Askyros rushed to his friends. He found them laying with strained faces as the elements consumed them.
"Such a thing…" [Askyros]
Askyros stood in confusion as small flames burned away at Ryse's skin. He took a glance at Tida as well, who was shivering as her very body started to become encased in ice.
"Get off!" [Askyros]
He swatted the flames and attempted to pick off the ice. Unfortunately, the flames seemed to burn with renewed ferocity and the ice simply regrew like it was a headless hydra.
"Damn!" [Askyros]
Feelings he hasn't felt in a long time welled up inside. Fear, worry, and anxiety.
"A…skyros…?" [Ryse]
Eyes closed with a pained expression, he was able to utter his dear friend's name.
"Don't worry, Ryse. I will save you." [Askyros]
He grabbed a fistful of charred soil and tossed it on Ryse, hoping to put out the flame.
"This must work…!" [Askyros]
The flames died down momentarily, only to spring back up through the dirt.
"No!" [Askyros]
He clenched his teeth.
"There must be a way." [Askyros]
Glancing Tida's way, he put two and two together. Wouldn't ice melt from fire?
"How about this?" [Askyros]
Thinking of this as an experiment, Askyros made Tida and Ryse hold hands. He expected the two elements to counter each other, but they in fact mingled.
"..." [Askyros]
Askyros remained silent as his heart pounded. The ice slowly grew over to Ryse' hand and the smoldering flames reached out to Tida.
"I need to figure something else out. If only I had some kind of tool…" [Askyros]
That's when it hit him.
"A tool…?" [Askyros]
He looked at his newfound tool: the hammer.
"Of course!" [Askyros]
He swung at the fires around Ryse, sucking it into a ball.
"It's working!" [Askyros]
Askyros patiently waited for all the fire to be absorbed. Within seconds, Ryse was cured.
"Good!" [Askyros]
His body was tense as he released the temporary vessel for the flames. Thankfully, they vanished without a trace.
"..." [Askyros]
Though Askyros felt a bit relieved, he hurriedly used the same method on Tida's ice. He took a swing on the frosty air, which started to path towards the hammer.
"It works..." [Askyros]
He felt as if something heavy was lifted from his shoulders. All the ice removed itself from Tida's body, but there was still one issue. Both Tida and Ryse had suffered injuries that left them immobile. Ryse had burns all over and there were signs of frostbite on Tida's body.
"We need a healer." [Askyros]
He did not know the extent of their injuries. Matter of fact, he did not know the extent of the damage to himself. The fight with the Demon of Frenzy had left him weakened to the brink of collapse.
"..." [Askyros]
Thinking intently, he steeled himself with resolve. Standing up, he shakily placed Ryse and Tida on his shoulders.
"I will ensure you two will get home safe." [Askyros]
It would take at least thirty minutes to get back to base. That is, with a carriage. Nevertheless, Askyros decided to walk.
"Hmph!" [Askyros]
Grunting loudly, the first step was the hardest. He could feel the extra weight bearing down on him, threatening to break his body. However, he persevered. Within this moment, his will was unyielding.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"Aleph! Get the door!" [Panicked Soldier]
"Huh?" [Aleph]
There sat Aleph, consuming a stale sandwich that he called lunch. He was pulled aside by a soldier, causing him to drop the meager meal.
"H-Hey! My food!" [Aleph]
"Don't worry about it! Come help!" [Panicked Soldier]
"Help with wha- Huh?!" [Aleph]
His eyes widened as he saw Askyros out the front door, slowly making his way forward. It had been days since Aleph last saw him.
"Askyros?!" [Aleph]
He saw blood covering Askyros from head to toe. Most of it was dried, but there were signs of the wounds reopening many times.
"Call the healers!" [Aleph]
Adrenaline surged. Aleph quickly took control of the situation and began to bark orders.
"Prepare three beds! We have injured!" [Aleph]
Aleph then ran out with a few men for assistance.
"Askyros, you can let go now! Guys! Pick up Ryse and Tida! Make sure they don't fall!" [Aleph]
Askyros released his grip and allowed the two to roll into his soldier's arms.
"Askyros, we're going to pick you up too. Just relax." [Aleph]
As Aleph gathered men to lift him, Askyros raised a hand.
"No need. Point me to the beds and I will go there myself." [Askyros]
"But-!" [Aleph]
Aleph cut himself off as his gaze met Askyros'.
"Your worry is unfounded." [Askyros]
He walked into the fort with a ragged appearance. There was no such thing as armor on his person. All that was left was what could be classified as singed rags.
"This way!" [Aleph]
He commanded the soldiers to bring Ryse and Tida into a nearby room first, then guided Askyros into it.
"..." [Askyros]
As he entered the room, relief washed over him as he saw healers treating his friends.
"Where is my bed?" [Askyros]
"Right there." [Aleph]
He pointed at the only open bed.
"I see." [Askyros]
Askyros then patted Aleph on the shoulder.
"I leave the rest to you." [Askyros]
He then laid on the bed before passing out.