TW: This chapter contains scenes that may be disturbing to individuals sensitive to depictions of sexual violence. Stay safe, read responsibly.
---- Nox ----
Titan was worlds away from the government run EGCs Nox was used to. One of the most significant changes being that Nox is not obligated to work with every Esper in the guild. Requests for sessions will come in on his watch with a note attached listing 'remaining guild funded sessions' along with a counter relative to their position and class.
The first time Nox saw this the counter was down to zero. He puzzled over it for a moment before flagging down a passing guide. He was a dark brown skinned man with stubbled gray hair following a widow's peak. He had smile lines around his eyes and his posture was open and friendly so Nox hoped he'd be willing to help.
"What do I do if the requesting esper is out of sessions?" Nox pointed down to his watch. The other man leaned in to see the watch and Nox saw his ID tag reading Kenan French.
"You must be the newest guide!" The tips of Nox's ears burned as he realized he skipped all formalities.
"Yes, I'm guide Nox Levi. I apologize for my rudeness. I'm from the EGC so I'm used to rushing around and always being in a crisis."
Kenan lifted a hand and waved away Nox's apology, smiling kindly at him, "I completely understand. I worked at a center myself in my younger days. Felt I needed a change of pace for my golden years. I'm Kenan French, it's a pleasure to meet you Nox."
Nox stared at Kenan in wide eyed astonishment.
"Forgive me for asking, but how old are you?"
Kenan laughed, a full belly laugh that drew a warm smile from Nox.
"No worries, I'm fifty five. I should really be retired already shouldn't I?"
"No- I just-" Nox shook his head, brows furrowed in soft confusion, "I've never met a guide who made it past their forties."
Kenan's expression soured, "You wouldn't have, working in those damned centers. They treat guides like disposable batteries. Your best bet is to find a good Esper to contract with or join up with a guild like ours. So I suppose congratulations are in order. You just might make it to my age some day!"
Kenan then explained that Titan guides are only required to take requests from Espers with remaining sessions. He said Nox was free to accept the request if he wished but he was under no obligation to do so. The two exchanged polite goodbyes and parted ways.
Nox had never envisioned himself reaching old age. Retirement had never been so much as a passing thought. The closest Nox had ever gotten to considering the end of his career as a guide was when Esper Kane asked him what would happen if he kept going through total drain. What had Nox said back then?
""I'll have served my purpose?"
Something along those lines. Each time a guide close to Nox at the center left him to enter an exclusive contract the only thing he could think was "good for them, I could never."
Nox felt unwelcome memories bubbling to the surface of his unconscious mind. They were warm and gentle. Wherein he whispers promises to a child cradled in his arms. He plans a future for the two of them. The little girl beams at him.
"I want to help people when I grow up! Just like you!"
His purpose, his sole reason for moving forward. He shook the thoughts away and accepted the request from the Esper.
***
The 'guiding' section of Titan was…excessive. The first floor resembled the EGCs Nox is used to but above that looked more like a hotel. In the first floor, hospital cots lined the walls with curtains that could be drawn closed for privacy. There was also a large circular desk in the center, looking out on all the cots.
Three Espers sat at the desk all looking bored out of their minds. Their uniforms were different from those Nox had seen Titan members in the field. Or the casual wear Nox saw on people roaming the headquarters. The shirts and pants looked uniform and practical. They all had security emblazoned on the back.
When one of the Espers saw Nox she waved him over. Her colleague had fallen asleep next to her but when Nox approached he startled awake. He fumbled with a small printer as the woman who called Nox spoke.
"Guide Nox Levi?" Nox nodded.
"I see that your requesting Esper is only C-rank and has already used up his requests for this month. Since he hasn't been deployed at a gate recently you are under no obligation to assist him. Please indicate that you understand." Nox nodded again.
"Good! Normally this Esper would only be given lobby access," She gestured to the cots surrounding them, "But you, on the other hand, have full access to any of the private rooms. I don't believe it to be the case today, but if you ever believe an Esper is at risk for overload please let us know so we can provide you with a reinforced room in the basement."
"We will give you an access card," She took the card her coworker prepared and handed it to Nox, "Any rooms with green lights above the doors are empty, they are all identical so feel free to take your pick."
"Each room is equipped with a panic button next to the bed. It can be activated by pressing it or saying 'code red.' Once activated one of us will respond and subdue the Esper."
Her tone dropped its rehearsed, professional energy and she leaned towards Nox, "I'm only saying this because we've had several transfers from EGCs that pushed themself too far, but seriously use the button if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any way."
"Hmph, traitor," A masculine voice sounded behind Nox. He didn't need to look to know it was the Esper Nox was meant to guide. The Espers energy was weak but unstable.
