Healing

  — "It... it's healed, but how is this possible?" — Hitory asked, confused, as his eyes lifted to meet Elyndra’s.

  Elyndra stared at him with an intrigued expression, her narrowed eyes reflecting skeptical curiosity.

  — "Only absolute magic or a ritual could do this," — she replied thoughtfully. Her lips pressed together slightly, revealing her concern.

  — "But I don’t know anyone with such power."

  Before Hitory could process her response, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. Tekime came running, still wearing only Hitory’s shirt and her undergarments, her hair disheveled and tears streaming down her face. Her expression was a mix of joy and irritation. She seemed completely unaware of her own state.

  — "Why didn’t you call me, Hitory?" — she said, her voice choked with emotion. Her eyes sparkled even more, now overflowing with tears.

  Hitory, caught off guard by the sudden outburst of emotions, took a step forward, confused.

  — "What’s wrong, Tekime?" — he asked gently, his voice filled with sincere concern.

  Tekime covered her face with her hands and sobbed loudly, trying to speak between hiccups.

  — "I thought you had left me," — she said, her voice breaking under the overwhelming emotions.

  Hitory’s eyes softened, and he didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward and pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her gently against his chest. He felt her trembling body as she cried and spoke in a reassuring tone:

  — "What did I promise you yesterday?" — he asked, his voice calm and filled with warmth.

  Tekime lifted her face, now showing a fragile smile between her tears. But then her eyes were drawn to Hitory’s arm. She widened her eyes upon noticing something unexpected.

  — "What? Your arm... it’s completely healed?" — she exclaimed, the surprise evident in her tone. Her tears momentarily stopped as she stared at his arm as if witnessing a miracle.

  Elyndra, with a serious expression, observed Tekime and Hitory, her gaze unsettling as she analyzed them.

  — "You two slept together, didn’t you?" — she questioned, her gaze a mix of seriousness and a hint of suspicion, her light eyes piercing through their interaction.

  Hitory, completely embarrassed, stepped back slightly, avoiding the mage’s eyes. His face flushed from a light red to a darker shade, a clear sign of his shame. He stammered, trying to hide his confusion:

  — "Yes, but we didn’t do anything..."

  The sense of guilt was evident, as if he was trying to justify something that wasn’t actually wrong.

  Elyndra continued, shifting her gaze to Tekime, and her next question carried the same intensity.

  — "Do you know how to use magic, Tekime?" — she observed carefully, as if searching for more than just a simple answer.

  Tekime, visibly flustered by the shift in conversation, didn’t know how to react. She blinked, trying to comprehend before replying simply:

  — "No, I was never taught..." — her voice was uncertain, lacking her usual confidence.

  Elyndra watched her for a moment, as if pondering their words and actions, before silently turning away and heading to her study with a thoughtful expression.

  In the room, Hitory and Tekime exchanged awkward glances before heading to the bathroom, where the young woman went to change. The soft morning light filtered through the window, illuminating the scene in a peaceful glow. When Tekime came out, still flustered, she asked, trying to understand what had really happened:

  — "Why do you think Elyndra asked those questions?"

  Hitory, with a smile, replied:

  — "No idea... maybe it has something to do with my arm being healed."

  His expression was doubtful but also curious. He looked at Tekime, his eyes shining with uncertainty.

  Tekime, trying to hide her own embarrassment, replied quickly:

  — "Maybe... but when she asked the first question, you turned completely red."

  She let out a nervous laugh, which didn’t do much to ease the tense atmosphere between them.

  Hitory, still smiling, shrugged and joked, though there was a hint of seriousness in his tone:

  — "Of course... you’re not helping either. You ran out of the room wearing only my shirt."

  His voice was soft, but there was humor in it, giving the tension between them a lighter tone, though not completely dissipating it.

  Tekime turned her face away, utterly embarrassed, trying to change the subject:

  — "Alright, alright, that doesn’t matter now, but I still don’t get why she asked if I could use magic."

  Meanwhile, in her study, Elyndra flipped through her ancient books, a concentrated expression on her face. The room was filled with soft light filtering through the window, and the sound of turning pages was the only noise in the air. Elyndra focused on the reading of the tomes, her fingers gliding over the words as she reflected on what she had just discovered.

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  — "Healing magic..." — she murmured to herself, her gaze sharp and attentive.

  Frustration grew as she read about magic that required the use of mana—something that Hitory’s body apparently could not accept. Elyndra let out a small sigh and muttered to herself:

  — "It’s useless... none of this helps."

  She dropped the book with an expression of dissatisfaction. What intrigued her now was a specific book she found after searching through several shelves, its title catching her attention: “Blessing of Aether: The Sacrifice of a Pure Soul.”

