BLOODBURST VIRUS

It's been a week and there's a report of someone having been bleeding from their eyes, nose, and mouth with purple and green spots on their bodies . They shortly died . Upon further investigation, it was found that the virus is spread through contaminated food or bacteria .
Rukito has locked down the country, stopping all travel. To prevent the spread, he's coming up with a way to identify the infected. It is suspected that the first people to get the virus are the ones in contact with the foreigners. Rukito is trying to contact them to find out their situation to verify the speculation, having them bring the virus here .

Elia starts feeling sick after she went with one of the maids to get some rare ore. She's now in bed, being treated by Tamako. Rukito is rushing back to check on the situation. Tama is currently diagnosing her. With most people sick, Tamako has her hands full. After a few hours, Elia develops a high fever. Rukito arrives and is informed that Elia is infected with BBV.

             "From what I have found, this virus may be related to blood. My father was an apothecary, so ah.. . I know a thing or two."

"Thanks, Tama. Is there anything that may help ? Are you able to find a cure?"

            "There is a place where my dad used to do his research. He left me this; it may have something to do with a similar virus. It might be related."

With the realms merged, there may be some locations that are different, and some may be closer or further than before. But I need to save Elia. Tama is the only one who can help. We will need to work together and fix this mess.

" Okay , let's find this place. I'll come with you, but we need to find a way to slow down the virus from reaching the next stage."

         "I conducted some testing, and it seems the virus takes longer to spread in a cold environment, but we are in summer."

" That's fine; I can do this," Rukito lifts his hands, covering the room with icicles . He then creates snowberry sports , as they can retain the cold temperature.   

          "Wow, you have even mastered the art of creating plants. Only a select few can do this."

"I only learned this one as Elia's favorite food needs this. I'm not great at creating other plans. "

Rukito and Tamako set off looking for her father's secret lab. It's quite old, but she is sure it's still there. She knows the rough location. They travel in silence as Rukito still feels he is a monster and she is afraid . She is shy and is trying to find a way to break the ice. Tama gathers all her courage to ask him, "Why is it that you are so distant nowadays ?"

"What do you mean, distant? I've just been busy with work."

                                                 "Do you think I am now tainted?"

"What?! No, how could anyone ever think something like that? Did any of the maids tell you that?"

           "They never say anything but I was wondering if I may have upset you or something."

"You shouldn't be close to someone like me anyway . You are kind, pure of heart, and caring, while I am a monster that kills people. Why bother staying close to me?"

        "You really think that about yourself...?"

"Its the truth."

                 "Out of everyone else in the world, you have been the only one to eat my food and look at me with a smile, telling me it's great. You came to me explaining different types of food you wanted me to try making. I made it for you because I wanted to see that smile. You stood up for me. You may take things a bit far, but you do it because you care. You worked day and night to learn to make Elias's favorite dessert. Would a monster care for others' feelings ? When you killed those people for what they did to me, I was scared, but later I realized that you did it because of me. You saw me in such a state; that's why you killed them in such a way. I want to be close to you because I love you. Even if you don't look at me, I love cooking for you."

"I kept my distance because when you looked at me like that, I never wanted to see you looking at me like that. I wanted to give you space. I am worthless. I saved you, but I wasn't all-powerful before. There was a girl that I watched get killed in front of my eyes. She too was innocent and pure, just like you. Do you still like someone as worthless as me ? "

               "You have the power now. You saved me. Everyone was weak at some point, but you became strong because you wanted to protect the people you love. You were chosen by the World Tree. You speak to a servant like me with respect. You never ill-treat anyone or use your authority like those nobles. You are a king. How can you feel worthless ? "

"You're right. Thanks, Tama, for putting me on the right track. Also, from the moment you walked through the door that day, I fell for you. You told me that I am worth something, but remember to also know your worth. You were wrong; I do look at you. I would be blind if I couldn't see you."

        " Ahaha haha , Sorry, hahahaha"

"?! Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?"

            "Just a second ago, you were saying how worthless you were, but you're telling me to know my worth."

"But it's true! After I became king, you became more formal and not like your usual self."

Rukito puts Tama on his lap and kisses her. She then looks at him with a smile and kisses him back. The misunderstanding between them has finally been resolved. Rukito finally got to confess, even if he did it after she did. Rukito has a bad past that haunts him to this day. He finally opened up to someone.

Just the carriage driver makes a noise like his coughing, saying, "Ahem," to remind them that he's still there. Tama jumps out of Rukito's arms and sits back. Her face turns red as she's reflecting on all the embarrassing things she said and even confessed. She's more embarrassed that someone else was present. Rukito puts his head down as he forgot the coachman was there. A short while later, they arrive.

From now on, Tama and I need to walk, as the carriage can't come here. This place is a bit of a wreck. It seems to be abandoned for some reason. Now comes the hard part of looking for the place. It may take the whole day, or we may be lucky. It's all up to the letter Tama's dad left. 

Tama and Rukito search the area for hours following the letter. All hope was lost till Rukito stumps the ground out of anger. It seems what they were looking for was underground. Tama uses the key her father gave her, successfully opening the door. It seems her father used some type of magic to ensure the place never erodes with time.

Tama looks through the files her dad left. After some time, she finds a file called The Poker Dots Virus . TPDV has the same symptoms but a different name. Tama's dad was dealing with this virus overseas 200 years ago. 

"200 years ago!? How old was your father, anyway? "

        "He died at the age of 645 years . We also live long lives. Only humans live under 100 years . "

"Whaaa! Then, how old are you?"

          "That is not something you need to know."

I'll just ask Elia if she's younger or older than Tama when we cure her. That way I can determine. Well, it's not that I care about age anyway . I never knew she may possibly be older than me ...

Tama finds that her father has the formula for the cure. There's also a vial that he kept with the file. That should be sufficient to cure one person. Rukito takes Tama after gathering what they need and teleports back home. They give the cure to Elia , and after 48 hours, she finally gets better. Rukito then sends word to all the doctors that they need and sends people to collect the ingredients for Tama and the others to make more in order to save the country. Rukito also sends word to the other countries that they have a cure and can come to negotiate. But there's still a chilling question: why did a virus come at such a time?