Archive of Our Own

The lights were buzzing, a quiet hum as the old, outdated cable transferred electricity into the lamp, making it flicker occasionally.

The room was quiet and Strider sat at his desk, a ruined map with countless markings in front of him. Marked spots crossed red, where Stalkers refused to help, and another location filled with Anomalies but already raided. Another place, high with Psi Energy, is forbidden for all Noontiders. Everything around the Base on Wild Island has already been scoured. The countless papers on the desk revealed that their counted supplies had a steady decrease as more Noontiders had joined their group. Strider wasn't mad about it, he was glad that Faust was so convincing to the lost brothers.

It had been a while since Strider had sent out a squad to Prypiat, even if he didn't miss the empty city and the feeling it brought up inside of his chest. Sitting at a campfire, Faust's blind eyes glowed in the light as he requested Strider to tell him if there were stars in the night sky. It was almost as if back then they had been protected by some bubble, wandering around and helping Monolithians who had awoken from their brainwashing.

"We are running out of supplies. We need medicine" Dubny declared and Strider gave an acknowledging nod, not even looking at his second in command. It wasn't easy to keep their supplies steady when most Stalkers refused to be of any help. Even Loners were sceptical of Noon.

"I send out a squat but they haven't reported back yet" Dubny stated and Strider already feared the worst.

"Where to?" Strider requested, finally looking at Simon who had crossed his arms. There was this undying anger in him , if he had been in charge, he would cause another bloodbath.

"Not far away from Wild Island," Dubny clarified, leaning over the desk to point at the map. It was near the Chemical Plant and the Machine Tractor Station. Strider saw only one problem in this: the Stone Village with Psi Energy irritating around it.

"Do we have a squad left to search? Did you send them via the Sawmill?" Strider requested, leaning forward to study the map. It wasn't a direct path, but sometimes the roads were safer to use .

"I can do it" Dubny stated, puffing his shoulders and Strider took a deep breath.

"No, I will" Strider declared , if his fears were correct, the squad had wandered too close to the Stone Village.

"Are you sure? You-" Dubny started, but he closed his mouth as Strider stood up.

"I can handle it. In the worst case, I can defend myself" Strider noted, staring at Simon who furrowed his brows, clearly wanting to come along to take revenge on some of the Stalkers.

"Strider... They won't listen to us, they shoot on sight-" Dubny started again, steadily walking next to him with pounding steps.

"We need the supplies, don't we? I'll go and take some who are willing with me." Strider redirected. He knew that everyone in their base would not handle it well if both Dubny and him were gone, so someone had to stay behind.

"While I'm gone, you're in command." Strider declared, patting Dubny on the shoulder as he reached their Trader.

There was this frightening hull and pulsation in the big hall. It felt like there were whispering echoes of the sermons that Faust held, it sent shivers down his spine.

The wooden boards sticking out of the altar, like reaching their hands into the sky like they had done for Monolith.

Like a shining brainless beacon. A blue sickening glow of an Emitter, but there was none hidden in the structure. Strider had looked, searched, every time he was in here.  

He sat on the dusty floor, his knee aching, reminding him that no one was in control other than himself. Closing his eyes felt wrong, but the tiredness burned inside his body, his muscles. He tried not to fall asleep. His body ached, the sharp pain in his side not leaving him. Not even sleep found Strider even if his body was bleeding, the bandages soaked again in the evening after making sure everyone at Noon was doing alright. No matter how many shaking breaths Strider took it smelled like something was burning. The strong smell of acid trapped in his nostrils with the foul taste of metal in the back of his throat.

"I never thought I would find you in here" Faust spoke, his voice echoing in the hall as if he had an audience, "Are you praying to..."

Strider didn't want to hear it. He was tired of the endless confrontation with Faust.

It penetrates even into their sleep, this aching and emptiness. The Zone didn't look the same anymore, so dark and full of mutations and cunning annihilations but only Faust remembered how bright and powerful everything had been under their god. Strider didn't reply as he watched Faust, letting out a breath he didn't know he held.

He didn't want to show his own weakness to the Blind Noontider who was lazily smiling, as if he had won him over in a silent argument. The children of Monolith always followed him.

How easy it had been to pursue the other Noontiders into their group. Before they were mindless mirrors for C-Con, but now it felt like they were helpless, laughing and screaming, puppets without any strings.

