The Dryad's Loyalty

Chapter 25: Recovery

Bowser rushed back inside the castle, pushing anyone out of his way and frantically looking for Kamek, calling out to him, knowing he probably was the only one knowing how to deal with Hazel's terrible injury.

"Kamek- KAMEK! Come here right now, this is an order!!" he roared, looking around himself and then briefly back at the dryad's arm. Was it getting worse? He couldn't tell- he'd never seen something like that, was it because they weren't human? 

"I'm here, your highness- I'm here!" the old magikoopa screeched, quickly appearing in front of the koopa king, and immediately gasping upon seeing Hazel unconscious in his arms. "Oh stars!! What happened to them?!"

"I- they were trying to- UGH I'll explain to you later- they need your help" Bowser replied, clearly distressed.

"V-very well- I'll take us to the emergency room" Kamek stuttered, waving his magic wand and teleporting the three of them to the ER, instructing two other magikoopas to clear the area and help with the operation.
"Alright, sir... place them on the bed, we'll see what we can do."

Bowser nodded and gently placed Hazel down on the flat surface, his big hands still shaking "Will... will they be okay?"

"Well... I've never tried healing a dryad before... but I'll do my best-" the old magikoopa muttered, checking on Hazel's arm and chest, noticing both spots had turned black, almost like charred wood. He sighed "Dryads are very delicate creatures..." he muttered, rubbing his hands together, emitting a familiar golden glow and carefully brushing his palm against the injured areas, though it didn't seem to be doing anything, which caused the king to grow more and more uneasy.
He clenched his fists, his claws digging into his scales "I should've never let them join the fight... this is all my fault- what if their arm doesn't recover? And their chest injury?! Is that going to be a problem too?!"

"Your worriedness, please breathe... I'm trying to think of a solution here... perhaps a plant healing spell could do?" Kamek bluntly replied, attempting another healing spell. This time, his hands began emitting little blue circles, almost like bubbles, which slowly seeped into the numerous cracks on the dryad's arm, which slowly began to glow, only to fade out shortly after.
"Hm... it's going to take a bit more than that... but it seems like it did heal the arm a bit..." he explained, snapping his fingers "You two, keep using this spell on them until the cracks have sealed, then we can put it in a harness and let it heal with time" the old magikoopa instructed, beginning to walk out of the ER, only to turn back to Bowser "Will you be staying here, your highness?"

"Y-yes... until they wake up again..." he whispered, glancing at his royal advisor and then back at the dryad.

Kamek smiled and nodded "Very well... I'll see you later then, Bowser" he said, and finally walked out the room.

Bowser stayed there throughout the whole healing process, gently holding onto Hazel's tiny hand, caressing it and watching as the cracks and burns on their arm and chest slowly healed, leaving behind scars.

Soon, their arm was put into a harness to keep it still  and eventually the two magikoopas left the room as well, leaving the king alone with his little knight. He felt terrible for putting them in so much danger, he dreaded to know what could've happened if Kamek hadn't been such a proficient wizard.
"I should've been the one protecting you..." he muttered, carefully running his finger across Hazel's jaw, caressing it "And instead... instead you nearly lost and arm to get me out of danger" he gritted his teeth, feeling his mind spiraling again in thoughts of self-loathing, a few tears escaping his eyes and falling onto the dryad's face.

Hazel's mouth twitched slightly at the feeling of something falling on their cheek, and eventually opened their eyes again, looking around. "B-Bowser...?"