Timeline: Ep. 138. Gordon's adventure through the Poison Forest.
Chapter rating M: Lemon and Explicit Language.
Chapter 8- Venomous Medicine
"What the fuck is this…?" Anastasia said as the chaos unfolded around her.
The usually calm and orderly Healing Tower was in complete disarray. Magic knights, royals and civilians alike crowded the waiting area, their faces etched with pain and anxiety. The air was thick with tension, voices rising as patients vied for attention. Healers rushed back and forth, trying to address the most critical cases first. The din of voices, groans of pain, and the frantic clattering of medical instruments filled the air.
Anastasia quickly assessed the situation, her heart pounding as she took in the sight. Royals, with their extravagant robes and air of entitlement, argued with commoners, each demanding to be seen first.
"This is outrageous!" a nobleman bellowed; his face flushed with anger. "Do you know who I am?"
A commoner, clutching a blood-soaked cloth to a wound on his arm, shot back, "We're all bleeding the same here, your grace!"
Dr. Owen appeared beside her, his expression tired and grim. "Anastasia! Thank goodness you're here. It's a madhouse."
"I can see that," She replied, determination in her voice. "Let's get to work."
The cosmos mage took a deep breath then calmly pushed through the crowd. Reaching the reception desk, she pushed the royal who was bullying the staff aside and stepped onto the desk.
"Everyone, please!" Anastasia's voice cut through the noise, steady and authoritative. "We will see to the most urgent cases first. I promise we will attend to everyone as soon as possible."
Even after she declared that the most urgent cases would be seen first, the arguing between royals and commoners persisted, their voices rising to a fever pitch. Her patience wore thin as she watched the chaos unfold, her blood boiling at the blatant disregard for those truly in need. She knew this was exactly the kind of inequality her brother was striving to change. Determined to restore order, the cosmos mage summoned her grimoire, focusing her mana. Her eyes glinted with resolve as she hovered her hand over the radiant white book.
"Cosmos magic: Ursa Minor!"
The room fell silent as a shimmering constellation began to materialize in the air above her. Stars swirled and coalesced into the shape of a bear, its ethereal form glowing with a soft, celestial light. Ursa Minor stood tall, exuding a gentle yet undeniable authority. The bear released a deafening roar and even the most obstinate nobles faltered, their arguments dying on their lips. The bear let out a low, rumbling growl, a sound that reverberated through the room and sent a shiver down spines.
"I SAID ENOUGH!" the cosmos mage's voice rang out, amplified by the presence of the celestial creature. Her presence was commanding yet compassionate, and slowly, the room began to settle.
"We are all here for the same reason: to help and to heal. This is not a place for disputes. Ursa Minor will ensure that everyone waits their turn. I ask you to respect the process."
The bear's eyes, twinkling like distant stars, swept over the crowd, its presence a reminder of the magic that connected them all. Slowly, grudgingly, the tension eased. Nobles and commoners alike began to step back, their arguments silenced by the celestial bear's imposing presence.
Anastasia huffed, grateful for Ursa Minor and its watchful vigil. She nodded at Dr. Owen and the other healers, urging them to continue their work. Dr. Owen sighed with relief, grateful that she was not as nice as her brother. She quickly walked to the Patient Area, and the scene shook her. Cots and beds littered the ground, taking up the hallways. She walked past rooms that were filled to capacity. Children were missing limbs, their injured parents sobbing next to them, cradling their little bodies. In another room, a Magic Knight had just lost her life, a woman of the Blue Rose who fought valiantly to protect the kingdom. Another Blue Rose sobbed next to her, cradling her cold hand. Anastasia's heart ached for the women, and she balled up her fists. She reached the largest room in the corridor, A room that accommodated at least 25 people in its ward. Annie was there, treating three patients at once with her needle magic, suturing wounds closed and limbs back together. The needle mage's face, contorted in exhaustion, shifted to relief when she saw the cosmos mage.
"Anase!"
"To Annie."
The cosmos mage planted a hand on Annie's shoulder, transfusing a small portion of her mana to the needle mage. The ethereal needles glowed brighter, working faster on her patients. Anastasia released her hand as the operations finished and she walked to the center of the room.
"Where the hell have you been?" Annie said, trying to scold her friend but unable to hide her grin.
"Tell you over some drinks later?" She responded.
