Report 7 [Accidental Video] (SUPER backdated to Jan 8th) (trigger: dying)
[The PCD crashes to the ground and flickers on, skidding away from Tieria.
He looks ragged and out of breath, staring severely at something (or someone) off screen. His eyes weren't the only thing pointed in that direction, as it seems that he'd finally found something to waste his bullets on.]
God dammit.
[The video starts glitching, fuzzing out ( Read more... )
Paralyzed with fear, he couldn't even bring himself to watch the whole feed, quickly ending it as soon as Mercury's message showed up. It was too much.
Whoever is at fault here, they will not get away unpunished, he swears as he makes his way through the fire, making use of all possible shortcuts along the way. The magic barriers that he placed with such great precision before finally break, rendering him vulnerable to the raging element once again, but even the edge of his coat catching on fire isn't enough to slow him down in his mission. Hurriedly, he whispers a few magic spells to counter the flames, hissing as the fire eventually reaches his skin, leaving small marks. Fortunately, the situation calms down a bit as he ventures further, and he gasps for breath once he's safe from the fiery embrace.
But then, he spots Mercury on the roof of a run-down building and his heart skips a beat. It's the place. ]
W-where? [ Hope wants to shout, but his voice is weak and desperate, and he has to repeat his question to be heard. ] Where... where is he?
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How they would counter smoke inhalation was something she hadn't quite figured out yet. She just had to hope that Hope had something in mind.]
He's inside. [It was strange for Mercury's voice to hold more weight than another's, but the confidence came from devising a plan. She twisted her earring and the visor retreated back from where it came.] I'm going inside. [She pulled back from the opening in the roof for just a moment to get her bearings, and go over the plan in her head. Finally looking away from the inferno she was about to dive into, she turned to Hope, her expression solid with determination.]
I need you ready as soon as I'm out. The sudden cold will put him into shock. [If he's survived. But Mercury didn't want to consider that as a possibility. She wouldn't.] So please wait for me. I shouldn't be long. Can you do that?
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Perhaps it was only his imagination, but the flames surrounding the building seemed more vicious than any he had seen before, and even when keeping a certain distance, one needed to shield their eyes from the heat and blinding smoke. The situation was hopeless, truly hopeless, and to think Tieria was inside, trapped in this hell?
His entire body shook as he listened to Mercury's instructions, feeling silently grateful that she had decide to take the lead. He wouldn't be able to take it on his own, even with all the determination he could gather, he would be helpless, so absolutely helpless - even now, he felt like screaming, but the strength of her voice kept him in place. Rushing inside seemed like a suicide, or at least would be, for a regular person, and he would definitely try to stop her under normal circumstances, but neither the circumstances could be considered normal, nor Mercury was an ordinary fighter. The boy didn't know her, but something in her gaze assured him that she was someone he could trust entirely.
Hope gives a quick nod of his head as soon as she's done talking, immediately proceeding to put out the flames around him in order to make space. As well trying to regain control of his breathing, preparing for the task that would soon come. ]
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Shabon Spray! [Rather than aiming her cooling mist at the fire, the cloud surrounded herself, forming a barrier between her and the flames. She wouldn't have time to fight the fire once inside. She had to get in, find Tieria, and get out before the damage was too severe for Hope's healing capabilities to handle.
She had to be quick. Mercury cooly scanned the area, recalling the layout hidden beneath the flames that her visor had deciphered. With luck, she'd be able to land on the floor without hitting anything, but the fire was so fierce, it was hard to tell where the floor met the walls.
She was spending too much time thinking. She pushed herself off the remaining ledge of the roof, and let the violent hiss of objecting flames fill her ears as she cut through them. The hiss of flames leaping away from her body was quickly drowned out by the sound of broken rooftop giving way beneath her weight.
A scream of surprise evolved into one of pain. Not from fire, but from a ragged edge of wood from the rooftop. Still, the damage was superficial, and Mercury had to move forward.]
