Wulfric becomes acutely aware of a distinctive pull on his energy as he continues his contact with Kaiden. The experience is markedly different from their previous encounter outside the palace earlier. This time, the energy syphoned from Wulfric is considerably more potent. Opening his violet eyes, Wulfric sees the celestial energy flowing into Kaiden, not only from himself but also from Loden and Brokenfang. The energy transfer is undeniable, and it's now flowing in a much more pronounced manner than before.

Wulfric's initial reaction is to feel irritated and to consider shoving Brokenfang off, but he pauses as he notices something remarkable happening to Kaiden's wound. The wound on Kaiden's leg transforms right before his eyes. The once visible injury begins to reseal, and the color of the flesh changes, returning to a normal hue. The transformation is evident, and Wulfric's annoyance gives way to astonishment at the incredible sight before him.

With Wulfric's eyes closed once again, he focuses on channeling more energy into Kaiden, hoping to aid in his healing process. The trio of warriors loses all their senses of time and space, their connection to Kaiden and each other becoming all-consuming. They remain unmoving and connected. Finally, the moment comes when Tibost's voice breaks the silence, his words pulling them back to reality. "That should be good for now. You can stop."

Wulfric, Loden, and Brokenfang gradually release their contact, the flow of energy ceasing as they heed Tibost's instructions. A sense of relief washes over them as the connection is fully broken their hands totally withdrawn. Each warrior aware of the shared connection and the incredible energy that they had just funneled into Kaiden's body. The three warriors, in sync, shake their heads, feeling the slight drain on their energy from the intense celestial energy transfer. They brush off the physical effects, their focus solely on the outcome of their recent efforts. They are poised and attentive, prepared to witness the aftermath and the impact of their collective energies upon Kaiden's body.

Loden, Wulfric, and Brokenfang are all at a loss for words as they gaze upon the transformation of Kaiden's leg. The once-present purpleish veining has miraculously vanished, and even the initial cut has resealed itself flawlessly. The bruising that had once marred his flesh is now completely absent, replaced by a slight redness that encircles the site of the former wound. The trio can hardly believe the sight before them, astonished by the incredible healing that has taken place.

Loden is the first to break the heavy silence, disbelief etched on his face. "Is this even possible? How is it that the healing worked so quickly? You just said that the healing wouldn’t work.”

Tibost ignores Loden’s words for the moment having already begun his analysis of the blood sample. He drops various liquids onto it and observes their interaction with the purple-ish/blue-hued blood. In a side comment having overheard but now acknowledging Loden, Tibost remarks, "If what you have all told me about the poison is accurate, then the wound likely still holds the poison, and it will gradually reactivate like previous times." His expression remains focused on the sample before him as he waits for the results of his analysis to appear. The implication is ominous, hinting at the danger that still lurks within Kaiden's body.

Just as Wulfric opens his mouth to ask Tibóst for an explanation, the group witnesses a sudden shift in the appearance of the wound on Kaiden's leg. The redness surrounding the cut morphs back into a bruised purple/blue hue, but the area affected remains relatively small in size. A sense of realization washes over Wulfric, his violet eyes widening in surprise. The poison's effect have become visible again, manifesting as a bruised discoloration around the injury. Loden and Brokenfang are equally startled by the sudden change, the three of them watch in silence, waiting to see how Tibost will interpret this development.

Kaiden slowly regains consciousness, feeling a sense of clarity and an absence of pain. He lies still, his blue eyes still gently closed as he becomes aware of the sounds around him, his senses slowly sharpening and connecting him to the present moment. Kaiden remains motionless, content to savor the absence of pain and the calm settling over him.

Wulfric, exasperated, moves to the table and forcefully places his hands down. He turns to Tibost, his expression filled with a mix of urgency and frustration. "Tibost, we need an explanation," Wulfric demands, his voice tinged with a sense of desperation.

