Quick notice: Many of you will have no doubt noticed I labeled Whipped into Shape and Searing Sabbatical as hiatus; this doesn't mean I'm giving up on them, far from it. But this story is dominating my muse right now and either I obey it, or give up on it. I'll try and update Whipped before the year is out - GPT will help greatly on that front, so Whipped readers, fret not. I will get back to Tamotsu and his flock before long.
Once again I'd like to thank everyone who has tuned in, favorited/followed and reviewed this story. Your thoughts mean the world to me and I'd love to hear more from you as we continue onward.
Alright, back to it.
Note at the end, let's begin.
Read, review, enjoy.
Honkai Star Rail is property of Hoyoverse. I own nothing.
"dialogue"
"call"
system
:text:
"altered"
"mental conversation"
"flashback"
SOUND EFFECT
/dream/
Their path snaked through a dense thicket, branches clawing at their clothes and underbrush crunching beneath their careful steps. Borini led the way, his familiarity with the terrain carving an efficient route through the wild that otherwise would have slowed them to a crawl.
Caelus treaded with deliberate caution, each footfall measured against the treacherous slopes and jutting rocks that threatened to send him tumbling to an early grave with a snapped bone or two. His senses were sharp, attuned to the faint rustle of leaves or the distant, haunting howls of blisterfangs that reverberated through the forest, their unseen presence a constant reminder of lurking danger.
Yet, for now, the woods seemed still—eerily so, with only the whisper of the wind and the occasional call of distant wildlife to keep them company.
As they rounded another craggy outcropping, Borini suddenly raised his hand, fingers splayed in a silent command to halt. He glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable beneath the shadow of his hood, and pressed a finger to his lips.
Caelus mirrored the gesture, nodding in understanding, and followed as Borini motioned him forward, but quietly—always quietly. Each step was a measured dance with the earth, and Caelus watched Borini closely, trying to mimic his graceful, soundless movements.
The older man moved like a whisper, his footfalls almost imperceptible against the foliage, and Caelus did his best to match him, mindful of every rustle and shift that could betray their position.
They crept along the ravine's edge, each inch gained in slow, deliberate silence, until Borini halted again. He dropped to his stomach, a swift motion that Caelus quickly followed, flattening himself against the cold, damp ground.
Peering through the tangled grasses, Caelus's gaze fell upon a small clearing just beyond the thicket. There, grazing quietly in the sun-dappled glen, was an elk—not unlike the one they had encountered before, though its antlers were smaller and less ornate. The lack of heavy horns made it difficult to discern its age or gender, but it was a fine beast nonetheless, its coat a soft gray that blended seamlessly with the forest shadows.
Borini, still prone beside him, glanced sideways at Caelus and murmured, his voice barely a whisper against the backdrop of rustling leaves. "Think you can line up a shot?"
Caelus gave a curt nod, his throat suddenly dry as he settled the rifle against his shoulder. He drew in a slow breath, steadying the weight of the gun as he slipped into a stance he had seen veteran gunners of the Guard adopt. The rifle felt heavy and awkward in his grip, but his focus remained unbroken. He let the sights fall on the elk, his finger curling around the trigger with a touch so light it could have been a caress.
Borini watched him, his gaze unwavering, then added softly, almost as an afterthought, "Whenever you're ready. Just be mindful of the—"
The rest of his sentence was drowned out by the sharp crack of the rifle, Caelus's finger squeezing the trigger before Borini could finish his warning. The echo of the shot ripped through the stillness, scattering birds from the trees and sending ripples of tension through the quiet wood.
Several things happened all at once.
First came the sound—a deafening roar that split the air like thunder, tearing through Caelus's ears with the force of the Express itself. The blast left a dull, relentless ringing that echoed through his skull, muting the world to a distant hum.
The second was the sheer, staggering recoil—like Svarog himself had struck him with an iron fist. It sent him sprawling, his feet slipping out from under him as he was flung backward, landing square on his backside with a bone-jarring thud. The impact sent shockwaves through his spine, and for a few disorienting moments, sound and pain were all he knew.
