United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 43 - Gabriel

The relief that Gabriel felt seemed almost like a hammer driving a nail directly into his heart. It came so suddenly and without warning that Gabriel inhaled sharply, and then immediately breathed in out as a long sigh of consolation. He hadn't realized that he'd been that worried about Marcus, but a huge weight - one that Gabriel hadn't known had been there - was lifted from his shoulders as the king sat up with a wince. Most of the time, Gabriel kept his emotions (other than impatience and anger, of course, and maybe a little bit of joy) to himself, but he couldn't hold back the relieved slump of his shoulders when he saw that his king was awake again. 

Rachel's hand tightened around Gabriel's, and he barely held back his grimace. Rachel was stronger than she probably realized, and she had been clutching his hand like it was her life source ever since the two Shadows had shown up. Gabriel had no idea she would be able to crush his hand any harder, but she managed to do this when Marcus pushed himself upward. 

"Your Majesty!" cried several voices at once, including Gabriel's. He hadn't realized he'd joined in with the relieved exclamation until he closed his mouth over the words; but before he could frown lightly at himself, Rachel was towing him behind her as she rushed toward Marcus. 

Gabriel nearly slid into his girlfriend as she skidded to a stop on Marcus's right side, the side that Linda, Ruby, and Aaron weren't next to. He somehow managed to stop himself from careening into Rachel's side, but she paid him no mind as she let go of his hand and dropped down beside the king. 

Much slower than Rachel, Gabriel lowered himself by Marcus's side and nervously clenched his jaw. He was extremely glad that Marcus seemed to be all right, but he was certain that he knew what Moon had done to the king. Based on Shintaro's reluctant answer and not-so-reassuring words - "the long run", he'd said - Gabriel guessed that Moon had Turned Marcus. 

If, somehow, Ariel fought through the oncoming danger and made it out alive, what would Marcus's future be like? Gabriel was positive that, after all of this, Ariel wouldn't like to have a Dark Wielder as a king. But what if Marcus didn't even make it that far? If he was strong enough - and that was a big if - the king would be able to handle Dark Magic without many problems. But if he couldn't, Marcus would become something that no one wanted to experience. 

Gabriel wasn't sure he'd been able to handle it if he had to watch his king become a mindless killing machine. 

Suddenly, Falte appeared at Gabriel's side, scaring the living daylights out of the blacksmith. He was still on edge after everything that had happened, and the fact that there were still Shadowbeasts destroying and killing everything in sight was keeping him that way. 

Scolding himself under his breath, Gabriel peered sidelong at Falte, who was practically vibrating with relief. 

"Thank the stars," the librarian breathed, his shoulders slumping forward as he watched Marcus. "You're awake. Are you all right? Wait, that's probably not a good question to ask. Um- How do you feel?" 

"What did she do to you?" Emily asked right after, her voice quick and tinted with anger. 

"Do you want anything?" Rachel offered hurriedly, perking up a little. "We're still in the cafeteria. I can get you water or something." 

"Don't worry, Dad," Emily said in a rough tone, crossing her arms across her chest. "That woman won't go unpunished. I'll make sure that she's put in her proper place. She's going to pay for doing that to you-" 

"That she is," Ezekiel's voice said above Gabriel, "but it isn't going to be you issuing the punishment, Your Highness. You're not going anywhere near her." 

"But-" Emily protested, but Ezekiel must have given her a harsh look, because she closed her mouth with a scowl. 

"Marcus, say something," Ruby pleaded, grabbing her husband's right hand and squeezing it.