To Fight Against Fate

Priscilla was weightless as water surrounded her. She twirled ass over teakettle, instantly disorientated. It was dark within the elemental, and she quickly closed her eyes as the water stung. She had just barely had time to suck in a breath before it swallowed her, but she struggled to keep it as she was tossed about within the water. Something heavy hit Priscilla in the gut and the air was knocked out of her lungs.

Water pushed its way into her mouth, a foul copper tang coating her tongue, and Priscilla choked. The elemental took the opportunity to fill her lungs with water. Asha was panicking, their bond flooded with terror and desperation. Priscilla could feel the artifact shifting on her hand, but nothing Asha tried could bring air back to Priscilla's aching body.

Distantly, she realized that she was truly drowning now.

It was hard to think of a way out of this mess.

Her mind was starting to go a little fuzzy.

She didn't want to give up but…

She was so sleepy.

"Master!"

…

Rage burned like magma within Illnyea's gut, roiling like a volcano about to explode as she screamed. Rage towards the elemental for attacking Priscilla, but most of that anger was directed at Illnyea herself, for letting fear control her, making her hesitate long enough for Priscilla to get hurt.

"Priscilla!" Kavil cried, taking an aborted step towards where Priscilla had just been standing with a panicked expression.

Sulaiman looked over his shoulder at the cry and his eyes went wide as he saw the flash of red hair swallowed by the murky water. The moment of hesitation almost cost him as a boar charged him, but Sulaiman brought down his shield at an angle and deflected the charge so the beast fell into the water with a loud splash.

Illnyea's hands were clenched into fists, hardening the dirt within her palms into stone as she stared at the elemental, whose reptilian faces had a distinctly pleased expression upon it. Its arrogant eyes swept across the lake, like it was going to take its time with the rest of them after so easily catching Priscilla, before each of its heads regarded a different party member.

(steal her back, the part of her carved from broken hissed, steal her now before she drowns, and make the elemental regret gaining sentience.)

help me, Illnyea thought back to that part of herself, because I don't know if I can save her without dooming everyone.

There was a moment of quiet within her mind, and then —

(okay, said the broken glass quietly.)

Illnyea surrendered her control to the part of her mind she had been keeping at a distance because it scared her with its violent impulses and constant cynicism. The voice had grown steadily louder even though she tried to ignore it, and always seemed to know more than her, talking to her like she was a child who knew nothing about the world.

Trusting the darkest part of herself, Illnyea reached for the magic that was rising within her, tinted by the unending rage that burned within her, and let it free.

Her body almost felt like it was on fire, and she felt each beat of her heart throughout her body as she unleashed her magic. Magic raced along Illnyea's arms, literally sparked off the lightning scars that ran down her arms and burrowing into the dried grass. Illnyea didn't hesitate to push the magic into the ground as it built within her fingers, accepting her role as a conduit.

submit, Illnyea commanded the earth, eyes fixed on the brief flashes of Priscilla's figure she could see through the murky water. Illnyea couldn't tell if Priscilla was still conscious and struggling, and the possibility that she wasn't ignited another wave of rage.

The ground had been saturated with water that was filled with the elemental's own power, but Illnyea's magic rose to meet the challenge — a mountain beating back a hurricane through raw strength, batting aside the droplets and howling winds to push resolutely against the force.

But it wasn't gaining ground fast enough, and Illnyea growled, forcing her hands deeper into the dirt until half of her forearms sank into the ground, the damp dirt pressing in all sides.

Kavil suddenly knelt next to Illnyea, his eyes on the form of the elemental that was swaying back and forth like it was debating its next victim, and something dark and fierce within his eyes.

"She's still alive," Kavil whispered, "I can feel her. I, I poured water into the lake earlier I had infused with my own magic, and—" he grit his teeth, a muscle flexing in his jaw "— I'm spreading it, taking control of as much water as I can, but its fighting me for every drop."

Illnyea acknowledged the words with a slight incline of her head, some of the fear in her heart lessening at those words. Priscilla was alive but there was no telling how long that'd be the case.

SUBMIT, Illnyea demanded, letting forth another wave of magic, uncaring of the way that her vision went white around the edges.

