Cease the Suffering - Etrian Odyssey II (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 26

AN: Thank you so much Irish_Moon_Dreamer and SakuraiYoake for commenting!

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Chapter 26:

His head was pounding when Lynus forced his eyes to flutter open. He felt dazed and confused, something he usually felt after a restless night’s sleep. When did he fall asleep? He soon began to question where he fell asleep. He was lying on something quite hard and flat, but had something soft folded behind his head. There was also something soft and moist resting against his forehead.

“H-huh? Where…?” Lynus murmured as his eyes began to focus. The high ceiling of the tavern greeted him and he furrowed his brow in bewilderment. Why was he at the bar…?

However, the memories quickly came flooding back. Venomflies, patients, hiding, Axel…

“The hospital!” Lynus cried as he sat up abruptly, his eyes wide, fear gripping him tightly. So did the strong feeling of light-headedness and Lynus’ world promptly tilted. He ignored that, though, forcing himself to the edge of…whatever he was positioned on in order to get up.

Suddenly a hand grasped his shoulder, holding him still. “Calm yourself.”

Startled, Lynus stiffened and looked to his right. Even though his vision was still rather hazy and unfocused, he was able to make out the person who was holding him back. “Hamza?”

The dark-haired War Magus simply smiled, nodding his head once. Behind him stood Cass, his hands on his hips, a look of subtle relief on his face.

“Made quite an entrance there, kiddo,” he said, his voice uncomfortably loud for Lynus’ aching head. “I’ve never seen the bar empty so quickly before in my life!”

“Explorers from every guild immediately offered their assistance,” Hamza explained a moment later, no doubt noticing the look of confusion on Lynus’ face.

Lynus felt his shoulders relax with relief. Good, he had managed to get his warning out in time. But was it the right decision? Was Axel ok? What about the other explorers? Did they make it in time?

“Is everyone ok?” he asked, lifting his hand to clutch at his forehead, hoping to elevate the throbbing pain. He couldn’t cast Refresh at the moment as his head hurt too much to concentrate. And, well, he’s never been very good at healing himself.

“Everyone is fine.”

Lynus, however, snapped his head up the very second he recognised that voice. Ignoring his dizziness, he looked over to his right, watching as Axel hastily made his way through the empty tables and chairs. His axe rested on his back, his armour blackened slightly by something. But he was up and about, his movements easy and unimpeded.

Before Hamza could react, advising him against it, Lynus had slipped off the table he had been resting on and made it to his feet. “Axel!”

“Easy,” Axel said as he caught him when his legs suddenly gave out, both of his arms wrapping securely around his waist, pulling him against his chest.

“Good,” Lynus murmured as his hands gripped at the front of Axel’s shirt, looking up into his face, his eyes searching his, comforted to see that he was all right. “You’re not hurt. And the patients?”

“Yes, everyone is fine,” Axel reiterated.

Lynus sighed and rested his forehead against Axel’s collarbone, letting himself be completely supported by Axel’s arms. “…Thank goodness.”

“You need to take it easy,” Hamza announced, a slightly berating tone in his voice. “You’re still light-headed from the poisoning.”

“Yeah, I was poisoned, wasn’t I?” Lynus murmured as he lolled his head to the side, pressing his right ear against Axel’s shoulder. He wasn’t that overly concerned about his poisoning to be perfectly honest. “There were so many of them.”