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[PSL] The Return to King Solomon's Mines Ultimate Fix It (for ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
slapthelibrarian)
"Yeah, you know what, I really don't think we should cross that."
It's a moot point, of course, and Flynn doesn't mean it because there is no way he's turning back now. Part of him wonders if he should tell Nicole about his conversation with Judson and mention that Judson had explicitly instructed him to stay away from this place. But this isn't an ordinary mission and Flynn isn't in his ordinary state of mind. And who knew, maybe Judson had contacted Nicole already and she is just humoring Flynn. If she is, nothing in her face gives it away and he loves her just a little for that.
It's been... difficult to focus with all the questions raging in his head.
Had his father ever been affiliated with the Library? It doesn't seem likely; but if he hadn't, how did Judson know about the Book of Solomon? And did it mean that if Flynn hadn't become the Librarian, he would have become one of the Masons? Were the Masons linked to the Library? Did his mother know? Because honestly, finding his drawings in his bag right when he needed them had just been a tiny little bit suspicious, is all.
And that bridge really shouldn't work.
There are no support beams, it's just that, a stony path over a pit of lava (the biggest pit of lava he has ever seen, actually, and he has seen... four so far) and, no. This isn't rotten wood territory, this is challenging the actual laws of physics. It's just not how bridges work.
"That is just not how bridges work."
It's a moot point, of course, and Flynn doesn't mean it because there is no way he's turning back now. Part of him wonders if he should tell Nicole about his conversation with Judson and mention that Judson had explicitly instructed him to stay away from this place. But this isn't an ordinary mission and Flynn isn't in his ordinary state of mind. And who knew, maybe Judson had contacted Nicole already and she is just humoring Flynn. If she is, nothing in her face gives it away and he loves her just a little for that.
It's been... difficult to focus with all the questions raging in his head.
Had his father ever been affiliated with the Library? It doesn't seem likely; but if he hadn't, how did Judson know about the Book of Solomon? And did it mean that if Flynn hadn't become the Librarian, he would have become one of the Masons? Were the Masons linked to the Library? Did his mother know? Because honestly, finding his drawings in his bag right when he needed them had just been a tiny little bit suspicious, is all.
And that bridge really shouldn't work.
There are no support beams, it's just that, a stony path over a pit of lava (the biggest pit of lava he has ever seen, actually, and he has seen... four so far) and, no. This isn't rotten wood territory, this is challenging the actual laws of physics. It's just not how bridges work.
"That is just not how bridges work."
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Flynn just hopes he is right about what he said about being needed. This isn't like the Language of the Birds. Chances are actually pretty high that if these goons have been looking for the book for some time they might have an expert who is able to read it. He just really hopes they're getting lucky and he can buy them some more time.
Well, let's see this boss of his then. Probably another knucklehead, eager to point his machete at their faces, barking out orders. Some brute, if even Samir seems to cower before him.
They enter a chamber – the chamber, as it turns out to be – and Flynn can't help but stare in awe for a moment. Giant pillars and sarcophagi ornate the walls. Surrounded by steaming pools of lava, artistically chiseled steps lead up to a platform overhead. From the foot of the stairs a figure approaches, spreading their arms.
"Now, now, Samir, what did I tell you? Be gentle with our guests. They're very special to me."
Something in Flynn's mind blanks and he stops. Walking, thinking. Everything stops. "Uncle Jerry...?"
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Once they enter the chamber, Nicole's also unable to keep from staring at the grandeur of it all. Looking sidelong at Flynn, she can tell he's also enamored, and dying to rush over and examine it closer. Maybe if they survive this, and the chamber doesn't get destroyed in the crossfire, he can steal a moment or two to feed his investigative appetite.
But all of those thoughts go flying straight out of Nicole's head as the figure on the platform comes out to meet them. Flynn's entire demeanor changes, and Nicole stops to stare at him in concern. Who is this man, and why does Flynn look like he's just seen a ghost?
The next words out of Flynn's mouth explain everything, and she freezes. "Uncle Jerry? What-" She doesn't know the man very well, of course, but she doesn't know much about him except that he was a good friend of Flynn's father. "You're the one in charge of these men? Why would you order them to bring us here?" Oh, she knows why. For some men, the lure of power and magic is too strong, but she's thinking only of Flynn, who looks rather stricken right now.