It already had become so normal. Showing displays of affection might seem questionable if any other Stalker had witnessed those. He lingers on hands and guides, but Strider never thought of anything when he helped Faust.

"Are you there?" The older Noontider requested, his head arching as he tried to listen to the sounds in the long hallway. Strider knew it wasn't easy for him, every new location where they had settled temporarily being completely unexplored and uneasy. But no matter how Strider worried about Faust being blind, he didn't show it. It felt like Faust was more confident than anyone among them. Faust had explained that, with his blindness, he could see the energy and strangely shining light from the Zone and in every Noontider, that he had hoped to be Monolith even if it wasn't true.

"Strider?" Faust reacted, his steps certain but his hand still searched the edges of the wooden structure of the shrine , his gloved hands running along, the sound rhythmic and secure, until the hand found his shoulder.

"I'm here" Strider replied, shifting himself on the hard mattress on the floor. He prohibited the others from sleeping in here, but it seemed that some fought for safety near the familiar shrine. The dull ache returned, it felt like he could feel the exhaustion more as Faust was near him, as if he was depleting him of his power.

"My heart aches for the wounds you bear, both visible and hidden. I need to make sure that you are okay" Faust requested something like concern in his tone, and yet his tone was lulling him into an alert state. Strider didn't answer, just giving an agreed hum as Faust took hold of his shoulders, blinking with his blind eyes into him, far away and yet it felt like the Preacher could see it all.

The room was hot, his skin tingling as the cold wind had taken all his warmth. Strider had thought about laying himself down on the bed but he couldn't quit, Noon needed him. Not just their medic had told him to rest, but so had Dubny but Strider just shrugged it off. If he wasn't there for the others, who would be? And the others needed the medical supplies more than he did, but Tailor insisted on at least bandaging him up.

"Foma stated that you were injured. I was worried about you and the brothers. What had happened?" Faust asked, taking a few awkward steps into the room, his hand hovering in the air, trying to make out where Strider was standing.

"I'm fine," Strider replied, a pained groan leaving him, as he stood up. The cot made a loud noise as it was released from his weight.

"You are wounded, I can feel it, your energy is seeping out" Faust whispered, his voice calm and strong. He didn't want to think back how the Loners had killed the few Noontiders without remorse, opening fire instantly as Strider and the few brothers he had taken with him caught them. He still felt like the smell of blood clung onto him, the sharpness of the blade catching him. He didn't understand, he had told the Stalkers they didn't mean any harm and yet they ignored their words. Strider felt his hands start to shake as he used all his strength to get his brothers out of there just for them to die horribly without any help in his arms. The tears and the bloodied lips begging for forgiveness. There was nothing left, none of the supplies that had been smouldering with smoke and ash.

"I said I'm fine" Strider objected, but he was quickly put into line as Faust scowled in disagreement, his grey eyebrows deepening, the same hatred he had for the nonbelievers.   

"How..." Faust started, and Strider stepped forward letting his hand settle on Faust's shoulder. With a swift motion, Faust took hold of Strider's hand, gently holding it.

"Stalkers took shots at us," Strider stated, directing Faust through the room, his fingertips dancing on his lower back.

" They don't understand that we are his children" Faust directed. It was so easy to follow his voice , luring, calm and Strider didn't think of anything. It seemed that everyone felt the same, even after the voice stopped speaking. Even if Faust was silent, they all listened for him to speak again, "We need to urge to reconnect with the divine mission that has guided us thus far."

"And bring death?" Strider requested, opening his mouth to spit out more anger but he just felt to tired, shaking his head. 

"They-" Strider sucked in a sharp hiss as he sat down, Faust settling next to him, his hands searching his body, "They are gone, the supplies were destroyed"

"I need to know that you are okay." Faust whispered , "You being injured is not a good omen"

"I'm fine" Strider assured, trying to let his shoulders relax as sitting upright sent sharp bolts into his body. The wound that had been patched up and bandaged rubbed constantly against his jacket. He let out a hissing groan as Faust searched him, his touch almost burning as he stopped at his ribcage.

"You're bleeding" Faust noted and Strider blinked confused and dazed, the pain throbbing but he didn't even feel any wetness there.

"Probably ripped it open again" Strider grunted, shifting to remove the jacket and Faust's hand was like from Khors when he got new things to tinker with, impatiently but eagerly. Faust's hands grasped the fabric, but he didn't pull, it was a silent request to remove it.

