The Arcana: His Apprentice

The Plague - Asra's POV (Age 20)

Two years have passed, but it's no longer as peaceful in Vesuvia as it once was before. A plague has town over the town. A few weeks ago, a new species of red beetles swarmed over Vesuvia and soon after people started getting sick with a strange illness. Soon after, people left and right got the plague and with no cure they died.

As more people got the plague, Countess Nadia ordered a team of doctors to research and help with treatment of the patients. A nearby island off the shore of Vesuvia, now named The Lazaret is being utilized as a place for those sick to be researched and treated.

The marketplace that was once bustling with energy and livelihood was now a ghost town. Only a few booths open for the essential needs like food, water and medicine. The shop has been closed down for a few days now, only being used to help treat some people with the plague. We offer healing potions and pain relieving spells to help relieve those with the plague as much as possible, it's not a cure but we try our hardest in times like this.

The store has closed, walking the last patient of the day out and I go to the kitchen. Y/N sits at the kitchen table with two cups of tea beside her as she rests her head on her head. I walk over to the table, pulling out a chair and sit down next to her.

"What's wrong?" I ask, taking a hold of her hand and running my thumb over her knuckles.

"This while pandemic... it's scaring me..." Y/N says, sighing and looking out the window.

"Hey, look at me." I say to Y/N.

She turns her head towards me and I take her other hand in mine, looking into her eyes.

"I know that these times are hard but we will get through this, I promise. We are strong, but we are stronger together, things will get better, I know it." I say, smiling at her and I kiss her forehead gently.

We suddenly hear a knock at the door, not the back fork but the shop's entrance. I stand up and let go of Y/N's hands.

I unlock the shop's door and open the door revealing a short man with light purple hair and eyes. Wearing a black and gray attire with a white cape.

"Sorry, the shop's closed." I say to the man.

"I'm not here for...card readings..." The man says, looking up at the shop's sign.

"Then how can I help you?" I say, crossing my arms across my chest and leaning against the door frame.

"My name is Aitest, I am a messenger for Count Lucio of Vesuvia." He says, showing his silver and purple badge on his chest.

Aitest:

I roll my eyes as he continues speaking.

"Yesterday our doctors have confirmed that Count Lucio has the Red Plague." Aitest says.

"What exactly does this have to do with me?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

"You are Asra Alnazar the magician right?" He asks.

"Yes." I respond.

"Well our doctors can only do so much so the only solution is to create a cure. Count Lucio's advisors have planned for the only magic user in town, you , and a doctor from Prakra named Doctor Julian Devorak to work together and come up with a cure." He says, putting his hands behind his back.

"And if I were to refuse this order?" I ask.

"That's where this comes into place." Aitest says, pulling out a paper scroll from behind his back.

I raise an eyebrow at him as he unravels the scroll and clears his throat, reading from the document.

"If you wish not to comply to the orders given, Count Lucio will have everyone you know such as Sirt Muriel and Lady Y/N L/N will be found and captured and tortured in the palace dungeons and you will be forced to watch as your loved ones suffer." He says, rolling the paper up.

I sneak at him and straighten myself up.

"I-" I say before being interrupted by a soft voice.

"Asra, who is at the door." Says the soft voice.

I turn around to see Y/N behind me.

"Give me a moment." I say, turning back to the Aitest.

He smirks at me and I glare at him.

"Fine, I'll do it." I respond, spitting my words out.

"Excellent, a carriage will be sent for you tomorrow morning. Thank you for compromising." Aitest says, bowing lowly and leaving as I close the door.

"Asra, who was that?" Y/N questions.

"It was one of Lucio's henchmen." I say, walking over to the bed and taking hold of both of her hands.

"What would one of them be doing here?" She asks.

"The count has the plague and has requested me to help find a cure for him." I explain.

"Did you accept the offer?" Y/N asks.

"Unfortunately, I did." I say, shaking my head.

"I know you have a big heart Asra but to help someone like The Count?" She says.

"I have my reasons..." I say, looking down.

"Look at me Asra." Y/N says, lifting my head with her hand and I look into her eyes.

"I understand if you have your own reasons; I won't judge you. Just be careful, you know he isn't known for having a kind heart and a good personality." She says, placing her hand on my cheek.

"I know, I'll be cautious." I say, grasping her hand.

She smiles and relaxes her hand.

"I better get prepared, I start working for him tomorrow." I say, going to the kitchen.

Y/N follows after me as I go pursuits and go into my room. I grab my messenger bag from my bed and start filling it with necessary items. I grab some spell books from my bookshelves and shovel them into my bag. I take a few jars of herbs and spices from my bedside table and put them in my bag.

I turn around to see Y/N rested on the door frame rubbing her shoulder worriedly. I put my bag down onto the bed and walk over to her.

"Don't be so worried, I should be the one who's worried since you'll be in the shop alone helping those with the plague." I say, hugging her.

Y/N hugs me back.

"I can handle it myself." she says.

"I know but I can't help but worry." I respond, kissing her cheek as she giggles.

"Now let's go and get some sleep." I say, taking her hand and leading her to her bedroom.

I am not looking forward to tomorrow. I just want to her it over with. If there was any other option but this I would gladly take it. But this is the path I must take for now.