The Breakdown

"Wait!" Victor cried as he broke into a run, "Come back!"

He hugged his hoodie closer to his body as he stumbled across the grass, following the giant dragon that streaked through the sky.

Victor hated to leave Esper, but Seraph was in serious trouble. If Victor's suspicions were correct, he was suffering from the same illness that had stricken Esper.

Seraph's form dropped into a field several hundred yards away away, the dragon shifting his form as he touched down.

Gulping for air, Victor ignored the protest in his chest and legs, forcing himself forward. Running had never been his strong suit, and he tired easily. He came near tripping several times, the darkness obscuring any obstacles.

Lungs burning, Seraph appeared in Victor's line of sight, standing with his head in his hands. Seraph's wings twitched unnaturally, thick ripples rushing through them like they were made of gelatin.

"Seraph?" Victor shouted, his throat dry. He was bent over, resting on his knees and trying to catch his breath. Seraph was unresponsive.

Finally approaching his friend, Victor reached out to touch him. Seraph suddenly raised his head, staring at him with wild eyes. He staggered away from Victor's hand, fear contorting his face. Victor retreated his hand, and Seraph started to tremble.

"Victor, I do not know what to do..." he rasped, the energy drained from his voice. His skin lacked its luster, and the spirit almost looked dead.

"Seraph, please," Victor murmured, feeling tears well in his eyes, "Please, tell me what's wrong. I want to help you."

"I cannot live like this anymore!" Seraph blurted, grabbing his head.

Victor blinked. "Seraph, I-"

"I cannot live up to her standards anymore!" Seraph screamed, his emotions breaking through their mental dam. He began to hyperventilate, tears running down his cheeks. "I cannot keep pretending that everything is okay when it is not! I cannot fulfill my destiny, I do not want to!"

Victor touched Seraph's cheek, wiping off a tear. "Seraph," he whispered, "It's gonna be alright. I'm here."

"No it is not going to be alright!" Seraph countered, pushing Victor away, "Celeste will KILL ME for insubordination, Victor!" Seraph swallowed, hugging his chest, "I-I have seen her kill one of her guards for disobeying her."

Victor was speechless, not sure how to make the situation any better.

"A-And, Victor," Seraph choked, "Once I get older, and I have to change into my female form for good, we cannot be friends anymore. My mother does not like me spending so much time with males. She thinks you have influenced me."

Seraph shuffled, biting his lip. "B-but...I like your influence, Victor! I feel comfortable with you, being like you! I do not feel like there is a weight on my shoulders....this form does not make me feel sick!"

Seraph vomited, the golden liquid splashing onto the ground and sizzling on the grass. He was in complete hysterics, pulling at his hair and screaming. The wings that floated near his back suddenly liquefied, turning into the same substance he had coughed up. Victor's breath quickened when they slapped onto the ground in a pile of thick slime.

"It does not matter!" Seraph was covering his mouth, squeezing his eyes closed. "I was a failure! I was DEFECTIVE!"

"Seraph," Victor said urgently, grabbing his arm. Seraph's skin was almost squishy to the touch, his fingers sinking into his flesh as if it was syrup.

Seraph was quivering, his form rippling with every trembling movement. "Victor," Seraph sobbed, his voice slurred.

Victor was taken aback by Seraph's condition. Had this happened to Esper?! His stomach twisted as he stared at Seraph's unstable form.

"Yes?" Victor asked, gulping.

Seraph placed his hands on Victor's cheeks, his fingers cold and slimy to the touch. He smiled unsteadily, a forced, disturbing expression.

"It was so nice knowing you," Seraph whispered, "Once Celeste comes to get me, I will be dead. It is better this way. There will be a new Seraph Harmony, and she will not be a disappointment."

"No, no, no," Victor said desperately, "You're gonna be okay. I won't let you die, I promise." His lip trembled, tears flowing down his cheeks as he looked at Seraph. "I can't loose you, Seraph! You're the only friend I have!"

Seraph's form was shifting and squirming. It was almost like he was melting.

"Goodbye, Victor Mortis."

And then everything went wrong.

Author's Note- :)))))