain but as of late I've learned this new form of communication."
"Oh... So... I guess were making our way there now?"
Francis nodded. "But we must be careful."
Arthur began his chanting the spell, while Alfred picked up his things."... There, we won't be seen by anyone but ourselves. The spell should last until noon." Arthur said once the enchantment was in place.
Francis nods. "Excellent." He whispers. "I assume we can still be heard though, right?"
Arthur shook his head. "No, not unless Alfred there, destroys something."
"I won't!"
Francis chuckles. "Let's not bicker. We need to work together until they are safe."
"Then let's move already!" Alfred gave his wings a few flaps before jogging down the path.
"Don't rush ahead!"
"We must stick together Alfred."
"But we have to hurry, what if something goes wrong?"
"Yes we must hurry but stay together."
Alfred huffed angrily, but obeyed nonetheless.
"I know you want to run ahead but we can not split up. Let us hurry together… and at noon I recommend hiding those wings. The vampires don't like your kind much I don't think."
"What vampire will be out in broad daylight?"
"…True. Never mind then." This was why he was nocturnal, being up during the day practically fried his brain of all common sense.
)*(
Back at the tower Matthew was looking over Ivan, checking his neck out of paranoia. He knew that there wouldn't even be marks, but he could still see them in his mind. Ivan stirred in his sleep a little, a frown appearing on his face. Matthew returned the scarf back to lie on his skin. "Sorry, I was just worried, Ivan." He whispered, though he was so quiet it was like he didn't say anything at all. Ivan's expression relaxed and he went back to sleeping soundly once the scarf was back where it belonged.
It was getting close to noon, now was the time to get things going. He gave the man laying on his wing a few gentle nudges. "Ivan, I'm sorry to wake you, but it's time to get up."
Ivan grumbled and stirred. "Matvey…?" He asked sleepily.
"Yes, it's me. Don't rush, but I'm going to help you up."
"...Where are we going Matvey?" He asks confused.
"We are getting ready to leave." Matthew whispered and shifted to try and help Ivan sit up.
Ivan sat up slowly with a groan. "We are…? I need my clothes back then… Or at least my pants."
Matthew blushed a little and gave a short laugh. "I'll help you get dressed, but first how are you feeling?"
"I feel…weak." He scowled.
"Ah, that will get better over time."
Ivan gave a nod. "Yes, I know... I just do not like feeling like this."
"And I do not like seeing you like this."
"You know if I was with anyone else right now, I would probably be acting like I am fine." He comments with a groan. "I do not generally like people seeing me being weak."
"Thank you... I don't know what to say." The winged man smiled.
"No, thank you Matvey."
"Kuma, can you hold him up?" He asked his partner and Kuma complied. Then Matthew pulled his wing out from under Ivan. He winced as he gave his wing a few weak flaps.
"I told you my weight on your wing would not be pleasant." Ivan frowned at him softly.
"Yes, but it was worth it."
Ivan smiled a bit. "Hand me my pants Matvey."
"Oh." He grabbed the man's trousers and tossed them his way. Ivan grabbed them and wiggled them on most of the way until he would need to stand up to pull them up the rest of the way.
"Need any help?"
"…That depends on whether or not I can stand up on my own." He says, attempting –and failing- to do just that.
"C-careful." Matthew rushed to his side. "You must not put strain on your body."
Ivan scoffed softly but leaned up against Matthew as he tugged his pants up the rest of the way. "If we are to leave here then there is no way I will not end up doing just that Matvey."
"Shh!" Matthew hushed him and placed and hand over Ivan's mouth. "The guards have yet to leave."
"I said if." He mumbles against Matthew's hand with a soft frown.
Matthew's face flushed deeply as he felt the prince's lips move against his skin and he withdrew his hand. Ivan gave him a confused look, arching an eyebrow questioningly. Matthew said nothing and looked over at the guards, they should be changing shifts soon.
Ivan slowly tried standing on his own, wobbling a little, but Kuma grabbed onto him with his beak and pulled him back down. Ivan ungracefully fell down at the tug, scowling at him softly in annoyance. Kuma gave him a shake of the head, he needed to stay put for the moment. The guardian and the hippogriff had already gone over what was to happen.
Once the guards left, Matthew quickly ran up to the gate's lock, he placed the few seeds inside the lock. Then used his magic to make the seed grow, soon the metal was whining in protest as the plant kept growing until the lock crippled and burst. Matthew then shoved the door open, turning to address the rest of the small group.
