Gone but not Forgotten

"Aaargh! The pain... it's unbearable!"

"Hold on. I'm here to help. Just try to stay still."

"I can't... it hurts too much!"

"I know, but I need you to trust me. I'll do everything I can to ease your pain."

"Please... hurry..."

Ayira stirred from her sleep, her mind foggy as she tried to make sense of the commotion echoing through the tower. Rubbing her eyes, she groggily rose from her bed, the urgency in the air rousing her from her slumber.

Opening her bedroom door, she was met with the sight of Lucius, his expression mirroring her confusion.

"What's happening?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

"I don't know," Lucius replied, his tone tense as he glanced toward the source of the disturbance.

With a knowing glance, The two descended the stairs together, their footsteps quickening with each step as they approached the scene below.

As they reached the lower levels of the tower, their hearts sank at the sight before them: a group of injured soldiers, their bodies battered and bloodied, lay scattered across the floor.

"I'm working as quickly as I can. Just breathe deeply and try to relax."

"It feels like... my leg's on fire..."

"I understand, but I need you to remain calm. This won't take much longer."

"I'm trying...

Ayira's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in shock and horror. After understanding what was happening, she became anxious for the reason her father was not in the crowd. 

As Ayira's eyes darted around the room, panic clawed at her chest. She felt a heavy weight of guilt settles in her stomach, knowing that this chaos was the result of her reckless actions. With each step she took, her heart pounded in her ears, her mind racing with worry for her father's safety.

"Father! Father, where are you?" she called out, her voice trembling with fear as she pushed through the throng of injured soldiers.

Her eyes scanned the room frantically, searching for any sign of him amidst the chaos, tears blurred her vision as she imagined the worst possible outcomes.

But then, a gentle touch on her shoulder caused her to startle. She turned to see her father standing before her, his familiar smile lighting up his face.

Relief flooded through her as she threw herself into his arms, her tears flowing freely now as she clung to him tightly.

"Dad, I thought you were..." her voice trailed off, unable to voice the fear that had gripped her heart.

Themis held her close, his embrace warm and reassuring.

"I'm here, my princess," he murmured.

"I'm okay."

she pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his face for any signs of injury. When she found none, a mixture of relief and disbelief washed over her.

"But... how?" she managed to choke out, her voice still trembling with emotion.

Themis chuckled softly, brushing a stray tear from her cheek.

"I went to see Damayanti, and he healed me," he explained, his smile warm and reassuring.

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

Ayira buried her face in his chest, overcome with relief.

"I'm just so glad you're okay," she whispered, her voice muffled against his shirt.

Themis hugged her tightly, his heart swelling with love for his daughter. Then, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he teased her gently.

"Now, prepare 1000 words explaining why you and Lucius sneak out," he began, his tone playful as he raised an eyebrow at her.

"That's... a lot" she pouted. 

Meanwhile, Lucius, who had been left behind by Ayira, stood among the crowd. His eyes expanded, and relief was written on his face as he spotted Avra and Zagan walking inside the tower. But as he rushes toward them, he notices how sad and melancholy their demeanor is as if something terrible happened.

"What happened?" he asked as he scanned their faces for any clues.

"Is Adira with you? Where she is, is she injured or... " he stated as he looked around for her, but before he could go any farther, Avra reached out and placed a soothing hand on his shoulder.

"She is fine," she reassured him.

"What about Captain, where is he? I can't see him," he inquired, noting Mike's absence. 

Avra halted and exchanged a glance with Zagan. The two remained silent, making Lucius look bewildered and anxious. He then looked at Zagan, who simply avoided his eyes and looked down. 

"Don't tell me..."

"Captain... he's... he's gone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as tears welled up in her eyes.

Lucius felt as though the world had dropped out from beneath him at her words. Captain, the man who had been like a father to him, was gone?

It couldn't be true...

He looked to Zagan, hoping for some reassurance, but his gaze was fixed on the ground, his expression unreadable.

"Gone? What do you mean? Where is he?" He stated, not wanting to accept the heartbreaking news. 

"We were ambushed, Captain... he didn't make it."

"What do you mean... Mike's gone?" 

Ayira stood behind them, her heart pounding with disbelief as she processed the devastating news.

