Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The dull light coming through the window flickered over Mountain’s face and roused the earth ghoul from his slumber. He stirred, sitting up and looking over at the other ghouls piled in his bed, brow furrowed as he took in their sleeping faces. Among the collection of limbs and tails he made out, Aether and Ifrit curled around Zephyr, a perfect combination for the air ghoul who had been particularly sore and hurting recently with the change of the season. A nudge into his side made Mountain startle and shift to look at the small figure attempting to burrow under his arm and into his side. Dewdrop’s face was soft and peaceful, long silver lashes brushing the tops of his cheekbones, lips parted slightly as he breathed softly into the Earth ghoul’s skin. Mountain couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the small Water ghoul when he was like this, being the only one in the room to have the privilege of being witness to something so soft and serene.

Mountain swung his legs over the edge of the bed, careful not to wake his packmates, stretched, and prepared to go to work. He looked at the calendar on the wall, sweeping his hair out of his eyes and rubbing his face. It’d been two weeks. Two weeks since they’d been home from tour. Two weeks since Terzo was dragged off the stage at their last show in Mexico City, two weeks since everything changed. Mountain scribbled a note on a scrap of paper and tucked it under Aether’s arm for him to find when he woke. Since they had arrived home from tour, the ghouls had taken to leaving little notes for each other, to keep tabs on each other’s whereabouts, on Aether’s insistence.

“In the secondary greenhouse, come find me when you wake.
I love you,
M”

Mountain slipped out of the room and made his way out of the ghouls’ den. He hunched his shoulders as he walked down the Abbey corridors, pulling the collar of his coat up to cover his face and neck. The change in the environment since the ghouls had been home from touring was clear and palpable. The braziers on the wall were dark, light was filtering in through the curtained windows but it was cold and stark against the tapestries on the walls and the ancient stone floors. Mountain made eye contact with a Sibling of Sin as they made their way down the corridor, approaching the Earth ghoul. He tried to offer the Sibling a smile but the man quickly averted his eyes and scurried past Mountain without so much as a glance back. Mountain sighed and continued on his way outside. His heart hung heavy with the lack of warmth and familiarity. As impulsive and hedonistic as their Papa was, his presence filled the Abbey with light and music, making it a warm and welcoming place to all. Now, their home was dark and cold, a foreboding feeling lingering in the air.

Mountain entered the secondary greenhouse, deeply wanting to just lose himself in the work ahead of him for a while. The season was changing; winter was coming and life in the greenhouses and gardens was beginning to prepare for hibernation. The Earth ghoul rolled his shoulders, shaking off a shudder. He could feel his own energy beginning to wane with the coming of the cold seasons along with his plants, his gardens and his land. Mountain turned on some quiet instrumental music and pulled his gloves on to start trimming down the dry vegetation around the greenhouse.

The quiet music and repetitive movements lulled his mind into a pleasant emptiness before two hands on his waist brought Mountain back into the present. Two solid arms wrapped around Mountain’s waist and gave a reassuring squeeze. The smell of snow and peppermint filled Mountain’s nose and he released a deep breath as he leaned back into the presence behind him. Aether hooked his chin over Mountain’s shoulder and nuzzled into his neck, squeezing the Earth ghoul in a reassuring embrace.

“Hey Mount, I found you. Everything okay?”

Mountain turned around in Aether’s arms and leaned back against the counter, looking down at the Quintessence ghoul.

“Have you heard anything?”

Aether sighed, looking away from the Earth ghoul at the browning vegetation on the various tables and shelves.

“...No. I heard back from the Clergy offices last night. Our inquiry request was denied…again.”

Mountain exhaled sharply, reaching up to run his hand through his auburn waves. The pack, namely Aether and Mountain, had filed numerous inquiries with the Ministry following their return from Mexico City and the disappearance of their Papa. Each time they had been turned away, being told that a paradigm shift was in motion and that it was none of their concern, whatever the fuck that was supposed to mean.

“Have you seen him recently? How is he doing?”

“He’s not doing well. He’s been holed up in his rooms for the last few days, he’ll hardly see anyone.”

Mountain nodded, chewing on his lower lip as he processed Aether’s words. Following Terzo’s abduction onstage, Omega had been absolutely distraught with his Papa’s–his mate’s–subsequent disappearance. The massive Quintessence ghoul had come back to the Abbey and promptly trashed his chambers in rage and grief, lashing out with snarling fang and claw at anyone who dared come close to either comfort or attempt to subdue him. Mountain's stomach clenched as he recalled in his mind’s eye the larger Quintessence ghoul howling and wailing with anguish. The essence of the Void radiated from his body, skin rippling with cosmic energy and visible supernovas as he clawed at his face; black, tar-like tears streaming from his wide, unseeing eyes, blind with grief. He could see Aether clinging to Omega collapsed on the ground, eyes wide with worry and fear as his mentor, the Alpha of their pack, sobbed into his neck.

“How could they take him from me? He’s MINE."

"Return him to me…please…"

Aether, unable to calm his mentor, and the siblings in the Infirmary fearing for their safety around a ghoul as large, strong and upset as he was, had received orders from Sister Imperator and the Clergy to prescribe him a sedative draught. All too well Mountain remembered the pained cry Aether had made as he was forced to inject the first dose; Imperator insisted as he was the only one who could get close enough to the imploding star of a ghoul. This medicine, being for his 'own safety and well-being', had calmed the Quintessence ghoul but had made him quiet and brooding in the days since. Mountain shuddered at the memory, his ears pinning against his head as he shook his head and whined low in his throat.

Aether reached up to cup Mountain’s face, rubbing the larger ghoul’s temple with his thumb. Mountain let out a low rumbling purr as he felt soothing threads of Quintessence pluck away at the stress etched into his sharp features. He sighed and leaned into the contact, trying to take some comfort in his packmate’s grounding touch.

“Easy, Mossling. We’re gonna figure this out. I have a number of patients on my schedule that I need to see today. Maybe you could pay Meg a visit later. He might talk to you.” Aether whispered as he reached up to plant a soft kiss on the Earth ghoul’s cheek.

Mountain watched Aether leave the greenhouse, letting out a weary sigh once the door shut behind him. Despite the comforting words and touch of the quintessence ghoul, the weight of the past few weeks still hung heavy on Mountain's mind. He attempted busying himself with his work, hoping the smell of dirt and chlorophyll would clear his head. However, after a valiant hour long effort, no luck was to be had. Mountain let out a frustrated huff, considering the prospect of visiting Omega like Aether suggested. Despite missing him dearly, he found he could not face the ghoul alone- not with the last memory of the larger ghoul still fresh in his mind. Mountain brushed off his hands and laid his apron carefully on the worktable, deciding to go find Dewdrop.

***

Mountain lingered in the doorway of the ghouls’ common room, scanning the area for the Water ghoul. A swish of hair in the entryway to the kitchen caught his eye, leading him to find Dewdrop sitting at the kitchen counter reading a book. Dew didn't notice the Earth ghoul watching him, engrossed in the novel in front of him. Mountain’s breath caught at the simplicity in the way Dew rested his head in the palm of his hand, casually munching on an apple as he scanned the page. The light filtering through the high-arched window made his silky hair shimmer with threads of silver and made the fins on his tail wrapped around the stool leg translucent, like colorful sugar glass.

Dew’s ears perked up at the sound of the Earth ghoul in the kitchen doorway, spinning on the stool to face him. He chirped happily, reaching his hands towards Mountain with a big smile on his fey-like face. Mountain purred back, striding towards Dew and taking those small hands in his, heart melting at the smile that reached Dew’s large aquamarine eyes, just for him.

“Hi, Water Lily. What are you reading?”

Dew looked over at the book on the counter, nose crinkling. “It’s a historical fiction novel that Zeph recommended. It’s moving kind of slow, but I’m trying to give it a chance. What are you up to?”

Mountain pulled up another stool and sat next to the small ghoul, leaning forward to lay his head in his folded arms, looking up at Dewdrop. Dew reached over to him, stroking over Mountain’s pointed ear and rubbing the inside softly with his thumb.

“Aether told me I should go visit Omega today. I want to but–I don’t know…” Mountain shook his head, turning his head away from Dew and burying his face in his arms with a quiet groan.

Dew nodded, understanding what Mountain was trying to say. He hadn’t been present for Omega’s breakdown upon the band’s return from tour. He had, however, heard what had happened, and he had sat there holding space and comfort for both Aether and Mountain as they lay curled against his sides, shaking and sobbing as they purged their sadness and grief over witnessing the state of their respected leader. He scooted closer to Mountain, running a hand up and down the Earth ghoul’s back, lightly scratching his back with his claws.

“Hey, Rosebud, can you look at me?”

Mountain turned his head to face the smaller ghoul, resting his cheek against his forearm. Dew folded his arms on the counter and laid his head down as well, facing Mountain. He moved towards his packmate, leaning over to bump their horns softly together. Dew nuzzled Mountain’s nose with his own before retreating back to rest on his forearms again. His tail sneaked up to wrap around Mountain’s ankle, lending a grounding touch to quell the Earth ghoul's anxiety. Mountain closed his eyes, breathing in Dew’s scent of petrichor and water lilies.

“I know you’re nervous to see Meg again. I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you and Aeth to witness. It sounded…terrifying.” Dew reached over to tuck back a lock of hair that had fallen over Mountain’s antlers and into his eyes as he nodded.

“As scary as that must have been for you two, it must have also been so, so scary, and traumatizing for Omega. Aether is right. He needs his pack, Mount. He needs us.” Dew sat up, hopping down from his stool. He gently encouraged Mountain to sit up, spinning the larger ghoul on his stool towards him and resting his hands softly on Mountain’s thighs.

“Do you want me to come? We can go visit Meg together, then maybe it won’t seem so overwhelming. Does that sound okay?”

Mountain nodded, pulling Dew forward into a bear hug, burying his nose in the Water ghoul’s soft, silver hair.

“Yeah…that sounds good.’

***

Mountain stood in front of Omega’s door. He placed his hand on the heavy iron doorknob, heart beating heavy in his chest. He hadn’t seen Omega since his initial breakdown after returning from tour. The emotions from that night returned as he willed himself to open the door, to enter and face his Alpha who had retreated from their pack in his grief. He took a shuddering, shaky breath, palms tingling. Dew grasped his hand, giving the massive paw a reassuring squeeze, chirping softly at the Earth ghoul.

"Mounty, it's okay."

Mountain looked down towards the Water ghoul at his side, those large blue eyes trusting and filled with love and support. He took a deep breath, and made his way inside with Dew.

Mountain wasn’t sure what he expected to find, but it wasn’t the scene that awaited them. Omega was sitting on a simple wooden desk chair by the window in his room, head tilted slightly to the side, and a far-away expression on his face. Mountain took an instinctive step back at the empty lack of energy and emotion in the room; it was in pristine, if not sparse, condition- a stark contrast to how Mountain had last seen it. He felt Dew squeeze his hand again, and after another steadying breath, they approached. As they neared the Quintessence ghoul, Mountain’s chest clenched at the sight before him. Omega’s normally vibrant violet eyes were dull, sunken in. His skin, normally adorned with stars and swirling galaxies, was dark and void of its usual celestial light. His hands were fiddling with something, and Mountain’s heart mourned for his Alpha as he realized that what Omega was absent-mindedly turning over in his hands was Terzo’s gilded, bejeweled Grucifix.

Mountain faltered, nervously shuffling his feet as Dew gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and left him to approach Omega. Dew stood in front of the Quintessence ghoul, meeting him at eye level and reaching for one of the hands fiddling with the Grucifix. He softly moved Omega’s fingers away from the gilded object, holding Omega’s massive hand in both of his.

“Hi Astra, it’s us. We came to see you, to see how you're doing.” Dew spoke softly, not wanting to startle him.

Dew rubbed his thumbs softly over Omega’s rough, scarred knuckles. He watched Omega’s eyes slowly drift from the window, down to his lap where Dew was holding his hand. Omega let his eyes rest on their joined hands for a moment before sliding his gaze up to Dew’s face. Dew looked at him, waiting patiently as he continued massaging Omega’s hand. Slowly, familiarity bloomed in the Quintessence ghoul’s empty eyes, softly lighting up as he recognized Dew in front of him.

“Droplet,” Omega croaked, voice hoarse from disuse.

“Yeah Meg, it’s me, your Droplet.” Dew laughed softly, lifting Omega’s hand to his lips to press a gentle kiss to the Quintessence ghoul's knuckles.

Mountain breathed out a sigh, visibly relaxing at the exchange between the two. He padded quietly over, watching Omega’s eyes flick up to him as he knelt down in front of him. He moved to take Omega’s other hand, but decided otherwise when he saw it tighten around the Grucifix, opting instead to rest his large paw on Omega’s knee.

“How are you doing, Omega?” Mountain asked, pulling another chair around to sit next to him.

“Tired a lot of the time. Words are hard.” Omega replied slowly, a slight slur to his words. He pulled his hand from Dew’s, turning away to cough hoarsely.

Mountain nodded. He had seen the siblings coming in and out of Omega’s rooms with trays containing the medicine they had been administering to help keep the large ghoul calm in the days since the incident. Whatever sedative compound was in it must have been keeping him in a state of mental fog.

