Chapter 285

A Healer’s Guide to War

To say I was bored would be an understatement.

Well not bored, not exactly.

See as a healer, and not just any healer but one of the two who could Resurrect, I was apparently deemed too important to be on the front lines.

Yes, I could go about sabotaging enemy vessels all I wanted, before the war officially began. But now that the war was here, I had to stay back.

Stay back and watch.

Not that anyone would tell me what was happening, but then again with my vision the way it was, I could now see over thirty-five kilometers in all directions thanks to my Perception Attribute being over 3,500.

The only problem is, once you can see all parts of a battle happening for thirty-five kilometers around you, the more you realize maybe sitting back is the best option. Which is infuriating as you feel that you could do more, while out there.

Of course, I wasn’t alone.

I had the entire protection detail. There was Jhonny, who finally dropped the Princess Octavia avatar. Penelope who had transitioned to temporary caregiver during the second half of the wedding. I had little Umbra, my midnight Death Magic affiliated Dire Phase Wolf pup. Then there was also Little Red herself. Yes, that was my nickname for Redding Spiritlight, my now apparent granddaughter, who t had the Legendary bloodlines for both myself and Mallory running through her, but had chosen to take my surname versus the Valhalla surname.

Worse, or maybe just karma still kicking me for my choice of the Child flaw so long ago, Little Red already sported an adult sized body. She was just an Ethereal Elf, which meant she had the third eye, and was legally blind thanks to her having Angel’s Sight, a condition of my bloodline.

I hate this, sitting around, waiting, watching other die, and then waiting for the dead and injured to be grabbed and dragged back here so we could Heal, or Resurrect the dead.

To make matters worse, I promised Mallory I would stay here until midnight, which was still seven hours away, meaning I couldn’t even use this downtime to knock out my one-on-one visit with the void creature from a magic-less realm. Worse, she has my Zero, making this even more frustrating.

“Gah!” I hissed, finally unable to take this any longer.

“It has been five minutes, mother,” Gwen stated with more than a bit of annoyance in her voice. Since she was the other Resurrector, she of course was here with me. But unlike myself who wanted to use our gifts as they were intended, she apparently agreed that we should be back here, away from all the action.

“That is like thirty Swan Lakes to us pixies,” I protested.

“What? First of all Swan Lake was three hours long. Secondly, there were no pixies or fairies in Swan Lake, it was just a ballet based on a fairy tale, mother,” Gwen retorted.

As she spoke, I do remember that. But I wasn’t going to let logic stop me, not now at least while I was forced to wait around while I saw dozens of people dropping and dying around me. Thus, I decided to double down on this faux outrage.

“Right, because if a true pixie was there, then it wouldn’t even have gotten to the point of conflict. Had fairies been there, then maybe two and a half minutes tops,” I pressed, purposefully raising the intensity in my voice without actually raising my voice.

“What are you even talking about?” Gwen asked, then she paused and then stared directly at me. She and I both knew that the gesture was useless, as we could see everything around us, but it was clear that Gwen was apparently trying to put something together. “You know, if you sat down and waited, you might get a new skill like Patience.”

Hearing her talk, I couldn’t help but think that she knew me too well. While the idea of a new skill did intrigue me, I quickly dismissed that thought when I realized what I would likely need to do to eventually max out my Patience skill.

I also realize that she is doing enough to possibly sidetrack me from my original intention, which was to create an argument that I could use to storm off and actually be of help.

“I don’t need Patience, because I have plenty of it, thank you.” I reply angrily.

“No you don’t, you can’t even wait five minutes for us to be useful,” Gwen responded. As she spoke, both Jhonny and Penelope nodded in agreement.

“What?” I demand, and realizing I am getting close to the time when I need to leave, I quickly shove a slumbering Umbra into Penelope’s arms.

“What, oh…” Penelope stammered as she instinctively went to cradle the beast.

“There, now we can have a proper conversation,” I state, turning about to focus directly at Gwen.

With that motion, Gwen originally looked confused, but then her eyes suddenly went wide with recognition.

“Wait, are you purposefully trying to start an argument so you can storm off?” Gwen asked.

I pause for a half second as I realize I might have done this a few too many times in her presence. Still, it is either I double down and execute, or I admit defeat. I of course, will never accept defeat, especially not during a war.

“What? WHAT? You dare accuse me of trying to start an argument?” I demand, then before she can get a word in edgewise, “I don’t have to take this, I’m going to go for a walk to calm down…”

Poof.

That is the problem with arguing with your kids when they are adults, they know all of your tells.

***

After Cass left, a foursome of minders left behind specifically to keep Cass away from the front lines all stared at each other.

“Did she just?” Penelope asked, while holding and gently rocking the slightly disturbed, but still sleepy albino dire phase wolf.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Create an argument just to storm off and play Healer, yes.” Gwen answered, a note of annoyance in her voice.

