09-01-2013, 05:56 PM
It was not the realization of the lengths he would go to save the world from itself nor of how many souls he need harvest to see that time did not end, but rather the blinding brilliance that was the discovery of another god which cast mercurial ripples across the pond of Nikolai's ascended world.
The boy's suspicion was right to turn to malice; he was right to question; he knew not what this sacrifice meant. Of his name or deeds, the Ascendancy knew nothing, but he knew the honor it was to retire from the Border Protection Group. The agents of the GSG worked counter terrorism, personal protection, and carried out special weapons operations. Their conduct was honorable. Their service meaningful.
He moved to Alric's side, straight, and without hesitation.
Little of what flared before behind the sharpness of Nikolai's gaze remained by the time he leaned far above the man's line of sight. Alric's demands fell as dull barbs from the Ascendancy's empathy; he did not have the luxury of ignoring reality. What was done, was done. What did call to him was far more imminent: a volatile situation was sparking the very air, and the shrill sound of warning shot shivers down his spine that he take extreme care with these next few moments, and Nikolai hardened his mind of all personal doubt, disgust, and anger until the battle for self-control relented, beat back by a man of immense discipline, until someone calm against the storm on the horizon remained.
"You are here because you are sick,"
he said matter of factly. Light and power ebbed, and though he did not use it, Nikolai's grip tightened on the stretcher as he watched for recognition. He filled Alric's view of the world, and forced the man to ignore everything but the command he was about to give, to trust to nothing but the truth presented to him in this pivotal moment.
In that fleeting moment he considered but quickly dismissed all attempts to clash power against power. The Ascendancy dared not sooth the man's betrayed trust with a demonstration as he had done in situations past for fear the tentative resolve against which the two men fought back would fracture, and everyone, not just themselves, would be crushed by the weight of the world overhead when the two struck blows. In his heart he knew what resulted would cut the vulnerable threads by which he clung to power. Even being as close as he was to this second god-made-flesh was repulsive: as two magnets which would war until time ended before accepting one-another's presence.
The steady command that followed chilled even the strength of the Light raging through him and forced it into submission as he would will that of Alric. Nikolai fixed upon the man's torn expression, a father who for the safety of his son, would be obeyed. For all their sake's.
"The Power you wield, you will release. You will not let it slip away. You will not let it escape. As purposefully as you seized it, release it now, my son."
The boy's suspicion was right to turn to malice; he was right to question; he knew not what this sacrifice meant. Of his name or deeds, the Ascendancy knew nothing, but he knew the honor it was to retire from the Border Protection Group. The agents of the GSG worked counter terrorism, personal protection, and carried out special weapons operations. Their conduct was honorable. Their service meaningful.
He moved to Alric's side, straight, and without hesitation.
Little of what flared before behind the sharpness of Nikolai's gaze remained by the time he leaned far above the man's line of sight. Alric's demands fell as dull barbs from the Ascendancy's empathy; he did not have the luxury of ignoring reality. What was done, was done. What did call to him was far more imminent: a volatile situation was sparking the very air, and the shrill sound of warning shot shivers down his spine that he take extreme care with these next few moments, and Nikolai hardened his mind of all personal doubt, disgust, and anger until the battle for self-control relented, beat back by a man of immense discipline, until someone calm against the storm on the horizon remained.
"You are here because you are sick,"
he said matter of factly. Light and power ebbed, and though he did not use it, Nikolai's grip tightened on the stretcher as he watched for recognition. He filled Alric's view of the world, and forced the man to ignore everything but the command he was about to give, to trust to nothing but the truth presented to him in this pivotal moment.
In that fleeting moment he considered but quickly dismissed all attempts to clash power against power. The Ascendancy dared not sooth the man's betrayed trust with a demonstration as he had done in situations past for fear the tentative resolve against which the two men fought back would fracture, and everyone, not just themselves, would be crushed by the weight of the world overhead when the two struck blows. In his heart he knew what resulted would cut the vulnerable threads by which he clung to power. Even being as close as he was to this second god-made-flesh was repulsive: as two magnets which would war until time ended before accepting one-another's presence.
The steady command that followed chilled even the strength of the Light raging through him and forced it into submission as he would will that of Alric. Nikolai fixed upon the man's torn expression, a father who for the safety of his son, would be obeyed. For all their sake's.
"The Power you wield, you will release. You will not let it slip away. You will not let it escape. As purposefully as you seized it, release it now, my son."