image [https://i.imgur.com/WxgkjSv.png]

Eyes closed and fingers intertwined in prayer, Yarine knelt before a statue of Michael. Praying brought her a sense of relief. Between her intertwined hands, she held holy stones, essential tools for practitioners of her faith. These stones allowed them to wield magic, their power directly tied to their unwavering belief. For Yarine, this was no chore; she wholeheartedly believed in her purpose.

The church she prayed in was abandoned, a relic of a bygone era. Few people still worshipped here, and those who did often directed their prayers to higher powers, not Michael. Yet, to Yarine, Michael was a noble being worthy of her devotion, someone she would sacrifice her life for.

Light filtered through the stained glass, illuminating Yarine's hands. The scent of weathered rock and ancient stones filled the air, creating a sense of sanctuary. The stones of the church, blessed by holy water centuries ago, retained their protective powers. Through her prayers, Yarine reinforced the strength of these stones and the magical protection of the structure.

These prayers did not consume mana in the traditional sense. Instead, they generated mana. However, few practiced this method due to its time-consuming nature. The mana produced was not substantial enough to attract many practitioners, but for Yarine, her faith was paramount. Her prayers often rejuvenated her completely, a testament to the depth of her devotion.

A holy glow wrapped itself around Yarine, its illuminating light creating a warm feeling. Yet she felt a stinging pain from her efforts to save Mila. The darkness that ensnared her was strong enough to latch onto Yarine as well, and even now, she could sense its lingering presence. Though the holy sanctuary had mitigated its effects, some traces remained.

But what was that intense darkness that had latched onto Mila? Yarine's mind raced to find answers, but none came.

With her prayer concluded, Yarine stood to her feet. She often found solace in her prayers, but lately, she felt as though Michael's word did not reach her. Her hands and legs shook with fear.

"Why does he torment me? Michael, Heavenly Father above, why have you come to hate me so? Why do I see his blood-stained eyes every time I pray in your name? Why must Arbious haunt me as he does? Why do I see his accursed grin every time I close my eyes?"

Yarine looked at the statue of Michael, her eyes longing for answers, but the stone statue returned her gaze with an empty silence.

The doors to the church opened, and Yarine quickly turned to see who it was. She couldn't bring herself to tell anyone of her interactions with Arbious.

Entering the church was Contii, his steps echoing throughout the confines. Once he stood before Yarine, she questioned him, "Why are you here?"

She was not pleased with Contii's presence. The church was abandoned and meant to be accessed only by members of Michael's order. This was blatant disrespect in her eyes. She had cleaned the floors of the church to restore it to its original condition, but the dirt and mud from Contii's boots had smeared filth onto the sacred marble ground.

Contii looked at Yarine, his expression unreadable. "I came to check on you," he said, his voice echoing softly in the hallowed space. "Samille and I were both worried for your safety. You've been spending so much time here ever since—"

Yarine's eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring. "You shouldn't be here. This place is sacred, and your presence desecrates it."

Contii glanced around the church, his eyes lingering on the statue of Michael. "Sacred or not, it is still just a building, Yarine. The real sanctuary is in your heart, not in these stones."

Yarine's anger flared, her eyes darting from him to the dirt he had brought in from outside. "How dare you speak such blasphemy! You tread on holy ground with filthy boots and speak as if you understand faith. Leave now, or I will have you removed."

Contii's expression softened, and he took a step closer. "Yarine, I didn't come here to fight. I came because I care about you. I know you're struggling with something—something dark. Let me help you."

Yarine's resolve wavered, but only for a moment. "You can't help me, Contii. This is beyond you, beyond anyone. I have to face it alone."

Contii shook his head. "No one should face darkness alone. If you won't accept my help, at least let me stand by you. Let me share your burden."

Yarine turned away, her heart heavy with conflict. She wanted to reject him, to send him away and keep her struggles private. But deep down, she knew he was right. She couldn't face Arbious's torment alone forever.

"Fine," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "You can stay. But if you speak of this to anyone, I will never forgive you."

Contii nodded, relief washing over his features. "I swear, I won't tell a soul."

As they stood together in the dim light of the church, the silence was filled with an unspoken understanding. Yarine still felt the weight of her fear and doubt, but for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel entirely alone. Yarine's shoulders softened, her hand gesturing for the seats.

"We need to find out more about the darkness that clings to Mila," Yarine said, her voice steadier now. "There must be some way to break its hold."

