𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐄'𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓 - Shadow and Bone/ Grisha series (ON HIATUS)

𝚂𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚑 - 𝟶𝟻

╭━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━╮

 sel·​couth 

\sel-ˌküth\

adjective

1. Strange, unusual, rare; unfamiliar; marvellous, wondrous.

╰━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━╯

Somewhere between Kribirsk and Os Alta

I stared blankly as his body fell.

I was in far too much pain to comprehend the horror I just witnessed. Everything was blurred, my mind vague with agony as I lay immobile, every motion sending another throb of pain to my head.

People were shouting, but there weren't any more screams that sent white, hot pain into my skull. I squeezed my eyes shut as the shouting became more apparent.

I moaned quietly, clutching my head. I ran my fingers over my scalp, trying to soothe my suffering with a gentle massage. I paid no mind to the crunch of leaves beside me as I tried to keep the tears at bay.

Rough hands gripped my shoulders, but their hold was tender. Panic shot through me like an arrow, and I tried to struggle but everything hurt.

"Delmira," A voice whispered, as strong but gentle hands lifting me into their arms.

I so desperately wanted to run, scared that if I opened my eyes, I'd catch sight of another attacker's face.

Yet, I could recognize this voice, deep and calm, their words like silk. It sent me reeling, my heart frenzied by the shrouded mystery it held. It felt heavy, burdened by the weight of the world, as it carried me into its serene waters.

It felt like reality had shattered when a cloud of confusion washed over me, and I lay my head against whoever's chest. "Who..." I managed to utter.

The arms around me swayed, dizzying me further.

Whoever embraced me didn't say a word, time passing in silence as I floated, drifting in and out of consciousness. I caught only a few glimpses of a man gilded in black.

My mind had caged me in a box with only a hole in its side for me to look out of. It spun, knocking me into its many corners, but nothing had helped in my release. In the darkness, I sat, cramped and in pain, clawing at its walls for my escape.

As I bide my time, captive in its choking quietude, I'd come to learn how ephemeral it really was. I'd faded between the land of the dead and the land of the living, not knowing up from down on this bender of pain and cognizance.

Lost in time, I'd given up on keeping track of who or what I'd seen. The landscapes were woven together in every glance, every moment I'd spent coherently.

When I'd finally come to, it was night. My head pulsated, and I tried not to move too much. Silhouettes sat around a fire nearby, wearing deep red and blues. They were Grisha. Had they arrived after the attack? How many were saved? Was there anyone left?

Thoughts ran through my head, like a gerbil on its wheel, conjuring worries and memories. One had been brutally etched into my mind, echoing its tale throughout my brain.

I was still in mourning for the events that had transpired earlier today.

And yet another horror piled on, the sight of my attacker- a Fyerdan as I'd later learn- head tumbling off his body was still fresh in my mind.