The ground beneath them began to shake and the elemental froze, peering down in surprise. Sulaiman pushed the now unsteady juvenile moose corpse into the water, taking advantage of the surprise.

It was like Illnyea was one with the earth now that it was saturated with her magic.

She could feel every rock, every mineral, every grain of dirt as she forced the elemental's influence back into the water and out of the earth, and she wasn't sure where she ended and the earth began.

Flashes of the earth's memories flitted through her consciousness, brief scenes with no context, but each was tinged with a deep and yawning sense of regret — of when the lake first began to pool, melted ice filling a divot in the ground, and animals began to gather — of a time where a small being came into existence and treated the land with love — of that same being watching from the depths to stare at the deers stopping to drink, the birds flying high in the sky, the humans laughing uproariously — of a human kneeling at the shore and letting a dark purple gem float to the sandy bottom and the being tilted its head at the offering.

The gem was wrong, pulsing with energy that was foul and unrestrained, but the being did not listen to the earth and accepted the power because it so wanted to be like those it had been too afraid to reach out to.

The earth was Illnyea's to control, hers to mold, hers to love when it had been so callously betrayed. She didn't desire power, all she wished for was for the elemental to disappear forever, for this land to be happy once more, to be a place of laughter and kindness instead of one of rot and death.

The ground groaned as the earth responded to her intentions with a slow sense of approval, but Illnyea wasn't sure exactly how to give the earth what she promised. She used her magic like a blunt weapon, and she didn't want to leave this place broken beyond repair.

(like this, whispered the broken glass)

The flow of magic slightly readjusted itself, and the groan turned into a rumble. A section near the shore abruptly shifted upwards, water spilling out over the shriveled roots of the oaks, washing away the bones of the elemental's victims.

All three of the elemental's heads locked onto Illnyea, letting out a low growl that was barely heard over the earth shifting. Illnyea bared her own teeth and when she growled back, the earth shook in agreement. The elemental paused before striking, looking stricken, and then one of the heads abruptly collapsed with a gurgle of water.

"Fuck yeah," Kavil breathed, sweat rolling down his face and satisfaction settling darkly over his face. The elemental seemed almost scared now and Illnyea's grin turned savage.

(not so tough when you're not the only one throwing your weight around, said the broken glass, and Illnyea agreed wholeheartedly)

Illnyea knew she was searching for the core, but the elemental's foul energy tainted so much of the water that she was simply going to have to pull up the entire bottom of the lake to make sure she found it.

Another section burst into the air, and then another, and then Illnyea deliberately raised a patch of earth in front of Sulaiman.

He knew what to do instantly, disregarding the now still reanimated corpses to cut out a chunk of the elemental's neck with his flaming sword. Steam hissed through the air, and Sulaiman struck again and again, relentless and unstoppable now that he had a clear path of attack, and the elemental's neck grew thinner under his attacks.

The core was still hidden but Illnyea felt it was so close she could nearly taste it, like when a wolf could nearly taste the blood of a rabbit just inches away from its jaws.

Though her magic felt neverending, Illnyea's vision had narrowed further and further until all she could see was the elemental's thrashing heads as it tried to avoid Sulaiman's blades and fail to attack him.

(one more push, urged the broken glass)

Illnyea gladly did so, and the instant the core was exposed to the air she felt it — the energy it had was sickening, radiating off it and threatening to corrupt everything it came across. The elemental let out a wet, thick, "NO!"

A savage, primal joy flowed through Illnyea as she summoned a spike of earth, shattering the gem. The power within the gem faded fast once its vessel was destroyed, and it was easier to breathe. The earth shifted like it was letting out a sigh of relief.

The elemental let out a choked gasp, and then the water abruptly lost the fight against gravity.

Sulaiman threw aside his sword as he ran up the ramp of earth Illnyea made, leaping and catching Priscilla in his arms before they both began to fall towards the ground.

And he says he doesn't like her, Illnyea thought as she pulled her arms out of the ground, letting go of her connection to the earth, as the awareness she had roused with her magic was fading fast.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

(the broken glass chuckled, he always denies what he wants the most)

Illnyea smiled at that, and then lost consciousness, completely drained of magic and energy.

