"I would like to see her," I commanded, my voice resonating with an authority that left no room for debate.
"I am sorry, sir, but no one is allowed entry," the maid responded, her voice trembling but her stance firm.
The news was a heavy blow. Alana alive and kicking just weeks ago now bedridden? It felt impossible. She was a controller, a force of nature. I racked my brain for a solution; if I couldn't reach her, I couldn't reach the castle.
"Well, as you can see, ma'am, I am a doctor," Himori interjected, stepping forward with a confidence that caught me off guard.
I glanced sideways, catching the subtle glint in her eyes. The lab coat. Of course! To the maid, Himori looked exactly like a traveling physician. It was a brilliant play.
"Yes!" I chimed in with a grin. "My wife has come to tend to my dear friend's ailment."
"If that is the case, please, come in quickly!" the maid cried, her professional facade crumbling into desperation.
She bolted through the courtyard, the massive iron gates groaning as she unlocked them. We followed her through the sprawling estate a place of pristine marble and silent servants ,that explained why Alana had been nicknamed 'The Princess' during our school days.
We rushed up a grand staircase, past row after row of silent rooms, until we reached a heavy door at the end of the hall. The maid's hands shook as she turned the key, tears welling in her eyes. "She is in here. Please, help her. I beg of you."
As the door swung open, a horrific stench hit me the cloying, sweet rot of decaying flesh. It was suffocating. I stepped toward the bed, my heart sinking.
Alana was unrecognizable. Her skin was a pallid, corpse-like grey, and in places, it had peeled away to reveal raw muscle and crimson veins. Her cheeks had hollowed so deeply I could see the outline of her teeth through the skin. She was breathing, but barely each gasp a rattle against the silence.
Then, I sensed it. A dense, swirling vortex of mana concentrated right above her sternum. I pulled back the blanket, ignoring the gasp of horror from Himori and the maid.
There it was: a lump of flesh pulsing like a second heart. Each beat sent a shockwave of uncontrolled power through her dying body.
"Just as I suspected," I muttered, the gravity of the situation settling over me. "Power overload."
"Power overload?" they both whispered in unison.
"Her body can't contain the mana she was born with," I explained, my eyes fixed on the pulsing lump. "The energy is crystallizing her cells, destroying her from the inside out."
"Can you fix it?" the maid asked, her eyes glimmering with a fragile hope.
"That's the problem. I'm not at full strength," I said, looking at my own trembling hands. "I need a week to recover... but she doesn't have a week. She'll be a corpse in days."
"We hired the finest mages, even the Royal Doctor, and they knew nothing!" the maid sobbed. "Please, she is the last of her bloodline!"
I looked at Himori. She was the only chance. I grabbed her shoulders. "Himori, how much power do you have? Can you feed a surge into my circuit?"
"I don't have your capacity, Justin! A surge like that would shatter my body," she whispered, her eyes wide.
"Then lend me what you have. I'll take the risk."
I reached for my ring, my heart hammering. If I removed it now, the raw void within me would be unleashed. I took Himori's hand, feeling her warmth. "Now, Himori. Give me everything."
A brilliant red light flared between us as her mana flowed into me. I pulled the ring from my finger. The room darkened as my aura exploded. I thrust my hand toward Alana, and two glowing violet magic circles materialized above her. The light devoured her form, scouring the rot.
"Thanks, Himori. I've got it," I grunted, feeling her hand slip away as I focused the entirety of the surge.
My skin turned paper-white. My vision blurred, and blood began to leak from my mouth. I hit my knees, the world spinning as the magic circles flickered and died. I had given too much.
As I felt myself slipping into darkness, Lilith rushed forward. She pressed her forehead against mine, her tiny hands glowing with a soft, primal energy. I felt a sudden, rejuvenating warmth rush through my veins. My skin regained its color, and I gasped for air, looking down at the little girl who was smiling widely.
"Lilith help Dada with power," she chirped, hugging my neck.
I patted her head and stood up, turning to the bed. The second heart had stopped beating. Alana's veins faded from angry crimson to a healthy hue. Her skin mended itself in real-time, knitting together over the exposed muscle. Her eyes fluttered open sharp, crimson, and very much alive.
The maid rushed to her side, weeping with joy. Alana pushed herself up, looking at us with confusion. "Who are you?"
"The people who saved your life, Lady Alana," the maid sobbed.
I grinned, watching Lilith hide behind my leg.
"Then I give you my many thanks, sir," Alana said, struggling to stand before offering a formal bow.
"No need for formalities, Miss Alana," I said, my voice dripping with a wild, familiar amusement.
"And in return... what would you ask of me?"
"It's a pity you don't remember me, Alana. After a week of being your 'pretend boyfriend,' you really can't tell?"
She froze. She looked at my face, her eyes searching mine with an intensity that bordered on desperation. Recognition hit her like a physical blow.
"Maid! Leave us at once!" she commanded.
The maid scurried out, closing the door behind her. "Justin?!" she screamed.
"The one and only."
"It's impossible! You went into the Runes... you were supposed to be dead!"
"Well, I'm quite alive. I was only gone for three weeks," I responded.
"Three weeks?!,you were gone for 3 years" Tears filled her eyes. She lunged forward, hitting my chest with weak, frustrated punches. "Justin, you caused so much trouble and just left me to handle it! I thought you were gone! I thought my family line was over!" She collapsed to her knees, sobbing into her hands.
I knelt and pulled her into a tight hug. I could feel her shaking against me. "I'm sorry, Alana. I didn't mean for it to go this way, but you know my situation."
After a while, she composed herself, sitting back on the edge of the bed. "Justin... why stay away for three years without any contact?"
"It's complicated," I said, scratching the back of my head.
Her eyes then shifted to my companions. "And who is this woman? And the child?"
I took a deep breath. She didn't need the truth yet the Demon Realm was a nest of vipers, and I didn't know if she had been forced to side with the Dragons in my absence.
"Long story short... this is Himori, my wife. And this is Lilith, our daughter."
I heard Himori's sharp intake of breath, but she stayed silent. Alana looked like she had been slapped. "Wife? Daughter? In three years, you fell in love and started a family? And you look... years older.and the colour of your hair is revolting"
"Like I said, the Runes are complicated. I need you to calm down so I can explain," I said, my voice turning cold.
Lying to her felt like swallowing glass, but I had to be sure of her loyalty.
"Justin... please go to the living room. I'll be down in a moment," she said, her voice cracking.
"Of course." I turned and walked out, Lilith clutching my right hand while Himori walked stiffly on my left.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Himori turned on me. "Why would you lie to your friend like that, Justin?!"
"I don't know if I can trust her yet," I said, stopping at the top of the stairs. "It's been years for her. She might be working for the Dragons now." I looked at her, my expression pleading. "Can you please just play along until I'm sure?"
Himori rolled her eyes but sighed in defeat. "Fine. I suppose if I'm going to study demons and dragons, a cover story helps. It's a win-win."
"Thanks, Himori. I owe you one," I replied with a grin, heading down the stairs toward the parlor.