My eyes opened to a familiar dark room.

Esper.

She had to be the doctor in my dream. Though, was it really a dream? So much remained muddled, but I remembered the green skin.

I called out her name, but all I received was a snort.

“You aren’t that lucky.”

Dorian.

I sat up, and the world spun, but this time only for seconds. “What happened?“

“Somehow you managed to piss off both [Healers]. True, I haven’t actually talked to the Vísir about you, but…you know…you’re human. So, that was a given.“He sat back in the wood chair and crossed a leg, “However, Esper wasn’t. I have never seen her so angry before.What did you do?”

“I…” I pinched my temples as throbbed. “I don’t think I am up for that right now.”

“Sure. Sure. I understand. And now I don’t have to worry about you muscling in our budding relationships. I have enough competition as it is.”

It was my turn to snort, and this time, my body didn’t hurt. It was just the opposite. I practically thrummed with energy. “Dang, what’s wrong with me. Dorian, what happened?“

“You pissed her off.”

“I am not in the mood for jokes.”

“I am not kidding, but you are really lucky she puts her duty above her feeling. Whatever you did didn’t stop her from somehow pulling the excess Aether from your system after you overdosed on it. ”

“How did I— “

I stopped as this experience filled in the last piece of puzzle that I didn’t even know I had been working on. Aether. It had to be the key to how Dorian could shatter stone, the Vísir healed, and everyone else’s superhuman or magical abilities. Without realizing it, I must have been doing the same when I pulled the cart far too heavy for me. I had been using Aether to supercharge my strength. When I didn’t have enough, I sucked in more with focused breathing until I took in too much. But why then? It had been fine until I went into new shaft.

Questions for later. “So, she saved me again. Now much do I owe her now?”

“Not as much as you think, at least not from a life-debt standpoint. You might even be even. I’m not sure, but she talks to herself as she works. It sounded like she believed you helped.” He snorted as if that was impossible.

I didn’t disagree with him, because if I had dreamed was true, I had. Still did that really happen?

“How does that matter?”

“You did more than survive. That alone surprised both of us. However, in doing so, you helped her break through a tier. A tier! It takes something significant to make that happen. We should be celebrating. And as a bonus, you refilled her Energy. She sprinted out as soon as you were safe to help heal other. She is going to level even more today. Honestly, you’re damn lucky. A damn lucky fool. Don’t ever try that again. Most [Healers] wouldn’t have the skill to do what she did at her level. Until seeing Esper do it, only the Vísir has the skills in the camp, and she would have just let you die.”

He thought I was lucky. I closed my eyes, tilted my head back again the wall, and let out a laugh. “If you say so.”

The chair creaked. “I do, and you should drill that into your skull. There are far safer ways to charge up a [Healer]. Now come on. I bet you are hungry. Let’s get out of here before the Vísir returns.”

We walked out the hut into the clearing. The sun lit the cliff face, and trees’ shadows, like fangs of a beast, closed in on the camp. I had been out for some time. As we walked towards the break between the building, I had my first full view of the hill that tried to kill me.

“The cart!” It was gone. All that work…

“I took care of it. I got shooed out as soon as you were settled in this cot. Apparently, my pacing interfered with Esper’s work. It was pretty clear which one was yours. So, I took care of it and the rest of your work for the day.”

”Dorian…“

He waved away my concerns. “It was the least I could do to make up for my mistake.”

“Mistake? I don’t see how you screwed up.”

“I shouldn’t have left you alone, not when they were so obvious. The damn greenskins hate Humans, and never mind that the Verndari cares only for money. I am sure he saw this as a way to hurt both of us. I should’ve warned you. I should’ve been there.”

“Dorian.”

He continued as if he didn’t hear me, “I should’ve—“

“Dorian.” My yell to cut him off, but it also caused him to drop into a fighting stance, hand going for his belt.

His head swiveling, “what do you see?”

“I…” What was with the place? His reaction was too much. “Sorry. You can relax. I don’t see anything dangerous. I just want you to stop berating yourself. You have done more for me than anyone else in this damn place.” He opened his mouth, and I jabbed a finger at him. “No, not even if you are about to say Esper’s name. She healed me, but she…” abandoned me, her patient. Though, maybe Dorian and everyone else didn’t see that way. “She…isn’t here now. You are the only one that has been there for me.”