…

Sulaiman's legs hit the wet ground hard, but he had reinforced his body with magic as he ran, so he barely registered the pain that shot up his legs. He had pressed the bottom of his face against Priscilla's head to keep her steady during the impact.

He allowed himself just a moment to relish in the fact that she was no longer trapped within that monster. It had felt like a pit had opened up in Sulaiman's stomach when he realized that Priscilla had been captured by the elemental. Guilt had fueled his flames, turning them black tinged as he bought Illnyea enough time to deal with the core.

Sulaiman pulled back to get a better look at Priscilla, pushing the sopping wet hair out the way.

She wasn't moving, she wasn't breathing.

"Kavil!" Sulaiman cried, his voice cracking as he called the healer's name. He turned, cradling Priscilla to his chest, and froze when he saw that Illnyea was now lying on the ground and Kavil's hands hovered over her body with the tell-tale glow of healing.

Kavil caught Sulaiman's torn expression and quickly said, "Illnyea's fine — just exhausted herself magically."

Sulaiman had to accept that and waded through the mud and muck, laying Priscilla on the higher ground of the shore.

"She's not breathing," Sulaiman said as he pulled himself onto the bank, trying to catch his breath as panic tried to choke him. He was not one to give into his emotions, but it was so hard right now as he stared at Priscilla's unmoving chest. It was worse than the night the bandits attacked, because though she had been covered in blood, at least she was breathing.

She hadn't even wanted to go on this quest — Sulaiman could tell based on the way she had first looked towards them after the villagers made their plea, and now she may die for it —

No.

That was not a reality that Sulaiman would even consider — she was going to breathe again and use that breath to be supremely annoying, chattering his ear off about the stupidest things.

Kavil didn't hesitate. "Turn her on her side — I can pull the water out of her lungs easier that way."

Sulaiman did as he was told, his hands shaking. He tried not to grip her shoulder too tightly, but he didn't resist the urge to hold her hand to remind himself that she was within his grasp, not stolen away behind a wall of water. Priscilla would surely complain he bruised her when she woke up if he didn't control his strength, so Sulaiman held her gently.

Kavil placed his hand up Priscilla's back, and then water began streaming out of Priscilla's mouth. It was a disgusting sight, almost like Priscilla was slowly being drained of blood, but Sulaiman forced himself to watch her face, ready for any sign of her waking.

Each second that passed without a twitch was agonizing for Sulaiman, another second for him to berate himself for not watching Priscilla's back better during the fight. It had been foolish of them to not attempt to do any reconnaissance, to learn more about the elemental's weaknesses before they launched an attack. Though he wanted to linger on everything they could have done better, Sulaiman couldn't bring himself to do anything but stare.

"That's all of it," Kavil said, but he was pushing Priscilla back onto her back. He looped his glowing hands together and began to push down against Priscilla's chest rhythmically.

Sulaiman was too numb to be surprised when Kavil leaned down and pressed his lips against Priscilla's, before he sat back up and resumed the compressions. Twice more, Kavil breathed air into Priscilla's lungs, and Sulaiman held his own breath as he waited.

Abruptly, Priscilla began to cough, the sound scratchy and rough, and Sulaiman felt the tension drain from him like puss from an infected wound.

"Did…" Priscilla's eyelids fluttered just enough to catch a flash of forest green that calmed Sulaiman. "Did we get the fucker?"

Kavil was crying, though Sulaiman suspected it was from relief. Sulaiman wasn't one to cry, but he tightened his grip on Priscilla's hand.

"We killed it so good," Kavil said.

Priscilla smiled, and then coughed again. She started to shiver, and Sulaiman abruptly remembered the chill in the air. He had been running hot after using his magic, but not everyone was able to regulate their temperature like him. If Priscilla wasn't warmed up now, she'd be at risk of getting a cold or the flu, and though Kavil had said he'd been able to heal illnesses, there was no sense in making him waste magic on something that could be prevented. Especially since Sulaiman suspected that Priscilla would be absolutely pathetic when she was sick, likely whiny and pushy, demanding everyone wait on her hand and foot.

Sulaiman didn't hesitate to unbuckle his armor, clumsily putting it to the side so it was out of the way. It would have to be repaired after the moose had dented it, so he didn't care much about taking proper care of it right now. He maneuvered a surprisingly pliant Priscilla into his arms, settling her against his chest and sitting her comfortably in his lap. His clothes were immediately soaked upon contact, but it didn't matter.

