Worse Than The Reported News (Part VII)

"It's an emergency! Xan... The King..." Diane exclaimed as she burst through the flap of the encampment. Her face was wracked with anxiety as all eyes turned to face her.

"The King? What happened? Where is he... No wait, that! On your back! His cape..."

"Nevermind the cape! There's a fire! A fire mage showed up! Xander is... Xander is in trouble! He's in the forest!"

All the soldiers present in the tent then perked up at her words. They seemed doubtful but decided to believe her words after seeing the royal cape wrapped around the woman. There was no way a national treasure could be forcefully removed from such a strapping man.

What worried them more was the mention of a mage. A mage here in Enoch? There wasn't anything particularly bad with having mages in Enoch, however, they prefer to live in seclusion and never revealed their identities unless it was a dire situation. 

Most mages decide to live as a "free for hire", but only to the highest payer. They did odd jobs and are known throughout the land for one thing, and one thing alone. Being the Agrestian Empire's dogs.

While they pondered the situation, another few men tore through the flap of the tent, exclaiming there was a dense cloud of black enshrouding the forest as crimson seas of fire licked at the canopies of the trees.

"Please! There's no time to waste! The smoke could kill him!" Diane pleaded as tears streamed down her cheeks. 

She had been incredibly afraid of fire ever since her father perished in the flames when she was at a young age. He had rushed into a flaming barn that had caught fire due to her childish antics to rescue her favourite doll despite barely making it out with her earlier. Almost as if a presentiment, he never made it back out. 

Ever since then, Diane had beaten herself up over his death and had been afraid of large fires. She could never join the other villagers back in Vogrant even during the end of summer at the Summer festival where they danced in the night surrounding a large bonfire due to this fact.

The soldiers stared at Diane for a second before Richard slammed his hands on the desk. He then gestured Diane to pinpoint the exact location Xander was at on the village map that had been spread out on the desk.

After confirming his location, Richard mobilised his men. He told them to move swiftly and in an orderly fashion, split up with groups of men putting out the fire and other groups scouting through the dense smoke.

Diane trailed after Richard, watching worriedly as she stood at a distance from the forest. Her thoughts focused on Xander and the fire.

Please... Please be safe... I can't lose you... not to a fire... Xander... 

***

"Big Brother Mikhail... Didn't we pass by this area earlier?" a boy asked Mikhail as he tugged onto Mikhail's fingers.

Mikhail turned towards him and smiled sheepishly as he tried to sugar-coat his words.

"Ah, the dim lights probably makes the place look similar. I'm sure we'll reach an exit." Mikhail grinned sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't directionally challenged or anything, searching for an exit in the dark simply was difficult for him.

"Big Brother... Will we be stuck here for much longer?" a girl sobbed as Mikhail reached out to hug her. He was feeling uncertain as well. Yet, he decided to hold onto the sliver of hope that tickled within him.

"We will. Don't worry. I promise you all." Mikhail said as he pondered his situation. There was two options. Either head for the place where the sewage gets drained out to or head for the place where the sewage came from.

***

Diane... This might be the end...

Xander dropped his sword as his vision grew cloudy. The black haired mage had fainted even though it was her doing. It was slightly surprising she couldn't withstand both the heat and smoke.

Xander held onto his last ounce of strength as he cut a clean slice of dirt across the fiery circle around him with his blade. He then pushed himself to exit the encirclement but fainted halfway across. The last image he saw before everything became too hazy was a gleaming light of white with glowing eyes of gold.

***

"Your Highness! Are you alright?! Men! Quickly! Put out the fire!"

"Xander! Is he alright?!"

"Wha... He's... not waking up... He probably inhaled too much smoke. We can only hope for the best..."

"Don't say that! Why do you sound like you've given up hope on him?!"

Diane then pushed Richard aside as she fell beside Xander, holding onto his arm as she sobbed. Out of her lips, unintelligible words spilled out as Diane forced herself to use her healing powers despite her low mana count.

***

"What are you doing?"

"Huh...? Who... who's voice is this..."

Diane opened her eyes as she looked around. She stood up and glanced around warily as she then realised Xander wasn't beside her.

"What... where... where's Xander? Where is this?!"

Diane stood still as she tried to think about where she was at. There weren't any tangible walls around her, yet, it felt as if she were confined. There were only clouds rising up from the ground, giving the place a foggy and mystical feel as a white light cloaked the atmosphere.

"Diane Orvielle... daughter of Rosetta Xion Nouduya... we understand your pain."

"What... who... who's speaking?! I need to get out of here! Xander! He's going to die!" 

