Alive! He was alive, not surrendered to Tirkul, but alive! And all himself! No Zodiac Monster controlling his body!"
The excitement cased another wave of pain to overcome Skan, and he laid back down on his back. He was starving. To the side of his bed was something to remedy the situation. A large platter of food, including pizza, spaghetti, slicles of beef and bread, a pitcher of liquor and one of water, both with beads of condensation dripping on the outside. Skan knew it was a meal large enough for five people, but was too hungry to argue. He would just save it for later.
Before he knew it, there was no more food. And Skan was still hungry. He scopped seom crumbs up into his palm and dropped them in his mouth, smacking his lips. Maybe he could get something to eat outside.
But first of all, Skan needed to find out where he was. Obviously in a house, but one totally unfamiliar to him. Ah, well. Skan threw off his covers, only a little surprised to find out he as only wearing a pair of black pants, and stumbled out the door, one hand clutching his aching head. He was a little dizzy, so he rested against the door before continuing on.
Outside, Thom and Tad and Nismeisho were all talking quietly. When Skan opened the door, however, they all got up to their feet excidetly and helped him stand.
"Skan, youre ok!" said Tad, slapping him heartily on the back. Skan almost collapsed.
"Don't do that, you idiot!" snapped Thom. "He's still sick! This is the first ever exorcism of a Zodiac Monster while keeping the host body alive! Of COURSE he'll be sick!"
"Oh.." said Tad. "Sorry little brother!" he said to Skan with a grin.
Skan called Tad little brother because Tad was not nearly as smart or experienced as Skan. But Tad called SKAN little brother because he was bigger and stronger and often protected Skan. But neither was older, they were twins.
"Hey, Skan!" said Nisemeisho. "I got something for you!" He held up Skan's trench coat. Skan gladly accepted it. He was getting very cold.
"Guys, turn up the heater!" he complained. Everyone looked at him strangely.
"Unless you didn't notice the sweat on us," said Nise, "the heat IS up."
"He's still sick," said Thom. "You have to go ack to bed."
"Wait..." Skan said, reaching into his pocket. As he suspected, there was the Zodiac Stone. He drew it our angrily.
"This thing has caused me so much pain!" he snarled. "So much suffering! Damn it!" he cocked back his arm, ready to throw it out an open window, when Kitra's voice stopped him.
"Skan."
She didn't say much, or in a commanding tone, but something about it made Skan turn around. Kitra stood before him. "Don't throw out the stone! Tirkul is dead, Skan. All that is now is something to channel magic."
Skan looked at the stone. "I don't use magic," he was ready to throw it out. Kitra put a restraining hand on his arm.
"Then keep it as a memory, Skan," she said. "But don't throw it out, or else it may end up in the hands of evil."
Skan looked at the stone again, the shoved it in his pocket, scowling. "Fine." His scowl dissapeared into a smile and he threw himself into a hug with Kitra.
"THANK you, sis!" Skan said. "You saved my life!"
Kitra laughed and eased Skan off. "Yes, Skan, that I did. I'm sure you would return the favor. Now come one, Skan, back to bed you go!"
Skan nodded drowsily. He was getting very, very tired. He was vaguely aware of being led to the couch and laid on his back. Someone took off his trench coat.
Skan didn't know if the couch was abnormally thick, or if he was just tired, but he didn't remember sinking through all the way before falling asleep.
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