Notes at the bottom...
...
Gloves were ripped off four pairs of hands, masks were lowered and each one of them sunk into a chair. "How is he alive?" That was Naaza. "I've never before seen this many broken, fractured, and utterly annihilated bones. His organs were a mess, and…"
"His mental state will most likely plummet," Amid said, emotionless once more. Once she got into the rhythm of helping a patient, she was able to rearrange his body. The Sword Prince came into the clinic looking like the Dungeon itself put him in the walls, chewed him up, and spat him out, then monsters came. It was by far, the longest and most intense surgery that any of the four ladies have ever and will ever do. "I made the notion of at least four different life-threatening injuries, and they were in vital places too."
"Hmm," Naaza gave a non-committal hum.
It was so long that they all lost their sense of time. Amid looked at his face, to Axton's face, seeing him so distressed made Amid's heart pound uncomfortably in her chest. Why did he have to be right?!
Martha stood first, "I will get us some water and some snacks, we all need it." The aide rushed off to the back kitchenette to prepare said items.
Bernadette, still in her chair, "Thank you for your assistance, Miss Naaza. I do not doubt your abilities nor mine nor Martha's. Captain, without her, he would have-"
"Please do not finish that sentence," the violet-eyed Doctor said, a noticeable shake in her voice. "Fifty-seven broken bones, hairline fractures, shattered, internal bleeding, a ruptured lung, and a concussion. That's not even including his mental state. What did he fight down there?" How they managed to save him was a miracle in disguise. They didn't want to know; only wanting to accept the fact that he's breathing.
Naaza leaned back, "It beats me, but for now, we should focus on getting him to recover before letting his familia in."
"That won't happen. Miss Wallenstein insists on seeing him," Amid said, looking at the now bandaged-covered Axton. Some of them were still red, and they changed them in the middle of the surgery when the blood became too much.
"Well, tough cookies," Naaza said. "He is in no condition to have visitors, even if they are his immediate family or familia. He needs time to recover. Their expedition may have to wait or they could go on without him."
Dea Saint sighed, "The only thing I can be sure of is him surviving…"
"You must really have fallen for him, Captain. With you acting like this, it's humbling to know that you can have a schoolgirl crush," Bernadette said. "I know he has turned you down, and don't give me that look, you were upset, but understand that he was right on multiple fronts. You lost your cool when it came to him."
Martha returned with the snacks and the four ladies all took the moment to relax, each one checking in on him, making sure he was resting, and that his bandages were properly changed. It may look like they were relaxed but in actuality, they weren't. They knew that post-surgery is the most crucial time period for any recovering patient.
That was how the next hour progressed as they waited. They were all tired, but they needed to stay awake, there weren't as many experienced doctors in Orario. They were mostly exclusive to familias. You won't find a 'civilian' doctor unless they are a merchant selling medicinal herbs.
The bed creaked and groaned, "mmmhmm...no...stop...you won't…" that got the attention of the ladies. They all stood, on alert, and at the ready. If anything was to happen, Amid was sure that the Loki Familia... no Ais...would never forgive her.
"...supposed to protect…" then he stopped, resting with a grimace on his face. Amid reached out and stroked his cheek gently.
Naaza took over and examined him once more, seeing nothing else wrong but he seemed too calm. "His wounds are healing, but why does it seem like at an accelerated rate?"
The two shared a look before Amid told Martha to go get the Loki Familia. Amid and Nazza have seen this before. Right now, his body is flooded with excelia, and he'll need an update to help with it. However, that will have to wait.
Amid and Naaza just stared at Axton's unconscious body and then at each other. Amid was the first to speak, "Not a word to his familia or anyone else unless I give the okay, got it?"
"You don't have to tell me twice."
Three days passed and there hasn't been a change, and it was really obvious by the sight of most of the Loki Familia wondering where the Prince was. Amid only let the upper executives in, but picked out Bete specifically to follow. With a skeptical frown, did the ashen werewolf move forward and was let inside of the clinic, along with Finn and Riveria. Gareth knew it would be too crowded, but he was still present in the back, making sure people don't get any bright ideas.
Lefiya was with Ais, both looking utterly concerned, and Riveria had to be the Mom and tell them to back off. When that didn't work, all the High Elf had to do was mention water and Ais backed off. For Lefiya, Riveria had to increase the studies that she was going to do tonight. It was the only way for them to move out of the way.
Finn, of course, had to be there because he wanted to know what happened. "Did something occur while he was still unconscious?"
Amid looked conflicted for a split second, only told by the slight quiver in her eyes, but it was gone as soon as it arrived, "Yes." The medic took a deep breath, "He was whimpering about protection."
