It took me a while to notice that it was only me and the muscular guy they called captain were walking. I don't know where the others are, I don't even know when they left. While collecting my thoughts their captain spoke
"Young one, I should also introduce myself, I am Eldran. From now on, you are our hostage. For now, we will not be treating you any different than our men, however that will change depending on how much you are willing to cooperate."
With a quick look around, only one thing was coming to my mind - run-down. We were inside a tent, there were only small tables, filled to the brim with paperwork, maps and such, on one side there were wounded people, sitting, waiting for the healers to be available I assume. On the other side, there were some soldiers quietly arguing over something. Even the tent itself had some holes, albeit small.
"It's the same no matter where I go huh…" I said, as I got closer to the wounded soldiers.
I started casting a dark type magic, and I could feel it. The moment I started the cast, one of the soldiers suddenly appeared behind my back, ready to behead me with his machete. At least that was what I felt, but with just a gesture from the captain, the killing intent was gone. I could finally breathe properly again, and completed casting my magic, which ended up closing the wounds on the soldier.
"I managed to close the wounds, but my proficiency isn't at a level where I can cure him of illnesses. I can help you." I said, looking at Eldran.
Without giving me a moments pause, he replied
"And your reasoning behind this is?"
"There are several actually."
"Do explain young one."
"Firstly, I hate seeing people around me writhing in pain. It kind of annoys me. Secondly, I am right now, incapable of doing anything else. I cannot escape, I cannot fight back, all of those things are meaningless. I might as well help you out, since I have no ties with Lolux whatsoever, other than just being a student. Third, I don't really want to die, so I will help you."
"I understand. It is nice that you are understanding of your own situation. I will allow you to help us."
"Thank you" I said, as I bowed my head, hoping to gain something out of this action.
Just that morning, I healed more than 20 people from various wounds I have never even witnessed ever in my life. Some were crushed by debris from the buildings, some were stabbed, some were slashed, some were burned. The uniqueness of the wounds never ceased to amaze me.
And that was how I had betrayed the country that nurtured me, for a while at least. Perhaps it was wrong of me to do so, but I prioritised my own survival above it all. They kept me alive, and I kept them alive. Perhaps because I am still young, but now I have learned that I should always look both sides of things. Back at Lolux, they really made it seem like they were the victim, but it turns out these things are two-sided. The killing doesn't happen on one side only.
---
It has been a week since I was taken as a "hostage" by the Camorian soldiers. I have noticed several things over the course of time. Most of these soldiers don't really have any other way than this war. It seems the Camor Empire promised some kind of wealth if they were to succeed, so a lot of people are desperately trying their best. Some are untrained, some are homeless, some don't have a place to return to. But they all have one thing in common - willpower. Their willpower is unlike anything I've ever seen, and because of this willpower and desperation, they perform better than your average soldier. That desperation however, is a double-edged blade, the way I see it. They charge recklessly, regardless of their tiredness or their wounds. When the adrenaline stops, they receive the backlash, which doesn't usually end well, if they can survive.
The other thing I noticed is that the other nurses and doctors are avoiding me. I assume this is because of the fact that I use "Darkness Magic" instead of their usual "Light Magic". Luckily, the soldiers I have healed keep company with me, so I haven't really been lonely. I hardly had any time to speak with Eldran, he is always out, either fighting, or planning their next moves. It sure must be busy for him, since he is the captain. On the rare occasion he drops by, I make sure to give him a check up and heal him to the best of my abilities, but he is so strong there isn't many that can leave a dangerous wound on him.
Today was different though. A calm silence, in the midst of war? It was unsettling. Then, suddenly, Eldran entered the tent I was in. His shoulder was cut so deep, if the cut was a little deeper, he could've lost his arm.
Without even grunting, making it seem like he wasn't in any pain, in total silence, with his left arm, he signalled outside to stop. It was just me and him in the tent. He sat down right in front me. I was shocked from seeing such a scene, I still couldn't move. It took me a while to collect myself, and just as he sat down, I stood up in a hurry and asked him
"What happened! How - No who did this? How can you stay in silence with such a deep wound! Stay still, I'll heal you!"
Then he replied, quietly and calmly.
"I was just about to ask that. Do you think you can heal this deep of a wound?"
To be honest, I wasn't sure. Nothing I have seen so far was this serious. They were either already announced dead, or the wound was way shallow than this.
"Of course I can! Look at me, I am the best healer you will ever see. Just sit and relax, I will get you back to shape in no time!"
"I-I'm glad to hear that."
He was losing blood. I needed to get rid of that first. Luckily, my control over Dark magic is really good, I can nearly control it as if it is a fluid. I wrap around Eldran's shoulder with my Dark magic, and started trying to close the wound by working myself from below and moving up where the wound was the most open. I never thought closing the wounds could take such a heavy toll on my mana. I don't think I am even halfway done, and more than half of my mana is sucked dry.
"This... it isn't a simple slash is it?"
"I apologise. I should've clarified... But I didn't want to worry you, young one."
"The enemy must've been fast, for it to be chopped by 2 slashes... I won't accept your apology until I have healed you. So sit and try to be healed better."
"I... am not sure how I can do that, but I will try."
My mana was diminishing. He knew it. It was becoming as clear as day that my mana was running out.
"Your mana..."
"Stay quiet, I'll heal you."
"It's not a wound that would end me."
"But it would end your sword, so stay quiet."
Things weren't looking good for me. I needed something stronger. A better magic. A denser mana. Something better... Then it clicked. I couldn't "heal" him. It was impossible, at my level.
"If only I had trained more... If only I had more mana..."
"Serenity, it's okay. You tried your best."
"Not yet. I will heal your shoulder."
I started pouring the whole of my remaining mana into the patch I made. If I couldn't heal him, I would make him anew. Instead of healing destroyed cells and nerves, I would create them. I had to do it. There was no other option. I can't let him down.
---
"I'm sorry..."
"No, I should be thankful. Nobody else could heal this wound."
"But it looks weird, having a pitch black shoulder, doesn't it?"
"It's a battle scar. I'll remember it that way."
"Good... That is good to hear" I said, just before passing out, as I had exhausted my mana way over my limit. But, I was successful. It was... worth it. With a sudden 'thud', I fell on the ground, fainted. I don't know if Eldran managed to catch me, but I don't think so, he should be tired...
I don't know...
---
I was in an unfamiliar place when I woke up. Instead of the usual green tents, it was a solid ceiling. The bed I was sleeping on was not of any bed we had at the camp. Soon enough, without even having properly inspected the room, I head a door sound. I am surrounded by curtains, so I can't really see who opened the door. But I was sure I heard a door.
"You have finally woken up!"
"Eldran! You're okay!"
"You healed me, remember?"
"You're right, how is your arm, and where is this?"
"Welcome to the capital of the Camor Empire. My arm is just fine, you have done well."
"T-the capital!? How long was I fainted for?"
"It has been 3 days. A lot of things happened."