REN
I didn't mind that she was angry. I couldn't. I was very angry of how she played with me, with us. I really thought she was in danger. I couldn't bear to think of that happening. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and focus on the task at hand.
We walked in the bar quickly and found a family of three lounging on the couch eating some burger. All three of them looked at us, panic slowly morphing on their faces, well only the two adults. I can't seem to see the baby's face.
Shit. Baby.
The man shakily said, "Who are you? Where's Nina?"
"Are you going to take my baby away?" the woman asked in unison.
I sighed and said to Ling, "Go get Nina."
I looked back at the couple and said soothingly, "It's okay. We are mages from Agrissi - "
"Give me a proof that you are from Agrissi!"
Why are they so apprehensive? What did Nina tell them?
Cellon stepped forward to try to coax them to answer.
"Sorry, but we do not have something to prove our identity. But we promise you, we mean you no harm. We are friends with Nina. I am Cellon and this is Ren. Nina said that you need to go to Agrissi."
The man plopped down on the sofa after standing over to protect his family.
"I know. I can feel that you are good people. It's just that, we're on edge right now. Still shaking from that attack."
Cellon and I shared a look. Another attack? It was just over a month after that attack with Nina.
We both took our seats in front of them and started to ask some questions.
"So," Cellon began. "Tell us what happened."
"I'm Dior. And this is my wife, Selena. We are mages from Deraniel."
"Deraniel? Wow! I can't believe it," Cellon cooed.
I looked at him questioningly which he answered with a shy expression.
"Sorry Ren. It's just that Deraniel is coined as the City of Healing. It is where advances in healing magic are created, well due to their geography. And - "
"Okay enough Cellon," I said, silently grinding my teeth. "Additional information for later. For now, the main ones."
I can feel a headache coming and the absence of Nina aggravates it.
Dior looked at us both then continued speaking, "So, it was just a couple of weeks ago that are city has been attacked by magical beasts of all ages. Our barrier has been weakening for so long due to the absence of a Great Mage."
"You do not have a Great Mage?" Cellon asked in disbelief.
Dior sighed and nodded. "It has been occurring for quite some time. When a Great Mage is born, he/she acquires a certain disease that no healer could heal. We conducted research about it but to no avail. As soon as they reach puberty, their magic bursts out of their skin, obliterating their whole body.
"So, the one who leads us now is someone in the Commander rank. But it is never enough. So anyway, when the beasts attacked, we couldn't really do anything because we weren't trained to fight. We were seasoned healers, not fighters.
"We decided to split up and find neighboring magical cities to take us in. We know we won't be turned down for healers are very sparse in some cities. Selena and I decided to head here, as it is the nearest one. We knew she was expecting.
"Upon reaching here, we couldn't find your city. And Selena was entering labor. We were left with no choice but to stay in an abandoned house in the outskirts of the human town and help my wife safely deliver the baby.
"Then Nina arrived at the house saying we need to get to Agrissi asap before something happens. Just when we were inside the car, an adult minotaur slammed the car and threw us a few meters back."
I noticed Selena clenching her fists, fear still written all over her face. Both Dior and Selena shook in their seats.
I looked at Cellon, begging for him to do something. He nodded in a beat and cast a glowing light over them, the Healing Touch.
It was Cellon's own spell that enables the receiver to relax their mind and clear them of any negative thoughts.
Dior and Selena sighed and smiled gratefully. "Nice touch," Selena said, then nudged her husband to continue recounting the events.
"Well, after that, Nina told us to hide and that she'd face the minotaur alone. Truly, I was afraid for her. Very few mages can face head on an adult minotaur, much less come out victorious and live. She was a blur against that evil giant, but she killed it."
Dior and Selena both had tears glistening at the sides of their eyes. I was a little creeped out. It was as if their minds and hearts are in sync.
I spoke to break the creepy silence, "Then she brought you here?"
"Yes," Selena replied. "She said she'd take us to a safe place before someone with spatial magic will take us inside Agrissi. By the way, where is she?"
I clenched my fists, my face still devoid of any emotion. "We met her outside. She says she'll stay there to breathe some fresh air. Ling would probably persuade her to come back in," I said matter-of-factly.
"Or not," Cellon croaked out beside me.
I turned around and saw Ling walking in alone. He shook his head, maybe signaling Nina doesn't want to come in or she's not even there.
I sighed. What's with moody girls. I looked back at the couple and Selena looked at me pleadingly, "Would you go and tell her that we owe our family's lives to her? And please check on her. I felt she received some damage facing that minotaur."
My heart tightened. She was injured? I need to go look for her.
"Ling," I ordered. "Take them inside Agrissi."
"Dior, Selena, please feel at home inside Agrissi. Although it's a bit chaotic there right now because of an attack earlier, rest assured that everything would be back to normal in no time. Barrier has been strengthened ten-fold. You'll be safe."
And with that I went outside, Cellon following close by.
"Ren, where are you going? We should go back to Agrissi together with them."
I looked at him angrily, "Nina is injured! I need to find her."
Cellon backed a step from my outburst and raised his hand, "Okay, okay. Just chill dude. I'll go with you."
I looked out to the dazzling lights of the city to calm my racing heart, answering him with my mind wandering. "You can go back home with them."
I heard a snort, "No way. Can you heal her?"
I looked at my best friend and replied, "Fair point. So, where do you think we should start looking?"
"First things first, I need to increase your energy. Your mana is almost depleted. Now sit down," Cellon said like a boss.
I sighed and slouched my back, "Okay boss, but make it quick."
He replied with a thumbs up.