When Darkness Burns (Burned AU!RQ)

[Chapter 10] • The Chase and The Cave •

After I don't know how many months, finally, I have written a chapter in this.

Motivation returned for a bit and I was able to write this chapter. Don't know when the next chapter will be after this though. I do have a lot of ideas planned for this, so I am not cancelling this book, updates will just be more rare or spread apart. 

Anyways, enjoy the angst this chapter is, lol.

(Reminder, Auburn is Orange Leader, Kirros is Orange Steve [the crystal one / the one who becomes Rainbow Steve], I'm most likely going to use these names for them instead of Orange Steve or Orange Leader, but I will still call them as such, at least Orange Leader, off and on.)

!! TW: Descriptions of Injury and Burns, Mentions of Character Death !!

~ Sabre's PoV ~ 

I look between Auburn and Kirros, unsure as to what to do. We're limited on time, the Darkness is just outside the house, the only thing keeping those inside is the shield that Auburn has up. If that falls, it's game over. For me, it might be permanent, I don't know what will happen if I die in this world. I don't really want to find out. 

"What do we do?" Kirros asks, his gaze shifting to all around the room, most likely due to panic. 

"There isn't much that I can do, holding up the shield is taking up all of my energy. It's you two who will have to figure out what to do," Auburn states, wincing at the end of the sentence.

Both Kirros and Auburn turn to look at me, their eyes showing that they're thinking the same question.

What do we do?

"Sabre," Kirros says, his voice wavering. "What do we do?"

I look at him. "I, uhm, I, don't know."

Lightning strikes what seems to be near the house, and Auburn quickly leans down and rests his hands on his knees, wincing trying to keep the shield up. The other Orange Steves panic, running around the room, unsure as to what to do. They start to yell and scream, the words they yell are incoherent though. 

I need to do something, I can't just let them die. 

"Auburn," I say, and Auburn looks up at me. "Is there a way that I can.. get through the shield?"

Auburn and Kirros' eyes go wide in shock. "Sabre, no..!"

"Hear me out," I start to say, but Auburn cuts me off.

"I won't let you put yourself in danger, not under my supervision and protection." 

"Listen. If I can outrun the Darkness and lead them away from the shield, you can rest and make sure your people are safe," I try to reason with them. 

"Sabre, the Darkness burns you, it could kill you," Kirros reminds me. 

"I know, Kirros, and I'm willing to take the risk if it means keeping you guys and the Orange Steve's safe. I don't want to risk anymore lives," I say, my voice going more quiet near the end. 

 "Sabre, we can't lose you, though. You're the savior of this world, we won't be able to create the Hero without you, we need you," Auburn states.

"Please, let me do this. I don't want anyone else to get infected like Rory did," I mumble, and it saddens both Auburn and Kirros. 

Auburn looks at me, his stare stern. "Fine. But promise that you will return."

I look at him. "I promise."

Kirros looks like he's about to say something, but stops himself and just nods. Auburn leads me outside of the house and near the shield. We go to the back, so that the Darkness cannot get in through the front. 

"Be careful," Auburn says, and makes a small opening, just big enough for me to walk through. I nod at him, thank him, and walk through. He closes the shield behind me, and he walks away, most likely to go back inside. I sigh, and slowly make my way towards the front, hugging the side of the shield. 

I can die from this. This can kill me. 

I can't think of that. I need to do this, for the Orange Steve's. For Rory. 

I finally get near the front of the house, and now I can see just how much Darkness is here. There are three Darkness giants and ten mini Darkness's. And I have to outrun all of these. Let's hope that I can outrun these with my back still recovering from the burn would. I have a feeling more burn wound will be a result of this stupid plan of mine.  But, there is no other way. Or, at least one that I can think of. 

"Hey, you- uh- you ugly blobs of nothing!" I shout at the Darkness, and all of them slowly turn to look at me in sync. "oooookay, creepy, but I have a feeling I should run."

I was right. 

The smaller Darkness rush towards me, while the Darkness giants slowly make their way over. 

I run as fast as I can, which is pretty fast. The smaller Darkness are able to keep up with me with very little space between them and I, which is not comforting at all. The Darkness Giants, however, I'm able to keep a safe distance from. Though, I am scared of how close the smaller Darkness. 

I run into a forest, now weaving through the trees and several bushes. I make several spontaneous twists and turns, hoping to throw the Darkness off course, and rush into a cave to hide and catch my breath. 

I lean against a cold stone wall, staring at the entrance, hoping the Darkness doesn't find me, but also that it doesn't go back towards the village. My breathes are heavy as I try to calm my breathing, but after running for as long as I did, which I don't even know how long it was, it's difficult. 

After resting for a few minutes, I go to leave the cave. 

Big mistake. 

I barely step foot out of the cave when all the Darkness from the village blocks my path, creating a half circle around me. Instantly I start to panic, unsure as to what to do. The cave only has one exit, which is this one, and even then, they could surround me inside the cave or block both entrances. 

The Darkness slowly approaches me, and I slowly back away, re-entering the cave. The Darkness continues to slowly approach me, eventually having me backed against the wall. Literally. 

They reach their shadowy hands out for me, and each grab a different part of my arms, legs, and torso. I scream out of pain, and black spots form in my vision, the pain almost unbearable. My clothing burns off from it, almost as though their hands were fire. 

My pained screams echo through the cave, and I cry. Tears run down my face from my forest green eyes. 

The Darkness lets go of me after what feels like hours, but was most likely only five minutes. I fall to the ground, the pain coursing throughout my entire body making me want to scream in pain even more. They disappear into the air, and I hope that they're gone for good. 

Black spots repeatedly appear and disappear in my vision, and I fight to stay conscious. I can't pass out here, where nobody else is. If I go unconscious here, I might never wake anytime soon and would be missing for who knows how long. I promised Kirros and Auburn that I'd return. I.. I need to get back to the village, if not for myself then for them. 

But, that will be hard when I can barely stay conscious, let alone stand. 

I quickly look up when I hear footsteps approach the cave, but I can barely see anything, unconsciousness determined to win. 

The footsteps stop.

The last thing I see before going unconscious is Kirros staring at me, eyes wide. 

~~~

Mwahaha, cliffhanger go brr

Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter, it was fun to write!

Cya in the next chapter, whenever that is, lol

~ Unicorn