Dean paced back and forth outside the healing room. His hand tugged at his beard—several hairs came off landing on his blood-stained robe—as he shot glances towards the closed doors. At moments, he had tried to rush in and check on their condition, but several disciples had stopped him. They continuously urged him to sit and calm down. He couldn’t. Not after what he saw.

It had been more than thirty minutes since he brought them, yet the gruesome sight in the training ground still lingered in his mind. Brin swimming in a pool of blood, missing chunks of meat on his arms. His skin peeled back, left cheek sunken in and broken. And…that haunting smile.

Dean shivered. Stop thinking about that. He told himself, but couldn’t help but return to that image. At first, he had thought Brin was dead, but surprisingly his vitals had been strong. A man with the same wounds would have died. Something is wrong with him. Bloodverne. He shook his head clear of that thought.

Some said the Bloodverne was a great blessing; others said it was the worst curse a man could have. The legends stated that long ago there was a great sect that consciously afflicted each of their members with the Bloodverne. For not only did it enhance their senses, but aided them greatly in their cultivation.

Unlike other practitioners, their cultivation path had been unique. They refined their bodies at first like fighters; yet, they never gathered qi until years later in their refinement. The conditions and requirements on how they managed it were obscure, but at one point they would gather qi and their power would soar. Soared into heights only dreamed of by fighters. It was this same power that caused their downfall.

The few records remaining stated that the other sects grouped together to eradicate them. They preached that they were cursed; maddened by the disease as other who tried using it to enhance themselves would end up in a murdering spree and in the end, take their own lives in the most bloodied of ways. They refused all accusations arguing that the people who ended dead just didn’t know how to control the Rush—as they called it.

Dean tried remembering the rest of the story, but it just slipped his mind. The symptoms of the Bloodverne, however, were fresh in his mind. He knew of the benefits it brought, but no matter what others believed, Dean was sure it was a curse—he had seen it first-hand.

It had consumed and driven Elsa mad to the point that only a dark twisted shadow remained. They had tried to help her, but she had only attempted to kill them. It had grown so bad that she had to be restrained—for her and the baby’s safety. That failed to save her, however, it did save the baby.

Brin.

Dean recalled the symptoms, they had been similar to what he’d seen at the training ground. Self-harm. Irrational emotions. He thought. Black eyes. He didn’t want to believe that Brin was infected, but the symptoms were there. I have to inform the higher ups immediately.

It was his duty, yet his feet refused to leave the Medicine Hall. He needed to know that Kael was safe first. His wounds had been just as severe. From what Dean could tell, Kael’s right leg was damaged so badly that he might lose it. No, he can’t. Dean told himself. He will get better. I haven’t failed my promise Ian. Unconsciously. he approached the wooden door that led to Kael’s room.

"Elder Dean, please wait patiently." A disciple said, begging. "we can't have you do what you did when you arrived."

He glanced to his right. Four disciples, in white robes, were still cleaning the storm he had caused when he brought them. Shattered doors, stone and broken tile floors still littered the room.

How could they still care over such trivial things? He wondered. He pushed the disciple away and continued forward. He needed to see Kael. He was done waiting.

"Elder, if you interrupt the healer it might cause side effects on the patient." The disciple said.

Dean stopped giving a frustrated sigh and returned to his pacing.

The door finally opened and a figure dressed in white--hair trimmed short and kind eyes—walked out.

"Robin, is Kael alright?" Dean asked.

"Calm down, Dean." Robin said in a soothing voice. "Let's sit down and talk about it."

"Is he fine?!"

"Yes, Dean. He is not in any danger."

The heavy mountain on his shoulders and constant stabbing in his heart finally released. He faltered almost falling.

Robing caught Dean. "Come on. Let's sit down and talk." He said.

Dean complied and sat.

"I'm already sitting." He said, looking at Robing hesitating. "Out with it."

"Kael…" he said, sighing. "There is a ninety percent chance he will not walk on his right leg ever again."

The stabbing returned. Dean's heart felt as if it was being cut apart piece by piece. His hands trembled.

"A-are you sure?" He asked.

"Unfortunately, yes."

No, this isn't happening. Dean told himself. Kael...no it can't be true. He tightened his fist bringing it down on the chair next to him, turning it to dust.

"Dean. Control yourself!" Robin said, slapping him.

The stinging pain brought him back a bit. He nodded and walked towards the room.

"Where is my son?" a high-pitched voice broke the silence in the room.