Tieria-san! [Mercury's voice sounded so small amidst the flames, but she pressed forward. Even if he wasn't fully conscious--if he was still alive, besides--having something reaching from the outside could be all that keeps one from succumbing.]
Shine Aqua Illusion! [Mercury had to be careful where she aimed. She couldn't afford to get Tieria wet, but she had to clear the path somehow--the steam was almost as unbearable as the fire itself, but at least her vision had cleared somewhat.]
TIERIA-SAN! [He was close. He had to be, according to the scan she did on her computer just moments prior. Had she turned herself around in the fall? She could begin to feel her body grow warmer--her mist 'forcefield' was starting to deterorate, and she still had to carry him out, no less find him. Where is he?!]
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Was it really waking up? The moment before he loses consciousnesses was more agonizing than anything he could remember. And it kept happening. Over and over. It scared him. Terrified him. Tieria was confident he was dying. Dying.
Over and over. It hurt. It burned. Over and over.
All he could do was was scream. Scream and cry. And sometimes he couldn't even scream. That's what terrified him the most. Not being able to even make a sound. Just burning.
A spike of panic hit him as he thought he heard his name. He couldn't make a noise. He had to warn them. They had to get away before they were trapped too. Forever burning. No should have to-
Another sharp pain ripped through his chest, giving his voice more strength to let out another pained scream. It was happening again.
Over and over.]
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Stupid, stupid girl...but she couldn't even hear her own thoughts as they were drowned out by the roaring flames, her shallow breath, and her heavy pulse.
She was running out of time. But there wasn't much ground to cover, there were only so many places he could have fallen from the rooftop.
There!]
Tieria-san! [Not good, he was on his back. At least on his stomach, he was less prone to smoke inhalation. The time to mind her steps was over, and she dashed quickly to Tieria's side, falling to her knees and placing her hands on him. He was warm. She wasn't sure if that was something she should be relieved about.
Casting her eyes over him, she knew she couldn't truly assess the severity of burns until they were outside. But she couldn't attempt to lift him haphazardly, either. Slipping both of her arms under his back, she kept her eyes fixed on his expression. He was unconscious, right? Probably for the better. She wasn't sure if she'd be strong enough to make a clean escape, so the less pain she caused him while awake, the better.
Pulling Tieria close, Mercury re-charged her shabon spray, casting a cloud of cooling fog around them both.]
Tieria-san...you're heavy... [The chair in his house suddenly seemed like nothing in comparison. Adrenaline, don't fail her, now...]
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Or was there? While he didn't expect Mercury to come back in a flash, the stinging feeling in his chest led him closer and closer to the door encased with flames. Having renewed the magic barriers hastily, it was easier for him to deal with the fire this time around, despite the terrible heat.
No. No. No, he wouldn't just stay idle and watch, it wasn't like him. Not anymore.
Gritting his teeth, he enters the fiery ruins, reading multiple Water spells as his eyes try to adjust. Tears roll down his cheeks, and he's not even sure what's the actual reason anymore, not that he has time to contemplate, knowing the barriers might break any second. There's no air, just pure flame that deprives him of the ability to breathe, but Hope knows he had been right. It was impossible for Mercury alone to take care of the situation, how could he even think that--...
Suddenly, two figures come into sight - everything is a blur thanks to the fire, but Hope recognizes the silhouettes instantly, and a broken scream leaves his throat. ]
Tieria!
[ He runs as fast as he can in their direction, hearing only his own pulse echoing in his ears. ]
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But it wasn't. And he couldn't even tell that any time had passed when another painful shudder of a breath rips through his system. It was as if something broke, tore, then was back to being whole again. Whole, and able to burn again. Over and over.
Still burning, still hurting. But now he was disoriented... Was he moving? It hurt. He couldn't tell. More tears fell from his eyes, and even they felt like they burned. He had died and come back again. Why couldn't he just stay down? This was becoming too much. It hurt. It hurt. It hurt.
