If only Theo could stay like this forever, safe in Zenith arms and Zenith safe in his. But gradually his tears dried up, and he felt Zenith's breathing even out as well. When Zenith squirmed and his hands loosened from around Theo's back, Theo fought with all his instincts not to grab Zenith tighter.
Instead, he stayed still as Zenith slowly lifted himself. His hair slid across Theo's cheek, surprisingly cold and damp – from his tears, Theo realized. Not a half-bad sensation, but it didn't last long before Zenith drew away from him and gave him a little push.
Theo almost wanted to protest, but he couldn't argue with the gentle pressure of Zenith's hands on his shoulders. And all words died in his throat when he stared into Zenith's eyes. The skin around them was puffy and red, and they still glistened with tears, but the way they sparkled made a painful yet beautiful ache well Theo's chest.
He felt the same in his dreams, didn't he? When he approached the Fortress – Mom's Fortress. Like he was finally coming home.
And he had, because Zenith was back with him.
He wanted to explode. Or fling himself into Zenith's arms and start sobbing all over him again. He didn't know.
So it took him by surprise when his hands moved on his own. They lifted to Zenith's face and brushed beneath his eyes, wiping away the teardrops gathered on his pale lashes. Zenith blinked, sending more tears spilling, and Theo's heart twisted when his lower lip quivered.
But then the corners of his mouth lifted in a faint yet unmistakable smile. And impossible as it was to believe, his eyes lit up even brighter.
"Thank you, Theo." His voice was so soft Theo wouldn't have heard it if they weren't so close. Yet each word reverberated through his blood like a drumbeat. "And...I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Theo slid his hands lower, cupping Zenith's cheeks in his palms. "You're back. That's what matters now."
The sound of footsteps from behind made him jerk. His hands slipped away from Zenith's face and he whirled around to see Darian approaching.
Her steps were lurching, her breathing harsh. One hand was clamped over her left side and blood spotted the corner of her mouth, but a fierce wave of relief rushed through Theo just to see her upright and moving.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said, her voice a breathless rasp. "But I don't think it's a good idea to stay here forever."
Though he wasn't looking at Zenith, Theo heard his sharp intake of breath, the creak of his armor. Alarm sparked through Theo's nerves, but he couldn't begin to think of what to say or do before Zenith spoke.
"My...my liege."
"Hm?" Darian quirked her eyebrow. "So I take it you consider me your liege again?"
Zenith flinched like he'd been struck. "I – that – "
"Well, we can sort it out later." Darian waved her hand. "Right now, we've got to get out of here. Oh, and pick up some friends too."
Right, they'd left Victor and Mirage to face Equinox and Azimuth. Theo had no idea how long it had been, whether they had succeeded or...
No. He wouldn't complete that thought.
He picked up his staff and hauled himself to his feet, trying to ignore the aches that twisted through his muscles. Already, he wished he could be back in Zenith's arms. As expected, Zenith got up much more smoothly. He gave Theo a brief nod before striding over to where his sword and shield lay abandoned on the floor.
Once they had everything ready, Darian spun toward the door – only to gasp sharply and stumble to the side. Zenith rushed forward before she could lose her balance, grabbing her arm to steady her.
"My liege," he whispered, his eyes huge and stricken. "You're hurt. Please forgive me, I – "
"It's fine." Darian gave her head a firm shake. "Nothing I can't handle. Though I have to say I'm not exactly raring to go for a second round."
Her dry wit made Theo almost want to smile, in spite of everything. Leave it to Darian to never change. Still, as she pushed away from Zenith, Theo quickly moved to intercept her.
"Hold on," he said, already gathering his Levia. "I'll heal you up, okay?"
Darian blinked. "Theo, that's not – you need to conserve your Levia."
"Right now, you're my familiar. So it's my duty as a wizard to make sure you're in proper fighting condition."
Before Darian could protest further, Theo cast the healing spell. Though he rarely used this spell since it had no effect on Zenith, he still had it memorized. Its smooth, curving lines swirled around Darian, bathing her in gentle pink light. His power flowed steadily across the contract, though it was much weaker than before, and he already sensed he didn't have much left.