Personally, Nicole thinks anyone who would drag in friends or family members into something like this is despicable, but this is Flynn's father's old friend. Perhaps Flynn had better take point on this one, once he recovers from his shock.
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"I don't... understand." It's so simple and so obvious but for once in his life Flynn can't put the pieces together. "You were at the... the party," he stutters, still staring. It seems like a lifetime ago and he remembers talking to Jerry while his mother was too busy ushering Nicole around to show off to her friends. He remembers Jerry nudging him in the side with his elbow. She's a very beautiful woman, Flynn. I have to run but give her my best regards.
That means Jerry is the one trying to use Nicole as leverage. But why? It just doesn't make sense. It stops all of Flynn's reasoning skills short, because it doesn't make sense.
"Now." Jerry looks up at Flynn, still with that patient, fatherly expression. "Give me the book, Flynn."
"No." It's hollow and automatic, the Librarian part of him taking over because Flynn still can't be present, too caught up in the shock of the moment. "It's too dangerous, too powerful. You can't have it. Nobody can."
Jerry sighs. "Flynn. I'm sure you have realized by now that Samir and his men are not the most... refined gentlemen. You know I'm not a fan of violence. I'd hate to leave our good Nicole in their care, wouldn't you?"
The threat to Nicole's safety is enough to break through his stupor. It's like ice water to his face and Flynn blinks, slowly coming to, looking at Jerry as if he's seeing him for the first time while the man he called 'uncle' watches his changing expression with a small sigh. "Oh, I know that look too well. Don't you be stupid like your father was. I told you, I promised him I'd look after you." He smiles, and this time it's cruel, devoid of the familiar warmth. "Of course he begged me not to right up until I shot him, so I fully intend on making good on that promise."
There is a small part of Flynn that suddenly feels very detached from the situation, like he's on the outside looking in. That small part feels a sudden empathy, a sudden understanding of Nicole and the extent of her fury, her hurt, her pain about what Wilde had done to her.
The other part, the one in the here and now, is pure rage. Two of Samir's goons try to step in but there is nothing stopping him from getting at this man. Flynn tackles them aside like their ragdolls and manages to get a hit in, his fist connecting very soundly with Jerry's face before they manage to pull him back.
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"Oh, and by the way, Jerry, if you're implying that your goons can best me in a fight, then clearly you don't know me well at all." It wouldn't be easy, taking on all of them, but Nicole would give it her best shot.
But Jerry keeps talking, and as the bombshell drops, Nicole's bravado vanishes just like that. She casts a quick, worried look in Flynn's direction, wondering what this bit of terrible news will do to him. The answer comes quickly, as Flynn all but flings himself forward, only to be met by two of Samir's men, and with a quick rush of pride, Nicole watches as Flynn pushes aside the goons and hits Jerry full in the face.
"Don't you do anything to him, Jerry." The only problem here is, Nicole's not entirely sure what Jerry's planning. Get his hands on the book, of course. But that can't be the sole extent of his plan. What they need to do is get away from here as quickly as they can, but the odds are very much stacked against them. It's not as simple as waltzing out and going on their merry way.
"What do you want from us? Aside from the book, of course." The sooner they get it out of him what he intends, the better. It's difficult to formulate a plan without having all the information.
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"Don't you dare!" Flynn spits out, angry tears gleaming in his eyes. "Don't you even dare! You killed my father?"
Jerry holds up a hand like he actually thinks he can placate Flynn. "Yes. But that was a long time ago. And now we're gonna fix this mess. We're gonna fix it all! Make it the way it's supposed to be." He looks over at Nicole and gives her one of his charming smiles. "That's why I want you here. I want you to be part of this."
"You're insane!" Flynn struggles against the firm grip holding him. "It's not gonna happen!"
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"Flynn?" She doesn't want to tip Jerry off too much, but she wants to know what he's talking about. Hoping he can decipher body language and facial expression, she gives him a look with eyebrows raised, giving the smallest nod in Jerry's direction, as if to ask without words, "What is he talking about?" Flynn's reaction tells her whatever it is is most likely bad, but that's the extent of her knowledge.
Something tells her there's a good chance that it involves doom and the end of the universe, but she'd rather know specifics and not rely on supposition.
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Well, that's not gonna hold. Not if Flynn has anything to say about it.