Riveria sighed, "That sounds like him…"
The young doctor smiled slightly, "Indeed. Anyway, his body is overloading with excelia. I don't know the details of what transpired down there but it was certainly enough to push him over the barrier needed to level up." Amid turned towards Bete, seeing him have a realization. "Mr. Loga, something to add?"
"The kid took out a Goliath, saving a bunch of weaklings but this one was black from what I saw briefly," he said like talking about the irregular was another everyday thing. Ignoring the looks from the two executives, he continued, "He certainly listens as well as his sister."
Storing that information away for later, "Whatever that 'woman' did to him has severely affected him. As such, he should not go on your next expedition, not unless he miraculously recovers in that short amount of time. My fear is that if he fears that woman...then what will his reaction be to women in general?"
"He has potential gynophobia?" Riveria asked, shocked. Her hands clenched into fists. "This is going to hurt Ais…" Finn felt his thumb ache, making the Pallum frown. Sometimes, Finn wonders if this was setting off flags.
This may be something worse than a fear of women...a fear of everyone… Finn halted his train of thought before it derailed.
"My concern exactly," Amid said. She took a deep breath, facing away from them. "I...I wanted to bring her in anyway, but I felt it would potentially scar him further...and I don't want that…'' she said softly. Little did she know, all three of them heard her soft, vulnerable whisper. Both Finn and Riveria felt a stab of pity for her, having figured out—and knowing—that she fancies the Prince.
"So why the hell did you bring me along and not that weak little rabbit? He was the one who wanted to see him, so why me?" Bete asked tersely. He, for once, held back a snide remark, if only because the Doctor is the one who has to deal with weaklings the most. Therefore, Bete spoke in a dismissive tone. He just didn't want anyone to know he cares.
Too bad, we already know, Bete. Finn and Riveria said nothing.
Amid remained silent, glared slightly at him, "Mister Cranel is occupied with other affairs, and as much as he wanted to be here, he was not a part of your familia. Speaking of, make them go home. I should not even be allowing you inside anyway, but I know you all deserve to see him."
Finn looked to Riveria, who silently understood his order, and knowledge of the potential phobia he hopefully temporarily possesses, she left to bring them home. If they don't comply, someone might get burned.
"Are we going to see him?" Finn asked politely.
Amid turned her violet eyes to Finn's own blue orbs, "Yes, but please be warned, he was in the worst condition possible. He should be thanking Lady Luck because he is expected to make a full recovery...physically. Even with all of his injuries, it took four of us to perform the necessary surgery. My own magic was worth two people in itself...that should tell you how critical his condition was."
"I understand. Let's go see the Sword Prince, shall we?" Finn said, gesturing to the back doors which led to the patient in question. Bete remained silent, only because if it was as bad as Amid said...then his respect for Axton shot up. However, only until he could prove he was worth it. It was all a game of chance.
The door opened silently and Amid was the one holding it open as Finn entered first and then Bete. Finn's eyes widened but otherwise made no reaction. Bete silently cursed himself as he realized the full extent of the wounds. His ears perked up and his gaze hardened. "He did not look this bad when we brought him up."
"The damage was extensive, but he will pull through, or I will have failed as a doctor," Amid said before leaving the two males alone with the third.
"Bete, did he exert himself too much?" Finn inquired, trying to find out why his thumb was throbbing.
The wolf shrugged, half-heartedly, "Dunno, the kid killed an Irregular Goliath…no way…"
"Most likely."
"What the hell kind of excelia did the kid get?" Bete exclaimed, not pissed off, but in wonder.
"Enough to push him past his limits," a new voice said, one that was attempting to be optimistic, but that fell once they gazed upon the poor boy.
"Loki, I thought you were indisposed elsewhere," Finn said, eyeing his patron goddess.
"Not when I'm hearing that Royalty is together again...but what the fuck happened?" Loki will always make time for her children, even if she's similar to Zeus in the perverted arts. She mentioned it before, as long as they react, it means they still care.
Bete, with the help of Finn, explained everything, making Loki open her eyes before they fell to Axton. "Does that satisfy your curiosity?"
"See if we can get the Saint to let us roll him over, I want to see his status," Loki's order was absolute. She needed to know if he struggled through it all, what he felt. As a God, they can read into the experiences of their children. If only for a moment, but something told Loki that she was not going to like what she would see.
This would be the time that Amid came back inside the room, "I'm afraid I must ask you to leave. The three of you are welcome to come back tomorrow or in the next couple of days. Lady Loki, as for your request, I know that his falna will assist with his healing, if only slightly, but in his current condition...he is not ready to be moved. His bones need to be set properly."
"So a potion wouldn't help?"
