The battle, as Viella had suspected, was of immense magnitude. But it was far larger than she could have anticipated.
When General Aaron led them to the gathering point, she hadn't expected to see so many men. Their gaunt, exhausted faces haunted her as they trudged past, seemingly unaware of her presence.
If any of them found it strange for two women to be so deep in the wilderness, none showed it.
It wasn't until General Aaron and his right-hand man, Oliver Patker, estimated the numbers that Viella realized over two hundred men had survived.
Silent and focused, they busily carried the bodies of their fallen comrades, placing them neatly in a pile.
Their limp legs hung over the edge, offering a sorrowful sight of what had once been.
Men brimming with life had been reduced to this—lifeless forms leaving behind only their swords and metal necklaces.
Whatever relief Viella had felt at securing assistance quickly dissolved with the realization that word of her supposed healing ability had spread.
A careless lie, spoken to gain importance, now weighed heavily on her.
Surrounded by injured men desperate for help, her deception became a noose tightening around her neck. Those who could still stand came forward, pleading not only for themselves but for others too injured to move.
The voices came all at once, like a tidal wave of desperation, their dirtied uniforms blending into a wall that loomed over her.
"Please, he's my twin brother! He'll die if he loses any more blood!" one soldier cried, his single, bleeding eye fixed on her as he shook her almost off her feet.
"I—I—I'm sorry! I don't have that much energy!" Viella stammered, lying again.
Before she could catch her breath, another man pushed the soldier aside. He was taller and slender, his shadow stretching like a Mordath itself.
"The guy over there—he's my friend from the city! He has a wife and three children. If you don't help him, they'll never see him again!"
"My friend was supposed to come home and get married!" another shouted over him.
"If you let my buddy die, his mother will be left alone—and she's sick on top of that!" cried yet another.
The pleas and cries came in waves, suffocating her under a crushing weight of guilt and pressure.
"I'm so sorry!" Viella whispered the only words she could muster. The truth was too dangerous to reveal; her survival—and Marie's—depended on maintaining the façade.
"Stop it! Stop it, all of you!"
The sudden, shrill voice startled both Viella and the soldiers. Marie, small but fierce, stepped forward and spread her arms wide, shielding her sister. "Stay away from my sister! If she gives up any more energy, she'll die!"
Her words rang loud and clear, cutting through the chaos. One by one, the soldiers began to retreat, like shadowy figures dispersing into the night. In the faint yellow glow of the moonlight, Viella watched them move away. Then, General Aaron approached, his expression solemn.
"I apologize. My soldiers must have spread word of your ability," he said, removing his helmet as a sign of courtesy.
Viella swallowed hard. "Have you been watching for long?"
"I meant to intervene, but your sister beat me to it," he replied, his tone serious. "I came to discuss our upcoming journey and what I intend to do. I owe you a debt for saving my life and healing me, and I will repay it. But I'm afraid I must ask more of you."
Viella's heart skipped a beat. "If it's within my capabilities, I'll do what I can. All I ask is shelter and protection. I don't mind working for my and Marie's share," she said, voicing her simple request.
"I will work for my own share," Marie added firmly.
Aaron blinked, clearly taken aback. "That's it? You saved my life and healed me completely, and that's all you ask of me?" His disbelief was evident, and even in the dim moonlight, Viella noticed his handsome face, worn by war and marred by old scars.
His striking eyes met hers, their intensity almost tangible.
"Of course, you'll have to treat me and my sister well," Viella added sternly. "No corporal punishment."
Aaron's face turned crimson, his lips parting in shock. He stared at her seriously, his brow furrowed.
"My Lady, of course… how could I? Even if you made a mistake, I would never!"
"We will help around the house, but we may rest and play or whatever we want when we want. We decide what's enough for the day," Viella added.
In her mind, the memories of her past torment reared its ugly head, the long-buried anger in her chest resurfacing.
