Flowers for You, Magic for the Sky | Chapter 23

[healingbonds]

​​Chapter 22 << | index | >> Chapter 24


Murr: He disappeared!

Nero: You can’t be serious!?

Murr: He sneezed off somewhere!

Shylock: W-why now......

Murr: It’s Bradley’s injury from the < Great Catastrophe >! He flies off somewhere every time he sneezes!

Nero: It didn’t have to be now!? Hey, what are we gonna do!?

Shylock: What should we do......

Murr: Chaos! Chaos!!

Nero: Where the hell did you go, Brad!?

✦✧☾✧✦

Riquet: .........
(The lantern is shining! We’re ready anytime, Bradley!)

Mitile: ...........
(The enemy will start swinging at us any moment now....! Please shoot, Mister Bradley....!)

Mitile & Riquet: ............

Riquet: He’s not shooting.....

Mitile: Mister Bradley!?

(Boom) (Roar)

Heathcliff: .....We can’t hold it back any longer......

Shino: ....You two! Run!

Mitile: Mister Shino!

Shino: Get out of here while I distract the beast....! You too, Heath!

Heathcliff: I won’t.....!

Shino: Don’t be stubborn! You’re a scaredy-cat.....!

Heathcliff: You’re right, I am a scaredy-cat! I’m terrified of you dying!

(Roar)

Heathcliff: ....It broke through the binding....!

Shino: It’s coming! Run.....!

Mitile & Riquet: Yes.....!

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur and Oz head towards the castle treasury to retrieve the treasured sword Caletvwlch.
But the attacking briars obstruct the path, preventing their advance.

Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!
......Hah.......

Oz: You are running out of magic. In time, your heart will still, and your senses will grow dull.

Arthur: ......I’m fine....... We have to reach the treasury.

Oz: ............
How worthless I’ve become. I never thought I would be this powerless without magic......

Arthur: That is simply not true! Your sword skills are improving. And you saved me back there.

Oz: It was my first time launching a physical attack.

Arthur: I will break through these briars and clear a path towards the castle treasury. Let us go.

Oz: Wait. The air of hostility pervading the castle is escalating.

Arthur: I told Faust that we were going to return with Caletvwlch. Sir Figaro must also be fighting somewhere.
Cain, too...... Riquet....... And Shino and the others......
If I can save them, I fear nothing that comes my way.

Oz: ............

Oz gazes upon the resolute set of Arthur’s face, his own expression pained.
At that moment, the briars once again surround and trap them.

Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!
Ah......!?

Arthur tries to drive back the briars, but they twine themselves around his arm — perhaps his magic is flagging from sheer fatigue.
The briars also latch onto Oz’s arm and entangle the length of it, along with the sword in his hand as he tries to help Arthur.

Oz: ......You.......!

Arthur: .............!? Sir Oz, look at this!

Oz: .............?

Arthur: Look at the briars that touched your blood! They’ve swelled to twice the size, and they’re moving more animatedly than the other vines!

Oz’s breath catches in his throat as he looks up at the briars advancing relentlessly.
He hangs his head, chagrined.

Oz: ......If only I had realized earlier...... I could have transferred some to Faust and Lennox.......

Arthur: Sir Oz......?

Oz: I apologize, Arthur. I have never attempted something like this before......
The thought never even occurred to me. Can you hold out your hand?

Arthur: ......Yes......! Can you reach me?

Oz: This is more than enough.

Oz grabs Arthur’s hand.
He takes the hand emblazoned with the lily crest and flips it over, spreading his fingers over Arthur’s palm. With the blood dripping from the briars wrapped around his wrist, he draws a magic circle.

Arthur: ......This is......

Oz: I will grant you my magic, using my blood as a medium.

Arthur: Sir Oz’s magic......

Arthur gazes at the magic circle drawn in blood, the curiosity on his boyish face marred by the slightest trace of fear.
Slowly, the mystical lines of the magic circle start to glow with a faint, red light.

