If you have read any of my stories, especially the much bigger story that this One-Shot belongs to then you already know that I have dyslexia, and currently don't have a beta so please keep that in mind and read at your own risk!
Making Sure She Survives
(Alternate Title; Do anything to keep her alive even sacrifice themself)
_•_
There was silence other then the sound of a baby crying for a second as Atmaram, Alina, Avani, and Melaina all hovered over Lucy not quite sure what to do. All four of them to afraid of touching her in case it would cause her more pain or hurt her more.
"Move over!" Dorian hissed as he got in between his husband, and a green almost white haired woman he belived he heard her be called Avani.
Dorian put his hands lightly over the blonde woman's injury cupping them his hands as he focused. He could fill the blood in her body move with every breath she took, and the slightest of her twitches. With a study breath he lined his magic up with it, and started to work. He carefully pulled the blood that had started to fill her lung out. He then carefully used his magic to make sure her blood flowed normally as if she wasn't injured at all. He did this by copying the blood flow from her other side.
"We need the wound to close, I can't do this for long." Dorian said in all honesty, because if he did it too long there's a chance that his magic might infect and poison her blood killing her.
"I can try and stitch her wound up but, I will need strin and a needle. Even then I can't stitch somethin that deep." Avani said softly as she looked over the wound in her thick country accent, watching Atmaram's husband Dorian if she remembered his name correctly work.
"I can make a healing paste but, I need certain type of plants for that. I don't have any on me at the moment, and I don't have mortar and pestle." Melaina said looking at Lucy's wound with worry.
"We probably need some bandages as well." Alina said her face was deadpan, but her eyes swam with concern.
Tree stood signed something to Avani, before running down the stairs.
"Were is Tree going?" Atmaram asking looking at Avani for a answer from his place next to his husband.
"Going to see if they have a infirmary, if they do then Tree is going to take anythin they think we need." Avani replies before she turns to Melaina.
"What plants do you need? I can grow them for ya, but they won't be as strong as natural grow plants." Avani asked Melaina who looked surprised before she started listing plants that would be of help.
"That still doesn't change the fact that the wound is too deep, and needs a healing magic to be able to do both things." Atmaram complained as he threw his hands in the air.
"Do you know if one of her Celestial Spirits have healing capabilities?" Alina asked looking to Avani who looked thoughtful as she made the plants that Melaina required grow.
"No, but Gemini can turn into someone with healing abilities." Avani said after a moment of thinking it over.
"Okay so how do we get Gemini here?" Atmaram asked looking at the others lost, only to see they to were equally as lost.
Just then in a flash of golden light two blue blob looking people appeared. The others guess they must be Gemini, they watch shocked as the two blob looking things merged turning into a blue-haired girl.
"Piri-piri we can heal the most severe part of the injury, but we won't be able to finish it completely, due to the fact we are out on our own power." Gemini said as they crouch down next to Dorian, and their placed their hands on Lucy's injury. Their hands started to glow as they started to heal the most severe part of the wound.
Dorian relax slightly as some of the strain at keeping the blood where it should be was lessened. Just then Tree come back with more then just the needed items. Melaina rushed over grabbing the mortar and pestle from Tree with a quick "thank you", before making her way to were she had the plants she needed. Avani walked over and grabbed the needle and thread, giving Tree a head pat, before walking off a little towards the side to set up the thread and needle. Alina come cover to Tree, and started to organize the things they had grabbed.
"Piri-piri we are losing her!" Gemini yelled frantic and scared as they tried to force more healing magic on her.
"Come on Lucy we can't lose you!" Melaina said as she stops her grinding, and comes over to kneel next to Lucy, the mortar and pestle still in her hands.
"It's her soul." Atmaram said suddenly in a soft exhale as he came over.
"What do you mean it her soul!?" Melaina screeched frantically as she mixed the plants and herbs together.
"She must have suffered something horrific for her soul to be so damaged." Atmaram said sadly as he crouched down next to Lucy head.
"Can you tell what damaged her soul?" Alina asked looking up from her sorting.
