Chapter Text
“Yoko!”
There was a voice she hadn’t heard in a while. Even through the years, the tone of their voice still brought a soft comfort stirring in her chest. Even with the cathedral collapsing around them.
“Lucien!” She called back, looking through the crowd to the shorter body pushing through. A part of her wished to greet them midway, to rush to them and hold them tightly as the banging on the doors grew louder and louder. But the children needed her more, the child in her arms and the ones gripping to her legs needed her support. She was their pillar at the moment and despite how badly she longed to collapse, she refused to fail them.
“Yoko!” Lucien halted a foot away from her, as if almost scared to trample the children holding onto her. “Are you okay?” They asked anxiously, already looking her up and down for injuries. Her clothes were torn and blood had found its way onto her but through the violence and falls it was hard to tell what was hers and what wasn’t.
Not that mattered, once those doors broke, her blood would merge with all those around her no matter how tightly she held them.
“I’m not injured.” She lied. “The children are just really scared, a lot got separated from their parents and-” She swallowed, trying not to tremble as the banging only seemed to grow louder. Her eyes darted to the children covered in dirt and blood, face smeared with tears. “I don’t know where we’ll go.” She admitted hoarsely.
“Hey, Yoko.” Her eyes snapped up to Lucien’s, the color harsh yet as welcoming as an evening fire. “It’s okay.” They smiled, tight-lipped, their infamous tell for when they lied. Then they smiled, genuinely, honestly. “I’ve got your back.”
A shaky laugh escaped her mouth and she nodded. “Okay. Okay, Lucien, I’ve got yours too.” Through the sweat and humidity of the room, she’d have no way of knowing she was crying even as the tears streamed down her face.
“We’ll try to run out when they break through, okay? We’ll come in through the left, I’ll fight off the nearest guy so you can all escape safely, okay?”
It was stupid, hopeless and yet, the children were small enough to slip by if the attackers were distracted and that was enough for Yoko.
“Okay.” She agreed, looking down to the kids. “You got that? Don’t wait for us old slow-poke adults either.” She smiled, squatting down to the level of the eldest child. “Protect her, okay? Everyone here is your family, take care of them.” She slipped the baby into the child's arms. Each word hurt, straining her throat as she tried to burn each child’s face into her memory. She wasn’t going to survive this, there wasn’t any chance of that and as much as it hurt to put so much pressure on someone so small, she trusted them. “I love you.” She whispered, before standing back up.
When she stood, Lucien had her hand, looking to her bravely, even with the cracks of fear in their gaze. A swirl of emotions rose in her chest, she wished life had been kinder to them, she prayed that if there was even a shred of good in this world, let their next lives be together.
As if the world itself longed to prove her wrong, the doors splintered open. Shreds of woods and metal went flying and the burning smoke of the village quickly began to flood the cathedral.
Through the screams of terror and blood she pressed her hand to the backs of the children. “Alright everyone, let’s go.” The words came crackling from her throat and for a horrible moment; she was frozen. Gently, Lucien squeezed her hand and she shook her head, forcing herself in the moment to push the children along. “Come on.”
Lucien released her hand to lead the children ahead, pushing others out of the way almost effortlessly for the children. Whether a kind or cruel joke, the children managed to stay together, barely faltering to the mindless panic jostling them along.
The broken entrance glowed with the fires clinging to the town buildings, drawing them in like moths as the world crumbled.
A snarl joined the chorus of screams, a splatter of thick saliva suddenly falling at Lucien's feet. They snapped their head up to something that could’ve only been described as a monster. It was giant, covered in blisters and leathery green skin that seemed patched on. Jagged yellow teeth sprouted from its mouth in uneven angles, leaving its jaw stuck open leaking spit everywhere. Its eyes- bulging, foggy, and white- landed right on them.
Lucien didn’t hesitate to draw their sword, they wouldn’t be a defenseless victim for this thing. They refused. “Keep moving.” They snapped to Yoko, trying to keep space between the creature and the children.
Yoko forced her legs to move, ushering the children along only a few feet away from the door. Close enough for Yoko to taste the ashes of her home and everyone else's.
The beast made no move to stop them and when Lucien dared to look the beast up and down, they quickly realized it was preoccupied. Something, no, someone, was already in its hands. Mangled and mauled long past recognition. Horrified, Lucien could only watch as it lifted the body to its contorted jaws and tore chunks of flesh away to chew on. Still staring silently down at Lucien.
Their stomach churned, something burned in the back of their throat and it took everything in them to turn and run.