The doctor shook her head, "Unfortunately, if we used a potion, it could have a chance to shift his bones in the wrong place, potentially crippling him." She was laying it on thick, but she refuses to sugarcoat it.
"You aren't worried?"
"No," Amid answered, and Loki left it at that, even though she knew that the Saint was lying.
"Hmm, okay...just...let us know if he wakes up or does anything," Loki said.
"Of course, Goddess Loki," Amid replied respectfully, bowing slightly.
Even throughout all this, Axton could be seen flinching, his eyelids moving faster and faster. Amid noted that this was a sign of REM sleep. She frowned, walking over to him and checking him over, feeling his forehead. She tsked before turning and leaving the members and Goddess of the Loki Familia alone with the Prince.
The Trickster crossed her arms, "Can he hear us?"
The Doctor's voice floated back into the room, "Possibly but I have not tried directly speaking to him…because of how I feel," she said in a whisper.
Bete crossed his arms and grit his teeth. The ashen wolf want to rip him a new one for being so stupid but he smelled the blood that coated Axton's body. The kid was in dire needof help, so hearing the surgery took basically five people meant his insides were really fucked up.
"Is visiting him out of the question?"
"He still is under observation. Your visit was out of courtesy."
"Why you-" Bete growled.
Finn interjected before the puppy spout off something harsh, "And we appreciate it, Amid. What can we do to repay you?"
The doctor took a moment to really think of what she wanted, but instead, "Bring me a drop item from the lower floors. Preferably, something of medical quality."
The Pallum nodded, saying it could be arranged.
Loki tapped the Doctor on the shoulder, "Thanks for taking care of my kid, now and back then."
Amid bowed again, "It is only my job."Loki didn't tell her that her statement felt like a lie.
Later, Amid would receive one million valis from the Loki Familia addressed to her, but the note was from someone she least—but should've—expected.
Ais Wallenstein.
It wasn't until another two days later that Ais and Lefiya received good news. Axton was awake. Ais put down the green vambrace she held onto and calmly exited the Manor. Lefiya tagged along, if only because she wanted to see him as well.
The young elf was dressed in her normal attire, as was Ais. Lefiya had taken the time over the past five days to talk to Filvis and arrange times for concurrent chanting training. She was too worried about Axton to fully focus on said training. Apologizing only made Filvis blush which Lefiya did find endearing, but her heart was set. She knew of her feelings and she wanted to act on them, but there was never a right time.
After this, she would track down the elf and would set off for training.
"Are you ready?" Ais asked as they walked through the streets. Of course, when she left, Bete had handed her Requiem since he lost consciousness. The Rabbit had left it in the room with Amid, who in turn, returned it to the proper familia. It ended up in Ais's hands.
It could have stayed there, but Amid was worried that someone would steal it. It's Orario. People are thieves and someone who finds a helpless person with a Durandal weapon? Especially one from a first-class adventurer such as the Sword Prince was even better in their eyes. So, better safe than sorry.
Technically, it was on her hip, opposite of Desperate. She wanted to give it back to her brother. She wanted to hug him, tell him it was alright, that he was safe. It worried her greatly that he would be different. Knowing she couldn't think like that, she immediately thought of something else, like…
She didn't know what to think.
"Yes, Miss Ais," Lefiya said, worried about the condition of her fellow familia member. From what Bete had vaguely mentioned, he looked terrible. Finn was tight-lipped about it, even when Ais demanded to know, which wasn't something she did often; demanding things.
Thankfully, she didn't have to think of anything as a certain white-haired kid approached them, albeit hesitantly. Lefiya didn't bother to hide her contempt but quickly composed herself as to not make any rash decisions. "Miss Ais, Miss Lefiya, how are you?"
"Human," Lefiya said. Her slight racism was showing.
SLIGHT RACISM? HA! In your dreams...
"Bell…" Ais said, snapping out of her thoughts, looking at the boy in acute surprise, not that he noticed. "What are you…"
"W-Well, since I h-helped him get to Miss Teasanare...and the fact you and your brother saved me...I wanted to see how he was...i-if that's al-alright. I mean I c-could…" Bell stumbled over his words. Lefiya found it highly amusing, but Ais was looking on in confusion.
"I don't see a problem unless Amid tells you not to enter," Ais mentioned. "I also want to talk to you after. I have something of yours."
The boy, of course, was confused, "S-Something of mine?"
The Sword Princess nodded, "Yes, a green vambrace from the tenth floor."
"That was you?!" he exclaimed in shock, but quickly contained himself as he followed up with, "So, you saved me again…" it was spoken in a whisper, most likely not meant for her ears. She heard it anyway but did not comment.
