To see a Darkened Sun (Dark souls fanfic)

Chapter 23

To see a Darkened Sun

chapter 23

It was all so heavy, his armor, Gwyndolin, his equipment, had he ever really felt the weight of his sword as he did now? Their strain on his body. How was this one man able to do all of this, he wasn't sure anymore, then again he'd never thought about it really, he just kept moving.

He still had to keep moving, but every step was felt, every clunk of armor and greatsword echoed through his bones. He wanted to rest, to stop and just wait for a minute, but he couldn't, instead he promised himself that he could when he reached Gwyndolin's chambers, though for the most part he knew that was a hollow promise.

Now he was walking down the hall to Gwyndolin's room, surprised as he hadn't even noticed himself going down the stairs, though he supposed he was too focused on just not giving in and falling over. He knew he couldn't, not while Gwyndolin was in his arms at least.

So close now, every long, straining step brought him closer, he just had to keep walking, only a little longer now.

Breathing heavily, he clumsily pushed the door open with his side, straining himself as he kneeled over and placed Gwyndolin on his bed, before collapsing to the floor in exhaustion.

Gwyndolin quickly leaned forward off his back, and threw his crown to the side. Looking over the bed, he saw Arias on the floor. Worriedly he blurted out "A-Arias?" ignoring the tears still streaming down his cheeks, his worry for Arias quickly clouding his mind.

Getting no response, he sat there on his bed, unsure of what to do. Panicked, he had one of his snakes slither down and inspect him, there were no visible wounds, but his heart was beating fast and his breath was labored. He gripped the bed tightly in his panic, he didn't want to just sit here and watch as Arias got worse, but in reality, what could he do?

It was only when Arias lifted his right arm in the air to signify that he was ok that Gwyndolin eased his grip on the mattress.

"Arias what happened!? A-Art thou unwell?" He asked, speaking so fast he stumbled over his own words.

"Don't worry... I'll be fine." Arias muttered through clenched teeth, as he clumsily lifted himself from the floor to his knees, kneeling beside the bed.

"B-But, that fall!" Gwyndolin blurted out again.

"Don't worry about me. I just... tripped. That doesn't matter anyway, are you alright?" Arias muttered again, repeating the same sentiment with slightly different wording. Gwyndolin knew something was wrong, it was obvious, though as much as he refused to admit it to himself, he just couldn't bring himself to keep worrying, not when his own troubles were taking back their space in his mind, not letting him focus on any one other thing for long, keeping him from holding up his concern.

He just wanted to cry and be held again, like the night previous when things seemed better, when he was loved for once in his life, now that bliss feels so long ago.

"Well, I- I-" Gwyndolin started, finally giving in and letting his walls crumble, whether or not Arias was able to deal with it yet. As he was about to speak, he felt Arias take hold of his left hand, and that was it, everything came out all at once.

"Oh I could not stomach it, none of it! All of the blades standing over me when I was so vulnerable, the men and women who wouldst put their faith in me, seeing me so defeated. And the assassin, I didn't even know until after it was too late, I'd believed it was thee for so long, until I was summoned by thee even. It destroyed me, to believe that thou wouldst commit such betrayal, another lie amongst the layers. I didn't want to go on, I wasn't even fearful for mine life, just, broken. Even now, after thine rescue, somehow it still hurts." He wept, and wept, and wept, the tears flowed freely down his cheeks like streams of water without end, glistening in the candlelight. It didn't take long for the stream to run down his chin, into the light cut along his neck. The salt of his tears pained his wound greatly but that didn't stop his outburst, once again he had to speak, there was no other option for him.

Gwyndolin tightened his grip on Arias' hand, who tightened his own grip in response, as if to say 'I'm here'. Despite the immense fatigue, Arias willed himself to stand up so that he could lean over and take the weeping god into his arms. Gwyndolin returned the hug, leaning fully into Arias for support, burying his face in his chest once again as he continued to cry.

As he held him, Arias couldn't help but find his thoughts wandering, to his fate, and his current state. Would he be able to link the fire? Or as things were now, he would most likely just die. fizzle up and take the hopes of the world with him. Misplaced faith.

The thought hurt, even more so that he believed that would be the true outcome. Somberly, he shut these thoughts out, they'd overstayed their welcome, and right now his attention was needed elsewhere, Gwyndolin needed him.

He hated seeing him this way, especially when he knew very well that he wouldn't be able to stay and help him through the pain he was going through. No in all likelihood, after his death, Gwyndolin would just keep on as he did before, shutting his feelings away, swallowed by the loneliness of this dead city.

Again his painful thoughts pierced through his mind, causing him to wince and unconsciously hug Gwyndolin tighter, fighting off his own tears as he wanted to stay strong for him.

Painful memories roared through the god's mind, the picture of his lover, the man he'd put so much trust in, turning on him, drawing a blade to his throat. His own past thoughts, of giving up and losing hope, feelings of immense betrayal.

The pain of the dislocation of his arm, the fear as he believed that sword would go straight through his throat, the sharp slice. The shame.

Both were being destroyed from the inside by their doubts, their fears, finally they couldn't take anymore and shut them away, eventually focusing only the warmth of the other. Gwyndolin, slowly stopped crying, and that lump in Arias' throat eventually went away.

But they still held each other tightly, refusing to let go, as if they'd fall apart if they did. Soon the moon rose into the sky once more, the dark miracle cast over the city finally fading, letting bright moonlight soak the room through the windows, soothing the two pained souls in it's gentle glow.

A\N I know that was a short chapter considering the wait, buuuut I kinda finished it like a week ago but forgot to post it because I was so focused on writing the ending. So yes, this is the last chapter before the end, for real this time. It'll be a while before I publish the ending because there's some other stuff I wanna do in relation to this fic, so be prepared for a bit of a surprise when it does come out. See you then I guess.