I closed my eyes and let out a shuddering breath. My fingers were numb and cold, my arm aching where the needle pierced the vein. Something clattered onto the pavement, and I looked down to see the needle. It had slipped out of my hand. Nothingness swirled around me, bringing the first sense of peace I'd felt in my short, miserable life. There was no one to miss me, and no one I would miss. There's always someone else to beat or rape. The regulars would move on quickly. I died. Only...wasn't death supposed to be dark? And since when did 'nothingness' have so many gods? Discord: https://discord.gg/PX3xqJdZMY
Early the next morning, I sat on the edge of my cot with my hands clasped in my lap. Elinore stood beside me, her eyes closed and hands on my shoulders. Soothing pulses of Life Magic flowed through her hands into my body, easing the ache of the Sunpurge and warming my soul. As her spell drew to a close, a shiver of pleasure trickled down my spine and tail, and I let out a contented sigh. In the weeks of travel, the Life Mage had made incredible advancements in her treatments, combining the special salve and her magic to wipe away almost all of the pain.
Gradually, the soft, green light faded and Elinore opened her eyes. She sagged in exhaustion, but let out a long, satisfied breath. The soothing comfort lingered after she stepped back, and a loose, dreamy smile fluttered across my face.
"Thank you," I breathed, "It feels…wonderful."