Chapter 24: The Shadow of Poison and the Fugitive Prey
Racing Against Time
Rina and Rina's father put Diari's arms over their shoulders and ran through the forest and the thick mists. Diari's breath became tight, and his face turned pale like the dead. Rina was deeply worried seeing Diari like this. Diari said to Rina and her father, "Can I rest for a bit?" Rina's father didn't allow it and said, "My son, there is little time left. We are racing against time right now." Rina looked into Diari's eyes; her heart was full of a thousand things to say, but she remained silent so Diari wouldn't worry. Rina's heart was very heavy. She said to him, "Diari, I promise you, when we go back home, I will be even more troublesome than you and Palla (the dog/pet), okay?" Rina said this with a heart full of emotion. Diari replied, "Oh, Rina is going to be our rival? That's something very important. We must win, me and Palla. I am practicing right now, and I'm sure you will win too." Rina's father saw that time was slipping away and Diari's condition was getting worse. He whispered in Rina's ear, "My daughter, there is very little time left. We must be the winners against time. This is not the time for talking; Diari needs a lot of treatment." He added sadly, "The poison is about to reach his heart. We must find a place quickly; time hasn't waited for us."
A Shelter in the Heart of Stone
After an hour of running, they reached the edge of a red river with steam rising from it. Near the river, there was a cave covered with black leaves. When they entered, Rina lit up the inside with her light. They laid Diari down on the cold ground. With a strained voice, Diari forced himself to say, "Rina, you guys leave here. I'm becoming a burden. I said leave here, please." Rina replied, "No! Either we all get saved, or none of us. You are one of us, so don't talk nonsense, please."
The Conflict Between Liva and His Mother
On the other side, in the Valley of Mirrors, Liva was striking his dagger against the ground and shouted, "Mother, why did you do that? Huh? If you had let me, I would have finished them off myself! Why did you do it?" His mother replied, "My son, do not hurry. That poison in that boy's body is like a shield. Rina will return to us. She cannot watch her friend die before her eyes. They will return on their own, but this time, they will come back on their knees."
Rina's New Power: The Shield
Inside the cave, the light of the winged horse was still there, which Rina had gained through her prayers. She felt that this power could heal Diari. She slowly placed her hand on Diari's wound, but as soon as she touched it, a massive pain shot through Rina's body. Her father said, "My daughter, be careful! The poison is transferring to you!" Rina replied, "As long as he gets better, I want nothing for myself."
The End of the Chapter: The Unknown Person
While Rina was trying to treat Diari, the sound of footsteps coming forward echoed in the darkness of the cave. Rina and her father looked on in fear. A long shadow appeared on the walls. A person in strange clothes with a covered face and a mythical staff came toward them and said, "This cure requires sacrifice, not power."
Written by: Dlin_myth