Summary:
Those waiting at the Black Bulls' bedsides feel helpless
Notes:
Warnings:
Blood
Chapter 15: That Feeling of Helplessness
Nightmare Realm
Dread World
37.5 Hours Remaining
Dorothy knew that she, William, and Patri had to get out of the presence of the shade of her mother, Iris. Melantha was hiding from Dorothy. She didn't necessarily want to fight her sister, but she would. Dorothy kept glancing at William, who was politely distracting Not-Iris, while Patri looked around the room for something to help them out. Time was ticking down for the Black Bulls.
"Mom, thank you for the tea, but we really need to go find Mel," said Dorothy, getting up. They were there for a half-hour already.
"I'm sure Mel is fine, Dotty," said her mother, smiling. "You haven't visited in ages! Always on the move, this one."
Dorothy said, "I really need to talk to Mel."
"You don't," said her mother, voice becoming cold, which was something that never happened when her mother was alive. Her mother was a warm, kind person with a big heart. She never raised her voice or held cruelty in her heart. Dorothy didn't know what Melantha remembered of their mother, but this surely wasn't their mother.
Dorothy kept standing. "Sorry. William, Patri, let's go. Mel is around here somewhere."
"No, Dotty, don't go," said Dorothy's mother, pleading. "Mel can't be bothered right now."
Dorothy closed her eyes and said, "Glamour World: Dreams Gone to Rust." She hoped the spell would work and they would be back in the Dread World proper. Dorothy opened her eyes and still the room with her mother in it remained.
"It didn't work," said William, gently. "Patri, can you try?"
"Light Magic: Revelation of Light!" Patri said.
It also didn't work.
"Run," said Dorothy. She grabbed both William and Patri's hands and pulled them toward the door.
"I told you Mel is busy," said Not-Iris, not her mother, as the room turned from a cozy library to a dingy dungeon.
They were in a cage, where Melantha sat outside of the cage, shaking her head and sighing. "Dorothy, Dorothy, why couldn't you just leave well enough alone?"
"Let us out. And fight me like a witch," said Dorothy, demanding.
"You just don't get it. It's too late. Most of them realized that something was wrong already, which you know sets off the defense mechanism in Dread World," said Melantha, laughing. "I got paid very nicely and a whole bunch of assholes will die. It's great!"
"Mel, please, don't," said Dorothy. "There's always a way."
"You were always so idealistic, Dotty," said Melantha, rolling her eyes. "But I suppose if you think you can defeat me to save everyone, we can fight. I always wanted to beat you and show you that nightmares trump dreams!"
With that, Dorothy was suddenly on the outside in Dread World proper while Patri and William dangled above her in a cage. Dorothy let out a big, deep breath and said, "BRING IT!"
Melantha cackled.
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Asta's Room
37.5 Hours Remaining
Sister Lily wrung her hands nervously as she increased her mana to the Water Magic Healing Spell. Tears were in her eyes as her poor Asta convulsed and bled from his nose and ears. She was grateful that Yuno wasn't here. He couldn't handle seeing Asta like this. She barely could handle it. She held Asta as a child and healed his bumps and bruises and lifted him up when he was down.
"Get yourself together, Lily. Keep Asta alive until Captain Dorothy saves them," Lily told herself.
My sweet boy. Please, please, I can't lose you. Don't leave us. Lily thought as she increased her mana. She wasn't the strongest person, but she came from a very small noble house, so she would have to endure. Lily didn't want to be the one to break the news to Orsi if anything happened to Asta. The news would break the old priest.
Breathing heavily, she narrowed her eyes and concentrated. Water Magic: Holy Water Revival!" She used this spell on top of her other healing spell. She knew that the other medics were busy in the others' rooms. She heard the screaming and the crying from here. Lily stood her ground.
Asta seemed to stabilize enough for Lily to drop her spells for a moment to regain some energy. "What am I going to do? I need more mana."
"Delivery, my dear, eat up," said Arin, the mother of Charmy, entering the room, pushing a food tray. "Mana-restoring food. I'll be bringing more. I've got to go to my next stop." She handed Lily a bowl of stew and quickly left the room to go elsewhere.
