Cloak and Scalpel

The Twilight Prophecy

I can't believe I did that.

I stared at my two hands as we walked through the forest. The others were walking ahead of me, discussing what they would do when we arrived at the Lunar Temple. Back in my own world, these hands had cut open patients, fixing what was broken within, stitching together flesh that had been torn asunder. I'd saved lives with these hands, and with my skill with a scalpel.

I glanced at Aamon's back. I'd saved him with these hands...

And with magic.

It was a strange thought. I'd come from a world with no magic, where magic was just fiction. And now, I had magic. It was like the regular plot of any isekai manhwa.

It felt strange. I wondered idly what was happening in my world. Was I missing from there? Was I dead in that world? I didn't know. I hoped that seeing Estes might shed some light on a few things. From what I remembered in the game lore, Estes had fallen into a deep sleep after defeating Alice, leaving Miya to lead the Moon Elves against the Abyss. He had awoken the third time Alice attacked, more powerful than ever before. In the lore, at least. In game, he was a powerful healer who could easily lead his team to victory.

I stared at my hands again. I tried to reach for that power, tried to make them shine with that healing light earlier, but nothing happened. I guess it wasn't going to be that easy.

"Magic is something that needs to be honed."

I glanced up. Aamon had stopped in his tracks, his eyes fixed on my hands, as though he could tell what I was trying to do. "It is not something that is easily learnt," he said.

"The Heart of Anima is a powerful thing," Miya said from ahead of the group. "To be able to use it would mean a great deal against the forces of the Abyss. But like what the Duke says, you would need more training. Most magic users train at a very young age."

I nodded. "Estes could show you how," Miya said as we continued walking along. "In fact, anyone who uses magic could show you. The principles of it all are the same. Being aware of your power, being one with it, and shaping it as you see fit."

"Think about such things later," Aamon said. A spasm of pain suddenly crossed his face, and one of his hands went to his injured shoulder.

"Are you okay?" I asked, worried. Was it the poison again?

"I'm fine," he said, waving me off.

"Worry not, we're nearly there," Alucard said, glancing at us.

Ahead of us, the trees began to thin out, and the five of us found ourselves in a vast clearing surrounded by majestic oaks. I glanced around me. "We've arrived," Miya suddenly said.

"I don't see anything," Gusion said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"I see you need more training, if you can't even sense the magical barrier," Aamon said dryly.

Miya smiled. Reaching out a glowing hand, she brushed the air before her. At once a ripple shimmered in the air, and a hill slowly materialized before our eyes.

"Wow," I breathed.

Atop the hill, a majestic temple stood, surrounded by high marble walls along which climbed vines of a silver blue color. The building within the walls was made of elegant spires and towers, all reaching towards the moonlit sky above. From within the building, rose the largest oak tree I've ever seen in my life. It towered above the spires, sheltering parts of the temple within its gentle shadow.

"Welcome to the Lunar Temple," Miya said with a smile.

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