The world spun, a blur of trees and sky, until Borini's concerned face swam into view, distorted and hazy at the edges.
"… …!"
Borini's mouth was moving, but his words were lost in the cacophony still rattling in Caelus's head.
Was there always a mute button for Borini? he wondered, his thoughts sluggish and thick like molasses as he tried to make sense of the man's frantic gestures. He cocked his head to the side, dazed and disoriented, while the ringing in his ears swelled to a maddening crescendo.
Slowly, sound trickled back in—faint at first, then gradually clearer—until Borini's voice cut through the noise, sharp and exasperated. "…to blame for trying to fire it like that."
Caelus blinked, his head pounding with every heartbeat. "Fire like… what?" He gingerly rubbed the back of his head, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through his skull.
Borini's expression shifted from concern to incredulity. "Caelus, have you even fired a rifle before?"
"N-no," Caelus stammered, his cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and lingering shock.
Borini let out a long, weary sigh and slapped a hand against his face, dragging it down in a slow, exasperated motion. "Why didn't I make that guess to begin with? I should've known when you said you had no training earlier." His voice dripped with a mixture of irritation and something bordering on reluctant amusement.
Caelus shifted uncomfortably, trying to push himself upright. The ground felt unsteady beneath him, and his muscles trembled as if they'd forgotten how to support his weight. "Did I… at least hit it?" he asked groggily, his movements slow and awkward as he struggled to sit up, every joint protesting.
Borini's scoff was harsh, tinged with a sharp edge of disbelief. "With that piss-poor stance of yours? I'd be amazed if you hit anything other than your own pride. Hell, you're lucky the recoil didn't knock you out cold or rip your arm clean off."
Caelus grimaced, a mix of pain and wounded pride coloring his expression. "But the guards do it too!" he protested, though his voice lacked conviction, as if he already knew how flimsy the argument was.
Borini rolled his eyes so expressively it was a wonder they didn't roll right out of his head. "Because they're trained, ya dolt. They know what they're doing. Did you really think you could just pick up a rifle and become a crack shot overnight?"
Yes, Caelus thought, though he wisely kept that thought to himself. Instead, he settled for a half-hearted grumble. "I had to try, alright?"
Borini's gaze was hard, unyielding, but after a moment, his shoulders sagged, and he let out a breath, the tension easing just a fraction. "You alright at least? Nothing broken?"
Caelus groaned, shifting on the rough ground. "My ass, maybe. Hurts like hell to sit."
Borini snorted, shaking his head with a wry smile. "If you're well enough to whine about it, you'll live. Now, hand me the rifle—ah!" he cut in sharply as Caelus began to protest, his tone firm but not unkind. "I'm not taking it away from you. I just want to show you how to fire it without knocking yourself into next week."
Reluctantly, Caelus handed over the rifle, watching as Borini took it with the ease of a man who had held a hundred like it before. He settled it into his hands with practiced confidence, every movement precise and deliberate, the weapon an extension of his own body.
For a moment, Caelus could only stare, feeling a mix of envy and grudging admiration as Borini demonstrated with the calm assurance of a seasoned hunter who had learned every trick of the trade.
"Since you can't handle the recoil yet, the best way to fire it is to lie flat on your belly like this," Borini said, dropping down with practiced ease. He maneuvered the rifle fluidly, bringing it up to his shoulder in one seamless motion. "And bring the stock—the back end," he clarified at the confused look Caelus shot him, "right up against your shoulder, snug."
"Doesn't that limit my range, though?" Caelus countered, brows furrowing as he considered the awkwardness of firing from the ground.
Borini's lips quirked into a wry smile. "So does losing control and landing on your ass like this," he shot back, and Caelus's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, the heat creeping up his neck. "Look, just do as I do."