  Elyndra began reading more carefully, her eyes narrowing as she absorbed the words of the text.

  The story of Elara and the sacrifice of the Blessing of Aether unfolded like an enigma. Elyndra felt a slight unease as she read, understanding that the burden of this magic could have far greater implications than she had imagined.

  “Blessing of Aether: The Sacrifice of a Pure Soul”

  In the forgotten legends of Val?nia, it is told of an ancient ritual called the Blessing of Aether, a gift granted by the Goddess Lunaria, guardian of the balance between life and death. The magic was a rare blessing, given only to women of pure souls, whose hearts were free from resentment, greed, or selfish ambition.

  Lunaria was worshiped as the Goddess of renewal, an entity who watched over souls in transition. It was said that in times of great need, she would choose a single worthy woman to bear the burden of her blessing. This magic was more than just a gift; it was an act of sacrifice. By using the Blessing of Aether, the bearer would channel her life energy to heal those on the brink of death. Direct contact between her body and the injured person was necessary, creating a bond between the healer’s soul and that of the one she was saving.

  The ritual not only restored physical wounds but also removed curses and illnesses that corroded a person’s soul. However, the price was steep. Each time the Blessing of Aether was invoked, a part of the bearer’s energy was drained. This sacrifice left her weaker with every use, as if a fraction of her own life was offered in exchange for the healing she granted. While she could recover over time, continuous use could be fatal, making each decision a delicate balance between saving a life and preserving her own.

  In a small village surrounded by mountains, there lived Elara, a young woman with a kind heart. Since childhood, she had been known for her compassion, tirelessly caring for the sick and wounded. Her simple life changed one full moon night when a dream guided her to a shimmering lake deep within the forest.

  There, under the moon’s silver light, Lunaria appeared before her. The goddess, enveloped in an aura of light and serenity, spoke with a voice that seemed to echo through the stars.

  “Daughter of a pure soul, the world calls for your selfless heart. Bear the Blessing of Aether and be the cure where there is pain. But remember, every life you save will be a piece of your own existence offered in return.”

  Without hesitation, Elara accepted the burden. Lunaria touched her chest, leaving a silver mark that briefly glowed before vanishing—a sign that the magic was now part of her.

  The first time Elara used the Blessing of Aether was to save a gravely injured child during a bandit raid on the village. As she held the girl in her arms, she felt energy flow from her body. A bluish light enveloped them both, and the child’s wounds began to close as if time itself was reversing. When the healing was complete, Elara collapsed, exhausted, feeling as if a part of her had disappeared.

  In the following months, Elara became a symbol of hope. Wounded warriors, the terminally ill, and even the cursed sought her aid. Each healing was an act of love—but also of loss. Her hair began to turn white, and her once-radiant skin showed signs of premature aging. Yet, she never hesitated.

  Elara knew her life was nearing its end when she saved the son of a general who, in gratitude, vowed to protect the village. As the last blue light faded, she fell, but with a smile on her lips. Her final moments were peaceful, knowing she had fulfilled her purpose.

  It is said that the silver mark on her chest shone one last time before disappearing and that Lunaria took her soul to the heavens as a star, where she would watch over the world as a guardian.

  Today, the Blessing of Aether is still revered in chants and prayers, reminding everyone that the greatest power does not come from strength or destructive magic, but from the purity of a heart willing to sacrifice everything for the good of others.

  Deep in thought, Elyndra begins to connect the pieces. She sighs and murmurs:

  — "How did I not realize this before... Flame of édros... ‘The Mark of the Demon’..."

  Her expression darkens, and doubt grows within her.

  — "But it’s impossible that these two souls have crossed paths."

  She reflects but decides it’s best not to say anything to Hitory and Tekime just yet. For now, she wants to conduct a test. Elyndra picks up a book of ancient prayers, her fingers reverently touching the yellowed pages. She searches for the Prayer to the Goddess Lunaria and to édros, her gaze determined, as if seeking a key to unlocking the mysteries surrounding her.

  Elyndra approaches the room where Tekime rests on the bed, and Hitory stands on the balcony, enjoying the fresh morning breeze. She watches them both in silence for a moment before stepping forward and speaking in a more authoritative tone.

  — "Hitory, come here. I need both of you to sit on the bed."

  Her voice is calm but firm, conveying the importance of what is about to happen.

  Still confused, Hitory follows Elyndra’s instructions and sits, waiting for further explanation. Tension lingers in the air, but Elyndra’s presence seems to guide the situation with the composure of someone who knows exactly what they are doing.

  — "Now, I want you both to remove your upper garments."

  Her voice, now more serious, resonates through the room. Though both exchange glances, neither questions her request. Hitory, his face already flushed, looks away, avoiding direct eye contact with Tekime, his mind swirling in confusion and embarrassment.