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Angus walked in silence down the cold halls of the Hootsforce, his mind lost and wandering. He was trying so hard to focus on the task at hand, but…he couldn’t just ignore what had happened not even a few days ago. His whole world, his home, was destroyed in a cosmic blaze. It had to be done…or, at least…he kept telling himself that. It had to be done…right?
Groaning to himself, he rubbed his eyes, pausing his walking. Whether it was destiny or not…his home was gone. He was in a new dimension. A new world that could suffer the same fate as his own. He couldn’t let his mind slip…he had to focus. He had to…he couldn’t fail again. This world had to be saved…no matter the cost.
His mind and body feeling weary, he kept up his walking. He tried to repress the pain and guilt as best he could, but he couldn’t shake a bad feeling in the back of his mind. Sometimes he wished he was more like Ralathor, always logical and hiding his true emotions, always focusing on the task at hand, not letting the past weigh him down. But…he wasn’t Ralathor. He was Angus McFife, and…he was and always has been a victim to his emotions. Though he knew he had to repress them eventually. If he let his mind slip…he’d never beat Zargothrax. He had to move on.
Feeling weary but doing his best to put on a fake determined smile, he kept walking, eventually reaching the dim bridge of the ship. He was relieved to see only Ralathor and Hootsman there, so he didn’t have to pretend to be totally ok. They knew what he’d been through, and they were his friends. They’d understand if he wasn't fully engaged at the moment…
“Angus…” Ralathor said quietly, nodding to him as he walked in.
“Hey…any news on his whereabouts?” Angus asked, and Hoots, who was leaning against a wall to the side, shook his head.
“There's chaos everywhere. Just noise. We can’t pinpoint his exact location yet.” He said, annoyance in his voice. Angus looked to Ralathor, who just nodded, not looking up from his panel.
“There’s fighting in every known sector of the galaxy. Armies against armies, dark magic killing entire cities, we can’t find his energy signature through it all. It’s like trying to find a marble in an asteroid field…” He grumbled, his eyes narrowed and tired.
“He probably did that on purpose…” Angus muttered, rubbing his head. “Doesn’t wanna be found yet…”
“That, or he’s planning something…” Hoots said flatly, eying the battle axe in his hands. “Knows something we don’t…” He says, glancing over at Angus, whose hand was still on his head, his eyes tired.
“Zargothrax is clever, but he’s not a genius…” Ralathor said, his tone flat. “He’s slipped before. He cares about the presentation of it all just as much as the outcome…he wants to be seen… and heard. He wouldn’t hide…not when he’s this close to winning…” He said, his eyes dark.
“Or so he thinks.” Hoots replied, setting his axe aside. “It’s chaos out there, but we’re holding our own ground…we just need to get closer to him to finish this…once he’s taken care of-”
“The rest falls into place.” Ralathor finished, finally glancing up from his panel. He tilted his head in confusion when he saw Angus still in one place, both his hands now covering his eyes. “Angus, are you even listening?” Ralathor asked flatly, a hint of tired annoyance in his voice.
“Y-yeah, I…just…” Angus muttered, lowering his hands. He blinked. The room wasn’t…blurry before…
“Kid, you alright…?” Hoots said, a twang of worry striking him when he saw Angus’ legs waver a moment.
Ralathor noticed as well, and stood, setting his panel on the chair. He saw Angus breathing heavier, his hand now clutching his chest.
“Angus?” Ralathor asked, his voice still flat, though even Hoots could tell he was unsure of what was happening.
“I-I…head…hurt…” Angus hissed, his eyes squeezing shut. He let out a sharp cry, one hand gripping his head, and one gripping his chest with a clawed hand, his face now pale.
Both Ralathor and Hoots took a collective step back at Angus’s cry, their friend staggering back, nearly tripping, though he seemed to steady himself as his hands covered his eyes, his breathing harsher and forced, downright wheezing.
“Kid?!” Hoots yelled, taking a step closer, though Ralathor grabbed his shoulder, holding him back. “The hell are you doing?! He’s-” Before Hoots could finish, both he and Ralathor froze as Angus began…laughing…
Hoots quickly glanced at Ralathor, whose eyes were now glowing a faint white as he stared at the prince. Hoots looked back to Angus, and now saw why Ralathor was on edge.
As Angus lowered his hands, both Hoots and Ralathor’s eyes widened in shock when they saw…Angus’ eyes were now glowing a solid crimson red, a contorted, creepy smile on his face as he laughed quietly, the sound sending shivers down their spines.
“Kid…?” Hoots muttered, though he knew right away…Angus couldn’t hear him.
“I w-wanna set the universe on fire… ” Angus hissed through a forced and tense voice, his twisted smile widening. He took a step closer, and Hoots and Ralathor took a step back. They could hear another faint voice on top of Angus’....
“Impossible…” Ralathor whispered, a rare shaken fear in his eyes as he looked over his friend.
“He’s in his head!” Hoots yelled, reaching for his axe. He felt Ralathor grab his arm.
“It’s still Angus, are you crazy?! ” He yelled, stopping the man from reaching his weapon. They both turned as Angus laughed a bit more, the darker voice now louder, nearly covering up Angus’ own voice.
“Feel it burn tonight…” Angus hissed, baring his teeth through his twisted smile. “Set the universe on fire… ” He took another shaky step closer, his red eyes glowing brighter and brighter. “ There’s no end in sight…”
“Zargothrax, stop.” Ralathor said flatly, holding his arm out, some glowing white sigils appearing on it as he aimed it at Angus, who just laughed in response.
