Chapter 58: Defying
"I've almost made it back…", Baidal discerns, happily viewing various familiar markers scattered in the trees. Translucent resin-like golden teardrops hang on the undersides of the lower branches, a sort of subtle but gleaming guiding ornament for the Titers who rarely leave the compound to follow.
"I must get to Master Suguru.", the urgent mantra repeating in his head as he trudges through the knee-deep snow. The lower-level Titers are forbidden from using their techniques, such as traveling, without permission so it's taken Baidal a couple days to reach his home.
Off in the distance he perceives the dingy decoy shacks and yells, "Finally!", his hands and legs all but completely frozen. "Sain won't believe that I did this on my own!", enthusiasm echoing in the thickly blanketed white and barren forest.
Baidal stands there for a moment, re-centering his purpose in order to be ready to relay his information without rest, "Satoru Gojo is dangerous…", he takes a deep breath, "Ms. Ierie, Lady Oda and everyone else will surely suffer too if we don't do something about him…" Balling his fists and with a prideful shout, he calls out to the wild and studies the visual of his breath lingering before his face. His feet are numb, his legs noticeably wet and frigid but the worst of his adventure is over. When he lifts his foot to take his next step though, he trips over something and falls face first into the snow.
"Ahhhh! COLD!", he cries, embarrassed even without eyes on him and endures the stinging sensation from the alabaster powder seeping through his robes. Baidail jumps up quickly, more awake than ever but notices his foot is still grazing something, 'And its kinda soft…', he thinks, noting that it couldn't simply be a stump, root or rock. Raking his hands away at the spot by his toes, he progressively becomes submerged into a fright as he begins to understand that it's not something…but someone.
"Oh no! Are you okay?!", he begins hastily shoveling away the largest amounts he can with his mere limbs until he finally sees who it is, "Sa…SACHIKO?!" Baidal's eyes widen with apprehension and his fingers rush to her neck to check for a pulse, 'It's barely there!'
He looks over her figure, how cold and stiff she is and then changes his view to the compound's location. It's clear that she was in the process of leaving but only made it so far, 'Why wasn't she dressed for this journey?', suspecting something must have happened to cause her to flee. He narrows his eyes with purpose, knowing there's little time if he's going to have hopes of saving her. At the same time though, if he deviates now, who will warn Getou? Sachiko has always been very kind to him but Suguru is who he serves. Badial's anxious eyes search the woods for some kind of sign but once his eyes meet her again, a moral but murky resolution takes hold.
"Master Suguru, forgive me…", he mutters with a torn heart while grabbing up her body and closing his eyes to travel right back from where he came.
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"I'm a little worried, that's all. It's been a few days now…", Megumi rolls to his back on the grey couch, his navy shirt twisting in the process, "They're with the enemy for crying out loud."
Nanami sighs deeply while looking over at Shoko, "According to that text, it's not the Titers coming after them now...", his voice lamentable as he feels useless while waiting, "Can we even afford to go against the Zenin Clan?"
Ieiri stands up from the table to look over her latest strand of successful samples, "Do you suppose that's why Peaches came here? To warn Naoya?" She tilts her head to the side then back to Nanami, "He seemed pretty anxious is all. At least we know it's not every Zenin." She picks up the science-redefining slides to carefully stow them away, "I hope they're alright too but I am confident in their abilities. You guys should have some faith."
"And what's taking Nobara and Itadori so long?! It wasn't supposed to be a difficult mission!", Megumi grunts as his concerns bloom, all of his loved ones being scattered amongst different dangers. He opens his mouth to say more but instead shoots up with surprise when he suddenly sees Baidal holding his mother. "What the…", they manifested out of thin air, catching Megumi off guard like no other.
"SHOKO! Please! Please help her!", Baidal reluctantly sets Sachiko onto the stainless-steel slab table, knowing it won't be much warmer, "I found her outside of the compound, something must have happened there! I'm unsure of how long she was exposed to the elements." The Titer man adjusts her legs by the ankles, trying to have her lay in a somewhat open position to encourage circulation.
Nanami gets up from his seat and rests his hand over Shoko's stomach in distrust, "Ieiri, are you sure you want to do this?", he asks, letting her know that she's not obligated, "This woman kidnapped you and held you hostage…" Shoko's eyes meet his own but then dart back to behind him and in this moment, Nanami closes his eyes and lowers his head after understanding that Megumi was with them too.
"What's wrong with her?!", the young Fushiguro can't even hide his anxiety as he runs up to his thawing mom. He brings out a hand to touch her but jumps because of how cold she is which prompts him to announce that he'll be back with blankets.
"Baidal…calm down…", Shoko soothes, "Of course, I will help her." She tries to forge a smile of forgiveness but still isn't the biggest fan of Sachiko's.
