Candles

"Candles" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread written on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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==Full Text==
It was several days until Sven saw Boris again. He honestly didn’t even know that he would be coming at all. But sure enough, while he was out one afternoon, he saw him walking down the street. He had an even thicker winter coat on now, one that went clear down to his legs, and a large rucksack strapped to his back. 
He looked up when he saw him, and gave the smallest of gestures with his hands in greeting. He looked pale, and his hands were still shaking. 
@lbigreyhound13
lbigreyhound13
“Boris!” Sven said running over to him. Once he got closer, he noticed his pale face and trembling hands, and he furrowed his eyebrows together. “Are you okay?”
moe-lazyeye
He man gripped his sleeves, giving and involuntary shake. “I…” he said. “…Sven I’m at the end of my rope…I don’t know what to do. I’m a Central citizen wandering the main camp of the rebellion. My best friend is dead and the assassins that killed him live here. I’ve had to cut all ties with my family because of Rhenco and he’s on the loose, it’s only a matter of time until he takes me again and I, can’t, go, back…” 
Boris inhaled deeply, sweat dotting his brow. And then there was a moment, a moment were Sven saw a change. A frantic flicker of hope in an otherwise desperate man. “And I don’t know what to do…I have…no idea and I…” he shook his head. “And I hate that half breed…I hate that assassin. I know all is fair in war but she…” He shook his head. “I…I just…” 
lbigreyhound13
“Okay…Okay…relax,” Sven said wrapping an arm around him. “Let’s sit down somewhere and figure something out. Besides, he’s afraid of my mom. She figured out the Red Card, so he’ll think twice before messing with her, and she helps half-breeds find places to live all the time. We’ll figure it out.”
moe-lazyeye
Boris hastily stepped away and curled in on himself away from Sven. He didn’t seem angry though, just very, very wary.
“Sven…” He breathed. “Sven listen to me, please really listen…Rhenco is mad at your mom. That wont stop him from stealing me away and carving my wrists out again. And secondly, a half breed killed Olansee. What chance do I have living among them even if I am re-homed here?”
lbigreyhound13
“Some of them don’t know you,” Sven said. “You could easily blend in here just fine if you want. If not, we can find somewhere else away from Central.”
moe-lazyeye
Boris bent at his waste and squeezed his eyes shut. “Is there a place where I could get a drink…maybe order some food?” He asked, looking ill. “I just…I don’t know…I’m not as optimistic. Central it’s…it’s changed. We aren’t taking care of our own the way we used to. Before Ragnorok…before the fraction. Either here or there…Olansee won’t have any justice…”
lbigreyhound13
“Yeah, of course,” Sven said using his body to help Boris stay standing. “The Great Hall is not too far from here. We can get you some mead and some food.”
He started guiding Boris down toward the Great Hall. “The barmaids make some really great food here,” he continued. “and talk more there.”
moe-lazyeye
Boris shambled over to the great hall, and slumped over to a center table, his forehead hitting the table with a distinct ‘thud.’
He didn’t bother to take off either his coat or backpack.
“What am I going to do Sven…? Is it all ending today? Or can something else happen?”
lbigreyhound13
The heir sighed as he picked up a bowl of broth the barmaid gave to him and a cup of mead. “You’re going to move on with your life,” he said as he placed the food in front of his former fellow captive. “We’ll find a way to help you. The more you try to run from here the more you’re going to let him win, and we can’t do that.”
moe-lazyeye
“And Olansee…” Boris said bitterly. “And his killer that probably lives across the street…do I get over that too?”
lbigreyhound13
Sven sighed as he sat on the table. “Okay, no, maybe not,” he said dejectedly, “but that’s okay. He was your friend, but if you don’t think you can live here with that person, then we can find something for you. Are you sure your family can’t help you?”
moe-lazyeye
“I left everyone even remotely related to be me behind after my first trip to Mount Massive…it wasn’t worth them getting caught up into it.” Boris wiped more sweat droplets from his brow. “If you guys want to help me live somewhere…I won’t stop you.”
His teeth clenched. “But none of that’s going to happen…not unless that assassin faces justice. Ideally I’d want it to be in a Central court…but that’s out of the question I’m sure.” He met Sven’s eyes. “You recognized them, you could identify them. Would your mom charge them for their deeds? Their assassin work could easily be used against you. They’ve probably killed scores of innocent people.” 
