Chapter 40

"At least the thunder stopped." Rika took a deep breath, still clinging to Kael as she worried about the carriage overturning again.

"Mmmhmm." Kael stroked her hair, holding back his smile as he enjoyed himself.

"Shouldn't you talk more? Help my nerves like you did before," Rika grumbled.

"Oh, so you noticed when I did that? I thought you thought I was trying to annoy you."

"Isn't that part of the distraction?" Geez, how much longer until we get to the top?

"What's your real name?" Kael asked.

"Rika is my real name. Rika Kacho. I always change my characters to it. What's yours? I assume it isn't Kael."

"Nope. Souta Kairo."

Wait, that name sounds familiar. Rika closed her eyes as she thought back. Where have I heard it before? "Wait..." Her eyes widened. "Kairo? As in KairoTech Sensors Ltd?!" Of all the people to get stuck with in another world, it had to be the guy whose company made my work life hell?! Her eye twitched. And here I thought we were starting to get along...

"Oh, you know my company? Wait, Rika Kacho... the project manager? Didn't my company make a deal with yours?"

"And then you tried to price-gouge, and I had to switch to another company that screwed mine over!" Rika tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let her, his hand firmly around her waist. "And then I had to go crawling back because no one else had the supplies I needed."

"Everything was set last I knew, which was months ago. Whatever happened with my company, I promise I had nothing to do with it. It's probably my brother," he muttered and cringed.

Wait, it wasn't him?

"He has his own way of doing things, and calling him sketchy is putting it lightly, but he is my brother. I'm sorry for whatever he's done. Prick," Kael muttered the last word to himself.

"I wonder how everything's going back home. Has time passed? Are we alive? Is there a body to go back into?"

"Might not be a good idea to go down that train of thought, but I think we're alive in a coma, and I have no idea how much time has passed, but based on things happening at my company after my arrival here, then it's probably a similar timeline. Just my guess, though."

"We're almost there," Ferran called, his voice ragged. He eased the carriage forward and reached the top, which opened to a beautiful lake surrounded by trees.

The carriage stopped on the flat platform beside the lake, and Rika peeked around the curtain.

Still raining...

Ferran opened the door on Kael's side and pulled his hood down. "We can wait until the rain stops, if you want."

"But who knows how long that'll take?" Rika glanced at the dark clouds blanketing the sky. "It might be better to get it done now." Wish I brought something to cover me, though. "The sooner the water is purified, the sooner people can start to heal."

"You heard the bunny." Kael shooed Ferran back, waving him away. "Let's do this." He hopped out and turned around, holding his hand out to her.

"We have to be careful. This will take more magic than the barrier," Ferran said, worried it was too soon after the barrier ritual.

"It's a good thing I'm here then." Kael puffed his chest out. "I'm like a walking magical battery. I'll keep you charged." He winked at Rika.

Rika's eyes narrowed. "You better just mean holding my hand."

"But it's such an inefficient method! I can recharge you fast with a..." Kael tapped his puckered lips.

"W-what?" Ferran's eyes widened. "You shouldn't be doing that. Handholding should be enough, and I can help with that, too. I have the biggest magical storage for a mage in Thornburg."

"I wonder how we'd compare." Kael smirked. "I think I surpass even you, but I could always absorb your magic to amplify myself, anyway."

"So it's true? You have the ability to absorb magic? Such a unique skill. Would you allow me to research you?" Ferran leaned in, eyes sharp, itching to examine him.

"I'd rather not be poked and prodded, unless it was from Rika. You're free to examine me anytime." His smirk widened into a full smile, a twinkle in his eyes.

"Not happening. So, do we need another artifact or spell?" Rika asked.

"No, not this time. From my understanding, you need to focus on your purifying power, similar to creating the energy ball or healing others."

"How do we know if it's worked, then?"

"The lake itself should glow with a golden light that'll purify it. Even a tiny sip should refresh your body. It's too bad it doesn't stay long term, but eradicating the plague is the top priority right now."

Rika stepped up to the edge of the lake as rain pelted her and looked into the murky water. At least it's not too deep here.

She took a few steps into the cold water of the lake until her hands were submerged. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused on the water around her.

Please, saintly powers, purify this water and heal the plague going around Thornburg.

