While pulling Akari to her feet, I also pull her into a tight hug. I’d been so worried about her all day, refusing to let people help her and staying out here in the cold. I feel as if, finally, she’d decided to let me in and help. Only now can the real healing begin.
Releasing Akari from my hug, I smile brightly and begin tugging on her hand. “Come on. Let’s go get you cleaned up and a place to sleep. It’s cold out here,” I gently coax.
While Akari does mutter under her breath about goodie-two-shoes blue sentinels, she comes along as I hold her hand. Together, hand in hand, we finally exit the little alleyway between the two school buildings. Despite her still present limp, the violet flame within Akari burns brighter than I’d ever seen before. It’s like I can visibly see the hope reigniting within her. It’s still not bright, but it’s more substantial than I’ve ever seen from her before.
As we walk, I’m startled as I’m hit by another wave of dizziness and stumble, nearly falling. Akari’s eyes open wide with concern, and she releases my hand to come and steady me. “Are you okay?” she asks before her expression hardens, “Those girls from before, they didn’t hurt you, did they?
I shake my head quickly, “No, no. This is something different. While we were talking, I had this weird thing like my Status menu popup. I just ignored it. Afterward, I started to feel dizzy, though. I’m fine, it’s not too bad, I promise. Let’s just get home where we’re safe.”
[Serena,] Celeste says, sounding urgent. From how Akari looks towards her, I can tell she’d made herself visible and audible to her as well. [Check your mana toxicity level. What you did back there was not nothing. Your commitment and resolve altered your soul on a fundamental level, and our soul gem responded. You essentially flooded yourself with way more mana than your body can handle and forcefully changed your own nature.]
Mana toxicity level? Right, that. What is my current value?
Mana Toxicity Level: 86%
Oh… oh, that’s not good. “Eighty-six percent,” I say out loud, staring at the number in wonder. Ever since that first day, my toxicity level had normalized at around two to three percent. I’d never seen it so high. No wonder I feel so dazed and dizzy.
Beside me, Akari’s eyes fill with even more concern. “Serena, that’s just four percent below where you would have been forced unconscious! Are you okay?”
I nod slowly, “I feel dizzy and weak, but other than that, I mostly feel fine.”
To my surprise, I see a figure I immediately assume to be Liora, Akari’s familiar, appearing standing on top of Akari’s head. Like all familiars, she looks like a mix between a real animal and something fantastical. In Liora’s case, she looks almost like a small, sleek panda with silvery white fur and violet eyes that remind me of how Celeste’s eyes used to look. For the first time, I experience the odd sensation of someone else’s familiar talking into my head.
[Serena, with a mana toxicity level that high, your symptoms will continue to worsen until your mana toxicity level reduces. She will need our help to return to her home, Akari,] Liora says, her voice high and strangely melodic.
Akari nods, moving forward so she has an arm wrapped around my waist to help somewhat support me. I blink dizzily at her but smile my thanks. Still, I want to make my position clear. “I’m not going anywhere unless you come too,” I state matter-of-factly.
Akari gives a small laugh, “I’m coming too, I promise. I can’t believe you hurt yourself trying to help me, you crazy girl,” she says, but her face holds a small smile. “Come on, let’s get moving.”
Together, we begin to walk, somewhat leaning on each other as Akari is still hurt as well, and my balance continues to get worse as we go. As we make our way towards the edge of the school, I smile sadly as I realize something. “Wait, I’m supposed to be helping you. Not the other way around.”
“You can help me tomorrow, I promise,” Akari says gently. “Let’s get you home and to bed. Sleeping will help reduce that mana toxicity level a lot.”
I nod, agreeing despite not wanting to. I need to stay strong; Akari needs me, and I need to be there for her. My soul seems to thrum with my desire to nurture and protect that light within her. Letting it shine bright with love and hope.
Feeling my dizziness only increasing and realizing that I’m not going to be good for much by the time I get home, I start mentally communicating my will to Celeste. My familiar will make sure things get done properly.
“Celeste, you need to make sure that Dad looks after Akari and that he lets her stay over. Make sure she gets something to eat and ask Dad to look at her wounds to see if he can do anything. I don’t think I’m going to be able to, so you need to make sure this is done properly. Please, we have to help her,” I think weakly to my friend.
