[ The description of burning is an ominous one, and Rezo muses aloud as to the potential cause. ]
Poison, perhaps... Or something acidic...
[ Once Zelgadis is seated, Rezo digs a cloth out of his cloak from some magical fold or other, and gives it to Zelgadis. ]
Here. Wipe off your neck and anywhere it touched. It may have left a residue of some kind.
[ Once Zelgadis is done, Rezo holds out his hand, hovering it above the back of Zelgadis's neck, and silently casts a detoxification spell. Any non-magical toxins should break down quickly under the onslaught of white magical energy. Any black magic, on the other hand...
The detoxification spell hums away, completed within a few moments. And Rezo's mind is so thoroughly occupied by the matter of Fixing Things that he nearly startles when Zelgadis's next words register.
He hadn't thought of it as Zelgadis screwing up. At the very least, both of them were guilty of complacency.
And Rezo had even thought that Zelgadis might be vulnerable out in the open but, stupidly, he hadn't wanted to pester him. And Rezo had assured himself that Zelgadis's chimera status should keep him safe. Clearly not, and as the man who'd designed Zelgadis's body he damn well should have considered the angles in which Zelgadis is vulnerable. ]
...You needed to rest.
[ The words sound feeble to his own words, and Rezo decides he'd better not make further attempts at being consoling. ]
Rather than think about what we should have done differently, it's better if we consider our next steps. I'll try the Flow Break now.
[ Rezo takes a step back and moves in front of Zelgadis, holding out his hands as he incants the Flow Break spell. A star shaped light forms beneath Zelgadis, the magic buzzing and humming through Rezo and into the spell, seeking out unnatural flows in Zelgadis's energy. ]
[ Is Zelgadis having audio hallucinations, or is Rezo trying to spare his feelings? The absurdity could bowl him right over. Rezo's so bad at it, too, but it makes the attempt ring all the more sincere.
Once again -- and this must be enough times by now to count as a pattern -- Rezo is bothering to take Zelgadis' emotions into account.
Since when do you care how I feel? Zelgadis wants to grab him and shake him and ask. Why does it matter now?
Zel doesn't feel any less foolish; the best consolation Rezo can provide doesn't really refute that poor decision-making got them here. He nearly finds it patronizing to be let off the hook so easily.
But Rezo's right: their attention should be on what happens next. Rezo casts Flow Break, and Zel hopes for the best.
It'll probably work. He's being too cynical. Why would it not work, if it's Rezo's magic?
It's an odd sensation as Flow Break makes contact with the curse. The white magic begins the correct the flow of energy, and Zel starts to think he really was being cynical.
But then something changes. The curse adapts; re-solidifies itself. It's like it needed to take a few hits and learn how Flow Break worked in order to combat it.
Zelgadis is not aware of the specifics of how the two different kinds of magic are interacting with one another, but he can tell this much: Flow Break isn't going to cut it. ]
...That would be too easy, I suppose.
[ He's not even angry at Rezo. Just himself.
Sardonically, he adds: ]
On the bright side, we know it's not going to just kill me.
[ Rezo pours more energy into the spell, significantly more than a Flow Break normally calls for, and stubbornly keeps it up past the point a more sensible priest would have given up. But eventually his hands start to shake and he finally aborts the spell, swaying a little and cursing inside his head.
Damn it, is this really all I can do now? ]
Gh...
[ Rezo forces himself to go still and takes a few breaths until the dizziness subsides. Right. Flow Break isn't working. What happens next? Zelgadis mentioned he doesn't think the curse is going to kill him- ]
Do you think it's the same as the curse on the villagers?
[ The particularly insidious thing about that curse is how the villagers are kept from communicating their own distress. If Zelgadis's condition worsens, will he be able to tell Rezo about it?
But if it's a different curse then they don't know what they're dealing with, and that's its own host of issues. ]
[ A curse that even Rezo can't easily break is not beyond imagination. If he were all powerful, he would have lived a very different life. But the unsuccessful Flow Break seems taxing to Rezo, and that shouldn't be the case, should it? He could just be tired from travel and work...
That's no explanation. This is the same man Zelgadis knew he couldn't take on without the Philosopher's Stone. Rezo has not come out of death unscathed.
He asks his question before Zel can formulate one of his own, and he's forced to switch gears. ]
I presumed as much, given that it's a water-based curse.
[ There's a tinge of uncertainty in his voice, and it's only in part because he's second-guessing his assumption.
The curse being the same isn't a leap of logic to make, but they won't know for sure until the other shoe drops. ]
Even then, the curse on the villagers seemingly targets "humans", though it could be that "sapience" is the real deciding factor. Best-case scenario, I find out what being one-third cursed entails.
[ That would be funny if the stakes weren't so high.
The worst-case scenario is impossible to guess with so many unknown factors at play.
Whatever is wrong with Rezo can't remain an unknown factor, for both of their sakes. ]
Here's what I do know. We're both going to be a lot worse off if you don't tell me what your deal is. I can buy that we're facing a powerful opponent here, but I've never seen a healing spell take that much out of you.
[ Right before Rezo had to give up on Flow Break, he looked like neither the miracle-working Great Sage nor the terrible sorcerer that would have sacrificed anything and everything to see the world with his own eyes.
[ One-third cursed indeed. Rezo's done more research than perhaps anyone else into chimeras, but he has to admit there are still a lot of unknowns in the area. It's unfortunately such a controversial, borderline taboo area of research, that few are willing to experiment with it and even fewer are willing to admit to and share the results of their research.
To Rezo's chagrin, Zelgadis has noticed his dizzy spell. Rezo's able to keep his expression relatively placid, but it doesn't make it any easier to explain himself. ]
I thought I might be able to brute force my way through the curse, so I put considerably more energy into that Flow Break than the spell normally calls for.
[ That doesn't really answer the implicit question, but he hopes Zelgadis is merciful enough not to actually make Rezo spell out his own weakness. It should be apparent from this that Rezo's pool capacity is not what it used to be. ]
-But I do understand your concern. Our next best option for breaking the curse is to defeat the mazoku who inflicted it, and it won't give any quarter for weakness. We'll need to be better prepared. Since you've already had the dubious pleasure of meeting our quarry, what did you notice about it?
[ Did you hear something? Not Zelgadis muttering under his breath, surely.
It's less the magic and more the caster that's not up to par, if one wants to be particular about details but he knew he was right to suspect Rezo might not as strong as he used to be. Was he lying yesterday? Or is this coming as a surprise to him, too?
Zel still can't manage to muster anger. Yesterday, maybe, he might have played dumb. Like in how he treated the coachmen, he might have found a cruel, fleeting satisfaction in making Rezo admit to how weak he's become.
Instead, the prospect feels hollow. Hurting Rezo on purpose now, when he has already fallen so far...
