Worse Than The Reported News(Part VIII)

"*cough* Mikhail? Are you okay? *cough**cough*"

Mikhail blinked his eyes haphazardly as he gasped for air. He too choked on the water that was caught in his lungs, coughing it out as he felt his head spin from the violent action.

"Gasp... Xan... Xander? You came after me... where are we? What happened?"

Xander and Mikhail shared a look that was both confused and uncertain before glancing around at their surroundings. The previous high walls of the canal was now replaced with an open area with several trees and lush greenery. 

It seemed that we were flushed out of the canals. Where did that large gush of water even come from? There was no way the villagers used that much water simultaneously...

Xander broke Mikhail's train of thought as he stood up and extended his hand towards him. Mikhail shifted to look at the hand extended towards him before taking hold of the firm hand, a warm feeling tingling in his chest. It reminded him of the moments spent with his mother.

"Looks like we've come a long way... The village seems quite some way from here."

Mikhail glanced towards the direction Xander was looking at before noticing a grimacing look on Xander's face. He knitted his brows before noticing a growing red spot on Xander's back. 

Xander's navy blue coat was slowly soaking up a crimson colour. Mikhail hurriedly grasped Xander's arm as he forcefully ripped open Xander's shirt.

"?!"

"Sorry for this, but, could you turn around?"

Xander felt conflicted but did as Mikhail instructed. He decided to put thoughts of how awkward the situation was deep in his darkest memories as he felt Mikhail slipping his top off.

"Wha... How did you even bear with a wound this terrible?! How did you get it... ... It can't be... Was it when you saved me...?"

"..."

The duo shared a solemn moment in silence before Mikhail muttered some words, a glowing light emanated from his hands as he lightly touched Xander's back.

"...! This... Mikhail! You too?!"

Mikhail stopped mid sentence as he brought his gaze back to Xander. His eyes now sparkling with new-found interest.

"What? You can do it too? My mom told me to keep it a secret! Only to use in extreme measures."

"Heh. She wasn't wrong. But you made a huge mistake due to a misconception."

"Huh...?"

"I can't wield magic. Holy magic and the like. However, I'm blessed with far superior physical abilities. Also..."

"Eh... what..."

"You totally gave your secret away that easily. Hahah! What if I was a bad guy? I could have done something to you. You even tried to heal my minor injuries."

"What... What do you mean minor?! And you being a bad guy? I don't think so!"

Xander blinked in a state of shock as he stared blankly at Mikhail who suddenly exploded. He didn't think Mikhail would suddenly yell like that.

"Your wounds... came from rescuing me! I know you're not a bad guy! No bad guy would risk his life for another person!"

Xander's state of shock melted down as his lips pulled to a solemn smile. Mikhail had broken down into tears despite trying to hold them back. With a soft chuckle, Xander patted his son's head gently.

He's far too soft to be able to survive in the palace. It's a good thing he was raised with a heart filled with empathy. If he wasn't my son, I wouldn't think twice to save him. No matter how valiant or gallant a man he is, I usually prioritise the future of the Kingdom... To think I'd toss that all aside just for him...

"Well. That's enough crying. We need to get a move on."

"hic... hic... I'm... sorry... give me a minute..."

Xander smiled slightly as he stood up. He then winced before falling back onto the ground, holding his arm.

Mikhail took notice of the current situation and brushed off the tears from his cheeks as he rushed towards Xander. His eyes widened as he stared at the wound. 

Why... instead of getting better... Why is it getting worse?! My powers don't work? It can't be...

Mikhail bit his bottom lip as he glanced around him. He saw a sharp rock nearby and dashed towards it. 

This should be sharp enough... But... I should be able to...

Mikhail then ran his palm against the rock. His eyes squeezed shut as he gritted his teeth. He felt a dampness trickling down his fingertips as he slowly raised his hand. He then squeezed his hand tightly, feeling the trickling liquid slide off his knuckles.

Mikhail then muttered some words beneath his breath as he felt a slight burning on his palm. Immediately, Mikhail pried his eyes open and glanced at his palm, hoping that the wound would heal.

His initial expectations were met with disappointment as there was still a large gash along his palm. Mikhail felt the tears welling up in his eyes as he bit his lips.

I can't... heal myself... But... why... ...

A sudden flashback of his mom telling him to use his powers as often as he could yet keeping it a secret came to mind as he wiped away his tears. He then turned towards Xander and ripped off the hem of his own shirt.

Mikhail then wrapped the cloth tightly around Xander's shoulder, noticing a slight wince from Xander.

"I-is it too tight...?"

"... It's nothing. We should g... Your hand!"

"Ah... This... It's fine."

Xander knitted his brows in slight annoyance as he grabbed his clothes and ripped a long strip of cloth and bandaged Mikhail's hand.

Mikhail stared at the professionally wrapped bandage around his hand as he felt his face flush from embarrassment. 

I should have watched and learned from mom on how to apply first aid... I think I messed up with his...

Xander smiled as he pulled on his slightly damp clothes. He then pulled Mikhail up as he patted himself down.

