Chapter Text
Bartimaeus looked up at the debris around him. His essence felt heavy, there was a burning in what is supposed to be his throat.
When did he take a human form?
Nathaniel was there under him, unconscious. A sheer golden shield protected them from the falling rubble. He coughed out the dust, an involuntary reaction that made him flinch.
What was happening?
It hurt everywhere. The sensations were very new and raw. He closed his eyes, his vision going dark.
Kitty was sure they died in the explosion. But then, she saw. Two bodies were laying in the aftermath of an explosion. One was undoubtedly Nathaniel. But who was the other?
She kneeled down, checking for their pulses.
Alive. Both of them. She gave a sigh of relief.
No, it was not the time to be relieved yet, she stood up and sprinted to get an ambulance. It will be difficult in the aftermath of this entire debacle but she had been through tighter situations.
Bartimaeus POV:
A strange sound of beeping pervaded my senses. It begun as a low hum and increased in its intensity. I tried to move. Keyword: tried. My essence felt like it was made of lead. I let out a groan. My vision opened to see sterile white ceilings. I was in a hospital.
The situation was so absurd I could laugh, but all that came out was a shallow wheeze.
I didn't need to be in a human hospital.
Seeing me awake, a nearby nurse rushed to me.
My memory came back slowly. All it did was make me more and more confused. A moment ago, I was with Nathaniel, as the self-sacrificial buffoon decided to free me the last moment. Even when i fully expected a 5000 year old of glory to end. I was ready to die. However, my master, like a fool he was, decided otherwise. It left me with mixed feelings about this entire situation.
The aftermath is blurred in my memory. Something happened. And I could not remember. I let out a frustrated sound.
My human form felt suprisingly solid. I tried to change my form...
...
I tried to change my form again...
...
I urged myself to calm down. Maybe I was just tired. I somehow chided myself, fighting the rising panic.
I attempted to change my form again.
Again and again and again...
That's when the reality set in.
I stumbled out of bed. The nurse gave a yelp and tried to help me. My legs felt solid, too solid. They shook like a trembling fawn. Thankfully, the nurse supported my weight. She was saying something. But I was not in a mood to hear.
"...mirror" I rasped. This body felt unfamiliar. And where the hell was Nathaniel?
The nurse was nice. I decided I liked her. She decided to bring me a small handmirror. I stared at an unfamiliar face.
"..."
The face was handsome, undoubtedly, but it was not a face I have ever seen. My head was full of dark curls. I ran a hand through them, feeling each and every strand with my fingers. I caressed my high cheekbones. They were warm, and solid. Too much unlike I was before. The intense dark eyes were a nice touch.
I carefully placed the mirror down with my unsteady hands. I inspected my hands. They had a bony structure underneath. I felt the underlying network of flesh and bones of my arms.
Too human, my internal thoughts screamed.
I was brought out from my musings by the opening of a door. Kitty, in all her glory, stood beside me. Thank the Gods for her timing.
"Kitty", I greeted, trying to keep my voice even.
She narrowed her eyes at me.
"How did you know my name?"
"I-" , I tried to speak.
"By God, what were you doing there in the rubble with him? Seriously, how did you reach there in the first place?" She spoke with gritted teeth.
"It is me, Bartimaeus", I spoke quickly, sensing her agitation.
Her eyes widened. She was disbelieving at first.
"Tell me something." She demanded, voice laced with distrust.
"I used to take on Ptolemy's form, but am unable to do so now, after my arrogant master and a glorious spirit such as me went to stop Nouda." I said bitterly.
Kitty slumped down on a chair, head in her hands.
"That's the reason I couldn't summon him", she muttered to herself incredulously under her breath.
I waited for her to compose herself.
"I thought... I thought you were dead." She said to me.
"Well, I am a lot harder to kill."
She laughed at that, "Yeah, I can see that."
"Uh..."
She looked at me.
"Where is Nathaniel? Is he..."
"He is alive. His side wound was nasty and needed surgery. He lost a lot of blood. Therefore, he is currently in the hospital. It isn't life threatening now but there will be a few complications. For now he has not regained his consciousness yet."
"How long has it been since that incident?" How long was I unconscious for?
"Around 2 months? Nathaniel would be walking up soon."
I sighed.
Kitty looked at me critically.
"What" I snapped irritably.
She continued staring at me.
