Reward and Recovery

"They should all be stable now. It took a lot out of us I'm sure, but we got there in the end." Sable says, wiping the sweat off her brow as she slowly unravels her transformation.

"I'm glad the lords of light and darkness were willing to bless these three. Who would've known what would've happened without the lord's favour, while you were tending to that child? I had feared that the man might bleed out." The priest says with a solemn darkened gaze as he continues to pray in utter gratitude to his lord's protection. 

"I've checked over all of their wounds. They all seem to be stable and should make a decent recovery. For the young girl's arm only time will tell how well it will heal." Doc says with checking over every inch of their injuries just in case.

"Well you three have done all you can to help her and the knights appreciate that more than you know keeping the young safe is of the utmost priority. They are the future generation, after all they will be taking our place in only a couple of decades."

"Im exhausted im going to need a couple days off for now the girls arm was a lot for me to try and recover." Sable says still trying to get her rhythm back in her breath. 

"That won't be a problem. I want you to have two days paid leave and come back refreshed and ready lords know what state our men will be in by that time and will need all healers on deck if it's the worst." The commander says with a satisfied smile of gratitude, brushing his bushy beard as he runs his fingers along his moustache. 

"Thank you sir, i'll make sure to fully recharge and be back bright and early the day after tomorrow." Sable says with a salute 

"Let's leave these three to rest. I'll make sure there are hidden injuries before I let them loose. So rest assured your work here today won't go undone." The commander says as he leads the three healers out of the infirmary. 

—-----------------------------------------

*Gasp*

"I didn't die for a 2nd time, thank the phoenix for that. Looks like the arm is going to be out of commission for a bit at least its still attached. That fight was just what i needed though ive had so much pent up hunger for battle." Ren says to himself checking over the status of his body before having something forcibly enter his attention.

[CongratulationsYou Survived]

[Stats Have Been Allocated Based On Overall Performance]

[Reward: 1 Level Up]

[Ren: Human]

[Level 1]

[Age: 6]

[Blessing of the Phoenix. You have a far vaster and stronger soul than most after witnessing and withstanding the phoenix's soul fire.]

[Strength 4]

[Dex 6]

[Perception 7]

[Agility 6]

[Soul 10]

[Stamina 5]

'Looks like that level up finally revealed more of the Phoenix's secrets to me. Is this what it means by games?' Ren deduces pondering on the Phoenix's meaning.

'These are somewhat okay numbers for a 6 year old body. I guess this measures my overall capability with each skill. But why is my soul stat so high? it must be because of the blessing.' Ren continues to try and piece together every bit of information projected in front of his vision, an odd display of writing as if a book was always hidden in his vision.

"My damn head, Ren? Ren! REN!" Lydia calls out scared as she slowly regains consciousness in the infirmary. 

"I'm right here Lydia everythings fine we're just in an infirmary. They have already treated us and closed up most of our wounds." Ren says already processing the situation much faster than Lydia.

"I'm so glad you're alive! I'm so sorry I was a fool for thinking we could have taken on the Red Bear with so little people. I even brought you along with me. We could have easily all died to my foolishness." Lydia cries eyes full of tears and regret as she loathes the decision that could have cost them their lives.

"But we didn't. We're alive aren't we? All we can do is learn and grow to appreciate life more while we have it sis." Ren says seeing the positives through the storm of chaos.

"I…I guess, still i feel so much regret i could've gotten us all killed im sorry." Lydia says as her lips quiver trying to process the shock and regret.

"Lydia, I forgive you." Ren says, putting his left hand on Lydia's shoulder before bringing her into an embrace.

"But you can't just forgive me so easily. WE NEARLY DIED." Lydia sobs into Rens shoulder leaving behind snot in her hysterical mess.

"And people make mistakes were only human" Ren says as more and more of his past lives perspective leaks in as he remembers the responsibility of a prince to uplift their people no matter what.

"Thank you Ren, you have my word. I'll try my hardest to learn from this." Lydia says looking up at Ren's yellow eyes as her own begins to flood with tears. 

"Good, I'm glad sis. We should probably head back to the inn as soon as possible though I don't think mother has any idea what has happened to us." Ren says with a saddened look. 

"Yeah, oddly enough I'm dreading going back for the earful that is waiting for me." Lydia says as she recoils a little in fear for the reprimanding she's going to receive. 

"Like learning from your mistakes the best thing to do here is face it and not run away otherwise the problem will only grow bigger." Ren says solemnly recollecting his own experiences with archery and how the only way for improvement was to keep learning.

"Why are you so confident now Ren?" Lydia says as she wipes the tears from her eyes in awe by Ren's certainty.

"Because I know I'm correct, you can learn it the hard way if you like." Ren grins.

"Fine." Lydia says giggling a little as she wipes the rest of her tears.

"Dont have so much pride that you can't listen to others of all kinds. Arrogance is death. If your too arrogant you'll never see a threat lurking in wait." 

"Alright alright i get it, ill face mom. I'm going to get my head bitten off for sure though." Lydia says with a stress filled face as she chews holes into her thumb nail.

"You don't know that though. You are not psychic and you don't know what the other person is thinking, that's why we have language." Ren says as flashes of nostalgia bubble through having to bolster the morale of his people in any way he can, going far above to show that everyone doesn't know each other, not yet at least. 

