Pacing around my living room, I found myself gnawing at my fingers and nails, ultimately shattering each one in the process. Crimson-red blood seeped out of my wounds as the coppery metal taste gusted into my mouth and covered my lips. As I gazed down at the exquisite marble flooring, my bare feet made a rhythmic thud against the surface, the only sound breaking the silence apart from my thoughts.
'Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok? Leon, are you ok?'
These overwhelming thoughts consumed my mind, drowning out the sound of my heavy breathing and the disorienting dizziness I was experiencing. Beyond my narrowed field of focus, my limbs throbbed with an unnatural fatigue, aching with unnatural tiredness.
These overwhelming thoughts consumed my mind, drowning out the sound of my heavy breathing and the disorienting dizziness I was experiencing. Beyond my narrowed field of focus, my limbs throbbed with an unnatural fatigue, aching with unnatural tiredness.
Light poured in through the open front door, illuminating my face as I walked by, my steps heavy with worry for my beloved. Distant voices reached my ears from beyond the door, intertwining with the chaotic and tangled web of thoughts I had carelessly tossed into my head.
Consumed by intense frustration, I roughly ran my fingers through my hair and threw my hands into a fit. As my blood boiled, anger coursed through me, quickening my pace. Just when I had enough, I slammed my right foot straight through the ground.
"I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!" I bellowed with all my might, my breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. I charged through the front door, forcing it open with such intensity that it tore free from its hinges, soaring away from my house. It spiraled through the air before colliding violently with the rugged stone wall of the cavern, creating a resounding crash that loudly echoed for everyone to hear.
In the heart of the village lay a vast cavern, regarded as the central gathering place for the community, teeming with activity. To say it was crowded would hardly do justice to the scene, as every villager seemed to have ventured into this bustling space, where many shops were open for business throughout the day. My residence was conveniently located adjacent to the distinct area of the village that housed these shops. Here, one could find an array of goods, from fresh fruits and grains to meats and clothing, all contributing to the vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a true village. Yet, on this particular day, the focus on commerce seemed to take a backseat.
The sight that unfolded before me momentarily stopped me, paralyzing me with sheer horror. All around, the young and the old alike writhed under the sinister grip of the dark mana signature, each marked by its vile touch. Some lay sprawled on the ground, lifeless, with frothy bubbling grotesquely from their lips. Others, the luckier souls, quaked in terror, their bodies swaying as if caught in a tempest, murmuring incoherently, or standing utterly still, ensnared by a paralyzing dread that threatened to consume them whole.
My chaotic mind, consumed solely by the desperate need to see Leon safe, began to slow down. The adrenaline surge from running around my living room slowly fizzled out, leaving me vulnerable and defenseless against the magical attacks on my soul.
A torrent of vile curses erupted from my lips as my legs buckled beneath me, causing me to collapse to my knees, the cold, unforgiving ground mocking my struggle. After a desperate battle against my growing fatigue and then, upon struggling for a bit longer, I plummeted face-first onto the cavern floor.
A horrifying crack reverberated through my ears, and almost immediately, I felt the warm trickle of blood cascading down my forehead. My vision blurred as my eyes momentarily rolled back, only to return to focus within mere seconds of my body collapsing to the ground. Dizziness enveloped me like a thick fog, rendering my legs completely unresponsive. With great difficulty, I began to shift my arms, painstakingly dragging myself forward, inch by agonizing inch.
As I continued to pull myself along, each movement brought me nearer to the entrance of the cavern, my determination and willpower propelling me onward. However, as I got closer, I found myself gradually losing momentum due to the increasing weight of my body.
The erratic thumping of my heart rang as it got increasingly louder, like drums in a band. Badump! Baduump! Baduuump! Next, the relentless drumming in my ears plunged me into a whirlwind of confusion and unease. Boom! Booom! Boooom!
My fingers dug and clawed at the cold, unforgiving gray cavern floor, quivering as my breath increasingly labored. With every movement, my fingernails scraped against the hard ground, bending back with a sickening crack each time I dragged myself onward.
Blood oozed from my fingertips, forming a vivid stream that snaked its way across the floor, ultimately staining my clothes and covering me in my blood. As the crimson liquid flowed down my forehead, the pungent aroma of iron invaded my nose, overwhelming me and making me nauseous.
"Leon, I'm coming..."
As I teetered on the brink of collapse, my weary body pleading for a moment of respite, the otherworldly mana signature lifted its oppressive grasp. The splitting of my mind stopped, and my body felt at ease briefly. However, the relentless tide of exhaustion surged back, reminding me of the toll my body had taken.
"Uhhhhhhgggggg."
The flickering of my eyesight became more apparent as my vision turned off and on, like a flashlight, creating a disorienting effect. Black spots gradually emerged and receded from my line of sight. As time passed, they became more apparent, staying longer and increasing in number. The spots began to shake slightly and vibrate violently as the weight of my exhaustion began to overwhelm me. The entrance loomed just ahead, tantalizingly close, only a few feet separating me from it. Summoning every ounce of strength and determination within me, I propelled myself forward, steadily closing the gap between the door and myself.
My fingers, smeared with blood, left crimson trails across the surface of the door, transforming it into a canvas of blood. I pressed my bloodied face against the wood, gasping for breath as the warm blood trickled down my face, further staining the door with each passing moment.
I realized something was immensely wrong after putting my fingers on the door.
"My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma? My ma?"
'Mana isn't responding to my will? But why? I'm mentally perfectly normal, so why can't I use magic?' Tears began to well up in my eyes as the harsh reality struck me—I was unable to wield magic. My vision grew increasingly limited, with dark spots taking up more than half of my field of view. With the added veil of tears, the world around me became a mere blur. My head spun with a dizzying lightness, and I pounded on the door with all my weakened might, clinging to the hope that somehow, against all odds, I might manage to force it open.