“I’ll call it in,” Redding noted as she pulled out the communications device. As she pulled it up and began connecting to the switchboard, she began walking away. Leaving just the original trio behind to look vacantly at each other.

Finally, after a second, Jhonny broke the silence.

“Wait, I’m confused,” he began.

With that both Penelope and Gwen stared at Jhonny.

“What?” Gwen asked.

“You’re telling me that there weren’t fairies in Swan Lake?” Jhonny asked.

“Yes,” Penelope and Gwen both shot back annoyedly.

“Then who were the little creatures dancing on the water, were they just supposed to be magical swans?”

***

Fortunately, I can Teleportation once more.

Now that the world is back up and running as it mostly should, meaning we are back to the sanitary magical sandbox settings, magic is back to normal.

At least magic the way I have become accustomed to accessing, using, and casting the energy. Though I can tell the difference, which is good, as it means I should be able to focus on what real magic is, and can do.

Also, with magic being back to normal, I can cast all my old spells without worrying about unforeseen consequences.

Though I am not going to lie. As I still found myself putting up my hand in front of my face while Teleporting, a face-saving reflexive gesture that I don’t know if I want to train out of my system. At least I don’t want to train this out of my system for the immediate future. Especially not when I need to go back to the Void Realm later tonight. No, right now, I’ll keep it, even if it does make me look stupid.

That said, in the middle of a battle the last thing I need to worry about is my looks.

Poof.

Body found, body grabbed, spirit tether strengthened just enough, Teleport.

Poof.

I arrive back to safety, before the enemy forces have a chance to even recognize that I am there. Once the body and still attached spirit are back to a relatively safe location. Totally not the Kujo Caverns with the self-cleaning sacrificial altar, but a sterile environment that is conducive to casting magical spells and effects. Also, this is a win-win for me, as each body I heal here will be sanitized and used to fuel my next power infusion for my body. A win-win-thanks-to-war scenario.

Though I do have a moral quandary, one that is easily fixed by simply thinking about the situation for a moment. With the first body here, secure and spirit reattached safely, I decide to go out and get more bodies.

Magical-Tingle.

“Oh, never mind. Thank you, Rune-ulacrum,” I state as I realize that Rune-ulacrum, my fourth Simulacrum is already here and helping.

With her on Resurrection detail, I begin to go back out and grab more and more bodies.

Poof.

Magical Ripple.

I instantly feel a tether of magic trying to attach itself to me, which I quickly Dispel. Before grabbing the next downed soldier and securing their spirit before removing weapons and just taking the relevant body with me.

Poof.

Another body down, another body sterilized, and spirit stabilized. Then I am out.

Poof.

My goal is to work quickly and effectively.

With me being on body retrieval and Rune-ulacrum on Resurrection, one would assume that I would be the slow one. But apparently Rune-ulacrum is taking their sweet time.

I get back and pause to see what she is doing, then I realize she is performing Perfect Resurrection, a spell that takes at least five times longer than the standard version.

“Come on, you are slowing down the line,” I state. Then look at whom she is Resurrecting. “Wait, don’t waste a Perfect Resurrection on the enemy,” I state, and then point to the lapel on the jacket of the first body I took. A body that is apparently a Legrand soldier.

Rune-ulacrum just turns up her nose and continues the casting.

I am about to argue with her, but then realize that stopping now and switching would cost more time and resources in terms of my mana.

“Okay fine,” I state, then turn around “Kujo!”

Foof.

A very tired but seemingly happy to be away from having to help babysit twelve pups, the thirteenth is currently with Penelope.

“There’s the new dad. Look, we might have a bit of a problem. Can you make sure everyone plays nice when they wake up?” I ask.

Kujo looks at me and then seems to have a bit of fog in their mind as they can’t quite understand what I am saying.

“Look, just lie down there and bite the limbs off of anyone that wakes you by screaming,” I reply.

Tail wag.

And like that, Kujo was onboard with helping us Resurrect even enemy soldiers within this area. Kujo for his part laid down, curled up tightly into a ball, and immediately went to sleep.

I had to give him credit, he acclimated faster to being a father than even Rob did. Not even out of day one and he is exhausted.

Poof.

I pop over to see Ms. Kujo who is also sleeping, despite being under a horde of quivering and moving babies.

I cast a gentle Area Rejuvenation over everyone present, then I go back out and continue picking up bodies.

All the Midnight Hunter spirits end up staying next to their bodies, apparently, they were told or just assume we would come to rescue them. A smart assumption, as they don’t leave their bodies, and don’t even worry about trying to move on with either their next lives or what number I get to them.

Spirit waving.

Yes, in death, apparently what you do is sit next to your body and wave at the pixie as she suddenly appears on the battlefield.

“I see you all already, calm down. I’ll get to you all.” I state, securing the next body and spirit, before Teleporting out.