Lefiya looked over to Bell, then to Miss Ais, seeing the look of wonder on her face made the elf consider Axton's earlier words under the tree at the Graveyard. Maybe she should focus on letting Miss Ais find something for herself.
The Dian Cecht clinic came into the young elf's sights too soon, but she steeled herself as she entered the door. Amid was the one to greet her, "Miss Viridis."
"Miss Teasanare," Lefiya responded.
The worry must have been apparent in her eyes, "He did ask for you, but I warn you. The injuries he suffered were...severe. The fact he has woken up had conscious thought, and was able to communicate so soon means something happened that even I am unaware of. This also applies to you, Miss Wallenstein, Mister Cranel."
The two turned towards Dea Saint, wondering what she was going to say. Of course, when a Doctor says something like this, it would be in their best interest to listen.
"I have no idea how he will react, so if he shows signs of repressed memory, then prepare yourselves. If not, then ease him into the conversation. The mental toll he took is not to be taken lightly. For now," Amid hated that she had to say it, but this was a part of her job. No, it's because you care for Axton far more than you let on, her inner voice said, betraying her logical thought. "For now, only Miss Wallenstein may enter. Miss Viridis, if he allows it, then you can enter. The wild card, as the saying goes, will stay out here. Mister Cranel, that means you."
Three head nods of varying emotion were her answer. Amid gestured for Ais to follow and she did so without complaint. Through the halls of the clinic, which wasn't overly huge, but it was enough for a small medicinal familia like Dian Cecht. Reaching the end of the blank hallway, the room that said 'VIP' opened. Amid gestured for her to enter, and Ais did so. However, she wasn't prepared for what she saw.
Her brother's eyes were open, but they looked...dull. Duller than normal. That wasn't even the worst part. Amid's brief explanation of what he looked like paled to what Ais thought up. She wanted to curl around her brother and form a protective barrier so he can never be harmed ever again.
Those golden-onyx irises turned towards her and she felt her breath catch in her throat. They looked lucid for a moment but brightened by a smidge. "Hello, Ais, my sister," Axton said softly.
"A-Axt-"
"I know I look like battered hell...but I'd do it again if it meant protecting you," he cut her off.
Ais wanted to say something, anything, but she couldn't find the words. Conversations were hard enough, but this was her brother. She should be able to communicate with him with ease. The fact she can't is because of her own shock. Amid left the room shortly after. This was a moment she wasn't going to intrude on.
"How...You...but...you were stabbed. I thought you…"
"You'd be right to worry, Ais. I should have died when that woman..." the scorn in his voice brought Ais's full attention back, "...stabbed me. It's only because of Guardian that I'm as stable as I am but...I am different," Axton said with a soft look to his sister. "I should have died when she stabbed me with Guardian active, but I guess my skill took pity on me, but I'm thankful...happy even that I'm alive to see you."
It's not fair! I'm the one who should be comforting him, not the other way around! Ais approached the bed and reached a hand out to his, but he flinched. It made Ais's mood plummet.
"Sorry…" Axton offered an apology. It was a mere whisper, but she felt the anguish in it, and it drove her to a point where she started to cry. Something he noticed immediately but before he could speak, she beat him to it.
"Why? Why does it have to be you who takes all the hits? Why you had to be...why you had to be so sacrificial?" Ais asked with a quivering voice, as tears fell down her beautiful face. Axton, of course, had no answer to this. No answer that she'd like anyway.
"I remember a time where I had to get you from the Dungeon," he started, knowing that it would have her attention once more. "You told me right before you passed out, 'I have to be stronger for both of us…' and I can safely say it back. I am willing to do anything if it means keeping you safe, and even to that extreme. I'd do it for any member of the familia."
Ais grabbed his hand, ignoring his flinch, and looked him in the eyes, "You don't have to have this front. You can let your guard down around me...if anyone...can it be me?"
Leaning back into the pillows of his bed, he looked at the ceiling, "You're about the only person I've ever let my guard down around. Just...I...don't have an excuse. Ais, listen, you are my sister, an important person in my life."
"So are you," the Princess countered. "Axton, you know if you died, I would have thrown myself into Avenger…"
"The very thing I want to avoid," he said back. "What of the expedition?"
"Two weeks out. You've been out for almost a week," Ais told him. In actuality, he's been out for six days. Axton sat up abruptly but immediately regretted that as he fell back into the bed with a groan. "According to Amid, you have over one hundred and fifty points of 'damage' applied...whatever that means. Most of them were bone breaks, and another chunk was internal damage. What happened down there? What did she do to you?"
