The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 31: The Friend we wanted to be. (Part 2)

Ardent Friend:

I woke up heaving for breathe. My lungs ached and it felt like I wasn't getting any oxygen. My body began to shake as my eyes flew open.

"Calm down Ardent," Vanter appeared in my vision and held my arm. "Slow your breathing and focus. Calm your second heart. Still it to silence. Now breathe properly."

I slowed my mind and did as directed. The seconds passed and my memories began to fall into place. I had created my Mana Heart and almost died in the process. The sensation I was feeling now wasn't the lack of oxygen but the lack of mana. All I needed to do was slow it down, slow the mana that now naturally tried to circulate through my body.

"Better?" Vanter asked.

"Better," I nodded but groaned instead as I felt my body twitch in pain. "Ah, it hurts."

"That's because you're an idiot," Vanter sighed. "Right now your body is almost inert. We've been taking it in turns constantly pumping mana into you. Just count your luck it was me you woke up with and not someone else with more questions."

"Thanks," I laughed weakly. "How long have I been out for?"

"Three days."

"That's it?" I raised my brow. "I mean that's bad but I thought I'd be out longer."

"You did almost die. If it wasn't for your sister, we would have been forced to put you into a much longer coma."

"Aria?" I frowned. "Did she remember?"

"Not quite," Vanter shook his head, smiling wryly. "She's getting flashes. It wasn't like what happened with you or me. It looks like she's struggling with it. The problem is her mana. I'm not sure where she's pulling it from but more and more seems to keep seeping into her."

"Mystery aside, that sound pretty good," I smiled softly knowing how capable she would be in the future. "What about Zen? She probably feels responsible."

"Zen is... she's keeping her distance, staying at the gym. When your father came home and saw your condition.... Well let's just say I didn't think your dad could be that mad."

"I see...." There would be a lot we both needed to explain. "And the others?"

"Endi has been with you pretty much the entire time. She's been making sure that you have enough mana to keep functioning. Tough luck waking up to my face huh?"

"It is stupidly handsome."

Vanter chuckled, "As for Erin, she's been keeping Aria company. She's got questions but is keeping them to herself. Ana has agreed not to relay anything to the Magistrate, but she's been keeping an extra watchful eye out."

"And how are you?"

"Me?" Vanter laughed before gritting his teeth. "For a while I hated myself for not being able to do anything more. I was watching my best friend struggling to live and I couldn't even be there to fight by his side." He hands clenched, "I trust you Ardent. I trust you more than anyone else in this damn world. But don't put me through that again... not when I was so close."

"Is this when you profess your love for me?" I couldn't help joke.

"Oh you wish," he threw a pillow at my face. I couldn't move and it bounced off harmlessly.

"Jokes aside... sorry. I really didn't think it would come to that point."

Vanter sighed, "Neither did I. I heard a bit from Zen. To think Kai broke through to become a Master. If he lived in Areithia that would score you a nice job as the captain somewhere. If I had been there with you, you wouldn't have needed to make your Mana Heart...."