Coma

-----Kaede's POV

I thought hearing my mother's screams would be the worst part, but when I saw the amount of blood pouring out of her back... Not only was the smell intense, but it sent me over the edge as I could feel my heart beating out of my chest, knowing that my mother is dying right in front of me. I almost wanted to just rip the rest of her back off when Yui and Lillian got halfway, but I steadied myself as I could've done far too much damage that may not be reversible with magic. So I put my trust in the two of them to get that damn crest off of her... But maybe we were too late.

Mai: "Rina... Do not stop what you're doing."

Rina: "O-of course!"

But throughout the silence, Mai spoke up while mom's still unconscious. Her grasp on my hand has completely faded as I'm now the one holding onto her hand while still trying to pour my mana into her, but I can already feel my energy running low. I couldn't help it though. The moment I saw Yui toss the crest to the side, I put in everything I had into healing my mom.

Sicily: "Is she alive?"

Mai: "Her body has shut down, but she is still hanging in there. You can stop now Selene."

What is she talking about? I'm not stopping until I'm completely drained! And almost defiantly, I pour even more of my mana into mom, giving her every last bit that I can.

Mai: "Selene... You have to stop."

Kaede: "Why?!"

Mai: "You're going to break her."

Break her? But I have healed her back, she's no longer bleeding. What I'm doing surely can't be hurting her.

Mell: "Mom-"

But it was then that Mell placed her hand on top of mine that was holding onto my mom's hand. Her face snapped me out of it as I then began to look around at everyone else. All their eyes were on me. And so, I stopped pouring in my mana as Mai had said.

Mai: "Okay good."

Kaede: "What do you mean, I was going to break her?"

Mai: "You could do this with Yui since her vessel has a hole in it, but with someone who has their vessel intact, you could've easily broke that vessel, essentially killing her."

Kaede: "I-"

I just wanted to help. I didn't know that I was actually killing mom...

Mai: "Rina is supplying Lilith with a steady supply of mana from the trees. But how long will she need it will be the question."

Yui: "What do you mean by that?"

Mai: "You remember your old world, yes? Think of this like a life-support system. Lilith already couldn't produce enough mana to live comfortably, and that crest ended up becoming a tool to draw out her mana, albeit forcefully."

Kaede: "Wait, hold on. Are you saying that removing that crest was a bad idea?"

Because if that's the case, then why the fuck did we go through all of this? I swear to god Mai... You always leave out important things until the last minute. Sure I never asked and I'm sure she would've told me, but how was I supposed to know that I needed to know this? I thought getting rid of the crest was all we needed to do.

Mai: "I didn't say that. I do agree that removing it was the correct decision. However, due to the condition of her vessel, her body has likely seized to produce mana now that the crest is no longer there trying to suck up her mana."

Yui: "So then. Rina's magic is giving Lilith's body the mana needed to live?"

Mai: "Correct."

Kaede: "...Then how long will it take for her body to start producing mana again?"

Mai: "Like I said. That is the question that needs to be answered. And only Lilith's body will know. And considering the condition of her body, it might take quite a while."

Looking over at her back, I did heal it well. However it's not like I can restore flesh so it essentially looks like her back has caved in where the crest was removed. Even the ridges of her spine can clearly be seen... Her complexion has gone quite pale too, almost as if she's already dead.

Rina: "So then I'm suppose to just stay here with Lilith until then?"

Mai: "If you could, please. I had my doubts, but I'm surprised to see that you are in fact capable of transferring the tree's mana over to someone else."

Rina: "I knew I could, but I didn't expect the trees to resent me. They almost felt as thought they were in pain until that crest was removed."

I was wondering why Rina was able to heal mom without feeling anything. But I guess it was technically the trees that were healing mom. So that pain Rina mentioned was probably that electric shocking sensation I felt at that time.

Sicily: "That's tree hugger talk for you, haha."

Rina: "..."

Lillian: "Hey. You have to admit that Rina is saving Lilith right now. I don't think making remarks like that is appropriate."

Sicily: "S-sorry."

I don't think Sicily meant anything bad by that. I've known Sicily for a while and it was clear to me that she was just trying to lighten the mood. But I guess Lillian took Rina's feelings into consideration.

