[ Aymeric's eyes snap to Alkaid's when she calls to him, the sharpness in her tone drawing his attention even as the primal tries desperately to keep its claws firmly buried in him to draw him back. By now, Aymeric is little more than a pawn that the primal wishes to use, not caring for the man himself or how useful he might turn out to be. And if it turns out that neither of them can have him, well, the primal is not overly concerned about that either.
Another cry, quieter and weaker than the last, escapes Aymeric as the primal takes hold of him again, trying to force him to speak words that do not belong to him. Although Alisaie is making progress, the primal is not willing to relinquish its hold on Aymeric so easily, and it is taking quite the toll on him.
But as weak as Aymeric is, his will to no longer be used as the primal's mouthpiece is stronger than one might expect, and although King Thordan does his best to force him to comply, he clenches down as hard as he can, the muscles in his jaw standing out as he strains to prevent the imitation of his father from using his voice.
Even so, the struggle is clear as Aymeric curls in on himself, weak gasps for air escaping him as the primal continues his attack.
His hands reach out again, groping blindly for Alkaid's and searching for the comfort and strength that her presence offers him. He has very little strength left, and although she too is battered and tired, she grounds him and provides a counter to the pain Thordan is pressing upon him.
He only wants this enthrallment to end, for the hurt and the fear to pass, but King Thordan is doing everything he can to prevent that outcome from turning to reality.
He finally registers the kiss Alkaid presses against him, and the gentle gesture acts as a balm for the hurt that he is struggling against. A cry tears from him yet again, and inside, it feels as though the forced bond between himself and the primal has been severed, leaving a raw wound behind. He might not realize it, but this signifies that his aether that the primal held in thrall has finally broken free and is beginning to return to how it should be.
Alisaie's guidance is still needed, of course, but progress has been made. Still, he can do little more than slump limply against Alkaid and the pillows helping prop him up. Inside, however, his mind is desperately reaching for the memories and experiences that form his story and his life, the ones that the primal had drowned out and flooded with a single-minded, fanatical devotion.
They are within arm's reach, but does he have the strength to reclaim them? ]
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Another cry, quieter and weaker than the last, escapes Aymeric as the primal takes hold of him again, trying to force him to speak words that do not belong to him. Although Alisaie is making progress, the primal is not willing to relinquish its hold on Aymeric so easily, and it is taking quite the toll on him.
But as weak as Aymeric is, his will to no longer be used as the primal's mouthpiece is stronger than one might expect, and although King Thordan does his best to force him to comply, he clenches down as hard as he can, the muscles in his jaw standing out as he strains to prevent the imitation of his father from using his voice.
Even so, the struggle is clear as Aymeric curls in on himself, weak gasps for air escaping him as the primal continues his attack.
His hands reach out again, groping blindly for Alkaid's and searching for the comfort and strength that her presence offers him. He has very little strength left, and although she too is battered and tired, she grounds him and provides a counter to the pain Thordan is pressing upon him.
He only wants this enthrallment to end, for the hurt and the fear to pass, but King Thordan is doing everything he can to prevent that outcome from turning to reality.
He finally registers the kiss Alkaid presses against him, and the gentle gesture acts as a balm for the hurt that he is struggling against. A cry tears from him yet again, and inside, it feels as though the forced bond between himself and the primal has been severed, leaving a raw wound behind. He might not realize it, but this signifies that his aether that the primal held in thrall has finally broken free and is beginning to return to how it should be.
Alisaie's guidance is still needed, of course, but progress has been made. Still, he can do little more than slump limply against Alkaid and the pillows helping prop him up. Inside, however, his mind is desperately reaching for the memories and experiences that form his story and his life, the ones that the primal had drowned out and flooded with a single-minded, fanatical devotion.
They are within arm's reach, but does he have the strength to reclaim them? ]