Cease the Suffering - Etrian Odyssey II (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 4

AN: On a totally unrated note, it’s my birthday tomorrow! X3 Not telling you how old I am going to be. You should never ask a lady her age.

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Chapter 4:

Despite the frailty of his arms, Lynus swung his only weapon with all his might. He didn’t recall any sound when his staff struck Lord Taksony’s throat. There wasn’t a loud crack like he had expected. There was a muffled, hollowed ‘thud’, but that was about it.

Lord Taksony didn’t see the attack coming.

His body flailed about for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise. Then, he simply slumped back, his mouth open, his eyes rolled back into his head. There was a rush of air as he exhaled…but he didn’t immediately inhale.

Slowly, Lynus lifted the staff from the man’s throat and took a subconscious step backwards. He watched in silence, waiting for him to stir, to gasp for air. But nothing happened.

…What had he done?

Terrified, Lynus whipped around to face the door, his staff held tightly in two hands in a somewhat defensive position. He was expecting the doors to the bedchamber to fly open and a swarm of guards to come in and attack him.

But nothing happened. It was deathly silent. The only thing he could clearly hear was his own heartbeat thundering in his chest.

Drawing in a shaky breath, Lynus turned to look at the elderly man that had caused so much pain and suffering. He slowly approached him, his staff held out in front of him just in case the lord may recover and lash out at him for his insubordination.

But with every inch that he drew closer, he knew that there was no fight left in the man.

He was dead. No breath, no life. Nothing.

He was really dead.

Lynus had killed him.

Before the horrid realisation that he had actually killed someone set in, Lynus immediately began to think of what he should do next. He had waited eight years for this moment. It was now or never.

First, he needed to get back to the others. And quickly.

Lifting the sheets, Lynus tucked them around Lord Taksony’s cooling form and shut his eyelids. He looked as if he was sleeping. And, maybe, if anyone should pop their head to check up on him, they will assume he was sleeping and leave him be.

Giving Lynus and the others more time.

Slipping out of the room, Lynus tried not to look too suspicious as he hurried his way back to his room where the others were awaiting his return. He didn’t have time to explain to them what happened. That would come later. Right now he needed to get them out of this prison as that would be the most difficult part.

Keeping his head down, his staff clutched tightly in his hands, Lynus finally reached his destination. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease at the prospect that this will probably be the last time he would have to rap out his secret knock or enter his room.

As soon as the lock was released, Lynus wasted no time pushing himself inside, no doubt startling the three occupants inside with his slightly frazzled appearance and fear in his eyes.

“We have to go,” Lynus said quickly. “We’re running out of time.”

At first he was greeted with three looks of bewilderment and confusion. Then, realisation quickly set in and excited fear took over. Without a word, the three got themselves ready, grabbing what little personal possessions they had. Rahas darted out of the room to slip into his, grabbing a large backpack and slinging it across his back.