The explorer's movements were smooth, almost casual, as he demonstrated various firing positions—kneeling, crouching, prone—and explained how each stance affected accuracy and recoil. Borini fired off a few rounds with a deftness that left no question of his familiarity with the weapon, each shot ringing out clean and sharp, hitting their mark with pinpoint precision. Reloading was second nature to him; every motion was efficient, the kind born from countless repetitions since boyhood.
"How come you don't use this more often if you're that skilled?" Caelus blurted out, curiosity cutting through his awe.
Borini shrugged, the easygoing confidence in his posture never wavering. "Call it a step out of my comfort zone. Rifles are familiar, sure, but I like to keep things interesting. You get too used to something, it dulls the edge—bores you to tears."
"Is that why you hang around me so much?"
Borini shot him a look, knocking lightly on Caelus's head with his knuckles, his grin sharp. "The lad's catching on. Yeah, you've definitely made things a little livelier around here. Most people wouldn't admit it, but it's the truth. No point lying about it."
"If you're that eager for a change, why not join the Guard?" Caelus joked, his tone light, but the moment the words left his mouth, Borini's expression hardened, his easy smile fading. Caelus's own grin faltered, and he held up his hands, backing off. "Sorry, I didn't mean—"
"Relax, I'm not gonna take your head off," Borini cut in, waving a dismissive hand, though the tightness in his voice lingered. "You're not the first to ask, and you won't be the last. My Pa's always pushing the idea—says it's the family tradition and all that. I'd be carrying the torch, you know?"
"But you're not sold on it, are you?"
Borini's eyes flicked to him, sharp and searching. "Are you?"
Caelus hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm not."
"Then you get it." Borini's voice was tinged with a jaded bitterness. "On paper, it sounds noble. Joining the valiant struggle to push back the Fragmentum, to free our world from the insidious blight. But in reality, it's all blood and horror, one battle bleeding into the next. There are thousands who signed up, thinking they'd be the heroes of old. And what difference have their sacrifices made? Tell me, Caelus, what's changed?"
Caelus opened his mouth, but no words came. He had no answer for that—not to Borini's cold, unflinching realism. Even in his brief stints with the Guard, he'd seen it—the grim faces of soldiers who believed in the cause but knew, deep down, that the odds were stacked against them. The promise of heroism felt like a lie dressed up in polished armor.
"Sorry for bringing it up," Caelus muttered, his gaze falling to the ground.
Borini let out a short, dry laugh and clapped Caelus on the back, his tone lighter, though the undercurrent of weariness remained. "Don't lose sleep over it. I hear the same lecture from my Pa at least once a week—more if he's feeling sentimental. Feels good to vent a bit to someone who doesn't have his head too far up his own ass to listen."
Borini rose, brushing dirt and leaves from his clothes before extending a hand to Caelus. "Come on, let's get moving. Abram'll have our hides if we're not back before supper. And trust me, that's a fate worse than any rifle's recoil."
As Caelus began grabbed hold, a howl tore through the air—a vicious, bone-chilling cry that sent his blood running cold. It was closer than any of the others they had heard, far too close. He froze, instinctively reaching for his rifle, while Borini's eyes narrowed, the man shifting his stance as his senses went on high alert.
"Close…?" Caelus asked as he climbed to his feet, his voice tight.
"Too close," Borini replied tersely, his gaze darting through the shadows.
The staccato crack of gunfire suddenly erupted, breaking the tense stillness and making them both flinch. "The others!" Caelus shouted, panic flashing in his eyes as he turned to Borini, who was already moving, feet kicking up dirt as he bolted toward the sound.
"This way, come on!" Borini yelled, and they sprinted along the ravine, leaping over rocks and dodging branches, their breath coming in sharp, frantic gasps.
More gunshots rang out, echoing against the stone walls, and the air was soon filled with a chorus of guttural howls—primal, hungry, and unrelenting. It was a sound that promised death, a twisted symphony heralding the slaughter that was about to unfold.
With hearts hammering in their chests, the two men raced faster, hurtling through the narrow crevasse until they burst into a clearing.