“Do you want something to drink for your throat, Meg? Maybe something to eat?” Dew asked, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to Omega.

Omega nodded, hunching over and coughing again into the handkerchief. Mountain reached around to give him gentle pats on the back, throwing a glance at Dew.

“I’ll be right back with something to help.” Dew gave Omega a warm squeeze on his shoulder and a kiss on the forehead before padding out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Mountain looked away from the door and moved his chair to sit directly in front of the other ghoul. Without Dewdrop’s hand to hold, the Quintessence ghoul had gone back to toying and fiddling with the Grucifix in his lap. With Dew gone, Mountain could see that absent-minded look returning to Omega’s eyes. He reached out and took Omega’s hand into his own again, gripping firmly but gently.

“Hey Astra, come back to me, hmm? There you are.” Mountain murmured, watching Omega’s eyes track back to him and hold his gaze, focus slowly returning to his face. Mountain watched as the violet glow began returning to the older ghoul’s eyes and he smiled. He was catching glimpses of his Omega through the haze.

“How are you? What have you been doing in here all this time?" Mountain asked.

Omega licked his lips, clearing his throat and gesturing towards the bathroom. Mountain stood, fetching him a glass of water and placing it carefully in his hand before sitting back down. Omega raised the glass to his lips, draining it before leaning back in his chair.

“I have been alright. I have been sleeping a large portion of the time, and reading when my mind feels a bit clearer.”

Mountain made a noise in his throat, watching the golden Grucifix rotate in Omega’s hands.

“I’m sorry we haven’t been to see you…these times have been so strange for all of us.” Mountain murmured, guilt blooming in his gut at the thought of the older ghoul spending all of this time in solitary isolation. Omega looked at Mountain, reaching forward to put a hand on his shoulder.

“No need to apologize, my boy. I know the last time you saw me I was…not myself.” Omega cleared his throat again, giving the Earth ghoul’s shoulder another reassuring squeeze. “These are indeed strange times. I can sense how you are caring for everyone else, and I am proud of you for stepping into my shoes as a leader.”

Mountain reached around to grasp the hand resting on his shoulder, sniffling lightly as the pressure and angst in his mind from the last few weeks felt…maybe not so heavy for a moment. All of a sudden he was a young new summon again, stumbling out of the summoning circle into Omega’s open arms, waiting to wrap the tall but lanky ghoul in a blanket of love and security. Mountain left his chair, kneeling in front of Omega and laying his head in the older ghoul’s lap, breathing heavily. Omega placed a hand on Mountain’s head, running his fingers gently through Mountain’s chestnut waves as Mountain let his stress leave his body, his shoulders shaking.

“I hate the idea of you being here alone,” Mountain whispered into Omega’s lap.

“My boy, I have not been here alone. He has been here with me for the last week or so.” Omega hummed, scratching lightly over Mountain’s scalp.

Mountain froze, raising his head to look into Omega’s eyes. “He?”

“Yes, Mountain. He’s been with me, keeping me company.” Omega gave a small smile, moving his hands back to the Grucifix. His eyes gazed past Mountain’s shoulder, looking behind him towards the back corner of the room.

“Meg…do you mean…Papa has been here, with you?”

Omega turned his focus back to Mountain, gesturing casually towards the corner. “Of course, He’s been with me this whole time you've been here, watching over us.”

Mountain sat back on his haunches, watching Omega’s face as the older ghoul looked serenely at him before looking back towards the corner of the room, a small smile on his face. He glanced over his shoulder towards the corner Omega was referring to, finding it empty. He slid his eyes back to the Quintessence ghoul seated in front of him, a slight shiver running down his spine. Mountain swallowed dryly before scooching closer to Omega, taking his hand again and looking up into his face.

“...Is Papa here with you all the time?”

Omega looked down at him thoughtfully, “Mmm…I would not say all the time. But he has been spending time with me here quite often this week, it has been a great comfort as I recover from my incident.”

Mountain sat, processing the fact that his Alpha was claiming that not only had he seen and been spending time with their missing Papa, but that Terzo was currently in the room with them as they spoke.

“What does Papa do with you when he’s here? Does he ever say anything to you?”

“He sits with me while I read, but he never speaks. It’s quite alright though, I am just happy to have him back with me.” Omega mused, rubbing his thumb along the jewels of the Grucifix, “Although, sometimes while he sits next to me, I can sense that he is sad, that he mourns something. I cannot sense what it is, though. Curious, indeed.”

Mountain watched as Omega’s eyes began to dim and glaze over with that far-away, unfocused look they had possessed when he and Dew had first arrived. Omega turned his head away from the Earth ghoul, looking into the middle-distance in the direction of the corner. He reached his massive hand towards the empty space, as if to beckon whatever was there towards the two of them.

“Join us, dearest. Mountain has come to visit with us and young Dewdrop will be back soon with a spot of tea for us all to enjoy. Please sit, my love.”

Before Mountain could react, a soft noise startled him and drew his attention away from Omega, towards the door where a Sibling of Sin stood in the entry watching them. The Brother looked between the two ghouls, a tray containing a syringe loaded with cloudy liquid grasped tightly in his hand.

“It’s time for his next dose of his medication. I am going to have to ask you to leave now. He needs rest,” the Brother said in a tight voice, looking pointedly at Mountain.

The tall ghoul nodded, casting his eyes towards the ground, “Don’t worry, I’ll go.”

Mountain stood, leaning down to give Omega a soft kiss between his horns before turning to make his way past the Brother and out of the room. As he closed the door, he could hear Omega still talking to the Terzo in his imagination as the Brother of Sin administered the sedative. A soft trill took his thoughts and attention away from Omega as Mountain saw Dew coming down the hallway with a tray of drinks and sandwiches in his hands. Dew smiled as he approached him, reaching up on tiptoes to give the taller ghoul a kiss on the cheek, careful not to spill the contents of the tray all over Mountain’s boots.

“Hi, Mounty! I wasn’t sure what Meg would want, so I thought I’d bring choices–wait, why are you out here in the hallway?”

Mountain looked down at the Water ghoul, taking the tray from his lithe, tiny hands, glancing at the closed door. “He started feeling tired, he’s resting now.”

Dew looked from Mountain’s face to the door, and back again, large blue eyes taking in the Earth ghoul’s stoic gaze, searching for something in the emotions on Mountain’s face. After a moment, he smiled and reached out his hand for Mountain to take.

“Alright, well, these sandwiches shouldn’t go to waste. Why don’t we go find Ifrit? He’ll appreciate them.”

Mountain breathed out a soft sigh, releasing a low chuckle. He grasped Dew’s hand in his large mitt, “Sure, Droplet. Let’s go.”

***

The Brother of Sin peeked through a crack in the door, watching the Earth and Water ghouls depart down the hallway towards the pack’s common room. He glanced dismissively back over to Omega. The large ghoul was slumped forward in his hard wooden chair after the administration of the sedative, the golden Grucifix hanging pathetically from his limp hand. The Sibling rummaged in the folds of his cassock for a phone, dialing a number and holding the phone to his ear. A female voice answered on the other end.

“Yes, Sister. Yes, I just gave the Quintessence ghoul another vial. Listen, there’s something you should be aware of. You know the Earth ghoul? Yes, the tall one. I think the Quint told him something. I think he knows.”

Chapter Text

Aether looked at the clock on the wall of his office in the Infirmary, tiredly rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. It wasn’t often that he pulled all nighters; only when necessary. He had been on his way out at the end of a busy day when two Siblings had rushed into the Infirmary with their child cradled in their arms. The little girl, only 7 years old, had wandered out unsupervised onto the frozen surface of the Abbey pond and had fallen through the too-thin ice. The poor little thing had arrived still and cold, her lips and fingers blue, her skinny chest rising and falling with extremely shallow breaths. The siblings that worked in the Infirmary had already gone home for the night, and while the ghouls had been experiencing unkind and dismissive treatment from the Siblings of Sin since their return from tour with Papa's disappearance, Aether would never deny his help to a child in need.

Outside the window, the Abbey clock tower tolled out 6 chimes. The sun was rising over the trees of the forest outside the ancient stone walls, bathing the interior of the Infirmary with trace watercolors of orange and purple. Aether left his office, padding quietly into the main space where the young girl lay sleeping, looking all too small in the Infirmary cot. In the cot with her were Ifrit and Zephyr, curled around the child like two guard dogs protecting precious cargo. The Fire and Air ghouls had graciously offered to help Aether with the little girl upon hearing that their packmate would not be able to return to the ghouls’ den that night after working a full day. Ifrit had snuggled the small child into his chest, warming her up and gradually raising her core temperature to a less dangerous range, pulling her out of hypothermia. Zephyr was settled on the other side of her, encouraging her oxygen levels to rise by gently influencing warm, moist air in and out of her lungs, aiding her shocked respiratory system.

Aether approached the dozing Fire ghoul, gently touching his shoulder and giving it a squeeze. Ifrit gave a sharp inhale through his nose, eyes blearily blinking open as he peered up at the Quintessence ghoul standing above him. He gave Aether a sleepy smile, careful to not wake the little girl as he stretched and sat up beside her small frame.

“Hey, Stardust.”

“How is she doing?” Aether asked quietly, whispering in an effort to not wake the sleeping child.

“She stopped shivering a while ago, her body temperature is almost normal.” Ifrit whispered back, letting out a small chuckle as the little girl shifted to snuggle under his arm and into his stomach, chasing the warmth in her sleep. Ifrit’s tail was firmly grasped in her tiny hands, the spade pressed against her cheek.

On the other side of the cot, Zephyr stirred. The Air ghoul was a light sleeper and was roused back to consciousness upon hearing their packmate’s voices and feeling the shifting of the cot’s mattress. They reached across, loosening one of the child’s hands from Ifrit’s tail and placing two fingers on the pulse point of her wrist, tilting their head. After a moment, they nodded to themselves, placing the little girl’s hand back, which quickly latched back onto the Fire ghoul’s tail.

“O2 levels are looking good, Aeth,” the Air ghoul murmured.

Aether leaned over to place a hand lightly on the girl’s forehead, the other resting on her sternum. A purple glow radiated from his palms as he closed his eyes, his Quintessence flowing through her small body doing an internal systems check-in. He made a satisfied chirp to himself as he found that her circulation was greatly improved, with no lasting damage to her internal organs or extremities. Aether sat back on his haunches and looked over to Ifrit and Zephyr, watching the two ghouls attempting to stifle yawns and blinking sleep from their eyes.

“You two should go home and get some real sleep. Thank you for staying with me to help her, I can take it from here. I should be back soon.” Aether smiled at his packmates, watching them delicately extricate themselves from the sleeping child’s grasp.

Once the Fire and Air ghouls were gone the small girl began to stir restlessly, sensing the absence of Ifrit’s infernal warmth in the cot. Aether tucked a stuffed Baphomet plush that the girl’s parents had left for her into her arms, petting her hair soothingly and sending a small wave of Quintessence into the child’s mind to help lull her back to sleep after being disturbed by Ifrit and Zephyr’s departure. He lifted her chart out of the holder at the foot of the bed, taking it back to his desk to update and track her vitals, leaving the door open to keep an eye on the girl from his office. Aether moved on to finishing some paperwork, waiting for the first Sibling of Sin that worked in the Infirmary to come in and take over for the upcoming day shift before he could finally go home and fall into bed.

A soft knock on the door roused Aether from his concentration. He looked up from the patient charts on his desk to see Mountain hovering in the doorway holding two steaming cups of tea. Mountain gave a crooked smile, making his way across the room and setting the tea on the desk. He leaned down to give Aether a kiss between his horns before sitting down across from him. Aether looked down at the mugs, and then back at the Earth ghoul.

“What are you doing here, Mount? It’s barely sunrise.”

“Zeph and Ifrit told me you’ve been here all night. I thought this might help a little until you’re able to come home.” Mountain looked over his shoulder at the sleeping child and pushed one of the mugs across the desk.

Aether took the offered tea, bringing it to his lips and sipping the steaming liquid. Warmth slowly spread through his body, settling in his chest and stomach with a comforting embrace around his heart. White tea with blood orange and rose hips, brewed just the way he liked it with wildflower honey harvested from Mountain’s personal beehives. Aether looked over his mug at Mountain sipping his own tea and marveled with affection at the kindness and thoughtfulness of his packmate. As he watched the Earth ghoul enjoying his drink, Aether noticed a preoccupied look take root in Mountain’s eye as he gazed out the window at the light filtering through the pine trees. He reached across the desk for Mountain’s hand and laced their fingers together, squeezing softly.

“Do you have something you want to talk about, Mossling?” Aether asked gently.

Mountain looked away from the window, called back to attention. He turned back to Aether, pulling his hand away to grip his mug tightly in both hands. “Uh–yeah. It’s just…Dew and I went to see Omega yesterday.”

Aether nodded, taking another sip from the mug, “I’m glad you two were able to give him some company for a little bit. How did it go?”

Mountain shifted in his seat, looking down at the tea in his hands, “Um–it was fine. He seems…very lonely.”

Mountain looked out the window for a moment before setting his mug down, leaning forward in his seat.

“Aeth, I’m worried about him. Something happened while we were visiting and I’m not sure how to feel about it.”

Aether leaned back in his seat, taking a sip of tea, “Tell me about it.”

