DISCARDED: The Ones The World Did Not Need

Twenty three

Magic depletion occurs when a person uses too much magic.
It can cause dizzy spells, weight loss, nausea, lowered immunity, fainting; and if the magic user ignores these symptoms and continues using their magic, it may lead to death.

The lower your magic capacity, the easier it is for you to suffer from magic depletion.

Magic depletion is the second most common cause of death amongst magic soldiers, right behind KIA (killed in action).

The cold wind beat Alice's skin relentlessly as she threaded through the streets lifelessly.

She had nowhere else to go. She had been born into the castle's service and had lived there her entire life.

But that was the last thing on her mind.

She had packed her bags and was just about to leave the palace gates when she heard the princess' chilling scream from her room.
It stopped just as quickly as it began and was replaced by loud banging.

She was about to run back in when she was held by the shoulders.
She turned back to see one of Alexander's guards.

"I've been asked to escort you out."

"The princess, she's...

His grip tightened.
He looked down at her with eyes that could not care less.

"I've been asked to escort you...by any means necessary."

She was successfully thrown out of the palace but that did not stop her from sprinting towards the left wing of the castle where the princess' window was located.
The shutters were sealed tight, but Alice could make out a faint red glow coming from inside.

Her heart froze as she subconsciously touched the scar on her face.

The princess screamed again which was accompanied by the same banging.
The sound was so terrifying that it make Alice panic.
She ran from the castle, hoping to find anyone that would help the princess despite knowing that it was hopeless

She ran until she felt the last bit of her strength leave her as she tripped on her own feet and fell.

Random people had come up to her, asking what was wrong but as soon as she told them, they gave her a horrified look and ran the other direction.

"My princess, I'm so sorry," Alice whispered as she tried to stop the tears from choking her.
Soon enough, her tears made a puddle which shone with unnatural clearness.

From the puddle, a single daisy sprouted, managing to crack through the steel like pavement.
As if on cue, daisies began to spring forth in a straight line, stretching down the road, farther than Alice could run.

...

It was barely first light when Micah woke up.
He had dressed up and softly knocked on Rachael's door which was immediately opened.
He suspected that she also could not fall asleep.

They had driven in silence, hoping the journey would not be as excruciating as the previous day.

It was.

Rachael was about to get out of the carriage and start sprinting when they finally got to central Manderin.

"We're heading to the castle first," Rachael said even though she wanted nothing more than to begin searching for Enid.

Micah nodded, relieved that he did not have to suggest it himself.

The carriage trotted down the road and Micah stuck his head out for some fresh air.
It was a normal sunny morning but the tension in the air seemed to contrast it.

Micah noticed a single white daisy from the corner of his eyes right at the edge of the road.

"Stop!" He yelled, his voice a little strained.
The recoil of the carriage halting almost sent Rachael flying.

"What? What is it?" He asked panicked.

"A single flower strong enough to crack through the pavement. It's Alice's magic," he said, his voice filled with foreboding.

It was a little strange to see that Alice had cast her magic in the middle of the road, but Rachael did not understand why it was important enough to stop.

Micah turned to her, his jaw tense.

"She's usually not strong enough to do that unless she's greatly agitated."

...

Micah and Rachael ended up discovering the trail of daisies,following it on foot.

They had walked for a considerable distance when the trail curved into an alley.
Micah peeked in and was horrified by what he saw.

It was a dirty, mangled up body with long turfs of blonde hair splurred everywhere. He knew who it was.

"Alice!" He ran up to her, Rachael right behind him.

"My prince...welcome back. You've grown."

Micah wanted to scoop her up but he knew that she was suffering from magic depletion and exposing her to the magic oozing out of him would be detrimental.

Rachael also knew this, so she swiftly carried her on her back with relative ease.
Alice was a small woman.

Micah backed up to give them space, but also so he would not have to look at the gaping scar on her cheek.

"What happened?"

"He found out about the letter...the princess is in trouble."

Rachael turned to her in shock.

"The prince did that to you?"

Alice rested her head on Rachael's shoulders. She had been walking all night.

Micah took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

"Rachael, please take her to the nearest infirmary. I don't want you to be anywhere near the castle."

She wanted to ask why but the look in his eyes answered her question.

He looked like he was trying to stop himself from blowing up.

"Okay...be safe."

Important announcement

Hello all,
I've been thinking about this for a long time now and I've finally decided that the title of this book will be changed.
I've always been unsatisfied with the title but I was in such a hurry to start writing on Wattpad that I went with it.

The title will be changed from 'The one and a no one' to 'Discarded: the ones the world didn't need' or just Discarded for short.

I always think my titles are lame but I feel a bit better about the new one.

The title will not be changed immediately. I still have to make a new cover and everything, but I'm letting you all know so no one gets confused.

Okay, enough about that.
Toodles