AS they are about to head out, a glint in the webs catches Mari’s eyes. It’s Sanora’s necklace. It must have fallen off at some point. Knowing how important it is to her, Mari quickly picks it up in passing. Gant manages to carry Sanora a whole five meters before he decides to leave her armour back. Her sword is still lying somewhere in the webs. It was just too heavy to lift for him to begin with. Despite all the chaos the man can’t help but be in awe at this woman. To think she can swing around something he can’t even lift as if it were a mere stick of wood. It seems he and the other members of Justicia have a long way to go yet.

Mari is beside him as they jog to the exit of the cave, looking at Sanora every other second. The webs make their ascend slow and tedious but after an hour they can finally see the blessed daylight ahead. Once they are out on the plains, they pick up their pace. Every moment of the run is torture to Mari. Sanora’s condition is worsening by the second. The unconscious girl keeps mumbling about her mother as they make their way back, causing an icy sting in Mari’s heart every time she hears it.

Gant is sweating hard. They have just cleared a whole cave filled with monsters and now he has to run back to the city while carrying Sanora. But despite it all that the man doesn’t slow down. He and all the others owe Sanora their lives and he will repay the favour no matter what. Mari is tempted to offer carrying Sanora, but she knows that with her scrawny mage body it would just slow them down. They make it back to the road after some time, passing travellers who give them confused looks. Some try and ask what’s wrong and if they can help, but the two refuse and just hurry on.

Another torturous hour passes before they finally spot the walls of Deepvalley in the distance. They don’t bother to get into the long line of people waiting to get in, but the guards stop them.

“Hey you can’t just waltz in here.” One of the guards steps in front of them.

“I know but we need to get to the flesh sect fast. Our friend is in critical condition.” Gant says impatiently. The guardsman just sighs.

“Yeah yeah, heard it all before. Now get in line.” He waves them off dismissively.

“Are you serious? Can’t you see she is dying?!” Mari lashes out at the man. He eyes Sanora for a moment.

“Damn, you’re really making it look real. But I’ve seen better. I won’t say it again, back in line.” He says and grips his spear tighter.

“What’s going on here?” A man wearing a flashy set of armour walks up to them.

“Captain Goron.” The guard salutes. “These people are trying to skip the line.”

The captain eyes them for a moment, his brows furrow when he sees Sanora.

“It’s alright, let them through.”

“Captain Goron?” The guard tilts his head.

“Don’t worry, I can vouch for them.” Goron nods at Gant who seems confused but thankful.

“Very well. Go ahead.” The guard steps aside and the two make their way into the city.

“Thank you.” Mari says as they pass the captain. He just nods at them.

They hurry through the streets, right to the uppermost ring of the city, ignoring all the odd looks they get from the people in the streets. Gant leads them to a large building made of white marble. The symbol of the flesh sect is carved into the stone above the big doors. They head inside speak to the first person of the sect they can find in the quiet lobby.

“We have an emergency.” Gant says.

“This is a hospital, we have plenty of those here.” The man says with a tired voice. “I’ll go and see if there’s a Knitter free, take a seat.” He lazily gestures at one of the many benches.

“No, we’ll need a waver for this one.” Gant shakes his head.

The man sighs. “And I need a thousand gold coins to drop on my head. You think our only weaver is free to just hop around whenever someone comes carrying in an emergency?”

“No, you don’t get it!” Mari says. “Sanora is dying and healing magic doesn’t work!” She cries out.

“Don’t raise your voice in here.” The man grumbles. “And I think you don’t get it. I’ll say it again, this is a hospital. Your friend isn’t the only one dying in here. Look, I’ll see what I can do, but…” He narrows his eyes when he looks at Sanora closer.

“Is that… you said her name is Sanora?”

“Yes.” Mari nods.

“Hmm… I need to check something, give me a minute.” He disappears deeper into the building.

“Now what?” Mari looks at Gant.

“I guess we wait.” He sighs and looks at the girl in his arms. Her expression is agonised, sweat rolling down her face. “And hope for the best.”

“And you’ve really been eating properly?” Virelia looks at the girl sitting on a chair in her office.

“I have… tried. It’s just been hard to keep up lately.” She says with a tired voice.

“I know you have a lot on your plate, but if you keep this up you won’t see the next year, Vadia. Let’s see what I can do.”

A knock resounds on Virelia’s door. Her face distorts.

“I’m sorry about that, I told them to not disturb us.”

“It’s alright, it must be important.” Vadi says. Her face is fallen in, dark rings are under her eyes. She looks beyond tired, her hair messy, her skin dry and sickly pale.

“I hope this is more important than the ruler of Deepvalley.” Virelia shoots the man a look when he comes in.

“I am sorry weaver. Two people just came in with an emergency. She looks awful, I have never seen the likes of it.”

“And so you came to me instead of a knitter?”