Through everything, the smoke and cries, the thundering of people pushing past to try and save themselves. They lost sight of Yoko, whilst they could see some of the children slipping free and out into the burning village, Yoko wasn’t with them. They knew her well enough that she would stand by the doors to make sure each child got out safely, and yet she was gone. Their stomach dropped and somewhere unseen an all too familiar scream pierced through the collection of others. A scream they’d often heard just from innocent pranks, or when watching bad horror movies. Yoko’s scream.
Her name became a mantra as a cold chill washed over them and they desperately began to look over the crowd. Blood and nameless faces clouded their vision as something sick began to twist in their gut. Things were beginning to swirl together and behind them, they could still hear the sick crunching of the monster devouring an innocent.
Something pulled tight, the cries of agony drowning out to the violent whispers rising in their head.
A forced breath flooded their mouth and drew in the taste of smoke and gore, curdling the air around them and darkening their lungs. Their home, the peaceful serenity, broken in a single night. Something broke as they exhaled, releasing it all at once.
Their hair lengthened, suddenly growing down to their waist, the color paling at the roots until a white nest settled at the top of their head. Something tensed in their body, threatening to ruin threads and pop buttons before ceasing all at once.
The attackers suddenly froze, sensing this change. Something heavy mingled in the scent of fear and grief. Something in the way prey recognizes when a predator arrives, or when a wounded animal’s met its end.
“Oh, heh, wow.” It wasn’t Lucien’s voice speaking anymore. Awed, they stared at their hands, flexing their fingers. They looked up, something different glinting in their eyes. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Life resumed motion, however it was the creatures trying to escape this time. As the monster Lucien previously encountered began to flee by, they raised their hands, signaling themselves out.
“Let’s make an entrance!” They clapped their hands together, magic swelling in the soundwaves. “Deus ex machina.”
All at once, the head of each bloodied monster exploded, spewing red fluids everywhere in a grand show of power.
They beamed, ignoring the stains now sinking into their clothing. “Oh, it’s great to be back.” They chuckled.
“Lucien!” From the crowd, Yoko pushed forward, eyes wide and panicked as she looked at what they’d become.
The other turned to look at her, grinning sharp. “Hm? Lucien? No, they’re… unavailable. But that’s okay, Yoko. I’ll take care of you.” They shifted to face her, stumbling slightly on their feet. “Trust me, okay?”
“Who, if you’re not Lucien then…?”
“It’s heartbreaking, you know. I’ve known you for years, right behind Lucien’s eyes. It’s cruel that only now I get to meet you face to face.” He dramatically bowed, lowering his head to her. “You may call me Darsh.”
Yoko studied him carefully, completely unnerved by the drastic and sudden change of demeanor.
“Oh, Yoko, there’s no need to be unsettled. We’re the same old Lucien we’ve always been. Just a little better.” He took a step forward and stiffened, glancing down at his legs before hesitantly taking another step and immediately slipping, directly onto his face.
Unintentionally a loud bark of laughter escaped her lips and she quickly covered her mouth as Darsh snapped his head back up to her.
“What? What’s so funny? The floor’s really fucking slippery, you know!” He hissed, struggling back to his feet.
This only forced Yoko into a harder fit of language and she doubled over cackling as he slipped back down again.
“I’m sorry.” She giggled, raising a hand to her mouth before reaching her free hand out to him.
Darsh looked at Yoko’s hand skeptically, practically glaring at her before taking it. It was warm. “The floors soaked.” He reiterated.
She snickered under her breath before hoisting him up, drawing a quick surprised gasp from him. He stumbled into her, legs still unsteady from years of disuse. “Well you kinda covered it in guts… that was you, right?”
Darsh scoffed, pushing back against her and trying to stand on his own. “Well, duh, there aren’t any other all powerful wizards around here.” He glanced around as if to make a point before freezing and looking down at his body before back over to Yoko. “Wait… what the fuck? I- Did I get shorter?” He demanded, almost frantically looking to her for answers.
“Oh! Um, well, I know Lucien’s almost always been 5ft. How tall are you supposed to be?”
Darsh sputtered. “F- Five?! I should at least be six!” They exclaimed, holding their hand up as tall as possible. “I can’t just be 5ft! Do you know how awful that is for my reputation?”
“Not really?” Yoko blinked, tilting her head slightly down as Darsh essentially threw what was a tantrum. “I mean, I told Lucien to drink more milk but I don’t think that would’ve really helped to be honest. You got short genes, man. That’s just how life is.” She shrugged.
“Bullshit! That- that priest! He had something to do with this! I know it.” He growled, stamping his foot and almost falling again. He quickly readjusted his balance and straightened.
Yoko processed that, her brows suddenly furrowing. “What priest?”
