Zara rushed at Jax's body. His body was convulsing violently, and foam was coming out from his mouth. Soon, the foam began turning blue, the shade getting darker and darker, while his convulsions slowly grew milder.
People stood like spellbound bystanders, at a loss, unsure what to do or even how to react.
Seraphina was the first to break the silence. She gently took the vial of Celestial Nectar from her husband's hand and gave it to Zara.
Zara nodded, her eyes full of tears of gratitude and hope. She was about to pour the vial into Jax's mouth when Seraphina stopped her, "No, my child, this is not for him, but for her!" she pointed toward Elara, who was still lying lifeless in Lorian's arms.
Everyone present was surprised at the Lady's behavior, but no one dared to question or oppose her. Zara took a moment to process the order, but she composed herself and nodded, "As you command, Lady Mother." She gracefully collected the vial and rushed to Elara, pouring the precious liquid into her mouth.
Lorian could not say anything to Zara, only looking at her with guilt.
It was, after all, a racist era where humans looked down upon demi-humans. So, it was understandable that his mother would prefer to save the life of a human over a demi-human. But why had his father, Lord Elmsworth, not objected and demanded to save Jax, who had just saved his life? Lorian wondered. Then he realized that perhaps it was because Elara had sacrificed her life for Lorian's that his father, too, did not protest.
Elara took a deep breath, the first one since she collapsed, but she could not open her eyes. Still, it seemed she was out of danger. Looking at Elara, Zara tried to smile a bit, but failed.
Seraphina offered a small smile and looked at Zara, "I think I know what is going through your mind, girl. But Elara needed the Health Potion, not him…"
"I know…" Zara replied in a faint voice.
"No, you don't, and next time don't interrupt me while I am speaking!" Seraphina replied in a stern voice, "This boy has been poisoned. His internal blood vessels are being choked by toxic blood. Health potions heal injury; they do not cure poison. He needs antivenom right now!"
Everyone was surprised by this explanation. Zara suddenly fell to her knees at Seraphina's feet, "High Mother, I beg you, save him. I do not have anyone but him. I don't want to lose him, I can't…"
Seraphina gently patted Zara's head, "You people are blessed with immense vigor and natural resistance to disease and poison; which is why he is still struggling. If he were a normal human, he would be dead by now. But he has ingested too much corrupted blood and he will not survive today's sunrise unless he is given the antidote right now."
Seraphina looked at Lucian, "I am giving you a list of items. You need to bring them to me as soon as possible." She then handed him a long list of strange, rare ingredients, many of which were themselves toxic.
Lucian nodded and walked out. While leaving, Lord Elmsworth reminded him that he did not care where or how the items were managed, but he needed them within the hour. Lucian acknowledged his command and rushed out.
Zara wanted to accompany them, but Seraphina advised her to stay by Jax, as he needed her most at this moment by her side.
Seraphina ordered a guard to collect vials of the dark, putrid blood of the dead Golems still on the floor. She also asked a guard to bring a specific box from her room. Lord Elmsworth commanded everyone to follow him to their chambers.
Lorian was stunned by this side of his mother. She smiled at him, "I know you have questions, my dear; rest assured I will tell you everything, but now is not the time."
Soon, the guard returned with an ornate box, accompanied by Lord Chief Elmsworth and Selana Stormhold.
Lorian watched as his mother acted like an experienced scientist, putting on protective gear taken from the box. Selena was the perfect lab assistant, helping Seraphina establish a makeshift lab with the apparatus and instruments from the box. They made four separate samples of the corrupted blood they had collected and tested them at different flame temperatures, mixing various solutions. However, Seraphina's face grew grim as she continued testing.
Zara, seeing Lady Seraphina's expression darken, hesitantly asked if Jax was not going to make it. Seraphina gave her a dry smile and assured her that if all the ingredients were collected in time, she would be able to save him for sure. Lorian felt something was not adding up.
Soon the Thorne Guards arrived with all the ingredients, and under Seraphina's direction, Selena continued preparing the concoctions with her own hands. It seemed she, too, was no novice at potion crafting.
The antidote was soon prepared, and they mixed it with the corrupted blood samples. After two unsatisfactory tries, the third attempt was a success. Selena poured the potion into Jax's mouth herself. Jax coughed a bit, but on Seraphina's command, Zara tightly held his mouth closed. He had a brief convulsion, but then he became still. Zara realized that Jax's body was again getting warmer and his heartbeat was normalizing. In her heart, she knew, Jax was out of danger.
Lord Elmsworth commanded Kaelen and Zara to carry Jax and Elara to the Restoration Wing- the infirmary of Auric Spire.
As they left, everyone decided to go to take a rest. Selena was arranging the apparatus to put them back in the box, not noticing as Lorian approached her. He took a deep breath and called her name, "Selena!"
Selena suddenly realized Lorian's presence and looked up. Her hand was dirty, and she subconsciously used it to remove a strand of hair that had fallen onto her eyes. This resulted in a small smudge on her forehead.
Lorian smiled and took out his handkerchief to gently wipe the smudge from her forehead. Selena was momentarily dumbfounded by this gesture. She could not speak.
Lorian gently took her hands and said, "Thank you. They really mean a lot to me. And you helped them. I am indebted to you. Thank you."
Selena was still a bit dumbstruck, so she neither replied nor reacted; she just kept staring at him blankly.
Lorian felt slightly insulted, "Forgive me," he said, deciding to leave the room.
Suddenly, he heard Selena's voice from behind, "Your hands…"
Lorian stopped and looked back, puzzled.
"Your hands, they got dirty, forgive me!" she spoke hesitantly, "Please thoroughly wash them with warm salt water."
Lorian looked at his own hands and observed they were indeed covered with grime after grabbing Selena's hand. He nodded and smiled back in gratitude.
"I know they are not just your retainers, but you treat them as your friends. You really love them," she spoke again, in her timid voice, "I had to do it. If something had happened to them, you would be sad! I couldn't let that happen."
Lorian's heart was suddenly moved. He smiled back at her, "See you tomorrow. Take rest."