Chapter Text
“How..”
A moment after the cannon fire died down, a faint voice echoed behind him. This signaled the end of hostilities in the city; the soldiers would likely be gone by evening. He didn't have to turn around to know who the voice belonged to or why it held such sadness. Over the past few days, he'd managed to listen intently to what was so wonderful about this tower and why it should continue to stand proudly, intact. But not turning around to face this man, for whom Artemy had likely destroyed everything he ever had, his dreams, and perhaps his entire life in the capital. Not turning around would be pure cowardice.
He took a deep breath to gather his courage, which had been even less than he had in twelve days of fighting the plague, and then turned to face the wreck of a man. It wasn't that he didn't look bad before, it was just that now he looked worse than ever…or did he look the same on day 9? He wasn't sure. More than once he saw Dankovsky in a worse state than when he saw him a few hours later, all organized, clothes not wrinkled, where before he could barely stand on his feet.
“How did it happen…” The quiet voice spoke again from Dankovsky's lips. Artemy raise his gaze enough to meet his gaze, but... he didn't even pay attention to him. The great bachelor from the capital focused on the ruined marvel behind him. This momentarily left Artemy speechless, he watched the man in front of him in this silence, you don't have to be a doctor or anyone great to see the tiredness in Daniil's eyes. He looked like someone who had lived here not just for twelve days, but for a whole month.
“Dankovsky… I had to do it..” The words left his mouth, hoping he'd finally at least look at him. Artemy knows he ruined Daniil’s life, or even worse. He knows that. He'll understand if he has to leave Daniil alone and never talk to him again, but he wants to hear it.
“I did everything I could, so why.. is it still not enough..?” As if he hadn't said anything, Dankovsky continued to stare at the ruins, mumbling words to himself. This began to worry him, he knew that Daniil thought he wasn't doing enough, that he could be doing more, he ruled this city and issued decrees! And he still considered it a failure?
“You did everything right, Bachelor, we have the vaccine, we will have the cure soon, I just need to collect the blood and then-” He stepped forward, reaching out to place a supportive hand on Daniil's shoulder. To show him that he wasn't alone, that he had done much, more than enough, for this foreign city. Before Artemy could put his hand on his shoulder, the man spoke.
“Is it because I let Karminsky die?”
The hand that was so close to resting and supporting Dankovsky on his shoulder stopped.
“.. What?” That was all Artemy managed to choke out at this... terribly abstract sentence. What does he mean, I let Karminsky die? His hand fell loosely back to its place at his hip. Artemy stared at Dankovsky, searching for an answer, any answer at all. After a few minutes of watching, the man in front of him spoke with a frown.
‘’No, no.. I saved him, this can’t be it..” If he saved him, why did he say something a moment ago about letting Karminsky die? What did he save Karminsky from? What would cause his death? Does this have anything to do with a polyhedron? How did he know he had to save him from death? With each casually spoken sentence from Daniil's mouth, only more questions piled up in Artemy’s head.
With anxiety rising in his veins, he looked around; there was no one in the square, probably out of fear of the cannons and the falling polyhedron. He's not sure if it's a good thing that only he can hear it.
“.. Did I not understand something when I was in the polyhedron? Or maybe…’’ Another sentence that Artemy couldn't understand what it meant. What didn't he understand? He truly felt more and more lost with each subsequent sentence or word. He felt like he had to finally say something, anything. Maybe this time the man would pay attention to him and explain everything he was saying.
“.. You're scaring me, oynon, what are you talking about?..” He wasn't lying; at that moment, Dankovsky's state terrified him. He mumbled incomprehensible sentences that, from his perspective, made no sense. And he avoided him. At first, Artemy thought he simply didn't want to talk to him, but now he thinks he's just... lost in thought. Unfortunately, the attempt to establish contact was unsuccessful. Daniil continued to stare at the destroyed polyhedron, muttering something quietly to himself.
“No, that can't be it, even if… I sided with Karminsky, so why the polyhedron…” After these words, as if snapped out of a trance, Dankovsky's gaze slowly shifted from the fresh rubble to Artemy. Finally, they stood face to face, just as Artemy had wanted.
“.. You did it.” The venom that accompanied these words immediately exhausted Artemy. The look that accompanied it made Artemy want to shrink. The tall man, stunned by the diminutive bachelor and his terrifying gaze, would have laughed at it once, but not now. He had expected hatred, because what else could he have in their situation? Even though Artemy expected it, he still wanted to try to get through to him.