"Alright, alright. I don't know how the hell this happened." I threw my hands in exasperation.
"One moment the brat dismissed me, the other moment I find myself laying on top of him with an unusual magic shield surrounding us."
"A magic shield? Can it be from the breaking of the staff?" Kitty inquired curiously. "I spotted nothing of that when I approached you guys."
"Honestly I don't know. I can't change into any other form. And my body... it feels heavy."
"You have turned into a human." Kitty said gravely.
I closed my eyes. It was too much.
"When I found you, you were just another man who appeared from thin air. Every vital suggested that. If there was anything unusual the hospital would have informed me. In fact, I didn't even know it was you till now."
"I see", that's all I could say.
"We will find a way back." Kitty promised. "Do you have any idea how this happene-"
"No", I said glumly, "no, I don't"
"Oh", Kitty blinked, "okay. I will be back later. For now, take some rest."
I fell on my back on the bed with a huff, wishing to be discharged from this damned place. Nathaniel, you brat, wake up already.
I rolled on my side, disgruntled by the entire situation. Nathaniel, when I get my hands on you.
I closed my eyes, the drowsiness taking over me.
In my drowsiness and isolation, I had a sudden bout of inspiration. I smiled evilly. Nathaniel was in for a wild surprise when he wakes up. If I have turned into a human, I could make the most of it.
A few days later, Nathaniel woke up. Kitty was there. He was fairly weak after waking up, so Kitty was supposed to keep it short.
He felt sudden chills. Like a sense of doom.
"Kitty"
Kitty hmmned near his bed.
"The air is suddenly chilly."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Nevermind", Nathaniel cleared his throat.
"About Bartimaeus...." She started talking. Nathaniel was attentive.
"What about him?" He asked.
"He..." She faltered.
"He...?" Nathaniel asked her to continue.
She sighed, raising her arms in frustration, "How in the world to put it? He has... he has turned into a human." She hoped she didn't sound like she needed to be put in a mental asylum.
Nathaniel was staring at her.
"What? Is this some kind of joke?"
Kitty internally winced, remembering Nathaniel's weak state. Maybe she shouldn't have said this to him this early.
Since, what was said cannot be returned, she started recollecting, "I found two bodies in the rubble. One was yours and there was another man. After admitting you both into the hospital, tried to summon him. It didn't work. I thought he was dead. I kept trying for the past three weeks, but then, I met the other man. He is Bartimaeus, I confirmed."
Nathaniel frowned, "How can you be so sure?"
"You will see for yourself. He is Bartimaeus. He can't change forms. He has turned completely human and is severely grumpy about it."
Nathaniel was still skeptical, "It sounds unbelievable, borderline impossible. But... I think I will see for myself."
Kitty sighed, "Even he is currently gobsmacked by the current situation. He complains a lot about his predicament." She made a face.
Nathaniel sighed. His side ached.
"Incredible", he muttered, "something always goes sideways when I am dealing with him."
"You are lucky to come out alive out of... this." Kitty pointed to the wound.
"I am. They almost healed up too." Nathaniel gingerly poked his side.
Kitty scoffed, folding her arms, "Don't expect to be discharged out of the hospital before atleast a week, no matter how well the wound has healed over the three weeks. Although yeah, the surgeries were mighty helpful on that, weren't they?"
"How would I know, I was unconscious."
"Right" Kitty deadpanned. She turned to leave.
"Kitty."
Kitty turned her head to look at him.
"If it is truly Bartimaeus then..." He pursed his lips, "...nevermind. Take care of him. He must be miserable."
"He is" She shook her head, sighing. "You should see him complain. He does that a lot. I have half the mind to punch him for it. Not that I already punched him for being annoying, but I would do it again."
Nathaniel laughed and then winced, eyeing the wound sullenly.
Kitty, after staying around for sometime, left him alone with his thoughts.
Nathaniel lay restless on his bed. Was it true? It was just absurd! Was Kitty getting tricked?
No, he had to keep his calm. First, he needed to heal so that he can be discharged.
But... what if it's true? He gulped. A strange guilt took over him. Bartimaeus must be unhappy with the situation.
Truthfully, Nathaniel intended to die then and there. But the wild change of events made him fall into a dilemma.
Could Nathaniel be responsible for Bartimaeus's current predictament? He clenched his sheets.
No need of pondering it at this moment. He closed his eyes shut, trying to empty his mind of his racing thoughts.