Infernal Rivalry - The Clash Of Vox And Alastor

Chapter 17 : Rest Up

(Vox's POV)

As I gradually regain consciousness, I find myself enveloped in a haze of discomfort, my entire being throbbing with residual pain. Blinking blearily, I take stock of my surroundings, the familiar sight of my room coming into focus. My gaze falls upon Alastor, who stands by my bedside with a concerned expression, his efforts evident in the repairs he's made to my damaged screen. Despite his skillful ministrations, the ache lingers, a relentless reminder of the altercation I endured. With a weary sigh, I attempt to shift into a more comfortable position, only to be met with a fresh wave of agony. It seems that while Alastor has managed to mend the physical damage, the pain persists, a stubborn echo of the trauma I've endured. Alastor's concerned voice pierces through the fog of discomfort, breaking the silence that envelops the room. "How are you feeling, Vox?" he inquires, his tone laced with genuine worry. I muster a weak smile, though it's belied by the grimace that twists my features. "Awful" ,I admit, the admission accompanied by a wince as I attempt to shift into a slightly more comfortable position. The ache that courses through me is relentless, refusing to abate despite Alastor's efforts to mend my damaged screen. Alastor's expression darkens with concern, his brows furrowing as he surveys me with a mixture of sympathy and consternation. "I'm sorry to hear that" he murmurs, his voice tinged with regret. "I did what I could to fix your screen, but it seems the pain persists". I nod weakly in acknowledgment, though my gratitude for his efforts is tempered by the frustration of my continued discomfort. "Thank you, Alastor", I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. "I appreciate everything you've done". Alastor offers me a reassuring smile, though it does little to assuage the throbbing ache that courses through me.

As Alastor observes my condition, concern etched in the lines of his expression, he suggests, "Perhaps you should get some more rest, Vox. You're still recovering, and a bit more sleep might do you some good". I nod weakly in agreement, acknowledging the wisdom in his advice. However, the prospect of being left alone with my discomfort feels daunting, unsettling. Summoning the courage to voice my unease, I hesitantly request, "Would you... stay with me? Just for a little while longer?". Alastor's surprise is evident, his eyes momentarily betraying his astonishment at my unexpected plea. Yet, without hesitation, he offers me a reassuring smile, his voice soft and reassuring as he replies, "Oh, of course. I'll stay with you for a bit " A wave of relief washes over me at his unwavering support, a genuine smile gracing my lips as I settle back against the pillows. As Alastor settles in beside me on the bed, there's an unmistakable sense of awkwardness in his posture, a subtle tension in the way he positions himself. His usually confident demeanor seems slightly faltered, as if unsure of how to navigate this unfamiliar territory. I can't help but notice the slight stiffness in his movements, the cautious distance he maintains between us. It's a stark contrast to his usual ease and poise, and I can't help but wonder if my request has made him uncomfortable. Despite the awkwardness that hangs in the air, I'm grateful for his presence nonetheless. The simple act of him being here, by my side, offers a sense of comfort and reassurance that I desperately need in this moment of vulnerability. With a tentative smile, I shift closer to him, trying to alleviate some of the unease that lingers between us. "Thanks for staying" I offer softly, hoping to ease the tension that seems to weigh on us both.

I feel the tension between us and decide to ease the awkwardness by suggesting, "Hey, why don't you lay down next to me? You're making me feel odd just sitting there". Alastor hesitates for a moment, his uncertainty evident in the way he shifts his weight before finally agreeing and reclining beside me. Despite his compliance, there's still a palpable awkwardness that hangs in the air, casting a subtle shadow over our interaction. Despite the tension, I can't deny the flutter of excitement that courses through me at the closeness of our bodies. His warmth seeps into my skin, igniting a spark of something deeper within me, something I'm not quite ready to confront. As we lie side by side, our shoulders barely touching, I feel a rush of conflicting emotions washing over me. On one hand, there's a part of me that revels in the sensation, craving even more closeness with him. But on the other hand, there's a nagging voice in the back of my mind, warning me to tread carefully, reminding me of the delicate balance between friendship and something more. I try to push aside these thoughts, focusing instead on the present moment and the awkwardness that hangs between us like a heavy curtain. "So..." I begin, my voice trailing off as I search for something to say, anything to break the silence that stretches between us.

