Fay looked back at his teacher, who seemed to have been fighting nearby as well.
"This… this is the disease that destroyed my world. A mutation that changed animals into monsters. Even now, it's making small creatures grow large and… after enough time passes, it makes them slow, dumb, almost like they're undead. It's hard to kill them when they reach that stage… luckily, it seems this one was just starting."
He spoke while thinking about the consequences their arrival might have caused.
[From your world, huh… and as for it being a disease—did it affect humans?]
The Eluwyn's voice was calm but distant, already working through the implications this problem could cause for the villages.
"Yes. At first. But someone made a vaccine for it… all humans were forced to take it. I had it when I was Mira's age. As for her, she got it too…"
Elaruîn fell silent, eyes narrowing in thought. He didn't speak aloud, but it was clear he was communicating with someone else—likely the Guide.
[You don't have to worry about it. We're aware of what's happening thanks to the boy's input, and others from his world are informing the remaining settlements. What we can say for certain is that it's affecting the ecology of Elar'un. We must eliminate any mutations before they spread. As for the people living here… we're working on a method of healing. It shouldn't be difficult with the creatures' abilities. The problem is preventing direct contact with the disease.]
There was a pause. Then the Guide continued.
[Your solution may be the girl… since the creatures are bonded to her—through her blood—they might be able to resist it, unlike the slimes summoned by others. Have her heal anyone showing symptoms. Start with the Mistwalkers.]
The voice had been silent for days, but now it returned with urgency.
"Mira? My sister?" Fay echoed, stunned.
[Yes. She might be the key. For now, she can support the Eluwyn and the Ravari, keeping them from contracting the disease. Her slime might have already gained resistance… and if that's true, we may be able to heal others showing early signs…]
The Guide's voice began to flicker, cutting in and out like a signal breaking apart.
Fay looked toward Elaruîn, who was still deep in thought.
[There is no aether here, so the ancients can't speak clearly… We should return. You've passed your test. As for the corpse… We'll burn the forest. We don't need anything that might endanger the village.]
Fay nodded, not caring if he had missed the chance to obtain the large crystal the creature might have carried. It was likely tainted by the corruption it had endured—not something he wanted to touch.
As Fay and Elaruîn made their way back, the Mistwalkers were assigned to set a controlled fire across the forest, targeting the dead zones and the monster's remains.
"Will it ever be fine again?" Fay asked, glancing back at the rising smoke.
"It should recover within a few years. Don't worry… Now we need to hurry. One of the Mistwalkers was bitten—he'll need your sister's help. Let's see if what the ancients said is true."
Fay turned and noticed a man walking beside them along the canopy. At a glance, he looked fine, but one of his hands was wrapped in thick bandages, cradled by the other.
"Alright… we should hurry."
Reaching the site where the Wyrmling had fallen had taken them over an hour, and it took just as long—and then some to return to the village. By the time they arrived, the Mistwalker was already coughing.
[Go. Get your sister. We won't enter the village with him, so bring her here. It should be safe, but I'll have Lirosyl follow you just in case.]
Fay nodded and rushed inside.
He found his sister playing a game with the twins, laughing brightly under the watchful eye of Selûne. She beamed when she saw Fay enter and immediately ran over to hug him—but Fay had to cut it short.
"Mira, we need your slime—Jiggz's help. We need to heal someone. Can you come with me?"
Fay asked. He saw Selûne's worried expression but quickly gestured with a small wave of his hand that everything was fine.
"Yes! I can still use him. I didn't train a lot today—Mama Kueha was busy healing," Mira replied.
Fay nodded.
"That's good. Now let's hurry. You three stay here—I'll be back soon, alright?"
He looked at the twins, who simply nodded, and then at Selûne, who seemed like she wanted to ask what had happened. But instead, she returned to playing with the children, keeping their minds occupied.
Within a few minutes, and after explaining the situation to the Ravari at the gate, Fay finally returned to Elaruîn.
"We need you to use Jiggz to heal this man, Mira… can you do that?"
The girl looked at the elf suffering on the ground, clutching his bandaged hand.
"Did he… get bitten?"
Mira's voice was soft, but steady. She knew what that meant—she'd seen wounds before, especially on Fay after fights with beasts.
"Yes. On his left hand. So please, have Jiggz clean it, okay?"
"Umm! I'll have him out to help. Wait!"
Mira closed her eyes and began concentrating, then twirled around a few times like she was putting on a magic show.
Fay couldn't help but shake his head.
He knew the little performance wasn't necessary, but the adorable act made even the injured elf relax just a bit.
"Jiggz, help this man! Use your white light!"
Mira tossed the slime toward the man and began chanting something Fay didn't understand.
Green and white light pulsed around the elf's arm, right where the slime rested. Soon, the healing began.
Just like it had with Fay after the storm, the elf's hand slowly started to mend.
But this time, the process took longer.
Mira didn't stop until she was certain the man was healed. When it was finally over, she nearly collapsed.
Fay caught her, steadying her as she rubbed her forehead.
"Fuew… I did it, Fay! I healed him!"
Even while exhausted, the girl had the energy to shout with pride.
Elaruîn, who had been watching in silence, stepped forward. He examined the elf's hand, now sealed, and the bleeding stopped. It was a good sign. Before, the contamination had prevented the wound from closing.
"You'll have to remain isolated, Virellan. At least two weeks. Stay outside the village. Tomorrow, you'll return for a second round of healing. We'll tell you where."
The Eluwyn named Virellan nodded to his leader and rose to his feet.
[Thank you, miss. You have helped me. As our way dictates, I now owe you a debt. A life is not so easily repaid—so expect my full help, little miss.]
He also gave a respectful nod to Fay before disappearing into the forest.
"Will he be okay, Fay? I think he needs to eat…"
Mira looked after the man with concern.
"Don't worry. Someone will bring him food. Now, how about we head back? I'm tired… and I want to hear your great stories."
Fay turned toward the leader of the Eluwyn, as if asking for permission, and received a small nod.
"I'll see you later, Teacher. Thanks for helping me."
[The thanks are mine, children. You saved one of my own.]
The leader remained behind, watching the two children walk off into the distance. His gaze then shifted toward the horizon, where smoke curled upward from the far edge of the forest.
He knew the risk of setting such a large-scale fire—no doubt, the hums would investigate.
But he also knew that if he hadn't taken action, his village might have fallen victim to the rot.
With a quiet sigh, thoughts already drifting to what the future might bring.