Chapter 64 | River Remedy

The city, mountains, and sky were consumed by a fiery red blaze. Melting snow revealed the charred remains of houses and trees. People watched their homes with grief, some cursing their fate. But a blue light offered a glimmer of hope.

Thud, thud, thud. A saint in blue sprinted along the castle wall, a small, bright star swirling around her. Her hair flowed with her movements, emitting blue particles. Each footstep left a footprint of blue flowers, which transformed the hot stone walls into cool, refreshing trails.

She gazed at a red dot in the sky. Faye, the source of the fiery red star, continued to hurl fire at the mountain. “You’re making my job harder, you know. If you don’t control your anger, this town will burn, and he’ll be sad again.”

Craka! Sparks of fireballs rained from the sky.

As she ran, Aria swept her hand, and water materialized to meet the descending sparks. She extinguished them before they could hit the houses.

“Three more are coming, Lady Astaria.” A sweet, young voice echoed in her mind.

As Ria finished speaking, more fireballs arrived, larger and more ferocious.

Aria leaped from the tower wall, twisting in mid-air. Her hair swirled, and her hands spread wide, gathering water mana into a moon-shaped barrier, deflecting the flames.

Thud! Aria landed and continued running.

“I’m a bit envious of him now, that have someone next to him, especially someone like you. May I know your name, little river?” Aria asked, sending her water magic to cool the area.

A star coiling around Aria blinked. “Lady Astaria, this little river’s name is Rarity Sun Father, but please call me Ria.” Ria’s voice was as clear as a bell on a summer day.

Aria’s mouth curved into a smile. “That’s a lovely name, just like him. It suits you like morning clear water.” She dashed past the remains of a house, touching it, extinguishing the fire instantly.

The star shone a little brighter. “Yes, Lady Astaria, it is lovely…” The star moved forward, tilting slightly to the left. “Three people are trapped in the second house on the third block. Lady Elmyra has altered the temperature in that house.”

In front of the area stood a large brick house. Its wooden frame, however, was cracked and crumbling after the fire. The temperature around the house was noticeably different, slightly colder than the surroundings.

“Alright, Little Ria… and you can call me Sister, or at least Aria.” Aria drew her sword, standing before the circular structure.

Swick! The rock wall sliced like tofu, the edges of the cut lined with a frosty arch. This preserved the house’s structure. She then reached out, conjuring water-ice to connect with the rock, and pulled it out.

She swiftly dashed inside. In the darkness, Ria-star illuminated, casting a bright light and leading the way. In the far corner, three figures huddled together for warmth and safety, a father embracing his wife and young daughter.

The three looked at the saint with disbelief. The father broke the silence. “S-Saint?”

Aria nodded. “Yes, we’re here to help.” Star moved and rotated above their heads, sending out light particles.

The little girl touched one, and warmth flooded her, coloring her face with returning health. Her mother looked at her, then at the saint, and said gratefully, “T-Thank you so much, Saint Aria.”

As if remembering, the kid looked at Aria and softly whispered, “Saint... Aria… Flower.”

The water ball changed into flowers, casting a soothing blue light that calmed everyone.

Aria reached hand and helped the mother and child up, sending water balls to heal their scratches. Then, they all walked out of the house. She looked at the family and said, “Please follow the flower. It will lead you to the safe zone.”

Everyone nodded to her. “Thank you.” The father started to move, but the little girl kept her gaze fixed on Aria. Her mother hugged her, but the child remained focused on the blue saint.

Aria smiled, then materialized a blue flower in her hand and gave it to the little girl. “It’s called an Astaria flower. It means ‘river of stars’ that leads us home.” Aria rubbed her face, then said in a melodic tone, “Stay with your mother and father, and be their star, okay? You are their home.”

As if understanding her meaning, the girl nodded and hugged her mother. The parents thanked Aria again.

Aria watched them for a moment, then turned and continued running, her sweet smile still on her face.

“Sister Aria, so beautiful,” Ria said.

Aria’s eyes sparkled with delight, the light dancing within them as she heard Ria call her sister. “Little Ria… How many spots left?” Aria asked, her voice as soft as a petal.

“Only one point left at the north gate,” Ria replied, light flickering.

Aria nodded, then quickly moved to the north, soon arriving at the north gate. Knights gathered, raising shields while mages used magic to build an earthen wall for protection.

Some knights noticed Aria, their armor clanking in greeting to the blue saint, but Aria simply nodded and climbed to the highest point wall. Many people nudged their companions, pointing at her, drawing everyone’s gaze.

Aria stood still. Hot wind brushed against her hair as she gazed at the town. Fire consumed the central area, but luckily, the stone construction had minimized casualties. The system Ella designed had also limited the fire’s damage.

“Is this place okay… Ria?” Aria asked.

“Yes, sister,” Ria said, her star form solidifying into a girl, touching Aria’s hand and offering an angelic smile. “This is the wise direction.”

Water floated around Aria, the scent of the sea reaching everyone. The sound of waves gently crashing on the beach filled the air.

“You know… I’m starting to get really jealous. How can you be so adorable? It makes me greedy, wanting another wish from him.” Aria said.

Ria just smiled, her flowery tattoo beginning to spin. “May I, sister Aria?”

Aria looked at her. “Please.” The flower tattoo on her wrist also began to spin.

“I am Aria,” Air willed.

“I am Ria,” River resonated.

