The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

Tragedy

"OWEN!"

Owen turned to see Yami and William running in with Xander in Yami's arms,

"Put him on the table!"

Yami lowered Xander onto the table, and Owen's octopus-like healing magic surged to life, his extra arms working to assess Xander's condition. Owen's brows knit together in concern as he moved quickly.

"What happened?"

"The Diamond Kingdom attacked Kiten, then Mynx-"

"Mynx showed up?"

William nodded,

"Yes, but not important right now. Is he going to be okay?"

Owen's expression shifted as he focused, probing Xander's mana channels, his face darkening as he let out a frustrated grunt,

"Come on!"

But then, after a tense moment, his shoulders slumped, and he closed his grimoire. Yami gripped his shoulder tightly.

"What is it, Doc?"

Owen looked down and grabbed Xander's hand,

"He's in a coma."

"What?! How?"

Owen sighed, glancing back up at them.

"His mana. It's severely depleted. What happened out there?"

Yami and William fumbled, trying to recount the chaotic battle, each speaking over the other in a rush of explanations. Owen pinched the bridge of his nose, listening intently, then leaned against the bed with an exasperated sigh,

"So let me get this straight. Mynx lost control over her mana, releasing cosmic bursts that tore up the battlefield. But even in that state, she managed to cast her Celestial Shield over five of you. She then shot sky-high, and Xander followed her, trying to help. He threw a card at her while she started letting out a large amount of mana because you three thought she was going to be drained of all her mana and die. You both realized he was losing mana fast and tried to grab him, but he and Mynx passed out at the same time. Xander fell, you caught him, and then as you tried to catch Mynx, a Diamond Kingdom mage took her and fought you off, escaping with her?"

William nodded,

"Correct,"

Yami scratched the back of his neck, looking a bit sheepish.

"Well...when you put it that way...yeah, we might've messed up."

Owen ran a hand over his face, clearly trying to keep his composure,

"We all did. This situation isn't over yet, and Xander needs serious rest. Take him to the Crimson Lions' base. Keep him in a room near Captain Fuegoleon. Then get back here. I'll inform the Wizard King, and he'll summon the captains. Get Leopold and Mereoleona to come back here with you immediately."

Yami nodded,

"Alright...will he be okay?"

Owen sighs,

"I hope so. Look, I know you both care about him. But, the best thing we can do for him is find Mynx. You said the spell was broken, so she must be back. I'm not sure how the Diamond Kingdom got her under their spell, but if they do it again. We need to break her free and be ready to do so."

William nodded,

"We will. Let's go, Yami,"

Yami rolled his eyes, lifting Xander over his shoulder.

"You are not the boss of me,"

"Sure,"

"Hey! I'm older than you!"

"And my squad is better,"

As the two captains bickered their way out of the room, Owen watched them go, pressing a hand to his face in exasperation.

"They fight like an old married couple,"