In a haze of appreciation, Baidal opens his arms and wraps them around Ieiri's stiff ones, "Thank you so much…thank you…", but it isn't until Nanami clears his throat that the Titer recalls what's appropriate and backs off. With eyes lowered to the ground he offers, "I'm…I'm sorry about that. She's just...Miss Shoko, she's not a bad person!"
Nanami tightly folds his arms, staring down the young Titer as Ieiri walks to the table and begins healing Sachiko. 'What a mess this is…', he shakes his head while thinking. He too is starting to worry about everyone at the compound with how they're all split up. "I think we should go retrieve them soon.", he announces, "There's too much going on, it would not be wise to remain apart." He hears Megumi down the hall saying, "You're going to have to follow me, this is urgent!"
"Good looking out Megumi!", Shoko calls as she catches the first blanket being tossed to her. As she drapes it over Sachiko though, she notices the blood on the woman's hands and becomes curious as to who it belongs to. Seeing that Megumi is approaching though, she quickly covers her up, smiling as she engages her healing technique. "I think she's going to be okay sweetie, just a severe case of hypothermia.", she smiles to the junior shaman, being glad for the shimmer that appears in his green eyes.
"What's going on?!", Itadori walks through the door but when he sees Sachiko, says, "Oh Megs, your mom!", running over to support his friend who's clearly more on edge than usual.
Nanami looks at Baidal, "Can you take me to our friends?", his voice more intimidating than he means. The Titer nods though without hesitation.
Megs chimes in, "Who's going to run this place if you're gone Nanami? That doesn't seem like a very good idea."
"It would be better if one of us go with them, they may not trust his word otherwise.", Nanami informs, "We need to rally everyone back together, I have a bad feeling about things…", his brow angles downward with lips pulled tight. His heart screams as he drowns in a wildly rambunctious fear. His gaze becomes that of Shoko but his chest tightening as he storms multiple possible threats they could encounter, 'I have to keep her safe…'
Itadori looks between the two, comprehending that Megumi should probably stay back with his mother. "Look Megs, I know you two aren't close but I would happy to go so you can talk things out when she wakes up!", a smile stretching across his features in an attempt to convince his friend that it's genuinely okay. The assurance fades though as his voice trails off, "I kinda want to check on Choso too. He might be having a hard time with being turned…and all." Itadori's face reddens as he tries to shake off his own words; wishing to think about anything other than the unspoken traditions that come along with being Elska's.
Nanami sighs while trying to read Shoko's expression, "It might be too dangerous, I don't think-…"
"I can handle this!", Itadori exclaims reassuringly to Nanami. "I'll find them, tell them to come home and then BAM, we'll all be back!", throwing is usual thumbs-up.
Baidal straightens his stance, "I…I don't think any harm will come to him, I will take him directly to the others, sir.". but he patiently waits for Nanami's response, becoming warmed with purpose when he finally agrees. "Great! We need to leave soon though, I must speak to Master Suguru.", every second scares Baidal thanks to his imagination running wild on the subject of Satoru Gojo.
Megumi lowers his head, drawn apart by going to his friends or staying with this mean stranger that is his mother. After sifting through the meaningless pros and cons of both, his apprehension wins so he simply utters, "Thank you, Itadori. Please, bring them back." The decision to stay by Sachiko's side ultimately puts him at ease as he doesn't want to keep running away from her, 'Mom…'
Shoko butts in while still healing Sachiko, "Itadori you better change, it's apparently really fucking cold where you're going!" Nanami raises an eyebrow to her poor sense of humor but ultimately relaxes his shoulders and nods in agreement, "Take her advice."
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Naoya whispers into Elska's ear, "I'm going to make you cry, baby…", kissing her cheek while she's pitted in his lap, "In the best way possible, of course." There's something about all of the vicious excitement from the liquor store ambush mixing with her endearing words that riles him up immensely. He hooks his palm over her mound and smoothly threatens entrance with his fingers, "Such a naughty princess…", he teases as his clothed girth throbs against her lower back.
Gojo mischievously grins, "Well, well...whadya know? I actually have the mouse with me.", pulling it from his pocket. He holds up the little pink vibrator to a level that allows Elska to blur into the background behind it, "This is so hot Naoya, fucking-thank-you!", the audacious snickers pouring out while approaching her against Zenin's body. Satoru gets down on his knees between Elska's thighs, her womanhood near his face where he asks, "My love?", and ends up grinning to her flushed expression, "Don't squirm too much…" He slowly leans his face down until his lips are met with her labia; eating up her pretty moans. He whimpers pleasantly to her taste, his tongue pushing past his teeth to lick broad and pressured stripes through her slit.
Toji watches as Gojo manipulates the vibrator with both hands to turn it on leaving half teetering to see where this all leads them. The giant grunts though, knowing they need to focus on something other than sex for once but the lingering scent whispers lies into his head and says that everything is fine. Elska whimpers loudly when the buzzing mouse is placed against her clitoris, the sounds making his length twitch.
