Phrocylan & The Tree of Life (The Spirit of the Tree Book 1)

Chapter Nine: Return

I was alive, and conscious.

When the light faded and the ground cleared, I was still very alive. The protective cover around me dissolved, and I fell to my knees, coughing.

I looked around me, and the ground was barren, the only signs of an army being the dropped weapons, if not incinerated already.

I saw Eager circling above with Cylla in his claws, Agasthus lying on top of the ruined building, and no signs of Nyacin. I hoped he was well.

I ran towards Agasthus, and pulled him down. He was surprisingly heavy.

I looked around for any sources of water but there were none. Eager came down and sat Cylla beside Agasthus, resting against the wall.

Thank Gods, both of them were still breathing, and showed no major injuries. Only a few cuts and bruises, and just minor burns. I looked at my hands and almost passed out.

They were still steaming, and the skin was burnt to crisp. I could see the muscles beneath, but it didn't hurt as much. (Please don't try burning your hands at home, it will hurt, a lot.)

I checked up on Cylla and Agasthus again, they were breathing but it was ragged, and fast. I looked behind towards camp, hoping to see troops coming in but none came. I decided to carry them back to camp.

I called Eager and set Agasthus on top of him, and told him to take him to camp. I picked up Cylla and carried her in my arms back towards camp.

Quarter of a mile later, my arms throbbed with pain, but I didn't drop her. I tried ignoring my pain and continued walking. Eager was already half a mile ahead, flying at half-speed, surely because he had been injured too.

Cylla was still breathing, fortunately, but she was still unconscious. Half a mile ahead, I set her down and took a small break for myself. Doing magic back on the field had taken a lot out of me, but I was the only conscious person right now, so I couldn't afford passing out. I hoped Nyacin teleported away, already at camp, and safe.

I saw no sign of Eager or Agasthus, so that meant they'd already reached camp by now. I picked up Cylla again and continued walking.

A lot of gasping, yelping, and walking later, I reached camp.

I collapsed at the front entrance, and other campers came running towards us.

***

»»Cylla««

I sat up next to the bed where Phro layed. I had trouble remembering what had happened before this, there was a battle.. And an army, I set a trigger.. And- Oh, Gods, Phro summoned the Magic Fist.

That must have taken all the energy out of him. There was a blast, and it's all a blur after that...

I wonder how he did it, and if he could do that, maybe.. Just maybe his memory might be back properly.

I was worried about him, wandering around the roots by himself for 2 days after we got separated, then facing the Whalius, then again today, summoning the Magic Fist and saving all of us.

He was still fast asleep, snoring like the way he always did. He looked so cute in his own I am Magic way, so I decided not to wake him.

I got up, and immediately pain shot up my right leg, and I collapsed. I lay there, holding my leg in my arms, pain almost making me black out again, I let out a cry.

Immediately, Phro woke up, his eyes fluttered. He quickly got up, and made his way over to me, "What are you- are you ok? Here, get back up." He said.

I pushed my weight on him and very slowly got up, pain still throbbing my nerves.

He lay me on the bed and pulled his hands off as if he'd touched something very hot. I looked at his hands and I almost threw up. His hands were missing most of the skin, and his knuckles were white as bone. He looked in pain, but the kind idiot he was, he ignored his pain and asked, "Are you okay?"

I winced. "Yes, I'm okay. Thanks. But you should rest. Your hands don't look good."

He looked at his hands, and nodded, then went to his own bed. He sat and let out a sigh, "I wish I could know what's going on here."

I understood how he felt. I would be frustrated if my memory went blank and I could not remember anyone, him, Ru, Hectar, Agasthus, Molto, Nyacin.. Oh, gods, Nyacin. Is he okay?

I was about to reply to him when suddenly Molto came running in with first aid supplies. "Oh, I- I heard you. Are you okay? What's wrong?"

I smiled gently at him, "It's okay, I just tried getting up, but found out my right leg is broken."

He looked at Phro and at me again. A silent agreement passed between us.