“The visit was going fine until Dew left to get some drinks and snacks to share. After he left, Meg started talking about how he was doing okay in isolation because Papa had been…spending time with him recently.”

Aether made a noise of acknowledgment in the back of his throat, watching Mountain’s face and eyes as he spoke. Mountain sat for a moment, fiddling with the spade of his tail before continuing.

“Omega was acting like Papa was in the room with us the entire time we were there. He even pointed out to me where he was supposedly standing during our conversation, but there was nobody there,” Distress began tinging Mountain’s scent as a faint green flush appeared on his cheeks. His breaths began coming more rapidly as he continued.

“I’m worried about his mind. He hasn’t been right since we have been home, especially since you had to…you know. I’m scared that Papa’s disappearance might be causing him to slip away from us too…that he is too trapped in his grief.”

Aether scooted his chair closer and reached out to cup Mountain’s face in his hands.

“Breathe, Mossling. Deep breaths in, and deep breaths out. That’s better,” Aether murmured as he exaggerated his breathing for Mountain to follow, guiding the Earth ghoul back from the brink of panic and anxiety.

“It’s been two weeks since we’ve been home and Meg has been unwell. Grief is a fickle thing, Mount. His mind is probably trying to process the fact that we still don’t know where Papa, his mate, is right now.” Aether caressed Mountain’s cheek with a thumb before sitting back in his chair, taking his tea back.

“Until we learn more about what happened at our last Ritual and what’s going on here at home, there’s no harm in allowing him to try and cope in this manner as long as he’s not a danger to himself or anyone else.”

Mountain tilted his head, processing what Aether was saying to him. After a moment, he sighed, running a hand back through his chestnut waves.

“Yeah…I suppose you’re right. It was just…really hard to see him like that.”

Aether nodded in agreement, watching as the Earth ghoul drained the last dregs of tea from his mug before pushing the chair back and standing.

“I need to go, Frit offered to help me burn the last of the Fall clippings and weeds before the wind starts picking up for this storm that’s supposedly coming. We’ll see you at home?”

“Yes, hopefully it won’t be too much longer,” Aether reached up to pull the Earth giant back down by his collar, pressing a gentle, chaste kiss to Mountain’s lips. “I’ll see you later.” He whispered against Mountain’s lips.

Mountain chirped, cupping Aether’s face as he bumped their horns gently together. He quietly made his way out of the Infirmary, careful to not disturb the little girl who had slept through their entire exchange. Aether watched him go, left with the residual scent of wet pine and juniper in the air around him.

The door clicked shut and Aether groaned, holding his head in his hands. He rose from his chair, walking back to check on the child in the cot, still holding tightly to her Baphomet plushie. Aether sat down in a chair next to the bed, placing his hand on the girl’s forehead for one last check before he was relieved of his charge. Everything looked good, and Aether could see little flickers of the girl’s dreams as her eyes danced behind her eyelids.

Aether sat back in the chair, looking up at the being across the bed. Seated in the chair on the other side of the little girl was Papa, gazing down at her. Terzo reached out with a gloved hand to softly stroke the girl’s hair, standing watch over her as she slept. He looked up from the child to meet Aether’s eye. Aether made a noise in his throat, a pained expression flicking across his face as Papa gave him a small, sad smile, having been present for Mountain's visit and subsequent confession. Aether stood, moving to the window and rocking restlessly from one foot to the other, chewing on his lower lip, desperately trying to avoid the eyes following him.

The ability for Quintessence ghouls to commune with departed souls was not common knowledge among the members of the Clergy. Aether himself had only learned about this ability when he had finished his training with Omega after being summoned, having proved the mastery of his powers to his mentor and guide. Omega had sat him down after his final assessment and told him that because of their connection to the Void, their kin had the ability to see souls that had passed on to the other side of the Veil. Not all Quintessence ghouls possessed this ability, and Omega had stressed the importance of keeping this knowledge in confidence between the two of them, as the only two Quintessence ghouls at the Ministry. For most of his time Topside, Aether had never experienced this ability for himself and had always assumed that he was simply not one of those that possessed this gift.

The dreams had started the night Aether was made to subdue Omega; the night he had been forced to drug his trusted mentor for his own safety and the safety of everyone around him. In his dreams, he had seen his Papa standing over him as he laid in his bed, reaching out to him as if trying to tell him something, but unable to let the words escape from his mouth. He would dream that he was walking the corridors of the Ministry and find Terzo standing at the end of a dark hallway watching him, a ring of light around his neck, his infernal eye glowing in the shadows. Aether would wake in a cold sweat, finding nothing but a foreboding sense of dread and soul-deep sadness. Initially, he had believed that it was just his mind processing his own grief and confusion over the events that had ended their last tour. It had, after all, been a traumatic experience for everyone involved. Surely, the dreams were just…dreams. Nothing more.

The day that Terzo had actually approached him, Aether had shook his head at the sight, in denial of the entity standing before him. It was just his mind reacting to stress, reacting to the dark changes that had overtaken their home, to the coldness and fear and frankly, discrimination, that the Siblings and Clergy members had begun showing the pack upon their return to the abbey. Aether had simply decided to ignore Terzo, had refused to acknowledge him as he lingered near the Quintessence ghoul, watching him go about his duties as the days went by. But now…with what Mountain had just confessed regarding his visit with Omega, Aether realized he could no longer run away from what was standing right in front of him. He sighed heavily, resignation sitting heavy in his chest, over his heart. If Omega, who was the greatest and most powerful Quint the Ministry had ever summoned, was seeing their beloved Papa, even under the influence of the sedative the Siblings had been administering to him, Aether himself could no longer deny the truth he had been trying to hide from.

Aether felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to see Terzo joining his side at the window. Aether took a steadying breath and reached up to place his hand over his Papa’s, feeling the solidness but realizing for the first time that there was no warmth, no humanity in his touch.

“So…it’s true then.”

Terzo nodded, looking out the window and watching the Abbey slowly begin to wake with the rise of the sun. Aether turned to look at him more closely, finally letting himself see. Terzo, dressed in his fine silks and satins as always, had marks visible beneath the paint on his face. Bruises and sore skin around his wrists peeked out from his sleeves. Aether mentally recoiled at the sight of an angry, jagged line encircling his Papa’s throat, weeping small pearls of blood when he shifted. Aether tentatively reached out to touch, but was stopped by Terzo grasping his hand, bringing it down to his side and keeping it clasped in a gentle grip.

“Did–did it hurt?”

Terzo turned to face Aether, neither nodding or shaking his head, instead giving a small sad smile. His eyes told a story of pain and fear, and Aether’s eyes filled with tears at the knowledge that their Papa, a man infamously known for his confidence and swagger, had spent his last moments afraid and alone. The tears spilled down Aether’s cheeks and he sank slowly to the floor, his knees giving way under the tremendous burden of truth he now carried with him.

“I–I’m so sorry…we were supposed to protect you, and–and we failed…”

“We–we’ve been trying to find you since we got home…and the answer w–was staring me in the face the entire time…” Aether cried softly into his hands.

Aether felt Terzo crouch down to sit beside him, laying a hand on his shoulder as the Quintessence ghoul wept. After a short time, Aether’s tears dried, having purged the fear and doubt of the last couple weeks. He sniffed, wiping his face on his sleeve before shifting to face the man beside him.

“Papa, what is going to happen now? We can’t be without–the Church needs a leader.”

Terzo looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before shaking his head, brows furrowed. Aether breathed out a sigh, looking down at his hands in his lap. A gloved hand reached out, gently turning Aether’s face back towards his Papa. Terzo looked him square in the eye, a pensive look on his face as if he were also searching for answers. Aether reached up to cover the gloved hand on his cheek.

“A–are you at least at peace now?” He asked quietly, sniffling.

This time when Terzo smiled, it was one of contentment; a smile that reached his eyes and drove away the haunted look. Terzo leaned forward, touching his forehead to that of Aether’s; a gesture that, usually only shared between pack members and loved ones, told Aether that Terzo was in a good place now, with the Lords below. Aether stood, dusting off his pants.

“Thank you, Papa, for helping me see the truth. I–I think I need to speak with Omega. The pack deserves to know…”

Terzo smiled again, standing and reaching across to take both of Aether’s hands in his, squeezing one last time before dissipating in front of Aether’s eyes. As if on cue, the door to the Infirmary opened and a very tired-looking Sister of Sin shuffled in, gripping a thermos of coffee in her hand. Aether filled her in on the little girl’s condition, who was just beginning to wake, and quickly slipped out of the Infirmary, finally free to go home and get some well deserved rest. As he made his way through the corridors to the ghouls’ den, something in the back of his mind told him that the visit to Omega needed to happen soon, that it couldn’t wait. Aether trudged down the hallways stifling yawns and rubbing his eyes as the collective fatigue from the morning and the night before began encroaching on his mind. After a nap, he resolved, he would go visit Omega and ask about telling the pack about Papa.

***

Later, Aether walked down the corridor towards Omega’s chambers, trying to work out in his mind how he was going to explain to his mentor that he had discovered that he also possessed the ability to see departed entities and needed permission to tell their pack about their Papa’s demise now that he knew the truth. As he approached the door, a Sibling exited the room, a tray containing an empty syringe in hand.

“You can’t come in. He’s just had his medicine.”

Aether looked between the Brother of Sin and the closed door behind him, “I won’t be long and I won’t disturb him, I just need to see him for a moment, please?”

The brother crossed his arms, taking a wide-legged stance and blocking the door.

“I said no, ghoul. He is resting, and is not taking visitors. You cannot go in.”

Aether took a small step forward, to which the Brother reached into his robes and pulled out a phone.

“If you do not turn around and go back the way you came, I will have to call Sister Imperator. Do not make me report you for insubordination.”

Aether froze, ears drooping against his head, tail swishing anxiously behind him. A visit to Imperator wouldn’t do him any good, especially alone without Mountain or Ifrit. Aether dropped his head, holding up his hands in defeat and slowly backing away.

“Okay, I understand, I don’t want to cause any trouble. I’ll go now, I’m sorry.”

Aether turned around and left, accepting defeat and resigning to return earlier the next day. Glancing over his shoulder he saw that the Brother remained in front of the door watching him as he retreated down the hall, shadow shrouding his face.

***

The Brother watched the Quintessence ghoul retreat back down the hallway. Upon seeing the ghoul disappear around the corner, the Brother turned around and slipped back inside the room, locking the door behind him. Omega sat passed out slumped over his desk, Terzo’s ever-present Grucifix next to his head. A woman dressed in a gray suit stood next to him, looking down at the hulking figure unconscious in the desk chair. She made for an imposing figure, with her tense, straight posture and silver hair pulled back in a severe, tight bun at the nape of her neck. Her sharp, dark eyes looked up from the ghoul to the Brother approaching from the doorway.

“Is the ghoul gone?” She asked, pursing her lips into a thin line.

“Yes, Sister Imperator,” The brother replied, setting the tray in his hand on the desk.

“Good,” Sister Imperator picked up the Grucifix from the desk, turning it over in her hands before tossing it dismissively onto the bare bed next to her, “You’re sure that this one won’t fight back now?”

The Brother of Sin shook his head, “No, Sister, the toxin in the sedative has weakened him enough that it should involve minimal effort.”

Sister Imperator sniffed, looking down her nose at the Brother shifting from one foot to the other, “Good, we would hate to have to make more of a mess than what is necessary,” she gestured behind the Brother.

The Brother let out an audible swallow, glancing over his shoulder at the large figure lurking in the shadows that engulfed the corner of the room, “Y–yes, as you say, Sister.”

Sister Imperator made a come hither gesture towards the figure. It stirred, tilting its large head towards the two humans, a yellow eye glowing from beneath its hood, before slinking out of the shadows towards the two Clergy members and the unconscious ghoul between them.

Chapter Text

Mountain grunted under the weight of the branches he carried on his back. He trudged forward, heaving the wood into the bonfire, watching sparks billow towards the sky with the addition to the intense, white-hot flames. His attention lingered on the way the sparks blended with the stars, and took a deep breath in of the cool, late autumn air. His mind drifted to Omega, as it had been all day since his conversation with Aether. He was reluctant to admit it to himself, but there was a small voice in the back of his mind not fully put at ease by Aether's reassurances.

The crunch of leaves to his left brought him out of his thoughts as he heard Ifrit approaching, adding his own bundle of branches into the fire and a spark of his infernal fire along with them. Mountain watched as the fire ghoul brushed his hands off and placed them on his hips, a self-satisfied grin on his face. Mountain chuckled and gently shook his head.

“What? I did pretty good, don’t you think?” Ifrit said, gesturing towards the roaring flames dramatically.

Mountain chuckled and shook his head again as he walked towards the fire ghoul, wrapping his arms around his waist.

“Yes, truly your best work yet.” he said, not hiding the playful sarcasm in his voice.

“Well, I don’t know if I’d go quite that far…the great Beltane of 2011 was pretty spectacular. Damn near burned Meg’s eyebrows off.” Ifrit laughed, wrapping his arms around the taller ghoul.

He felt Mountain tense slightly at the name, his face flickering with stress, and sighed. “Sorry, Juniper, I know you went to see him yesterday.” he whispered.

