Chapter 32 - The Battle of Arcadia

From the perspective of Grace

The wound looked pretty bad; it was a curse unlike anything I had ever seen, yet I also detected something else. Something protecting him, keeping him alive despite it all. Who it was, or how? I had no idea.

“What happened?” I asked in shock, before urgently rushing to Razan’s side. I tried a manner of healing magic, but was unable to do anything substantial.

He needed a more experienced healer; I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t even protect him from the kinds of wounds he gets all the time.

My thoughts were interrupted by Elowyn. “He got stabbed by the Goddess; we suspect it to be an extremely tough curse.” I noticed her gaze turned away from me and onto the ensuing carnage behind me.

“There was this weird noise,” I explained, “Then I saw all of these monsters outside, they were attacking people, what are they?” I asked.

Tetsuo simply shook his head and looked on grimly. “Well, from what I gathered, they’re all citizens of Arcadia who transformed, even Astora is like this. Wouldn’t be surprised if every major city in the world is in chaos right now.”

“Then we don’t have time to waste right now!” Elowyn shouted. “People are dying and need our help; we have to go inside! Grace, you should stay here and help Razan!”

She didn’t have to say it; I didn’t have the power to fight back, and I would only get in the way.

Tetsuo and Elowyn said not another word; they both rushed inside to take care of the demons. I stayed behind, of course, all I could do was try and fail at keeping Razan alive. Then I realized there was something I could do.

The healers who could help him were inside. I just had to get him to them, and I could maybe save him. I could do something.

“Come on, Razan, on my back.” I lifted him and carried him, piggyback. I trudged my way through the gates.

The fighting was intense, on all sides of me, there were either dead or wounded men, fighting hard to protect their home.

Yet all I could do was keep moving despite it all, not even to stop and help; any diversions would just be wasted time. Nothing else mattered to me; I just had to get Razan some help. Eventually, I found myself before a small tent, which was heavily guarded.

“Please, he needs help. Allow him to be healed by the medics!” I pleaded, yet the guards stood firm.

“You ask us to prioritize an outside over our own wounded?” They scoffed at my plea. “One of her butchers at that, the very same Goddess that caused this mess.”

I needed an excuse to get in, then an idea came to me. I noticed several of the wounded were waiting, many people who needed help but were not able to get any because of the amount of work the healers had to do.

“You know, I’m a healer, right? Then, in that case, you guys need my help. I can help speed up the process of healing the wounded soldiers in exchange for my good friend getting treated.” I hoped that maybe this would work.

As expected, both guards looked rather anxious. I knew if I pressed hard enough, I could get in. “You have nothing to gain by refusing me; in fact, you stand only to gain by taking me up on my offer.”

That made the guards crack a bit.

Suddenly, Nial Arcadia appeared out of the blue. He stood by me and looked over at the unconscious Razan. “Him again?” He muttered, his gaze blazing with hatred. “Why is he here? Wounded again as well, even.”

This was my opportunity; I needed to get his approval. “Please, let him get some help here; he needs it. Besides, we need all the fighters we can get.”

Nial sighed, seemingly unable to resist my persistence. “I hate butchers with a passion, but it’s true we could use some help. Very well, but you will have to help with the healing process.” He reluctantly allowed the process. Two healers walked out and took Razan from me, leading him inside.

“Come, there are some more soldiers further into the battle, who need a pick-me-up.” With that, we made our way further into the warzone.

As we progressed further, I saw Elowyn and Tetsuo, both were surrounded by dead demons, they were struggling against what looked to be a demon far bigger and stronger than any of the others before.

I said nothing to them; I had to live up to my end of the bargain and heal everyone. As I used my magic to save more and more people, I looked over my shoulder occasionally to check on the battle.

Elowyn shot fireballs routinely at the demon, and Tetsuo would punch it back right after. It was then, the demon let out a horrifying roar and sent a punch that broke through Elowyn’s fireball.

Then a kick that sent Tetsuo flying backwards. I got up, but Nial warned me. “Ignore them, they got this under control.”

But when both ended up on the ground, I couldn’t.

“Sorry, but I can’t just let my friends die.” I shot back, got up, and ran. I outstretched my arms, as if to reach for them.

Strength in protection

The barrier I practiced formed around the pair; the demons' attack was repelled, and it stood back as the two got back up.

“Thanks, Grace. He almost got us.” Elowyn grinned, and Tetsuo nodded in response.

I looked back at Nial, who looked less than pleased. Yet at the same time, could he blame me for acting this way? It was my drive to help others, yet I lacked the strength to do so.

“Where is Razan?” Elowyn asked. However, there was no need to answer. A now healed Razan jumped above us and cut down the demon in a single strike.

It seemed to be over; the demons are now dead, but most of Arcadia had been destroyed.

“The Goddess did this, and if we don’t stop her, more will happen.” Despite the fact that we didn’t stand a chance, the fact that anybody could do such a thing to their own creations is despicable.

Yet in that moment, I felt a bit of familiarity. A distant memory of another man, Ryu Nakamura. In that moment, he spoke and acted like he used to.

As time passed, luckily, Nial allowed us to spend the night here as long as we helped with rebuilding the town.

But the thought kept passing through my mind: Is it possible for Razan to follow the same path as Ryu?

Remaining participants: 3/100.

Game status: In progress.

Razan Hamada Status: Alive.