The spider's weight pressed down like a boulder on my back, it's poison burning my neck with every passing second we wasted. It hadn't dug deep enough to cause lasting damage yet, but it would if this stretched much longer.

My spirit hadn't answered me since the day we made the pact in Dawncrest, but there were no other options.

Focusing inward, I prayed. Hello, Spirit, who I still don't know the name of. I'm sorry for bothering you so soon after you helped me before, but I could desperately use a spell that doesn't break my bones. Would it be possible for you to teach me one?

It felt hilariously informal, and half of me wanted to apologize, even as the other half was too frantic over the venom to care.

If they wanted me alive, they'd have to help me out. I wasn't good to anyone if I was spider chow.

Silence passed for several beats, and disappointment welled as it stretched longer. Just as I thought they wouldn't respond at all, the voice from Dawncrest returned, echoing inside my head.

I offered you Retribution because nothing else would suffice against the scale of a dragon. As you progress, more spells will become available to you. There is one that will aid you, but you will need to rest after casting it. It is several levels higher than yourself, though not so lofty as Retribution.

Oh, thank all the spirits above and below. I did not want to break my bones again. Setting that aside, I responded.

I would greatly appreciate any help you see fit to offer. What level is this spell, and how do I cast it?

A wave of warmth filled me, but unlike last time, there was no flash of light. Instead, I felt the gentle but firm pressure of a hand between my shoulders as the spirit spoke again.

Wrap yourself in my energy, envision it coating you like a second skin or thin, but unbreakable armor. This spell is level five and named, Radiant Bastian. Now go forth; that will keep you safe from even the child of Life’s lance.

Child of Life; was that what the spirits referred to healers as?

The presence faded away before I could ask, and I shook the curiosity aside. We had bigger problems than names right now.

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Focusing on the present, I took a breath to steady my nerves. “Clover, I've got a new spell, but I'm not sure how long it'll last. When I activate it, I need you to throw that lance.”

She stared, her expression caught between wariness and incredulous disbelief. “Did you not see the piles of ash it reduced the monsters to?”

Oh, I definitely did, and if there were other options, I'd take them in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately for me, we had to work with what we had.

Grinding out the words, I said, “The spirit seemed fairly certain it wouldn't hurt me, and we're running out of time.”

A war waged on her face before she finally settled on reluctant agreement.

“Fine, but you'd better survive this. I'm starting to like you, and if you die by my hand, I'll bring you back just to slap some sense into you.”

If anyone could master Death magic, it would be someone as spirited as Clover.

A painful chuckle dragged out of me, and I nodded. “Sounds fair. Now then…”

Focusing inward again, I did as the spirit told me. Their power felt warm, like eating hot soup on a cold day. I pictured it, only this time I spread it over me like an armor made of energy.

The warmth followed, molding around me easily. When I felt the spell click into place––the spider's venom no longer dripping onto my neck––I spoke.

“Radiant Bastion.”

Light flashed outward, coating the walls in a golden hue, as the magic armor slid into place over my plate mail. The spider recoiled, blinded and surprised. It recovered quickly, though, and drove its fangs into my neck

…or tried to.

The armor stopped it. Feeling the drain it was already taking on me, I called out, “Clover, throw it!”

There was no hesitation. A second lance of light spiraled through the air, slamming full force into the spider's abdomen.

The creature screeched, its shrill screams bouncing off the walls and echoing back until I thought my ears might bleed from the sound. Its legs dug into the armor, a final attempt at taking vengeance for its offspring, before it finally disintegrated like the others.

Relief hit me like a wave, only for exhaustion to bury me in the next second as the armor faded away. Every ounce of energy I had was ripped away in an instant, and my vision fogged at the edges. Distantly, I heard Clover running toward me, her hands glowing with another spell.

Aw, was she going to heal me after all? That’s nice of her…

She pulled me onto something soft and warm, her hands gently pressing over the burn on my neck. I flinched at first, the skin tender and raw. Then cool relief replaced the pain and a low groan rumbled through me. When her magic faded away, leaving healed skin in its place, I managed a tired smile. “You're a goddess.”

She snorted, the sound distant as I teetered on the edge of sleep. “First time I've heard that one. I'll make sure to tease you about it later––when you're not half-delirious.”

Honestly, if she let me stay here while she did, I'd take whatever teasing she wanted to dish out.

Her fingers threaded through my hair, adding to the hazy bliss of the moment, and she sighed. “Get some rest, you dork. You've earned it.”

She didn't have to tell me twice. I surrendered to sleep, but just before it fully claimed me though, I heard her murmur.

“I'll keep you safe. I swear it.”

There was a quiet intensity in her voice that made me smile as I let go. Clover could huff and puff all she wanted, but I knew her secret.

She was a softy.