@Fraust
"S-She said— if Cas and I— aren't back w-with Halm in three days— I-I'll find out w-what she can d… d-do to us…" Nix hiccuped a few more times as he clung to Serna.
"S-She said— if Cas and I— aren't back w-with Halm in three days— I-I'll find out w-what she can d… d-do to us…" Nix hiccuped a few more times as he clung to Serna.
Serna was silent as she carried Nix and the unconscious god back to the house.
"We have three days then, sugar," Serna said softly, "to help you and Cas get ready."
"I don't wanna go back!" Nix wailed, burying his face in Serna's chest. "P-Please… I don't— I c-can't— please…"
"I'm so sorry, sweetie," Serna said softly. "But… you have to go." Her voice sounded defeated. She opened the door to the house, bringing them inside. The yelling had easily been heard here, but Serna and Zachary had refused to leave the house at all.
"W-What if he hurts me again?" Nix hiccuped a few times, sobbing harder. "I don't wanna go! And… and I don't want Cas or Zachary to have to go either…"
Serna laid Derlik down on the couch, sitting with Nix in her arms.
"I know, I know sweetie," she said softly, holding Nix close and rubbing his back.
"But… I can't let you get hurt because you don't go." She didn't rather take the chance of Nix possibly getting hurt than a guarantee he would. It'd be a lot better than the woman would do, no matter what.
"B-But I wanna stay here with you…" He sniffled. "With… with you and Mr. Derlik and Cas and Zachary…"
Serna gently rubbed Nix's back.
"I know, sweetie… Cas and Zachary and gonna stay with you, okay? And I know Derlik will always come over to check on you and keep you safe. I will too, Nix…" Serna held Nix close to herself.
Nix sniffled again and rubbed at his teary eyes, shaking violently. "I don't wanna go…" He whimpered. "Wanna stay…"
Serna hugged Nix to herself.
"I know… I want you to too…" Serna slowly stood, picking Derlik up again. She needed to take care of their injuries…
"Why she gotta make me go?" Nix asked weakly. "What does she care? H-Halm… he… he deserves to be alone, right?"
"He does," Serna said softly. "B-But… Mother makes the rules." Serna shivered, holding Nix tighter to herself.
"But the rules are dumb… but when I said that, she beat us up." Nix rubbed at his teary eyes, shaking violently.
Serna stiffened a bit, looking around once.
"Please…" She pleaded softly. "Don't say things like that. She- she could still be listening." Serna carried Nix and Derlik into the lab, setting about to set up the machines to heal the two.
Nix huffed a bit and buried his face in Serna's chest. "You guys shouldn't have to be so afraid of her…"
"I-I know… but it's what she wants." Serna set Nix down gently, working on getting Derlik fixed up first. He was much worse off, after all. She worked quietly, hands shaking just slightly.
"Why can't you guys do anything about it? I mean, you're all gods, so… all your power combined would be pretty powerful."
"It would be like nine humans teaming up to stop me. It just wouldn't work…" Serna let out a soft sigh.
Nix sighed a bit. "But you guys are all miserable and terrified all the time… it's not healthy."
"Perhaps," Serna said softly. "But it's our life. We can't change it." Serna turned to Nix, lightly placing her hand on his head.
"We're used to it, don't worry sugar."
"But you shouldn't have to be used to it. Cas's dad was like that and look how well that fared for him."
Serna shrugged again.
"Unlike Cas… we truly have no way out."
Nix sighed softly and huddled closer to Serna. "B-But I don't wanna go…"
"I know, baby, I know." Serna rubbed Nix's back, resting her head on his.
"We're going to keep you safe…"
"W-Will you stay in the house with me?" Nix asked weakly. "All of you? I don't wanna be stuck there alone…"
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