Before them lay the icy corpses of two blisterfangs, their forms twisted and still, but it was the third that caught Caelus's eye—a snarling, vicious beast locked in a struggle with a figure desperately fighting it off. Even at a distance, Caelus recognized the blond guard beneath the wolf's fury.
"Blast, it's Tobias!" Borini cursed, his voice thick with worry as he spotted the struggling guard, who was frantically trying to keep the wolf's snapping jaws away from his throat.
"Can we take the shot?" Caelus asked, desperation creeping into his tone as he raised his rifle, but Borini's head was already shaking.
"We might hit Tobias—can't risk it," Borini growled, frustration rippling through his words. "Damn that idiot! What's he thinking taking on a pack like this!"
Caelus's grip tightened on his rifle as he watched Tobias wrestle against the blisterfang, the beast's jagged fangs gnashing against the guard's weapon, threatening to cleave the gun in half.
Caelus's eyes darted from his rifle to Tobias, and then back to his own weapon. A reckless idea sparked in his mind. He couldn't use the rifle to shoot, but he could still use it.
"Hey… think you can get to the others?" Caelus asked, his voice sudden and sharp, snapping Borini out of his frantic calculations.
"Yeah, but what are you—"
"THEN GO!" Caelus shouted, taking off at a dead sprint before Borini could stop him. He hurtled toward the snarling wolf, the rifle clenched tight in his hands, ignoring Borini's shouted protests that trailed behind him.
He focused only on the beast—its powerful frame and murderous intent bearing down on Tobias, who was straining against it with everything he had. Caelus had no particular fondness for the guard, but there was no time for second thoughts.
It wasn't his bat, but it would have to do.
Caelus flipped the rifle in his hands, gripping it by the barrel as he closed the distance, sliding to a halt just behind the wolf. "Tobias, duck!"
Tobias's head whipped around, eyes wide, and he dropped instinctively, just as Caelus swung with all his might. The rifle smashed into the blisterfang's snout with a sickening crunch, the impact sending the beast hurtling away with a pained, distorted yelp. It tumbled across the ground, landing in a heap several feet away, writhing in agony.
Caelus stumbled back, chest heaving as he spared Tobias a quick glance. "You alright?" he panted, adrenaline spiking his voice.
"W-what the hell are you doing here!?" Tobias blurted, his attempt at bravado falling flat under his own shaky breath.
Caelus rolled his eyes, barely sparing him a look., his focus elsewhere.
The wolf was already recovering, its limbs trembling as it rose, eyes burning with seething malice. Acidic drool dripped from its snarling jowls, sizzling as it hit the ground. It stared at Caelus, hackles raised, fangs bared, and fury radiating from every muscle.
If it was trying to intimidate, it wasn't working. That didn't mean it wasn't a threat all the same.
"While it's focused on me, take your chance and run," Caelus ordered, never breaking eye contact with the wolf, even as it growled low, the sound like gravel grinding in its throat.
"And let you take all the glory? Not a chance!" Tobias snapped back, his voice tinged with a mix of defiance and reckless pride.
"This isn't about—!" Caelus started, but the wolf lunged without warning, jaws snapping inches from his face. He barely managed to twist the rifle up in time, blocking the beast's bite as it clamped down, acid hissing against the metal. The rifle sizzled, the beast's saliva eating away at the wood and metal alike, and stray droplets burned through Caelus's gloves, stinging his skin beneath. With a furious shout, Caelus threw the blisterfang back, but the damage was done; the rifle was scarred and smoking, barely recognizable as a weapon.
He glared at the blisterfang, his breath ragged and his muscles trembling, but his resolve remained unbroken.
If only he could use his real weapons! The thought burned in Caelus's mind, frustration coursing through his veins like fire.
But with Tobias watching his every move, it was impossible; revealing his abilities now would blow his cover completely, and any goodwill he'd painstakingly earned would be gone in an instant. The guard would blabber to anyone who'd listen, and Caelus couldn't risk that kind of exposure. Not now.
