From Real to Realm

Lynesia’s eyes slowly opened. It only took a few seconds to remember where she was. She raised her head from her crossed arms on the side of Val’s bed in the medical ward. The sun was beginning to crest the horizon in the distance. She never anticipated spending the night here, but she refused to leave Val’s side.

After Val finally lost consciousness, Aleksander scooped her up without hesitation. Lynesia was surprised to see him carry her to the medical ward without stopping. Looking back, it really contradicted how the man had been acting already. He was hard to read.

“Do you need anything, Miss?”

Lynesia glanced to the center walkway. One of the nurses was standing there with a tray in her hands. Val wasn’t the only one in the ward right now. Most beds were empty, but other injured adventurers were there, too. It must have been time for their usual walk-through of the ward.

“Some water would be nice.”

The nurse nodded, then quickly disappeared into the hallway.

Lynesia reached forward, gently grabbing Val’s hand. It was only yesterday that Val had collapsed in front of them.

Aleksander and Theoden stopped by a few hours after Val was placed in a bed. The two of them were still prickly with one another, but there was less bite to it this time. They seemed to be on the same page with what they thought was happening. Aleksander, with Theoden’s permission, used a spell on Val. Lynesia initially interfered, but Theoden assured her it was to check on Val’s condition and wouldn’t harm her. Afterward, the two of them excused themselves.

However, before Theoden left, he asked if there was anything he could do. Lynesia asked for a runner to be sent to the rest of their party. It only felt right to let everyone know about what Val was going through. Hopefully, with more friends nearby, she would eventually wake up with some smartass comment. Within the hour, everyone had rushed to check in on Val.

Amarisse tried to keep a strong appearance, but Lynesia knew better. It was obvious she was worried, even as she tried to stay strong. Mina was less worried about looking strong. Immediately, she was on the other side of the bed, holding Val’s other hand. It was one of the few times Lynesia ever saw her being so quiet. Cera was asking the nurses if there was anything she could do to help. Even though her level was much lower than theirs, she was still desperate to help in any way she could.

The biggest surprise was when Lucia stopped by not much later. Lynesia still remembered how panicked she looked. She struggled to understand what had happened. Only once everyone explained what the party had been through as a whole did she comprehend what was going on. She couldn’t believe someone had convinced Val to take another affinity test, especially considering the aftermath of the first one.

Lynesia’s hand squeezed a little tighter. “Please wake up, Val. I don’t think I can do this again…”

Not long after the nurse brought her something to drink, another nurse brought her breakfast.

“You can’t avoid eating just because you’re worried about her,” she said, setting the tray on the side table. “Try eating something, okay?”

Lynesia nodded. “I’ll try.”

The nurse gently squeezed her shoulder. “Stay strong for her.”

The double doors to the ward closed a few seconds later. The food smelled good, but she had little desire to eat. The image of Val collapsing was burned into her memory. It twisted her stomach into knots to think something like that was happening again. It was even worse to be forced to watch it happen all over again.

Creeeeak.

Lynesia glanced over her shoulder. Standing with her head peeking through the door was Mina. Their eyes locked onto one another. Slowly, Mina slipped into the room as if trying to stay as quiet as possible. In her hand was a bundle of flowers.

As she approached, she spoke up. “I guess you spent the night here?”

Lynesia nodded. “I’m scared to leave.”

Mina moved to the side table, gently slipping the flowers into the empty vase sitting there.

“The last time she collapsed, I went home thinking maybe she was just tired.” Lynesia sniffled. “The next day, she wouldn’t wake up.”

Mina sat on the opposite side of the bed. Her eyes roamed across Val, then settled onto Lynesia. “I can’t imagine how hard that was.”

Lynesia wiped the tears away, struggling to keep it together. “It feels like it’s happening again. What if she never wakes up?”

Mina thought for a few seconds. “Val wouldn’t let that happen.”

“I don’t think she has much say in the matter, Mina.”

Mina shook her head. “She’s going to kick her own ass when she realizes how much she’s worried everyone.”

Lynesia chuckled. “Oh yeah. I can hear it now. She’s going to be apologizing for days.”

“Exactly,” Mina said, smiling. “Val is strong. And hardheaded.”

“Definitely hardheaded. She’d overcome this just from pure stubbornness.”

Mina giggled. “Reminds me of that one time on the second floor.”

Lynesia smirked. “With the root stalkers?”

Mina nodded. “Remember when they kept trying to wrap her up?”

“I didn’t know who needed more help, her or the damn stalkers,” Lynesia said, barely containing her giggles.

Mina reached forward, gently running her hand along Val’s arm. “That’s the kind of Val we all know. Too stubborn to give up.”

“Too stubborn to risk worrying us,” Lynesia agreed.

The two of them sat there in silence for a few minutes. Lynesia hadn’t realized how badly she needed to say some of it out loud. For whatever reason, Mina was easy to talk to about this. It only just dawned on Lynesia why that might have been.

“You’ve visited more than anyone else,” she said, trying not to sound accusatory.

Mina smiled softly. “I care about her, just like everyone else.”

Lynesia knew better. “I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

Mina tensed up, but relaxed almost immediately. “It was that obvious?”

“I’m not angry,” Lynesia said. “I just don’t want to pretend I haven’t.”

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” Mina said, gently pulling away from Val.

Lynesia realized Mina’s ears were flat against her head. Her infamously active tail was still, curled around herself.

“Like I said, I’m not angry, I promise.” Lynesia took a breath. “I just can’t think about what any of that means right now.”

Mina nodded, her ears raising and tail moving. “I understand. I’m not asking you to.”

“Good.” Lynesia’s hand tightened around Val’s. “Because right now, I just need her to wake up.”

Silence hung over the bed as the two of them digested everything. Lynesia never meant to bring up Mina’s feelings. Given everything that happened, it just came out.

“She’ll wake up,” Mina said, smiling softly. “We just have to be strong for her.”

The two of them talked on and off for a bit longer. During that time, Lynesia tried to eat some of the breakfast that was dropped off for her earlier. It was good, but it was hard to find any appetite regardless of the flavor.

Creeeak.

Lynesia turned in her chair, expecting another person from their party. However, Theoden walked in, followed by Aleksander.

“Did you figure something out?” she asked, standing from her chair. “Please tell me you did.”

Mina was standing as well, a bit more confused. “Who is the guy with the fur?”

Theoden smirked. “Apologies, this is Aleksander. He will be mentoring Val during her training with magic.”

“Mentoring?” said both Lynesia and Mina together.

“What are you talking about?” Lynesia asked, stepping a bit closer. “What does her training have to do with this?”

Theoden stepped aside. “I’ll allow Aleksander to explain.”

He stepped forward. “Remember the spell I used?”

Lynesia nodded.

“I was checking her core. Everyone capable of magic has a core. A place where their mana gathers before they shape it to their needs.”

Mina tilted her head. “Really? I didn’t know that.”

Aleksander sighed. “That doesn’t matter right now. Val is overflowing. Her body can’t handle what’s moving through it. Hence, collapsing after our little test.”

Lynesia glanced at Val’s sleeping form. “That’s it? She’s not going to be comatose for a year again?”

Aleksander shook his head. “Not if I have anything to say about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wakes up today. It just depends.”

“What happens after she wakes up?” Mina asked, stepping closer, tail wagging back and forth. “She’ll be okay, right?”

Theoden cleared his throat. “Val will be restricted from entering the dungeon until Aleksander clears her.”

Lynesia balled up her fists. “Why do you get to decide that?!”

Aleksander narrowed his gaze down at her. “So she doesn’t collapse and die in front of you.”

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