“You!” Yoko jumped aside as someone suddenly rushed up on them. “You! What is it you who stopped those monsters?” They demanded.
Darsh smirked, flipping his hair. “Why, yes, of course. You may save your groveling for another time, though. I’m a bit busy at the moment.”
“Hey, everyone! This guy just saved our lives!”
In seconds, a crowd had swarmed over them, praising and questioning Darsh in a seemingly endless and incomprehensible sea of babble. Darsh struggled focusing his attention on each person, his face began to pale slightly. Despite never speaking to her personally, he knew Yoko. These people however, were all entirely new. Though that wasn’t entirely true either. Darsh knew how Lucien was treated, he knew the looks they’d sent them before, the words and violence accompanied with swarms like this. It was sickeningly forgien yet too familiar all at once, and he found his head splitting.
He took a step back, jumping when he hit something slightly taller than himself.
“Alright, that’s enough, everyone!” Yoko. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, squeezing him gently. “What’s the princess gonna think when she gets back to a mess like this?”
The crowd’s focus quickly reshifted and the cathedral became a flurry of people doing their best to repair and clean the damages done.
Darsh’s tongue caught in his mouth and he glanced at Yoko hesitantly. “Uh, Lucien… Lucien wants to thank you for that.” He said, holding his hands together tightly.
Yoko smiled, patting his shoulder. “Of course.” Her face immediately fell to worry and she took his hand. “Can you help me gather the children though? If- if there’s anything left, it’d be safer for them all to collect there so their parents can get them easier. They all know I take most responsibility for the kids anyways.”
Darsh nodded. “Yeah, that’d be best, most made it out right?”
“Last I saw, yes, some fucking asshole pushed me out the way. Almost got me crushed by one of those giants.” She grumbled, glaring to the side.
“Huh.” Darsh smirked, turning to the exit of the cathedral. “Well, you just point them out, if you see ‘em. Maybe we can have a clarifying chat!” He laughed.
She laughed back, shaking her head disapprovingly. “Yeah, sure, I just might.”
By the time they reached Yoko’s home they’d gathered six children, all sniveling and weeping, gripping Yoko’s pants leg as they all looked up to the remains of her home.
“Well, it’s… something.” She managed, her voice strained with fake cheer. Once again, Yoko found herself the pillar for these children, a pillar for herself. “Come on kids, it’s safer here. I’ll get a nice warm meal for all of you ready.”
They let themselves be dragged along, releasing her pants for her hands, and keeping their heads low as they entered. Darsh followed behind, holding the hand of one of the shorter ones. The home was charred, littered with broken items and junk that was likely absent before.
Collective, familiar, evidence of a raid. The valuables had been emptied, if they’d ever existed in the first place.
“Darsh! Mind joining me in the kitchen? I need some help with something.” She called, gesturing him into the kitchen. She then turned to the kids, her smile soft, hopeful. “You guys stay here, I’ll be back in just a moment.”
“Yoko, I don’t want you to go, I’m scared.” One of the youngest, Darsh vaguely remembered her name as Heather.
Yoko smiled, squatting and to her level. “It’s okay, hun. I’m not going anywhere, I’ll just be in the kitchen for a little. I’ll be right back.” She assured her easily, speaking softly before ruffling her hair. “As long as we stay here with this guy,” Yoko pointed to Darsh with her thumb, her smile widening. “We’ll be just fine.”
He faltered for a moment before grinning, placing his hand on hip. “Of course! I defeated all those monsters, and I’ll just as easily destroy any other foes in our path!” He proclaimed proudly.
Heather wobbled over to Darsh, anxiously gripping the cloth of her dress. “Did you really get rid of all those bad guys?” She questioned, eyes wide with innocence and curiosity.
Darsh scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. “Without even breaking a sweat. Those monsters were nothing to me.” He insisted.
Sparks begin to light up in her eyes. “Wow, are you a superhero?” She released her dress to make tiny fists.
“Oh yeah!” He laughed, bending down to meet her level. “One of the coolest, actually!” He boasted, delighted by her quick rise of energy. “I’ll tell you all of my cool stories when I get back from talking with Miss. Yoko, okay?”
“Okay!” She nodded eagerly, smiling back before running off to one of the older kids, making wild hand gestures.
It was odd to be involved with their lives after so long of sitting idle. Yet it felt nice, warm in a way they couldn’t describe. He bent back up, turned to Yoko and followed her into the kitchen. Despite everything, somehow, Darsh felt prepared, ready to do whatever necessary to stay in this miniature haven ruled by Yoko.
Darsh stood in the kitchen for less than five seconds before Yoko practically collapsed against the sink.
