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hyperfixat · 8 months

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sun and moon rpg au that i forgot to post here for like a year >.< ~4000 words

this was written at the peak of world of warcraft hyperfixation btw

Healers are vital to parties and guilds. It’s rare to find one on their own, unclaimed. Priests and Druids tend to be weaker when it comes to fighting, seeing as it wasn’t what they trained for.

You’re a Priest, on the low end of the average level of the humans and beasts around you. In the Hollowed Woods, beasts range from the thirties to the fifties. Your current leveling placed you at a thirty-five.

Your base is set up in a secluded area of the edge of the woods, near the beginning of a small creek. The only beasts you had to deal with were in the lower thirties; Vengeful Sprites, Were-Hounds, and the stray Fiery Spirit. Very rarely did parties run through your spot in the woods, with their numbers they charge into the deep.

There is safety in numbers, you knew this, and you had previously been in a small guild. Three Paladins, two mages, a warrior, and you. During an adventure in the Barren Lands, you’d failed as a healer. The party fought a Dessert Tumbler, they fought well, but you couldn’t heal them quick enough. Both Mages and two of the Paladins fell before the three of you remaining turned tail and ran.

After the monster had cleared you went back to the spot of the fight and tried your hardest to resurrect your friends, but your Mana kept faltering before you could bring them back.

From there you’d fought your way to the Hollowed Woods, a place you knew you could probably survive alone.

You’re too scared of failure to join another party or guild. At first there were offers from groups of humans traveling through, but soon word traveled and some became resentful that you were greedy. A Priest keeping their oh so desired Magic all to themself.

But humans like those tend to be far and few between.

Morning comes with sunrise and the shuffling of forest critters rushing around, scavenging for food and avoiding their predators. The sounds of the woods wake you as always.

Your morning routine consists of filling your flask at the creek’s edge and splashing some of the cool on your face. You don your usual armor, a simple cloth cloak, and you tuck your dagger into the small sheath in your pocket.

There’s no point in carrying a wand with you, Magic comes from within. Besides, wands are expensive. It would take a month's worth of pelts to get you the money that you’d need to buy one. Money gets spent on supplies and repairs, important things.

The weather is pleasant, warm spring air. Sunlight shines down through the tree branches creating intricate patterns on the floor of the woods.

The sound of rustling from a bush a couple yards away disrupts you from filling your flask. Your head flies up at the sound, expecting a deer or rabbit.

A Warrior, brandishing two large silver maces, covered in blood stumbles into your view. They haven’t seen you yet, so you duck behind a tree to observe the warrior.

They’re panting, staring into the direction they’d run from, maces shaking in their hands. When they take a moment to glance around, your blood chills. You know this fighter.

Raphael was once an ally, he was kind to you, and supplied occasional companionship. After a few weeks of friendship, he kept pressuring you to join his party. After you declined about a million times, he grew resentful. Raphael fought you, hurt you. He said if he ever found you again, you’d be dead.

Raphael looks to have lost his party. From the brush a long thin hand reaches through, grasping the thin branches of the bush and pushing them aside to stick a head through.

You’ve never seen anything like the monster. A large circular face with a large, cruel grin, one side a waxing moon, colored a deep gray, the other a dark, midnight blue. Upon the Lovecraftian horror’s head perched a beat up, torn nightcap decorated with stars.

The monster stalked Raphael, its large eyes glowing a bright red. Raphael backed up into the clearing and the monster followed, revealing a long humanoid body. You couldn’t recognize the clothing it wore, too unfamiliar with the deeper woods.

Raphael readied himself in preparation for the attack. The monster lunged at him and Raphael attempted to dislodge the monster’s path with his weapons, but he only threw his own body to the side. He stumbled and in the moment of weakness he was pinned.

You watch with bated breath as the monster’s slender hands wrapped around Raphael’s throat and held. It looked up around the tree tops, and you did too.

In the branches of one of the thicker trees crouched another creature akin to the one currently holding Raphael captive. This monster however was yellow with orange triangular rays shooting out around its head.

