Insider Information

"Insider Information" is a BOTGD 2 Act 1 thread written on June 9, 2019.
CONTENT WARNING: suicide
==Summary==
Dario nearly makes it to the Stormcutter Hatchery when he is attacked by Sylar. The bird nearly kills him when he is stopped by Milae, who helps Dario drive him away and the two of them slowly make their way to the hatchery.
==Full Text==
Dario Hjort: With how often he had been using maps during his time with Vox, the deer couldn’t fathom why it was so difficult to decipher this style of cartography he had been entrusted with.
They can’t be too far. Let’s hope they haven’t left yet…
The lengths he made to navigate to the unnamed hatchery felt like an eternity. Much of the journey was spent hearing the echos of his new friend in his head; the words bouncing from one side of his skull to the other in a cacophony of fear and uncertainty.
“I’m not worried for Vox…”
Dario squeezed his eyes shut. There wasn’t an explanation to why he felt so scared for Milae.
“I’m worried for you.”
He stopped upon realizing how labored his breathing had become. He knew that he held predisposition to these bouts of panic, but this was different. He wasn’t worried for himself, and that was an odd shift in how he had been operating mentally. It had been quite some time since another being that wasn’t Vox showed a genuine concern for the stag, and Dario wished he had more answers as to who Milae was. The goat already knew so much of him and his companion, and any attempts to pull information from him lead to an uncomfortable tension that he didn’t feel the need to push.
For our sake, I hope you’re wrong.
Sylar: “You tell me where you saw him – I do NOT have the patience for silence!”“
The hawk held the villager by the throat, propped precariously against a stone wall that prodded painfully in the man’s back.
“I- I can’t tell, there are…” he forced his words through bated breath, “…so many like him ‘ere in the forest.”
Sylar grew increasingly enraged at the ignorance of this man, allowing his talons to slowly press into the sides of his neck. He didn’t not have time for this.
“TALL. The boy had a rucksack, worn clothing… young, early twenties. You have to know something, because if you don’t, I can’t assure that I’ll make things any easier for you.”
He moved his face closer to the man’s, nearly making contact with his beak.
“This is not a courtesy. I cannot promise your life, and any information you give me is vital.”
Gasping through what air could pass through his windpipe, the man pulled desperately at the talons around his neck. He pushed so hard to allow any words to leave his mouth.
“…west…”, he choked, “…I saw- a deer, he went west, only hours ago. Alone, I swear to you.”
Sylar released his grip upon the last syllable, allowing the man to drop to the ground, hacking with a strain that nearly implicated a collapsed airway. It was an unfortunate casualty for his cause, but the hawk had no time to spare. He couldn’t let Dario reach his destination before getting the just rewards he deserved. Without speaking further, he draped his cloak back over himself and hastily moved west.
I will find you, Dario Hjort. I swore this to you, and it will come to pass.
Dario: He stopped tracking his distance once he established the right direction. His mind wasn’t clear enough to keep tabs on anything else at that point. As used to cardio as he was up to this point, he felt his legs beginning to strain. The emotional turmoil he had faced over the past few days seemed to have manifested into a more physical form, draining him of any energy he was typically used to having.
Please, Vox, don’t take off without me.
He continued his pace, however grueling it was becoming, in hopes that the hatchery could provide any information as to his whereabouts. He could nearly see the cliff-side that harbored his destination…
Finally. I can’t wait to get off of my fee-
The blunt force of the strike against the deer’s head nearly threw the hawk off balance, but the blind rage he channeled through the blow was out of his control. He no longer felt any other desire than to cripple Dario to the point that he would not be able to flee again.
“I told you I’d find you, shitbag.”
The deer’s vision was instantly blinded; he was unable to discern which direction was up or down as he fell towards the earth below him. The impact on the ground rattled his ribs and knocked the wind from his lungs. He could barely understand the gruff voice towering over his body as he recoiled in pain.
“P-please stop…”
Sylar: Sylar became further enraged at the plea of the deer, placing a well-aimed kick directly into his spine. He watched as Dario’s body spasmed beneath him, fueling the hatred he had harbored for so long.
“I will stop when you truly feel the pain Serena did.”
He pushed the now limp body of the stag with his talons, appreciating the vulnerable state he left him in.
“You’re alone, now. No scout to aid you, and nobody here to watch you die.”
