Chapter Twenty-Four: On The Edge

Jasmine fell to her knees from fatigue. Her heart was beating rapidly and uncontrolled. She had lost all feeling in her limbs and could only imagine the damage she's suffered from the second degree frostbite. Crystals of ice had formed in her brown hair and damaged her hair plexus. She might even lose all her hair if nothing was done.

Asiana wasn't any better. Both her arms had gone numb and couldn't be moved no matter what she tried. It didn't help that she had layers of frost covering her body, slowly turning her into an ice cube. She couldn't even fall to the ground, as she was frozen in place and her body was too stiff to even fold and lay down.

As for Harkolth, he was completely unharmed. All thanks to Jasmine of course. Her ward magic had protected him from the frost. While she herself didn't have time to cast a ward on herself or Asiana, leaving them both in a state close to death.

The ward around Harkolth disappeared, as Jasmine lost her consciousness. It was enough to make Harkolth regain his focus, as he had spaced out because of all that happened. Without wasting a second Harkolth rushed to Asiana, as her condition was the worst. She would die in five minutes if nothing was done and Harkolth managed to figure that out quickly.

Harkolth casted "Heatlast" on Asiana. It was a lesser version of Firelast, which would have a weaker effect. Instead of making someone burst into flames over and over again, it would make them uncomfortably warm. A perfect spell for this crisis.

Harkolth didn't stay with Asiana and rushed over to Jasmine, casting the same spell on her. Before moving them over to the wall where he and Jasmine had hid before. It was a tedious process to carry them, as their bodies were freezing to touch. But he eventually carried both there.

Harkolth could still hear the light footsteps og hundreds of creatures approaching and felt a sense of urgency. It was with great remorse that he carried his old friend Jack to the girls and laid him next to them.

With tears in his eyes Harkolth chanted "Vineious" on Jack's body. Then he steadied himself and controlled the vines to flock together, tangling themselves. Creating something similar to a bonfire structure. Then, as pain filled his heart and disgust for himself reached its peak he casted "Great Burn".

The vines on Jack's body burst into flames and lit up the room. A cozy warmth touched everything close to the flame and made them comfortable. But Harkolth had no time to rest. He casted the last spell that would help them "Hetra". A spell that transfers the heat of something to chosen targets. The transferer being the vines themself and the receivers being Jasmine and Asiana.

With a sigh Harkolth sat down and watched his friend burn in the fire.

"May Lady Catara have mercy on your soul and bring you joy in the life after death, my friend!" Harkolth said and wiped away his tears. He brought out some of the provisions they had been given. Food and water, nothing major.

Harkolth calmly took a bite of the bread he chose from the food option and let his tears season it. He took a swig from his water bottle and turned to Jasmine. Who was already looking better. Having regained a bit more normal color to her body. Instead of a strong blue. She stirred in her sleep, a sign of her waking up soon.

Harkolth ignored her and continued eating. He knew this was the only moment of peace he would feel today.

Jasmine finally opened her eyes. The strong light from the fire made her blink rapidly, not ready for such strong light. After all the time spent in the dim ruin. After regaining her focus, she asked Harkolth next to her.

"How long was I out?"

"Ten minutes….. Can you walk?" he said.

Jasmine thought deeply for seconds and said. "If necessary, I can walk!"

"Good, we need to go soon." Harkolth said.

"Why?" Jasmine asked.

"Listen!" Harkolth said and grew silent. Jasmine did as told and could hear hundreds of foot steps, being overpowered by the sound of the fire.

"How long do we have left?" she asked.

"Three minutes at best! I will carry Asiana and if needed support you in moving. The sound is only coming from one direction this time, so we have somewhere to run!"

Harkolth said and Jasmine nodded and then asked. "Where's Jack?" having noticed that his body was gone.

"Look into the fire!" Harkolth told her.

Jasmine observed the fire and saw that vines were the fuel. Then she noticed a messed up, half burnt body, with a striking resemblance to Jack. Jasmine turned to Harkolth and finally noticed his cheeks being cleaner then the rest of his dust filled face.

"You had no choice!" Jasmine said, trying to ease Harkolth's silent suffering.

"Yes. We need to leave now! We'll leave the fire, I'd be damned if I left my friend's half burnt body in this ruin. The fire will also work as a distraction for whatever's chasing us. If the fire slows them down, even for just one second it'll increase our odds!" Harkolth said and Jasmine nodded. She had no say in what to do with Jack's body.

Harkolth stood up and used a bracelet to suck in all their supplies. Then he walked over to Asiana and lifted her up on his back. He slightly leaned forward so she would rest against his back without falling down.

Jasmine followed him as they walked out of the room. A room Jasmine would never forget.

What greeted them wasn't a corridor. It was a giant open world. Thousands of floors, made out of the same boring gray stone. The same torches from before. The floors and different sections of the gigantic cave-like place were connected through stairs and bridges made of wood and stone. They could see hundreds of skeletons all over the place, walking back and forth. But the skeletons hadn't seen them and they weren't the source of the sound.

Harkolth took a hard right and moved as fast as he could. Jasmine tried her hardest to keep up. The only way she could move was through heating herself through blood magic and doing everything she could to strengthen her frail self in hopes of being able to walk.

She barely kept up with Harkolth but didn't complain, they had to escape and she wouldn't be a liability.

Jasmine gasped for air over and over again, while managing to shorten the gap between her and Harkolth. Then when she finally caught up she whispered. "Thank you for saving me!"

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