The monster on the ground’s head twisted 360degrees unnaturally spinning from its base at the neck. The voice that comes out of the beast is deep and scratchy as it calls to its partner up above, “he’s down, Sunny.”

The beast in the trees climbs down with the skill of an acrobat. As he descends you see that this beast is scratched all along its yellow chest, a thick deep blue oozes out of the gashes slowly. Sunny, its partner had called it, approached Raphael with caution.

Once the solar beast was in Raphael’s line of sight, he began struggling with a renewed vigor. The lunar beast hissed at him and he stilled.

Sunny’s large grin never faltered as he glared down at Raphael.

“You wish to fight me like a true warrior would?” Sunny mocked, voice warbled, yet sweet like honey. “Let him up, Moon.”

Moon stepped up and off of the struggling human, who quickly scampered away and backed against a tree.

Sunny’s head turned to an angle a little less than natural. “Come on, little human this is what you wanted, is it not?”

Raphael’s eyes went everywhere, as soon as he recognized the small shadow of your hut in the woods he cried out desperately for you. His voice was broken and dry as he sobbed your name.

You stiffened at the call. Of course he’d come crawling back in his time of need, begging to not be sent to the Other Side. You aren’t going to help him, and you don’t even feel bad about it. When the humanoids send him away, he’ll waste away into the ground for a week before he’ll resurrect.

From the brush where the fighters had come from, a Mage ran through. All eyes flicked to her, she licked her dry lips and froze as the two monsters stared at her. She quickly began casting a spell, blue magic swirling between her hands. Moon approaches her, leaving Sunny to the Warrior.

The pairs began to fight, Moon and the Mage’s fight was much more eventful, the two seeming uninjured. You were in a daze as their fight distracted you, a whirl of different shades of blues. You hear a shriek from the other pair and see that Raphael had thrown one of his maces at Sunny, hitting him in his chest, dead center.

Raphael was beginning to heal and gain energy the more he sat still and rested, Sunny was going to lose. Moon’s fight wouldn’t end for a long while.

It was a spur of the moment decision as you began a quick Rejuvenation spell to send to Sunny. As soon as the sparkly green Magic appeared around it, Sunny looked around for the source, but upon seeing no one turned back to Raphael.

Their fight continued on a more even playing field and after about ten minutes of the sound of grunting and hissing coming from both groups, Sunny and Moon reigned victorious. They had, to your distaste, consumed some of their opponents' remains after winning.

You continued to stay behind your tree and waited for the deep forest beasts to return to their home, but to your horror, they began searching around for the mysterious source of healing Sunny claimed it had felt mid-fight.

The two separated and began their hunt for you. You were stuck if you ran they’d see you; if you stood like an idiot behind a tree they’d find you. Who’s to say they won’t kill you as well?

Moon was coming in your direction, head spinning a continuous 180, side to side.

The leaves of the forest floor crunched as he wove between the trees, and all too soon his red eyes landed on you.

“Healer?” Its tone was softer than it had been in battle.

You, in a panic, glanced back in the direction of your house before thinking better of running. You nodded at Moon. It’s tall, much taller than you, and deadly as you had seen.

“Thank you. I’m not sure why you did what you did, but you are in my and Sun’s debt.” It bowed at you, silly hat jingling as it did so.

He turned to the direction Sun had gone and shouted for it.

The yellow counterpart quickly ran over to where you and Moon stood. You shrunk back a little as Sun stopped in front of you.

“Thank you, little healer.” Just like Moon, its tone softened and sincerity bleed through his words.

You meekly nodded with wide, shy eyes.

“You’re welcome to our part of the forest anytime, Priest.” Sun began saying as he untied one of the jingling bracelets on his wrist and held it out to you. “Make sure you purposely shake this a couple times and me and Moon will escort you to safety.”

And with that the two were off, not even gleaning your name.

Deep within the Hollowed Woods, Sun and Moon reside in a humble treehouse decked with mere necessities. They lie upon their shared bed thoughts of you in their minds. Why would a human help them? They’re natural enemies.