Yun Milae: Behind Dario’s shuddering form, the air began to shimmer as though it were warped with summer heat. Both men felt a rush of blood to the head, a temporary inability to see, and as Sylar shook his head to clear his vision, there was a high-pitched whistle, and the end of a staff immediately cracked him across the side of the head, pushing him away from Dario. The ends of a bloodstained cloak drifted over Dario’s shoulder as one cloven hoof stepped over him, then another. The staff was lifted into a second pair of hooves, gripping it tightly, shaking intensely, and a half-breed goat spat blood and lifted his chin and stared into the eyes full of fury standing directly across from him. 
“I’ve watched him die,” he said hoarsely, “a lot. And I’m getting damn sick and tired of it.”
He took a defensive stance in front of Dario, but for some reason, he already looked like he’d walked straight out of a boxing match. Blood trickled from a cut upper lip down his chin; he had several small, uneven cuts across what was visible of his fur, marking bruises and lacerated with talon scratches. But he was standing firm
Sylar: Sylar fought the urge to fall over from the blow to the head, feeling the searing pain pulse through his skull. He was not anticipating a challenger; this fight was now far more interesting than he had originally anticipated. The goat before him stood just smaller than him, and yet held a demeanor that amplified his presence.
“Well, I hope you’re ready for one more.”
The hawk lunged forward with one wing covering a majority of his head, while his talons carried his weight in Milae’s direction. He had to go for the throat, as this was going to be an adversary that he couldn’t allow an advantage with. Using his second wing to thrust himself quicker, he managed to grasp the goat’s arm with his right talons, pulling him to the ground.  He hadn’t anticipated the quick dexterity that the stranger he opposed brought to the table. He stood atop the half-breed, intent on ending this fight as soon as possible.
Milae: The air rushed out of Milae’s lungs and he bucked up into Sylar’s midriff with a swift kick from his hooves, trying to displace him. “Dario!” he called in a strangled voice. “Get up! Run!” The injuries across his body were already throbbing. He managed to stick the butt of his naginata in the ground and lean the weapon against Sylar’s leg, pressing against it forcefully, threatening to break it, as his talons crushed his forearm. Let go, let go, let go, let me sever somewhere else…
Sylar: Sylar muffled his yells as Milae’s weapon dug deeper into the bone of his leg. The pain shot through his entire body like a dagger being forced upward, but he held his resolve. While trying not to avert his gaze from the goat, he shifted his eyes to Dario, who seemed barely responsive at this point.
“He should have kept a better eye on his surroundings… seems something, or someone, was distracting him.”
The hawk released his grip from Milae swiftly, while simultaneously pulling his leg away from his weapon. He was breathing heavily at this point, as it had been a while since a worthy adversary had matched him. While backing away from the goat, he landed another kick against the stag’s upper back. Even if he wasn’t going to successfully capture Dario this round, he wasn’t going to allow him to recover so quickly. This would make for an easier abduction at a later time.
“Who are you?… and why do you protect this boy?”
Milae: The kick placed as an afterthought sparked something hot inside Milae, something that filled his ears with nothing but his heartbeat, and he quickly advanced in front of Dario, spinning his naginata by his side. 
“I am Milae,” he growled, “and I guard this man because he is worth protecting. But you aren’t worth the breath it would take to explain why.” He hacked and spat another gob of congealed blood, curling his lip at Sylar and holding his weapon at the ready behind him, should the bird attack again.
“Get out of here, before I kill you where you stand.” His voice was dangerously low.
Dario: Ringing. Ringing in his ears. He couldn’t shake the pressure that overcame him in the previous moments.
Why can’t I hear?…
Dario slowly moved his fingers to ensure that they still operated; he was having a difficult time discerning any of the action going on around him. He looked to his right to see hooves… he recognized those hooves. Adjusting his focus beyond them, he could see… talons. Sharp, blood-coated talons.
Shit.
Using the little strength he could muster, the deer began to spin his hands in a clockward motion, taking care not to attract any attention to himself while the hawk was distracted. Breathing in as deep as his burning lungs would allow, the deer sent a small split wall of flames around Milae, slightly engulfing his opponent in a scorching inferno. He didn’t have the strength for anything larger.
This won’t be enough to kill you, but it’ll be enough to get me out of here.
Milae: Milae seized up in surprise as the fire roared past him and billowed in front of Sylar, and he looked back at Dario, still mostly prone, and felt a swell of pride. I didn’t know you could do that.
