"Did the power go out?"
I suddenly can't see anything, usually there's emergency lights so this is new.
"Naul stop trying to distract from the point; I want you to understand, they might be our parents but-"
"I'm not trying to distract from anything, it's dark as fuck we can talk about this later. The regular lights and the emergency lights are out. This is bad. What if dad wasn't able to calm mom down and she took him out and then took out the power! Oh my God! What if dad is limbless now? The whole house is probably massacred by now. What's the country going to do with a limbless king? I guess you'll be the new king but what will the people think? We're doomed, oh my god we're doomed!"
I quickly stand up in a panic, wanting to feel around for the light switch before I realize that I my arms are still incapacitated.
"STEPHEN! What the fuck are you doing? I can't move my arms yet, get the power back and let's go check on them!" I'm about to make my own code 5 if he doesn't move his ass. He's just being silent and the world is probably burning down by now!
"Nual". He says in a stern tone.
Oh now he wants to talk, but those weren't the words I need to hear, it's not the time to continue with this blame game conversation. "What!"
He responds with a oddly gentle voice, "The lights are still on." He pauses. "Nothings changed"
"That's cap. I literally can't see anything. It's black."
Another pause, "Nual."
"WHAT!"
"It's your minus."
….
Now I'm pausing.
"oh"
I forgot about that. Teleportation isn't my innate so it has a minus. Every plus has a minus and I get lucky enough to play Russian roulette with my non vital organs and body parts every time I use it. I guess this time the gun got my eyes.
"Fuck"
I felt Stephen's hands slowly push me back to the bed and lay me down. "You should be able to see again in a day or two, just relax here. You're blind and armless at the moment you can't do too much anyways, I'll take care of you and bring you what you need."
"Thanks"
"Mn" he responded with a grunt.
After calming down from all of the action this morning I'm feeling very tired and oddly sad. Its been a really bad day, first my cycle, than my mom and my arms, and now this. Sighing I realize that it's probably not even 9am yet. Worst day ever and it's barely started. On the bright side, the blindness is giving me a very strange sensation of peace, seeing nothing is as good a blackout curtain you can get. Trying my best to get comfortable I drift off to sleep.
- - - - - - -
Stephen looks down at the sleeping Nual for a very long time. He fiddles with the heart rate monitor turning down the volume so it doesn't disturb him before walking back to the other bed and laying down. Facing Nual on other side of the room some tears start to wet his pillow. He can't let it go on like this.Turning around and facing the wall he tries to remember where it all went wrong.
When Nual was first born Stephen was 4, their parents were a little neglectful but otherwise alright, they had plenty of butlers and nanny's to tend to their needs. It was understandable that they didn't have a lot of time for them because they were trying to climb their way to the top of the monarchy.
Stephen was born with invincibility as his innate which meant there was no minus. He was simply invincible. He was also blessed with excellent intelligence and a photographic memory, a man meant to be king. But just because he is physically invincible that doesn't mean his mind and emotions are as well. Stephen vividly remembers the day Nual came home from the hospital. Asleep at first but was roused after a poke, baby Nuals eyelids fluttered open, big sleepy chocolate eyes sitting below a curly mop of hair. He reached out with tiny little hands doing an adorable stretch and yawn, curiously looking around. When the eyes settled on him Stephen immediately decided he would die for him and childishly made it his new mission to be his guardian and protect him from everything.
Stephen would take baby Nual with him everywhere as they grew up, he would take him to his tutoring sessions, to play, to walk around the garden, to nap, but he couldn't take him outside of the property. Their parents forbid it, 'he's not allowed out' they would say. Stephen would leave to go to school, have play dates or to attend some event their parents had; but the only time Nual had left was when the family moved from their dukedom to the castle when Nual was 11.
He remembered the car ride clearly. Their old residence wasn't too far from the castle, it was located just on the outskirts of the capital. A short four hour road trip and Nual eyes didn't leave the windows once. A regular sight to Stephen was a new world to Nual. Skyscrapers, pets, the random flying objects and people, people with animalistic features and cool powers, billboards and advertisements, etc. A whole new world of things he's seen online but never in person. He also remembered the look of defeat after they arrived at the castle and the newness of exploration wore off. Slowly some of the light in those chocolate eyes dimmed with the realization that it was back to the same routine just in a different space.
