Cease the Suffering - Etrian Odyssey II (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 41

AN: Thanks so much Irish_Moon_Dreamer for commenting on the previous chapter! Thanks to SakuraiYaoke for voting as well. And to mpegross10 for commenting. And thanks to superchicfan for voting. I hoped you all had a wonderful Easter and enjoy reading this chapter!

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Chapter 41:

Lynus was feeling a little bit emotional right now, his mind in a state of confusion, frustration and disbelief. Not that it was much of a surprise. He had just started to accept that life was good. That everyone was going to be ok. Everything was wonderful.

Then Avith showed up. Almost on cue.

The world was so vast and talk of the outside world while in Taksony’s custody was very limited. So how the hell did he manage to locate him in Lagaard? He never even mentioned the word outside of his own mind and writings. He most certainly never spoke to Avith about such a place.

Zalaph was a Hexer, could he have somehow been able to track him? Hexer were notorious for being unpredictable, mysterious and dangerous after all.

Lynus couldn’t help recalling the night when Taksony died, his last short conversation with Zalaph. He had been so…different that night. Almost as if he knew that Taksony’s life was going to end. And he did nothing to prevent it. If Zalaph had accompanied Lynus to the lord’s bedchambers, then there was no way Lynus would have done what he did. And they would still be toiling under his control.

But he didn’t.

Zalaph simply told him “I’ll leave it to you” and then floated away. Wasn’t he as loyal to Taksony as Lynus first assumed? What were his motivations?

And Avith was a great mystery as well. He was a sleaze, arrogant, egotistical and volatile. But, what happened today left Lynus feeling utterly confused. That cold, serious side he showed when asking about Taksony was something Lynus had never encountered before. It almost seemed as if Avith didn’t want to hurt him. Possess him, yeah, but not hurt him.

It just didn’t make any sense. Lynus simply could not fathom what his intentions were. After all, he was no longer under Taksony’s control, so that meant that he was no longer untouchable.

And that was why he was feeling so unsettled. He just didn’t know.

But, despite all his fears, he felt safe. Lying here, wrapped up in Axel’s powerful arms, he felt protected.

After confiding in the other members of Guild Guardians, Lynus was utterly exhausted mentally and emotionally, so Axel escorted him upstairs to their bedroom where he simply held him. He will admit that he had a sort of a mini break down, crying in Axel’s arms, asking why Avith had to turn up now.

Much like when they were reunited, Axel pulled Lynus onto his lap and held him, whispering words of comfort, reassurance and understanding. And through that, Lynus was able to compose himself. Axel was right when he said that he wasn’t alone. His guild was right when they said they’re in this together.

Since Coming to Lagaard, Lynus had overcome many challenges. He had made new friends, found his true passion and rediscovered the love of his life. He had gotten stronger mentally and emotionally.

Avith had no right to take any of that away from him. And he wasn’t going to let him. While he was frightened of Avith and his motives, he wasn’t terrified of him. Not anymore.

And, to be completely honest, when the shock and surprise of seeing Avith again faded away, Lynus felt kinda angry. How dare Avith think he could just show up and start causing trouble for everyone? Rahas, Binah and Lirit were starting to find themselves, enjoying their freedom. They don’t deserve to be cowering in fear again!