Castlevania Nocturne: A Guardian's Tale (Part 2)

Needle and Iron

*Author's Note: I do not claim to represent the religions/mythologies I take inspiration from when writing my stories, I am simply drawing from the tales they tell and creating my own version of them based on what is already established in the Castlevania Nocturne lore. I do not intend to misrepresent or offend anyone who follows or studies these religions/mythologies I'm only a writer being inspired by them. If there is a better way to represent these religions/mythologies and practices from someone who follows them, feel free to message me, because good representation matters.*

                                                                                               ......

I don't even remember getting from the Abbey to my house. It was all a blur between the two locations. One moment I was rushing everyone through the streets, and the next I was setting Emma in a hospital bed watching the white sheets turn crimson.

I instantly went into nurse mode, barking directions to everyone around me."We need to stop the bleeding. Tera, get me the coagulant moss, all of it! Maria, take those rags and soak them in antiseptic jars! Vance, get me  gauze! Annette!" I darted my head to the young woman standing stiff at my side. "How much did Cecile teach you in the  healing arts?"

"Enough where I can help." Annette nodded. Her thoughts were still on Eduoard, but I needed her to be present. "I know a spell to stop the bleeding, and I can suture her skin."

"Good! We'll need your magic." With Tera's help I removed Emma's clothes and cloak, revealing the full extent of her injuries. Seeing them momentarily rattled me out of it. A long gash raked across her abdomen from below her left breast all the way to her right hip. Maria cried out and Vance raged, I ordered them to focus with the power of my divine voice.

Covering Emma's breasts and thighs with blankets, I directed Tera to clean the afflicted area and Maria to pass me the antiseptic soaked gauze for me to disinfect the wound. Once it was cleared I pressed my entire stock of moss against the open gash from the hip to beneath her breast, soaking the blood and aiding coagulation.

Emma groaned in delirium, murmuring Richter's name and her son's. Her son did this..... I'll mull over the grim revelation later, right now my daughter needs me. Vance tenderly gripped her hand in his, speaking to Emma though his mind to comfort her.

"Annette, I need you."

The Haitian girl immediately stepped to my side. "I can manipulate the iron in her blood to aid in the healing process and stop further bloodloss."

"Have you done it before?"

"Yes, though not on wounds this great." Annette and I removed the moss. Bleeding drastically reduced thanks to the properties of the moss and Emma's quickened healing factor. Annette's ancestral magic should give it a better kickstart.

"It's okay, do your best." I clenched her shoulder in determined eyes. "I believe in you."

Annette nodded, cleansing her hand before pressing against Emma's gash. Vance hissed when Emma groaned, but I shot him a look to keep it back. Annette lifted her bloodsoaked palm and chanted, calling upon her divine ancestors and the Orisha of healing. My skin prickled from the air of ancient magic and my glyphs glowed faintly. Annette's bloodied hand glowed along with open gash, and I could literally feel the spell working.

I swallowed a gasp when I saw the Orisha's faint outline standing over Emma and a more defined figure beside Annette. A beautiful woman in the garb of her homeland instead of the gowns of a slave. She spoke encouragement to the young mage's ear, her voice full of warmth and love. I instantly knew who she was.