Through the Haze - Part Seventeen

We can't let our fears rule our lives, for if we do, then we've truly given up. --Grenson Brincass, Book of Endings
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A gasp woke Gabriel from his unconscious state. He opened his eyes slowly, feeing his fever burn behind his eyes. Lou was standing in the corner of the room, eyes wild as he looked over at something in the far side of the room. Gabriel frowned and followed his gaze to see a hazy figure standing there, smirking. The figure was a gray mist, it seemed, a very dark gray mist, almost black.

The room was suddenly very, very cold. Lou shivered, and Gabriel's frown deepened. Lou could feel the cold. Was this figure the chill? The figure took a step toward Lou, who held his ground, though he shivered a little more as the room grew even colder. The figure reached out to touch Lou, and Gabriel felt a warning go off in his head.

"Leave...him alone," he snarled beneath his breath.

The figure turned its attention to him. Through the haze of the gray mist, Gabriel saw the figure smirk twistedly as it moved toward him. Lou edged away from the wall a little, as if confused as to what was going on. Could Lou see the figure? Or did he just feel the cold? Gabriel pondered over this as the figure drew nigh.

The figure let out an omnimous chuckle, and suddenly Lou's eyes widened. He focused on the figure. Yes, Gabriel answered himself, he could see the figure. Or, at least he could now. The figure reached out to touch him. Gabriel braced himself for whatever was going to happen.

"Leave him alone!" Lou shouted, and dove at the figure.

The alarms went off in Gabriel's head again. "No, Lou," he tried to shout, but his warning came too late.

The figure turned and grabbed both of Lou's wrists, forcing them above his head. Lou went stiff for a moment, and Gabriel feared what was going to happen next. The figure, the chill, murmured some words that Gabriel didn't catch, and suddenly Lou went pale.

"Leave him alone," Gabriel demanded, trying to sound stronger than he felt.

The figure laughed. "Why?" it moaned in that voice that Gabriel hated so much. "He's got a strong heart...courage to do what's right....his strength could do wonders for me."

"Leave him alone," he said again, making his voice louder.

The figure sighed and, with amazing force, shoved Lou into the far wall. He hit the wall hard and slid to the ground, winded. Gabriel looked at him worriedly as he propped himself up on his elbows.

"Lou?" he asked.

Lou groaned and rubbed his head. "M'fine..."

Gabriel glared at the figure. "Who are you? What do you want?"

"I want what's mine," the figure responded. "I've been taking my power back from you, young Gabriel, but it seems you won't die to give me the rest. I have to kill you myself."

Gabriel growled, and Lou hurried to his feet. "It's not your power," Gabriel growled. "It's mine."

"No, you're just a holder. You and two others. All of that power was mine, you fool. They said I was too powerful, said I couldn't control it, said I was powermad. They took it from me and broke the gift to split between three people. The gifted three. Oh, how marvelous. I tried to attack young Isaac Renald, but for some reason he was protected from my wrath. I had to settle for his friend instead. Karaya, too, was protected for some reason, so I settled for her brother.

"But you, Gabriel, weren't protected. And now I want my power back. All I need is a little more strength, and I can bring the other two down. I could try to kill them with something simple, like, oh, say...a fire or something. I tried that on Isaac. Nearly did the job, but I hear he's getting better now. I could try a knife or arrow or something I guess, but where's the fun in that? You die too fast.

"I want them to suffer like you. It's just so much more fun this way."

Gabriel growled lowly.

"But you just won't DIE. Why is that? You should have been dead a long time ago. I tried twice to kill you, but twice I failed." the figure shot a look at Lou. "I partially blame your friend for that. I will have to take him out if I am to finish you." he moved toward Loukoi.

Lou growled, getting into a defensive position.

Gabriel snarled, "Leave him alone."

The figure chuckled malignantly. "I need my power, boy. I will stop at nothing to get it." he raised his hand, and a ball of darkness formed there, aimed at Lou. The room felt so dreadfully cold, and the alarms were going wild in Gabriel's head.

"No!" he shouted, just as the figure launched the ball at Lou. Lou was hit in the chest and sent flying back, where he hit the wall hard and slid to the ground, not moving afterward.

Gabriel stared in disbelief.

The figure laughed. "That should do the trick." he turned toward Gabriel. "Your turn."

Gabriel growled, trying to gather what was left of his strength.
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Isaac breathed heavily as he awoke from his unconscious slumber. He couldn't see very well, couldn't think through the haze in his mind. He tried to say something, to see if anyone was there with to let him know what was going on, but no sound came out of his mouth.

His voice wouldn't work.

The room felt so cold. So terribly, dreadfully cold. He tried to move, to sit up, but a hand quickly and gently pushed him back down. "Don't move," Roo hissed. "I told you before, Isaac, don't move. Take it easy."

Isaac blinked his eyes, trying to focus on Roo.

"Take it easy, Isaac. You're getting better. Your fever's gone down. Your ribs aren't any worse. Please don't move."

Isaac sighed heavily, his eyes slipping closed.