Freed (Magics AU - Part 2)

Chapter 9 - Shintaro

Exertion burned through Shintaro's body like a dull flame spreading through a forest, the thick smoke of exhaustion tinting the corners of Shintaro's vision black. Though he knew that he was putting way to much strain and pressure on his magic and body, there was no way that he was going to let up. 

If The Dark Lord wanted the task done right at the moment, he wasn't going to get his wish. There was no way that Shintaro was going anywhere - if he had to be dragged away, then so be it. But he was not leaving his family, not until they were all right.

 Not until Chase was all right.

Below him, curled on his side and gritting his teeth in silent agony, Chase squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his hands into fists. He was trying to hold himself still, but tremors of pain were sailing through his limbs despite this. 

As much as Shintaro wanted to tell his son that it was okay, that he didn't have to force himself to stay still, the quaking did make it hard for Shintaro's magic to find the wound. Not only that, Shintaro himself was utterly exhausted and magically drained. There was no way he would be able to heal this all the way, but he wasn't going to give up until Chase was in less pain.

Or until a Dark dragged him away. 

Cami was kneeling quietly on Shintaro's left side, his worried green eyes stuck on Chase's face. He was biting his lip nervously, his hands fidgeting in front of him as if he wanted to help but didn't know how. 

The three Darks - aside from The Dark Lord - were hovering a few paces away, but Shintaro didn't care to look up at their expressions. He guessed that at least one of them was smiling just as widely as Brethren was. 

No one had to look at The Dark Lord to know that he was grinning madly at Shintaro's panic and Chase's pain. He was standing at Shintaro's right, his head tilted and his arms crossed over his torso. His long, black hair spilled down his back like a waterfall of black blood. 

Shintaro felt a shudder of physical and magical exhaustion work its way into his shoulders, crawling down his back and to his hands. His magic was going to slow, and when his hands trembled, the healing spell sputtered away and left his fingers empty - excluding Chase's blood. 

"No," Shintaro whispered, his voice quiet and low at first, but rising with each angry cry. "No, no. No!" He grunted angrily and forced more of his Light Magic to the surface, no matter how much exhaustion it brought him. His hands lit up again, but the pain and tiredness in his chest caused Chase's form to swim in front of him.

"Shin..." Cami's voice said sympathetically, but the tone held a hint of warning underneath it. Though Cami had never been magical, he knew the risks of overworking one's magic. "Shintaro," he said again, sharper this time; but his voice sounded far off and wispy, like a trail of smoke disappearing into the clouds. "Shintaro, that's enough." 

"Hush," Shintaro snapped at his brother, heaving deeps breaths and narrowing his eyes to pinpoint his focus back on Chase. 

"Dad." This time it was Chase, his voice thick and strained - but firm. "It's fine. You've..." He sucked in a long, shaky breath with a wince, but he kept going. "You've done enough." 

When Shintaro's gaze found his son, he saw that Chase was looking up at him with stern golden eyes. Though he still looked pale and the crease between his brows showed his remaining pain, he lifted his hand and grabbed Shintaro's wrist, his touch gentle.

"No," Shintaro said flatly, pressing his palm against Chase's stomach again - but a bit too hard. Chase hissed through his teeth, his eyes slamming shut and his body going rigid. Immediately, Shintaro drew his hand back again, but not for long.