forum At War // OxO // Closed

Started September 19, 2021 by @ElderGod-Icefire

tune

After a couple of hours, Kaylum decided to rest. It seemed to be the only way he could regain some of his energy now. He climbed down from the ceiling, looked over at Nik to check up on him, then curled up and buried his face in his wing. He didn’t sleep, his mind was all over the place. Anxiety began to grow in his belly. For some reason, he thought back to the two princes’ earlier conversations, and suddenly he was reminded of something. Something important that he should really talk about. But how to talk about it? Even if it had been a few hours, would Nikolas be in the mood to talk?
Slowly, he raised his head. He blinked, then shifted to human form and came closer to Nik.
“Prince,” he murmured. “May I speak to you about something?”

Nik had been lightly dozing off and on; he was tired, and in pain. Nevertheless, he turned to Kaylum, squinting for a moment. "Mmph. Sure. Uhm. What is it?" he asked. He was still laying on his stomach in order to keep his back from getting too much pressure.

Kaylum didn’t answer right away. His ear twitched nervously. How to find the right words? If only his mother had blessed him with her charisma.
“I…” he sighed. “I understand that Seren is trying to break you, even kill you if he has to. Your death or the crown in Seren’s hands would be detrimental to Kevra’s survival. In that way, I would say that your life matters more than mine.” He paused. “But for me, there is a greater reason why my father and mother tried so hard to protect me and keep me alive. I also understand you were cursed. Do you… believe in omens?”
What was he even saying? Did his words even make sense to this human? At this rate, Nikolas would fall asleep before he could say any more.

Nik's brows pulled together faintly as he tried to follow what Kaylum was saying. "I am…not sure that I understand." he said slowly. "I do, in some ways, believe in omens, but I fail to…I don't quite follow what you're saying."

His mouth pulled into a thin line. Of course. “Alright. Um. Well, this is what I meant when I said my… ah, situation was the reverse of yours,” he tried to explain. “You were born with a curse, and I was born with an unnatural ability. Or, well, it’s considered as such. But instead of being killed, my parents had to keep me alive, because my birth, along with my ability carried an omen. Rarely any shifter can separate their body from their spirit; I am the only one who can that I know of. Because of it’s rarity, it is said that if anyone with this ability were to die, then a great calamity would fall upon the land.” He spoke as if he were quoting someone or something. “And because I can split my body and my spirit, I can essentially walk up to Death’s door whenever I want to.”

He frowned just a little, trying to understand what he was talking about. "I…doubt Seren will kill you unless he feels he absolutely must, if that is what you are worried about." he said, shifting and wincing when the shift brought pain. He cleared his throat very faintly, looking up at Kaylum.

“Sure. Maybe. Perhaps.” Kaylum shrugged. “But I’m not exactly worried about that. What I’m worried about is if he manages to find out about that information, and uses it to his advantage. If he knows, he could kill me, and use the omen to take over Tesh. It does not really matter if the omen is true or not, but I worry that if Seren finds out it, ah, it will come true. He can use the omen to decrease morale, discourage those who try to fight against him. If there is any way for him to take control of Tesh without facing the dissent of the people, it’s that.”

Nikolas nodded faintly. "I see." he replied slowly, trying to process all of that. "So, essentially, the same thing that could happen if my people found out about my curse?" he asked, trying to get clarification. Perhaps it was just his exhaustion and pain that made this so difficult to process.

He blinked. “Essentially,” he confirmed. “I apologize for giving you all of this information like this, but it has been on my mind. I felt it was important to share. Technically, Kevra is still more vulnerable. If you die, that is.” Kay paused, suddenly realizing he was doing nothing to comfort the other man, nor doing anything to relieve his physical pain. He turned away. “Okay, I’ll stop talking now. Just stop moving like that, it’s surely hurting you.”

He nodded again. "It's alright. Thank you for, ah, telling me, Kaylum." he said, watching the other prince. "It is good information to know and keep in mind."

He just grunted, a strange emotion taking a hold of him. “Don’t thank me,” Kaylum murmured after a moment.

Nik shrugged. "Yeah. Uhm…you remember what we talked about the other day?" he asked, looking over at Kaylum. "About…if you escape and I don't make it?" he ran his hands through his hair, taking a deep breath.

He glanced back Nik before nodding slightly. Both certain and uncertain of what he would say next, Kaylum held his gaze, his mismatched eyes glittering.

He sighed. "Maybe don't tell my council what you just told me. It is going to be difficult enough to prove your claim, even with the soulmate mark on your shoulder." he kept his gaze on Kaylum.