"I can't believe an Esper is trying to tell a guide not to do their job." The Esper leaned on the counter and inserted himself into the conversation. He looked exactly how Nox expected. Attractive in a way that appeals to many but attracts very few. A carefully constructed facade of perfection masterfully crafted to cover bleeding insecurity.
"I'm just telling him not to do TOO much." The security Esper glared at the new arrival. Nox could already tell this Esper would be a problem.
"Guides are meant to guide. If an Esper needs it they'll provide! There's no such thing as too much."
The security Esper glared at him then turned her attention to Nox, "Now that you've met Esper Taylor feel free to reject his request. I know I would." One of the other security Espers laughed and tried to cover it up as a cough when Taylor glared at them.
Nox just smiled, "It's ok, I was looking for something to do anyways."
The security Esper's face scrunched in concern but she remained silent while Nox led Taylor towards the elevator. As the doors closed, Nox continued to feel her eyes on him until they were completely shut. Nox discovered the reason for her worry in that same moment.
Esper Taylor pounced on Nox the instant the doors broke line of sight. His hands locked Nox's waist in place and he pressed his entire body against Nox. It wasn't shocking for Nox. He'd become so used to the behaviors of unstable Esper's that Taylor's pathetic rubbing and grinding felt tame.
It was deeply shocking however, when the elevator doors opened to reveal a very frazzled looking Esper Kane clutching his own keycard. For half a second Nox's shock showed on his face before he snapped back to his smile and nodded at Kane.
"Esper Kane," Then, before Nox could stop himself, "I'm surprised to see you given your vehement denial of all my guiding offers."
The jab landed. Kane flinched and Nox almost felt guilty, almost. Until he was reminded of Esper Taylor, still clinging to Nox like a wet t-shirt. Kane also seemed to notice Taylor. His lips tilted downward and his brows pinched as if he were upset. Which only succeeded in frustrating Nox further.
What right did Esper Kane have to be upset with any part of the situation? Was his dislike of Nox's guiding so intense that he opposed Nox offering it to any of Kane's beloved guild members? Nox gritted his teeth and led the clingy Esper past Kane. Kane's arm shot out and snagged Nox's.
Nox spun to face Kane, nearly knocking over the Esper who'd been resting his whole weight on Nox.
"Is there something you need, Esper Kane." Kane flinched at Nox's sharp tone. Nox couldn't find it in himself to feel sorry. Kane had a special affinity for getting under Nox's skin that the guide hadn't encountered since--
"Please," Kane sounded utterly pitiful, "Just call me Dae." A fleeting glance to Esper Taylor, "...and don't guide that guy."
Nox had to bite his tongue to stop himself from cursing at Kane-- at Dae. If this was how Kane was going to play it, Nox wouldn't back down. He turned back to Esper Taylor.
"Well, DAE," Nox emphasised the nickname like an insult, "Since we have neither a temporary contract nor even a formal request between us I see no reason I should listen to you. I'm perfectly capable of handling an Esper two classes below me."
Esper Taylor vocally protested as Dae stuttered out, "I-I know how c-capable you are! I jus- I just mean that he's…" Dae trailed off and Taylor stepped in.
"I'm what! Go ahead mighty mister S-class! What the fuck were you about to say to me?"
Nox had let the situation get out of hand. He knew letting his personal feelings involved would end up like this. It was his job to fix it. He put his hand on the back of Taylor's neck and used his fingers to point Taylor's head away from Dae. Towards a room with a green light over it.
"You said you needed guiding right?" Nox's tone was more of a threat than a question, "I'm sorry for making you wait so long. Let's get to it."
There was a beep and the door opened. Nox shoved the protesting Esper into the room and made the mistake of glancing back at Dae, who had to look of a man that'd just been told his house burned down with all his belongings still inside.
The room resembled an average hotel room. A bathroom near the door, one king sized bed past it. Unlike a hotel room, the bed was the only furniture in the room. Nox could understand this since the beds have to be replaced frequently.
Nox pointed to the bed dispassionately and looked down at his watch. He pulled up Esper Taylor's consent sheets. No surprise, full contact. Nox could have managed this Esper with their contact in the elevator alone. But if he threw a fit and damaged something the paperwork would be a headache.
"Get on the bed and strip to your comfort level," Nox hadn't needed to give the command. Taylor was already making his way to the bed, leaving a trail of clothing like breadcrumbs. Nox did feel a little like Hansel and Gretel, in the latter half of the story anyways.
Nox took a deep breath.
"There is no morality between predator and prey," he thought to himself. It was a mantra he picked up during his time as a guide. Something the older guides would share with the new recruits. A way to remind yourself that what Espers do to you while unstable is beyond their control.