Loden joins in, his gaze shifting from Wulfric to Tibost and then to Kaiden. Loden's gaze on Kaiden is filled with a mixture of concern and worry, before he fully turns his attention to Tibost. Loden’s expression mirrors Wulfric's concern and adds, "Please, explain what's happening." The tension in the room is palpable as they all look to Tibost for answers, desperate for an understanding of Kaiden's condition.

Tibost, with a composed demeanor, responds with a touch of urgency in his tone, "Like I said earlier, the poison is still active in his system. The discoloration is a telltale sign. Even though the wound has healed, the poison remains. Its effects are merely dormant at the moment, but there is no telling how long this temporary reprieve will last."

Kaiden stays motionless, his ears absorbing the words exchanged by Wulfric, Loden, and Tibost. The absence of pain and discomfort makes his body feel as light as air, but the overwhelming fatigue and stress from the day's events take their toll. Overwhelming exhaustion washes over him, and he finds himself unable to shift from his stomach position to his back. With a weary sigh, he drifts into a deep, restorative sleep, his body finally getting the break it desperately needs.

Loden's attention is quickly drawn when he hears Kaiden's sigh and sees the slight movement of his body. Loden taking it as an indication that Kaiden is on the edge of regaining consciousness. Makes the quick decision to rouse him fully awake by gently touching his back. Loden moves to gently shake Kaiden awake. However, before he can make physical contact, Brokenfang quickly intercepts Loden's hand, preventing him from touching Kaiden. Loden glances at Brokenfang with a mixture of surprise and animosity at the physical contact between the two. Loden's surprise turns to anger as he wrenches his hand free, glaring at Brokenfang. His gaze holds a hint of reproachful anger as he shoots Brokenfang an annoyed look, clearly taken aback by the unexpected intervention. The tension rises as Loden's eyes narrow even farther, his emotions seething within him. "What are you doing? Don’t touch me!” he demands, his voice edged with irritation. “Stop interfering."

Brokenfang, in a steady voice, addresses Loden, his words carrying a hint of care. "Don’t touch him now. Let him rest. Waking him up now wouldn't be wise." Brokenfang crosses his arms defiantly, moving to the foot of the bed and seating himself cross-legged on the floor. His cloak moves as he settles, revealing a long, sleek tail adorned with striking black and silver hues, casually protruding from the folds of the fabric.

Wulfric, bristling with a mix of anger and condescension, strides forward, his emotions aligning with Loden's. His words carry a venomous tinge as he addresses Brokenfang.

"What do you know, beastel? You have no right to lecture us on what is best for the priestess. You have no place being here in the first place." Wulfric's gaze hardens as he challenges Brokenfang, his animosity toward him evident.

Brokenfang remains impassive, unresponsive to the confrontational words and challenging gazes of Loden and Wulfric. It is Tibost, however, who reacts, his irritation palpable in his tone.

Tibost's irritation at the situation becomes apparent as he interjects, his voice terse and tinged with annoyance. "Enough! Your petty arguments and hostility are unproductive. We are here to focus on Kaiden's well-being, not engage in futile bickering. Show some restraint and respect."

Wulfric and Loden momentarily wince at Tibost's reproachful tone, their gazes shifting awkwardly in self-reproach. They then direct a sidelong glance at Brokenfang, their expressions still tinged with hostility. As Tibost continues speaking, Wulfric and Loden turn fully towards him, their focus now on his words.

Tibost firmly reinforces Brokenfang's point, "You should listen to your comrade. He is certainly correct about allowing the priestess to rest." Tibost reaches for the vial containing the sample of leg flesh, the dark bloody liquid mixed in with the organic material within, and emphasizes, "It would be best to let him sleep. His body won't exert itself further as he rests, and the poison will remain dormant, unable to spread as it had before, limiting the need for you to heal him."

Tibost, his attention focused on the task at hand, carefully dispenses a few drops of a clear liquid into the vial containing the flesh sample. With a skilled and practiced motion, he gently agitates the vial, causing the liquid to swirl and mix with the flesh, resulting in a slight turbulence within the container.

