[44.4] Saved by a Frenemy

I let out a scream and covered my head.

Before I could get smushed, I felt a warm body envelope my own.

A sharp pain erupted across my back as I was knocked to the ground by the force. Once the trembling stopped, I groaned and forced my eyes open.

If I hadn't felt my eyes open, I would have assumed they were still closed.

I felt for my wand and noticed that the person who threw their body over me was still laying on top of me. I squinted in the darkness, "...Cyrus?"

He let out a muffled groan, "Rei…Ka…"

I panicked at the sound of his voice, "Are you okay!?"

"...Fine…"

"You don't sound fine!"

I managed to nudge him off of me slightly and pulled out my wand. I quickly illuminated it and was surprised to see vines covered with roses just above my head.

The only thing that prevented us from all being crushed alive was a protective barrier made of roses.

I've seen this before…

Haven't I?

I heard a pained whimper as I pondered it.

I shook my head to dispel my thoughts and looked around the small enclosed space. Priscilla was leaning over her Royal Magician who was covered in blood and wasn't breathing.

She whimpered as she held his hand, "W-Wake up… Please…"

Captain Lou lay face down, completely unconscious with a prominent head wound. Luckily, I could see that he was still breathing.

I looked back at Cyrus in a panic and saw he didn't look any better. Although he was awake, his eyes were glossy as he stared at me in a daze. His chest heaved up and down roughly, making a wheezing sound as he breathed.

I went to his side and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Where do you hurt?"

He winced, "Ribs… Shoulder…"

I grabbed at his shirt to pull it open, but he weakly held my hands and shook his head.

I spoke in a low voice, "I have to check your injuries."

He pleaded with me, "...Don't…"

I bit my lip but forced myself to ignore his pleas. I opened up his buttoned-up shirt and gasped in surprise.

Seared into the flesh of his chest, right over his heart, was a magic circle made up of ominous black runes.

I had never seen such a horrible thing before.

I felt his hand that was holding mine tighten.

I raised my eyes to see him staring at me with a vulnerable gaze.

I gulped down my questions and forced myself to look over his wounds. It was far worse than I thought.

Not only was his shoulder dislocated, but a nasty bruising was appearing under the side of his skin. I could see the ribs sticking out unnaturally.

My voice shook, "Y-You… Why did you protect me?"

He forced on a smile despite his pain, "Isn't it obvious? I can't watch you get hurt because I… I love you…"

"But-"

At the sight of his pitiful expression, I swallowed my words. I helped get him in a comfortable position and went over to Captain Lou to check out his condition. I sighed in relief once I saw he was breathing normally. Other than the head wound, he seemed to be in okay shape.

I turned to Priscilla who was beginning to sob. I prepared my wand, "Don't worry. I will get us out of here."

She looked at me in a panic, "No! You can't use your magic!"

I paused, "Why not?"

"Your mana is too powerful and this area is too unstable. You'll smash us if you try."

She's…

She's right.

I am completely unable to be delicate with my magic. It took me years just to be able to master my ice attribute. However, I still overdo it from time to time.

At that moment, I felt completely useless.

I couldn't react in time to make a barrier.

I couldn't use my magic to get us out of this terrible situation.

I couldn't even heal anyone.

I am completely useless.

My eyes stung as I clenched my fists, "...Then what should we do?"

She started sobbing louder, "I… I don't know!"

Cyrus reached out with his good hand to hold mine, "Just… Wait… Gonza… Aldrich… They'll all come to help…"

I gulped down my fear and moved back to Cyrus to sit next to him. I gently placed Cyrus's head onto my lap so he wouldn't have to lean on the rocks. I stroked his hair, "Yes… They'll come… They have to…"