Tibost, his concern showing, keeps his hands firmly on Kaiden's shoulders, preventing him from collapsing forward. He urgently implores, "Kaiden, you have to communicate with me. Describe the exact location of the pain. Where does it hurt?"
Kaiden shakes his head, the pain and chills intensifying, causing him to close his eyes momentarily. When he opens them, Tibost appears as a blend of swirling colors. Overcome with nausea at the sight, Kaiden musters a little strength to push away, seeking comfort by resting on his side, drawing his legs up against his body.
Kaiden closes his blue eyes once more, seeking relief as he settles on his side, slowly regulating his breathing. The needles continue to travel further, moving upward from his leg into his chest. Kaiden, overwhelmed by the pain, instinctively withdraws, seeking solitude to cope with the intense discomfort. The pain he feels now is unlike anything he has experienced before – a sharp contrast to the familiar aches of a broken arm or a sprain. There is a peculiar sense that something is deliberately tormenting him, attempting to inflict the deepest suffering upon him. Kaiden focuses his attention on Loden's loud voice, who urges, "Do something, or permit us to heal him partially so he can find some temporary relief again.”
Tibost adamantly shakes his head, gathering a scalpel, a test tube, and some cloth. His voice is resolute as he explains, "Healing him may provide temporary relief, but it won't address the root cause. If the poison is spreading or reacting once more, this is the ideal opportunity to collect Kaiden's blood. This will allow me to formulate a more effective remedy."
Tibost gingerly climbs onto the bed alongside Kaiden, who is balled up on his side. His voice takes on a gentler tone as he speaks, "Kaiden, I'm going to draw some blood from your arm first, and then I'll examine the wound on your leg. Once I've completed both tasks, we can heal you again, but the pain will return. Can you understand what I'm saying?"
Loden's hands pressed together, his worry and desire to heal Kaiden evident. Meanwhile, Wulfric stands attentive, ready to assist if needed. Brokenfang's ears and tail show subtle signs of twitching, his fur likely bristling beneath his cloak due to his anxiousness.
Tibsot stands by patiently, awaiting Kaiden's response, but there is only silence. He repeats his question, his voice firm but gentle, "Kaiden, I need to collect some blood from you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Kaiden finally responds, his voice strained and hoarse as he manages to utter the word "Yes." His body involuntarily trembles, and his eyes remain closed, a sign of the pain and discomfort he's experiencing.
Tibost's voice is soothing and calming as he reassures Kaiden, "Okay, I'm going to carefully take your arm and draw some blood. You may feel a slight pinch, but that's all. Just try to relax." With practiced ease, Tibost gently takes hold of Kaiden's arm, slowly extending it away from his leg.
As Tibost gently cleanses Kaiden's arm with a damp cloth, preparing the test tubes, Kaiden suddenly opens his eyes, startled by the sight of the needle and tubing. In a quick, reflexive motion, he involuntarily thrusts his arm away, clearly feeling a sense of fear and panic.
"No! No!" Kaiden cries out desperately, his fear and panic overwhelming him, unleashing a wave of agitation. With clenched fists, he thrashes wildly, pummeling the bed in a fit of panic-induced fury. The blurred vision caused by his condition exacerbates the situation, transforming Tibost into an ominous, terrifying figure attacking him. His heart races, pounding furiously, fueled by mounting dread and terror.
Tibost's voice fills the air, a firm command piercing through the chaos: "Kaiden, calm down!" Sidestepping any accidental blows, he glances urgently at Loden, Wulfric, and Brokenfang, his expression a mix of concern and determination. "This situation has taken a turn for the worse. I need you three to hold him down so I can both draw his blood and inspect his leg as quickly as possible."
Wulfric, Loden, and Brokenfang leap into action, communicating silently through nods and determined expressions. Wulfric, clad in his distinctive gloves, gently yet firmly grasps one of Kaiden's arms. The gesture holds a hint of protectiveness and concern, as if Wulfric is silently offering support and trying to provide reassurance. It is a silent but powerful sign of comfort, conveying that Wulfric is there for Kaiden, ready to offer whatever assistance his friend may need.
Brokenfang's strong grip gently but firmly holds Kaiden's legs, one hand grasping his left leg and the other his right, anchoring him in place. The ungloved hand on Kaiden's right leg adds a sense of warmth and physical contact, grounding Kaiden even further. It's a silent act of support, showing that Brokenfang is there to assist in his own unique and comforting way.
Loden, with a firm yet considerate touch, grasps the arm where Tibost was going to draw blood. He holds it down gently, providing stability and reassurance. Soft and reassuring words slip from Loden's lips, meant to soothe and calm Kaiden amid the chaos. His hope is that Kaiden can hear the words, drawing strength from them and finding a semblance of peace as he endures this trying situation.
The trio of Loden, Wulfric, and Brokenfang work in harmony, combining their collective strength to restrain Kaiden with care and precision. They hold him down with a careful balance of force, exerting just enough pressure to keep him from thrashing or flailing around. The group's unity is evident in their synchronized effort, their sole focus being to ensure Kaiden's safety and prevent him from causing harm to himself or others in his current state.