"As you mend, let your spirit mend as well. Does it hurt?" Faust questioned as he finally freed himself of his jacket, the bunker was cold and Strider questioned how Faust could only sit in there with just a shirt.

"Now... the shirt if you are wearing one" The blind Noontider demanded and Strider closed his eyes for a moment, not liking the fact that he had to undress. It wasn't that bad, but the clothes were similar to their armor, protective and rebelling against any danger.

Faust's gloved fingers brushed against where the wound was, running along the outlines from the bandages that he could feel under the shirt to read where and how it was wrapped, and what part of his body was injured. It hurt and Strider hissed in pain but looking down the grey shirt was soaked in a brown dull patch.

"How do you wanna look at it , if you can't see?" Strider asked, frowning at the faint smile dancing on Faust's face , his eyes pulled together, squinting in amusement. It wasn't easy to remove the shirt , his necklace awkwardly getting caught around his face, and his side ached as he stretched his arms up to free himself of the shirt.

"You are my eyes, only you can lead and take action" Faust noted, "but I will guide the will, you don't have to do much", his hands hovering in the air before they carefully ran over his shoulder.

"Right," Strider agreed, unable to reject that statement, feeling the strain in his body as he breathed in, Faust's hand pressing against his chest. It made the pain disappear, and Strider felt too suddenly so tired, the ache in his muscles vanishing so quickly. He couldn't fight the heaviness Just settling his head against Faust's shoulder, his eyelids heavy.

Whatever Strider had dreamed as he woken up with a sharp gasp made his entire body jolt and shake. He could feel how damp his backside was, his vision still cloudily, being met with Faust's concerned gaze.

"Already awake? Sleep let's us dream of our deepest desires," The Preacher requested, his tone questioning and yet it felt like a statement.

Strider moved, confusion settling in as he had fallen asleep, and been laid down on the bed by Faust who was still around. He sat crossed-legged on the bed, awkwardly squeezed against the wall, Strider's leg on his lap.

The pain in his side that he expected to crush him once he was conscious wasn't there and as he looked down, his ribcage was deprived of the blood-soaked bandages. There was no blood, but the smell lingered in the air, at the side of the cot towels and other clothes that were dirty. Strider blinked confused how Faust had cleaned and dealt his injury so sufficiently.

New fresh ones had been applied, and the gauze pad secured with medical tape where the deep cut was.

He felt a shiver run over his entire body as Faust touched his leg. As the movement progressed higher, it caused his body to jolt more intensely.

"Are you okay?" Faust requested, tilting his head and Strider let out a grunt, prompting himself up with effort. His entire body felt like it had been slammed against a wall and defeated and yet his heartbeat was too fast. Trying to think back to the dream that felt too real, like a memory made him feel even hotter than he already was. Soft lips touched his body but maybe his brain had just made it up, the sensations being from freed of the old bandages and replaced with new ones.

"I'm... sweated" Strider grunted out, finally sitting properly and blinking at Faust who smiled, "And I'm cold"

Maybe it shouldn't have been the first thing in his mind to come closer to Faust who had spread his arms, calling him closer as if just his body was preaching. It felt like he wasn't even doing it himself but some primary urge leading him.

Faust let out a small grunt as Strider settled on his lap, he could feel how ice cold Faust's fingers were as he carefully traveled them over the glowing skin on his back. It was rare when Faust took his gloves off, the bandages running from his arms to his hands, long slender fingers with discolored bluish nails.

"No need to be so nervous..." Faust hummed and Strider tried his best to stay still. His body felt like it had gotten trapped in a burner anomaly due to how hot and sweaty his skin felt but he wasn't in any pain.

"Your heartbeat" Faust mumbled, his smile making Strider's world spin , as he looked up to him. Faust's bandaged hand was like a strong pull, still on his chest, it made everything pulsate.

" Just breathe, let it happen," Faust told and Strider took a deep breath, his shoulders slacking as he exhaled. It helped but yet the buzzing feeling returned.

"Trust me, I'm trying" Strider acknowledged, a chuckle leaving him. His entire brain felt like mush and any touch was tingling. There was this tension in his body , he could feel sweat dripping.

"Why are you laughing?" Faust requested , his voice so smooth and the way he talked made it unable not to pay attention.

There was a tight knot in his stomach, the sensation making him worried but still, it felt familiar.

"It hard to be a human", Strider explained, "It's harder than anything else"

"Unyielding assurance is deep that we human and connected. Not solely about that our bodies fit together" Faust hummed, his glassy eyes blinking slowly.

