[se] scraps of steel

DEIMOS

With those notions finalized, the semblances of void detection in the ring made sense, and he nodded at the insinuations. “Clever. In past circumstances, the symptoms were highly discernible.” The blight and its wickedness, hostility, and rampant blackened states, and the second plague, with their love of fire and fear of water – the tracing of faraway thoughts had driven him from onslaught to onslaught, and inferno to inferno, before ever being healed. “But I have not seen or heard anything overt from those infected lately.” He glanced back at Zavien; hoping perhaps he had figured out a tell, other than presumption and close proximities to Dahlia.

The Dragoon held far more belief in the Sword than the man did in himself – but all of those notions had been cultivated in multiple lifetimes of unworthiness and disregard – and he clenched his jaw at the separate circumstances. The subtle air of trepidation burned again in his chest, and he wasn’t certain about all it encompassed; the potential of leaving his family behind, Halo as a whole, or the surrounding state of Caido. Perhaps anything and everything. He gave a slight smile that was never going to reach his eyes, for he didn’t deserve those bouts of kindness floating around, and held out his palm. “Thank you – but we will see. I can still take it if you want.” After the warnings – Deimos wouldn’t blame him for forgoing and trying elsewhere.

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

Not recalling much from the previous diseases, Zavien considered the comment. "I honestly can't tell if I've met anyone infected, which scares me." Sure, Koa and Lena had their suspicions about Everest, but he hadn't noticed anything evil or menacing about the guy when he'd helped clean up Pacifist Plaza. So if they were right, how were they supposed to tell if not for magic items? The idea was terrifying because it meant anyone could be Void infected. 

Shaking his head, his smile became more genuine as he placed the ring in Deimos's hand. "I trust you. And my thoughts and prayers will be with you the whole time." He knew it probably didn't mean much to the Sword, but Zavien would be staying ever-optimistic about his journey's outcome. Especially considering the consequences if it didn't go well.

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.

DEIMOS

That was the most alarming portion of it – thus far, they’d had no way of knowing. A silent, stealthy, and furtive means to an end; clever in its own right, but Deimos lacked appreciation for it, considering the illness was intent on infiltrating Caido citizens. It left suspicions rather than anything overt, and he’d yet to figure out if any circumstances would be a triggering threshold. Time would tell perhaps, but he hoped it wouldn’t be at a crucial point.

With the ring placed in Deimos’s hand, the finality of future endeavors seemed to gnarl over his shoulders and spine again; one more responsibility where the outcome weighed and lingered. “We will do our best,” he granted in return, because they would, and he hoped that might be enough for something salvaged.

[FIN]

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything