Across the Threshold

Left Behind

The waiting room was tense. No one was speaking. Barely anyone even looked at each other.

The door to the hospital opened, shattering the silence. Azura stepped out, looking worn out.

"How is he?" demanded Stella, leaping to her feat. "Is he alright?"

"He's stable for now," Azura replied, "But were not sure for how long."

"Can we see him?" asked Kane.

Azura hesitated, "I suppose so, but he careful. Remember, he needs to rest."

All of them nodded. Azura stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Stella rushed forward, followed closely by the rest of them.

Rain was laying on a bed, his chest wrapped in bandages. He was ghostly pale, looking for all the world he was already dead, which he was.

He was conscious though, staring blankly at the ceiling. Every so often, he would wince in pain, but for the most part, he appeared fine.

"Rain," said Stella, her voice breaking. She ran to the side of his bed, tears dripping down her face.

"Hi Stella," Rain replied a slight smile appearing on his face. His voice lacked energy, sounding flat and hollow. He looked at the others. "Thanks for coming."

"Anytime," Kane replied.

"What happened?" demanded Stella.

"I got careless," Rain replied. "I chased a group of Pigmen into the woods, but I was ambushed. A group of elites jumped me. I managed to kill them, but they got me as well."

"At least you killed them," Ciara chuckled. Stella gave her a glare, but Rain just laughed.

"How long until he's healed?" asked Stella, looking to Azura.

"I'm not sure," she replied. "I'd normally give an estimate of about a month, but we have a new doctor, Nostra, who brings a variety of new techniques. With those resources, the prognosis has been significantly decreased, though it will at least be a couple of weeks."

Stella whimpered, burying her head into Rain's shoulder.

"We can't wait that long," Ceris stated. "We have to find the Crystals before Naeus."

"We can't leave him behind!" Stella exclaimed.

"Well he certainly can't go with you," Azura told her. "His condition is too unstable."

"You go ahead without me," Rain interjected.

"What?" Stella exclaimed. "Rain, no! We have to stay together."

"This is more important than me," Rain told her. "If by leaving me here you can retrieve the Crystal faster, then that's worth it to me."

"But-" Stella began, before Kane laid a hand on her shoulder.

"He'll be okay Stella," he told her. "We won't be gone long, and us being here won't do him any good."

Stella looked like she wanted to protest, but she looked at Rain and sighed, "I guess your right," she admitted. "If you're fine with it Rain, then I guess we could go without you."

Rain gave her a faint smile, before Azura told them, "Now that that's sorted out, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Rain needs his rest."

As the others began to file out, Shade met Rain's eyes. Rain motioned for him to come over, which Shade obliged.

"Watch over Stella will you?" he asked. "I have a feeling that she won't take this well."

Shade nodded, "You got it. I'll make sure she holds it together."