lepidope

Light of The Rebellion

It was a few minutes into the drive by then. Matias had placed a hasty dressing on Dante's leg which would hopefully ward off infection. The rhythmic rocking of the van was almost enough to rock him to sleep, but he had a job to do unfortunately.

"Ah?"

He was called to action. His fingers pressed against Midnight's jugular, thankfully feeling an undulation.

"Still stable I think," he replied, "She just has to rest. I don't think she's in any real danger... Right?"

Light of The Rebellion

Matias gave a soft nod.

"We can look them over back at the house. I'll stay back here and tend to her..."

He looked over at Dante, eyes widening when he, somehow, just noticed the bullet.

"Ugh... That explains the limp. Whatever. I'll patch you up. Let's get moving."

Light of The Rebellion

"No change," Matias replied, pulling a nearby blanket over Midnight's shivering body. "Looks like she might be out for a while..."

His eyes met the box, curiously examining the thick layer of papers sitting upright.

"See anything of interest there?"

Light of The Rebellion

At the base of the stairs, Matias turned to Dante.

"No shit," he replied, "no one else here can manipulate shadows. Granted, didn't know she could do–"

He paused for moment, collecting his words.

"... that, but I guess I learn something about you weirdos every day.'

All the while as he spoke, he was walking. He more or less knew how to get to the van, although the capital had twists and turns that prolonged the journey. Once he got there, he unlocked the back doors and carefully placed Midnight on the floor.

"Do we have anything to help her in the meantime?"

Light of The Rebellion

Matias shook his head, a dejected sigh escaping him.

"Nah, I got her..."

Not that he really needed to explicitly say it for the group to know, but every time someone referred to his rival-turned-ally as "our bug friend", he felt like punching a wall. Our? Really?

"It left the building earlier," he replied, "I saw it crash through a window. It wasn't here for this."

Matias started making his way out. The stairs were barely an obstacle for him as he made his gradual descent. He was too tired to care.

Light of The Rebellion

Matias's eyes jumped from Midnight to Dante to Bane and looped right back to Midnight again. His chest heaved with every breath, his arms numbing as Midnight laid in his arms. He could hardly even articulate a thought.

"... I don't know."

He really didn't. He didn't understand what happened or why everything was the way it was. But he set it aside for now.

"... Let's just go."

Light of The Rebellion

Words came out of Midnight's mouth, and Matias couldn't help but roll his eyes and scoff.

"Seriously?" he growled, "Prayers? I swear, you'll do anything exce–"

Shadows suddenly filled his vision, whipping and darting around like centipedes on the hunt. He heard the shouts that followed the purist's capture as well as a strange, zap-like snap that silenced them effectively. Soon, everything was silent. No shouting. No explosions. Just the lingering feeling of confusion and fear in the air. Matias stared up at Midnight, wide-eyed and quiet.

"Wh... What did you–?!"

Midnight's weight was pressing down on him. He laid there in shock, attempting to process what just happened. When he couldn't, he rose from the floor, carrying Midnight along with him.

"... Guys?"

Light of The Rebellion

Matias let out an exasperated huff as he watched Bane take his leave. His eyes turned to Midnight now, the shouting and explosions becoming nothing but background noise as he festered in his frustration. His hands kept their death grip on he fabric all the while.

"So what's it gonna be, Boss? Are we gonna live or die? Because I'm not leaving until I get it through your thick head that we can't be wasting time like this."

Light of The Rebellion

"Oh my god, that's fucking it."

Matias's hands lunged and gripped some bloody fabric, his knuckles whitening from the tightness. Then, with the power of a thousand Suns, he yanked Midnight forwards. Whether or not he succeeded in moving her, he stumbled back from his own strength, his head receiving a nice smack from the floor. He let out a short scream, grasping his head and shutting his eyes.

"For five seconds, would you just listen to any of the shit I say?! Any of it?! I'm so damn tired of arguing with you about everything!"

Light of The Rebellion

Through grit teeth, Matias exhaled. He looked back at Midnight, his grip tightening on her.

"So?! Are you just gonna stay here and die because someone else is in trouble? Cut the crap, this place is about to blow!"

He pulled again, this time much more forcefully.