Chapter 56

Friends

The sound of me impatiently tapping my foot filled the little lodge. I look down at Claire who was softly humming to herself as she examined my arm. “Aaron, please focus, your blood is leaking again.”

“R-Right.” I clenched my hand and concentrated my energy into my arm to forcefully stop it from bleeding. “C’mon already.” I murmur to myself, half hoping she heard me.

I slump forward, exhausted. The last bit of energy I had left was going straight to my arm. If she doesn’t hurry up, I’m going to pass out and probably bleed to death.

“Stay still.” Claire reached into her pocket and pulled out a small bottle that had the word “tears” sloppy written on it.

“What’s that?”

“My tears.” She said nonchalantly as she reaches for my injured arm. I quickly retract my arm before she could grab it.

“Relax, I’m joking. It’s just water.”

“That doesn’t make it better!”

“I promise it won’t hurt,” Claire said gently as if she was speaking to a child. I know there’s a huge age gap between us, but it still feels weird being treated like a child by someone who looks like one

Not wanting to be look down upon by her, I reluctantly gave my arm to her. My body involuntary twitch when she tilted the bottle over my arm.

“Try not to move.”

That’s easier said than done. Even though it doesn’t hurt anymore, I just can’t stop shuddering at the thought of water entering the gash in my arm.

“Relax, it’ll be ok.” Claire continues to speak to me like I was a child.

Irritated by her tone of voice, I grab my wounded arm to stop it from shaking. “Do it,” I said, determine to prove to her that I’m not a kid.

Without saying a word, she pours the water on my arm. I tightly grit my teeth to stop myself from letting out any noise. It didn’t hurt, but it felt weird as hell. The water solidifies as it spread across the gash in my arm, turning into a weird gel.

“Alright, this should hold you together.” Claire takes a step back and looks at my arm with a satisfied grin. “That gel will act as a replacement for your damaged skin until your body heals.

“Oh wow,” I said to myself as I lightly shook my arm to see if any blood would drop. Seeing how the thin gel is, I didn't think it would hold me together, but it’s surprisingly tough.

“Thanks, Claire.”

“Don’t thank me. “ Claire said as she waved her hand at me dismissively. “You’re the one that saves yourself. By the way, who taught you how control your blood? That’s a neat little trick.”

“My mom. She told me that an opponent would never let you heal in battle, so she taught me how to stop myself from bleeding.” And then afterward she taught me how cruel humans can be. I still have nightmares of that day.

“She taught you well. I didn’t know you were injured until you collapse.”

“You’re not the only one.” I was so worried about my sister that I forgot about my own injury. Good thing Claire was here. I ended up collapsing on the ground from unconsciously stopping my blood for so long.

“Seriously Aaron, you need to take care of yourself, before you can take care of her.”

“Yea….” While Claire was giving me her “motherly speech,” my eyes drifted towards my sister who was soundly sleeping in bed. Or at least that’s would it looks like from first glance. “So how is she doing?”

“Oh, my goodness.” Claire shook her head while covering her face with her hand. “Before we worry about her, let’s dress that wound of yours.”

“I thought that’s what the gel was for.”

“It is, but I don’t want you or anyone else scratching it off.” Claire clasps her hands together and pulls a bandage roll out of nowhere. “This should hold the gel in place, and speed up your body recovery.”

“Amazing.” Not only can she change the form of water, but can even create an object that affects my body. Elves really are something.

“Hold still” I relaxed my body and allowed Claire to bandage my arm. Not wanting to break her concentration, I quietly watch her wrap my arm up. Eventually, my eyes drifted around the room until it landed on Claire’s forehead. A scar stretch vertically down her head, nearly touching her left eye.

She must’ve got that when the behemoth threw the wagon into the air. I still can’t believe her and Max were hiding in bags the entire time. Why did they go so far to follow us?

“Hey, Aaron?” Claire abruptly stops bandaging my arm and looks up at me with watery eyes. “We’re friends, right?”

“Y-yea.” I stuttered. Surprised by her question.

“So then, why did you leave us?”

“…” I didn’t know how to respond to her, all I could do was look at her and hope an answer would eventually come.

“C’mon Aaron.” She crawls closer to me like she trying to make sure I wouldn’t escape. “If something is bothering you please tell me so I can help.”

Claire is one of the few people I can call a friend. Even though I haven’t known her that long, I feel like can trust her, I want to believe her, I want to tell her everything, but I just simply can’t take that chance.

 “T-there's nothing going on.”

“Nothing huh?” She said dryly. “If nothing is going on then you don’t mind if I stay do you?”