Boris grabbed up the mead and drank it down far faster than a man in his state probably should have. “Could your rebellion bring them to justice?”
lbigreyhound13
Sven widened his brown eyes and thought for a moment. Technically, these assassins didn’t answer to Chief Grey. They weren’t loyal to her. They didn’t follow her orders, and chances were that they probably wouldn’t listen to the Heir himself either. “I-I could ask her when she’s back,” Sven said, “but it’s a pretty big ‘if.’ Plus, whether you like it or not, High Central is our enemy. That’s…pretty grey territory for her. Sure they weren’t acting in her name, but…it would be weird if she punished others for killing the enemy.”
moe-lazyeye
“Oh…” Boris said. “I figured as much…well here’s to you old buddy…sorry I could do any more for you than this…” He poured himself another drink and took it all down in several long gulps.
“Sven I have to tell you-” Boris paused, and then leaned over to look at the entrance of the grand hall. “I have a…I have a…” His eyes widened. 
When Sven turned to see what he was looking at…
He saw Malak…stepping inside of the Grand Hall.
lbigreyhound13
“Shit…” Sven whispered to himself when he saw the spider half-breed entering the Great Hall. “Uhhh…hey, Boris,” he moved himself right in front of Boris trying his hardest to not let them make eye contact, “what do you say I give you a tour around the island, huh?”
moe-lazyeye
Boris grabbed a fistful of his shirt and shoved him back. “I see him Sven!”  He screamed. “I see him okay! The fucking subhuman in the door that tried to kill both of us! Walking right in out midst!”
At these words more than one head turned towards the commotion and Malak halted in his steps. He didn’t say anything though…what could he say?
Boris scrambled up onto the table and grabbed up a steak knife as if to ward away anyone to got close to him. “You lied!” He screamed. “So Malak’s here? Is Rhenco too?! Your housing cannibals! Your housing rapists! Your whole rebellion is insane!”
Malak’s eyes flickered, and then he slowly walked over to Sven. The last thing he wanted to do was inflict his presence on the boy…but the thing was, he knew he wasn’t going to hurt the boy. But he couldn’t make the same guarantee about Boris with that knife of his. 
He carefully reached over and grabbed Sven’s arm. “Sven…” he whispered. “Step away…let’s just all step back…and let this simmer down…”
Meanwhile Boris was still feverishly pacing on the table top, sweating, and looking as though he was about to hurl. “I’m fucking tortured by subhumans! I’m almost turned into a subhuman! My best friend is killed by a subhuman! No means for justice! I can’t fight the Dark Brotherhood! I can’t kill the assassin that killed him! I don’t have anything! I don’t have anything!”
lbigreyhound13
“Okay, okay, Boris,” Sven said taking a step closer with Malak behind him, “you need to calm down and hear me out. You’re right, I did lie. I lied to Olansee to protect Malak and his family. I wrote on that paper I gave you telling you that because I couldn’t risk him knowing. I couldn’t let High Central have any more half-breeds, okay? They’re helping the rebellion, that’s all, and Rhenco’s not here. He’s long gone.”
moe-lazyeye
The paper! The paper…!
Boris’s mind spun. He remembered the paper. But he also remembered Mount Massive. The images and the sensations of that place assaulted his mind like a spiked club. Flashes of Olansee’s corpse, Rhenco’s knife, Farris pulling a mans head off. He felt like he couldn’t breath. 
What were lies? What were truths anymore. Everything was catching up. And, he, couldn’t, handle, it….”
Bori’s shoulders sagged. “Long gone…long gone…We’re all long…gone.” The buttons of his coat fell away as he undid them, revealing several large canisters of zippelback dragon gas strapped to his sides, and several more bulging inside of his rucksack. A thick layer of nails had been bound around each container as well and Boris grabbed the cap of another canister he had hidden in his pocket. 
“Fuck! Fuck no! Don’t!” Malak bellowed, and grabbed Sven with both arms, running him towards the door. As he ran his other limbs reach out to grab anyone else he could get a hold of.
lbigreyhound13
“Malak!” Sven shouted as the half-breed grabbed him and shoved him toward the door. “Malak, wait! I can help!” Sven tried to run back in to stop Boris from doing something stupid. “I can stop him!”
moe-lazyeye
Malak practically bodyslamed Sven as he forced him from the great hall, curling his body around him as he yanked on the others he had grabbed.
