Lloyd woke with a start. His eyes darted around the room and saw a few extra faces. Standing in the room were the two healers of Breakwater, Lily and Lucas. Lily wore long white robes with red threads weaving throughout the clothing in a random but beautiful pattern. Lily was a short woman with short brown hair and brown eyes. Much like the white robes, she always seemed to wear a smile. Her specialty was dedicated to healing ailments. Altered people only received one power, and that power grew when they Ascended at the age of 23. Lily could not close wounds, heal abrasions, or mend bones, but she could cure diseases, poisons, and other things that ailed the body. If you were lucky, you might gain a mutation and expand what your ability could do. This always stayed in the same realm of your main power, never being able to acquire a completely new one. Lily could never encase her fists in electricity like Cassius. Mutations were almost unheard of. Nobody in Breakwater had them, and when the Citadel sent its yearly scouts, the information from them usually mirrored this.

Lucas was the other healer in Breakwater. He would be the one to fix up Lloyd’s shoulder next. Lucas easily stood over six feet tall. He was quite the stark contrast next to Lily. His shoulder-length, jet-black hair topped a stern face. A face appearing more prepared for battle than it did for healing the wounds of such battles. He approached Lloyd and put his hand on the injured shoulder. Lloyd looked at his wound as he saw Lucas’ hands begin to glow. Lloyd began to feel the familiar warmth of the power doing its work. Unfortunately for Lloyd, being without powers meant he had to often come to the healers. The redness began to recede from the outstretches of the wound, and the skin swiftly stitched itself up. A minute later, only a light pink area on his shoulder remained to remind him of the close call he had today.

“That was a pretty gnarly wound you got there, buddy,” Lily said as she stood beside the hut’s wall, still smiling.

Lloyd nodded toward both of the healers before he pushed up from the bed and took in his surroundings. The healer’s hut is what the town nicknamed the place he was currently in. The wooden floorboards and walls were simple and made of dark timber. Lloyd felt embarrassed not knowing what tree it came from, considering his mom was so intertwined with all things nature. The roof was topped with a golden yellow thatch roof. Most of the buildings in town were nearly identical in material. Why change something that isn’t broken? Lloyd thought as an amusing smile grew on his face. Can’t wait to see what other towns look like.

“Yeah, I didn’t think much about it at first, but then the poison really started to build,” Lloyd said.

“You should have brought your pack, man. If we were any farther away from town, that would have been lethal.” Cassius said as he not so lightly punched Lloyd in the arm. Luckily for Lloyd, it wasn’t the newly healed shoulder.

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“That's why I didn't bring them, Cassius. I knew we would be close to town and didn't want to waste the supplies.”

“Yeah, I know. You said that earlier, and it still doesn't make sense now. If you end up dying today, the only thing that you will be wasting is your life.”

Lloyd took in a breath as the words punched him in the chest. His cheeks began to redden as the words sunk in. He knew his friend was right. Outside of the nature-grown defensive walls of Breakwater, any moment could turn deadly against the red-eyes. He would be more prepared next time. This time was only a fluke, he thought.

“You’re right. It wasn't a wise call. I'll make sure to play it safer and use the potions.” Lloyd said. It pained him to agree with Cassius and admit that he was right, but he was.

Lloyd kicked his feet to the side of the bed and pushed off. Standing up, he could feel that the wobbliness had gone entirely. Lloyd rubbed and rotated his previously injured shoulder and felt no pain or soreness. Lily and Lucas did a good job.

“Thank you both for fixing me up,” Lloyd said.

“Not a problem,” Lily said.

“It’s what we are here for. Just be a bit more careful out there. We don’t need to be adding a tree for you.” Lucas said, and the mood in the room swiftly soured. Lucas needs to work on his bedside manners, Lloyd thought.

With that, Lloyd headed outside. He stepped onto the dirt streets that wove throughout the town. Lloyd looked to his right and saw almost identical houses to the healer’s hut dot either side of the walkway. He followed the natural path with his eyes towards a larger opening in the town center and the giant willow tree that loomed there. Its massive trunk extended a hundred feet in the air, its leaves cascading in arcs towards the ground. Somewhere halfway up the tree, tucked behind the leafy waterfall, was Lloyd’s home. Beyond the briar wall on the town’s east side lay the ocean they no longer ventured into. Lloyd heard tales of Constructors or Builders in other towns who could create massive earth and stone buildings with their powers. They didn't have anybody with that ability in this town, so they were stuck with wood and thatch. He wondered what kind of incredible abilities were out there. What could people do with the alteration that ran through their blood?

“Do you mind picking up little bro? I think his classes are wrapping up soon. I've got to stop by Sam's place real quick and give her a couple of pointers on her swordsmanship skill.” Regal said, interrupting Lloyd’s thoughts.

“Yeah, no…,” Lloyd began to say before Cassius chimed in.

“Yeah, I bet you are going to give her some pointers, aren't you,” Cassius said as he elbowed Regal in the side. “Really show her how to handle a sword?” Cassius said as he raised and lowered his eyebrows.

“Whatever man,” Regal said as he laughed and shoved Cassius aside. “She's looking to join some of the hunters as they go out for food, and she just wanted some pointers, that's all.”

“That might be all you plan on doing, but that's not all she wants,” Cassius said.

“Yeah, well, whatever. We are leaving in two days and that's not really something I'm looking for anyway right now. We’ve got to focus.”

Cassius scoffed before he waved to the group and then took off towards his own house. Regal extended his fist; Lloyd reached out and bumped his fist into Regal’s. “Catch you in a little bit,” Regal said.

“Yeah, will do. I'll make sure to tell Mom you'll be a little bit,” Lloyd said.