The blisterfang prowled with predatory grace, its muscles rippling under its mangy fur as it bounded closer, eyes fixed on its quarry. It moved like a shadow with fangs, leaping from side to side, its guttural snarls sending shivers down Caelus's spine. It lunged suddenly, massive jaws snapping shut with a sickening crack, narrowly missing his throat as Caelus twisted away and lashed out with a fierce kick to its side. The blow glanced off the beast, doing little more than enraging it further, but it was enough to keep the creature's focus on him and not the frozen figure of Tobias behind him.
"Come on, you overgrown flea bag!" Caelus taunted, his voice hoarse and breathless. "The main course is right here!"
The wolf's response was a venomous, hissing growl that sent a ripple of dread through the clearing. It charged with terrifying speed, each stride leaving sizzling paw prints in its wake as its acidic saliva dripped from its maw, burning the ground beneath. Caelus knew he couldn't outrun it—not this relentless force of nature—but he could at least lead it away, buying Tobias time to escape.
Wait are you waiting for, go! Caelus mentally urged, his eyes flicking briefly to the guard, who was still rooted to the spot, paralyzed by fear or shock—he couldn't tell which.
The wolf came at him again, faster than before, and Caelus moved to evade, but his foot snagged on a hidden root, sending him sprawling. He hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind from his lungs.
There was no time to recover. The blisterfang was on him in an instant, its powerful bulk slamming down, claws raking across his chest as it pinned him to the dirt. Caelus barely managed to wedge the severed remains of his rifle between them, using the splintered wood and warped metal as a desperate shield. The beast's jaws snapped inches from his face, teeth gnashing with brutal, animalistic fury.
Caelus pushed back with all his strength, muscles straining and burning under the pressure, but the wolf was relentless, its rancid breath washing over him in hot, fetid waves. He could feel the acidic sting as the creature's saliva dripped onto his clothes, searing through fabric and flesh alike. His nerves screamed in agony, the acid burning into his chest, but he grit his teeth, forcing himself to hold on.
"I'M… NOT… A… SNACK!" he roared, defiance flaring in his eyes as he fought against the wolf's overwhelming strength. His arms trembled violently, muscles quivering under the strain, and he knew he couldn't keep this up much longer. The beast seemed to sense his weakness, redoubling its efforts as it snapped its jaws with renewed ferocity, each bite coming closer and closer, the beast's fangs glistening like razors poised to tear into his flesh.
Caelus's breath came in ragged gasps, his vision blurring at the edges as he dug deep, trying to find some reserve of strength left untapped. But his limbs were weakening, wobbling unsteadily, and the weight of the wolf pressed down on him like a vice. He could feel the blisterfang's hot breath against his skin, its teeth just inches away, the beast's snarls growing more frenzied as it sensed its imminent kill.
With a final, desperate surge, Caelus shoved back, every muscle in his body screaming in protest. But he knew he was running on borrowed time. The blisterfang was relentless, unyielding, and Caelus could feel the brutal truth of it—the cold, inescapable reality that he couldn't hold on much longer. He prayed Tobias had taken the hint, that he had run while he still could. But the wolf didn't care about his prayers; it only cared about the kill. And its teeth were getting closer with every second, the gap between life and death narrowing with every savage chomp.
BANG!
The gunshot tore through the clearing like a thunderclap, deafening and final. The blisterfang's body went rigid, every muscle locking up in a grotesque spasm before it collapsed with a pitiful whimper. Its lifeless weight crashed down onto Caelus, pinning him to the ground, the sudden silence almost as jarring as the noise that had shattered it.
Caelus lay trapped beneath the heavy carcass, the rank stench of blood and acid filling his nostrils as he struggled to catch his breath. Before he could even process what had happened, he heard hurried footsteps pounding against the dirt.
"Caelus!"
Borini and Abram sprinted over, rifles in hand, their faces etched with worry and adrenaline. Caelus couldn't tell which one of them had fired the shot—nor did he care. He was still breathing thanks to them.
"Perfect timing," Caelus grunted, wincing as he tried to shift beneath the blisterfang's massive bulk to no avail. He forced a pained grin, eyes crinkling despite the ache spreading through his limbs. "Mind getting this thing off me?"
