Dragonfire: Celestia

Chapter 14: Chaos Incarnate

Outside the capital of Arumi, Yuki and J awaited the others. She leaned against the wagon, while he stood nearby. “I hope everything is okay…cities don’t just catch fire for fun…” She thought to herself. She sighed. “Why did they put you on the team?” J asked, “Huh?” Yuki asked in response, “I asked why they put you on the team. A loser like you has no place here.” J answered, “I…I’m a tracker…” Yuki said, “And…? You’ve been nothing but a burden thus far.” J responded. He approached her, forcing her back against the wagon. She was extremely uncomfortable. “All you’ve done is need help every step of the way. You need help to mount your horse, you can’t pitch a tent, you can’t start a campfire. And now we’re stuck out here because you’re too weak to go near the flames. You’re pathetic, and useless to boot.” He said, “I…I’m not…useless…” She replied, on the verge of tears. Suddenly, they heard someone approaching! J backed away quickly. It was Yulan! He was carrying the injured Rowan. “Yuki! We need your medical expertise!” He exclaimed. He set Rowan down on the ground, calling her over. She rushed to his side as quickly as possible.

“What happened?!” She asked, “He took a nasty hit to the side from a blunt object. We need your healing magic.” Yulan answered, “I’ll need to see the wound, help me get this armor off him!” Yuki exclaimed! They attempted to slide his torso armor off, but he began groaning in pain! “Stop, stop!” Yuki exclaimed! She took a closer look at his armor, and realized just how tight it was. The wound had indented it, resulting in him being stuck within it! “Is there any other way to remove it?!” Yuki asked, “Not that I know of.” Yulan answered, “Do either of you know earth magic?!” Yuki asked, “I know some. I’ll try to unindent it!” Yulan answered! Using earth magic, he placed his hand against the indented section. He pulled his hand away, and the indentation followed! “That’s it! Now help me get it off!” Yuki exclaimed! Together, they pulled his torso armor off, and removed his shirt as well. This revealed severe bruising on his side. An unpleasant sight, to be sure. She held her hands over the bruised area, and a golden aura emanated from them. Rowan groaned in pain, but soon enough the pain began to leave his body. She pulled her hands away, ending the spell.

“Well, that is all I can do for now. He’ll live, but my healing magic can only go so far alone. It will take a week or two for him to fully recover…” She said, “Well done.” Yulan responded. A few moments later, the rest of the team approached. It took only a few seconds for the others to notice Lui. “Who is that?” Yuki asked, “This is Lui! She’s going to be leaving with us.” Kei answered, “Wait, did we get Dagon’s support?” Yuki asked. Albedo shrugged. “Uh…we’ll fill you in on the way.” She said. Yulan put Rowan in the back of the wagon to let him rest, and attached a rope to his horse. Using this, he led his horse whilst riding his own. Albedo got up on the wagon, and Kei followed. She sat Lui down right between them. “Yayyy! Adventure!” She exclaimed! They rode off towards their next campsite, and Albedo filled them all in on the way, with Kei filling the gaps in her knowledge. She chose not to tell them about the Dreamweaver, however. Something made her want to keep him a secret, though she didn’t know what. Fortunately, the campsite was nearby. They were able to make it there quickly, and set up camp just as fast. They were at the foot of the mountain, in a less snow filled area. Though a snowy forest still surrounded it, it was better than the huge abundance of snow everywhere else on the mountain. They decided to skip sitting around the campfire, since it was roughly two in the morning. Instead, they went to sleep. Though Lui absolutely insisted on sleeping with Kei. For whatever reason, she absolutely and wholeheartedly believed her to be her mother. Albedo had no qualms about it, and neither did Kei, apparently. And thus, the three of them shared the same tent, heading to sleep immediately.

In the morning, Kei took Lui to go see Yuki. She figured it would be good to have Lui’s health checked, just to ensure all was in order. Upon entering the tent, she found both Konari and Yuki to be inside. “What do YOU want?” Konari asked, “Nothing from you. So get out of my way.” Kei answered, “Tch, whatever. I’ve got better things to do than be ANYWHERE close to you.” Konari said. She left the tent as fast as she could. Yuki scratched her head. “What is the deal with you two?” She asked, “Don’t worry about it. I was wondering if you could give Lui a check up? I want to make sure she is healthy.” Kei answered, “Taking a motherly approach, I see…” Yuki said. Kei shook her head. “Can you do it?” She asked, “Sure! Just give me around half an hour with her.” Yuki answered, “Got it.” Kei said. She bent down on one knee to look Lui in the eyes. “Be good with her, okay?” She said. Lui nodded. Kei walked to the exit, only to stop when Lui called out to her. “Mama!” She exclaimed, “Huh?” Kei asked, “I love you!” Lui answered. Kei blushed, and smiled. “B-Be good, okay Lui?” She asked. Lui nodded firmly, and saluted. Kei exited the tent, and bumped right into Albedo! “Oh, hey! Uh…what’s poppin’?” She asked, “Is that your new greeting?” Kei asked, “It’ll catch on…” Albedo answered, “Riiight. Well, how are you feeling? That Armor sure sounds like it did a number on you.” Kei asked, “Psh…I’m good, honestly. It’s not like I’m actually AFFECTED by pain. Nah, I’m…cool…” Albedo answered.