Oz: Listen to me, Arthur. I will fall asleep once I finish chanting my spell.
You do not need to reach the castle treasury. Summon Caletvwlch to your hand.

Arthur: Summon Caletvwlch...... Do you think I can do it?

Smiling, Oz nods.

Oz: I know you can. Believe me, Arthur.
You are the child who has inherited the blood of heroes. You defied fate and survived the blizzards of the north.
There is nothing that will stand in your way.

Arthur’s blue eyes blaze with strong conviction.

Arthur: I understand.

Oz: << Vox Nox >>

Arthur: ............!

Oz chants his spell. He tightens his grip on the briars, resisting the sleepiness that overcomes him, but before long his head droops.
In return, a red light envelops Arthur’s palm — at once ominous, powerful, and beautiful.
A gentle breeze stirs and ruffles Arthur’s bangs, before escalating into the dreadful awe of a tempest.
Arthur calmly takes in his surroundings, a storm brewing in the palm of his hand.
The briars fall back, as if shrinking from the sight of his silver hair and his fingertips.
Taking a deep breath, Arthur makes his declamation in a ringing voice.

Arthur: Oh, treasured sword Caletvwlch! Come to me!
<< Pernoctant Nixzo >>!

With a thunderous roar, the wind swells into a whirling vortex, and a dazzling light envelops Arthur’s body.
A ray of pure-white light appears out of nowhere, standing before Arthur like a human silhouette.
And transforms into a sword.
Arthur stretches out his hand — still glowing crimson with Oz’s magic circle — and reaches for the sword of light which has materialized before him.
The legendary sword which Alec Granvelle, the founding hero and the first king of Central Country, wielded......
Caletvwlch.

Arthur: I did it! Let’s go, Caletvwlch!

Arthur draws the sword from its sheath, calling its name like he would a comrade in arms.
He slashes downward, cutting through the briars tangled around a sleeping Oz.

Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!

With the force of a gale, his strike clears a straight line through the castle’s long hallway.
—Like a relentless, divine bolt of lightning.

✦✧☾✧✦

Blood and sweat dripping from his cheeks, Lennox’s footfalls pound against the ground as he launches into a swinging kick aimed at the briars whipping around him.

Lennox: .........

He resumes running, slicing the writhing briars in another corner of the room with his sword; then, he leaps back once more.
The shepherd’s usual tranquility is nowhere to be seen. With shocking agility for his height, Lennox switches between attack and defense with precision.
He has the calm yet passionate eyes of a warrior.
He dodges the briars as if following orders, without uttering a single word when they splice through his skin.
Because Faust stands behind him, focused on his spell.
Faust faces the wall with his back to Lennox, his eyes closed.
Not a single drop of blood has tainted Faust’s pure white outfit.
He is close enough to hear Lennox’s rapid breathing as he drips with blood and sweat, but he does not budge: his back remains still and upright.
Because that is their form of trust: they understand their roles.

Lennox: .......!

Lennox arches his body and dodges the briars as he grips his magic tool — and ancient key — in his hand.
Even if what stood behind them were the hill of execution; even if the attacking rose briars were flames threatening to engulf a sinner....
Lennox would have protected him. No matter how many thousands of years it took.

Lennox: Pant.... Hah.......

Lennox’s eyes shine with might, but as the battle wears on, his body begins to show signs of exhaustion.
And that’s when Faust raises his voice.

Faust: ....I found him!

Faust spins around and swallows his breath at the sight of Lennox’s body covered in injuries.
He takes a step to rush to his side and support him. Lennox shakes his head and steps back, but wobbles and turns his face downward.
His glasses hit the floor as the briars reach for his body.
Faust chants his spell.

Faust: << Satillquinart Mullcreed >>

The briars retreat, repelled by an unseen barrier. Faust retrieves Lennox’s glasses using magic, then places them back on his face.

Lennox: ......Ah.... Hah..... I apologize......