"Kuma-" Matthew started, but the new guards had come back sooner than Matthew had intended. They all froze for a moment, just staring at each other. Without thinking the guardian rushed towards them, his wings flashing forward, startling the three men. Matthew's arm rushed out between the feathers, grasping onto one of the other man's sword.
Unsheathing the sword, Matthew slashed the man's chest, and then stabbed another, stealing a new blade, but at this time the last guard pulled out his own sword and lashed out at Matthew. He got the feathers, but was surprised that he didn't end up hitting anything at all. It scared Matthew at first, it was a little too close for comfort, and he then returned the attack and kicked the swordsman's steel from his hands. He shoved the point of the blade into his opponent's face. "Don't make another move."
The man didn't and Matthew looked over at Kuma and Ivan. "Looks like we're off to a rough start... Just give me a moment and I'll be over there to help you up Ivan. I'll be carrying you while Kumajiro is going to take care of the guards as they come."
Ivan frowns in protest. "Matvey."
"You are not going to be able stand on your own, let alone walk."
"…I do not want to slow you down." Ivan says after a moment. Matthew's face suddenly became angry, his stare hardened and his grip tightened.
Ivan gave him a confused look from this. "What?"
"W-why do you always do that?"
"Do what Matvey?"
"Act like you are only a burden! You are not a burden to me or even Kuma, there's nothing wrong with helping each other out!" Matthew looked away, to make sure none of the guards tried to slip away and because he felt out of place to yell.
"…I do not always act like this, but in this instance I am Matvey." He says quietly. There was more to it than just that but this wasn't the time or the place to mention it to Matthew. "If you are not able to move quickly enough, I will be hindering your chance of escape by making you carry me."
"I don't-" Kuma screeched at Matthew, they didn't have time for this petty babble. Time was wasting. With Matthew silenced, Kuma nudged his head under Ivan's arm.
Ivan stood up slowly, using Kuma to support him. "If he will let me, I would feel more comfortable with letting Kumajiro carry me Matvey." Ivan says after a moment. "I do not want to tire you out or slow you down."
"Hippogriff's only let other's ride them if they're are worthy. I have no say..." He said softly, before hardening his tone. "You three... Get in the cell and don't try anything, I won't be able stop my partner if you do attempt something." Matthew pointed his sword at two them and ushered them on their feet.
Ivan turned to look at Kumajiro. "Will you let me?" He asks. "I understand if you decline, but I'd prefer not to tire Matvey out." Kuma looked into Ivan's eyes before nodding his head and knelt down so Ivan could get on a little easier.
"Thank you." Ivan grunted a little as he forced his body to give him enough strength to get on Kumajiro's back. Kuma gave him a small push with his wings to help sit him in the center of his back more comfortably. Then he stood up with great ease and walked out of the cage before the two lumbered in. The last was having trouble getting up.
"Here, let me help you." Matthew pulled the man to his feet, his healer kicking in. "The wounds I gave you and your fellow men are not fatal so you will not die. Just rest up and you will be better in a month."
After the men were in the cell, Matthew wedged the gate shut. "Looks like I'm going to be doing the fighting..." He said sadly.
Ivan shook his head. "No, Kumajiro can fight a bit like this I think. I can hold on." He says. "Also, I am resting my energy right now so I can help a little later when I can."
"You are not to move, Ivan. And Kuma, you know that Ivan would not likely survive any blow from a weapon." Then his voice became hushed. "He does not have any blood to spare."
Ivan huffed softly. "I did not mean that way Matvey. I have a limited control over ice." He says with a slight smile. "It is no use on vampires but it should work on the guards around here."
"... Just be careful then, all right?"
"I will be Matvey." He says with a light nod. "You be careful as well. I will offer any assistance I can from here; even if it is just warnings or suggestions on how to defeat our opponents." Ivan couldn't help but briefly think that maybe he should have insisted more that he help improve Matthew's fighting skills despite the boy's protests. His knowledge and fighting experience was an invaluable resource that they were being denied due to his lack of strength. Matthew turned and headed for the door to check for anyone else before telling Kuma to follow; jamming the door behind them, just to be safe.
Matthew and Kuma began their descent from the tall tower, both partners kept their focus on any sound they heard. The stairs were long and the passage was only big enough for two people, but they did not need any surprises from the guards.
Once they reached the bottom, there was a door, not like they had expected anything less, but Matthew told Kuma to wait with a small twitch of his wings. He needed to peek out quietly and see if there was anyone on the other side.
Matthew inched the door open slowly, he did not want it to creak. As he looked through the crack, there were no guards and he relaxed. Opening the door fully, he again spoke with his actions for Kuma. It was better not to speak, unless needed.