When the spell faded, Darian took a deep breath and straightened her back. Theo waited a beat, but she didn't wince or grab her side again. Not that he expected her to; her Levia had become stronger as well, the blue of the cosmos deep and rich.
"Thank you, Theo." She nodded at him. "Let's go."
Without looking back, she set off for the door. Theo had to work to keep up, and Zenith brought up the rear. When they entered the hall, Darian drew her saber and glanced around cautiously, but the coast was clear.
"I...." Zenith spoke up, to Theo's surprise. "I need to tell Sir Azimuth and Sir Equinox to stand down. I am...still their leader. And you...are not our enemy."
He swallowed hard, his jaw tightening. Theo moved closer to him, though he had no idea what he wanted to say, and Darian spoke before he could anyway.
"Personally, I'd like to believe Victor and Mirage have already kicked their asses. Though really, it could go either way. That aside, Sir Zenith, are you able to sense them?"
"I – " Zenith began, but that was when Levia deepened in the air.
It came like a thunderclap, or a deluge – swift and sudden and overwhelming. A tidal wave of golden light that sent Theo falling to his knees. Zenith went down beside him, armor clanging against marble. Blindly, Theo fumbled for Zenith's hands. When his fingers closed around cold armor, he squeezed as hard as he could.
If only he could send his Levia across a contract, try to buoy Zenith's desperately sputtering white light. As it was, all he could do was hope his physical presence might ease things a little.
Just when he thought the golden Levia would crush all the breath from his lungs, all the blood from his veins, all the strength from his limbs, it finally eased up. Theo blinked and coughed, trying to get the sickly sweet taste of honey out of his mouth.
Through watering eyes, he made out the figure who had appeared at the end of the hall. Though still wreathed in golden light, the silhouette was unmistakable: tall and slender, framed by six wings stretched so wide the hallway seemed to have shrunk in half.
A flap of those wings, and the figure descended until its feet touched the floor. The golden light faded some more, revealing the elaborate embroidery on his robes, the calm smile on his face.
"Hello, Sir Zenith. Whatever is going on here?" Somehow Cyrias's warm, mellow voice seemed to slice like a razor. "I thought I told you to eliminate the intruders?"
"I...." Zenith swallowed. He was kneeling behind Theo, head down and hair hiding his face. "I...it isn't...."
"Or were you taking these two prisoner with the intent of executing them in front of me?" His smile widening, Cyrias spread his arms. "I appreciate the thought, though it's not exactly necessary. In fact, I'd prefer if you dealt with them as quickly and unobtrusively as possible."
"Please, listen, I – " Zenith's voice rose, shaking with desperation. "I don't think this is right. To kill them for this – it is a dishonorable action."
"Ehh...." Cyrias raked a hand through his wavy golden locks. "Now what are you going on about? Remind me of your duty, will you, Sir Zenith?"
Zenith stood up with startling ease, cape flaring behind him. When he spoke, his voice held no doubt or hesitation whatsoever. "To fight for my liege. To protect those who cannot protect themselves. To be a friend to the weak, and enemy to all evil. That is the charge of a knight."
"Right, right," Cyrias said with a bored snap of his fingers. "To fight for your liege. That's the most important part. Your liege wants these pests gone, so make them gone. There's nothing dishonorable about it."
"Really, now." Darian spoke, to Theo's surprise. "Hard to see how he can give any kind of orders, since Theo did happen to blast him halfway across Tielos."
Theo jumped, shock jolting down his spine. Just like that, Cyrias's eyes landed on him. Though pale blue like Zenith's, they seemed so much colder – glittering with malice beneath the amiable veneer.
"This liege you're talking about is Astraeon, isn't it?" Darian kept talking, now pointing her saber at Cyrias. "Say, did you happen to disclose his extracurricular activities when you introduced him to Sir Zenith?"
"What nonsense are you spewing now?" Cyrias's eyes hardened, all traces of amusement fading.
"Don't play dumb," Theo said, stepping forward. "We know he's the Infernal Lord."
Cyrias's mouth twitched. His Levia shuddered like a string pulled taut. Then he turned his gaze, and that awful cold smile, upon Zenith.
"I see. So these are the lies they've been feeding you. And you believe them? I'm disappointed, Sir Zenith."