Work Text:
Walking into the ‘sunset’, that looked more like a black hole more than any star he’d ever seen, Aventurine felt a sense of serenity. He knew he’d made the correct choice, though it was still a hard concept to grasp that someone, and it was a very special someone , genuinely wanted him to live.
He was not unfamiliar with the regard one gives to an object, an asset. He’d experienced it all throughout his life, so much so in fact, that at some point he started thinking of himself in those categories as well. For someone so obviously intelligent, so big in both his personality and influence, to care about a speck of dust like him – felt unthinkable. For him to treat Aventurine like a person was even more improbable. And yet.
He couldn’t disregard the Emanator’s impact on him either, for somehow she also believed he deserved to live. The thought warmed his heart even further, bringing a soft smile onto his lips.
He kept up his stride, not hurrying at all. At some point he realized he could no longer make out anything around him, everything seemingly faded out and all that was left was the vast blackness. It was… very strange, because even though there were no reference points around him anymore, he could still see himself clearly, and his instincts were not raising any alarms. He still had an idea of where to go. This brought him comfort, he almost felt as if the void was giving him a hug , as bizarre as that may sound.
But that didn’t last, soon he was falling.
He couldn’t tell if he was actually falling, or if he was just experiencing a similar sensation, from within Nihility itself he couldn’t expect a straight answer. He suddenly felt incredibly nauseous, his body finally catching up with him. He thought –
Well, he had thought only his consciousness had been dragged in here? Though that raised the question of where else his body could possibly be?
The inner workings of the universe escaped him, all he knew was that he didn’t feel as comfortable anymore. Far from it. He suddenly realized that while he had initially had a sense of direction, and a theoretical destination in mind when he started walking, all that was lost on him now. He had no clue how to get out of this place, his thoughts a complete mess and his surroundings incomprehensible.
Normally, Aventurine took great care in staying calm, never outwardly panicking, lest someone see and learn of his vulnerabilities. He couldn’t quite bring that skill forth just then, his breathing becoming quick and harsh, there was no air anywhere and he kept falling –
He clutched at his chest in an attempt to calm his stupid heart, his stupid body never working correctly , but it was impossible. He was falling apart.
(Never mind that the action just brought forth the way his ribcage felt like it was being split open. A blade of Nihility didn't just go through a person's body leaving it unscathed. He wondered whether it would scar. His whole body ached all over.)
He would’ve chuckled if he were at all capable of that. Hilarious that he should die from panicking of all things, only just after he decided to stay alive after all. Pathetic. Fitting.
Though, unexpectedly, he felt arms wrap around him. He stifled his initial reaction, which would’ve been to flinch violently, and instead let out a much worse yelp.
Had the Emanator found him again? Was she the one to save him from his own self?
But no, they were definitely arms, but ones clad entirely in armor . Huh.
He gradually managed to sort of calm down, his racing heart slowing down. The nausea wouldn’t go away though. He hadn’t thrown up in a very long time, but he was getting very close to slipping up. He realized he’d closed his eyes in the face of his impending doom, so he tried re–opening them again. It wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped, but eventually he managed.
His vision was very blurry, he couldn’t focus on what he saw, and what he did see was a whole lot of red . A hand found its way onto the back of his neck, keeping him up gently. He didn’t quite manage to suppress a flinch that time though. The person was now holding him at the waist and the neck, and he was leaning back, unable to keep his balance at all.
Aventurine still thought he might be dying, and that this was just an angel soaked in blood taking him to whatever hell of an afterlife he managed to deserve.
His head was spinning, and he barely managed to register a very deep, melodic voice asking, “Can you hear me, dear friend?”
And, for the record, Aventurine sincerely did try to nod, but his body was (once again) failing him. He then tried to make his mouth move to maybe actually speak to his savior, but that refused his command as well. What came out was just a pathetic whine.
He felt his body being laid down on a surface, once again extremely gently. He briefly wondered whether he’d ever been handled so kindly since his whole family was slaughtered. He easily knew the answer.
The ground, or whatever it was beneath him, helped. He felt much more, well, grounded. His head stopped spinning so much, now he was only slightly dizzy. His chest pain was… bearable.
When he opened his eyes again, his vision was considerably clearer. The person was hovering over him from the side, their long red hair falling onto his face. They must’ve seen something in his eyes to give credence to his increased awareness, because they soon spoke again, “Can you hear me now?”
He tried to nod again, and just as well failed, but this time instead of attempting to speak, he tried to make a vaguely affirmative noise. From the way his savior’s face seemed to light up, he must’ve succeeded.
“I am a Knight of Beauty, devotedly serving Idrila. You are safe now from whatever horrors you've experienced here.”
As they spoke, Aventurine realized their moniker fit them perfectly . Both their voice and everything else about them was simply beautiful . He hoped he could trust them.
It wasn't like he had much of a choice anyway.