Lantern
Freefalling. That's what it feels like right now. No more pain, no more...anything. Just me, and the sensation of falling. It feels nice. I don't have to worry, don't have to care. I'm done. Is this what freedom feels like?

Checkmate. But...not quite yet. I have more to do. Can't let myself rest until it's done. Too bad the kid's body didn't hold up longer. Then again, maybe it's good. The second step is done. Easy, it was. Kid was ready for it. Plan's in action and it won't be stopped. Thank you, Steele, thank you Tally. You've released the monster.

"You feeling okay?"
Yeah...
"Good. You're a good kid, ya know? You'll be fine, alright?"
Yeah.
"Now, you'll get your old body back. And in time, another. And...another. You'll grow. But I'm gonna need to use it too, alright?"
Alright.
"Alright."

The cold smirk that hovers on the face of the one above the fawn is not comforting. Somehow, the fawn finds comfort. That face is the only thing left to cling to, the last lifeline. Or perhaps it is the relief of letting go, the pain ebbing away finally, no more burning, no more fear. Just...nothing.

Just like every other time he had let go...

The pain had come after he'd remembered her-Aegle's-face. The voice hadn't been too happy.
"Never will ya challenge my authority again. Never. Do ya understand?"
He had, especially after slipping and falling. Pain had shot through what would have been a skinned knee in a regular fawn. No marks showed through the swirling mist of the fawn's body, but the pain had shot through his limbs like burning fire. It hadn't gone quickly either, but lingered, still burning and causing him to limp.

That was nothing compared to what he'd just experienced.

The fawn had opened his eyes this morning only to yelp in pain. Wounds, wounds from days ago still lingered, stinging like wasps. Yet he had managed to move, to prick his ears to listen for an approach. Instead, he had caught the scent.

Him...and her...And mommy?

The change came quickly, surprising the fawn and leaving him in the wake. The spiked antlers had grown from his very head, his body stretched to its limits, his mask appearing from the mist of his own body. He was left to wonder, yet revel in the lack of pain, drift away.

He had watched as his own body had gone for the dog-stag, the doe with him, his murderers. He had watched without a cry, without even wondering. Revenge...beautiful.

He had watched, then, as the voice had gone for Aegle. He had watched with the same passive attitude. She had let him die. He didn't care.

"Time ta go back."

The pain crashed over him like a burning wave, an ache in every bone, muscle, and sinew. The scream that came from him startled the very birds nesting in the trees. They looked down for but a moment, glaring at the interruption, then went back to their tasks.

"M-mommy..." He had collapsed, whimpering, beside her. Beyond that was a blur of emotions, of words, things he didn't mean but said anyway. She was crying. He was limping away. She and a stag were trying to convince him not to-to do something. He couldn't remember, couldn't quite recall. It didn't really seem to matter.

Then she was there. The black and white doe. Instantly, the feeling came back, washing over him with fear, pain, anger.
"Go away! I didn't-didn't do anything you crazy-"
She was beside him, breathing on him, her breath swirling the mist that composed him. Then her hoof was crashing through it, causing it to swirl away.
He screamed, and the note seemed caught upon the air, hanging there.
She was circling him, he was trying to defend himself, get away. The pain was nearly collapsing him, blurring his vision.
He could see her in flashes, closer, further, rearing, touching him. Her touch burned him, acid burning through the swirls and eddies. Her nuzzles were like poison. Yet, she came. They burned...
She would kill him, but not on her own.
The stag was there too, lurking. He came forward, shrieking through the skull. The antlers caught the mist upon them, shredding it.
I got this.
The pain receded, replaced with a wild abandon. He was faster than them, so much faster. He could pirouette and hit them before they could even turn. Was this power? Joy came with it, carrying him away.
I will give you power. Surrender.
Not yet.
Then it's your turn.
This time, the pain was unbearable. No words came from his mouth, nothing to express it. He was dying, ten times over dying. He stood as they pummeled him, rearing and shredding. He was frozen, feeling the horrible ache, the burning fire, unable to even lift his head.
This body won't hold much longer...
And suddenly he was running blindly, getting away. Something had lent him power, but only enough to crest the hill, where he collapsed, mist swirling in shreds.
I will give you power. Surrender.
Alright. He had no other choice, except perhaps-
But the thought was cut off by blackness.
Checkmate.

((Not my best piece, but it's 2 A.M. >.<''
Copied from another blog: This time, since he was already weakened by other fights and other times, it hurt him seriously. Or so he thinks. He can't really die again, but the pain is...intense, to say the least. So...he's giving in, thinking it's the only way to keep living. Basically, his fawn form probably WILL stay, but this is the origin of his other two insane forms. The fawn/real deer form are the "real"/ "kind" Lantern. His insane form with the wax is a mixture, and his other form is...well. Heh. If you'd like, you can imagine him almost being inhabited by two very distinct personalities. :3
And this is bound to change. |D
Not fully sure how little Lantern will act from now on, so we'll see. :3))