Mountain kissed the top of Ifrit’s head between his horns, taking his hand and guiding him to sit next to the fire. He curled in close to his side, trying to escape the damp coolness of the ground beneath them.

“Don’t apologize, Sunspot. I know you’re worried about him too.” He threaded their fingers together, and turned his attention back to the flames.

“So how was he?” Ifrit asked, watching Mountain’s face carefully.

“Not great,” Mountain whispered, tucking his head into Ifrit’s neck. “He wasn’t himself, Frit. They’re still giving him sedatives and…and he said he was seeing Papa.” He curled into Ifrit tighter, fighting back the shake in his voice.

Ifrit pulled away slightly, craning his neck to try to look into Mountain’s eyes, “Juniper…are you saying Omega knows where Papa is?”

“No…I’m saying Meg was seeing Papa in the room with us. Sunspot, there was no one there. Aether says maybe he’s just grieving but…I’m worried. More than I was before. Much more.”

Mountain could feel himself slipping, the stress coming back, the small voice raising its concerns louder. “I don’t–I don’t know. I don’t want to believe it, but Ifrit, what if Aether is wrong? What if this isn’t grief but something…worse?”

“Hush, Juniper, you’re getting yourself worked up. Aether knows what he’s talking about, he knows Meg better than any of us. That’s his mentor, remember? If Aeth says he’s grieving, we need to give him time and see what comes of this.” Ifrit soothes, rubbing his hand up and down Mountain’s back to slow his breathing. “The Clergy is taking care of him.”

Mountain just curled into Ifrit tighter, trying to focus on his breathing and the slow circles being rubbed into his back. He felt his head swim and his limbs shake. He hated that any part of his mind doubted Aether, he hated that the stress of the last few weeks was causing him to doubt someone he cared about and trusted so much. He felt the tears sting at his eyes and bit his cheek, willing them not to fall.

“What’s this, a fireside cuddle session and no one invited me?” Mountain jumped slightly at the unexpected lilting voice behind him, having been too lost in his head to hear the crunching footsteps approaching from the direction of the Abbey.

“Sorry, Dewbug, you’d think I’d know better than to start a bonfire without our Water ghoul again.” Ifrit chuckled, straightening up to turn and look at Dew. Mountain tried to subtly wipe his eyes against Ifrit’s shoulder before turning to look at Dew as well. He let go of Ifrit’s waist to open his arms in an invitation.

“Hey Water Lily. Come join us?” Mountain said, trying to mask the tremor in his voice. He didn’t want to worry Dew, though he knew eventually he’d have to divulge his thoughts about his concerns to him, and to Zephyr as well. Dew walked over to stand between Ifrit and Mountain, placing a hand on top each of their heads, caressing the base of their horns. Mountain hummed and wrapped his tail around Dew’s thin leg, softly leaning into the Water ghoul.

“I’d love to, Rosebud, but I don’t think your fire is going to stick around much longer. I was actually coming out here to tell you that Aeth and Zephyr almost have dinner ready and also to warn you that the storm is going to hit any minute now.” Dew lifted his face towards the sky, smelling the thickening scent of ozone and feeling the water in his veins pull in that telltale way it does before it rains. Ifrit stood up, gently pulling Mountain’s hand to get him to stand as well.

“Well, I guess that’s my cue then. I’m not gonna be much use if it rains and besides, Zeph’s probably looking for me by now anyway.” Ifrit shrugged. “You know how stiff they get when the weather changes. A living heating pad’s job is never done” he chuckled, kissing both Dew and Mountain on the cheek before heading off towards the ghouls’ den. Dew smiled fondly at Ifrit’s receding figure and turned towards Mountain.

“Hey you.”

“Hey you,” Mountain replied, feeling some of the stress melt away from his bones already at the sight of the water ghoul’s smile, always so genuine and kind.

“I can see the begonias sprouted behind your ears, Mount. What were you thinking so deeply about?”

Mountain hesitated, torn between being honest with Dew about the events of the past couple days and simply enjoying this time with his Water ghoul. Was it selfish to want to just…be happy for a moment after the past couple weeks? He let out a chuff, choosing the latter and pulling Dew into his arms, wrapping the smaller ghoul into a warm embrace.

“Just thinking that I hope I didn’t forget anything on my list before this storm comes.” Mountain pet his hand over Dew’s head, letting the ghoul’s silky, silver hair run through his fingers like water from a stream.

Dew chirped, pushing his head up into Mountain’s hand, seeking more pressure from the Earth ghoul’s fingers. Mountain chuckled and scratched lightly at Dew’s scalp with his claws. His chest bloomed with warmth at the purr and soft headbutt he received in payment of his efforts. Dew wrapped his arms around Mountain’s middle, tipping his head up and resting his chin over Mountain’s sternum to look the larger ghoul in the eye. He reached up to pluck a red tulip that had popped up to join the begonias growing in Moutain’s auburn waves, bringing it up to his nose and peeking up at Mountain through his long, silver lashes.

Mountain flushed a slight green across his cheeks, his Earth magick showing his feelings towards Dew like an open book. He pressed Dew tighter to himself, a rumble kicking up deep in his chest.

“I love you, Bug.”

Dew pulled back slightly and tucked the tulip behind his ear, smiling, “I know.”

He peeked around Mountain at the rapidly approaching clouds darkening the sky and crowding out the sunset that had settled over the grounds.

“Are you coming in soon? The storm is gonna be here in a quick bit and well…I'm getting cold,” Dew squeaked out a quiet giggle and buried his face back into Mountain's chest as the wind picked up, whipping his silver hair around them.

Mountain looked over Dew's head at the fire beginning to flicker with the increase of wind. “I just have a couple bags of clippings and leaves left. I'll meet you back inside once I've gotten this taken care of. It shouldn't be too much longer.”

Dew trilled, reaching up on his tiptoes towards Mountain’s face. Mountain bent down towards him, allowing the smaller ghoul to touch their noses together softly. “I'll see you in a bit then. I'll tell Zeph and Aether to save you a plate of stew.”

Mountain waved his fingers as Dew flitted off back to the Abbey, feet barely touching the ground like the little fey he was. Once the Water ghoul was gone from view he sighed, pulling the collar of his coat up around his ears and turning back to the fire and the remaining bags of leaves, bracing against the wind.

***

An hour later, Mountain trudged through the doors of the ghouls’ den, heading down the hallway to his room. He was cold, bone-tired, all around just very fatigued with the events of the last few days. Passing the common area he could see that dinner had already been cleared away. Curled up on a couch in front of the wood-burning stove were Ifrit and Zephyr, wrapped around each other in a tangle of limbs and tails. He arrived at his door and leaned his head against the door frame, taking a few deep breaths before turning the knob and stepping over the threshold.

Dew looked up from his spot on the massive bed, his book from Zephyr open in his lap. He chirped softly at the Earth giant shucking his muddy boots off and shrugging his heavy canvas coat from his shoulders.

“I saved you some food. It’s on your desk if you’re hungry,” Dew put his book aside and scooted over to sit cross-legged on the edge of the bed, watching the Earth ghoul peel off his layers.

Mountain pulled his shirt over his head, tossing the garment into the corner basket. He looked over to the desk at the tray of stew and a plate of fresh herbed bread, courtesy of Ifrit sweet-talking the Sisters in the Abbey pantry. The smell of the hearty, comforting meal filled his nose and made his mouth water.

“I’m famished, Bug, it smells delicious. I can’t wait to eat this, but I think a shower is in order first.”

Dew’s ears perked up at Mountain’s words, tail swishing behind him excitedly, “Do you want some company?”

Mountain smiled at the enthusiasm of the Water ghoul on the bed, “Sure, Droplet.”

Dew put his book to the side and hopped off the bed, padding towards the bathroom on the balls of his feet, bouncing with each step. The two stripped and stepped into the shower together. Mountain stood up to his full height under the stream of water stretching his arms behind his head, grateful yet again for shower heads that were actually tall enough for his, at least partially glamored, full frame. Whorls of steam filled the air and curled softly around the ceiling lights even though the water had only been running for a short time, courtesy of Dew’s water magick. The steam and heat wrapped itself around Mountain’s tired limbs, loosening his sore muscles and allowing his hunched and tired shoulders to drop, finally relieved of the tension from the day’s physical labor and emotional baggage. Eucalyptus and lavender mixed into the steam, filling the room with a delicious, aromatic fog. Dew wrapped his arms around Mountain’s middle embracing him, drawing a purr from the Earth giant as he felt Dew smiling into the small of his back. Dew relaxed into the taller ghoul, his own purr joining Mountain’s chest-deep rumble, a musical harmony of long-sought comfort and contentment.

Dew shifted around to Mountain’s front, peering up through the steam trying to find his face. He reached a hand up, beckoning to the taller ghoul. Mountain bent and lowered his head, allowing Dew to cup his cheek and brush back the wet tendrils of chestnut hair falling across his face and into his eyes. Mountain sighed and leaned into the cool touch, watching Dew’s large blue eyes track over his face as he ran his spindly fingers through Mountain’s wet tresses. It had been such a long few weeks, and he was so tired. He deserved this. He deserved to have this time to just…rest. To just…exist in this moment. To take pleasure in Dew’s simple touch.

Something snapped in Mountain’s mind and he sank slowly to the shower floor at Dew’s feet. He knelt, sitting back on his haunches in front of the smaller ghoul, water running down his chest in rivulets and pooling on the tile around his knees. He brought his hands up to rest on Dewdrop’s narrow hips, watching his fingers span the width of Dew’s waist, rubbing his thumbs across his hip bones. Lithe hands landed on Mountain’s shoulders and he shivered at the feather-light touch, lacing his fingers together at the small of Dew’s back and drawing the Water ghoul in closer to stand between his spread knees. Mountain leaned in and ran his nose up Dew’s sternum, breathing in and chuffing at the scent of petrichor and water lilies amplified by the shower steam. He kissed along Dew’s collarbones, sucking small marks into the milky skin below his lips. Mountain sat back and tightened his grip around Dew’s waist at the sight of the bruises blooming from his ministrations like delicate flowers floating on cream.

Mountain felt Dew’s hands cup his cheeks and guide his face gently upwards to face him. Dew peered into his eyes, aquamarine meeting forest green being quickly blown out and consumed with black. His brow furrowed as a concerned look clouded his fey-like face.

“...Mounty?” Dew murmured.

Mountain whined low in his throat, gently pulling the Water ghoul back into him. He wrapped his arms around Dew; one arm around his waist, the other roaming the space between Dew’s back and shoulder blades, feeling out the knobs in the smaller ghoul’s spine with the tips of his fingers. He brought his lips back to Dew’s chest, tasting him, laying reverent kisses and soft bites in a path that trailed from Dew’s pecs down to his stomach. He slowly made his way from Dew’s navel back up his body to his chest again, latching onto a pierced nipple and sucking gently, tugging on the bar lightly with his teeth.

He was allowed to have this. He was allowed to let go.

“Bug, please…” Mountain whispered into Dew’s skin, “Need you.”

Dew gasped, bringing his hands to Mountain’s horns. He held the Earth ghoul’s head softly to him as Mountain moved from Dew’s chest up to his neck. He whimpered, feeling Mountain’s tongue run lightly over his gills, feeling oh so small as Mountain held him delicately, tentatively, in his large callused hands waiting for granted consent.

“Take what you need, Rosebud.”

Mountain groaned, discarding caution and restraint. He surged forward, capturing Dew’s lips in a kiss. He brought a large hand up to cup Dew’s cheek, gently pressing on his jaw with a thumb to pry the Water ghoul’s jaw open before licking into Dew’s mouth, tongues dancing and teeth hitting together as Mountain deepened the kiss. Dew kissed him back hungrily, capturing Mountain’s lower lip between his own and sucking on it gently. Mountain moaned, sitting back on his knees and pulling Dew forward to straddle his thighs. He ran his hands up the smaller ghoul’s lithe legs, reaching behind him to cup the round little globes of Dew’s ass. Mountain groaned, kneading the soft flesh, his cock filling to stand against his stomach between them at the sigh that slipped from Dew against his lips.

Dew wrapped his arms around Mountain’s neck, tipping his head back as Mountain moved to nose at his scent gland behind his ear. He shivered as the Earth ghoul snaked his tongue out to lick at Dew’s skin in an attempt to taste the ever-increasing scent of water lilies and storms looming over the sea. Mountain’s hands moved from cupping Dew’s ass to gripping his hips and Dew moaned softly at the desire radiating from the Earth ghoul as the scent of balsam bloomed and wafted on the steam surrounding them. Mountain kept his head tucked into Dew’s neck kissing and licking at Dew’s scent gland, panting and whimpering as his claws flexed on Dew’s waist and he tried to keep his own hips from bucking up out of instinct underneath the Water ghoul.

Dew could feel hesitation hiding behind Mountain’s hunger. The gentle giant was always conscientious of his partners’ needs during sex, even if that meant forgoing his own. Right now, Dew could feel the conflicting desires in Mountain’s heart; the desire to please Dew and make him feel good, and the need for power, the want for control that they had all been lacking in their lives in the recent present.

“Rosebud,” Dew whimpered as he started rocking his pussy against Mountain’s cock kicking between them.