"We've reached a favorable point at the moment," Tibost reassures, his gaze moving between the warriors.

Loden, frustration and concern evident in his tone, exclaims, "How can you say that? We have to fix this right now!" His gaze remains fixed on Tibost, anticipating a satisfactory response to his urgent plea.

Tibost remains unfazed as he continues his work, carefully dropping sprinkles of a ground-up material now into both vials of blood and flesh. With deliberate yet skilled motions, he manipulates both vials, gently agitating them to ensure thorough mixing. The vials now contain a mixture of the ground material, blood, and flesh, their contents swirling together in a mesmerizing dance. While the vials are swirling, it is apparent that the ground-up materials has fully been mixed in and are now causing the liquid they are in to look cloudy and almost sludge like.

Loden, growing increasingly impatient, seizes Tibost by the arm, determined to get his attention and prompt a response. However, Tibost remains impassive, his focus remaining fixed on the task at hand. Tibost places both vials down on the table, laying them side by side. With a gentle yet firm touch, Tibost places his hand on Loden's hand, silently urging him to release his grip. He then looks into Loden's eyes, his gaze steady and unshakeable, and says, "Kindly remove your hand."

Loden, feeling the surprise and strength from Tibost's grip, reluctantly pulls his hand away, but his frustration remains palpable. "Fix Kaiden now," he demands, his tone filled with growing urgency, "all you are doing is sitting here." The tension in the room is thick as Loden pressures Tibost for a swift resolution.

Tibost, not even bothered to look up, replies with a sigh, "If I could do that, don't you think I would have done it already? I'm working on it. The poison is complicated, I'm not a damn miracle worker. I need time, and you're making it harder for me to focus."

Kaiden drifts further into slumber, completely oblivious to the ongoing conversation around him. His body remains in a state of profound relaxation, yet the position he finds himself in—lying on his stomach—is far from comfortable. His chest struggles to take adequate breaths, the physical weakness rendering him incapable of making even the slightest adjustment to his current stance.

Brokenfang's ears, adorned with silver and black fur, reflexively shift, and his tail twitches slightly beneath his cloak. "Sir Tibost," he advises, his gaze fixed on the sleeping Kaiden, "it may be beneficial to reposition the priestess on his back, as his breathing is becoming more labored due to the weight on his chest." Brokenfang's concern is evident in his words, and he waits for Tibost's response.

Wulfric and Loden shoot Brokenfang another pair of hateful glances, their animosity towards him still evident. Tibost, appreciative of Brokenfang's concern, nods, pushes the chair out, and stands. He murmurs, "Thank you. At least someone is looking out for the priestess." The tension in the room thickens momentarily, the warriors' disapproving stares lingering in the air.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Loden, speaking up as Tibost moves closer to the bed again, offers, "Wulfric or I can move him so you can continue with your work." His tone is tinged with sarcasm, and it's apparent that Loden still doesn't fully trust Tibost's intentions.

Tibost, with a wave of his hand, dismisses Loden's words, insisting, "I'll do it. He needs to stay asleep for a while."

Tibost proceeds to carefully maneuver Kaiden onto his back, positioning him on the pillow in a comfortable manner. "You risk waking him up if you attempt to move him," Tibost explains, his voice calm and collected. "Medicating him to sleep isn't the ideal option at this point. It is best if he sleeps on his own."

Wulfric's question hangs in the air as he presses Tibost for more information, seeking clarification. "Why would medicating Kaiden to sleep not help us, Tibost?" Wulfric inquires, his tone serious. "This would buy us more time to make the remedy, so what aren't you telling us?" The room falls into a heavy silence, and all eyes are trained on Tibost, waiting for his response.

Tibost takes a few steps back from the bed, reaching out to the table and carefully picking up the blood vial. He gently cradles it in his palm, his expression turning serious. "I've conducted three tests while you've been arguing and pestering me," he reveals, his tone firm. "The results aren't good." The tension in the room heightens as Tibost prepares to share the disappointing findings.