"What do you mean?" Strider asked, the glow from his face making it so much more luring to press himself closer. Strider sat himself up again, a pained grunt leaving him, but Faust carefully ran his hands over his side.

"Come closer" Faust whispered and it felt like a Mantra that repeated in Strider's head. There was no exhaustion lingering in any movement, with a huff leaning closer to the Preacher.

-

"What if we no longer... fight?" Strider stated, letting out an exhausted huff of air, sinking back into the older man. They had not said a single word, the world continuing without them speaking. Strider felt this lunging sadness, pouring deep into him. He hated that they had drifted apart, still hoping that Faust would finally realize that they had their own fate in their hands. That they finally had free will.

"Only time will tell. Only we decide." Faust displayed, using his hand to gesture around.

"But... I get sad. What if you leave?" Strider requested, his throat feeling rough as he spoke.

"Then I'll stay longer" Faust agreed, it was not just a statement but a promise.

"Until night?" Strider issued , hoping the answer would be yes , he didn't want to have the dirty mattress feel so empty after it was imprinted from Faust's weight.

"Until the sun never shines, until the sky isn't above us" Faust hummed softly, his unseeing eyes staring right at him, "Only for you"

Strider had no idea how to respond, feeling so warm and peaceful. He leaned closer to Faust who didn't notice his movement. Strider wasn't sure what he exactly wanted to do , he couldn't possibly get any closer. Faust had sat himself so near, his legs draped over his , it was awkward and yet it felt like it was supposed to be like this. Breathing in the same air, their heartbeats synched, their necklaces like a mirror of each other's wishes.

"You are breathing on me" Faust hinted and it felt like Strider he could forever feel calm when his scent would forever linger on his clothes and skin.

"Should... Should I stop?" Strider requested, feeling his voice shake with so much uncertainty. It felt like all his bravery was stripped off, now stumbling unknowingly into something he didn't understand. The pain was forgotten, only Faust mattered.

"No, it was an observation. It feels nice. You smell nice." Faust stated, his breath warm against Strider's face, their faces so close.

The touch was so light and yet it felt like a spark ran over his body as Faust ran his knuckles over his face. "Feels... rough"

"And here it feels soft" Faust hummed, running his fingertips over his lips , it made Strider feel like he had been punched right in the lungs.

"And now?" Strider requested, waiting for something to happen even if he still couldn't pinpoint what as Faust ran his hands over his neck. But it was clear that Faust didn't object, or maybe wasn't aware of how tight Strider's stomach felt, nervous energy seeping into and out of him.

"Don't get nervous" Faust chuckled amused, "I stand here to remind you that, only this is how it should be"

"I... I'm not sure why" Strider admitted, leaning his head closer to Faust who still was busy mapping out every feature on his face. His fingertips were so warm, the palms of his hands warm as he held his face.

"You must be pretty," Faust chuckled, his fingertip running down his nose, tapping it and Strider couldn't help but laugh.

"Am I?" he questioned, he never really cared how he looked, it wasn't important in the Zone, not when they had other problems.

"Well, from... what I can feel, you are only made out of the same material as the Monolith, radiating so much fervency." Faust hummed and Strider rested his head onto Faust's shoulder again. His head was too heavy to think of the words that Faust used.

It was particularly uncomfortable, the man's collar bone sharp and sturdy under his cheek, but once Faust ran his hand over his hair, he ignored the feeling.

"Fuzzy" Faust mentioned, his dirty nails scrapping against his scalp and Strider shuddered, unintentionally grabbing the Noontider by his hip. Faust winched at that, but the furtive smile on his face made the feeling just more intense. Strider felt like he wasn't sure what was happening, but tasting the salty skin as he breathed into Faust's neck made him vibrate with something so primal.

"Your hair is too" Strider agreed, replicating the gesture , his hand running over's Faust neck up to his short hair, his hand getting tangled in the longer strands of mixed brown and gray. Watching the man shiver was hypnotizing.

"That feels like the hum of electronics going through cables and powering everything around us, electrifying"

"You never can say anything normal?" Strider requested, but he didn't say anything else as Faust furrowed his brows.

"I'm sorry that I am using complex words" The Noontider whispered and Strider could feel every syllable in his mouth, unsure what was about to come next.

Their faces were so close. Strider blinked at Faust, unsure if the tension was from within or if it was between them.