Anastasia took a few deep breaths, filling her lungs with the stagnant air and the stench of blood. She planted her feet in a V formation and stood with her palms up. Her grimoire glowed as stars began to manifest in the air. Runes glowed on every corner of the room, brightening the atmosphere with a warm, gold light. A dome of translucent energy slowly expands from her outstretched hands, encasing the area in a protective and serene environment. This dome resembles a miniature cosmos, with swirling galaxies, nebulae, and stars visible within its depths. Star clusters float lazily through space, each a vibrant blend of colors like crimson, sapphire, emerald, and gold, twinkling softly. The atmosphere inside the dome is slightly cooler than the surrounding environment, providing a refreshing respite from the outside world.
"Cosmos Magic: Microcosm."
The Microcosm radiates a powerful yet gentle healing energy, visible as a soft, pulsing light that emanates from the galaxies and stars. This light permeates everything within the dome, accelerating the healing of wounds, soothing pain, and revitalizing weary bodies.
The healers in the room gasped at the scene and Annie smiled with pride.
"I missed you, bitch" The needle mage said, "You better not be too tired to drink with me later."
"Oh, fuck off and take a break already" Anastasia replied with an amused smirk.
"What? Now that you're here?" She responded "No, I need to make sure you don't slack off."
As she finished setting the spell, Anastasia walked to the first bed in the room to assess the patient. A man whose appearance was similar to the Black Bulls captain laid in the bed, albeit clean shaven. He wore a heavy navy cloak with fur around the neck. His eyes were a piercing snowy blue and his hair resembled a gray winter storm.
"I'm so sorry for the wait. I'm Anastasia. What's your name?"
"Cero…" He groaned, attempting to lift himself off of the bed, grimacing as he held his chest in pain.
"Hold on, don't get up. Let me take a look."
The cosmos mage gently led Cero to lay back down in his cot. She gestured towards his chest, indicating that she would open up his cloak. She gently spread the fabric, revealing a torn blue tunic and a large, cauterized wound in the middle of his chest. The wound had festered with infection and the darkness around it indicated internal bleeding. Despite the inflammation, an aura of cold exuded from this man as if he were in a freezer for hours.
"Goodness…" She said under her breath, catching a nearby star cluster and placing it along his wound as if it were a balm. "Did you get burned?"
Cero sighed as he felt the nebula's warmth tend to his wound, mending the internal bleeding.
"No, the opposite actually…"
As the nebula mended this mysterious man's wound, the cosmos mage's magic mingled with his, giving her an idea of a diagnosis.
"I see…you're an Ice Mage. You used cryocautery to close your wound so that you would stop bleeding." Her eyes widened in fascination "Smart. It's a good temporary solution, but I'm glad you came in. You're bleeding internally, and you have an infection."
The cosmos mage waved at a healer to come towards her.
"Yes, Lady Anastasia?" The healer said.
"Please get me an Iodine based antiseptic and Antibiotic fungi for this gentleman." She directed.
The healer nodded and scurried off to gather the supplies. The background buzzed with the chatter of patients expressing their eagerness to leave, now feeling better. Healers moved swiftly, guiding them toward the exit, while other staff members hurriedly changed the linens for incoming cases. Turning away from Cero, Anastasia gracefully waved her hands, redirecting healing mana toward those still resting in their beds.
"Well, I'm a nomad and healing isn't my forte" Cero said, "I'm not one to ask for help, but I'm grateful a place like this exists."
She turned back to him and smiled "You're always welcome here. Our goal here is to treat everyone regardless of status."
The healer that was sent for supplies returned with a tray. On the tray was a glass of water, brown powder on a leaf and a dark dropper vial holding liquid. Cero looked at the tray and tightened his jaw, showing his disdain for medicine. The cosmos mage carefully picked up the leaf with the powder and held it out for the Ice mage to take.
"This is your antibiotic. I can help it along, but I need it to be in your body first."
Cero frowned, eyeing the leaf with disdain. "Medicine and I don't get along," he muttered, making a face that conveyed his reluctance.
"Well, if you want to keep laying here while your inflammation gets worse then don't take it." She said, shrugging.
With a heavy sigh, he sat up from the bed and took the leaf. He reluctantly poured the powder into his mouth, immediately grimacing at the bitter taste. "Ugh, this is worse than I imagined," he groaned, swallowing with difficulty.
Anastasia couldn't help but smile at his reaction. "See? That wasn't so bad," she teased, watching as he rolled his eyes and washed down the taste with a sip of water.
He plopped back down on the bed, annoyed at the interaction and Anastasia held the dark bottle in her hand. She filled the dropper and placed drops at various parts of the wound. As soon as the drops hit Cero's body, they began to slowly crystallize, as if they were being frozen in an instant.
"Ugh this is supposed to be cold resistant…" She mumbled, capping the bottle and setting it down.