The door swung open at that moment, flooding the space with a brilliant light that momentarily blinded me. Yet, the brightness was the least of my concerns as I stumbled forward, the door no longer providing the support I had relied upon. I was caught by a pair of strong yet tender hands that steadied me.
"Hey there, Princess, you miss me?" A charming and playful voice reached my ears.
"Sam!?" The moment I said his name, a wave of disbelief washed over me despite the certainty that it was him. I reached out to touch his face with my hands, which felt frail and achingly weak. My fingers glided softly over his features as I pictured his appearance, comparing the two.
As I stood there, it became abundantly clear that the person in front of me perfectly mirrored my memories of Sam. A wave of happiness surged through me, prompting a radiant smile to spread across my face. I surrendered to the comforting embrace of his chest, feeling all my anxieties dissolve at that moment. His right hand tenderly cradled the back of my head while his other arm was wrapped around my back, reminding me that I was in safe hands.
"Easy now, I'm here. Nothing will touch or hurt you as long as I'm here."
As I remembered the reason that brought me here, I voiced my concern with a hint of anxiety: "But what about—"
Sam placed a finger softly against my lips, his other hand tenderly combing through my hair. "He's safe, and that's what truly matters. Arnold and Mason are with him as well. They should be the least of your worries. Right now, I need your assistance with something. Will you help me?"
I gently nodded and felt Sam's left hand move away from me, accompanied by a distinct snapping sound as it withdrew. The next moment, my fatigue dissipated, and my vision gradually cleared up. My already perfect 20/20 eyesight seemed to enhance even further as my vision returned.
"Tell everyone in here that they are relocating. Have them pack all valuables and necessities and take this portal to their new homes. Also, the owner of the mansion will not tolerate poor behavior." Another snap of his fingers revealed a kaleidoscope-colored portal that fizzled into existence behind him.
Sam came into view, brilliantly lit and enhanced by the sun's vibrant, golden rays. His short, light brown beard, with a stubbly texture, glimmered in the sunlight. His hair, also a shade of brown, was tied back and cascaded behind him, swaying softly in the breeze. Strands of hair, both thick and thin, framed the sides of his face. A deep scar ran vertically from his left eyebrow down to his cheek.
A smug smile reached his light brown eyes, reflecting my body's changes. I seemed healthier, fitter, and vibrantly full of energy. I appeared revitalized, more athletic, and brimming with invigorating energy. As I glanced down at my body, the blood that had once stained my clothes gradually vanished until not a speck of dust remained. My fingernails began to regrow, emanating a subtle lime-green glow, while the crimson droplets cascading down my face evaporated while the wound on my forehead closed.
As the strength returned to my legs, I reluctantly distanced myself from Sam and inhaled deeply. I focused on dispelling any extraneous thoughts, adopting the demeanor of a true leader. With Sam by my side, I began to assist those who had fallen to the ground. Together, we worked diligently, and gradually, the once-fractured minds of the cavern's inhabitants began to stabilize. Their responses, behaviors, and mental clarity slowly returned to a state of normalcy, thanks to our combined efforts.
Thanks to Sam's Authority of Empowerment, my healing abilities transcended the ordinary limits of human capability. Typically, my powers were confined to treating superficial injuries and gradually repairing broken bones. However, I now possessed the ability to heal any injury instantly, regardless of its severity, and even influence the mental state of those upon whom I cast my magic.
As I shifted my focus to the cavern inhabitants, it became painfully clear that they were in dire conditions, reminiscent of my plight before Sam's help. Their fingernails were caked with blood, their bodies bore the marks of malnutrition, and their minds seemed impaired. They stood there, paralyzed by fear, exhibiting a range of distressing ailments and symptoms that spoke volumes of their suffering.
Without hesitation, I immediately set about healing the wounds of those nearest to me, driven by a sense of urgency and desperation. Within no time, I got several people up and on their feet.
Everyone who had recovered and could move freely was tasked with moving the injured to Sam and me. Meanwhile, those who could not physically assist in moving the wounded focused on ensuring that the injured were well-hydrated, stable, and not experiencing any unidentified medical issues.
With the increase in numbers, it took less time to identify the critically injured and prevent further damage, either mental or physical. Once the critically injured were taken care of, attention was then directed towards the remaining individuals, prioritizing care according to the severity of their injuries or levels of exhaustion.
As I toiled with unwavering determination, sweat trickled from my forehead. I focused on ensuring that each person received the care they needed to be relatively safe. I was acutely aware of the situation's urgency and refused to let even a moment slip by without doing everything I could to alleviate their suffering.
At long last, I finished. The villagers were all healed, and I took a moment to share the news that we would be moving to a new site. A flurry of activity erupted around me as soon as I finished speaking. The sounds of hurried footsteps, the rustling of boxes being packed, and the rhythmic inhalation of breath filled the atmosphere as everyone prepared for the move. I leaned against the wall near the portal, sipping from a bottle of water that Sam had handed to me. He urged me to take it easy while he took charge of packing up my home and began transporting my belongings through the portal to the other side.
I took a slow sip of water, feeling my mind drift into a void, utterly exhausted from the overwhelming surge of mana that coursed through my body. All I craved was the sweet embrace of sleep. The vibrant energy that had once filled my eyes while I acted as Dr. Elaine was now fading, and they felt heavy, gradually succumbing to the pull of slumber.
As I surrendered to the gentle embrace of slumber, the final thought that lingered in my mind was: 'When am I going to tell him I'm pregnant?'