[Don’t worry, I’ll make sure everything goes fine. You just worry about getting home safe, okay? You’re very weak right now, and you won’t be able to shift states safely with a mana toxicity level so high. I’m going to go ahead right now to make sure that you are expected and your father is ready. I promise I will make sure that Akari is taken care of,] Celeste responds, hopping off my shoulder to flap off into the night.
I smile faintly after her, unsure what I’d ever done to deserve a familiar so amazing. I’m also unsure of how on Earth she’d get into the apartment, but silly things like doors and walls have never seemed to bother her before.
It gets harder and harder to focus on anything as we walk, but I stay cognizant enough to guide us in the right direction. As we move, I look around at the people we pass with wide eyes. I can see it so clearly now. Before, I could kind of tell when someone was in bad health, mentally or physically, but now… now I can see their life forces directly. Some are bright and shining, some dim and weak like Akari’s. Each one has its own completely unique color and shines so beautifully — blues, pinks, greens, deep reds, and bright yellows, every color I can imagine, and more. I watch them in awe as we go until I see one that isn’t nearly so beautiful.
A man walks past us on the skyway, wearing an expression that just creeps me the heck out as we walk past him. Even Akari seems to pick up on it as her eyes lock on the man, shifting us so she stands between me and him. His life force is bright but not vibrant. It seems almost black, greasy, and tainted. Something is wrong with that man, something I’m not sure how to heal. Inky black runic markings cover parts of his visible arms, like tattoos, reminding me of the scar on Akari’s back, and Akari watches them warily.
Luckily, the man passes us by with only a glance in our direction, a creepy lecherous smile on his face. I can’t help but note, even in my dazed state, how Akari hides me behind her. She’s acting protective of me. Why? I thought she was annoyed with me. Is the stereotype of blue sentinels really so widespread?
Akari grabs my upper arm, helping me in the right direction at a faster pace. “Come on, Serena. We don’t want to be here if that guy decides to try something.”
I nod my agreement, still amazed at the sheer beauty of the colors of life but frightened by that particular shade. “Thank you,” I say weakly, stumbling along at Akari’s instance.
It takes longer than I’d have liked to arrive at my apartment door; I fumble for my key in my school bag before giving up and just knocking. I feel about ready to drop, and Akari, being ever so slightly smaller than me, is having trouble supporting my weight.
The door to the apartment opens quickly, and my dad regards us with apprehension. “Come inside, girls.”
Dad looks down at both of us with intense concern in his kind blue eyes. Looking at him, I see his spark of life, brighter and more beautiful than any I’d seen before. A sapphire sun of love and hope burning within my father. Looking at it, I know that this is the core of his being. The same pillar that supports me. Without needing to ask, I know that he will help me make sure that Akari is safe.
“Thank you so much for helping Serena, Akari. Celeste has explained what’s going on. Please, make yourself at home while I get my daughter to bed. I’ll be right back,” Dad says, offering Akari a brilliant smile.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Then, sweeping me up into his arms, he carries me off towards my bed. I only catch snippets of what’s happening. Being carried, Dad laying me down and tugging off my shoes. Getting tucked into bed like a little girl. Then, nothing.
image [https://i.imgur.com/6CNol9a.png]
I blink awake slowly, still feeling weak. I have a mild headache and, from the sunlight streaming in through my curtains, I know I’m definitely late for school… again. Ugh, I have been so bad at attending my classes lately. What will my teachers think? I’m usually so diligent.
Sitting up, I look around my room, finding Celeste curled up at my side, still sleeping. Carefully as not to wake her, I climb out of my bed and look down at myself. I’m still in my rumpled school uniform, so hey, if I do want to try and get to class, at least I’m already wearing the uniform.
With a quiet smile, I head to my closet and change into a pair of sweatpants and a tank top before exiting my room and heading into the bathroom to freshen up. My hair looks like a rat’s nest, but, looking in the mirror, that isn’t what I focus on. No, I can see my own life force. It’s a very similar shade to my father’s, a brilliant cerulean blue — like the ocean reflecting the open sky. My blue is a little bit lighter than my dad’s deep sapphire, but it’s still noticeably similar.
Looking at my life force, I can see the effect mana toxicity had on me — despite being physically uninjured. My life force looks dimmer than it should, which is likely what’s causing me to feel weak. I feel like it will recover fairly quickly and has already started, but it startles me to see my own life force looking even a little faint.