She rubbed her hands together, gathering starlight and condensing it in her palms. Gently, she hovered her hands over the wound, allowing the starlight to envelop the injury, warming the area. As the solution seeped into his skin, Cero's tense body visibly relaxed. The starlight worked its magic, gently flaking away the cauterized tissue while the bruising from his internal bleeding faded. Almost immediately, Cero's breathing deepened, and a soft snore escaped him, signaling that exhaustion had finally claimed him. Anastasia chuckled softly at the unexpected, endearing sound, feeling a sense of accomplishment in easing his pain. She took a final look at the wound, pleased at the minimal scarring and absence of bruising then covered him with his heavy cloak.
She turned around to see the next rush of patients, settling into their beds with agonizing groans and sobs. She took a deep breath and redirected her magic once again. It was an endless cycle of people running in and out of the room. Changing bed linens, treated patients, staff rotating, the only people who were consistent in the room were Annie and Anastasia. Things seemed to move much faster now thanks to the area of healing effect of the Microcosm, but it did not prevent the inevitable exhaustion of staff. The cosmos mage shot a glance at Annie, who received three new patients of her own, her eyes heavy with lack of sleep and malnourishment.
'This isn't enough…' Anastasia thought 'There must be something else we can do'
Like an angel of salvation, Lola was seen moving through the room with staff of her own all carrying various provisions. Bakers flooded the rooms, handing out tea and food, revitalizing patients and staff alike. Tears almost threatened to fall from the cosmos mage's eyes as she saw the hearth mage and she rushed towards her to claim her favorite treat.
"LOLAAAAAA!"
The baker squealed as she was tackled down by her friend.
"A-anase, you're back!" She stuttered; her eyes widened with surprise.
"Forget about me! Annie needs something nutritious STAT!" The cosmos mage urged.
Lola looked at Annie and her expression turned worried. "I'll take care of her. You focus on your patients. We will get through this!"
Anastasia gave her a determined nod, swiped a melon bread and stepped back to the center of the room to redress the spell. Her name could be heard down the hall, increasing in volume as the person calling it came closer in proximity.
"Lady Anastasia! Come quick!" A healer stopped at the door frame "It's Dr. Owen. He's collapsed!"
Her heart dropped and its pace quickened at the news. She rushed towards the healer and followed her down the hall, leading into a room with five patients, all in critical condition. There he laid on the floor, glasses tossed beside him.
"Doctor!"
She immediately assessed his pulse and breathing, then materialized starlight on her palm, laying it on his chest. She took a deep breath, channeling her mana through him to check for abnormalities.
'He collapsed from exhaustion…'
Guilt threatened to consume her. While she had been at her home country sipping on crimson orange juice, Dr. Owen, Annie and the other healers were here, toiling away where she should have been. A long sigh escaped her, a mix of relief that he was okay and regret that she hadn't stayed, tightening her chest. She ordered the healers to place a cot in their office so that he could rest while she took over the patients in this room. Anastasia's heart raced as she contemplated how she would manage Microcosm, Ursa Minor, and treating critically ill patients all at once. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders.
Thoughts whirled through her mind, each one laced with guilt. 'I should have been here. I should have known how busy it would be.'
She knew she had to find a way to stretch her magic without exhausting herself completely. She considered her options carefully. 'Could I release Ursa Minor to conserve mana? But without it, controlling the chaos might become impossible.'
The cosmos mage closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing as she sought the calm she desperately needed. 'Perhaps I could concentrate on Microcosm's area of effect,' she mused. 'If I could focus its healing energy on just the most critical patients, it might save some of my strength.'
Despite the turmoil within her, she knew she had to keep going. The patients needed her. She glanced around the room at the faces of those who depended on her magic, drawing strength from their trust. Even in the chaos, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was where she needed to be.
As she steadied herself, Anastasia's mind wandered to her last date with Gordon. She remembered his encouraging voice, "Right, let's work hard until then."
'Yes…we need to work hard!' She thought as her mana surged along with her reignited determination.
The memory of Captain Yami's booming command echoed in her mind: "Now's the time to push your limits!"
Anastasia stood, allowing her senses to become hyper-aware of the environment. Taking a deep breath, the cosmos mage closed her eyes and began to move, finding her own rhythm in the stillness. She could feel the natural mana of the stars converging above her, a warm, invigorating sensation that spread through her veins. With a graceful movement, she began to dance, her hips swaying rhythmically, her arms weaving intricate patterns in the air.
'I've been going about this all wrong…'
Ursa minor's stalwart appearance began to dissipate, converging into starlight that filled the ceiling of the waiting room. The onlookers looked up, sounds of uncertainty resonating throughout.
