Forgotten by Magic

46

What was worse?

Watching their best friend pass away right in front of their eyes or having to carry his lifeless body back home?

Ares' body was bloody with all of Elias's blood. He carried his friend, void of emotions. It was too real. All he could think about was that Elias was going to be okay. They would take him to the healer. And he'd come back, and just... Just smile again or laugh or talk. Or just be there.

Gael walked, looking down, as with each step, a tear dropped from his eyes. He did not want to look in Ares' direction. He couldn't bring himself to. But then, maybe if he looked, Elias would be standing there instead, walking with them.

And Nina, who had been the least close to Elias, had also been crying, contemplating how much more terrible they must feel. She never thought she would ever come to feel terrible for her sister. But now, looking at Mira's bloodshot eyes as she clutched onto a bracelet, holding it near her chest, she was feeling sympathy.

Mira had always appeared strong to her, as much as she hated to admit it. But this was something she never thought she'd see.

She looked broken.

Her eyes were empty; all Nina could see was her tight grip on her bracelet.

E ∞ M

They all walked and walked, all of them still crying other than Mira. Her face was paler, and her posture was stiffer, but there were no tears. She had stopped hours before.

Once they reached, they heard arguments.

Kai? Mira wondered. Had he returned?

"Why did they send my students out?! My Mito students out there to fight rogues? How convenient of them to be sent out when I'm not here. I don't give a fuck, Master Gio. It's not safe, and I am going to them. I don't give a rat's ass what the other chiefs—"

He turned, suddenly feeling their presence.

He had a paper in his hand, which fell as his eyes landed on the bloody, still body.

"Elias," he mumbled and ran towards them, carrying his body from Ares and checking desperately for a pulse.

Chief G also appeared next to him, with eyes widened.

"Gael? What happened, boy?" He asked, walking towards his son and pulling him into a hug as he sobbed on his father's chest.

"Dad, I failed. Please bring him back; I'll do anything, I promise. I'll be a good boy, and I will never talk back to you or Ma. Please, Dad, do something..." Gael let go and ran to Kai instead, shaking his body while sobbing.

Kai was still, staring at his student's bloody corpse.

"Kai? Sir, please. Help him out, do something. I promise I'll train every day. I'll never complain again, I won't be lazy, please, I promise. I'll work my butt off, but please," Gael sniffed, wiping his tears with his sleeves. "Just bring him back."

Kai looked down painfully, clutching his palms into a fist.

"What happened?" He finally asked. None of them answered, just breaking down again, remembering the traumatic experience.

Kai looked at Mira, who stared ahead. There was nothing in her eyes. She did not look at any of the others, or her dead best friend. She was just clutching onto something, holding it tightly to her chest.

Kai's jaw stiffened. They had sent his students out without him, endangered lives and took one. His anger started to increase.

"Kai, keep your chin up." Chief G walked up to his other boy and patted his head, sensing the sudden intense emotions he had started to feel.