Axton laid back and thought about it. Most of it was fuzzy. He remembered being stabbed, then being dragged down there, realizing where he was, then he drew a blank until he got out of there…
He said as much to her, mentioning the blurry beatings once and she immediately drew him into a hug, something they both desperately needed, even if they never said it. The rare time that their affection isn't with a blade. Truly, they were still sixteen and have suffered more than most adventurers ever will in a lifetime. "I'm sorry…" Axton said before the tears began for him. "I'm sorry I wasn't there...that I caused so much stress...that I-"
"No, shut up," Ais shut him down. She said nothing else and continued to smother him in sisterly affection. Once their tears sockets decided enough was enough, the door opened again. In the doorway was Amid.
"Hello, Amid," Axton said with a small smile.
However, the Doctor was having none of it, "Do you realize how much chaos you've sown?"
"Nope, not all of it, but enough," he said. Realistically, he knew of some of it, but not the full story.
The doctor approached his bedside slowly, waiting for his reaction. The conversation that she had with Finn, Bete, Riveria, and Loki came back. "I need to ask this for the record: Are you scared of me being here?"
The Sword Prince eyed the Doctor in a slightly confused manner, "No?"
"May I grab your hand?" Amid then asked. A small flinch was her answer and it answered far more than he knew. Or he did, judging by the look of shame he had now. "I see. You seemed to have a small phobia now, but it's not what I hypothesized."
"Amid?" Ais asked, focusing on the Doctor.
"Originally, Axton, we thought you would have gynophobia, or the fear of women, considering…" she trailed off. The violet eyes of the Doctor sharpened on Axton, who met her stare impassively. She also took note his eyes were fuller than when he woke up. "Right now, you are showing symptoms of Haphephobia, or the fear of being touched. It looks like you were even hesitant to let your sister, your only blood-related relative, touch you. It makes elves look like saints."
"Blunt much, Doctor?" Axton asked shortly.
"With how much stress you've caused me, yes, I am short with you," Amid argued, not wanting to get into the details of his surgery. She knew he was going to be a recurring patient but never to this extreme. It was baffling.
"Well, when am I able to leave? I don't like being this helpless," Axton said, alluding to his time within the pantry.
"Are you aware of anything in the past five days?" Amid asked. It was a standard question.
Axton pursed his lips into a frown, "Vaguely. Which only solidifies that I'm alive but don't want to remember it, or at least, recall the event…you say I was in surgery for how long?"
"I've been up for the past forty hours…" Amid said, as he finally took notice of the slight bags around her eyes. He winced in shame. He knows that it's not his fault entirely.
"Are you going to be alright? Are you actually going to listen to what I tell you?"
Axton huffed, but suddenly felt tired. He yawned, "That's a whole other conversation that I'm in no condition to have. Is Lefiya out there? I do want to check in with her..."
Amid knew she wasn't going to get anywhere, "Yes, along with Mister Cranel, as he was the one who brought here at Mister Loga's word."
Looks like Bete cares more than I thought, always knew he did, the softie. Axton did not dare speak that to Bete's face ever. "Ais, could you step outside?" The pout she gave him was akin to a little girl, maybe around the age of eleven, but it was endearing. "Please? I'll take you for Jagamarukun after I've recovered some."
"Fine, but you aren't going anywhere without me, except for the obvious places," Ais pointed a finger at him before booping his nose and leaving the room. She passed Amid with a small thank you and called for Lefiya. She left Requiem for him before she went.
Axton heard Lefiya's voice, "He wants to see me?!" He could imagine the look of shock and potentially blushing face of the girl. The blond-haired boy always knew Lefiya was cute, but seeing her get excited about something made her ears twitch and it was heart-stopping. Plus, Guardian did activate for her, so his repressed feelings that he didn't know he even had made their appearance. He does want to get to know her.
Truthfully, he wants to tell her the origin of himself and Ais, but that was a closely guarded secret. He did, however, hold back all this time because he knows elves don't marry, they mate for life. Does that sound like something a traditionalist would say? Absolutely. Was that going to stop him?
That was a coin toss.
He'd much rather she choose someone that could make her happy. If he truly turns out to be that person then he will dedicate himself to making her happy. He will be happy as well, and he'll probably show that.
Sooner than he thought, Lefiya was standing in the door and her gasp of shock was to be expected. "Hello, Lefiya. I know you probably thought I would look better than this, but I was unaware that I was being put in a spontaneous fashion show."
Lefiya's dark blue eyes watered, knowing he was attempting to cheer her up, but instead she was at his bedside. She gripped his hand tightly, even if her status wasn't high enough to affect him, she still squeezed his hand tightly. An odd thing to note was that he didn't flinch…
"You...You worried me! Again!" she exclaimed.
