Chapter 4:

Mending

Project Aion vol. 1


The twittering of birds echoed throughout the forest. The sky an endless blue. Raione slowly opened her eyes and took in the sight. She bathed in the warm sunlight. She felt like she was waking up from a long slumber, but when she tried to move. Pain shot through her body. Her entire abdomen pleaded for mercy. She fought back the tears. She looked down to see what caused her this much pain. She looked mortified at the bloodstained bandages. Then she remembered. The dire wolf had clawed at her middle. She tensed up as she forced herself to look at her surroundings. They were still at the roadside camp. Kaltmund sat and meditated a few paces from her while Eranor was nowhere to be seen.

“Kal,” she croaked before reclining again. His head turned around in an instant.

“Rai, thank the Goddess you’re awake,” he said as he rushed to her side, “Please, rest. You need to recover and regain your strength.”

“Kal, I thought I was dead,” she said weakly. Her hands glided over her body as she felt the extent to which she was bandaged. Her forearms, her entire middle, and right shoulder were covered as well.

“You would have been. Eranor jumped in to save you. He also had that healing crystal, remember,” he said, and a smile appeared on his face as he looked at her.

“Where is he?” she asked and sounded drowsier than before.

“He went to get some firewood for tonight. Don’t you worry about that? You focus on getting back on your feet,” he reassured and took her hand in his.

“Firewood? How long have I been out?” she asked and flinched when he touched the gash on her stomach.

“Two days now,” he answered, “I’m actually glad you’re awake now. Means we can feed you something solid, instead of soup. God, I hate soup.”

“Kal,” she said and cracked a smile. It only lasted a short while before it was replaced by her fighting her pain. “How can you hate soup? You come from the north?”

“We don’t eat that much soup there. We eat broths. Much different,” he replied.

“You’re a dumbass, you know that?” she said before slipping back into her sleep. He watched her as her face relaxed.

“I know,” he said before returning to his meditation.

A little while later, Eranor returned from the woods with a tree in tow. He was also covered in bandages but much less so than Raione. He dropped the small tree next to the meditating Kaltmund.

“This little guy will supply us with enough wood for a day or two,” he said and wiped the sweat from his brow. He was panting heavily.

“Thank you. Rai woke up while you were gone,” he informed.

“What? How long ago?” he asked as he got control of his breathing.

“Hour ago, maybe a little bit less,” he replied and looked at her. She was sleeping peacefully. “Stamina reserves still depleted?” he asked.

“Yeah, I don’t know why. Usually, I recover it so quickly. But after that thing happened. It’s as if everything was drained empty,” he said and collapsed on the tree. He took his shirt and started to air it out in an attempt to cool down

“It was rather strange. Are you sure that it wasn’t a unique ability you acquired?” he asked and unfolded his legs.

“I’m a hundred percent sure. Been checking my traits the last two nights to see if anything has changed,” he said.

“Strange, are the other reserves recovering this slow as well?” he asked and stretched his arms up high above his head.

“Magic is but health is back to normal, well normal for how much damage I took,” he said, and his mind seemed to be caught by something.

“What’s the matter?” he asked looking at him with a blank expression.

“I didn’t expect such a high-level pack would be so close, and a brood mother with a surprise attack. We were lucky Kal. Incredibly lucky,” he stated and stared at his hands that were dirty beyond belief.

“That we were, but look on the bright side,” he said and seemed to perk up a bit, “This did wonders for our skill rank ups.”

“You know, for someone who nearly died. You seem rather positive,” he responded and couldn’t help but smile.

“Of course, I’m happy. That was the first time I ever tried rupture. I read so many tomes on how to do it. I went in detail, studying every part of it, but I never actually tried it,” he said with excitement in his voice.

“Wait what?” he spat out. His look turning serious and his eyes locked onto Kaltmund.

“Yeah, I thought that was the perfect time to risk it all. I mean, Raione unleashed her trump card. You unlocked some hidden ability. I just had to try my ace up my sleeve,” he said with more conviction than what he has said anything with.

“You bet our lives, on a never before used move?” he asked stunned.

“Yes, and it was amazing. I don’t even know if you could see it from your collapsed state. It was like ice artillery. You know that's why I’ve been meditating so hard recently. I’m trying to see how I can evolve it to be better,” he continued. Unaware of the shock Eranor is displaying.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Kal, I thought the reason why you had me doing all the labour. Was that you could regain your health,” he complained and shot up from the tree with an exasperated look.

