Part 2

Context: Like the other kids in your village, you grew up being friends with the Prince of the kingdom. You've been through everything together, always having the other's backs, and you even dedicated yourself as a healer to his army. You've watched him transition from humble Prince to humble, considerate King forced into an arranged marriage with a Queen as pleasant as poison. It doesn't help that a war is brewing. That is where your focus should be but you can't help but try to be there for him. No matter what.

Setting: A castle/A battlefield

Tags: [MM4A][Friends to ?][Established Relationship][Kind King Speaker][Reaper Speaker][Betrayed Healer Listener][Hard Angst][Losing Them][Secret Feelings][Hugs][Comfort][Reverse Comfort][Grim Reaper][Blood Pact][CW: Death/Suicide Attempt]

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***

[K] = Your King

[G] = A curious Grim Reaper

***

[Scene opens in a castle where generals are planning the next attack on enemy forces]

[SFX: General murmuring and the scritch of quills followed by a door opening]

[You stand with the King’s head General, looking over the plans for the next attack when the door opens. You turn and see the King step into the room. Like everyone else, you bow]

[K] “Now, now, everyone, no need to bow to me. We all basically grew up together! We have drinks every Friday!”

[Pause…]

[His smile fades a touch]

[K] “...I see. The Queen commanded you to bow to all royalty… I see. I will discuss this with her. Healer, might I borrow you for a moment?”

[Pause]

[K] “Do not worry, General, I will return them to you soon. Come with me, please.”

[SFX: Two pairs of footsteps on cold stone and heavy doors]

[K] “Hm. General Alderic always gives me that knowing smile when I ask to meet with you in private. He’s teased us both since we were all children.”

[...]

[He smiles but it’s a sad, exhausted one]

[K] “How goes the arranged marriage? Ah… She is, um, certainly spirited…”

[...]

[K] “OK, yes, she’s a raging bitch, but don’t let her hear you say that. She already dislikes you immensely just because of how close we are. It’s, mmh… It’s honestly exhausting trying to keep up with her. I don’t love her and I damned well know she doesn’t love me, it’s not as if we are off in each other’s arms while she pouts and plays the “spurned wife”. Between this and the war, I…”

[He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs]

[K] “My apologies for dragging you into my problems. It’s not proper of me. Really, all I wanted was to check in on you after the last skirmish. It was a rough one, I hear.”

[Pause]

[K] “Healer… You need time to rest. Your power can drain your health so quickly if you are not careful. Here, let me look at you…”

[He gently tilts your face up to look at him]

[K] “I, ah…”

[You lean in. He leans in. But neither of you can bring yourself to make the next move]

[K] “I-I, ah… S-Sorry. I didn’t mean to get so close. I just wanted to make certain your eyes hadn’t lost that spark. I can always tell how you’re feeling by how well your eyes light up around me. A-Ahem. Ah. So. What is the next mission for you, my friend?”

[Pause]

[He frowns]

[K] “An advancement toward the mountain pass? Mmh… That seems a bit risky, but… I suppose it would be a good push, if successful.”

[Pause]

[He sighs again and forces a smile]

[K] “Please, just, make me a promise?”

[Pause?]

[K] “Return to me safely, my l-. Ah. My friend.”

[Despite everything, you hug him and he returns it warmly]

[Pause]

[K] “Aha, a hug! Haven’t had one of those in a good bit. Mmh. You are good to me… Please be careful. I need you. A-At my side. You’re my best healer, after all… and my best friend.”

[You assure him you’ll come back and the hug lasts just a little too long before you excuse yourself to deal with the task at hand]

**[Time progresses to the march]*\*

[SFX: Horses marching and general chatter as folks march on]

[His words echo in your mind from childhood and beyond]

[K] This is scary. Marrying someone I’ve only met once. She threw wine in my face and called me a timid mouse. A man that is not a man. Heh. Charming, yes? She’s almost as good at mocking me as you are.

