In that moment, as I was looking over Charlotte's body, I felt something fast approaching from behind. I quickly turn around as a wave of flames was heading straight for Lisa and us.
"No-"
I feel that same heat beginning to grow hotter and hotter inside after seeing the flames approaching. I end up reaching out, trying to stop it, but of course I know that it won't do anything... Or at least that's what I thought.
"Huh?" Lisa, who was meant to be faced with defending against such flames was left speechless as the flames looked as though it hit an invisible wall before coming into contact with Lisa.
Is this me? Is what I thought. I do feel the heat inside me is now concentrated on my hand, but is it really me that stopped that attack? If so then could I just send it back at them? Not wanting to waste time, I grit my teeth as I imagine the flames going back where they came from, back towards the group.
Most of them managed to dodge it as the flames explode on the ground, sending chunks of debris flying, but I did mange to engulf a few of them. Their screams can barely be heard from the sound of the scorching flames.
"Sh-Shiro?" Lisa turns behind in surprise as I take my spot next to her.
I thought that this would help calm this heat down inside me, but it only feels like it's continuing to boil, even my heart is beating rapidly as if desperately wanting to leap out of my chest. These guys did this to Charlotte... I want them to feel the same pain as they did to her. Thinking that, I raise my hand towards them.
"Gaaahh!!!" In that instant, the majority of the people in front of us screamed out before collapsing on the ground. It was then that I noticed that just like Charlotte, all their bodies now had the same slices across their chests as their blood spills out from them.
"Heh-" I feel the corners of my mouth jerk up into a grin as I watch the blood squirt from their bodies. How does it feel? You put Charlotte through this and you can barely take that? "Fufu." I feel strange... It's like my body is moving on it's on, yet I don't feel disgusted by it... If anything, I feel satisfied, happy even.
"I-is this the girl?"
"Isn't she meant to be be docile now?"
Two of the remaining five survivors talk with one another as they both seem to be in pain. I try again, this time focusing on their necks, but that only seemed to have made them increase their aura as I feel even more pressure coming form them. I guess they're too strong...
"L-let's get outa here-!"
But before the people could leave, Lisa intercepted them, moving so fast that even I had trouble watching. But she manages to take down one of the guys while I try my best to only keep my focus on our opponent, hoping that Lisa would be okay.
Sadly, four of them managed to get away soon after that, while Lisa drags the man's unconscious body over to us before quickly making her way to Charlotte and I. It was only then that I felt my head being to clear up as I look over at the many corpses splayed out on the ground.
"Good job Shiro."
Once the threat was over, not wanting to look at the sight anymore, I quickly run over to Charlotte once more. But now with Lisa here as well.
"Help her!" I plead to Lisa while I try and help stop the bleeding.
Charlotte was barely conscious, as her eyes were flickering open and shut as more and more blood was soon beginning to leak out. She's dying...
"Her mana's running dry." Suddenly, Lisa takes out a knife before cutting into her palm. "Charlotte!" She raises her voice as Charlotte's eyes open a tad bit wider. In that moment, Lisa shoved her now bloodied hand towards Charlotte as Charlotte quickly opened her mouth, swallowing Lisa's blood. In the next instant, Charlotte, seeming to have found a bit of strength, bites into Lisa's hand, causing Lisa to flinch in pain. Her eyes now glowing red in the darkness.
"Wha-"
"Shiro, go into the car and search for anything to stop the bleeding." I was about to say something, but Lisa gives me an order before I could even start.
"Y-yes!"
And so, I do as I'm told and run towards the car. My heart beating even faster than before as I desperately find some bandages inside a glovebox. There's also some blood bags which I choose to bring over as well. But what was that? Charlotte's eyes changed just before she bit into Lisa's hand. It almost looked like she was a different person...
When I came back, Charlotte was still drinking from Lisa's hand, only this time, she moved to the wrist. Charlotte still had many cuts over her, especially the massive slice across her chest. But her blood was now being completely held inside her body.
"Th-thanks, Shiro..." However, the same can't be said for Lisa...
Lisa's body has grown pale in comparison as her hand shakes as she grabs one of the blood bags from me. Is Charlotte doing this to her?
"Charlotte, switch over to this, please."
"..." But despite Lisa's order, Charlotte continues to hold onto Lisa's arm tightly, while continuing to drink from her wrist, which seemed to be only making Lisa's condition worse.
"Ch-Charlotte!" Fearing for things to get worse, I yell out while trying to pull Charlotte off of Lisa, but her strength is unreal. Is Charlotte awake? "Charlotte! You hear me? It's Shiro!" In that moment, her eyes widen a bit, her eyes seeming to have calmed down, returning to normal. Is she listening now? "You'll kill her!"
One more time, I try and pull Charlotte off of Lisa, and this time, I manage to succeed. In the next moment however, Lisa falls unconscious.
"Lisa-!" Charlotte seeming to have regained her composure, tries to sit up, but ends up stopping as her face contorts in pain.
"Don't move! Here." I hand over the blood bag Lisa was trying to give her as Charlotte quickly takes it.
While keeping her occupied with the blood bag, I try and do the bandaging myself as I try and cover up the wound. I know I'm doing a bad job, but I need to get Charlotte fixed before moving to Lisa. But even as I wrap this bandage around her, it's just not enough... It's not enough to cover that slice...
"Shiro..." Charlotte speaks, with some strength now returning to her words. "We need to get Lisa to the car."
"What?"
"I can handle this much now. But Lisa will die..." She again tries to stand up, her face only looking to be more in pain the more she tries.
"Here!" But instead of keeping her down, I help her stand up. I trust her.
"Thank you. Can you help me with Lisa?"
"Nn!"