It would be pathetic, and nothing more. ]
Like I said, it caught me by surprise. I woke up to a dark mass rushing towards me: that's all I could make out. I know it's capable of distorting its shape, because it wrapped itself around my neck. When I tried pulling it off of me, it was too slippery to grab hold of. It told me that all I had to do was mind my own business, and then it disappeared entirely.
If it hadn't been raining, I don't know if it would have attacked me outright. It's been playing things safe up until now; it would be strange to completely change tactics. But based on what it said to me, it might start getting bolder from here on out. The more progress we make, the more of a threat we pose. A cornered animal fights the fiercest... but that may be what we want. I'm willing to bet that it's avoiding a direct confrontation with us because it's weak in that area. Why else operate so covertly?
[ Unfortunately, Rezo has pretty sharp hearing, and while he can't perfectly make out what Zel is muttering the tone is unmistakable.
As is the fact he's letting Zelgadis down. Again.
The rush of sheer self-disgust is borderline nauseating, brought on not only by his own weakness but by the acknowledgement of his own pathetic, selfish motivations. If he were a proper priest he'd be solely concerned with fulfilling his duties, not with winning back some portion of Zelgadis's esteem.
How egotistical. Rezo has the admiration and affection of thousands across the barrier lands, but Zelgadis's scorn still bothers him with the persistent pain of having a stone in his shoe.
But such psychological baggage is not something they should unpack. Not when they have a mazoku actively targeting them. Rezo frowns, forcing his thoughts to return to the problem at hand. ]
I believe you're correct. And if we intend to draw it out, it's more likely to appear at the spring where it has an edge.
[ But is this the right time to confront it? ]
I've made some progress with the patients at the inn, but they're still in poor condition overall. If I provide instruction, will you be able to assist with the magic treatments? [A hesitation, and then:] Or would you prefer we go after the mazoku immediately?
Would Zelgadis like to save himself at the cost of this entire village?
It's tempting. Despite all appearances, he is only human at heart, with all the weakness that entails. If his curse is the same as the villagers', that's terrifying. Terrifying beyond reason. He doesn't want to suffer like that.
(The burning sensation has dulled, but it has also spread; he can feel it now in his chest and extremities.)
And he still believes it would be a mercy if some of the affected were allowed to die.
...But deep down he knows he wouldn't be able to make that argument without it being, to some degree, rationalization for an immensely selfish act. What about everyone that wants to live? Who are still clinging to hope?
If he went and killed that mazoku now, sacrificing all of these people, betraying them after promising to help... how could he say he's any different from Rezo?
Rezo's own hesitation speaks for itself. This is the selfish course of action.
But he's given Zelgadis the opportunity to take it. That is the part that is interesting. What Zel should make of that, he isn't sure.
Perhaps it's Rezo's way of saying that he values Zelgadis' life.
The silence is heavy as Zel weighs the options. ]
For now, we wait to confront the mazoku. I'll help you with the patients.
[ But if they wait too long...
Zel puts that thought out of mind. There is still time now, and they should make use of it. ]
[ Rezo remains patiently quiet while Zelgadis weighs his options. He's not sure if the ruthless streak Zelgadis has inherited from him will win out, or if the boy's more altruistic nature will carry the day instead. He's not sure which result he'd prefer. Despite what Zelgadis may think, Rezo's truly past the point of bearing Zelgadis any ill will; he has no desire to see any harm come to the boy. But one option could leave Zelgadis to suffer greater damage from the effects of the curse, and the other could burden him with a guilty conscience that cannot easily be soothed.
When Zelgadis does finally make his choice, it's a relief regardless to have the choice behind them. ]
Thank you. Let's return to the inn.
[ ...It's also a relief to have help with this part. Is that terrible of him? Zelgadis has barely gotten any rest, but the weary ache in Rezo's own limbs is impossible to deny. They may have to rest in shifts until they're able to see this through. Though even that can't start until Rezo's sure Zelgadis knows what he's doing.
The strained atmosphere of the inn has eased somewhat from when the two of them first entered the previous day, and a few of the patients look more lively than they did previously. Maud even had to be tied to her bed to prevent her from getting up and wearing herself out all over again. ]
Here, this girl is ready for treatment.
[ The patient they have next is a girl of about nine or ten years old. Rezo doesn't know her name. The innkeeper's too busy to ask. Rezo ushers Zelgadis into position beside the patient and takes the girl's hand, then reaches for Zelgadis's, intending to put the one in the other. ]
[ Zelgadis is quietly stunned by the progress that's been made already. It reaffirms that there is hope for these people, and he is right not to pursue the mazoku. Just maybe they can turn this around before Zel's own curse progresses too far.
"If you've only got a one percent chance of winning, but convince yourself you're going to lose, that one percent becomes zero percent."
Underneath that hotheadedness, Lina's always been strikingly wise. Whatever likelihood he and Rezo have of pulling this off, it's greater than zero percent.
He clasps the little girl's hand as its placed in his. It's so small. She's so frail. ]
We're going to get you better. I promise.
[ Now he has no excuses.
Heeding Rezo's instruction, he begins casting a healing spell. The dull ache in his body has become ignorable enough; less so the abrupt return of the burning sensation. He doesn't manage to stifle a grunt of pain. ]
--Bit my tongue.
[ It's a lie for the little girl's benefit, and an indirect way of telling Rezo to carry on as if nothing happened.
It's immediately clear to him what's going on: magic comes at the cost of pain.
He will grit his teeth and bear it. This child is far worse off and can't even communicate her suffering, can't so much as cry or complain as she has every right to.
But it does burn.
Then there's Rezo. He was working all through the night and then must have kept at it as Zelgadis slept. That's the only way this much progress could have been made so soon. If he goes and wears himself out, they're in even bigger trouble.
...Plus, it would bother him if Rezo got hurt. That could lead to getting killed.
Very few people ever get to come back to life. Nobody gets to do it a second time. The universe is not so generous.
Rezo can't die. Zel won't let him, not when he's finally giving a damn.
Zelgadis doesn't even want to acknowledge how much he has wanted that. It's mortifying.
This round of treatment concludes. The young girl is a long ways from fine, but she looks unmistakably healthier than she did before.
This pain will be worth it.
He addresses Rezo, grimacing when he hears the strain in his own voice. ]
I've gotten the hang of this. Leave the next patients to me.
[ Go rest, he can't manage to say.
He'll leave broaching the subject of "biting his tongue" to Rezo, should he want to ask. ]
[ It's not until after Rezo's placed the girl's hand in Zelgadis's and stepped away does it occur to him to feel strange about having made that bit of contact; but it isn't a good time for him to muse on the whens and whys of the last time he touched Zelgadis when there's a sickly child in need of care right there. He takes a careful step back and begins to speak. ]
The incantation for the Resurrection spell is actually only slightly longer than the Recovery spell, but it requires you to siphon energy from your self and your surrounding environment. Start by focusing on your core...
[ It would be better if they had more greenery around but alas, one has to work with what one has. There's life force to be had in the healthy residents and in the earth itself, enough to eke out the magic they need.