I know sis doesn’t want someone as nosey as Claire tagging along with us. But after everything we went through last night, it would be idiotic to reject someone as powerful as her. If sis really is serious about reclaiming Ragnarok, then we’re going to need more help.

“Of course I don’t mind we’re friend, right?”

“Of course!” She happily shouted while gently patting the bandage down on my arm. “Your arm should be fine now, your sister on the other hand…” Claire’s smile faded the moment she looked at her.

“How is she?”

“I don’t know.” Claire shrugs her shoulder. “My best guess is that she’s simply sleeping.

“Sleeping? Her body is ice cold, there’s no way she’s asleep!”

“Like I said Aaron, that’s just my best guest...” Claire’s voice drifted off as her eyes locked onto something behind me. “That monster outside. Judging by its size, I say it would take at least ten trained men to take it down. Yet you two manage to defeat it by yourself….”

“My sister did most of the work.”

“No need to be modest. Even if you two didn’t beat him, the fact that you guys challenge it alone in survive is quite impressive, although I understand why you’re not proud of this feat.”

Both of us turn our attention back to my sister. The morning sunlight fell into the room and gave her a majestic glow.

“When she’s like this doesn’t she look like a princess?”

“Yeah...” I spoke quietly even though I knew my voice wouldn't wake her up

“No matter how I look at her she doesn’t look like a fighter. Her hands are far too small and delicate to hurt anyone.

True, when it comes to physical strength she’s incredibly weak, but when it comes to magic, skill and intelligence, she’s second to none.

“Hmmm.” Claire tilts her head and moves uncomfortably close to my face.

“W-What?” I lean away to put some space between us.

“I know what you’re thinking.” She said in a playful tone. “What my sister lack in strength she can easily make up with magic.”

I look away, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing she right, although it seems my resistance was in vain. Claire giggle the moment I look away.

“What you’re thinking is correct. While strength is important in a battle, what ultimately decides the fight is how well you can manipulate magic. For example, you using magic to stop your bleeding allow you to stay in the fight a little bit longer...”

Claire pace back and forward around the lodge as she continues with her long winded explanation. it seems she was enjoying herself, she even created a chalkboard.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Um, Claire….”

“But!” She loudly strikes the chalkboard with a stick that suddenly materialize in her hand. Just how far is she going with this roleplay?

“But…” Unfortunately, my question was answer when she adjusted the monocle that ‘magically’ appear on her face.

“Problems arises when you abuse magic.”

Just like what you’re doing right now?

“Aaron!”

“Yes!” I sat up straight afraid that she might’ve been reading my mind again.

“How are you feeling?” I answered her by letting out a sigh while sinking into my chair.

“I feel drain. It’s honestly a miracle that I’m still awake.”

“Hmm, and why is that? You use magic to stop yourself from losing too much blood, plus you had plenty of time to rest from your last fight. So why are you exhausted?”

“You already know why!” I quickly cover my mouth when I realize I was shouting. My patience was thinning by the second. While Claire was playing teacher, my sister condition could be worsening.

“You already know why I’m tired. It’s because I overused ma….gic.” My voice faded away upon realizing Claire’s intention.

“You see where I’m going with this now, right?”

“Yes.” I lower my head infuriated by my own stupidity.

Magic isn’t an unlimited energy resource. The amount of mana one has is heavily dictated by the person’s genes and stamina. Meaning that magic burns stamina at an absurd rate.

“Like I said Anna’s hand are too small and delicate to hurt anyone. In order for her to do damage to anyone she’s need to imbue her fist with magic. And you know how exhausting it is to use magic.

“Yea…” My sister inherited the Demon King’s natural fighting talent. Unfortunately, she didn’t inherit his strength as well. Meaning, her own talent is a detriment to her.

“Your sister is strong Aaron, but it seems her body can’t keep up with her.”

“Yea” was the only thing I could utter. Claire quietly examine me for a few seconds before clapping her hands. All the school equipment she created turn into vapor and vanish on her command.

“There’s no to worry Aaron, if my theory corrects, then she should be back on her feet in a little.

“I hope so.” I really want to believe that she’s just exhausted. But I’m sure the reason why my sister is in this state is because of corruption, the fact that her body isn’t generating heat is proof of that.

Of course I can’t tell Claire this. Which means I’m on my own,

As rack my exhausted brain, the door to the lodge was swung open. A blond headed man wearing expensively clean white pants and shirt walk and into the lodge. Just like Claire, he also had a scar on his head. Upon, entering he immedtialy turn his attention to my sister.

“How is she?

“She’s fine, just needs a little rest. So how does it look outside?”

 “It’s pretty quiet out there. I don’t even hear birds chirping. I guess monsters are really afraid of this place.”

