Heavy Price

"What's wrong with you?" Jovis asked, when he realised that Noir wasn't saying anything despite the strange expression on his face.

Jovis was mildly annoyed – his sentences kept getting interrupted and now Noir wasn't even saying anything.

After Jovis spoke, everyone's attention was drawn to Noir. Solis, who was the closest to him, immediately touched Noir's shoulder.

Noir shrank away, looking like he was trying very hard not to throw up. A moment later, however, he coughed and spat out blood, staining the front of his shirt.

Alarmed, Solis, Jovis, Tygr and the three weapon spirits immediately gathered around Noir.

"What happened to him?" Solis asked worriedly. "Can I heal him?" He pulled Noir into his arms, uncaring of the blood.

"Don't," Noir protested faintly. "There'll be stains…"

Solis ignored him completely and shot Jovis a look.