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"He's.." Djari stared at the boy, concerned as he looked him over, "He's...inside...my head." The blond clutched his head in his hands, doubled over on the ground. He was begging for help, his shaking form before them, pathetic and fragile looking.
This was not something he could heal. This was unfamiliar; an outside source. He reached out his hand, but shrank back. A few of their own had come up missing, only to be found drained nearby, completely colorless, and empty of blood. This must be it. The game. Djari looked over his shoulder to Ilios and to Charles, both looking as statues, "Is this how you lured the others?"
A bloodcurdling scream ripped from his throat, followed by choking sobs, leaving the healer stunned, almost falling back. His husband and son were hot on him, though, hands holding each of his arms, "HELP ME." There was a silence, only broken by whimpers. What was he supposed to do? It felt like forever, studying him, before he reached out without thinking any further on it, and touched his matted blond hair. It was white hot, and vaguely familiar. Inhaling sharply, the healer gritted his teeth. Everything round him began to dissolve, giving way to smoke, and nothing but the black-stained color of red. The red of blood. Heavy smoke covered him yet again, before he was face to face with hollow eyes and fangs. This was it, wasn't it? How the others had died? Djari knew better. Standing his ground, he stared straight into where the eyes ought to be, dizzy and terrified to breathe for fear it might be poison. Then, a smooth voice broke what he'd only just realized to be drowning silence, "A healer, are you? Have you figured out what I am?What this is?" Djari stood unwavering, an arm pulled swiftly up to his own face so that he could breathe through the sleeve, "Ah, there's no need for that. This is only an illusion. But what reason do you have to trust me?" This voice echoed around him, in this bloody realm, seeming all too amused, "I've been looking for someone like you; a life force I can take little by little. I don't get out much, and it's very convenient for me."
Djari scowled, scoffing into his sleeve, "What gives you the idea I'd stick around and allow you such a luxury?"
"What makes you think I would let your friends leave if you don't?" The holes where his eyes should be glowed, and the healer turned back to where Charles and Ilios had been, only to see them very nearly swallowed by the thick blood that covered this realm.
"You said this was only an illusion! What have you done with them?! Release them now!" His heart sank in his chest as he ran toward them, only seeming to get further and further away. Their panicked expressions only made him run faster. Charles tried to rip at the inky blood tendrils running over his entire body, covering his mouth so that he couldn't call out, "Charles! Ilios!" Djari fell to the ground, spattering blood all about him and staring uneasily at his hands.
"You're fun. Come with Judal, or I'll continue picking you off until there's just you left. Bring your friends, too. I can't wait to actually make your acquaintance." As quickly as it had started, it stopped, the world snapping back as it was, with Charles and Ilios at his sides as he fell back yet again, finally able to breathe.
The blond stared at them, eyes clear, and all hint of pain free from his body, "My master would have you follow me to make arrangements, healer."
"He isn't ******** going anywhere with the likes of you." Charles spat, "Whatever the ******** that was, you can't just-"
"You heard master Kubra. It is up to your healer whether he comes peacefully, or watches you all die before he, too, is devoured. The choice is in his hands."
"What kind of ******** choice is that?"
"..."