"If that's the case, then we should have her returned to Octavia," Contii suggested, concern lacing his voice.

"No, we can't simply turn back now. We must put our faith in her ability to recover. These sacred grounds will aid in her healing, and for the time being, she is to remain with me without disturbance," Yarine replied firmly.

"Has she made any progress?" Contii asked.

Yarine sighed, a weariness in her tone. "She is doing better ever since we brought her here."

"No surprise," Contii retorted. "You've spent a lot of time praying for her, haven't you?"

Yarine's eyes widened as Contii grabbed hold of her hands and bent to his knees before her. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, Yarine. Will you forgive me?"

Yarine's face flushed red, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Forgive you for what? Please let go of my hand. If someone were to see us, there would be trouble."

Contii's gaze was stern and unyielding. He kept hold of Yarine's hands as he spoke. "For not being there as I promised. For letting Mila out of my sight, even though I promised you I would watch over her."

"You really don't have to apologize for it, considering how immature she acted..."

"A promise is a promise, and I broke that trust."

Yarine pulled her hands back toward herself. "If you want to regain my trust, then you'll have no objection to listening to me."

Contii grinned. "I would never," he replied mischievously. "Tell me, what's this about?"

Contii sat beside her as they both looked at Michael's statue.

"It's about Father Lucious. I don't think he is fit to rule," Yarine murmured.

"Why do you say that? You'd be the last person I'd expect to say such things."

Yarine scoffed. "He doesn't see the full picture. I feel like all the work I'm putting in is overlooked. He hasn't even replied to my letter. What am I even supposed to do here?"

"But your mission is to watch over Mila."

"I know that," she replied. "Still, she's such an incompetent girl..."

Contii laughed at Yarine's remarks.

Yarine's flustered face showed how she truly felt about Mila, and her voice stuttered. "For someone who is the daughter of Michael, I would've expected a lot more from her. But we're always rushing in to save her, and she hasn't even thanked me once."

She sighed. "I know I'm being selfish..."

"Just a little," Contii replied.

"Still, a thank you now and then would be nice."

"Are you going to wallow in self-pity, or are you going to do something?" Contii questioned.

Yarine looked down at her hands, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the stone bench they sat on. "I don't know what to do anymore, Contii. I feel like I'm lost in all of this."

Contii placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're not lost. You're just overwhelmed. Maybe it's time to confront Father Lucious directly."

Yarine's eyes widened in surprise. "Confront him? You know that's not how things are done. He's the leader of our order."

"Leaders can make mistakes too," Contii said softly. "And sometimes they need to be reminded of the people they're leading. You've done so much for Mila, for everyone here. He needs to acknowledge that."

She sighed, the weight of his words sinking in. "You're right of course, but it's not so easy to just confront him like that."

"You're stronger than you think, Yarine. You've faced greater challenges than this. Remember the time you stood up to the council when they wanted to execute Mila? You didn't back down then, and you shouldn't back down now."

Yarine nodded slowly, determination flickering in her eyes. "I suppose I could request an audience with him. Lay out everything that's been happening."

"Good," Contii encouraged. "And I'll be right there with you, every step of the way."

Yarine smiled, a small but genuine smile. "Thank you, Contii. Your support means more to me than you know."

He returned her smile, warmth in his gaze. "We're in this together, Yarine. Always."

As they stood up, ready to leave the sacred grounds, a sudden noise caught their attention. They turned to see Mila, her figure framed by the moonlight filtering through the stained glass above. She looked fragile, her body barely able to stand, yet there was a determined glint in her eyes.

"Yarine, Contii," Mila said, her voice trembling but resolute. "I need to speak with you both."

Yarine and Contii exchanged a perplexed glance before nodding. "Of course, Mila. What is it?" Yarine asked, stepping closer to her.

Mila took a deep breath. "I overheard your conversation. And... I want to apologize. For everything. For being a burden. I know I've caused a lot of trouble, and I want to make it right."

Yarine's eyes softened as she reached out to touch Mila's arm. "Mila, you don't need to apologize. We're all just trying to do our best."

"But I do," Mila insisted, shaking her head profusely. "I want to prove that I'm not just Michael's daughter. I want to be someone you can rely on. I want to be someone worthy of the name given to me."

The flickering torchlight cast long shadows on Mila. There was a long eerie silence in the church as Yarine gathered her words. "Mila," Yarine began, her voice gentle but probing, "there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Mila looked up, her eyes widening slightly. "What is it?"