Lily quickly ate the food and felt her mana return to her. She placed the bowl on Asta's desk and went to Asta's side. Asta had started to bleed again. Lily gasped. "Lord, please. Water Magic: Holy Water Healing! Water Magic: Holy Water Revival!"
Please hurry, Captain Dorothy.
"Asta! Sister Lily!" Yuno came flying into Asta's room. His face was one of pure panic. "Asta!" He moved to go to hold Asta as he had before.
"Yuno, please, don't touch him," said Lily. "I need to concentrate."
Yuno's eyes widened and he said, "I'll give you my mana to heal him." Yuno put his hand on Lily's shoulder and transferred mana into her. It wasn't often that wizards shared mana with each other, but it could be done (it was similar to Union Magic and Combination Magic). Of course, Yuno knew how. Yuno was brilliant like that.
Wind Magic and Water Magic were compatible elements so Lily felt a markedly high increase in her mana, powering her two spells combined. "Thank you, Yuno. We just have to make sure he doesn't die."
"I won't leave," said Yuno. "And Asta will live! Bell, go tell Mimosa and Klaus where I am now."
"The investigation went poorly?"
"Yes."
Yuno didn't say anymore, which meant he didn't want to talk about it, so Lily dropped it and continued to concentrate on keeping Asta alive.
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Grey and Gauche's Room
37.5 Hours Remaining
Marie sat huddled in the corner of the room as Sister Thersa and another medic called Patrick used their Fire Magic Healing Spells to stabilize Grey and Gauche, who had suddenly begun bleeding and not breathing. Marie still didn't feel well, and she had been in the room that Sister Theresa and Lady Solace found for her, but thankfully, she stopped by her brother and Grey's room just in time.
If I hadn't been there… Marie pressed her face against her knees as she listened to the choking sound of people not breathing, the curses of Patrick, the sharp tone of Sister Theresa. They were doing everything they could to save her family. Sister Theresa tried to get Marie out of here, but Marie didn't want to leave. What if her brother died and she didn't get to say goodbye properly like she didn't with her parents? She already lost so much, but if she lost Gauche, she didn't know what she would do.
Breathing heavily and trying not to cry again for the hundredth time in the last day, she rocked herself back and forth. She tried to remember what Gauche told her about panic attacks, but at the moment, she just saw her brother's adoring face and the blushing face of Grey, stuttering out compliments. Marie whimpered.
She felt a hand touch hers. Marie's head shot up and saw Blue sitting down in front of Marie and Blue had taken Marie's hand in hers. "Breathe in and out." Blue said something in another language that Marie didn't understand, but she understood that Blue was trying to comfort her with words that she knew better than the language in Clover.
Marie breathed in and out. She counted backward from twenty in her head. Marie clutched Blue's hand like a lifeline. "Thank you."
"No problem," said Blue, smiling gently. Blue was such a wonderful friend. Marie wanted to know more about her. Marie wondered if Blue wanted to be a Magic Knight like her.
Smiling wobbly back, Marie said, "Can I keep holding your hand?"
Blue nodded.
"Blue, take Marie out to the hallway," said Sister Theresa, sweating profusely and in a stern voice. "Marie, I promise I'll call you if anything happens."
Blue didn't wait for Marie, she yanked Marie to stand up and dragged Marie out the room to the hallway. Blue made Marie sit down against the wall. Her brother and Grey's room was right there.
Marie found that she breathed a bit easier at that moment. Her hand shook in Blue's. Marie leaned her head against the wall and let out a choked sob. "I promise I'll tell my brother that I love him every day. And I'll be a better little sister."
Please, Brother, Grey, don't leave me.
"Breath in and out," said Blue, again.
Marie did what she was told and breathed in and out and counted out loud this time from one hundred. "100, 99, 98, 97, 96…"
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Zora's Room
37.5 Hours Remaining
Kirsch held Zora in his arms, as Barry used his Mist Healing Magic on Zora. Kirsch had returned to Zora's side like he promised and just in time as Zora's body began protesting. Blood was everywhere, stained Kirsch's clothes, and Zora stopped breathing too many times for Kirsch's liking. "Barry, please, please, keep him alive."
"I'm trying," said Barry, strained. "Just make sure he doesn't swallow his tongue."