"Again?"
"When you were out in the rain! I was worried about how you were because that isn't the first time you've gone off alone and not told anyone!" Lefiya continued to berate him. It was an amusing sight to see a level three scold a level five.
The bed-ridden boy let out a chuckle—which hurt—and cracked a smile, "So you were worried about me? Like a lot?"
"Yes!" she cried out, and once she saw his smile, she blushed.
"Thank you…" he whispered. "You're so kind and caring. Anyone who manages to date you will be very happy."
This made Lefiya's heart pulse uncomfortably. Did he not feel the same? Or was it something else? "D-Do you find yourself unworthy of dating?" Axton's reaction all but confirmed it as his golden-onyx eyes shot wide open, no longer tired. "You do, don't you?" Her blush faded into a sad smile that told him that he wasn't getting out of it.
"W-Well," suddenly, his mouth felt dry, and talking became a problem. How do you explain to your crush that you don't feel like dating because you think your crush won't accept you?!
"Well?" Lefiya pressed, rubbing a finger across his hand. It made it really difficult to focus when she was doting on him like this. He didn't expect such a sweet side to the elven mage known as Thousand Elf.
Deciding to be straight with it, as much as he could without revealing anything, "Would I be able to keep them happy? Would they...accept...who I am?" Axton was at his most vulnerable here, emotionally speaking. He was hinting at his deepest secret, the one that would shake Orario if found out.
It was a small blessing that he didn't inherit his father's hair.
"Well, I for one, if I was in your crush's shoes, would accept you flaws and all. I would, however, scold you for the habits you possess. Throwing yourself into danger, not consulting us, and so many more…" Lefiya said, internally burying her reaction. She did want to know his crush so she could see why he was so interested. Her accepted feelings were one thing, but actually telling that person was courage that she currently lacked. Liquid courage would not help either.
The saying 'In vino veritas' would apply. Or as it is more aptly known as, 'A drunk (wo)man's words are a sober (wo)man's thoughts.'
Throughout this, Lefiya didn't seem to realize the distance between their faces was getting closer and closer. Well, hers was, because too much motion was difficult for Axton. His earlier movement being the catalyst. He certainly noticed she was getting closer and he didn't have the heart to stop her, but he also didn't want her to continue. Rock, meet hard place.
Internally, Axton was freaking the hell out. Was she about to kiss him? When he was still sorting his feelings out and trying to recover from his trauma? The door was opened once more and Lefiya lurched back with a start.
The elf realized what she was about to do and flushed a greater color of pink. At the door was, of course, Dea Saint. Whether she noticed the past ten seconds was uncertain. "Apologies, Miss Viridis. Mister Cranel would like to see him briefly before Lady Loki gets here. You may visit him after he leaves as Mister Cranel plans to head back to the Dungeon later."
Amid would never admit it but she was eavesdropping and it hurt to hear that he thinks so low of himself, so she saved him from a potentially awkward moment. The Doctor now knew who his heart was after, and for some reason, she was okay with it. She expected it to hurt, and while it did, it was by far overestimated.
"I'll...see you at the Manor...eventually," Axton said in lieu of goodbye. Lefiya just nodded before exiting.
"Mister Cranel, come in," Amid called down the hall. Footsteps could be heard at the edge of Axton's hearing. He was too focused on Lefiya—can't blame him, she looked like a caring girlfriend when she was like that—to notice Amid stalking the conversation.
The white-haired, red-eyed boy came around the corner, concealing most of his shock, but not all of it. "Hello, Bell, finally nice to meet you when both of us are in our right minds."
"L-Likewise," he said.
Respectful. "Amid, could we have the room?"
The Doctor walked over to the edge of the bed, checked him over one last time before hovering by the door again, "Lady Loki will be here in ten minutes if she was walking. Make your conversation quick."
"Will do," Axton replied.
"So, I guess we're even now?" Axton asked as Bell sat at Axton's bedside. "You know, you can look me in the eye at least. Right now, you're a friend, visiting another friend, in the hospital. You can at least do me the courtesy of looking at me."
"B-But-" the boy stuttered, "Fine." He looked up, "Do you know how worried everyone was?"
"Partially, Bell. Listen, I wanted to apologize for the incident at the Hostess. I admit that I could've handled it better, but I-"
"No! Well…" Bell stood as he exclaimed his words. "...Bete's words were what I needed to hear, as hurtful as they were."
Axton nodded to his point, even if he didn't agree, "Bete doesn't mince words but he means well."
"What...happened down there?" Bell asked, breaching the subject that was, of course, on the boy's mind. His curiosity would be the reason he gets into trouble.