"Sa-Sati!", Elska throws her head back while her hips instinctively bucking around. Naoya's hands soon envelope her from behind, sensually holding her with their placement upon her breasts and hip. Even her own sorrows seem to die away and fade as her lovers gear up to torture her together but there's something that's oddly thwarting her from becoming completely involved.
"Princess…", Naoya bites his lip and inhales near her hair, "Just sit still…", but his words do nothing as she writhes around in his grasp. He quietly chuckles to her pleasure though and feels overcome with the need to make Elska crumple up before them. "Perhaps I should use my fangs?", he seductively inquires while dragging his lips along her shoulder.
Everything feels so good but the only thing she can think about is where the vibrator came from. The heaviness that compresses her guilt surrounding Choso's predicament fouls her veins with a chill. In a rush of confusion, Elska tenses up and pusillanimously pries her arms between herself and Gojo, "St-…stop please!" Surprisingly Satoru immediately halts but his eyes meet hers in a way that shows he's worried over her being upset.
A tear rolls down her face and Gojo's in return becomes extremely perplexed as he can't tell if he's done something wrong again or not. Muddled and unsure, he turns the vibrator off and sits up on his knees to sheepishly reach her face, "Love…what's wrong?" The confusion between his erection and her depression perplexes him so he finds himself wondering how the two could have ever mixed well in his eyes before.
Naoya wheezes with anxiety, "Baby! I didn't really want you to cry!", the culpability in his tone overshadowing everything else. He closes her legs with his own and holds her, wishing he understood what the issue is, 'Shit! Did we go too far this time?' The Zenin brushes a hand through her hair feeling like the biggest piece of shit on the planet after her negative response, "I'm so-so-so sorry, baby…"
Toji instantly understood the problem. He turns to his left to open the drawers and search for her clothes while sympathetically asking, "It's because of Choso, isn't it doll?", ultimately picking out a black tank top with a full moon printed on it and some black sweatpants. Remorsefully trying to clear the air, Toji gulps down some air after purposefully putting the issue on display.
"Cho?", Naoya dips his head away, "What does Cho have to do with any of this?" He's still aware of his friend buying the vibrator by accident but he doesn't understand why she would be so upset about it right now. "What's going on baby?", he quietly asks while she's cradled in his arms.
Gojo stands from the ground and sets the vibrator on the bed next to Naoya. Sighing, he rancorously wonders why the being is getting in the way of their fun time together but then remembers that Toji was eluding that they needed to speak about this moments ago. Satoru holds out his hands to help Elska to her feet and notices how shattered her current demeanor seems, "What exactly did we miss earlier?", he asks Toji while studying is love and how her worried eyes are glued to the floor.
Elska takes the clothes being offered to her from Toji and dons them right there. Despite the questions trickling from them, she can't bare to look at Satoru or Naoya with the awareness of how sick the truth of what brought them to this conversation is. Toji sportingly approaches however, tenderly rubbing her back but nothing helps her escape her guilt of knowing what she's done.
"Doll? Why don't you go walk around for a little bit and I'll tell them.", Toji can easily judge how uncomfortable she is and not wanting her to feel that weight, he smiles and says, "It'll be okay, just don't go too far." He turns around to see Suguru still passed out on the couch, feeling that much better about her wandering a bit.
Elska doesn't say anything but instead blinks once, inadvertently causing multiple tears to fall.
Alarmed, Naoya slowly rises up as he doesn't like the vibes he's picking up on, "Baby? What's going on with Cho?" He reaches for her but she stoically stands there with her head down so he eagerly adds, "Whatever it is…it'll be okay...right?" His heart crashes through his stomach to the floor as the severity of whatever is about to be explained hollows him. The smallest patch of his heart darkens as his imagination considers accusing the being of possibly having done something to Elska but then it aches upon the same beat as he deeply cares for Choso.
Gojo's eyes darken some, "What the fuck is going on? Tell us, Toji.", that impatient gaze landing on his love. 'Does she want him too now?', the horrible fallacy plaguing his heart. Satoru is aware of his malicious presence surging but he doesn't feel the need to suppress it while fuming over the unknown. Gojo's mind forces him to endure a mental image of her and Choso holding each other dearly, the aftermath resulting to his stomach feeling as if it's full of rot.
Toji narrows his eyes, "I said I would tell you fucker, calm down." Gritting his teeth, the giant twists towards Elska and assures, "Go on doll, it's okay.", lightly nudging her towards the door, "I will handle this."
"Is she going to be safe by herself?!", Naoya's eyes vastly widen as he doesn't understand why she would need to leave, "That just seems like a bit much!" Thinning his amber eyes in the direction of his cousin, Naoya fidgets and wonders, 'What the hell is going on here?!', while visually trailing Elska as she nears the door.
