(Lave POV)

I arrived in front of what can only be described as an obnoxious building. Its grandiose pillars, pointed spires, and two four meter tall white marble statues guarding the entrance as if they were foo dogs, seemed as if it looked down on the world. Looking at this narcissistic excuse of a building I can only snort in distain.

[ Is it really necessary to have a building like this? ] “I mean I can understand wanting to worship in a nice place but this is going a little overboard.” I mumbled under the rain.

“Did you say something?” Asked the guard nervously. As he fiddled with his hands.

“No.” I replied curtly while waving my hand in a silent order to leave. He saluted and walked back to the gate leaving me to my task.

Walking in through the large open doors I searched for a Priest. [ If I find one then he'll lead me to the head. ] The inside continued with its overbearing design. Pews sat in neat rows facing a statue of their God? Goddess?... gender ambiguous deity.

A few people sat around with their head bowed. I slowly made my way to the front glancing into any dark alcoves I passed. Sadly none of the Priests are out in the front. Turning to the right I made my way to the first door I noticed. With any luck it will lead to the inner sanctum.

“Holy Knight.” A soft voice called from the pews. I stopped and turned searching for the cause. A small boy stood at the front row shifting nervously from foot to foot.

I tilted my head slightly. “Yes little one?” Worry and stress clearly showed on the boys face. [ This might be troublesome. ]

“I ne... If posible can you help me?” I clicked my tongue internally. “I k-know its against the rules. However please, please help me.” His voice wavering and never getting above a whisper. [ Against the rules? ] I frowned causing him to drop this eyes to the floor.

“... What is the problem?” I asked cursing myself. [ Why care? You have a goal already. Adding more problems to take care of increases the risk. ] I glanced at the door that I was only hoping lead to the Priests. [ Plus there are probable wanted posters still up. I have only made it this far undetected because of the rain. ]

The boy spoke unaware of my inner ranting. “I-Its my Mother. She's sick. The Doctor has said there is nothing they can do. B-But,” He looked back up at me with determination. “If it is a blessing from Imperious i'm sure that Mother will be cured. Please I beg you, help me.”

I cringed. [ An illness? Is that something you ask a Holy Knight for? Isn't that more of a Priest thing? I don't want to be involved. ] Looking at the little boy begging me with tears in his eyes, I sighed in defeat. I have a fondness for small things and it has worked against me many time in the past. “I will help you little one. Take me to her.”

A smile broke out on his face. “Follow me.” With one last glance at the door I followed the boy out of the Church. We made our way into a run down area of Vasa. Streets narrowed down into dark alleyways creating a maze. The boy suddenly stopped. “Here we are.” A small stone building with graffiti painted across it and a very worn wooden door greeted me. “Mother I'm back!”

“Oh Theo, welcome home.” A pale skinny woman slowly made her way to the door. Her clouding eyes showing that she was losing her vision. I frowned. Whatever was causing this was shutting down her system. “Who is with you?”

“She is a Holy Knight I meet at the Church. She said she would help.” He replied happily. Worry and panic appeared on her face. I stepped in shutting the door behind me. I sniffed the air smelling the distinct metallic tang of magic. My frown deepened. There are very few places that I have smelled magic in this world and so far it has all been the pure sting of Holy magic.

“I am sorry Sir Holy Knight. My son didn't know what he was doing please ignore us and go on your way. We did not mean to interrupt your day.” She pleaded while pulling her son behind her.

“But Moth...”

“Be quite Theo.” She cut angrily. “He is still young and doesn't understand what he has done. Please overlook it.” I looked around the room seeing only a small kitchen with a dining table and a door leading to where she came from. [ The bedroom? ]

“It is fine.” I said blandly. Relief showed on her face. “However there are a couple of questions I have.” She froze. “Why do I smell magic?”

Theo tilted his head. “Magic?”

“Go to the room Theo.” She ordered while facing me squarely blocking the path to the back room and Theo. He lowered his head and walked away without complaint. When the door shut she begin admitting bloodthirst.