"A lot...and respectfully, it's not something that I am ready to share with you. Understand I want to tell you but I am still processing. I'm sure to get a few nightmares out of it...as if they couldn't get any worse," he murmured under his breath at the end. Bell looked over the bandages that adorned the Sword Prince, "Listen, I told you I'm not into guys, but you keep looking at me like that, I'll get the wrong impression."
Bell's reaction was so priceless and pure, "Eep!" If Axton wasn't injured as he was, he'd be belly-laughing.
Unfortunately, he was and can't. A shame, really. "Speaking of checking out, how are things with my sister?"
The bunny boy just squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, still looking Axton in the eyes. "N-Nothing much, she saved me on the tenth floor from Orcs. My supporter set a trap."
Axton's eyes hardened, "Unforgivable."
"B-But I made up with her, she didn't understand why I was forgiving her, but I uh…"
Axton didn't hear the finale of his sentence, and that was because Bell trailed off. So, instead of pushing it, he maneuvered the conversation elsewhere. "Is Lady Hestia treating you well?"
Axton knew it was the right call as Bell's ruby eyes brightened, making the Sword Prince smile, "She was the one who took me off the street to be the first member of her familia, and thanks to Miss Eina, I've been prepared for the upper floors."
Eina Eina Eina...OH! The half-elf at the Guild. Lady Riveria's friend's daughter...I think, Axton thought. "Good, she learned her teaching style from Lady Riveria, so I wish you luck."
"You're the one who should be thanking Lady Luck, mister," a teasing voice said, and it was none other than Loki wearing the outfit she had for Monsterphilia. Her crimson eyes were open and staring resolutely at Axton before flicking to Bell, "Say, aren't you Itty Bitty's kid?"
"I-I am, Goddess Loki," Bell stuttered.
"Well, if the Prince here is allowing you to see him like this, you've must have done a helluva impression. Now, can ya go? I need to talk with my child," Loki said. However, Axton caught the meaning behind her words.
The boy stood, bowed to Axton and Loki before taking his leave, and once he did, Loki rounded on him with a glare that made Riveria's seem like a squeaky toy. "The amount of hell I want to raise on you is enough to get me to Tenkai and back."
It was said in such a calm voice that it made Axton's fight or flight act up. As much as he wanted to fight, his body currently said flight, and for more than one reason. "C-Could you lower your temper?"
Loki was about to speak when she realized the idiocy of her actions. No one else was around, so no one could catch her on it. "Sorry...just...what drove you to your actions?"
"You know why, Loki," Axton countered.
After a moment, she sighed dejectedly, "Yeah...I do. Anyway, are you able to lean forward at all? My intuition is tingling and it's surrounding you."
With a small hmm, he very carefully leaned up and exposed his back—at this present point, he was literally wearing bandages except on his back. Loki gently unsheathed Requiem enough to slice her finger and dropped her ichor on his back, lighting up his status for the Trickster to see.
Loki dove into his experiences and she was floored, terrified, and prideful all at once. Considering what Bete had mentioned, he did kill an Irregular Goliath. All the things before it, it made Loki fearful of his mental state. Even during the conversation, she was waiting for the trigger. "Don't fill me in on what happened...I'd rather not confront that now."
"O-Okay," Loki acquiesced. Then, when she got to his status, the numbers shocked her, especially Endurance. "Your...you...what?!"
"Hm?"
"You have a Rank S for Endurance! How?!" This should be impossible, considering his Endurance was a C rank; albeit a high C rank, but still...two full rank jumps and then some? Inconceivable.
Still not the most unbelievable growth ever seen.
Axton clicked his tongue, "Probably from all the beatings that...she gave me, I imagine. She had lots of time." A beat of silence. "Do you think I should've died? I should've when Guardian was active as she stabbed me..."
Loki paused and lost the words she was about to say and instead shouted, "What the fuck, Axton?"
He looked over his shoulder, giving her a small smile that was filled with pain. "Sorry for worrying you, ignore me."
"No, not with that statement! Why would you want to die? I don't see no Hero's Sacrifice* on your Status and I'd know because if you didn't value your life, then it'd be there! Tell me what's eating you." Not a request, a demand.
Axton sighed, checking the door, making sure that whatever he was about to say stayed here. When he felt no one outside, he spoke, "That woman...she was obsessed with Ais, calling her Aria. Someone wanted to convert me...but not with a status, something else...and I don't want to find out."
The vermillion-haired Goddess paused, "Other than that, what happened?"
"Pain," Axton said, and that was all he said about it. "Are those adventurers I saved alright?"
"Yeah, the Ganesha Familia will be thanking you later, but right now, most of Orario is worried about you, well, mostly the girls."