Tiny stars and constellations seemed to come to life around her, twinkling with every step she took, casting a mesmerizing array of sparkles around the castle. It was almost as if music had been present, each step beating to a drum. Anastasia's movements were fluid and sensual, each gesture deliberate and graceful. Her hips undulated with a hypnotic rhythm, the fabric of her dress swirling around her legs like a galaxy in motion. Microcosm began to bend and expand, extending beyond the large room, turning into Macrocosm.
"Woah…what is this?" Annie said.
Her arms moved with serpentine elegance, tracing arcs and spirals that left trails of starlight in their wake. As she danced, the cosmos mage's eyes opened, glowing with a soft, otherworldly light. She moved with an ethereal grace, her dance telling a story of resilience and infinite power. Her hands traced the constellations, drawing intricate patterns in the air that left trails of starlight. She moved out of the room and swayed down the halls, allowing her body to wander freely.
'Everyone has mana…even if just a little' She monologues 'Human bodies have incredible potential to heal themselves…'
Enormous runes began to glow, appearing on the perimeter of the entire Healing Tower and slowly changing its scenery to that amongst the galaxies and planets. With each movement, she wove a spell of empowerment around her allies, the natural healing abilities of the patients accelerated, and their spirits uplifted. The onlookers began to feel the effects of her magic, finding themselves captivated as their guards lowered and their hearts opened.
Julius and Marx looked from the window of the main office, watching a celestial universe form before their eyes. The Magic King exclaimed in excitement and Marx stared in astonishment.
"Her mana is covering the entire castle!" Marx said "Incredible…"
As staff and patients witnessed the subtle enchantment of her dance, their spirits were buoyed by the aura of hope and strength she exuded. They looked to the ceiling in awe of the galaxy before them, feeling mana transfusing into their bodies and healing their ailments. Her movements became more fluid and powerful, each step a deliberate act of drawing in celestial energy. She spun and twirled, the fabric of her dress swirling as if it were the tail of a comet. Her eyes, glowing with celestial light, drew everyone into her spell. Her dance grew more intense, her body moving with a blend of strength and sensuality.
'Everyone just needs a little boost!'
Her fingers grazed her skin, tracing the path of the stars she drew in the air. The mana around her responded, swirling in brilliant hues of blue and silver, reflecting the cosmic energy she commanded. As she reached Zenith during the dance, her movements became more vigorous, the mana around her swirling in a brilliant display of celestial colors. The healers in the tower sensed their mana flow increasing, allowing them to treat critical patients with the utmost ease. The ill glowed with their own mana attributes, brilliant combinations with a cosmic buffer, allowing their own bodies to heal themselves at a rapid rate. Annie, who was finally convinced to take a break, glowed with a brilliant gold as she took a sip of tea. She closed her eyes and savored the cosmic hug of her friend who's spirit embraced her from behind, her muscle tension melting away in the warmth of the starlight.
"Thank you for holding it down…" Anastasia's voice reverberated, filled with gratitude.
She finished with a final, powerful spin, drawing all the celestial energy into herself before releasing it in a wave of healing and protection that washed over the entire castle. Breathing heavily, Anastasia ended up in the waiting area, the room filled with a stunned silence. The glow in her eyes faded, and all of the ailing who were still waiting, had now been healed. She had proven her power, not just to the patients, but to everyone in the tower.
Her knees buckled and she caught herself on the reception desk. The dance took more out of her than she expected, but it wasn't over yet. She resolved to continue seeing patients, despite her mana running low.
At the Black bull's base, everyone trained diligently. Noelle shot her Sea Dragon's Roar at Asta, who sliced cleanly through it, urging her to put more into it. Gordon looked at the scene in contemplation.
'Lately, I spend most days surrounded by friends…' The poison mage monologues.
He observed the fight between Magna and Luck, a vicious battle of Fire and Lightning as they casted their magic with intent to kill each other.
'I'm extremely happy, possibly happier than I've ever been in my life.'
He observed the fight between Gauche and Vanessa, a wild battle of brilliant light rays from mirrors versus the threads of fate.
'Our battle with the devil is fast approaching and we have to win. If we fail, then our happy days will be over.'
He recounted memories of happy times in the base and his dates with Anastasia. His stomach turned at the thought of not being able to spend time with the people he cared so much about. He mustered up courage and came out of the shadows from whence he lurked to approach his bestest friend, Asta.
"Asta, do you think I could train with you for a bit?"
"Yeah of course you can!" Asta said enthusiastically, "Noelle, can Gordon tag in for you for a bit?"
"Uh, sure" She responded, reluctantly stepping off to the side.
"Gimme everything you got!" Asta cheered as he stood ready with his blade.