Eventually Nual started to get a little rebellious. At 13 Nual tried to sneak out for the first time but security for the palace isn't to be taken lightly and he was caught almost immediately.The loud cries still ring vividly in Stephen's head sometimes while he sleeps. When Nual was caught the fresh new King and Queen were notified along with him but he was at a party and arrived a little later.
Walking into the main palace hall ready to hear a fresh round of whiny complaints he instead was met with very loud and painful cries. Stephen now running to the source stops when the sight of the queen raining down punches on little Nual comes into view.
He was curled up on the floor trying to protect his head while the queen is seemingly trying her hardest to inflict pain. Punch after punch towards his stomach, his head, his legs, anywhere accessible wasn't spared and there was already blood forming a puddle below him. The queen is also known around the kingdom for her innate being inhuman levels of strength. This isn't uncommon but the way she uses that power so precisely is what makes her stand out. She controls her strength so accurately to use the most force with every blow. Most people just use strength with little to no technique because that's enough for daily life but she made sure to make the most out of every movement. This was outstanding for a duchess and even effected the way nobility trains, but to now be using this technique and ability on her own son is crazy.
Stephen, stuck in a stupor amid this unfamiliar scene was brought back to reality with a sickening crunch and another painful cry from Nual. Doing the first thing he could think of he ran over and jumped on Nual covering him with his own body, which was luckily invincible. Now taking the punches on his back he looked down at his little brother and was appalled by his current state. Not a single part was left untouched and if he wasn't Nual he would probably dead. He didn't even realize that he wasn't being hit anymore and was still crying and begging to be left alone. This was also the first time Nual had used his innate to enhance his vocal chords, subconsciously making him exponentially louder.
"Mom! What are you doing? Stop! Guards-" Looking around, various guards are all on the floor, either passed out or dead and the few left standing are just fearfully standing by the wall watching the scene unfold. He figures they have been ordered to not interfere. Turning around around to face the queen she looked deranged still trying to get to the child beneath Stephen. Haphazardly throwing punches and resorting to trying to claw her way through.
Understanding the situation he decides to just hold out till his dad gets there. He's invincible not all powerful and isn't strong enough to stop her right now, but he'll be damned if he lets her touch another hair on Nuals head. Focusing his attention back below him Nual has gotten a little quieter. Still crying but at least without the amplification he leans down and cradles him carefully as if he were a baby again and tries to comfort him.
Whispering "Hey it'll be ok, it's almost over. Big brother is here ok?" Teary and swollen chocolate eyes slowly open and gaze at him with heavy dependence and hope. "Hi Nunu, it's Stustu here to help you!" Cute old nicknames they came up with as little kids Stephen tries to lighten the obviously heavy mood, it works to an extent bringing a small smile to Nuals face before witnessing Stephen being grabbed and thrown across the room and through the wall. Punches start coming again but that was no longer Nuals focus, struggling and looking around he finds his brother slowly standing up looking very disoriented and bloody.
His brother is bleeding? That should be impossible. He's never seen his brother bleed. His invincible brother should never bleed. He can't even feel the pain of the punches anymore all he knows is his brother was hurt and it was his fault for trying to sneak out. He just wanted to see the world again but it led to this. He doesn't understand why it was a punishment this harsh but either way it shouldn't affect his brother. He needs to keep him safe. They have to go.
The next thing he knows he's somehow beside his brother and then they are somehow in Stephen's room. The safest place Nual knows. This was the first time he used teleportation. His first plus. It was also the first time their mom went code 5. A day full of firsts.
Nual looks around and after determining that they are safe collapses on the floor. Stephen now fully recovered accepts the situation quickly and goes to assess Nual. Now with the time to fully examine him it was even worse than he saw earlier. Deep bruises on almost every surface, scratches, broken bones everywhere with a few even popping out. His eyes get blurry as he scoops him up and runs to medical. Hoping that he doesn't run into his mom on the way there. After getting him settled the doctors take him back for surgery. Wondering how the prince ended up in this condition but not daring to ask too many questions.
Stephen, now outside, has time to reflect knowing his brother is out of present danger, he's never been this hurt before but he'll heal quick, it's in his innate. He was even able to grow back a pinky finger one time, story for another day. He also wonders what happened to get here, their parents might have been absent and strict but they were never abusive. He's never seen his mom like that, it was scary for him, he can't imagine what it was like for Nual. His precious little brother has never even even been yelled at by their mom. He doesn't know how long he sat there before he heard footsteps and saw his father walk into the room.