"Levi's condition is stabilized." Fallon said, letting go of the unconscious four year old's hand as the yellow glow dissappears. He was trying with all his might to bring Levi back to health. He along with the other healer children, "but I don't think he will wake up soon." Fallon sighed disappointed at himself.
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Soren placed an assuring hand on Fallon's back, "you and the others tried your hardest. Levi will get better in no time."
Cyrus who was standing beside Soren didn't say anything, he just absentmindedly stared at Levi's unconscious body. He sighed. He didn't like seeing a kid he had almost grown up with in this condition.
His gaze flickered towards Fallon, "You should take some rest," he pointed out, "you look like a ghost."
Fallon looked at himself. He was a bit pale from trying to nurse Levi back to health. He didn't argue, just laughed, "I will be fine… probably…" he joked.
"Don't joke like that, idiot." Cyrus softly scolded. There was no real bite in his words.
Fallon was the orphanage's go to healer. Any diseases to small cuts. Fallon had healed them. Be it one of the younger or older kids. He never hesitated to help. But using so much of his ability sometimes caused him to cough blood.
Soren sighed, "I will agree with Cyrus in this one," he put his hand on Fallon's shoulder "go take some rest."
Fallon sighs, but when he was about to say something, a scream was heard. The three of them snapped their heads towards the scream. It was saying something.
"MAELIS AND YVONNE HAVE FAINTED!!!!"
It was Marryanne's scream. The three of them rushed at the sight. Their hearts drop. Marryanne was holding Maelis's hand. Both Yvonne and Maelis were sprawled on the ground. Just like Levi, their eyes were closed.
"Fuck!" Fallon cursed as he rushed over and got to his knees by them.
Soren and Cyrus also knelt beside. Soren urgently turned to a healer kid, "get two more beds ready!" He ordered, trying to cover the concern and desperation in their his voice
One of the healer kids, Aaron, fifteen years of age nodded, "the beds are ready, big bro." He said.
Fallon and Cyrus carried Maelis and Yvonne towards the bed. After laying the two unconscious girls down. Soren was breathing heavily. These kids are his home. They can't just be dropping off like flies.
After a few minutes the girls' condition was stabilized enough for Fallon to sit back for a little while. He was also breathing hard. Weird. Yeah if he uses too much of his power his body reacts to it. Which is some pain in some places. But never breathing difficulties.
"B-big bro, Soren. Cyrus." Fallon breathed out, "I will head out for a while… I need some fresh air." Yeah he is just tired and in need of some air.
Soren glanced at him and nodded. Cyrus sighed and nodded as well.
Fallon headed out for a bit. The fresh air hitting him. The mushy scent of the wet grounds assaulted his senses.
It always had helped when his body felt weak after using too much of his mana. He breathed, every intake of breath is getting painful for him. A warm pooling feeling in his gut. As it was warning him not to stay out here, he feels like ge is about to pass out. He has never felt this for using too much mana. It was either pain in some places or exhaustion but never difficulty breathing.
His breathing got heavier as every second passed. He breathed again, pain filling his chest. He can't scream. No words escaping his lips. He stumbled back into the infirmary. He has to call someone. His head was getting heavy.
It HURTS to breathe.
He huffed, "big… bro…" this was the only two words he could mutter out. Soren and Cyrus's heads snapped towards the weak hoarse voice.
"Fallon…?" Soren's voice was not much more than a whisper.
"Fallon?" Aaron called noticing him as well.
"What the heck…" Cyrus murmured.
All three of them rushed at Fallon's side. Their eyes etched with concern. His knees bucked. But as he began to fall down Soren caught him.
"What's happening to you?" Soren whispered.
But Fallon couldn't speak, he could only grunt. His lips had gone pale. His mouth dried as if something is eating him from the inside.
"Damn it…" Cyrus held Fallon's hand, "Why are you acting like that?"
"I will go get another bed ready," Aaron said as he left the three if them.
Soren and Cyrus stuck with Fallon. "Damn it," Cyrus's brows ceased, "don't close your eyes!" He scolded.
Fallon couldn't say anything. Because it even hurts to talk. So, he responded by gently squeezing Cyrus's hand. While Soren held him close.
"Stay with us buddy." Soren called out desperation filling his voice. Fallon's pupils just glanced at him and he blinked slowly as if to apologise.
Then he went limp in Soren's arms, his hand falling from Cyrus's grip.
Soren and Cyrus's eyes widened, terrified for Fallon.
"Hey…" Cyrus called out.
Soren stayed silent, just holding his friend's body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The situation had gotten out of hand. Matron Nell had to inform the temple. Master Elric along with some other group of priests had arrived shortly after the matron's call.
Master Elric stood by the bed where Fallon was laying unconscious. The other priests were standing by the other unconscious kids.
Eric observed Fallon for a little while Soren, Cyrus and Aaron were standing by his side. Marryanne went back to her room and the twins were already in their room.
Elric leans down to get an even better look at him. He turned to the three of them, "we may need to remove his shirt to see what's wrong?"
The three of them Soren, Cyrus and Aaron glanced at each other and nodded. Elric unbuttoned a few of Fallon's buttons from the collar. Soren, Cyrus and Aaron couldn't see what the wizard who was also their teacher was doing.
Elric's eyes widened as he saw under the boy's shirt. Right below Fallon's collarbone. A deep purple bruise pulsed. On top of this heart. It pulsed as if it was alive. Cracks were forming from around that purple bruise.
"You three might wanna see this." Elric stepped away.
Soren, Cyrus and Aaron stepped in. Their eyes widened in unison as they saw the deep purple bruise.
"What in the seven hells is that?" Aaron gasped.
"What the fuck?" Cyrus cursed.
Soren just gasped in shock, "Why is it pulsing????"
"The other kids also have this purple… mark." one of the priests called as three heads looked at him. Then they looked at Elric. "What is this???" Soren said, horrified at the sight.
"It seems… like traces of dark magic…" Elric says to the horror of the three. He again carefully examined the mark or bruise, whatever that is. He then looked back at Soren, Cyrus and Aaron
"What should we do?" Cyrus said, trying not to sound terrified.
"I know a wizard who specialises in medicinal and healing craft," Elric says, "he lives in a near-by village. Go to him and seek his help."
"What does he look like?" Soren questioned.
"He has pristine white hair and crystal blue eyes."
Cyrus nodded, taking mental notes, as Elric pulled out a piece of parchment from in-between his robes, "here," he handed it to Soren, "this is the village and the way that leads to his abode."
"I will go…" Cyrus looked at the parchment in Soren's hand.
"I will go with you…" Soren put the parchment into his pocket. He can't let Cyrus go alone.