Realm Lord

Arthur was currently gripping onto Aziel as hard as he could, not out of fear of falling off as they ran, but because of the unbearable pain coursing through his body. The lightning that enveloped them both conducted mercilessly through the rainwater, turning what should have been a rescue into torture. Every nerve ending in Arthur’s body screamed in agony as the electricity found pathways through his rain-soaked clothes and skin.

He was biting onto the sleeve of his robe to stop himself from shattering his teeth, the fabric already torn from the force of his jaw clenching against the pain. His muffled screams were lost in the howling wind as they raced away, each flash of lightning illuminating the gray landscape.

Arthur was on the verge of passing out as tears flowed down his face and his fingernails dug into the skin of Aziel’s back, drawing blood that was instantly washed away by the relentless rain. The world blurred around him, not just from Aziel’s incredible speed but from the tears and rain filling his eyes as consciousness threatened to slip away.

Finally, after only a couple minutes of experiencing what might have been the most excruciating physical pain he’d ever experienced, Aziel came to an abrupt stop. The sudden deceleration sent Arthur flying off his shoulder, just as it had the last time they’d traveled this way. He tumbled through the roses, his body rolling uncontrollably as momentum carried him forward, crushing withered stems and petals beneath him.

When he finally came to a stop, Arthur rolled onto his back and stared up into the night sky, desperately attempting to catch his breath. The rain fell directly onto his face, each drop a small relief against his electrified, burning skin. He lay there for a minute, just staring and letting the pain that was just consuming him fade away. His muscles twitched involuntarily, aftershocks of the electrical current still working through his system.

Whilst laying there, he heard Aziel yell from where he was laying down as well, several feet away. "You okay?" The voice sounded distant, muffled through the pounding in Arthur’s ears.

Arthur didn’t immediately respond, taking another moment to gather his thoughts and ensure he could speak without his voice betraying the extent of his suffering. "Yeah... I just need a second," he finally managed, the words coming out raspy and strained.

Aziel didn’t respond, but the message came across, and Arthur simply lay there enjoying the momentary peace. The rain continued to fall around them, a soft patter against the roses that somehow made the desolate field feel less hostile for a brief moment.

The roses tried to force their temptation into his mind—whispers promising power, relief, strength—but Arthur was getting better at ignoring it. The voices that had once overwhelmed him now seemed distant, like an annoying buzz he could push to the background of his consciousness. So for a moment... one moment, Arthur lay in peace.