Mountain growled, his claws tightening on Dew’s hips trying to fight the urge to take control and move the Water ghoul around in his lap. Dew rolled his hips more insistently, rocking to slide Mountain’s dick through his folds, encouraging him. He could feel his cunt beginning to drip slick and he moaned softly as the head of the thick cock underneath him began nudging rhythmically at his clit.

“Feels so good, Mount,” Dew panted as he slotted his hips closer to Mountain’s, pressing their chests together and delighting in the wet slide of their bodies against each other.

“Uh–uhuh,” the Earth giant whined, his tail winding around Dew’s waist, pulling him down to put more pressure on his cock as they rocked their hips into each other. His shoulders began gradually relaxing as he started moving Dew’s hips back and forth across his thighs, taking control of the pace and rutting his cock more insistently against Dew’s cunt.

Dew gasped at the increased friction and movement against his pussy. Every so often the swollen head of Mountain’s dick would catch on his hole for just a moment before sliding up to rub against his clit again, lighting up Dew’s nerves. He leaned away, placing his hands on Mountain’s chest and rubbing his thumbs in small circles on the Earth ghoul’s nipples. Mountain’s hips bucked up at the sudden added stimulus, making Dew cry out as it nudged Mountain’s massive head into his entrance, pained pleasure zinging up his spine in surprise.

“Waitwaitwait,” Dew stammered out. He placed a hand on one of Mountain’s massive paws on his waist, scooching back a bit on the larger ghoul’s thighs.

Mountain whimpered at the sight of Dew retreating, misreading the Water ghoul’s intentions. His pants increased, panic invading his blown out eyes as he tightened his grip, trying to draw Dew back to him.

“Please, no…”

“Shhh, Bud, it’s okay. Just, can you touch me first?” Dew pressed a kiss to Mountain’s chest, sitting back and guiding Mountain’s hand to his cunt, his clit peeking through his glistening folds.

“Y–yeah, okay…”

Mountain brought his hand to Dew’s pussy, sliding a finger through the slick accumulating between his thighs, his cock kicking at Dew’s moans. Dew’s breaths came faster as Mountain began circling his clit with his forefinger, alternating between pulsing pressure on the bundle of nerves and moving down to collect more slick oozing from Dew’s entrance. He brought his lips back to Dew’s, sliding his tongue into the smaller ghoul’s mouth, drinking in Dew’s sighs as he slipped two fingers into Dew’s pussy and began rubbing his clit with his thumb. Mountain felt beads of precum weep from his cock trapped between them at the soft, warm sensation. He moaned into Dew’s mouth, feeling Dew’s cunt clenching around his fingers as he rocked his hand slowly in and out seeking that spot that he knew would make Dew see stars.

When he found the spot Mountain was rewarded with a shudder running up Dew’s spine. The smaller ghoul cried out and his body tensed as Mountain stroked that spot inside him in a ‘come hither’ motion with his fingers. Dew’s hands flew up to Mountain’s shoulders, gripping tightly as he rocked his hips back and forth grinding and fucking himself on the Earth ghoul’s hand. He leaned away, allowing Mountain to support his weight with a hand on the small of his back. Mountain felt heat pooling in the pit of his stomach at the sight of the smaller ghoul in his lap. Dew’s eyebrows turned up, his eyes closed. His lips were open in a perfect O as soft sighs and moans escaped him. Mountain moved his hand with deeper, firmer thrusts into Dew’s cunt, earning a cry as Dew threw his head back, eyes rolling back. Mountain felt the soft walls around his fingers clench as slick gushed around his hand. Dew shook as his glamor dropped a little more and beautiful blue and yellow betta fins unfurled from his arms, tail, and back. Mountain’s eyes were ripped from Dew’s face at the sight of them waving gently in the mist of the shower, translucent and graceful as if they were floating underwater. Smaller fins appeared along his gills at his neck and back, fluttering as Dew trembled and gasped in Mountain’s arms. Mountain gathered Dew up against his chest, murmuring praises to him as he withdrew his fingers from Dew’s pussy. He moaned softly as he felt Dew’s walls clenching and trying to keep him close.

“So good for me, Droplet, thank you,” He whispered, laying kisses on Dew’s neck and across his shoulders.

As Dew’s gasps slowed his small hand reached between them and wrapped itself around Mountain’s cock. It kicked in Dew’s grasp as he spread the precum that had accumulated around the head with the pad of his thumb. Mountain let out a soft groan at the attention paid to his neglected dick, letting his forehead rest on Dew’s shoulder. Dew began slowly moving his hand up and down the larger ghoul’s length, slicking up the rest of Mountain’s girth. Mountain placed his hands under Dew’s arms, causing Dew to chirp in surprise as he lifted the Water ghoul up to support himself on his knees above the cock red and dripping below him. Mountain tucked his head under Dew’s chin, kissing and licking at his chest and whimpering at the feeling of Dew’s cum dripping from his pussy onto his cock kicking below the smaller ghoul’s body.

“Please, Bug,” Mountain moaned into Dew’s chest. He brought his lips up to Dew’s neck, nibbling and licking at the fins still fluttering around his gills, “Please…let me fuck you now, please let me have it. Need to feel you.”

Dew whined at the feeling of Mountain’s tongue probing and teasing his gills. He could feel slick gathering between his legs again at Mountain’s words. He leaned forward and planted a kiss on Mountain’s forehead, gasping at the feeling of the Earth ghoul’s claws tightening around his waist. Slowly, he began lowering himself onto Mountain’s cock.

“You can have it, Rosebud. Ohh…” Dew gasped as he slowly seated himself, relishing in the feeling of Mountain filling him and stretching him in the way he had missed so much since they had arrived back at home.

Mountain pulled Dew down the rest of the way onto his dick, moaning and shaking as he bottomed out with Dew stretched open across his thighs. Still on his knees, he began to tentatively thrust up into Dew’s pussy, tail curling at the way Dew’s walls caressed his cock like a warm, velvet glove crafted just for him. They moved together, pressed against each other, with tongues dancing, hands caressing. Mountain gripped Dew’s hips, moving him up and down on his cock as Dew’s hands wove into his hair and gripped the chestnut waves tightly. He felt Dew tug lightly to pull his head back, bending down to lick into his mouth and nip at his lips, kissing him as if he was the only Water ghoul in the world capable of dying of thirst. Mountain whimpered against his lips. Dew felt so good, so tight around him, so wet…

“Making me feel so full,” Dew murmured against his lips.

“You feel amazing,” Mountain sighed, feeling Dew melt into his chest as he moved up and down on the Earth ghoul’s cock. Mountain floated on the feeling of togetherness, high on the feeling of being able to place his vulnerability in Dew for a while and just feel.

After a moment, a burning sensation interrupted Mountain’s bliss. He shifted, feeling a cramp forming in his thighs and glutes from kneeling for so long on the ground. He tried to adjust, not wanting to leave Dews lips, not wanting to break the spell floating in the midst of want and love. In an effort to get his feet underneath him he slipped in the water and suds on the tile, sending him tumbling to the floor and landing on his back. Dew squeaked out his surprise as he was suddenly unseated from Mountain’s cock and squished against the larger ghoul’s chest with Mountain attempting to cradle him and keep him on top as they flopped into a heap on the wet tile. The two stared at each other wide-eyed in surprise and Mountain’s stomach dropped. He looked at Dew, chewing on his lip and trying to hold back the tears gathering in his eyes at the sudden swing in the mood. He had finally allowed himself to relax enough to spend time with Dew like this again, and he had fucked it up…

He watched Dew’s face, holding his breath as the smaller ghoul began to laugh, a smile lighting up his face and reaching to the corners of his eyes. He giggled into Mountain’s chest, small body shaking and Mountain let out a sigh of relief, body relaxing as he joined Dew in a pile of laughter on the shower floor. Mountain gave the Water ghoul a kiss on the forehead, smiling lightly into Dew’s hair, wrapping an arm around him and shifting up off the ground to sit cross legged on the tile with Dew seated in his lap.

“Uh…sorry about that,” Mountain said sheepishly, ducking his head to hide the green blush spreading across his cheekbones.

Dew giggled, reaching up to brush Mountain’s hair away from his eyes. He stretched up and gave Mountain a soft peck on the lips, lightly running his tongue over the blushing ghoul's lower lip as he pulled away and smiled.

“Don’t apologize Mounty, thank you for catching me instead of flattening me,” Dew chuckled as Mountain’s blush spread from his face down across his chest and collarbones at his words.

“D–do you want to keep going? I understand…if you wanna stop…” Mountain muttered. He dropped his gaze off to the side, chewing his lip at the thought that his clumsiness might have ruined the mood.

Dew looked down at Mountain's cock pressed between his hip and the Earth ghoul's stomach. It was still erect and swollen, still glistening from being buried inside him. He reached between them and ran his claws lightly up the underside of Mountain length, watching a shiver run up the larger ghoul’s spine at his gentle touch; his cock twitched and leaked a pearl of precum from the stimulation. Dew swirled the bead around the tip with his thumb. He reached back up and pressed his lips to Mountain’s in a soft but deep kiss, trying to project his reassurance into the space between them. He licked softly into Mountain’s mouth before pulling back and pressing their foreheads together.

“Yeah,” Dew breathed.

Mountain groaned, heat flaring in his stomach at the touch and the shift in Dew’s voice. He shifted Dew around to straddle his thighs again before gripping under the Water ghoul’s legs. Dew wrapped his legs around Mountain’s waist and buried his nose in Mountain’s scent gland as he stood up and shut the water to the shower off. Mountain stepped out of the shower, ignoring the puddles of water that gathered on the floor beneath his feet and instead threading a hand through Dew’s hair to pull his head back and crush their lips together as he moved from the bathroom towards his bed. Dew threw his arms around Mountain’s neck, he moaned as Mountain’s tail snaked around his waist, the spade tickling and teasing his cunt. The larger ghoul groaned at the feeling of Dew’s cunt dripping slick between them, beads of moisture coating the insides of Dew’s thighs and spreading across Mountain’s stomach. Even just with his legs wrapped around Mountain’s waist, he felt so warm and soft.

The anxiety and trepidation from earlier finally melted away. Mountain and Dew hadn’t truly been able to be together in weeks. He had been too busy trying to fulfill his duties and be everywhere at once with his self-assigned task of being the pack protector. Too stressed from trying to keep tabs on everyone and everything. Fuck duty. He deserved to have this. He was going to have this.

Mountain approached the bed and dropped Dew unceremoniously onto the covers. He stared down at the Water ghoul spread below him gazing up at him through heavy-lidded eyes, lower lip bitten and swollen. Dew reached up to toy with his nipples as Mountain watched him, chest heaving, hands clenching. His scent in the air changed and Dew’s eyes dilated as he registered the possessive want encroaching on Mountain’s need.

“Scooch up to the head of the bed,” Mountain growled.

Dew scrambled up to lay against the pillows, one under his hips, legs spread open. His hand came back to pluck at his nipple rings, the other coming down to dip into his cunt. Laid bare to the air, it sat open and puffy, still drooling slick. Mountain’s nostrils flared as Dew brought his fingers out of his pussy to circle around his clit, he could practically taste Dew’s slick in the air. Mountain climbed onto the bed and crawled towards Dew, a low rumble coming from his chest. His tail swayed behind him twitching, eyes blown wide, like a cat approaching its prey. Mountain brought his head low as he crawled closer to the smaller ghoul, licking and biting his way up Dew’s thighs. He made his way to Dew’s pussy, dipping his tongue into his hole, slurping up the copious amounts of slick, before running the flat of it up to his clit. Mountain took the sensitive flesh between his lips, moaning at Dew’s taste on his tongue as he suckled at Dew’s clit before moving towards his stomach. His cock twitched with each mewl and sigh produced by his teasing and ministrations.

Mountain made his way up Dew’s torso towards his face, capturing his lips in another hungry kiss as he crouched over him, covering the smaller ghoul’s body with his own. Supporting himself on his forearms, Mountain lowered his hips, teasing Dew’s entrance with the head of his cock before slowly pushing the head inside. Dew whimpered, holding his legs wide open in an effort to accommodate Mountain’s girth in this position. His breath came in soft whines as Mountain pushed and pulled, working himself into the Water ghoul’s cunt. He let out a low moan as he finally bottomed out, his hips pressed flush against Dew’s and his cock seated deep inside Dew’s body. Dew was so tight like this…

Mountain began to move, keening as he felt Dew’s walls clench around him. It had been too long, he didn’t know how long he was going to last like this. He felt Dew’s hands come to rest on his thighs, long spindly fingers reaching around to dig into the meat of Mountain’s ass and pull his hips forward to grind together as Mountain thrust forward with the sound of skin hitting skin and the wet squelch of his dick moving in and out of Dew’s soaking wet cunt. Their breaths mingled together, Dew’s punched out whines harmonizing with the sound of Mountain’s grunts and gasps as he moved above him.

“I missed you,” Dew whimpered, his body moving incrementally closer against the headboard with the force of Mountain’s thrusts. He wrapped his legs around Mountain’s waist, scrabbling at his back and trying desperately to bring them even closer together, to erase whatever distance remained between them.

“Missed you,” Mountain panted, hips picking up speed as he felt Dew’s thighs begin to tremble, clenching his sides, and his pussy tighten even more around him, “You feel so tight on my cock…need you–ahh, need to make you come with me.”

