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“Master Tighnari! Please wake up, Master Tighnari!”
That insistent and too vibrant voice for his sensitive ears made him initially growl under his breath at the pulsations of his head. It only took him a few seconds to remember that that voice was Collei's, forcing himself to open his eyes suddenly to confirm the state of whom he considered a daughter.
“Collei, are you alright?! Why are you yelling like that?!” He mentions urgently while visually checking the status of his student. She had a marked bump on the side of her forehead, she looked very pale and her lips were faintly bluish as if she had suffered from extreme cold.
“S-Sorry! You weren’t waking up and I'm worried about Master Cyno!"
Cyno?
Abruptly, the memories returned to the young botanist's mind immediately.
That morning he had gone out with Collei and others Forest Watchers to investigate a Withering Zone in the Avidya forest. Everything was going well until a group of Fatui and Eremites attacked them quite aggressively without saying a word. He and Collei, being vision holders, decided to stay to give the other rangers time to flee or bring more people. In the middle of the whole fight, both of them got frozen by the legs and just when the group of raiders was going to take advantage, the General Mahamatra appeared in front of both of them to get involved in the fight without hesitation.
Tighnari had heard General Mahamatra's footsteps approaching a few hours ago and at that moment he couldn’t be more grateful for his presence.
After that, something happened that wasn't entirely clear to him. He got the impression that someone was going to hit Collei badly but Tighnari stepped in the way and…
“Where is Cyno? And the raiders?”
“I-I don't know. After he was knocked out, someone froze me up to my neck before Master Cyno intervened. I believe that in their attempt to escape, the raiders headed for the withering zone, and Master Cyno followed them right away after thawing me out.” She mentions shakily as she hugs herself.
"Okay, nothing to worry about. Cyno can hold his own and knows how to deal with withering areas if he really needs it. The most important thing now is to verify that you are not seriously injured.”
Collei just pressed her lips together with some stress while the older one checked her condition. Fortunately, beyond the consequences of being frozen and some superficial scratches and bumps, the young woman was fine.
“Alright, I need you to stay here. I'm going to help Cyno."
Despite trusting his beloved's abilities, he couldn't help but worry about him. After all, no matter how skilled he was, the environment in the forest was totally different from that in the desert. Especially if he was within a withering zone.
“Are you already fine to do it, Master Tighnari? I can help Master Cyno too! Please, please let me go with you. I'm worried too, and I don't want to-…”
Sighing deeply, and on second thought, Collei shouldn't be alone in the forest in case any enemy reinforcements appeared. "Fine, but you're going to stay some distance away and cover my back, okay?"
Nodding several times and taking her bow, both of them prepared to walk hurriedly in the direction of the withered area that they had previously determined before beginning their expedition.
The atmosphere was quickly becoming more stifling, the traces of the battle definitely indicated that they had entered the withering area. That worried the leader of the rangers. Cyno was probably up against something far beyond simple raiders.
“Master Tighnari, over there!”
Turning to the direction Collei said, at the base of a hill, they see electrical flashes appear again and again, facing a horde of fungi and a ruin hunter activated by the decaying energy of the area. There were unconscious people on the ground, presumably the Eremites and some Fatui affected by the negativity of the zone.
“Stay alert, Collei. Cover our backs, and seek to activate the flame of life. If you feel very tired, please don't risk it and walk away."
"Y-Yes!"
Taking his own bow while Cyno was directly facing the horde of enemies, Tighnari takes advantage of destroying the withering branches that the General Mahamatra had possibly failed to destroy due to the surprise attack of the enemies affected by decay.
But something was not right. Tighnari had fought alongside Cyno before to purify withering zones and he had never heard the General Mahamatra fight so aggressively and irregularly in his attacks. His steps were especially strong, not the coordinated rhythm that his style normally had.
Has he been exposed for a long time? How long was I unconscious?
Although they had visions and the effects takes more time, no one was immune to decay. And it was possible that Cyno's instincts were fighting to not be affected and to stay sane. It was very dangerous to get to high exposure levels in the withering zone, especially since some protection mechanisms were only activated by dendro energy. Tighnari didn’t doubt that before the appearance of so many enemies, the General Mahamatra had not had enough time to activate the flame of life by himself to lessen the effects of decay.