Gordon took his stance across from Asta and adjusted his hat. 'I didn't plan to do that, but I'm sure Asta can handle it.'
"Alright here I go!"
He summoned his Grimoire, a pitch-black book with intricate designs, lined with a ruby red. Noxious poisonous gas materialized by his hands, gathering and condensing into a dense cloud.
"Poison curse magic" he muttered as he shot the cloud towards his comrade. "Dwelling of the poison cloud."
With a bat of his sword, Asta easily deflects the cloud. As it charges back at Gordon the speed takes him by surprise and it knocks him down. The anti-magic mage gasps and rushes over to him.
"Gordon, are you alright!?"
The poison mage shifted on the ground with a long sigh. "As expected, I'm no match for you…"
Asta reaches out a hand to help him up and Gordon takes it, lifting him from the ground. He shuffled away, dawning on the session, frustration rising.
'I was fighting with all I had…'
He shuffled to his room, packing a bag full of rations and extra clothes. He slung the bag over his shoulders and shuffled back down the hall. Moving towards a window, he notices the bright moonlight shining in, illuminating the dark hall. He stopped in front of the window, looking out at the waning gibbous and sighed again.
"Maybe I've been getting weaker of late…" he told the moon.
'When I first met the team, I was truly alone." He reminisced, seeing himself sitting curled up on the couch by the entrance. 'But that was largely because I was sharp as a knife, and I refused to let anyone get close to me. Now, it appears I've lost my edge.'
He began to remove each doll from his robe, looking at them one by one as he arranged them on a table. His eyes lingered on the doll in white, the happy expression tugging at his heartstrings.
'I love it here with my friends, but I can't remain complacent. If we're going to defeat the devil, I must regain the strength I had in the past.' He placed the doll in white on the table, on top of a piece of paper where he scribbled a message. 'And that means I've got no choice but to be alone again.'
He walked away from the table, reluctantly leaving the base, revealing the words on the parchment, "Don't try to find me. -Gordon"
He decided to travel on foot, navigating by map to his destination.
'Lady Mereoleona sure is powerful and she got that way by walking through a strong magic region on her own when she was young.' He looked over his map of the kingdom 'So I'll cross the forest of poisonous beasts near the forest of witches.' He mused 'I thought it over, and the strong magic region's a little too scary for me so I'll just stick with this.'
As Gordon ventures towards the forest, the air thickens with an eerie, emerald green mist. Despite its ominous name, the forest is surprisingly lush, with towering trees adorned with vibrant, velvety moss and curtains of tangled, flowering vines. The canopy above is a kaleidoscope of greens, filtering the sunlight and casting the forest floor in a mystical, ethereal gloom. However, the forest's beauty belies its danger. Deadly nightshade and hemlock sprout from the shadows, their leaves and berries glistening with an otherworldly sheen. Poisonous mushrooms, like spectral umbrellas, sprout from the earth, releasing spores that dance in the misty air. The soft, loamy soil conceals hidden perils, and the rustling underbrush whispers secrets to the unwary.
Gordon's footsteps quiet on the moss-covered path as he delves deeper into the forest, the silence broken only by the distant call of unseen birds and the soft, ominous hum of insects. The forest seemed to be watching him, its secrets waiting to be unearthed. He took a deep breath, inhaling the lush scents of the forest, then took off his hat to run a hand through his slicked back hair.
"Things are going well so far. I knew living my life alone was the best idea." He sets his bag on the grass and sits down himself. "Time for a break. I'm a little hungry."
He reaches for his bag, and it scurries away just out of his reach. He looked back and met the eyes of devious little monkeys, holding his bag, and laughing at his expense.
"That's my food for a whole week!" He exclaimed in disbelief "Wait!"
Gordon takes off in a sprint, his feet pounding against the earth as he chases after the mischievous monkeys. His bag, containing all his food and supplies, is clutched tightly in their grasp, and he's determined to get it back. As he runs, the forest seems to blur around him, the trees becoming a green and brown haze. He leaps over roots and dodges low-hanging branches, his eyes fixed on the monkeys ahead. But as the chase continues, the monkeys dart and weave through the trees, their agile bodies seemingly effortless in their escape. Gordon's breath starts to burn in his chest, and his legs ache from the exertion.
Finally, he loses sight of the monkeys, and his pace slows to a stop. He stands there, panting heavily, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees in hopes of catching another glimpse of his bag. As the reality of his situation sets in, Gordon's expression turns from determination to despair. He began to wander aimlessly, his feet carrying him deeper into the forest as his mind races with thoughts of hunger, thirst, and uncertainty.