Kirsch held Zora up. "Zora, you jerk. Making me worry. If I get gray hair before I'm 30, it's all your fault."
Kirsch hated the feeling of helplessness. He was a fighter, despite all appearances. But what could he do except hold the love of his life in his arms and pray that things would work out? Tears filled his eyes and dripped down his cheeks. Kirsch didn't know what he would do if he lost Zora. The two came a long way from their first meeting years ago. Kirsch couldn't imagine a world without Zora and his love. He pleaded, desperately, "Love, please. Don't leave me. I didn't have enough time with you. Don't leave. Don't leave."
He kept repeating it. Over and over again. He had to have faith in Zora, that wherever Zora was in the Nightmare Realm, that he was fighting to come back to Kirsch.
Zora always came back to him, even when they argued or disagreed, or when they had their separate missions. Zora always came back to Kirsch one way or another.
I'm here waiting for you, Zora. He knew that Zora hated that Kirsch waited so much for Zora-to be ready for a relationship, for intimacy, for opening up, for everything. Zora always told Kirsch to not let Zora get away with the bare minimum in their relationship.
"Don't you fuckin' dare forget that you're amazin' and wonderful and I'm the one that's lucky to be with you. Not the other way around."
"Vice-Captain?" Barry said awed.
Kirsch blinked a couple of times and realized that his grimoire floated in front of him. A new spell appeared on its pages. Kirsch said, softly. "What? Cherry Blossom Blossom: Cherry Blossom Healing Swirl of Love!"
Cherry blossoms sprung up around him and Zora, swirling clockwise and a soft pink aura came with it. The room smelled of fresh cherry blossoms. Zora stopped bleeding under the soft pink aura. Zora's body went back to a restful state.
"Keep it up, Vice-Captain. I'll go get Mrs. Pappiston's mana-restoring food for you," said Barry, running out of the room.
Kirsch kept his mana fueling the healing spell and hugged Zora close to him. "Wake up soon. I won't let you die. I love you, Zora, so much." I want you to wake up and kiss me and hug me and tell me that you love me too. Please, Captain. Please save my partner.
"Vice-Captain, I'm back. Here, eat," said Barry, handing Kirsch a bowl of stew.
Kirsch ate. He would eat anything right now to make sure his mana kept going to protect Zora. "Keep it coming, Barry."
"Got it, Vice-Captain," Barry said, understanding.
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Gordon's Room
37.5 Hours Remaining
Roxanne held her brother's hand as her father tried his best to keep Gordon stable. Mother was at home with Grandmother, but Roxanne saw the fury in her mother's eyes. Someone would regret attacking Gordon and his friends. Roxanne's older brother always sent her letters about his friends and his adventures with the Black Bulls. She studied under her parents and she wanted to be a doctor, even if she was a pale, mumbling weirdo like the rest of her family.
"Keep his head tilted," said her father.
"I will," said Roxanne. She let go of her brother's head and lifted her brother up (she was pretty strong), so she could help him sit upon his bed. "Don't worry, Brother, everything will be okay."
"Good job, Roxa," said her father. "Gordon won't die. Not on my watch."
Roxanne watched everything closely. Her big brother was the best. He was very kind and he always wanted to make friends and help people with his magic. She was glad that he made a place for himself at the Black Bulls and had so many wonderful friends. Roxanne didn't want her brother to die or for him to lose anyone he loved so soon.
"Come on," Roxanne prayed. "You must live, Brother."
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Finral and Finesse's Room
37.5 Hours Remaining
Finesse had to be held back by Langris, who had returned to inform Finesse that it was Liliane Vaude behind the attack on Finral, and just one of the perpetrators. Finesse smiled sadly and hugged Langris because it was hard on him. Thankfully he had brought his Vice-Captain with him, because as soon as Langris finished explaining everything they had found, Finral nearly died. If Vivian hadn't been there with her Blood Magic and Sealing Magic abilities, he would have lost too much blood or stopped breathing altogether. Finesse nearly fainted but steeled herself when it happened.
But Langris wasn't letting her near Finral.
"I can handle it," said Finesse.
"Sister, please," said Langris, pleading. "I know it's hard on you, but I need you to not watch."
"He's my husband, Langris, I cannot leave him," said Finesse.