He stormed forward and followed up the flames with a swipe of his blade. His voice was quieter than most, but he still managed to growl, “LEAVE,” with an intensity he had not channeled for a long time.
Sylar: He thrusted his wings in any direction they would go to aid in extinguishing the flames, though they weren’t large enough to cause any permanent damage. He felt the connection of Milae’s blade against the top of his right wing, shooting a sharp pain through his entire body. He knew he was no match for the goat and his stag.
“Who are you? It matters not – I will not let this be the last we meet. Be forewarned; I was not the first, and most certainly will not be the last… he, however…”
He eyed Dario’s body struggling to push itself up from his position below. The deer had very little left to muster, but pushed on anyway.
“…he may be. Remember that.”
Not before examining his right wing once more, Sylar turned and took flight, seemingly aimless in direction to any who looked on.
Milae: Milae turned and threw himself to his knees, his weapon clattering to the earth. He began shaking intensely, having stopped suppressing the pain of his injuries in front of Sylar. He hurt, all over, and he was scared. “Dario,” he rasped. “Dario, say something. Tell me you’re alright.” He fumbled for his pack, looking Dario over for his most intensive injuries. He suddenly hucked up another mouthful of blood and it splattered in the dead pine needles. He coughed wetly, putting a hoof to his head. He was dizzy. “Dario, please.”
Dario: “Dario, please…”
The deer felt each rib stab against his swelling lungs; the blows he had taken from the hawk distorted his perception around him, but yet, he could hear the comfortingly familiar voice of the goat that stepped in to save his life. Bearing his weight onto his right shoulder, he struggled to push himself upright, only to fall quickly. His body had not taken a beating like that in a while, and he didn’t want to cause more damage than necessary.
I’m so disoriented. I think I’m gonna puke.
“M-milae… I can’t see, is he gone?…”
Milae: “He’s gone.” Milae struggled to keep conscious as a swell of lightheadedness overcame him. “But Dario, you need to talk to me, I need to do something, and I need to know that you’re alright for the next few moments.” He put a hand to his side, where blood was starting to creep down his side from the puncture wounds he had tightly bound after his second to last fight with Sylar. With the other, he fumbled for his weapon and started shakily unscrewing the blade from his staff. “Dario, are you mortally wounded?”
Dario: “I… sure hope not.”
Dario could feel his lungs begin to inflate with less pain than before; not moving was a smart call. His spine still felt as if it were aflame, overloading his brain with signals of something being horribly awry. The deer needed to focus as best he could to remain coherent for his friend.
“The last time… with Sylar, he almost had me. I’m lucky to have gotten through a second ti-”
He coughed violently, sending small droplets of blood from his muzzle. He continued to speak, albeit weakly.
“Let’s just hope that’s from the hit to the face. I’m no stranger to a little bit of a beating… he’s so strong, Milae. I didn’t even hear him coming…”
Milae: Milae leaned over, his vision darkening for a moment, gripping Dario’s shoulder to stay upright.
“All right…thank the gods…I swear, I’ll be right back, don’t move.”
He lifted both his arms, one holding the blade of his naginata, and vanished from sight with a pulse of light from his scars.
Dario: He was alone.
Bleeding, and alone. Dario felt that familiar high-pitched sound nearly rupture his eardrums, and though his vision was still impaired, he knew now that his surroundings bore only his frail body on the ground. There wasn’t any imminent feeling of danger, but he couldn’t explain the replaced emotion of separation anxiety. This was a feeling usually reserved for being away from Vox, someone he trusted with his entire life. The goat seemingly emulated this in his core.
Milae… please don’t leave me here, please… fuck.
Milae: (small trigger warning)
The wind howled around the small goat as he fell to his knees, his breath immediately torn away by the thundering storm. He was atop a grassy hill, the entire scene stained midnight and silver and black as a tempest swirled menacingly on the horizon, outlining the shape of Perch Hall as it was torn to shreds by the violent weather. In the distance, he heard an insane bout of laughter, her booming giggles cut through with heart-wrenching sobs. The lightning flashed, and the silhouette of Walpurgisnacht was briefly visible in the distance, her size nearly filling the sky. With his cloak snapping in the wind, he squeezed his hoof around the thin hilt of the naked blade, and lifted it skywards, the point aimed at himself.
“Fyrirgefðu mér, nornir, ég hef mistekist!”
