The Shadress (MCD x Reader)

Ch. 33- The Nurse, the Witch, and the Treehouse

This is about information that I had to make up (given it delves into magical artefacts that I have created lol), but also begins to touch on Y/N's mental spiral caused by the pendant. As well as discussing – but not getting very detailed on – physical wounds from the fight.

Stay safe reading, friends, and don't feel pressured to read if you don't feel confident in my attempts at warnings here. :,) <3

My dramatics ended not long after the trio took as many of the corpses away as possible. And by as many as possible, I mean solely the High Priest. As if they would care for any of the rest of them.

Regardless, it did not take long for me to collapse in an exhausted and injured heap into the dirt in front of me.

Aphmau was quickest to react. "Y/N!" she cried out, rushing over and crouching at my side.

The blood has begun to mat in my hair, sticky and starting to congeal, but the distinct color and smell that all blood has. My spine, while much better than the initial landing, still stings, and I briefly suspect that I might have broken a rib, which would add to the pain. Beneath me, blood runs down my right leg from a massive gash to the back of my calf.

All in all, I'm thoroughly fatigued and ache and sting all over.

With a gentle grip, Aphmau begins nudging me into a more upright position, though she lets me lean back against her own shoulder. I can barely keep my eyes open against the parting clouds and setting sun.

"What the hell happened?" Jace asks as everyone moves to join us.

"This must've occurred when the pillars collapsed," she responds, short and concise. "Her leg injury, that is."

"Yes, but what happened to make her so tired?" he probes again, dismissing her initial response as though it were obvious.

I feel indignation on her behalf rise within me, and if I had the energy, I would protest against the way he responded.

While this conversation occurs around me, Laurence reaches down and heaves me up using the grip he positions under my arms. He brings me to a shaky stand, and I heavily lean on him for assistance. Surprisingly, he shares no teasing remarks or angering jabs, just gentle and constant support.

Katelyn comes up on my left and motions for Laurence to swing my right arm around his shoulder. She offers one of her arms, also for support, and I gratefully take it. "We're taking her to the treehouse," she calls over her shoulder.

Aphmau and Jace are still bickering a bit. I hear her comment on how it's clear that the exhaustion comes from the day's events. Jace snaps something back that we all know I've been acting tired longer than that. Garroth is the one who verbally acknowledges us; his attention is still pulled by Lady Aphmau.

Our walk is slow and quiet, Katelyn and Laurence briefly commenting on the fight and the newly cleared weather. They never ask me anything, and I'm allowed a respite to retreat into my thoughts.

It's clear that once my physical health is back up to par, I'm going to be questioned about everything the High Priest said. His taunting remarks about them not knowing the reason behind our fight still echo in my mind. I suspect Jace'll be the one to break the silence on that front, but I also have no proof it won't come from one of the guards of Phoenix Drop, nor our lord herself.

While I have no evidence that suggests anyone except for Jace heard what was said, the brief pauses taken by the two borderline carrying me implies they have a better understanding of the situation than I would like them to.

By the time we reach the top of the treehouse, Katelyn is fully carrying me. My leg gave out once we reached the base of the Yggdrasil tree, but it was a miracle that I made it that far to begin with. Laurence had stopped when she picked me up and went to go talk to Dante and fill him in on the successful events from earlier.