Vivian stood tall with her grimoire out and used her magic as best she could. "Captain, Finesse is a grown woman and can make her own decisions. If she needs to stay, then she should stay. I'll do my best to keep Finral alive, but Captain Dorothy and Captain William had better hurry up. If he loses too much more blood, it's over."
Finesse gasped but stood firm. "I'll stay with him."
"And I'll stay with you both," said Langris, solemnly.
Finesse patted Langris on the cheek. "You should go to Mimosa's side. I heard Yuno yelling Asta's name earlier so that means Mimosa is here too. She'll be in Noelle's room."
"I'd distract her," said Langris. "Mimosa is strong, and she knows what to do. I believe in her. My place right now is with my brother."
Finesse smiled sadly. "Thank you. You've become so kind, Langris. I'm so very proud of you."
Langris flushed and looked at Vivian. "Vice-Captain Shipley, do you know what's causing the blood to come out?"
"From what I can tell," said Vivian, frowning, "It's because the mind is doing it. People don't just bleed from their orifices for no reason. Whatever's happening in the Dread World or Nightmare Realm, whatever you want to call it, to the Black Bulls is why their bodies are panicking so soon. Minds aren't supposed to be away from their bodies for so long."
Finesse frowned. "I wish there was a way that we could wake them up from here."
"If there was a way, Captain Dorothy would have already said it," said Langris.
Finesse went silent. She had been thinking about it for a while. "The Bodies and Minds are still connected to each other, right?"
"In theory," said Langris and Vivian.
"If we can activate their mana in their bodies, it might send a message to their minds in the Nightmare Realm," said Finesse.
Langris stared at Finesse.
"That's a bit risky," said Vivian, frowning in concentration. "We do have their grimoires...hmmm, it might work."
"What?" Langris and Finesse said.
"Grimoires are the third part of this equation, tied to a wizard or a witch's soul, which is why the grimoire disappears when the witch or wizard dies," said Vivian. "Grimoires aren't meant to be used by any one but the user. So if we put a bit of mana from another person into the grimoire, it might activate a defense mechanism, but there's no way for certain that it would have worked. I'm sure medics already thought about that solution."
"Langris, will you go ask Lady Ruth or Lady Solace if that 's possible?" Finesse asked. "I'll stay with Finral and Vivian."
Langris nodded his head. "I will."
Finesse let out a sigh of relief as Langris left the room. "Vivian, tell me the truth. Do you think that this is all for nothing?"
"It's not for nothing," said Vivian. "The Black Bulls are needed more than they know, but anything is possible. You must have hope. Hope, faith, and love are the cornerstones of Clover, aren't they?"
"Yes, they are, aren't they?" Finesse said looking at Finral's sleeping face, stained with blood trails. "They truly are."
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Henry's Room
37.5 Hours Remaining
Wainsley wasn't a medic, but the actual medic couldn't get any closer to Henry so she was stuck using the one healing spell she knew trying to keep Henry alive. The medic Oscar kept shouting instructions to her from across the room. Wainsley tried to keep up. "Come on, Mr. Henry, you'll be okay, I know it."
Her Ice Healing Spell wasn't the best, but Captain Charlotte always made everyone have one healing spell in their arsenal. She didn't want Henry to die on her watch. That would be awful. Everyone in the Black Bulls would be so sad. Wainsley would be sad. Henry seemed to stabilize for the moment. "Now what, Medic Oscar!?"
"Sit him up, make sure that he's breathing," said the medic from Owen's infirmary.
Wainsley listened to the advice of the medic. "Alright, now what? Keep him upright, make sure that if he starts convulsing again that he doesn't swallow his tongue and activate your healing spell again. I'm going to get you some mana-restoring food. Good work, Miss Wainsley!"
She was left alone with Henry, as she held him. "You're really light! You should eat more. I'm sure Miss Charmy tells you that all the time, right? Oh, this is so scary. I don't know what's going to happen to you. I want you all to be safe. You're so much fun and you're good people. I know that you've had hard lives and it's not fair that someone is attacking you guys. You helped save the Kingdom and the world plenty of times. Why would anyone hate you after all that?"