A dry chuckle, "Course." I'm not trying to pick up girls in a Dungeon here…that's not my job.
Loki continued to adjust his numbers engraved on his falna before watching the number that had his level increase. "We'll need to discuss this back at the Manor and soon, before the expedition and whether or not you're going," Loki said, putting a pin in it for now. "Otherwise, you've leveled up. Congrats."
"Any development abilities?" he asked next, as expected.
The Goddess nodded, "Only one, Strong Body." Considering his jump in Endurance, Loki saw this coming. She applied it wordlessly.
Should there have been fanfare? It certainly didn't feel like a momentous occasion. "Thank you, Loki."
The Trickster knew he wasn't thanking her for the update.
It was for taking him and his sister in when they had nowhere to go.
Once Loki finished updating and locking his status so other deities couldn't peek, she kissed his forehead and hugged him, "You're welcome, my child. Now rest." She left without another word.
Axton cried himself to sleep that night and for multiple reasons. Each one was progressively worse than the last. Amid heard this and could do nothing to help him. She'd hinder him rather than help him. Martha and Bernadette wordlessly brought their Captain away from the source of her pain.
They didn't hate him nor scorn him. Far from it. Right now, he was just a sixteen-year-old boy who needed time to cope. However, he learned something he already knew. This just reaffirmed it.
The world is a cruel place.
Axton Wallenstein
Level 5 → 5/6 → 6
Strength = D595 → C612 → I0
Endurance = C684 → S905 → I0
Dexterity = A832 → A836 → I0
Agility = B717 → B726 → I0
Magic = S900 → S920 → I0
Hunter = G
Abnormal Resistance = G
Swordsman = H
Strong Body = I
{Skills}
Guardian (Cursed Skill?): When the user desires to defend someone important to them, whether it be subconsciously or consciously, this activates. The user will defend those they care for until the threat has passed. The closer the user is to their desired target, the stronger this 'Aura' will feel. The detriment to using this skill is that injuries received could turn lethal. Use with caution. Passive Trigger.(Loki's notes: This skill is something else. More research is required. Ask Riveria for later study.)
Punisher: Increases the user's strength with every consecutive hit on an opponent.
Nimble Body: Increases user's agility by a significant margin in a pinch.
{Magic}
Ariel: Enchant type magic that can imbue things with wind. It has been mentioned as being far beyond normal enchant-type magic. Chant- "Awaken, Tempest." or just "Tempest."
Precision Enchantment: Derivative; This allows the user to make small, precise modifications to Ariel's wind to suit the user's needs.
...
To GunBlade2021: You called me a sadist two chapters ago. Does this make it worse for you? Fro the record, not offended. Honestly, I just feel like I need to get in touch with a darker side of storytelling. This was one way I could.
I find myself writing longer chapters for Tales of Royalty than I do Delicate Balance...funny how that works. Anyway, notes time.
SPEAKING OF, there will not be a Delicate Balance Chapter this Saturday, I'll be busy and will have no time to upload. I'll make a quick 'note chapter' about it.
In vīnō vēritās. "In wine, there is truth." I figured that'd be appropriate considering the circumstances.
*Hero's Sacrifice: This term was borrowed from Danny vs A Month's story Guardian's Heart. As explained, this skill would mean that Axton lost his will to live, but wasn't going to die easily.
HE DOES NOT HAVE IT, OKAY? That was just Loki making a point.
I realize how awkward it is to have a skill in my story sharing a name with part of the title of theirs...purely coincidental, not meaning to steal anything.
Lefiya almost kissing Axton. Y'all thought she was going to do it, huh? Nah, not yet. I think I handled the conversation well. Apologies that it seemed to all take place in the hospital, but after what he went through, he needs time.
"Is Bell going to train with Ais?" Good question. That was going to be in here, but the chapter was long enough. That will be in the next chapter, along with Axton's progressive recovery. He ain't out of the woods yet.
Hope the ending was gut-wrenching, at least a little. I debated making Axton's Endurance be S, but even so, that was far-fetched. It probably still is, but it's not entirely impossible. His other stats rising marginally hopefully get what I was trying to do. Strong Body was something I don't see people having, and after what Revis did, it was the only logical choice.
What I wrote and what happened in between are two different things. Revis pulled no punches.
As for how Axton survived, even post-surgery? A mystery is it not? Guardian had a hand in it if that wasn't obvious. Considering how injured and by all means, broken, he still toughed it out.
Hope y'all realize how nerve-wracking it is to have over one hundred people following the story, feeling the worry of what people will think. It happens. I'm only human, after all.
Okay, I'll be holding my phone close by for the emails that'll await me.
Until then.