Boris clicked the canister in his hands open, the candles on the table flickering dangerously.
I’ve done it Olansee…the great hall is getting hit anyway…I paid those assassins back ten fold…they can’t even kill me in retaliation…and Rhenco…will never…have me…
“Dark Brotherhood…” Boris called balfully, a tear escaping his eyes as he began to hyperventilate. “Listen and Watch this you subhuman fu-!”
The gas ignited…traveled up the canister, and lit the interior. The following blast set off the other canisters on his person and rucksack.
The windows of the great hall blew out and Malak was flung through the air at the mouth of the exit along with all the others who had rushed to escape.
lbigreyhound13
Sven screamed as Malak bodyslammed him pushing him out of the great hall shielding him from the large blast that ignited in the Great Hall. There was a ringing in his eyes as he closed his eyes tightly. He could barely hear the screams. He wasn’t even sure if he was screaming. He must’ve been! 
“Get some water! We need the fire brigade!”
“Where are the Chief’s children?!”
“Where are the other children?!”
“Is everyone alright?!”
Did Boris really just…?
moe-lazyeye
With both human arms Malak pulled Sven close to his chest, and with one of his legs he covered his eyes. The others supported his frame as he limped away from the wreckage.
No! No…he can’t see! He can’t see more! He’s already seen to much he’s just a boy!
“Someone!” He bellowed. “I have their heir! Someone help get him away from here!”
Inside the great hall there wasn’t a trace of Boris left, eleven day dead among the flames while twelve injured were dragged out before the building was finally declared empty. 
The Chief’s mother, Ingrid ran over as fast as she could the minute someone told her that there was an explosion at the Great Hall, and as soon as she saw her grandson in Malak’s arms, she ran even faster. She knew what she had to do, she had to get Sven out of there and away from the scene. If Malak was shielding his eyes, then it must not be good. 
“I can take him, Malak,” Ingrid cried as she ran over to them. 
Sven perked in Malak’s arms. “Grandma, is that you?” Sven said. 
“Yes, sweetheart,” she said soothingly grabbing his arm. “I’m here.”
Oct 27, 2019
With a pained grunt Malak handed him over, his inured legs buckling a little as he did so. “Go…” he hissed. “Get him home…dont… let him come back over here…”
Oct 27, 2019
“Grandma,” Sven sobbed as he practically threw himself into her arms wishing more than ever that his parents were here. 
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Ingrid said as she guided him and Malak away from the Hall. “I’m going to take you both to the hut. We’ll get you and the others checked out, okay?”
Sven sniffled. “Okay,” he said. 
Ingrid turned to another soldier. “Send the injured to my hut immediately!” she shouted to them. 
“Of course, Ingrid,” the soldier said. Then he eyed the crying heir in her arms. “He was very brave. Very much like his mother.”
“Believe me, I know,” she said smiling. “Come on, you two.”
Oct 27, 2019
Malak staggered beside them, and gripped the back of Sven’s shirt as they limped along. 
He could already see it on the boy’s face, and he shook his head. 
“This isn’t your fault!” He snarled past a split lip. “You didn’t cause this Sven don’t you dare even start to think it!” Tears suddenly sprang to his eyes and he stumbled again, both of his human hands grabbing Sven’s shoulders as he gritted his teeth. “Odin and Frigga! He had a bomb! He had a bomb and you ran towards him Sven! Why would you do that?!”
Oct 27, 2019
“You did WHAT?” Ingrid asked in shock. 
“I-I thought that…I-I thought,” Sven said through his sobs, “I thought I could calm him down. I-I don’t know…I thought I could talk to him…and help him…I was the one who brought him there.” Tears ran down his face. “I brought him to the Great Hall…and…” Sven continued to cry. “I-I didn’t mean to…cause all this…”
Oct 27, 2019
Malak took Sven’s face in his hands and look him in the eye, his hands were firm, but surprisingly gentle for a man of his temper. “Sven, Sven look at me…” he said earnestly.
