[This sucks.]
Not only because I couldn't move without wincing in pain, but because the cramped, barely inhabitable room I was in made it a million times worse.
Despite being fully awake, I hadn't moved from the hard cot they called a hospital bed. My leg throbbed even through the cocktail of painkillers Dr. Oule pumped into me, and every time I blinked, it felt like I could still taste my own brain sizzling from overusing Vanir.
Using it like that was a gamble. But it saved my life.
[Well, life's full of gambles], I thought bitterly as I groaned, forcing myself upright just enough to assess the damage.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"You dead yet?" A rough, familiar voice from beyond the door.
"Not yet. Come in." My tone was sour, but I couldn't help smiling. Dan always had that effect.
The door creaked open, revealing his scarred mug — and a smaller shadow trailing behind him.
"Gelda?!"
The blonde little Maroone girl nodded enthusiastically, slipping out from behind him. She looked around the room like a kitten exploring a new alley.
She and Dan exchanged a few words in her southern tongue before she bounded up to me.
"B**ch!"
It sounded strange in her heavy accent, the syllables stretched and twisted, but the meaning was clear enough.
I froze. Dan burst into a wheezing laugh.
"Ow!" he yelped as I chucked one of Dr. Oule's tools at him.
"I'll never understand why I think of you as a responsible adult," I growled. Turning to Gelda, I softened my tone. "Don't say that anymore, okay?"
She blinked at me, clearly confused as to what she'd done wrong.
"Anyways, what are you here for. We're friends but not nearly close enough for you to visit just because."
As I spoke, Gelda sat on my lap and I stroked her hair absentmindedly.
"You're right, just came to give you your money and picked up the kid on my way here. Also, James booked another match for the 'Dark Horse' in two weeks. That's you, if it wasn't obvious enough"
He handed me two pale violet bills.
I quickly counted the money."This isn't enough."
Dan turned to leave. "It is, you think Oule offered to treat you for free? She would've taken the full 500 if not for the fact you risked you life for it. Also, be careful, Thorns are in town."
[Of course...] I sighed and handed the 100 Marks to Gelda. She hopped off my lap, smiled, and ran to follow Dan out.
When she was out of sight, my eyes darted to a corner of the room suspiciously.
Either the person spying me wanted to be caught, or they weren't a very good spy.
...
...
...
"How much longer is this going to take?" The short and brunette Dr.Oule didn't bother to answer my question, only giving a slight nod and incoherent mumble to give the illusion that she was listening before shoving another needle in my leg.
Surprisingly, I didn't scream. The pain came to my brain in a dull and numb form despite still being present. She patted the strange contraption of rings held up by needles that now decorated my leg and smiled.
"You should be fine now." She said with the 'innocent' smile I knew her for. As she turn to face me, the four emerald green lights floating around her faced me as well.
They were Nexi, albeit very weak Tier Is. Each of them buzzed at a different frequency creating an almost musical atmosphere. Through their green glow one could vaguely make out a card.
"Now, get out. I should have a huge influx of patients any moment now." Dr.Oule rubbed her hands together and her eyes flared with greed.
"What are you talking about?"
"You don't know? Well now that you've become a big shot, plenty of people will wanted to get treated by the doctor you visit." I didn't known how to feel about her words, seeing as that was the least ridiculous thing the avarice-ridden Oule Lee has said to me. But one thing she said had caught my eye.
What did she mean by big shot?
"Oh! Also Dan wanted me to give you this." She handed me a sealed envelope, which was never a good sign if it came from Dan.
I thanked her and left the shabby clinic, using a pair of crutches for support.
Scrrrr!
Dan's letter opened rather easily. I quickly scanned the contents and couldn't help a self-deprecating sigh from leaving my lips.They were trying to work me to death.
The letter read:
"Yo Denny, I forgot to mention a few things when I dropped by. First, we didn't tell you but your last match was a sort of 'debut'. Your name's now part Deci's Official Underground Fighting Ring. Fun, no? Second,now that you're on the radar everyone with any relationship to the Executioner wants your head, especially the Red Punisher Order. Turns out he made a lot of people a lot of money and you just killed him. I can pull some strings to keep Gelda safe but I can't make any promises for you. I recommend sleeping with one eye open.
"Love, the best mentor ever..."
No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't muster any anger towards Dan or James. It was all business at the end of the day.
[But he was right about the Thorns being back in town. It's not unheard of but they don't often this district.] I felt Vanir at the edge of my consciousness as my eyes darted to the now lit emblem, six roses each seemingly made of a differently colored gem. Infront of the Thorns, Nexi Hoggers Supreme, I was the worst type of criminal. They'd rather overlook murder than illegal Nexi possession.
[It doesn't matter, they didn't catch me yet and they wo-]
Boom!
My thoughts were cut short by an intense rumbling and the smell of smoke.
That and screams.
The screams of children...
Briefly, a scene I'd rather forget flashed before my eyes.