Calytrix's Journey

Chapter XII: Witch Day

Akios preceded Leo and me by a few steps, halting as soon as he realized we weren't keeping pace. A peculiar look came over his face as he glanced back at us.

"What's the matter, Calytrix?" Akios asked me as he uncovering his cloak hood to look at me.

"Leo can't walk anymore," I said as I took brief glances at Leo, who was sitting down on the road.

We didn't move far away from the remains of Onocentaurm, the monster village. We remained in the woods where I encountered Andrezey. Leo's legs had completely failed him, rendering him immobile despite his efforts. Before returning his gaze to me, Akios carefully looked at Leo. Leo stared blankly ahead, unresponsive to everything.

"His injuries are extensive, and he's lost his inner zombie regeneration," Akios said.

"Inner zombie reparation?" I asked as I tilted my head since it was the first time I heard about it.

"Damaged zombies have a slight self-repair capacity. There must have been instances where you saw it happen," Akios explained.

I remembered the time when Leo started limping for the first time in Lumi, but it got better on its own after some time. Other similar events also occurred. The book section about zombies I read didn't contain this information. My lack of knowledge about black magic and its creatures became apparent.

"Don't just stand there," Akios sounded angry. "I cannot afford to waste time on a zombie. If you want him with us, fix him already."

The situation forced me into an uncomfortable position, leaving me no choice but to ask Akios, my last resort, for help.

"I-I can't. I don't know how," I truthfully said. 

Akios raised an eyebrow at my statement. He seemed both perplexed and disbelieving of what I said.

"Calytrix, your power is more than sufficient to resolve this. What is the problem?" Akios asked me.

"I tried healing Leo a few times, but it failed every time," I said, gazing down.

"Show me... I need to see what you're doing wrong, because this is good training... besides, I don't want to waste my magic on something pointless."

"You likely believe this training will enhance my magical abilities, benefiting you, but my reason for listening is solely to aid Leo." I said.

"At least we can understand each other's motivations," Akios said.

To fully concentrate on my spell, I stood before Leo with my eyes shut. A smile from Leo was the last thing I saw before I closed my eyes. All was quiet around me and I focused on remaining calm and collected. While Akios could easily upset my composure, I made a strong effort to ignore him, despite his proximity.

"Spirituum dona mihi virtute sanitatem!"

My magic produced no effect. It was the repetition of my attempts in Lumi with the same nonexistent results.

"Calytrix, stop!" Akios shouted.

My concentration broke, and my magic disappeared immediately. Nothing had changed when I opened my eyes.

"Are you trying to destroy him?" Akios asked me furrowing his brows.

"What? I don't understand," I said. 

I blinked my eyes a few times because I was expecting to see something different.

"You can't use normal healing magic on a zombie! He is dead, it won't work," Akios scolded me. "In fact, healing magic is slowly disintegration him. He must have lost his regeneration ability because of your healing magic. You used it a few times, didn't you?"