Of course, that may be easier said than done for an inexperienced healer like Zelgadis. ]
-Eh?
[ Rezo frowns at the outburst, not bothering to hide his confusion and concern even if he picks up on the unspoken message to carry on. He walks Zelgadis through the rest of the spell, and part of his mind keeps mulling it over. Healing can be strenuous to those not accustomed to it- or to those who have expended their capacity. Zelgadis's capacity shouldn't be that low, since he's a chimera. But Zelgadis normally doesn't have a mazoku's curse upon him.
...Or maybe he's overthinking it and Zelgadis really did bite his tongue.
After the hum of magic has faded and the girl's breathing has evened out, they're theoretically ready to move on. Zelgadis, ambitious as ever, offers to do the rest on his own, but he sounds strained and Rezo's brow furrows. Though he tries to temper it with a smile. ]
Please, allow me to at least supervise the next few. It's better to be cautious.
[ If Rezo's worrying for nothing then there'll be no harm in staying nearby. But if something is wrong, he can at least be on hand to catch Zelgadis if he falls.
Hopefully a metaphorical fall, because if he tried with a literal one Zelgadis would probably knock him over like a tenpin. ]
[ He's actually trying to be considerate, and Rezo won't even take him up on it!! Ugh!! ]
...Sure. Alright.
[ He gives in, knowing he has neither the time nor energy to spare on arguing the point.
If he were one of these patients -- and he won't be -- he would prefer that the less experienced healer have some oversight, just in case.
If Rezo is here, he's going to notice that Zel's struggling more than he ought to be. The shame of that is one thing he wants to avoid. Just as bad, Rezo might then think he's unfit to continue.
But to delay the inevitable is irresponsible and pointless.
Without really thinking about it, he grabs Rezo by the shoulder to bring him closer, the way he would anyone else when he needs to not be overheard. ]
It's harder to cast magic now, but I can keep going.
[ Then with awkwardness that is nearly palpable, Zelgadis abruptly lets him go.
When's the last time he initiated physical contact without violent intent?
He's struggling to remember.
With haste that betrays self-consciousness, he says: ]
I'll treat the next patient.
[ A teenage boy, this time. The son of the innkeeper's friend, he seems to remember her saying.
Zel focuses on his core, braces himself, and begins the incantation.
It's no easier the second time. An intensive white magic spell he's unfamiliar with casting would be taxing under the best of circumstances; fatigue and the curse complicate the matter tenfold. ]
...show your great compassion to this person... and deliver them...
[ The strain is evident in his voice, but so is determination. ]
-- Resurrection!
[ This is the worst part, naturally. Where the magic flows, the curse sears alongside it.
When it's finally safe to, he's going to kill that mazoku deader than dead, and oh, he's going to enjoy it. Nothing wrong with revenge in and of itself.
Zel is breathing hard by the time Resurrection has been completed. His head is pounding, and he doesn't notice his nose is bleeding until he tastes copper in his mouth. ]
Oh, that's fantastic.
[ Rezo can't see what he's referring to, so he clarifies. ]
[ Rezo startles a little at the grab, nearly missing the rather important information Zelgadis is trying to tell him due to being distracted both by the gesture and the fact it isn't being followed up by a punch to the jaw. But when he does register what Zelgadis says he doesn't even bother trying to hide his frown. He immediately wants to probe for more detail but Zelgadis is already trying to move on. ]
Zelgadis...
[ Discontent, Rezo follows along and supervises the magic process for the next patient. The magic flows more or less as it should and the words of the incantation are spoken true, but with obvious difficulty. When the spell ends, the heavy sound of Zelgadis's breath is echoing in Rezo's ears, and then-
Rezo tilts his head. ]
What?
[ He catches the whiff of fresh blood a moment after Zelgadis clarifies, and he reaches into his cloak to rummage for something useful. ]
Oh. Lean forward. And- here.
[ He holds out a handkerchief (his cloak can store a surprising amount of things) so Zel hopefully will not have to wipe the blood off onto his sleeve, oblivious to the fact it's too late. ]
You'd better explain what's going on. Right now, it appears as if your magic is draining much faster than it should.
[ Rezo's reaction after Zel grabs him causes a pang of guilt.
Of all things.
Rezo might have earnestly thought that Zelgadis meant to attack him.
Without even trying to defend himself.
For a split second, Zelgadis feels like a bully.
Though blood is already smeared on his sleeve, he wordlessly accepts the handkerchief, holding it to his nose and leaning his head forward. Still bleeding, it seems.
Rezo wasn't happy that Zelgadis skirted past the details earlier. He won't be able to get away with being dodgy a second time. ]
...When I said it was harder to cast magic, what I meant was that it's painful. It's taking more out of me than it should.
[ He keeps his voice low.
No complaining where the patients can hear him. ]
I was going to power through it. I still plan to.
[ He doesn't want to amend that with an "if I can". It would be like admitting defeat.
He may be too stubborn for his own good. He knows it, even. If he's draining magic too quickly, that's serious.
Whatever the case, this is serious. If he needs to cast any healing magic on himself, he's almost certainly out of luck. ]
Don't tell me to call it quits here.
[ It's not a demand, but a request made in a quiet, measured tone. ]
[ Rezo's chest tightens as Zelgadis speaks and he continues to frown. ]
We don't know what the risks are. Besides the pain and the nosebleed, it could be doing other things to your body that we haven't noticed yet.
[ Rezo's not telling Zelgadis to call it quits; he isn't making any demands either. But it's hard for him to really be okay with the risk they're taking. Knowing that he's had Zelgadis take direr risks in the past doesn't help assuage the spike of tension. At the time, what other options had Rezo had?
Well. He could, hypothetically, screw over the village of Remedis instead.
But then, Rezo already asked Zelgadis about it earlier. If the effects of the curse made Zelgadis change his mind, then he could have said so.
Rezo's shoulders finally slump. ]
...Very well. I'll abide by your decision.
[ He feels wrung out, and he knows he shouldn't. If he didn't feel so tired so easily, this situation wouldn't be anywhere near as serious. But it is what it is. ]
[ The slump of Rezo's shoulders reads like an admission of defeat.
It's so hard to fathom that his grandfather is invested in his well-being. It doesn't feel real. Before he can convince himself not to, Zelgadis asks the question that's been weighing on his mind.
This is neither the time nor place, but he can't help himself. Like a scab he can't leave alone. ]
Why do you care what happens to me?
[ 'It's not like you', he would say, but the reality is that he doesn't know what is or isn't 'like' Rezo.
He thought he knew him, once: a kind and selfless sage. And then he thought again that he knew him: a selfish, obsessive bastard of a man.
There's truth in both of these impressions, but it doesn't paint any clearer a picture.
After all that's happened, who is Rezo now? Who -- what -- is Zelgadis to him? Family? A test subject? Something useful to have around?
[ Rezo's head tilts, visibly taken aback in a way that is rare for the great sage. Zelgadis isn't normally prone to accusing Rezo of caring, and as Rezo processes the question his heart begins fluttering with panic. ]
Why... wouldn't I...?
