just a bruise {Derecho vs Charleston vs Cordelia} Day 5

It's hard to tell when the sun begins to set, yet the exhaustion is growing stronger and stronger with each passing moment. Right now, the only thing on his mind, is figuring out how long he can truly trust his so-called friend. The conversations of just hours before still rings through his mind. For a moment, Derecho thought he had a friend for life, but it's just a foolish reality. That's all it takes is just one thing to serve as a reminder that nothing here is safe.

Even those who think they're friends.

But his biggest concern is trying to figure out when the right move is to run away and to pretend this friendship doesn't even exist.

This friendship will always exist no matter what.

Just like with Quinn, Derecho misses her more than he'd ever care to admit because she cared for him, she gave him the trident he's holding onto, she helped him overcome the visions. Kaius is similar. They're both a friend, they both matter.

But only one can win, and I want that to be me.

A heavy sigh leaves his chest as he figures out how to find a somewhat comfortable position against the stalagmites holding him in place. It's nothing compared to the outdoor grass, it's nothing compared to the sidewalks or streets back in district four, but at least it's something to prevent him from falling over into whatever lies far below.

Being in the dark isn't easy either because it seems this heavy crown never sleeps.

The visions come again, and he's screaming at the top of his lungs as he watches his loved ones die over and over. For so many years he pretended he never cared about them but seeing this makes him aware of how much he truly cares. Listening to their screams for hours as they die the most horrific deaths makes it impossible to even focus on anything else that's around him. Soft mumbles of death leave his lips between screams, and no matter how hard he tries to push those thoughts away, Derech can't seem to make it happen.

Clawing at the crown and trying to pull it off his head isn't working, and it seems that every time he touches it, the visions become darker and stronger.

Yet his hands grip ahold of the solid stalagmites hoping they keep him in place since he's so afraid of falling to his death. Coming into this game, Derecho believed he was stronger than anyone here, and right now he feels so much like a coward. These haunting visions are dragging him down further into the pits of the unknown.

A frantic heart begs to escape, his lungs expand and relax faster than they ever have before, and there's no end to this madness in sight. Everything around him is such a blur, and it's impossible to see where Kaius is or if anyone is coming.

Water pulls in the corner of his eyes threatening to fall down his cheeks, and no matter how many times Derecho blinks, they don't go away. The walls of the caves are replaced with the nightmares this crown has given him, and his mind remembers the note left with this crown. Bearing the weight is hard, but it's a weight he chose to bear, it's a weight he'll carry for the rest of his life if he somehow manages to make it out of this mess alive.

Night seems to drag on forever, and the visions stay on repeat.

Beads of sweat pour from his brow. Every single hair stands on end, and finally it seems as though they're growing weaker, and Kaius finally awakens from his slumber.

Another sleepless night.

Another night of pain.

His eyes are heavy, and trying to keep them open is almost impossible, yet somehow he manages to climb to his feet and hold onto the jagged edges of the cave. It becomes more difficult to carry the lantern, but the dim light leads them towards a trap door, and once he pushes through it, the screaming that's been roaring through his ears stops.

Looking around very carefully, he wants to make sure he's not about to walk into a trap, and then he climbs through the door motioning for Kaius to follow.

But it was all a mistake.

As he ventures further into the room, Derecho quickly realizes that he's not alone, and these big, giant monstrous creatures come into view, and one of them picks him up by the leg and lifts him high into the air. The ground is going further and further away, and for a moment, he feels as though this thing is going to cause him to fall to his death.

Blood rushes to his head, and it's hard to focus on anything at the moment as this orc carries him through the room while swinging him around like he's nothing more than a rag doll. Once it reaches the window, he goes flying through the air, and he shields himself as the window comes closer, and the moment the glass cracks, Derecho can't help but screams as he lands on the ground outside.

It doesn't take long to find Kaius, and he's look at him wondering what just happened. Kaius even asks what those things are, and Derecho doesn't know. All he can do is shrug his shoulders and stare wide eyed.

"Maybe we're not supposed to be there."

Part of him wonders if this is still a dream, or if it's just some sort of hallucination. The look on Kaius' face tells him otherwise.

The rest of the movement is in silence, and Derecho can't help but notice the once beautiful arena has become dark and ugly. The flowers aren't the same, the trees are wilting slowly. It's all a terrifying feeling. Chills crawl up his arms and legs and shivers down his spine as he keeps moving forward unsure of where he's going to go. But he keeps walking until he's climbing up this giant mountain. The smoke and fog make it hard to see, and he's wondering if he's even alone or if someone else is following.

And that's when he realizes he is alone.

"Kaius?" He whispers quietly in case someone is around, and his grip tightens around his trusty hammer. "Is that you?" Someone is coming into view, and he's ready to attack, ready to strike at any given notice especially when he realizes it's not Kaius coming into view.

Taking a deep breath, he steadies his nerves, and then he runs, charging full speed ahead.

Finding Kaius is important but making sure he stays alive to live another day is more important.