Gideon lightly wrapped his arms around her body and carefully lifted her. She weighed so little, his mind couldn’t process the lifeless girl he held in his arms. He stared down at her unmoving body, unable to divert his eyes. He cradled her head in the crook of one arm, lightly brushing her cheek with his hand. He pushed the hair aside, revealing her face. She looked at peace. She didn’t respond, didn’t breathe. She was gone. He had failed her. A single day bonded, that was all the time I got. I failed, I could’ve done something! I promised to be there and the first time she needed me, I failed. His thoughts dove deep into oblivion.

He cursed the gods and their games, their manipulation of the people of this world. They sprinkled bread crumbs to me, gave me abilities and skills to turn me into a weapon. For what purpose? What did they want from me? Never again! When he’d called to them earlier, he’d finally recognized them as the greater power they were. He had believed in them to his core. But just like he had failed Gage, the gods had failed him, left him wanting. His only wish had been to save her, then he could’ve died happy, instead they gave him an ability to kill. It wasn’t enough. He looked to the great cosmos above and screamed to the gods. “Is this your idea of a joke? Do you find this funny? I offered you everything! All I asked in return was the power to save her! You didn’t have that power did you! I knew you were false, charlatans, nothing like what the books claimed.” His anger was accompanied by tears and guttural tones that were little more than emotions pouring out uncontrollably.

His eyes went wide, a sudden fear appeared across his face. He felt a surge of the same power from earlier enter him, forcing it’s way through his resistances. It wasn’t gentle like before, the god violated him like a puppet, pushing more and more power through him to do its bidding. The power tore through his body like liquid fire. He fell to his knees. In his great pain he continued to hold on to Gage’s body, protecting her as he had promised.

{{Congratulations! Gamma Ability: Holy Power awakened.

Congratulations! Gamma Skill: Healing Hands unlocked. Gamma Skill Slots remaining: 2.}}

Gideon read through the system notices with his watering eyes. The System or the Old Ones had responded to him and his pleas. As soon as he saw the new skill he acted instinctively. He used the Healing Hands on Gage before he’d finished reading the description. The use of the skill tore the cosmic energy of the god from him in a torrent of power. He was stunned by the level of weakness he felt from the usage of the energy.

Gage jerked in his arms, she sucked air into her lungs with a great gasp, her limbs jerked taught. A scream tore from her lips and continued for what seemed like hours. The pain she suffered through was enormous. Gideon fought with her as she convulsed, trying to keep Gage from hurting herself. She slowly settled down into his arms, burying her head into his chest. She was letting out great sobs as she cried on his shoulder, he held her, glad she no longer screamed in pain. The two huddled on the arena floor, surrounded by the deep purple glow of the cosmic power he had used.

{{Congratulations! Skill Level Up! Gamma Skill: Healing Hands is now level 2}}

The others had gathered around them, initially hesitant because of the odd glow. Slowly they approached the two, touching her shoulder, her head, or her back. Anywhere that they could reach to give her support. People also patted him on the back and told him he had done well. Time and time again he rejected these sentiments. The voices were flat and unrecognizable to him. His inner demons did not agree with them at all. No I didn’t, I failed her, I wish they would quit telling me about how well I did. I’d lost her, that isn’t doing well. I needed a god to interject to survive, to save her.

All of these things were forgotten when Gage finally opened her eyes, the blue pools full of life again. He hadn’t lost her, she was here in his arms. She stared into his eyes, filling him with hope again. She was going to be okay. She whispered something, but he didn’t understand, her voice so raspy and soft. He leaned in closer so he could hear her. “It’s gone Gideon, it’s all gone, I lost you.” She began to sob again, quietly this time, her energy completely spent.

Ellison came over and bent down. “It’s okay beautiful, I’ve got you. That’s right come to Elli.” Gage slowly stood, leaning heavily on Ellison. Silas was there in an instant. He helped support her on the opposite side of Ellison. Ellison Looked over Gage’s head to Silas. The fear on her face was plain, but the strength in her voice left no doubt. She intended to do anything for the girl. “Silas and I have you honey. We’ll get you back to the academy.”

