Work Text:
(Varian pov)
Varian couldn't believe it. They were here. Finally here. After months of tireless travelling, fighting and persevering- they had arrived at the library. His legs throbbed with pain, hell, his whole body ached, but they were here. His breath caught. I'm coming, mother. Just you wait. He thought. Varian's heart thumped in his chest like a funeral drum. He frowned at the thought. Funeral? Lighten up. A smile split onto his face and he took in his surroundings. If he was honest, it was pretty underwhelming. The stone walls were covered in ancient runes Varian couldn't recognise at a first glance. Emerald ivy intertwined around pillars of cobblestone and copper. At one spot, there was a miserable leak of water solemnly dripping to the floor from the ceiling. He grimaced at the bugs surrounding it. But when he turned around...
Words could not describe the way he felt when he saw it. The portal. The entrance to the library. And more importantly, the entrance to where his mother was. Where his destiny had led him, all these years. A rush of anticipation overtook his body and he shivered. The portal... Well, it was spectacular. Intricate carvings of the same runes on the walls curled around a stupendously huge frame of metal. Between the gaps of minerals, he saw different types of crystals. He raised a brow at one that looked suspiciously like the cassandrium. Now, that element seemed like a lifetime away. Inside the beautiful structure, was something that looked like it didn't belong in this world. To be utterly truthful, it probably didn't. Beautiful, delicate swirls of turquoise and seafoam green twisted and swam together in a state of equilibrium. Varian couldn't quite depict what material it was. Bright constellations of stars shone at him through the mist, there and gone in an instant. There was so much motion, so much life, so much chaos, so much movement, so much pure energy there that should cause destruction- but it worked together in harmony. He let out a breath he didn't realise he had been holding. As he snapped himself back to reality, he realised his friends were moving towards it. Admiration would have to come later. As of the moment, he had other tasks to attend to. Varian rolled his shoulders back and started to walk forward to the others. Nuru looked at him and smiled. He grasped her hand in his. It was crazy to him how a group of a witty ex-thief from a kingdom of iron, a curious boy with a spark for adventure, a princess of the stars and a reformed alchemist had found the library of legends. The eternal library. The four stood in silence in front of the entrance, unsure of what to do. Hugo nudged Varian's shoulder.
"Well? We found it, goggles. What are we waiting for?" He said. Varian shrugged and nudged him back.
"I don't have the answer to everything, Glasses." He saw Hugo bristle at the name and huffed a laugh. "Give me a minute."
Hugo raised an eyebrow and leaned away. Varian silently thanked the stars. Even the slightest bit of contact with Hugo made his pulse rush. Sun, I'm pathetic. Yong rushed up to the portal with a smile on his face. Wonder glazed over his eyes and he pulled away the slightest from the glow to address the others.
"Hugo's right. Let's go, guys!" Yong said as he tugged Nuru's arm and dragged her towards it. Yong confidently walked into the glow- and was repelled backwards. Nuru rushed over to him and helped him up. Hugo frowned.
"You okay, kid?" He said, concern laced in his words. Yong shook himself off and slapped his face lightly.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm good." Yong cracked a smile. “What… was that?”
Varian chewed his bottom lip and racked his brain for any type of answer. “I’m not sure yet,” He said. “Well, by the looks of things, that seems to be some kind of defense mechanism. The question is, how do we unlock it?” He warily approached the ‘portal’ and quietly observed it. His eyes ran over the flickering constellations, the swirling light, the runes, the frame-
Something in his brain clicked.
The runes.
“Wait a second…” He muttered as his eyes widened. Now that he was looking closely, Varian could make out what was written along the frame, just barley. Something he had only shared with two other people in his life before. Three years ago, he had studied the demanitus scroll for weeks on end. Three years ago, he had been taken captive by Cassandra when she was in the moonstone’s clutches. Three years ago, he had revealed the unknown incantation to her.
That very incantation was carved in a familiar black and blue on the portal frame. His face paled. To speak it out, it could lead to destruction. And this time, the moonstone was long gone. So what would happen if he dared to speak it? As much as he hated the idea, it seemed to be the only option.
“Well, fuck.” He shut his eyes tightly. His words came out much louder than expected, but Yong was probably used to it by now. Varian pinched the bridge of his nose and heard light footsteps behind him. A hand gently landed on his shoulder.
