"Where is everyone?" Sion asked quietly as he followed behind Nasir. Sion had no idea where they were going, but one theme became recurring, the shadows clung to them closer than their own clothing. Nasir had time to plan and plot a means of escape from this castle. For his size, he knew how to move as swiftly as he could.
"They're awaiting you. Waiting for some sign that you're alive. Since you've been gone, it's fallen into chaos. Some rallying in their villages and fighting the King's forces that were present, others tucking their tails between their legs and hiding so they may be spared the same fate that you suffered." Nasir's voice rumbled from his chest slowly. It was clear he held some form of disdain for both sides of the resistance.
Sion shook his head slowly. "Really? I didn't realize I did that much. Truth is, I was considering giving up. I went at it alone for a while in my head and it's not a desire of mine to bring others harm. Or endanger them in any way." He said with a quiet exhale from his nose. His words made Nasir turn to face him. Nasir's hand grabbing his shirt by the collar.
"You've no right to think that way Sion. You gave everyone hope. You kept all of us from losing our minds and becoming senseless slaves to the ruling class." Nasir pulled Sion closer as he continued to scold him quietly. "You gave ME hope." Nasir's hand found itself just over his heart. "Despite everything, through hell and starvation. You helped so many people." Nasir growled. "Don't you dare give up. You don't get to. Not after all of the good you've done for us."
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Sion's eyes gazed towards the ground as he thought of Nasir's words. Not only did he hear them, he felt them as well. Slowly, tears began to roll down his cheeks. "Nasir...I.." His voice broke softly. "I won't speak of it again…I'll go until the end. I swear." A promise forged through words and emotion blossomed between the two. From pit fighters and opponents to brothers in arms they would become.
Sion continued to gaze at Nasir as he did not reply. He did not even move a muscle as he stared right back. Their eyes clashing for a brief moment before the sound of metallic footfalls broke the silence. Quickly, Nasir grabbed Sion by the hand and slipped behind a wall out of view. There were a lot of guards assembling down the hall it seemed. So the pair waited until the footsteps stopped. Their hearts almost beating out of their chests as they held their breath in anticipation.
A few guards were easy for the both of them to take care of, but that many would prove to be too much, even for such skilled fighters. Nasir waited for more than a minute after the last pair of footsteps had left the hall that they were on and he looked at Sion, giving a nod for him to follow.
Soon, they would happen upon a single door which led to the eastern side of the castle's walls. That was the direction the pair needed to go in order for them to return home. The light from the sun was bright for Sion. His hands come up to try and shield his eyes from its intensity. The sun was always a friend of the young devil, its heat and radiance a warm embrace along Sion's cold skin from days in the dungeon.
He spread his arms slowly as he embraced it. Nasir watched from behind with his arms crossed.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
"Are you almost done fucking the sun's rays? We need to get you back home." Nasir spoke roughly.
"Yeah, yeah you're right." Sion spoke quickly, gathering himself. The air was fresh, the winds calm. The fall season still lingered in the air as the temperature was mildly chill and held a small nip.
As he and Nasir turned and began to run for the wall, a voice called from behind them with the booming confidence of authority.
"HALT." Sion and Nasir stopped, turning slowly and seeing a short but well built man standing there with his arms behind his back, his hair was brown and two large and jagged horns protruded from his forehead, his sclera was dark as the abyss. Behind and around him were fifty guards with their weapons drawn.
The man turned his attention to Sion. "You are to be returned to your cell." He then turned his head to Nasir. "And you, unnamed accomplice, are to be put to death! Surrender now and we'll make this quick and simple!" As he shouted, guards began to slowly cover their left and right flanks.
Nasir's head whipped from side to side to assess the danger. He needed a plan but options were snatched from him quickly. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." Nasir spat in rapid succession. Behind him, Sion crouched slightly and readied his weapon. Preparing to fight until the end. A growl that resembled that of a jaguar rumbled from his chest. His tail was still and his ears were folded backwards.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
"Run Sion!" Nasir said quickly as he got into a high guard stance with his sword. "I'll hold them back long enough for you to escape! Now get the hell out of here or else I'll be fighting for nothing!" Nasir barked at him.
Sion's guard faltered for a moment before he allowed it to fall completely. He did not want to leave Nasir behind like this, it felt like he was giving Nasir as a sacrifice to a haunting beast. But he realized he didn't have time to fight Nasir and survive. He nodded once, tears reappearing down his face as the weight of his emotions and the potential loss of his friend loomed over him.
"Just make it back. I need you."
Sion turned and ran towards the wall, using the strength he had in his body, he bounded as high as he could and drove his sword into a crack in the stone wall. His hand found a place to grip onto and he began to climb it, not looking back but hearing the clashing of steel against steel. Nasir's roaring howls of rage filling the air. Wicked taunts leaving his lips were all left behind as Sion made it over and out of the castle.