A Hunt. (Pt.5)

Lucian's eyes open as blurry memories fill his mind.

...

Guard's dragging him through the snow, their shouts for help filling the night.

Jolts of magic surging through his body, restarting his heart.

Lilith's screams as his life slips away again.

Isla's warm hands pressing against his chest.

More jolts thrusting him back to life.

Then darkness.

...

Warmth presses against his body as water drips to his face.

Gentle whispers reach into his ears, pulling at his mind.

"Please come back."

The soft voice tickles his ears.

"I love you."

"Please come back to me."

"Don't leave again..."

The words tear at Lucian's mind as emotions soar into his heart.

"I won't leave you, Mom." His voice whispers back.

Light comes back to Lucian's eyes as the world fades into view.

Lilith's hair tickles at his cheeks.

Her mouth to his ears.

As she hears his voice, she rushes to see his face. Still inches away and hovering over him with longing.

Lilith's eyes are red with tears. Exhaustion pulls at her face as bags have settled under her eyes. Her skin is a deathly pale white. Deep sadness kisses her cheeks as if her sorrow is slowly killing her away.

Lucian's words slowly begin to tear away at the veil of grief covering Lilith. Recognizing his voice, her eyes light with happiness. While a smile that could light a thousand suns runs from ear to ear.

Tears of pure joy now run down her face onto Lucian's as she buries her face in his.

"You're back." She whispers.

Their embrace lasts minutes as Lilith weeps with joy.

People move in the room. The door opens and closes as maids run to relay the news of his survival.

Lucian pays no mind.

Savoring every drop of Lilith's love. Every moment of her happiness filling his once empty heart.

...

Lilith slowly withdraws from Lucian and sits back in her chair, close to Lucian's side.

Her eyes never leave him, watching over Lucian with a fear that he may leave again.

Lucian returns her gaze.

'Why would I ever want to leave this.'

...

Minutes pass, and Lucian begins to take in his surroundings.

Siegfried rests in a chair next to Lilith. Fast asleep with a set of bags under his eyes. Talia lays in his arms, her warm blue eyes looking to Lucian.

She giggles as Lucian returns her eye contact.

'I haven't spent much time with her. I wonder if she knows I'm her brother.'

Lucian sighs.

'I should work on that.'

Sounds of sleep fill the room as Siegfried and Lilith rest for the first time in 3 days. Leaving Lucian to his thoughts and injuries.

"Erk."

Lucian groans with pain as he tears at his wounds in an attempt to rise to a comfortable sitting position.

'That's better.'

Taking a look around the room.

Bloody bandages, empty tonic bottles, and makeshift beds are scattered through the room.

'I'm guessing they didn't have the heart to leave my side. I made a mistake being so arrogant. I've only been told how weak I was, yet I still went out into the wilds. I'm not a man anymore. I'm a child, and I can't forget that again. I may not come back next time.'

Lucian scans the room, looking for something other than bandages.

'Where did it go?'

The door suddenly opens, breaking Lucian from his search.

Harald and Alaric enter the room.

Alaric looks to have a semblance of happiness, which is a bit much for his unemotional personality.

On the other hand, Harald's face is filled with anger. Foreboding a wrathful scolding that he has been holding back until Lucian woke up.

"Boy! What were you thinking!?" Harald growls, though not loud enough to wake Lucian's parents.

Harald trudges into the room with hostility.

Before stopping dead in his tracks.

"Hss!"

The Shadow Panther Cub crouches in a threatening stance. Bearing its long white fangs to Harald as a warning.

"Sst."

Harald draws his blade in response to the Cub's challenge.

"I see this beast you've brought back has finally reappeared."

"It's finally shown its true colors."

Harald raises his sword for a killing blow, treading closer to the Cub.

"NO!" Lucian shouts hysterically, launching himself towards Harald.

Now standing between the two, his bandages slowly turning red.

"Don't touch it." Lucian declares with a look of defiance.

Harald sneers at Lucian's actions.

"Sst." Harald sheathes his blade.

"You're overexerting yourself boy, and for a beast at that."

Lucian bites his lip with anger.

"This "beast," saved my life. If you want to kill your apprentice's savior, then you'll have to kill me too."

"Hmph!" Harald angrily mutters.

Alaric grips Harald's shoulder as his hand still lays on the hilt of his sword.

He whispers into Harald's ear.

Lucian watches as Harald's face turns from anger to shock, his eyes darting from the Panther to Lucian and back again.

Alaric finishes whispering and releases Harald's shoulder.

Harald nods.

"I understand the situation better now."

"You may keep the beast. However, if it harms any of my subjects, I will personally put it down."

"It is your responsibility. Don't let something like this happen again."

Harald leaves the room defeated.

Alaric winks to Lucian before following Harald down the hall.

Lucian sighs in relief.

"You almost met your end there, little guy."

He pats the Cub's head.

"Don't go doing something like that again." He commands, pointing his finger at the Cub in a disciplinary manner.

Lucian hobbles back to his bed in great pain. His wounds searing at his nerves, torn from his sudden movements.

'Shit. I opened the wounds again." He whispers as a red cloud forms on his chest wrap.

As Lucian settles back into the covers, the Cub leaps onto the bed and nudges himself onto Lucian's lap.

"You're a pretty cuddly guy, aren't you?"

Lucian rubs the Cub's belly.

"Wait."

"Girl..."

...

Moments pass as Lucian continues to give the Cub its just due of affection. Its greedy nature kicking in when his hand strays from its fur.

"You know I should really give you a name. I can't just call you Cub."

"Hmm."

"I think it should be something relating to these golden eyes you have."

Lucian runs through names for a few minutes before deciding.

...

"Iris."