“Goggles?” Hugo said in a low tone next to him. If Varian hadn't been so focused, he would have noticed how close Hugo was to him. His eyes shot open and he straightened his back. He smiled tightly at Hugo.
‘Yep?” Varian instantly cringed at himself and the obviously forced tone. “Yeah, uh, sorry. Just give me a moment.” He took a shallow breath. “Okay. Guys? I think I figured out how to get in. But if… if something goes wrong, promise me you’ll leave as fast as you can.” His fellow travellers looked at him with confusion. Nuru cocked her head to the side.
“Varian, what do you mean if something goes wrong?” She asked.
Varian shrugged. “Well I can't exactly guarantee this will go right, so- just in case, i guess?”
Hugo, thankfully, spoke up. “Yeah yeah, okay.” His adorable, no, infuriating smirk didn't falter. Varian braced himself and faced the portal. He clenched his fists and then flexed them. Every sense in his body was on fire. He opened his mouth, and began to sing.
“Crescent high above,” At the words, panic immediately settled in Varian’s bones. He watched as jagged shards of black roughly jutted out of the wall. Dread seized his heart. Come on come on come on, he urged himself.
“Evolving as you go,” He forced the words out, nearly choking on them. He felt a force of nature jut out his own hand and forced it to direct the rocks. They crawled around the structure of the frame and began to settle into the carvings as even more advanced further over the stone.
“Raise what lies beneath,” The ground beneath his feet began to shake, but he compelled himself to get this over with. Around him, he could see some of the walls raining down rocks. Varian still couldn't tear his eyes away from the scene playing out in front of him. This had to stop.
“And let the darkness grow,” The rocks violently protruded from the floor, walls, and ceilings. They were all snaking their way towards the portal.
“Bend it to my will,” Varian thrust out his other hand, demanding control. The rocks were now beginning to cover the bewitching light of the portal. As much as Varian wanted to deny it, his new found power was enlightening. A sharp sensation of thrill climbed up his spine and urged him on.
“Consume the sunlight’s glow,” He dragged his right arm up, and on command a stanchion of shot out of the ground, right into the center of the portal. Its light dimmed, and the beautiful chaos inside it seemed to flicker in and out of life. It was working.
“Rise into the sky,” He shoved his left arm up in a similar fashion, and an army of rocks coiled from the top of the frame and shot down to the ground. It shuddered on impact, and Varian reveled in the feeling.
“And let the darkness grow,” His actions copied his words. Darkness from the rocks blanketed over the portal, diminishing all remaining light as they slammed down over the entrance.
“Let darkness grow.” Varian’s voice was a rough growl. With all the strength he could muster, he yanked his arms forward and twisted them until he saw a jagged split down the middle of his creation. The rock groaned and halted to a stop. Varian dropped to his knees. It felt like that incantation had sucked the life out of him. He looked at his hands in dismay. Those rocks had ruined his entire life, and he had just… commanded them? A million questions battled in his head as he tried to re-grip reality. He looked up at the mess he had created. Was it even a mess? Had it been the right thing to do? Varian shook his head, even though it was still spinning. He shoved himself off of the ground and stumbled slightly. An arm caught him before he tripped. Hugo held him as he regained alertness and he tried to not flush at the contact. Wait, Hugo? He hadn’t noticed the others were around him. Yong and Nuru stared at him. Hugo frowned.
“Goggles?” Hugo breathed warily. Varian met his distressed emerald eyes. Was that distress for his own life or concern for Varian? “Stars, Are you…okay?” Varian scowled.
“A thank you would be-”
“Your hair.” Yong interrupted Varian’s grumbling. Varian furrowed his brows.
“What about it?” He seized some of it in his hand, and nearly fell again. “WHY THE FUCK IS IT GLOWING??” Nuru placed a hand on his shoulder, but Varian shrugged it away.
“It’s only.. The blue strand? If that helps?” Hugo negotiated futilely. Varian sighed.
“Whatever.” He approached the rocks that he had commanded, the others at his side. Varian placed a hand on them warily and they shuddered at his touch. Stars above, what had he done? “Come on, let me in…” he whispered to the rocks, hoping, praying, they would somehow listen. As he pressed his head against the cold material, a sense of dread creeped throughout his body. What was that about? As if on command, he heard a pair of feet approaching him and his friends. Not one, two. His pulse began to race. Instinct kicked in as he whirled around and reached for his belt, drawing out a vial of glowing orange liquid..