Elska, in a trembling voice announces, "I'll just go to one of your rooms…I will be fine…my prince.", Her own words break her heart though since she can only imagine Naoya's rage once he discovers that she's actually the reason Choso developed attachment. 'My prince', she wanted to say it that one last time at least. Quietly, she shuts the door behind her and begins to cry into her hands. "Why am I like this?", her questions, meaningless as she already knows, 'My nature…'
Not desiring to hear any of the exchange between the three men, her feet quickly take her to the left down the hall. She's thinking of going to Toji's room but the energy she senses from the hybrid draws her attention in.
She reaches for the spherical door knob but then pulls her hand back again as if unsure if she should open it. "You can't treat Choso differently now, that's not fair Elska…", she tells herself, not wanting the being to suffer anymore than he already has because of her. Taking a deep breath, Elska twists the cold metal and pushes the wooden divider open.
When her eyes fall onto Choso sleeping in the bed, it takes only a second before she's bursting into a sob of regret, "I'm so sorry all of this happened, Choso…I swear I didn't know." Leaning into the door with her head, she lifts it away and empathetically questions if he's been cared for at all this whole time.
When Toji and Naoya were undergoing their transformation, Elska was there to sponge bathe and periodically reposition them, "Would Naoya know to do that though?" After a moment, she marvels with a heavier heart, "Poor Choso…", deciding that her turmoil should be pushed aside and saunters silently into the bathroom to grab and wet some washcloths.
It takes a few minutes for the water to heat up but while it is, she stares at herself in the mirror, siphoning through all her flaws and neediness. The self-loathing episode is only halted by the steaming of her reflection that takes the edge off her self-depreciating glare. Bringing the cloths underneath the stream, she jumps and shrieks, "SHIT! HOT!", flailing her wrists and aggressively opening the valve for the cold water. She briefly chuckles to her stupidity but the slight laugh morphs into despair; the responsibility of their current situation dissolving her. Once all of them have been wrung out, she turns around and saunters back into the bedroom.
Elska sits on the edge of the bed, exhaling her depression while attempting to remove Choso's shirt. "So heavy!", she exasperates, shifting him around and straining her arms to keep him upright. Once she's successful however, she lays him back down as gently as possible and reaches for the first washcloth.
Elska starts with his face, dabbing the warmth against his cheeks and forehead, then down to his nose and chin. "You know, I'm not sure how things are going to be when you wake up…", she confides but pauses, "…I guess tomorrow we'll know though." A new wave of trepidation consumes her as she looks down to view his chest with the knowledge that this will also mean him ravaging her. Images from her dreams flood her mind now while she's trailing the cloth along the front of his shoulders. She recalls the way he's made her feel in them, causing genuine accidental moan to leave her.
Abhorred, Elska jerks her hand away from Choso as if losing the physical connection will stave off those kind of thoughts. She's in denial about how those dreams make her feel, how he makes her feel. "Damn it…", she whispers as the tears well up once more.
She clenches her fists and punches down into the mattress out of frustration, reluctant to accept what it is they've become. "Choso…", she softly cries, sniffling and then forcing herself to return to the act of cleaning him up, "This is all my fault..." Her blurring eyes show the reflection of their glow once they meet his figure again but she clenches her jaw and tries ignoring her desire to taste him.
Wiping the cooling cloth down his chest makes Elska's heart race though as she remembers how while in her other form, she fondled him. "I'm sorry about that too…", but this time she half chuckles while trying to make light of her shame. She finds that she's unable to efficiently bathe him like this since she can't reach everywhere so with a deep breath, she climbs onto his thighs but tries to remain appropriate. She grabs the last rag and runs it down his left arm, her pace dramatically slowing as she seems to fall into a light trance.
"My hybrid…", she coos, her own voice sounding foreign as it leaves her lips.
Elska's mind is alert but her body and actions refuse to follow her commands.
'Wha- what's happening?!', she screams internally all while her arms bend and lower her over Choso's form. "You are going to be a grand addition…", she can't do anything to stop this sensation that she's falling but in slow motion. Elska is soon inches from his face, hovering until their lips gently meet. With furrowed brows, her body relaxes over him and conforms to the way he lays in order to be perfectly aligned but she becomes startled upon seeing the different colors reflect off of his skin in a blend. Hues of green and amber shimmer but unfortunately, Elska cannot engage her limbs to leave Choso for the mirror. "Why…", she gasps out breathlessly, her pheromones billowing up while being puppeteered. When the wave escapes her, its bliss showers her nerves with an unexpected warmth causing her collapse and limply slide down into the empty space beside him.