"I saw the writing," he mutters under his breath as he gets closer to Nicole. He's pale and stony-faced but he's trying to fight past the hurt and anger to focus on what's happening right now. "I know now what it can do. And so does he." Flynn glares up the stairs at Jerry, preparing the ritual.
"He wants to use the power of the book to rewrite history. But why? He's already rich. He's successful. He's obviously powerful, if all those goons are any indication? What does he want?"
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She has similar thoughts to Flynn: those ropes won't hold either of them for long. There is too much at stake for them to just let Jerry do what he wants.
"Rewrite history? But why? And what does he intend to change?" She mutters out of the corner of her mouth, not wanting to be overheard by Jerry or his goons. "Whatever it is, we need to stop him." It doesn't need to be said, and neither does the fact that if he intended it for good, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to obtain it. "You said he was friends with your father, didn't you?"
There has to be something they're not seeing here, but Nicole doesn't have time to hash it out with Flynn. Jerry's already gotten the book out of Flynn's bag, and has only just opened it, flipping through the pages in a way that would appear almost reverent except for the look of sheer greed and lust on his face.
Whatever this ritual is meant to accomplish, it can't be anything good. Jerry turns to look at Flynn and Nicole, a look of anticipation unmistakably plain. "I hope you two enjoy the show."
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"You won't get away with this, Jerry!" he yells up to the man in response. Which of course is feeble but it feels good to get it off his chest. There are a lot of other things he wants to yell, too, but they are not very productive.
"I think I can get us out of these ropes. You don't happen to have any ideas what we could do about all those guards? And their spears. And their guns. And their knives..." His eyes wander up to the book.
"Maybe I can get him to talk. Distract him."
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"It's a bit of a long shot, but- oftentimes, when two men are closely connected with each other, and one of them finds someone he likes, there can be a bit of friendly competition." She's not speaking from any sort of experience at all, of course, just hypothesizing about what could have possibly happened. Granted, she didn't know Flynn's father or mother, and she barely knows Jerry, so she realizes she could be quite a bit far from the mark.
"I don't need weapons to disable a man. But I don't want to become a pincushion or a target for their bullets." If she's quick enough, she might be able to knock some of them out before they have time to reach for their weapons, but it's difficult to predict success or failure while they're still tied up with ropes.
"But if you distract him, that will buy both of us some time. I don't want you getting in the crossfire, though." They need to survive this, and her Guardian instincts are telling her not to let Flynn draw attention to himself.
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The thought makes him tear on the restraints a little too impatiently and the knot tightens up again, forcing him to start over. "Why did you do it?" he calls up to Jerry, making him glance up from the book. "I thought you were friends! He trusted you! I trusted you!"
"It's his own fault! All he had to do is tell me. All he had to do was not get in the way!"
"You can't use the book, Jerry! You just can't! It's not gonna make you rich, it's gonna destroy the world!"
"Rich!" Jerry barks out an angry laugh. "Who cares about riches? This is about my life! The one that was taken from me!"
Ah. There they go, that's more like it.
Flynn leans back slightly into Nicole. "Seems to be working. They can't just not soliloquy, can they."
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Her heart sinks when Flynn resumes calling out to Jerry. She feels for Flynn, she really does. But this is not something she can fix, no more than Flynn could fix the betrayal she felt with Wilde. All she can do is be supportive and understanding, as he was.
"Good job getting him to reveal more of his plan," Nicole replies, nodding her approval at what Flynn's managed to accomplish. "I can't believe he's got all that power available to him, and yet he's not remotely interested in gaining riches. But for some, undoing the wrongs they think have been done to them is more important than all the gold in the world." It in no way justifies what Jerry's done, or how he stabbed Flynn in the back. But as difficult as it is to accept, Nicole can understand the thinking behind it all.
"He won't be destroying the world, not on my watch. Or on yours." She knows Flynn, and she knows he won't be content to just sit back and watch.
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"You're right he won't." With one last tug Flynn allows the ropes to slide free. Jerry's men seem distracted, engulfed in the ritual the man is starting up on top. Flynn wonders if they even know why they are here. They must realize at this point that this can't be good; how could you turn off your brain for money he would never understand but even if you didn't care for other people certainly you had to care a little about the world you lived in? If only for the very selfish reason that it was the world you were supposed to spend your blood money in? He will never understand mercenaries.