Yarine paused, choosing her words carefully. "Ever since we brought you here, I've sensed an intense darkness lingering around you. It's unlike anything I've felt before. Can you tell me why that is?"

Mila froze, her face paling. She took a step back, her eyes filled with a mix of surprise and discomfort. "I... I don't know what you mean."

Yarine sighed, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on Mila's shoulder. "I'm not accusing you of anything, Mila. I'm just concerned. This darkness, it's... unsettling. If there's something you're hiding or something that's troubling you, we need to know. We can't help you if we don't understand what's going on."

With all she had overheard, Mila felt compelled to tell Yarine the truth. Mila hesitated, her gaze shifting to Contii, who nodded encouragingly. "It's okay, Mila. You can tell us."

Tears welled up in Mila's eyes as she took a shaky breath. "It's... it's Arbious," she began, her voice barely a trembling, "A few months ago, I started having these nightmares, visions of him. At first, I thought they were just dreams, but then strange things began happening. I felt his presence even when I was awake. It's like he's always watching me, waiting for the right moment to strike."

Mila did look rather distracted when she was training with Samille, but Yarine hadn't noticed any presence Mila spoke of.

In the moment, Yarine couldn't help but recall of a tome she had studied back in the grand cathedral of the Holy Empire. A specific monster, known as the watcher, came to mind. These flying demons shaped like eyeballs were direct spawns of the Demon God. In the second war, these demons were used to spread panic among human soldiers. It was said that these demons had the capability to transfer information visually to its host, however no one was able to confirm it.

If a demon such as this was made to follow Mila, it would explain why she felt uncomfortable, as if she were being watched. But the Demon God had never used the watchers in such manner.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Contii frowned, his concern growing. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

Mila looked down, shame and fear evident in her eyes. "I was scared. I thought if I ignored it, it might go away. But it's only gotten worse."

Yarine reached out and took Mila's hand, her grip firm and reassuring. "You did the right thing by telling us now. We won't let Arbious harm you. We will find a way to break his hold over you."

Yarine turned to Contii, who still seemed slightly worried for Mila. This was not the time to confront the Watcher; they needed to keep things under control. "We will stay at this church for the night," she announced, her voice firm and commanding. "I believe that the walls of this sanctuary will ward us off from danger. And Mila," she continued, her gaze shifting to her, "I want to speak with you in private."

Contii left the church while Yarine led Mila to a quiet corner, away from prying eyes and ears. Once they were alone, Yarine spoke softly, her tone filled with concern. "Mila, I fear that we may be followed by a Watcher. Don't panic. I suspect that it might be one of Arbious's agents."

Mila's eyes widened. "Why would a demon be assigned to watch over me?" she asked, her voice tinged with paranoia. "Are you saying that Arbious had one of these... watchers stalk me?"

"Yes, it's a definite possibility that this is his doing. I want to kill it. As soon as we can." Yarine replied, her tone resolute. "Right now, we are being protected by this church. So even a powerful demon like a Watcher cannot enter."

"That would explain why I felt... better, ever since you brought me here," Mila mused, a hint of relief in her voice.

"That's beside the point," Yarine scoffed, though inwardly, she felt a sense of accomplishment that her actions had brought some relief to Mila. "I don't have the magic yet, but I will be able to create a talisman for you. With it, the Watcher would be easier to locate, but only for you," Yarine said, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "However, you will have to kill it."

Mila's heart skipped a beat at the thought of confronting such a powerful demon. "I... I understand. I'll do it."

Yarine nodded, her expression serious. "Good. We'll wait until morning. I'll prepare the talisman then. For now, we should rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."

Yarine and Mila exchanged a silent moment of understanding. With a shared sense of purpose, they parted ways within the confines of the church. Yarine disappeared into the shadows, her steps echoing softly against the stone floor as she made her way to her own secluded corner to meditate and prepare for the task ahead.

Mila watched her leave. Her sights set on the statue of Michael before her, a mixture of apprehension swirling in her chest. She didn't yet know how to feel about Michael since she had yet to see him in the good light Yarine had painted him in. She wanted to believe that Michael was good, but what Arbious had shown her and everything she knew so far screamed against it.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead, and turned towards the corridor leading to her room.