Kaiden's frantic struggling continues but is somewhat subdued due to the pressure applied by the celestial warriors to his body. The reassuring tones of his friends' voices begin to seep through to his mind, though it does nothing to calm him down. Wulfric speaks softly, his words filled with reassurance, "Kaiden, calm down. We're here to help." Loden chimes in, his voice gentle and soothing, "Kaiden, we are your friends. It's going to be alright." Brokenfang adds, his voice firm but caring, "Calm yourself, Priestess. You're only making the poison spread more."
“Wulfric.. Loden.." Kaiden utters, his eyes opening wide, but his distress is palpable as he tries to thrash harder, desperation in his voice, "No... get off me. I don't want this." The tears well up in his eyes, and a small trickle of blood begins to flow from his nose, a testament to the toll this ordeal is taking on him.
“Tibost, you need to collect the blood quickly," Wulfric instructs, using one hand to exert firm pressure on Kaiden's chest, pinning him firmly to the bed. Loden joins in, supporting Wulfric's maneuver, using his remaining hand to further restrain Kaiden and prevent any sudden movement.
Tibost swiftly grabs the needle and tubes, methodically cleansing Kaiden's arm once more. He glances up at Wulfric and Loden, the urgency palpable in his gaze. "Here I go. Please hold him still." With precise and rapid movements, he carefully inserts the needle, efficiently filling three vials of blood before promptly withdrawing it. Without missing a beat, he applies the cloth to the wound, effectively staunching any residual bleeding.
Despite Kaiden's continued protests, his body is held in place by the firm grip of his celestial warrior friends. With a weary yet resolute expression, Tibost places the vials of blood aside and turns his attention to the injured leg. "Now for that leg," he says, readying himself to continue the examination and treatment process.
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With steady hands, Tibost removes the torn cloth that Kaiden had previously used to bandage the wound. Tibost skillfully uses a scalpel to slice away the tattered bloody pants leg, carefully exposing the injured area. Upon inspecting the front of Kaiden's leg, Tibost shakes his head, his expression confused. As he applies slight pressure to the skin, a subtle discoloration becomes visible on the skin's surface. However, when Tibost carefully turns Kaiden's leg to the side, a more profound change is revealed on the back side.
Tibost's voice cuts through the tension, "We need to roll him over onto his chest. I need a full view of the back of his leg. That’s where the wound is."
With a shared understanding, the trio of warriors, albeit inexperienced in this scenario, gently guide Kaiden onto his back, facing them. They adjust their holds, maintaining a firm yet secure grip on his arms and legs to aid in his stability. Each warrior braces themselves, their focus intense as they prepare to assist Tibost during his examination. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation and concentration, as they work in harmony to ensure that Kaiden remains still and compliant throughout the process.
The change in position has caused Kaiden's thrashing to subside more, his body now trembling ever so slightly. His voice is barely audible, his words a mere whisper amidst the tension in the room. Kaiden's words become increasingly repetitive, his mind succumbing to the dulling effects of the poison. The fear of his deteriorating vision, unable to distinctly discern the people before him, weighs heavily on him. In his altered state, Loden, Wulfric, Tibost, and even Brokenfang appear distorted and inhuman to his eyes, their familiar features obscured by the poison's grip on his senses. The tears welling up in his eyes only exacerbate the stinging sensation, adding another layer of torment to his distress. As they hold him down, Loden and Tibost are shocked to find that Kaiden's skin is unusually cold to the touch in this position. Everyone’s attention quickly turns to the sight of the back of Kaiden's leg, and their collective horror intensifies.
The sight of Kaiden's leg is deeply concerning. Purple and blue veins are clearly visible, winding their way through the limb like tendrils of sinister disease. The original cut has healed, leaving nothing but a scar, but a large, ominous bruise of a bluish-purplish hue encircles the entire area. The pulsing of the healed cut, coupled with the discoloration, only further exacerbates the gravity of the situation.
Loden's voice breaks the tense silence, posing the question that's on everyone's mind: "What is that and what do we do now?"
Tibost responds, his expression solemn as he grabs a test tube and scalpel with a steely resolve. "Keep him still," he instructs, a hint of trepidation in his voice. "This is going to be painful, but I need a sample from the source." The three warriors brace themselves, their grip on Kaiden a little more firmer, ready to withstand his inevitable reaction to the procedure.
With a steady hand, Tibost meticulously cleanses the area surrounding the cut, taking care to ensure the wound is sterile. Kaiden's leg involuntarily shifts slightly under the contact, but Brokenfang quickly responds, applying pressure to keep Kaiden still. Tibost positions the scalpel next to the cut, his grip on the instrument steady. He glances up briefly, his eyes seeking reassurance from the others. "Ready?" he asks, his voice filled with a mix of determination and slight hesitation.