"Alright, I'm going up there, trying to get him to spill the beans some more. Maybe I can take the book from him." And maybe trying to get another hit in but that goes without saying. "Are you going to be okay down here?"
He had always hated leaving Nicole to deal with superior numbers and he worries that one day, having to split up like this would end badly and with neverending regret. But when the fate of the world is at stake there was hardly time for such debates.
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She can't help but grin a little as the ropes slide free. Flynn is a great many things, but resourceful and skillful are two things that she appreciates very much, especially right now in this current situation. As for Jerry's men, Nicole watches them with a mixture of disdain and something like vague pity. They probably don't know why they're here, other than the fact that Jerry most likely sweet-talked them with promises of infinite riches and immortality, or something along those lines. It's what all men with delusions of grandeur do.
"I'll be fine. I always am. But Flynn, be careful. I know you will be, but-" Nicole can't help but look slightly concerned for his safety. She can't be the mother hen all the time; there are times when Flynn has to do things on his own, but she will never be able to stop worrying about him.
He's not the only one who worries every time they have to split up. But both of them know full well that when the fate of the entire world is on the line, sometimes they have to do the opposite of what they want.
"Call if you need help, all right?" They don't have time for her to emphasize how serious she is about this. Now is not the time for daredevil heroics.
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With another careful gaze at Jerry's men he slinks off in to the darkness, using the shades of the high towering columns and plateaus to sneak over to the stairs, looking for a way to make it there undetected. There isn't much time – if Jerry really knows how to speak the incantations he can wreak havoc before Flynn even makes it halfway up to him. On the other hand, if he gets impatient this might be over before he even gets a shot.
But then Jerry's incantations prove to be just the distraction they need. The chamber rumbles ominously, tendrils of light flickering high into the air and the goons stare up in surprised fascination – even Samir.
Flynn takes his chance and hurries up the stairs, positive that he didn't see any guard going up with Jerry. "Stop it right there!"
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"Did you know I can kill a man 57 different ways?" She grins her best psychopathic grin, deciding that she might as well have fun with this. "It started out as a hobby, and just went on from there. I'm going to practice all 57 ways on you." And with that, Nicole's fight begins, but she makes sure to keep one ear trained on what's going on above her, hoping she'll hear it if something goes wrong with Flynn's efforts. He's resourceful, but he's also reckless. But that's what he has her for, to act as his backup if needed.
The second she takes to listen to Flynn's progress is the same second that one of Jerry's goons sneaks in and sucker punches her, sending her landing heavily against one of the stone pillars in the room. It knocks the breath out of her, but she doesn't have a second to recover, as he's now got a gun trained on her. "Oh, that wasn't very nice of you," she retorts, mildly annoyed with herself for losing focus, even for the briefest second. "Come on, then, let's see what else you've got. A gun against an unarmed woman isn't very fair odds, but beggars can't be choosers."
This was always a possibility, that she might find herself in over her head, but she has to hold them off long enough to give Flynn the time he needs. She can at least lead Jerry's men on a merry dance in the meantime.
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Flynn in the meantime has problems on his own. Jerry looks up at him, eyes glowing in a deep, devilish red and the Librarian can tell that his body is already taut with unnatural power, radiating off him like an evil aura. Flynn swallows, feeling weak and tiny all of a sudden and it brings back memories of Wilde and the Staff, overly powerful and beating the crap out of him before Flynn managed to make the environment work in his favor.
Somehow he doesn't think the same trick will work a second time.
"You can't stop it," Jerry snarls at him. "I'm taking what's rightfully mine. Love, family! Everything your father robbed me off!"
"I will never let you have the power of the--" Flynn stops suddenly, his face turning into a bizarre combination of surprise and stupor. "Wait. Wait, just, are you talking-- is this about Mom? You're not seriously wielding the Book of Solomon because of Mom?"
"She was the love of my life. The most beautiful of them all. Her hair like an open cornfield in the evening sun. Her lips full and red like summer apples. Her hips--"
"Oh my God! Oh my God, I'm not listening!" Horrified, Flynn puts his hands to his ears. "Will you stop, that's my mother you're talking about!"
Jerry takes the opening, backhanding Flynn across the face and, yep. That's a magically powered punch if Flynn has ever felt one (he had felt many). He crashes to the ground, groaning and holding his face, the room swimming in and out of vision. From somewhere above Jerry's voice reaches him. "Not when I'm finished she won't be."