I’m actually hitting three different battle fronts all at once. The idea is that if I stay at one spot for too long, then people might get time to prepare.

Though it is nice, as the waving spirits let me know which ones are friendlies. At least at first, soon after even the enemy spirits begin waving at me. Making it tougher, but once I start securing a body, even that of an enemy, I don’t stop.

Instead, I just shake my head and think about having Penelope make a glowing patch that shines even in the spirit realm. That or I need to mark all guild members’ souls, but that seems excessive.

SCREEEEAMING ARTILLERRRYYY!

Poof.

I get out of the way, just before the bodies that I was working with get hit by a giant mortar.

That’s just mean, as it destroys the bodies, and makes it so Resurrection is just that much harder.

For a moment, I think about stopping the mortar round, but it seems that my private lair that is now a makeshift infirmary, has its own sense of drama, as a recently Resurrected Legrand mage is up and trying to cast a subtle spell.

Worse, Rune-ulacrum is too focused on casting yet another Perfect Resurrection, though this time on a Midnight Hunter. Kujo is sleeping, which just leaves me.

Poof.

I appear behind the slyly casting mage and strike out.

Core Shattering Palm Strike!

Shatter.

A sound and feeling like breaking glass erupts from my strike that bursts through the body of the mage and sends out a violent ripple of force that integrates the once impressive perfect core.

With that one blow, I take away all the benefits that Rune-ulacrum just applied to the body by Perfectly Resurrecting that body with a fully developed Tier VII core.

Wheeze!

It is clear that the mage is trying to breathe, to cry out in pain, but is unable to. Of course, at this point I am already focusing on the issues. I want to yell at Kujo, but then just shake my head realizing it would be pointless to chastise him, so instead I focus my attention where it might actually make a difference. That’s right, I focus on myself, well a portion of me at least.

“See, this is why you don’t give the enemy nice things,” I say to the still Resurrecting Rune-ulacrum. Though this time Rune-ulacrum does drop their head in seeming capitulation.

Gasp.

Finally, the body that Rune-ulacrum was Resurrecting comes to life. Seeing that this task is done, I propose we switch our roles.

“Why don’t you go out and get the other bodies, I’ll focus on Resurrecting for now,” I state.

Rune-ulacrum looks like they want to protest, but ultimately just drop their head in shame.

Poof.

I didn’t mean to be rude, but sometimes you just have to be terse with yourself, if you want to change for the better.

With the first Legrand soldier down, but alive and a Midnight Hunter soldier up, I feel better. Also, I can multitask, meaning I start casting Perfect Resurrection a total of four times from my Quintessence Ethereal Healer class specific Trait: Resurrection. I just change the parameters and how much energy I use to cast a Perfect version of the spell, but I’m happy with the fact that I can use that same pool of energy to cast the Perfected form of Resurrection.

“You, you actually came for us?” The Midnight Hunter soldier spoke, he looks vaguely familiar and it takes me a second to see him once his spirit calms down. But once it fully settles, I recognize him almost immediately. This was one of the participants who tried to be part of the initial batch of Qi Manifestation students.

Recognizing him, I just smile and decide to push mess with him a little bit.

“Of course I do recruit,” I state.

“Recruit? You remember me?” The soldier asks.

“Of course I do,” I don’t remember his name. In fact, I don’t remember most names, other than the ones I name. I wonder if that is why I make them so bad, so they are easier to remember? But I don’t want to be pressed for him to ask me what I think his name is, so I push the agenda. “For remember what I told you, when I first met you?”

“I couldn’t forget it if I tried,” he states as a slight chill runs down his spine as he just stares at me.

Seeing his reaction, I smile, knowing that my Resurrectionist joke would not be forgotten that easily.

“And what did I say?” Smiling inwardly as I’m going to get him to tell me my own joke about not dying, because I didn’t give permission to die back to me.

“Pick those legs up higher sissy!” He shouted, force and fear represented in his tone in equal measures.

“What?” I ask, completely caught off guard by that comment.

“That’s what you said when I first met you,” the soldier responded.

“Okay, well what did I say after that?” I push, trying to get him to tell me my own punchline back.

“You better move faster, those hills aren’t going to run themselves,” he pressed.

With his words, I find myself nodding in agreement, as I think I might have said something to that effect. Though, I’m pretty sure he is just adding a bit of extra emphasis due to not being selected for the first round of admittance, that was of course when I was trying to get people to either force me to accept them or to drop out on their own.

“Okay, but what did I say about not having to worry about dying?” I ask, hoping that he can finally relax despite constantly getting more and more frightened the more I ask him about that one little training scenario.

“You said, go ahead and die. If you do, I’ll just Resurrect you and make you start over from the beginning. In fact, please do so, maybe that way you will do it right, for once.” The soldier responded.

And like that, I realized I might be rememberable as an instructor, but possibly for the wrong reasons.