"How did you end up in hell, Alastor?", I tentatively ask, trying to break the uneasy silence that hangs between us. His smile reduces slightly as he meets my gaze, his eyes holding a glint of remembrance. "I was a serial killer", he admits, his voice carrying a weight of confession. Alastor leans back against the headboard, his expression becoming distant as he recounts his past. "I was meticulous in my selections, there was an art to it, if you will" he explains, his tone measured and deliberate. "I didn't just target anyone. I chose my victims carefully, studying their habits and routines before making my move". I'm taken aback by his admission, feeling a chill creep down my spine. "You mean, it wasn't just random killings?". Alastor nods, his gaze unwavering. "Indeed" he replies, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. "I may have been a killer, but I was a selective one. Each victim was chosen with care, like pieces in a twisted game of chess". I swallow hard, the gravity of his words sinking in. "That's... unsettling," I murmur, unable to hide the unease in my voice. Alastor chuckles softly, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Perhaps", he concedes, his eyes glinting with amusement. "But it's all in the name of fun, isn't it?".

I swallow hard, my curiosity battling with a sense of apprehension as I tentatively ask, "And how did you... meet your end?". Alastor's smile remains fixed, but there's a flicker of something darker in his eyes as he recounts his demise. "Ah, that", he replies, his tone taking on a slightly somber note. "I was out burying a body in the woods when a hunter mistook me for a deer. Shot me clean in the head, and his pack of hounds did the rest". I can't help but wince at the grisly image his words evoke, a pang of sympathy stirring within me despite myself. "That sounds... horrific", I remark, struggling to find the right words. Alastor shrugs casually, as if dismissing the severity of his own death. "It was an unfortunate turn of events", he concedes, his tone nonchalant. "But such is the nature of mortality, my dear Vox. One moment you're here, and the next..." He trails off, leaving the rest unsaid, the implication hanging heavy in the air.

I can't help but let out a nervous chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood. "Well, that certainly explains your... dear features", I quip, gesturing toward Alastor's unmistakably deer-like appearance. His antlers, his ears - it all suddenly makes sense. Alastor's smile widens at my jest, though there's a glint of amusement in his eyes as he responds, "Ah, you've noticed, have you? Quite the astute observation, my dear Vox". I nod, a faint grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. "It's hard not to notice", I admit. "Once you're feeling better, we'll start your training" Alastor suggests, changing the subject, his voice carrying a note of reassurance. "Training?" I echoed, my brows furrowing in surprise as I turned to face Alastor. The idea of training to fight felt foreign to me. Alastor's grin widened slightly at my reaction. "Yes, training", he affirmed, his tone filled with an unexpected enthusiasm. "I'll teach you to fight and see if you've got any special skills hidden up your sleeve". I couldn't help but chuckle nervously, the notion of me engaging in combat feeling absurd. "Me? Fighting?" I repeated, still trying to wrap my head around the concept. "I'm not sure I've got any hidden talents" I confessed, my voice tinged with uncertainty as I glanced down at my hands, as if searching for any signs of latent abilities.

"Training is clearly necessary", Alastor began, his voice firm but not unkind, "so incidents like yesterday don't happen again". His words struck a chord with me, prompting me to consider the gravity of the situation. Alastor's words carried a weighty truth, and I nodded slowly, acknowledging the necessity of his suggestion. "I suppose you're right" I admitted, feeling a sense of responsibility settle upon my shoulders. "I can't afford to be defenceless".  "If you want to ascend in Hell, you'll need to learn to hold your own" Alastor affirmed, his voice carrying a tone of conviction. "We can't have you getting into scrapes like yesterday". As the conversation tapered off, Alastor rose from the bed, his shadow following suit. "I have a few errands to run", he remarked, his smile unwavering. "You should get some sleep". I nodded, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over me once more. Alastor gestured to his shadow. "Stay with him", he commanded, his tone gentle yet authoritative. I watched as the shadow lingered, its presence a comforting reassurance in the dimly lit room. Grateful for the company, I settled back against the pillows. As Alastor made his way out the door, his shadow seemed to eagerly anticipate its new role. With a subtle shift in movement, it glided over to the bed, replacing Alastor's presence beside me. Despite its ethereal form, there was a tangible sense of comfort in its proximity, as if it sought to fill the void left by its master's departure.  I start to settled into the warmth of the bed, the shadow seemed to nestle closer, its form intertwining with mine in a comforting embrace. The unexpected gesture caught me off guard, sending a faint blush creeping across my cheeks as thoughts of Alastor flitted through my mind. With a soft sigh, I allowed myself to succumb to the gentle embrace, the rhythmic rise and fall of my breath to lull me into a much-needed slumber, the shadow's silent vigil a reassuring presence by my side.