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The crimson sword skittered as it clashed to the ground, a few moments later, a deep red smoke seeped from it, leaving the blade its original dark steel color. The demon sighed in annoyance.
”How many times?” It reached to grab the sword at its crystalline feet, bringing it over Its shoulder in a casual manner, betraying the atmosphere of battle around them.
“It must be more than a dozen now. It should be truly simple. Just don’t drop the—” it trailed off as it turned, pausing as it saw the limp form before it, an arrow sprouting from the middle of his chest. “…sword.”
The warlock had been hurt in battle dozens of times, but it had never been this bad before… his dark robes were darker with blood, the ground beneath him wet with it. Mephiles waited for a moment, trying to figure out if it was really as bad as it seemed from afar, he was a fighter, a single arrow should be nothing to him…
When Zero made no attempt to even breathe, it was kneeling at his side in an instant.
“Shit-“ it let the sword clatter forgotten at its side. The arrow seemed to have caught him right beneath where his ribs connected to his sternum, clearly piercing one, if not multiple vital organs. It moved his hood and braids out of the way to put two fingers on his jugular.
“This is why I keep telling you to pay attention…” it chided under his breath, quietly hoping that he’d argue back like usual.
Nothing.
No retort.
No grumble.
No heartbeat.
“You stupid mortals and your stupid fragile bodies-“ It cursed under its breath. It cautiously removed the arrow, the wound flooding with dark red. It had to be quick if it actually wanted to do anything.
—
When Zero awoke he felt like he’d just been through hell and back, his head ached and his body felt sore. He was in familiar surroundings, at least. Back in his own bed, though he couldn’t remember leaving the battle.
“How are you feeling?” That’s a new one. He turned his head to the side to see Mephiles sitting on his desk. his throat felt raspy and sore.
”Like death…” he managed. Mephiles gave a half hearted laugh. He made an attempt to sit up, only to feel a sharp shooting pain in his abdomen. He laid back down, only now remembering that accursed arrow.
Looking down to his chest only confirmed it. Where the arrow had pierced him was now crudely bandaged with ragged black gauze. His eyes flicked up to Mephiles again.
“Did you…?”
“You didn’t have any in your pack.” It replied simply, as if there was nothing more to say. There was a lot he wanted to ask, so much he wanted to say. It all fell flat on his tongue.
“Thanks I guess…” he settled on. The black gauze was over his clothes, less so seeming to be protecting the wound, and more binding the flesh to stop the bleeding. The hasty wrapping job explained some things, but not the gauze covered lump in the middle of his chest. He tried to gently shift some of the strands away to see what was hidden beneath.
“Don't pick, it'll just get infected.” It warned flatly. It seemed tired, like it had little energy to be the mischievous and obnoxious person he was used to.
“What is it?” It was quiet for a moment.
“It's the only thing keeping you alive.” it said quietly, almost delicately. It felt almost wrong hearing it talk that way.
“But… What is it?” He asked again, still trying to shift the binds away to get a peak, only seeing a little bit of red.
“It’s a gemstone, and unless you want to be an actual deathlock, I suggest you leave it alone.” It warned a bit more firmly, moving his hand away from the spot itself.
“I was just curious…” He mumbled. A slow realization nestled into the back of his mind. “Wait… deathlock? So I almost…?”
”You did.” It said bluntly, seeming unable to meet his eyes. “That gem is the only thing keeping you alive, because it’s replacing your heart.” He just stared at it for a moment, a feeling of sickness growing in his chest. A million questions were running through his head, most of them he knew the answer.
How did it happen? He remembered that part, that stupid archer got him while he wasn’t paying attention. How did they get back? He didn’t actually know that one but he could likely guess it More than easily… but the question he ended up voicing was one he didn’t even realize he was thinking.
“Why would you revive me?”
”Don’t sound so disappointed.”
“I just mean… wouldn’t it have been easier for you if I was a deathlock? Just mindlessly following orders?”
”Believe what you want, I simply don’t want to be stuck with a walking corpse.” It replied dismissively and made no attempt to make eye contact. He couldn’t figure out what it was thinking, but he had a pretty good guess.
”Thanks Mephiles…”
”Don’t thank me.”