"I'm sorry, we can't let you in." A young man in a cloud white naval uniform directs, crossing his rifle in an aggressive stance despite his wobbling voice. A horizontal blue stripe goes from the collar to its fringe over his heart, signifying he's one of the lower ranking soldiers. As an Ocean World, several hundred years ago, the powerful nations of the world combined their forces to create the Monsoon Naval Federation to keep law and order. By now they were the single strongest entity that even Empires had to be careful when dealing with.
There were those who didn't agree with the Federation's presence or restrictions. Those that went against the power in place were called pirates, with the strongest pirate forces being led by Pirate Royalty. From Bay Prince and Princess, Sea King and Queen, to finally Ocean Emperor or Empress. Even Bay Princes and Princesses were not to be handled by the Federation without careful consideration. It was even an open secret that the Federation worked with the highest rank pirates to keep a semblance of control.
One such Bay Princesses stood before the young Federation sailor, causing him to tremble. While she was known as the most agreeable and quiet of her rank, the teenage girl also had a separate identity that made the Federation concerned. Because as an Ocean World, the Water Goddess of Ithembe was the most beloved faith with extremely ardent followers even in ancient times. No matter how strong or influential they became, it was nothing before the Church of Ithembe.
This was in part because one could not become an official healer without joining the Church of Ithembe. Certainly, there were Alchemists and Apothecaries who make potions and pills that can heal or recover a great many things, which the Federation and many organizations like it cultivated internally. This wasn't the same as having access to the extensive medical knowledge the Church of Ithembe had, however. Thus healers were not something under any one groups' control which meant they had to make concessions or suffer the consequences.
This was true across many worlds that members of the Church were often referred to by their medical ranks rather than their religious titles. Acolytes were Healers, priests and priestess were Residents, bishops were Fellows, cardinals were Physicians, while anyone called Doctor was akin to a Pope.
For the various kingdoms and empires across the vast skies, while many royal courts had their own chief doctors or medical directors, this was more of a title of ease than a true display of their skills or status within the Church. After all, not just anyone could become a Doctor of the Water Goddess. Even in the Adventure server, while there were Priests and Priestess class, if they wanted to focus solely on healing despite favoring another God, then they needed to still get permission from the Church of Ithembe.
"I suggest you step aside. I know your concerned with me being a Bay Princess, but I'm here as a chosen of Ithembe." Hanit speaks clearly and softly. Within her cleavage, the runes for Life, Water, and Health glow overlaid one another. This symbolizes the Goddess herself and Hanit as one she has chosen as a future possible Doctor. A Pirate Royalty with the status of a Doctor was something the Federation feared the most.
"No, I'm just--"
"Your people are sick, correct?" She raises a brow, which causes him to flinch.
"Yes, but-"
"Then I must do my duty to do my best to help them, regardless of their affiliation." Hanit states matter of factly. Before he can utter another reply, Hanit huffs and points to the town at the bottom of the hill.
"I would not have made the journey to check in had it not been for the folks of this town. As soon as I was recognized as a healer of Ithembe, while not knowing who I am outside of that, they urged me to visit. Before I came I made sure to ask around and while I've met many Federation members and hold my own opinions, the people here asked out of genuine concern and respect, not out of fear or obligation. I was told your branch here is honorable and helpful. So please for the last time move or I will leave."
The young soldier finally relented, stepping aside and letting Hanit enter their base. As she took a step forward, a flash of blue light washed over her, and Hanit's outfit had changed to more ceremonial priest garb.
This way less questions would be asked and even if she was called out as a Bay Princess, it was clear she was here as a follower of the Goddess.No one would turn away a healer for no good reason.
Hanit hurried her movements, finding a two striped ensign immediately who was having a hushed conversation. The warrant officer he was speaking to, a young woman with fair brown skin and purple eyes, immediately stands at attention with a mix of fear and awe. The ensign turns to see Hanit, brows scrunched in confusion before his expression turns to one of confusion.
"We weren't aware of your arrival, Madam Fellow." He coughs as he straightens his posture, unable to see her face. Hanit has an albatross mask with three pearls on the forehead to hide her features. Each pearl shows her rank with the highest among them being five pearls for a Doctor.
"It doesn't matter, I'd like to see the infirmed," Hanit replies unhurriedly. The less time she spends here, the less complicated it becomes. The ensign nods before sending off the officer to go find the Commander.
Hanit is quickly led to their medical hall, where anywhere from 50 to 80 people are bedridden. Red vine-like lines writhe along their bodies as they groan in pain. Almost immediately as Hanit enters a notification appears.
[Your body has been placed under Scarlet Vine Poison. Your Bloodline ??? has assimilated it!]