“Kismets of Astra,” the two voices blended like a song of river and air, full of hope and joy. “I’m willing to see a light on this concealed night. wish that my fate will collide and guide by yours bright.”

“Flume!” The flowers Aria conjured unfurled their petals, emitting light particles that connected and spread. Viewed from above the town, they formed crescent moon shapes.

Aria flicked her hand, releasing white light. “In this endless night, devoid of sun, only you hold hope and offer us gentle light.” The light compressed into a tiny, shining stone.

Aria gently sensed it floating before her. The dwindling fire transformed into light that followed the stone, connecting to the petals.

The townspeople watched the ball of light, its reflection in their eyes. Their trembling hands stilled. Hope and life returned.

“I, maiden of the water shrine, beseech the moon. Be our father, our friend, our family, and restore life to this town. Will of River Remedy”

The light soared to the city’s center, blossoming into a flower that depicted the moon. Waves of white light spread everywhere, encompassing the town. The sound of ocean waves and a warm breeze touched everyone.

All the fires in the town converted back into mana, merging with the stream of light.

People looked at their hands, their wounds healing with sacred water. They began to heal and recover from their exhaustion. The light on the knights’ chests returned to a normal white, some even shifting to the blue of the sea, reflecting their newfound calm.

Inside the town, the golden saints, their clothes stained with soot, were surrounded by people, but their spirits remained high. Ella watched the blossoming flower spell while continuing to heal people. “Aria, your power makes me feel less confident as a priest in our group,” she said, standing and observing the healing of those nearby. The book in Ella’s hand turned to a pulsing white color.

Not far away, a young man with black hair rode a large, tired bird pulling a cart. His hands were full of food, and the bird’s cart was packed with goods, clothes, and blankets. Kids named Joel, Oily, and Lauren helped by sorting the items.

“What is this, brother Rain?” Joel asked, raising his hand to touch the white stream. It wrapped around his hand, creating a floating wave.

Other children did the same, amazed when they touched it. The texture was soft like cotton wool, yet warm like sunlight.

Rain smiled and said, “It’s the Kindness of river mother.” He then continued riding along the road back to the refugee camp. “They both sync perfectly like sweet cotton.”

After a moment, Rain finally found the group of refugees. More people had joined them, tagged as refugees from the inner town. The older people and women in the camp had adapted quickly, they had already started a fire and were giving dried food to everyone.

One child noticed Rain and his big bird. “Brother Rockman! Is back!”

A group of kids turned their heads to look at the white bird and ran over to greet him.

Thud. Rain jumped off the bird and helped Joel down. “Please help carry the items to the center or give them to your parents, okay?”

Joel and the kids nodded. “Okay.” “Yes, sir, big boss!” Some even saluted. The kids ran to the cart at the back, and with their tiny hands and the help of Oily and Lauren, they managed to carry the items back quickly.

“Here, these ingredients are for the auntie at the cook zone,” Oily said, sending over a wheat bag.

“These are warm clothes and flesh fabric, sent to the healing zone,” Lauren said, sending a pack of cloth.

The children worked together, helping each other. One little girl gazed at a bird as Rain gently rubbed the bird’s head. “Thank you, friend,” Rain said. The bird nuzzled its head against his face, its fur soft and fluffy. Rain noticed it was getting cold, and some of the bird’s feathers were falling. He gathered them and gave them to the little girl. “Please take care of him for me, okay, Lita?”

Lita’s eyes lit up. She quickly nodded. “Yes, yes, I will.”

Rain smiled and ruffled her hair, then helped another child carry supplies back to the central area. Adults arrived when they saw the groups of kids struggling with the heavy items.

One adult approached Rain and offered, “Let me help you, Follower.”

“Thank you,” Rain replied, handing over the bag.

Rain glanced over and saw a golden saint talking with a knight commander in the distance, ordering them to gather resources. The knights all saluted and rushed out.

Rain walked over to Ella and asked, “No casualties?”

Ella startled. “Awaawa,” she stammered, then swiftly looked at him. “Can you please add some noise when you walk?”

Flop! Flop! Flop! Rain stomped his feet in place. “Like this?” he said, making funny raccoon sounds.

Ella squinted, raising her fist to the sky.

Rain quickly raised his hands in apology. “Sorry, sorry, I’m too playful.”

Ella sighed, then relaxed her fist. “Yes, no casualties—”

Clap! Rain clapped her hand loudly. “See! We can do it. Ella, you and I can help each other, do like good friends,” he said with a wide smile.

Something within her seemed to shine like a crystal shattered and reassembled. A radiant wave synced with her heartbeat. Light shone in her eyes, warming her heart. But shyness prevented her from speaking more than, “Um.”

Rain grabbed her hand and swung it back and forth. “See, see, we can do it.”

Ella was awkward. She let her hand swing. “Yes…” she said shyly. Her voice was soft.

Snow fell again, and the temperature dropped, making people slowly feel the cold. But thanks to the two youths, their joined hands remained still, like children at play. The moment brightened the mood of the area, with chuckles and laughter. Even the kids joined in.

Back at the Blue Saint and Sun Daughter, both still held hands, gazing at the town from the tower. The town within the fort was now stable, and people were starting to rebuild. The knights opened the gates, allowing people to return. Many touched their hearts and prayed to the holy saint, thanking her for saving them.

Aria nodded to acknowledge their gratitude, then turned her head towards the mountain, where the fire still burned like a torch. Her expression turned grim. “So, there is only one thing left to do.” She said as her body blurred with the turning snow.