•т н є•|•υ и ∂ є я g я σ υ и ∂•|•ω α я• (Crystal)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kelsier literally threw himself to the side, not a graceful dodge but a frantic attempt to escape. His shoulder hit the ground and he rolled, managing to retain some semblance of an actual dodge. He sprang back to his feet and snatched up his sword, his roll having brought him closer to it.

[CrimsonMoon]

The hammer slammed into the ground where he had been seconds before, it almost felt like the entire forest shuddered from the impact, the giant already hefting it up once again.

A familiar voice screams from the distance," I am coming, my Prince!" it was like a hawk's cry- a promise of safety

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kell tried not to let the hope that swelled in his chest overtake his mind. He had to focus. The giant would come after him again, and he'd have to be ready to counter. Nyx might get there in time to help him, but only if he managed to stay alive.

[CrimsonMoon]

The giant swung at him again, this time with a low horizontal strike that could most likely just shatter his body like that of a doll's. He grunted and the odd, blank concentration and fury returned to his face. It seem like time slowed just enough for Kelsier to see every aweful detail before it would crash into him-

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kelsier shifted his weight, stepping to the side and back in one smooth motion to avoid the blow. He wasn't fast enough, though. As the hammer swung by, it smashed into his shoulder and the sound of shattering bones split the air.

[CrimsonMoon]

" KEL!!" A familiar scream seems to rip through the mind shattering agony of the blow. The giant roaring like a bear as he stumbles back, Nyx stood in between him and Kelsier, her ragged tunic seemed to be black with... Blood? Or was that tar?

She immediately slashes at the giant, a clear contest of speed versus strength. The giant bringing up his warhammer to defend himself alas-

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kelsier writhed on the ground, making sounds of agony, but not screaming. He never screamed, even when he wanted to. Mostly he just wanted to pass out from the pain.

[CrimsonMoon]

A gurgling sound erupted from the giant, he fell to his knees... It was too dark to see what had become of his face but it was clear it was not a pretty sight. Nyx pounced on him like a rabid cat and continued to strike his face over and over until he crashed to the ground- unmoving.

She sat there, upon the fallen man's chest for a long moment catching her breath. Nyx looks back at him, there was a small cracking sound like a joint had popped. She crawls over to Kelsier and grasps his face gently in both hands," My Prince- my Prince... Shh- hush-" she urges, her voice cracking with... Grief?" hold still, please, shhh..."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kelsier groaned. He wanted to speak, had so much he wanted to say, but he couldn't get any air into his lungs, let alone form words in his mind.

[CrimsonMoon]

" Shh~" she urges again and again, tears filling her eyes. Dammit- she could gut men like fish but she couldn't handle this? Nyx rushed over to the horses, which had been thankfully left alone though they spooked and whickered fearfully at her approach. Quickly calming them, she began to rummage through the saddle bags, finding a thin cloak and quickly beginning to tear it into strips.

After tearing the cloak into about five, four foot long strips, she moves back to him and began to gently run her fingers over his injured side, eyes shut, brow furrowed-

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

With his good arm, Kell blindly grasped at her. When he found her sleeve, his fingers curled around it and held onto it with a death grip.

[CrimsonMoon]

She pauses, slowly her free hand resting over his," Kelsier..." She starts in a quavering voice," D-Don't you give up now, alright? Or i'm going to have to drag you back to that land of the living..." She sniffs and froces a shakey smile. Pulling her hand away in order to begin to tightly wrap the strips of cloth around his torso and shoulder

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kelsier's eyes flickered closed, but he was still semi-conscious. He wished that would end.

[CrimsonMoon]

She stares down at him and sighs faintly, running a hand through her hair. How could she lessen his pain? Glancing around the campsite she could only place her cool hands on his face," Shh... Just sleep, you'll be alright- i'll never leave you,"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kell drifted in and out of conscious thought as the pain slowly faded to a dull throbbing. Either his body was starting to recover, or his mind was adjusting to the pain. Either way, it was a sweet relief. Still, his shoulder was injured badly enough that, if he didn't get it set to heal, it probably wouldn't be much use in the future.

[CrimsonMoon]

Nyx seemed to realize this, gritting her teeth she moans," Agh- forgive me Kell..." She places her hand firmly on his inflamed and shattered shoulder, then begins to reset his bones-

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The pain, once faded, exploded in his arm and through his body, all the way to his head. He felt like it was going to explode. He let out a strangled scream and tried to squirm away, but he didn't have the strength to move more than an inch.

[CrimsonMoon]

Nyx steeled herself and pushed sharply. Pulling away she sniffles and suddenly cradles his head in her lap," I'm sorry- I'm sorry- i'm sorry-!" She whimpers softly, placing her hand over his eyes,

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Kell's body shuddered and then fell still, except for his labored breathing. His face shone with sweat and his eyes darted frantically beneath his eyelids, but he was still alive. For now.

[CrimsonMoon]

Nyx sat back on her heels, staring down at him. Ah... He looked so peaceful- like... Death. Shaking her head, she wraps her arms around his head and hugs him tightly, murmuring," Descape into your dreams, my Prince... I will protect you,"

~ T I M E . S K I P ~

The gentle sway of the horse's back was vaguely comforting. A vage echo of when he was once swayed gently in his mother's arms. The sharp click of a hoof slapping down onto stop was muffled by the sigh of wind... Whenever he seemed to slip too far to one side of another, a gentle hand would right him once more- a soft voice singing barely above a whisper:
"Come all you fair and tender ladies
All you who flourish in your prime
Beware take care, keep your garden fair
Let no man steal your thyme,
Let no man steal your thyme,

For when your thyme is past and gone
He'll care no more for you
And in the place where your thyme was waste
He'll spread all o'er with rue,
He'll spread all o'er with rue-"