Healing Magic: Ancient Art - Sanctuary

"Is the King… dead?" I can't hear his heartbeat. No, it's not that I can't hear it. It's faint. Almost gone.

"Lady Rai," says one of the doctors, wiping away his tears. "The King… We did all we could."

"No… This can't… This can't… be. Father… he—"

"Get up Rai!!" I scream. "It's not over yet!!"

"What? Who do you think you are? Can't you see Lady Rai is in—"

"Don't touch me!!" I roar, as a doctor attempts to stop me. I glare into his eyes, and he hesitantly moves back. I pick Rai up. Did she not hear me? No, it's her mind. Due to the shock, her mind is close to breaking. I put my hand to her head and say, "Healing Magic: Mental Heal."

She regains consciousness and looks at me confused. "Haruki, what...?"

"No time to explain. Use your Lightning Magic on the King."

"What!? What are you—"

"Ok," interjects Rai. "I trust you, Haruki."

"Good. I will teach you a spell. Just repeat after me. O neftrhud gdo, ighir mavyeditnennnhtd iatin. Bekul ble, aret dcna, mrrcm. Tl aeottortd eya oueorhn gpd monrtnr fh swu. li ioea, rsth hllebtmhtmeut hi npre ddo g o becfaoueetti nhnrs."

"Ancient text? But—"

"You can do this, Rai. Only you can save your father now."

She grits her teeth and says, "Could you repeat that?"

I had this burning feeling that if any human could learn the ancient tongue, it would be Rai. She may have looked confused but below her confusion was a passion to learn more. Of course, passion alone won't teach her the ancient tongue. But…

"O neftrhud gdo, ighir mavyeditnennnhtd iatin. Bekul ble, aret dcna, mrrcm. Tl aeottortd eya oueorhn gpd monrtnr fh swu. li ioea, rsth hllebtmhtmeut hi npre ddo g o becfaoueetti nhnrs."

… she's a quick learner.

After Rai perfectly parrots the chant, she places her hand on the King's chest. She calls out, "Thunder Magic – Mystic Arts: Revival Bolt," and electricity discharges from his body.

By sending electrical charges to the King's heart, we might have a chance at reviving the King temporarily; however, the chances of a revival working are low, and the demon possessing the King could still be latching onto his soul. That is why I will activate Sanctuary the moment Rai activates her spell. It will be momentary, but the King's heart will beat once the electric impulses course through it. My aim is for that fleeting moment.

"Now!!" I scream. "Gno ot iseeopartf. Oyg tra e secoutnf aspnhate. L rulmaolespcomyweiinte ie a ss tclehtt. L wsdchnedewn som myeoutl ol tta. L tlslya sstweovcetsmheaolo u. Eafs oi uiryehrlighetn tsnp tvry. Healing Magic - Ancient Arts: Sanctuary!!"

I struggled to grasp the meaning of this spell. A sanctuary that heals. Imagining a structure was difficult. But it hit me when I was talking to Rai. I don't enjoy it here. This realm is not my home. My home is with Grandpa—at the edge of the realm. That is my sanctuary.

A bell tolls and my eyes close. The sound of electricity fades and my body feels like it's floating. "This feeling," I say. This nostalgic feeling reminds me of ten months ago when I was summoned to Leagard. I slowly open my eyes, only to witness pure white Torii Gates leading to a flight of pitch-black stairs.

The bell tolls again.

Where is everyone else?

I try looking around, but control of my body is not in my hands. My right leg moves forward after another bell tolls. Then my left. Then my right. And again. And again. Until I reach the first step. With each step I take, a bell tolls. My right leg raises up and falls onto the first step. That is when a flood of pain and suffering courses throughout my body. I try screaming but my voice is mute. The pain amplifies with each step I take. However, the pain also subsides with each bell that tolls. Right. Left. Right. Left. The steps turn white after I step on it. I have been walking for thirty minutes, but the end still seems far off. The walk. The pain. The healing. It lasts for another thirty minutes before I reach the top.

