I felt it unravel.
I'm sure I've done it!
Moriana's lips curved into a victorious smile.
"I did it!… I hit it, Yuli!"
But as soon as she turned, Yulia collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Yu—" Moriana's eyes widened, her eyelids trembling. Her face was frozen in shock.
Gord rushed forward, his knees slamming against the ground as he bent down. He brought his palm close to Yulia's lips; the faint warmth of her breath brushed his skin.
He turned to Moriana. His breathing was uneven.
"She's breathing, Princess."
Then he slipped his arms beneath her and lifted her, her shoulders slack, her arm dangling. Her head lolled backward, swaying with every movement.
"I'll get her to her room."
Moriana's lips quivered. Her shoulders twitched; she gave a small nod, and a broken sound escaped her.
At the same moment, the others surged forward. Tears clung to Vida's lashes, glimmering under the crimson light.
She wiped them away with the back of her hand, raising her voice:
"I'll prepare the bed. Hurry, now!"
Hyran dug his claws into his own palm; he ground his teeth. His golden eyes never left Yulia's limp body.
Zarius stepped closer and gently set a hand on Moriana's trembling shoulder. Her head was bowed, face hidden, as if she bore a mountain on her back.
"Moriana…" Zarius muttered, his voice strained. His narrowed gaze held nothing but worry.
Moriana lifted her face toward him, her lower lip trembling, her eyes streaked with tears.
"Get your hand off me!"
Zarius slowly withdrew his hand and lowered his head, helplessness gnawing at his gut.
Her voice cracked, shaking:
"It's all my fault!"
Hyran took one hesitant step forward but froze again where he stood.
Moriana whispered:
"Zarius, we leave tomorrow. There's nothing left to wait for."
She turned her body toward the inn's door, eyes flashing with sudden hardness.
"We don't have a choice. I'll crush anything in our way—as long as blood's running in my veins."
With both hands, Moriana swept her hair back, her face shining with inner resolve.
"Then I'll pour every drop into saving her. This is personal!"
She spat the words over her shoulder as she strode toward the inn's gate, her steps firm and heavy.
"It's not fair! I won't let Yuli make me owe her something this huge."
Her figure disappeared inside, leaving Zarius and Hyran staring after her.
Hyran bellowed after her as she vanished:
"What are you thinking, Moriana?!"
Zarius collapsed, braced on his arms, head tipped back as he exhaled. In a flash, Yulia's words from two months ago burned in his memory.
"I can't... let Mori owe me something this huge."
Hyran stepped closer to Zarius, his voice rough but hushed.
"Damn it… even with all Moriana's training to control her power, Yulia still ended up drained. It's like fate already made up its mind."
"At least," Zarius muttered, his voice barely audible. "We bought her some time."
"To Skaldvin, then," Hyran declared, grief etched on his beastly face.
After a moment's silence, Hyran extended his hand to Zarius.
Zarius grasped his hand and hauled himself up.
"What a shame. That little girl… she may be the youngest, but she's the one who holds us together when everything falls apart."
His features hardened with resolve. His gruff voice was steady:
"Zarius, I'm counting on you. Prepare the—"
But before he could finish, instincts flared. His head snapped toward the inn; his eyes widened in fear.
"What the fuck is that witch up to?!"
He surged to the gate in a single long leap and landed before the door.
Zarius blinked, startled. He started to ask:
"What is it, Hyran?!"
But before he could finish, Hyran had already vanished inside. Zarius followed, his steps pounding the floor.
Hyran stormed in, his massive frame shoving the door. With another leap, he bounded up the staircase.
On the top floor, in the hall, he found Vida trembling, teeth clenched, tears at the corners of her eyes. Gord stood like a sentinel before Yulia's room, blocking the door.
Hyran towered over him. His voice thundered:
"Move."
Gord answered in his usual calm tone, a nervous twitch betraying him.
"Th—the Princess ordered me not to let anyone in."
"Not now! Move, or I'll smash you into the wall and leave you there like a painting." Hyran roared.
Zarius arrived, panting, fear written across his face.
Moriana, damn it—don't tell me you're gonna use Onyxia!
He staggered into the hall as Hyran and Gord looked ready to clash. He shouted, leaning heavily against the wall:
"Gord! Moriana—she's doing something that could kill her!"
"Step aside, idiot or your Princess rots!" Hyran barked in his face.
Vida clutched her head with both hands, her distress deepening by the second.
Gord's eyes widened as he shifted from the door, but Hyran shoved him aside with his massive forearm, not waiting for permission. Gord didn't resist.