“Apologies, but they said her name is Sanora so-“

“Sanni?” Vadia’s eyes open wide. “What’s with her?”

“I don’t know my lady. It looks like overuse of magic but the extend is frightening to say the least.”

Virelia looks at Vadia.

“I’ll be fine, please take a look at her.” Vadia nods.

“Alright, take me to them.” Virelia nods. The man quickly bows to Vadia before leading Virelia down into the lobby.

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“Do you think he’ll come back?” Mari asks Gant as she shifts on her feet.

“I sure hope so. And if not…” He looks at Sanora. “I guess we’ll just have to let ourselves in.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

They look up when they hear someone speak. A woman in a dark red robe walks up to them.

“It really is Sanora. Good gods what happened to her?” She asks the two when she sees the condition Sanora is in.

“A giant spider broodmother got us into a pinch and she saved us by somehow casting a tier three spell.”

“Tier three?” Virelia looks at the man with wide eyes. “That explains a lot. Come along, don’t dally now, lest we lose her.” She turns around swiftly and they follow her deeper into the building.

“Lay her down here, this might take a while.” Virelia gestures at a bed in a mostly blank room. Gant does as she says, carefully laying down the Sanora.

“Wait outside, I need to focus.”

“What? But I want to-“ Mari starts but Virelia cuts her off with a sharp voice.

“If you want to help stay outside and make sure no one disrupts me. I’ll be done when I’m done, now shush.” The weaver shoos the two out of the room and closes the door, leaving them stand in the quiet hallway.

“You alright?” Gant asks Mari.

“Of course not.” She shakes her head. “If she dies I…” She sniffles, not managing to get out anymore words.

“I see.” Gant nods. “But I’m sure the gods are watching over her, we have to trust that she’ll make it.”

Mari just nods.

“As much as I hate to leave, I should get back to the others. If anything else happens, they are in trouble.”

“I’ll stay here until the weaver is done.” Mari says quietly, her eyes glued to the door.

“Wouldn’t want it any other way. Don’t worry Mari. I’m sure she’ll make it, we’ve all seen how tough she is today.” He puts a hand in Mari’s shoulder before heading off again.

And so, the most tense part beings, waiting, hoping for the best and fearing the worst. She takes a seat next to the door and looks at Sanora’s necklace, her face creased in worry as she fiddles around with it.

“That necklace… you’re here with Sanora?” A voice pulls Mari from her thoughts.

“You know her?“

Mari’s breath catches when she looks up. Before her stands Vadia. The ruler of Deepvalley.

“Your highness!” She shoots up from her seat, but Vadia raises her hand.

“At ease. I’m just passing through.” She says but Mari can tell by the way she looks that she must be here as a patient as well. “So, how bad is it?” Vadia looks at the door.

“Very.” Mari’s head sinks. “She saved us all but almost killed herself.”

“Always the hero.” Vadia smiles wryly. “At least she has some people who look over her. Are you… her girlfriend?”

“H-h-her girlfriend?” Mari’s face snaps up, turning beet red. “No! Nothing of the sort! We’re just usually out for the guild together.”

“I see.” Vadia nods. “I best be on my way now, thank you for looking out for Sanora, she has a tendency to get into things that are a bit over her head.”

“It’s nothing really. I owe her a great lot after all.”

“So do I. She’s a good girl. Let’s hope for the best.” Vadia turns to leave.

“You were… together, right?” She stops when Mari speaks up.

“She told you huh?”

Mari nods.

“Yes, we were.”

“Do you… want to wait as well?”

“I would.” Vadia nods. “But I doubt she’d be overly happy to see me. And alas, the city cannot rule itself. Goodbye, and again, thank you.” Vadia leaves without another word. Mari looks after her, wondering what happened between them for Sanora to not even want to see her anymore.

The waiting resumes without anything else happening. Every hour that passes causes Mari to grow more anxious, feeling like days. The weaver has been in there with Sanora for so long already. It must be one hell of a fight, and all because Mari messed up that one throw. Had she just been faster, stronger then all of this wouldn’t have happened. The guilt is gnawing at her. If Sanora dies, it would be her fault. Or at least so she thinks. The pristine white walls of the building are so bland, so crushing. People come and go, ignoring Mari. She is just one of many people fearing for someone they love there. Midday turns into evening, evening into night. Noting can be heard behind the door, the hallway is empty save for the occasional member of the sect passing through. Mari’s gaze lingers on the necklace in her still bloody hands, her thoughts with Sanora during every moment. If only she could have done something, if only her healing wasn’t too weak. A tear rolls down her cheek.

If only…

“You lady. Young lady?”

“Huh what?” Mari looks up. The weaver is standing next to her. She shoots up from her seat.

“You’re done! Is…” Mari wants to ask if Sanora is alright, but swallows.

“She’s alive.” The weaver nods. “She’ll make it, if only for you bringing her here so fast. Much longer and we would have surely lost her. I hate to admit it, but I was at my wits ends more than once in there.” She plops onto the bench next to Mari, slacking down with a sigh.

