Erin…

OMNISCIENT POV

The sound of the blade being drawn lasts for several seconds as the world slows, as Erin and Ben's world slows. They need it to. No, they need it to stop. But it won't. It will keep going. It will keep spinning. The shinning blade will keep getting closer. Erin's tears will keep falling. Ben's smile will keep telling Erin how much he has missed him.

It even slows for Castyr. To watch an innocent man being punished for sparing a life. To watch the sensitive and sweet Erin helpless at his love's execution. A fire rages inside the star. He draws upon the force provided by the ever-coming blood sun and channels it through his light. Erin's eyes never leave Ben as Castyr begins to glow dangerously.

"I love you," Ben manages to say before the hall is filled with light. Everyone is blinded, even Castyr. It is a powerful blast, but the star remains unfazed. He shakes his head to adjust to his surroundings. Upon opening his eyes, Castyr sees that the light made the control panel for the cells malfunction. He instantly kicks the door open and rushes outside.

The three demons are gone, but the sword has done its damage. Erin lets out a cry as he rushes to Ben. He cradles his love in his lap as he pleads, "Open your eyes. Benni, open your eyes! Please!"

Castyr's head whips towards the stairs as the door is flung open. Reinforcements have come.

Erin's eyes glow a bright red as he growls at the approaching guards. Grabbing the sword from the ground where it fell, Erin stands in front of Ben. "I'll hold them off."

Castyr looks back at Erin. The sweet essence is gone, and his innocence is no more. Instead, Erin's face is cold and unforgiving. "Erin-"

"Run, Castyr!" Erin yells as he engages the demons in combat. "Save Orion! Go!"

Castyr knows it is impossible to convince Erin to leave with him. Erin is ready to fight to his last. There is no way Erin is going to leave Ben. Not again.

Catching the silhouette of a guard sneaking off to raise the alarm, Castyr wastes no time in chasing after the stray demon. After fighting his way through some of the stragglers, Castyr follows the guard out the back door of the corridor and into a wide hall. Like every other hall, torches lined the walls, casting the hall in an orange glow.

Castyr is quick to catch up to the stray. The star can immediately tell why the demon chose to run and raise the alarm instead of fight. He is weak. Castyr chuckles as he slams the demon against the rough wall, his hand around the guard's throat.

"Well, well, what have we here? A cowardly demon. You know, I am fed up with your kind. So, answer me properly, and I will kill you mercifully." If Castyr could see himself right now, he would be terrified. His eyes darken, and his lips curl in a cruel smirk. But can you blame him? He watched as an innocent was slain, an angel was beaten and dragged out to be drained...and Erin.....

"I'll-I'll tell you. Whatever you need to know. Just, please let me go," the demon says pathetically as he squirms in the star's grasp.

"Where is the throne room? And you had better tell me truthfully." Castyr tightens his grip slightly to emphasize his threat.

Castyr sets the limp demon on the floor after the stray tells him the directions. The star releases the guard as he stands up straight. "Thought so. Just needed to be sure." Castyr remembers some of the turns and twists leading from the throne room to the cells when Aklys escorted him, but he needs to be certain. Now, he is. And now, it is time to save Orion.

A shout from the direction of the cells shakes Castyr to his core as he hears Erin's final cry. The star grits his teeth as a single tear falls to the ground. "Erin..." Castyr balls his fists as he raises his head and begins dashing madly to the throne room. He must save Orion. He cannot lose another.