Atmaram shook his head. "No only a seith mage can, I can since that's something horrific happened to it though. She has to be good at hiding it for me to not pick it up when we met or before this." Atmaram said as he lightly moved her hair out of her face, to see that she had a soft smile on her face and her eyes closed.
"We need to stabilize her soul if we want her to live." Atmaram said as he felt something clogged in his throat at her face peaceful expression.
"How do we do that?" Avani asked as she come closer to them the needle and threaded in hand.
"I know a ritual." Dorian said as he looked up at the group. "It does have side effects on all parties, and can only work if she wants to live." Dorian admitted as he looked all of them closely.
Tree shifted into their human form and signed something with their hands, before shifting back into their cat form.
"What is the ritual?" Avani translated for Tree looking at the Dorian.
"The ritual is called Four Souls Tether One. It involves four people to temporarily tether someone's soul to their own. It involves four people, because to ensures that person's soul that is being tether stays their own, and they will be able to stay true to themselves. It doesn't really matter what type of soul problem she has, as long as the problem can be fixed and heal naturally eventually even if it could be originally the chance of survival was low. As long as survival was possible the ritual will attach on to that small possibility, and increase the chances of survival immensely. The ritual will alter and change as we go on to suit the type of soul damage that needs to be stabilized." Dorian started to explain as he shifted lightly. "The side effects aren't bad per say but they're there. They people involved all five tend to trust each other a lot more after, and normally would do anything for the one who is being tethered. Also the four that do it get a mark of some kind, and the one that is being tethered would have a invisible related mark to each party. But the only way for this to work is if you guys are willing to swear your allegiance to her through anything, and most importantly if she wishes to live." Dorian finished explaining as he studied the group's expression.
"Does it mattered we haven't known her long?" Melaina asked slightly worried wondering if that would affect the ritual.
Dorian shook his head before he explained, "no as long aa you have the desire to save her, it doesn't matter how recently you met her. You could have met her five seconds ago and it would still work." Dorian explained as he looked at the woman who came to save him, and nearly dying doing so.
"So why the four of us?" Alina asked gesturing towards herself, her twin sister, Atmaram, and Avani.
"Since I'm the one who knows the ritual I will be casting it, I haven't heard er Tree? take at all, and they are using signs so I'm guessing they're mute and for this you well need a voice." Dorian said looking at Tree who nodded that letting him know that was their name, and then he looked at the others as they seem to share a look.
"How long will we be bound to her or tethered to her?" Atmaram asked looking at his husband who already knows his answer.
"It is permanent, but there are no long-term side effects. Other than the factor none of you will feel the urge or desired to betray each other, and you would do everything in your power to make sure that you don't hurt each other even by force. That also includes the fifth so it well affact all participants in the ritual." Dorian explained as he's shifted lightly in his spot covered in the blonde woman's blood.
"Piri-piri will this cause her harm? Piri-piri and will she need to consent?" Gemini asked their voice surprisingly stern, and their face serious as they looked at Dorian.
"It will not cause her harm, and it does not need her consent. For this ritual is normally only used for life and death situations, it's what it was made for. Also once more it will only take and work if she desires to live." Dorian said as he reassured the celestial spirit that the ritual would not harm their master.
"I'm doin it!" Avani said without any hesitation or fear.
"I'm in!" Melaina said as she bounced lightly in place.
"You already know I'm in dear." Atmaram said with a light nod.
Alina just nodded her head in agreement as she came closer to the group.
"Okay when your magic well leat you know what to say and when. Just lightly touch her, and please keep in mind that it might not work instantly." Dorian said getting a nod from the group.
They all kneel on one knee, one of their hands lightly touches Lucy arms, or legs two of them on each of her sides, and their other arm was laying over there bent knee. Dorian sucks in a breath as he remembered the ritual he once read as a young teen, before he releases the breath.
"To the One who soul is unbalanced and needs help to survive. These four companions are willing to become tethers. That the magic of this mage be accepting, and let her soul be willing. Take their take their oaths and bring her soul light." Dorian enchanted quietly as magic begin to feel the air.