Ever since she started playing, Hanit had a mysterious Bloodline within her body. It had displayed numerous effects, like cleansing poisonings and making them her own for one. Other benefits included natural disposition of control water, whether it be Skills or while sailing. Her Bloodline greatly lowered her energy cost and cooldown, enhanced her performance, and allowed her to multicast some Crafts. Buffs, shields, and heals found their effectiveness almost doubled. Hanit's eyes narrow as she stops.
The Scarlet Vine Poison was particularly nasty and contiguous. It was called such because its victims would have scarlet vine-like markings running along their body. There were many islands and isles populations that were destroyed just from a small outbreak causing it to be called the Island Devastator. It was hard to cure even for the average healer.
This wasn't a problem for Hanit, of course. Her assimilation ability allowed her to utilize as well as counteract any poisons, fusing the antidotes with her own healing spells for maximum healing. No, what bothered her was the climate was too warm and stormy for the poison's flower to germinate and grow. That could only mean...
"I have several questions," Hanit states as she taps the iridescent pearls on the wrists of her fingerless gloves. They go from an ocean blue color to covering her fingers completely with a black and light blue fabric. These were her [Virus Hunting Gloves] that had received as a gift for becoming a Fellow. It had two distinct modes, one for combat against enemies and the other to combat against sickness.
[Virus Hunting Gloves, Silver Rank]
Gloves worn by a great hunter who went against many enemies, both large and small!
Dexterity: x2
Intelligence: x1.5
Passive Skill: Purifies any surface touched while granting resistance to certain diseases
Passive Skill: Multiples Agility by 1.5 while increasing Critical Hit by 0.5
Active Skills: Medical Diagnosis, Summons a translucent screen that reads a target's visible or hidden injuries and ailments. General health is compiled into a short list that grows the more the user interacts with the patient.
Active Skills: Targeting Mark, Locks onto an enemy with a magical mark, increasing physical/magical damage. Cooldown: 5 Minutes, resets on target death!
"I will answer you to the best of my ability." The ensign says without entering the room. He seems to be aware of what kind of illness they're dealing with.
"Who was the first victim and how is it that some aren't sick? From what I know, this base should have no active members."
"The first to fall was the true Commander of our base, ma'am. Then it was his captain followed by those directly under her command. As for why I'm not sick, I had just returned from a scouting mission on the island's northern coast. I can't speak for others."
The first question was perfunctory as Hanit already identified who was the first one poisoned. The commander was set apart in a temporary room, blocked off from the others. The first patient was always the most contagious and exposure to them could further advance the symptoms in others who contracted it.
"And the Acting Commander now?" Tara hands him a small mouth covering made from a plastic like material with runes carved into. It's a simple purifying mask so that way the people don't have to worry about breathing poison or airborne disease.
The ensign slips it onto his face with ease. "He was previously a Captain, but I don't know why that is important?"
Hanit waves her left hand, causing a three layered spell circle to appear at the center of the room's floor. It rapidly expands before coating the entire room and even climbing the walls. Soon the moans and groans of pain have turned to soft and comfortable snores, as the Red Vines on the sailors bodies rapidly vanish without a trace. The ensign is stunned speechless that Hanit has not only silently casted a triple layered spell but had such a huge range with barely any hesitation of its effect taking over. Is this the power of a Fellow?
"Then let's ask the Commander, shall we?" Hanit says as she crosses the hall towards the Commander's room. Her words spur the ensign out of his stupor, quickly on her heels. Inwardly, Hanit was chiding herself for not casting quick enough, recalling a recent spar with Izel. If the players in the Adventure server heard her they'd cough up blood and head to the forums in fury. Even being able to Double Layer a Craft was enough to make the majority of the players happy, and here she was complaining that her Silent Triple Layered Craft with a ridiculous coverage wasn't fast enough?
It did not take long for Hanit to cure the Commander and his aide Captain. They did in fact admit to being poisoned by none other than the current Acting Commander. He had deliberately attacked those not in his faction to gain control of the base and its resources. Hanit shakes her head as she stands a few feet from the window. The three sailors watch as Hanit exhales, a beautiful longbow appearing within her hands. Her eyes flash cerulean as she activates the Target Mark Skill of her gloves, a crosshair appearing in both eyes, as she rapidly releases an arrow made of energy.
"Recurving Tide." Hanit whispers, performing a Retention Technique, which is harder to use ranged one had to attempt to control their ammunition upon release. Hanit's [Clarity] Stat allows her vision to be enhanced so it's no problem as she hits her mark. As the notification of her kill greets her, a perk of hers unlike other Novelists, Hanit receives a summons from Pakeej.