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He stared at me, and then a small smile cracked lips. “Boy was she pissed.” Eyes squinted, he leaned in. “Wait, does that mean she actually likes you?”

I stopped in my track and stared at him. “Where do you think we are? High school?” He gave me a strange look as my words didn’t translate. I shook my head. “Forget it. I am sure the answer is no.”

“Good because otherwise I would have to throw you back into the mine.”

I rolled my eyes, but then I narrowed my eyes. “Wait. Are you really into her?” His short pause told me everything. Maybe I was in high school. “You don’t have to worry about me. I am pretty sure she never wants to see me again, not that I would be your biggest problem.” Instead of high school, Romeo and Juliet was more proper comparison given the sheer animosity between Oresiani and Ættir.

He frowned. “Yeah. I doubt you will be able to put in a good word for me.” He tapped his thick lips. “She was pretty please after she purged the Aether and drained the energy out of you. Do you think that would work for me.”

I groaned as I sat up. “I don't recommend it.”

He laughed. “Yeah. Only the truly stupid would try that.”

I stood up only to start coughing. Dorian clapped my back a few times while handing me a rag. “Best to get it out now.”

I managed to stop only after hacking up what felt like a lung. I took a look at what I expectorated and flinched.

“That’s not dust, if that was what you were thinking.”

I had, because if dust hadn’t turned sputum a deep black, that left…necrotic tissue. I eyed the red flecks mixed with the black phlegm. What had I done to my lungs?

Dorian, unaware of my internal musings, continued. “I hear lung rot is common among Humans since so many can’t obtain or afford a skill to suppress dust, but you won’t have that problem working with me. No, that’s your body trying to get rid of what you sucked in. It would have happened eventually, but Esper made it happen faster.”

I looked at the tarry sputum once more. “You are saying this is what...Aether?”

“Not exactly.Sure, there is some in there, but it is mostly the crap that your body generates when you breathe in too much Aether.”I gave him questioning look.“Don’t ask me.I am not a [Healer]. Just get it out. The faster the better. It ain’t good for your channels, and it will leave you more susceptible to Aether toxicity, which will be a problem.”

My mind, still slowed by whatever had happened, finally parsed what he said. “No. You don’t mean.”

“Yeah, I know it isn’t fair, but you need to drag yourself back to the mine tomorrow. It will make a statement, and say what you will about the greenskins, they truly respect resolve.”

I have to go back tomorrow? It isn’t…fair?

I shouldn’t be surprised. I knew better than most just how unfair it could be. How many young, healthy people had I seen struck down by cancer or some other neurodegenerative disorder completely out of their control? Dorian was right. The Verndari did this on purpose. Coming back would make a statement.

Coughs wracked my body once more. When they calmed down, I unwrapped the rag in morbid fascination. More of the coal-black sputum tinged with red stained the coarse, beige rag. What I wouldn’t give for an x-ray or CT to better understand what was happening.

I tried to take a few steps. Dorian watched each one, but he didn’t extend a hand, but that offer was not far away.

“I can make it. I just need to take it a bit slow.” My muscles groaned with each step, but they didn’t feel close to collapsing. They burned, but I could live with that. No, my lungs were the weak link. I started wheezing at the halfway mark, but at least I made it to the room’s door before I started coughing. My vision went grey, but I waved Dorian back. Between coughs, I got out, “I am fine. Just need a second. And possibly a few more rags.”

He nodded, grabbing another before waving me forward towards the exit. ”Come on then. Let’s get you out of here. You are going to need more rest.”

----------------------------------------

We went left, heading towards the last major cluster of building in this camp that I had not yet visited. With each step, we gained more speed as my breathing came easier and the tightness in my chest loosened. By the time we had made it three-quarters of the way, the vise around my chest had relaxed, but Dorian stopped to give me a small break. Even from this distance, I could tell this was some sort of residential area. Swarms of people entered and exited longhouses. Some headed off to the mine, but the majority funneled into a large building on par with the Quartermaster.

Noticing my gaze, Dorian provided an explanation. “Dinner started, and the food goes fast.”

My stomach growled. “Great. Because, apparently, I am hungry.”

However instead of moving towards the dining hall, he veered off towards the longhouses.“I will get your food today.No need to…expose you that mess.While the Commons serves three full meals a day, most companies don’t leave the mines for lunch, even with sparse lunch rations.Dinners are always…crowded.”

