VIII - The Story of Love: The Reinforcements

"Alvieha! We don't have time for this."

"What are you talking about? There's always time for a quick wardrobe check," Alvieha replied while alone inside a room, checking herself in front of a full-length mirror. "I want to air out this outfit of mine before we go."

"No, we don't," Gauche argued, his teeth grinding in agitation. "We have to go back quickly before it gets too late."

After a few seconds, Alvieha exited the room, back in her brown, full-body protection. "If we leave immediately, the potion I gave Sister would not work well. I have to stay here five minutes after she ingested it. If side-effects kick in and I'm not here, you won't be returning to an old lady in this town any longer."

Although restless, the taller male had to agree.

Immediately after Alvieha offered to support Gauche, she gave Sister Theresa a potion she had with her. It was for mana recovery. However, she had to be there for a while to make sure all goes well.

The belle didn't want to handle any elderly, writhing, screaming in agony after they return from the mountains. She had to be close for a few minutes.

When Alvieha returned to the nursing room with Gauche right beside her, she instantly approached the patient. Fortunately, Sister Theresa was calm and in slumber.

Her medication is working like they should be.

"I guess we can go now," Alvieha confirmed. A spark of thrill then instantly brightened Gauche's face.

"But... I just don't feel confident of not being here to watch over her."

"So, you're not going to help us back there?!"

"I have a feeling I should, but..."

Agitated, Gauche instantly picked Alvieha by the collar, not bothering to ask his disappointment.

"I can't believe you'd let us believe in that false promise of yours.

"I said I'd help, but I didn't mention anything about going to the war zone," Alvieha corrected. "It's nice that Sister Theresa is currently sleeping, but... I'm not that confident with my potion-making skills. I never was. If something would happen to her because of what I made her drink, I have to be here to see through it."

The completely pissed off male then pushed Alvieha away before storming off, tutting with dissatisfaction.

"I-I'm sorry, Finral."

"There's nothing to be sorry about, to be honest," Finral sounded positive. "But, at this point, I can barely send us back to the mountains. I have to rest more."

"With that, I can do something. Get Gauche and meet me in the next room."

The brunet then quick did as what he was told. Though quite nervous of what could happen, Finral still got Gauche to go to the adjacent room.

Once there, they were welcomed by two things.

Alvieha, and a distortion of space right beside her.

"For now, don't use your magic, Finral. You'd need it to transport more than two people later on. You can use this portal to go back to the mountains."

"And are you confident that you'd send us to where we came from? Not to a completely different area?"

Alvieha thought she had it coming, so she took the irate remarks openly. "Yes. I'm really sorry that I couldn't go with you. I'm just not that of an expert when it comes to making potions, but, at the very least, I can send you guys to the correct place. Are you ready?"

Gauche became serious and nodded. Finral responded as well, but not as resolute.

"If something serious does come up, Finral, feel free to get me from here."

And with that, the two men marched into the void and vanished from the town of Nairn.

Meanwhile, in a cavern not so far away, three men were facing off. One of them was suspended in thin air, his whole body coated in blinding light. Metres away were the other two men and they got themselves inside a sphere of darkness.

They were certainly not in the offensive.

To be completely honest, thought the adult inside the dark shell. There's nothing we can do right now.

He and his opponent had been exchanging blows for some time, evident in the bruises all over their skins. The clash was between light and dark, two opposing affinities in a duel. To an untrained eye, a stalemate would be the outcome. Yet, the Light Magic user had more prowess.

And, his grimoire had four leaves on it.

It was like a fight between a dog... and a lion. And this dog was now trapped in a corner. A grim corner.

"Grit your teeth and stand firm," the older male advised his younger companion. "That's all we can do right now."

And the man airborne was now fully prepared. With confidence in his voice, he declared the end.

"Farewell, Yami Sukehiro."

At that moment, space got distorted a few metres from the scene. And as a rift was created, two people emerged. The light around them was so blinding, it caused the brunet to be in a frenzy.

"Whoa, what the hell?! Did we come to the wrong place?"

"Look!"

At Gauche's word, two pairs of eyes quickly checked the surrounding. The place was in complete disarray. Boulders shattered. The floor littered with broken stones and drops of blood. But what caught their attention was the blinding luminescence that greeted them at the very start.

It was raining from high in the air. From someone they couldn't even place a silhouette on.

Not far from the source, a big enclosure of darkness was standing.

"That's Yami-san's magic," Finral noted. "Gah! This has gotten way out of hand!"

And they were right on cue.

"Light Magic" Ray of Divine Punishment."

An intensified beam of pure light then quickly pierced through the air, with speed impossible to match. It was heading towards Yami and his companion, both who couldn't even do a thing. But, before curtains could close on them, Gauche vanished.

Using a mirror, he moved himself towards the direction of the attack, aiming to intercept it.

"He came."

Seconds before concentrated brilliance could harm him, Gauche utilised all the magic he obtained in his left eye and then summoned a giant mirror.

"Mirror Magic: Full Reflection!"

The powerful ray of destruction was then instantly sent back, returning to the direction from where it came and catching its caster dead in its tracks. And it did.

The attack was so great, it immediately sent the previous hovering man unconscious and onto the ground.

They turned the tables and came out victorious.

At the same time, back in Nairn, a woman in brown cloak was sitting right beside her patient. Alone.

Sister Theresa was still unconscious, slumbering peacefully to the right of the somewhat dissatisfied Alvieha.

I... I did the right thing, right?

"Yes, you surely did."

Out of nowhere, a masculine voice penetrated her mind. If it wasn't a familiar voice, the mage could have prepared herself for combat. Lucky for her, it was Cirxen.

"If you went there and even just let you be seen by... whoever Yami-san and the others are up against, things would most likely go to a different direction. As much as possible, we have to appear so insignificant, we won't be heard of in any tales or reports."

"Being a Rover and the First Ace most likely sent that idea down the drain already, don't you think?"

"Not exactly."

Before Alvieha could ask she began hearing whimpers near her.

Sister Theresa was waking up. And she was in need of attention.

Alvieha asked Cirxen to hold on for a while as she catered to the groggy nun. She gave her water, some food, and called the healing mages to do a quick check on the elderly's physical condition.

Confirming that Sister Theresa would be fine, she excused herself from the room and headed to a secluded area.

"Cirxen... do you think this was a bad idea to begin with?"

"Hey. If you think it's a bad idea, how would my thought be of any difference? Nor hers? It's how you process these things that would affect all of us. Remember that."

"I-I guess you're right. It's really nice to talk to someone I really trust."

"Well, this conversation is weird enough as it is," the other line heaved a sigh before continuing. "Anyway, I believe the reinforcements I sent there have already arrived."

"Who did you get?"

"Helmet Lady, Pompous Silver, and Mr. Sharp-face."

"Well, isn't that a good mix."

"Not the best combination we can pull on short notice, but, that's enough. Most likely. Hopefully."

"I know I could count on you. Well, excuse me for a while. I guess I better do something else while I'm here."

"Just remember. Moderatus actus."

"Of course."

And the line disconnected. Now completely revved up, Alvieha headed out of the church, not before asking some nuns along the way to do something for her.