They then made their way into the lush greenery, Xander taking the lead as he struck the draping branches off with a swing of his sword, trekking ahead to clear a path as they progressed onwards.

***

"We should be quite near by now... how are you faring?"

"Hah... haah... Ugh... I'm fine..."

Xander turned around to find Mikhail's face that had turned a flush pink as he gasped breath. He pulled his lips into a tight smile, trying to stop himself from laughing.

He breathed deeply, swallowing the ticklish sensation of wanting to laugh and patted Mikhail's back, encouraging him to inhale and exhale in an even manner.

"S-sorry... I made you slow down..."

"What are you talking about? We were due for a break. We're also near the village. Who knew there was even a path this way."

Mikhail nodded fervently as he heaved his heavy chest that felt constricted from the sudden heavy exercise. He slowed his breath and wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead as he fanned himself with his uninjured hand, cooling himself off.

After a short break, they continued on their arduous  journey and finally reached a secluded part of the village. The duo glanced around for a moment. It was far too quiet.

"What's going on? Why is it so quiet?"

"The men I brought with me should be pretty loud... Its awfully silent."

Sensing something was clearly wrong, Xander pulled Mikhail behind him as he drew his sword in a defensive stance.

Mikhail then glanced at the wide back in front of him. He scratched his head awkwardly as he glanced about at his surroundings instead. His eyes widened as he noticed he was near his house.

He nudged Xander to follow him as they approached his house. Xander was slightly confused on the detour but followed Mikhail regardless.

"Why are we here?" Xander prodded as he swept the exterior of the house. He took in the familiarity of the house with the one back at Vogrant and smiled slightly.

"Change of clothes... These ones feel gross..."

"Hmm." Xander hummed a response as he wondered about Mikhail having clothes that fitted him.

After changing to dry clothes, the duo headed for the village head's house. Xander ran his hand through his hair, pulling it back into a low ponytail as he glanced at the outfit he was wearing.

Mikhail had handed it to him after rifling through his mother's wardrobe even though Xander had told him there was no need to and was embarrassed when he saw her private garments being strewn around.

When Mikhail finally found the outfit, Xander stood wide eyed and felt his cheeks flush slightly. It was the outfit he left behind as a spare commoner outfit in case he had decided to visit spontaneously. 

She still kept this... I would have thought she would toss it when she left me those 16 years ago...

Xander felt a little tingle of warmth in his chest as he stared at the outfit. He remembered Mikhail being a little impressed that the outfit had fit snugly. He had told him that it was the one outfit his mother had of his father.

Xander then shook himself out of his thoughts as they approached the village head's house. Xander pulled out his sword as he haphazardly stepped ahead of Mikhail, watching out for any suspicious activities. 

The village was far too silent which had kept the duo on their toes. As they approached the village entrance which was a stone throw away, their face paled and mouth drew slightly open.

There was a humongous ball of water that held the seemingly massive troop that Xander had brought. However, upon closer inspection, mixed amongst men clad in armour were the villagers and children, floating lifelessly.

"W-what... How could...." Mikhail stuttered as he brought his hand close to the ball of water.

Mikhail's hand easily penetrated the veil of water as he gasped at the easy entrance. However, when he tried to get his hand out from the water ball, it couldn't budge.

Xander had noticed as well and was at a loss. Uncertainty plagued their minds before Xander tried tugging at Mikhail's waist, hopefully able to pry him out of the confines of his watery shackles.

Mikhail groaned from pain as he shook his head as a way to plead with Xander to stop. He felt like his hand was being ripped off.

Xander frowned as he irritably whipped his sword out and tried slashing at the water. Unlike what he anticipated, his sword penetrated the watery veil but exited just as easily. He blinked in confusion at his sword that was still in his hand, wondering why it hadn't been consumed by the watery confinement of the liquid.

Just as he was about to say something, he felt a cold liquid splash at him from the left. He turned towards the source and found the village head glaring at him.

Beside him, a girl with long black hair and glowing red eyes. He frowned as he readied his sword and held it in front of him. He needed to parry off their attacks and think of a way to help Mikhail as he could be in great risk simply standing there.

But then again... how is that girl alive? Didn't she get consumed in the flames of her own bidding? How is she a fire mage whilst her old man is a water mage? It didn't make sense.

"Surprised? I thought we'd just flush out the trash... guess that didn't work as you managed to get back here in one piece."

"..."

"Well, you can join your men!"

Xander furrowed his brows as he sliced the ball of water that was shot at him from the village head's wooden scepter of some kind.

Just as he fluidly dodged the multiple water attack, Xander was struck by a ball of flames. He winced as he plummeted to the ground, his clothes dredging up the dirt as it coated his prior fresh set of clothing.

"It's over for you." The duo cackled as they readied another wave of attacks. 

Mikhail glanced at them wide eyed as he knitted his brows in a worried manner. He never would have guessed that they were mages, nor did he imagine their strong vengeance towards Xander. 

It was a terrible scene that he never thought possible. Mikhail gritted his teeth as thoughts of Xander being in trouble and his mother's whereabouts plagued his mind. He had to help Xander!