Not one minute had passed when the elven knights and the adventurer Sead suddenly charged to try and rescue Naell. Yet upon fully stepping into the vicinity of Leviathan's aura, they were all met with a nauseating sensation far worse than what they imagined from afar.
Immediately, their minds grew clouded as the aggressive aura masked not only their senses, but even their capacity to judge how foolish their actions were in that moment. None of them had even sensed that help was already on its way, and that rushing into the fight would bring unnecessary peril. Yet all of that was a display of the monster's powerful aura, and its innate ability to taunt.
Now, they were all to suffer, for within that distance not even one leap was needed for the Sea King to have an elven feast.
"How kind of you all to make this easier for me." Leviathan said before he clawed at the air, producing a chaotic aura that forced its way across the sand.
Naell heaved as a piercing sound followed by the smell of blood permeated the air. He was trying his best to remain awake, yet neither the sound of the sea king's laughter nor the cries of adventurers and knights alike were able to lift his fading consciousness.
By then he had lost much blood and had even lost control of his mana core; the seeping white mana wisping away from his body made it all too apparent. Even Leviathan pitied him before returning to his other prey, truly committing to his choice of saving Naell last for desert.
Naell kept his sights to the ground, unable to even lift his head and properly look at his surroundings. As his vision weakened, he could still see Leviathan's towering shadow moving from one person to another. That was how Naell knew what was happening yet even that made him unable to get up.
Soon even every ache in his body began to subdue itself, as only the numbing feeling of peace floated on his mind.
Naell wanted to live longer, and spend his days with his family. The thought made him tear up since just days ago he was with them, doing exactly that.
He then recalled every adventure he went through and remembered his time with the protagonist's party. He would no longer be able to see what they'd accomplish, and the day each of them would have their own legends.
Yet above all, he knew no matter how much he pretended not to care, he would miss his time with the fluffy foul-mouthed owl.
'Hah. I'll miss the banter.' He thought while finally closing his eyes with a cheeky smile. But soon his smile faded as tears stained his cheeks.
"...and our adventure."
A deep silence overcame Naell, drowning out every sound from his environment. Because of that, he thought it was definitely his time. However, instead of being devoured by the endless nothingness of permanent slumber, a deep round sound followed by the shimmering essence of dark magic enveloped his mind.
Naell also heard a voice he was familiar with saying, "Wake up, noob. HOOT."
Suddenly he felt the strength of his body return, and his mind bringing back his senses. The numbness of his body faded as he once more felt himself sitting on sand.
Finally, with those words and the powerful dark magic, Naell was able to open his eyes...
...and with a smile, he replied, "You got fatter?"
"..."
The young owly who had a softer, fringed plume of feathers, and darker yet more profound-looking eyes now crossed his arms and mockingly chirped at Naell.
Naell couldn't help but tease his friend who seemed to have finally awakened his true self. He then said, "Congratulations and what might your name be?"
The young owl then puffed and replied, "Of course it's Owly—THE AWAKENED ONE, HOOOOOT!"
"..."
Both wanted to continue their bantering yet the approaching enemy before them was their priority. Before Owly sealed Naell's leaking mana, he made a circular barrier that hastily entrapped Leviathan.
Owly knew that it would not last, therefore he asked Sead and the other still-standing adventurers to retreat with their friends who weren't able to walk or weren't conscious at all. He then made his way to Naell.
Apparently, Owly had gained the element of light upon his awakening. That was why he was able to heal his friend's body.
Yet since he had no practice with that element at all, Owly could only partially do what a basic light mage could offer.
Then again, since his dark magic evolved to the point where his sealing was as strong as his mother's, Owly was able to fix Naell's core, eventually making it easier for his friend to slightly recover his vigor.