“He had a bomb…he was going to the hall anyway, or some other crowded place…” Malak told him clearly. “You didn’t break his mind and cause that…Rhenco did…I…I did…you didn’t make him react so carefully towards pain. Central did. But most of all he did it! HE did it! HE chose to do that while you tried to help!”
Oct 27, 2019
“He’s right, sweetheart,” Ingrid added gently. She couldn’t help but note how Sven was far too much like Grey. Both of them didn’t handle things like this easily. Mother and son blamed themselves when they felt they could’ve stopped something. She remembered when Grey blamed herself when Greg died and when she had her miscarriage. Now, her son was doing the same thing. “He was going to do it anyway no matter what happened. It must’ve been his plan all along.”
Sven didn’t move from Malak’s grip as he remembered Boris’ words. 
“What am I going to do Sven…? Is it all ending today? Or can something else happen?”
Sven nodded as more tears streamed down his face. “I guess…” he muttered, “but why do I feel so guilty?”
Oct 27, 2019
Malak pressed his lips together. “Sven…no matter what you said, no matter what he may have said or how he may have acted…he had that bomb on him before you even said hello to him.”
Oct 27, 2019
“It was all for revenge, wasn’t it?” Sven asked. “M-My mom wouldn’t be able to punish the assassins, so…he did something worse…” Sven sniffled. “I really thought that I could help him get back on his feet like how everyone helped me.”
“Unfortunately, Sven darling,” Ingrid said gently rubbing her grandson’s back, “not everyone can be saved.”
Oct 28, 2019
Malak look at the smoke behind them. He had heard in brief what had happened with Sven and the guards. And he had known Olansee, met him before during a rescue. He closed his eyes, flashes of his own memories in the Hotel behind his eyelids.
“It was all for a lot of reasons Sven…I’m sorry…”
Oct 28, 2019
Sven nodded in reply somehow seeing that as an acceptable answer. Boris was in that hotel longer than he was, and that was when a harsh realization dawned on him.
“Was this all because of the hotel?” he asked. “I mean…what happened to Boris today…that…that won’t…what if…what if I become just like him?” That sent chills up his spine…the thought of snapping and thinking that there was no other way all because of what Rhenco did to him in the hotel.
“Sven, listen to me,” Ingrid said as she continued to guide them to her hut, “that is not going to happen to you. You have people who love you and support you, especially your parents.”
Oct 28, 2019
Malak slowed in pace, and then drew a shakey breath. “Sven…I promise you. What happend to you in there was nothing like what happend to Boris…”
He hung his head. “I know that for a fact…you won’t end up like him…”
Oct 28, 2019
Sven looked at his grandmother and then at Malak seeing the conviction in their eyes, and then he nodded. Boris was alone and refused to go back to his family, but Sven…his family stopped at nothing to bring him home. His parents got help from a time-traveling goat to find him, and ever since then, everyone had been trying to make sure that he was okay. They supported him, and as much as he hesitated to admit it, it helped him start to get better, especially having a mother who went through her own share of trauma. 
“Thanks,” he said quietly.
“Come, my hut is over here,” Ingrid said. She then noticed the soldiers bringing the injured toward her hut and turned to Malak. “I’ll put you two in the back room so he doesn’t see.”
Oct 28, 2019
“No, that’s fine…I should be in the front.” Malak said. “Sven being isolated with me wouldn’t be anywhere near appropriate.”
Oct 28, 2019
Ingrid smiled at the half-breed. “Very well,” she said. She then turned to her grandson. “Sweetheart, you head into the back, and I’ll be there to check on you.”
Sven nodded as he headed toward the back with Ingrid opening the door for him in the hut. “Grandma, how many?” Sven asked before he walked into the back room.
The Chief’s mother had an idea as to what he was asking, but she didn’t want to assume anything. “How many what, Sven?”
“How many...how many injured...and dead?” he asked.
Ingrid sighed. She wanted to lie, but Sven was a teenager. He was going to be an adult someday. “I’m not sure, sweetheart,” she said running a hand through his hair. “As soon as I know for sure, I’ll tell you.”
“Okay,” Sven replied.
Category:BOTGD 2
Category:Act I
Category:Events
Category:Ingrid Bergman
Category:Sven Felman
Category:Malak
Category:Boris