Dew whined, nodding. Mountain felt claws pricking his shoulders as Dew pulled himself up to plant kisses and bites across Mountain’s chest. He moaned, shuddering as he felt cool lips wrap around his nipple, hips stuttering as he felt the nick of a fang on the sensitive skin. He reached between them, pressing on Dew’s clit and rubbing quick, tight circles. He could feel his balls drawing up tight against his body, his thighs began trembling as he felt tight heat building in his gut, flaring as Dew began to flutter around him. The Water ghoul’s whines began pitching higher, turning into breathy, punched out moans as he clenched down on Mountain’s cock, gushing around him as he arched his back, pressing his body into Mountain, legs shaking.

Mountain pressed in deep, rocking against the smaller ghoul, working him through his orgasm and grinding against Dew’s pussy before coming deep inside him, quietly whining “Fuckfuckfuck–ahh…” into Dew’s neck as he slowly came down.

Mountain allowed himself to relax, the tight muscles in his back releasing as he slowly pulled out, wincing softly. He rolled onto his back, scooping Dew up to cuddle against his side, tucking the smaller ghoul’s head below his own on his shoulder. Dew snuggled in closer, throwing a leg across Mountain’s waist and reaching into the crook of Mountain’s neck to kiss and lick lazily at his scent gland, a quiet purr kicking up in his chest, a purr of deep contentment. Mountain rested his cheek on top of Dew’s head, breathing heavily and trying to slow his heart rate. He brought his hand up to run his fingers through Dew’s silky silver hair, now only a bit tangled from their tryst. He felt Dew stirring against him.

“I love you,” Dew whispered into his neck, his small frame shaking with slight tremors of aftershocks.

Mountain sighed, breathing a kiss into Dew’s hair, pulling the smaller ghoul into him and holding him close, arms wrapped around him protectively. Things were good, he and Dew were good.

“I know, Bug.” He whispered back.

Mountain laid back against the pillows, holding Dew against him and listening to the Water ghoul’s breathing as they just sat, comfortable in the silence and closeness between them. He felt Dew relax against him, slowly drifting off in the afterglow of their time together. He snuggled in closer to the Earth ghoul, laying on Mountain’s chest, with an arm and leg thrown across his body. Mountain shifted, feeling the stickiness on himself. Dew was going to be uncomfortable for sure when he woke, that simply wouldn’t do. Mountain quietly slipped out from underneath the smaller ghoul, supporting his weight as he settled Dew onto the bed, watching his eyes dance beneath his eyelids for a moment before padding silently to the bathroom. He washed himself off, cleaning off the drying slick and cum on his dick and thighs. He ran a washcloth under warm water and padded back towards Dew sleeping in the middle of his bed. He picked up Dew’s book that had been haphazardly tossed aside, closing it and placing it gently on the desk next to the forgotten tray of stew and bread, now cold. He eased himself back onto the bed, leaning over to gently shake Dew awake, pressing kisses to the soft skin of his shoulder. Dew exhaled, stretching slightly before blinking his eyes open, looking at Mountain with a crooked smile.

“Hey Droplet, wanna clean up real quick? Then we can keep snuggling,” Mountain murmured, holding up the washcloth.

Dew stretched his arms up above his head, tail curling into a tight spiral. He reached up towards Mountain, making little grabby hand motions, “Too tired…do it for me?” Dew asked, letting his aquamarine eyes get big and sticking out his lip in a little pout.

Mountain chuckled, rolling his eyes just a little as he drew Dew towards him, taking the washcloth and gently wiping him down. Once finished, he tossed the cloth towards the bathroom, slipping into bed under the covers and pulling Dew against him again, planting a soft kiss between the smaller ghoul’s mother-of-pearl horns. Dew shifted away from him, muttering something about being too hot. He rolled onto his front, still facing Mountain, his legs and tail still intertwined with the larger ghoul’s. Just because he was too warm didn't mean he didn't want to still be touching Mountain somehow. Mountain shifted onto his side to meet Dew face-to-face. He reached out and tucked a lock of Dew’s hair that had fallen over his horns back and out of his face, wanting to just get lost and swim in the vast oceans of his eyes.

Dew was quiet for a moment before whispering, “I really did miss you,”

Mountain swallowed, nodding, “I missed you too Droplet, I’m sorry,” He rolled back onto his back, looking up at the ceiling of his room, “It’s just…things have just been a lot lately.”

Dew chirped quietly in acknowledgement, reaching over to thread their fingers together, squeezing Mountain’s hand softly. He looked over at Mountain thoughtfully, “Omega seems like he’s also been going through a lot lately.”

Mountain looked over at the smaller ghoul, heart rate increasing slightly at Dew’s words. How much did he understand about what was going on? He squeezed Dew’s hand, “Yeah? What makes you say that, Bug?”

Dew dropped his eyes to their hands clasped together. He rubbed his thumb idly over Mountain’s knuckles, thinking.

“Well…when we went to visit him? I–I don’t know what I expected us to find…but it wasn’t that. He just seemed so…tired, and lonely. I know that we haven’t seen Papa since we got home, and neither has Meg, and I know you said that he didn’t handle it well. I just–I would be so sad if I couldn’t be around you the way that Meg can’t be around Papa right now,” Dew looked off to the side, eyes big and sad. He sniffled quietly, biting at his lower lip, and brought a hand up to wipe quickly at his nose.

Mountain let out a slight exhale, not realizing that he had been holding his breath waiting on Dew’s answer. His stomach twisted with a twinge of guilt, torn between wanting to comfort Dew in this moment, and relief that the smaller ghoul seemed to still be in the dark about his suspicions regarding the situation at hand. It’s not that he didn’t trust Dew with his thoughts, he just…wasn’t ready to share them just yet, he didn’t want to burden Dew with the weight of what he dreaded was the truth before he could definitively and decisively say that maybe Papa wasn’t alive anymore.

He reached out and cupped Dew’s face in his palm, “You’re right, Bug. Omega is going through a lot right now. But, he really seemed happy that we came to see him the other day. He brightened up a lot while you were talking with him and after you left to go bring us snacks,” Mountain shifted closer, pressing their foreheads softly together, “You did that, Droplet. And I promise you, me and Aeth are gonna figure out what’s been going on. I’m not going anywhere, you know that.”

Dew leaned into Mountain’s palm, covering Mountain’s hand with his own and twining their fingers together. He turned his head and pressed a kiss into the Earth ghoul’s palm, a purr vibrating from his small frame. He murmured something into Mountain’s hand, his voice small and muffled.

Mountain shifted closer, ears twitching as he tried to catch what Dew had said, “I can’t hear you, Droplet, I’m sorry.”

Dew peeked out from hiding in Mountain’s hand, a blue eye visible through their fingers, “I said, thank you.”

Mountain blinked, sprigs of Calamintha sprouting at the base of his horns as he flushed green across his cheeks, “I–what? No…why are you thanking me?”

Dew squeezed the hand on his cheek, sitting up slightly, “Because…you’re always taking care of us, Mount. Looking out for us, making sure that we’re together, the check-in notes?” Dew leaned over to place a soft, chaste kiss on Mountain’s lips, “I felt you get up and leave this morning to see how Aeth was doing after pulling his all-nighter in the Infirmary, and the sun wasn’t even up yet. You are the mortar that holds our pack together, Rosebud. I don’t know what we would do without you.”

Mountain sighed and pulled Dew into his chest, wrapping his arms around the smaller ghoul and holding him close, “You make it worth it, Bug. I would tear down mountains for you. For all of you.”

Dew snuggled into Mountain’s embrace, slotting his hips in close and wrapping his tail around Mountain’s thigh. He tucked his head onto Mountain’s chest, under his chin, and closed his eyes, purring softly as he began drifting off to sleep again. Mountain settled under the covers, curling around Dew and relaxing as he allowed sleep to take him as well.

The storm that Mountain had been trying to beat earlier raged outside the window, shaking the glass panes with wind and smatterings of freezing rain. The two ghouls in the bed slept through it all, spent and sleeping deeply, taking comfort in each other’s presence. Outside the window, a dark hooded figure lurked, watching them. The figure shifted, a large yellow eye peeking from beneath the hood, glowing in the night. It growled softly, before slinking off back into the shadows, disappearing without a trace.

***

Aether tossed and turned, the sheets tangled around his legs. His tail swished restlessly as he tried to get comfortable. His eyes shifted beneath his lids, his face scrunched and brow furrowed, lost in the dream he was having. A clap of thunder outside the window woke him with a start, sending him bolting upright, chest heaving. He looked around the room, trying to place his surroundings as he came back to himself. His eyes slid over to the corner, widening as he took in the two figures lurking in the darkness. Aether sat up, drawing the sheet around himself as the smaller of the two figures moved, nearing his bed. Terzo looked at him, his infernal eye glinting in the dark as he approached and sat down on Aether’s bed.

Aether sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, “Papa, it’s the middle of the night. Why are you here?”

Terzo looked over his shoulder, reaching out a hand to the figure still standing in the corner. The figure approached, and Aether’s breath caught in his throat as Omega took Terzo’s hand, standing next to the Anti-Pope alongside Aether’s bed. Aether looked between the two, trying not to believe what he was seeing in front of him. He had just tried to see Omega earlier that day. He was going to see him in the morning. This wasn’t real. This wasn’t real.

“Aether,” a deep voice echoed in his head.

Aether looked up at the Quintessence ghoul standing before him. Omega’s eyes glowed purple in the darkness, galaxies and the expanses of space dancing beneath his skin. Aether watched his hand reach up to rub at his neck, where deep gashes marred the junctions of his neck and shoulder.

“...How?” Aether asked, reaching out to try and touch the wounds.

Omega caught Aether’s hand before he could, gently lowering it with a sad smile, “It does not matter. There is nothing we can do about it now, unfortunately.”

Aether’s eyes filled with tears as the truth, the gravity of the situation, hung in the air between the three of them. He was too late, he had lost his Papa, and now he had lost his mentor as well, “Meg…I–I am so sorry. I…I was too late, wasn’t I?”

Omega left Terzo’s side, sitting on the bed in front of the younger Quint, reaching up to squeeze his shoulder, “Do not fret. I was wasting away, alone in that room. What kind of a life was that?” Omega looked back at his mate sitting behind him, a soft expression in his eyes, “Please believe me when I say that I am no longer suffering. Now, we are together again.”

Terzo rose from his place, coming to stand next to Omega, placing a hand on Omega’s cheeks and reaching down to place a kiss between his horns. He looked back towards Aether, his face finally showing peace for the first time since he had started appearing to him weeks ago. Omega looked up at Terzo, affection sparkling in his eyes before turning his attention back to Aether as well.

“We are free, but you are not. Not yet. There is something coming, and you need to be ready for it,” Omega paused, looking out Aether’s window at the storm raging outside, “You need to protect the others.”

Aether followed his gaze, but failed to see what Omega was looking for. He looked back at his mentor, who was now standing hand in hand with Terzo as they backed towards the door, “Wait! Please don’t leave yet…I still need you.”

Omega sighed, looking down at the younger Quint with a fatherly affection, “Aether, you are more than I could have ever hoped for you, and I am so proud of you,” They moved closer to the door, “But now, you need to wake up. Protect the pack.”

“Wait, hold on, what does that mean? I am awake.”

“Do not waste time, go NOW.”

Aether jolted up in bed, gasping for air, sweat dripping from his brow. He looked frantically around his bedroom, looking for the figures of his mentor and his Papa, but found nobody. A boom of thunder followed a flash of lighting, lighting up the room and shaking the old glass windows. Outside the door, a crash accompanied by a terrified scream rang down the hallways, and Aether’s blood ran cold.

Chapter Text

Mountain squinted into the darkness, taking in his surroundings as he wandered down the corridor. The stone walls were high, meeting vaulted ceilings that arched over his horns. Broken windows lined the corridor, and ragged drapes moved softly in the breeze that caressed Mountain’s face as he padded softly over the faded runner lining the stone floors. Mountain often explored the nooks and crannies of the old buildings and the grounds when he needed to think, but…this was different.

"....I don't think I know where I am," he mused. He had been wandering down this path for some time, following the scent of water lilies and petrichor as it slowly grew stronger with each cautious step.

This wasn’t a part of the Abbey Mountain was familiar with, some sunken abandoned wing that was dilapidated and overgrown, forgotten by time. He reached a hand out, feeling vines and vegetation covering the cold, worn stones. He blinked, his eyes beginning to adjust to the dark brought on by the new moon. He kept his hand on the wall, using it as a guide as he trudged deeper into the depths of the abandoned wing. The floors began sloping, ending at a staircase that dropped deep into the depths of the earth below the Abbey. Mountain paused at the top of the steps, hesitant to descend into the inky black of the tunnel below him. A pit of uncertainty settled in his stomach. His tail wound itself around his wrist and he clasped the spade in his hand, weighing his options. Something tugged at the back of his mind, suggesting that maybe he didn’t want to know what hid at the bottom of the stairs. Another something pulled from his chest, wanting to follow the trail of petrichor and lilies into the inky depths of the tunnel. As he peered down the stone staircase, a soft blue glow began emanating from the darkness, suggesting something to be discovered at the end of the tunnel.

