- 71 [Voice]

[fortunefail]

[Attentive villagers may have seen bright beams of light originating from the far reaches of the forest, where the mountain range starts. Those beams were a result of this battle, and directly after it's taken place, Yuan has a message to broadcast to the entire village. His voice sounds hoarse and he seems to be out of breath.]

The threat known as Aku... has been defeated. For now... at least. [He stops to cough for a moment.] Once the Malnosso bring him back, there'll be... hell to pay.

[The public message ends with some fumbling sounds.]


[Diana]

I need you to get over here... Immediately. It's an emergency.

[/Filter]

Comments

...I realize my typo but I've decided to leave it to make you laugh?

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

[Her goo humor fades to concern again as he coughs.] I hope they're tending to that.

[fortunefail]

They advised some medicinal tea. [Though he finds it a little strange they couldn't actually heal it, considering it first started when Aku's shockwave knocked him backwards, into a rock. Oh well. Can't rely on magic for everything.

He'll give Martel's hand another reassuring squeeze as he settles back into the pillow.]

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

[She seems a little reassured.] I'm just glad you're alright. [She shoots a glance at Kratos, worried for him this time around, but then offers a slight smile to Yuan so he doesn't feel the need to reassure her again.]

[fortunefail]

[He noticed that glance, though, and immediately feels a strong need to explain. In fact, it's almost a justification. Justification as to why Kratos' injury was beyond his control, even though it won't stop him from feeling guilty about it.]

The only thing that could harm Aku is holy magic. In order for Kratos to be able to cast it... I had to give him most of my mana. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been strong enough. [He stops for a moment, feeling a small headache coming on.] I couldn't protect him from Aku's final attack.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

[She listens intently, trying not to show the disapproval that she wasn't there to assist. He wouldn't have let her even if she'd tried. Not after Kadaj.]

You tried your best, Yuan. That's all anyone can ask of you.

[fortunefail]

[The fact that Yuan's best wasn't good enough is what stings him the most, though. If his "best" is that bad, he should be the one who got run through. He can't just sulk about it too much in Martel's presence, though. Nobody except Aku got killed and that's what he'll have to settle for.]

I suppose... [His fingers start playing with Martel's absentmindedly.]

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

[Sternly:] You suppose? [Softer:] Don't beat yourself up over this. Please.

[fortunefail]

[He sighs softly, then tries his best to smile. Martel will never change, but he wouldn't have it any other way.]

... I'll try my best.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

Which is good enough. [Point made.]

[fortunefail]

[Martel is secretly a lot more manipulative than she seems. Not that Yuan's complaining, mind you. He just closes his eyes contently, his hand wrapping tightly around hers again.] Heh.

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

[And her gaze comes to rest on their clasped hands for a moment, then his face, noting the eyes closed and resting. So she'll be humming softly (instead of playing her panpipes, which would be a bit louder), no specific song but plenty of recognizable snippets.]

[fortunefail]

[Panpipes or no panpipes, Martel's music always has a soothing effect on him. He starts taking deep, slow breaths, the corners of his mouth twitching into somewhat of a smile. If this keeps up, he may just fall asleep entirely.]

[martelandmany.livejournal.com]

[And so she does. It's likely the only way he'll let himself rest, so she might as well make the best of it.]