As I place my right foot on the last step, I regain control of my body. My voice returns and I pant while sweating heavily. The pain healed, but it still feels as though it's there. I look up at the shrine. There, just before the white building, is the King. I listen closer. And I breathe a breath of relief.

"Good. His heart is beating normally."

"W-what...?"

I look around after hearing a voice. But I see nothing.

"What did you...?"

"Who?"

"WHAT DID YOU DO!!??"

The voice rings in my ears. I turn around and before me is a demon's silhouette. It's a small child; however, its eyes tell a devastating tale.

"W-Who...?" I ask.

"..."

The figure remains silent. I can't divert my gaze from its eyes. I try forcing my head to move; however, its bright red eyes entrances me. My mind goes blank.

"Haruki...? What have you...?"

Selina?

"I knew this was the end; however..."

Elisabeth?

"Haruki... It's..."

This voice... Louisa?

"Haruki, don't w..."

Rai as well. No, there are more voices. Niklaus. Erika. Even Grandpa's voice is there. What's going on? Why do they sound in pain? An ocean of images flows into my mind. Some happy. Others painful. However, I can say that these have never happened before. Are all of these... future memories?

The memories stop flooding, and one hovers in my mind. Unlike the other memories, this one is not a picture.

"Gyahhh!!" I open my eyes to a baby's cry. I look down to the source of these cries. And there in my arms, is the culprit. A baby girl - a heavy one at that - in my arms. Her eyes and hair match mine.

"Don't hog our baby, Haruki," says a woman's voice.

I look up, but the woman's face is blurred by the sunlight. "Who...?" I ask, confused.

"Who? I'm your wife, silly. It's me..."

Before she can say her name, my mind snaps back to reality.

"Father!!" screams Rai, relieved.

"What was that?" I mutter to myself, sweating profusely.

"Haruki... you... saved the King," says Erika, crying tears of joy. "How... How could we ever..."

She breaks down into tears. She must have held back all her emotions to be a supporting figure for Rai if the worst had happened. I don't know what that was; however, what I do know is that the King is alive and well.

After everyone settled down, the King called me forward.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Haruki Ryu, you have saved my life."

"No, it was..."

He raises his hand and says, "Let me finish. You have saved the life of the King. That is something which should be rewarded greatly. And not just that, you have also saved me from my many years of torment by that demon. I can feel a great weight lifted from my shoulders. For that, you have my thanks."

"It was my duty, Your Majesty." Many years' pain. Did the steps represent his years of torment? If so, he really must have suffered greatly as he fought that demon.

"Haruki, you are too humble," says Rai.

Humble? I don't plan on refusing any reward he offers me. It might be something of great value like an ancient magic text. Or maybe he has something that could help me return home. Whatever it is, I will take him up on his offer.

"Quite humble indeed," repeats the King. "Haruki," he continues, "Then how about this. As a reward, how about I give you my daughter's hand in marriage?"

"I graciously acc... Wait, what?"

"Father!! What are you saying?" screams Rai, flustered.

"You see, my daughter is quite special to me, and I would not want her to be taken by someone I do not approve. Haruki, you are a kind and powerful boy. With Rai by your side, you can become a fine King."

"Father!!" 

"What do you say, Haruki? Will you take my daughter's hand?"

"No thank you," I answer.

Everybody gasps at my rejection of the King's offer. "Why is that?" asks the King.

I look at Rai, "I'm sorry, but I have no intention of marrying anyone right now." I don't have the luxury of enjoying a sweet love story. At least, not anymore. "I need to stay focused on my goal. Love will only halt my progression towards that goal." That vision from earlier showed me my future. A woman I didn't recognise. And a child that looked like me. If that is my future, does that mean I received my answers?

The King looks at me and says, "If that is your wish, then I shall not push any further. However, I should still reward you. Is there anything else you would like?"

"Even if you ask me...? Wait, there is something."

"Speak it and I shall grant your desire."

"...."

Everyone looks shocked. "T-that is..." says the King, surprised.

"It's not something impossible, is it, Your Highness?" I say.

He laughs and says, "Indeed. You just surprised me with this sudden request. Very well then, if that is your wish, I shall grant it."

"Thank you, Your Highness."