Rocketing out of my seat in the spectator area, I leap over the railing and race across the sand to her, catching her as she falls. Her blood smears across my cool cloak. “I swear I’m going to send you my cleaning bills,” I complain as I gently lay her down and begin the healing. Two broken bones, a sucking chest wound, third and second and first degree burns all over her body, a punctured eye, and three missing fingers on her left hand. Having to heal her like this makes me want to cry. Maybe I am crying.
Being Saki’s best friend kind of sucks sometimes. Just sayin’. I begin the healing. I have to cut some of her clothing away to keep her skin from growing over it. Surprised that she has any clothing left, actually. Good thing that I’m the only one here to not see it. Saki’s not especially modest with her body but she has her pride.
As I finish her healing, she grabs me in a tight hug. She’s crying. Silently of course, but I can tell. This is the seventh time today.
“Maybe it’s time to quit?” I ask.
She pounds on my back with her tiny fist and pushes me away. Standing up, she grabs me and pulls me up as well, then pushes me back toward the stands. Guess that’s a no. She said ten times and Saki never backs down. Never before and definitely not today.
As I reach my seat, she starts her eighth simulated battle in her personal Magic Training Center (MTC). A gift from the Goddess, I’m told. A cruel Goddess indeed to give something like this to Saki.
And cruel to me as well. It’s almost time for me to go to my clinic and heal the people of the city. Some of whom might be
My point is: not everyone has the same priorities as you do Saki! Have a heart!
And some of us don’t like to see our friends put themselves through so much pain and suffering. It’s painful for me even though I can’t actually see.
It hurts my heart. It really does. I won’t tell you because then you’ll feel guilty. And it wouldn’t make you change anyway.
With a sigh, I let loose with a water spike and watch as it penetrates the target dummy. Just before it starts to exit the back side of the dummy I give a twist of my wrist and form my casting hand into a fist. The water instantly superheats, turning into a concentrated ball of steam which literally explodes the target, showering the training salle with wet splinters.
Another day of training. I’m sure I could get this particular skill to a slightly higher level if I spend more time on it, but I’ve got better things to do than seek marginal gains. I grab my gear and head out.
As I arrive at the hall where the Marle Pahn group meets, I see her finishing up a match with Commander Travess. He’s one of the best tacticians I’ve ever seen but it looks like he lost this time. As they start putting their pieces away, I step up and issue my challenge.
Today, like every other day, she accepts. Meeting my eyes, she gives a smile and allows me the honor of choosing the scenario and force makeup. There are rules for determining opposing force levels. She chooses to allow a handicap in my favor, though. The condescending bitch is always a good sport like that.
She rolls her chair into position and I shiver involuntarily. For some reason, I’m always nervous and even a little frightened when I get close to her. Is that why she always wins? It might be part of it, but my newfound self-honesty forces me to admit that she is just that good as well. I learn from her, though. Someday I’ll beat her. Yeah … I’ll keep telling myself that.
At least she’ll never be able to beat me in a physical fight. That thought used to bring me comfort but now it just sounds hollow in my ears. What other tricks does she have up her sleeves?
The big man easily lifts the serving cart up and over the crack in the flooring. I always have trouble in this spot but this time someone has come to my rescue. Someone tall, dark, and handsome with muscles on top of muscles and a shy disarming grin.
It’s the Great Saint Altan. Any woman here in the Palace knows him when they see him. He’s the current great unobtainable heart-throb. According to rumor, he’s totally dedicated to training. Doesn’t see women as women at all, just people. No matter how beautiful or sexy they might be.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Every woman hates being objectified (that’s a new word, one that Addie taught me). We even talk about it. But then when a man fails to notice us as a woman, we get offended. A paradox of femininity (more new words).
I give him my best smile and thank him. He turns to walk away but then stops and turns back. “Um, excuse me but I wonder if you could help me,” he says.
This is unexpected. “Of course, Sir,” I reply.
“Have you, uh, ever seen a girl about this tall,” he indicates her height with his hand, “slender, with pale smooth skin, long straight hair down to her waist, so black it almost looks blue when the light hits it?”
“Hmm,” I put my finger to my cheek as if pondering for a moment. “Does she have a beautiful face that never shows any emotion?”