"Do you trust me? You do trust the words I speak?" Faust requested, something twisted in his voice and in this moment Strider might have believed the Noontider about his crazy preachings. "I do" Strider confessed, like a moth drawn to light.

"Touch me here" Faust directed and Strider felt almost as happy and eager as he had been under the influence of the Monolith. Or what he believed must be the feeling, nothing but darkness as he tried to think back how Monolith had made them all feel.

"Okay," He replied, letting his hand be guided over the man's torso. The pendant was slightly glowing with a faint blue as Strider's hand moved it aside, feeling his heartbeat.

"There" Faust directed and he blinked confused , he was running his hands over his torso, wandering it up to his neck, Faust's necklace getting caught between his fingers.

"And now what?" Strider requested, not quite sure what he was supposed to do. He had some instincts but wasn't sure if they were fitting. It felt too cruel and bare to just dive his teeth into the man's flesh.

"Not your hand" Faust chuckled, his warm hands again in his hair, giving his head a gentle push towards his neck, "Do what feels right, as a testament to your strength and dedication."

Strider could hear the command in his head. As he leaned even closer Faust's voice stuck as a breathless groan escaped him, Strider watching intensely as the man shuddered as he ran his tongue over his neck.

"Good" Faust hummed, arching his back and head more toward him.

Strider could feel his entire body spark at the praised hum that Faust let out, it made his eyes flutter close.

It was clear that both weren't sure what to do or if Strider was just uncertain about all of this.

"Let this moment-" Faust started, but Strider didn't want to hear anything other than the rapid inhales and quiet gasps. It was hypnotizing as if something had taken over, wanting more and more.

"Can you be quiet for once?" Strider finally asked, squeezing Faust's hip who shuddered but it made the Preacher give him a small push.

Faust removed his head, blinking at him a few times and Strider chuckled at how infuriated he looked, his eyebrows lowered, face distorted.

"Make me" Faust stated and Strider didn't like that he had the upper hand in this. He didn't want his unpleasing thoughts to take over, never having to smell blood ever again.

"Tell me how" Strider requested. He didn't want to hurt Faust.

"Listening is not merely about hearing; it’s about understanding and opening your heart to the possibilities that lie beyond our immediate perception." A smile plastered on Faust's face, his blind eyes squinted as he spread his arms.

"You... saying so confusing things on purpose?"

"Maybe, maybe not, why do birds sing in the morning? Why are there birds in the Zone at all?"

Strider leaned forward, his hands grabbing the Noontiders chin, holding him close as he carefully leaned closer and closer. It was like opening his eyes for the first time.

Strider felt a buzzing sensation, so calm and it felt like faith as he leaned closer towards Faust, their necklaces brushing together as carefully as he ever did anything, skimming his lips against his.

It was wrong, but the people already had noticed they didn't want them around. There was fear nestling inside of him, but as Strider felt Faust's dry lips against his, it vanished. He wanted more of him, to breathe in the same air.

It was unexpected as Faust redrew his head. A smile flashed on his face before he grabbed the necklaces and pulled Strider into a kiss. Teeth clanking awkwardly together, but there was no longer room for softness.

It felt too overwhelming and yet this nervousness that had been nestling inside of him vanished. Strider didn't know what it was but it felt like his body was gonna explode as a low grunt left him, letting Faust do whatever he wanted as he started to maneuver his head, kissing him from different angles.  

"What do you want to hear?" Faust requested and Strider could not speak, the feeling of his lips on his had taken all thoughts out of his brain. It was the same feeling as he had woken up.

"I'm not sure..." Strider answered after a long time, closing his eyes as Faust was once more exploring his face but with his lips, leaving a soft kiss against his forehead.

"No, you know, and you know it deeply. It's inside your chest, aching and withering." the Preacher declared, so confident as he could stare right behind the barriers of strength that Strider had built up all over those years.

"It's not your fault. You are good, you are doing so well" Faust stated and Strider had to blink the sharp sting of his tears away , it felt so genuine, so true, and like a prayer that echoed for everyone to hear.

"I wonder how many want to admire you, with such strong muscles..." Faust chuckled, running his hands over him and Strider felt like the older Noontider had ripped out his tongue.

"You love this, you wanna be good and please. Follow and admire something and something so badly. The urge still is so strong in you , isn't it? Rough and raw, so close to be revealed but you are fighting it."

