Blaze's heart was racing in his chest. When he looked at Cloudy, the last glow of nine colors from his fur was dimming. Cloudy looked senile. He wasn't like that even when Blaze first met him, when he was getting beaten by those bullies. When Cloudy was unconscious, they could feel the magic from earlier dimming. Blaze's hands were trembling. He was scared. What happened to Cloudy? With those trembling hands, Blaze gently cradled Cloudy. He could feel Cloudy's heartbeats and the familiar warmth of his companion—though it now felt subdued. The vibrant energy that he had known was absent.
Blaze couldn't stop his hands from trembling. "Dad? What happened to him? Why is he unconscious?" He asked. Ignis could feel that he was shocked just from his voice.
Ignis sighed. He went ahead to Blaze and put one of his arms on Blaze's shoulder. "There is no need to worry. It was all planned. And it will be great if it is a success. The artifact absorbed all of Cloudy's mana. That's the reason for his collapse. Right now, he's completely drained of mana." Ignis calmly explained everything to Blaze.
Blaze's eyes widened. "So... is he going to be okay?" He asked Ignis with cautious eyes.
Ignis nodded. "It's not a major problem," he assured Blaze. "His body just needs time to recover. After a day or two of rest, he should return to his usual self. So that won't be a problem."
Blaze let out a relieved sigh. He was happy to hear that. But then, his mind crossed with a question. And he asked, "But why did you put him through this in the first place?" His voice seemed concerned. " And you said it was also in your plan. What is this plan anyway?"
Ignis looked toward Blaze. "You saw that Cloudy couldn't use magic. That was because Cloudy's mana flow had been disrupted," he replied. His eyes were reflecting a profound understanding. "It's been that way since the day you found him. The artifact was specifically designed to cleanse those disruptions by forcibly expelling all of his mana. It allows his body's mana flow to reset and then heal itself. If we hadn't done it, soon, Clowdy would experience many more problems for the mana inflammation that will cause the overflow of mana. Magic beasts generate a lot of mana. So if they don't use it, it starts to accumulate in its body's mana flow."
Blaze's breath caught in his throat, shock flickering across his features. "You mean... this was all necessary?"
Ignis smiled faintly, a glimmer of pride in his expression. "That's right. Not only that, once he recovers fully, Cloudy will be able to harness magic—just like any other doid."
Blaze was happy to hear what his Dad said. He always knew that Cloudy was not like any other doids. And now, he can use magic. "He can use magic? Like any other doids?" Blaze said with teary eyes. He was looking happy.
"So, try not to worry too much," Ignis continued with his voice soothing yet authoritative. "What we did was necessary. In time, you'll see the incredible results."
Blaze swallowed hard, steeling himself against the flood of feelings swelling within him. "Alright... I trust you, Dad." His voice was firm and unwavering. His father is a man of one word. So, if his father said that, he would believe it without any hesitation or doubt.
Ignis ruffled Blaze's hair playfully, a teasing smirk breaking through the earlier tension. "Good. That's what I like to hear."
Lili and Mili, who had been standing silently nearby, finally broke their silence. "We should take him home. It'll be alright if he rests in a comfortable place." Lili spoke up. Her voice wavered a little.
Mili nodded in agreement, her commitment evident. "I'll make his place more comfortable." She went ahead, saying that to make what she offered.
With quiet determination, Blaze carefully lifted Cloudy into his arms, feeling the rhythmic rise and fall of his friend's breathing—a small but significant reminder that he was alive. Despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily on him, the warmth radiating from Cloudy brought him comfort.
After that, they made their way to their home together. The most comfortable place. The remnants of the magic were still circling in the air. Tonight had irrevocably changed everything. And soon, Cloudy would awaken to a new beginning, filled with possibilities they had only dared to dream about.
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The next morning, Blaze woke up before dawn. He stretched his sore muscles. They were wincing slightly as he sat up. He looked weary. It was obvious after what happened last night. The sky was still painted with blue and violet.
"Another day, another step closer," he murmured to himself. He was still rubbing his eyes, and a flash remembered everything about last night.
Despite the exhaustion, he remembered Cloudy. His loyal companion had experienced a surge of mana last night, and Blaze was worried about him. Was he really okay?
"I need to check on him," he decided. So, he went ahead to see Cloudy. "He is still sleeping. Looks like he hasn't recovered yet. Okay, it's training time."
Blaze went to the riverside. Back to his regular routine. When he reached the river, he saw the tubs. They were shining for the rays of the sun. He took those and—start!
