Ashes

Arch III. The Longest Road. Entry 11. Despair

A month has passed since the Dragon Flu reached the Arishta continent. Many merchants who sold their goods in the deserts of the continent stopped visiting this place, and people from neighboring regions tried not to leave their houses, fearing to get sick.

Now that the only ruler of the region, the young Lord Ritsu, had also fallen ill, the people had lost all hope of any salvation. The only ones who had not fallen ill were a few guards, Haddan, Number Nine, Ten, who had been brought in recently, and Eleven, her younger brother, and Monica, the local healer. They tried their best to keep the place alive until the very end. It was an impossible task. The place was too big, and there were too few of them. Soon, Monica fell ill. But even in this state, she tried to help as much as she could. She gave various advice and medicines, but soon she fell into a deep sleep, and with each passing day she became worse, and later... Her soul went to the Empire of Steel.

It so happened that the fortress was a huge building, and Ritsu kindly gave his slaves their own rooms. Of course, they were small rooms, but the slaves did not ask for much.

Nine was sitting on the windowsill in her room, her knees pulled up to her. At first glance, it seemed like she was looking out the window, pressed against the glass, but in fact, she was sleeping quietly. Haddan didn't want to disturb her, but he felt strange - he was afraid. But before he could even say a word, he began to cough.

Maybe Jon was wrong about the virus. Maybe the Dragon Flu is contagious after all. But how did it spread? And why now, when things were getting better?

-----

Sleepless nights and endless shifts with patients took their toll. Nine could barely stand on her feet anymore, but she tried her best to hold on for the sake of those dear to her. Despite her extreme fatigue, she continued to give instructions to those who were still able to help. No one even expected this from the girl, knowing she was just a small frightened bird who was not allowed to sing.

Those two newcomers, realizing that their Lord was somewhere between life and death, realized that they had a chance to escape.

"What's with Ritsu?" Nine asked the girl. Her voice was very tired, and her appearance left much to be desired: her purple hair was tied up in a ponytail, her eyes were very tired, bandages were visible through her torn clothes, bruises and abrasions. Some were from previous beatings, some were already "independent" injuries. She simply did not pay attention to the injuries she was getting, not remembering where and how it happened. It was not that important to her anymore. What was important to her now was saving people's lives, no matter whether the person was kind or not.

"He's still alive. Look, this is our chance," said Ten looking at Nine. "If he dies now, then we'll be free."

"What did you just say?" Nine turned to her sharply. The vessel with water she was holding in her hands burst from how hard she was squeezing it. "Are you seriously willing to sacrifice a person's life for freedom?"

"Yes. Don't you want the same thing?" Ten didn't understand why the girl had such weird reaction.

"I want, but I can't. And you can't as well. You simply don't have the right." She shook her head.

"I have no right!? What are you even talking about? He is our lord. If he dies, we are free." the girl believed in what she was saying

"Do you remember what was said during the 'ascension'?" Nine asked, lowering herself to the girl's height. "Let the Darkness guide you... Do you understand what this means?"

"It's just His blessing, right?" her voice became a little lower

"It is. It also means that you belong not only to Ritsu, but to the Darkness. If our lord dies, Ahriman will find us another master. And I doubt he will be better than who we have now. So shut the fuck up and bring him the medicine. And if I find out that you did not do it" Nine came very close to Ten's face, clasping her neck from behind, depriving her of the ability to move. "I swear, I will personally execute you. Is that clear?"