The Warrior and Mage they’d defeated crossed their minds as well, did you know them? Were you at war with their group? You had been alone, so surely you wouldn’t wage a war by yourself.

They’d help you if you were to fight, a sweet little Priest that helped them out.

Sun recounted his side of the day aloud, describing the cool chill that your healing had done. He said it was like a cup of ice water on a hot summer’s day.

They hoped you called for them soon.

You grasp Sun’s bracelet in your hand, observing it. The red linen was heavy in your hand as you pondered the implications of calling the monsters back to you. They were so large compared to you, easily two to three feet taller than you. The image of their hands bloodied with blood of your kin as they ate flashed through your mind.

What if you called them at a bad time, when they were much too hungry? Maybe turn on you, not that they wouldn’t attack in any other scenario.

With a trembling hand you tucked the bangle into your pocket, securing it. You don’t want to have to call for the monsters, but emergencies will be emergencies.

The next few weeks went by quietly. You managed to hunt a boar down, meat and leather that would provide you with food and money for a couple weeks.

Summer days were the loudest of the year, animals, monsters, and humans alike wandered the woods more in the pleasant weather. With the travelers came enemies, of course.

Rouges are stealthy, quiet, and blend in with their surroundings well. The ambient noise of wildlife is calming and you’re relaxing against the river bank. A small rustle came from across the clearing. You get a sense of deja vu for the incident a couple weeks ago.

You lean up with your hands supporting you as a figure looks around the environment. They spot you and pull a dagger from their waistband. You scramble to your feet. They’re rapidly approaching you, posture hostile and aggressive.

You’re frozen as they charge toward you and grab you by your neck.

You’re pushed against their body with the knife dull against your throat, pressing in. Your chest is rising and falling rapidly.

“You’re gonna come with me and help me out a little, okay? This can be easy or hard, Priest.” Their breath is hot in your ear and you repress a shudder.

You nod your head rapidly, fear coursing through your veins. “I’ll do what you need.”

“Good,” a curt response and they pick you up by your waist and throw you over their shoulder. Temporarily out of breath you stare at the ground as the Rouge begins walking back into the deep of the woods.

The trip isn’t long, maybe five minutes. The sounds of battle greets you and you struggle to look up and see what’s happening around you. Unceremoniously you hit the ground as you’re dropped. The Rouge looms above you and gives you a simple command.

“Heal them.”

You look at the fight, two Warriors, a Hunter, and a wolf (probably the Hunter’s pet). The humans look rough, but the large bird-like Screecher they’re fighting doesn’t look much better.

With the command and still standing threat holding you down, you begin to cast heals onto the fighters. The fight goes on and with your help the party manages to take down the bird.

You stand to your feet, legs shaking a bit from the Mana excursion it took to keep the group in good health. You turn from the fight, in the direction of your home, but before you can even take another step the Rouge reaches out for you.

“Ya know we’ve been needing a healer. You’re mighty useful, Priest. Might just need to keep you around for a bit.”

You shake your head side to side, no, you don’t want to join these people. You don’t know them and one of their party practically kidnapped you. “Thank you, but I really-,” you can’t finish your nervous declination.

“We weren’t asking, Priest. Make yourself useful; we’ve seen you hoard your Magic to yourself.” The Hunter sneers at you, the wolf sitting by his side, staring you down.

“Greedy bitch (and or) bastard.” One of the Warriors jeers at you. The other warrior, a tall, busty woman sneers at you and walks closer to your shaky form. She grabs the back of your neck and inspects your face. Eyes emotionless as she does so.

You stare back at her long face and she leans back from you to return and sit next to her fellow Warrior.

As you fill with dread, you remember something. Sun’s bell.

The ribbon is still in your pocket!

As inconspicuous as you can manage you slip your hand into your robe’s pocket and grab the small metal bell and as quiet as you can shake it a couple times.

Luckily none of your captor seem to have realized you did anything. They’re sitting around the corpse of their kill, some holding pieces of bread or bottles of water. They chat mildly like they aren’t in the middle of kidnapping a healer.