Guides were no more victims than the rabbit in the teeth of a wolf. Tragic, maybe, but natural nonetheless. If the rabbit didn't die, the wolf would starve. It is useless to blame the wolf for its desire to live. Likewise, you couldn't blame the rabbit for running until its lungs gave out.
The phrase served a dual purpose. A call for patience, kindness, and understanding while simultaneously reminding guides that they did not have to go quietly. Kick and bite and thrash because the wolf cares only for its own survival. Don't be afraid to take an eye if the wolf's teeth are in your neck.
Scars covering Nox's body spoke of the phrase's first meaning. The second meaning of the phrase could be seen through the panic buttons, security espers on standby, and de-escalation training for guides.
Many civilians considered a guide's life to be tragic. Their understanding of a guide's job was limited to the strict framework of sex. An activity done for pleasure and procreation. It was easy for them to see guides as a weak lamb bleeding out on an altar for the Esper's benefit.
Nox had a different opinion.
Elenore had been Nox's sister.
She was four years younger than Nox.
She was an Esper.
Nox could remember the day his mother brought Elenore home. His father brought a chair for Nox to peer over the sides of Elenore's crib. Nox had already been told he was a guide. The concept was too complex for him to fully grasp.
Adults would tell him that he was meant to help people. That the swirling energy he felt inside could be shaped, released intentionally to save lives. A four year old, who couldn't even comprehend death yet, had no chance of understanding the weight of his position. But in that moment, looking down at his brand new little sister, he completely understood.
"I would die for her," a young Nox had muttered, earning him a light smack upside the head from his mother who told him 'not to talk like that.' She couldn't understand. She wasn't gifted. She couldn't see the wisps of sinister corruption swirling around Elenore. Nox could and finally understood who he would be saving.
It was years later, when Nox was nearing the end of his guide studies and Elenore had just started her Esper studies, that Nox understood exactly how tragic the Esper's lot was.
Elenore was sitting at their kitchen table looking over a worksheet on laws regarding Espers. She'd waved Nox over and asked him if guides got the same contract. Nox, who had never seen an Esper contract, was curious as well so he looked through her textbook.
There was only one significant difference. It drove home the fact that before Espers were humans, they were weapons.
A guide can always refuse guiding. Guides who were still active duty had an obligation to help overloaded Espers, but even then, guides who were active duty made the decision to accept that clause. If you felt your level was too low or your life was at risk you could back down.
An Esper in overload cannot refuse guiding.
Civilians viewed guides as Esper's property. Tragic little sex slaves beholden to the whims of their Esper masters. Of course they would. The powers Espera possess could kill a guide in an instant. Even Nox, who could nullify energy to some extent, would ultimately lose to an Esper determined to kill him. But at least Nox was always allowed to run.
When Espers were at their most vulnerable their autonomy was stripped from them. Espers didn't even need to be on active duty to accrue corruption. Even retired Espers needed blood infusions from guides once every three years.
It had been hard for Nox to envision his precious little sister, overloaded, afraid, and cradled in arms she didn't want touching her. Emergency blood transference, drinking blood directly from a guide, and providing close contact with an embrace was the protocol for those situations.
Elenore wrinkled her nose and mimed gagging at the idea of drinking blood. She'd looked at Nox and asked if he'd ever had to do that. Nox anxiously pulled on the sleeve covering his first ever bite scar-- a gift from Cas --and lied to her. He shook his head and told her that would never happen to her.
Her relief only filled him with guilt.
The future would double what he'd felt that moment.
Nox had been an official guide for less than a month when the call came in.
A gate opened on the center's training grounds, sucking in seven Espers-in-training. At that time, Nox was the highest grade Esper in the center. Mac would qualify as an S-class a year after the incident, something she would apologize for over and over again.
Nox was at the tail end of his field work training, having already gone through two gates accompanied by veteran Espers and guides. The order had been given to provide light contact guiding to injured trainees when necessary. It was clear something was wrong especially when his non-field trained colleagues got the call before him. He assumed it was only a matter of time before his watch lit up with the summons.
Until the first survivor was wheeled into the clinic, then the second, and then third and fourth. Nox weaved through stretchers, providing assistance to healing Espers, medics, and the injured trainees. When the first one regained consciousness they began sobbing the moment they saw Nox.
Nox sat on the side of their bed. He reached out to rub soothing circles into the young Esper's back but the girl flinched away from him.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry Nox." Nox tried to hide his confusion as this girl roughly the same age as his sister sobbed in his arms. He had no clue what she could be apologizing for. It was a time before Nox had mastered memorizing Esper's faces. It might have even been the moment he decided to start.
The little girl's shoulders shook and she buried her head in Nox's chest. Nox held her tight and let out a steady stream of guiding energy. Nox could feel his energy leaking out erratically, drifting to all the cots in his radius. It spread him thin and made it hard to breathe.
