To Break A Curse

14

"Thomas?" Roman groaned as he pushed himself up, rocks and pebbles falling off of him as dust clung to every feature. He coughed only to wince at the pain in him as he looked around to find himself trapped. The cave had collapsed in such a way that put him in a dome of rock and rubble. The fact that he was alive at all was a miracle. "THOMAS!" 

"THOMAS... Thom..." Roman cried as he held his gut. He was in immense pain. He couldn't hold back the pathetic laugh that escaped him. His left arm was mangled from trying to shield himself. His head had gotten a pretty good knock on it. His leg and back were all cut up and he wouldn't be surprised if his ribs were broken. "Shit." 

He stumbled his way over to the cave in and just collapsed against it ignoring how the jagged rocks cut into him more. He was lightheaded and dizzy but he had to get out. He didn't know how long he had been trapped in there and it was getting cold. Roman took a deep and pained breath before putting his hand to the rock. He felt the surge of power and saw the spark but... Pain tore through him like wolverine making him fall to his knees. He couldn't do it. No... HE HAD TO.

"One more time." Roman struggled to his feet determined to push till he won. "You can do it, Roman. Just... one more time." Roman held both hands out this time ignoring all the pain and dizziness as he pushed that surge of power so far until his body screamed out in total agony. He kept going... however it wasn't enough. Flames shot out burning through the oxygen and blasting the wall only to circle and come right back to Roman sending him flying into the wall. He slid to the floor in complete pain he struggled just to breathe. "Well... there goes that." Roman frowned as he pushed himself against the wall struggling just to keep his eyes open. "Is this seriously how I'm going to go out? I'm a god, god damn it. At least kill me with something creative. A cave in... not the way I thought I would go." Roman laughed as he shook his head. "Of course I always thought I would go out in a blaze of flame and fire saving someone who loved me." Loves him... Not the other way around. Roman frowned as he sighed. His brother keeps trying to get him to date again but Roman was done. Will was the man he loved. Will was his everything and look where that got him. "Trapped and about to die in a cave in." Roman snapped creating a small fire as he smiled weakly. "At least I'll die warm."

Roman's eyes narrowed as time went on. He didn't know how long had past just that his fire was slowly dying. It was getting harder and harder to breathe and his vision began to swim. He tried to push himself up again, maybe he could knock some rocks out of the way and get some air in. However, the moment he tried his head swam so bad his hand came out from under him and he just fell. The world slowly faded to black as he watched the fire die out with the last of the oxygen.

Water crashed onto shore pushing an unconscious Virgil onto the sand. The ocean shifted almost vibrating as it rubbed up against the boy. Virgil was breathing, although only barely. The ocean receded only to crash into the boy with a sudden wave.

Virgil jumped up coughing up water as the ocean shifted shaping itself like a blanket as Virgil shivered. The young Demi shook as he looked around. He didn't know where he was. He didn't know what he was going to do. He hugged himself as the ocean tried to calm him only for him to realize something was missing.

"MY BAG!" Virgil jumped up searching all around him. He hadn't grabbed it before. It was in his room. "Flounder... He was in my..." Virgil spotted something in the water and his eyes it up. "MY BAG!" The ocean pushed it over to him and Virgil sighed in relief as he searched it to find his fish. Thank god he had it. And thank god his bag, like the rest of his things, are waterproof. "You got my bag?" The ocean seemed to nod making Virgil laugh as he zipped it up and put it over his shoulder. "Oh, I do hope you didn't sink the poor ship to get it." 

"You didn't sink the ship right?" The ocean shook no and Virgil sighed in relief. "That's good... and thank you. I need this." Virgil smiled as he hugged his bag closer. God forbid he lost his flounder... he'd never make it through an attack. "Now where am I?" Virgil frowned as he looked around walking into the wooded area and off of the beach. The flora here was so incredibly beautiful... Virgil had to laugh. It was like a rainbow all around him. Thomas would have loved it here. The further he went, however, the darker it got until Virgil was facing a cave practically covered in blackened veins like corruption. Virgil couldn't help but feel drawn to the place. It was almost as if... he'd been here before but he knew that wasn't true. Even still he found himself going in.