An arrow from Collei passes close and behind him, there were some fungi enemies approaching to defend the last remaining withered branches. Turning immediately, Tighnari activated his vision and attacked in full concentration. He had to keep control of the situation and avoid any kind of damage at that moment or the decay would affect him more directly.
Suddenly, a blast wave hits him from the side causing him to fall to the ground as he is caught off guard. Tighnari is immediately on his feet realizing with horror how the ruin hunter was bombarding Cyno with barely any room for him to dodge. But the General had activated the possession of the divine spirit with which he had made a pact a long time ago.
The first time Cyno confessed that secret to him, it was only because Tighnari witnessed him as the General helped him clear a smaller withering zone than the current one during his first year as a ranger.
“No one knows for sure, but many years ago I made a pact with a spirit so that it would give me the strength to deliver justice in moments of severe crisis. It was fortunate that the vision I received later is compatible with said pact.
“So you're practically being possessed during that time? Are you unaware of what is happening?"
“No, I am perfectly aware. Perhaps it could be said that that spirit and I merge our minds for a period of time. Now with the vision, we are both capable of making a triple synergy to enhance our abilities to a maximum point”.
"I see. Are there no repercussions?
"A lot of fatigue, but it's nothing I can't take."
The length of time Cyno could keep that spirit in his body under his control shouldn't be that long or the physical consequences would escalate accordingly.
“It is only for an emergency. I try to limit myself to just using my combat techniques as a Matra and my vision.”
The ruin hunter must have a weak spot. He couldn't be infallible despite being suspended in the air while he attacks. Without further thought and following his own logic, Tighnari takes aim at the machine's power core and immediately let go of his shot straight at the target. The machine falls to the ground with a crash letting go of its full weight at once and temporarily halting the barrage he had kept up.
Trusting that Cyno would take care of it, Tighnari rushes to finish removing the withering branches from the area to immediately approach the tumor that caused that environment and eliminate it.
A gust of breeze is unleashed in the place, eliminating the heaviness that had reigned in that area of the forest. The balance of that sector had been fully restored.
Tighnari heaves a sigh of relief even though nothing serious happened to him during the decay but he could feel the pain in his body from the battle with the Eremites and Fatui. Perhaps the physical fatigue was greater than he expected and only now that the adrenaline was starting to subside he was finally aware of it.
“M-Master Cyno?”
Collei's voice snaps him out of his thoughts and turns to see Cyno, who still had the divine possession active despite the fact that the ruin hunter lay completely and brutally destroyed. Cyno had taken care of most of the enemies, it was understandable that the possession would hold a bit longer. But something told him that something wasn't right.
"Cyno, you can stop using your power now." Tighnari cautiously mentions as he slowly approaches, something in his instincts telling him to not trust the person before him. "The danger is over, you don't need to keep it any longer."
A low growl was the silver haired man’s response as he seemed to struggle to maintain control.
"Collei, please step back and get further away."
“B-But you are-…”
"It's an order, please stay away!"
Gasping in surprise at the commanding tone of her master, she backs away from them until she hides behind some trees. She didn't understand what was happening, but Master Cyno was very scary at that moment. He wasn't the serious but warm person that he usually seemed to be.
A little more confident now that Collei had moved away from them and was safe, Tighnari turns his focus back to his lover. He surely was exposed to the decay of the withered zone for a long time and might have caused a disharmony in the control of the divine spirit in Cyno.
That was his hypothesis, but what could he do to reverse that effect?
“Cyno, you mentioned that you are perfectly aware of what is going on. I need you to let me know exactly what is happening so I can help you." The young hybrid patiently speaks to as he notes how the other’s body language seemed to remain alert and hostile.
Like a wild animal that feels threatened, waiting for the slightest signal to attack.
Now that he noticed, Cyno's skin had bleeding wounds and a few burn spots that looked painful from the obvious blisters. Unfortunately, it was an image that he had already seen many times during his years of knowing him.