Diane fell to her knees as she felt the tears dripping from her eyes yet again. Rather than staying in this unfamiliar place, she'd rather be beside Xander. She was conflicted with finding her son and staying by Xander's side.

Staying here isn't an option. I need to leave! Xander... Mikhail... they're both waiting for me.

"It is I. I am one of many, but you may call me Tigris."

"Ti... Tigris...? What..."

"There is no time. I have decided to lend you my aid for your bloodline runs strong within you. We want to save the man as well. He helped us with something so incredible."

"What do you mean?"

Before Diane got her reply, the light surrounding her grew brighter before it consumed her. She thought she saw stripes and golden amber eyes before she was forced to shut her eyes that had grown overly blinding.

"Miss? Are you alright? Miss?!"

"What... happened...?"

"Miss, its me, Richard. You suddenly collapsed and went pale. I'm so glad you regained consciousness. We could really use your help."

"Huh... Xan... What about Xander?"

"He got up awhile ago. Right after you touched him... Well... we need some people trained in first aid. Do you think you can help?"

"Oh... I'll try." Diane said as she got up, groggily holding her head. It felt as if she were twirled around multiple times with the way the world spun.

As soon as she regained her bearings, she noticed multiple men with severe burns and men who had inhaled too much smoke. She immediately got to her legs as she helped the other people who were applying an emergency patch up of the men's wounds.

***

Mikhail reached the far end of the sewage, to where most of the sewage originated from. He looked up towards a distant sky. It looked like daybreak was approaching. 

Mikhail sighed miserably after he craned his neck to find a way to climb out. It was close to impossible. Whoever built this canal was terrible at their job. How could there possibly be no ladder or anything of the sort?!

As Mikhail was about to head towards the other end of the sewage marooning with much disappointment, he heard a rustle of grass that indicated someone was above. He quickly turned to look up at the person who stumbled upon him.

Sapphire eyes and gleaming locks of silver reflected the dawning sun as Mikhail blinked. It was a miracle he was found by this man. Time and again.

"Mikhail! Are you unharmed?"

"Huh... Uh... Yeah. I'm good. I just need some help getting out..."

"Sure. I can do that. I'm glad you're alright."

Mikhail felt his cheeks tint a little. Is this what it feels like to have a father? He always looks out for me and gives advices...

Within a few minutes, a long makeshift ladder of rope was dangled down into the canal.

Mikhail broke to a smile as he helped the children climb onto the ladder. Just as he was about to climb onto the ladder, he felt a rumbling shaking the ground.

Mikhail lost his balance and fell onto the ground as he caught sight of a large gush of water heading his way.

Water?! But how?! It's not supposed to flow at this hour!

Heavy currents slammed straight into Mikhail as he reached out to grab onto the ladder. His hand barely grasped it before he was swept away.

"MIKHAIL!" Xander yelled as he watched his son get swept by the underground current.

He immediately threw off his armor as he ordered his men to get the children to safety. They protested when they saw what the King was about to do but could do nothing to stop it.

Xander jumped into the hole as he held his breath, following the flow of the water. Thoughts of his son now filled his mind. Diane's wish was to see her son. She saved me earlier, I must save our son at the least. ...Hopefully I don't accidentally swallow something I shouldn't as well...

***

Diane heard a ringing sound as she tied the bandage on her last patient. She looked around as she stood up.

She then headed for the door almost as if she were in a trance and stood at the entrance of the village, looking at the mountains.

Something feels wrong... but I don't understand what... Mikhail... Xander... I pray that they are alright...

Just as Diane thought that, she saw the scenery before her changing into the previous foggy white she saw earlier.

There was a round orb that seemed like a drop of water. She approached it slowly before examining it.

The orb shimmered and she saw Xander and Mikhail gasping for air somewhere filled with water. She peered deeply into the orb as she gasped.

Xander pulled Mikhail in a tight embrace as he bumped his back on a metal gateway underwater. Mikhail had fainted by then and Xander could only muster enough strength to stay above water, lifting both Mikhail and himself. Xander also hit his arm against the brick walls as the flow of the current was too strong. He then dragged Mikhail onto a land somewhere before passing out. 

Just as she was about to touch the orb, it burst into multiple droplets of water. Diane gasped as she blinked her eyelids multiple times.

What is happening?

"Diane. I've saved your loved ones and showed it to you. Now... we require your aid. To save us."

"What? What do you mean?"

"You shall find out."

With the final statement, the foggy white clouds and light dispersed and Diane's recurring dreams replaced it. Diane glanced around, terrified. It was akin to being trapped in an endless loop with no escape.