Jinn's vision darkened and blurred at the edges as each breath he took felt heavier than the last one. His ears began to ring and pound as if a large drum blasted near it.
His heart pounded within his chest as his knees began to turn weak—before buckling and yielding to exhaustion.
Jinn's body gave in to the fatigue—making him fall.
Yet with a subtle thud, someone caught his fall—their arms wrapping around Jinn's body before lowering him to their knees.
Jinn's eyes were slowly closing—yet he could see the person who was holding unto him.
It was Ophelia.
As far as when Jinn first met Ophelia, she was always a person that took care of everyone within their circle of friends.
From the injuries and scratches of Jinn for having a brawl with other children, or Kain tripping and landing face first to the floor—she was always there to look after them.
The warmth of her care and hands always felt soothing among the turmoil of stress and fatigue.
If anything, she seemed like a saint that was given to the group—to watch over them.
But no, she isn't a saint.
She simply just cared.
And for that, Jinn is eternally grateful to her.
"Ji... wa... up! ...Ji." Ophelia's word mumbled before fading into nothingness as Jinn's exhaustion took over him—making him fall unconscious.
As Jinn fell unconscious, one of his friends rushed over him—prompting the rest of his friends to follow forward.
"Lay him on the ground Ophelia!" exclaimed Hector before he grabbed the bundled cloth that Ophelia used to cover
Fangeryth, the sword that Ophelia threw towards Jinn.
Hector re-bundled the cloth before placing it at the floor to which Ophelia laid Jinn's head upon, acting as a makeshift pillow.
Following Hector, Vox kneeled near Jinn before placing his hand on Jinn's forehead.
"He's getting a fever." concern evident on his eyes.
"Ok—what the fuck do we do!?" Verhedyn exclaimed, raising his hands in frustration.
"I don't know—cast a hibby jibby spell or something!" Orin replied—frustration also evident on her face.
"Guys—calm down." Ophelia sighed as she placed her hand on Jinn's head—seemingly trying to elevate Jinn's fever.
As the friends gathered around Jinn, Venedix flicked her swords to the sides—removing the noble's blood, before walking towards Jinn—the heels from her boots clacked against the pavement.
Hector caught Venedix's movement at the corner of his eyes—which made him muster his courage to stand between her and Jinn.
"When will you be satisfied?" Hector questioned Venedix, brows furled in seriousness.
"You have burned our hometown, killed one of our friends—and now, you proceed to further torment Jinn. When is enough!?"
Hector's voice sliced through the stillness and silence of the area.
Compared to Jinn, Hector seemed nothing special but his conviction to protect his friend and to stand against Venedix made the nearby spectators be at awe.
Venedix glared at Hector, seemingly unsheathing her sword attached on her hip—yet before she could continue, she was intervened by a massive man that had scars all over his body.
It was Biyo.
"You should let those swords stay sheathed lass," said Biyo as his expressions hardened.
"Fortunately for me, the cold is on my side."
Biyo furrowed his brow as he sharpened his gaze towards Venedix.
Cold aura then began to emit from his chest—that wrapped his body whole—going rampant as if a cold storm was brewing.
Venedix began to place both of her hands at the hilts of her swords, seemingly tapping both with her index fingers.
"Whether it be in the boiling hot hell pits of Milivren or in the cruel cold at Emforkrost—I can still beat you, Titan." Venedix's eyes narrowed.
Biyo scoffed as held no fear—to the frost dragons at Skjöldheim or even the hordes of Mechrons, he faced them all fearless.
Yet as any warrior of Skjöldheim, he only had one fear.
Which was his mother.
"Try me." Biyo cracked both of his fits, the aura around him getting stronger—and colder.
"Damn that's cold!" Zendrell chuckled before turning to Venedix. "I mean literally."
"Tch!" Venedix clicked her tongue, as she released her hold upon the hilts of her sword—making Biyo release his aura as well.
"Mhm." replied Biyo as he crossed his arms.
Venedix sighed, "I have places to be." before turning to Zendrell.
"Bring Jinn to the house." said Venedix as she turned to walk away.
"And the rest of the children?" Zendrell replied as he glanced over Jinn's friends.
Venedix took a pause before shifting her eyes towards Jinn's friends. "Them too."
Zendrell then subtly nodded before turning to wink towards "Evakhell"
"You hear that warden!?" he exclaimed.
Evakhell narrowed her eyes before sighing, "Carry on."
She then pressed a button on the data pad attached on her arm that made Jinn and his friend's neck devices glow green.
Evakhell then raised four fingers. "Four days—take them back before the second ritual."
Venedix exhaled before turning away to unsheath her sword.
From horizontally and vertically, Venedix slashed the air with both of her swords, making it ripple with crimson red energy.
After a while, the crimson red energy widened until it came to what seemed to be a portal of some sorts—its energy cracking ominously.
"Wait—where are you going?" asked Zendrell.
Venedix glared at Zendrell, making him flinch—not of fear of course.
"If not for some idiotic barbarian like you—my audience with one of the warlords shouldn't have been interrupted."
"Woops." Zendrell replied as he shrugged.
"Hmph."
With a scoff, Venedix started to walk towards the portal she just made, her eyes glancing at Jinn before shifting back to Zendrell.
"Show them to Merilyn, she will know what to do with the others." said Venedix before she disappeared along with the portal.
"Phew."
Zendrell scratched his head, "Uhh... to Merilyn then." before walking towards Jinn.
"W-What are you doing?" Orin stuttered as she watched Zendrell approach Jinn.
"Calm down squirt."
Zendrel kneeled down on one knee to place his hand upon Jinn's body.
" Evkar in zerkain, Eidra Vok Vikain"
Zendrell started to chant in his native tongue as his hand crackled with crimson energy.
After a few seconds, Jinn started to breathe normally and his temperature lowered to normal—he is now stabilized.
Zendrell then lifted Jinn's body before turning his head towards Jinn's friends.
"Come—we head for House Sorellia."