"What...the...hell...was that?!", Elska moans the question out as she scurries to her knees now being able to move. She tries to catch her breath but her heart is racing so wildly that her hand instinctively rests over it as if to keep it caged. She cannot peel her gaze away from Choso's half naked body as her wide eyes lock to him to see if he'll stir. "He shouldn't, right? Not yet?", she asks no one while gradually slinking off of the bed and finally looking away to gather the used washcloths.
"HE IS YOURS."
Elska nearly trips upon recognizing the dormant ancestral guide. "No, he is not!", she hollers into the bathroom, "THIS WAS A MISTAKE!"
"COLLECT THEN KILL."
"…Wha…What?", Elska freezes in the threshold of the two rooms, absentmindedly dropping the washcloths before making it to the woven hamper. She grabs her head with shaking and frustrated hands, pulling at her own hair. "N-…no…", trembling from her lips.
"KILL THEN CONQUER."
Elska's eyes begin to glow ravenously, the red being so bright that she illuminates that portion of the room. She stretches out her arms in the doorway, fighting this impending feeling to unleash energy, "I CAN'T DO…", her multicolored metal wings rip out her back, shredding the cute black tank top, "STOPPPP!". But as her fangs form and she falls out of control, something cold and harsh wraps around her arms and torso, lifting her into the air.
"My, my...you made that easier than I expected, wench."
Elska's energy overload burns like a hell inside but when she snaps her head to see Sukuna, her vicious expression becomes demolished by the unexpected hint of concern on his face.
"Wench…", Sukuna instantly loses his sarcastic humor and sternly explains, "You need to feed from me. Right now." The curse is trying his best to not destroy his wicked reputation but he truly wants to help Elska as he's grown fond of her through their game of tag and also has loyalties that see to her safety. When she thrashes around in his chains, actually moving them, he gets increasingly serious and demands, "JUST DO IT!"
Elska is not feeling like herself whatsoever as she tilts her head forward and laughs. Silently studying him, she even becomes enticed by the thrill she's experiencing over the thought of fighting. "You will have to make me…", she taunts in the lowly voice.
Sukuna groans in frustration, "I think I prefer this side of you, wench.", but understands that she's aiming for a completely different outcome than himself. 'If she breaks free, she'll just kill everyone she can reach…', he discerns. All of his eyes set to the hybrid in the bed, 'I should at least save that one if she does. He's too important.', scoffing to himself after comprehending that too much has aligned for him to be wrong. Sukuna's attention is sharply stolen after hearing a large metallic thud though. He turns his head and snarls, "You're going mad!!", but keeps relative distance until he can judge her stability.
A small trace of blood leaks past Elska's teeth as a result of her pushing a new set of wings through the ones she'd already called upon. "They're sharp enough…", she warns, soon wincing as the second right wing rams through the first one along with the chains; the wild expression she wears remaining.
Sukuna's eyes widen out of pure appreciation for her ability to withstand pain but is soon jumping back as she lunges toward him. Elska slips on her own blood from the wing exchange like a baby deer's first steps but then she adjusts and uses them to stay upright.
Sukuna grunts, "You're really going to make me do this the hard way again, huh?", producing more chains as she simultaneously gathers red lightning. He can sense the technique's destruction while she forms it and decides that it would be more convenient to stop her now before she ruins this playground. The King of Curses launches all six chains in her direction but runs to the side of her while she's focused on dodging them. "You're still far too green, girl.", he informs while thrusting his energized fist into her sternum, knocking her across the room. He spits on the floor out of habit while looking at her now frail demeanor as she heaves for air, the red lightning having disappeared. "So much damn trouble for perfection…", he mutters while pulling Elska by the calves to lay flat on the floor.
Elska still can't breathe but she feels grateful in this moment as that eerie twilight effect dissipates. "Suku-….", she forces out but can only gasp, unable to fully function as her brain feels like it's iced over. She darts her eyes to him though as he climbs over top of her, pinning her wrists above her head and using his mass to restrict her hips and legs. She attempts to express her fear but is unable to do anything as the powerful curse looms over head with a determined air. That same ferocity suddenly ramps back up within her though and its barbarism forces tears to flow with not understanding what's happening to her.
"You will drink me, wench.", Sukuna commands while shifting his weight to stop her weakened flailing. He knows he doesn't have much time so before more is wasted, he uses his long nails to cut open his arm, sighing to the wasted opportunity to impose her bite. He fills his own mouth with the red essence, only moving again when he can fit no more. Elska seems confused beneath him which he's fine with since the element of surprise will likely allow his success. Before she can comprehend what's coming, Sukuna duteously dives his face down to hers while using his free hand to pry her jaw open. He expels his own blood into Elska and with her obvious shock brought from this interaction, she swallows.
