Zen’s Side: Recovery

It was a mad dash to get her Uncle back to the village. Lobos had been providing them with the energy necessary to combat the Demon while also protecting Cor and was too spent to even offer aid. Unfortunately they had to take the longer trek around back to the village because of Lobos’ mist. Cor was also now asleep drained from using her unique spirit magic to help Lobos. She was being carried carefully on the back of Selena by Sophia.

“He’s going to make it.” Lupa said to her. “He is way tougher than he seems.”

Zen just nodded. She couldn’t help but look over. She hated watching him shift between strong and weak. She had hoped that his awakening would allow him to “keep up” not nearly kill him. Then there was that shard. How were they going to tell the villagers they took it before the ceremony? Would she and Sophia have to extract her Uncle out of the village on their own? She shook her head. She needed to stay focus.

Once they made it to the village, things happened as she expected. Most of the grown ups were more concern about Cor rather than her Uncle.

“Cor, my little pup.” Her mother called as she cradled her.

“I’m so sorry Cor… please forgive me.” Her father cried.

Zentella would have had that pained feeling in her chest, but was more focused on getting her Uncle help. Luckily, it seems that she wasn’t the only one.

“Medic!” Lupa called, “He opened his mana core and didn’t seal it!”

“Leo!”

“Bro did what!?”

The same warriors that had joined the hunt were now surrounding Lupa. Zentella breathed a sigh of relief as a couple of village healers also came. At least some people knew the danger he was in.

“Come on Zen.” Sophia said placing a hand on her back, “We can leave it to them. You need to rest too ok?”

Zen simply nodded and followed the guild girl. They went back to Lula’s and too their rooms. However Zen didn’t sleep in her room. She knew she couldn’t go back into the village this late at nigh, so she decided on the next best thing. Climbing into the bed that her Uncle used for the past few weeks Zen slept soundly feeling that he was going to be alright.

xXxX

The morning didn’t come fast enough as Zen shot out of bed. Her mission; go check on her Uncle. Not waiting for Sophia she made her tree dash into the village. Her Uncle’s mana now clears then ever due to his awakening. Locating his tent she went in. There her Uncle was resting. However next to him was Lupa. It had seem that she had stayed all night there. That was good. Her Uncle was sufficiently guarded. Confirming that he was ok, she left the tent. Her second objective now was locating Cor.

That didn’t take too long with her mana combine with being the daughter of the chief made their hime more than easy to find. There she found Cor awake in her bed. Using her stealth she snuck in and greeted her. “Hey.”

Cor then turned and got out of bed to Zen, “I’m sorry Zen-Zen! I messed it up!” She then hugged her and began to cry.

Zen, after moment of surprise, return the hug. She was just glad Cor was safe. “Pat pat.”

Cor sniffed, “I saw what happened. You were so cool Zen-Zen! You were there, then there, then there!” She then began to mimic the locations with the movements of her arms.

“Yeah…” Zen agreed.

Then Cor got quiet, “Zen-Zen… I’m going to get stronger too.” She then clenched her fists together, “Just like you, just like my big sister! I’ll do it I’ll be the strongest Spirit Oracle ever!”

“Cool.” Zen said happy for her friend. She even wanted to see what that would look like. Would that look like what Lobos did last night?

Cor somehow understanding Zen’s intentions smiled and then added, “Then when I’m the strongest Oracle will you let me adventure with you?”

“Sure.” Who know? Could be fun. Definitely didn’t sound boring.

“You promise?”

Promise? Was this that important to Cor? It sounded important. Cor was her friend so a word wasn’t going to cut it. She looked at her pinky before she led it out to Cor, “Promise.” Seeing Cor’s confusion she grabbed her hand and made her copy what she did. Then with their pinkies lock Zen repeated, “Promise.”

“Yeah… we promised!”

With Cor accounted for Zen waved good-bye as she still needed to ensure her Uncle woke up. When she returned to the tent she saw him sitting up and talking to Lupa.

“I truly mean it Lupa, thank you.” Leo said

“Aw, it was nothing.” Lupa said rubbing the back of her head, “Still that last skill of yours was crazy! It was like I knew where to go and what to do!”

“I know, it is strange. I think the part system is because of me being summoned by a party that had real good synergy together. So we just… absorb those years of teamwork at a critical moment.”
“That’s awesome!” Lupa then turned and notice Zen, “Yo! Zen! Look who woke up.”

Leo gave a small wave, “Hey Zen.”
Zen didn’t waste any time and rushed to give him a hug. He was up, that was good, but now she felt tears in her eyes. He had to stop almost dying on her. He has to keep being here. “Don’t go…”

After the initial shock he placed his hand on her head, “Don’t worry Zen… I’m not going anywhere.”

She hugged harder and asked, “The shard?”

“Oh, yeah I absorbed it it seems. Got the complete purification method and everything.”

“So can you reattach limbs like Tiberius did?” Lupa asked.

Leo shook his head, “No… I think the system is used for the Demon King, but since the party of heroes were the ones that summoned me, I only get access to their skills.”

“Good.” Zen said. He was her Uncle. He wasn’t the Demon King

Leo laughed. “Don’t worry Zen… I’m just me.”