[SFX: The march continuing]

[K] Alright, alright, haha. Yes, it’s my sixteenth birthday, but that’s no excuse to try and sneak a weasel in here! Especially not in my pants! I’m going to get you back one of these days. Maybe I’ll plant a big old smooch on your lips when you turn sixteen, hm? Brat

[SFX: The march continues but some distress and uncertainty permeate the crowd]

[K] No no no, hide! Yes, behind the barrel! Shhh, let me hold you… Damn, I’ve never seen the chef turn that red over some spilled roasted boar… I think he might actually take our heads off, regardless of royalty! Heh… Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from him. From… anything and everything

[You’re snapped out of your thoughts as chaos erupts around you. You hardly have a chance to cry out before the enemy is on you]

[SFX: A battle ensuing]

[...]

[SFX: Flames crackling and pained groans]

[You’re on your back, you know that much, and you feel ice cold. You only have a moment to see the sword buried in you before darkness envelopes you]

[SFX: A heartbeat growing weaker and weaker before it peters out]

[...]

[G] “Wake.”

[Your eyes open, even though they shouldn’t]

[Pause?]

[A man stands before you, surrounded in darkness]

[G] “Easy, mortal. Be not afraid.”

[Pause???]

[G] “You know who I am, child. The dread clawing up your throat is the truth. I am the Grim Reaper.”

[...]

[G] “Yes. You have died. Behold.”

[The Reaper gestures vaguely and the darkness peels back, showing the battlefield in all of its horror. You feel numb as you see your own body lifeless on the ground]

[...]

[G] “...yes. You did not get to say goodbye, which has fixed you here instead of allowing you to move on. Specifically, you are still attached to him. Watch.”

[Pause]

[You look and see your King riding toward you. He doesn’t even slow, near toppling from the horse as he comes to a stop by your body]

[K] “NO! No… No, please…! Healer, answer me! Please! Please…?!”

[Pause]

[He holds your body for a moment in disbelief before he begins to sob, cradling you closely]

[K] “I came as fast as I could when the reports came in! No… Please, not you… My healer…”

[Pause]

[G] “I am sorry. You cannot soothe him any longer, Healer…”

[Pause!]

[The Reaper remains impassive as you watch the man you love with all of you break, sobbing in agony]

[K] “Please… Please, I never even… I never even got to tell you that I love you! That I would have traded the throne, the wealth, the power JUST to be with you, even if it was in a cabin in the middle of the forest! In a heartbeat! I’d eat the damned crown myself just to… just…”

[Pause]

[K] “... Please… may my blade be sharp enough to end this quickly.”

[SFX: The King drawing his blade]

[Pause!!!]

[K] “Gods forgive me. May my soul find yours in the infernal stream so I may clutch your hand one last time before the dark ones take me. I will be with you soon, my… my everything.”

[You scream for him and time seems to stop around him]

[G] “Please cease your screaming. I have stopped time around him.”

[Pause…]

[G] “You are welcome. Though, you should not be so quick to offer your very soul in return for being able to go back to him. Listening ears may just take you up on that… and damn your soul for eternity.”

[...]

[He sighs as you collapse to your knees, not kind nor unkind]

[G] “And here come the tears. You mortals cry over everything, you know? Ugh. And the rocking back and forth. Listen to me, mortal. I know this is agony for you and I know you wish to return to him to stay his hand from an emotional reaction to tragedy. You cannot stop him. Let go.”

[Pause!]

[G] “Child, you can offer everything, but there is nothing to be done.”

[Pause!]

[The Reaper pauses as you plead. His cold eyes show nothing, but he gives a thoughtful “Hmm”.]

[G] “...Interesting. You offer me the satisfaction of seeing this story play out? Hmm. Tis odd that you would know a Reaper is often left curious about the conclusions that they cannot see… Hmm. You have my interest, Healer. Know this, however…”

[Pause?]

[G] “If I grant you this boon, you will become like me when you pass once more. Unable to heal. A vulture waiting for the last twitch in the muscles of an animal being eaten alive. You will endure atrocities like those committed here. That will be your eternity… Are you willing to endure that for this man?”

[Pause]

[The Reaper smiles at last and it chills you to your core]

[G] “So quick to decide. Mortals are so odd with their confusing emotions. If this is what you want, then take my hand, and the deal shall be sealed.”

[SFX: Dark magic sounds]

[Dark magic courses through you as your soul writhes in agony. As quick as it began, it ends, and the Reaper whispers one finale:]

[G] “Good luck.”

[SFX: More dark magic sounds]

[To be continued]