The Aftermath

Out of the corner of his eye, Valerian saw Mitch's unconscious form hit the ground with a thud. Standing over him menacingly with a delirious grin dripping with malice was the cause of mitch collapsing. The beast hand lazily outstretched with the last few streams of life flowing into itself from mitch's lifeless form.

Tt slowly turned to him and laughed " What are you... now without your...healer ", It croaked out, clearly not used for talking.

He was shocked, his eyes kept bouncing between it and mitch slowly filling him with a feeling of dread. He was terrified he was so used to all of their foes attacking him or Finnigan because they were the strongest of the group power-wise. He stared at Mitch's form, he looked ill his skin was extremely pale like the colour was completely drained from his skin.

He looked over toward his companions, Austin had a deep scowl laid upon his features he was mumbling a chant, seemingly channeling a powerful spell. Glancing past him he looked at Finnigan who was a wild concoction of rage and worry, he was twitchy he wanted to retaliate for what happened to Mitch. He watched a steamed began to come out of Finnigan whos form looked almost like an illusion as it flickered and danced from the heat.

He wanted to have the same rage that Finnigan had in this moment but his pride as left him with nothing but fear and confusion. He was afraid of it and its twisted form of magic, he saw what happened to Mitch and he didn't want the same fate to befall him. But he was also confused about what to do, does he stay and fight what appears to be a losing battle or does he convince the other to run and get Mitch help.

He glances back at Mitch releasing a shaky breath, he pondered form a moment he shouldn't be the one to decide this. His strong suit is his power and pride, he isn't the one to go to for logical ideas.

He hated how much he was shaking he turned to face his friends, swallowing hard " Guys I don't think we can win, we should run and get Mitch to a healer he isn't looking good " Give a glance to mitch before looking back to them, he heard a deep inhale from Austin before a pause.

Austin exhaled and stood up straight " Valerian's right Mitch isn't in good condition and I doubt we could win without him ", Austin appeared calm but he and he bet Finnigan could hear how Austin's voice shook with anger.

Finnigan looked like he was about to burst " But w-we can't we have to kill them for what they did, t-they can't get away with this! ", Finnigan screeched, bloodlust blazed in his eyes his whole body shook with pure rage.

Finnigan was about to say something again but Austin cut him off " ENOUGH... we can't win this, I want to retaliate as well but look at Mitch," Finnigan followed Austin's gaze as he continued " We have to get him help sooner rather than later ".

"Fine! " Finnigan barked back.

He looks at the two of them " We'll meet at the healer ", He said before dashing towards Mitch.

Gently he scooped up Mitch's lifeless body, holding on tightly as he felt the teleport spell whisk them away. Blinking a few times he found that he was in front of the schools' infirmary with Mitch tightly in his grip. He stood up immediately picking mitch up in a bridal carry and hastily rushing inside.

The healer grabbed Mitch out of his arms and took him to a separate room, he waited sat upon an uncomfortable chair his leg bouncing up in down with worry and impatience. Finnigan and Austin entered a few minutes later and sat either side of him.

Finnigan was still fuming but the fire seemed to have simmered down, Austin seemed to have calmed down and now his anger was replaced with worry. There was heavy tension between the three of them, he could feel it he wanted to break it but his mouth wouldn't be opened so he sat in silence.

They waited five minutes.

Fifteen.

Twenty.

In cold dead silence before Finnigan broke " Do you think he'll be ok? ", His voice was small and barely audible. both he and Austin turned towards him a sigh of relief left both as the tension began to dwindle.

Austin who was fiddling with his rode replied " I don't know, I hope so I mean mitch is stronger then he looks ", Austin said hopefully looking a Finnigan who looks like he was about to cry.

There was a short pause before Finnigan perked up " Y-ya your right mitch is stronger he'll be alright ", He said as all faith seemed to be restored for him.

Austin gave him a small smile.

Mitch is strong he'll be alright repeated in his mind he knew that he was lying to himself to keep himself from breaking down. He saw what happened unlike the other two, he was it cause its curse and watched as Mitch's life was drained.

His fist clenched his robe like it was the only thing keeping him together, he wanted to cry to scream to do something but his voice was stolen by an unknown force, blinking away the few stray tears that escaped he felt his throat tighten. He tried listening to the tired small talk that Finnigan and Austin were having but it sounded like he was underwater it was muffled and he could barely he the words.

He felt useless, he couldn't help in the fight he could help mitch then and he can't help him now all he's done was watch everything happen and he hasn't done anything except... expect.

He curled in himself hi hands clutching his head, his nails digging sharply into his scalp, slowly he moved his right hand from his head and brought it to his mouth. He bit down hard on his arm to stop himself from screaming, sobbing he didn't know.

He wanted to throw up, he wanted to mitch to be alright, he wants them to have another party, he wanted to not feel like this, he wants... H-he wants.