Like many times before, Wainsley got no response from Henry. "Oh, I wonder if you'd like to talk when you're awake. That would be fun. Then I can hear about your cool magic and stuff! Oh, did I ask if you liked sweets! Well, I got a message from Mom that she is coming up with a new treat, so I'll bring them to share with you guys once she's finished making them. It's always good to share sweets."
"I'm back, Miss Wainsley, I brought you stew," said the medic Oscar, quickly running the bowl to Wainsley and then running back to the door.
Wainsley grimaced as she drank the stew. Stew was her least favorite dish. She was a sweets girl, not a savory one. But it did the job of restoring mana. "Alright, let's do this. Mr. Henry, I won't let you die. I promise."
Medic Oscar sighed. "Don't make promises like that. It's the first rule of medicine."
"I'm not a doctor. I'm a Magic Knight and we save people! That's what we do."
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Noelle's Room
37 Hours Remaining
Kahono laid in the bed with Noelle, singing a healing song while Mimosa used her Princess-Healing Flower spells. Kiato watched nervously from the chair at Noelle's desk. Kahono kept singing and singing. Once she stopped crying, she had to do her best to keep Noelle healed and ready to return to the Waking World. Mimosa had kicked Nozel out of the room, telling him that he would just get in the way and go check up on everyone else. Noelle's cousin was truly so brave. Kahono had wanted to say the same thing to Noelle's brother, but frankly, Nozel still sort of scared Kahono.
She didn't want to anger the guy because he might ban Noelle from seeing her or something equally as crazy. While she knew that he meant well, he was kind of a jerk, and just because he apologized and tried to make up for things didn't mean that Kahono didn't know all the dark details about Noelle's childhood. Abuse and neglect are abuse and neglect and that is just the way it is. Kahono can understand the reasoning behind the actions, but it's not an excuse. It can never be an excuse. Nozel and Nebra both have done better for Noelle's sake but they still have a long way to go until Kahono would feel any kind of comfortable around either of them. Kahono would never like Solid.
With her Song Magic, she learned to use any song to heal lately. It was a good thing too, so she wouldn't run out of things to sing. Kahono sang, "We'll try again, try again
Till we overcome what it is that holds us here
Try again, try again
Till we find the hope lying somewhere within our tears
Move on, our days are all so colorful
Unleash your light forever
You'll shine like a diamond
So we'll try again
Shine like a diamond
Shine like a diamond
So we'll try again
Shine like a diamond
Shine like a diamond
I just can't separate angels from demons
This world is filled with contradictions
It ain't what I expected
Anything I gave up for that cause wasn't worth it
We'll try again, try again
Till we overcome what it is that holds us here
Try again, try again
Till we find the hope lying somewhere within our tears
Move on, our days are all so colorful
Unleash your light forever
You'll shine like a diamond
Navigating the waves, finding all the mistakes, trying hard not to break apart
Doesn't matter what we do when it's all so tiring
Let's try to find ourselves, set out upon this quest
If we do, I'm sure our life will be good, yeah
Don't fall apart yet
All of your scars are so precious
We'll try again, try again
Till we overcome what it is that holds us here
Try again, try again
Till we find the hope lying somewhere within our tears
Move on, our days are all so colorful
Unleash your light forever
You'll shine like a diamond
Polish and refine it
Care for your diamond
Just like the days ahead, as they all start to brighten
Why read a story with a predictable ending?
We'll try again, try again
Till we overcome what it is that holds us here
Try again, try again
And see just how strong we can be when we face our fears
Move on, our days are all so colorful
Unleash your light forever
You'll shine like a diamond
So we'll try again
Shine like a diamond
You'll shine like a diamond
So we'll try again
Shine like a diamond
You'll shine like a diamond."
Kiato sniffled. "Sis, that was so beautiful."
Mimosa was in tears. "It really was. Noelle will love it when you sing it to her again."
"The longer I sing a tune, the more I can heal," said Kahono. She reached over to the bedside table and took a sip of water. "Mimosa, let's keep going."
"You got it."
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Secre's Room
37 Hours Remaining
Styles sighed as Locke recounted everything he learned from Sal and Marx and what Locke found on his own about Melantha and her mercenary activities. He summarized what Locke just told him, "So, all in all, someone gathered people with grudges against the Black Bulls and hired Melantha with a ton of money to attack them while we were away and avoided Lady Finesse on purpose. It's a royal person."