As soon as the foul flavor leaves her tongue to travel down her throat, Elska's body completely relaxes. She feels herself leaving the ground but she's unable to fight or assist, leaving her to speculate, 'Is his blood…'
"I was once the most masterful of poisons, wench. This became my own personal curse once I abandoned my humanity to become King. This will not kill you but it will act as a sedative...and it's also proof.", he vaguely explains while carrying the limp woman over to the bed. Once setting her down, he allows himself a glare as he watches her eyes close and fall asleep. He huffs while mumbling, "You too still owe me…and even more now.", a wide grin splitting his mouth as no one has any idea of how patient he can be, "Ahhhh...the future is going to be fucking insane; I'm excited!" Before he can ramble on however, Sukuna's ears ring to the indication that others are coming so he quickly turns to face them, arms folded and ready to battle the ridicule.
"BABY!", Naoya screams, being the first through the door. He runs over to Elska immediately, supporting her head with his arm. His eyes glow as they view the smeared blood on her lips, him mistaking this as her being wounded, "FUCK!" He roars in Sukuna's direction, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!?", the golden light traveling over him as he seethes.
Toji covers his nose when walking into the room to disrupt the scent of Elska's blood. He turns around to instinctively look at Gojo upon registering something occurred. Through his muffled voice he asks, "Where is she?!", but stops mid-step after viewing her mangled wings on the ground. Toji launches over to Sukuna, permeated by wrath.
Gojo taciturnly walks into the room but loses his breath while taking in her bloodied feathers. "Love…", leaves his pharynx and his vision blurs when seeing she's unconscious on the bed with Naoya trying to get her to respond. In this instant, Satoru's energy expands and engulfs the entire room into chaos, the light blue iridescence encircling them all. The wind he's creating is so violent that he isn't even cognizant of the damage he's inflicting, nor does he care. The mere image of Choso lying next to his love infuriates him beyond measure as he's not willing to accept the truth that the being's infatuation stems from her manipulation.
Sukuna evades Toji well enough but they're both soon taken out of their brawl as Gojo's energy becomes affects their bout.
"She's fine!", the curse yells, unable to reach the silver shaman who's demolishing presence acts as an invisible barricade. Sukuna sits back against the wall while admiring the sheer capability Satoru exerts, and begrudgingly remarks, "Not too shabby…" He chuckles with a grin, having always been able to sense the Silver Shaman's abilities but due to mission pairing, rarely has seen it in action.
Naoya anchors his body over Elska's, "What the fuck is Gojo doing?!" Various objects are flying about, a few colliding into the Zenin's back but he takes the impacts dutifully, not wanting his princess to sustain anymore abuse. When there aren't signs of things calming down, Naoya opens his eyes and through the rapid waving of his hair, happens to catch the sight Choso's body being lifted away. "Oh no sir! Don't you leave me now, Cho!", Naoya strains while grabbing a hold of his friend, the sensation of being stretched too thin ridiculing his muscles. "FUCK! FOR THE LOVE OF FUCK! GOJO FUCKING STOP!"
Toji increases his presence, stifling to a stand as his balance threatens to be swept away, "GOJO!" His view desperately dashes around for an indication of change but nothing seems to work. It's as if Gojo broke. Toji thinks back to the night he awoke after being turned, how Elska used her fangs to subdue him. 'This fucker…', he thinks to himself while coming to the conclusion he may have to try the same thing.
Sukuna sees Toji trying to make a move and for the sake of the moment and for her, he resolves to actually help. He watches Fushiguro's teeth elongate and after figuring out his plan, contemplates on how interesting this will be. The curse gets up and runs the best he can against the feeding direction of this energized wind, manifesting his chains once more, "HA! I MISS THIS!", nostalgia beckoning on him to recall his closest friend.
Gojo is lost in his mind, the undeniable failure of his leading to where they are now.
'Love…'
In his vortex, Satoru mindlessly watches her detached wings scrap the walls, chunks of clay evaporating apart from the harshness of his energy. 'Why can't I keep her safe? Why does she need Choso?', the last thought causing him to see red.
He's lifting an arm, aiming at the unconscious being whose limbs waver in the subduing wind, "I'M ENDING THIS SHIT RIGHT NOW!!" Unexpectedly though, Gojo feels constricted. Screaming the egotistical injury, Satoru looks down and takes in the chains that are struggling to even get near him and growls, "Sukuna…" He whips his stance around to attack the King of Curses, leaving himself open as arrogance will lie and express a lack of threat. When their eyes meet, Satoru loathes out, "You fucking hurt my love, didn't you…", and sends a quick blue technique into that direction. He hits Sukuna too and smiles to the unique removal of the curse's flesh. He thinks to teleport behind Sukuna but right as he's engaging it, he drops to his knees instead and moans.