Anastasia sat in the office, slouched on her chair as she finally caught a break from the endless night of healing. Her face, a blank stare towards the ceiling as she decompressed the overstimulation of a chaotic evening. Her mind was still buzzing with the memories of the frantic rush, the cries for help, and the urgent demands of her magic. She took a deep breath, willing herself to relax as the early morning light began to filter through the window. Dr. Owen still laid in his makeshift cot, sleeping soundly as he recovered from his exhaustion. Around her desk plants, she randomly placed the dolls. Grey would be hiding behind a Pothos plant with Vanessa drinking nearby. Charmy would be on the windowsill, eating away at her mint plant with Noelle watching. Gauche would be in the corner of the desk with his sister, defending him from Zora, who really doesn't care. Yami would be in the same pot as the money tree, with Asta climbing its branches. Magna and Luck hung out in a spider plant that hung above the desk. A tiny Secre doll perched by Anastasia's books, surely partaking of new knowledge. Gordon was the only doll she kept on her at all times, looking at his likeness for encouragement when a sensation of overwhelm would threaten her.
Dr. Owen began to stir, lifting himself from the bedding on the floor, taking a deep breath to bring himself out of dreamland.
"Goodness, what happened?" His groggy voice said as he rubbed his eyes.
"Syncope" she murmured, slightly swiveling towards him. "We still have patients, but the madhouse is no more."
The lines of worry on his face eased a bit as he registered her words. The golden hue of dawn cast a warm glow over the room, marking the end of a long and arduous night.
Dr. Owen stretched and stood up, offering the cosmos mage a tired but grateful smile. "I'll get us some coffee and breakfast," he said, heading for the door. "You deserve a break."
Anastasia nodded, remaining in her chair as she glanced around the office, her eyes landing on the various plants scattered across her desk. She giggled at the various dolls around the plants, pleased at how they fit in and offered her happiness at such a trying time. Now she understood why Gordon carried them around. They were a source of strength and comfort when they were needed most. She unhooked her Gordon doll and curled up around it as she leaned over her desk.
A few moments later, Julius entered the room, looking as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as ever. He took one look at his sister and chuckled. "You look like crap," he teased, though his voice held a note of affection.
Anastasia rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Thanks, Julius. Just what I needed to hear."
Undeterred, the king pulled a folio of documents from under his arm and handed it to her. "I found this interesting paper that crossed my desk. Thought you might want to have a look."
Curiosity piqued, Anastasia accepted the publication and read the title: Venomous Medicine: Harnessing the power of Toxic Plants for Human health. Her eyes scanned down to the author's name: Nathan Agrippa.
For a moment, she paused, the name tickling the back of her mind. It seemed so familiar, but she couldn't quite explain why. "Nathan Agrippa," she mused aloud. "Why does that name sound familiar?"
Julius watched her, amused by her puzzled expression. "Something you want to share?" he teased, hopping up to sit on her desk.
The cosmos mage shook her head, trying to shake the feeling of familiarity. "It's just... I swear I've heard that family name before."
As she delved into the article, Anastasia felt a sense of excitement at the prospect of learning from the insights of this mysterious author. The King smiled as he watched his sister's eyes form a starry glow, silently reading the publication. He looked at the doll that now nestled in her cleavage and he couldn't help but snicker at the fact that she didn't make the connection between the article's author and her personal life.
"You're so dense sometimes, Anase" He said, pushing himself off the desk "Don't work too hard!"
"Thank you, brother," she said, "Don't let Marx find you slacking off again!"
At this point, Dr. Owen returned to the office holding two paper cups and a brown bag pinned under his arm. He looked at Julius, who smiled chipperly at him.
"Good morning, your highness."
"Good morning, Dr. Owen." The King responded "Thank you for all of your hard work"
He trotted away, humming happily and the doctor couldn't take his mind away from thinking the Young King was up to mischief again. He looked towards Anastasia, who was absorbed in a folio of documents mumbling something in fascination about creating antidotes and treatments with toxic extracts from Digitalis Purpurea.
"What's that you're reading?" He said as he set the coffee next to her.
"Dr. Owen this is amazing!" She tore her eyes off the page and looked at him, stars of excitement in her eyes "Did you know that Foxglove has components that can be used in treating cardiac conditions and autoimmune diseases!?"
"Foxglove is extremely toxic, Anastasia. I wouldn't use it on our patients." he said sternly.
"Right but with the proper dosage we could surely revolutionize treatments for our patients!" Her voice rose along with her excitement. "This Nathan Agrippa is doing amazing research!"
Dr. Owen weaved his eyebrows together in concern.
"The Agrippa family is known for curses and hexes. They specialize in pain, death and suffering. This is not something we should entertain."
