Chapter Text
Amarah had spoken to them last night and put his foot down. They were out of time. They had tried to put this off as much as they could, to spend just another day with Azure - but this was it. If they didn’t perform the ritual tonight, Amarah would not be so forgiving anymore.
Two Time approached the greenhouse. They were able to see Azure inside, tending to his beloved plants. The thought of him being gone by tomorrow - of those plants going uncared for - it made something in their chest burn with premature sorrow. But, for now, he was there. And they could pretend. Pretend that everything was okay, just for a few more hours.
The sound of the greenhouse door opening must have attracted Azure’s attention. He looked up and smiled brightly upon seeing them.
“Ah, good morning, Two Time!”
You won’t see that smile again after- No. They cut the thought off before it could fully form and shatter the illusion of normalcy they were forcing upon themselves. Silently, they walked over and hugged Azure.
He let out a surprised laugh and returned the embrace. “You’re a little clingy today, aren’t you? Is everything alright?”
“Of course, dear Azure,” they lied smoothly. Their voice came out far more collected than their thoughts were. “I merely wanted to hold you for a moment.”
“I see. Well, I certainly don’t mind.”
They fell into silence for a bit as Two Time clung to Azure, clung to the idea that everything would be okay. They kept their arms wrapped around him as long as they dared to, as long as they could without it becoming suspicious. But eventually, they had to let go. Azure tilted his head as they did, studying their expression. Two Time let him. Their facial features were controlled enough that he would find no clue to their inner turmoil, no matter how much he tried.
“Azure… could you show me around the greenhouse again?”
It would be a welcome distraction - for both of them. Two Time knew Azure wouldn’t be able to resist rambling about every plant in this building if given the chance, and they wanted to listen. It was always such a pleasure to hear him go on about all his favorite species, their traits, where they grow…
Just as they expected, his face lit up at the question. “Of course, my nightshade! Come over here, I’ve started growing new seedlings in this empty gardenbed…”
Two Time allowed him to take hold of their hands and lead them over to said gardenbed. They listened attentively as he explained in great detail how to take care of the plants. Their gaze was fixed on his face, as if to trap the sight of his excited expression in their memory and keep it there. He was far too focused on explaining everything he knew - which was certainly a lot - to notice their intense focus.
After Azure finished talking about his new seedlings, he moved on to other plants that Two Time had already heard about multiple times, but they couldn’t care less. Something about how enthusiastic he was, how bright his expression was, kept them listening even if it wasn’t anything new.
It felt far too soon that Azure finished taking them around and talking about every plant he had growing in there. Two Time was reluctant to leave, but they were unable to think of any excuse that would allow them to stay any longer. Not without raising Azure’s suspicions, at least, and that’s the last thing they wanted to happen today…
So, they left the greenhouse. Admittedly, their mind felt a lot clearer than it did when they woke up this morning. Before, they were torn. They were devoted to the Spawn, of course, how could they not be? Yet, why was it Azure of all people that was demanded for the ritual sacrifice? They were beginning to question themself more now. Was this really the right thing to do? Did they need this second life so badly?
…Was it really worth the sacrifice of Azure?
Yet, still, Amarah’s words returned to them. This was necessary. It would prove their devotion to the Spawn, and they would be granted a second life - the highest of all honors one could receive from their god. So, they resolved themself - tonight. No matter how much it would hurt. No matter how much they dreaded the thought of carrying out such an action.
They could not disobey the will of the Spawn.
…But nothing was stopping them from making this a pleasant last day with Azure. So, with this thought in mind, Two Time approached another worshipper of the Spawn. One they knew had some botanical knowledge - less than Azure, of course, but more than they did.
“Greetings, fellow believer… may I ask but a small favor of you?”
The red-haired Spawnist seemed rather frazzled, and jumped when she heard Two Time’s voice. “Oh, Two Time, it’s just you… apologies for my messy state, but I don’t think I’ll be able to help. I’m having a bit of trouble at the moment…”
They tilted their head. “You’re having trouble? Whatever is the matter?”
“Well, I… look, please don’t tell anyone, but I’ve lost several pages of prayers I was meant to memorize and recite. The wind blew them away, and I was able to recover most, but… oh, dear! Amarah will be furious with me!”
“A most troubling dilemma, indeed… Say, if I aided you in recovering these lost scriptures of yours, would you return the favor and fulfil my request?”
The other Spawnist’s expression visibly grew relieved at their words. “You’d really do that for me? Ah, may the Spawn bless you! Of course, I’ll help you out if you can find the missing pages.”
Two Time gave her a small nod and set off to scour the village for any traces of the lost pages. Perhaps this can keep them busy until nightfall… Perhaps. They found the first paper near the steps of the church. Fortunately, although Amarah was standing nearby, he either didn’t notice or assumed the paper was meaningless. Whatever the case, it was easy to obtain.