You aren’t sure how the bell in your pocket works or how soon Sun or Moon will get to you, but God you hope it’s soon.

It’s been almost a month with no call from you, no summon, no nothing. A few times Sun felt the bell with you jingle, but he always deflates when he realizes that it wasn’t a call, merely a jostle from you. Moon can’t feel the bell, but his chest aches for a call from the strange human healer.

Sun shoots up from his bed and Moon flinches back at the sudden jump.

“They called!”

Moon quickly gets to his feet, and stares at Sun.

“For real?”

“For real.” Sun’s permanent smile seems even brighter if possible.

“Lead the way, lead the way,” Moon urges quickly.

The duo make their way into the forest, heading in the direction they had found you last, at least that’s where they assumed they were going. About a quarter mile from the place you had met Sun stops. He tilts his head to the side, sensing where his bell is. Moon hesitates.

Nevertheless they head where the bell called from, slowing as they approach a group of humans. They know you’re there, but can’t recognize the other people with you. You’re shifting uncomfortably as an outcast from the group.

Sun and Moon felt a surge of wariness. Not at you, never at you, but these other humans… they seemed mean. You didn’t look like you wanted to be there, surely that’s why you called for them.

A bit hurt that you would only call in a time of dire need, a bit happy that you felt they could help you. Sun walks broad into the clearing as Moon slips away to get to you.

Sun bursts into the clearing where you stood, turning to face the humans with a snarl. Relief floods you as you realize he came. A hand on your shoulder makes you flinch and you turn to see Moon. He’s staring down at you, eyes emanating a soft red. He scans your form checking for any injuries. His gloved hand reaches to your neck.

The knife must’ve bruised you, you thought mildly as you get lost in letting Moon check you over for injuries. The sound of Sun fighting in the background isn’t on your mind as Moon rubs his thin fingers over your marks. To check on you, he has to crouch to reach your height, and it’s a bit embarrassing.

Too soon for your taste Moon pulls away to join the fight. You don’t seem to mind the humans destruction.

The whole group is yelling at you, shouting curses, and other foul things, telling you to heal them. Your mana is pretty low, but you weren’t going to help them in any way.

Sun and Moon are holding up well against the humans, which is good. You take the time to sit and try to regain what Magic strength you can.

After about five minutes you split-cast a Rejuvenation spell on Sun and Moon. From there their movements get stronger, and the fight quickly ends.

They’re dirty, the both of them, covered in blotches of blood, but they’re grinning at you so joyously. Like dogs expecting praise from a master.

You’re still cross legged on the ground and you have to look up to meet their eyes. Sun and Moon are ungodly large, at least nine feet tall. Sun is swaying in his place and he’s breathing heavily as he stares right at you.

“Did we do good to you, little healer?” Sun prompted.

You gaze up at them with mild disbelief, but you manage to respond. “Thank— Thank you for coming for me.”

“Oh, we’ve been dying to see you again!” Sun responded, dropping down into a crouch so he was at about half his height, still a foot larger than you. His hand, still with some tiny splotches of blood on it, reaches out to cup your face. He’s staring at you like you hung the stars in the sky.

After a moment of just letting your face be held, Moon drops down to your level as well.

“You’ll come with us for tonight, right? We’ve missed you so.” Moon speaks up. His voice is at the meekest you’ve heard from him.

You bite your lip, in thought. They saved you, spared you. Yet you know nothing of these two. They ate people. Their level wasn’t known to you, and they showed such strength in battle. They’re kind to you.

“Okay.”

They both brighten immediately. Sun and Moon each move to grasp one of your arms and assist you to your feet. You’re grateful for the help, still weak from lack of Mana.

They help you through the depths of the forest, reassuring your safety. It gets darker and darker as you travel. You’ve never been this far away from home nor so deep into danger. Without Sun and Moon you’d be dead meat. Mild fright grips your heart as you’re gently led through the dark.