Hyran burst through the door.
Shock hit him. Yulia lay awake on the bed, her eyes open, while the Princess sat beside her, smiling faintly through exhaustion.
"What the hell did you do, witch?" he demanded, his gaze darting between the two girls.
Zarius staggered in behind him, still catching his breath.
"Yulia—I'm glad you're conscious."
"Did she do anything stupid?"
"For God's sake, Zarius…" Yulia sighed deeply. "Have you forgotten? Doing stupid things is what she is good at."
She shifted slightly on the bed, leaning toward them.
"Relax. The idiot was about to use Exim, but I woke up because of the disgusting surge she suddenly released."
Moriana rose from the small chair beside the bed, while Yulia reclined fully again. Her voice sharpened to a firm whisper:
"You're not leaving this bed today."
Hyran and Zarius exhaled in unison. Zarius said, despairing, and glanced at Hyran:
"Didn't I tell you, Hyran? She's just a girl like any other."
Then he turned and shouted toward the hallway:
"Vida! Everything's fine!"
Vida entered hesitantly. With his back to the room, Zarius raised a hand:
"Alright, alright. All of you, get some rest. Tomorrow we head to Skaldvin."
"Ahh, finally—we're leaving Valdar," Yulia exhaled in relief.
Zarius left the room, pausing just long enough to whisper into Vida's ear as he passed:
"Stay sharp. I'm counting on you."
Vida nodded firmly.
Gord eased away from the door and sank onto the wooden sofa in the hall, quiet as a shadow, his thumb rubbing the hilt at his hip.
Suddenly, Hyran barked:
"Haaah?! Hey, Vida! You sly little fox!"
Vida gasped, spinning to face him.
"W-what's wrong?"
"You said anyone getting close to your face freaks you out, didn't you? Or is it just me you're scared of, huh?!" He jabbed a finger at her.
"N-no, Hyran… actually…" Vida's body swayed as embarrassment flushed her cheeks.
Before she could explain, Zarius's voice cut in from the hall, dripping with sarcasm:
"You really think it's unnatural to be scared of your ugly mug, you dumb beast?
Stop whining and come with me; I need your help."
"Damn it! Stop ordering me around, half-breed! Fuck you all, damn humans!" Hyran snarled, scratching the back of his head as he stomped out after him.
Inside, Yulia whispered to Vida, who still stood frozen near the door.
"How long are you going to stand there, Vida?" She patted the mattress beside her.
Vida approached and sat on the bed, hands clasped and trembling. Then Yulia turned her gaze to Moriana, whose eyes were locked forward in a daze. Her tone sharpened:
"Hey, Mori! Can't you act like a normal girl for once? Apologize to Vida. Look what your stupid crap did to her."
Moriana stood from her chair, leaned forward, and clasped Vida's hands. Vida's trembling eased a little.
"Huh? I'm sorry, Vida. I didn't mean to scare you."
Vida lifted her head with a shaky smile.
"It's alright, Yana. You were worried about Yul… I was worried about you both, too."
Yulia smacked the back of Moriana's head with a loud slap. Moriana jerked backward.
"Ouch!...
What the hell is wrong with you bookworm?!"
Vida flopped back onto the pillow, folding her hands behind her head.
"Do something like that again, and we're done."
Moriana sank back into her chair, her eyes narrowing with sadness.
"Yuli, please—at least let me try Illyria."
Her gaze shifted to Vida, her voice pleading.
"Vida, Illyria is meant for healing. Lumiere I used on you last year was just one of its strains."
Vida's eyes flicked between them before settling on Yulia's pale face. Her voice carried quiet resolve:
"Yul… let Yana do what she can."
Then she turned back to Moriana, her tone sharp:
"And you, Yana… next time you pull shit like that, I won't forgive you.
I'm counting on you— and I trust you."
Moriana nodded faintly.
Yulia wiggled her knees playfully under the blanket.
"My goodness, Vida… you sound just like Zarius."
Moriana and Vida shared faint smiles. Yulia rolled onto her side, tugging the blanket over herself.
"Good night. Get some sleep—tomorrow will be a long day."
Moriana met Vida's eyes.
"Vida, go sleep in your own room. Leave Yulia to me tonight."
Vida rose from the bed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm counting on you, Yana."
****
Late that night
Moriana stayed alone in Yulia's room, eyes fixed on the sleeping girl, thoughts churning.
It's time to bring you back, Yuli.
Whoever—or whatever—tries to take you,
I won't allow it.
Moriana slowly extended her right hand toward Yulia and closed her eyes.