The Arcana: Fragments

XXVIII: Don't

Muriel x Reader (Trigger warning)

"He's down there", the guard voices, the hilt of his sword trembling within his grasp. "Do you need company?" the guard to my left asks. I use my magic to search their aura; they're terrified beyond belief. "No", I say. The two sigh in relief and without another word dart off into the evening sky, the lantern they had brought in an extinguished heap on the floor.

The Coliseum was closed until further notice, the palace guards needed only to follow the blood trail to know where The Scourge had fled to. In front of me was a gaping hole in the Earth, with dark echoey steps descending into darkness. The catacombs. In the past the plague doctors brought their patients here, in an attempt to help or experiment on them no one knew for sure.

With a shaky breath, I summon a wisp of light in the palm of my hand and begin my descent. As the Earth envelops me my mind flashes to the night of the massacre. The evening began as a usual tournament and what should have been a fun night of fun and sport turned into a murderous rampage. I wasn't there, but the screams that came from the venue woke Asra and I all the way down near the docks. The scourge had taken the lives of 22 guards, tournament participants, and onlookers before he decided to flee the scene. No one had dared descend down the steps to where he fled for three days before Asra and I were summoned to seek him out.

"I can't do it", Asra broke after spending the following afternoon visiting the scene of bodies - he insisted I remain at the shop. "I can't go seek him out. What he's done...I can't"

"Then I'll go", I say.

"He may hurt you", Asra warned, taking Faust into his arms and holding her tightly. "He wouldn't...he knows us."

There wasn't much left Asra could say to convince me not to go. Muriel still existed, he was alive and he needed us, I was determined to find him and bring him back around.

The smell of copper and something festering grew in intensity the deeper went. And as my foot made contact with the ground floor I felt the smush of wet earth squelch beneath my feet and I knew it was not water. "Muriel", I called out. My voice echoed through the passageways of the catacombs for miles long after I had called out. He could be anywhere, and with no knowledge of what state he was in I held my right palm in a fist, ready for anything. "It's me. I'm alone. Do not be afraid, I'm just here to help."

My weight found another puddle of wet earth and I proceeded to follow the trail of wet puddles. "You're hurt, Muriel. Come out and I will help you. I can take the pain away."

"No you can't", the deep voice sounded from all corners surrounding me, I swirled and twisted myself wildly, trying to find him. "Muriel", I breathed, my fist tightening. "Come to me", I offer, "I will not harm you, you know this." A strangled cry emanated from nowhere, followed by a quick intake of breath. "Go away...you can't...help".

"Yes I can", I reply. "You know I can".

Closing my eyes I ground myself and focus on my magic, searching for any sign or energy source that could point me to Muriels location. My body jerks to the left, I take a few steps forward and reach my hand out, my palm open and waiting. "Come to me". I feel a soft exhale of breath reach my fingertips, I take a few steps closer before a large hand lands against my abdomen and halts me. "No", Muriel says.

His hand remains on my abdomen, I do not press myself to approach closer. Instead, I place my hands over his palm and hold it to my stomach, "You know me, you know I will not hurt you". My surroundings leave nothing to be seen, the pitch black of the catacombs swallows us both, it is scary being here. "I just want to help", I coo, gingerly taking the risk of stroking the top of his hands. I feel the bits of open flesh where his knuckles are, his skin is still slick and sticky. "I don't want your help", he growls, the warmth of his palm growing warmer.