Legends of Magnoria

Chapter Twenty ~ Take a Breather

Atalo threw the last body of the Hanger into the fire. He couldn't believe it, nor did he want to. He had set up camp in a Hanger nest and was lucky enough to still be breathing.

The sun was peaking over the horizon of the trees, sharing a very beautiful view. Although, it didn't share the happy vibes Atalo would usually receive from such a sight. He turned to look at Serena, who lay still in Phoebe's arms.

"Anything?" He asked her, kneeling down to look at Serena.

"Nothing," Phoebe answered quietly. "I feel awful." Atalo shook his head. "This is just too surreal ..."

"This isn't your fault!" Atalo snapped, "We all decided to set camp here. Don't blame yourself for something we are all equally responsible for, Phoebe." She kept her expression still, looking down at the ground.

Hours passed by for the two, but no progress was made. Serena was breathing and that was about as much progress they could accomplish. Atalo washed the blood off her arm and Phoebe had used her enchantments to drain the poison from body and heal her. Now all they could do wait for Serena to wait up.

"Maybe one of us should go look for help —"

"No!" Atalo cut off aggressively. It wasn't even something to think about. "We can't split up. You need to keep tending to Serena, and if we're attacked we are doomed. We're scraping by." Phoebe nodded without another word, and the two went back to their duties.

As late morning arrived, the pair had become worried. Serena had been unconscious for over six hours and they needed her to wake up. Whether they were in a Hanger nest or not, Atalo didn't want to know. He just wanted to get out.

Having finally grown impatient and bored, Atalo sat down with Phoebe. He stared at Serena, begging her to wake up in his mind. She had stirred a few times — something Phoebe found as a sign.

"Ugh ..." Serena's eyes opened slowly. She looked around, confused and dazed.

"Serena!" The two exclaimed in sync.

"What's happening?" She asked, slowing sitting up. "Ouch!" She looked at her bandages, confused and in pain.

"Don't try to move too much!" Phoebe advised, helping her up. "Do you remember what happened?"

"A Hanger —" Before she could finish her sentence, Serena turned around and puked on the ground. Then again, and again.

"That would be an effect of a bite," Phoebe commented, pulling Serena's hair back.

"Sorry," she muttered, throwing up yet again.

"Just take it easy," Atalo said calmly, rubbing her back.

Serena stopped throwing up after some time, however she was in no condition to stand up. Luckily, Phoebe had a potion on hand that would cure sicknesses.

"I have three actually," she said, "So don't feel bad about taking one."

Looking at the potion suspiciously, Serena reluctantly drank it. Atalo couldn't blame her, it was yellow and blue and bubbling green bubbles.

Taking a swig of it, Serena almost choked as she drank the potion. She coughed over and over again, but did not open her mouth. She managed to swallow the potion, then began coughing again.

"What is in that?" She gasped.

"I think it's best you don't find out," Phoebe answered, giggling under her breath.

"It tastes awful."

"As all medicine does," Atalo cut in.

Serena drank the rest of the potion as fast as she could, wanting to get rid of the disgusting taste in side of her mouth as soon as possible. She turned to her belongings and began chugging down her water, a look of disgust and relief on her face.