“Yes! That’s her exactly!”
“Never speaks, only looks at you with dark flashing eyes and makes you feel like deep down in your soul you’re disappointing her?”
“You do know her!”
“Nope. Sorry. Never seen her in my life,” I say. “There is rumor of a ghost, though…”
“A … ghost? Seriously?”
“Seriously. Will there be anything else, Sir?”
The Great Saint looks troubled. “No,” he mumbles, “that’s all. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Sir.” I curtsy and push my cart away. The look on the poor boy’s face. Confused and crushed and just cute as the dickens (as Miss Kari would say).
And what great gossip! The Great Saint Altan has a crush on Miss Saki! I can’t wait to tell Tara. And Lady Addie and Miss Kari as well. They’ll get a huge kick out of this news!
But we won’t tell Saki. Oh, no. We’ll have to let her bumble through this on her own. She has such a strict and proper demeanor. It’s going to be so much fun to see how she responds to romance.
I’ve changed, I think to myself as I step out into the Dungeon. It’s been what, ten weeks? Maybe less? Ten weeks since I was a complete and total wreck. Blind, fearful and totally dependent on my friends for guidance and support.
Now here I am, stepping into a Dungeon, of all things. A deadly place full of creatures which have my death as their only desire. Stepping in alone and unafraid.
This is only the first floor and I’ve been here before, but I do a thorough scan of the area. Nothing unexpected. A few rats off in the distance down one of the hallways. With a flourish, I reach into my pocket and pull out a few folded figures. Two snakes and one cat. My newest creations and the rat’s natural enemies.
I let the Spirit energy flow and they come to life, moving off without the need for guidance. My creations are a part of me; we are of one mind. At a leisurely stroll, I follow along behind them. I’m going to solo run this Dungeon. The first two floors anyway. Addie has forbidden us from going on to the third floor until we have our next Family dive.
I proceed as planned. Pulling out a few spiders along the way to provide flank security. No problems at all. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction in my training to this point. Seems like everything is going well.
As I reach the exit portal in the final room, I sense something on the floor. A letter. I pick it up and open the flap, pulling out a piece of heavy parchment which starts speaking to me. Speaking to me in Sintana’s voice…
Kari, Rio and I are running around the Palace helping Addie test out the Family Communication Boon when we hear a cry of pain. My heart leaps into my throat as I realize it’s Nix, who’s been on a solo Dungeon dive. I get to his side in minutes.
At first I can’t see what’s wrong. Physically, he looks perfectly fine. Not even mussed up from fighting. The only thing out of place is the stream of tears rolling down his face from his one remaining eye.
Then I notice that he’s clutching a piece of paper in his hand. Rushing forward, I take it from him and pull him into a hug. He grabs onto me fiercely, clearly in pain. I bring the paper up behind his back where I can see it and begin reading:
Dear Nix,
I’ve been wanting to talk to you for some time, but didn’t know how I could get you here so I wrote a letter instead. It’s not the best way to tell you this, but the only way I know how is to write a message and trust the Dungeon to get it to you.
It’s with a heavy heart that I tell you this, because I know we shared certain feelings between us. So I’ll keep it short and to the point. I’ve met someone new. Another gorgon like me. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man and he’s stolen my heart. I’m sorry, Nix. Really I am, but it’s time for me to say goodbye to you.
You were my first love and will always hold a special place in my heart. I wish you every happiness. You’re so sweet and kind and gentle. I believe that you’ll find your special someone someday.
Wishing you all the best,
Sintana
I don’t know what to say. Don’t know what I can do to help Nix through this pain. Addie arrives out of the shadows with Kari and Rio following shortly after. They read the letter but don’t know what to do either.
Our poor, innocent little brother has had his heart broken. We all share his pain as best we can, walk him back to his room and sit with him in silence. Eventually he falls asleep in my arms and we tuck him into bed. Tara and Jane don’t say anything, but I know they’ll be taking turns sitting up in his room in case he needs someone.
Of course, the cynic in me is making comments about hot elves and how they will surely aid in his quick recovery, but it’s probably a bit too early to bring that up with the others. Even as a joke.