Older guides told him that, with experience and time, he would be able to control the direction better. To channel to a specific target. They would tell him that they'd heard it was harder for universally compatible guides.
Guiding wanted to seek its complement so it naturally reached for the most compatible Esper. When every Esper was equally compatible it would reach for them all equally. In a few months that energy would reach for Dae across an empty waiting room. Latch on and tangle Nox up. But now it just filled the room with a gentle warmth.
It was enough to calm down the little girl in Nox's arms. She looked up at Nox with a dazed expression and Nox sprung back, anxious he had overdone it. His head whipped to the Espers on the cots next to them. One was fully unconscious and the other shared the girl's dreamy gaze.
"Beds 05 and 04 Stable, assess for guiding oversaturation!" Nox called out in the busy room. Two techs peeled out of the chaos to hook the espers up to monitoring equipment. Nox tried to leave the bedside but the girl clung to him.
He looked down at her fragile hand clutching his wrist. Her nails were cracked and caked with blood. Her knuckles bore the tell tale scratches and bruising of a fist fight. It was impossible to know if those injuries were from before or after she entered the gate. It would be some time before the healers started tending to wounds like this. So Nox turned back and began to gently disinfect the wounds.
The tech hooking the little girl up eyed Nox, "Guide Nox why aren't you on site?"
Nox shrugged, keeping his eyes on the task at hand, "Your guess is as good as mine, the summons hasn't come in yet."
"Don't you have clearance to just go?"
"Technically, but I assume there's a reason they need me here." Nox was overqualified to work in the center. He had been ignoring the increasing pile of requests from guilds. Nox would be needed wherever he went so it didn't matter to him if he was being paid well or not. And truth be told, he couldn't bear to leave his little sister while she was still training.
Nox kept telling himself that once Nell met x milestone he would start thinking about his future career. But as each milestone came and went he just kept pushing back the goalpost. Her first combat lesson passed without incident. Her test on Esper related laws, she was top of the class. Her first sparring session with an instructor, Nox got to watch her wipe the floor with the instructor. It was hard not to laugh while administering guiding to the instructor and setting their shoulder back in place.
Nell was a natural. In his heart, Nox knew that she didn't need him. She was strong, clever, and social. Nox could say it was a brotherly bond or the guide's duty to an Esper, but he knew the truth. He didn't want to leave her behind. The idea that he could miss out on her life, that she could grow up without him, that there could be a moment she needed him and he wasn't there, it made him sick.
Nell and Nox's parents weren't gifted. It was rare for a guide or Esper to be born to normal people. High class Espers and guides would have marriages with the sole goal of producing powerful gifted heirs. Family trees of only gifted individuals, the normal children rumored to be clipped and discarded to better suit the intended shape.
Mac's family had a long history of engaging in this hunt for power. She had confided in Nox about the weight of it. After her test she would express how much worse it got. She was their pride and joy but only for her pedigree. Generations of guides marrying to rank higher and higher. A creation of eugenics, not love.
Nox always offered his home as a refuge for her. He had two parents who loved both each other and their children fiercely. Mac told him how alien their care and attention felt. In return, Nox tried to match his parents level of affection. Mac was two years his junior and two years his sister's senior. That was most likely where Nox's affection for Mac came from. He wanted to see her as lively and vibrant as Nell.
The little girl snapped out of her haze and began to apologize to Nox again.
"I couldn't help her, she saved me and I couldn't do anything for her. I don't-" A sob wracked through her small frame. Fear started to creep up Nox's spine.
"Who are you talking about sweetie?" the tech asked gently.
Before she could answer a red light washed over the clinic. A shrill alarm blared. Every guide in the room looked at their watches.
Esper Corruption 100% Overload imminent
Heavy duty shutters began to close on the clinic, cutting it off from the rest of the facility. Nox was on his feet before he could think. The little girl's ragged fingernails dug into Nox's wrist as he yanked it away. She screamed apology after apology after him as he raced for the door. He ducked under the rapidly closing shutter and saw one other guide do the same.
They were one of the clinic's B-ranks. They were middle aged and had been working at the clinic for at least a decade. Nox was grateful to have someone more experienced coming with him.
They were taller, outwalking him easily, so Nox noticed when they stopped about three feet in front of him.
"Guide Nox," Their tone was serious and strained. That fear that had been creeping wrapped around Nox's spine, tugging and strangling him, making all his nerves burn, "You are barred from entering the gate."
The argument forming on Nox's lips died as he glanced at the senior guide's watch.
Overloaded Details: Esper Elenore Levi
Nox's vision blurred. His world's axis tilted so much he felt like he was spiraling into the void, knocked out of orbit and stranded in space. The other guide continued down the hall as Nox was rooted to the spot. Until he wasn't.
