Clank

Clank

Thud

“Shut up. You’re noisy!”

“Leo! You are awake! Thank the heavens.” A familiar high pitched voice yelled.

I brought my arm over my eyes and let my other hang down the side of whatever I was on. Is this a bed? Why is it so damn hard?

“The heavens played no part in my health. I’m pretty sure they are waiting ever so graciously for my return into death's embrace.”

“Do you ever stop being so creepy? And what is with that morbid sentence, did you hit your head harder than expected?” Leah babbled.

Sigh. There she goes again, that non-stop talking. Take me back to my slumber.

I tuned her out, hearing her go on and on about being worri—

“I said,” Leah yelled, “get up!”

The bottom of my covers grew hot. I could smell something burning, sigh, that idiot. I didn’t even need to open my eyes to know she was messing with me.

I brought my hanging hand up and sprayed out Ice Mist. A cone of freezing ice showering little particles from my fingertips and covering whatever that was in front of me like a snowcone.

“Okay! E-enough.” Leah stuttered, teeth chattering.

I smiled. I guess she does somewhat amuse me.

I opened my eyes, seeing the brown wooden walls and ceilings. I placed my hands to my sides and pushed, trying to prop myself up. I felt my body aching all over, a painful surge coming from my abdomen.

I glanced down and could see my shirtless body covered with white bandages all around my torso. A giant blood splotch stained on the bandage over my stomach.

My arms were also wrapped, I could sense my mana in disarray. The mind and physical are connected in one’s body. If I took any more damage, I do not know if magic would still be able to run through me.

“Quite a mess, huh?” Leah mumbled.

I lifted my head and looked straight to see the blue-haired girl covered in her own bandages.

She was wearing my school blazer which was way too oversized for her. I could see the bandages wrapped around only her chest, showing off her lean physique. Impressive for a princess. I’m amazed everyday.

She stared blankly at my face for a few seconds, then glanced down to her body.

“Stop ogling me!” She yelled, pulling the blazer in to cover her exposed skin, “First you wake up grumpy, then you turn into a pervert.”

I gave her the ‘are you stupid’ look again, pointing at her. “Why are you covered in bandages and why are you in my blazer.”

“I don’t know any mending spells and my own is ripped up over there.” She said confidently, gesturing to the round table in the middle of the room.

Why is she acting all confident? Proud to have taken a hit? Should we award her with a medal?

I turned back to Leah, flicking my finger to lift Leah up by the blazer.

“Leo! Not again! I’ll seriously unleash my wrath upon you.”

I turned her around in the air to get a look at what I really wanted to see. Her back scarred with the four claw wounds that the Manticore gave her. I gritted my teeth and dropped her back onto her seat. Why didn’t my time spell work earlier?

“I’m seriously going to find a way to counter that damned spell. I fear for my body.” Leah muttered, buttoning up the blazer to the collar.

I looked around the small room. There were open cabinets above a sink filled with dirty dishes. A bunch of clothes laid on the floor with books also scattered around in any direction you looked.

“Where are we? Have you broken in and thrashed someone else’s home.” I asked, smelling the weird odor lingering in the room.

“That’s rich. Talk badly about the person who literally saved your life. Should I just undo my restoration spell?”

A door slammed and out walked a witch dressed in open violet robes. Purple curled hair and high heels… I’m no whiz at fashion, but what kind of event is she dressed for? Has our kingdom finally started enlisting a Valkyrie for war?

I laid my hand to my side, hidden from her, pooling mana to my palm in case this person poses a threat.

“Take it easy, I wouldn’t fight an injured person. I rather them be at their fullest.” she licked her lips, pulling out a wand and flicking it to enlarge the bed I laid on and jumped on beside me.

I looked at Leah and tilted my head towards the Nymph beside me.

“Her name’s Nysa, she has been treating yours and my wounds for over a day. Don’t make her regret it.” Leah scolded.

What is this scene? I’m being scolded by the princess and being held hostage by some Nymph. Have I wandered into one of those fairy tales where we end up having an all-out battle.

I glanced back at the Nymph and all she did was give a creepy smile.

Sigh. “So, my question still stands. Where are we?”

“Wynminster Forest.” said Leah, pointing her finger at the bed, enlarging it even more.

She squinted at me like I did something wrong. Sigh. Maybe that fall took the rest of her IQ along with it.

“Is there a nearby town? One with a church.”

“I didn’t take you as a man of faith.” said Nysa, scooting closer to cover the distance Leah added.

“I’m not. I just need the hands of a healer. These wounds are healing too slowly. Over a day yet I still feel this much pain.”

“Hm, hm. Well I am sorry my magic was not enough for you my lord,” Nysa mocked, “though, it will be hard to find anyone who can cure the poison inside of you.”

Poison?

“Poison? Did you poison me?”

I visualized lightning and flicked my finger up, causing a bolt of electricity to strike down at her. However, the lightning bolt turned to bubbles upon making contact with the Nymph.

Tsk. A Guardian barrier.

She smiled an even wider smile than before. “Don’t be so hasty, the poison is not potent enough to kill you right away. You can try the neighboring city here —.”

I covered my body in ice and stood up from the foot of the bed.

“Leo, your wounds will open up.” Leah said with worry in her voice.

I walked towards the door and grabbed the jacket on the table. I could hear the shuffling from behind me, Leah thanking the Nymph then proceeding to run to me.

“Leo, don’t just leave me.” She scolded again.

I didn’t care whether she stayed or followed me like a lost puppy at this point. The only thing I cared about was not dying before reaching the top of that bloody tower.