"Oh, no shit, it's a royal. Sal said that Damnatio is looking into things and that he'll get back to her," said Locke, shaking his head. "Damnatio, from what I heard, is a lot of things but he won't let anyone get away with breaking the law he sees in black and white, not even his own father."
"And you tell me that Mereolena, Charlotte, Jack, Leopold, and several others are handling the capturing of the perps," said Styles. "They had to send Yuno back here, in fear that he would lose his shit."
"He usually can't keep his cool when it comes to Asta," said Locke. "So, what do you think?"
"I think we need to move the base when Henry wakes up," said Styles. "And work on nighttime defenses."
"Agreed," said Locke. "How's Secre holding up?"
"She's been fine since I stabilized her with my old healing magic, but my dear, it was horrifyingly scary," said Styles. "Do you remember when we helped walk Acier through the birth of Nebra? It was that scary."
"Good Lord," said Locke, shuddering. "I'll stay here, just in case you need more mana."
"Thanks," said Styles. They both looked at Secre, who slept peacefully for now. They both prayed for no more fits.
Not even minutes later, Styles activated his Earth Healing Spell once he saw Secre's nose bleeding heavily again. "Go get a medic who's free and pick me up some mana-restoring food. This is just getting started."
"On it!"
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Yami's Room
37 Hours Remaining
Borja paced the room as Lady Ruth used her Flora Healing Magic to stop Yami from dying. She couldn't have Yami dying on her watch. Borja couldn't let Captain Charlotte down! At a loss what to do, she paced, while Lady Ruth worked. "Of course, it just had to be on my watch. This sucks."
"If you have energy to complain, Miss Borja," said Lady Ruth, raising an eyebrow. "Then go get me some mana-restoring food and anyone with a healing spell that's free."
"Yes, ma'am," said Borja, saluting. She ran out of the room and tracked down Charmy's mom, coming out of Gordon's room. "Lady Ruth needs some stew, Mrs. Pappitson!" Charmy's mom gave her a bowl and she rushed back to Yami's room to hand it over to Lady Ruth. "I'm going to get back up for you now."
"Good girl."
Borja ran back out of the room but found that mostly everyone was preoccupied with another Black Bull. She found Prince Con and his little friend Aubrey, furiously washing dishes in the kitchen. Aubrey had been crying it seemed and Con looked lost. Borja asked, "Anyone else have healing magic that's not occupied right now?"
"I'm afraid that everyone is spread out," said Prince Con. "Neither of us know any healing spells at the moment. Some of the medics had to go back to the infirmary for more supplies at the worst time. Huh? I wonder where Edward went."
"He probably ran away when we started washing dishes," said Aubrey, giggling but not happily, sort of in a sad way.
"Well, thanks, you kids, keep working," said Borja.
She ran back to the room to find Edward Kairos AKA Julius Novachrono (Everyone knew but many pretended they didn't know the former Wizard King paraded around as a child again) helping Lady Ruth with healing. "Time Magic can't do anything huh?"
Edward/Julius said, "I'm afraid not. It doesn't work like that, Miss Borja."
"Captain Yami can't die. Then Captain Charlotte would cry," said Borja. "We can't have that happen." It was an unwritten Blue Rose rule. Make sure that Captain Charlotte didn't cry, especially not over her stupid boyfriend. Borja couldn't go to Sol and tell her that she failed while on duty. Sol would murder her and hide the body.
Lady Ruth and Edward/Julius traded looks. "We know."
"Miss Borja, it's not your fault. This is happening to everyone," said Lady Ruth. "We must endure. When something like this happens, it means that things are happening and something else major will occur soon."
"Lady Ruth is right," said Julius. "We must endure. I can't lose Yami or I'd cry too."
"No offense, Lord Julius, but you're not as pretty as Captain Charlotte, so I don't care if you cry too much," said Borja, deadpan.
Julius chuckled. "Fair."
"Back to work, he's bleeding again," said Lady Ruth. "Borja, go help deliver the meals with Arin."
"I will!"
