Nobilis Custos

Jala the Deceiver

Bennett's POV

It hurts. Everything hurts. I don't know how much time has passed since Razor went to ask for help, but I am over my limit. Moving is more painful and harder by each step, I feel my lungs pierced by the merciless cold, making my panting an illegal torture. I can't feel my limbs no more, although when I'm being hit or bump into something the pain strikes directly into my brain, making me bite into my lips until I taste more blood. I reached a point where my own Vision brings nothing but pain to my frozen body, instead of warming me up, the flames just makes everything hurts more so I stopped caring for warmth for my own sanity.
I think I'm finally at the top but these monsters don't know when to quit chasing someone! I only managed to break a few shields along the way, I cannot deal with so many great foes in such lethal environment. During my current chase, I manage to find an open space where I can hide behind some rocks and catch my breath, hoping and praying that I won't close my eyes and that help is coming.

I hear them getting closer.... I put a hand over my mouth to silence myself and I slide downer against the rock to be extra sure they won't spot me even by mistake. Please move on from here, I cannot run anymore... If they find me, I'm dead for sure.

"You match the description." someone appears from the sky above and makes me jump out of my skin. My mouth falls ajar when I see those huge white wings. "Are you Bennett?"

I strongly nod to him, watching him land with grace and a comforting smile. Is he an angel or something? Did he come to escort me to heaven?? "W-who are you?" I ask closing my eyes shut from the sharp pain that rushed inside my dry and frozen throat.

"Avoid talking, I'm fine with gestures, kiddo." he crouches next to me, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. "Boy, those wounds added to this advanced stage of hypothermia is not cute. Here, put these on."

"W-w-wait!" I panic when I see him stripping from his furry coat and gloves, leaving himself with just a sleeveless shirt. Why is he confused? Does he not realize where we are? "Keep them for you-" I end up coughing and regretting talking to such volumes, my throat hurts so much it won't surprise me if it'll start bleeding.

"Hush, kiddo." he helps me putting his coat on and the gloves and then sits on his knees to look straight at my eyes. "I grew up in lands way colder than this mountain, have no fear. Also, name's Jala, I've come to rescue you. Your friend is worried sick for you."

Razor is safe.... I snuggle first inside the warmth of the clothes, then my soul leaves my body when I hear that he made it to Mondstadt alive. Thank Lord Barbatos.

"Let's get you out of here." mister Jala carries me in his arms, never losing that smile. "Razor said you were hunted down, but as I see you were good to-"

Aahh, my bad luck!! I scream internally when I see over mister Jala's shoulder the platoon of monsters I tried so hard to lose in this mountain. Now another person will get involved in this mess! I coil myself on mister Jala's neck to avoid him putting me down to fight such army. No please, don't-

"Have faith in me, kiddo." he puts me down and turns over the monsters with his hands up in the air. "Come on guys, can I take the mortal down from this icy trap? Let's just forget what happen and return to our-"

"Grrrr...." the frostarm lawachurl roars so loudly the snow gets lifted up and become a temporary mist. The other monsters join it and are ready to fight and take our lives.

"Well, I tried. Negotiations are failed." shrugging his shoulders mister Jala's aura suddenly changes. "I will make it quick, for the sake of both sides." The mist gets sucked up by his palm and it shifts from a little tornado of wind and snow into a more defined shape.... A weapon, to be precise.