"He can't... he can't just be gone like that," she murmured, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Avra's own tears began to flow freely as she met Ayira's gaze. 

Zagan, who had been standing quietly beside Avra, felt a lump form in his throat as he struggled to maintain his composure. He glanced down, unable to meet Ayira's gaze, as tears welled in his eyes.

As Ayira's sobs echoed through the room, she sank to her knees, overwhelmed by the weight of her grief.

"It's my fault," she cried, her voice raw with anguish.

"All of this... it's all my fault."

Avra rushed to her side, wrapping her arms around the distraught girl as she wept.

"No," she murmured, her tears mingling with Ayira's.

"It's not your fault. None of this is."

But Ayira shook her head, her tears flowing freely as she clung to Avra.

"I should have... I should have done something," she sobbed.

"I should have been there..." she remarked, her guilt consumed her, her heart heavy with regret.

As her cries filled the room, Avra and Lucius held her close, offering what comfort they could.

In the distance, Themis and Damayanti stood together in somber silence, their hearts heavy with grief as they watched Ayira, Avra, Lucius, and Zagan mourn Mike's passing.

As they observed the scene before them, Themis turned to Damayanti with a heavy sigh.

"Can Mike be cured?" he asked, his voice laced with sadness.

Damayanti considered the question carefully before responding.

"It depends on Mike's body condition," he explained.

"I will need to examine him to determine if there is any hope."

Nodding solemnly, Themis gestured for Damayanti to lead the way. Together, they made their way to a chamber known as the room for the deceased—a place reserved for those who had passed on.

Entering the chamber, Themis felt a pang of sorrow wash over him as he laid eyes on Mike's covered body. Approaching the makeshift altar where Mike lay, Damayanti gently began to uncover the white cloth that shrouded him.

With steady hands, Damayanti revealed Mike's lifeless form, his features peaceful in repose. Moving closer, he reached out to touch Mike's wrist, his fingers searching for any sign of life.

Closing his eyes in concentration, Damayanti focused intently, his senses attuned to the faintest of vibrations. For a long moment, there was silence as he searched for a pulse—a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of loss.

[...]

As Adira sat on the bed, her body aching from the injuries sustained during the recent battle, the room enveloped her in a heavy silence. 

She felt lost, adrift in a sea of despair, her thoughts consumed by the events that had transpired.

The healer moved around her with gentle efficiency, tending to her wounds with practiced care. Despite their efforts, Adira felt as though her injuries were secondary to the pain that gnawed at her heart.

When the mages completed her healing, she excused herself to Adira. Adira remained still, appearing like a statue.

Alone in the room, her tears flowed freely, each one a silent testament to the pain she carried within her heart. 

"Mike... our captain..."

Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She felt as though a piece of her had been torn away, leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill.

Memories of happier times flooded her mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of the bond she shared with Mike and the rest of their comrades. She recalled their shared laughter, their moments of triumph, and the unwavering support they had shown one another in times of need.

"How many people need to perish for my sake?" she stated, her gaze fixed on the wall across from her.

"...He was more than just our captain," she murmured.

Healing would take time but the wounds left behind by Mike's passing would not easily mend.

The dimly lit room was filled with the sound of muffled sobs as Adira sat on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face unchecked, her hands clenched tightly in her lap as she struggled to contain the overwhelming grief.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Ayira rushed in, her own tears staining her cheeks, without a word, she threw herself into Adira's arms, wrapping them tightly around her friend's trembling form.

"Adi," she choked out between sobs.

"I'm so glad you're safe. I don't know what I would have done if... if..."

Her words trailed off into a choked sob as she held her close, offering what comfort she could.

"I'm here, I'm safe. You don't have to worry about me." Adira murmured as her tears mingled with Ayira's.

"Adi, I'm sorry..." she began.

 "Sorry? For what?"

"For everything that's happened. I wish things were different."

"But why are you sorry? It's not your fault..."

"None of this will happen if only I didn't sneak out that night..."

"Shh, it's okay. Don't blame yourself. Your father loves you dearly, and he only wanted to protect you."

"But because of that, Mike is gone..." she stated as she buried her face in Adira's shoulder, her tears soaking into the fabric of her shirt as she clung to her friend with desperate strength.