Ophidian's Genesis (UNDER REVISION)

CHAPTER 8

Oscar panicked, "What the hell did you do?" Seline's stone cold body laid stiff on his lap. Alana ran back in the room with multiple books in hand, she dropped the books in a hurry beside the young girl's body while also flipping through pages on the book she had in hand. Kneeling beside Seline, Alana puts the book down, the page she had landed on was how to revive those in a coma.

"This might not work but let's give it a shot." Alana said, hurriedly trying to get ahold of Seline but Oscar held her body back, "What are you going to do?" He asks so cautiously, visibly panicked and alarmed.

Alana looks at him in despair, the feeling of fear slowly creeping in, "I'm trying to help her." She croaked, she feared Oscar was going to tell Terra or Cannenta about this. "You've done enough." Oscar spat, standing up, Seline's body in his arms.

He felt angry at Alana, her rash decision to try and contact Dione when she knew the deity was possibly a violent being. He looked at Seline's eyes that were rolled back into her head, her mouth slightly ajar. He looks at a terrified Alana and shakes his head at her in disappointment.

The blonde starts walking away, "Where are you taking her?" Alana gets a hold of his arm, Oscar shifts to free his arm, "She needs to rest. Her muscles are tense and her eyes are rolled back if you can't tell. You were supposed to be the healer." He comments snidely. Alana shakes her head, "No, she needs my help! She's just in a coma!"

"What if she isn't?" Oscar asks, getting annoyed that Alana couldn't see his point, "The least we could do is wait. If she doesn't wake up in an hour or so, you can do your magic on her." He starts walking out of the observatory, leaving Alana nervous at what she's done.

Alana clutched the heavy tomes to her chest, her knuckles white. I followed the procedures. I did everything by the book. Yet, a cold dread coiled in her stomach. Had she pushed too far? She halted abruptly in the corridor, the silence amplifying her doubt. "What did I do wrong?"She whispered, the question a desperate plea to the empty air.

"Nothing of the sort, my dear." The voice, though familiar, was fractured, multiplied. Alana whirled around. Instead of a single figure, a shimmering swarm of her own pixie helpers coalesced before her, forming a vaguely humanoid shape. It was Terra.

Alana's breath caught. "My Lady!" She exclaimed, instinctively bowing her head.

"Do compose yourself, Alana." Terra's voice, now singular and resonant, held a hint of amusement. "One has not materialized to induce whiplash." The swarm dissolved, reforming into Terra's usual, imposing form. Despite the goddess's light tone, Alana remained tense, her mind still replaying the ritual. "Then... why are you here?" She asked, her voice tight.

"To prevent you from descending further into this...unproductive spiral," Terra replied, a subtle smile playing on her lips. She observed Alana with a discerning gaze. "You appear unwell. A most unbecoming state for one chosen by Cannenta to embody healing."

"I'm concerned about Seline—" Alana began, her voice strained.

"Ah, yes. The reason for my visit." Terra's interruption was smooth, almost silken. Alana tilted her head, confusion flickering across her features. "The child is currently in the company of Dione."

The words struck Alana like a physical blow. Relief washed over her, so intense it almost made her knees buckle. It had worked. Against all odds, it had actually worked. But beneath the relief, a tremor of awe, of disbelief, ran through her. She stood frozen, speechless. "She's...Dione isn't... angry?" She finally managed to stammer.

Terra offered a reassuring nod. "Not in the slightest. You needn't trouble yourself on that account." A knowing glint entered her eyes. "Inform Elio's patron of this development. I suspect he will find it...most gratifying. We believe he holds a certain...attachment to the girl."