[ It's a feeble attempt at a deflection, particularly coming from a man who not only endangered Zelgadis repeatedly but once sent a mazoku to kill him. But on earth is he supposed to answer such a question? Well, you see, despite turning you into a monster, a puppet, and trying to kill you, I still-
Zelgadis would think he's a lunatic. And he would be correct, but Rezo at least would prefer a chance to brace himself before he lets Zelgadis upbraid him for his repulsive, twisted sentimentality.
But Zelgadis is- Rezo raised him. He'd carried Zelgadis when he was too young to stand on his own, he remembers how Zelgadis would hide under his cloak when he was still too small to come up to Rezo's knees, how he would pinch books from Rezo's study and dog his way through them even when they were too complex for him to understand.
And yet.
The Dark Lord's essence corrupts those who draw close to him, awakening the darkness in their hearts. In other words, even if Rezo was under Lord Ruby Eye's influence when he harmed Zelgadis, all it means is that there was a part of Rezo that wanted to hurt him. ]
[ "I care about what happens to you, because I care about you." If he said it, would Zelgadis understand? Would he even believe Rezo? How could he?
Rezo could simply lie. He could come up with an excuse, and say something about how their job will go better if Zelgadis doesn't get himself killed trying to heal everybody. But he's not sure if Zelgadis would believe that either.
What, then, is he supposed to say? ]
Zelgadis...
[ An attempt to answer dies in his throat. Rezo swallows.
As Zelgadis said, he's never apologized. Not directly, and specifically to Zelgadis. At first, he'd fully believed himself to be in the right. And then after the Dark Lord was reborn- well, of course he hadn't been in a state to communicate much. Even by the time they'd re-met near Taforashia, he'd still clung to the hope that maybe Zelgadis would no longer bear a grudge, that he'd agree that Rezo had given him what he wanted.
Well. It was a foolish thought. Zelgadis hated him and had no hesitation in saying so. And Rezo had never directly said he was sorry, because of all the same excuses as before- because they were too busy to talk, because what reason would Zelgadis have to believe him? What could he possibly get from Rezo's feeble apologies? Surely any sorries Rezo could offer would be summarily rejected.
But perhaps that's what Zelgadis wants. An opportunity to decisively reject Rezo. ]
Please. Can we talk about this later? When all of this is over? I promise you, I will answer any questions you may have.
[ But he needs time to prepare himself, to try and get his own emotions into some semblance of order before he presents them for Zelgadis. ]
If it's a believable lie he's trying to come up with, Zel would expect him to have an easier time.
So then, is it the truth he's unable to articulate? Is it pride that keeps him from stating it? Shame? Doubt? Cowardice?
Without knowing what's happening in Rezo's head, Zel's assumption is that he's trying to weasel his way out of answering. ]
A promise from you isn't worth much.
[ That is not entirely true.
Zelgadis glances at the drying blood on the handkerchief. His nosebleed has subsided along with the majority of the pain, so he's going to charitably assume that there's nothing particularly terrible happening inside his body at the moment.
'When all of this is over'... That's looking awfully far away. What state will either of them be in by then?
He could persist. Rezo might well crack.
But the patients. The mazoku.
There are greater priorities. ]
...All right. I'll wait. But if you don't keep your word, that's it. I'm done.
[ A faint waver in his voice betrays the emotion he's fighting to keep at bay.
[ Rezo already expected the barb, so it doesn't sting much. He waits a bit longer and eventually, Zelgadis acquiesces. Perhaps it's just because he knows he can't force Rezo to speak, but at least Rezo now has some breathing room. Albeit begrudgingly. ]
Fair enough.
[ Rezo honestly thought that Zelgadis was already "done" with him, notwithstanding emergencies where a great sage's expertise was warranted. He's not sure if he should be relieved or alarmed by the notion that Zelgadis's opinion of him could get worse.
He suppresses a grimace as he realizes this reprieve isn't really going to lessen his tension any- now he just has the tension of awaiting future judgment and the added burden of having to somehow prepare himself.
On top of the patients they already have to care for... Rezo bites down on the inside of his cheek briefly before speaking. ]
I'll let you take over for the time being. Wake me in two hours, or if anything happens.
[ There are a few chairs free in the inn, even if there aren't any beds. Rezo can just grab an armchair by the fire and doze for a bit. ]
[ Seems Zel has demonstrated he can handle things on his own. That, or Rezo's simply pushed himself as far as he can. Well, Zelgadis is in no position to judge, and he does want Rezo to get some rest.
Zel doubts the mazoku is desperate enough yet to strike at Rezo while out of its element. Still, it's troubling, knowing that it's keeping tabs. It would definitely want to know how its curse is panning out. He's having an awful time, thanks. Zero out of ten, would not recommend.
This will be a long two hours. If the curse is affecting his pool capacity after all -- and that seems likely -- he needs to be careful and suss out his limits before he reaches them.
He tells himself that and has enough self awareness to doubt he'll stick to it. There's kids here suffering.
He braces himself and begins treatment on another patient.
When two hours have elapsed, he'd swear it's been much longer. After casting Resurrection one more time, he leans against a wall and lets it bear his weight for him, breath coming in ragged gasps. It's searing pain from head to toe, and he's only bothering to try and stem the renewed nosebleed because he doesn't want to look any more frightening than he normally does.
He forces himself to move again and makes it just far enough to where Rezo is dozing before he gives up on standing, slumping to the floor beside the chair.
He's supposed to wake Rezo up, but for a little while he just sits there, saying nothing.
Zel notices for the first time that there's a fireplace in the inn, right across from him. Before this town was cursed, people probably enjoyed sitting by the flames.
[ Sheer exhaustion means Rezo can't help but slip into a state of semi-unconsciousness from the moment he settles into a chair, though a number of factors keep him from proper, full sleep. His upright position, his restless mind, the disturbed breathing of others in the inn...
Two hours pass slowly and yet all too quickly, with Rezo drifting in and out of dreams, unsure of what's real and what's just his mind playing random chords in the quiet.
At some point, he dreams that Zelgadis comes over to sit beside him. The two of them sit together in silence for a while as thoughts drift in and out of Rezo's head. And then, he hears Zelgadis's voice. ]
Mh.
[ Rezo lifts a heavy hand and scrubs at his face with the heel of his palm, trying to massage some measure of wakefulness back into himself. ]
Zelgadis?
[ He belatedly realizes this isn't a dream, Zelgadis really is seated on the floor beside his chair. It's a remarkably childlike position, and not something the prideful Zelgadis would normally take. At least, not around Rezo.
...Which means something is wrong. Concern stirs, blooming alertness within Rezo. ]
[ Rezo raises his hand, then lowers it again, realizing that he perhaps shouldn't try touching Zelgadis, even if it's a means to check on his health. At the very least, crossing a boundary could put their fragile alliance at risk.