Kavil looked approving when Sulaiman met his gaze, and the healer tilted his head towards Illnyea, whispering, "I'll help 'nyea wake back up while you warm Priscilla."

Sulaiman nodded, trusting Kavil to help Illnyea.

Priscilla shivered and then nuzzled in closer as Sulaiman began to release his magic at a slow, controlled rate, just enough to slowly dry Priscilla's skin but not too hot to burn her.

"Mm," Priscilla breathed, tucking her head under Sulaiman's chin, her nose tickling his neck, "you—you're so warm, Lala."

It was a testament to how rattled Sulaiman was that he did not care that hideous nickname had returned, in fact, it ridiculously made a part of him that had been fraught with tension ease enough that he felt like he could finally breathe again.

"And you're soaking wet, idiot," Sulaiman said, though his words lacked bite. "What were you thinking, using yourself as bait?"

Priscilla's teeth chattered and Sulaiman frowned, holding her tighter against him.

"Gonna make me practice?" Priscilla asked, her words slurring together.

"Practice using that brain of yours?" Sulaiman asked. "Of course I am — you're far too smart to act like such an idiot, putting yourself in danger without a second thought."

Priscilla laughed, her breath hot against Sulaiman's collarbone.

"You think I'm smart even though I'm an idiot?"

Sulaiman breathed in slowly, and released it just as slowly. Through the shivers and the slurring, he sensed that Priscilla cared very much about the answer by the sudden tenseness in her spine.

"Of course I think you're smart," Sulaiman said quietly. "You're one of the smartest people I've met. Sometimes I'm amazed by how fast your mind works, even if at other times you act like a reckless fool, and… I hope I haven't made you think otherwise."

The tension leeched from Priscilla and she made herself even more comfortable, nuzzling in closer.

"Say it again," Priscilla begged, a whiny quality to her voice.

Give the girl an inch, and she'll take a mile. Gods, when she got sick, she'd likely be the tyrant she often accused him of being.

But even though Sulaiman sighed like he was exasperated, his lips still curved into a smile as he responded.

"You're one of the smartest people I know," Sulaiman said, fondness unintentionally staining his words. Priscilla made a hum of pleasure, melting into Sulaiman's embrace, and the sound stirred up an emotion that Sulaiman struggled to identify.

He decided naming the emotion didn't matter — what really mattered was getting Priscilla warm and dry so she could rest without fear of sickness.

Illnyea finally opened her eyes and she sat up abruptly. Then she moaned as she held her head, eyes squeezing shut in pain.

Priscilla tried to stir, murmuring something about Illnyea, but Sulaiman firmly held her in place, saying, "Illnyea's okay," and she relaxed again.

"You shouldn't move too fast," Kavil said, and Illnyea sighed.

"Got that," Illnyea said, and squinted at her surroundings. "Is Priscilla…"

Illnyea's voice trailed off as she took in Priscilla's position. Sulaiman knew that it was quite the compromising one, but he couldn't find it in himself to care at the moment. Perhaps in an hour, he would flush at the look Illnyea was giving them, but for now, Sulaiman was just enjoying the fact that Priscilla was safe, alive, and within his arms with no chance of going anywhere else.

"Good catch," Illnyea finally said.

Priscilla made a questioning noise as Kavil helped Illnyea scoot closer to them.

"Sulaiman caught you before you hit the ground, Priscilla," Kavil said, looking up at Sulaiman through his lashes. "He was like a hero from a story, jumping through the air like gravity didn't dare bring him down."

Admiration and sincerity warmed Kavil's voice, and Sulaiman averted his gaze, slightly flustered from the comparison. He had simply done what had to be done. He had no thoughts of heroism, just filled with a desperate panic as he tried to get there in time to make sure Priscilla didn't break her neck.

Priscilla giggled. "Wish I could have seen it — must have been fucking amazing."

Kavil chuckled, the sound a little husky from his previous tears. "It really was."

They settled into comfortable silence, relishing in being alive.

"Don't think I can walk back to the brambles," Priscilla murmured, sounding sleepy.