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Magna's Room
37 Hours Remaining
Shula made Ember bring Luck into Magna's room so that they could share a bed and so that she didn't have to rush back and forth between her two boys. Ember sat with Solace as they used their Dragon Healing Spell and their Fire Healing Spell respectively to keep Magna and Luck from dying. Shula paced the room, biting her lip in worry. She was a blacksmith, she was no healer. Her Magma Magic was only destructive, just like her son's.
"They've stabilized," said Solace. "What the heck is going on?"
"I presume that this is just the beginning," said Ember, solemnly. "I always hated it when the Princesses took ill. I was never sure what to do for them. They hated it when I hovered. This is just like it."
"Tell me about it. My kids were sturdy so they didn't get sick, but Kirsch and Mimosa? All the time as children," said Solace. "Nickole was always messaging me, crying unsure what to do."
Stretching her head furiously, as she did when she was nervous, Shula snorted. "Magna only ever got sick once as a baby. Don't know about Luck, but he seems like a sturdy kid."
"It's very bothersome that this makes you feel helpless," said Solace, sighing. "But these two are strong. They all are and I know that Dorothy will come through for everyone."
"Even if she has to take out her sister," said Ember, raising an eyebrow. Ember was truly interesting. He was both cynical and idealistic, a father type and a standoffish type. Dragons were pretty cool, so Shula could forgive him for being a walking contradiction.
"Yes," said Solace. "She's a Magic Knight Captain and she knows what she needs to do and she'll make the right decisions."
"Faith, hope, love," mumbled Shula. "Luck."
"Lady Solace," said Langris, entering the room. "May I have a minute while they are stabilized?" And Langris told them a theory about grimoires. Lady Solace's eyes widened, while Ember looked deep in thought.
Shula wasn't well-educated but it sounded like a solid idea and not something they tried. "I say we try it."
"Using Mana Skin to activate a grimoire's defense mechanism," said Solace, humming. "It could work. I'm not a mana theorist so we'll have to ask Julius, Owen and Lady Ruth."
Shula sat on the chair to watch Magna and Luck. "Leave Ember with me and the boys, Solace. Find out if we can try it."
"Sounds like a plan."
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Vanessa's Room
36 Hours Remaining
Nozel sat helpless in Vanessa's room as he had been kicked out of Noelle's room by Mimosa. Gillian Dorset the medic kept glaring at him, making sure that he didn't touch anything but she didn't kick him out again. Maybe Gillian felt bad for him. His sister was dying. His rival captain was dying. One of his few friends was dying. This last day wasn't good. Nozel looked at Vanessa, dried blood on her face, while she breathed uneasily.
Please fight fate and live.
He really wished that her cat Rouge would appear and she would wake up and laugh at him for worrying so much about "little ol' her." And then, she would ask for a drink.
"Stop sighing," said Gillian, rolling her eyes. "I swear. You're like...Oh. Oh, I see. Lord Silva, why did you say that you're in love with Miss Vanessa?"
Nozel choked on air. "What? I am no such preposterous thing! Love? No. She's my friend. And my sister might die. And a rival might die. It's a bad time all around."
"And yes, you came to her," said Gillian. "She provides you comfort and care and friendship. Is that not a form of love?"
Nozel blinked a few times. "I suppose if we're getting philosophical, then, yes, I suppose that's platonic love. Not romantic love."
"She's very beautiful and she's come a long way from just being the Black Bulls' resident drunk witch, huh?" Gillian asked as she started another healing spell when Vanessa began bleeding and choking on air again. "Capable, confident, and willing to protect her family and friends. A fine woman."
"Do you want to date her?" Nozel asked, snidely.
"I don't think my wife would appreciate that," said Gillian, wryly. "Mabel would murder me. But I think you're the one that wants to date her. And you can now. You're House Head and you make the rules. Or new rules. Whatever."
"Has Paplo been gossiping about me again?" Nozel asked about the resident healer of the Silva House, the one assigned to Nebra, Solid, and Nozel.
"Maybe. Don't be upset with the boy. You three don't get hurt often." Gillian said. "Now, get out or be useful. Hold her up or will your prudish virgin soul flee your body if you touch a woman?"
Nozel said, "You're horrible."
Gillian laughed. "Thank you."