He started to fill the pond with those tubs by taking water from the river. He looked exhausted, but he didn't stop. His muscles seemed to be soring again.
The sun was going up. Then a sudden voice. Someone or something was coming.
Then, Ris came out from the deep forest. "You are hurting yourself again, Blaze. Can't you be a little more careful about yourself?" She cried out but with a soft voice.
Blaze paused, panting heavily. "Good morning, Ris. Yeah, I have to. Can't slack off now. If I slack off now, then all my efforts will drown with the rest."
She frowned slightly. Her eyes were scanning the fresh scrapes and bruises on his arms and legs. "You're overdoing it again."
"Okay, I know I can't stop you, but I can at least heal you. Sit down for a moment."
Ris seems freer than the last time. So Blaze was happy.
Without waiting for his response, she knelt beside him. She placed her hands gently over his injuries and—
"By the light of renewal, mend what is torn—Healing Touch," she whispered.
The familiar green light covered him again. The warmth of the light was casting away the pain and tiredness from his body. All the bruises were beginning to melt away like they had never been in his body.
"Thanks again, Ris. You're a lifesaver." Blaze gave out a relieved sigh. "I can work harder now."
Ris smiled shyly, blushing. "It's nothing. You should take better care of yourself, though."
Blaze chuckled, rolling his shoulders. "I'll try. Okay then, back to training."
Ris sighed but didn't argue. She walked over to the edge of the pond. Then she sat down, pulling her knees to her chest. She looked happy watching him work.
For the next few hours, Blaze continued his grueling routine. Every twenty laps or so, Ris would heal him, shaking her head at his stubbornness but not stopping him.
Then, suddenly—
Thud!
Something fell from the sky! It wasn't far from them, where it crashed.
Startled! Ris and Blaze turned toward the source of the sound. They went ahead. A small, yellow creature. It looked like a yellow rabbit. It was lying on the ground full of grass.
"A scrabbit?!" Blaze muttered. He approached it cautiously. The rabbit-like creature had long ears, soft golden fur, and distinctively sharp front claws. Those claws were extended. That means it was scared about something. Also, it's badly hurt.
"Looks like it's unconscious. Something bad must have happened."
Blaze crouched beside it. He noticed something dark crimson seeping into its fur. "It's hurt, badly."
Ris rushed over to the spot. "It won't survive if we don't stop the bleeding." She looked concerned about that scrabbit. She placed her hands gently over the scrabbit's wound.
"By the light of renewal, mend what is torn—Healing Touch."
As she cast the magic, the familiar green light enveloped the tiny scrabbit. Its wounds started to disappear, and its breath became normal.
Blaze was holding his breath, though he didn't know. "Good job, Ris. That should keep it alive."
Just as he was about to lift the creature, its eyes fluttered open.
A sharp hiss escaped the scrabbit's tiny mouth as it sprang up in alarm. Its long front claws gleamed in the sunlight, fully extended as it lashed out—straight at Blaze!
Blaze couldn't react at the exact time. But he quickly stepped back and successfully avoided a deep cut. Still, he got some stings in his arm.
"Whoa, calm down, little guy!" he said. He was holding up his hands to show he meant no harm.
The scrabbit was still weak but fueled by fear. It crouched low like it was ready to attack again. Its ears twitched, eyes darting between Blaze and Ris, searching for an escape.
Ris gasped. "Blaze, be careful! It thinks we're enemies!"
Blaze, however, remained calm. He knelt slowly and lowered himself to the level of the scared scrabbit.
"It's okay, it's okay," he said softly. "You were hurt, and we just helped you."
The scrabbit hesitated. The scrabbit's nose was twitching when it sniffed the air. Blaze extended a hand with his palm facing up. It was to show that he had no intention to harm it.
"Don't worry. You're safe now. For a long moment, the scrabbit remained tense. Then, its claw went in like it was relaxed. But it was still a little cautious about Blaze.
Ris let out a relieved sigh. "You handled that well."
Blaze grinned. "It was nothing. It was scared, so it just needed some reassurance." He gently picked up that scrabbit and set it down in the grass where it could rest.
The little creature looked up at them. And its nose twitched before it finally relaxed.
Blaze wiped his forehead. "Well, that was unexpected." He chuckled.
Ris giggled. "You seem to have a way with animals, too, Blaze."
Blaze smiled. "I guess so. Now, I should get back to work, too."
As he stood up and reached for the tubs again. Ris watched over that scrabbit. His eyes were gleaming with inspiration for training.
