The healer's hut reeked of dried sage and desperation. Ivy lay shivering on the cot, her skin ashen beneath the pulsing Broken Crown sigil. Nadine loomed over the healer, dagger trembling in her grip.
"What is this curse?" Nadine asked the healer that Liora had called for us in a chilling and cold tone.
"It is one that breaks one's life force and drains them of it," the healer answered quickly, likely fearing the intense energy Nadine was giving off at this point.
"How sure are you? I don't want your baseless prescriptions." Nadine pressed further while stepping closer to the healer, maintaining her intense focus.
"Let it go, Nad. Scaring the healer isn't gonna help solve the problem." Mira interjected.
"So what is the best plan then, know-it-all? Please enlighten me," Nadine said in an oddly calm manner as she turned to face Mira.
"I don't know, I'm as angry as you are, but scaring her won't fix Ivy. Threatening the healer obviously won't get us the answer we need but might make the situation worse. For fuck's sake, Ivy is dying and you think threatening the only one who is knowledgeable about what to do or how to go about it is a good idea, huh, Nad?!!"
"Shit. I don't know either, but what else can we do?" Nadine said, anger seeping through her tone and facade. She was furious, even if she didn't show it outwardly like Mira or I did. "What will?!" Nadine hissed, her composure fracturing. "Prayers? Empty hope?"
[Host, I have an idea that might be able to save Ivy,] Elia said in my mind.
'You do? Why didn't you speak up before?' Kael questioned her.
[It has its own repercussions and disadvantages, and the results are irreversible. I wanted to wait for you to be in a better situation and state of mind before approaching you with it,] Elia explained to Kael.
'What is this method that you wish to share?' Kael asked Elia.
[During awakening, you obtained the Imprint called Legacy of the Stars—an Imprint that can forge a new lineage, a family bound by something much more. But to save her using this method, you must all surrender your humanity. This change will be irreversible, and there is also the risk of losing your humanity entirely if you go through with this. That is exactly why I didn't want to talk about it before,] Elia answered.
'Losing humanity? I don't care about losing my humanity if Ivy can be cured. Do it,' Kael hurriedly responded.
[I'm sorry, Host, but it doesn't work that way. You are in a family with Nadine, Ivy, and Mira, so unless they all agree to it, only you will transform and become something else. Also, I can't forcibly change Ivy's race without her consent as it may lead to backlash and a whole lot of other problems,] Elia stated.
'I see where the problem is then. I will ask their opinion about it now,' Kael responded to Elia in his mind.
"I'm sorry, Liora, but can you give us privacy? There is something I'd like to discuss with them. I'm really sorry, but it is very important, and to be fair, we really don't know you well enough to be comfortable sharing this vital and important information with you," Kael said to Liora.
There were different emotions in the room. Nadine seemed curious about what I had to say, Mira was more focused on Ivy's situation, likely missing what I had just said, the healer started to get up and leave, while Liora remained unfazed and calm.
She arched a brow. "Secrets already? How… human of you." Her smile didn't reach her eyes as she started to leave the room.
"I'll leave. I don't think you can trust me this easily, considering how long we have known each other. I don't mind, but I hope that we can become closer next time so that the trust between us grows, and we have no secrets to hide from each other," Liora said while walking out of the room.
"So, what is the plan about, Kael?" Mira asked, her voice laced with seriousness.
"I may have a way to save her using the Imprint I awakened during the ceremony. But there is a price to pay," I answered slowly, keeping my voice low so it wouldn't leak outside.
"Really, Kael? Is it true that you have a way to save Ivy?" Mira asked, her voice filled with excitement and hope—so different from before, when she seemed devoid of both.
"What's the catch? Is it too dangerous?" Nadine asked, skepticism clear in her voice.
"It requires all of us to contribute, and it will make us not human anymore," I answered.
"NO??! What are yo—cough... cough thi..." Ivy tried to protest but was cut off by a violent coughing fit from the sudden exertion. Her situation worsened.
"Lay flat, Ivy. Calm yourself and lay flat," I said to her.
"Will it turn us into monsters?" Mira asked.
"No. It just changes our race, but we will still be humanoid—just a better race than humans," I answered, recalling what Elia had explained.
"If that is so, then I accept," Mira said firmly.
"Let's do it. If it means saving Ivy, I'm not ready to lose another close person to me just because of that damn religion," Nadine added with determination.
"No… no. You don't have to do this for me. It might cause some harm to Kael or be a bad choice in the long run. I am nothing special, so just forget about it, o-okay?" Ivy said, tears pouring from her eyes.
"I don't want that, Ivy. Sister Kat is already dead. I don't want to lose you too. So please, for my and our selfish sake, please accept it. You're one of a kind, and you can't ever be replaced. Don't belittle yourself like that, alright, Ivy?" Mira pleaded.
"Yeah, allow us to do this for you, Ivy. You're our precious little sister," Nadine followed up.
"O-okay… I accept." Ivy finally relented.
I was overjoyed with this outcome, so I reached out to Elia.
'What should we do to start, Elia?'
[Host needs to collect the blood of all four of you, mix it together, and then use it to write your respective names on the page under Legacy of the Stars to start the process. Please note that you are prone to falling unconscious during this time, so secure your bodies.]
'How long will we be unconscious?' I asked.
[Two to four minutes, depending on each person and the time required for transformation.]
'Got it, Elia. Thanks for helping me,' I said.
[It is my duty toward you, Host,] Elia answered.
I recounted the procedure Elia had just explained. Each of us made a small cut on our hands, letting blood drip into a cup. I mixed the blood, then dipped a pen into the mixture, summoned my Codex, opened it, and started inscribing our names under Legacy of the Stars.
As I finished engraving our names, we were knocked out cold, and the room was encapsulated by the Codex to prevent disturbances—thanks to Elia.
- He was alone and had only himself, but now he has found those to call family. This legacy they shall create will be imprinted upon this world. Through their sacrifices, pains, betrayals, love, and kindness, they shall be remembered. They shall be honored. They shall hold their fate and dance with it. They shall fall, but they shall also rise. They shall be hated, yet they shall also be loved. And for him, the progenitor, his story has just begun, and his legacy shall be written along, with, on, and by the stars. - CODEX ENTRY
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspsRuQRPBh
