A Risky Move

“Saria!” Yusato ran over to Saria and gently rested his hands under her head. “Are you okay?”

The black spots on her arms started to spread as she took in several deep breaths. She flinched, keeping her eyes shut tight. Her hand grasped for air, before ventually grabbing onto Yusato’s shirt.

She took more shallows breaths before responding, “I’m fine…Using that much magic…is just…a bit…risky…” Her other hand scraped across the grass.

“Is it because you’ll turn into a Sirhix?” He knew the answer, but he felt the need to ask anyway. Out of a feeble hope that it might not have been true.

However, just as he expected, Saria nodded. She turned her eyes and finally opened her hazy eyes just a bit.

“Right…” He carefully lifted her up into his arms. “Come on, guys. Let’s get to the next floor.”

Mira hung her head down, keeping her eyes on Saria the whole time. Azalea didn’t pay much attention to her, but glanced back every now and again.

Time passed and finally they arrived at another rocky pillar with a door in the center. “This must be it,” Yusato said. He checked to see how Saria was doing and noticed her eyes were closed again.

A light hum escaped from her lips, but every now and then, he could hear a faint pained breath mixed in there. Reaching into his pocket, Yusato pulled out a small vial. He brought it to her lips but then Azalea’s hand firmly grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t.”

“Why not?” Yusato crinkled his nose at her. “Can’t you see Saria is in pain?”

“Of course I can.” Azalea brushed her hand through her hair and cocked her head away. “It won’t do any good. She’s in pain because of the Sirhix transformation. A potion can’t help her. You should save that for when we need it.”

“We have to do something?” Yusato flinched every time Saria made another one of those pained breaths. “Saria can’t just stay like this.”

“She needs a medic.” Her head still turned away, Azalea huffed. “She shouldn’t even be on this quest. It’s way too risky for someone like her.”

His eyes were drawn to those blacks spots on her skin and her horns. He thought back to what Leo said about the Obsoletes. And then he remembered the Litsuria Festival. She would’ve had died that day without Leo’s and the Black Moon’s intervention.

She knew what would happen if she underwent a complete transformation. Yet, she still did it anyway to save them all.

It wouldn’t be fair to let her suffer like this after she took such a risk. Yusato turned to Azalea, a firm look on his face. “Hold her.” He didn’t wait for her response and pushed Saria into her arms.

Mira kept staring down at Saria’s face. “What are you gonna do?”

“I’m going to heal her.” He held out his hand in front of Azalea. “Azalea, can I see one of your daggers?”

“Uh…sure.” Azalea reached into her pocket and handed Yusato a dagger.

Then, he sliced his arm. Holding the dagger in his other hand, he sliced his other arm. Then, he slashed at his legs. And finally, his cheek. His blood dripped onto the floor. “There, that should be good.”

Mira clasped her hands over her mouth. “Yusato?! Why did you do that?!”

“The Spirit Call,” Azalea said as Mira turned her head to look at her. “It’s an ability that allows you to connect with the spirits…for a price.” She studied Yusato closely as he pressed his hand against the ground. “So, that’s how you were able to fight me before.”

As magic aura surged up around him, Yusato closed his eyes and spoke in his mind. “Listen up, you sack of shit. I’m not taking no for an answer on this. I don’t care if you said you pick for me. Right now, I need a spirit that can heal. I don’t care what I have to sacrifice. Take whatever the hell you want. Just give me something that can save Saria.”

“Anything I want, huh?” the voice of the spirit resounded in Yusato’s head. “Are you sure about that?”

“I don’t care. Just give it to me.”

“Very well. But remember, this was your decision.”

The magic around Yusato began to settle down and take on a gentle white hue. It wisped around his figure and slowly started to flow into Saria’s body.

As the magic continued pouring into her, Saria’s eyes fluttered open. Yusato breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking around, Saria raised her eyebrows? “What’s going on? Why am I in Azalea’s arms?”

“You were passed out for a bit.” Azalea let Saria to the ground. Placing a hand on her hip, she notched her head towards Yusato. “But this idiot over here managed to help you out.”

“You did?” Saria looked down and then smiled up at Yusato. “Wow, thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. We’ve got to look out for each other after all.” Yusato gasped as he grabbed his right eye.

“Yusato?” Saria shifted her feet and peeked at him, trying to see why he was holding his eye like that. “Everything alright?”

As he brought his hand away from his face, he realized it…Everything in his right field of vision was a complete hazy blur. He could no longer see out of his right eye.

Yusato laughed. “Yep. Just got a bit dizzy for a second.”

“Oh, okay…”

“Hmph.” Azalea huffed before brushing her shoulder against Yusato’s. “Well, we better hurry. We’ve still got eight more floors to go.” She made her way through the door. Saria followed shortly afterward.

Mira tugged on Yusato’s sleeve. “Will you really be okay?”

Her glossy eyes struck Yusato right in the heart. Lying to Mira was especially difficult, but it was for the best. There was no point in them worrying about him. And so, he smiled and patted her head.

“I’m fine, really.” He made his way through the door as well along with Mira.

On the other side there were dozens of buildings, houses, and carriages running through the roads. A bunch of people littered the area, hustling and bustling. There were a bunch of stands, stalls, and vendors as far as the eye could see. And in the center of it all, stood a uniquely shaped building with a sign plastered on it.

Welcome to Beveous City. Enjoy your stay.

Yusato blinked rapidly as he read the sign in his mind over and over again. “There’s a city in this tower?”