Something in those words sets Flynn's nerves on fire and he can feel himself pushing himself to his feet even before the daze has worn off. Jerry had already taken one parent – like hell was Flynn going to let him take another one. With a yell he tackles into him, causing Jerry to drop the book and bringing them both down to the ground wrestling. Jerry is stronger, managing to come out on top with his hands closing around Flynn's throat; but Flynn is angrier, reaching out until his fingers brush a stone to grab and smash against Jerry's skull. With a grunt the man rolls to the side and drops, temporarily knocked out.
Flynn coughs, scrambling to his knees. He really hates being choked and it happens way too often.
The book is just ahead where Jerry dropped it and Flynn picks it up, slowly getting to his feet. "Got the book!" he yells to let Nicole know he's alright. He shouldn't waste any more time, he needs to get down there right now and help her. But then his eyes fall on the writing and he feels drowsy all of a sudden, his mind droning with unnatural sounds when he can't help but start reading. The Book. Yes, he has the Book.
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Suddenly, though, she notices a change in the men who are still encircling her, weapons drawn and threatening. Something has drawn their attention, and to Nicole's dismay, they appear to forget all about her, climbing up the stairs to the platform above, where Flynn and Jerry are.
"Oh no you don't!" They can't get up there. She can't allow them to get too close to Flynn, because there's no telling what they might do. But as she crests the stairs and comes to the top of the platform, her thoughts seem to fly away from her. "Flynn, what are you doing?" Her words appear to fall on deaf ears, as Flynn's gaze is riveted on the Book.
Of course, this was always a possibility, but it's not something Nicole's prepared to see or to deal with. But she doesn't have time to react, as one of the men sneaks up behind her and grabs her by the arms, restraining her. He can't restrain her voice, though, and she shouts at Flynn in hopes of somehow reaching him: "You can read the Book later! Now's not the time, Flynn!"
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Like this, he could be the greatest Librarian of them all. He could bring all the artifacts home, he could undo the damage Jerry had caused to him and his family, he could keep Nicole safe. Nothing could ever threaten her or Judson or Charlene or the Library or himself ever again. He could save the world! No more stumbling around in hopes they somehow make it to the next day. No more sleepless nights at the responsibility, keeping him up, the fear of not being good enough. Not with this.
He smiles, pleased, unaware of the red glow that seeps into his eyes as the word tumble from his lips without a second thought.
Now's not the time, Flynn!
Something tugs at his heart and his voice trails off. It's confusing; why would he stop? He shouldn't stop, he needs to finish this. He needs to be better, stronger, how else is he supposed to do all this? He isn't good enough, he needs this. Flynn looks up at Nicole, dazed and alive with power, comfortable in the complete absence of fear. It's such a new and unfamiliar feeling. It feels so good. "Don't worry," he tells her, still smiling. "I got this."
"Give us the book!" the goon holding Nicole snarls at him but it comes out a little shaky, clearly unnerved at the glowing red eyes piercing him now. "Give us the book or she dies!"
"I don't think so." Flynn's voice is mild, amused even and he takes a step forward before kicking up a stone. It's a dumb move that his former self would never have managed but with the Book the stone shoots up like a projectile and hits the guy straight in the face, causing him to stagger away from Nicole and drop with a groan.
This is amazing. Flynn can't even begin to imagine what he must be like once he read the entire incantation. He will be a hero – a real hero, someone to look up to, to be proud of. They will be so proud of him. He beams at Nicole. "Let me just finish with that, then we can get out of here."
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But she hesitates momentarily as he addresses her with a voice that's not like him in any way, shape, or form. The Flynn she knows isn't overconfident unless he's acting that way on purpose, and there's something else present there, something she can't quite put her finger on. Is it the way he speaks without hesitation? Or- Is it how he's carrying himself, standing up taller and straighter, looking as though he can take on the entire world singlehandedly?
Nicole frowns, not sure about any of this, but it has to be because of the Book's influence. Her thoughts are interrupted again by the goon holding her, making death threats against her. Honestly, these men don't have a single shred of originality in them anywhere. But the threat doesn't even pan out, because Flynn's just dispatched the man with a well-kicked rock.