Faust: Stay still.

Lennox: Is Sir Sage.....

Faust: He’s all right. We’re going to save him. But I need to cast healing magic on you first.

Lennox: ....Hah...... I think you should save your magic. I hear that many of us are wounded.

Faust: And you are one of them.

Lennox: .....!? What’s this sound!?

Faust: It’s not the enemy. Is this Oz....? Or Arthur?

(Footsteps)

Arthur: Faust! Lennox! I have the sword!

Faust: Arthur. Oz.

Arthur: The sacred sword, Caletvwlch!

Mithra: << Arthim >>

Lennox: The door of space.....!

Oz: Mithra....!

Mithra: I don’t have time! Give me everything I need!

Faust: ....Got it!

(Roar) (Woosh)

Figaro: Where are the injured?

Lennox: They haven’t arrived yet.

Rutile: Mister Leno! Are you okay!?

Faust: Arthur! Hand him the sacred sword, Caletvwlch!

Arthur: If Sir Figaro is going to remain here, then you will need reinforcements on your end. I’ll head to the seas!

Oz: Arthur!?

Arthur: I will be fine — I have the powers you granted me, Sir Oz! Sir Figaro, please take care of Cain!

Figaro: Hold up, Arthur! Show me your face. Come here. I pray for your safety too.

Arthur: ....Yes! I wish you the same, Sir Figaro!

Mithra: I don’t have time for hugs right now!

Figaro: I’m just standing in for Oz — doing what he can’t! Alright, Rutile, let’s go!

Rutile: Yes!

Mithra: We’re off!

Arthur: Yes. I’ll be back!

Mithra: << Arthim >>

Oz: ...........

Lennox: The door in space closed... Sir Oz. I’m certain Prince Arthur will be all right.

Oz: You are covered in injuries......

Faust: Figaro, wait!

Figaro: Hm? Do you need a hug too?

Faust: I’ll kill you. We located the Sage. We’re going to break through.

Figaro: Excellent. I wish I could join you, but there are patients in critical condition awaiting my care. Do you know how to pick a fight?

Faust: You’ve taught me more than enough times. Please take care of Shino and Heathcliff for me. They should be in the courtyard.

Figaro: All right. I’ll head their way after I see to Cain. You take care of yourself too — don’t get too worked up.
Leno, open your mouth.

Lennox: Ah. .....Nnh.

Figaro: It’s Dr. Figaro’s sugar. Take care of Oz and Faust for me, okay?

Lennox: All right. Please be careful.

✦✧☾✧✦

The Minotaur drives Riquet and Mitile into a corner as it unleashes a terrifying roar.

Mitile & Riquet: Aaaaaah......!

Shino: I’m your opponent!
.......hh ...Uugh.......

Heathcliff: Shino.....!

Shino and Heathcliff stand before the Minotaur, shielding Riquet and Mitile behind their backs.
Witnessing this, Riquet slows to a halt.

Riquet: ....I can’t keep running like this! I need to fight too.....!

Mitile: ....M-me too.....!

Riquet: Let’s attack on the count of three, just like Sir Snow and Sir White do!

Mitile: Got it!

Mitile & Riquet: 3, 2, 1......

Riquet: << Sunrotea Edif >> !

Mitile: << Ortonik Sealsispilce >> !

They cast their spells at once.
A small tornado and a bouncing ball of electricity bump against the back of the Minotaur’s shoulder.
The monster slowly turns around to look at them, its horrific eyes devoid of emotion.
It growls with its fangs bared.
And swings its axe as it rushes towards the boys.

Mitile: .....! Here it comes.....!

Riquet: ....Let’s run!!
Ah....!

(Crash)

Mitile: Riquet, are you okay!?

Riquet: I’m fine! I just tripped...... ....Ow.....!

Mitile: Your ankle is bright red......

(Crash) (Roar)

Mitile & Riquet: ........!

​​Chapter 22 << | index | >> Chapter 24