Dean glanced sideways, towards the sound. Sal stood, his grey robe disheveled and hair a mess. His naturally sunken eyes made him look like he hadn’t sleep well in years.

"Elder Sal, your son is fine, there’s nothing to worry about." A disciple said.

"Fine? I get called in the middle of the night by a messenger saying that my son is nearly dead. And you say it's nothing to worry about. Get the hell out of here."

A hard slap sent the poor disciple crashing to the wall. Blood and teeth splattered the floor as other disciples moved away.

"Stop this now." Robin commanded, appearing almost instantly next to Sal slapping him.

"Y-you dare slap me. Bastard I wil-"

"You will sit down and wait.” Robin said. “This is my domain and you won’t cause trouble. Now if you excuse me, I will go take care of the disciple you almost killed. Also, I will inform the Council of what you did. Expect retribution for almost killing a sect member."

Sal cringed back, swallowing his anger and stomped towards a chair, but stopped when he saw Dean.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Dean ignored him. He didn't have the energy to deal with him. You have to let him know of what you saw Dean. A voice rang in his head. Brin is infected with the Bloodverne.

"Don't ignore me." He said, walking to him.

“Sal, we need to talk.” Dean said.

“First you ignore me and now you say we nee-“

“It’s about Brin.” Dean said. Sal’s face filled with rage at being interrupted, but worry filled it as soon as he mentioned Brin. He may be the most hated elder, Dean thought, but he cares for Brin like I care for Kael. “I was the one who found him in the training ground. Everything I saw points that he’s infected with the…Bloodverne.”

Sal trembled as the color of his skin turned whiter than the walls. His eyes went wide with disbelief and he shook his head. “No.” he murmured. “No. Dean, you must have seen wrong. My son is not sick.”

“Sal, he-“

“He is not sick!” Sal said, raising his voice. “If you mention this again I will kill you.”

Before Dean could utter anything, the door to Brin's room opened, a female walked out, her hands still bloodied.

"Nori, what happened to my son?" Sal yelled, rushing to the woman.

"Not here, Sal." She said. "Follow me."

Dean watched as they headed off into a room. Well, it’s better that she is the one to break it to him. He thought, sighing. Nori was one of the few elders that got along with Sal. When he had gotten here with the boys she immediately headed off with Brin into the room. While he had to wait until Robin arrived to heal Kael. It was understandable though. Brin's wounds were the worst and he needed immediate help.

As Dean headed to Kael’s room, the door to Nori's study burst opened and enraged Sal ran to him.

“Lying piece of shit.” Sal said, grabbing towards his neck.

Immediately, Dean shifted, dodging the grad and countered. “What do you mean?” Dean said.

“My son isn’t sick, you bastard. You are making shit up to protect that bastard’s son.”

Sal rushed at him again, throwing several punches. Dean dodged all, but didn’t fight back. “Calm down Sal. I’m not protecting Kael. I know what I saw.”

“Shut up.” Sal said. “Nori told me Brin is fine. He is not sick, but he was almost killed by that twisted kid.”

“Kael only defended himself.” Dean insisted.

“Defend himself?” Sal yelled. “You call tearing chunks off my boy’s arm and skinning him alive self-defense? I’ll show you.”

What is he talking about? Dean thought. The wounds were clearly self-inflicted. He shot a glance at Nori, but she evaded his gaze. No, it can’t be. Why would she lie?

As he was distracted, a punch landed on his jaw and sent him flying back. Dean flipped in the air and landed with a crouch. Sal, glided towards him gathering qi in his arms. Preparing to an Art.

“Fool.” Dean screamed. “You want to destroy the hall?”

Sal continued to gather energy causing symbols to surround his hands. The qi immediately transformed into a ball dark blue flame. Fuck. Dean cursed. Why is he using his most powerful Art?

Dean quickly formed symbols in the air, spelling out the runes for his Defense Art. Dean’s speed in creating the runes was faster, but he only managed to finish his art when the flame ball Sal created had expanded into a mini sun. Dean’s energy covered the sun and encased it. He willed more energy—creating more runes—adding several layers to the shield. Still, the air heated and tore the atmosphere with a loud explosion, the walls and the floor started melting by the intense heat. Sweat fell from Dean’s body like a waterfall as he strained his shield to shrink.

Sal continued to add qi into the sun, fighting against Dean’s shield. He ignored the surrounding wails and destruction staring directly into Dean’s eyes. Suddenly, Robin appeared and poked several parts on Sal’s body—sealing his qi. Sal grunted by the sudden attack and fell to the ground paralyzed.