“Ho,” I said impressed with the change. “Do you intend to fight me?” She observed me quietly. “Well I only asked why I smelt magic its not like that question is worthy of attack. Unless I have been unintentionally rude. If so I will take my leave as you suggested.”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“You can not leave.” She replied still not making a move. No doubt hesitant due to her failing eyesight and the unknown strength of her opponent.

“If I can't leave and I can't stay what should I do?” I asked with a slight laugh. [ With any luck she should know something about the magic here. ]

She pushed her foot forward while lowering her center of gravity. “Do not play with me Knight.” She spat the word out like a curse.

“Well isn't that great. Since I'm not a knight I can play with you all I want.” I leisurely made my way to the table and sat down. “Now as much fun as it would be to fight you I was asked by your son to heal your illness.” She watched me on guard trying to process what I said. “From the looks of it your body is slowly failing you. Do you happen to know what you are sick with?” I asked while pulling things out of my pouches and placing them on the table.

She relaxed her body but stayed on guard waiting for the attack she assumed would happen. “... Fade.” I frowned at the unfamiliar name.

“What are the symptoms of Fade?”I pulled out a paper to write them down. I should be able to treat the symptoms even if I do not know the illness.

Taking a seat on the other side closest to the door Theo was behind she analyzed my tools. “It is as you stated. The slow shut down of the body. It starts with the senses and then moves to the organs.”

“Is that so. Well how far along are you?” I pulled out several vials of varying colored liquids.

“... Taste and smell. I will lose my sight by the end of the month.” She replied while squinting at the vials. “What are those?”

“Medicine. Well its good that you aren't very far along in this disease. If you were to far it would have been more trouble then its worth.” I picked up a vial filled will cloudy yellow liquid and dunked a small sponge chunk in it. Next I rolled it in some dried green powder causing it to stick to the outside. Lastly I pricked my finger and let a drop of blood fall onto it causing it it glow a sickly yellow green. “Now then shall we cure your loss of smell and taste. I'll have to make something else for your eyes but this should be a good start.”

She looked at the glowing ball in distaste. “I'm not touching that.” She said as if there was room for argument.

“Is that so? Well then I guess you are going to die a slow and painful death. It matters not to me. I am only doing this because the little one asked me to. Weather you actually use it is up to you.”

She looked at the ball in disgust. “... Are there no other treatments then this?”

“I have no idea. First off I don't know what the Fade is so all I can do is treat the symptoms.” Pulling out my cloudy purple eye drop vial. I shook it while frowning. [ I wonder if this will work. ] Taking a cup that was set on the table I poured some in with iridescent white powder. Mixing the two together caused it to become clear. [ Well at least it is reacting the same. ] “Here drop three drops into each eye.”

She just sighed as if giving up on resisting. “What do I do with the glowing death ball?” She asked while dripping the concoction onto her eyes.

“Eat it.” Replied causing her so sigh again.

“I thought so.” Finishing the drops she grabbed the ball and quickly swallowed. “I hope this doesn't kill me.” She grumbled.

“Yes, well I hope so to. It would be very annoying if it does.” Placing my items back into their proper place. Her eyelid twitched in annoyance.

“... So how long will it take to heal?” She is still cautious of me which I find strange because she took the medication. [ If I don't trust someone I'm definitely not putting strange and toxic looking things in my mouth. Well whatever. ]

“Somewhere between an hour and six days. It will depend on how much your body is fighting the medication.” [ Though if you were a mermaid it would take at most an hour. ]

“I see. Thank you.”

“Don't thank me. Instead answer my questions. Why is there so little magic in this world? You are the first one I have smelt something other than Holy.” She looked hesitant for a moment.

“If you are looking for answers about magic then go to an island in the south. It is surrounded by a thick fog but if you make it there you will be able to get all the answers you need.”

“Is that so? Well I will take your word for it.” I stood and headed for the door. “I suggest that you keep your magic under control if you are trying to hide it. This entire house reeks of it.” [ Now then lets go meet those Priests. Hopefully I will not have to go to this Island to get the answers I want. ]