Toji successfully captured Gojo in a full nelson, stretching his neck to reach the shaman's bicep in order to puncture the skin. He expects a struggle but to his surprise, Satoru gives in instantaneously which allows Toji to secure him on the ground. He's reintroduced to that bitter seasoning, retching as he drinks, definitely not wanting to have to do this. Toji releases his arms but scoops his own underneath Gojo's chest to keep him from moving.
Naoya quickly stands up from the bed after making sure Choso and Elska are still in one piece. He charges over to Gojo and Toji, kneeling down next to them while still keeping observation on Sukuna, "WHAT is your DEAL GOJO?", he emotionally asks, not liking how easy it was to lose Satoru but then Naoya's eyes now narrow onto to Sukuna, "And what the fuck did you do to her!?"
Sukuna wide eyes Gojo's reaction as he seems to be enjoying Toji's bite too much, "She…", he clears his throat and shakes his head, looking away, "She was fucking losing it so I had sedate her! Her presence was going out of control. Do not act like she's this frail little girl." After meeting with Naoya's unmoved glowing red eyes he suggests in Satoru's direction and sarcastically adds, "Those two are fucking perfect for each other." He uses his legs to push him further away from the scene, having become uncomfortable by Satoru's continued whimpers, "You guys are fucking strange, you know that?"
Taunted by Sukuna's remark, Toji unlatches his fangs, doubly eager to stop supplying himself with the volatile taste. He closes Gojo's wounds but then harshly rolls the shaman to his back, "Were you trying to kill us, shit head?"
Gojo lies there for a minute, collecting himself from euphoria as he gathers something he deems incredibly important. Slightly tilting his head towards Toji, he warmly states, "Hey! You finally bit me!" Toji grunts though and pushes him away to which Gojo sits up to hold his head. Without looking at anyone, Satoru's childish demeanor quickly fades and inquires, "Is she okay?", his shame of endangering her himself weathering away his confidence. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Naoya's body language, it seeming incredibly tense and making him sink even further into the ground. 'I fucked up love…'
Getou appears in the doorway, taking in the details of the aftermath but is on edge as he senses Sukuna. Without introduction, he walks to the foot of the bed and lifts Elska with his gravity manipulation and informs, "She should not be this close to Choso, you idiots!"
"Put her down Getou…", Naoya stands once again. "FUCK ALL OF YOU. I've fucking had it with the craziness. Elska will come to my estate.
Gojo's attitude flares up, "Oh, so you can both be ambushed and killed?", finally bringing his gaze to the Zenin's, "Or did you forget that your family has some serious fucking problems with you, loverboy?"
Naoya deflates when the words enter his ears, His one place of refuge he had carved out for her is now threatened by his own existence. He hangs his head low, "Well…we have to do something you asshole..."
Toji rises to his feet, gracefully scooping Elska from the air, "We should go back."
Suguru is still upset with Toji for striking him earlier, "And what of our training? She won't be ready unless we prepare her!" Truthfully, he knows that since Choso has been thrown into the syncing mix, Getou won't be able to help her in any way until the being wakes up but that won't stop him from trying to keep Elska there.
Satoru awkwardly gathers himself, using Naoya to come to a stand, "You just want to fuck her, Titer. You can instead, fuck right off." He feels Suguru's presence multiply in magnitude but pays it no mind, "I'm with Toji. We're taking her back. I'll fucking warp us in pairs if I have to." Annoyed by everything, Gojo walks over to Toji who holds her and nestles his forehead into her hair, "I'm so sorry my love…"
Elska hears her lover apologize but is stuck under layers of what feels like soundproofed air as his voice seems so far away. "…Sati?", she quietly questions.
Toji hands her over to Gojo after seeing the silver shaman breakdown to her calling to him. He watches Satoru ease to the floor so he can set Elska over his lap. Naoya seems ready to start another fight unfortunately so Toji holds out his arm to ask his cousin to refrain from doing anything irrational. "Getou…", he brings his view to the Titer, "If she needs to train more then how about you come to us? You know where we're at."
Naoya nearly strokes out to the invitation being given, "NO DAMN IT!", he huffs, "This twat is part of the problem!" He glances in search of approval from Sukuna no less but finds that the curse has relinquished his attendance, leaving a passed out Itadori against the wall.
Stirred by the conflicts around her, Elska uses all of her strength to open her eyes, them feeling heavy and her body weak. "Sati…I want…", she struggles to speak, "Sati…" His face turns down to her and she wants to smile to him but every cell in her body in is panicking, her still be immobilized and drugged from the effects of Sukuna's blood. He raises her higher but she can't understand why he looks so upset. 'It's okay, Sweet Sati.", she thinks to him, not being cognitively aware enough to recall that he is unable to receive her thoughts.