Another voice pieced the inferno. He knew that voice. No. Hope. He couldn't... Stay away. Hope, you have to stay away. It was hell here. It all burned. It burned, and it didn't stop. Over and over. Over and over.
He tried to find his voice again, but his throat was raw. He must have been screaming again. Shit, no. Nonono.
All he could manage was a small groan.]
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She didn't have time to acknowledge him, instead, she ended up barking an order.] Help me carry him! We need to get out of here before the entire structure collapses around us!
[As though to prove her point, the trusses that remained lurched, a loud groan urging them to heed its warning. With a fierceness usually deemed uncharacteristic of the usually gentle Ami, Sailor Mercury shouted out an attack, throwing a blast of ice to hold it in place.]
That should hold it. [She shoots Hope an intense look.] But I don't know how long.
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He doesn't need an order to help her carry Tieria, though, as he's there offering his support before she manages to finish the sentence. Although mechanical - because he doesn't dare to look at his friend, not yet - his moves are as careful and gentle as possible despite the shivers that run throughout his body. ]
It's going to be... fine. [ He whispers after her, dazed, before he finally gets to his original task. Leaving the flames for Mercury to deal with for the time being, he quickly places magical barriers on all three of them to keep the heat at bay for at least a little while. Muttering healing spells as they run through the piles of rubble, he involuntarily tightens his grip on Tieria's arm. Very lightly, not to cause any more pain, but enough to make sure he's still there. ]
We n-need to be-- [ The green light symbolizing curative magic is soon replaced by a purple one, as he proceeds with a Haste spell to buy them some time. They can do it. They have to do it, there's no other way. ]
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The tears kept a constant flow as he mouthed soundless words of protest. They shouldn't be here. It burned. It burned and it won't stop. Tieria was starting to panic, but moving anything hurt. He could still barely breath, much less push the people risking themselves away. It hurt so much...]
Pl...ease...
[Was all he could get out, and not with much strength either. His breathing was ragged and coming in in short bursts. It hurt, but at least he could get some air...
How? Probably Hope... Green. What was he doing? He should be focusing on getting out of here. And taking the girl with him. Sounded like Mizuno... They shouldn't be here, they shouldn't be here at all. It hurt. It'll hurt them. Burn them. No.
It felt like his chest was starting to tear open again. No. Not yet. Not again. He hadn't told them to get out... they hadn't left yet...
It burned.]
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There! [The door was in sight, thank heavens! If she could just muster what little strength she had left, they could get to clean air, and purge Tieria's lungs of the smoke. He was groaning, pleading--but other than clinging to the knowledge that he was still, in some way, conscious, Mercury had to ignore his delirious utterings, as much as it pained her to do so. It was a distraction, and they would have plenty of opportunity to listen to what he said once he was out of harm's way.]
Hold your breath! [She brought a hand over Tieria's mouth, counting on his fatigue to prevent any substantial struggle.]
Mercury Aqua Mirage! [There was no point in trying to waste any physical exertion downing the door. She needed what strength she had left to carry Tieria while Hope focused on healing him. She unleashed the only attack she knew of that could take down an enemy all on its own, washing it away with a fierce torrent of water. Instead now, though, she had the water submerging them for a fleeting moment and carrying them to an exit, courtesy of the forceful flood of icy water, quickly warmed by the fire sending them off to whatever awaited them outside.
As quickly as it was summoned, once outside of the house, the water drained away, leaving them drenched and surrounded by pools of water.]
I hope that wasn't hasty...[Mercury was counting on the fire to keep them warm, at least--as the fire was far from subdued in spite of the sudden deluge she had summoned.]