Tibost shares the first result of his tests, explaining, "The first test I performed was to observe how Kaiden's blood would react to a sleeping herbal medicine. There was no visible change in the blood, and the liquids refused to mix." He pauses briefly, allowing the information to sink in. "His body is rejecting the herb," Tibost continues, clearly troubled by the findings.

Tibost continues, moving on to the second result of his tests, "The second test I conducted involved mixing the flesh and blood with a strong antidote designed to counter all types of poison. Unfortunately, the materials mixed together, but the color of the liquid remained unchanged. The poison still lingered within." He pauses, sighing deeply, and looks up at the warriors, his expression grim.

Tibost's voice takes on a solemn tone as he explains the third and most alarming result of his tests. "The final test I conducted involved mixing ground-up herbs, hoping to cleanse Kaiden's blood. Instead, the herbs had the opposite effect, significantly intensifying the potency of the poison and transforming the blood into a viscous, sludge-like substance," he reveals, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Wulfric, Loden, and Brokenfang solemnly absorb Tibost's words, their faces etched with shock. Wulfric is the first to find his voice, his tone a mixture of frustration and resignation.

Wulfric gently closes Tibost's hand over the vial, hiding it from sight. "Tibost," he asks, his voice tinged with urgency, "what is the best course of action? What can we do to save Kaiden?" As the room falls into a tense silence, the warriors await Tibost's response, their eyes fixed on the wise physician.

Tibost places the vial down on the table, his gaze shifting between Kaiden and the warriors. Sighing deeply, he shakes his head, looking noticeably drained. "I have three options that come to mind at this moment, but they all carry risks and consequences," he explains. "I'm certain you won't agree with one of the options," Tibost continues, his voice tinged with resignation. The air in the room grows heavy with anticipation as the warriors await his next words.

“Option 1," Tibost holds up one finger, "you trust me to work in peace to find an alternative remedy for the poison. Option 2," he continues, raising two fingers, "you can choose to venture out and find the antidote yourselves, allowing me to focus on my work in solitude." The tension in the air thickens as Tibost presents the two options. Wulfric, Loden, and Brokenfang exchange glances, considering the choices presented by Tibost.

Loden, his tone insistent, quickly interjects, "You mentioned three options, but you've only presented two. What is the third one?" The rest of the warriors also look at Tibost expectantly, waiting for him to reveal the remaining option.

Tibost exhales, settling onto a chair at the table, and clasps his hands together. His voice becomes gravestone as he presents the third option. "Option 3," he pauses and looks up at the warriors, his expression serious, "we let things be and hope that Astryaln will step in and restore him." The room falls into a hushed silence as the weight of the third option hangs heavily in the air.

Brokenfang's voice rings out forcefully, his anger palpable. "Absolutely not," he growls, standing erect. "We can't put blind faith in Astryaln to heal the priestess. Even our own healing arts have failed to restore him to his former self. Astryaln would face the same constraints." Brokenfang's fangs bare as he lashes out at Tibost's suggestion. "You're proposing that we simply let him die." The tension in the room intensifies, and the atmosphere grows increasingly hostile.

Tibost, still sitting with his clasped hands, nods solemnly. "Another option would be to end his suffering permanently," he begins, his voice filled with a mix of resignation and sadness. "It's not an ideal choice or one anyone should favor, but it would bring an end to his torment." As Tibost speaks, the atmosphere in the room darkens, filled with a deep sense of despair. Loden and Wulfric exchange a heavy glance, their faces etched with deep sadness, yet also determination. Silently, they clench their fists, their knuckles turning white, as a deep sense of conflict and reluctance washes over them. Despite the weight of the situation, they refuse to acknowledge the option before them, their hearts heavy with a mixture of sadness and defiance.