Nonetheless, Nozel sat Vanessa up, forced her to sit next to her on her bed, and laid her head using his shoulder as a pillow. His heartbeat quickened and his face felt warm. Gillian snickered some more even while using another healing spell on top of her first one.
"Fight," whispered Nozel to Vanessa, hoping that she would hear him. "Fight."
The Waking World
Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Black Bulls Base
Charmy's Room
35 Hours Remaining
Aaron wasn't often stressed, but his daughter dying was not something he had ever wanted to live through while he was alive. So when Lady Ruth came to calmly explain to him and Arin that they had a plan, Aaron agreed. Lady Ruth was a doctor and a knowledgeable person on mana and such, and Aaron was a baker and part-time tailor. What does he know about mana theory?
Arin, his sweet wife, held his hand tightly as Lady Ruth touched Charmy's grimoire with her hand, which had been shielded by Mana Skin. Immediately Charmy's grimoire glowed and hovered protectively over Charmy. Nothing happened after that-the grimoire just floated overhead and that was it.
"That's interesting," said Lady Ruth, confused.
"What?" Arin asked.
"All the grimoires did the same thing, except Asta's grimoire. We couldn't even touch his," said Lady Ruth. "I suspect Nelchael is protecting that grimoire. Hopefully, this will help jolt the minds of the Black Bulls. We just have to wait to see what happens."
Aaron looked at Charmy worriedly. She lost so much blood and she stopped breathing sometimes. Cotton Healing Magic could only do so much. He went over and sat down at the edge of Charmy's bed. "Dear, I think we're going to need more mana-restoring food."
"I think so too. Stay with Charmy. Yell if you need me," said Arin, rushing out of the room, back to the kitchen. Poor Prince Con and Aubrey probably just finished cleaning all the dishes and pots and pans and they were going to have to do it all over again.
Aaron patted Charmy on the head. "My dear girl, focus. Focus. Don't get distracted by food."
Charmy's grimoire floated overhead and glowed some more.
Nightmare Realm
Dread World
35 Hours Remaining
Dorothy wheezed, as she finally knocked Melantha out and caught her sister by the ankle mid-air so she wouldn't fall into the abyss of nightmares. After several hours of fighting, Dorothy was beyond exhausted. Melantha was difficult to defeat, they had known each other so well as children, that even as adults, they fought toe-to-toe. Dorothy opened a portal to Glamour World and threw her sister into the Glamour World.
William and Patri's cage broke and they came rushing down towards her. William caught her before she fell over. "Are you okay, Dorothy?"
"I will be. With her out cold and in my Glamour World, she won't be a problem. Now, we can track down each of the Bulls and get them awake," said Dorothy.
"How?" Patri asked.
Dorothy tapped her forehead. "Close your eyes and think of a door and a Black Bull. The same principle of my Glamour World applies here in the Dread World when Melantha isn't awake. Anything you imagine can appear. We need to split up. I'll take Zora, Gauche, Vanessa, Grey, and Charmy. William, you take Yami, Luck, Magna, Finral and Secre. Patri, you take Gordon, Henry, Noelle and Asta."
"Great. How exactly do we wake them up?"
"Any normal way," said Dorothy. "Say something shocking. Or depends on the situation I guess."
"Alright, I'll start," said Patri, closing his eyes and thinking of a door with Gordon's face on it. He disappeared into the door.
Dorothy sighed in relief. They were finally getting somewhere with time to spare. She looked at William and said, "Go. Trust me."
"You need to rest. You just fought for more than two hours," said William.
"I'm fine. Go. Get the others, I'll be on it as soon as I catch my breath," said Dorothy, breathing heavily. "Please, William, go save the Black Bulls."
William looked conflicted. It was easier to tell what he was thinking without his mask on his face. "Very well. I'll come back here each time. Do take a break."
"I will. Go. Go."
William nodded and a door with Magna's face appeared on it. "I'll be back."
Dorothy smiled and said, "I know you will."
William stepped into the door and disappeared. Dorothy sighed in relief. She had no time to waste either. She closed her eyes and thought of Vanessa's happy face. A door appeared before her and Dorothy quickly went through it.
The Black Bulls were coming home, one way or another, even if Dorothy had to expend all her mana to do it.
~to be continued