"Alright," said Van, "Well, get that tooth ready, is it still hot?"
"Only a little," said Nu holding her palm over it.
"Let me recharge it, yeah?" Van said
Nu handed it over, placed Leonette against a wall, and began to enchant the tooth. The bone flared up with new life and Vandal felt faint. One side of his head began to throb and his knees gave out from under him.
"Damn it," cursed Van, falling in his palms.
"Van!" screamed Nu as she kneeled to his height, "are you hurt?"
"No, no ... " muttered Van, "I ... I shouldn't be doing this too much, I hate to admit. This enchanting process draws from the person. Perhaps you understand?"
I hate being seen like this. Look at me on my knees and sweating in front of Nu.
As they walked two this tower-like structure, Van scooped up some ingredients for conjuring Banfrow. He scooped up dirt from the road, peeled off some bark from a dead tree, and found a dead rat in a trash can. It was a little trick battle mages, battle mages with a particular liking in fire and explosions, used in the field when they were far from a Temple of Ios. The powder he made wouldn't be of high quality, but it was better than nothing. Besides, the excellent powder in the tiny leather bag was only enough for a few shots.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrKHaq19SW
After conjuring up two fistfuls of Banfrow, his vision seemed to swim, and now he regretted powering up the tooth at right this moment.
Nu offered to help him stand, but he waved her off not unkindly.
"Don't worry about me," Van said, "let's get the door open."
Nu nodded and brought the burning point of the bone to the hinges. Once they started to glow, Van swung, striking them and making the door come loose. Together they dragged the door out of the way and headed up the stairs.
Van halted at the steps, holding his head. It was as if though a hammer had struck a nail into his brains. A drop of blood fell from one nostril and spattered his boot
Van tried to hide it, but Nu noticed him wince.
"Please," implored Nu, "please let me help you."
She is too kind, Van thought, what if she gets herself killed because of me?
Van nodded his consent. Nu twisted the top off a water bottle, poured some of it into her hand. She seemed to murmur something as she wiped his brow.
Mama? Vandal thought he heard her say, is this some kind of prayer to her mother? Is this how she heals us?
The pain in his head vanished. Not only that, but his mind felt clearer.
"Better?" asked Nu.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4f52xVeje
"Yes," Van said returning a smile, "my thanks."
They rushed up the steps, not wanting to keep Senshi waiting if she had already flown up there. Perhaps Jayden had beat them as well.
Van thought about his other two companions as they made their way up what seemed like endless stairs.
Jayden. The man was a mystery to Vandal. He trusted him, to be sure, but not fully. That little box he held perplexed him. It would make a noise and Jayden would look at it, only to vex him when he looked at it. Passing by several shop windows that sold clothing, Vandal guessed that Jayden's realm wasn't too different from this wasteland of a town. He also knew what those dark creatures were called. Umbras ... what do they want and where do they come from? Could Jayden be ... no, he fought alongside us.
Van looked up at Nu, wondering if she had the same suspicions, but now was not the time, Van felt.
Senshi. Van's thoughts wandered to their winged companion. Just leave me alone. Let me die ... she had said. It amazed Van to see her such a state. What tragedy befell that one, one so great as to cripple a being so great and powerful? A sad smile made its way on Van's lips. Love. Van assumed, his thumb brushing over the engraving that spelled the name "Leonette" on the barrel. It must have been over love ...
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