At some point a Wild Thorn Beast attempts to attack you and your friends (maybe allies, what were you to them?). Sun and Moon growl at the beast and their grips on your upper arms tighten, not looking to start another fight. When the Thorn Beast realizes you won’t make an easy meal, it quickly scampers off.

Your heart is still thumping wildly in your chest from that encounter.

Sun and Moon reside in a large treehouse, small star shaped bots line the way up to the front door like decorative lights. You’re passed back and forth between Sun and Moon as they climb their way up to the entrance.

The inside of their hovel is dim, and slightly dirty, but better than most monsters have.

“I’m sure it’s not as nice as your home, but I hope it’ll be enough for now.” Sun spoke sheepishly.

“Thank you, for a lot of things,” you spoke quietly. “This is quite wild from my point of view. I don’t quite understand what’s going on.”

Moon grabs your hand and leads you over to one of the two discolored mattresses on the floor. Both him and you sit down on the soft, limp thing.

“You helped us, and that is… rare. Never have we met a human quite like you. For your help we wish to thank you, and you’re one of a kind. We don’t wish to lose you.”

Sun sat across from you on the other mattress. “Besides, you’re such a lovely little human, and the others out there don’t seem to appreciate that.”

“You don’t have to heal us if you don’t wish to,” Moon added. “However I do hope you stay in contact with us.”

“But why not just get rid of me? I'm at such a low level compared to you two.”

Moon and Sun shifted uncomfortably at that suggestion. “That means nothing to us, your level. And I wouldn’t dream of hurting you when you’ve helped us so.” Sun counters you quickly.

From beside you, you can sense Moon’s own Mana at work and when you look over you can see he’s revealed all of his stats to you. Health, Mana, Level, and Energy. His Health is about ninety percent full, along with his Mana. His Energy is about three quarters of the way full, and his Level you can’t even decipher.

When anyone or anything’s Level is over ten levels higher than you own, you can’t figure out what it is, and in place of a number simply a skull lies.

“I can’t read your Level, Moon.” You’re shy to say it, but his hand simply comes to lay on your shoulder.

“I figured as much, it’s a fifty.” Moon is as quiet as you.

Oh, that’s… high.

“But that’s good, right, little healer? We can defend you against any beast in the forest.” Sun’s face twists one-twenty degrees as he asks.

“You’re protecting me.” Spoken like a question, but a statement. Fact.

You’re in a bit of a trancelike shock. The rest of the night, you’re treated with care and soft hands. Cuddled up in Moon’s arms like a rag doll, you fall asleep.

The adventures of tomorrow are unknown, yet you know you’re going to be just fine with Sun and Moon on your side.

#fnaf sun #fnaf moon #moon x reader #sun x reader #dca x reader #dca au #daycare attendant x reader #fnaf au #rpg au #verified hyperfixat post #sundrop x reader #moondrop x reader #sun x y/n #moon x y/n

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journey-to-the-attic · 2 months

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3rd anni req 4: [RPG AU] solomon / past life

ao3 link

note: i really enjoyed writing this one! i've been meaning to do more for this au for ages, it's just such a fun concept to work with, but i just never get around to it

brief context if needed: fantasy rpg au setting, solomon is a reincarnation of the evil sorcerer solomon who was trying to evade persecution, and in his new life he is best friends and travelling companions with young hero ik, and here he finds out the truth about himself

∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎

This place feels more like a mausoleum than a house.

The reports say that the owner died decades ago, and that the house has lain undisturbed ever since - up until recently. That isn’t the story Solomon’s seeing here, though.

It’s dusty, but it doesn’t feel like a place that’s been abandoned for eighty years. Try five, maybe.

He brushes a finger through a thick layer of dust on a shelf. These odd contraptions littered around the place - cogs and glassware with no rhyme or reason - aren’t ancient by any stretch of the imagination. He picks up something that resembles a wind-up toy and turns the key. The wheels still spin smoothly.

Welcome home.

He jumps. “...IK?”

