Karta Stryker

Chapter 22: Vigor in One's Blade

Once we'd gotten to safety; although I'd barely call it that, we had laid Jade under a tree to see if anything can be done about her physical state. She was still wheezing from suffocating beforehand. Arcadia did all of the relative checks: heartbeat, blood-flow, and her breath. 

"Her heart is working way too hard, her blood isn't flowing in the places it should. I don't know what Malik did, but her airway wasn't the only thing he blocked. It seems because of the pressure building up within Jade's body, the part of the aorta vein near her heart is blocked." Arcadia sighed. 

"How can you tell?" Marcus asked.

"I can feel the blood flow. I am attached to all things bonded with water. I am attached to all life." Arcadia smiled. 

Marcus raised an eyebrow dryly. 

"Okay, I was taught a few cool tricks from the mansion. Does that suit you better?" Arcadia shrugged. 

"Come on, what do we need to do?" I stated, putting all jokes aside. 

"There's nothing you can do, this is something only my hands are capable of. I've heard of an ancient technique associated with water sorcery. While my connection to water is a natural and physical one, sorcery is associated with the book and magics. But I have heard that many of these sorcerers could manipulate the blood within someone's body." Arcadia explained. 

The power to control blood. 

"I could maybe sooth the arteries, and with her heartbeat relaxed, her throat may heal as well." Arcadia said. 

"You sure there's nothing I can do? I did help heal Karta." Marcus suggested, a look of anxiety on his face. 

"Just stay here with me just in case we need to revitalise Jade." 

"You mean CPR?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"Whatever that is, as long as Jade is okay in the end result." Arcadia shrugged. 

Arcadia laid her hands flat on Jade's chest. Her wheezing on choked air slowed down, decaying into a calmed state. Jade's chest eventually began to rhythmically rise and fall, meaning the her breathing is already improving. Arcadia's closed eyes twitched, as she was feeling for the intricacies and imperfections of the arteries. She'd opened her eyes, as if she had completed what she needed. Jade was still unconscious, and no longer breathing. Arcadia was confused, as tears formed in her eyes. 

"But... I fixed all of it..." Arcadia said under her breath. 

Marcus wasn't waiting for anyone to tell him to do something. He pitched his shoulders high as his two hands on top of each other began to do chest compressions. After 15 compressions, Marcus made lip contact to see if Jade's airway was clear. Marcus continued to press, to no avail. Marcus began to tear up, and struck the ground with the two of his fists. He picked Jade up and cradled her in his arms. 

"Please wake up... we all need you right now. I need you. Right now." Marcus sobbed. 

Marcus pulled Jade closer, her arms limp as they dragged in the mud. With a sudden gasp of air, Jade is awake. She looks around slowly, and notices she's in Marcus' arms. Marcus catches on, and lowers Jade back onto his lap. 

"You're okay! You're okay..." Marcus sobbed. 

Jade looked up at Marcus, her eyes teared with sorrow. She pulled Marcus' head down to hers, and their lips locked as they kissed. Marcus still had his arms wrapped around her torso, and Jade her her hands on Marcus' face. They pulled away, remembering Arcadia and I were still here. They awkwardly scuffled as they stood back up, Marcus' usually tanned face now blushing a rosy pink. Arcadia winked at them.