“Yoko!” He rushed to her side, taking her arm to support her. “Holy shit, are you okay? Are you hurt?”
Yoko took a deep breath, her body shaking. “I’m… fine. Just, heh, just… a lot going on today.” Her voice was hoarse and Darsh could hear the strain in her effort to speak. His hand hovered over her back, uncertain on whether or not to touch her.
Before he could make a decision, Yoko mumbled something, letting Darsh only catch parts. “I’m… just gonna sit, a little.” With that she slid down the side of the sink and dragged Darsh along with her.
“Hey, hey, take a deep breath, okay?” Darsh took her hand, grounding her attention as she struggled to follow his advice. As if each breath weighed down on her, Yoko inhaled slowly and steadily, squeezing his hand slightly with each inhale.
Eventually she became relaxed enough to release his hand leaning back into sink cabinets and staring blankly out across the room.
He bit the bottom of his lip, normally it was Lucien who dealt with… well, everything. To be able to interact with everything and everyone felt too surreal, almost as if he was at a zoo and suddenly thrust into one of the lion pens. He wasn’t sure how to react.
“Do you… want to talk about it?” He offered weakly.
“We almost died today. We saw people die. Those children-! They saw people die, is that… is this what our life’s going to be? They’re going to send more soldiers to capture us… to capture you.” Yoko squeezed herself, holding tight to her arms. “Some of those kids' parents are… gone. Am I supposed to just… act like I don’t know? How do you tell someone so young that…?”
Darsh waved his hand. “Hey… we’ll take one thing at a time.”
Yoko turned to Darsh, frowning softly, concern etched deep into her brow. “How? No matter how you look at it, we’re in a tough spot. The dark rebels, the kids… I can’t just leave, not without the kids, but they have their families here… if they’re even alive… If I stay though…” She gave a dry laugh shaking her head.
“Yoko.” Darsh said her name flatly, meeting her eyes sternly. “I was serious before. I am going to protect us.” He stated, his tone as cold as a corpse.
She held his stare, as if the pressure of her gaze would somehow cause him to crack, as if he wasn’t being completely honest. Minutes seemed to tick by before Yoko was the one to break, a laugh stumbling from her lips. She shook her head, slumping against Darsh and causing the shorter man to jump slightly.
“Okay… I trust you then. We’ll take one thing at a time.” She hummed.
Victory swelled in his chest, a small smile tugging on his lips causing him to relax. They sat together for a moment, keeping each other warm from the cool tile floor.
“Hey, Darsh?” Yoko called softly.
“Yea?”
“Will… is Lucien going to come back?”
At the mention of the other’s name, Darsh stiffened, causing Yoko to quickly rise off him.
“I’m sorry!” She blurted, anxiously fiddling with her hands in her lap. “That was really rude of me, I didn’t and I wasn’t- !”
Darsh couldn’t bring himself to look at her, instead he stared at the ground, his shoulders still tense, guarded.
“Thank you, Darsh, I mean… if it weren’t for you me and the kids would all be monster-food. I should’ve said that earlier…” Yoko whispered.
Darsh curled into himself a bit, turning his gaze to her lap. “It really wasn’t any trouble… Honestly. It was nice to do magic again, kinda fun.”
“Do you think it’d be kinda fun to help me make some food for the kids?”
He snorted. “Yeah… why not?”
“Yeah, we… definitely don’t have enough for eight people here…” Yoko sighed as she pooled together everything that wasn’t stolen.
Darsh peered at everything, scratching the back of his neck. “I could go look for some stuff? Maybe trade with some people?” Meaning he was very likely going to rob some people.
“That’s a good idea! I’ll have to stay and watch the kids, but I have full faith in you, Darsh!” She beamed. “Oh, stay here, I’ll see if the raiders got my secret money stash.”
As she began to run off, Darsh quickly caught her arm. “Oh! There’s no need, Lucien won’t mind me spending a little bit of his money. It’s practically our money anyways.” He insisted, releasing her and stepping ahead.
“Um… I’m not too sure…”
“Nah! It’s fine! Lucien said so.” He assured her, despite Lucien definitely not saying so.
“Alright then, Darsh, if you say so…” Yoko shrugged.
Darsh made it only a couple feet out the house when he heard it.
“Don’t take this from me…”
Darsh paused, not wasting time in looking for the source of the voice, he’d never be able to see it anyway. Without answering, Darsh continued on.
The children ran to the door when it opened, calling out like hungry baby birds to the sound of bags being carried in. The other laughed as they entered, greeting the children causally before looking up to Yoko setting up the table.
She smiled when she saw them, familiar, safe. “Welcome back, Lucien.”