And Zelgadis is well enough to answer his questions, so... That's probably good.
He doesn't doubt that Zelgadis's enhanced body is keeping him from growing incoherent. Hearing that it's saved Zelgadis before comes as no surprise either. Rezo had designed Zelgadis's body carefully, mixing components in a way that ensured his grandson would always be armored against any physical and magical attacks that an aspiring knight errant might plausibly encounter. A burly golem made of basalt, fine-grained and porous enough to act as flexible skin while still being impervious to steel, and a brau demon with excellent senses to compensate for a golem's dulled tactile senses, as well as an affinity for magic that went beyond a normal human's. It had been the perfect combination to produce a sorcerer-swordsman worthy of legend.
And all it had cost was Zelgadis's humanity.
Rezo murmurs: ]
So I suppose that makes it my regret instead?
[ That feels like the sort of thing that Zelgadis ought to punch him for saying, and Rezo belatedly remembers that one of the brau demon's enhanced senses is hearing.
He quickly stands up. ]
Try to get some rest. I'll attend to the patients.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Poison, perhaps... Or something acidic...
[ Once Zelgadis is seated, Rezo digs a cloth out of his cloak from some magical fold or other, and gives it to Zelgadis. ]
Here. Wipe off your neck and anywhere it touched. It may have left a residue of some kind.
[ Once Zelgadis is done, Rezo holds out his hand, hovering it above the back of Zelgadis's neck, and silently casts a detoxification spell. Any non-magical toxins should break down quickly under the onslaught of white magical energy. Any black magic, on the other hand...
The detoxification spell hums away, completed within a few moments. And Rezo's mind is so thoroughly occupied by the matter of Fixing Things that he nearly startles when Zelgadis's next words register.
He hadn't thought of it as Zelgadis screwing up. At the very least, both of them were guilty of complacency.
And Rezo had even thought that Zelgadis might be vulnerable out in the open but, stupidly, he hadn't wanted to pester him. And Rezo had assured himself that Zelgadis's chimera status should keep him safe. Clearly not, and as the man who'd designed Zelgadis's body he damn well should have considered the angles in which Zelgadis is vulnerable. ]
...You needed to rest.
[ The words sound feeble to his own words, and Rezo decides he'd better not make further attempts at being consoling. ]
Rather than think about what we should have done differently, it's better if we consider our next steps. I'll try the Flow Break now.
[ Rezo takes a step back and moves in front of Zelgadis, holding out his hands as he incants the Flow Break spell. A star shaped light forms beneath Zelgadis, the magic buzzing and humming through Rezo and into the spell, seeking out unnatural flows in Zelgadis's energy. ]
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Once again -- and this must be enough times by now to count as a pattern -- Rezo is bothering to take Zelgadis' emotions into account.
Since when do you care how I feel? Zelgadis wants to grab him and shake him and ask. Why does it matter now?
Zel doesn't feel any less foolish; the best consolation Rezo can provide doesn't really refute that poor decision-making got them here. He nearly finds it patronizing to be let off the hook so easily.
But Rezo's right: their attention should be on what happens next. Rezo casts Flow Break, and Zel hopes for the best.
It'll probably work. He's being too cynical. Why would it not work, if it's Rezo's magic?
It's an odd sensation as Flow Break makes contact with the curse. The white magic begins the correct the flow of energy, and Zel starts to think he really was being cynical.
But then something changes. The curse adapts; re-solidifies itself. It's like it needed to take a few hits and learn how Flow Break worked in order to combat it.
Zelgadis is not aware of the specifics of how the two different kinds of magic are interacting with one another, but he can tell this much: Flow Break isn't going to cut it. ]
...That would be too easy, I suppose.
[ He's not even angry at Rezo. Just himself.
Sardonically, he adds: ]
On the bright side, we know it's not going to just kill me.
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[ Rezo pours more energy into the spell, significantly more than a Flow Break normally calls for, and stubbornly keeps it up past the point a more sensible priest would have given up. But eventually his hands start to shake and he finally aborts the spell, swaying a little and cursing inside his head.
Damn it, is this really all I can do now? ]
Gh...
[ Rezo forces himself to go still and takes a few breaths until the dizziness subsides. Right. Flow Break isn't working. What happens next? Zelgadis mentioned he doesn't think the curse is going to kill him- ]
Do you think it's the same as the curse on the villagers?
[ The particularly insidious thing about that curse is how the villagers are kept from communicating their own distress. If Zelgadis's condition worsens, will he be able to tell Rezo about it?
But if it's a different curse then they don't know what they're dealing with, and that's its own host of issues. ]
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That's no explanation. This is the same man Zelgadis knew he couldn't take on without the Philosopher's Stone. Rezo has not come out of death unscathed.
He asks his question before Zel can formulate one of his own, and he's forced to switch gears. ]
I presumed as much, given that it's a water-based curse.
[ There's a tinge of uncertainty in his voice, and it's only in part because he's second-guessing his assumption.
The curse being the same isn't a leap of logic to make, but they won't know for sure until the other shoe drops. ]
Even then, the curse on the villagers seemingly targets "humans", though it could be that "sapience" is the real deciding factor. Best-case scenario, I find out what being one-third cursed entails.
[ That would be funny if the stakes weren't so high.
The worst-case scenario is impossible to guess with so many unknown factors at play.
Whatever is wrong with Rezo can't remain an unknown factor, for both of their sakes. ]
Here's what I do know. We're both going to be a lot worse off if you don't tell me what your deal is. I can buy that we're facing a powerful opponent here, but I've never seen a healing spell take that much out of you.
[ Right before Rezo had to give up on Flow Break, he looked like neither the miracle-working Great Sage nor the terrible sorcerer that would have sacrificed anything and everything to see the world with his own eyes.
There was only an old man sitting there. ]
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To Rezo's chagrin, Zelgadis has noticed his dizzy spell. Rezo's able to keep his expression relatively placid, but it doesn't make it any easier to explain himself. ]
I thought I might be able to brute force my way through the curse, so I put considerably more energy into that Flow Break than the spell normally calls for.
[ That doesn't really answer the implicit question, but he hopes Zelgadis is merciful enough not to actually make Rezo spell out his own weakness. It should be apparent from this that Rezo's pool capacity is not what it used to be. ]
-But I do understand your concern. Our next best option for breaking the curse is to defeat the mazoku who inflicted it, and it won't give any quarter for weakness. We'll need to be better prepared. Since you've already had the dubious pleasure of meeting our quarry, what did you notice about it?
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[ Did you hear something? Not Zelgadis muttering under his breath, surely.
It's less the magic and more the caster that's not up to par, if one wants to be particular about details but he knew he was right to suspect Rezo might not as strong as he used to be. Was he lying yesterday? Or is this coming as a surprise to him, too?
Zel still can't manage to muster anger. Yesterday, maybe, he might have played dumb. Like in how he treated the coachmen, he might have found a cruel, fleeting satisfaction in making Rezo admit to how weak he's become.