Anastasia frowned; her enthusiasm dampened but not extinguished. "But think about it, Dr. Owen. If we could harness their knowledge and turn it toward healing instead of harm, this could be groundbreaking."
He shook his head firmly, his skepticism evident. "I understand your perspective, Anastasia, but the risks are too great. The Agrippas have a reputation for a reason, and I'm not willing to gamble with something so dangerous."
She took a deep breath, trying to remain patient. "I know their reputation isn't stellar, but isn't that all the more reason to see if this research holds potential? We owe it to our patients to explore every avenue."
Dr. Owen's expression softened slightly, but his resolve remained. "I appreciate your passion, Anastasia, but my answer is no. We have to be cautious with what we introduce into our practice."
Frustrated but not defeated, she nodded, deciding to drop the subject for now. She knew she had to respect Dr. Owen's decision, but in her heart, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this research than met the eye.
As she sipped her coffee, her eyes wandered back to the publication. The mystery deepened, and she resolved to look further into his work when. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to bridge the gap between Dr. Owen's caution and her own curiosity.
'This is exactly the kind of disparity my brother is trying to resolve…' She thought as she savored the warmth of her caffeinated beverage. 'I won't let him do this alone, so I won't give up!'
Gordon trudged through the dense growth, his feet dragging as exhaustion threatened to overtake him. The forest of poisonous beasts was unforgiving, its twisted trees and lurking dangers sapping his energy with each passing hour. He had been wandering for almost two days, his stomach aching from hunger and his eyes heavy with fatigue from lack of sleep.
"I still can't find my bag, maybe I'll go home now. I've probably been alone long enough."
His once strong frame felt frail, the weight he'd lost making him feel like a shadow of himself. Each step was an effort, his legs moving out of sheer determination rather than strength. The forest seemed endless, the canopy above blocking out any sense of direction or time. He looked around and the realization hit him that he didn't know how to get back. With a long sigh, he gathered supplies to make a fire then settled down at a clearing. He easily made the fire, a skill that he was able to hone during his time here. He dug in his pocket, retrieving some nuts that he foraged and munched on them as he stared into the fire, recollecting memories of eating with his comrades.
"Eating food by yourself isn't as good. Our meals together were always loud and rowdy, but I had fun. I really wish my friends were here to help me get through this…"
He looked up at the moon and the stars, the wind chill making him shiver as he missed Anastasia's warmth. He had passed the time by carving wooden dolls of his friends, attempting to fill the lonely void with their presences. His heavy eyes threatened to close, yet he refused to fall asleep for fear that he would be eaten alone by a poisonous beast.
"You can get through this Gordon! I love you!" He held up a wooden figure of Anastasia and made an impression of her voice.
"Don't worry Gordon, I'll find you something to snack on right away!" He held up a wooden doll of Asta and said.
"We're the G-guys, remember? Pull yourself together!" The Gauche doll said.
"You look so tired, it's scary eek!" The Grey doll said.
"Be tough like me dude, I know you can do it!" The Magna doll said.
"Forget Magna, I'm gonna kill you!" The Luck doll said.
"Great, I'm already starting to go crazy!" He said, pounding a fist on the grass, trying to follow the Gauche doll's advice.
He laid on the grass facing the fire, the cool earth caressing his face. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second but was then startled by a rustling in the bushes. He shot up in alarm and summoned his grimoire, ready to defend himself with what little energy he had left. The bushes parted and the sight made him gasp as he dropped to his knees. An angel in white appeared, her purple eyes looking at him in concern.
"Gordon!" She said as she rushed towards him "Oh you poor thing! You look terrible!"
Her soft voice was a balm to his loneliness. He reached out as she ran towards him, embracing her waist. She cradled his head on her bosom, savoring his skin against hers.
"Anase…" he said, his voice breaking "Are you really here?"
"Yes, my love." she caressed the length of his face, leaning in towards him "It's me…"
Their lips locked and the whole world fell away. The void was now replaced by a furnace fueled by starlight. His anxiety melted away with each stroke of her tongue along his. The cosmos mage gently pushed him down to the ground, pressing her body against his as she tenderly moaned against his lips. He savored the taste of melon bread in her mouth, the only meal he's had for days as his tongue danced with hers. He weaved his fingers through her white hair, his breathing became labored as a different hunger began to surface. Her fingers fumbled with his belt, searching for the latch that would loosen his clothing. He allowed her to undo the buckle as he zipped open his jacket, revealing his bare slim chest. Anastasia took in the sight, shyly blushing and began to slowly undo his pants.