“Good, that means we can stay here without worrying about being attack.” She was speaking to Max, but I knew her message was directed at me.

“Yea, we should stay put until my sister wakes up.”

“Eh, she’s asleep? And I came all this way…” A hoarse voice jump in the middle of our conversation. Before I could figure who it belongs to, Max was thrown into the air.

“I follow that blonde for hours and this is how you repay me? A bloodied red headed boy limps into the room. His shirt was torn and wrap around his waist. Despite the severity of his wounds, his eyes were alive and fierce.

The boy balls his hand into a fist and punches the air. As he pulls his arm back from his punch, something hard slams into my face and knocks me into the air.

“What hit me?” I said to myself as I watch blood fly from my nose. I know he threw a punch, but he was standing at the entrance. There’s no way he could’ve hit me from there.

“Now then, let’s start where we left off.”  

“Don’t touch her!!” I scream at the top of my lungs as I try to stand. My body moved slowly. It felt like was I wading through the oceans with an anchor attach to my leg. I wasn’t going to make it. Even if I did there’s no way I can put up a decent enough fight to stop him.

“It’s time to wake up.” The boy stretches his hand towards my sister. Unable to stop him, all I could do was scream “stop!”

The boy’s hand stops just before it touches my sister. At first I thought he listen to my plead, but upon closer inspection I realize there was something in front of him. Something prevented him from touching her.

“That’s as far as you go.” Max said as he picks himself up. I could feel a weird energy emanating from the circular shield he was holding.

“How cute. Do you really think this will stop me?” The boy balls his hand into a fist and lifted it into the air. A huge gust of wind suddenly blows through the lodge and pushes the boy away from my sister.

“If you’re injured, then please wait your turn.” A wooden stick materializes in Claire’s hands as she approaches the wounded boy. “If you continue to terrorizing my patients, then I’ll have no choice but to add to your injuries.” Claire gave the boy her usual childlike smile, but it was clear that she wasn’t joking around.

“An elf and a noble huh? How interesting.” Both Max and Claire stiffen their guard as the boy lift his hands up.

Is he going to throw another one of those weird punches? I cover my face hoping I can stop whatever he sent at me last time.

“I give up.”

“Eh?!” The three of us shouted in unison.

“There’s no way I can take all of you on. At least not in my current condition.” The boy drops his hands to his side and flops down on an empty bed. “I really don’t want to die. So how about I trade you information for my life?”

The three of us look at each other. Quietly trying to figure out how to deal with him.

“Alright, we’ll take you up on that offer.” Max said as he steps forward to confront the boy. Claire and I nodded out heads, agreeing to let Max do the questioning.

“Who are you?”

“Ed.” The boy responded instantly “I’m a researcher, well assistant researcher if you want to get specific.”

“That’s interesting. I didn’t know researcher harass girls for a living.”

“Heh.” The boy chuckle. “I admit I got a bit distracted and chase down the girl instead of my real target, which is that beast outside.” The boy shoulder slumps the moment he looked at the dead creature outside. “I was supposed to take him alive, but that isn’t possible anymore. Oh well.” The boy shrugs his shoulder and look back at us. “By the way, why are you guys protecting that girl? You do realize she is a monster right?”

I felt my heart stop when the boy pointed at my sister. Did he figure out who my sister is? No way, that’s impossible.

“Monster? What are you talking about?” Max looked back at my sister confuse.

“You didn’t know? I guess that’s understandable. I didn’t realize until I got a good look at her. That girl, she’s emanating the same nasty aura as that beast outside.”

There’s no way he can tell who my sister is by a glance. Unless…

I look back at the kid to see that his was glowing slightly. He’s using magic to enhance his vision.

I follow his example, and concentrated last bit of my strength on my eyes. I instantly regretted my action the moment I looked at my sister.

A thick black smoke covered her body.

How did this happen? Corruption can only active by her command. Did she lose control? Or did she always had to consciously control it? Either way, if I don’t do something now, she’ll die.

“Don’t!” Claire quickly grabs my hand before I could

“Touching those things is a bad idea.”

“You can see them? Since when?”

“The moment I first examine her.” She said weakly. “I thought you knew already, that’s why I didn’t say anything.”

“See what? What are you guys talking about?!” Confusion was written on Max’s face. Unlike us, he can’t use magic effectively which means he can’t see those smoke that’s eating my sister.

Claire let’s out a sigh and pulls out a black shard from her pocket.

“Hey that’s….” I patted my pocket down, looking for shard I took from my sister.

“You drop it when you fell unconscious at the inn. I was going ask you about it when Anna woke, but who knows when that’s going to happen.”