“Well, that is partially true. I did give a lot of my health to keep Rai alive, but after the first day, I was recovered. Well recovered enough to work but listen to this. I think I know how to make it less draining on my reserves,” he continued with his explanation.

“Kal, you bastard,” he mumbled as he shook his head. He gave the tree a short kick and drove his hands into his pockets.

“I mean, Rupture will still be a last resort move. But maybe this time I don’t need so much magic to cast it. I had half my reserves left when I did it. Now I think I could use about half that. Or I could use the same amount and possibly double the strength,” he lectured on, completely lost in his thoughts. Eranor saw there was no way of stopping him on this rant. He groaned as he came upright. He grabbed the axe and decided to start chopping the tree. Kaltmund didn’t even mind. He had entered his unique state of explanation. Where he would be debating with himself, completely ignoring the other person.

The day had dragged on and sunset had finally arrived. They started the fire and were roasting some rabbits they found. Eranor sent Kaltmund out to hunt the rabbits. He decided he had to do at least that to make up for not doing anything. He, however, regretted that decision. Kaltmund is an outstanding mage but in no way a hunter. He brought back four tiny rabbits. Eranor did not ask where he got them for, he feared the answer would be demoralizing. Instead, he called it even and took the little rabbits. Kaltmund was giddy at the thought of not eating soup and some meat.

“Kal, why do you hate soup so much?” asked Eranor as he stuck the skinned rabbits on some sticks.

“It’s the texture really. Feels like I’m slurping up some creature’s blended entrails,” he said while laying back on his sleeping bag.

“By the Goddess, Kal that’s morbid,” he responded.

“You asked,” he quipped, “So what are you going to do with the rabbits?”

“I’m going to salt and season them with what we have. Then roast them,” he said and pulled out small containers filled with spice, from his backpack. “That reminds me, we are going to need a major restock of all our supplies. I mean we planned for little more than a quick hike, but with our wounds. I don’t know how long we’re going to stay out here,” he said, seasoning the rabbits.

“It’s going to be expensive, at least we got some decent stacks from the dire wolves. Especially the brood mother. That was such a large chunk of quarts I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he said.

“I would hope so. That thing nearly killed us all,” he responded.

“Still can’t believe you stayed behind to get it,” he chuckled and turned his gaze from the stars to Eranor.

“Well, I mean. We never dealt with anything that strong. I only thought about the money we would need. Besides if I hadn’t, it might have de-spawned,” he explained and placed the rabbits over the fire.

“Also, wouldn’t have gotten that rare item,” he added and sat upright.

“Yeah, that is some insane quality fur. I mean if we had the skill to work it naturally,” admitted Eranor.

“That is true. We are no craftsmen. It could still fetch a mighty fine price or maybe,” he said and scratched his chin, “If we have some money left, we could take it to a craftsman. See what they could do.”

“Now we’re talking. But I doubt we’ll have any quarts left. We have a lot to restock for and we need some quarts for the road,” he said, and his enthusiasm dipped quickly.

“We’ll have plenty. Between the pelts, teeth, and cores from the dire wolves. We will be swimming in quarts. So, we will get that special item crafted. Don’t you worry about a thing,” he reassured him.

“You always are optimistic, Kal,” he said, and his mood grimed slightly, “You deserve it Kal, not me. I mean you killed the thing. I only found it.”

“Nonsense, we killed it as a team Eranor. Besides our party always had the rule, finders’ keepers. So, it is yours,” he said, and a smile appeared on his face. “Speaking of the pelt, what are thinking of making out of it?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Haven’t really thought about it,” he admitted and went silent. He began to think of what he possibly could make out of the pelt. Armour maybe? He thought that would be the most practical, but the question now was. What armour? “Perhaps a nice cloak. Like how you and Rai have ones. It would be handy if we ever went to a cold biome,” he answered and turned the rabbits.

“Also, if we needed to keep a low profile,” he added before nodding to himself, “I like that answer. A coat would also fit you well. You look too much like a rogue adventurer right now.”

“Hey, what do you mean I look like a rogue adventurer?” he demanded.

“You brandish your armour for all to see. You have a way too relaxed walk on you. Also, no insignia of an Order and you don’t even attempt to conceal your weapon. Sheathed it may be but non the less threatening,” he lectured.

“I never thought about it like that. Maybe the cloak is a great idea. Wait, why didn’t anyone tell me I look like this?” he asked.

“We thought that was the look you were going for. You know, the rogue adventurer. Here to prove he can finally get into an Order,” he jested.

“Kal, you’re a right prick sometimes,” he said and shook his head.

