When Elio emerged, scrubbed clean of the foul solution and wearing fresh clothes, he found Angelia looking especially pensive.
"Is something wrong?"
"They're having trouble reviving Sophie."
He felt a chill down his spine. A revival spell should work if she were alive! Unless… "Let me look at her."
"Elio, in this state she's-"
"I studied Life Magic, remember? Maybe I can do something."
"This way, then." And he followed Angelia into Sophie's room.
Oh, Sophie... It was painful to see her still and pale, like a once bright, dancing butterfly ensnared in a spider's web. But he had to be strong, to help her. He went up to her bedside. The spell needed them to be in contact, so he reached for one of her hands. Forget how warm it was when you held it in the Coliseum. It was stiff and clammy.
He raised his feather in the other hand, traced the runes in the air, and began an incantation. He remembered trying to heal Rune once; Sophie had squealed and blushed bright red. He could remember her voice so clearly: It's just my constitution! But she was embarrassed. Why would she be embarrassed?
But thinking about it messed up the incantation. He shook away the memory and started over. This time shimmering golden runes filled the air.
"What in the world? She's been hit with an infinite Undead debuff!"
"Uhhh." Angelia had a worried look. "Don't debuffs expire after combat?"
"I don't understand it either." And how come Undead was coded as a debuff here? Normally it was a buff to keep allies alive a bit longer. But there was something in Morris' diaries… something about reconfiguring Undead so he could stay in control of a specimen for longer. He had also mentioned using it to hex anyone who tried to tamper with his equipment.
Elio shuddered. But Angelia cut into his thoughts: "We need to get word to Maple Lake immediately!"
"Why Maple Lake?"
"There's a mermaid there who knows how to clear debuffs."
"Is there? I'll get ready to-"
"Not you." But then she softened. "I'll send some soldiers who already know the way. They can be back by midnight."
"That makes sense."
"Besides… there's a lot to fill you in on."
He sighed. "I guess I have some explaining to do, too."