Mountain huffed out a breath, resolving to follow the scent and the thread tugging in his chest. He stepped slowly down the stairs, watching his breaths form in the blue glow in the air as the temperatures grew colder with his descent into the earth. The vines on the walls under Mountain’s hand gave way to moss at the bottom of the staircase. Mountain squeezed his fingers into the soft, springy growth, watching as rivulets of water emerged from the moss like an over-soaked sponge, running down his hand and dripping onto the now-earthen floor. He brought his hand closer to his face, investigating the moisture on his skin as it gleamed in the blue glow filling the tunnel. He turned his head, peering towards the end of the tunnel to find the source of light coming from a partially open door.

Droplets of water began falling from the ceiling of the tunnel as he approached the door, landing on his head and causing his ears to twitch at the sensation. The door loomed in front of him, solid and imposing. Solid oak and wrought iron, with arcane runes carved into the posts and the threshold. Mountain pushed it open, stepping into the blue glow inside the room. The scent he had been following became almost overwhelming, the thread emanating from his chest taught. The connection he felt led him to the center of the room, where swaths of Spanish Moss hung in garlands from the stone ceiling, draping over a massive, ornate tank of sorts. A figure floated inside the tank, twisting and turning gently in the glowing blue water.

The figure turned to face Mountain, and his eyes widened at the sight in front of him. Dewdrop peered over his shoulder through the waves of silver-spun hair floating around his face. He smiled, waving his fingers at the earth ghoul who had come to visit him. He beckoned Mountain closer, pressing his hands up against the glass, fingers splayed. Mountain brought his hands up to the tank, mirroring Dew with his palms pressed against the cold barrier between them.

“What are you doing in there, Water Lily?” Mountain asked.

Dewdrop smiled again, twisting away from the front of the tank to twirl through the water, looking over his shoulder flirtatiously and blowing a kiss in a stream of bubbles at the larger ghoul on the other side of the glass. Mountain chuckled at Dew’s antics, watching the Water ghoul show off for his partner. Dew’s Betta fins fluttered around him, surrounding and draping his body elegantly like silk scarves drifting in the water. His tail waved gracefully, winding itself around Dew’s legs in gentle caresses.

Mountain turned, stepping away from the smaller ghoul in the tank to observe and explore the space. He had never been here before, to what looked like…a sunken ritual room? The sound of water was everywhere, trickling through the moss growing on the stone walls and falling on his head in drips from the cracks in the ceiling. A light mist hung in the air, billowing in whorls in the light emanating from the tank at the center of what appeared to be a ritual circle. A thump coming from behind him tore Mountain’s attention away from some orchids that were growing and hanging from the walls. He turned back to see Dew, now still inside the tank, a look of worry spreading over his face.

“Droplet, what’s wrong? Why do you look like that?” Mountain stalked back over to the tank, looking over Dewdrop’s body to search for harm or injury.

Dew looked around with wide eyes, seeming confused about..something. The small ghoul looked up at Mountain and brought a webbed hand to press on his abdomen below his sternum, fingers digging into the pale skin between the gills on his ribs. He looked outside the tank, pressing his other hand to the glass with claws digging in scratch marks as the sigils carved into the ritual circle on the floor began to glow. The water in the tank began emitting a golden light. Dew whirled around, eyes dilating as he looked around him at the changes in the ritual room.

Mountain followed the Water ghoul’s eye and his stomach dropped. The water dripping from the stones was turning to steam. The moss and other flora growing on the walls and ceiling began to wilt, shriveling and browning with the growing temperature in the room and disintegrating at the touch. He looked back to the tank, eyes widening in fear at the sight before him. Dew was looking down at himself, hands held out in front of him as veins of gold began spreading from his fingertips, spreading up his arms. He rubbed at his hands, frantically trying to rub off whatever magic was invading his body. The gold spread from his finned feet, creeping up his legs, converging with the other veins over his heart and traveling up his neck towards his face. Dew stilled, pupils narrowing to pinpricks drowned in a sea of aquamarine. He looked at Mountain, silver hair billowing around him.

“M-mountain?” Dew mouthed silently, before his small body seized, head thrown back, mouth open wide as he began convulsing in the golden water.

“Dewdrop!!" Mountain shouted, banging his fists on the glass in an effort to break the tank and save his ghoul.

The water around Dew began to roil and bubble as flames engulfed his body from the inside out. The temperature in the room quickly began trending towards unbearable and Mountain threw his body against the glass, trying desperately to free the water ghoul burning in front of his eyes. He wiped rivulets of sweat out of his eyes, pushing back his damp shaggy hair as he slipped on the surface of the tank and crashed to the floor, wincing and crying out at the feel of the scalding stone against his body. Inside the tank, Dew writhed in the boiling water. The golden veins spidering across his body glowed and burned as he clutched at his throat and gills in a silent scream, muffled by the tank. His fins dissolved like fine spun sugar from his body and limbs.

Mount-Mountain!!” Dew screamed behind the glass, sobbing as tears of golden ichor streamed down his face and were whisked away by the boiling water and dissipated in the flames; an angel of nature receiving some undeserved torture or infernal punishment.

Mountain groaned as he tried to gather his strength to rise off the floor, feeling depleted by the heat and the feeling of death clouding the room. Tears flowed down his face as well as he watched his love writhing and burning in front of him. His ears twitched as he realized that Dew’s screams were no longer muffled, but growing louder.

“Mountain!!?? Wake up, PLEASE!!”

***

Water dripped from the ceiling as Sister finished lighting the candles around the room. The glow illuminated the arcane symbols carved into the floor and rough-hewn ceiling. She moved across the room, heels clicking on the stone as she approached the stack of books sitting neatly on a table. Sister picked up the tome on top of the pile, gently brushing off the cover and carrying it over to an altar rising out of the floor. The altar stood imposing and ancient, sitting in the middle of a circle carved into the ground and surrounded by candles and bowls of salt. Sister set the book down, reaching over and picking up a knife. She held the knife up to the light, examining the blade. Her gaze drew to a reflection glinting in the cursed steel, revealing a hulking figure in the doorway to the ritual room, and a glowing, yellow eye. She placed the knife down and stood tall, straightening her impeccable suit jacket before addressing the figure, still facing away.

“Go.”

***

Dewdrop stirred, the sound of the freezing rain pelting the windows rousing him from his slumber. He sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes with the heel of his palm as he blinked into the darkness. Beside him, Mountain reached out an arm, sensing in his sleep the absence of the Water ghoul that had been curled up next to him. Dew smiled, reaching to give the earth ghoul’s large paw a soft squeeze before gently sneaking out of bed and making his way to the bathroom for a drink of water.

He reached for the cup next to the sink, filling it with water and putting it to his lips. A streak of lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating the room before a clap of thunder boomed, rattling the windows. Movement caught Dew’s eye as the flash of light revealed what seemed to be a hulking figure looming in a corner. Dew paused, the water still in his mouth as the room became engulfed in darkness again. He squinted, straining to see what he thought he saw before another flash of light revealed it to be the coat rack holding Mountain’s massive canvas work coat. In bed, Mountain rolled over, mumbling something in his sleep about moss…and bubbles.

Dew shook his head, pushing his long hair out of his face. His nerves felt on edge, he could feel his fins vibrating with the ozone in the air from the storm. It was just the storm…right? Yeah…just the storm.

He slunk out of the bathroom towards the bed, scooting a little quicker past the dark corner and shooting the coat rack a dirty look before making his way back to the lump of Earth ghoul snoring under the covers.

Before he could reach the bed, a shadow figure emerged from where it was crouched next to the armoire, wrapping its arms around Dew and pulling him back into the darkness. Stunned by surprise it took Dew a moment to realize that it wasn’t arms holding him, but bands of smoke and shadows winding around his arms and chest, holding him tight as he wriggled in their grasp. Dew whirled his head from side to side, trying in vain to catch a glimpse of the source of the shadows as more lightning flashed across the windows, illuminating the room in broken fragments. Dew’s eyes widened as a hooded being slunk across the room, moving with predator-like grace towards the small water ghoul. Dew opened his mouth to yell for Mountain but was cut off by bands of shadows wrapping around his throat, covering the gills on his neck and slithering up to cover his mouth.

“Such a pretty little thing…you’ll do nicely, I think.” The words curled through Dew’s mind, leaving him shuddering with the feeling of slimy tendrils invading his consciousness.

The figure crept closer, the bands of shadow tightening around Dew’s body and forcing the breath from his chest as it approached. Dew whimpered softly as the tendrils covering his gills pressed in harder, biting into the sensitive flesh with his struggles.

“There’s no need to make a mess of this, hmm? Come quietly and nobody else needs to get involved,” The being in the hood turned its looming head towards Mountain still deeply asleep. “Nobody needs to get hurt.”

Dew’s eyes widened, beads of cold sweat gathering and slipping down his back. He glanced at Mountain, willing him to wake up. More lightning and thunder cracked across the sky outside, the rain pelting the windows and creating a cacophonous symphony inside the room. There’s no way anybody could sleep through this, right? Dew looked at the sky and realized with a cold blooded shudder that it was the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. There’s no way Mountain would be easily roused with his magic beginning to go dormant for the beginning of winter.

The hooded figure swung its head back towards Dew, sensing his fear permeating the air. It reached out a clawed hand, loosening the tendrils of shadow around his neck and face. Dew shrunk back as the hand cupped the back of his neck, pulling him in closer to the figure still somehow shrouded in darkness. His assailant rubbed its thumb over his cheek, sliding down to run over his lower lip.

“Still though, it would be a shame not to have a taste and see why you’re so important before she gets her hands on you,”

Something snapped inside Dew at the comment slithering through his mind as the figure tried slipping its thumb past his lips into his mouth. A small growl escaped his throat, barely giving him away as he opened his mouth and bit down on the stranger’s thumb, his sharp needle teeth sinking into flesh and drawing blood, all the way down to the bone.

“Wha–FUCK!” the figure yelled, trying to draw its hand back as Dew clamped his jaws down even tighter. Tendons and skin ripped between his teeth as he shook his head. The bands of shadow around him loosened from his assault, allowing him to free his arms and tail as he thrashed around, trying in vain to make any kind of contact with his claws and tail. The shadow and smoke finally released, allowing him to drop to the ground and scramble away, snarling as he spit blood and sinew from his mouth.

The figure growled, rolling its shoulders, cradling its hand to its chest and stalking forward. It tilted its head menacingly as it towered over Dew, tendrils of shadow lapping at its feet. Dew’s eyes widened as the scent of irritation and violence washed over him. He crawled backwards, hitting the desk and realizing there was nowhere else to go. A little minnow trapped and cornered by its predator.

The hooded figure bent down and grabbed Dew by the hair, lifting the hissing and snarling water ghoul into the air, far enough away that his claws only came in contact with the empty space between them. Dew watched the wounds he inflicted on the stranger’s hand disappear, fear striking his heart and halting his breath as the skin stitched itself together.

“I gave you a chance to come quietly, easily. That was your chance to do things her way. Now, you little fuck, we’re going to do things MY way.” The figure growled as he slammed Dew back against the armoire.

Dew whimpered, stars exploding behind his eyes as his head bounced off the hardwood with a nauseating, hollow thud. He cried against the pain of the hand in his hair as he wrenched his head towards the sleeping earth ghoul in the bed screaming “Mount–Mountain!!”

The clawed, bloodied hand reached towards him, wrapping its fingers around his throat.

“Mountain!!?? Wake up, PLEASE!!”

***

Mountain jolted upright, his nerves electrified with adrenaline from the fire and destruction around him. He whirled his head around blindly, trying to take stock of his surroundings as the blood pounded in his ears, his heart racing. So much death, so much destruction, the heat from the fire, it sucked at his soul in a way that drained his strength and made his heart feel heavy with anguish.

A gurgling sound filtered through the fog in his brain, and his ears twitched as he tried to locate the sound. Mountain shook his head, blinking rapidly. He wasn’t in the sunken chapel, he was in his room, there was no fire, no death. Lightning boomed through the room and a large hulking figure came into focus, facing away from him as it struggled with something that he couldn’t quite make out. The figure shifted, giving Mountain a glimpse of long silver hair before turning its back to him again. Dewdrop.

Mountain stiffened, his stomach dropped and red invaded his vision as his body acted on instinct. The earth ghoul threw the covers back and leaped off the bed, legs moving automatically; he charged the figure in the corner, getting low and wrapping his arms around its midsection as he tackled the intruder, sending them both crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs and claws. Mountain landed heavily on top of the stranger, drawing his face back as a clawed hand shot out, going for his eyes and narrowly missing but nicking his cheek. He hissed, pushing the other away from him and drawing back. A broken whimper came from the corner, shifting his attention away from the hooded thing in front of him and back towards the dark where Dew lay crumpled on the floor, his hair letting off a slight glow in the shadows as he tried to push himself up onto his elbows but collapsed back to the floor, becoming alarmingly still.

Mountain scooted over to Dew, gently brushing his hair out of his face, heart clenching at the sight of blood smeared around his face and blood rising as the bruises around the smaller ghoul’s slender neck came into view. His gills fluttered in a ragged pattern, the delicate blue membrane looking more like crushed paper as he gasped shallow breaths. Mountain turned back to the figure rising up from the floor, putting himself between it and Dew and squaring up in a protective stance.