Instead, the prospect feels hollow. Hurting Rezo on purpose now, when he has already fallen so far...
It would be pathetic, and nothing more. ]
Like I said, it caught me by surprise. I woke up to a dark mass rushing towards me: that's all I could make out. I know it's capable of distorting its shape, because it wrapped itself around my neck. When I tried pulling it off of me, it was too slippery to grab hold of. It told me that all I had to do was mind my own business, and then it disappeared entirely.
If it hadn't been raining, I don't know if it would have attacked me outright. It's been playing things safe up until now; it would be strange to completely change tactics. But based on what it said to me, it might start getting bolder from here on out. The more progress we make, the more of a threat we pose. A cornered animal fights the fiercest... but that may be what we want. I'm willing to bet that it's avoiding a direct confrontation with us because it's weak in that area. Why else operate so covertly?
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As is the fact he's letting Zelgadis down. Again.
The rush of sheer self-disgust is borderline nauseating, brought on not only by his own weakness but by the acknowledgement of his own pathetic, selfish motivations. If he were a proper priest he'd be solely concerned with fulfilling his duties, not with winning back some portion of Zelgadis's esteem.
How egotistical. Rezo has the admiration and affection of thousands across the barrier lands, but Zelgadis's scorn still bothers him with the persistent pain of having a stone in his shoe.
But such psychological baggage is not something they should unpack. Not when they have a mazoku actively targeting them. Rezo frowns, forcing his thoughts to return to the problem at hand. ]
I believe you're correct. And if we intend to draw it out, it's more likely to appear at the spring where it has an edge.
[ But is this the right time to confront it? ]
I've made some progress with the patients at the inn, but they're still in poor condition overall. If I provide instruction, will you be able to assist with the magic treatments? [A hesitation, and then:] Or would you prefer we go after the mazoku immediately?
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Would Zelgadis like to save himself at the cost of this entire village?
It's tempting. Despite all appearances, he is only human at heart, with all the weakness that entails. If his curse is the same as the villagers', that's terrifying. Terrifying beyond reason. He doesn't want to suffer like that.
(The burning sensation has dulled, but it has also spread; he can feel it now in his chest and extremities.)
And he still believes it would be a mercy if some of the affected were allowed to die.
...But deep down he knows he wouldn't be able to make that argument without it being, to some degree, rationalization for an immensely selfish act. What about everyone that wants to live? Who are still clinging to hope?
If he went and killed that mazoku now, sacrificing all of these people, betraying them after promising to help... how could he say he's any different from Rezo?
Rezo's own hesitation speaks for itself. This is the selfish course of action.
But he's given Zelgadis the opportunity to take it. That is the part that is interesting. What Zel should make of that, he isn't sure.
Perhaps it's Rezo's way of saying that he values Zelgadis' life.
The silence is heavy as Zel weighs the options. ]
For now, we wait to confront the mazoku. I'll help you with the patients.
[ But if they wait too long...
Zel puts that thought out of mind. There is still time now, and they should make use of it. ]
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When Zelgadis does finally make his choice, it's a relief regardless to have the choice behind them. ]
Thank you. Let's return to the inn.
[ ...It's also a relief to have help with this part. Is that terrible of him? Zelgadis has barely gotten any rest, but the weary ache in Rezo's own limbs is impossible to deny. They may have to rest in shifts until they're able to see this through. Though even that can't start until Rezo's sure Zelgadis knows what he's doing.
The strained atmosphere of the inn has eased somewhat from when the two of them first entered the previous day, and a few of the patients look more lively than they did previously. Maud even had to be tied to her bed to prevent her from getting up and wearing herself out all over again. ]
Here, this girl is ready for treatment.
[ The patient they have next is a girl of about nine or ten years old. Rezo doesn't know her name. The innkeeper's too busy to ask. Rezo ushers Zelgadis into position beside the patient and takes the girl's hand, then reaches for Zelgadis's, intending to put the one in the other. ]
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"If you've only got a one percent chance of winning, but convince yourself you're going to lose, that one percent becomes zero percent."
Underneath that hotheadedness, Lina's always been strikingly wise. Whatever likelihood he and Rezo have of pulling this off, it's greater than zero percent.
He clasps the little girl's hand as its placed in his. It's so small. She's so frail. ]
We're going to get you better. I promise.
[ Now he has no excuses.
Heeding Rezo's instruction, he begins casting a healing spell. The dull ache in his body has become ignorable enough; less so the abrupt return of the burning sensation. He doesn't manage to stifle a grunt of pain. ]
--Bit my tongue.
[ It's a lie for the little girl's benefit, and an indirect way of telling Rezo to carry on as if nothing happened.
It's immediately clear to him what's going on: magic comes at the cost of pain.
He will grit his teeth and bear it. This child is far worse off and can't even communicate her suffering, can't so much as cry or complain as she has every right to.
But it does burn.
Then there's Rezo. He was working all through the night and then must have kept at it as Zelgadis slept. That's the only way this much progress could have been made so soon. If he goes and wears himself out, they're in even bigger trouble.
...Plus, it would bother him if Rezo got hurt. That could lead to getting killed.
Very few people ever get to come back to life. Nobody gets to do it a second time. The universe is not so generous.
Rezo can't die. Zel won't let him, not when he's finally giving a damn.
Zelgadis doesn't even want to acknowledge how much he has wanted that. It's mortifying.
This round of treatment concludes. The young girl is a long ways from fine, but she looks unmistakably healthier than she did before.
This pain will be worth it.
He addresses Rezo, grimacing when he hears the strain in his own voice. ]
I've gotten the hang of this. Leave the next patients to me.
[ Go rest, he can't manage to say.
He'll leave broaching the subject of "biting his tongue" to Rezo, should he want to ask. ]
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The incantation for the Resurrection spell is actually only slightly longer than the Recovery spell, but it requires you to siphon energy from your self and your surrounding environment. Start by focusing on your core...
[ It would be better if they had more greenery around but alas, one has to work with what one has. There's life force to be had in the healthy residents and in the earth itself, enough to eke out the magic they need.
Of course, that may be easier said than done for an inexperienced healer like Zelgadis. ]
-Eh?
[ Rezo frowns at the outburst, not bothering to hide his confusion and concern even if he picks up on the unspoken message to carry on. He walks Zelgadis through the rest of the spell, and part of his mind keeps mulling it over. Healing can be strenuous to those not accustomed to it- or to those who have expended their capacity. Zelgadis's capacity shouldn't be that low, since he's a chimera. But Zelgadis normally doesn't have a mazoku's curse upon him.
...Or maybe he's overthinking it and Zelgadis really did bite his tongue.
After the hum of magic has faded and the girl's breathing has evened out, they're theoretically ready to move on. Zelgadis, ambitious as ever, offers to do the rest on his own, but he sounds strained and Rezo's brow furrows. Though he tries to temper it with a smile. ]
Please, allow me to at least supervise the next few. It's better to be cautious.
