Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4: Papa IV Era & The Main Event - Fate Breaker (MxM)

The Old Ways

Quinn didn’t know how long he knelt there for, offering prayer and sorrow and guilt.  

He knew it wasn’t his fault, but yet again, he’d been forced into a situation he hadn’t been happy about. He could hear Air’s voice in his head, telling him he didn’t cause the death of the ghoul kit. 

Quinn had saved the lives of Lyra and the ghuleh. It didn’t make him feel any better, though. 

He sensed the approach of a ghoul and a ghuleh and his breath hitched when he realised who it was. 

The door to the chapel opened, and Quinn turned his head to glance back over his shoulder. 

“Quinn?” Svarog’s deep voice said. “Are you alright?” 

He closed his eyes and sighed. 

Amaya’s scent drifted over to him and a few seconds later, delicate arms came around his shoulders. He opened his eyes and nuzzled his face into her, breathing her in. 

“It’s okay, Quinn. You aren’t alone,” she whispered. 

Amaya had knelt in front of him. Quinn hugged her back and held on for dear life. 

“It’s so fucking good to see you,” he croaked out. 

She stroked the back of his head and they stayed there for a little while, Amaya sending him waves of comfort to soothe his aching heart. 

“Svarog told me what happened. He came to get me so we could find you.” 

Quinn glanced up at him. The big fire ghoul had perched on the edge of the altar, arms folded across his chest as he watched them. 

“Thank you,” Quinn said. 

Svarog shrugged. 

“I saw you leave, but I figured you needed some time. Azael’s still with them. The quints are working on Lyra, but she’s awake now. They think she’ll be okay. Thanks to you.” 

Amaya pulled away and stood, holding her hand out to Quinn. He took it and got to his feet. 

“And the kit? How is she?”  

Svarog smiled and tossed him a shirt. Quinn realised he was only wearing the jeans he’d thrown on. That and the claw marks and other evidence of what he and Air had been doing when Amon came calling earlier. Quinn smirked and nodded in thanks, pulling on the shirt. 

“She is well. They are doting on her. They named her Asteria.” Quinn smiled sadly. The name was beautiful and strong, just like she was. “The ghoul was to be Astraeus.” Svarog frowned and corrected himself. “He is Astraeus.” 

He nodded. 

“It’s perfect. He was perfect.” Quinn felt tears pricking at his eyes again and glanced away. “He had the soul of a fierce warrior, just like his sire.” 

Svarog nodded his agreement. It was easy to forget what Boreas was at his core. He’d been the Prime Ghoul of a stable hell dimension for many seasons now, but he had earned that status through cunning and through blood. 

“He would have been, I'm certain.” Svarog pushed off from the altar and glanced at the open doorway. “I don’t know how much longer Azael will be. Should we go and see?” 

Quinn shook his head. 

“I think he’ll want to stay with them for as long as he can. How long until we have to leave?” 

“A few more hours, I think,” Svarog said. He smiled at Amaya. “How about we go back home? You can show Quinn where you’ve been staying.” 

Quinn felt Amaya’s happiness at that, and he whined, the sound surprising him. He hadn’t thought he’d ever see for himself the place where she slept and ate and did all the mundane things that young ghulehs did.