"I'll go get our supplies," Kavil said, pushing himself to his feet. When Illnyea made a move to follow, he firmly but kindly pushed her back down. "Sulaiman is acting as a very helpful heater, you need to recover from your magical exhaustion and I'm uninjured — rest, and I'll be back soon, okay? Based on what we saw, I don't think there's a single animal within three miles, so I won't run into trouble."

Illnyea looked unhappy, but even that was lackluster, like she lacked the energy to fully commit to the emotion. She sighed and leaned against Sulaiman's back, unabashedly using him to keep herself upright.

By the time that Kavil returned, both Illnyea and Priscilla had fallen asleep, leaving Sulaiman stuck, though he didn't mind.

Kavil laughed silently as he knelt down with the pack, a fresh bundle of blackberries held gingerly in his hand.

"Let me try to get you all dry," Kavil whispered. He slowly pulled the water from their clothes, and combined with Sulaiman's steadily applied heat, they were somewhere approaching dry by the time they were done. Kavil then insisted on checking over Sulaiman's legs, waving off Sulaiman's weak attempts to dissuade him. The refreshing magic soothed the worst of Sulaiman's aches, and he felt loose and relaxed.

Kavil settled a blanket over Illnyea's lap, before slotting himself next to Sulaiman, cuddling into his side and Priscilla's back as he put the second, larger blanket over the three of them.

"You really are so warm, Sulaiman," Kavil said, leaning his head against Sulaiman's shoulder as he pulled the blackberries into his lap.

"Was it you that made the hydra's head fall apart?" Sulaiman asked, the question having stuck with him during the fight.

Kavil hummed as he nodded, popping a berry into his mouth. "Used the same principle as spreading poison, just using clean water instead. It didn't know I had taken control until I cut it off entirely."

Unnecessary pride bloomed in Sulaiman's chest, but when Sulaiman looked at Kavil to give him an approving glance alongside a compliment at honing his skills, he saw that Kavil was staring up at him. His copper eyes were wide, and there was still dampness clinging to his eyelashes that made them seem even longer.

Sulaiman faltered, but pushed past his hesitation to say what he had planned to say before he had been ambushed by Kavil's looks.

"That's impressive," Sulaiman said slowly. "It's a difficult thing to take control of an elemental's domain when they're actively fighting against you."

Kavil lit up at the compliment, his pleased smile a sight that Sulaiman quietly admitted to himself that he wouldn't be able to soon forget.

"Thank you," Kavil said, ducking his head. "You were impressive out there too — slicing through the creatures like they were butter."

"They had simple attack patterns," Sulaiman said, "and were easy to deal with once I located their tether."

"Only you would say fighting reanimated corpses is easy," Kavil chuckled, shaking his head. He suddenly looked up, looking up through those extraordinarily long lashes again.

"Want a blackberry?" Kavil asked. His mouth quirked into a smirk as he added, "I haven't made it into jam yet, but it's still sweet."

Sulaiman didn't mind the teasing, and he was hungry after expending that much magic.

"Yes, but…" Sulaiman glanced at Priscilla, who only stayed in place because he held her.

"Say ah," Kavil commanded. He held out a berry towards Sulaiman's mouth, a stubborn glint in his eyes.

Slowly, to make sure his teeth didn't scrape over Kavil's fingers, Sulaiman ate the berry. Kavil's fingertips were soft against Sulaiman's lips, but he ignored that to focus on the taste. It was quite sweet, the juice refreshing as it washed over his tongue.

He had just finished swallowing when Kavil held out another berry with an expectant look. Sulaiman ate it, though he had to glance away from Kavil, the unknown emotion rising within him again as the healer fed him by hand.

Silently, they ate the bundle of berries, and when it was gone, Kavil curled into Sulaiman's side.

"Wake me up in an hour," Kavil said with a yawn, "and I'll make you a proper meal, Mr. Hero."

Sulaiman let out a noise of agreement, and Kavil made himself comfortable, before he too drifted to sleep.

He had three people's body weight pressing against him, but that was perfectly fine with Sulaiman. It meant that his friends were all within reach, safe where Sulaiman could protect and watch over them, and there was nothing else he could ask for after a day like today.