“Cyno, you know who I am right? I am Tighnari, and you know I would never hurt you. Just as you told me you would never hurt me.” The Amurta tries again while he gets a little closer despite seeing and feeling the threat of an attack from his lover. "Remember that you told me you were in control of your own power, and I take your word for it."
Perhaps Cyno's mind was especially affected throughout the excess of decay? If so, is it possible that the divine spirit was in charge of the body's consciousness as a survival mechanism?
"Stay away". The General answers with difficulty while the electro element gave occasional discharges in his own body.
"What is happening?"
“Take Collei… and walk away. I'm dangerous".
Cyno digs his lupine claws into the ground to restrain himself, his body seeming to tremble at the obvious disharmony within him.
Did Cyno really intend for Tighnari to leave him alone with the unconscious bodies of his enemies that could awake at any moment in the middle of the forest? Especially with those wounds?
"I'm disappointed that you think I'm going to leave you in this condition just to play the hero you're not right now." The forest watcher irritably mentions while still trying to think in the context of the situation they were facing. “But we'll talk about how little intelligence you express in these circumstances later. I need you to tell me some way to help you.”
"I-I don't know. I can't think straight right now."
"Isn't there a method to break the possession?"
Before he can respond, the General Mahamatra falls to the ground with one knee on the ground and the other bent. Tighnari was completely unaware of the subject of pacts and possessions. Cyno was the one who knew and handled the arcane arts of the desert, which was the reason of why he was the only one capable of helping Collei years ago.
What he had was knowledge for animal behavior. The fact that Cyno wore clothes that represented a jackal must imply that the spirit that possesses him must be related to that species, or at least feel represented by it. And a jackal was an extremely territorial being, aggressive when threatened.
He had to find a way to calm it down. Any animal exposed to a calm and positive environment for its survival would show a docile behavior.
“Cyno, please do what you must to communicate with your spirit. I'm going to slowly approach you and try to show it that it's no longer in danger."
"D-Don't... Are you not who often criticize those who act on... impulse?"
Another thing that he noticed is that during the possession, the headpiece kept a whitish glow in what it’s the jackal's eyes. Surely that object was what mediated possession. If he managed to remove it in a way where the spirit didn't perceive it as a threat, perhaps…
“I don't act on impulse. It is true that I am not sure what I will do, but I cannot leave you like this.”
Ducking his ears back and tucking his tail between his own legs in submission, Tighnari inched closer to the body of his lover with one hand extended in invitation. Paying attention to all the reactions that his loved one’s was showing.
Cyno had once commented to him that although he wasn't a hybrid like Tighnari, he also sensed stronger impulses in the way he acted compared to other people. He had instincts from the moment he had made the pact with the divine spirit. From what the body language that the forest watcher was showing him, in theory, it shouldn't be totally indifferent to said spirit.
“Tighnari, don't expose yourself to this. There's no need". The General Mahamatra speaks with difficulty, he seemed to be in an episode of unknown pain.
"From your insistence on making me walk away, I doubt this is the first time something like this has happened." He responds with unusual softness and understanding. “But you're so used to being alone, Cyno. You always face reality without expecting support from anyone.”
The Great Judge only raises his gaze a little, still showing hostility and caution but listening carefully to his words.
“There's nothing I can do to change that and I understand why you're doing it. But rest assured that while you are in the Avidya Forest, it is I who will hold you and support you no matter what weight you carry. Although you did a lot to help us this time, it is my turn to help you.”
One of the spirit's electrified claws lashes out at Tighnari's side, kicking up rocks and dust in the process. The only sign that this had not been Cyno's will was the painful gasp that escaped from his lips during the action.
A warning for his approach.
“Master Tighnari!”
“T-Tighnari, please go away. I don't know if I can hold it… I don't want to break my word.”
"It's okay if you can't." The young hybrid continues as he feels his heart pounding at his own instincts to flee from danger. “I am going to help you because it is my desire to do so even if I expose myself to your power. You once asked when we were beginning our friendship if I was not afraid of your presence.”