“I’m going to give you one chance to tell me who the fuck you are and what the fuck is happening before I make you sorry for being in here,” Mountain growled, his eyes glowing a dangerous green, claws flexing.

The figure straightened, pulling back its hood to reveal a ghoul's mask through which shone two predatory yellow eyes, “Oh, c’mon, Mountain, don’t tell me you don’t recognize me,” it drawled in a patronizing tone.

Mountain stilled, a chill running up his spine and settling at the base of his skull in recognition as the stranger’s voice wrapped itself around his brainstem like a velvety, dangerous temptation.

“Special?”

***

The scream echoed in Aether’s mind as he flung the door to his room open and stared down the hallway, chest heaving. Thunder boomed through the halls, the smell of ozone and the static feel of lightning in the air made the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. Omega’s words rang in his ears as he sprinted down to the end of the hall, skidding to a halt in front of the nearest room and banging on the door with a balled up fist.

“Zephyr!! Zeph, please open the door!”

Nothing but silence on the other side.

Aether pounded on the door again, waiting a moment before saying fuck it and twisting the knob, shoving his way inside.

“Zeph, something’s wrong. We need to–” Aether paused, scanning the room.

It was eerily still, ominously empty, as if all of the air had been sucked out of the room. An empty vacuum. Aether crept towards the bed, eyes widening when he noticed the clumps of blood-covered feathers littering the covers.

“No…”

***

Mountain gaped at the man (ghoul?) in front of him, willing his mind to comprehend what he was seeing in front of him. This wasn’t Special, he knew Special. Special was the human in charge of the band’s PR. He handled all of the interviews and had traveled all over the world with them…including Mexico City. The fact that Special always wore a band uniform and a ghoul’s mask had always been a kind of inside joke, a way to help boost the mysterious cryptid imagery that Terzo wanted the band to maintain. But, it was common knowledge in the Church that underneath the mask he was just a man…right?

Special cocked his head, reaching up to remove his mask. Underneath he revealed a sharp, angular face covered partially by shaggy dark hair, with high arched brows that were interrupted by scars running down the right side of his face and across the bridge of his nose. He smiled, eyes narrowing menacingly as he revealed a mouth full of jagged, razor sharp teeth. He took a step forward, causing Mountain to take a step back, trying to place himself more between the threat in front of him and the crumpled water ghoul behind him.

“Special, why are you here? How…how are you like this?”

Special slunk to the right, tail twitching behind him, “You didn’t really think that the Clergy would let that idiot anti-pope galavant all over the world with a pack of hellspawn and not send a babysitter, did you?” He stopped, looking bored as Mountain shifted his stance to stay between him and Dewdrop.

“It’s not my fault you and the others were too fucking stupid to realize you had a Multi ghoul underneath your noses the entire time.”

He lunged, striking out with impossible speed, sinking his claws into Mountain’s shoulder and yanking the earth ghoul forward, sending him crashing to the floor. Mountain groaned, feeling the deep ache as Special’s claws released the muscle. He ignored the warm feeling moving down his arm as he pushed himself off the floor to face the Multi in front of him.

***

The ominous quiet was broken by the sound of Aether’s breathing coming in frantic, panicked gasps. The sound of flesh hitting stone came next as he tripped over himself in his mad rush out of Zephyr’s room, eyes never leaving the blood stained sheets on their bed.

"Ifrit. I need to find Ifrit." Shaking, he gathered himself off the floor and turned to leave the room in search of the fire ghoul, sprinting down the hall again.

“Hurry, Aether. There’s no time.”

Aether couldn’t be sure if the spectral voice came from the vision of his mentor returned or his own subconscious, but he didn’t have the time to ponder that more. Nor did he have time to ponder what happened to Zephyr–Satan help them. The blood…Satan help them all. The quint ghoul couldn’t shake the feeling that before the night was through, they would all need some infernal intervention to make it out alive.

Moving as fast as his feet and now injured knee would take him, Aether rounded the corner and skidded to a halt in front of the door he knew belonged to Ifrit. Heart in his throat, he opted not to knock, too terrified of being met with the same silence.

“Ifrit! IFRIT, PLEASE–” Aether barged through the unlocked door and dread pulled his stomach to his feet.

Silence and the smell of iron and char met him upon entry. There was no denying that a fight had occurred in this room, a fight with a pissed off fire ghoul. The sheets were torn from the bed, the nightstand and coat rack knocked to the ground. There were scratches in the wood of the wardrobe and floor as if Ifrit had been dragged fighting back, and Aether could see blood spatter and scorch marks on the ceiling and walls. The fire ghoul that caused those marks was nowhere to be found. Aether braced himself against the doorframe as a sob wracked his body.

“Ifrit…”

This can't be happening.

***

“Why are you doing this? Why would you want to hurt us? We were friends—OUGH” Mountain groaned as Special jabbed forward with a sharp left hook, sending his head whipping to the side.

“What the fuck made you think we’re friends? We were never friends, Earth. You and the rest rarely acknowledged me when my job was talking to those pitiful humans because Terzo was too fucking lazy to do it himself, when you thought I was human. I’ve got a much better gig now working for Sister Imperator doing her dirty work for her. She needs the water ghoul, and what Sister wants, Sister gets.”

Mountain moved to try and place himself in front of Dew again, still on the defensive, but Special was once again too quick, lashing out with his tail to catch Mountain around the ankle, sending him crashing face first into the armoire. Bone gave way with an audible crunch and blood filled his mouth, streaming from his broken nose. Mountain sank to his knees, spitting blood out onto the floor, trying to shake the stars erupting behind his eyes as his stomach churned in a wave of sudden nausea. Gods, this fucker was slippery. Special crouched down, cupping Mountain’s cheek and patting it before offering an arrogant smile.

“This has been fun, now be a good boy and stay down while I finish my work.”

Special stood and turned away, stalking towards a still unconscious Dewdrop. Mountain’s eyes widened as he watched tendrils of shadow emanate from the Multi, slithering their way towards the one he was trying to protect. He took a deep breath, reaching deep inside himself towards that power that he could feel trying to go dormant for the season. He pulled on those threads, willing himself to his feet and dropping his glamour. He felt his limbs lengthening, his antlers branching out from his head as he struggled straightening up to his full height.

“NO.” he thundered, emitting a sound like an elk’s bugle before putting his head down and charging.

Special glanced over his shoulder, barely having time to bare his fangs in a snarl before Mountain collided with him with a crash that sounded like a rockslide, sending the Multi ghoul reeling sideways. The larger ghoul advanced, grabbing Special by the back of the neck and headbutting him in the face. Special’s head snapped back, the momentum sending him stumbling backwards onto the bed. Mountain followed, crowding into his space, pinning him to the bed and landing a well-aimed fist to his jaw before driving an antler into Special’s abdomen. Special spit out a screeching yowl, sending a knee up into Mountain’s stomach in retaliation. Mountain grunted at the air leaving his body from the impact, pausing just long enough for Special to wriggle away.

The multi ghoul cracked his neck, reset his jaw with a sickening crunch and narrowed his eyes at Mountain advancing once again, “Alright, you get that one. Now you’re fucking dead.”

“Bring it, bitch.”

The two ghouls charged, crashing together as thunder boomed through the room again, covering the sounds of Mountain sending Special sailing into a chair, smashing it to pieces. Mountain ran forward, barreling towards him like a bull in a china shop. The earth ghoul grabbed him under the shoulders and heaved, picking him up and slamming him up against the wall. Mountain gritted his teeth and growled at the stinging pain of Special’s razor sharp claws shredding through the skin on his arms as the multi ghoul scrambled to get Mountain to loosen his grip. He brought Special close, snapping his jaws closed inches from Special’s face before ramming him back into the wall, stone and mortar cracking with the force of impact. Special grunted out a cough, kicking out with clawed feet at Mountain’s stomach, tearing through flesh and releasing a roar from the larger ghoul. Mountain leaned into the body in front of him, pinning Special’s limbs back as he brought his head down to gore the other ghoul again, eyes glowing green and antlers growing larger, the rack widening.

“Enough.” a cold, hard voice rang out.

Mountain hesitated, freezing just long enough in dreaded recognition of the authority of the voice behind him to let Special rip his hands away from the wall and smack them onto the earth ghoul’s temples. Mountain’s head jerked back, body jolting from the bolt of quintessence Special shot through his brain, dropping him like a boulder to the floor. He landed heavily, groaning as Special drug his body around, grasped his antlers and pulled his head back, heaving him onto his knees. He winced at the feeling, limbs rendered more or less useless. Mountain tried to growl as he felt a hand move from his antlers to the back of his head but it was cut off to a gasping whine at the feel of claws gripping into his neck, drawing blood and singeing skin as Special’s claws began to glow a dangerous, smoking red.

***

Aether burst through Ifrit’s door back into the hallway, heart racing. Eyes wild, he turned his head down towards the far end, his mind focused on a singular, instinct-driven thought. Another series of crashes rang through the dark.

Gotta see them. Need to find Mountain and Dew.

***

Sister stood in the center of the room, straight and still. She turned her head side to side, surveying the damage around the room before bringing her attention to Dewdrop. Mountain struggled against Special’s grip at the sight of his water ghoul stirring, whimpering out a small moan with the effort of trying to push himself up on his elbows. Sister signaled behind her, sending a Brother of Sin scurrying out of the shadows to secure Dew. Mountain’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the sibling in front of him, Dew hanging limply in the Brother’s hands. The sibling from Omega’s room who administered the medicine. Mountain growled again,weakly, glowing eyes flickering.

“You are taking too long, ghoul. I should not have to come and finish your job myself.”

Special’s claws flexed on Mountain’s neck, a soft hiss invading his ear.

“Got sidetracked when this one got involved,” Special spit out, jerking Mountain’s head forward.

Mountain closed his eyes as a glob of clotted blood oozed out of his nose, the adrenaline in his system fading for a moment to bring the fact to his attention that his nose was indeed still broken. He opened them to see a pair of professional looking loafers. He groaned as Special wrenched his head back to look at Sister Imperator standing in front of him, hands clasped calmly in front of her.

She looked down at him, an annoyed look of disdain on her face. That face twisted in disgust as more blood trickled from Mountain’s mouth, nearly hitting her shoes. Sister took a step back, looking at Dew whimpering in the Brother’s hands, then looking back at Mountain.

“You were mistaken to interfere.” She said, her voice the perfect example of control.

“Why are you trying to hurt him? He’s never done anything wrong,” Mountain wheezed, the threat from Special’s claws clear when he felt more heat flare through the points digging deeper into his neck.

“Things are changing. The Clergy has decided to move in a new direction. These changes call for a fire ghoul.”

A fire ghoul? But Dew wasn’t… “Bu–but, we already have…a fire ghoul.”

Sister tilted her head, a sneer appearing before those ever-piercing gray eyes, “I think not.”

Ifrit…no…

Mountain sagged into Special’s grasp, the rest of his body going slack under the weight of the implication in Sister’s words.

Sister turned, striding back towards the Sibling and the water ghoul in his grip. Dew opened his eyes, slivers of aquamarine glinting in the gray shadows swallowing the room. His head hung to the side, a tear slipping from his wet eyes. Dewdrop reached out weakly as Mountain was shoved roughly onto the ground by the multi ghoul behind him, hand shaking outstretched before being jerked back towards the door by the Brother holding him tightly.

Mountain struggled to move as he lay broken on the ground, face towards the door. Special came around and crouched in front of him, bringing their faces close and snapping his jaws at Mountain before rising and giving the fallen ghoul a savage kick in the ribs, cracking one or two. He stalked over to Sister and the others, holding a hand to the hole in his chest struggling to weave itself back together.

Imperator paused, turning back towards the earth ghoul bleeding on the floor, “A new age is starting. You cannot deny its coming. Any continued interference will be dealt with in the form of the most severe consequences.”

Whatever fucked quintessence Special had poisoned him with felt leaded and heavy, sapping his energy. Mountain felt a deep blanket of void and darkness descend over his mind as he heard the door click shut.

***

Aether stopped dead in his tracks, scarcely daring to breathe as he took in the scene in front of him after entering Mountain’s room. He rushed over to the hulking mass on the ground, cradling Mountain’s head and wincing at the sight of blood and bruises on his friend’s face. He rested his hands gently on Mountain’s face, murmuring comfortingly as Mountain flinched, trying to hide from the contact at his temples. Aether reached into Mountain’s brain as gently as possible with soft whirls of quintessence. He shuddered at what he found, mouth going dry and nausea blooming in his gut. Tears gathered in his eyes as he slowly unraveled the rat’s nest of magic entangled through Mountain’s mind like sticky, black tar. He left out a huff, bracing himself and taking on the stunning pain that held Mountain’s control over himself captive as the last of the sticky tendrils of shadow withered away. Relief flooded his frayed nerves when the earth ghoul in his lap finally relaxed, a long held breath leaving his chest.

Mountain let out a bloodied cough and cracked open a swelling eye, slowly raising a trembling hand and limply resting it on Aether’s wrist. The beaten ghoul groaned out something that sounded like words.

Aether leaned closer, ears twitching to catch what Mountain was trying to tell him, “Shhhh Mossling, It's just me. I'm here…”

“I couldn’t stop them, Aeth. They took him.”

“Dew's gone.”