Duel of the Healers

Ru detected a scent. It was a fragrance akin to hay—dusty yet sweet—that evoked the nostalgic aroma of old book pages. As he gradually opened his eyes, he found himself enveloped in a serene darkness. He lay on his back on a spacious bed, beneath a high ceiling adorned with a crystal chandelier.

Turning his head to the right, he saw the high and wide balcony door hidden behind the tulle curtains. It was overcast and partly dark. A stiff wind was blowing outside, judging by the movement in the branches of the pine trees.

"Where am I?" Ru asked himself, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. His eyes closed involuntarily, but he forced them open again. An IV stand stood beside the bed, a cord tied to his wrist.

The pain in his head reminded him of the harsh reality he had thought was a dream, "That vampire, he must have beaten me badly." Frustration gnawed at him as he clenched his teeth.

Claude Leblanc stepped into the room with a quiet grace, his pastel-toned outfit perfectly complementing his soft, ethereal appearance. He wore a light lavender sweater that draped gently over his slender frame, paired with cream-colored trousers that tapered neatly at his ankles. A pale mint scarf was loosely wrapped around his neck, adding a touch of casual elegance. His shoes were a muted blush tone, completing the ensemble with a subtle pop of color.

His blue and purple eyes, reminiscent of a twilight sky, surveyed the room before resting on Ru with a soft, caring expression.

"Oh, so you're finally awake. How are you feeling?" Claude asked, his voice laced with a soothing melody.

"Shitty," Ru replied, frowning.

Claude pulled up a chair and sat down beside Ru's bed. "You can talk without swearing," he said gently.

"You know, I lost two people I loved simultaneously," Ru said sadly. Despite his wet eyes, a flicker of hope appeared. "Can you tell me that 'you hallucinated'?"

"Lirui, I sincerely apologize. I wish I could say otherwise," Claude sighed.

"I just want to make sure that Vaelan and Clockmaker are okay," Ru said, his eyes welling up with tears.

"I understand how you feel," Claude said sincerely.

"Then go and resurrect them. Because you are not human, you can do it," Ru said, wiping away his tears and sitting up in bed.

"Oh Lirui, please don't talk as if I'm an angel. Trust me, I wish I could do what you say." Claude's voice held a hint of sadness and frustration.

"How do you know if it isn't? Have you ever seen your aura? I see that you are shining. You might even be able to perform a miracle," Ru said, grabbing Claude by the collar.

"Please don't do this to me, Lirui," Claude pleaded. His face was trembling as he struggled to hide his emotions.

Ru stared at Claude and pulled him towards him. Then he brought his lips closer to Claude's. There was just a breath's distance between them now.

"Lirui..." Claude began, his voice muffled as he took a few quick breaths.

Ru suddenly pushed him away. "You're useless."

Claude immediately stood up from the chair and turned his back to Ru.

For a while, there was no sound in the room except for rapid breathing and slight whimpers.

Then the howling of the wind outside dominated the room. Claude, who seemed to be interested in the books and objects on the shelves for a few minutes, turned his attention back to Ru.

"Your condition is stable. Are you in pain?" Claude said, his voice calm.

"Yes, it would be great if you could give me some painkillers. Even, give me something so strong that I can get up right away," Ru said, shaking with sadness.

Claude opened the bag he'd left on the coffee table to find the right medicine when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," he said.

Claude was preparing an injection when the door opened. The person who came was Anaxarete.

"Hi, boys! I hope I'm not disturbing you," she said, looking through the door at the situation inside.

Claude's disdainful gaze conveyed everything. No need for words!

As Anaxarete walked by him, she gave a little shrug and said, "Pfft."

She walked to the center of the room and stopped at the edge of Ru's bed. "How are you?" she asked.

Ru was a bundle of emotions mixed with anger. "How did you expect to find me, witch?" he hissed.

Anaxarete hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a calm voice. "The same way I found you. Wounded."

"If you weren't in my life, maybe I wouldn't be in this situation," Ru said. Anger, pain, and confusion clouded his expression.

"Maybe it's true," Anaxarete said quietly, looking at Ru. Immediately afterward, she attempted to light a cigarette.

But Claude stopped her, "Please, don't smoke here."

Anaxarete looked up and down, saying, "So be it."

"This is a vitamin cocktail," Claude said, adding the injection to the serum.

"These industrial drugs are no match for my elixirs," Anaxarete said.

"I'm sorry, but your elixirs are completely outdated," Claude said.

"Excuse me. Who in history developed these medicines? The healer woman you burned at the stake," Anaxarete said.

"I hear there will be a witch hunter in the house. Be careful," Claude said.

