The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 24: Resolve

Chapter 24: Resolve

Plans were made and now… I had something I needed to do.

I spent most of the day at the guild and it was now getting late in the afternoon but I wanted it to be still a little quieter, so I waited a bit more for night to completely fall.

After leaving the building, I took one quick glance at my new licence that was mostly empty, but unlike my black card this was one pure white and had no details of anything. If getting my previous card was in the grey area of the law, this one was definitely illegal. I would set it up later but for now I had better things to do. I minimised the card to a millimetre and hid it away under my shoulder. 

My standard licence which I now had updated to act as my standard all-purpose licence was normally stored in my phone. The card being stored inside the phone made it easily accessible and along with having the same shrinking and expanding technology. 

I got Henry’s number as well and hoped he would be able to make me something or that I could purchase something suitable off him.

The issue was as Mern and Ketty mentioned, Henry couldn’t stay still. Hopping from one planet to another on his own personal vessel. The only good part was he travelled so often that he made a complete round the main connection of planets ten times a galactic year–365 standard days.

However, I needed money for the equipment and for Mella’s treatment, so I already looked ahead for every expedition coming up and scheduled them into my phone.

Night fell and it was time to visit Mella one more time for the day. I had messaged mum and Tyell about where I was going. Mum who was still with Mella asked if I wanted some alone time with Melly. Which I did, so she packed up her things and went home to check on Tyell. 

I quietly entered the hospital, I scanned in my entrance but I made everything else about my visit as quiet as possible. [Quiet Step] and deafening my natural soul pressure to not cause any disruptions. People would eventually notice me being here but I just want some alone time with my sister without interruptions.

I made my way to Mella’s room and sat down on the chair close to the bed.

“Melly…” I mumbled. Looking over Mella’s pale face and cold skin.

Looking over her condition, she looked like a corpse but thankfully was alive. The bed sheets had also been changed… recently but they were already drenched. She was also shivering and her hand and foot were twitching constantly. 

I stayed by her side for thirty minutes unmoving with my eyes closed, it was a weird feeling as I didn’t have them shut often. Not having the need to blink thanks to my combination of skills, needing to stare at starlight for maximum absorbing rate, and my inability to sleep. 

But for the moment, I just wanted some complete silence to empty my head.

You’ll be okay Melly.

I’ll make sure of it

And I promise they won’t hurt you again.

Any doubt remaining in me was gone, just a burning resolve remained. 

So I asked.

Espoiramissa, do it.

(“ Are you sure? It hasn’t even been a full day ”)

Yes. So do it.

(“ Very well ”)

Espoiramissa expanded its influence out from my body, unnoticed by all, as this energy was different from the normal soul and mana. It was Espoiramissa’s will, I didn’t understand how it worked and theorised it was some advanced form of soul pressure or manipulation.

While that happened, I felt the bulge attached to my soul expand and dig its influence further. Surprisingly not painful but it did feel uncomfortable, it was a strange feeling compared to the natural way it levelled. Instead of feeling like the effects of a good workout, it was more of a I just took an extremely potent energy drink.

[Primal Guardian Lord [Lv 141]]

My physical body had changed again, but figuring out those changes would be for later point in time, for now Mella was my priority. 

Colour slightly returned to Mella’s complexion and she stopped trembling. The process took nearly a minute.

(“ The complication has been sorted and I’ve even remove some of the additional daming trauma ”)

Which is supposed to mean what?

(“ While still unable to learn any Fire related skills, and while likely she will still be afraid of fire, she won’t have a complete breakdown if she sees one. Unfortunately we are unable to see the display in action anymore, but from the folds on her soul in would’ve been magnificent ”)

For me, I was glad I never had to see that. Tyell breakdown was enough of a strain on my heart.

While it didn’t make much sense for trauma to be lower to manageable level in only a minute. I was going to complain just cause I didn’t know the process. It was just another mystery on the pile that made Espoiramissa’s existence.

Throughout the whole process I didn’t move, just sat there quietly waiting for the moment the process would be complete and Mella would awaken.

After over an hour had passed, a painful tired groan was released from Mella's stiff mouth. For the next minute she slowly started to awaken, tossing and turning, blinking and stretching her limbs.

Her eyes fluttered as they stared at me.

“Sis?” She questioned, as her vision cleared.

“Yes Melly, I’m here.” I stood up and clasped her hand gently. 

I watched as Mella tried to move up the bed and adjust herself but a combination of being too weak and not sure how to properly balance herself she couldn’t.

“You… alright?” I hesitated but asked.

“Tired…” Mella sighed a pained yawn, “But feeling good.” 

Mella asked “...How long has it been?” 

“One day, doctors got to you fast and patched you up real good.” 

Mella chuckled and coughed “I’m alive at least, don’t feel very patched up though.” 

Mella’s mouth shut and morphed into a depressed smile, “...a day huh, only a day. Time really feels longer when on the brink, huh.” Mella didn’t elaborate and I could only watch as a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes for a moment. 

Her eyes cleared up, becoming aware of my presence again and asked “...Are you okay…?”

I replied “I’m fine, you were the one in the danger zone, not me.” 

Mella didn’t immediately respond back, she might've seen me but I didn’t know. All I could hope was that she wouldn’t bring it up.

“Sorry… I should’ve been there.” In truth I did wish I had gone with her, there was no reason for me to have gone especially since it was a gathering of her and her friends, but it was always the impossible possibilities that people think about.

Mella bit her lip and shook her head, “You, that’s idiotic thinking, sis.” Mella looked away towards the clear window. “...How are Tyell and Mum? Mum seemed distressed.”

“Alright.” I calmly said, I wasn’t about to talk about the giant mess that was Tyell’s situation at the moment. “Mum is just very worried and Tyell needs some time.”

“Okay…” Mella responded and stopped talking, and began to just stare into her lap. After four minutes of silence, Mella asked. 

“So… sister I’ve been thinking.”

Mella asked, “Can I be selfish?”

“Of course you idiot!” I moved, knee on the ground I adjusted my position and hugged her tight.

“I… want my limbs back…”  Tears started to fall and her hand tried to shake but it was too frimley grasped between mine.

“...I want to feel the heat, touch.”

“It’s only been a da–” Mella started cry, “ –terri–”

I interrupted and pulled in closer, “It’s alright to be scared.” I tried to soothe her worry, “You’re only a child, it’s alright to be scared.” 

“We’ll get them back, and you will be as good as new.”

Mella didn’t reply and only continued to cry. 

You’ll be fixed up, and they will never harm you again…