War of Emperium

The Shadow

"NERVA! NERVA, WAKE UP!"

Blackness, its body was bones clothed in decayed ragseyes of the blazing red orbs

"HE'S NOT BREATHING!"

"NERVA, WAKE UP! WAKE UP FOR GODS SAKE!"

He could remember searing pain. Searing pain burning from his eyes, spreading even to the tiniest nerves, arteries and veins in his body. He felt like dying. He lost control of his body. His soul was struggling to fight, only to be swallowed by the black. He could see through his eyes.

He could see how he killed Haja and Kiara with his hands.

The Shadow possessed him and made him kill. Even though he had become a killing machine, his comrades still sought to help him even if he repaid them with their inevitable death. Only Isidore succeeded in his ending his pain.

"NERVA, GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!"

"BUGGER, HIS SHAKING VIOLENTLY! HE'LL BITE HIS TONGUE OFF!"

Then the Shadow went for Richard next. He could recall the bloodcurdling scream and the arrows left scattered on the ground, all of them sprayed with their owners blood. Octavian was killed by his own katar, Matilda by her own spear.

He and Isidore fled. But the Shadow got Isidore too.

He was alone, all alone, cold and stricken with grief...

"NERVAAA!!!!"

Wealthows hand collided sharply with his cheek, the sudden jolt of pain tugging him back to reality. Light flooded into his eyes, and around him he could see their anxious faces. He felt numb. He was aware that the creature in him was beating stronger than his heart. He just had another outburst.

"Nerva, are you okay?" Signy asked in a hushed voice, her eyelashes rimmed with tears. 

"It was horrible, you were shaking like mad, we thought you'd die!"

"You kept screaming" Theodoric added nervously.  "Are you ill?"

"It was scary!" said Sibyl, who's face was paper-white.

"Can you stand?" Wealthow asked as she placed her delightfully warm hands on his cheeks.

"Tell us what happened and why are you here."

Nerva sat up and wrapped his cloak tight around himself.

"It was... it was... "

"Bugger, tell us, go on!" Altair urged him.

Nerva froze and doubled up. He opened his mouth and blood came gushing out on his hands.

"HOLY!" Altair shrieked, jumping backward.  "What the?"

Wealthow reached out and clasped Nervas hands in hers. She shut her eyes and concentrated with all her might.  "Cure"

A gentle golden light wrapped the two of them. Wealthows Cure temporarily got rid of the pain and internal bleeding. Nerva sighed and avoided their eyes, feeling ashamed of himself. Why they had to see him breaking down like that

"You okay now?" Wealthow asked once more.

Nerva nodded weakly.  "Yes, thank you"

"Tell us what's happening to you, Nerva!" Theodoric demanded.

"We cant stand you being like that, and were unable to even ease your pain! What the hell is going on inside you? I demand you tell us!"

Nerva looked up, meeting their determined but sincere gazes staring back at him. He shifted his gaze to Wealthow.