"Ren, I just want to say thank you. I don't know how you even managed to do it but you saved me and my family from so much pain. You are scary, when you are pushed to the edge." Lydia says expressing mortal gratitude as flashes of the battle lurk in her mind notably the immense bloodlust coming from Ren.

"Have you ever seen a rabbit that wouldn't bite when backed to a corner? I won't just die without a fight, I will get back up." Ren says with a grin as his yellow eyes sear the point home.

"I guess not no I haven't seen many game that don't take the chance to escape or fight back." Lydia says recalling most of her hunts and the behaviour of the game before it was slaughtered or in threat of it.

"Exactly." Ren giggles, kicking his feet in the process.

"Lydia, I was going to fight to the bitter end, I knew there was no escape and even if there was, there was no chance I was leaving you behind." Ren says as he smiles with loving eyes. 

"But why!? We're not even Blood." Lydia chokess through the tears not used to Rens odd maturity in such a devastating moment. 

"No but we're sisters aren't we?" Ren smiles as more of his prior life sink in remembering the deep loyal and comradery of the Artemis clan and how tight nit everyone was. 

"....Yes….we are." Lydia cries harder into Ren's shoulder leaving more mucus and tears behind.

"So it's not a problem sis i'll always have you and the families back you've done so much for me. You didn't have to take in an orphan child at all." Ren says trying to hold back forming tears remembering everything the thatchers have done for him. 

"But it's what's right." Lydia cries out attempting to not accept such thanks after such a huge mistake. 

"But not everyone does right, Lydia." Ren says, rubbing Lydia's shoulder grateful and happy to see her alive and well. 

"What! How! Were alive!? I was sure that the Red bear had finished us and was just saving us for a later meal. How are we alive!?" Lanos startles awake as his eyes catch the sight of a ceiling not a forest canopy. 

"Lydia here had managed to take out the red bear in our moment of need. Ella had fled to go get help in fear of the worst. By the time Ella had gotten back Lydia had managed to let loose a shot square between the bear's eyes. It was an incredible shot if I do say so myself." Ren says passing the credit over to Lydia and hamming it up way more for his own satisfaction. 

"Lydia!? You really fought to the end for us, thank you Lydia. I really owe a debt of gratitude to you. I'm sorry I should have done more preparation for the hunt, especially with that kind of beast. Hindsight is the biggest salt to my wounds." Lanos says full of regret as she subconsciously clutches at his bandaged wounds. 

"I think you should get the majority of the reward in all honesty, Ella can have the other big slice she got medical help after all, it's only right the leader owns their mistakes right?" Lanos says with a deep sigh, seeing Lydia with nothing but gratitude. 

"Lanos." Lydia says as more and more guilt starts to cloud her mind knowing full well this is not her achievement to take credit for.

"No no it's only right, I promise you I'm fine with it. My payment is that we're all alive and breathing." Lanos says putting his palm up and shaking his head no. 

"If you're sure." Lydia says defeated. 

"I am." Lanos says as he puts on his hiking boots still spattered in a little of his blood.

*Knock Knock* A lieutenant steps into the infirmary. 

"You three are finally awake. I didn't think it would be a couple days since I saw some movement did scare me a little but hey ho you guys are breathing. The commander has instructed me to inform you that the slain red bear has been processed by our knights and broken down for your convenience." The lieutenant says quickly and efficiently. 

"In the commander's own words. "We should repay her bravery to the utmost in getting rid of that menace." So I brought the processed goods. 1 gold coin is the overall profit after tax, the commander specifically instructed that Lydia should gain all the resources for her first kill and such a life saving one at that." The lieutenant says going over the receipt of the overall processing of the red bear. 

"The pelts and the claws have been provided along with the Demon Spirit Crystal." The lieutenant says, chewing his pen as he goes over the account.

"Wait, what did you say? I get the crystal too!?" Lydia exclaims, shocked and already feeling more guilt. 

"Yes we processed the crystal and it's ready for bonding for you if you like or you can sell it we decided to leave it up to you." He says going over it like its a regular day of processing. 

"This is too much i cant accept this i cant." Lydia tries to refuse as the guilt starts to grow larger and larger.

"I'm sorry? Lydia was it i have specific instructions to ensure that you receive the reward otherwise my job will be compromised under suspicion of theft or corruption." He says perplexed. 

"O….Okay i don't deserve this." Lydia says, biting down on her lip as she accepts it. 

"Some of the best growing green horns are the most humble." Ren smiles confidently.

"Tell the commander i said thank you." Lydia says bowing her head down low.

"Will do. You did an excellent job slaying Savage." The lieutenant remarks on his way off. 

"Savage?" Lydia questions unfamiliar with the name. 

"Yes that's the nickname the locals have given that bear, it's been a thorn in our side for quite some time but we've been too busy handling the three families spread to be able to dedicate the manpower to subdue that beast." He says explaining the beasts exploits and irritation to the locals.

"I didn't know it was famous." Lydia stutters as she grows paler from the level of threat the 4 of them just survived.

"Oh yes very, that's exactly why the commander is willing to pay you out so much." He says as if this was common knowledge already.

"R…right….I understand." Lydia replies as her eyes begin to swirl from the immense reward.

'This must be the first time she's ever seen any kind of big money in her life, well now mine too I guess.' Ren ponders to himself seeing the gains they have now acquired.