Author note: I'm finally back to continue posting chapters of this fic! XD Though this chapter is a bit on the short side, I promise the next one will definitely make up for lack of length. I hope you enjoy reading!

14. Contact

Therius tried to think of General Asthar, bring up all the happy memories in his mind. Would thinking of him just bring Asthar back? He had no clue. He didn't find out anything from Mirania and Zesha's research, unfortunately, so it was up to him to figure it out.

However he figured it out, it would be easier if the Blood Creatures stopped hissing in his ears every few minutes. He knew that for sure.

The White Knight glared at the few gathered by his side. "Will you, for the third time, please stop hissing? I'm trying to contact Asthar."

"Sleep."

"What?"

One of the Blood Creatures put a hand over his eyes. Therius sighed at smelling blood for what felt like the umpteenth time in a row. He got used to that too quickly for his taste. Not that he hadn't smelled blood before, but it was easier for him to do so now, as the Blood Warrior.

"So you want me to sleep." Therius repeated. He heard a soft, wordless croon in confirmation, and he took a deep breath.

"Sleep it is, then."

Hopefully no one needed him too soon to deal with an enemy. If he could make contact with Asthar, maybe it could help them all.

Maybe, Therius hoped after retreating to his room and putting himself to bed, he'd be able to help Asthar, too.

The dream world was not what Therius expected. He thought it would be covered in blood, given that was what happened after he defeated an enemy, and got baptized by the Blood Creatures to begin with, but it was just some sort of blank space all around him. No furniture, no Blood Creatures in sight…nothing. Just bright whiteness that stretched into who-knows-where.

"Sir Therius."

He heard the voice, and he turned, to see…

"Therius. You heard me?" Asthar offered his former pupil a soft grin. He looked perfectly fine, surprisingly. No injuries, no blood, just him in hi blue coat, the red tunic underneath, and all the armor as always. "I don't think words can describe how relieved I am, to see you."

"General Asthar!"

The white knight ran towards him, and before he could barely stop in time to take a breath, Asthar pulled him into a tight embrace. Therius coughed, limbs limply hanging at his sides because Asthar had hugged him so that his arms were pinned to his sides and therefore couldn't hug back.

"Apologies for that," Asthar managed, letting go of him and looking him in the eyes. "It's been a long while since I could control myself."

"A long while…?" Therius repeated, then remembered what he discussed with the others about mind control. "Does that mean you're out of…?"

"Out of Nox's control?" Asthar chuckled, but it was sad. "Unfortunately, not fully. Physically, they still control me. Mentally, they haven't reached me—hence why I could still apologize to Miss Mirania before I knocked her out." His lips twisted at that, his smile fading completely. "Is she alright? I didn't hurt her too badly when I…knocked her out, did I?"

"She's fine." Therius reassured him. "She's been helping us find out more information about the Blood Warrior, even. If it wasn't for her, we'd have no idea what to do right now."

He saw the general's eyes light with relief. "I'm glad to hear that she's alright. You have one of the most insightful people I've met helping you right now, Therius. You don't want to lose her."

"Do you know anything about Nox or what other allies they have? Or…should I say minions?" Therius hesitated, thinking about the mind control. "Is there anyone else controlled by Nox that you know of?"

He saw Asthar's eyes widen, before he reluctantly nodded. He swallowed, then his gaze met Therius' own.

"They brought Jirall back."

Therius felt his blood freeze. Jirall Rambaldt? The man was killed during the last fight against the Gurak, as far as he knew. He didn't know the full story, but all he knew was that apparently Jirall had gone down against a bunch of Gurak when they cornered him, slaughtering him on the spot, and Zael happened to find the poor man's corpse.

Asthar kept talking. "They've been trying to bring back Zangurak, too, but they haven't succeeded. Other than Jirall, there's only one person—the person that holds sway over me physically, on Nox's order. Their name is—"

Asthar choked, falling to a knee.

"General?" Therius got on a knee to face him, only to see blood dribbling down his chin. "General Asthar? Are you alright?!"

"You need to wake up," the other rasped, his eyes not meeting his anymore.

"What—" Therius started, but Asthar held up a hand. Therius took a step back, realizing it was covered in the same blood Asthar coughed up. As if on cue, blood started spurting from the ground—droplets at a time, quickly turning into small streams.

"General," Therius started, looking to Asthar. He saw the older man's jaw clenched tightly, trying not to cough. "What is this?"

Asthar looked up at him, and that was when Therius saw it—the mark of the Blood Warrior on his left collarbone. "There's no time to explain right now. Wake up!"

Before Therius could say anything, there was a blue glow that surrounded him…

And then, nothing.

"Therius? Therius!"

Therius' eyes shot open to see Zael standing above him, concern in his gaze.

"Zael?" Therius winced at how hoarse he sounded, as Zael helped him sit up in bed. "What happened?"

"You wouldn't wake up and your mark was glowing." The wielder of the Outsider answered. "I didn't know what to do, so I…used my power of the Outsider to wake you."

Therius blinked, staring up at him. "You used your power on me? For that purpose?"

"Yeah." The former mercenary ran his hand through dirty blond hair, still messy as always. "I've used it before on allies to wake them up if they got temporarily knocked out, but seeing you in your state…"

Therius zoned out of Zael's explanation, remembering what Asthar told him. To wake up.

"I saw Asthar in my dreams." Therius finally cut in, seeing Zael's eyes widen. "He told me that Nox brought Jirall back from the dead."

Zael went completely silent, almost paling, and Therius wasn't sure whether he should regret bringing up the man or not. But then again…Zael would know about Jirall's fate, right?

"Zael," Therius finally asked, "Is there anything about Jirall that…I should know?"

Zael needed a minute to process it, before his gaze dropped from Therius' own.

"Yeah." His voice held fear in it. "I told you Jirall went mad because Zangurak did something to him, right? But…thing is, he had a specific sword with him. It was called Emperor—the magical properties of it were what made him go made, but also absurdly strong. It's honestly luck that I defeated him. If he has that sword and he has the powers of the Blood Warrior…I don't know how badly off he'll be."

"Then we must go to the former Count and Lady Calista." The words came out of Therius' lips faster than he could think. "We must warn them."

Therius could only hope that they weren't too late.

Next chapter: Therius and Zael try warning Arganan and Calista of Jirall, but…Jirall might've come sooner than they hoped.