Whumpay Day 9: Magic Overuse
T/W: Magic overuse, cult setting, conflict, violence, stay-behind-to-save-loved-ones Day 10 and Day 11 will both be posted tomorrow ^^
It is my sacred duty to put the needs of my people before my own.
As an Elder, It is my sworn promise to the Elements to do everything in my power to protect my brothers and sisters from harm and suffering, to preserve the Elementis Order from whatever outside forces dare to threaten it.
I must fight until the very end, to do whatever is necessary to save them all.
Even if it destroys me.
Even if it drains every last drop of my energy…I will not give up.
“Father!”
The cries of my name are faint behind me, lost in the persistent ringing resonating through my ears. Each of my muscles trembles with fatigue, barely just continuing to hold. Pants of exertion leave my cracked lips. I dig my feet in harder, buckling and straining under the weight of the giant metal shield encompassing what remains of our home. It is forged of the strongest magic – but the metal monsters are even stronger. In hordes they come, swarming like locusts upon us. When one falls, others replace it. Lightning and thunder ripple around us, the same kind that has already claimed numbers of our people. The earth quivers and quakes beneath their rolling wheels as they advance yet again. They are expecting us to surrender.
I have no intention of doing so.
“SCUTUM SIANSO!”
Despite the exhaustion, I will keep fighting.
Despite the agony searing across my chest and the dark spots swimming in front of my vision, I will remain standing.
Despite the blood steadily dripping down my face, the tinge of sweat and copper now soaking into my lips, I will continue to face them.
“F-Father Mercury, it’s too much! Y-you have to stop!”
More cries and concern for my well-being sound out. I can feel their eyes staring into the back of my head. Even as I buckle under the weight of the shield, attempting to warp their own metal monsters with the ability granted to me by the Elements, I cannot lose focus for a second. I cannot take any risks. The spasms continue across my body. My lungs feel as though they are on fire. Great painful lungfuls of air are all I can manage as the next wave comes. My attempts to manipulate their own metal are weakening as I do. As my magic does, slowly leaving me the more I push myself—
B-Blessed Elements, please lend me your strength—
“Mercury, stop!”
Tears begin to form at the sound of her frantic pleas. I still hear it, even amongst the terrified wailing of our young, the sounds of mourning for our fallen children, the combined prayers for salvation—
“G-get them…away…”
I force each word out through tightly gritted teeth. It’s all I can do to hold back the brimming screams of my own. “R-Rowena—take them all—g-go—b-before they—they—!”
I have to pause to cough up the blood beginning to fill my mouth. That is the ultimate warning sign that I am straining myself beyond repair.
M-may I not fear the evil that seeks to destroy us—
“G-go! GO!”
My bond sobs. I sob aloud once with her – but that is all I allow myself. More voices cry out. I still hear it through the ringing. Footsteps run in the opposite direction. Crying, stumbling, shrieking. I tune it all out as best as I can. My knees give way from under me. The shield begins to implode. My head feels as though it may split in two—
Guide me to deliver my people from the darkness—
The next shield lasts only a few seconds. The lightning and thunder returns. I can barely hold it up. My chest is about to explode. The inevitable is coming.
Grant me the courage to make the right choice for them—
More tears fill my eyes. Colours merge into one. The ringing in my ears intensifies—
A-and may I never lose faith…in your divine protection…for as long as I may—
“Agh!”
Something tears into my side. I feel the warmth soon after, swiftly joined by the fading colours. The ringing ceases. Darkness slowly creeps in. I do not care anymore. I simply…let it take me. I have fulfilled my duty. They will be safe.
…that is all that matters.