But then, somewhere in the distance, Cloudy howled. A sound that sent a chill down Blaze's spine.
"Cloudy?"
Blaze's breath hitched. A howl echoed through the forest. It was like Cloudy was the one who cried out. His heart raced in his chest. It was pounding like a drum in his chest and alerting him that something was terribly wrong.
Without a moment's hesitation, he dashed toward the source of the sound. The sun was casting elongated shadows that danced across the leaf-strewn forest floor. But there was no time to slow down. He sprinted to see if Cloudy was okay. What's going on? What happened.
He finally reached the clearing. His eyes widened in shock. There they stood—the same trio of bullies who had tormented him the day he first found Cloudy. He remembered everything as if he could see what happened that day with his very eyes. How they mockingly laughed, how they beat up Blaze, how he was no match for them. He was feeling pathetic. Then, thanks to Uncle Rock. He came and saved him. But today, there was no one who could help them and save them from that trio. Blaze was sweating from just their presence.
In the middle of the clearing, Cloudy was standing. He was facing those bullies. When Blaze came, he didn't know what to do. How can he save Clowdy?
Fear coursed through Cloudy. It was indicated by his horn turning a pale, almost sickly yellow,. But Cloudy remained steadfast. He was determined to withstand the intimidation of his adversaries. Cloudy's determination didn't waver even for a little bit.
The sight of Cloudy sent a rush of pride through Blaze. But yet, a gnawing sense of dread twisted in his stomach. He could hardly believe the nerve it took to confront the bully pack again, but he knew he had to step in. He was thinking how to save Cloudy.
"Think, think, think, think, think. What can I do to save Cloudy? I've got to do something. Or they will hurt him again. I can't let that happen."
...
"It's no good. I don't have time to think. I have to save Cloudy. I have to go."
"Hey, you guys!" he called out. He couldn't wait any longer. He was super worried about Cloudy.
Each step he took felt heavier. But he pushed through the fear and was driven by an undeniable sense of duty to help his friend.
"I have to do something.''
"What are you guys doing here? Why are you bullying him again? He is not a stray anymore. So you don't have any right to touch him." Blaze demanded while locking eyes with the leader of the group.
The boss came out with a cruel glint in his eyes. Eyes that suggested malice. He recognized Blaze. And a wicked grin!
"Oh, it's you again," he sneered. His voice was dripping with mockery.
The other bullies snickered. They laughed like a cruel soundtrack was going through the place.
"You remember that day, don't you? That damn fart saved you," the leader taunted. He went ahead toward Blaze.
"But what'll you do now? He won't come here to save you, you weak shit."
He cracked his knuckles loudly. It was heard like a warning that sent shivers down Blaze's spine.
"Boys, let's have some fun. Hahaha!" he cackled. His lackeys also joined his laugh. "Kekekekek." "Kukukukuk."
The bullies advanced toward him, and Blaze braced himself for the worst. He was summoning every ounce of the courage he had left.
The leader lunged forward suddenly, fist drawn back and aimed directly at Blaze's face. A primal instinct to protect himself was kicking in. Then—
Woof! Woof!
Cloudy barked fiercely. His voice was sharp with urgency to protect Blaze. He positioned himself protectively between Blaze and the impending threat. His fur stood on end, and a livid defiance was radiating from his posture. He was ready to defend his friend with fierce loyalty, no matter what.
The bullies erupted into cackles of amusement. Their laughing sound broke through the clearing.
"Huh? So your dog's gonna defend you? huhhahhahhhh"
Blaze's hands clenched into fists at his sides. His knuckles turned white. His legs felt heavy. And his breath was uneven. The memories of his last encounter with these bullies clawed at his mind. It was whispering doubt into his ears.
"You're weak."
"You couldn't even fight back last time."
"You'll lose again."
His heart pounded violently. The weight of fear pressed down on him. He wanted to run. Every instinct screamed at him to step back, to avoid the pain and to avoid the humiliation.
While he was thinking that, he felt like he was seeing his old self. His past came to him and whispered in his ears with a scary voice, "What are you doing here? What are you doing here? Run. Run away... Run for your life. You can't win against them. You can never—" Everything he heard, he felt like it was repeating. They were repeating in his head hundreds of times. "Run. Run away now. Cloudy can manage by himselt. Even if that beast dies, who cares? He is just another magic beast. You can find tons of them in those friendly dungeons. So, run. Leave that doid."
R—U—N
"Run?" Blaze whispered to himself. He was in despair: what to do? What can he do? Should he run away? Is there someone who will come to save them?