The blood pulsing in his ears drowned out the siren's shriek. Everything was blurry and far away until Nox burst through the doors to the training ground and saw it. Saw Nell
Little Elenore.
Her body taught like it was hooked up to a live wire.
Greyish brown tendrils stretching out from her heart, creeping down her limbs and marring her gentle face. A face twisted in agony and anger. Arcs of light spread out from her. Leaving deep gashes in the ground, nicking the exposed skin of guides trying to reach her. It was all so wrong.
Nell's powers allowed her to control shadow, this scorching, blinding light, it wasn't her. That anger wasn't her. Despite being younger, Nell had taught Nox how to be kind. Her gentle encouragement and childish optimism had saved Nox from his darkest moments. That compassionate child would never want this. The pain and destruction she was causing.
"She's going to be so sad when this is all over" Nox thought to himself, as tears ran down his cheeks. Tears he willed away as they proved what his body knew. Nell wasn't coming back from this.
That didn't stop Nox from running to her side. The arcs of light tore at his clothing. They burned and cut deep but Nox couldn't find it in himself to care. He was distantly aware of the other guides calling for him to stand down. But they didn't matter, Nell mattered. Nox was the best guide at the center. He was Nell's best chance.
He collapsed next to her and pulled her into his arms. She thrashed, her powers licked around him like phoenix fire. This fire was burning out the person he was. There was the Nox who had Nell and the Nox who was alone. This light was erasing the former no matter how hard Nox tried to deny it.
Power surged out of Nox in a way it never had before. Espers who'd been on the scene would tell Nox that they collapsed from it. Two of the other kids were fully recovered by it. But none of it touched Nell. The arcs of fire in the air stilled, but Nox couldn't touch Nell. Nell thrashed in his arms, her hands burned like a brand against his skin, melting through his hoodie. Her fingers dug into the burned flesh but Nox couldn't feel the pain.
All Nox could do was look down at his little sister. Her red eyes murky with grey filth, like a stagnant pond defiled with muck and weeds. Her teeth were bared at Nox, gnashing and snapping as if to bite him.
Another figure joined Nox, the senior that had left the clinic with him. They put their hand over Nox's. Tried to gently pry him away but his hold was steady. They settled for placing their hand on Nell's chest.
"You can't guide direct relatives. You know that Nox."
Nox was shaking. Of course he knew. The reason he lingered in this dead end center revolved around how much it hurt to not be able to help his little sister. He told himself that even if he couldn't guide her he could at least support her. He trained with her, helped her study, cooked for her, took her to school every day, loved her as much as he could.
His whole life was penance because the only Esper he couldn't help was the one he loved the most.
The B-class' arm began to shake. They put another hand down, cupping the side of Nell's neck. Nox tore his eyes away from Nell for just long enough to see the strain on his senior's face. Despite his limited experience, Nox understood what was happening.
He looked back down at Nell. His tears fell onto her face already dewy with sweat. He brushed back the strands of hair sticking to her forehead and cupped her face just above where their senior was holding her.
"You never stop amazing me Nell," A choked sob cut him off, "You're an S-class, can you believe it?"
Next to Nox, the other guide collapsed. Nox didn't need to look around to know what was happening. He didn't need to hear the voices growing softer and the footsteps retreating to know that they had given up. Soon the site director would arrive. He would approach the two siblings sharing their last embrace and press an auto injector into Nell's neck.
But before that happened, Nox would rage. He would scream and curse. He would sink his own teeth into his arm and desperately offer his blood to his dying baby sister. Every Esper that had attacked him at high corruption, they all wanted this damned blood. Nox's bite was just one of many already spreading across his forearms.
The blood would drip from Nell's lips, sizzling across her burning skin and wetting the ground. The first tears split for Nell's funeral. If anyone tried to pull Nox away before the site director arrived, he didn't notice them. His whole world was narrowed to his beloved sister, cradled in his arms and dying the most painful death possible for an Esper.
Years later, when Nox saw Daedalus Kane describe the fear he had of himself, Nox would think of Nell. The look of rage on her face, so alien to her features.
Maybe that's why Nox didn't fight when the site director arrived. Anything he did to prolong Nell's life was just more time she could hurt others. There was no coming back from this state. The B-class could have already been dead for all Nox knew, countless others had been injured.
So Nox let Nell go. She had never really needed him. He was just stubborn. It was such a shame it took her death for him to realize it.
His greed lived on in the field of guiding energy surrounding him. His body, his essence refusing to let go until he was forced to. Her body went limp, her eyes went glossy. But those final arcs of corrupted shadow remained in the air, like the mobile Nox had hung above her crib when his mother brought her home to him.