Once she had arrived, alone in the dimly lit corridor, Mila hesitated for a moment before pushing open the heavy wooden door to her room. The air inside was cool and musty, filled with the scent of old books and incense. A candle was lit atop a study desk, and a small window by the bedside.

She stepped inside, closing the door behind her with a soft click. Moonlight filtered through the small window, casting eerie shadows across the room. The light from the candle flickered as if beckoning her to it.

She approached her study, her eyes gleaming at the scrolls placed atop the table. Taking a seat, she unraveled one of the scrolls and began to read its contents.

Her eyes darted back and forth as she absorbed every ounce of information. These were all magic-related scrolls. Unbeknownst to her, Yarine had carefully placed these study materials on Mila's desk, hoping she would study them diligently. Yarine had hoped the scrolls would provide insight on how to use magic more effectively.

A crow's call brought Mila to her senses. When she looked up, the candle had melted three-quarters of the way down. Deciding to call it a night, she carefully rolled up the scroll and placed it neatly on the table.

As she made her way to her simple bed, her mind still reeled with the weight of her conversation with Yarine.

A crow landed by her window. Though the window remained locked, Mila and the crow exchanged glances. The composure of the crow was unnerving, as if it were unafraid. It watched in silence, its cold eyes relentless.

Mila tried to shake off the eerie feeling the crow's presence gave her, but it lingered in her mind. She pulled the thin blanket over herself, hoping for a restful sleep. The weight of the day's events pressed down on her, but her mind kept wandering back to the scrolls and her conversation with Yarine.

The faint glow of the moon filtered through the window, casting an ethereal light across the room. The crow remained by the window, its gaze fixed on Mila. She closed her eyes, trying to focus on clearing her mind.

Her thoughts drifted back to the scrolls. The intricate symbols and arcane words seemed to float in her mind. She wondered what secrets they held, what knowledge Yarine had hoped she would uncover. Despite her fatigue, a spark of curiosity ignited within her. Maybe, she thought, she would wake up early and delve into the scrolls again.

She chuckled to herself. A mage using a sword? Arbious would've laughed at that if he were to see it. He was just that type of person to her, never lying, ever so vigilant and sarcastic.

Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door startled her. Mila sat up, her heart racing. The knock came again, more insistent this time. She glanced at the window—the crow was gone. Gathering herself, she got out of bed and approached the door, but no one was outside. A delirium of the mind? It was certainly possible.

image [https://i.imgur.com/QC2G41D.png]

An hour passed, and the night remained as restless as ever. A sense of foreboding filled the air, an almost tangible thickness of evil that Mila could taste. A low rumble grew louder, echoing through the walls. The stone floor trembled, shaking the bed beneath her. Before she could react, a violent tremor shook the entire church.

Mila immediately rushed into the corridor, her heart racing. Were they under attack? As she steadied herself against the wall, Yarine approached, urgency in her eyes. "We're being attacked. We need to leave this place!"

"Attacked by what? The watcher?"

Another jolt rocked the structure, and the ceiling above them cracked, sending dust and debris raining down. The candles flickered wildly, casting eerie shadows across the walls.

"We need to move!" Yarine urged, her eyes wide with fear. "This church won't hold if this continues."

They scrambled down the hallway, the floor shaking beneath their feet. The sound of splintering wood and shattering glass filled the air as they passed by windows, each revealing glimpses of the chaos outside.

Outside, hundreds of goblins swarmed the churchyard, their twisted faces illuminated by the flickering light of their torches. The air was filled with the putrid stench of goblins.

The horns had been blown, and the bell towers rang for reinforcements. Contii, his sword unsheathed, had already taken down two goblins by himself. Once they were outside, Contii stood in front of them to cover their retreat.

"What's happening here, Contii?" Yarine demanded.

Leading the goblin horde was a towering, massive troll. Its skin appeared to be decaying, yet it was thick and rough. In its hands, it held a massive boulder. "That thing threw a boulder at us!"

The damage to the church was extensive. One side of the roof had caved in completely, everything in its path destroyed. "That's no ordinary troll, that's a mountain troll! What's a creature like that doing on the flatlands?"

More goblins rushed at them, their sharp, gnarly teeth poised to rip them apart. Contii swiftly cut through the goblins, their blood staining the grass. "Hell if I know! Give me a hand!"

"We can't fight all of them!" Yarine shouted over the din. "We need to find a way out!"