Now that they had taken Gage from his arms, the world came back into focus, and he became aware of his surroundings. Then he became self aware. Aware of what was missing, what Gage was talking about. He focused inside himself. I lost you she had said, I hadn’t understood. Now he did, he felt it. Or more precisely, he didn’t feel it. The bond was gone, there was only a deep hole of emptiness in his soul. He followed Gage with his eyes. Even without the bond, he couldn’t stop watching her.

Ellison and Silas were able to calm Gage down. They slowly got her moving toward the academy. Ellison looked to Gideon’s team. “You three, run ahead. Tell the professors what happened. I swear if one of them isn’t waiting to help when we get there, you three will regret ever joining the academy. She looked to Maximus and his team. You other three, help clean up this mess.” Gideon listened as Ellison gave instruction. A thought occurred to him as he watched his mentor group. Silas may be their leader on the battlefield, but in times of crisis Ellison apparently took charge.

Gideon and his group ran ahead, intending to do just as Ellison said. Primrose talked why they ran, reiterating what Gideon had just thought. “Ellison is the true leader I think, Silas is just the figurehead. She knows our team is emotionally compromised and got us out of there. She also gave us a purpose for a distraction. I don’t think I could ask for a better mentor.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Gideon nodded. “I thought the same, well not quite put that way, but the good crisis leader part. Him being a figurehead for the group does make more sense though.”

Riley jogged alongside the two, obviously frustrated. “This is so messed up, what the bloody hell happened back there?” He asked. “Do you think Gage is going to be okay, she seemed pretty freaked out. I don’t know what you did, but it didn’t look pleasant. For that matter, are you okay too? I mean a lot just happened and I didn’t see it all, so I’m pretty confused. I didn’t have to deal with nearly as much as you, I just had to shoot a troll. A freaking troll! Bloody hell man.”

Primrose frowned at the questions from Riley. “I sure hope she is. It looked pretty bad. Gideon what did you do? The attack you used to kill the troll was a surprise, but not completely out of character for a warrior. But what you used on Gage is something else entirely.” Gideon didn’t respond and continued running along the path. Primrose continued on after he wasn’t forthcoming with an answer. “I know healing doesn’t exactly feel good all the time, but it seemed more like you attacked her. If she hadn’t looked dead before you used it, Silas might have come to her defense.” Primrose stared at him, waiting for an answer.

He finally decided his path, and it didn’t involve hiding things from friends. “I unlocked a new ability. In the moment of desperation, I curse the gods, I prayed to them, I promised them everything and nothing. I unlocked my Gamma Ability, Holy Power and the first Gamma Skill, Healing Hands. The system has it tagged as a Paladin sub skill, just like my armor skill.” Gideon told his friends.

“Wait, so your saying you awakened your gamma ability already? Well of course you did! A scamp a couple of months ago and now he has passed us all,” Primrose said in exacerbation. “Paladin, that’s a holy skill set, tightly bound to the gods. But why was it like an attacked. That doesn’t make any sense, it looked like you were hurting her.”

Riley nodded. “That is a bit strange, I hadn’t thought of that. Or known about his abilities.” Riley said. Primrose looked uncomfortable with the topic. They exited the top of the snaking stairs and sprinted towards the academy. Gideon stopped them.

“Wait, there is something else.” Gideon said. “Have you heard of the bond between teammates. Or even between healers?” They both shook their heads. “Gage told me that sometimes when a healer is grouped with someone, if all the stars align, the system decides they are a bonded pair. So it links them, draws them together.” Recognition lit up in Primrose’s eyes. “When she saved me at the trial, the system decided we were compatible and bonded us. I don’t know what happened out there today, but my new heal might have had something to do with it. The bond is gone, burned away, with only a black hole of emptiness left in it’s place. I feel empty, lacking, but I will survive until the suffering fades. I think the bond originates from the healer, so Gage is going to be suffering much more from the loss. I think a part of her was burned away with it.”

“Damn, that’s pretty deep stuff. I can’t even begin to relate to it, but it doesn’t sound good at all. If there is anything we can do, just say the word,” Riley said.