When he came to later there was a streak of white in his hair. Mac offered to dye it, but he couldn't. It was a symbol he fought for Nell. As the white began to take over his head, as he started to look less like her, he often wavered on this decision.
Nell was given a medal of honor posthumously. Her fellow students would tell Nox about how she protected them. Transported some to safety, cloaked them so they could make their escape. Fought off gate beasts until she was the only one left.
The little girl from the infirmary had been the second to last out. Nell had shoved her through the gate while fighting off a beast. She had seen the corruption starting to take Nell over. She was too out of it to warn anyone until Nox had eased her own corruption. Nox couldn't fathom how difficult it would be for a child to have to tell someone's next of kin that they were going to die. It made sense all she could do was apologize.
Nox forgave her every time. He couldn't allow himself to regret a single life Nell had saved. He had already failed her, what right did he have to question her final choices.
No one knew what happened to Nell in the minutes before she collapsed out of the gate, already in late stages of corruption. Nox was sure it would have been a display of power great enough to measure up to Esper Kane's test later that year. Because the gate closed.
In the three and a half minutes between the time the little girl was saved and when Nell stepped out, she managed to destroy the gate's core. Years before Esper Kane would invent the energy well, without the aid of her instructors.
Nell must have burned bright as a falling star in her final moments. Only to crumble to dust as she crashed to earth, to Nox's outstretched arms.
So when Esper Taylor grinned at Nox like he held Nox's life in his hands, Nox couldn't help but see a trembling wolf pup. Dangerous but not deadly.
Nox crossed the room, shedding his jacket, and straddled Taylor's waist. Taylor's hands were on Nox's hips in an instant. He pressed Nox down against his already erect member and Nox took it. He ignored the appalling friction and tilted Taylor's head up. He pressed his lips against Taylor's and let guiding energy flow through every point of contact.
Taylor slipped his hands under Nox's shirt. It wasn't predatory, it was desperate. Now that Nox had begun guiding he was in complete control. The cocky, sexually charged Taylor was no more. Now he was just a coward reaching for warmth and comfort. Warmth Nox was willing to provide.
He severed their kiss and Taylor whimpered while trying to chase Nox's lips. Nox gave him what he wanted after ridding himself of his top. Esper Taylor was ecstatic at the increased skin contact. His hands went to Nox's shoulder blades and pulled Nox against his bare chest. Nox shifted easily, conforming to this Esper as he had done with all the others.
Taylor's tongue ran against the seam of Nox's mouth and Nox pulled away. Again Taylor followed, whimpering and nipping at Nox desperately.
"If you get my tongue in your mouth you're going to bite it. No."
"Bite?" Taylor repeated dreamily. Nox could tell his work was almost done even without his watch's face beginning to shift to green instead of yellow, indicating corruption percentage.
"You're almost done. I can take care of you without blood."
"Blood!" This time Taylor's gaze was sharp with interest. Nox realized his mistake.
With little warning Taylor bit down on Nox's bottom lip, hard. Nox gritted his teeth and let out a hiss in pain. Nox had forgotten his reputation as the 'ambrosia blooded guide' wouldn't be well known in Titan aside from the lower ranks he'd seen at his center.
Of course now, that cat was out of the bag. There was no way this cocky bastard would be able to keep his mouth shut.
Nox grabbed a fist full of Taylor's hair and when he cried out in pain Nox yanked his head back. As Nox had reminded Dae in their training session, he knew exactly where Espers were as weak as guides.
"What the fuck was that!" Taylor cried out as Nox dismounted him and slid off the bed.
"Your corruption percentage is down to zero, I'll take my leave."
"You psycho! Get back here!"
An invisible force wrapped itself around Nox's leg and yanked it out from under him. Nox vaguely remembered reading seeing that Taylor had telekinesis. It took him by surprise but Nox knew better than to panic. With a little focus on the ankle in Taylor's grasp, the energy dissipated. Taylor swore again and Nox felt increased energy flowing from him.
Nox's watch showed a regression from green back down to yellow.
Dae and the security guard were right to warn Nox about this little shit. He was going to force himself into overload over basic self defence measures.
Nox was sure he could handle Taylor himself. There was a sedative in the pocket of Nox's jacket. He stood and took two steps toward the jacket before it lifted into the air. Nox's eyes filled with anxiety. Taylor was already slipping off the bed. Before Nox could get his hands on the jacket to touch it and nullify Taylor's ability Taylor had brought it to his hand.
Taylor grinned at the distress tingling Nox's normally neutral face. He groped at the pockets before locating the syringe. He held it out like he was taunting Nox before crushing it in his hand and casting it aside.
Violence, desperation, hell Nox could even handle overactive libido. All of it was par for the course in this line of work. But this kind of recklessness was dangerous. Any Esper who had even a basic understanding of overload feared it.