Mila's mind raced. She had studied the scrolls, learned about different spells and their uses, but she had never faced anything like this. Her gaze fell on Contii, who was already slashing his way through the goblins, and Yarine, who was conjuring magic that sent waves of icicles at the foes.

Mila took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She knew she had to act quickly. Channeling the knowledge she had gained from her studies, she began to mutter an incantation under her breath. Her hands glowed with a faint blue light as she focused on the spell.

Yarine's magic was impressive, but Mila knew they needed more. She stepped forward, joining the fray. As the goblins closed in, Mila released her spell. A sharp gust of wind surged through the churchyard, slicing through half a dozen goblins with ease.

"Nice one, Mila!" Yarine shouted, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and admiration.

Contii, still engaged in combat, glanced back at Mila and gave a nod of approval. "Keep it up! We need to hold them off a bit longer!"

The massive troll roared, its anger palpable. It raised another boulder, ready to hurl it at the church. Mila's heart sank. She had to think fast. Another spell came to mind, one she had used only once before. She began chanting, her voice steady despite the chaos around her.

A shimmering barrier of light formed surrounding the church, just in time to intercept the boulder. The rock shattered against the barrier, fragments scattering harmlessly. The troll bellowed in frustration, its eyes narrowing as it focused on Mila.

"We need to take down that troll!" Contii yelled, slashing through another goblin. "Mila, Yarine, any ideas?"

"I can weaken it with my magic, but we'll need a direct hit to bring it down." Yarine said urgently in the midst of her battle.

Mila nodded, understanding what Yarine was implying. "I'll create a distraction. Contii, can you get close enough to strike?"

Contii grinned, his eyes shining with battle fervor. "Consider it done."

Mila began to chant again, this time summoning a dazzling display of lights. The troll's gaze followed the lights, momentarily distracted. Yarine seized the opportunity, casting a spell that wrapped the troll in icy chains, slowing its movements.

Contii charged forward, his sword gleaming in the flickering light. With a mighty leap, he aimed his weapon at the troll's thick neck. The creature roared in defiance, its monstrous power refusing to be contained by Yarine's restraints. With a powerful swing of its massive hand, the troll struck Contii, launching him through the air. His back collided with the church wall, and blood spewed from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground.

"NO!!!"

Yarine's voice echoed through the air as she watched Contii get struck by the troll. She rushed to Contii's side, her hands glowing with healing magic. "Hold on, Contii," she spoke urgently, her voice trembling with worry. She placed her hands over his wounds, a soft blue light emanating from her palms as she worked to mend his injuries.

Contii coughed up more blood, his body quivering. "Stay with me! Don't you dare close your eyes!" Yarine yelled, her voice filled with desperation.

Meanwhile, Mila fought fiercely against the relentless tide of goblins, slashing through them with precision to defend her companions. But the sheer number of enemies overwhelmed her. With each spell she cast, her strength waned further, her movements slowing, and her posture becoming increasingly slumped.

"I can't hold on much longer..." Mila admitted, her voice trembling from the strain of using so much mana.

As Mila continued to fight, pushing herself beyond her limits, she felt her mana reserves plummet to dangerously low levels. A trickle of blood ran down from her eye to her cheek from the exertion, mixing with sweat and dirt. She gritted her teeth, determined to protect Yarine and Contii despite her weakening state.

Yarine glanced over at Mila, concern etched on her face as she continued to heal Contii. "Mila, run away from here," Yarine urged, her voice urgent. "You've done enough. Save your strength."

Mila shook her head, her vision starting to blur. "I can still... fight," she insisted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Suddenly, a loud horn sounded in the distance, cutting through the chaos. Yarine looked up, hope flickering in her eyes. "Reinforcements!" she exclaimed. "They're here!"

A lone person arrived swiftly to their rescue. Mounted on her horse, Samille's armor gleamed under the moonlight, catching the attention of every goblin around. Her cape fluttered in the wind as she spoke solemnly, her voice carrying over the chaos. "By the gods, grant me the strength to dispatch these vermin!"

With a resolute cry, Samille charged into the midst of the goblin ranks. They swarmed around her, but her horse moved with uncanny agility, weaving through the horde as if traversing through tall grass. Samille swung her sword with precision and fury, cutting down her enemies swiftly. Limbs flew and goblins fell under her relentless assault.

Her blade flashed in the moonlight, each strike calculated and deadly. Samille's horse danced between the goblins, its movements synchronized with her every swing. With each foe that fell, the goblins' ranks thinned, their morale crumbling in the face of Samille's ferocity.