“Dankovsky, listen to me-” He didn't even have time to say anything sensible when the man in front of him, who had been mumbling quietly to himself a moment earlier, started shouting across the square.
‘’I saved you from death! From hanging!’’ He shouted, jabbing his index finger into Artemi's chest and pushing him back a few steps. ‘’And this!” He pointed to a destroyed polyhedron a few meters away from them. ‘’This is how you repay me, you- you-” He tried to think of some insult, but the anger that had consumed his mind prevented him from coming up with anything sensible. He groaned in frustration, kicking a trash can. The force of the kick caused it to tip over, spilling the trash inside.
“I know! I know.. I am very grateful for what you did for me, i really am, but..’’ He began to lower his voice with each word, not wanting to shout over each other in the middle of the square, where many people might be listening. He looked at Daniil, who was clearly getting lost in his own head again, or rather, he thought so because of how uninterested he was in what Artemy was saying. However, he took advantage of the silence and continued, hoping that the man would understand that this choice was the best when it came to the town.
”..You have to understand that it had to happen, without the blood-” And again, interrupted in mid-sentence, he began to wonder if Daniil had not also disturbed his colleagues in the capital in this way.
“I need to fix this.” That's all he said before he headed towards Stillwater. Artemy stood there for a moment, dazed and confused.
“.. Fix what?” The question left his lips, and his eyes followed Daniil as he headed towards the exit from the square.
“Dankovsky..” He didn't even notice when his hand shot out and grabbed his forearm. But as quickly as it appeared, it was slapped away. The blow wasn't even strong enough to push Artemy away, but it happened because he didn't expect to be pushed away so quickly. He was frozen, standing motionless with his hand raised in the air, and Dankovsky didn't bother to move either.
A light autumn wind blew past them, it's cool air brushing their hair. It was almost as if time had stopped, no one said anything, no one moved, peaceful. Yet this peaceful held a hint of unease. Artemy wanted to know what Dankovsky had in mind. More than anything else. He was worried about him.
‘’I have to do this.” Words broke the silence, followed immediately by movement. Daniil resumed heading toward Stillwater without looking back. Without looking at Artemy. Did he only deserve Daniil's attention if he blamed him? Blamed him for making a decision that would save people, his people, his town.
“Daniil.” He spoke again, just as quietly as the other one before, hoping that Daniil would hear him, just as Artemy had heard him before. But the man had already vanished from his sight. Artemy stood, staring at the spot where he had just seen the bachelor from the big city.
Did he save Karminsky? Did he let him die? Did he misunderstand something in the polyhedron? What does all this mean? Is he just stupid enough not to understand, or is Daniil too crazy to talk sense? And fix? Fix what? Whatever he does, nothing will put the polyhedron back together.. What does he mean?
Artemy has no idea how long he stood there, how long he processed everything the man had said. But it must have been long enough for Rubin to appear in his line of sight. He didn't look his best. But should he blame him? He was practically one of only three qualified doctors in town. And he was the only one practically constantly available at the hospital. Artemy couldn't be there all the time. He needed time to gather herbs, prepare antibiotics, and also find a way to create a panacea. Dankovsky was certainly in the hospital more often than he was, but he also had many other duties to attend to. With all this fuss with Daniil, he completely forgot why Rubin came here.
Right, they were supposed to collect blood and go prepare the panacea.
“Shall we begin?” He spoke when he was close enough for Artemy to hear, walked past him, heading towards the lake of blood, but stopped when Artemy didn't move at all. Rubin looked at him over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. They still haven't returned to the friendship they had a few years ago, and rebuilding it is surprisingly more difficult when you have a plague in town. “Arte-”
“Can you handle this on your own for a moment? I must go somewhere.” And now he interrupts others, influenced by the great bachelor. Rubin looked at him for a moment, narrowing his eyes, not understanding what could be more important in this situation..
‘’I can't handle it myself, there's way too much bloo-’’ And again, interrupting, he is shocked that Rubin has not yet reprimanded him for this behavior.
“I'm sure Sticky will be here soon and help you, just.. give me a few minutes.” He said, his gaze still fixed on the spot where he had seen Daniil a few moments ago. Honestly, knowing this kid, he was already somewhere nearby. So help with blood would arrive in practically a few moments.
A moment of silence settled over them both, but it didn't last long. Rubin muttered something under his breath like, "I can't stand this kid for less than half an hour, make it quick’’. Half an hour? More than Artemy could ask for. He nodded in understanding and walked briskly toward Stillwater. He just needed a moment, the assurance that Daniil would explain everything he'd said once they had more time to discuss it all.
