Synchronisation II

Letting go of his collar, Lupus exhaled sharply, trying to calm herself. "I'm sorry too," She admitted to Jack, who adjusted his tunic back into place and dusted his shoulders.

"Jeez…" Jack muttered under his breath, shooting her a glare for not trusting him.

Triss and her mage chuckled in amusement at the drama. "Now, now, everyone. May I introduce you to our catalyst?" She announced, her divine voice carrying authority. Instinctively, everyone turned their attention to her. 

Both of Triss's hands theatrically pointed at the princess, showing extreme respect toward her.

"Catalyst?" Aurelia asked, pointing at her face and tilting her head slightly.

Triss nodded twice at the princess before turning to everyone. "I believe that if Princess Aurelia Sol Solara lends me her immense mana, I might be able to fully utilise my mythic essence."

Jack edged closer to Lupus. "What does she mean?" He asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

"It means she'll borrow mana from the princess to use the healing spell because her own innate mana capacity isn't enough to amplify her Iasis," Lupus explained matter-of-factly, keeping her voice low so only he could hear.

"Wait, you can do that?"

"Yes, but only if Princess Aurelia has a sufficient mana reservoir and is willing to allow the channelling," Lupus added.

Aurelia put her fists on her hips, her condescending smirk drew on her lips, "Mm! I'll do it!" She declared with confidence and determination. 

Glancing at the dying man, she took pity in him. And if she could save a man's life with her mana, she'd gladly go for it. 

"Wow, that weird girl is actually nice. At least she's willing to help strangers in need without a second thought," Jack mumbled, only to receive a nudge from Lupus.

"Show some respect, Jackie. She's not just any princess — she's the princess of Solis Aeternum," Lupus scolded.

"My bad, my bad," He said, waving a hand dismissively.

"Then we shall not waste any more time. Princess?" Triss suggested, motioning for Aurelia to step forward. The princess eagerly did so, hovering her palms towards the reserved mage.

"Oh? So you're familiar with the harmonious channelling ritual, Princess Aurelia?" Triss asked, glancing over her shoulder. Aurelia nodded a few times.

"That's a relief. Then let's concentrate!" Triss instructed, clasping her hands to her chest.

Her mind began shaping the human anatomy — starting with the rough outlines, then the intricate network of blood vessels, red muscle fibres, and bones. She envisioned the flow of rivers and the currents of wind. Aurelia did the same, aligning their focus.

Soon, emerald leaves materialised and began to flutter around them. Hundreds, perhaps thousands twisted and danced through the air, each one glowing softly with intricate glyphs etched into its surface.

A luminous veil of energy rippled outward, cascading like an aurora waving across the tower. Shimmering waves of light painted the stone in hues of green and gold, their brilliance reflecting off the tower's highest spires.

Jack and Lupus stood in awe. The ritual was more than magic — it was a spectacle of life itself, both mesmerising and profoundly serene.

After a minute or two, Triss's eyes snapped open, glowing an ethereal green. Her hair floated as if she were in zero gravity. "Iasis!" Triss and Aurelia chanted in unison.

The leaves surged, spiralling like a storm with Rhok at the centre. For a moment, a brilliant green light illuminated the entire space, almost blinding them. Then, in an instant, it vanished.

Jack blinked several times, trying to adjust his vision. As expected, the deadman's brand had been completely wiped out. A triumphant smile curled on Aurelia's lips. "We did it! Yay!" She exclaimed, bouncing with joy, clasping hands with Triss, who hesitated before joining in.

"Damn… Magic is both awesome and terrifying," Jack murmured, exchanging a soft smile with Lupus.

"He might remain in a daze or comatose for a few days," Triss informed the group, gazing at the man on the ground, who now appeared to be sleeping soundly.

"Alrighty, we'll take him to Hasenwald as a prisoner of war. Then we'll decide what to do with him," Lupus concluded with a nod.

As they celebrated the successful healing, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Jackie?! Is that you?!" David called out incredulously, stumbling forward with glassy eyes and outstretched arms.

Jack and Lupus spun on their heels towards the voice. "David?! Is that really you, my friend?!" He exclaimed, a mixture of disbelief and joy washing over him.

"Ah!" The two men embraced tightly before pulling back. "I thought you were dead!" Jack said, still blinking in bewilderment.

They exchanged broad smiles. From Luna Base to this war-torn planet, meeting here was the last thing either of them had expected. Fate truly worked in mysterious ways.

"My good man, how?!" David asked, scratching his cheek.

"I made a descent with some puny bots… Fifty of them," Jack replied with a smirk.

David frowned. "Impossible! If that were true, your brain would be scrambled already!" He blurted as his stumpy fingers reached out to examine his head, to which Jack evaded with a backstep. 

"Well… I employed group commands and a mirroring protocol. That way, I was only controlling ten at a time."

"Hot damn! You've never failed to amaze me, Jackie!" David bellowed with laughter. Then he leaned in, lowering his voice. "Is that your wife?" He asked, his keen dark eyes glancing at Lupus, who was still deep in conversation with Triss.

Jack's smile faltered, his expression darkening. "They're gone, David… It's a long story." His voice grew quiet, heavy with unspoken grief. His shoulders sagged under the weight of a reality he could never escape. That emptiness, the one that had hollowed him out since that day, never loosened its grip on his soul.

"Oh… I hear you, mate." David patted his arm gently, offering silent solace before cursing at the sky. "Damn this bloody war!"

After a moment, Jack looked up. "What about you? How did you get back?"

For a good while, the two men exchanged into their respective stories, recounting their journeys, their struggles, and their unexpected reunion. Soon, Jack learned that David had been trying to fix a spacecraft he'd salvaged from Luna Base, but a key component was missing — the arcanite engine.

Jack offered to scavenge for one, sealing their next course of action. With a plan in mind, they prepared for the next chapter of their battle for survival.