... Which isn't like Flynn at all either. "Flynn, stop, you're not acting like yourself!" She has to reach him somehow, so with the goon temporarily knocked out, Nicole scales the stairs, trying to get closer to Flynn, so she can find out why he's doing this and what he hopes to gain from it. "Reading the Book won't get you what you want. You heard Jerry. He just wants to use the Book for himself, to make things better for him. Is that what you want for yourself?"
Flynn is a lot of things, but selfish and short-sighted are not among them, and Nicole hopes that by attempting to remind him of that, he'll come to his senses.
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"No, I'm doing this for you, I'm doing this for the Library."
He lowers the book, the confusion giving him pause. Being compared to Jerry stings, a lot, and it breaks through the fog in his head for a moment. He frowns, his resolve wavering. It's unwelcome and painful, a reminder of all his insecurities and doubts. No, no, he can't allow those back.
"If I'm better then I can be better for the Library. I can be better for you. I won't be afraid anymore. I won't be a burden."
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He's the one who wormed his way into her heart with his awkward brand of charm, his smiles that leave her rather weak at the knees, and a thousand other little things that she just loves about him.
"You're already everything the Library needs and more besides. Can't you see that?" It cuts deeply at her to realize he can't or doesn't. "You don't need to be better!" She realizes she's practically begging now, a thing she's never done in her life except for one other terrible time, but that's how important this is to her, how much she means every word of what she's saying.
"You are not a burden, Flynn!" If she hasn't told him how important, how valuable, and how very much not a burden he is, then this is her fault. She hates to admit it, but if this is really how Flynn feels, then she's failed at one key aspect of being the Guardian: she failed to safeguard and bolster Flynn's mental health.
"Please, you don't need to do this!" Desperation is plain in her voice; if she can't reach him, then no one can. They did not come all this way only for him to be lost to the magic of the Book, but things are not looking good from where Nicole is standing.
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But he is.
He is so very afraid, always will be, you had to be crazy to do this job and not be. This isn't him. He hasn't suddenly become brave, or heroic, it's just the book making him that way. The whispers in his head become louder, more insisting, as if they can feel his doubts and he tries to block them out, tries to think. His father dying for this book (to keep it safe); Jerry on the ground, snarling as he slowly comes to, rotten by greed and hate and anger; Nicole, looking so unhappy, at him, because of him, because of what he's doing – what is he doing? He's hurting her, somehow, and that's the last thing he wants.
Again his heart goes out to her and it breaks through the fog in his head, makes him feel more like himself again and suddenly he can hear his mother's voice. The things that make life worth living... they can't be thought here. They must be felt... here.
Flynn tries to focus on that. Focus on that what he feels, not the ugly thoughts in his head, of inadequacy of insecurity but the feelings of love. He wants to be better because he loves the Library, and Nicole; Judson, Charlene, this world. It's not about him, it can't be about him. It's about them.
It's always been about them.
"No!" He clutches at his head, squeezing his eyes shut. "Not that! Not like that!" With an angry cry he flings the cursed book from him and over the edge of the plateau, down into the fiery pit below.
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The Guardian isn't meant to simply protect the Librarian's life; the Guardian is supposed to protect the Librarian's soul. If she fails to reach Flynn here, then she'll have failed at the task set to her. As she looks on, unfinished sentences chase themselves around Nicole's mind, but none of them feel right or good enough to break through whatever hold the Book has on Flynn.
But as she watches, she thinks she's just spotted the smallest of changes in Flynn's visage. It's small, but it's enough to cause her heart to leap with the hope that maybe he's not as lost to her as she thinks he is. Come on, Flynn, snap out of it...
It startles her when Flynn shouts angrily, grabbing his head as though it hurts. She's about to rush over to him, but it's as though an invisible hand has just grabbed her and is holding her back. Flynn has to work through this himself, she thinks. She's not sure how she knows that, or if it's even correct, but it feels right. And then the next thing she knows, Flynn has just flung the book away from him and into the chasm.
Lurching forward as if her legs are moving of their own accord, Nicole approaches him slowly, warily, as if unsure of whether or not she'll find the real Flynn or the Flynn that was in the book's clutches.
"Flynn?"
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When he looks up his eyes have lost the unworldly red glow and have returned to their dark deep brown. He looks relieved, smiling at Nicole but at the same time very dismayed at what just happened.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I-I didn't mean that." He reaches out, slow and unsteady, pulling her into a shaky hug. "Sorry. I'm sorry."
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