"I Avani Amity Dracona Earth and Plant Dragon Slayer, adopted daughter of the Earth and Plant Dragon Eathmrana, vow to never abandon Lucy Lucky Heartfilia, and to stay by here side for as long as she wishes." Avani vowed softly and honesty in her voice as the magic swirl around them.
"I Melaina Bronach Devi Shadow God Slayer, daughter of Marilyn Phoebe Devi more commonly known as Raven, and Ace Jack Devi more commonly known as Crow, vow to never abandon Lucy Luck Heartfilia, and stay by here side for as long as she wishes." Melaina vowed honestly as she forced herself not to bounce, as more magic filled the air.
"I Alina GiasoneDevi Light God Slayer, daughter of Marilyn Phoebe Devi more commonly known as Raven, and Ace Jack Devi more commonly known as Crow, vow to never abandon Lucy Luck Heartfilia, and stay by here side for as long as she wishes." Alina vowed somberly but honestly as even more magic filled the air causing their hair to sway and the pressure of it.
"I Atmaram Jinsha Puck Soul Devil Slayer, son of Chieftain Vincent Matthew Puck, and Chieftainess Rossiella Annamarie Puck, vow to never abandon Lucy Luck Heartfilia, and stay by here side for as long as she wishes." Atmaram vowed as the magic in the air started to move rapidly around them.
"The oaths have been given, the tethers have spoken. Wish to live in you shall Broken One. So mote it be!" Dorain finished the ritual and say light burst of magic happened.
When the light cleared nothing seemed to change at first. Then all four with the hand that was not touching Lucy went up and cupped their left ear, all four hissing in discomfort.
"Piri-piri she is stabilizing!" Gemini said with clear excitement in their voice.
There was relaxed silence at the knowledge that Lucy would be okay. They removed their hand from their ears.
"Is there something behind my ear?" Avani ask as she moved her head, and bent her ear so they could see what was their.
"It looks like a yellow club." Atmaram responded before moving his head then bent his ear.
"It looks like a emerald colored spades." Avani responded with her being asked.
Atmaram and Avani both looked over at Alina and Melaina. Melaina was bouncing lightly in place once more. She looked over at her sister who turned her head and bent her ear.
"It a diamond in the color silver!" Melaina said with a bounc as she leaned over to get a better look. "Know! what do I have?" Melaina asked tilting her head to the side and bending her ear.
"It is a black heart." Alina responded as she leaned in to get a better look before leaning back.
There was relax silence as the group sat around Lucy in a loose imitation of a circle. Melaina started to grind the plants in mortar and pestle once more. Dorian kept Lucy's blood flowing properly, and would continue to do so until it was stitched and bandage closed. Avani just sat there with Tree in their exceed form on her lap. Alina was sitting with her eyes closed as she thought about something.Atmaram was resting his head on Dorian's shoulder wanting to keep him as close as possible. It was quiet as they did their own things, but then there was baby screaming from the back room, startling everyone.
"I literally forgot there was a baby here." Melaina said as she face pond, after she had finished making her paste.
"I'll go and take care of her." Atmaram said as he goes to stand.
"Wait leat me bandage your hands, and take care of those acid burns." Melaina said as she walked over with the mortar and pestle. "Come over here to make it easier." She continued as she sat next where her sister had organized the medical supplies that Tree had gotten.
Atmaram sighed before doing so, he just noticed how bad his hands were hurting. He sat down in front of Melaina. Melaina put the mortar and pestle down next to her, and lightly grabbed his hands to examine them.
"This type of paste is for any tpye of injury. It helps with preventing infections, and soothing any pain. Luckily for you these type of acid burns won't scar." Melaina explained as she examined Atmaram's hands closely, before carefully putting on some of the paste, and bandaging them.
"I didn't know you were a healer?" Atmaram asked slightly confused on how she knew this but couldn't help Lucy more.
"I'm a herbalist I use plants and herbs to heal others, but a injury like Lucy has is something I can't help much with." Melaina explain before she looked him in the eyes. "Do you have any other injuries? We might as well take care of them now." Melaina asked looking him over for any more injuries.