But every once in a while you would find Esper's like Taylor. Usually even lower level than him. Esper's who didn't use their powers enough to truly experience the side effects of corruption. They were cocky enough to view their powers as a sign that they were above everyone else. That they were indestructible.
To Taylor, corruption was a game. A debuff that could be cleansed by any guide, at any time. When all the guides in your life outrank you, it's an easy delusion to maintain. Pleasure overrode the relief of corruption easing. A mistake an Esper like Dae-- like Nell would never make. Someone whose power was vast enough to feel corruption overwhelm them. Who'd pushed themself so far they were forced to bear witness to their bodies lashing out in a final violent attempt to stop themselves from drowning.
Esper Taylor had yet to see the monster corruption turned his body into. All the training in the world couldn't help Nox stop someone who didn't know their own limits.
Was this the moment to give a code red? The tipping point that turned Espers from superhumans to rabid animals. All instinctual self preservation and no control. Was Esper Taylor a drowning man ready to pull Nox down with him? Pride told Nox he was a strong enough swimmer to bear it. The frantic beeping on Nox's watch broke his fantasy.
"Code-" a force shoved itself into Nox's mouth like a gag and the second half of the phrase was lost. Nox would have cursed if there wasn't a fist full of energy scraping his throat raw. Nox wanted to nullify the energy but that would only lead Taylor to push harder, he was already teetering on the edge of going into the red.
Nox's mind raced. Every survival strategy flicked through his mind. The most obvious of which was to nullify the energy anyways and let the overload warning call security in. But this was undesirable for several reasons.
An image of Elenore, writhing and crying in pain, flashed in Nox's mind and he knew he could never bring that upon an Esper. He had to find something else.
Get close to Taylor and incapacitate him then call for help.Taylor would try to restrain him then overload.
Smack his watch against his hip until the distress alert went off. As Nox lifted his arm he felt his watchband undo itself and fall to the floor. Taylor's eyes were glowing and his power pinned Nox in place.
Dae.
Dae should still be close by. He hadn't gotten in the elevator so he must have been headed to a room. He was the only chance Nox had. Nox let his energy float away from him like diluted smoke. It wasn't enough to suppress or even to cleanse. More like the unconscious constant leak young guides had. It should be detectable. Especially to an Esper as sensitive as Dae.
Nox struggled to breath around the energy filling his throat. Part of Nox wished Esper Taylor had just shoved his dick in Nox's mouth instead. At least then he could bite down. This energy pried his mouth open and locked it in place. It made his jaw ache and his eyes water.
Right as Taylor reached Nox and held a hand out both of the men heard the sound of the door clicking open. Relief filled Nox. No alarm had sounded. The only person who could have entered without a keycard was-
Nox's eyes met Dae's. Nox felt his eyes crinkle as he attempted to smile around the force holding his mouth open.
---- Dae ----
Dae hadn't gone into his guiding room. He paced the halls, anxiously. He had no right to interfere with Nox's work. Nox had been very clear about that. But that Esper with him, Dae recognized him.
There had been an incident right outside of the workshop. Tessa had rounded the doorway in a tizzy and called for Dae with a panicked tone he'd never heard before. Dae followed her only to find that Esper, Tyler maybe, pinning one of Dae's coworkers to the wall.
The woman in his grasp was a guide. Since tech development didn't require Esper abilities they had a few guides working with them too. Dae had honestly forgotten she was a guide until that moment.
The guide's hands were pinned to the wall with telekinetic energy. Trevor or Tyler- The bastard, had a hand clamped over the guide's mouth. Dae thought of his mother, and then of Nox, then he hit the bastard as hard as he could. Punched the side of his head with all the extra strength available to him as an Esper(which wasn't much but it got the job done) The bastard stumbled away from the guide and crumbled to the floor.
Tessa pulled the guide into a protective hug and hurried into the workshop. Dae pinned the bastard and sent out an alert on his watch. It hadn't taken long for security to arrive and administer a sedative. When the guard saw the little snake they rolled their eyes and said something along the lines of 'him again.' Leading Dae to believe this wasn't his first infraction.
Suddenly, his pacing stopped. He felt a familiar smoke. It was weak but Dae would have known it anywhere. Nox. Nox, the universally compatible, battle hardened, experienced guide was letting his energy spread wildly like an untrained child.
Something was wrong.
Before he could doubt himself, Dae was in front of the door he'd seen Nox go into. There was no noise from the other side of the door. Given the nature of guiding sessions, this was more concerning than comforting.
Dae's energy reached out, he didn't even bother to properly unlock the door, instead opting for simply squishing it out of the way like putty. It made a clicking sound as the molded metal slipped against the door plate and the door swung open.