It made his way through until he spotted a cave in and frowned. By the looks of things it recent. and worse still for some reason, it was warm. Very warm as if there was a fire on the other side of it. Virgil looked around him cursing the cave for being so far away from the ocean. Virgil cannot control the water. He cannot control the wind. They simply protect and assist as if his person knights and friends. No his power was not in control them but something more powerful. Something he usually avoids doing if he can help it but... The wind cannot cut through this... not without focus and Virgil does not have the patience right now to deal with that. These rocks were warm for no reason.

Virgil held his hand out and felt the earth shake beneath him. This was the power he had. This was the power Thomas gave him. This is the power his father passed down. Grass began to sprout around his feet and rise up as grass also grew on the rocks. Flowers began to grow up in shades of purple and blue. Vines grew, wrapping around the rocks and pushing past the cracks to push through the cave in. He could feel the firey energy that surrounded his vines and he frowned. His power surged and suddenly the rocks exploded around him vine whipping the ruble out of the way before it could hurt him. His power... was life.

There in the center of all that madness woven shield made of vines. Virgil let out a deep breath as the vine slowly broke apart choosing instead to hug the wall. Virgil frowned as he ignored everything... for now anyway. 

He found himself staring at the furthest wall as his chest burned. His heart ached as his body moved before he could even realize. The wall was so covered with the corruption you could see a darn thing. 

"Thomas..." Virgil reached out somehow knowing what he had to do. His fingers brushed against it and it was like an explosion of green. The blackened veins became lush green flower-filled ribbons that moved out of the way of the wall covering the cave in its entirety. Virgil was in awe as the wall broke away to reveal a room. A room that made Virgil break down into tears.

A nursery room...

Virgil laughed as he spotted the little crib in the corner covered with flowers of every color. He saw the toys and large rock troll-like thing poised to protect the occupant. Unfortunately, it had never gotten a chance. Virgil sighed as he reached over placing a soft kiss onto the troll and watching its eyes light up. He just smiled as he walked past it towards the crib, stopping only to see the little blanket. It was clearly hand made and sported Thomas's symbol. This was supposed to be his room. Virgil heard the rock troll move and he sighed knowing he was only wasting time.

"Thank you." Virgil whispered still staring at the blanket. He couldn't help but wonder what his life would have been like if Thomas never had to give him up. "I only wish you hadn't needed to guard an empty room." Virgil's eyes darted to find the rock troll shrinking and smiling up at him. "If I may... Can I make a request?" the troll nodded as Virgil knelt down. "Can you go to my island and help protect my people while I'm gone. I have a friend there to help my parents but I know you can help aswell. After all, you stayed at your post for nearly 2 decades with nothing but an empty room." Virgil smiled softly as he ran his hand through the troll's mossy hair. "I know Thomas would be proud of you." Virgil watched as it curled up and rolled away, with a slight laugh before turning his attention back to where his vines had been. 

There in the dirt was a man. A man with striking fire like hair so covered with dirt and dust it nearly looked grey. He was badly hurt and bleeding but what worried him the most was the fact that his breathing was so short he must have run out of oxygen. He was lucky Virgil had gotten there. Virgil went to get closer when the wind whipped around him stopping him short. 

"Excuse me?" The wind rustled through his hair as it clearly tried to push him back but Virgil wasn't having any of it. "That man needs help." The wind blast through him filled with obvious concern but Virgil didn't listen. "He needs help and I can do that so..." Even as he pushed forward the wind still tried to stop him. "It's going to be fine." Virgil looked down at the man and smiled sadly. He carefully picked him up cradling the hurt man in his arms as he let his power branch out around them both. He could feel the man's heartbeat strengthening in his arms and he let off a soft breath. "It's going to be ok. I'll get you on your feet again."