The warm energy flowed through her whole body, glowing as she repeated the thought in her mind.

The energy drained out of her into the water, expanding out, attempting to cover the lake with a golden veil.

Rika wobbled as a dizzy spell hit.

Splash, splash.

Both of her hands were taken at the same time. Kael on her right, and Ferran on her left.

They both nodded to her.

"Thank you," Rika mumbled and saw the waves of golden light spreading out from her.

It's not enough. I need to keep going. Purify this water. Heal the plague. Her grip on their hands tightened as their magic siphoned into her.

The glow around her spread out to them, filling them with warmth, despite the chilly rain.

"Oh, I feel lighter somehow," Kael chimed.

"Keep going, Rika. It's working," Ferran assured her.

The glow slowed as Rika's breathing went ragged, not reaching the edge of the lake.

"See? This is too slow. She needs the magic faster," Kael said.

Too focused on her powers and not on them, Rika failed to notice Kael move.

"What are you doing?" Ferran asked, reaching out.

"Hmph!" Rika's lips were sealed with Kael's, and heat flooded through her in a wave from her lips, and the mark. What is he doing?! Her cheeks tinted pink.

The golden glow erupted from her, completely covering the lake in a rush. The light radiated up from the lake, dispersing the dark clouds above as the murky water cleared.

Kael pulled away and looked at the clear blue sky above them. "I told you a kiss works faster." Kael grinned. "But that worked even better than I expected."

Rika gasped as everything went still. The purification was a success. "We did it..." She took a deep breath. "And you..." Rika trailed off, stunned. I should've expected it.

"What? The glow was starting to retreat because you still didn't have enough power. I solved it. I did the right thing, didn't I?"

"You could've asked first..." Rika grumbled. Hard to argue when it worked.

"Asked? There was no time for that; it could've disrupted the whole thing." Kael dipped down into the water, its glow easing, and threw his hands up, splashing them with water.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Rika blocked her face.

"We're wet already; might as well have some fun." Kael splashed them again, laughing.

"Ferran?"

"Yes, Miss Rika?"

"Get him!" Rika used both hands and splashed Kael back.

"Gladly." Ferran's hands glowed green as he lifted them into the air. Water rose in front of him.

"You're using magic? That's not fair!" Kael cried out as a wave consumed him.

"Since when do you care about fairness?"

"Oh, poo." Kael spit water out. "There's no competing with him on that one." Kael splashed Ferran again and ran off, back to the carriage. "Oh! Wolfie dear, you came for me!" He lunged at him for a full body hug before he could react.

"Ugh," Wolfe groaned. "Get off me." He pinched the back of Kael's neck as he pulled him away.

"Agh." Kael flailed as he went flying. "Ahem." He cleared his throat and stood up straight. "What are you doing here?"

"Wolfe?" Rika rushed over. "Is something wrong?"

"His Highness noticed the bad weather and sent me to check on you guys. Glad to see you're alright." A soft smile tugged at Wolfe's lips.

Oh! Her heart skipped a beat. I didn't know he could smile like that.

"We faced some troubles during our travels, but everything went well," Ferran said, approaching him. "The water is purified, and it's only a matter of time before the plague is eradicated."

"Good." Wolfe nodded. "Let's head back then."

Rika took a step and wobbled. An arm wrapped around her waist. "Are you okay, Miss Rika? It must've drained you quite a bit. Even I'm feeling it, and I was just helping."

"Just a bit tired." Rika smiled up at him, and he blushed.

Wolfe glanced at Kael. "Are you okay?"

"Why yes, I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for asking, Wolfie dear, proving how much you care about me." Kael winked at him.

"Ugh. I meant you can ride my horse back. I'll lead the carriage since Ferran is tired. You two can rest in the back."

"Oh, but then I won't get to sit with the bunny— Ack." Wolfe put Kael in a headlock. "Fine, fine. I'll ride Mack back."

"Thank you."

Wolfe helped Ferran and Rika into the cushy carriage.

A screen popped up.

'Quest Completed: Purify the Water to Rid Thornburg of the Plague.'

'Reward: All Suitors' Affection Up, Ferran's Affection Up, Reputation Up, Hope Up.'

A sudden burst of energy flowed through her. Oh, guess I am fine now.