Dean took a deep breath as he shrank the mini sun into nothingness and nodded towards Robin. The Blue Sun Art caught him so suddenly he had wasted more energy than he would have used if he had expected it. Thankfully, he was at his First Mending and Sal was still a Fracturer. The difference was large enough that he would have won in the end, but Robin’s intervention had prevented more damage.

“Sal, what the hell do you think you are doing?” Robin asked, his voice no longer soothing, but instead booming with power.

“T-that bastard. He's lying about my son.” Sal managed to utter, still paralyzed.

“I don’t care what happened between you two.” Robin said. “But do you really think I would stand here doing nothing as you destroy everything and possibly kill someone.”

“I-I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“I don’t care Sal. I will inform the Council immediately. You know the rules apply to everyone. Whether they are thinking straight or not.” Robin said, reaching down and poking him several times. “Now, go and spend time with your son like you should have been doing.”

"This is not the end.” Sal glared at Dean. “I will see to it that that bastard gets expelled from the sect. No, better yet executed for attacking my son. Expect to hear from the Discipline hall and Council soon."

He then, walked into Brin’s room. Nori followed after him. Why would she lie to Sal? Dean asked himself. Can’t she see all the trouble she caused? Could this be a ploy to get rid of me and Kael? He knew that Sal hated Kael for what Ian, Kael’s father, did to him. In a way, he also hated Dean for stepping into the Mending Realm with Ian’s help. I’ll figure and sort this out later. He sighed and turned to Robin.

“Thanks for the assist Robin. Your mastery over the human body has reached greater heights.” Dean said, praising. “Just a few taps and you could seal and paralyze and Eighth Fracturer.”

“No need for thanks.” Robin said, shooting him a glance. “In fact, I think you will be cursing me tomorrow when the Council calls you.”

“Wha-“

“It’s your fault this whole mess started. So you also have to bear responsibility.” He held up his hand. “Save your explanations for the Council. I have to go take care of my patients then write a report about tonight’s events. Now, go check up on Kael, while you have the chance.” With that, Robin turned and went deeper into the Medicine Hall calling out orders and checking rooms.

Dean sighed and walked into Kael’s room.

##

Kael awoke to the sound an explosion and an intense rise in heat. The air burning at him as he tried to make sense of what was going on. Where am I? Kael wondered. And why is it so hot? He panicked, the last thing he recalled was reaching Dean’s place, but now he was tied to a bed, wrapped in bandages and sweating madly.

Soon he could make out two voices—he knew very well—arguing. Sal and Dean. He thought attuning his ears to hear the conversation, but couldn’t make out anything but gnarled mumbling.

The commotion died down and the door to the room opened.

Dean entered with a haggard expression, his robes stained with blood and his beard was missing patches of hair—the tips burnt. Kael had so many question but he pushed them down.

"Are you okay, Kael?" he asked, smiling warmly.

Kael nodded. He felt no pain, in fact, he didn't feel anything besides heat.

"I can't feel my body. It’s all numb. Although, I do feel so stuffy from the heat." He said.

"It's the anesthetic effect of the herbs. It will pass after a while. As for the heat that was Sal’s fault. We fell into an argument and he used one of his Art, but it wasn’t that important." Dean said, sitting next to him and ruffling his hair. "You had me worried.”

So that was what all noise was. Kael thought.

"Is Brin alright?”

"He is." Dean said, sighing. "He will get the best healing treatment so there is no worry.”

"That's great, I thought I hurt him too much. He seemed…"

"What happened exactly?"

Kael took a deep breath and recounted the events as best he remembered. His hands shivered when he mentioned the way Brin acted. It was painful and terrifying thinking about it. The eyes. The blood. The smile.

"You did what you had to, Kael. You defended yourself and your beast." Dean said, holding his hand tight.

"Is the rabbit okay?" Kael asked, suddenly remembering that it was hurt badly.

"It..." Dean hesitated, “it is stable at the moment, but it might die."

"Can't we use some sort of medicine to heal it."

"Kael. They have used third grade medicine—the highest the sect will allow—in order to heal it. Whether it survives is up to its will."

"Can I go see it?"

"You can," Dean said. "Once you get discharged…but there is a more important thing to discuss.”

Kael looked at Dean. He had a sadness in his eyes and was hesitating to say anything.

“What’s wrong?”

“Kael,” Dean said, sighing and grabbing his hand tightly. “you might lose your right leg.”