With Sol back and a new quest in hand, Zavien grew a little ambitious. The nightmares had gotten better, and he wasn't feeling nearly as anxious around Void creatures. Maybe it helped that he'd fought and defeated some since the battle, but he still felt the way his heart raced a little more than it used to, the way an unfamiliar presence of panic set in his bones like it may just get cozy there, and Zavien didn't like it.
Some people said that facing the fears - or going back to the place it all happened - might help diminish the effects, to reassure him that it was over and that he could move on. It didn't sound too hard; just look at a blank field of snow and be done with it all. Sounded easy enough. Yet, when he stepped out of the city gates and onto the tundra - the place he'd died - it all came rushing back like he was seeing an illusion cast over it.
There wasn't as much snow as before, and the sun shone down on the expanse like a blessing; but Zavien could still see the looming figure of the yeti blotting out the sun, hear its roar rattling inside his head, feel the claws piercing through him. He found himself clutching at his side, breaths fast and hands shaking as he tried to focus on the green beyond.
Sol's presence made it a little easier, reminding him that it wasn't Deepfrost, there was no yeti, and he was very much alive right now. It helped as his feet slowly moved, following the soft padding of Sol's feet as he guided his companion forward and through the memory.
He recalled every moment of the battle: his lack of preparation that had rendered him stiff, his fumbling with channeling, watching as Soh was wounded, watching as Alys saved his life the first time, rushing hard-headed into range just to land a futile hit, and his ultimate death. However, as he let the memories wash over him, Zavien kept walking - stiff and labored, but walking, nonetheless. It replayed over and over in his mind in excruciating detail, but he didn't stop, letting the companion bond pull him out as they stepped beyond the battleground and into the Greenwing.
His breath came out in a loud puff of air, fogging before his eyes as he braced his hands on his knees. Everything felt heavy and overwhelming, his chest tight with exertion and his mind fuzzy with strain, but he'd made it, and he looked back at the field, feeling a modicum of accomplishment before he turned to leave it behind.
Some people said that facing the fears - or going back to the place it all happened - might help diminish the effects, to reassure him that it was over and that he could move on. It didn't sound too hard; just look at a blank field of snow and be done with it all. Sounded easy enough. Yet, when he stepped out of the city gates and onto the tundra - the place he'd died - it all came rushing back like he was seeing an illusion cast over it.
There wasn't as much snow as before, and the sun shone down on the expanse like a blessing; but Zavien could still see the looming figure of the yeti blotting out the sun, hear its roar rattling inside his head, feel the claws piercing through him. He found himself clutching at his side, breaths fast and hands shaking as he tried to focus on the green beyond.
Sol's presence made it a little easier, reminding him that it wasn't Deepfrost, there was no yeti, and he was very much alive right now. It helped as his feet slowly moved, following the soft padding of Sol's feet as he guided his companion forward and through the memory.
He recalled every moment of the battle: his lack of preparation that had rendered him stiff, his fumbling with channeling, watching as Soh was wounded, watching as Alys saved his life the first time, rushing hard-headed into range just to land a futile hit, and his ultimate death. However, as he let the memories wash over him, Zavien kept walking - stiff and labored, but walking, nonetheless. It replayed over and over in his mind in excruciating detail, but he didn't stop, letting the companion bond pull him out as they stepped beyond the battleground and into the Greenwing.
His breath came out in a loud puff of air, fogging before his eyes as he braced his hands on his knees. Everything felt heavy and overwhelming, his chest tight with exertion and his mind fuzzy with strain, but he'd made it, and he looked back at the field, feeling a modicum of accomplishment before he turned to leave it behind.
Zavien