Kaede: "Thank you, Rina."

I give her my thanks as she gives me a soft smile in response. I'm so happy that my mom is still alive, but if this is like a life-support system like Mai said, then I fear that mom will forever me stuck in this vegetative state. I remember hearing stories where people's family members are strapped onto machines for years and years, until they finally pull the plug. I just hope that this isn't the case here.

Yui: "Well, we'll be needing to keep Lilith and Rina in this forest, right? We don't know how long, but we can't just expect to stay like this?"

Sicily: "Good point. Some sort of shelter would be ideal."

Rina: "As long as it doesn't damage the trees, then it should be okay."

Yui: "Okay. Then Mai. Cold you take me to the queen?"

Kaede: "Huh?"

Yui: "If I talk with the queen, she'll probably send some people over to help us make some kind of shelter. Also we'll need some sort of food supply for Lilith and Rina."

Ah, yeah I suppose that'll be a good idea. I didn't think of the food problem. It'll also be a good idea to inform people about the current situation.

Mai: "Mhmm. I can take you."

Kaede: "...Then don't take too long."

Yui: "Thanks. Keep your mom company, okay?"

Kaede: "Mm."

It dawns on me now that I probably wouldn't be able to do all of this myself. Rina is obviously a huge part in this, but I don't think I could go out and look for help when mom is like this. What if something happens? Or a monster appears, making matters worse? When I was younger, growing up, I had to fend for myself a lot of the times, seeing others as a burden, especially with me constantly seeing them as prey. But now, I'm glad I'm not alone here. Thinking that, I squeeze my mom's hand tighter, trying to give some comfort as much as I can.

Mai: "Then we'll be back. Yui, take my hand please."

Yui: "R-right."

Standing up, Yui takes Mai's hand, and in the next few moments, they both disappear from the forest.

...

With Mai warning me about using my magic, I end up cleaning the area of all the blood instead. Mell ended up helping me with the clean up, but her manipulation of blood still needs improvement. That said, I'm quite proud of how far she's come. She's been through a lot already, and to add even more on top of that, she ends up witnessing such a gruesome sight... After we get this shelter and stuff sorted, I should check on her to make sure she's okay.

Rina: "Uhm... I know that I have to be here for a while, but what are we going to do about sleeping?"

Sicily: "Hmm?"

Rina: "I have to be awake if I'm to continue guiding the mana into Lilith's body."

Everyone went silent at Rina's words. I didn't think about that, or more accurately, I prayed that all Rina needed was to touch my mother's body. If it was just a matter of keeping her hand on mom, then I'd tie Rina's hand around my mom's. But now she has to be awake?

Rina: "I-I mean... I can try and stay awake for as long as I can, but I won't be a able to hold this forever."

Kaede: "How long do you think you can stay awake?"

Rina: "Three days? I'm not sure."

Kaede: "Do elves really need sleep?"

They live for quite a long time, so I figured maybe that wouldn't be an issue. But three days?

Lillian: "You forgot about my sister, haha."

Sicily: "Hey. Sleeping is too good to pass up!"

I guess that is true. Sicily has always been fond of sleeping, choosing to sleep in longer than anyone else in the house.

Rina: "...But surely she'll wake up before then, right?"

Kaede: "..."

I could go back to Inasdale and talk with Ilfa about lending another dark elf. That would be the best idea, but then the question lies if Ilfa would even accept it. She let Rina come with us for the sake of Fabian, so then why would she just give another dark elf to us? That said-

Kaede: "I'll go ask Ilfa about sending another dark elf here."

Rina: "No. This is my job."

Kaede: "Huh?"

Sicily: "Haha. Saw that one coming."

I'm guessing she's referring to the dark elves prideful nature? I love Rina's determination, but at what cost? My mom could easily die if she's not careful.

Rina: "Don't worry. I won't fall asleep."

I still want to go to Ilfa and ask, but maybe I can give it a day, or at least until I feel as though Rina starts getting too tired to continue. At that point, I don't give a damn about Rina's pride.

Kaede: "Okay."