Rubin's kindness in giving him half an hour to deal with the matter became his curse.
The moment he entered Stillwater, the swing creaked. Why does everything in this town squeak? He saw a girl he already knew on a swing he passed. This time, she didn't have her usual mischievous smile; her condition looked similar to Daniil's. He supposed it was for similar reasons. Each of the three of them had a different plan, saw this ending differently. He looked at her for a moment and then decided that she didn't seem to have anything to say, which pleased him. He was ready to move towards the building door, but then she opened her mouth.
“Have you had time to look in the mirrors in the last twelve days?” She said nonchalantly while picking dirt from under her fingernails. Artemy never liked Clara, probably because he never understood anything she said to him or found her questions pointless. He looked at her silently for a few moments. She, like the bachelor, refused to look up at him. Why was everyone suddenly refusing to look at him? Except, surprisingly, Rubin.
“Where did this question come from?” Question after question, it always worked, or rather... It usually worked.
“Just a little silly question, why don't you answer?” Question after question after question... she knows this trick too. Of course, it’s Clara. Despite her cool demeanor, the words she spoke did not reflect it.
“Clara, I really don't have time or energy for your games.” That's all he said, giving her one last look. Then his feet began to carry him to the entrance of Stillwater. “I have to talk to the bachelor about something. So please, go bother someone else.” He grunted, clearly showing his disinclination to speak with her at that moment. He needed to know what Dankovsky had meant a moment ago. He only heard a quiet snort from her, and the swing stopped creaking.
“Dankovsky answered my question, and it seemed to me that he was in more of a hurry than you.”
That stopped Artemy in his tracks. Of course, he assumed Clara was just inviting him to join in on some stupid game of hers. But he really wanted to know what Dankovsky had told her. A quiet sigh lets Clara know she's won. Artemy turns back to face her, placing his hands on his hips.
‘’What did you ask? What did he say?” The questions immediately left his mouth, he must know what she heard, what he told her. A silly smile finally appeared on her face, and the creaking of the swing returned. There was silence for a moment as he watched the girl simply swing on the swing.
“Pff.. and now suddenly you want to talk to me and you have time. Great!” That's all she said. The creaking sound continued between them, and Artemy knew he wouldn't learn anything until he answered her stupid question.
“I-..” A heavy sigh left his lips, he really didn't have the mood or time to deal with her and her games. Mirrors? He had more important things to do than look in them, like not dying or finding a cure.“Somehow I didn't have time, fighting the plague took away that privilege, you know?” The swing stopped squeaking
“And you should.” The answer came so quickly he almost didn't catch it. With that, she passed him, heading back to wherever she was going. Artemy blinked a few times, disoriented, then turned around, parting his lips to ask what she meant, but as usual, he wouldn't know. She was already gone. What's she got to do with this disappearing act? Aspity is getting more competition when it comes to speaking in strange riddles.
Why is everyone suddenly talking nonsense? Except for Rubin, surprisingly.
Artemy, however, didn't waste time pondering Clara's words. No matter what she ever told him, he never understood what she meant. So he returned to the entrance of Stillwater, passing a broken mirror in the process.
The building's door was ajar, so he didn't bother knocking. He usually knocked out of politeness to Ewa; he knew she was afraid of him, so he preferred to simply let her know he was coming rather than startle her if she suddenly saw him. But now she's gone, knocking would be pointless. Once inside, he closed the door behind him, and the silence that greeted him made him uneasy. He didn't hear any bang... or rather, he hoped there wasn't any. With nightmare scenarios swirling in his mind, his legs quickly moved toward the stairs. When he'd spoken to Dankovsky moments earlier, had he carried a revolver? Artemy wasn't sure, but he'd definitely seen him with one someday.. But even if he didn't have it, there are many different ways it could have ended. When he finally reached the door to Dankovsky's room, he froze. He heard nothing, absolutely nothing. He didn't know what to expect when he opened the door: bloodstains on the floor, or perhaps Dankovsky hanging? He hoped it had simply... collapsed and was sleeping. He would thank Mother Boddho for that forever.
When he finally found the strength to open the door, what he found was not what he expected. A big-city bachelor kneeling before a clock with shards of broken mirror? What's up with those mirrors? Dankovsky didn't even pay attention to him, again, he just muttered something to himself even more quietly than before.