Given what Dae had already put together, he should have been prepared for the scene before him. Nox stood head tilted up and telekinetic energy forcing his mouth open. Blood was dripping from his lower lip and he was shirtless.
The bastard on the other hand was completely naked; he had a hand reaching out towards Nox. It hung frozen in place momentarily from the shock of Dae opening the door before quickly shooting out and gripping Nox by the neck.
A frantic beeping filled the room and Dae saw yellow light blinking from the Nox's watch. Which was sitting on the floor instead of on Nox's arm. Dae looked at Nox's face. It looked like he was almost…smiling. His eyes were turned toward Dae and they crinkled at the edges. It reminded Dae of the face he made back when they were kids talking and laughing together.
The energy in Nox's mouth dissipated and Nox was able to choke out, "Sedative," before the bastard's grip around Nox's throat rendered him speechless again.
Sedative?
A Sedative for this fucker?
Dae wanted to kill him. He wanted to turn every ounce of metal in the room into a box around this bitch and listen to him scream as the box grew smaller and smaller around him. Dae didn't need a sedative, he needed a fucking gun. That's what this bastard deserved.
First, he needed to get his hands off of Nox.
Luckily for Dae, the bastard was still wearing his own watch. As Dae crossed the room he willed the watch band to shift, constrict. He felt his fingers twitch and heard a disgusting, squelching, cracking sound. The hand with the watch fell to the ground, fully severed.
The hand on Nox's throat dropped. Nox fell to his knees, coughing and wheezing. Dae's powers flicked and writhed like fire. The metal that had once made up watch components coalesced onto Dae's outstretched finger. It formed a single, razor sharp claw. A claw Dae pressed against the other Esper's throat.
The Esper's remaining hand wrapped around Dae's wrist, trying to pull it away. Dae let him. But the claw stayed where it was even as his hand moved, pressing further into the other man's throat. The bitch had the gall to whimper.
Nox's hand slipped around the other Esper's neck. The metal shard pricked the skin on Nox's hand, creating a bead of blood. Dae pulled the shard away and let it fall to the ground. Dae watched as Nox protected the Esper who almost killed him. Nox's wounded hand steadied the other Esper's neck while he used the other to press a needle into the Esper's jugular.
"Thank you." Nox's voice was hoarse and weak but still gentle and warm, "Gates!" Nox looked to the severed hand laying on the floor, "Can you call for a healer?"
"Why?" was all Dae could manage.
"My watch is over there." Nox carefully lowered the Esper to the ground.
"Why are you taking care of him?"
Nox spared a glance at Dae, guarded and tired, "If you won't, I will." He stood to retrieve his watch.
Dae shook his head and made the call.
The healer arrived at the same time as the security team. Dae glared at Mindy, the Esper leading the security team. She held his gaze indignantly. She mouthed 'I tried' then pointed to Nox who was being praised by the healer for properly securing the tourniquet from the rooms first aid kit. Dae felt his anger dissipate as Nox brushed past him and began washing the blood off his hands in the bathroom.
"Are you injured at all? Aside from your lip that is." The healer called to Nox after reattaching the Esper's hand and hauling him onto a cot for the security team to take away.
Nox smiled at the healer and shook his head. Dae frowned and turned towards the healer. He bent down and whispered.
"He was being choked when I walked in." The healer's eyes went wide and he rushed to Nox who had just finished washing his hands. The healer held out his hands which glowed with a gentle blue energy. He pressed them against Nox's neck. Nox stayed still but rolled his eyes at Dae, indicating that he thought this was unnecessary.
Dae turned away without a word and went to retrieve Nox's shirt and jacket. The jacket was wet. One of the vials of sedative was cracked on the ground near it. He decided to leave it where it was instead of giving Nox something covered in shards of glass and spilled sedative.
Nox thanked him when he handed over the shirt. He slipped it on and glanced around the room.
"Can't believe I made such a mess of things on my first official session," Nox's voice was light but his eyes betrayed his disappointment.
"You kicked my ass, how did he manage to overpower you." Dae's eyes went wide with regret as he repeated his mistake from training. But Nox didn't seem angry. He just sat down on the edge of the bed and stared at the broken syringe blankly.
"He got mad when I nullified his powers so he tried to overpower me. Almost sent himself into overload. I couldn't let that happen. I had to stop suppressing him."
Dae frowned but stayed silent. He sat down next to Nox and was pleasantly surprised when Nox leaned against him. Nox's fluffy white hair tickled against Dae's chin as Nox rested in the crook of Dae's neck.
"Ya know, this never would have happened if you'd just accepted my contract, so really this is your fault," Nox laughed and Dae joined him. Dae's laugh was hollow and strained.