Yarine, Contii, and Mila watched in awe as Samille carved a path through their enemies, her presence a beacon of hope in their darkest hour. The tide of battle turned decisively as Samille's onslaught scattered the remaining goblins, driving them back in disarray.

With many of the goblins fleeing, her sights were now set on the towering troll, its grotesque form menacing amidst the chaos. Without hesitation, she directed her horse towards the monstrous creature, its decaying flesh and massive boulder weapon making it an opponent unlike any she had faced before.

The troll roared as Samille closed in, swinging its massive arms to fend off her approach. Samille maneuvered her horse, dodging the troll's clumsy strikes. She tightened her grip on her sword, the blade humming with anticipation as she sized up her adversary.

The troll, sensing the threat Samille posed, swung its boulder at Samille with brutal force. Samille leaned low on her horse, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectile that crashed into the ground beside her, sending debris flying.

Gathering her bearings, Samille spurred her horse forward, closing the distance with incredible speed. As she neared the towering troll, she drew upon her inner reserves, channeling her magic with a fierce battle chant.

"Sacred Sword Technique, Vermillion Dash!" Samille's voice rang out with commanding authority as she executed her devastating attack.

With a fluid motion, Samille leaped from her horse, her body surrounded by a shimmering aura of power. Her sword glowed with intense heat, elongating and expanding to three times its normal size in a blaze of crimson flames. The air crackled with energy as she swung her weapon with unparalleled fury.

The blade connected with the troll in a thunderous impact, slicing through its thick, decaying flesh with ease. The flames erupted from the sword's edge, engulfing the troll in a searing torrent of fire. The creature's monstrous form trembled and then split apart, the flames consuming it until nothing remained but smoldering ashes.

Mila stood in awe, her jaw dropping at the display of Samille's incredible power. She had heard tales of the Sacred Sword Technique, but witnessing it firsthand left her breathless. The troll, once a fearsome adversary, had been vanquished in an instant by Samille's overwhelming strength.

Samille landed gracefully on the ground, her sword returning to its normal size as the flames dissipated into the night air. She turned to Yarine, Contii, and Mila, her expression calm yet tinged with the weariness of battle.

"The threat is eliminated," Samille declared, her voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

As Yarine continued to concentrate on healing Contii, Samille approached with a mixture of concern and frustration etched on her face. She knelt down beside Yarine, her voice tinged with urgency. "I told you it wouldn't be safe here!"

Yarine looked up, her expression devastated as she continued to tend to Contii. "How was I supposed to know?" she shot back, her eyes still filled with worry for Contii.

Samille's features softened slightly, her concern shifting to Contii's condition. "Will he make it?" she asked, her voice quieter now, laced with concern.

"I sense at least twenty broken bones, if not more," Yarine replied solemnly, her hands glowing with healing magic as she worked. "But he's strong. I'm sure he'll pull through."

Contii remained still, his eyes closed, his breathing shallow. Mila, standing nearby, asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Yarine glanced at Mila with a mixture of gratitude and concern. "Your mana reserves are already stretched thin. You should rest."

Before Mila could respond, exhaustion overcame her, and she collapsed to the ground, her strength depleted from the intense battle.

Samille sighed heavily, her worry deepening. "She's passed out again," she remarked quietly, her eyes flickering with concern for Mila's well-being.

Yarine's gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing with a hint of anger at Samille's comment. "She risked her life to save ours," Yarine retorted sharply. "Where were you exactly?"

"I'll take Mila with me," Samille said firmly, her voice carrying a sense of resolve. "Will you be okay here on your own?"

"Just go, damn it!" Yarine cried out, her hand still gently placed over Contii's chest, her worry palpable.

Samille hesitated for a moment, seeing Yarine's devastation. Understanding the gravity of the situation, she swiftly removed her cape and draped it around Yarine and Contii, a silent gesture of support in the face of their shared ordeal. The night air was chilly, but the warmth of the cape provided some comfort.

Realizing Yarine wouldn't leave Contii's side, Samille carefully lifted Mila's exhausted body, cradling her gently in her arms. With ease and care, she secured Mila onto her horse, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible before mounting herself.

With a final glance at Yarine and Contii, Samille nodded silently, her expression one of concern. Without another word, she urged her horse forward, the sound of hooves echoing softly in the night as she rode off into the darkness, taking Mila with her to safety.