No response. He listens hard - he can hear footsteps coming from upstairs. But that voice came from just behind him - surely she can’t move that quickly?

“That wasn’t funny,” He calls, attempting bravado.

Really? I thought it was hilarious.

He manages not to jump this time. He swings around and presses his back to the wall, hand falling to the knife at his hip.

Hey, there’s no need for that, says the strange voice, amused. I’m a friend.

“A friend,” He repeats warily.

Quite an intimate friend, agrees the voice, and he hears the groan of wood from just around the corner. Come with me. I have something to show you.

Don’t bother, it adds as he makes for the hallway, to call IK down to join him. There’s nothing here worth the little girl’s attention.

“Don’t call her that,” He grunts with a spark of indignation. “And—”

I daresay what you’ll find would only hurt the youngster, adds the voice, and at this he pauses.

“...fine.” His mouth feels dry - he hears the irregular pattern of his own breathing as if from miles away. “What do you want to show me?”

Follow me, croons the voice, and something shimmers at him from around the corner.

Let me show you something remarkable, it tells him. The brightest mind in any generation. The most prolific mass murderer this land has ever seen. There’s plenty to learn.

“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” He growls. “But I don’t want any part in it.”

And yet he finds himself following the voice anyway.

Aren’t you just a little curious?

Wouldn’t you like to just take a little peek?

So close now. What a shame it would be to miss out.

And what a shame it would be to not know more. How close-minded!

Sharp pain lances through his temples - he stumbles, catching himself on a red velvet curtain, gripping the side of his head with a groan. “What— what are you playing at?!”

Side effects. Don’t mind those.

“I…” He can hear colours, taste sounds - feel as he’s never felt before, like millions of icy needles drawing fire from his skin. “...this…”

Why don’t you take a look behind the curtain? The voice whispers.

His mind feels in free-fall - he shakes his head blindly, but he finds himself reaching forward. He seizes a fistful of cold velvet and pulls.

Everything around him seems to shrink to a point. His own pale face stares back at him through the mirror.

“Is this some sort of joke?” He mutters.

His reflection grins back at him. “Welcome home, Solomon. It took you long enough.”

“What…” He tries to step back, but his feet feel anchored to the ground. “...I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t! Poor, gullible human that you are.” Mirror-Him laughs. “How cute. Did you have fun living with the mundane, at least?”

He tries to find words, but the reflection doesn’t wait for an answer. “I suppose I don’t need you to tell me. I’ll know soon enough. Now, come here. It’ll all make sense in a moment.”

He doesn’t move. His reflection frowns at him.

“Slow on the uptake, aren’t you?” Mirror-Solomon presses a hand against the glass. “It’s me - I’m you. I’m the part of us that had to die so that you could walk free. Me and you - two pieces of a glorious arcane puzzle.”

He feels his own hand moving to meet his reflection, and fights to keep it still. “That’s ridiculous. I’m not—”

“Not a sorcerer?” Mirror-Him sighs. “I’ve got news for you, cupcake. You wouldn’t be able to see me if you did.”

His head thumps. He says again, lost, “I don’t understand.”

His reflection’s expression softens a little. “I told you, didn’t you? We are the brightest mind any generation has ever seen. Before I died, you prised secrets of life straight from time’s mouth. We unlocked it together - in death, you would be reborn.”

“And when we reunite, I will be whole,” He recites, then claps a hand to his mouth. He doesn’t know where the words have resurfaced from.

His reflection grins at him. “Now you’re getting it. Come on, Solomon. Set us free.”

I know you.

I’ve felt the weight of your sins everywhere I’ve gone. Every place you’ve touched, people have died. Every time I bring your face somewhere new, it’s as if the land itself remembers what you’ve done. I hated it.

Now I understand. I feel it now - your hatred. My anger.

IK is upstairs. I can’t let you hurt her.

“Worried, are you?” His reflection leans closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. “I’ve got a secret to tell you. Once you remember everything, you won’t care.”

That’s exactly what I’m afraid of, he thinks, and the pain in his head suddenly intensifies. It’s all he can do to keep himself from crying out.

