Enter Abyss

Chapter 32; Awakening.

They walked for what felt like days, stumbling through the darkness, growing ever more exhausted.

Archer licked his dry lips; his mouth tasted like sandpaper, his tongue dry and scaley. His stomach rumbled with unrelenting hunger, and once in awhile he could hear Galen's do the same. 

Long ago had Archer bothered to keep his eyes open-- finding it too jarring, and even when they rested and Galen lit a fire he did not open them.

Eventually, the young king could go no further and Archer suggested that they rest, even for just a bit.

"No. I can go on...." 

"Galen, I can hear your breath rattling in your chest. Don't be a twit and lay down for an hour or two."

Thus, it was settled and they lay down side by side, backs pressed together. Here now, Archer could feel the warmth of Galen against him like a comforting blanket, he could feel every shuddering, labored breath that he took.

And after awhile, he could feel every sob.

Rolling over so that he faced Galen's back, Archer held onto his friend, his heart breaking in his chest. For awhile, they simply lay like this as Galen cried, his sobs interrupted only every once in awhile by a coughing spasm.

Archer did what he could; holding him, saying comforting nothings, and eventually giving into the hopelessness as well.

'No,' he thought desperately, tears stinging his eyes, 'There has to be a bright side. There always is. There always is...'

But shrouded in eternal blackness, hungry, thirsty, and betrayed forty times over, it was quite hard to think of a silver lining. He supposed that this moment now might be it; the fact that they were alive. 

Gods know how long that would last.

Shifting his position slightly, Archer continued to hold Galen till the young king fell asleep and eventually, the darkness came for him too.

He dreamed of nothingness.

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When Cogs awoke, his first thought was that of all the ways of being interrupted when you about to profess your love for someone, that was probably the worst way.

His second thought, was that his head hurt.

Cracking open his eyes, his found that he was in a large room full of beds, most of which were occupied by people in bandages-- or rather, wraps of moon moss.

Blimey, was there anything moss COULDN'T be used for?

Cogs groaned, trying to sit up slowly, then realizing that that was a bad idea and slumped back down again. Everything ached miserably and he felt like he'd been thrown a hundred feet. Which he very possibly could have. Still, perhaps all he needed was a bit of rest and quiet and--

The infirmary door suddenly flew open and Pip burst inside, "COGS! WHERE THE BLOODY HECK HAVE YOU BEEN?"

Dear gods...

Groaning again, Cogs was about to grumble a her like all the other patients had when he suddenly found her wrapping her arms around him.

Gently.

Pip never did anything gently.

And thus, Cogs' third thought of the day was that someone had died-- possibly horribly and tragically. And, after some more consideration, he decided that it wasn't him.

Slowly bringing his arm up, he put it clumsily around Pip as she hugged him.

"Pip, I know I'm the one in bandages, but are you all right?"

She pulled back from him, her face contorting into all kinds of emotions, most of which looked miserable. "Archer's gone." she whispered.

Blimey.

Pip never whispered.

Then her words sank in, and Cogs bolted upright, crying out in pain when a bolt of pain spiked through his head. Sinking back down to his pillows, he stared at Pip with wide eyes, skin prickling with worry. "What do you mean he's gone? Is Archer dead? He can't be dead Pip-- nothing could kill that boy."

Piper only shook her head, "Not dead, banished. And it's all my fault." her voice broke slightly then and she quickly cleared her throat and brushed a hand over her eyes.

Cogs shivered. "Would you like to explain just HOW Archer being banished is your fault?" he then waved his hand, brushing his previos words aside, "You know what? Never mind. I don't think I want to know. Either way, we have to think of a way to get him back."

"I can't. I'll be executed for treason--"

"Again, I said I don't want to know. Gods, my head hurts."

Cogs tilted his head back, his eyes suddenly snapping open when he remembered something; Meera. Where was Meera. Darting his gaze around the infirmary, he caught no sign of her, only strangers and healers with glowing green gems in their foreheads, muttering healing prayers quietly over their patients.

Resisting the urge to bolt out of bed, Cogs looked frantically at Pip. "Where is Meera? Is she alright?"

The red-headed girl nodded. "Her injuries weren't bad enough to come here." she nudged him slightly, "But yours were."

"Bloody brilliant."

"You cracked that pretty head of yours open."

Groaning once more, Cogs felt as though his entire skull was on fire. All he wanted to do was sleep for the next three years and hopefully dream of a better way to confess his love next time. It was all too much too fast. And from what he remembered of the explosions, he was nearly sure that the kingdom was in shambles now.

Perhaps Pip had something to do with that.

He honestly wouldn't have been surprised.

"Is there anything you want me to get you?" Pip asked, "I could find someone to do a blood ritual to heal you."

Cogs shook his head, hissing in pain and deciding never to shake his head again. "No, I don't think a blood ritual will help--"

"You don't know for sure. They're wonderous for back pain, I'll tell you that."

"Pip, just... find Meera. Tell her I'm alright and that I hope she's alright as well. Tell her that I'll come to see her whenever I can."

"Do you want me to kiss her too?"

"Shut up." Cogs replied, feeling a smile tug at his lips. Looking at Pip once more, he saw that she did not quite look so glum anymore. He took her calloused hand in his and said softly, "Whatever happened, I know it wasn't your fault. Maybe you made a mistake, but we all have once or twice. We'll figure this out, you and I-- we'll get Archer back. I promise."

She smiled down at him, a bit of her old spark coming back to her eyes, then she turned and was gone, banging shut the door on her way out.

Cogs sighed. They would figure this out. They always did. But now they didn't have Archer to think and make plans for them-- thus it appeared it would all be left up to Cogs himself.

Blimey, he hoped he didn't screw this up.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE; So I tried to fit some humor in the second bit of this chapter-- I know the last couple of ones have been kind of dark and I wanted to lighten the mood ever so slightly. I hope all of you liked it and let me know what you thought down in the comments below-- I like to hear your feedback! Thanks so much for reading!

the_twilight_writer