[ If Rezo's worrying for nothing then there'll be no harm in staying nearby. But if something is wrong, he can at least be on hand to catch Zelgadis if he falls.
Hopefully a metaphorical fall, because if he tried with a literal one Zelgadis would probably knock him over like a tenpin.]no subject
...Sure. Alright.
[ He gives in, knowing he has neither the time nor energy to spare on arguing the point.
If he were one of these patients -- and he won't be -- he would prefer that the less experienced healer have some oversight, just in case.
If Rezo is here, he's going to notice that Zel's struggling more than he ought to be. The shame of that is one thing he wants to avoid. Just as bad, Rezo might then think he's unfit to continue.
But to delay the inevitable is irresponsible and pointless.
Without really thinking about it, he grabs Rezo by the shoulder to bring him closer, the way he would anyone else when he needs to not be overheard. ]
It's harder to cast magic now, but I can keep going.
[ Then with awkwardness that is nearly palpable, Zelgadis abruptly lets him go.
When's the last time he initiated physical contact without violent intent?
He's struggling to remember.
With haste that betrays self-consciousness, he says: ]
I'll treat the next patient.
[ A teenage boy, this time. The son of the innkeeper's friend, he seems to remember her saying.
Zel focuses on his core, braces himself, and begins the incantation.
It's no easier the second time. An intensive white magic spell he's unfamiliar with casting would be taxing under the best of circumstances; fatigue and the curse complicate the matter tenfold. ]
...show your great compassion to this person... and deliver them...
[ The strain is evident in his voice, but so is determination. ]
-- Resurrection!
[ This is the worst part, naturally. Where the magic flows, the curse sears alongside it.
When it's finally safe to, he's going to kill that mazoku deader than dead, and oh, he's going to enjoy it. Nothing wrong with revenge in and of itself.
Zel is breathing hard by the time Resurrection has been completed. His head is pounding, and he doesn't notice his nose is bleeding until he tastes copper in his mouth. ]
Oh, that's fantastic.
[ Rezo can't see what he's referring to, so he clarifies. ]
Spell worked. The kid's alright. Well -- better.
[ He wipes the blood off onto his sleeve. ]
Just -- noticed I've a nosebleed.
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Zelgadis...
[ Discontent, Rezo follows along and supervises the magic process for the next patient. The magic flows more or less as it should and the words of the incantation are spoken true, but with obvious difficulty. When the spell ends, the heavy sound of Zelgadis's breath is echoing in Rezo's ears, and then-
Rezo tilts his head. ]
What?
[ He catches the whiff of fresh blood a moment after Zelgadis clarifies, and he reaches into his cloak to rummage for something useful. ]
Oh. Lean forward. And- here.
[ He holds out a handkerchief (his cloak can store a surprising amount of things) so Zel hopefully will not have to wipe the blood off onto his sleeve, oblivious to the fact it's too late. ]
You'd better explain what's going on. Right now, it appears as if your magic is draining much faster than it should.
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Of all things.
Rezo might have earnestly thought that Zelgadis meant to attack him.
Without even trying to defend himself.
For a split second, Zelgadis feels like a bully.
Though blood is already smeared on his sleeve, he wordlessly accepts the handkerchief, holding it to his nose and leaning his head forward. Still bleeding, it seems.
Rezo wasn't happy that Zelgadis skirted past the details earlier. He won't be able to get away with being dodgy a second time. ]
...When I said it was harder to cast magic, what I meant was that it's painful. It's taking more out of me than it should.
[ He keeps his voice low.
No complaining where the patients can hear him. ]
I was going to power through it. I still plan to.
[ He doesn't want to amend that with an "if I can". It would be like admitting defeat.
He may be too stubborn for his own good. He knows it, even. If he's draining magic too quickly, that's serious.
Whatever the case, this is serious. If he needs to cast any healing magic on himself, he's almost certainly out of luck. ]
Don't tell me to call it quits here.
[ It's not a demand, but a request made in a quiet, measured tone. ]
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We don't know what the risks are. Besides the pain and the nosebleed, it could be doing other things to your body that we haven't noticed yet.
[ Rezo's not telling Zelgadis to call it quits; he isn't making any demands either. But it's hard for him to really be okay with the risk they're taking. Knowing that he's had Zelgadis take direr risks in the past doesn't help assuage the spike of tension. At the time, what other options had Rezo had?
Well. He could, hypothetically, screw over the village of Remedis instead.
But then, Rezo already asked Zelgadis about it earlier. If the effects of the curse made Zelgadis change his mind, then he could have said so.
Rezo's shoulders finally slump. ]
...Very well. I'll abide by your decision.
[ He feels wrung out, and he knows he shouldn't. If he didn't feel so tired so easily, this situation wouldn't be anywhere near as serious. But it is what it is. ]
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It's so hard to fathom that his grandfather is invested in his well-being. It doesn't feel real. Before he can convince himself not to, Zelgadis asks the question that's been weighing on his mind.
This is neither the time nor place, but he can't help himself. Like a scab he can't leave alone. ]
Why do you care what happens to me?
[ 'It's not like you', he would say, but the reality is that he doesn't know what is or isn't 'like' Rezo.
He thought he knew him, once: a kind and selfless sage. And then he thought again that he knew him: a selfish, obsessive bastard of a man.
There's truth in both of these impressions, but it doesn't paint any clearer a picture.
After all that's happened, who is Rezo now? Who -- what -- is Zelgadis to him? Family? A test subject? Something useful to have around?
He deserves to know, deserves to understand. ]
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[ Rezo's head tilts, visibly taken aback in a way that is rare for the great sage. Zelgadis isn't normally prone to accusing Rezo of caring, and as Rezo processes the question his heart begins fluttering with panic. ]
Why... wouldn't I...?
[ It's a feeble attempt at a deflection, particularly coming from a man who not only endangered Zelgadis repeatedly but once sent a mazoku to kill him. But on earth is he supposed to answer such a question? Well, you see, despite turning you into a monster, a puppet, and trying to kill you, I still-
Zelgadis would think he's a lunatic. And he would be correct, but Rezo at least would prefer a chance to brace himself before he lets Zelgadis upbraid him for his repulsive, twisted sentimentality.
But Zelgadis is- Rezo raised him. He'd carried Zelgadis when he was too young to stand on his own, he remembers how Zelgadis would hide under his cloak when he was still too small to come up to Rezo's knees, how he would pinch books from Rezo's study and dog his way through them even when they were too complex for him to understand.
And yet.
The Dark Lord's essence corrupts those who draw close to him, awakening the darkness in their hearts. In other words, even if Rezo was under Lord Ruby Eye's influence when he harmed Zelgadis, all it means is that there was a part of Rezo that wanted to hurt him. ]
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[ Zelgadis doesn't need to tell him how much evidence there has been to the contrary.
He keeps his tone low; the less the patients overhear of this, the better. But he's not going to back down now.
Surprising even to himself, he's still not angry.