The atmosphere still thick with tension, Wulfric speaks up, his voice resolute. "Option 3 is off the table," he asserts firmly. "Options 1 and 2 are the only possibilities we can consider." He pauses for a moment, his gaze fixed. "I'd rather not just sit here idly, so I'm opting for option 2." He turns to Loden, his eyes seeking alignment. "What do you think, Loden?" Wulfric waits for Loden's response, his eyes set on his comrade’s response.

Loden takes a moment to meet Wulfric's gaze, then turns to Tibost, Brokenfang, and finally settles on Kaiden. He watches in silence as Kaiden’s chest gently rises and falls, the rhythm of peaceful slumber. After a moment, Loden shakes his head, as if to clear his thoughts, attempting to clear his mind of the overwhelming emotions. The weight of the situation presses down on him, and he takes a deep breath before speaking. "I agree with Wulfric," Loden finally replies, his voice carrying a sense of resolve. "Option 2 seems like the only viable path forward. We cannot sit idly by and risk losing Kaiden."

Tibost finally raises his gaze, a glimmer of optimism in his eyes. He explains, "I need either the antidote itself or the specific source of the poison. I'll attempt to concoct my own antidote from the blood I've gathered, but it could take hours or even days to isolate the right elements for it to work effectively." The words spoken by Tibost cast a glimmer of hope into the heavy atmosphere, yet the urgency of the situation lingers in the air.

Wulfric, his voice tinged with urgency, posed the question, "Where do we even start our search?" Without awaiting a response, he continued, his tone growing more dramatic, "The northern gate of course, but how on earth will we locate the antidote or identify the individuals who poisoned Kaiden?" His hands gestured wildly to emphasize the challenge ahead, his frustration at his own words.

Loden shakes his head in frustration, confessing, "Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention to the appearance of the men taken down by Brokenfang. Kaiden would be our best bet for a description, but given his current state, we can't ask him." Wulfric’s mind trying to work out the challenge of identifying the perpetrators being more formidable than he thought.

Tibost let out a soft chuckle and shook his head, offering a sly comment. "Alright, alright. It seems you warriors have your work cut out for you. You better figure out a solution” he quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice. “I'll keep toiling away at my own remedy in the meantime, but it's sensible for one of you to remain here in case I need an extra hand or in case Kaiden needs further healing until the others return." He offers the advice, his tone tinged with both understanding and urgency.

Loden and Wulfric exchange a knowing look, both silently declining the idea of staying behind. Just as they open their mouths to argue, Brokenfang intervened, interrupting their debate. All eyes turn to him as he speaks.

Brokenfang adjusts his stance, his tail swaying rhythmically behind him, and declares, "I’ll take charge of finding the antidote and thugs. I remember what they look like and where we were when we fought, so I can track the scent down from there. I'm familiar with the northern area of the city, too." His gaze shifts to Loden and Wulfric, his head tilted slightly as he ponders who would be accompany him on this task.

Wulfric, his voice growing heated, intercedes with a firm rebuke. "Oh, absolutely not! We wouldn't trust a Beastel with this responsibility. You'll just mess it up, running off with your tail tucked between your legs and abandoning us in the process..." His words cut through the air, only to be interrupted by Tibost's raised hands, gesturing for quiet.

Wulfric's ire wanes as his gaze meets Tibost's vivid green eyes, which hold an intensity and purpose. The physician's darting gaze shift towards Kaiden as he begins stirring on the bed. His eyes flutter, and he shifts his body slight, indicating he may be waking up. A hush falls over the room, and every person present grows nervous about what might happen when he awakens.

The room remains eerily still as everyone holds their breath, silently observing Kaiden's movement. He shifts on the bed, turning to lay on his side and curls up, resting his hand near his head. Yet, he doesn't regain consciousness, leaving everyone in a state of anticipation.

Tibost breaks the silence first, gently hitting Wulfric on the arm as he moves to the bed. He then quietly grabs the blanket lying at the foot of the bed and carefully covers Kaiden. To everyone's surprise, Kaiden, still asleep, instinctively grabs ahold of the blanket and pulls it closer to his head. His breathing deepens, a sign that he's growing more comfortable in slumber.