Strider wasn't quite sure what Faust was talking about but he only could nod dumbly at him.

"You love this-," Faust convinced, "You love the feeling of this, you want more and more. You love Monolith-" Strider didn't agree, he couldn't and it made his body shiver with dread.

"You love Me" Faust finalized and Strider's head started aching, dull and the pain felt like something was trying to get into his head that already had nestled there, fighting from the inside for the upper hand.

It was wrong and the dread and ache in his chest overcame him like a wave. The realization that Faust was doing this to lure his way into his head made Strider feel so much anger.

"Are you... No." the sudden panic felt like a shockwave, Strider blinked uncertainly, unsure of what had just occurred. Like a trance, he was so drawn to Faust just to blink at him doubtful again.

"Sorry... An old habit. Can you blame a Preacher for following his old wording? Embracing his true identity and pursue?" Faust chuckled out, once again letting his hand run over his face, so caring, and yet it felt callous.

"I not sure if... this is love" Strider faltered out, not sure what he wanted this to be, but it felt so unreal as Faust again leaned forward, his lips brushing his cheek. First , it was unsure, his fingers on his face searching, but Strider let it happen. Each new kiss felt so satisfactory , without saying anything he kissed Faust on the lips.

"Then it's only" The word echoing in his mind, "Only admiration" Faust observed. "In a world filled with uncertainty, faith only offers a solid foundation."

The low hum the man let out made Strider's body twist in such a pleasant way, that he moved his hips as if his body knew more than him. As if Faust knew what to do, running his hand over his thighs with such slow movement, getting a bullet out of his skin was more manageable.

"You do feel good near me. You do want more. You want to listen to me." Faust observed and Strider could say nothing as the kiss was deepened, their tongues carefully brushing over each other. He felt like he had been punched, all his air gone. He was panting, searching for something to make it go, a low grunt leaving Strider.

"I do" Strider agreed, struggling to breathe as Faust squeezed his crotch.

"Do you- Do you do this with everyone?" Strider wondered, unsure how much meaning this had as he could barely think of his own but it had stopped being scary as Faust showed him so many things he didn't know he needed.

"Only you" again, the word only rang in his head. An echo, a reminder. Only this mattered, nothing else, forget the pain and feel this.

"Such fun..., you are riding a high that you never experienced before." Faust touched his forehead and he believed him.

Strider felt like he couldn't breathe, he was shaking, piercing pleasure bolting through his body. Just the friction of Faust's hand lazily running over the lower body.

"You love this, you will seek it out again," Faust stated, a twisted smile plastered on his face but Strider only saw admiration as he tried to keep his eyes open, " That's the will of Monolith"

Strider wanted to protest but he simply couldn't do anything against it , it felt like he was dreaming, but it felt too intense . Too much and too forcing.

"You can't stop listening to my voice, you need to listen. Even if your mind is blank, you listen sharply, without effort" Faust stated, his words ringing like a echo, "In this fragile state, let the warmth of belief envelop you." 

"You deserve this" Faust stated, his voice echoing, Strider couldn't even think about how much his voice seemed to be penetrating into his head.

Strider couldn't handle it anymore, the tears already had built up for some time but the stinging in his eyes burnt. Tears rolled down his eyes, wanting to move his limbs but he could only feel how heavy his body was.

His pants were unbuttoned and Strider started wheezing, Faust hadn't even directly touched him, but it was all too much. It felt uncomfortable and yet too good to make it stop, the fabric of his boxers soaked as he shuddered so hard, so much pleasure rolling over him, it made his entire body tense. Coming right there untouched.

It took a while to come down from this high, all his nerves so sensitive, slow whines leaving Strider whenever Faust brushed his fingertips over his skin. Such a simple touch still has such a great effect on him. It was like his brain had turned into mush, just this pleasure all that he ever had felt being the only true thing he wanted.

"Only you are allowed to feel this."

"Feel how good Monolith made us feel "

It felt like a threat. Deep and culling, like the ringing noise that filled his ears that Strider hadn't noticed before. His vision at the brink of getting swallowed by this darkness. Before he could even gather any strength to speak he already was gone, his body giving up as he had worked himself to exhaustion but he didn't feel drained, he felt happy as he got held against Faust's body, slumping deeper into his hands and grasp. Once more the heaviness of his eyelids was the only fight he had to tolerate, but it was only a satisfactory success as Faust brushed his hand over them, instantly causing him to vanish into a soft sleep.