The blade fell.
…
Behind Dario, a strong amber glow nearly drowned out the light of the spring sun above, casting long shadows through the forest, and when it died away, Milae was on the ground, facedown, and he came to with a start, gasping for air. He was no longer even slightly wounded; the only blood visible near him was the beginnings of a gentle trickle from his scars, and a coating of blood dripping from the blade he still clutched in his hand. He lifted his head blearily, trying to push himself upright.
“D-Dario?” he whispered hoarsely. “Are you…are you still here?”
Dario: It could have only been mere moments that Milae had disappeared, but each second manifested itself into what could have easily been interpreted as hours for the deer. Dario could feel the warmth emanating off of the goat, coursing an inexplicable relief within him.
“I’m here, Milae… still here.”
He managed to roll himself off of his back, propping his upper body on his forearms. Though still blurred, he turned his eyes to meet Milae. He couldn’t contain the smile that decorated the slightly swollen face he had left after Sylar’s rampage.
“Thank you so much. I don’t know… I couldn’t have beaten him. I’ve tried before…” He could feel his ribs still aching in his chest, making speech a daunting task. He pressed on, fighting back tears to avoid seeming any more weak in the goat’s eyes. This was never a battle meant for Milae, and he couldn’t bear the thought of putting anybody else in danger. His life was a struggle to break free of codependency, and he had failed once again.
“…I owe you my life.” 
Milae: Dropping the bloody blade with a ping of iron, Milae moved a little too fast to stumble forward and wrap his arms around Dario’s neck, burying his face in the deer’s shoulder. He was battling bravely not to cry, but he was losing.
“Not to be coarse,” he said in a muffled voice, “but you sure as Hel do.” 
He clutched Dario tighter. His eyes were blurry with tears; the searing pain from his bleeding scars didn’t help. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have sent you off by yourself, as soon as I saw Sylar was coming I tried to stop him but it didn’t work so I tried ag–” He took a breath, cutting himself off. “I…tried my best, but he got to you. It won’t happen again.”
Dario: Please stop crying. Now I won’t be able to stop.
Dario had always been overly sympathetic, and to see his new friend so desperately defeated broke him. He used the goat as a brace to pull himself just slightly more upright, allowing his arms to reach around the goat’s neck in return. It had been so long since he had enjoyed an embrace like this.
“Thank you. Don’t feel like this is on you at all… Sylar was going to find me, eventually.”
He pushed his face deeper into the goat’s fur; the smell of stale blood and sweat overwhelming his already impaired senses while increasing his already elevated heart rate. It felt like home.
Milae: “It…”
He bit off the sentence. It is my fault. It’s all my fault. You don’t understand.
“It’s not safe to stay out here. Can you walk? We need to make it to the hatchery; that’s our only option right now.”
Dario: “Honestly? I probably could…”
After wiping away the residual tears from his eyes, he utilized Milae to slowly bring his body to it’s feet, nearly collapsing under his own weight.
“…but, yeah, it just won’t be very quick. You’re right, the hatchery is so close. I don’t want to risk us being caught in the open like that again.”
Milae: “Hhh–”
Milae’s legs trembled with the extra weight, and he cursed his tiny stature, trying his best to support Dario, huffing and panting. “Stop. Here.” He fumbled with the staff on the ground, using his foot to kick it upright and catch it with one hand, pressing it into Dario’s free hand. The half-breed’s long fingers rested over his, dirty and smudged with blood and gripping tightly, so tightly, he felt it would be a struggle to pull out his hoof from his hand. So he didn’t even try. 
He looked up at Dario with wide goat eyes, still misted over with leftover tears. “Better?”
Dario: Dario’s previously drained face was now flushed with heat; the feeling of Milae’s hoof beneath his worn, shaking fingers felt exactly as it should. His smile returned as he realized the gaze that the goat had fixated on him… he couldn’t help but feel admiration for his savior.
“Y-yes, thank you so much, Milae.”
He leaned into the staff, along with Milae by extension, and made a small stride forward. He staggered a bit before fully regaining his balance. He couldn’t have pictured a more perfect situation for him to be temporarily needing of assistance.
“Let’s get going. I’m sure we don’t have too much daylight left, and I feel like we need to get away from here before sundown.”
Category:BOTGD 2
Category:Events
Category:Act I
Category:Dario Hjort
Category:Yun Milae
Category:Sylar Quinn