“You’ve been waiting for me - you just didn’t know it.” Mirror-Him doesn’t sound surprised by his disobedience. Perhaps that’s the worst part.

A thought, a foreign memory - he’d known this would happen, and that he wouldn’t be able to resist it. He’s a weak-willed mortal, after all.

He moves before he can stop himself. His hand meets the reflection - the cold of the glass cuts into him, and in one silent instant, everything ends. And everything begins.

He feels his legs collapse beneath him - he lands against the wall with a cough, heaving for air as if he hasn’t tasted it in years. Indeed, half his soul has starved in that mirror for the past five years.

Solomon stares down at his hands and sees blood. His fingertips buzz - warm sparks dance across his palms, as if the magic itself rejoices to be reunited with his mortal body. He feels himself smile.

He stands up. His reflection moves with him now. To be honest, part of him had been worried the mirror wouldn’t hold up for long enough - but he hadn’t exactly had time to seek a crystal looking-glass. Oh, that’s new. I remember…

“Oh, how I’ve missed you,” He says to himself.

He imagines this is how the man in the desert must feel - who finally finds water after hours in the scorching heat. How clever he is - a lesser being wouldn’t be able to cope with even a fraction of this operation.

His two sets of memories melt into each other easily. Like simply adding water to a jug. And—

“Solomon? I think we should get out of here.”

He whips around, and immediately knows he’s made a mistake. IK blinks at him from the end of the hallway, clearly unnerved by how quickly he reacted.

“...I think we’re dealing with magic scraps here,” She says after a moment, still eyeing him warily. “Some kind of crazy wizard or something. We need to get someone who knows about that kind of thing to look at it.”

“Crazy wizard?” He repeats almost incredulously. He’s blinded fools for lesser insults.

“I’ve never seen some of the stuff upstairs.” She grimaces. “The shadows were all moving - I swear one of them had teeth.”

Her left arm is dangling uselessly at her side, and he suddenly registers the dark red stains on her sleeves. He feels a familiar rush of worry, and hurries forward without thinking.

“You got bitten?” He reaches forward to inspect the wound, then thinks better of touching it just yet. “Are you alright? How do you feel?”

“Just stings like hell. I’ll probably live.” She attempts to make a thumbs up with the injured arm, then sucks in a breath and shakes her head. “...I’ll ask Luke to look at it later. We should really get going - I don’t think it’s safe here.”

He thinks about telling her that this house is under his control - that the shadows she saw were likely the remnants of failed experiments, that they’re some botched form of life that didn’t know how else to play. He thinks about telling her that that bite might well have been venomous, and that only he knows how to prevent the toxins from rotting her arm from the inside out.

He thinks about telling her that it’s all been for nothing - all the times she’s had to defend him from mobs, everyone from royal guards to fruit vendors, who’d seen him for what he was and rightfully spat at his feet. He thinks of telling her that there’s no need to shield him like this as they leave the house.

He thinks about telling that he knows fifty ways to kill her right there without leaving a trace, and hundreds more that would leave some far worse than a corpse.

But he doesn’t. He lets IK take his hand and lead him down the hill.

He can’t seem to smile now. His hands are clean, and yet he tastes iron each time he tries to speak.

What happened? What happened, Solomon? How did your master plan go wrong?

There was one contingency he didn’t plan for. He’d known he wouldn’t have the power to reject his old self - but somehow missed that, equally, he couldn’t simply abandon his new life, either.

Solomon realises now that his plan had been spoiled from the moment IK helped him out of that pit. The sorcerer, in all his wisdom, had failed to consider this - that he could love and be loved in that next life.

It feels as if the earth should swallow him whole, and yet nothing seems to have changed. The local lord greets him cheerfully when he rides past on a hunting expedition. He remembers poisoning that boy’s father.

New knowledge supplanted by the old, and memories from both past and future in tandem. What could he possibly do now?

#3rd anni event #rpg au #obey me #writing #obey me solomon #jtta ik #jtta aus

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