The warmth of the steam cleared up Kyle's nostrils and he felt absolutely at peace. Alicia was having more fun a she splashed the water with her hands. Kyle really didn't want to talk about Alicia's migraines but he knew he wouldn't be a proper friend to just ignore them.
"So how long..."
"Not too long since we came to this mansion the first time."
"That's over a week ago."
"yup I just hope I can solve them at some point because they've been affecting my wings lately."
"What do you mean?"
"Well whenever I pull out my wings they feel a bit slow and almost stiff. They also have this weird red shine to them."
"Mind pulling them out now?"
"Sure."
Alicia revealed her wings and they blossomed out spraying water everywhere. Kyle observed them closely and indeed just as Alicia had said there was a dull red shine. Deep down Kyle was already forming theories but kept them all to himself.
"So what do you think?"
"Yup the shine is definitely there the issue now is whether its harmful or not..."
"It doesn't hurt when I touch them but it definitely feels like my wings are a bit slow..."
"Yea I can kind of sea why."
"What is it..."
"Maggots...."
"WHAT!?"
"Yea you have a few at the base of your wings...they are a few but you're skin has definitely suffered."
"GET RID OF THEM!!!"
"Don't worry I've got it. How did you even get maggots in your wings..."
Kyle pulled on the soft body of one of the maggots. It came off with surprising ease as they weren't in her skin but on the base of her wings. They hadn't dug themselves inside her flesh making it even easier.
Kyle pulled out the last one and stared at them wriggling on the warm moist floor of the bathhouse. He found himself casting a fireball at them and watching as they easily caught on fire despite the wet floor. When Kyle turned to look at Alicia she was kneeling in the water with her face pale and her nails digging into her legs as she embraced her knees close to her chest.
She was crying.
"You don't have to worry, I've killed them..."
"That's not the issue here Kyle...you know just how much I hate maggots. Now we find some eating my wings!? I-I just need some time lone please."
Kyle frowned, this was partially his fault but he decided it was better for him to just leave. However he stopped in his tracks as he watched Alicia's hands.
Blood. Red warm blood was dripping down her legs from where her nails had pierced her legs. Kyle watched as more and more poured out and Alicia's sobbing turned silent.
"A-are you ok?"
"I'm fine...please leave me alone for a while."
"You're bleeding!"
"Just leave me alone!!"
Kyle wanted to do something but respected her decision and left the bathhouse. Now Alicia was left alone with blood dripping across her legs and her crying came to a stop. She was experiencing yet another one of the migraines as she tried her best to hold back the rising pain.
{Go away!!}
{KILL!! KILL!! KILL!! KILL!! KILL!! KILL!! KILL!! THEY WILL LEARN TO FEAR MY WRATH. EVERY SINGLE FUCKING ONE OF THOSE EARTHLINGS WILL PAY!!}
********************
(At the Dark forest.)
A large dark sphere had planted itself into the ground and was surrounded by a burning and destroyed forest. Little dead birds had been collected in large piles around the sphere almost as if intended for a ritual. A single man hovered above the sphere in silence. His eyes were fixed on the sphere below and even his breathing seemed halted.
He extended a rather pale arm towards the sphere and began a chant. He spoke quickly and hoarsely as the air of the forest was filled with smoke and wood ash.
[Awaken my blood, may my power return to me once more to whet my ax. Kirapos!!]
The forest grew silent and the burning flames seemed to slow their waving almost as if time had slowed down. There was a great rumble as the broken trees started bumping into each other. The man gave no care as he felt a wave of pleasure wash over his aged body. When he opened his eyes his body had been renewed.
He looked up at the clear blue sky. He could feel a smile form on his face, he could smell a familiar aura in the distance. He had an urge to take care of the person in question but he had to regain his power as quickly as he could first. So he looked back at the dark sphere and once again began his hoarse chant.
**********************
Kyle looked to the sky as he walked through the streets of the scholar district. The air smelt great with all the bakeries around but he couldn't get rid of his unrest. He wanted to be sure their timeline wouldn't end up like the other one but he had little optimism.
{Why am I so negative about this... I should be enjoying my life while I can.}
But even so he still felt uneasy. He came across several children walking through the district, of course escorted by some adult or another. He knew this area was mostly filled with nobles and their families but he wanted to believe that commoners were also allowed to experience happiness here. As he walked he found a rather large crowd gathered outside of an aged small building.
Out of curiosity he walked over to the crowd and could hear very loud yelling.
"I AM NOT HERE TO FIGHT YOU LOT!! I JUST WANTED SOME HEALTH HERBS!!"
"Sorry sir but our herbs aren't for sale not for trade. These are the private property of Baron Brian and their retail use are for him to decide."
"I KNEW IT!! ALL THAT BARON EVER DOES IS HOARD ALL THE GOOD STUFF FOR HIMSELF AND LEAVE THE REST OF US TO SUFFER."
"This herbs are from his territory that he had legally attained from the royal family. Going against the way he attains his herbs from HIS territory is the same as going against the royal family. Are you willing to shout their name as freely as the Baron's?"
"I-I..."
"Please move out of our way now as we have to deliver this to the baron before dusk. If you have any more complaints go to the royal palace."
With that there was a harsh silence in the area as Kyle watched a horse drawn cart escape from the crowd. It was guarded by two guards by its side holding impressive looking halberds. The crowd began to disperse and Kyle could see several dirty figures weave in between the crowd before disappearing.
{I wonder who those guys were...}
Now the crowd had completely dispersed and Kyle was staring at the aged small building. It looked to be mainly constructed of wood and cobblestone. It had a missing door with parts of its walls having caved in. Their were weeds growing around the door frame and fungus on its rotten wood.
Kyle scratched his head as he walked into the building. He had a feeling he could use this place for a lot of wondrous things.
*******************