“Why isn't this working?.. I just need to go back to day 7.” He muttered as he rummaged through the pieces of the broken mirror. Artemy could have sworn he heard him quietly counting each shard. “Before, that was enough…” He spoke blankly, staring at the shard. Then, as if something had bitten him, he crushed the shards in his hand, which immediately woke Artemy, and instead of simply staring, he immediately rushed towards him.
“Oynon, you will cut yourself, let me look at it..” Only when he approached and grabbed his hands did he realize Dankovsky wasn't wearing gloves. His hands were covered in flat scars, some of which oozed a little blood. His knuckles were red, as if he'd been fighting someone... or as if he'd been smashing mirrors with his bare hands. But.. but why? Why did he break mirrors? What did Clara mean by mirrors?
“Leave me alone, Vorakh!” He tore his hands from Artemy's immediately, full of anger and energy, not like a moment earlier. He gave Dankovsky a chance to get up and take a few steps away from him to calm down.
“Are we really going back to mispronouncing my name?” He glanced at the pieces of the mirror again and got to his feet. He wanted to ask what he had done with it because it was very disturbing. Dankovsky wrapped his arms around himself, standing two meters in front of him, full of anger. He had never looked at Artemy like that before.
“I don't care about your name!” The first thing that came out of his mouth full of venom, the hands that had been hugging him moments ago, jumped out and started gesturing as he continued. ”You ruined everything! Don't you understand? My colleagues, my employees, are currently going through hell in the capital! And I could have prevented it, I found... I found a way to prevent it, but you…”
His voice dropped an octave with each word, increasingly helpless. He paused for a moment, allowing himself time to catch his breath, which Artemy only now noticed was incredibly rapid.
“But you ruined it. After all I've done for you, I saved you from the Inquisitor and the noose! And you didn't even hesitate for a second to stab me in the back.” His gaze drifted to the floor, all the energy that had been bubbling up a moment ago starting to fade. Artemy watched him like a wild animal, wondering what to do. He didn't want to upset Dankovsky, god, he wanted to be on friendly terms with him, but he was making any kind of communication or understanding incredibly difficult.
“Dankovsky, you have to try to understand-” And as if he'd clicked a button, anger began to boil over Daniil again. Will anything he says end like this?
“No! You have to understand my situation. I've heard enough of yours and I've had enough!”He would shout in Artemy's face, only to imitate the way Artemy spoke a second later. “ ‘I have to choose the future or the past.. the city or Kin, oh my god! I killed mother something to save people!’ I'm sick of this!” He spoke as if he were in a frenzy, pouring out all the grief, anger, and much more he had. For a second, he wondered how Daniil knew this.
The way he described Artemi's situation was brazen. He doesn't even know what he had to do, what he had to endure, or how difficult it was for him to decide what to choose. He just watched his deity die, the consequences of which he will feel on his shoulders for the rest of his life, and he talks about it as if it were nothing.
“Bachelor..” His tone indicated that Dankovsky was walking on thin ice. But as before, he simply ignored it, letting his emotions spill out on Artemy.
“Now it's my turn to tell you about my situation! I've let everyone in the capital down. Who knows what the government will do to them! Throw them out? Banish them from the country? Or maybe kill them in front of people downtown! What would you choose? Hm?” As he spoke, he took steps toward Artemy. He looked away from Daniil, who was now staring into his eyes as he told all this.
“I had to be selfish, I had to save my people..I'm very sorry about your situation and I hope your colleagues will be okay.. but..” He muttered something, wanting the man to try to understand, but stopped when he felt hands on his hood, pulling him down. His hands were still covered in blood; he had to bandage them. Daniil moved to Artemy's ear, and he finally felt how uneven his breathing was.
“Do you know what will happen to me?... They'll take me like some convict to the capital, interrogate me for hours, days, weeks! Oh, this is going to be so much fun!” He laughed against his ear, then took a shuddering breath. Artemy knew that beneath this facade, Daniil was hiding fear. “And finally, they'll release me and make me want to kill myself! Right after I get out…” His tone began to change from energetic to helpless. The head that had been pressed against Artemy's ear moments before fell onto his shoulder. His fingers gripped the hood, trembling. With less and less energy, he began to slide against Artemy; if it weren't for his quick reaction, he would have fallen straight to the floor.
“It would be better if I had already done it, but that would be cowardice, running away from the consequences in the most cowardly way possible.. I don't want my people to remember me like that when they find out I murdered myself in God knows what backwater.” These were the last words he muttered after losing consciousness. Artemy held him in his arms, standing there in silence.