Kaylum almost scoffed. “As if I would tell them anything.”
He turned away again. He couldn’t decide if he was angry or if this feeling was something else.

Nik closed his eyes, resting his forehead against the floor. "I just need you to take care of my country, Kaylum. You don't have to do it out of love for me– I know you do not –but if you do not step up, someone will take charge, and they may rekindle the war." his words were quiet. He didn't want to make Kaylum angry, but he needed the other man to understand.

Kaylum’s hands curled into fists, and he wanted to raise his voice, to shout at Nik, to fume, but he couldn’t. He was angry, he knew that now, but he wasn’t angry at Nikolas. To pour his anger onto him would be childish and cruel. He gritted his teeth.
“What do you mean?” He asked helplessly. “We already discussed this. Are you asking me to take responsibility of Kevra, even though you are still alive? I will do this for you, I will, but if and only if you are dead and I escape alive.”

Nik let out a faint breath. "I know. I am sorry. I only…I worry. Your country, from what I have heard, would be…better prepared for its monarch to never return. Mine depends on lineage and claims. My soulmate has the closest claim. The next is my father's…well, a bastard cousin, or something of the sort. He is not a good man and I do not want him on my throne." he opened his eyes to look over at Kaylum. "Even if I am not dead. If you get out of here and I do not, whether or not I am alive or dead, I need you to take care of Kevra." he knew it was a lot to ask, but he also knew that his likelihood of getting out was, well, likely smaller than Kaylum's. Kaylum was healthy, and had magic and the ability to shape-shift. Nik had only a curse and limited abilities, and a leg that he couldn't walk on.

Kaylum turned to look at Nikolas again. His brow furrowed, and he now realized what that other strange emotion was. Fear. “Better prepared…?” He muttered under his breath. He could only imagine the chaos that would ensue once the news of the attack and his parents’ death reached Tesh. Wonderful, another thing Seren could possibly take advantage of. Kay frowned, nervously running his fingers through his dreads. His gaze drifted before locking on Nik’s. He moved closer. The strange emotions seemed to be stirring in his chest, making his heart quicken.
“Nikolas,” he hissed. “I am the prince of Tesh. Tesh must always be my priority. Do not ask me such a thing unless you know that I will always place Tesh above Kevra, and that you know what that means for your country.”

Nik closed his eyes, letting out a faint breath. "You had said…perhaps I misunderstood how your country's monarchy works. For that, I apologize. And I am aware that for you, Tesh will come before Kevra. All I am asking for is that if necessary, you take control of Kevra. Just don't hurt my people. That is all I ask." his voice was quiet, and a bit strained from pain. "Please."

At this, Kaylum’s anger began to dissipate. He let out a sigh, hanging his head. Misunderstandings were so frustrating. “No, I would never.” His voice had lowered. “I do not want more war.”
The fear still sat there, stirring, making him shivery. His ear twitched. “No, it isn’t you. I had only said as much about it to imply that it is more protected from Seren if he used traditional means. I can explain more, if it would help.”

Nik nodded very faintly. "I…yes. More of an explanation would be nice, if you are willing to give it." he replied, eyes still closed. The pain was still rather obvious in his voice; he didn't have anything to dull it. He hoped that if Kaylum was speaking, he could focus on that instead of the way his back was hurting.

Kaylum winced slightly, wishing he was not laying any of this on the other man while he was hurting. It wouldn’t do anything for his injuries, that was for certain.
“I told you that we do not have crowns, we have crests, and that we rule through families, not individuals,” he began. “This would make taking over Tesh more difficult for Seren, as he a human from Kevra. At least, under normal circumstances. Clearly, this is not one of them. The news of my parents’ deaths will surely cause a lot of tension and uncertainty. Though, I’m not sure what they will think about me. As of right now, they may think I’m still alive, so the most influential families will set up a council for temporary rulership. Over time, if they decide I am dead, the other families will likely try to decide who will rule next. It’s not a peaceful affair, mind you. Seren could likely take advantage of the chaos if he wanted.”

Nik nodded faintly. "Right. That's…what I was thinking of. When I said your country might be better prepared. Because you rule through families and crests, whereas Kevra is run through an individual related by blood." he opened his eyes, looking up at him. "But the chaos…yes. Seren will do his best to use that, and use you, to his advantage."

Kay nodded, still thinking to himself. “There is also the possibility that, if I escape, I won’t even become king,” he murmured. “I am alone now, I barely have any family. If they let me rule, then it wouldn’t be for very long. Just until they decide which family rules next, I suppose. If I were to marry, my rulership would be more justified, but…” his eyes focused on Nick’s face for a moment. “Having a human spouse would be quite controversial.”