He was met with a woman with a jagged scar that obscured one of her eyes, and a burly, rough man. His blood ran cold in his body. Everything in him screamed for him to run and leave all of this behind, but he stood his ground. The woman quirked a white eyebrow up at the sight of him, as if she recognised him. Next to him, Varian felt his companions turn around. All of his senses were locked on the mysterious pair in front of him. His grip tightened on the vial he clutched. His chest heaved with dread and anticipation. Something in him knew, deep down, no good could come of this.
“You. What are you doing here?” The rough sound of his voice wasn't a question. It was a demand. At this, the woman’s lips curled up into a smile and she let out a harsh, sharp laugh. She pouted mockingly.
“What a shame, hmm? My dear Hugo hasn't introduced us!” At this, she turned to the man standing next to Varian. Hugo flinched at her voice. What's that about?
“Answer my fucking question.”
The woman continued to smile as a cruel glee filled her eyes. “So he’s feisty, huh? Well done, Hugo. You’ve created quite the scene.” At this, Varian dragged his eyes to cast a look at Hugo. He was frozen, seemingly torn between the nameless woman and his crew. Varian took a breath.
“Hugo,” he murmured. “What is going on.” His tone was blank, unreadable. Hugo glanced at Varian with the same distress in his emerald eyes that Varian had noticed earlier. Had he known these people were coming?
“Varian-” Hugo began, but stopped himself.
“Oh, I wouldn't trust a word Hugo says, young man,” The woman’s voice of steel continued. “Seeing as he’s misled you all this entire time.” Varian’s heart stopped. “Such a shame, honestly. So naïve. Takes after his mother.” Varian advanced forward, stepping into her space. His head was in a deluded whirl as he tried to process everything she had revealed in the past few minutes.
“Do not fucking talk about my mother. What could someone like you know about her?” The woman didn't flinch, didn't move in the slightest.
“I know everything about your mother, Varian of Corona.” She smirked, and the action made Varian’s blood run white-hot. “After all, she was my work partner. You seem to forget that I'm human too.” Varian’s eyes widened as he realised exactly who was against him.
“My mother would never work with a monster like you.” His words were nothing more than a mere breath as a whirlwind of emotions seized him.
Anger was the most prominent.
Varian thrust his hands out and wrapped his hands around her neck, squeezing tighter and tighter until she showed the slightest sign of emotion. At first, she tried to push him off, but he was stronger. I didn’t spend a year of my life in prison for nothing. He thought bitterly as he dug his nails into where he knew it would cut off her breath. He unleashed all the fury stored inside his body as he pressed harder. When Donella began to claw at his hands desperately, he grinned. He wanted, needed her to feel the pain she had caused him and his mother. All other thoughts blanked out of his mind. It was simple- cause her absolute suffering and he would be satisfied. However, just strangling her simply wasn’t enough. When he momentarily released his grip, Donella snapped her fingers. All of a sudden, Varian felt aggressively strong hands grip his arms and force them behind his back. Varian tried to squirm his way out, but his captor was strong. Varian silently cursed himself. How had he forgotten the man was there? He threw a desperate glance at Nuru, at Yong, at Hugo-
Hugo.
Varian stopped fighting.
Hugo who was walking towards Donella.
Hugo who was helping Donella up.
Hugo who Donella patted on the back.
Hugo who stayed at her side.
Hugo who didn’t dare meet Varian’s gaze.
“Oh, I wouldn’t trust a word Hugo says, young man. Seeing as he’s misled you this entire time.”
Varian’s body seemed to deflate as realisation kicked in.
“Hugo?” Yong put Varian's thoughts into words as they all stared at the man in confusion. “What are… what are you doing?”
Donella smiled, almost wolfish. “I knew you had it in you.” Nuru's face was contorted in emotion. “Hugo-” Varian cut her off mid sentence.
“Her? Really?” The words came out in a ugly rasp he hated, but he couldn't control it. Not as the gravity of the situation settled onto him. “You're working for her?”