“Whoa, whoa!” Is that a shard infused with corruption?” The boy snatches the shard out of Claire’s hand. “Only someone skilled in manipulating corruption can do this.” Greed filled the boy’s eyes as he examines the shard. “Give her to me.”

“What?!” The three of us again shouted at the same time.

“It’s clear you guys have no idea how to treat her. Give her to me and I’ll get her back into shape.”

“Like hell I will give my sister to….”

“Are you really capable of treating her?” Max said cutting me off.

“Max, you’re seriously not thinking about handing my sister over are you?” My body shook with rage. Unfazed by my angry, Max turn his attention back to the boy.

“Well, can you treat her?”

“Max!”

“Aaron, calm down!” Claire wraps her arms around just as I was about to lunge at Max. “Let them talk.”

“Like I hell I will!” I try shake free from Claire’s grip, but lack the strength to do. I continue to pointlessly struggle until I collapse on the ground, exhausted.

“So can you?” Listening to the two calmly continue their conservation after my outburst. Anger me further.

 “I can’t fix her, but my boss might be able to. She’s been study corruption and how it affects people for a while now, so she’s your best chance of saving that girl.”

“….” Max looked back at me, for a spilt second a saw bit hesitation in his eyes. “Fine, we’ll hand her over to you.” My heart sank as the boy

“Good, grab the girl and…”

“I’m not finish yet.” Max raise his hand to stop the boy from getting closer.” We’ll only hand her over to you if you take us too.” For a second, the boy stare at Max confuse for a second. Slowly, a wide grin crack through his confusion.

“That’s even better! I would love to fight you guys, especially that girl!” The boy once again pointed towards my sister. “I need to pay her back for putting a hole in my stomach.”

“So, do we have a deal or not?” Max calmly responded.

“Of course! Bring the girl to the cart when you’re ready.” The room fell quiet the moment the boy left. Unable to handle the silence, I release the frustration and rage I built during their conservation.

 “Why did you say yes?! He attacks my sister! There’s no way he can be trusted!”

“I agree.” Max responded calmly. “But he seems to understand your sister’s condition better than anyone else here.

“So what?! So what he understands my sister condition! Even if he’s capable of saving her life, if tries to touch her again, I’ll kill him!” The room once again fell silent. Both Max and Claire looked at me shock. I too was surprise by my own threat. No, it wasn’t a threat. I’m sure if my body wasn’t exhausted I probably would’ve killed that kid by now.

My hands shook fiercely as the thought of me pressing my hands into his throat until I squeeze out all the air play in my mind.

 “Aaron…” Claire said softly as she gently touches my shoulders. “We’re friends right?” My mind went blank from Claire’s question.

“Y-yea.” Even though she asks me this earlier I still couldn’t answer her properly.

“Then that means you trust us right?” She knelt down next to me and offer her hand. I lift my hand ready to shake hers, but the thought of impaling the behemoth ran through my head.

That thing outside was once human. I thought after killing I would be disgust, but in truth, it was the exact opposite. I felt nothing but joy. Killing something she couldn’t excited me.

“Ha, ha.” A cold laugh escapes from my mouth as I felt something dark creep into my head. I don’t think traveling alone is possible for us anymore.

“Please.” I grab Claire’s hand and tightly held it. “Save her.”

 (??? P.O.V)

“So what do you think?”

“It’s kind of hard to see with this clown mask, but the behemoth put up a good fight. It’s unfortunate he died.

“I wasn’t talking about him I was talking about the girl.”

“Oh.” I look back at the brown headed boy who was carrying a pale-skin girl.

I honestly think those two are cute together. Watching them protect each other, made me what to call off the behemoth attack. Of course, I can never say that out loud. At least not when the clown is around.

“She’s skilled. I find her ability to control corruption quite impressive. But she’s only human, she stands no chance against me.”

“No chance huh?” The clown rubs his chin while laughing at me.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, I’m just happy you’re following in the Demon King’s footstep. But be careful, if you follow it blindly you’ll fall into the same traps he did.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Nothing, I just want you to be careful. The Demon King was strong, but he always failed because he underestimated his enemies.”

“You think that girl is a threat? Then I have no choice, but to get rid of her.”

“Wait! There’s eyes above us.” There really wasn’t anything above us but I understood what he meant. The reason we have to wear these is because of this world ever watchful deity, Athena.

“I’m glad you’re eager to kill potential threats. But killing that girl right now would just be wasteful. After all, you two are the only ones capable of fully controlling corruption.

“Which means we need to kill her.”

 “No, it means we need to keep our eyes on her. So until we figure out who she is we’ll continue testing her.”