He couldn't hold it in anymore he body became wreaked with sobs he wept his arm muffling his sounds he felt like he was suffocating and he hiccuped.

He felt himself be pulled in close to someone, he couldn't tell who embraced him because his tears blurring his vision. He somewhat heard muffled voices before he senses at they teleported, he could tell that three people were teleported.

But he could stop the flood once the gates were open.

It took a while but eventually he calmed down he enough to tell he wasn't the only one breaking down, turns out all three of them had broken down in a cuddle pile on the floor in the middle of Austin's living room.

"H-hey should we watch a movie ", He heard one of them say, he nodded in response.

" Sure, I think we need a distraction ", He heard Austin say, he seemed to be the most collected one here.

o0o

He watches Finnigan and Valerian fall asleep somewhere before halfway through the movie before untangling himself from the cuddle pile on his couch and standing up he headed towards the bathroom.

Turning on the tap he splashed cold water in his face before facing himself the mirror " Come on Austin, the nurse said he was stabilized he going to be alright ". He sighed and splashed water again before turning the tap off and walking to his bedroom.

Upon entering his room he beelined it for his closet, gently opening the door he pushes a few boxes aside and retrieve a stuffed bear, his most trust companion Fred. He smiled and sat on his bed and placed the bear in from of him.

"Fred today day was hectic".

"..."

"When we were getting our next task from headmaster merle mitch had issues with his teleportation spell and fell from the ceiling ".

"...."

" He looked really tired, got a bloody nose when he fell and everything.

"..."

" I know I know but it gets worse... we were told to take down a group of evil beast that were kidnapping and slaughtering civilians ".

"...."

" Just wait I'm not done ".

"......"

" So we fought tons of them but then we got to the leader of them it was way more powerful and could even talk ".

"...."

" I Know crazy".

" But it used some twisted version of death magic and.. almost killed... Mitch".

"...."

" Y-yeah it drained almost all of his l-life he's in the infirmary, stabilized but on w-watch incase he starts d-dying ".

"Y-yeah he w-wont be able to leave for a while, they d-don't know when h-he'll wake up".

"...."

"You always know what to say ", He said before grabbing Fred and holding him close feeling himself begin to cry again. He fell on his side his body shaking and tears flowed down his face curling in on himself.

He stayed there for a few minutes but they felt like hours, it was agonizing but afterward, he felt a bit better.

Unfolding himself he sat back up "T-thanks Fred you're the best ", He held Fred for a bit longer feeling the warms and comfort he brought him.

" Sorry but you have to go back in the closet ".

"...."

" I know you don't like it but you have no choice,", He said before slipping Fred back into his hiding spot and shutting the closet doors, walking out of his bedroom he went to his kitchen to fix himself something calming to drink.

o0o

He was back a the battle, steam rolled off his body dangerously as his foes before him snarled and growled, he growled back. His fires felt like it was suddenly dumped in cold water as he felt the boss of the snarling beast before him appear behind, gentle caressing his arms and his got close to his ear.

It whispered in its broken voice " Finnigan Fountain... the one who can't save .. his dear friends ", he suddenly felt cold as a shiver went down his spine.

Looking down he saw his friends but all of them are in the same condition a Mitch but instead of unconscious they're dead.

He felt it grin " soo consumed with rage... that you didn't even know...Finnigan Fountain ", It then left and so did the battlefield and he was standing before three graves, flowers in his hand and dressed in black.

" You caused this ".

" Your fault ".

" They're dead because of you ".

He heard these and similar phrases echo around him, he felt the world close around him.

He woke up in cold sweat tears pouring down his face and valerian looking up at him with groggy concern his hands on his arms.

" Are you alright you were yelling in your sleep ", Valerian asked still clearly tired.

He didn't care about his a Valerian's rivalry he tackled him into a hug when valerian asked if he had a nightmare he could only nod.

He felt Austin tap of his shoulder " I'm making hot choco would you like some? ", Tempted by Austins offer he node he heard Valerian say he wanted one too.

A few minutes later and he calmed himself down and got off of Valerian who was gently playing with his hair.

Valerian looks at him and a bunch of the emotions crossed his face before he said " do ahm do you want to talk about it? ", He looked super awkward.

He contemplated over it before replying " not right now but later... ok? " He only got a nod in response.

o0o

He awoke slowly opening his eye for a second before falling asleep again this process repeated multiple times before he fully woke up. his vision was flooded with colours and tubes attaching themselves to his body hurried bodies of medical staff rushing over to him, the was a ringing in his ears. his head pounded in rhythm with the ringing, slowly it subsided enough for him to hear.

" Mr. Mitchell Mythhunter? ", One of the medical staff said.

"Y-yes ", His voice was scratchy and his mouth was very dry.

" You've been comatose for a week and three days ".