A/N:

OKAY SO FIRST AND FOREMOST: A special thanks to Clyde from the Wittebane discord server for his extensive medical knowledge. It came in handy :P.

SECONDLY. I'm sorry i'm pushing back Bumplos to next chapter again. I PROMISE. It's set in stone. Just the idea I had for this chapter was too good to not write, in my opinion. Just took priority.

A few notes about the end of the chapter, though - no spoilers, but…It's kind of a joke, but I think it's fitting for King's character for him to do something like that, but- I really hope my readers don't find it like…a lame ending.

About a day after Phillip initially arrived at the hospital - he finally fully awoke from his anesthesia induced slumber. His eyes slowly opening, the world slowly came into focus. His head still hurt, though it was only a dull throb. Still painful, but…tolerable.

He sat up in his bed, initially intending to readjust himself so his back was against the wall…But, he was extremely perplexed when he didn't feel his right hand touch the mattress. He looked down, and…

Wait. Where was his hand?

It wasn't just his hand that was missing, half of his forearm was as well!

He stared in disbelief. Was his injury really so bad he needed amputation? Apparently so…

There was a little button marked 'Call Nurse' on the wall to his left, which he pressed. A minute later, she arrived - with one of those 'customer service' smiles on her face. "You're finally awake." She tried to ease his clear worries, adding "The worst of it is over, trust me."

"What happened?" He asked, as his eyes met the nurse's..

"Unfortunately, the wound became seriously infected. It was beginning to spread. We had no choice but to amputate."

He took a deep breath, putting his…hand in his lap. It was a strange feeling - some part of him actually felt relieved that he didn't get hurt worse. He wrestled with a deadly beast and lived to tell the tale! Some part of it was pride…but the rest was relief his friends were okay.

After a moment, he cleared his throat and asked an awkward question. "May I have it?" He paused for a moment "...The rock, that, pierced my hand, I mean. I'd like it as a keepsake." He couldn't quite tell why, but something in his stomach was telling him it'd be useful in the future… Not for sentimental reasons.

"A power source powerful enough to piece realms."

He shook his head once again - where was that voice coming from?!

"Are you okay?" The nurse asked.

"Yea, yea, I just- Heard a strange voice…" He admitted, after an awkward moment.

"Don't worry, auditory hallucinations are common in high stress moments like this." Returning back to the last topic - she was unphased, this being a surprisingly common request. "Yup, you can keep it. We'll sterilize it and give it to you with your other belongings." The nurse began to walk off, but after a step she turned around once again. "You have guests, as well - would you like me to let them in?:

He nodded his head, yes.

A minute later, he heard a familiar chirp and the light flapping of wings. His faithful palisman, Currant, flew ahead of the others and perched on his index finger - like he was a Disney Princess. She gave a sympathetic click, telepathically asking "Are you okay?"

"Yes, don't worry." Phillip said, with a nod. Not a moment later, Luz, Amity, and King were also at his bedside.

"How're you holding up?" Amity asked, sympathetically tilting her head.

He tried to bring his other arm to give his Palisman a small pat on the head, but…Then, he kinda realized he had no hand to do it with. Truly, a fate worse than death.

"Hey, look on the bright side." Luz said. "Now you match with Eda." As she said this, she held King's yap shut, lest he make a snarky comment.

A few hours later, Phillip was given back his belongings and served with dismissal paperwork. He got dressed back into his normal attire,..But, he found it much more difficult than normal with only a single hand. He was completely unable to tie his cravat, but…Thankfully, Currant lent a helping hand.

As well, he tied off the unused sleeve in his coat - right under his residual limb.

Him getting dressed took long enough that he had some time to think about the journey ahead…and how he probably was in no state to even make it. Even with his stump well-bandaged, you never know what diseases are lurking in the wilderness…And- he would have to entirely relearn how to ride his palisman's staff - he only JUST learned how to do that in the first place!

And their mission wasn't even done, either. They still had two more glyphs to find. Hopefully - they would be easier to find than the god damned ice glyph. Perhaps the Titan would be willing to cut him a break…But, King had no such intentions.

Their trip home was slow. Without being able to ride on their palismen, it took literally twice as long. By the end of the second day, they were completely out of food. They hadn't foreseen this trip would go…This far south.

They stopped in Bicrosh, and decided to get a meal, and a BNB - then go grocery shopping in the morning before setting off for home again. But the town…They seemingly also remembered Phillip. It was awkward, everyone shooting them awkward glances and spoke in hushed whispers. Thankfully, they were at least more hospitable than Gluteus.

They stopped at a mid-scale diner, a place that would be filling and good-tasting but also stretch their money just a bit. For starters, they got a plate of Toetato skins…To which, Phillip tried eating the whole thing in one bite. He choked.

King just about died laughing at this sight.

Luz got behind Phillip, performing the heimlich - he coughing the massive amount of Toetato stuck in his throat onto the ground.

Wait a bloody minute, the pattern on the Toetato skin…It looked like…

It was the plant glyph.

Phillip shot an annoyed glare at the still laughing King, and grumbled "Now you're just taking the piss."