“Yes, he can be,” added Raione from the side.

“Raione, you’re awake,” exclaimed Kaltmund as he spun around quickly. He wasted no time in coming over to her side.

“Glad to see you breathing Rai,” said Eranor over his shoulder to her.

“Thanks to you two,” she said and attempted to get up. She struggled and groaned in pain before Kaltmund made it to her.

“No, keep laying down. Your stomach is not healed yet. You’ll tear open the wound again,” he warned her. She was reluctantly forced back down by the slightly overbearing Kaltmund.

“Fine, Kal,” she grumbled while her hand moved instinctively to her wounds. Kaltmund slowly returned to his sleeping bag and watched the rabbits with a pang of voracious hunger. “Hey, Eranor. How the hell did you stop that beast?” she demanded.

“Ah, Rai. Even on death's door, you know how to give orders,” he began before a rock was flung against his back.

“Get on with it,” she interjected. Taking hold of another, larger, rock.

“Alright, alright. Don’t be hasty,” he responded. “I don’t actually know to be entirely frank. It was like this energy washed over me. I was quicker, stronger, and clear of mind. I was on a whole other level,” he explained.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, pelting him with the rock anyways.

“It’s true Rai. He became this bulking mass. In a flash he was in front of you and grabbed the beast by the jaws,” Kaltmund defended. Eranor gripped the rock and mocked threw her.

“As I was saying,” continued Eranor, “I took on this form and tried to stop it. Even with all the power I had, it wasn’t enough. My body began to drain quickly. First my stamina, then magic, and finally my health.”

“You mean you could have died from that form?" she inquired.

“I don’t think so. As my health dipped lower, the form waned. I was soon back to my base form and on the brink of death,” he said.

“So how did you kill it?” she asked.

“I didn’t,” he admitted before skipping the other rock across the fire, “Kal did.”

“Kal? I thought your magical reserves were almost depleted?” she accused, remembering his jest.

“Well, I was only joking. I thought it would add a little bit of suspense,” he admitted making a swishing motion with his hands.

“What? Why would you do that? How much of your reserve was left then?” she demanded and pounded the dirt next to her with her fist.

“I thought it would be the right thing to say at the moment,” he continued.

“Kal, how much?” she asked again, adamant to get a reply.

“Half,” he spat out.

“Half? You mean you could have helped us a lot more than you did?” she started to shout before clutching her wounds.

“Rai calm down. If he spent more of his reserve, then he wouldn’t have been able to save us. Besides, that isn’t the worse part of what he did” he began to calm her while turning the rabbits again.

“What do you mean not the worse?” she asked and frozen. Fearing what could be worse

“If you let him finish then you might know,” he continued.

“Fine. Kal please continue,” she grumbled.

“Well, as Eranor was holding off the beast. I started to cast a spell, but not any spell. I used the summoning chant. I emptied all my reserves just to be able to cast it. When Eranor collapsed I let lose the spell. It pierced straight through the beast and made a considerable dent in the cave wall,” he explained with a faint hint of boasting.

“Wow, a summoning chant. Kal, I’m impressed. I didn’t know you could cast such advanced magic,” she praised him before Eranor cleared his throat.

“He didn’t know he could cast it either,” he said.

“Huh,” she stammered.

“Tell her Kal,” he said, shaking his head again.

“I might have been attempting it for the first time,” he admitted.

“What? You mean you risked it all on a little trick you’ve never tried before?” she exclaimed with shock. Clearly forgetting the praise she lauded over him a mere moment ago.

“Yes,” he admitted with a stupid smile on his face.

“I,” she stammered before sighing, “At least it worked. So, no harm was done, I guess.”

“What? No harm was done. We could have died,” erupted Eranor, leaving his rabbit barbeque unattended for the first time.

“Calm down. No point in getting upset. I mean, sure it was reckless. But it worked out, so instead of giving him a hard time. Try saying thank you,” she responded. Eranor stopped his incoming rant and swallowed his anger. With a clear disgruntled disposition, he sat back down.

“Okay,” he said and turned his attention back to the rabbits, “I hope you guys are ready to eat the food. She is done.”

They enjoyed the rest of the night eating the roasted rabbits and talking about the road ahead. It was not long before they informed Raione about the loot and how much of it they got. Two long weeks they spent in their little camp, surviving off the land. After the two weeks, Raione had recovered enough to the point where she would be able to fight. With her back on her feet, she urged the other two forwards. Off they went to the town of Loffenten to continue their journey.