He felt tears prick at his eyes, and he couldn’t even bring his hands up to wipe them away and pretend it was fine. Because it isn’t fucking fine is it? Varian berated himself silently. Hugo couldn’t bring himself to say anything. And Varian… Varian couldn’t bring himself to rake his eyes away from Hugo, lest he come back to Varian. But he didn’t. He never would. Stars, how could he be so absurdly stupid? Varian had been so trusting, so desperate for a friend that he had turned a blind eye to all dangers. He had even thought of Hugo as something more, a stupid, giddy feeling. Of course. Of course the one person Varian had learned to love had turned against them. No, that wasn’t it. Hugo had never been with them in the first place. Varian had been so trusting in a bond that was never there. Nuru was right all along. She was right in mistrusting him, when Varian had been foolish and oblivious. As fucking usual. He thought about all the moments of peace, joy, and ugly love that Hugo had just obliterated without saying a single word.
Hugo was incapable of caring for anyone but himself.
Hugo’s entire existence wrapped around Varian like a noose.
All the witty flirts, all the ‘genuine’ sentiments, all the beautiful memories flooded Varian’s brain all at once.
Varian’s heart broke.
And it was as simple as that.
Varian wished there was more, but there just wasn’t. He was stupid enough to think that he had found a second family, that finally he had found the people for him. And maybe he had, with Nuru and Yong.
But Hugo could never be a part of that.
He felt the burly man’s grip finally release him, but Varian couldn’t move. He felt frozen. He was frozen. Until…
Varian started to laugh. He bent over double, laughing until his abdomen hurt. Hugo had the audacity to flinch at the noise. Honestly, how dare he? Hot, unforgiving tears flooded Varian’s face and he continued to cackle. He walked over to where Nuru was shielding Yong, still clutching his stomach and hiccuping. Varian saw the alarmed looks on both his companions' faces, but he just couldn’t stop his emotions. Fuck it, he was going to absolutely spiral in a moment. He placed a shaking hand to Nuru’s shoulder and gazed at her with pleading eyes. She whispered something he couldn’t hear and Yong pulled both Varian and her closer. Varian glared up at Hugo through the ever-flowing tears to see a wounded expression. Varian almost started laughing again. How the fuck could Hugo possibly be hurt after what he had done to them. To his dismay, Donella opened her mouth.
“Honestly, I'm disappointed in you.” Varian started to say something, but realised Donella was addressing Hugo. He silenced himself to hear what she was saying, praying that at least some of his assumptions about Hugo were incorrect. “I told you not to get attached, but here we are. A boy you care so deeply about is sobbing over you.” She grabbed his chin harshly and stared into his eyes. “Foolish.” Varian grit his teeth together. Before Donella could say another word, he spoke up.
“How long, Hugo?” Varian despised how his voice broke. Hugo had a look of utter despair on his face.
“Varian, please. I-”
“How. Long?” Varian grimaced as Hugo clenched his fists.
“From the start,” He said in a low, soft tone. Varian felt another wave of tears threaten to spill over. Hugo had only ever spoken like that to him in those rare moments of intimacy and trust. Of course, that trust had been brutally ripped away. Varian bit his lip. Hugo tried to approach him but Donella grabbed his wrist. “Please, i wanted- needed- to tell you, but i just-”
“You just what, Hugo? You couldn’t tell us in the ten months that you sold us out?” Varian shook his head. “You heard her. Why should I trust anything you say?”
“You have to listen! Please, just hear me out-”
Varian rolled his eyes.
“You know what? I’ve had enough of this. I’ve had enough of you and your pathetic little lies. You think you’re ever gonna mean something to us after this? No, I don't think so. I trusted you. And I honestly think I speak for everybody here when i say nobody will want to see you again after i get that fucking totem. You only continue to prove exactly why you’ll never have anything real with anyone. You complain to us that you feel ‘unloveable’-”
Varian saw Hugo flinch at that.
“-but then you pull this bullshit and expect everyone to adore you? I hope someday you understand the weight of what you’ve just ruined.” Varian started to advance towards the threatening rock formation he had created. “So here’s what I'm gonna do. I’m gonna go into this library alone, and I’ll bring back somebody who actually cares about me.” He placed a hand in the middle of the jagged crack and pried the slabs apart with more effort than he’d like to admit. “And if you have any tiny sense of self-respect left, you won’t come after me.”
Nuru reached out and tried to grab him, but he was quicker.
Varian had entered the library.
☀︎*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☀︎*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*