The Dawn of the New World

Arnett shook his head vigorously, "It's nothing, my sister, she needs a healer quickly!"

The bearded city guard stared at him with a raised eyebrow for a moment before placing his hand on Eva's forehead. His expression immediately changed.

He took her from Arnett and rushed towards a double-story building to the side. There were already a lot of sick and injured people lined outside but he ran past all of them with Arnett following right behind him.

Inside was a team of men and women dressed in all white robes that tending to each person one by one. The guard looked around for a moment before going up to a middle-aged woman that seemed to be overseeing everyone else.

"Sundra, take a look at this child. She needs aid now!" he said while placing her on an empty bed.

Sundra frowned at him for a moment with no small amount of anger before checking on Eva. Her expression changed just like the guard's and she went to work immediately without saying a single word.

She took out a green-colored tablet and placed it under Eva's tongue after feeding her a spoonful of some pink liquid. Meanwhile, Arnett could only watch impatiently from the side.

A minute or two passed and Sundra let out a deep breath. She stood up and glared at the guard, "Get out."

Taken aback, all he could do was awkwardly scratch his head with a weak smile while slowly backing away.

"Ah yeah, you must be busy. Sorry, darling."

When he was gone Sundra's stern gaze shifted towards Arnett. She sighed seeing the condition of his hands and feet.

"You, sit," she pointed at the edge of the bed. Arnett's body moved before his mind could register it.

Sundra brought out a bowl of warm water and gently washed off the blood and splinters embedded in his wrists before bandaging them. Then she washed and cleaned his feet which had already turned a shade of grey.

There were deep chain marks above the ankle. She pinched him a few times to check and as expectantly he didn't react at all. Her stern expression had not changed until then.

"When did you lose feeling in your feet?" she asked softly.

Arnett shook his head innocently, "I don't remember. A few months ago?"

She stared into his eyes and asked another question, "Who did this to you?"

Eurig's face abruptly flashed before Arnett's eyes chasing off any thoughts he might have had of giving him up.

"N-No one. I don't remember," he mumbled while averting his gaze, "W-Will Eva be alright now?"

Sundra sighed inwardly deciding not to push it any further for the time being.

"Her fever is too strong. I have given her the medicine so all you can do now is wait and hope it breaks."

Eva did look a little better but not by much. She was still writhing in pain while her breath was shallow and the face discolored. It looked like every breath she drew left her in agony.

"Is there anything else that you can do?"

Sundra shook her head, "No. Only a priestess could use her magic to heal help her but…seeing as how far gone your sister is, only the grand priestess would have any real chance but that is not a possibility anymore."

Her answer left Arnett dismayed. Even though he was just a kid Sundra did not hold back at all.

"You should prepare yourself for the worst," she turned around to leave but paused midstride. It looked like she wanted to say something but decided not to at the very end.

'Better not give him false hope,' she said to herself and moved on to another patient.

Arnett's eyes had become wet. That last sentence felt like someone had punched him in the gut. He was too late in bringing her here and he knew it.

Wiping the tears from his eyes he held Eva's dainty hand which had become even colder than before.

"I will find a way, I swear, so please just hang on a little bit longer."

Biting his lip Arnett walked out of the building with his head lowered. He didn't notice that Sundra had been watching him throughout. She followed him outside where she saw her husband, the bearded guard standing not too far away.

He saw her and came running over, "Will she be okay darling?"

She shook her head gently before gesturing towards Arnett, "Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. And wipe that smile off your face, Alfen."

"Yes ma'am!" he saluted and ran after Arnett.

"Wait up kiddo," he shouted while giving a wink to Sundra which made her return to the building.

He took Arnett with him to another building a short distance away where a lot of the guards were moving about. This was probably their headquarters.

He went inside and brought out several pairs of shoes to check which one would fit best. Upon finding the closest match he brought Arnett to a bench and sat down while resizing the shoes.

The sound of explosions and shouting were relatively loud here so it wasn't really quiet but both of them remained silent for a bit until finally Alfen spoke up, "My wife can be a little cold sometimes, don't take it personally."

Arnett did not respond.

"She…told me about your sister. I'm sorry-"

Arnett abruptly closed off his ears and began shaking his head like a mad man, "She is fine. She will be fine, I promised she would be, she has to…be fine!"

**

Sorry for the late chapters. Was sick for the last few days but much better now so old schedule should be coming back soon!