"The place we will be transferred to is not a house but a castle," Anaxarete stated.

"Wrong. It is a château," Claude declared.

"Wait a minute. How long have you two known each other to argue like this?" Ru asked.

"Honey, this gentleman and I just met, but we didn't get along very well," Anaxarete responded.

"Yes, Lirui. Unfortunately, I met Miss Anaxarete at this manor, and I'm not happy with this situation," Claude said.

"Do you mean this manor? So we're in a manor?" Ru asked in confusion.

"Oh, my poor boy. Frankly, this doctor's treatment has been a complete failure. It seems your perception of time and space is still distorted," Anaxarete said haughtily.

"Can't this be the fault of someone who introduced herself as his aunt?" Claude snapped.

"You two, stop it," Ru shouted. Then he struggled to sit up.

Claude adjusted his pillow and helped him sit down. Anaxarete handed him a cigarette.

"He shouldn't smoke," Claude said sternly.

"I don't need to debate this because I need to smoke," Ru said, taking the cigarette and making a lighting gesture. Anaxarete lit his cigarette, and Ru took a puff and started talking. "Now, tell me. What's this manor thing? Why am I here, and why are you with me?"

"I was invited to the show, so I'm here. I heard you were here, so I came by," Anaxarete said.

"What about you, Claude? How did you get here?" Ru asked.

Claude opened one of the windows against the cigarette smoke, sat on one of the armchairs away from the bed, and began to explain. "On my way to the location you sent me to, I saw a man in a long black leather jacket suddenly appear before me. I tried to brake, but I couldn't stop in time. I was pretty sure I'd hit him. Even when I blinked, the man was still sitting next to me in the car when I opened them.

He said he'd pick me up for the show. And he also said, 'Don't worry, Ru and Vaelan will be there.'

When I said 'Ok,' he said, 'Leave the steering wheel to me.'

As I got up, he grabbed me and said, 'Relax, I'm not kidnapping you... I'm just taking you to one of the manors where the players gather.'

In three seconds flat, the car must have turned into a spaceship. We flew quickly and teleported."

Ru got hopeful once again. "Maybe this mysterious man found Vaelan and took him with him."

Anaxarete put a hand on Ru's shoulder. "It must have happened, my dear. Don't worry. After all, Vaelan is haunted. He won't die that easily."

"Well, you got it." Ru was smoking and thinking. He had many questions in his mind. But he put his curiosity aside for now. He looked at Anaxarete, sitting on the edge of the bed, and said, "So you didn't decline the invitation. I hope you support me inside."

"Of course, honey. I'd love to help you," Anaxarete said.

Ru put out his cigarette. "I will support you, if I remember, of course."

Meanwhile, Claude interjected, "You can start by showing Lirui your game card."

"That's a good idea," Ru said enthusiastically.

"Oh, my pancake, it's just a card, that's all," Anaxarete said, stroking Ru's leg.

Claude immediately stood up. "That's what she did to me. She tried to seduce me, and I said, 'You don't have to do that; let's show each other our cards.' She said, 'That's okay,' too. So I showed her and..."

"Oh, dear, that's your problem," Anaxarete said, getting up from bed slowly. "I didn't force you to show me your card, remember?"

"Okay," Ru said and extended his hand towards Anaxarete. "You don't have to show him, but you can show me."

Anaxarete looked back and said, "Later, honey, while he's gone," and moved towards the door.

"She'll never show her card," Claude insisted.

Anaxarete shrugged, saying, "Bye, Lirui and you, Mr. Pathogen," and then closed the door.

Claude exhibited nervousness and confusion. "Pathogen? Me?"

"If she doesn't show it, I'll take care of it," Ru thought, grinning and looking around.

"What are you looking for?" Claude asked.

"Any animal or insect. Because, you know, witches can see with the eyes of animals and hear with their ears," Ru said.

"Frankly, they were told that it was impossible to cast spells and use special abilities in the manor," Claude said, glancing around the room.

"Who do you mean by them?" Ru asked.

"I'm talking about your alien friends who travel between dimensions," Claude said while searching the room.

Ru asked suddenly, "Did I offend you?"

"Not really," Claude said reluctantly.

"I'm sorry for taking my anger out on you," Ru said softly.

"What you did is normal. Besides, that's not the issue," Claude said, turning to face him.

"Then what's the problem?" Ru asked, staring at him.

"Your psychiatrist," Claude said, smiling.

"Oh, you're right. It's high time we fired that doctor," Ru said, returning the smile.

"Do it then," Claude murmured as he turned away timidly.

"But he needs to remove the IV first," Ru said.

"Of course," Claude said and walked towards the bed.