Without hesitation, Borini and Abram moved to his side, bracing themselves against the dead beast's weight. They heaved together, muscles straining as they rolled the carcass off Caelus, freeing him from the suffocating pressure. Borini extended a hand, and Caelus took it, staggering to his feet with a groan. His legs wobbled, barely holding him upright as he glanced around in a daze.
"Tobias... where's—?"
Abram jerked a thumb over his shoulder, and Caelus's eyes followed, landing on the rest of their party huddled around the fallen guard. Tobias sat slumped against a rock, red-faced and furious, swatting away the others' attempts to patch him up. Relief washed over Caelus at the sight. Despite their differences, the last thing he wanted was for the man to become a chew toy.
"He'll live," Abram said gruffly, but his tone softened as he looked Caelus up and down. "You, on the other hand…"
"Caelus… how are you even standing?" Borini asked, voice barely above a whisper, the shock plain on his face.
Caelus blinked, suddenly aware of the searing pain flaring across his chest, the raw, angry welts where the wolf's claws had pinned him down. His clothes were a ruined mess, peppered with acid burns and ragged holes where the blisterfang's saliva had eaten through the fabric. His entire body felt like it was on fire, each breath sending a new wave of agony coursing through him.
He glanced down at himself, taking in the damage with a detached sort of bemusement. He looked like hell, that much was obvious. But despite it all, he couldn't help but muster a wry smile. "Uh… would you believe me if I told you I've been through worse?"
Borini just stared at him, a mix of awe and exasperation flickering in his eyes. Abram let out a low grunt, shaking his head in disbelief, but there was a thread of respect woven into his gaze, an unspoken acknowledgment of what Caelus had endured.
"You're one tough bastard, I'll give you that," Borini finally said, clapping him on the shoulder, careful to avoid the worst of his wounds. "But let's not make a habit of this, yeah?"
Caelus chuckled weakly, his laughter tinged with pain. "No promises."
Whatever Borini or Abram might have said next was abruptly cut off as a howl ripped through the air—a deep, guttural sound that set every nerve on edge. It wasn't the sharp, jagged cry of an ordinary blisterfang; it was deeper, more resonant, and filled with a rage that sent a shiver down every spine. The hunters around them froze, weapons raised, eyes darting nervously toward the tree line, and even Tobias, usually so full of bluster, went pale with dread.
"Caelus, get up—NOW!" Borini snapped, his voice tight with urgency. He grabbed Caelus by the arm, dragging him upright with little regard for his injuries. "Can you run?"
"Y-yeah, but—"
"THEN RUN!"
The forest around them exploded with the sounds of something barreling through the undergrowth, trees splintering and branches snapping like brittle bones. Whatever was coming was big, tearing through the woods with a fury that left no doubt of its power. Another howl tore through the air, lower and angrier, vibrating with a promise of violence Caelus had no desire to witness.
Without further hesitation, he bolted after Borini and the others, all of them fleeing from the clearing like hunted prey. Caelus stumbled over the carcass of the dead blisterfang, nearly losing his footing as he scrambled past it. The ground beneath him shuddered, the rumbling of something immense growing louder with every heartbeat. It felt like the forest itself was breathing down his neck, a looming threat just beyond sight.
He regained his balance and sprinted into the trees, but as the sound of something massive crashing through the brush reached his ears, he couldn't resist glancing back—and what he saw stopped him cold.
Emerging from the shadows of the forest was a blisterfang—massive and monstrous, its hulking frame dwarfing anything that dared cross its path. It was easily the size of an automaton wolf, maybe bigger, with a dense, sinewy body that rippled with raw power. Its fur was dark as midnight, streaked with silvery scars that glowed faintly, like veins of molten metal running through its hide. Thick, jagged spines jutted from its back, sharp and uneven, and its eyes were twin orbs of molten gold that burned with a seething, animalistic intelligence. Its jaws, lined with teeth like shattered glass, dripped acid that hissed and steamed upon contact with the ground, leaving scorched trails in its wake.