The second one also was not particularly hard to recover. It had found its way into a basket inside the shop - not somewhere one would initially think to look, but easy enough once you actually search thoroughly.
It was the third - and final page, Two Time assumed - that gave them the hardest time to locate. For some reason, they didn’t think to look on the upper balcony of the cafe until they had scoured nearly the rest of the village. It was a great relief to finally see the white of the paper against the deck, now that the day was nearly over. They wanted to finish this task quickly so they’d be able to go back to Azure until it was nighttime.
Returning to the red-haired Spawnist, Two Time handed her the three pages they'd collected over the course of the day. The relief was clearly visible on the other worshipper’s face.
“I cannot thank you enough! Now, what was it that you wanted me to do for you?”
“...I need a flower for something. Do you happen to have any with you at this moment?”
“Just a flower?” Her expression brightened and she produced a white rose before pressing it into their hands. “Of course! Here you go! It’s the least I can do after you helped me out with finding the prayers I wrote down…”
“Thank you. May you receive the Spawn’s favor,” Two Time murmured, giving her a nod of gratitude.
They returned to the greenhouse. There was little space between the sun and the horizon now, and the shadows cast inside were growing long. Azure was crouched near the back of the greenhouse now, clearly close to finishing his care routine for the plants. Two Time approached him, keeping their hands behind their back to avoid letting him the rose just yet.
“...Still here, I see,” they commented, lowering themself next to him.
“Ah, but of course, my nightshade,” he responded, glancing at them. “Every plant here deserves proper care and attention. I do as much as I can…”
“Hey, hold still for a second.” Two Time didn’t wait for a response - they pulled the rose out and nestled it into their partner’s hat. “There. It suits you.”
Azure was still for a second, perhaps not expecting such a gift. Then a soft smile crossed his face. “Yes, a suitable gift, indeed. Is there any reason for such a gesture?”
“Well…” Two Time hesitated. The thought of what they must do creeped into their mind yet again. “I… want to invite you to the nightshade field. Tonight. Meet me there around an hour after dark..?”
Azure tilted his head. “The nightshade field? What a lovely place… Of course. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Good. That’s… good.” It was getting harder to conceal the true emotions they were so carefully keeping hidden away. The closer it got… the more they thought about it… no. They couldn’t second-guess themself now. They stood. “I’ll see you tonight, then… Azure.”
Quickly, they walked away before they could say or do anything that would ruin this. They were so close… and yet, why did it feel as though they were dreading it far more than they should?
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Two Time had come to the conclusion that they would not be able to do this. The thought of Azure dying - of having to kill him with their own hands - to have to live without him, and with the guilt of his death - it was far worse than any alternative. So they made up their mind. No matter what happened tonight, one thing would be for certain: Azure would live. They would make sure of it.
So, they hurried to the nightshade field where they knew Azure was waiting. He turned upon hearing their footsteps, and began to say something, but Two Time cut him off.
“Azure, you need to leave. We have little time.”
He frowned, clearly not expecting them to say that with such seriousness. “What- why, nightshade? Is something going on?”
“Azure.” Their hands found their way to his shoulders. “They’re going to kill you!”
“W-what? Two Time, what are you-”
“...We’re out of time. Please… you need to go, to run- now.”
“I…” Azure hesitated before taking the bouquet of flowers he’d been holding and pressing it into their hands. “Very well. I don’t understand, but I trust you.”
With that, he turned and hurried off into the trees beyond the flowers. Two Time watched him, relieved, and clutched the bouquet closer to their chest. Not even a minute later, they heard footsteps on the grass behind them. They didn’t need to look to know who it was. To know why he was here.
“...My child.”
Amarah.
“It’s truly a shame you chose to be this way.”
Two Time didn’t resist when he led them back to the village. Didn’t try to run, didn’t try to fight, if only for one thought: Azure is safe. They won’t get to him now. He’s deep into the forest at this point, and he surely knows the flora there better than anyone. They couldn’t catch him if they tried.
They didn’t resist when they were tied to the pole. They showed no reaction at the biting words of their fellow believers.
“They really turned their back on the Spawn and denied its blessing?”
“I honestly can’t believe it…”
“It’s a good thing we caught this heretic before they could do anything else…”
“Traitor. Traitor. Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!”
It was warm at first. The fire licking against their legs. But it turned scorching oh so quickly. It wasn’t long before all they could feel was burning pain, searing, it hurt so bad…
All they could do was keep one thought in mind. Azure is safe. Azure is alive.
They repeated that thought. Over and over. It was the only thing keeping them from crying out. And it stayed with them until they could think and feel no longer.