Gojo cries out, "Fuck! What's wrong with her?! What went down in here?!", progressively becoming more distraught at how out of it she seems. "She's barely moving…", he adds while adjusting her body to face more towards him in his hold. Wounded by her state, Satoru closes his eyes and in a whisper, asks, "My love…do you need to feed?" The almost inaudible yes that creeps into his ears shakes him, knowing that she must be in pain. He eyes Naoya and demands, "Tear my collar for me.", which the Zenin does. As Gojo maneuvers her in a way that will give her easy access, he elevates his stormy eyes to Suguru and taunts, "I'm with Naoya, he shouldn't be allowed to see her. We need to put this bullshit alliance behind us. I'll fucking wipe y'all off the map and be done with it."
Toji takes a deep breath before feeling he like he's going to explode, "We need him so she can access all of her abilities Gojo…or do you not care if the King shows up and fucking kills everyone and takes her back to Gaia?!!", irritated by his party's stubbornness when evaluating the crucial situation their in.
Seconds for lashing back, Gojo suddenly shivers to the feeling of her tongue grazing his skin. "It's okay love, take as much as you need…", he sweetly tells her, lacing his fingers in her hair. He's not had enough of this debate though as it still is not leaning in his favor. In a fouled mood he suggests, "Leave the King to me. That business is unfinished anyways…", knowing that the royal cunt was unable to even scratch him before, "He's fucking pathetic. I will gladly rip out hi-…", but a strange sensation shoots through him though and he feels his body falling backwards into the floor.
'Why can't I…what the fuck is going on?!'
"Well fucking...shit…", is all the escapes Toji's mouth.
"BABY!", ricochets off the walls from Naoya once the Zenin understands.
Suguru and everyone else in the room becomes blinded by the unusually strong concentration of that violet light. He has to turn his head away and block Baidal who was in the process of entering the room all while his brain desperately begs for clarification, 'NO. NOOO. NO! Did she just…'
Elska straddles Satoru and whimpers uncontrollably to his ominous taste while placing her left hand over his heart. When the ancient energy surges through her, she smiles while drinking, pleasantly moaning to the way his body pulses beneath her. 'Sati…my sweet, Sweet Sati.', fills her brain as the compulsion to claim him finally takes flight. Her strength returns with haste, his blood always being the perfect source of nutrients but in her swift recovery she comes to terms with the horrifying reality of what she's done yet again.
"HE WILL BE THE STRONGEST."
For the first time ever and despite the mood of the room, Elska is alleviated of all the negative baggage that usually come with altering one's life like this. As she thinks back to how Satoru even requested she do this, a small grin forms along her features as she trails her fingers along his covered collar bone. She hears her prince gasp so she gives him her attention.
"Baby, your eye…", Naoya cautiously communicates. He darts his own to Toji with anxiety as he can't feel the difference in her presence but the evidence of her switching chromatically presents before them. Carefully, he reaches out to Elska but she anguishes and pulls away which convinces him that she is indeed, the other Elska.
Toji shoves Suguru through the doorway after understanding what Naoya is failing to comprehensively share and is worried that she'll go after the Titer next seeing as he was her objective earlier. When Toji twists himself to see Elska though, he's brought to muddle as only one of her eyes hold the colorful dashes. He sweetly addresses her, "Doll?", her blood-stained smirk throwing him off of his game.
Elska wraps her arms around Toji's neck and utters, "My beloved…don't be angry with me, you know hi being turned was long overdue…" She inhales deeply into his chest, loving the way his natural aroma wafts about, "He is going to be incredible." A rush of desire courses through her as she can sense the Titer that's been on her mind through the walls, "Now why would you make the other one leave?"
Naoya steps over Gojo to grab her wrist, "Are you meaning, Getou?!", his fury bellowing out unchecked. She sighs in what sounds like boredom but she also yanks him by his grip. Naoya stumbles into her and Toji but Elska is quickly sending her tongue down his throat. He thinks about how inappropriate she's being but also cannot deny her touch as her aggression makes oddly but pleasantly shake.
Toji scrunches his face and backs away from them both, not understanding Elska's inconsistency. He knows somethings going on with her, that she seems to be switching far too frequently in comparison to before but without any direct answers, he's unsure of what to do. He watches Elska put Naoya under a spell, the Zenin cooperating with her willingly now as the crude suction of their kissing becomes the only noise left aside from Naoya's deep hum.
"Satisfy me my prince, before my time is up.", she demands into his lips. Toji is hard to miss so as he nears behind her, his hard body becomes what she leans back against, trusting his sturdiness without a second thought. His calloused hands coast up her arms, making her whimper as Naoya's tongue battles for dominance, "That's good my beloveds…" But Toji's fingers suddenly wrench into her shoulders and she hears, "DO IT!". Before she can even retaliate, Naoya's slyly sinking his fangs into her neck, draining her of her ability to remain. With her last lowly words, she warns her prince and beloved, "You will regret defying me!"