Grim Fang.
This was the wolf Lev had warned him about.
Caelus stood, transfixed, as the colossal beast padded over to the bodies of its fallen kin, lowering its massive head to nudge the slain blisterfang with its snout as if willing it to rise. But the carcass remained still and lifeless. Grim Fang reared back, its eyes narrowing to slits, then planted itself beside the fallen wolf and threw back its head, unleashing an otherworldly howl that tore through the sky like a rift.
"Caelus-!" Borini's urgent whisper cut through his daze, and Caelus nearly drew his weapon in reflex, only to find Borini beside him, eyes wide with fear. "We need to go, now! If it senses us, we're dead where we stand!"
Caelus nodded, his heart hammering in his chest as he turned to follow Borini. But he couldn't resist stealing one last glance at Grim Fang.
The enormous wolf had been joined by more of its kind, the rest of the pack slinking out of the shadows, each one settling quietly beside the slain beast. They circled around the fallen, forming a grim vigil, their heads bowed low in a silent, somber tribute.
Then, as if in unison, the pack raised their heads and howled, their voices mingling with Grim Fang's in a sorrowful, keening dirge that echoed through the forest.
He turned away, teeth clenched, and ran, the mournful howls of the blisterfangs trailing after him like the wails of vengeful spirits, promising retribution for every drop of blood spilled.
By the time Borini led them back to camp, the adrenaline was slowly bleeding from their veins, replaced by an aching exhaustion that settled deep in their bones. The camp was a mess of weary faces and haphazardly stacked supplies, the hunters having finally managed to calm their nerves—everyone except Abram, who paced like a restless wolf, eyes scanning the tree line. The moment he caught sight of Borini and Caelus stumbling into view, he rushed over, his expression tight with worry and barely concealed relief.
"You two alright?" Abram's voice was gruff, but the strain in it betrayed his concern.
"It was close," Borini admitted, running a hand through his hair as if to smooth away the tension of the chase. "But we got away right as the pack showed up."
"The Guardians favored us this time," Abram muttered, though his stern gaze was fixed squarely on Caelus, the younger man's worn-out state not escaping his notice. "But don't linger next time. If that pack had wanted, they could've hounded us all the way back to the village."
Caelus nodded silently, his mouth too dry to muster a response. Pain lanced through his body with every movement, a sharp reminder of the blisterfang's assault. The burns across his chest felt like hot coals pressed against his skin, and his limbs trembled, each step a new agony.
Abram's gaze softened slightly, allowing himself a sigh. "What matters is you made it out in one piece. For now, let's get you some supper then we can get those wounds looked at."
Caelus's head snapped up, guilt flashing across his face. "Wait! But… I lost the rifle."
Abram and Borini exchanged incredulous looks, Borini's eyebrows shooting up as if Caelus had just confessed to losing his own head. But the words of Abram's earlier statement settled heavily between them, the old hunter realizing the weight of his own vow.
"I suppose it would make me a lesser man if I didn't keep my word," Abram said gruffly, though his tone was resigned, his eyes meeting Caelus's with an understanding born of hard choices.
"Abram!" Borini protested, his voice rising in outrage on Caelus's behalf, but Caelus placed a steady hand on his shoulder, silencing him.
"A man's word is his bond, Borini," Caelus said quietly, his voice strained but firm. "I won't ask Abram to go against his, even after everything that's happened."
Abram gave a solemn nod, even though his eyes betrayed his true feelings on the matter. "Borini, help the lad back to the village while we sort things out here. Our haul wasn't as good as we'd hoped, but it'll keep everyone fed tonight."
Borini huffed in frustration but didn't argue, instead slipping Caelus's arm over his shoulder to help him walk. As they started away from camp, Borini leaned in, his voice low and heated. "You owe me, you stubborn fool."
Caelus managed a pained chuckle, though it came out as more of a strained wheeze. "Long as you don't pull Findie out again," he joked weakly, though the effort cost him, his wounds flaring with renewed intensity. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, he was feeling the full repercussions of his actions.
