Until Your Return

Isobel Alora

With the Dux Phylacterium still clutched in her hands, Isobel stared at the empty space that had been a doorway mere seconds before. The memory of Tyrial waving to her as she closed the portal to the Astral Plane was now burned into her mind and her heart felt as if it would shatter at any moment. She blinked back the tears, she had already cried enough the night before and they had made the decision together for Tyrial to leave and attempt to find Kieran's soul.

Turning back to face the room, Isobel's heart stopped for just a moment. The healers had done what they could, Kieran's body still needed rest and the Mana Poisoning needed more treatments but it was already getting better. The black veins of corruption that had covered his body had faded to gray. He looked to be asleep, but that was a mere illusion. Kieran had been possessed by a corrupted Poltergeist during the Wasted Attack the week before, and his soul had been displaced into the Astral.

Until he found a way back, his body would remain. She had refused to let him lay in the hospital wing, not when there was so little anyone could really do at this point. Instead, she'd had him moved to his rooms, where he could be surrounded by his favorite things. It still felt like a Tomb to her. As Grand Magus, she didn't have the time to devote to searching for him herself, she couldn't simply abandon her duties for such selfishness. The good of the many over the needs of the few. The last Grand Magus had made sure she understood before handing the reigns over to her.

She was not alone, in truth she hadn't been left alone since the attacks, too many things to do and oversee. Plus, they were worried about her, as well they should have been. The spells to place Kieran in stasis were ready. While his body may have been alive, that meant it would age and need food, if they placed him in stasis then he would need less monitoring.

Dagrun Asco

It's been a week. A whole week since Kieran was gone. Asco had spent much of his night before cleaning himself up. For the first time since the incident, he would be visiting Kieran. Of course, Isobel had moved him from the hospital as soon as she realized what was going on. Kieran knew, and the moment Isobel had fetched Kieran from the hospital, Asco had turned away, tucked his metaphorical tail between his legs, and ran straight to his room, alcohol, and casual partners. Was he cleaned enough for this visit? Anxiously Asco cups his mouth. Should he have brushed his teeth for a fourth time? There was a slight minty smell. Not enough for court, but maybe Kieran and Isobel wouldn't mind. It's not like Kieran could say anything even if he did.

With a heavy sigh, he runs a hand over his hair. He didn't deserve to be here, but his chest still hadn't stopped aching. Melchior had tried to help, but nothing would ease his soul.

"I wish you were here." He whispers to the air, feeling the full absence of his friend.

His hand rests heavy on the doorknob. The room he used to casually stroll into whenever he wanted someplace other then his own to crash, now feels like a heavy steel trap. "He'll be in there." Asco reminds himself. "Even if it's just his body." Nervously the prince slowly opens the door.

He finds himself standing across from Isobel, and with his best-forced smile, Asco waves to her. "How's he, uh, his body doing?" Asco swallows his other question. Any hope for his soul? He couldn't handle any potential bad news right now.