He's tired, is all. ]
For once, tell me the truth. It's the least you can do, when you can't even apologize.
[ That still hurts. A dull pain that never goes away. ]
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[ "I care about what happens to you, because I care about you." If he said it, would Zelgadis understand? Would he even believe Rezo? How could he?
Rezo could simply lie. He could come up with an excuse, and say something about how their job will go better if Zelgadis doesn't get himself killed trying to heal everybody. But he's not sure if Zelgadis would believe that either.
What, then, is he supposed to say? ]
Zelgadis...
[ An attempt to answer dies in his throat. Rezo swallows.
As Zelgadis said, he's never apologized. Not directly, and specifically to Zelgadis. At first, he'd fully believed himself to be in the right. And then after the Dark Lord was reborn- well, of course he hadn't been in a state to communicate much. Even by the time they'd re-met near Taforashia, he'd still clung to the hope that maybe Zelgadis would no longer bear a grudge, that he'd agree that Rezo had given him what he wanted.
Well. It was a foolish thought. Zelgadis hated him and had no hesitation in saying so. And Rezo had never directly said he was sorry, because of all the same excuses as before- because they were too busy to talk, because what reason would Zelgadis have to believe him? What could he possibly get from Rezo's feeble apologies? Surely any sorries Rezo could offer would be summarily rejected.
But perhaps that's what Zelgadis wants. An opportunity to decisively reject Rezo. ]
Please. Can we talk about this later? When all of this is over? I promise you, I will answer any questions you may have.
[ But he needs time to prepare himself, to try and get his own emotions into some semblance of order before he presents them for Zelgadis. ]
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If it's a believable lie he's trying to come up with, Zel would expect him to have an easier time.
So then, is it the truth he's unable to articulate? Is it pride that keeps him from stating it? Shame? Doubt? Cowardice?
Without knowing what's happening in Rezo's head, Zel's assumption is that he's trying to weasel his way out of answering. ]
A promise from you isn't worth much.
[ That is not entirely true.
Zelgadis glances at the drying blood on the handkerchief. His nosebleed has subsided along with the majority of the pain, so he's going to charitably assume that there's nothing particularly terrible happening inside his body at the moment.
'When all of this is over'... That's looking awfully far away. What state will either of them be in by then?
He could persist. Rezo might well crack.
But the patients. The mazoku.
There are greater priorities. ]
...All right. I'll wait. But if you don't keep your word, that's it. I'm done.
[ A faint waver in his voice betrays the emotion he's fighting to keep at bay.
I can't keep being disappointed over and over. ]
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Fair enough.
[ Rezo honestly thought that Zelgadis was already "done" with him, notwithstanding emergencies where a great sage's expertise was warranted. He's not sure if he should be relieved or alarmed by the notion that Zelgadis's opinion of him could get worse.
He suppresses a grimace as he realizes this reprieve isn't really going to lessen his tension any- now he just has the tension of awaiting future judgment and the added burden of having to somehow prepare himself.
On top of the patients they already have to care for... Rezo bites down on the inside of his cheek briefly before speaking. ]
I'll let you take over for the time being. Wake me in two hours, or if anything happens.
[ There are a few chairs free in the inn, even if there aren't any beds. Rezo can just grab an armchair by the fire and doze for a bit. ]
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Zel doubts the mazoku is desperate enough yet to strike at Rezo while out of its element. Still, it's troubling, knowing that it's keeping tabs. It would definitely want to know how its curse is panning out. He's having an awful time, thanks. Zero out of ten, would not recommend.
This will be a long two hours. If the curse is affecting his pool capacity after all -- and that seems likely -- he needs to be careful and suss out his limits before he reaches them.
He tells himself that and has enough self awareness to doubt he'll stick to it. There's kids here suffering.
He braces himself and begins treatment on another patient.
When two hours have elapsed, he'd swear it's been much longer. After casting Resurrection one more time, he leans against a wall and lets it bear his weight for him, breath coming in ragged gasps. It's searing pain from head to toe, and he's only bothering to try and stem the renewed nosebleed because he doesn't want to look any more frightening than he normally does.
He forces himself to move again and makes it just far enough to where Rezo is dozing before he gives up on standing, slumping to the floor beside the chair.
He's supposed to wake Rezo up, but for a little while he just sits there, saying nothing.
Zel notices for the first time that there's a fireplace in the inn, right across from him. Before this town was cursed, people probably enjoyed sitting by the flames.
It doesn't look like anyone's used it in a while.
Finally, Zel speaks. ]
...Hey. Rezo. Wake up.
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Two hours pass slowly and yet all too quickly, with Rezo drifting in and out of dreams, unsure of what's real and what's just his mind playing random chords in the quiet.
At some point, he dreams that Zelgadis comes over to sit beside him. The two of them sit together in silence for a while as thoughts drift in and out of Rezo's head. And then, he hears Zelgadis's voice. ]
Mh.
[ Rezo lifts a heavy hand and scrubs at his face with the heel of his palm, trying to massage some measure of wakefulness back into himself. ]
Zelgadis?
[ He belatedly realizes this isn't a dream, Zelgadis really is seated on the floor beside his chair. It's a remarkably childlike position, and not something the prideful Zelgadis would normally take. At least, not around Rezo.
...Which means something is wrong. Concern stirs, blooming alertness within Rezo. ]
Why are you down there? Is it the curse?
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[ The reply comes weary and hoarse. Zelgadis has no energy to pretend otherwise; not for others' benefit, or his own pride.
It's not lost on him that he's lucky he can even answer yes. What a sick joke that he's still better off than most. ]
Got a lot of patients treated. Doubt I'll be going anywhere soon.
[ A thought crosses his mind. It isn't a revelation: just an observation he's made before. ]
I'd be like the others if I didn't have this body. It's saved me more than once. But I'll never thank you for it.
[ He stares into the empty fireplace. ]
If you'd told me upfront... Who knows. At least it'd have been my decision to regret.
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And Zelgadis is well enough to answer his questions, so... That's probably good.
He doesn't doubt that Zelgadis's enhanced body is keeping him from growing incoherent. Hearing that it's saved Zelgadis before comes as no surprise either. Rezo had designed Zelgadis's body carefully, mixing components in a way that ensured his grandson would always be armored against any physical and magical attacks that an aspiring knight errant might plausibly encounter. A burly golem made of basalt, fine-grained and porous enough to act as flexible skin while still being impervious to steel, and a brau demon with excellent senses to compensate for a golem's dulled tactile senses, as well as an affinity for magic that went beyond a normal human's. It had been the perfect combination to produce a sorcerer-swordsman worthy of legend.
And all it had cost was Zelgadis's humanity.
Rezo murmurs: ]
So I suppose that makes it my regret instead?
[ That feels like the sort of thing that Zelgadis ought to punch him for saying, and Rezo belatedly remembers that one of the brau demon's enhanced senses is hearing.
He quickly stands up. ]
Try to get some rest. I'll attend to the patients.
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a wizard is never late etc
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