Chapter 38: Aftermath

Pain. That was all Kurgren felt as he laid on the floor.

Slowly he felt his body weaken. Unable to even feel his legs.

He began cursing to the gods. His hatred of the world, of the people, if everyone who hated him because of blood.

"Why must they keep taking away, haven't I toiled enough to survive with my mother. Why did I even follow that damned request in the first place."

And slowly he felt like stopping. To die free from the pain given from everyone. Then a voice rang out.

"You must be strong son. You must live for your mother."

It was his father dying words.

And with it he clenched his hands and look around.

Bryan was at a distance casting something on his resucer, oblivious to him. And began to crawl.

"I won't die in this place. I must live for mother!"

Then he saw, a few feet away, his pistol and dragged himself towards it. Repeatedly telling himself. Channelling his hatred on the world and the love of his mother and Friga's family.

"I must survive. I won't abandon mother. And I will take vengeance on the nobles!"

And, in trembling hands, he grabbed it and aimed.

From here he had a clear shot at either his outstretched arm or his body. Yet the chance to hit was slim as his hand repeatedly shook while beginning to slip in and out of consciousness.

Yet he grits his teeth, and with a silent prayer to Anna, he fires.

And with a great roar his shot struck. Blowing off Bryans hand.

Bryan recoiled and yell, clutching the stump, as his spells began to fade, as he saw Ardent slowly getting.

Ardent charged and stabbed Bryan, before his sword snapped halfway in, as the half-Elf got up.

And as Kurgren began to slip into unconsciousness he saw the both of them attack Bryan. When the half-Elf shoved a thing into one his wound and shouted something before pushing him back. Followed by a loud explosion.

Then he heard wood breaking saw Ardent running towards him shouting something as his vision dim to pinpricks of light.

Then darkness...

Beep... Beep... Beep...

That soft sound pounded at Kurgren's ears as he woke up.

Slowly he shook off his headache and rubbed his forehead, only to feel a stinging pain and a bandage wrapped around it and looked around.

The beeps were on his left and he sat on something soft. Bright sunlight stung his eyes and the room was large. Before clearing his head and saw he was in a hospital with others.

Then he looked down and saw he was wearing a hospital gown and a pad stuck to his wrist leading to a monitor. From what he heard it uses divine magic to check on heart beats, where the beeps originated. Then he heard a chuckle.

"By Agnes hands you made it."

He then saw Ardent walked up with a big smile and sat next to him.

Kurgren looked to him before gripping his pounding head. Before recalling what had happened and questions began popping up.

"What happened? And how long was I out?"

"It was thanks to Sofia, the half-Elf, who saved us and defeated Bryan by shoving a grenade into his chest. And it's been two weeks since the battle."

Kurgren gaped and asked why.

"Because of the severity of your injury the priest had to cast hibernate, which accelerated your healing but puts you in a coma."

"But why must they cast such a-" He said before lifting his leg. Only to realized something.

His entire lower body felt numb. And even when he sees his legs he can't move them no matter how hard he tried. And his breath quickened, hearing the monitor beeping faster. And saw Ardent frowning, trying to compose the answer.

"When Bryan struck his blade had cut right through your spine. I tried to heal it quickly, but I only had enough mana to reattach the bones while Sofia healing potions had managed to stop the bleeding. But it was a greater potion we found in your pocket, so pure that it glowed, that reattached your nerves. And with so many injured our healers were spread thin. Meaning that we couldn't completely heal your injury."

Kurgren gritted his teeth and tears well up before wiping it away. How can he help his mother if he can't even walk? He squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath, stay calm.

"Is there, at least, any good news."

Ardent then smiled in relief.

"Yes, there is. While we could not immediately heal your injury. That potion you held was able to repair any lasting fractures and nerve damage. With about a four to six month of recovery and therapy you can walk again without any lasting damage."

Kurgren then sigh then smiles, no matter how far he was Friga was always there to help. Before he saw Erhardt, Louise, and Solaina come in, and after a moment of shock, ran towards him.

"By the five you finally woke up. You're a damn lucky bastard!"

"Thank the gods that the curtains were drawn."

"Meravilleux! It's great to see you made it mia mica."

Kurgren looks to them in confusion.

"Why did you come here?"

All of them looked to him in confusion before Ardent laughed.

"We all came here because we were worried for you."

"R-really?"

"Yes. Did you think we could abandon our friend?"

Kurgren hearts skipped a beat upon hearing what Ardent said. Even though they could have easily left him they chose to come for him.

"Thank you. But now what happens next."

Louise sighs.

"We don't currently know yet. Since it'll take a few more weeks of analysing the Obrilon before we can move."

"So, we're stuck here?"

Ardent pats Kurgren shoulder.

"But on the bright side. You will have time to heal."

Well. At least he has someone to help him. Before Ardent told another news.

"But, on an uncertain note, we couldn't find Bryans body."

"What do you mean?"

"After he exploded a large fog suddenly came down which upon dissipation, we couldn't find anything. Not even a finger. Hopefully, it is just paranoia."