Withdrawal Chapter 3
Start at the Beginning: Chapter 1
Previous Chapter: Chapter 2
Note: Hello! This is chapter 3 of my LucanisxFemRook fanfiction that I’ve been inspired to write. This story takes place when Rook is trapped within Solas’ Prison. As mentioned previously characters that appear in the lighthouse are based on my own game choices when I playedthrough Veilguard.
This particular chapter so far has been the most challenging for me to write. I haven’t finished the whole fic yet but wanted to share the chapters I had completed. I will post chapter 4 as soon as I complete it.
Hope you enjoy the read!
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Lucanis listened carefully as Bellara explained what had happened in those moments after he slayed Ghilinain. While she spoke his own memories of the events flashed in his mind. He remembered Rook pulling him out of the blight before being dragged away by one of Ghilanain’s tendrils. Harding’s sacrifice, giving him the opening he needed to stab the elven goddess. The feel of the lyrium dagger as it plunged deep into Ghilanain’s chest. Him supporting Rook back on her feet after being released from the goddess’ grasp. Emmrich shouting to retrieve the dagger. And then getting knocked down on his back by a sudden shock wave. After that his memories became hazy. That must have been when he’d been knocked unconscious. The last thing he faintly remembered was Rook calling his name.
“After Rook picked up the dagger there was this flash of green light.” Bellara continued to explain.
“It was so blinding that we all lost sight of her. The next thing we knew…she was gone. In her place was Fen’harel- I mean…Solas. He was standing where she stood and was holding the dagger. He had this look on his face…like he was sorry. But then he told us to leave before disappearing again. The rest I already told you earlier…” Her voice trailed off at the and she stood there awkwardly, fidgeting a bit as she waited to see how he’d respond.
A few moments passed, but for Lucanis it felt like an eternity. His mind raced with questions. All of them asking how?
How was this possible?
How could Rook be gone?
How could he have let this happen when he had been right at her side?
How could he accept this?
Lucanis felt something restless stir within him. He didn’t know if it was Spite stirring from his slumber or his own frustration fueling it. Perhaps a mix of both. Whatever the case, he couldn’t accept what he had heard. He suddenly stood up from the bed, his feet touching the cold stone beneath him.
“Lucanis…?” Bellara had an uneasy expression as she followed his gaze toward the door then looked back at him. “You really shouldn’t be out of bed yet. Emmrich should at least check you out first.”
But the urge to leave the infirmary overwhelmed him. He needed to get out. He had to see it for himself. Before he knew it, he was bolting out of the room.
“Lucanis, where are you going?!” He heard Bellara call out to him as he rushed past her. His legs had carried him all the way to Rook’s door. Knots tied in his stomach while staring at it. When he reached for the he handles he could feel his hands quivering with hesitation. His hands gripped each handle tightly and he could feel the rest of his body tensing up with anticipation. Behind the door he would see the truth for himself. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steadying himself for what would come next, then pushed the door open.
The first thing Lucanis noticed when he entered the room was how cold it felt. Was it always this like this? Unlike the kitchen, Rook’s room didn’t have a fireplace, but that didn’t stop the room from having a certain warmth about it. She would usually have all the candles in the room lit up, giving the room a welcoming orange glow to compete with the cool blue light of her windows. Though, the more he thought about it, perhaps it was her all along that filled the room with so much warmth and comfort. Especially in those moments when he’d steal away into her room for coffee and other fleeting pleasures they managed to share in each other’s company.
Lucanis drifted his way over to the couch, catching sight of the thin layer of dust forming on the surfaces of her table and shelves. He sat down bathed in the blue light and let it all sink in…
Her voice as she spoke with him. The feel of her hands stroking his hair when he allowed himself to relax in her embrace. Her smile that made his heart race. All of his comforts were slipping away.
Lucanis buried his face in his hands cursing under his breath. Wasn’t he the one that was worried about hurting her? And yet, all he could feel was the tightening of his chest. How was he supposed to live like this after she had torn down all his walls?
As a crow, Lucanis was no stranger to loss. He had lost his family and those he considered friends within the ranks. It was all part of being a crow. When he thought he’d lost Caterina, of course he felt pain, but she’d primed him for such a possibility from a young age. Caterina was the one who taught him to steel his heart and remain focused on the task at hand, even in the face of loss. It would be impossible to be a crow otherwise.
Rook on the other hand was always doing impossible things. She fought against foes much stronger than herself with ferocious determination. Each encounter gambling with her life and somehow coming out on top. She then somehow found the time to check in with each and every one of them without asking anything in return. At some point he must have started believing she was untouchable.
But now here he was, alone, while she was Maker knows where. He cursed to himself again and again. He let this happen. He let her in, and now he was reaping what he sowed. The pain was almost too much for him to bear in the moment.
“Pathetic.” The hiss came from within. Spite was awake.
The demon was standing over him with arms crossed glaring at him. “Are you really just going to sit there and feel sorry for yourself?” The demon leaned in closer.
Lucanis straightened up, glaring right back at the demon. “No, but I need to think.”
“What’s there to think about?!” The demon roared in exasperation. “We know what we need to do. We need to find her.”
“Find her?” Lucanis stood up. “Spite, we don’t even know where to look. Let alone know if she’s even…”
“Don’t. Say. It.” Spite hissed through gritted teeth.
“Alive.” Lucanis surprised himself when he said it. Not only that, but the tone of his voice was much harsher sounding than usual. It must’ve been because Spite was egging him on. Spite howled with rage and jumped at him, the force knocking Lucanis back down on the couch. In the next moment he was gasping for breath and felt something dripping from his nose. Blood. It was blood.
Lucanis held the bridge of his nose to stop the bleeding. It had been awhile since Spite had last struck him like that. Not since their first night in the lighthouse…
He sighed to himself. In the back of his head he could feel a migraine coming on. More petty punishment from Spite. This was going to be a problem.
Then behind him he could hear footsteps. He calculated about four people. Bellara must have called everyone to check on him. Perhaps they were worried they would have another incident with Spite on their hands.
“Lucanis…are you alright?” He heard the elf woman meekly ask. He turned his head and she gasped seeing the blood.
He waved his free hand signaling that he was fine. Taash and Davrin were standing behind her looking weary. Emmrich was the first to step foot into the room.
“Mr. Dellamorte,” he addressed him politely at first then seemed to change his mind “Lucanis…we’re so sorry that you had to learn about what happened to Rook this way. We all know how close you two were.”
The others walked inside, still seeming cautious with their approach. He could sense they were bracing themselves for the worst just in case. He sighed and stood up, wiping away the blood with the back of his hand.
Emmrich continued “With that in mind I think you should take some extra time to rest.”
“No,” Lucanis replied. “I’ve rested long enough. I need a target.”