Borini shook his head in disbelief, glancing sideways at his battered companion. "You've got burns across most of your chest and you can still find it in you to crack a joke? Any other man would've been curled up in the fetal position, bawling like a babe."
"Does that make me strange?"
"Aye." Borini's response was blunt and without hesitation.
Caelus couldn't help but laugh, despite the stabbing pain that followed.
Borini smirked, his tone softening as he continued. "Then again, you also survived a crash landing in this hellhole and are dead set on trekking all the way to the capital on your lonesome. Strange seems par for the course with the likes of you."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Just as they were about to cross the camp's threshold, they heard a commotion erupt behind them.
"LET ME GO DAMMIT! I need to go back!"
"Lad calm yourself! You really think it's safe with that monstrosity out and about?"
Caelus turned and found Tobias busy wrestling with two other hunters that were doing their best to keep him from running out of camp. The look in the man's eye unnerved Caelus, a sort of feral fury that sent a shiver down his spine.
"I don't care! I have to kill them – all of them!"
"What's that all about?" Caelus whispered to Borini.
The explorer shrugged. "Beats me. Probably upset that you had to step in and help him. Toby's always been a bit of a glory hound."
That didn't seem like the whole story to Caelus. Anger was present there sure, but there was a sort of desperation in the guard's eyes – the kind that mirrored those that the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus possessed.
A mission that only he understood, and was hellbent on accomplishing it no matter what it took.
"You should be more worried about yourself anyhow," Borini's voice brought him back to the present. "Strange or not, you're only human, Caelus. Don't risk yourself too much – you only live once."
The man was right, but it wasn't so cut and dry for Caelus. Whether it was a product of the stellaron within him or his own strength, he had the power to make a difference where it mattered. If he could help someone, he was damn well going to – no matter how risky it was to him.
"Thanks, Borini," Caelus said instead, sincerity threading through his voice. "For everything. I mean it."
Borini grinned, giving Caelus's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Don't thank me yet—word of you getting hurt will travel far and fast, until it reaches even Iyanka's ears."
"…is it too late for me to go play fetch with Grim Fang?"
Yes Caelus, it is.
One thing I wanted to touch on when writing this is just how idealistic the game makes the strife in Belobog seem - if that makes sense. To be more specific, the Silvermane Guard defends Belobog to the last with little to no complaint and wholly believe in the cause - because if they don't they'll all die. Things may seem a bit different here what with Belobog itself not being the last line of defense, but the beliefs are the same. Perhaps there's some lore that I missed playing the game but I wanted to give a comparison to the gung-ho soldiers vs. the ordinary folk like Borini. Out here, honor and glory mean little to pragmatists like him.
Also, I realize I'm making Caelus get hurt a lot here but I don't want to pretend he's some all powerful invincible badass - he is a badass, but I want him to have his own flaws like his compulsion to help others even at great risk to himself. Could he have whipped out his trusty bat and scored a homerun on that blisterfang? Absolutely. Would it have been smart of him? No. Each action has an equal and opposite reaction as we'll later see.
Speaking of which, I hope that I wrote the scene with Caelus and his first shooting experience well enough. Naturally the game makes him proficient in the use of his Path weapons, but none of those are ranged so having him get laid flat on his ass felt appropriate.
Lastly, one of you guys pointed out that the Fragmentum soldiers we fight in game are actually reanimated fallen guards grotesquely altered in the process. That being said, since this is a frontier village, the folks here will have different beliefs than those closely tied to Belobog proper so there will be some discrepancies. Nevertheless, I'll try and touch on that subject as we go forward. For now, we need get Caelus out of Yakarich.
School is starting back up so chapters will be a bit more sporadic going forward. I'll hammer out as much as I can when I have the time - and when I'm not asleep that is - so rest assured, House of Rand is going nowhere. I have a clear plot in mind for this unlike my other stories save for Whipped in to Shape.
Till then,
Take care.