"So, you're finally awake, child."
When Zack woke up from his slumber, he was greeted by a lady as she offered him a cup of water.
The boy gave her a grateful look and gulped the water to rid his extreme thirst.
"My thanks." Zack said and handed the cup back at her, "Who are you? And where am I?"
"My name is Alice." The woman introduced herself. She was a beautiful adult lady who looked to be in her early to mid twenties.
Alice was dressed in a long brown robes with gold lining design, a clothing that the common folk would not had any hope of wearing, thus suggesting that the woman more than met the eye.
Her green long hair and eyes also accentuated her attractiveness, causing Zack to double-take and marveled at the beauty that was in front of him.
Of course, the boy decided to keep his opinion to himself. Zack was still feeling tired for pleasantries and there were still pressing matters to attend to.
"As to where you are, you are currently here in my humble adobe, somewhere in the middle of nowhere, so to speak." Alice continued talking.
"I see. Well met, Ms. Alice, and my name is Zack." The boy smiled at her. He then eyed his surroundings and observed that he was inside a spacious bedroom with walls made of wood, a desk on the corner, and a window in front of his bed.
"Hmm, are you looking for something, Zack?" Alice could not help but ask.
"My companion." Zack answered in an instant, "A girl of the same age as I am. Is she here as well?"
"The girl Bianca is safe and is presently outside training her magic." Alice responded, earning a huge sigh of relief from the boy. Her expression then changed to intrigued, now eyeing the boy with huge interest, "And speaking of magic, it's not everyday that a boy like yourself was able to acquire quite an interesting Brand on your hand."
Alarmed, Zack immediately tensed up and involuntarily covered his hand that was Branded. Instinctively, Arcane energy flared up from his body instinctively, acting as a defense mechanism should a fight occur.
"Fascinating." Alice was stunned beyond measure. "To think that a man finally managed to use magic after five long centuries."
"What do you want?" Mistrust was evident on boy's face, ready to unleash his magic should the lady try something funny.
"Easy there, child." Alice merely chuckled, feeling amused instead of afraid at the boy's intimidation, "If I mean you any harm, I could have done it from the comfort of your sleep, both you and your friend, mind you."
That appeared to have calmed Zack since what Alice said made a lot of sense. Why even bother waiting for him to wake up when the lady had every opportunity to harm him while he and Bianca were asleep.
Still, the boy did not let his guard down but since Bianca was safe and sound, Zack will trust the lady for now.
"My apologies." Zack decided to be the better man, "Bianca and I… we have gone through quite a lot before all this. Forgive me if I'm being hostile despite your hospitality."
"Hmm, it's quite alright." Alice just smiled in response, "The girl also told me what has transpired to the both of you. No child deserved to experience such a disgusting horror. Children should live their life happily without any worries. It is our duty as adults to shield you all from the horrors of reality as we maintain the carefree smiles on your faces. Leave the adult problems to the adults, so to say."
Zack nodded and was touched by her gesture. Even if she was a stranger, the boy now felt that this lady is a genuinely good person.
Perhaps his doubt is misplaced? He really should tone down his paranoia and learn not to instantly assume the worst of a person.
"I… I'll take your advice to heart."
"Well, you should be." Alice teased him a bit, "I don't have time for naughty children, and your friend over is quite the mischievous sort."
"Yeah, Bianca is certainly a firebrand, no doubt." Zack chuckled. Then, his lips turned upside down and decided to ask Alice in a reluctance tone, "Bianca… how… how did she take it? Her experience, I mean."
"Not good, if I'm being honest." Alice shook her head in dismay, "When she first woke up, she instantly screamed and cried like she was being possessed by a demon. Poor girl, she was literally terrified. I could not leave her at that pitiful state, so I took care of her. It took me two whole months of counseling and rehabilitation until her trauma finally subsided and a semblance of her cheerfulness finally resurfaced."
"You looked after her?" Zack eyed her gratefully, "You have my eternal gratitude."
"But let's be frank though." Alice said with a serious look, "We know that one is going to completely recover from that... sick ordeal that she has gone through. The girl is just putting a brave front and such trauma would forever be engraved on her maidenly heart. As her partner, it is your commitment to be there for her in every step of the way, to ensure that she won't fall once more into despair and darkness."
"Oh, I intend to." Determination flashed on Zack's face, "I love Bianca, and with my new magic, she won't suffer ever again, not on my watch."
"Good." Alice nodded with approval. "The girl needs someone to lean on her side, now more than ever."
"But wait." Zack was flabbergasted by something that the woman mentioned, "Two months, you say!? How long was I asleep then?"
"You were in a coma for four months, I'm afraid." Alice answered sadly, "With my magic, I did everything to ensure that scarred body of yours won't wither away. You suffered from immense magic exhaustion and Mana depletion. Whatever you did prior to your coma, I highly advise not doing that on a daily basis until you are trained and strong enough to do so. The girl however was luckier and woke up just a day later after."
"Damn, that long, huh. My thanks again for taking good care of me." Zack still was in disbelief at the lengthy time that had passed while he was asleep, "I, I have to get to Bianca, four months is long enough and I don't want to keep her waiting any longer.'
"No one's stopping you." Alice said and stood up from her chair, motioning him the way to the door. "When you exit, just turn to the left and you'll find the door to outside in no time."
Without a moment to waste, Zack got up from his bed and run to the direction outside.