[21.10] Saved by a Rose

Thick rose bushes shot up from the ground, closing me in. The Shadow puppets tried to cut down the giant rosebush, but it was far too strong.

My body was flipped over as someone small held me in their arms.

I could feel his panic and desperation as he trembled.

My eyes forcefully fluttered open to see the tearful expression of Felix as he cried. He sobbed, "Reika! H-Hold on! I-I will help you!!"

I smiled faintly.

This boy only knows how to cry.

Stupid boy.

Why would you be so desperate to help a worthless person like me?

My vision went dark as my soul was freed from the overwhelming pain in my body.

There was absolutely nothing around me.

Only darkness.

In the darkness, flames slowly erupted all around me and danced as if teasing me.

I can't breathe.

The fire suddenly shot into my chest, bringing forth horrific pain.

I'm burning from the inside!!

I grabbed at my stomach to rip it out, but it only spread across my body using my veins as transport.

I let out a blood-curdling scream and scratched at my veins.

My eyes shot open as I sucked in a large breath.

The darkness is gone.

Felix leaned over me with a pale expression as his skin slowly turned to an unhealthy grey.

He strained to smile, "It… It worked."

I weakly forced out my voice, "You… You saved me?"

He smiled feebly, "I can't let you die, Reika… You… You are special to me…"

My eyes fluttered closed and I fell into a deep sleep.

Down below, Cyrus suddenly opened his eyes to find himself miraculously healed.

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(author's note: this is from no one's point of view.)

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Felix raised his pale face to look at Hazel who was also taking refuge in an earthen barrier made with his sister's magic.

Priscilla was somewhere outside, but he wasn't concerned about that at the moment.

He pushed Reika's body into Hazel's arms, "Quick. Take her to the Headmaster."

Hazel made a face, "I-I can't! She's too heavy!! I can't possibly carry her!"

His stare harshened uncharacteristically, "Don't waste your breath lying to me. You really think I don't know?"

Hazel dropped her pitiful and meek facade immediately. She clicked her tongue and stood up. She threw Reika over her shoulder as if she was lighter than air.

She looked down at Felix with a frown, "Fine. But I'm only doing this because I like Reika. NOT because you told me to."

He rolled his eyes, "I really don't care. Just make sure she doesn't get hurt."

He pulled apart the bush to create an opening in the back.

As she left through the exit, she spat out, "I don't need you to tell me that."

He ignored her and turned his attention to Zephyr who was still fighting. He shouted, "Zephyr! Lead them away!"

Zephyr let out a grunt and continued to fight while going in the opposite direction. Once it was safe and he was alone, Felix forced himself to stumble forward and out of the rose bush.

His legs gave out, causing him to fall against a tree. He gasped for air as his face turned an unnatural grey.

He slid down the tree and called out weakly, "Root…"

The small plant popped out of his pocket and tugged on his hand.

He picked it up, his face pinching together from the effort.

He forced out a smile, "Forgive me, my little friend."

Root tilted its leaves in confusion.

Suddenly, Felix shoved it into his mouth, forcing himself to swallow the small plant as it fought to escape.

However, the root could not escape being swallowed whole.

Felix let out a sigh as the color returned to his face, "Don't worry, my little friend. I can always plant another one of you again."