Athelstan was stunned.
The girl who, before his very eyes, had been unsalvageable, had just recovered from her mortal wounds. He had watched her bleed out, break, fade… and now she was breathing. Athelstan remembered the day he saw that young man take on a form covered in shell and scaly skin as he burst in front of the whole school, but this form… this form was different. It wasn't the same, it didn't emanate the same feeling of strength and power. And even so, nothing impressed him as much as the boy's genuine concern for that human girl.
He truly cared about her.
-hey hey hey!!
( Said Morgan, a bit worried )
Morgan began shaking Galahad's body, trying to wake her up.
Athelstan, despite the shock that kept him frozen inside, finally reacted: he knelt down, touched the young human's forehead and, after a few tense seconds, smiled in relief. Then he reassured Morgan by placing a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder.
-relax, she's fine… she's only unconscious, relax.
( Said Athelstan kindly )
-but… but…
( Said Morgan with teary eyes, his voice cracking )
-don't worry, she will be fine now. She just needs to rest.
( Said Athelstan peacefully )
Athelstan lifted his gaze toward Luzbel.
-you must take her somewhere safe so she can rest…
( He said, looking at Luzbel )
-quickly, before any unwanted presence manifests.
( Said Athelstan, urging Morgan )
Morgan wiped his tears clumsily and stood up abruptly, holding the girl tightly in his arms.
-yes, yes…
( Said Morgan, somewhat distressed )
-is my room still very far?.
( Asked Morgan to Satana, hurried )
-no… it shouldn't be too far.
( Answered Satana, still confused )
-then let's hurry!!.
Morgan held Galahad more firmly and prepared to run after the floating insignia, which had slowly resumed its path. Satana and Morgan followed it, and as they moved forward, Morgan turned around and yelled:
-thank you so much!!
( Said Morgan, bidding farewell to Athelstan )
Athelstan smiled and raised his hand in response.
-be careful.
Luzbel remained staring at him, serious and silent. Athelstan held her gaze without losing his calm, and said:
-don't worry… I won't tell the others about him.
( Said Athelstan, closing his eyes, keeping his smile )
-and how do I know you won't?.
( Said Luzbel with a threatening look )
-because you have to believe that I won't. It's the only thing you can do… for now. Am I wrong?.
( Said Athelstan peacefully )
Luzbel clenched her teeth, lowered her head, irritated; but he was right. The only thing she could do was trust his word.
-go with them now.
( Said Athelstan smiling )
Luzbel turned away without responding and ran after Morgan and Satana. Athelstan was left alone, watching them disappear down the corridor.
A sigh escaped his chest.
The recent scenes returned to his mind: the battle of Kalista and the princess, Princess Aioria's fury… and now this. Something impossible: someone showing true concern for a human being.
That boy… he still seemed so innocent.
But the way he held the girl… the desperation in his eyes…
Athelstan felt he had seen that kind of pain before. As if he himself had relived a memory he had spent years trying to bury.
He closed his eyes, smiled bitterly, and continued on his way in silence.
After running for quite a while, Morgan and Satana reached a huge complex of rooms. The insignia stopped in front of a door and attached itself to it, fitting perfectly into the slot.
-it's here!! it's here!!
( Said Morgan energetically )
Morgan flung the door open and rushed to lay Galahad on the bed.
-close the door, quick!
( Said Morgan nervously, looking at Satana )
Satana watched the hallway. Luzbel was approaching at full speed.
-quick!.
( Said Morgan agitated )
Luzbel finally entered and Satana closed the door forcefully.
The three of them released a long sigh, almost in unison, and let their exhausted bodies collapse.
Satana dropped to the floor, leaning her back against the door; Luzbel fell into a chair, completely drained; while Morgan sat on the floor, resting his back against the bed where the girl lay.
-what a day, huh?.
( Said Satana playfully )
-yeah… I've never had such a hectic day before…
( Said Luzbel exhausted )
The three looked at each other… and began to laugh. A nervous, tense, incredulous laugh, as if for a moment they had escaped real danger.
Then Galahad moved.
A faint sigh. A slow blink.
Morgan stood up immediately, his breathing trembling.
-hey… hey… are you okay?.
( Said Morgan nervously )
Galahad slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry, but she recognized Morgan's figure.
She raised her hand… and gently caressed his face.
-a dream?… a vision?..
The girl closed her eyes and continued resting.
But now, she was safe.
End of the chapter.