But now, which way do they go? Neither Matthew nor Kumajiro knew, they had both been brought to the cell unconscious. The hippogriff sniffed the air, trying to figure out if they should go right or left.
Ivan tapped Kumajiro's back to get the hippogriff's attention. They both were unconscious when they were brought here but Ivan had been wide awake and he'd recently been brought back down and then back up again. Kuma turned his head to look back at the prince and Ivan pointed in the direction they should go.
Kuma wasn't sure, but went the way Ivan offered. It was not like they had a better idea. Matthew took notice and moved a little faster to get up ahead; he was the lookout after all and had a much easier time being quiet. Kuma was doing his best, but his hooves and talons clicked as they hit the stone flooring. Ivan couldn't help but frown softly at the clicking. He could tell Kumajiro was trying hard, however it still seemed rather loud to him.
After walking down the hall, quite surprised to see so many torches lit. Matthew's wings suddenly fanned out, making Kuma freeze in mid-stride, straining to hear. Ivan perked up, his body tense and straining to hear whatever it was. He hated not being able to be the one in front for something like this.
Matthew quickly hid behind a nearby pillar and Kuma did the same, it was certainly much harder to hide his large form. But what they had heard was getting closer... footsteps. It sounded like it was only one man so they waited; they did not know if he was coming down this hall or passing by it. Matthew mentally cursed as he heard the footsteps getting closer. That bastard is coming this way!
Ivan tensed as the footsteps started heading towards them. He prayed it would either be an ally or someone that would be easy for Matthew to deal with.
The man walked right past Matthew but paused and took notice of some odd feathers sticking out from behind a pillar up ahead. "What in the world...?"
Little did he know, while he was distracted, Matthew was sneaking up from behind. He lifted up a sword with both hands and then struck him with all his might with the hilt, knocking the man out. The man gave a grunt as he fell to the floor.
Ivan did not release the breath he'd been holding until the man was knocked out, a soft sigh of relief leaving his lips. While it was true that they did need to keep as quiet as possible, they also needed to hurry. Despite the fact that he wasn't doing anything really, the adrenaline was pumping through his body, making him both anxious and eager to continue on so they could leave this place already. He tried to keep his panting as quiet as possible; it was an unfortunate side-effect of losing so much blood and having so much adrenaline at the same time, he supposed.
Matthew took notice of the man's panting and after pulling the guard behind a pillar he went to check up on him. "You how are you holding up?" He asked in a whisper.
"I'm fine." Ivan whispers back. "My heart was already beating fast..." He says waving it off. "Let us continue. I will be fine."
"Just let Kuma know if it gets any worse, we'll stop to help calm your heart." Matthew replies with a soft frown.
Ivan shook his head and frowned. "No, I will be fine. We can not waste time doing that today."
"Please... That's all I ask." He said sadly before running on ahead to continue scouting.
Ivan nodded but did not fully intend to do that. They could not afford to waste time today.
)*(
As the three continued, they ran into guards, normally no more than one at a time, but nothing Matthew couldn't handle. All in all, it was slowing them down and Matthew was beginning to worry that they would not get out within an hour. Anything more and the guards hidden in the halls would be found. Thus setting off the alarm and dooming their chance of escape.
"Matvey we need to hurry." Ivan whispers softly while he wondered where the others were. It would be of great help to them if the others were to appear right now.
Matthew just waves his hand at him dismissively; Ivan didn't need to tell him that, he knew. He was getting ready to peek though an open door away, but he was listening for footsteps. As he tilted his head ever so slightly to see what was inside, he took notice it was the throne room. This means we're close to getting out of here!
Matthew gave the signal that it was clear, but kept watch. It was a massive room; a guard could easily be hidden from view due to the pillars.
Kuma snuck past as quietly as he could, but his footsteps echoed in the great hall. He flinched at this and slowed. Ivan flinched at the echoes as well, looking around, on high alert and body tense in this room. Even if it was daytime, he couldn't help but be anxious to get passed this room as quickly as possible.
Matthew was just about to follow, when he spotted something purple sitting on a small table at the far end of the room. "No... It can't be." He whispered before he began to run into the throne room.
Kuma quickly noticed the blur of gold go by and turned around. What is that boy doing!? He wanted to call out, but all he could do was ruffle his feathers and flap his wings to try and get Matthew's attention.
"No, it could be a trap Matvey! Leave it!" Ivan whisper shouts as he watched Matthew run into the throne room.
Hey guys, we're working editing the other stories right now. They should be up within the next three hours. We apologize for the wait, life's been delaying us from getting them editied.
-GQ