Wulfric rubs his arm, feigning pain from Tibost's light hit, but quickly regains composure. Tibost addresses him, shaking his head and then speaking quietly. "Enough already," he says, fixing Wulfric with a stern look. "I'll be the one to decide who goes and it's final." With a touch of impatience, Tibost adds, "Obviously, the one who knows the area needs to go, and," he pauses, gesturing to Wulfric, "you'll be the one to accompany him to ensure nothing goes awry.”

Wulfric's expression turns to one of disbelief and irritation as he protests, "No! No way in Astrayln! I'm the commander of the Royal Guard of the Reaqucuria Empire. I have responsibilities to attend to in the palace, and I do not take orders from you!" The tension in the air thickens as he objects vehemently to being paired with Brokenfang on this mission.

Tibost interrupts Wulfric's protest with a hushing gesture before he could continue, his voice firm. "Your loudness is precisely why you must go," he asserts. "If you refuse, I'll have no choice but to inform the Emperor." Tibost then grins mischievously, his finger brushing his chin in contemplation. "Just imagine what the Emperor will say when he learns you're dismissing the advice of the Royal physician, who is working diligently to save the priestess and protect the empire, is that not the case?"

Wulfric opens his mouth to protest further, but then abruptly stops himself, crossing his arms in frustration. Deep down, he knows that Tibost is right, but he resents being ordered around by the physician. Glancing at Kaiden and then at Brokenfang, Wulfric averts his gaze, his irritation evident.

Wulfric, begrudgingly accepting the situation, uncrosses his arms and moves towards the door. "Fine, let's get this over with. The sooner we find the antidote, the sooner we can return." He then addresses Brokenfang, his tone tinged with reluctance. "Lead the way, Beastel."

Brokenfang offers a brief glance to Loden, Tibost, and Kaiden before trailing behind Wulfric. The two make their way towards the door in silence, both parties refraining from engaging in conversation as they step outside.

Once Wulfric and Brokenfang have left the room, closing the door firmly behind them, Tibost lets out a weary sigh and returns to the table. With a weary expression, he gingerly wipes his forehead with his arm, visibly drained by the exchange with Wulfric and the entire situation at hand.

Loden looks on as Wulfric and Brokenfang depart, silently praying that Wulfric manages to keep his biases in check for the mission's sake. He then shifts his gaze to Kaiden, who lies asleep peacefully on the bed. Just as he becomes engrossed in observing his friend, Loden is abruptly snapped back to reality by the unexpected sound of Tibost's soft chuckle.

Tibost, aware of Loden's gaze, turns slightly to meet his gaze and speaks, "Wulfric is as stubborn as ever. Just threaten to bring up his conduct with the Emperor, and you'll have him biting his tongue." Tibost then steals a glance at Kaiden before redirecting his focus back to the task at hand, concocting an antidote. "You'd be wise to catch a bit of rest while you can. It could be a long night if Kaiden wakes up.”

Loden resolutely shakes his head, and moves closer to the bed, settling himself on the floor in a cross-legged position. He angles his gaze directly towards Kaiden and Tibost, determined to remain awake and vigilant. "I'll stay awake," he announces firmly. "Not only to keep an eye on Kaiden, but also to keep an eye on you," he adds, his tone emphasizing his mistrust for Tibost.

Tibost shrugs nonchalantly and continues working on the antidote, undeterred by Loden's watchful eye. Loden, in turn, observes Tibost intently before shifting his gaze back to Kaiden. His thoughts filled with prayers and hopes for Astryaln's intervention, as he silently beseeches the deity for Kaiden's swift recovery. Alongside those wishes, he also offers silent prayers for the safe return of Wulfric and Brokenfang from their mission, hoping they will succeed in locating the antidote and bringing it back as quickly as possible.