“Being by my side will only bring you misfortune, and I'm not just saying that because of the repudiation of your fellow students and the Akademiya authorities. My life is in high demand and they will do anything for the chance to take it from me. I will not always be able to protect you, and it’s possibly that you cannot always be my priority. Being friends with me is like signing an early sentence with death.”
“I stand by my answer, I am not afraid of who you are. I am not afraid of your mysteries and enigmas. I am not afraid of exposing myself to danger if it allows me to share the time we have available together.”
“Tighnari, there is something I need to tell you. In the last few months I have been reflecting and I wanted to thank you.”
"Hmm? It's nothing, I just hope you're more prudent while working. You don't want to go into debt with the costs of all the materials I use to heal your wounds. Even plants have their limit, oh mighty General Mahamatra."
“You actually have quite a sarcastic attitude. This service could be considered within my words, but... My gratitude is for being with me. You are the only person to whom I can show my weakness. Even those that I keep deep in my heart. You have never been afraid to confront me, to contradict me or to be in my presence even with all the danger that I represent.”
"..."
"Someday, when I can fully rest and live without worries, I want to do it by your side."
"Alright. I'll be waiting".
“Let me hold you now, Cyno. Let your mind free from the danger to which you were exposed. You are not alone this time, you are with me and with Collei. Just let me hold you for a moment and then we’ll return home together.”
Tighnari had never said it out loud, but he knew what lay beneath the invincible, mystical image of the General Mahamatra. Cyno lived clinging to solitude because that was the path he had been told was the ideal one so he wouldn't have the opportunity to lose.
Losing a friend. Losing a loved one. Losing his family.
Danger was the instinct to know that he was about to lose something important. What feelings would Cyno have had when seeing those who he considered his family under the threat of losing their lives? What thoughts flooded his head as the decay took effect on him despite wanting to return to check on the welfare of his loved ones immediately? How many times, feeling close to death, has he thought about the possibility of losing the opportunity to be in the company of those who offered him warmth once more?
Cyno was, at his core, a sentimental and protective person. Willing to give everything for those he considered defenseless, or for those who accidentally became part of his affections.
That moment when Cyno thanked him and confessed his desire to be by his side, he could see the fear in his eyes. Not to spoil his relationship with Tighnari, but to love and be loved and then live with the possibility of losing what he had deprived himself of for so long.
And finally, Tighnari's arms were able to cling tightly to Cyno's body. He had reached out to the person who had already secretly taken his life to make it his own. Both then and now.
Valuka Shuna can only have one partner in their entire existence.
He could feel the static as his body held onto the other. But every second that passed made the body of his lover giving in to the imminent exhaustion and fatigue.
"Let's go home, Cyno." He whispers softly as he pulls back slightly and holds his face with both hands. Noticing how the contrary gaze showed so much poorly contained vulnerability. "Come with me".
The possession lessened little by little until it vanished completely as the silver haired man encircles Tighnari in a hug and hides his face against the neck of his savior.
Cyno is actually a person like any other, desires and fears included. But it was something so basic that the people around him refused to acknowledge or even think about, only to be left with the concept of the indifferent man who meted out justice solely because he could. And it was at times like these when his strength was broken that Tighnari was there to help him win it back.
He would never deprive Cyno of his human nature. And Tighnari would do it while still being by his side.
Despite not being a fan of public displays of affection, Tighnari turns his face slightly to kiss the side of his lover head as he removes the symbol of the Great Judge from Cyno’s head. Freeing him completely from the divine spirit that now went back to sleep with the peace of mind that its medium was safe.
All this was happening under the watchful eye of Collei, who still couldn't believe the courage of her Master and the strength of the bond that united him with the General Mahamatra.
No, with Cyno.
On that morning, Collei was sure about something. One day she also wanted to be brave and strong enough to be able to accept Cyno's affection for her without fear, because although she still trembled when she remembered the almost inhuman side of the General Mahamatra, she also wanted to be a pillar of the man who changed her life to better.
Someday, she would have the strength to save him too.
For now, she could only witness silently the adoration and devotion that both her masters where displaying as a form of strengthen their unique bond.