With a deep breath, I start preparing for the day, brushing out my hair and throwing on a little makeup. I’m already late, after all; no point in hurrying now. Once done, I exit the bathroom out into the living area of the apartment. There, I see Dad and Akari sitting by the window and looking out over Shinara.
Akari sits with a blanket draped over her small form, clutching a cup of what I assume is hot chocolate. I grin; she already looks so much better; even her life force has grown brighter! I knew Dad would help!
With a smile, I move to the couch to sit between Akari and my father. Upon sitting beside her, I only want to know two things. Is she okay, and is she here to stay. She certainly looks better, but-
I squeak as I’m grabbed from behind and pulled into my father’s arms as he gives me a tight hug. “Are you feeling okay, Serena? You look pale. Are you alright?”
I look up at my dad, knowing that I’m going to have to suffer through his fussing before I can start my own fussing over Akari. Although, from the look of her, she had already been through a fair bit of fussing from Dad already. Especially given that she seems to have changed out of her school uniform and into some of my weekend clothes. At least they fit her well.
“I feel okay, Dad. Just a little weak and a small headache,” I say, trying my best to be reassuring.
Dad stares at me for a long moment as if trying to determine whether or not I’m telling the truth before nodding. “I’m going to go get you some hot chocolate and something for that headache. From what Celeste explained to me, you should start feeling better as the day goes on, but you are not allowed out of the house today. Am I clear?”
I sigh, realizing that Dad had most likely already taken the initiative and called me out sick. “Yes, Dad,” I say in my best whiney teenager voice.
Dad turns his stare on Akari, “The same goes for you, young lady. You are not okay, and I want you to take the day to recover. What I said last night still goes as well; you are welcome here for as long as you want, Akari. Don’t feel like a stranger. Besides, I need someone smart like you to keep an eye on my errant daughter.”
Akari blinks; she looks surprised but has a sort of warm, contented expression, as if she is finally, slowly, starting to understand that what I’d said last night is true. That we will be willing to help her for as long as she lets us.
“Yes sir,” she says quietly, her eyes lost in her mug.
With that, Dad turns to head back to the kitchen and… wait, did he call me errant! “I am not errant! I don’t even know what you’re talking about!” I exclaim.
Dad just glances over his shoulder, “Oh yeah? When was the last time you attended all of your classes for a day? You know Mrs. Rodgers asked me where my delinquent daughter has been all this time when I was in the breakroom yesterday. I told her you were sick because the truth is just insane,” he comments before walking out of the room.
“That doesn’t mean anything!” I shout after him in protest, “Mrs. Rodgers thinks everyone is a delinquent!”
I look at the empty hallway for a long moment before blinking and turning back to Akari, who watches me with a bemused expression.
“How are you feeling today?” I ask her, leaning forward. “Did Dad already get you some painkillers for those bruises, or do you still need some? Oh, and did you eat last night? Have you eaten yet this morning? We have some cereal I can whip up really quick, and it’s actually pretty healthy. Please tell me you’re planning to stay!”
Akari stares at me and gives a small laugh. “You know, your dad asked me basically the same things last night. To answer your questions: yes, yes, no, and I’m not sure if I’m going to stay yet.” Akari’s eyes lower, “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know that my uncle will throw up a stink if I try to leave for long. A day or two will be fine, but… he will come after you and your dad legally. I can’t, won’t, put you through that. You’ve already done enough for me.”
Leaning over, I wrap my arms around Akari. “I made a promise to you last night, and that means something to me. I will help you in any way I can. Besides, if your uncle does cause legal trouble, it won’t be with us. It will be with the GDF, and there isn’t any beating them. There are only a few thousand sentinels in the world, which means the GDF will certainly side with us. We have magic powers, Akari; no amount of money can buy that. Just… at least stay with us until we can talk to Prof about it. I’m sure that he can do something.”
Akari sighs, looking away. “Okay, I’ll… I’ll think about it. Just… my uncle is a very dangerous man, Serena. Don’t take this lightly because he won’t just let it go.
Just then, Dad arrives back with a second blanket, a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and a small headache pill. With a loving smile, Dad gently wraps the blanket around me so I have my own cocoon, exactly like Akari’s, before handing me the hot chocolate and the headache pill, which I promptly take. With that, Dad returns to his spot on the couch beside me, looking out over the city with a worried expression.
