sheep_game | Counting Stars

[ Kevin mutters something in Greek and gestures; the ground surges up weirdly, not quite responding correctly, but just enough to knock the chimera back a pace. And then he turns. ]

I'm running too!

[ and he is, so you better book it ]

Good!

[ TIME TO BOLT ]

[ WE BOLTING

the chimera is tangled enough that they get enough of an opening to get over the next ridge, at least. Kevin sags down against the scorching ground for a moment to catch his breath. ]

-- What are you doing here?

[ hunkers down beside him, anxiously glancing at the edge of the ridge ]

I don't... I thought—h-haven't I always been here?

[ looks back at him with an intense, searching gaze ]

You're not a dream?

[ he looks rough. haggard and thin, with black clothing hanging off him in shreds. There's a gash across his face that oozes blood, and his fingertips have gone black, dissolving slowly into the acidic air they're breathing. however long Ananke has been here, he's been here ten times as long.

He shakes his head. ]

No. I'm real. Just like the rest of this.

[ gods. He sucks in a shivering breath. ]

You must have woken up here too. Years ago, by the look of you.

[ His breath catches in a stuttering gasp at the thought of being here that long. Presses a hand tightly over his eyes and immediately starts taking deliberate even breaths to calm himself, his other hand still tight on the sword ]

I don't remember it. I only remember here.

[ Sorry, Ananke. Kevin shifts closer, trying to offer what little comfort he can. ]

... I remember a little. You ... you were in my favorite dream. The one where I'm on Lily.

[ He leans into him a little, uncertain but desperate for any comfort at all—and abruptly freezes. ]

... Kevin?

Hey, Ananke.

[ He gives Ananke a weak smile. ]

... I'm sorry. Now that you're here, you're never leaving.

... Are we dead?

[ Kevin shakes his head, huddling as he looks out over the horrific landscape. ]

Death's a lot gentler than Tartarus is.

[ well. he has failed his Don't Start Crying challenge. ]

At least we're not alone anymore.

[ sorry Ananke. he reaches out to put an arm around him. ]

It’s something. That’s … that’s more than I usually have.

[ leans a little more and wraps an arm around him in return ]

It's something. It matters.

[ A small nod against his shoulder. ]

… We have to keep moving. Past Nyx’s realm - the Doors of Death are out there somewhere. That’s the only way out of here.

[ scrubs his free hand over his eyes and nods, squinting out at the horizon ]

... Any chance you know which direction to go?

[ He hesitates, then points to a darker spot on the horizon. ]

That forest there. Her realm is past that.

Okay.

[ Starts to straighten up cautiously, throwing a worried glance back the way they came ]

We can get there together. We just gotta keep our eyes on it.

[ Yeah that chimera is still behind them. Somewhere.

He takes in a deep breath. ]

Don't let go of my hand. If we get separated...

[ Nods and gives his hand a tight squeeze ]

Won't happen. I promise not to let go.

[ he clings back, both for his own sake and for Ananke's here. ]

Then - this way.

[ he starts trudging across that awful, springy ground. it's not pleasant going - the shrieks of monsters interrupt any quiet they might get - and the ground continues to try to cling and burn every step they take. but the worst part is the sense of time passing. it's going to feel like weeks before they finally get to the relative coolness of the forest that Kevin pointed out. ]

[ Sounds like weeks to pack bond with Kevin

Whether or not literal weeks of time are passing, it does begin to wear on Ananke. He's a determined guy, but without Scarab he's so much more mortal. He doesn't let go of Kevin's hand, but there are more tears along the way, and Kevin might catch him muttering "It's part of the job" to himself at times ]

[ the worst pack bonding is still bonding, okay. and kevin's slink is already high enough to give him enough determination to WANT to keep Ananke alive through this so. that's enough. it has to be enough. he clings extra hard whenever the tears come, and keeps pulling him along when he slows down.

as they finally reach the border of the forest, he lifts his head a little. here, at least, the heat is less oppressive, even if there IS a river of fire casting weird flickering shadows among the trees. ]

It's not your job. This - this is my job. You're just trapped in it too now.

[ He was just starting to relax, but his head snaps up and he tightens his hand around Kevin's again ]

Your job is being here?

[ Kevin sure isn't letting go himself. He winds up leading them along the banks of the river; it quickly becomes the only way for them to orient themselves in here as the forest swallows them up. ]

Not being here. I came here to find the Doors of Death. And close them from this side of Tartarus.

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