Aura's Tail. {Aphmau Fanfic}

Chapter 4: Not Him Again. Feel free to listen to the song while you read

A lot of time had passed since the summer festival. Aura was hired as a medic in the village, and still lived happily with her room mates, Charlotte and Jade. One day, while Jade was on guard, Dante dashed up into the tower. "Dante? What's wrong?" Charlotte asked. Dante panted for a few seconds, then, he finally spoke. "Malachi has fallen ill. Very much so." he said, between breaths. "What illness?" Aura asked, grimly."No idea, but we do know what's happening to him." Dante replied. "What symptoms?" Charlotte asked. "He's burning up. Bad fever. Poor thing won't even come to, and anything we try to feed him comes back up. This is not normal." Dante said, softly. "I have no idea..." Charlotte said. "Nether Fever." Aura said, suddenly. "I know herbs that can cure it. But, a few are native to the Nether." she explained. Aura padded over to a shelf, filled with hand-written scrolls, and books, all in the curling cursive of Aura's hand. Pulling down a ton of thick books, Aura sighed. "Nether Wart, Ghast Tear, and Blaze Essence. That's all I need from the Nether. Overworld herbs are, Fairies-Bloom, Sorrowsmoss, and Kuran Vines." Aura said, flipping through the sketches of plants. "We have the Nether ingredients!" Dante exclaimed. "Good, Charlotte, you can take this to Malachi, it'll help you get some nutrients into him. Put a damp cloth on his forehead, to help from over-heating." Aura ordered, handing Charlotte a vial, of swirling green liquid. "Sun Hedge, and Lilac, mixture." She explained quickly. "Dante, you get me the Nether ingredients and someone to help me find the others." Aura said. The two nodded, and leaped down from the tower, heading toward the magenta house. Aura looked around, grabbing a basket, and three small pieces of parchment. She quickly drew the three herbs on each paper, as someone ascended the ladder behind Aura. "Hi." said Laurence's voice. Aura stood up so fast, she knocked the desk chair over. "Here." Laurence said handing her the three Nether ingredients. Aura nodded, and took the items, quickly mixing them and setting the potion onto a flame. "We need as much of these as we can get." she said, handing Laurence the herb sketches. "These?" he asked. "Hm." Aura nodded, grabbing her basket. She rummaged around, and finally found another basket, tossing it to Laurence. "Got it." he said, beginning to descend the ladder. Aura followed him, her expression grim, yet determined. They approached the gate. Jade waved to them. "Are you sure you want to leave...? It's getting dark." said Jade. "We know, but it's urgent!" Laurence said. "Fine, but hands off the kitty-cat." Jade teased. "W-what?!" Laurence exclaimed. Aura's face turned red. "I said not to call me that! And, we're only going to collect herbs for Malachi." Aura meowed. "Oh the poor things sick again...? Go ahead then, don't let me stop you..." Jade said her expression softening as she opened the gate. They exited the village, and walked a while into the forest. "While running here, I believe I saw some Sorrowsmoss growing on a tree over there." Aura said, pointing to a large oak tree. "I'll get it. You search near the riverbank, I swear seeing some of these there." Laurence said, holding up a picture of Fairies-Bloom. "Okay." Aura said, as they split up. Her bare feet sank into the river's mud, as she padded along. Aura spotted the flowers, growling at the edge of the forest. She started to walk forwards, but stopped. In the misty, Autumn air, she saw a figure. "Laurence?" she asked, cautiously. "Oh, my dear I'm afraid not." said a voice. Before Aura could even react, there was a sword at her neck. She stared into Zane's blue eyes. Aura didn't speak, she couldn't speak. Zane let out a laugh. "You're cute when you're afraid-" he purred. "W-why are you here...? What do you want...?" Aura stuttered. "I come here baring a warning. Just know, one day, you will be mine. Then, I will end each and every person in that wretched village. Starting with those two brats called Levin and Malachi, and ending with Laurence the lover boy." Zane said. He lowered his sword. "Well, heed this warning. And... it'd be a shame if someone found out about our little chat, eh? It'd only speed up the process. Now, keep an eye on your family, something may want to... RIP. THEM. APART. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Zane said with a cackle. He disappeared, into the fog. Aura stared at the place, she'd just seen where Zane was just standing. Aura slowly slid to her knees, and gazed down at the Fairies-Bloom at her feet. She watched the white flower, as it glowed slightly. "Aura? Aura!" yelled Laurence's voice. The meif'wa didn't move as Laurence approached her from behind. "Aura! I found the vines and... Aura...?" he stopped behind Aura. "What's wrong...?" he asked. Aura felt her vision darkening. She blinked, then blacked out...