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Once they were outside - finally - there was no mistake - if it hadn't been for her attack, they roof would have most likely collapsed before they even managed to reach the exit. He throws one nervous glance in her direction to make sure the girl's okay, and still whispering curative spells - practically involuntarily by now - he scans their surroundings for a safe spot to lay Tieria on the ground. The other's pained groans don't escape his ears, in fact, he catches every breath and whisper, which only confirm his fears. It's no mystery that Tieria's state is critical, and even if only for a short while, he needs to get a well-deserved rest. And fresh air. Rushing seems pointless if he doesn't receive basic treatment at this very moment.
As much as he appreciates the warmth the flames provide, the fire is too dangerous of an issue for him to ignore. It's like all the paths he's cleared just a few minutes ago have already been claimed by the flames, and he lets out a desperate groan. They can't afford to waste any more energy on battling the elements, not when they're so close...--
And suddenly, it dawns upon him. ]
...I know. I know! [ He's clearly frightened, but a new kind of determination seems to have come into his voice. ] P-please, hold him for a second - carefully, it's...
[ Hope leaves the sentence unfinished as he takes a few quick steps forward just to stop suddenly, closing his eyes and bringing his hands together. Soon, he's enshrouded in a green light, a different kind this time, as he summons an oddly-shaped crystal that he throws into the air shortly afterwards, his gaze fixed at the sky. ]
Alexander!
[ A massive figure makes its descent from the ominous clouds above, and in a second, everything flashes bright. When the view clears out, it turns out that the boy is accompanied by a giant of a somewhat robotic appearance, yet it doesn't seem to be malevolent to the three... ]
I -- We need your help!
[ -- it's the opposite, as it seems to follow Hope's orders without a second thought, putting out the flames that surround the rescue team. It's not water or ice the creature is fighting with, however, but... something else. Resembling a light. Holy rays of light.
And most importantly, it seems to work. For now. ]
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But it was responding. It didn't feel like his heart was being ripped out again either. Why? What stopped it... Again. Hope. Hope and Mizuno... Were they not burning? Was it just him? If it was... then that was fine... But they should still get out of here. What if that changed? What if they started to burn? They needed to hurry.
Tieria was further discombobulated once the icey water hit them on the way out. That hurt, and he let out a pained sound. But the heat... it was less intense out here. The air stung, but it wasn't as bad as what he'd just been in.
He felt himself being passed so just one person was holding him. Maybe they were leaving? Saving themselves? Good. Now if only the other one would go...
But then there was a bright flash of light, and he didn't understand what was going on... He still hurt. Burned. But...]
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She looked up into the sky, watching in awe as Hope summoned forth some being of...of godly magnitude.
Truly, Adstringendum was filled with miraculous individuals...]
Tieria-san. [Mercury looked down to the seemingly unconscious man, layed out on the ground with little more than her hands to hold him up. He was without his glasses. She hadn't even thought to look for them while she was in there. Perhaps once the fire was put out. Could he even see without them? Could he even open his eyes?]
We're out of the fire. But I need you to stay awake, alright? [Her voice had returned to the meek tone that was no doubt more familiar. Not for the sake of it being more comfortable, but she wasn't sure, now that her thoughts had cleared, to speak any other way.] Can you open your eyes at all?
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Having thanked Alexander with a nod, Hope turns on his feet to return to Mercury and his injured companion, already feeling tears welling up in his eyes. Knowing it would only make the escape more difficult, he refused to look at him before, and now, as he drops to his knees on the other side, opposite Mercury... it finally strikes how much torture Tieria had to endure.
His breaths come out in short gasps as he tries to speak. ]
Y-you're safe. You're safe and... it'll be o-okay.
[ Saying it out loud, or muttering, rather, helps him finally come to his senses, because words aren't enough if he's not the one who will make things okay. There's no other treatment for the wounds but magic, and although worn out and approaching his limits, Hope casts one powerful Cure spell after another, praying it will lessen the pain. ]
... Don't speak-- [ It's too much to ask for, given the condition. He knows. ]-- just... g-give us some sign. Please.
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