I eyed him. There was more than he was letting on, but I didn’t have it in me to push. Instead, we continued to walk towards the longhouses. Unlike the other clusters of buildings, the longhouses did not open into a central courtyard. A central path divided the longhouses into two distinct sets arranged in rows like barracks. Even though the number of people exiting the longhouses had dropped to a trickle, I couldn’t help but notice that only Ættir or Volki exited from each respective set. Segregated, like everything else in this place. And where did that leave me?

However, instead of heading towards either row of barracks, we veered off on a small path towards a single longhouse separated from the rest.About half the size of the others and resting a short walk from the other two groups of longhouses, I had given it little attention.Still, I would have noticed a person leaving from there.The whole time, nobody came or went from the building.Even the windows were shuttered.

Dorian didn’t answer. I followed as he walked to the door. He didn’t bother knocking before he opened it.He made no effort to clear a space for me to enter first.He took a single step into the dark room scanning it way too carefully.

Is nothing safe here?

I paused at the doorway, frowning as dust motes kicked into the air by his steps danced inthe small section light cast by the dwindling sunlight.

Definitely abandoned.No one could live with this amount of dust.

Not needing more junk in my lungs, I cleared the air with a few swats.Memories still fresh of the terrors this world’s darkness hid, I didn’t dare leave the doorway.My caution earned me a nod of approval from Dorian as he checked on me. Then a faint light emanated from the left side of his face as he took a cautious step deeper, sweeping the room with his gaze. The glow from his face, or rather Marks, winked out after two passes. Without taking his eyes from the room’s depth, Dorian stretched his arm backward.

The Marks on his arms flashed, and I blinked as the light filled the longhouse, revealing beds with hand-carved frames lining the wall. Dorian walked down central aisle made by a series of four beds on each side.While better made than the healer’s lodge, it had not nothing on the General Supply.Together, it more of a rustic feel, perfectly fit for a summer camp.Though, my appreciation for the craftsmanship did rise as none of Dorian’s steps elicited a single squeak from the floorboards.

Dorian finished his sweep, stopping in front to the closest bed.He swept his arm in a grand gesture.“This is all yours.”

Compared to the cot I had woken up in, it was absolutely luxurious—too luxurious. I couldn’t help but notice that blankets and sheets thrown back and left in disarray in all but one of the beds.

I walked over to inspect one. A coarse blanket lay crumpled together with off-white sheets. The blanket’s thickness spoke of nights colder than any I experienced here so far. The layer of dust on the bed post added gave another hint of the last time this place had guests.

“Should I be expecting company?”

“No.”

The unexpected harshness in his reply made me instantly regret my levity. Still, I held back the obvious questions about what happened to the previous owners. Something about this place clearly bothered him. After everything he had done caring for me, I didn’t need to repay him with prying. After all, right now only two things mattered: “Is it safe?” He nodded. “Will I be,” I groped for right words, “charged extra for all this space?”

“No, not unless you were unwilling to share, but…that won’t be an issue.” He turned away as he spoke, but not before I caught a pained look flash across his face.

Maybe I have died and gone to hell.

Pushing that thought way, I opted to change the subject. “A bit dark in here. Anything we can do about the lights?”

He laughed, all trace of his dark mood gone. “The plate’s right behind you. Actually, hold on.” He waved his hand towards a light stone adhered to the back wall. It then burst into a warm glow, wiping away most of the shadows in the room. “Better?”

“Much.”

“Good. While the plate for the rest of the lights is behind you, you might want to do them individually after what you went through. I am sure you are a bit drained, but it shouldn’t tire you out too much. Also, there’s nothing like Projecting to give you an idea of how your channels are doing. Give that a try, and then,” he motioned to the only made bed in the place, “why don’t you settle in while I get some food.”

“Settle in? Sure. That won’t take long.” After all, I carried on me everything I owned in world. Scrubs, sweater, white coat, and a reflex hammer, the perfect combination for living in the wilderness.

“You might have more after tonight. You can take anything you find in here. Unlike at the Quartermaster, this stuff has a better chance of fitting you.” I barely caught the next comment he muttered as he walked out the door. “The previous owners sure won’t be asking for it back.”