Despite his slight unease, Loden tries to soothe Kaiden again with hushed words and reassurances, hoping to provide some comfort in this tense moment. The three warriors nod in silent agreement, their grip on Kaiden's body firm and unyielding, their expressions a mix of grim determination and unease as they ready themselves for the painful procedure.
The moment the scalpel makes contact with skin, Kaiden's painful screams fill the air. His body thrusts and writhes, desperately trying to crawl away, but the warriors hold him firmly in place, their expressions a mix of sympathy and grim determination. Despite the pain and the difficulty of restraining Kaiden, Tibost continues with the task, carefully cutting along the wounded area on the scar. His focus unyielding, he concentrates on collecting the needed sample.
Kaiden's screams of agony fill the room as the wound reopens to its full length, the pain feeling like his leg is being torn from his body. The intensity is unbearable, until finally, his screams slowly subside, his body and mind no longer able to withstand the suffering. With a faint whimper, he drifts into unconsciousness, his body going limp under the warrior's grip.
Loden, Wulfric, and Brokenfang are momentarily taken aback when they realize that Kaiden has lost consciousness. Loden, in a state of panic, is the first to react, placing his hand gently on Kaiden's face, his voice filled with urgency. "Kaiden! Kaiden! Talk to us!" He shakes the priestess’s face, trying to rouse him awake.
Tibost's voice slices through the tension in the room, offering a blunt explanation. "He can't hear you," he states matter-of-factly. "He's passed out. I thought he would have done so sooner, but he has a higher pain tolerance than I expected." As he speaks, Tibost carefully uses his scalpel to cut and dissect the area around the wound, using the tip to collect samples of the flesh and blood and drop them into his test tubes.
Tibost speaks calmly, his voice devoid of emotion as he observes the unusual nature of the wound. "This is a type of injury I haven't encountered before," he notes. "I would have expected your celestial healing, to have combined to offer both healing and reassurance making sample taking more difficult to accomplish." His words hang in the air, the gravity of the situation palpable.
Loden glances at Wulfric, a look of realization passing between them as they absorb Tibost's words. A shared sense of surprise and confusion washes over them, as the idea of their celestial healing not offering comfort during this procedure had not crossed their minds when they were asked to hold Kaiden down. The irony of the situation is not lost on either of them.
Tibost, having gathered the necessary samples, steps back and motions towards Kaiden's still unconscious form. "If either of you would like to heal him now, feel free to," he says, grabbing the test tubes filled with blood and moving away to the table. "I'm finished for the time being." He places the blood test tubes down with the samples of the wound, ready for further analysis. The implication is clear; the opportunity for Wulfric or Loden to administer their celestial healing has presented itself.
Loden turns to Wulfric, a hint of uncertainty in his voice, "I don't understand. Our celestial healing should have helped Kaiden. Why has our energy not been enough to alleviate his pain or speed up his recovery?" He glances at Tibost, who remains focused on the blood samples at the nearby table, his expression impassive.
Wulfric responds with a shake of his head, voicing his own uncertainty and internal struggle. "I don't know," he admits, his words tinged with regret. "I wasn't considering using my celestial healing abilities to comfort Kaiden during the procedure." Wulfric then turns his gaze to Tibost, who continues examining the blood samples on the table. "Tibost, can you provide an estimate on when you will have a remedy for Kaiden's condition?"
Tibost examines the blood samples, his expression focused and studious. He notices Loden and Wulfric's hesitation, and a hint of impatience creeps into his voice. "Why are you hesitating to heal the priestess?" he asks, his tone sharp. "I will have a remedy as soon as I can, but I need to work. If you interrupt me or ruin my samples, I'll have to take even more." Tibost turns back to the blood, his attention fully absorbed in the task at hand.
Loden and Wulfric look at each other before nodding in agreement. Loden glances at Brokenfang, noticing his momentary hesitation. The pair moves closer to Kaiden, positioning themselves with purpose. As they do so, Wulfric removes his gloves, their hands now reaching out to gently touch Kaiden's arms. Closing their eyes, both warriors concentrate on their celestial healing abilities. A warm glow emanates from their palms as they focus the healing energy towards Kaiden, in an attempt to soothe his pain and quicken his recovery.
With Loden and Wulfric's eyes closed, they remain oblivious to Brokenfang's actions. He, unnoticed by them, reaches out and positions his hand on Kaiden's leg, adding another point of contact and the glow of celestial energy surging even brighter. The energy radiates from where Brokenfang's hand meets Kaiden's leg, joining the energy from Loden and Wulfric as it intensifies in reaction to their combined efforts.
Tibost swiftly shields the vials of blood and tissue samples from the radiant glow, carefully protecting them from any potential exposure. He mutters to himself, a grumble of mild annoyance escaping his lips as he quickly takes measures to safeguard the precious specimens. It's clear that his primary concern is the preservation and integrity of the samples, ensuring that they remain untouched by the celestial energy that the trio is emitting.