After the warm light calmed the forest, the suffocating aura disappeared. The air became clean and soothing. The barren land was slowly covered with green grass. New sprouts began to emerge—even some growing into lush trees.
The river water, once contaminated by black blood—the source of poison that killed all life within it, had now been purified.
The animals that had died could not return, but life had begun to bloom once more.
Someday, this place would be filled with living creatures as it once was—perhaps even more than before.
——
—Rurika—
"Haah… haah…" My breathing was ragged. My body felt heavy, every muscle weighed down. All of this… because I used a power I was never supposed to use.
"Rurika… you… are you alright?!" Etral said.
The white light of Etral around me pulsed rapidly, spinning wildly.
Its warmth wrapped around my body, while a gentle healing energy flowed through me, slowly easing my breath.
"That… was extremely dangerous!!" its voice trembled sharply, circling in the air as if pressing urgency upon me.
"You could have died, Rurika! You… you really could have died!!" Etral said, panicking.
"I'm sorry…" I lowered my head, softly.
My heart pounded—filled with regret, yet unable to suppress my conviction. "I…I couldn't just leave him."
"Haah… what matters is that you're alright," Etral's tone softened, though it still carried weight.
The light around Etral slowly steadied. Its movements calmed, its glow dimmed slightly before shifting downward toward my lap.
"But you shouldn't have saved a creature like him." The trembling light of Etral pointed toward the young man resting on my lap.
"He… this young man is an Anathema. He should not be saved. It would have been better to purify him—that is the proper way to help him. Rather than you using Life and 'His Energy' on him… it's useless." The light around Etral pulsed rapidly again, its waves uneven—half anger, half worry.
Then I looked down at the young man resting on my lap. His face was peaceful, even though his body was severely wounded. Seeing him like that… my chest tightened.
"I can't… and I won't purify him. That would hurt him. I won't add to his pain." My eyes grew wet.
The light of Etral pulsed slowly, almost hoarse, circling gently around me.
"Haah… why do you want to save him?" Etral asked. Its voice was barely audible, filled with confusion.
I lowered my gaze. "I… I don't know. Maybe… because I see Shouka in him."
Hearing my words, the light of Etral—which had almost dimmed—began to pulse softly again, spinning slowly.
"Good… at least it's not because of his face. If you were like Sarona… ah, never mind," it muttered, as if speaking to itself.
I gently brushed aside the strands of black hair covering the young man's face. My breathing was still uneven, but my hands did not stop. "I will take care of him… until he recovers. We shouldn't help someone half-heartedly. He… protected me."
At my words, Etral vibrated sharply, emphasizing its concern. "He is a man, Rurika. Your aunt will never allow it. And besides… he is an Anathema."
I fell silent for a moment.
"He's… handsome. Aunt will allow it," I said firmly. My words were light, but my heart trembled with certainty.
Etral's light flickered irregularly, spinning restlessly.
"Good grief… how could someone like her raise you? She has no sense of responsibility. If you had been raised there, none of this would have happened," Etral's voice carried frustration. It slowly spun once more before calming down.
Meanwhile, I smiled faintly, thinking of my aunt. "Aunt isn't a bad person. To me, she's the best. She cares for me—a stranger with no blood relation—and still treats me like family."
Etral narrowed its glow slightly, then lowered itself, as if taking a long breath.
I looked at it and continued, "Besides… that place is dangerous. There are many who want to hurt me. 'He' said their rules don't apply to me. I'm different from them."
Etral's light pulsed slowly, almost silent.
"Ah… I went too far. You're right. I forgot… you are different," Etral's voice softened.
Etral shifted its attention, then looked at the young man resting on my lap. "We need to take care of him first, right?"
"His wounds are severe… I'll ask the forest fairies to gather medicinal herbs. The rest… is your responsibility." Etral pulsed gently, radiating warmth.
Then, suddenly, it spoke again.
"Um…I'm sorry. And I'm fine. I just want you to know…I never intended to hurt you. I want what's best for you. Because we are bound… as partners." It paused for a moment.
"Ah…I need to go ask the fairies."
With that, Etral's wave of light shot off into the Gandelion Forest—leaving me alone with him.
I smiled faintly at that. Then my gaze returned to the young man on my lap.
I took out a bottle of water. The bottle came from the blue-stoned necklace (Aether) hidden beneath my clothes.
Using the clean water, mixed with my energy, I began to cleanse his body.
Black liquid seeped out from the wound in his chest. It writhed—as if alive, moving on its own. I pressed it down with my power, preventing it from spreading.
After that, I looked again at his wounds. My chest ached at the sight.
His clothes were soaked and torn, loose bandages clinging to his skin. From his body, I could see only one thing—there was not a single part untouched by injury. A burden that should have been unbearable… had been forced upon him.
All I could do… was treat him.
Healing magic alone was not enough. The only way was to stitch his wounds… while slowly channeling His energy—the energy of life—into him.
Only I could do this. Aunt wouldn't be able to help—this black substance would attack anyone who came close.
This liquid…it felt as though it had a will of its own, moving and struggling. As if it were controlled by something. The aura of death came from it—clinging to this young man's body.
I couldn't erase it. Only suppress it…for now.
If I lost focus…something far worse could happen. I had to do this myself.
I lowered my head and looked at him. My hands trembled as I began stitching his wounds…while channeling the remaining energy I had left.
My breathing was ragged. My chest felt heavy. But I couldn't stop. He endured the darkness to protect me.
Now… it's my turn. I have to protect him. No matter the risk…I won't let him be hurt a second time.
This black mass…it thickens…like blood. When I touch it…it resists. Not like blood—more like something that refuses to die.
What… is this?
As I held it back, I realized something—
The aura of death…comes from it. That thing…has already become a part of him. Something inseparable.
The only way to keep it from going wild… from destroying the forest…and from harming him…Is with His energy. The consciousness of the world—Life.
That alone.
In this condition, I can't let Aunt treat him. Only I can.
After cleaning his wounds, I looked at him again, waiting for Etral to return with the medicinal herbs.
He is a man. Just like my father…who left me here…because to him…I was nothing but a burden.
But I'm not sad. Here…there are many who care about me.
Even so…I became curious. His hands are large. I have to hold them with both of mine.
Beside him…I feel small.
Out of everything…he reminds me a little of Shouka. I remember the first time I met Shouka—full of caution, always barking at anyone, yet never truly attacking, afraid of hurting them.
Just like this young man.
His gaze is sharp…yet he still tries to protect me. Only their appearances are different.
This young man… is very handsome. His hair is black. His eyes are red like ruby. Even compared to the men in Aunt's portrait collection…he is far more striking.
If compared to Shouka—whom I find adorable, though Aunt considers him "ugly" to keep—this young man would surely be accepted more easily.
I lowered my gaze again.
Slowly, I began to realize the weight of this responsibility. I have to protect him. Completely, without failure.