"Nothing more then small cuts and scrapes, they don't really need to be bandage or anything." Atmaram responded only to get a head shake from Melaina.
"They might not need to be bandaged, but they least need to be cleaned, and I get to decide if they need to be banaged or not." Melaina said with her voice and eyes stern surprising Atmaram, Avani, and Tree who haven't seen this side of her till now.
"Mela takes healing others to the best of her ability quite seriously." Alina said simply as she looked down at her leg that was starting to hurt badly.
Atmaram leat Melaina clean all of his cuts and scrapes, and let her put band-aids on the one she thought would need it.
"Know go take care of that of Qadira. Ali come cover here so I can take care of that leg of yours." Melaina said looking at Atmaram with a kind smile before giving her sister a glare.
Atmaram hurry to the background as Alina carefully made her way over to her sister. "Once you are done with my leg, talk me through the steps of taking care of your nose, cut next to your eyebrow, and any other wounds you have." Alina requested of her sister getting a nod of agreement from her.
_•_
Atmaram walked into the room to see a one year old baby girl, with short teal short hair on top of her head, yellow eyes, dark skin littered with lighter warm skin tone patches. Qadira was wearing a yellow onesie.
"Know what is bothering you little one?" Atmaram asked kindly as he carefully picked up the baby.
_•_
"Piri-piri have to go we are to low on magic. Piri-piri we healed the worst of it, she'll live as long as it is stitched and she doesn't reopen the stitching. Piri-piri" Gemini said before they disappeared in a flash of golden light.
Avani who's arm was bandaged by Melaina carefully started to stitch the wound. "I need to stitch the one on her back, can ya light her for me? Avani asked looking up at Dorian who did so carefully not to hurt Lucy more.
Avani sat back once she was done. "That the best I can do. It's not perfect cuz she's not an animal." Avani said with a light shake of her head.
"Late me put some paste on it then we can bandage her up." Melaina said as she walked over and crouched down to start to rob the paste in lightly.
_•_
Atmaram come back into the room with a happy, quiet, sleeping baby. "The noise seem to have woken her from her nap, but she's fine know." He said as he walked over to the others who were around Lucy.
Atmaram notice that all of her minor injuries, and cuts are now cleaned and those that needed it bandaged.
"We aren't going to tell her about the ritual are we?" Alina asked looking at the others who shared look.
"No at lest not right know, I think it might be related to her chest pains, and she's not quite ready to know what is causin that yet. So for know we won't tell her, but we will one day." Avani responded as Tree snuggled into her side, the others nod at their heads in agreement.
"How did you manage to stop her bleeding, and get the blood out of her lungs?" Melaina asked one of the questions that has been nagging at her for a while, but wanted to wait to ask it when things were more calm.
"I am a Water and Blood Spirit Slayer, to my knowledge and the last type of my Slayer." Dorian answered as he looked around the room, and realizing just how destroyed it was.
Lucy made a slight groaning noise as she shifted lightly.
"Lucy can ya hear me?" Avani asked as she looked Lucy over.
"We should let her rest for the time being, when she's ready she'll awake." Melaina said softly looking Lucy over as well.
"Then should we move her somewhere more comfortable, or off the floor, or at least less bloody." Atmaram asked looking at Lucy with concerned eyes.
"I don't recommend it not until she's awake at least. We do not know if she has any eternal injuries that could be worsen if we move her." Melaina said as she started to bounce in place as she looked at Lucy.
After that the group talked quietly to each other as they waited for her to wake. When she set up with a quick panicked breath, Dorian lightly touched her arm in hopes of calming her and getting her attention.
_•_
Word Count =
Targeted Amount: 1000
Amount Reached: 3,408
So if we add this with chapter 5 and chapter 6- (Which if you don't know is supposed to be one giant chapter, but I had to split in two do to the app I write on saying that it was too long so.) Then the total words that these three chapters would have is 12,521 word total. That is a lot, I hope none of the others I do turn out this long. But I know myself well enough not to keep my hopes up...
Also please give me tag suggestions if you have any so I make sure I label this correctly!