With me—**Alve**—collapsed and unconscious,
King Leontius acted without hesitation.
"Dispatch all remaining knights and soldiers to the city—immediately!" he commanded.
Then to the palace guards, "Carry him carefully. And summon the healers—now!"
As I was carried through the bloodied halls of the palace, the King's voice trembled with a heavy weight.
"If possible… send word to the Oracle. Lady Saya. Tell her we need her at once."
The King walked behind, his eyes on my lifeless body.
"This foolish child…" he muttered to himself.
"Why did he push his body this far?"
Knights stormed out toward the gates, swords drawn and hearts ablaze,
While the palace healers gathered around me, chanting, trying to stabilize the damage.
Princess Maya stood close to her father, gripping his robe tightly.
"Father… will Alve be okay?" she asked softly.
"It's not a question," King Leontius replied without looking back.
"He **must** be okay. I won't let this child die... not after what he's done for us."
As Maya stood there, clutching his sleeve, her mind spiraled into memory.
_That stare..._
_The cold, determined look in his eyes when he faced the demon... and the golems..._
_He fought with everything he had, despite having no affinity for mana. No magic. Nothing._
_And we—born with it—could only watch and resist..._
Her thoughts raced.
_I'm sure Brother Edward is protecting Mother right now... and I… I should've protected Father too.
If someone like Alve can fight like that... then I must become stronger. I have to._
Her resolve hardened—just as the Oracle arrived.
Lady Saya entered the throne room, her flowing robes trailing behind her.
The air grew still. Sacred.
"Keep casting healing magic," she ordered the healers calmly, but with urgency.
She knelt beside me, placing her hands gently over mine.
"I'll need a moment to borrow the power of Goddess Glyss," she whispered.
Clasping her hands in silent prayer, her voice low and steady,
She began to chant.
A soft golden shimmer surrounded us, divine light blooming like a sunrise at dawn.
Then, she extended her hand—glowing—and laid it across my chest.
**Holy Blessing.**
Time slowed.
Seconds blurred into minutes.
The golden aura intensified, wrapping around my broken, ruined body.
The pale whiteness of my skin began to fade.
The blue-glowing veins shrunk back, the chaotic mana inside me began to settle.
Life returned to my face.
Finally, the Oracle exhaled deeply.
"I'm… out of mana," she gasped, her voice weak.
"But he's out of danger now. He needs rest.
Continue casting healing magic on him again after a few hours."
King Leontius stepped forward, relief washing over his face.
"Thank you, Lady Saya," he said with deep gratitude.
Then turning to a nearby guard, "Escort him to a room safely. Keep one healer with him at all times."
As the guards and healers gently lifted me away, Oracle Saya stood, her golden aura fading.
She looked up toward the ceiling of the grand throne room and whispered,
"I've done my part, Goddess Glyss."
And with that, the Oracle left the palace—
The blessing complete.