Love you more

Hazel shoots down the woman's arrow with her own. The field of flowers ignites into a roaring fire.

Tilly puts the fire out with some ice.

"John has the barrier up!" Hazel shouts. John explained to me on the walk that you can't attack from inside the barrier but you're safe to be treated there.

James and Hazel focus on fighting the rogue. Hazel is firing arrows trying to keep her attention off of James so he can get close but the woman is fast. They aren't making progress.

I focus on taking the black figures out.

Move.

What? My body takes a few steps to the left. A black figure slams into the ground where I was. I charge with lighting as I grab my spear. It goes to attack and I cut it down and am left surrounded with crackling heat as the figure disappears. I put the spear on my back and knock an arrow.

I shoot the figures down that were trying to attack Hazel and James. I look over and Tilly is supporting them from the barrier. I'm running low on mana though.

Move.

Wait. This voice. Aba?

Move. This one's big.

I step to the right this time charging my mana for poison. Grabbing my spear I began cutting as soon as the figure shows up. We are enveloped in purple smog as the figure is cut down and disappears.

You're the one that has to cut down the rogue.

Can you not see the two strong fighters struggling? And how can I hear you in my head?!

Remember part of my spirit is with you. Why you hear me is minor details. You are the only one that can put the rogue down.

I will just be in the way like last time for Hazel!

Have you noticed the rogue has paid you no attention this whole time? She does not see you has a threat. You know better than anyone it's the quiet weak ones you need to watch out for.

Did you call me weak? I keep shooting at figures.

Your mana is just about out. I have been charging it up just enough for you to keep the shadow figures at bay. 

But...

Hazel can not do this. She has to be here though so she can heal.

I look over at Hazel. Aba is right she is being timid with her shots. 

Tell me what to do.

Get in close. Do not worry about mana. Ready your spear.

What about the shadow figures?

They will flee once the Rogue is gone.

Alright. 

A scream let's out over the field. I turn to see Hazel with an arrow in her shoulder. She can't raise her arm to fire her bow.

I fire some arrows at the figures trying to enclose on them. Then I turn to fire at the one just a few feet from me.

I turn back to see James shield Hazel from a mana charged arrow. It rips the metal armor right off of him. He is injured but tries dragging Hazel toward the barrier. They are screaming at each other.

The rogue is walking slowly towards them.

Now.

I grab a spear and begin running right at the side of the rogue. Her eyes never left Hazel. I could barely hear Hazel's screams. I was right beside the rogue when the mana flooded into me. More than I could handle. The rogues eyes flicked over to my presence. Lighting was coming out of my body. There was too much for me to control. The rogues eyes filled with fear. I put as much mana into the spear as I could. And pushed it into her side.

Her body burned and twitched in mid air. A blue orb came out of her as her body fell with a thud. The orb hovered close to my chest. I couldn't move from being part near electrocuted myself.

This should be scary like what if she tried taking over my body? Then the orb burns into a pure yellow and takes shape into the woman.

"Thank you young one." She smiles. Cocks her head to the side. "And Aba."

"You're welcome." I reply. Food service reflexes save me again because I'm having a hard time comprehending what's going on. 

The woman hovers over to Hazel, who is on her knees by James. He is laying on his stomach on the ground. Everyone else is gathered around him too. Tilly is doing what she can with healing and John is sitting at James head with his eyes closed. Hazel has James hand and is sobbing. The arrow is gone from her shoulder and is bleeding pretty bad. She hears me approach but looks up to the woman.

"Heather?" Hazel says. 

"I'm sorry dear." Heather replies.

"I don't know if I can live without either of you." Hazel breaks down sobbing harder.

Heather kneels beside her.

I hope James pulls through.

He will be fine. 

You sure?

Yea that one had to be built tough.... For Hazel's sake. Oh, I suggest you sit.

Why? I start to feel lightheaded. I bring my hand up to rub my forehead. My hand stops part way when I see the marks the lightning left behind. Then the rest of my body started to hurt. I drop pretty hard to the ground.

I patched you up good enough they will not leave scars. You will be hurting for a few days though.

Thanks? I guess? You did give them to me.

You lived. That's all that matters.

I'm not sure I feel safe anymore.

James starts to move.

"I'm fine now. Tilly can you help Hazel?" James asks.

"Samantha needs it more. You know my wound isn't as bad as hers from even a quick glance!" Hazel says looking over my way. I wave my hand like I was brushing away how serious my injure was.

"Love you more." James says with a weak smile to Hazel.

"What?" Hazel blushes.

"Because I love you more! That's why you need treating first. I can't stand to see you hurting. I'm so sorry I hurt you by lying about where I was!" James raised his voice.

"Idiot." Hazel smacks the back of his head. "I forgive you. Don't do it again." James gets up to a sitting position. Hazel throws her arms around his neck. Her tears start to dry as she rubs the streaks from her face. He pushes her back a little.

"We need to stop the bleeding. Let me help." He starts to help dress Hazel's wound. 

"I don't have enough mana left to heal anyone anymore." Tilly says.

"I will be fine. Just give me 30 minutes" I say taking out some food and a water bottle from my rug sack.

"Thirty minutes? What do you think thirty minutes will give you?" Tilly questions.

"I will be good to walk in 30 minutes." I say taking a bite of jerky.

"Looks like you're in good hands here Hazel." Says Heather. "I'm going to have to leave now."

"What? No. Please." Wimpers Hazel. The tears start welling up in her eyes.

"Keep my memory alive with your love alright?" Heather smiles as her figure starts to disappear.

Hazel begins to sob.

"I-i w-will." Hazel chokes out as her mentor Heather moves on.

"She is resting in peace now. Thanks to you and Samantha." John tries comforting her with his words.

James finishes the dressing and holds Hazel as she cries.

I lay down where I am. Tilly and John quietly moved and talk to each other a bit away from Hazel and James.

It took an hour but Hazel finally calmed down. I get up and grab my things. I move a little slow thanks to the pain. James gets up slowly with Hazel's help. John helps James walk as we all make our way back to the waypoint.

The trip here was bad but the trip back. Not fun. One it hurts to move so trying to get over the twisting roots was no small task. Second we were moving twice as slow so I'm missing out on being in my own bed.

After what felt like hours we made it back to the waypoint and get back to base. We catch a cart to Matilda's shop where she finished patching us up and sent us home with herbs.

John and Tilly walk Hazel, James and I to Hazel's place. Hazel takes James to her room and I go to mine. I'm assuming nothing will happen between the two but I'm going to go to sleep fast so I don't have to deal with it. Yup! That's how I'm going to deal with that.

I do scrub myself down before laying in my bed. I don't wake til mid morning the next day. There lies a scroll on my pillow.

You're needed at home. I will be sending you back.

Aba

What?