fourth pact ❖ {after the battle}

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[Something is a little bit different about Emil today. There's an unfamiliar tightness about his form as he stalks around the Plane. Psychics will be the first to notice, everyone else second. He's still Emil, but there's something nasty forming in the wimp's head that is definitely not wimpy.]

Where is it?

[He seems rather intent on following the stars on the floor, as if he's dropped something.]

Comments

[pactum.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I was mad, and— I almost— I'm sorry!

[lamb_of_gold]

[Mu steps forward and puts a hand on his shoulder]

What was that, Emil. Another presence in your mind...

[pactum.livejournal.com]

W... what? [He looks up at Mu, eyes wide.] That was... when I borrow the power of Ratatosk, I can fight. T-that's what that was.

[lamb_of_gold]

Ratatosk?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

Ratatosk is... he's the lord of all monsters. By collecting the Centurion's Cores, we're restoring his power so that he can wake up and make the mana in the world right again.

[lamb_of_gold]

And he exists within you?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[...]

W-what? I didn't say anything like that! He's in the core on Marta's forehead, not... in me.

[The denial in this one is strong.]

[lamb_of_gold]

And yet he caused you to point your weapon at me.

What was he looking for? Rather, what are you looking for?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry... I was mad, because earlier me and Marta fought and... [He shakes his head quickly.]

... I lost a pendant. I-it's enchanted to help with magic power. It's kind of small, b-but I wanted to give it to Marta.

[lamb_of_gold]

That anger...It's given form, deep within your mind.

I see. And where did you see it last?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[staaaaare]

It... what? No, it's... it's me. It's just me...

I-I might've dropped it around the kitchen.

[lamb_of_gold]

[Starts walking towards the Kitchen, keeping his hand on Emil's shoulder]

It's hard to describe, but...Ratatosk feels very different from you.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[He lets Mu lead him, even though personal contact still makes him a bit jumpy. His uncle and aunt used to beat him and that wasn't too long ago.]

It can't be Ratatosk. He's— he's in the core on Marta's forehead! I've never even met him.

[lamb_of_gold]

And you borrow his power?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

Yeah... He has a lot of it, so Tenebrae said it's no problem if we borrow a little bit to help.

[lamb_of_gold]

Well, it has taken a dangerous hold of your mind, Emil. I do not like what I sense. Is it possible for you to fight without it?

[pactum.livejournal.com]

Mu...

[He shakes his head.] We need it to get monsters to form pacts with us.

And... whenever I try to fight without it, I just run away...

E-even if it's dangerous, I need to do this to protect Marta. And to help the world.

[lamb_of_gold]

And can Marta not channel it?

[Teacher!Mode is GO!] Emil, fear of conflict is a natural thing, but if you want to protect those who matter, you must learn to fight with your own strength.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

N-no, she can't. I'm protecting her since I'm a Knight of Ratatosk now.

[He takes a deep breath. TANTRUM INCOMING.] I know! I know, and I'm trying. But I'm not like you. I'm not like her. I was never a part of the Vanguard. I'm just a kid! Before I met Marta, the closest I got to a blade was chopping up meat for dinner!

[lamb_of_gold]

[Awwww Tantrum. Mu's reply is not immediate - he knows Emil is right, to an extent, but "Just a Kid" doesn't hold up as an argument - after all, most saints are around Emil's age.]

Which is why you must learn.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

I am! And someday, I will! But we need Ratatosk's power to form pacts with monsters, and I need it to help me fight. I'm... I'm such a coward. It's even worse that I have to hide behind a girl most of the time.

But I... I can't quit, no matter what. I don't care what anyone says, this is the only way to stop the world's mana from going out of control. And to stop that— that bastard from doing any more harm to innocent people!

[lamb_of_gold]

With an attitude like that, 'coward' isn't exactly an accurate description anymore. The very fact that you're speaking to me the way you are now proves that. You're just unsure of yourself.

But my point to make here is that Ratatosk is a dangerous power, and it's affected your mind in dangerous ways. I want you to be careful with it, Emil.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[Breathe, Emil. Breathe.]

... Okay. I will. I... I promise.

[lamb_of_gold]

[A smile]

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[a soft, hesitant smile back]