“Being me t-to the holy raging power… where I’ll find my destiny…” Angus sneered, the twisted smile not going away as he walked closer.
Ralathor readied himself, his hand glowing brighter. He had to end this.
“T-the universe…on…” Angus wheezed, though Ralathor and Hoots looked on in shock as Angus’ eyes began to flicker shut. “ ...fire…” He muttered once more, and for a brief second, they saw the red light fade, his eyes returning to their normal green, before they flickered shut. Angus let out a gasp, and then collapsed, his legs buckling beneath him.
“Kid!” Hoots yelled, grabbing him before he could hit the ground. He turned him over, and Ralathor ran to his side.
Angus was breathing heavily, sweat lining his forehead. He was burning up…
Ralathor reached his hand up, setting it on Angus’ head as the white glow got stronger. Some of the magic sigils appeared on Angus’ body, all a pure white.
“He’s gone…” Ralathor said in quiet relief, pulling his hand away as the light faded. “He’s not in him anymore…”
“He still doesn't look well…” Hoots said, repressing his own nerves. Ralathor nodded, pulling himself to his feet.
“Let’s get him to med bay.” He said, and Hoots nodded, standing himself as he effortlessly lifted Angus in his arms.
Ralathor led the way, with Hoots behind him, occasionally glancing down at the young prince unconscious in his arms. He hated seeing him so weak. Hasn’t he endured enough pain…?
~
‘...le…pos…gus…’
‘...ight…mer…rax…’
Angus groaned, his head pounding as muddled muddy voices began appearing around him. He was tired…
‘...e move…?’
‘Kid?’
Groaning again, he felt someone touch his shoulder. He had to face reality, though he didn’t want to…he was so, so tired…
Giving in, he cracked his eyes open, and after a few seconds of adjusting to the light, he saw…Ralathor and Hoots beside him, looking down at him.
Down at him…
Angus blinked, and then saw he was in a medical bed. Confused, he tried to push himself up, though his head spun as a wave of dizziness washed over him.
“You don’t know when to stop, do you?” Ralathor said, reaching for him.
“W-wha-” Angus muttered in confused shock as Ralathor placed his hand on his forehead. He blinked, and then saw some glowing white sigils appear on his own arms.
“He’s still gone. Once you’re well, I’ll do a protection spell to keep him out of that head of yours for good.” Ralathor said flatly, turning away as he began typing on his pad.
“W-who…? What…?!” Angus cried, confused. He looked to Hoots for an answer, and the man just sighed.
“The sorcerer got into your head briefly.” He said, not sugarcoating it. “Took control of you.”
“He WHAT?!” Angus yelled, sitting up farther in the bed as fear struck his heart.
“Relax, he’s gone.” Ralathor said, turning back to look at him. “And I’m not even sure it was a full possession…more like him just using you to convey a message. I don’t think he actually could see through your eyes.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better, how?!” Angus yelled, annoyed. “He could have-”
“He could have done worse, but he didn’t, and it will do no one any good to idle on it.” Ralathor said flatly. “He’s gone, and I will make sure it won’t happen again. We can’t let this unnerve us, that’s what he wants.”
“Huh?!” Angus yelled, his brain still not awake yet. Ralathor sighed, rolling his eyes.
“He wanted to scare you, and us. He wanted to unnerve you, get you on edge, break you. It’ll only work if you let him.” He said, turning away. “Besides…we won’t let him take you again.”
Angus just blinked. Was that…actual softness in Ralathor’s voice?
“Well…I-I trust you…” Angus said, his heart rate easing.
“Right. And once you’re well enough, we can get back to work. For now, you need rest.” He said, and Angus looked at him in shock.
“B-but the final battle is going on! I can’t-”
“You are no good to anyone in such a burnt out state.” Ralathor said sternly. “It’s calm at the moment, so let us handle things for now.” He said, and Hoots gave him a look.
Angus just stared at him, though he knew that look in Ralathor’s eyes. He sighed in defeat.
“Fine…fine. If you’re sure…” He grumbled, and Ralathor nodded.
“I am…now you stay here and rest. I’ll be back soon to finish the protection spell.” He said, motioning for Hoots to follow him.
“Fine…thanks…” Angus said softly, his eyes feeling heavy. He…was still tired…
But if Ralathor said it was ok…then it was ok. Giving in to his exhaustion, Angus closed his eyes, his headache still pounding away as he succumbed to sleep.
Once out of the med bay, Ralathor closed the door, Hoots behind him as they began walking back to the bridge.
“You lied to him.” Hoots said, a twang of disappointment in his voice. “It isn’t calm, and we sure as hell don’t have proper protection against Zargothrax…”
“You think I don’t know that?” Ralathor hissed back, his own eyes revealing how tired he was. “But the kid has been through enough, and it’s only gonna get harder for him.” He said, looking away. “Kid needs a little bit of hope for once…”
Hoots just sighed, and kept walking in silence. Ralathor was right…
They could see how tired the kid was. He’d lost everything, and will only lose more. But they needed him for the final battle. And if he were to face Zargothrax and win…he’d need all the hope he could get.
Hoots just prayed…Angus would get proper rest soon. He needed it, hell, he deserved it after all he’d been through. But before he could…
Angus still had to face Zargothrax and win.