"Of course, my Lady, even if you do not wish to lift another finger, I accept it. However, with your great talent, how can you limit yourself to household chores when you can do so much more!?" Aaron asked, his voice laced with passionate support.
It caught Viella off guard; no one had ever expected her to be more than what she was.
"I… haven't finished my studies yet," Viella said. Truthfully, she had never studied.
"Well then, it is something I can help you with as well. Once the Emperor hears of your great ability, you might secure a place as a Royal Healer, a physician to the crown. Knowing your capabilities, they might even create a new title for you," Aaron said, his face beaming with hope and joy.
Viella had never seen someone so happy for someone else's success—more than even Viella herself. She knew she could never live up to such a position.
"Is it necessary for the Emperor to see me? Can we just come and stay with you?"
"Ah…" Aaron's excited expression withered. Viella could feel his disappointment, but she couldn't jump to claim an opportunity she wasn't fit to claim.
"The truth is…" Aaron started, looking around to make sure no one was close enough to hear their conversation.
Then, "It's my nephew… there was a horrible accident in his youth involving a demonic beast. We tried everything to get him a cure for his condition, but none could cure him. I was hoping… you can." Aaron said, his eyes darkening with each word.
The gravity of the situation rested on her like a wet blanket.
"I don't know if I can…" Viella started, but Aaron's large, calloused hands enveloped hers, desperation in his voice. "Please… just try… and if you cannot do it, I will still hold on to my promise."
Viella saw the desperation in his eyes, the way he looked at her as if she held all the power in the world, and she felt she could not deny him.
She sighed, "Very well, I'll see what I can do. But then… you must help me get an education and help me find someone. That is if I succeed."
Aaron's lips stretched into a wide smile as if his nephew's recovery was a guarantee.
"Of course! Your well-being is guaranteed, my Lady! We shall leave at once!" Aaron exclaimed, then turned around, beckoning for them to follow. Together, they followed, although with less speed.
"Viel, are you sure you can help him?" Marie whispered to her once she was sure Aaron couldn't hear. Viella heard her name shortened and decided she liked it. No one had ever given her a nickname before.
"Let's see if Raden's potion is as powerful as he say, okay?" Viella answered, pulling Marie closer to her, touched that she was becoming more than just a companion.
"Marie," Viella said.
"Yes?" Marie replied.
"Thank you for protecting me back there," Viella said, patting her head.
Marie snorted, "That's nothing. You just wait until there's real danger! Please, I beg you, then throw the dice."
There was just something in her exasperated tone that Viella found funny, so she had to laugh. Quickly, she covered her mouth.
She guessed it must be impolite to laugh when so many had died, their bodies not yet buried.
Suddenly, a flash of blue lit the surrounding area like dancing flames, filling a circular portal similar to the one she had seen at Raden's office.
Viella stopped in her tracks, her eyes meeting Aaron's from the short distance.
"I can't leave my troops behind, so you'll have to go without me!" Aaron exclaimed. Viella's mouth fell open.
Suddenly, an ugly flare burned in her chest, and she huffed, "You're trying to trick me, aren't you? You want me to go alone and then leave me there, without fulfilling your promise!" Viella said, pointing a finger at Aaron, who looked at her, perplexed.
"Do you honestly think I would lie about something like that!?" he demanded.
"People lie about all sorts of things! Don't try me!" Viella yelled. Next to her, Marie chimed in, "Yes!"
"We don't have time for this!" Aaron exclaimed, grabbing both Viella and Marie by the wrist, forcing them to stand by the portal as he pulled three pieces of parchment from his right pocket.
"This is my seal! They will listen to you!" Aaron shoved the documents into her satchel. Viella's lips turned to a pink 'o' as she witnessed Aaron easily carry her before tossing her into the vortex, with Marie jumping in after her.
"Apologize in advance for not knowing decorum! It'll take you a long way!" Aaron shouted as his figure slowly shrank in the distance.