“So,” Dad starts after a few seconds, “Akari has already told me everything that happened to her last night. Serena, it’s your turn; what happened to you? How did you get this mana toxicity thing so high?”
I bite my lip, wishing Celeste wasn’t still asleep so that she could help me explain what had happened. “To tell you the truth, I don’t really understand what happened. I just… I believed that everyone deserves healing and love so hard, and… it was like my soul resonated with my soul gem. I felt magic building and building within me until I got this weird message from my gem. It said I had unlocked a title, and then I started getting dizzy. Probably because I got dosed with a ton of magic and got a huge spike of mana toxicity.”
Beside me, Akari looks confused, “I’ve never heard of sentinels getting a title. What does it do?”
I hadn’t read the notification at the time, but somehow, I understand what it says on a fundamental level. I flush red thinking about it, and my eyes fall. Trying to explain my title feels like trying to explain the deepest level of my soul. What makes me, me. My soul gem had put the title into words, but… I don’t think that they capture the gravity of the situation.
“It’s called Soul of the Healer,” I say quietly, resolving to do my best to explain. “It… it says that my soul is that of a healer. That there is nothing I won’t do and no threat I won’t face in order to save another. What it does… You know how you can tell when someone is having a bad day or is hurting just by looking at them? It’s like that but made more visible than ever. I… I can see the life force of others. Like a spark of life in their chests, I can see if it’s big or small, bright and vibrant or dim and fading.”
Dad stares at me with wide eyes, “You can see my life force? What… how does that even work? What does it look like?”
I smile up at my father, “Your life force is the most beautiful deep sapphire blue color. It’s bright and vibrant and lovely. It’s like a sun sitting at the center of your chest, blazing bright with love and life.”
Turning to Akari, my smile turns sadder. “When I first unlocked my title, yours was the first life force I saw.” I lower my eyes, “It was dim, sputtering, like it was close to going out. It looks so much better now; it’s still dimmer than it should be, but it’s so much improved. Your life force is like a violet flame, a candle standing against the dark. I can see what it can become, and Akari… it’s more beautiful and wonderful than you can imagine.”
Akari’s eyes fall, and she looks deep in consideration for a moment. Then, she looks back up. “That’s why you helped me? Because you saw my life force?” she asks, sounding a little… betrayed?
I shake my head, “No, I couldn’t see your life force before getting the title towards the end of our conversation last night. I came to help you because I care. Because you deserve it. There was no magical force guiding me. In that alley, it was just me and you. The truest versions of ourselves.”
Akari nods, seeming to accept that, the look of betrayal fading. “So, what else does your title do, or is that all?” she asks, and I wince. I’d really been hoping no one would ask about that. The final effect of my title, well, it scares me more than a little.
Once more, my eyes fall, and my cheeks go red. Still, I resolve myself to finish my explanation. “Any shielding and healing I do on other people has double the normal effect,” I say softly, not wanting to say the last part but knowing that I have to. “And… I can no longer heal myself through any means.”
Akari shakes her head sadly, “That’s a very heavy drawback, Serena.”
Dad leans forward towards me, eyes wide and full of deep concern. “Explain what you mean, Serena. You can’t heal?”
“I-I… It’s complicated,” I manage, trying to interpret my instinctual understanding of my title’s restriction. “I just can’t accelerate my own healing using magic. Other blue sentinels will still be able to heal me, and I’ll heal naturally as well when I get small injuries like any normal person would. It’s just that I can’t apply my own magical healing to myself. If I get hurt, I either have to heal naturally or rely on another sentinel to heal me.”
“Okay,” Akari says, “that’s not as bad as I initially thought. It will basically be like you aren’t a blue sentinel, but only in terms of yourself. It’s still pretty bad but… manageable, I think.”
Dad seems to have calmed down somewhat, too. “Serena,” he says, voice gentle yet firm, “I really don’t like this idea of you not being able to heal yourself. I know that you are old enough to make your own decisions, and I won’t try to tell you what not to do. Just… please be safe. You are my little girl, and I would never be able to live with myself if you were hurt.”
Beside me, Akari’s face turns hard and focused. “Don’t worry, Mr. Solace. I don’t plan on letting anyone hurt Serena. She is my teammate and… my friend; that means something to me.”