Rayne's POV
It was a nightmare yet again, surrounded by the corpses of people I used to call family, their ravings echoing in my ear incessantly. I couldn't escape, nor could I stop the voices. All I could do was drown in them.
Suddenly, a large, inhumane hand caught me, it was that horrendous creature. Its hollow eyes stared into something deep inside me. I stood there with fear enveloping my body. The last thing I remember was my head being ripped apart by that creature as the voices still plagued my ears.
I opened my eyes to be met with an unfamiliar ceiling, sunlight falling onto me from the window on the side. "Where am I ?" My breath caught as memory flooded back
"Ah," remembering what happened, I couldn't help but shiver. We had managed to kill that thing, and then I seemed to have fainted in Zei's embrace.
"..Where is she?" I tried getting up, but I was shrouded by agonizing pain. Each muscle of my body was being torn apart piece by piece.
"Whoa there, it seems like you have woken up." A familiar voice entered my ears, it was Kristen. His voice held an edge of relief beneath its usual cheer.
"Honestly…I am surprised at how you are still alive. I thought I was looking at a corpse when I found you in the fire."
My injuries were grave. I had lost too much blood, my right arm was missing, and my body was covered with bandages with runes inscribed onto them.
"They are supposed to help with stopping blood loss and heal your injuries faster. Given the state you were in, it would take some time before you could move again," A voice responded. It was Kristen.
"...Where is she?" I asked, my voice hoarse. Trying to suppress the excruciating pain.
Kristen's smile faltered. "She is alive and will most definitely make it however, her injuries are too dire, Asher is still treating her." My heart sank at the words.
Gritting my teeth and ignoring the pain, I got up, blood leaked from the wounds which still haven't healed, my vision became unfocused as my hand reached for the bedside table for support, "I need to see her," I muttered in a trembling voice.
"You stubborn little bastard," Kristen sighed and led me to her.
We walked through a corridor in silence as neither of us said a word, each step sent agony to my already damaged body.
We stopped in front of a heavy oak door. His eyes met mine as he warned me, "Don't make unnecessary sounds inside the room, Asher is still treating her, so it's better ..."
I didn't wait for him to finish and opened the door.
My face went pale at the sight in front of me.
Zei lay swathed in bandages, her once radiant skin was now covered in burns, blood leaked from her left eye socket, which was now hollow, the wings sprouting from her back were charred, the feathers reduced to ashes.
My breath caught in my throat.
"Her life is out of danger, she should regain consciousness in a few days," Asher muttered in a tired voice.
"... However, her wings are damaged to the point where it's impossible for us to heal them here with no medical equipment," he continued, standing in one corner of the room, observing her.
My gaze fixated on Zei, who was lying on the bed. I was angry at myself for not being able to protect her, all I could do was helplessly watch her, hoping she would regain consciousness.
I despised myself for how powerless I was to not even be able to protect the one person who mattered to me the most.
Suddenly, a hand touched my shoulder. Asher looked at me with the same indifferent face, like always, his usual stoicism softened as he muttered.
"Don't blame yourself… What happened was not something you could have predicted."
"The only thing you can do is to grow stronger and make sure such an incident never occurs again."
I simply stared at him, not knowing what to say. He was right, what I needed the most right now was power, to be able to protect Zei, to make sure what happened today doesn't happen again in the future.
"Your body has sustained permanent damage and has even lost a limb. The girl's injuries are even more dire than I am incapable of healing."
"...I understand," I said solemnly, my gaze fixated on Zei. "What you did for us is already enough; we are alive thanks to you."
"Don't be too disappointed, boy, just because Asher can't heal your injuries doesn't mean there isn't any other way."
A glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. I turned to him, "There's a way?"
Kristen grinned faintly. "Indeed, however, for that you would need to go to Eleithiya with us, only mother's Eternal essence can heal your injuries and regenerate your missing limbs."
"Don't give him false hope, Kristen, Central would never let two strangers who aren't affiliated with the military get their hands on the Yggdrasil's Eternal essence."
"You never know, Asher, no one knows what the future holds for us or these kids," Kristen uttered, looking at me with a kind smile.
"What is eternal essence?" I asked
"It's the ichor of Yggdrasil— its lifeblood. It is powerful enough to rebuild an entire body and enhance it in every possible way," Kristen explained.
"Upon consumption, it increases your lifespan significantly, making you equal to Elarion, at least physically."
"However, it's not possible for people who are not affiliated with the Central to obtain it, even in the military only the higher ranks ever get a chance to consume the eternal essence."
My face fell as Asher continued his explanation, so basically, the only way to heal our bodies was to head over to the Eleithyia and join the Central.
It would cost us our freedom for a chance at healing our bodies.
"...Is there no other way?" I asked
"Well, you can buy the Eternal essence if you have an enormous amount of money and influence in the Eleithiya, however, you don't have either of those, right?"
I shut my mouth at Kristen's remark, what he said was the truth, and reminded me of the reality we now lived in.
"You don't have to rush making a decision right now, take it slow, we will stay here for a week before leaving," Kristen said reassuringly.
"...may I stay here with Zei for a while?" I asked
They left without another word. As the door clicked shut, I finally allowed the tears to fall, holding her hand covered with bandages with mine. I allowed myself to weep there for a while.