“I appreciate that. It’s pretty bad right now, I have a nagging feeling of emptiness. Like a part of me is missing or,” Gideon hesitated, “died.” The possibility of what happened clicked in his mind.

Primrose saw where his thoughts were going and cut him off. “I don’t think you can raise the dead. She may have been very close and maybe that was enough. But I think it is something more practical. You are now a healer as well. The system may have severed the bond because it decided she was no longer the best fit for you anymore.” Gideon noticed the odd look Riley was giving her when she said this.

Riley shook his head. “Lets go, we need to find a professor. Ellison may have done us a kindness and removed us from the battlefield, but if she gets up here and discovers we failed in our mission. I think she may just flay us alive.” He started running again. Gideon followed after without another word. He didn’t want to talk about it anymore, he wanted to find the help she needed.

They arrived at the front gates and ran through the doors of the academy. They entered the main hall and Riley lead them to the front desk where a girl greeted them. “Oh, Hello Riley, what can I do for you?” The woman behind the counter was young. Gideon couldn’t recall where he had seen her before, but he hadn’t explored much of the academy yet, so the options were limited. She looks like a recent graduate because of how young she is. I wonder how long ago it was.

Riley spoke quickly, ignoring all the formalities. “Freya, we need your help. There has been a major injury at the arena. They are bringing her up now. We need a good healer, and we need them here now.”

“Hudson! Hudson Harburg get over here.” A brunette that looked to be an upperclassmen came over. She wore a sleek dress in the gray of the Ronin. Gideon thought she was pretty and smelled of flowers. She looked to Riley and eyed him before looking back to the professor. “Hudson, I need you to get Professor Murdock. Tell her there has been an accident and to come straight away.”

“Yes ma'am.” She looked to Riley again. She smiled at him, liking what she saw. “I don’t know you. I intend to change that. We’ll talk later.”

Freya watched the girl go before turning back to the group. “Watch that one. She’s the gossip of the school. If she wants to talk to you, it’s one of two things. She wants to confirm something she heard, or she hasn’t heard anything about you and it’s driving her crazy.” Freya said.

“Thanks Professor Eisenberg. I’ll keep that in mind.” Riley said formally.

“I told you to call me Freya. I’m the Student Adviser now, I’m no longer a professor so that honorific isn’t necessary. I don’t know why you insist on it. You weren’t even a student at the academy then,” Freya said. Riley only smiled in response. Gideon noted the boys odd mannerisms and body language, it was something to discuss at a different time.

Gideon stepped up to the counter next to Riley, “That’s where I recognize you from. You sent the acceptance letter out and were sitting at the front table at the welcoming dinner.” Gideon said. “The headmaster said you were once Head of the Syndicate, then you stepped down and switched to be his adviser? But you’re so young, how is that even possible?”

“Yup, that’s me and thank you. I was a child prodigy and accelerated through the ranks rapidly. Then I decided where I ended up, wasn’t where I wanted to be. I stepped down because it felt the best thing to do, so here I am, advising you. If you need anything throughout the year, I’m your go to person. I can assist you with just about anything academy related.” Freya said as she began getting out bandages and other items. “Now if you don’t mind, could you all wait over there. I have things to do to prepare for the situation.

The three sat and waited. None of them wanted to talk. Gideons anxiety couldn’t handle the wait much longer. Did something else happen? What if she relapsed on the way up and I wasn’t there to heal her again? He stood, intending to run back down and help. It was in that moment that they finally came walking in. Gage was covered in the blood from earlier. Silas and Ellison now had her blood all over them as well. This looked fresh, her injuries had reopened, she needed him. He attempted to run to her, but the crowd that came in prevented it.

“Step aside students, out of my way.” An older woman with graying brown hair and light wrinkles pushed her way through the sudden crowd. “Out of the way now!” she said. This must be Professor Murdock. The professor took Gage away and Gideon stared helplessly, the mass of students from the arena prevented any assistance he had hoped to give. He watched as they took her away, the power of a bond that had burned away now tugged at his heart instead.