“Thank the gods.” Mari says with a sniffle.

“I think its more adequate to thank you for this one.” The weaver smiles at Mari. “Her insides were completely burned up. Her hand is literally molten. The damage went as far as her brain. A bit longer and she would have had more bleeding in there than an envoy could fix. But all is well that ends not as it could have.” She stretches her tired limbs. “It’ll take a bit for her to recover though.” The weaver gets up again and opens the door. “Come in, you must be dying to see her.”

Mari quickly gets up and walks into the room where Sanora still lies on the bed. She still looks terrible. Her clothes and hair are charred, her hand is as pale as snow, dark veins still shining through its skin. Scar tissue covers her hand and big parts of her wrist.

“Gods…” Mari whispers.

“I know, but it’s all that I could do. Her body is… complicated, to say the least. For the time being I’m afraid this is permanent. Unless you happen to find a flesh envoy and be able to pay them on top of that.”

A cold shiver runs through Mari’s spine. Payment. In all the chaos she has completely forgotten about the cost of bringing a weaver into this. Even if the others throw in their reward from this quest, it won’t be enough, and that would be well over 40 gold.

“Stop worrying so much, your face will get all wrinkly. Don’t tell anyone, but I won’t charge you for this.”

“You won’t?” Mari blinks at the weaver.

“For now.” She nods. “But I will talk about the details with Sanora when she is feeling better.”

“I can’t thank you enough.” Mari bows to her, eliciting a chuckle from the weaver.

“I guess that’s true. But for now, let’s just be glad that she’s alright. Alas, duty calls. You can stay here overnight if you want, I’ll have someone bring a cot. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to come to me personally.”

“I will.” Mari nods. “Thank you, lady weaver.”

Mari says as the weaver walks to the door.

“Have a good night.” She nods at Mari before disappearing into the hallway.

Mari looks at Sanora. Her face has turned from agonized to sleeping peacefully. The weaver has performed a miracle today.

Not long later someone brings Mari a cot as was promised. She stays up late, waiting by the bedside for Sanora to finally wake up, but after this day it might be best if she sleeps.

Sanora’s vision is blurry when her eyes flutter open. An odd white ceiling is above her.

‘Did I die this time?’ She thinks and looks around. The room is clean, sterile. The walls are white and smooth. Right beside her bed is a cot with Mari sleeping on it.

‘Ah I’m still alive. Neat.’ She sits up, whole body aching in protest. She shakily raises her right arm and looks at it. It’s hideous. Covered in scar tissue, pale, the veins visible through her skin snake up her arm like streaks of lightning.

“Fuck me.” She groans with a hoarse voice and drops her arm on the bed. She draws in a sharp breath as a sting jolts through it. Mari stirs, rubbing her eyes as she sits up.

“Sanora?” Sha says with half closed eyes.

“Hey there.” She replies weakly.

Mari’s eyes grow wide.

“Sanora!” She jumps at Sanora without warning. Pain courses through her as the girl hugs her tightly. “Gods you’re finally awake!” Mari cries. “I was so scared.” She wails, burying her face in Sanora’s chest while Sanora pats her head with her good hand.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.” She says with her raspy voice. Mari just sobs as Sanora holds her. She looks at the girl with a smile, her heart beating as fast as it can manage right now.

‘Wait. This might be a good moment to tell her. Shit, this might be the best moment to tell her. Come on, now or never, you don’t almost die every day.’ Sanora swallows. She wants to speak up, finally tell Mari how she feels for her. But doubts spread in her mind.

‘But am I really ready for this again? Wait, is Mari even into girls? Into me? What if she says no? What… if she’ll think I’m disgusting? What about my feelings for Amni? Those are still there too. And Corvina… she is sort of cute too. Arrgh shit! What does all of this even mean?’

She eventually decides to swallow her words.

“Hey Mari, where’s my sword?” Sanora looks around the room.

“I’m sorry. None of us could carry it, we had to leave it back.” She breaks away from Sanora to sit next to her on the bed.

“I see. I’ll have to get it then.” She sighs and grabs at her chest where she finds nothing. “Wait, my necklace. It’s gone.” She nervously pats her chest and her neck.

“Oh right.” Mari takes the necklace out of her pocket. “It’s all I managed to take along.”

“Oh, you’re a godsend.” Sanora takes the necklace. “I wouldn’t know what to do if it was gone.” She looks at the piece of jewellery.

“I’m glad I saw it. I figured it’s important to you, so I have been watching over it.”

“Aww you’re such a dear. I could just kiss you.” Sanora says without much thought as she puts the necklace on again. Mari however has grown awfully quiet. She just sits there with blushed cheeks, staring at Sanora wide eyed.

“You… could?”

Sanora blinks a few times, locking eyes with Mari as silence takes the room.