"Hey, I want to play too…"
The two followed the voice to see a double of Anastasia, a sultry, mischievous look in her eyes. She wore lingerie similar to that of Vanessa's, but hers was in white. In addition, she wore sheer white thigh highs with lace that decorated her legs, accentuating their length. The lingerie hugged her curvy figure and lifted her bust, drawing attention to her divine femininity. Her hair, normally in gentle waves around her face, was now tousled in a side part as if she had just rolled out of bed. Gordon's breath caught in his throat as he saw trickster Anastasia in all of her splendor. He watched her as she slowly strode over, a devious look of hunger in her eyes. She kneeled beside her double and together they lowered his pants, exposing him to the elements. His breath hitched as he felt the chill caress his skin, however that was soon replaced by a warm sensation of the woman's breath. The two Anastasias hovered their mouths over his member, as he stared. One had the eyes of a devil, the other, the eyes of innocent desire. His body ignited with anticipation, watching Them stick their tongues out of their mouth and bring the tips to the base of his erection. They slowly dragged their tongues up his shaft, causing him to tremble at the sudden sensation of wet heat. The tender Anastasia moaned gently, while the trickster giggled. As they reached the tip, they lapped up fluid that leaked out. The two women exchanged it between each other as they passionately kissed each other.
"Yummy, isn't it?" Trickster Anastasia said with a smirk.
"I- I want more!" Said Gentle Anastasia, returning her mouth to his tip.
Gordon exhaled with a moan as her warm mouth enveloped him. The trickster shifted up his body and took his mouth into hers. Her kiss was passionate and feral. With one hand caressed his chest, his skin tingling along the trail and with the other, she guided his hand towards her soaked underwear. She nipped his lower lip, then kissed his jaw towards his ear.
"Touch me, Gordon" she whispered "I want you to fill me with your fingers…"
"A-ah…" he panted "Anase…"
He reaches into her underwear with a trembling hand, immediately being met with her slick moisture. As he gently inserted his middle and ring fingers, the gentle Anastasia deepthroated him, extracting a guttural groan. The trickster whimpered happily at the sudden shock of pleasure. The symphony of moans and gasps continued as the tension built. The gentle cosmos mage, unable to contain herself any longer, removed her underwear and climbed atop Gordon, looking into his deep red eyes with want. A demonic smile spread on the trickster's face as she saw her double hesitating then laid her hands on her shoulders. The gentle Anastasia looked at her clone wide eyed, then suddenly jolted as she was pushed down onto the poison mage, face twisting with ecstasy. The poison mage reacted similarly, his muscles flexing at the sensation. He could hardly take any more of the excitement and could feel the urge for release building.
"Oh, Anastasia…" The trickster said, caressing her double "I bet that feels great…"
Gentle Anastasia looked at her twin, face flushed and gasping for air in between moans unable to form words. Gordon gripped her waist, beginning to bring her down into his thrusts, hungrily pounding her deepest point. With one hand, trickster grabbed his wrist, grinding on the fingers that were inside of her and with the other, she gripped onto the hair of her gentle clone, forcefully bringing her close and wildly kissed her, muffling her screams. The three of them closed in on their climaxes, mana filled the air as they raised each other's energy to bursting. Gordon's fingers curled, reaching a point that would make the trickster squeal as her legs trembled.
"Ah Yes~!" She shouted "You're gonna make me-!"
The poison mage jolted awake, his heart pounding in his chest and a sheen of cold sweat clinging to his skin. He lay still for a moment, disoriented, the remnants of a vivid dream still playing in his mind. Two Anastasias and the glimmer in their eyes as they looked at him had danced through his thoughts, a tangled mix of allure and confusion that left him breathless and flustered. His eyes blinked open to the dim light of the sunset filtering through the forest canopy above. The rustle of leaves and distant calls of forest creatures gradually brought him back to reality, reminding him of where he was. The scent of damp earth and the babble of nearby animals anchored him, pulling him out of the dream's hazy grasp.
Gordon took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. The cool forest air filled his lungs, a stark contrast to the heat of the dream. He sat up slowly, wincing as his stiff muscles protested the movement. The forest loomed around him, vast and indifferent, a reminder that he was still very much alone in this treacherous place. He ran a hand through his hair, the dampness of his sweat still clinging to his skin. His mind lingered on the dream, the image of two Anastasias haunting his thoughts with a strange mix of longing and embarrassment. He shook his head, trying to clear away the remnants of sleep and desire. With a sigh, Gordon rose to his feet, brushing dirt and leaves from his clothes. The forest was unchanged, its challenges still ahead of him. Despite the dream's distraction, he knew he had to focus on survival and finding his way out.
Venomous Medicine - End