He's a Mess of a Man

Book One ~ Chapter Five

Air rushed painfully into Leviathan's lungs and he coughed up a fountain of icy brackish water. He looked around, trying to gain his surroundings. The two were washed up on a stone dock at the edge of a vast lake. "Ugh... where are we..?" Leviathan asked weakly.

Next to him, Lucio stiffly pushed himself to his hands and knees, "I don't know. But it has to be better than..." his words slowly trailed off as he pointed across the water. The Devil stood on the opposite shore, its huge reflection stretching over the lake's still surface. It lazily extended a monstrous shadowy arm over the water. "How can it reach us?! This isn't even fair!" Lucio yelled. Leviathan groaned, flopping onto his side like a gutted fish. "Oh, this is just–! Move it, Levi!" Lucio put a hand under each of his armpits, pulling him up. The two half-stumbled, dragging themselves away from the shore. A huge limestone wall loomed ahead of them with a rough archway carved into it. "There! Through the archway!" Leviathan glanced over his shoulder at The Devil who watched them with unfathomable eyes. It took a swipe at Lucio. Its shadowy claws missing his coat by mere inches. "Faster, faster!" the two sprinted through the doorway just as The Devil made another grab for them. The moment they were through, the wall began to close behind them. Leviathan caught a final glance of The Devil's surprised face as its claws bounced harmlessly off the cold stone. The wall sealed shut with ominous finality. Lucio and Leviathan stared at each other, their breaths coming in harsh gasps. Eventually, Leviathan's heart stopped racing and he looked up at the walls around them. The walls seemed to block out the sky and their footsteps echoed eerily with each step, "Where are we?" asked Lucio. The two wandered down the stone corridor until they reached an intersection. One path went right, the other went left.

Leviathan couldn't see very far down either path, "It's a labyrinth of some kind."

Lucio tapped on the thick, high walls with his knuckles, "The walls seem solid enough. Maybe they'll keep The Devil out."

"It wasn't able to follow us in, thankfully."

Lucio sighed, relieved, "Good. I've had enough of that bastard for the rest of my life."

Something nagged at Leviathan. Something about the way The Devil and Lucio spoke to one another, "Lucio..? How do you know The Devil?"

Lucio flinched at the question. He quickly rearranged his face into a smile, "What? Me? Know The Devil? What gave you that idea?"

"The way you interacted... It said something about your debts. What was it talking about?"

"Levi, you saw it just now. It's terrifying! Why would I have anything to do with that thing?" Leviathan sighed. He knew that tone of voice all too well by now. If Lucio didn't truly want to answer him, nothing Leviathan could say would pry it out of him. Lucio gently took Leviathan's hand and planted a fervent kiss on his knuckles, "You know, I would've been in real trouble back there without you. There was nothing I could do about The Devil. But you, Levi, you were so brave and amazing! Did you see the look on its face when you broke its chain? It had us on our knees at its mercy! But you kept your cool, did your magic, and snap!"

"That's not quite how it went... I remember being distinctly terrified."

"Oh, don't be so humble! You're the best magician around, and I'm so glad you're on my side," Lucio said, stepping closer, covering Leviathan's hand and wrist with more kisses.

Leviathan raised a brow, "Are you trying to butter me up?" His pointed question surprised Lucio.

He blinked at Leviathan for several seconds, "Levi, I really meant what I said about you being a great magician and all. Buuut, maybe I need to ask you something? Maybe?"

"You could just ask me. Instead of playing around like this."

Lucio nodded, "Sure, I could. Or I could shower you with compliments and then ask." He clasped Leviathan's hand between both of his, his eyes fixed on Leviathan's, "Levi... I," he heaved a deep, dramatic sigh, lowering his lips to Leviathan's fingers once more, "I need your help. I don't stand a chance against The Devil by myself. But you... you're clever, strong, lovely, great at your magic, and if anybody could save me from that thing, it's you! And you know I'd be grateful. If there's something I can do to pay you back or show my gratitude, just say the word and I'll do it. Anything you ask for." Lucio pressed Leviathan's hand to his cheek.