The girl sat on the jeep’s seat as Marilyn cast her healing spells on her. Even though her magic seemed to work wonders earlier, it’s effects no longer were as impressive as before. Marilyn grew frustrated, as her spell just wouldn’t bring the young girl to complete recovery. It is fortunate though she only had a few cuts and bruises remaining, if they were serious wounds, she wouldn’t be confident that her magic would be effective.

Why isn’t it as strong as before? Marilyn continued to fuss over it, though she couldn’t really think of any reason for the sudden decrease in healing power, compared to yesterday.

“How’s it coming along,” Dante spoke as he returned from scouting the nearby surroundings of the forest.

“We got her mostly healed up, but it seems Marilyn’s power has reached its limit,” Lacey replied.

“Here, let me take a look at her.” Dante went and grabbed the red first-aid box from his jeep, then returned and stooped in front of the girl. She shifted away from him as he did, even grabbing onto the nearby Marilyn. Well, that’s to be expected, anyway you look at it I’m no woman. She probably has no idea what I am.

“I know he looks weird compared to us, but that’s because he’s a man,” Lacey gently bend over and said.

“A…man?”

“Mhm! He’s a great person, when I was in trouble like you, he saved me,” Marilyn glanced at him as she spoke, “and now he’s trying to help you, so don’t be afraid,” she finished off with a bright smile in front of the young girl.

Dante couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious as he heard them speak.

“What they said. He’s big and dresses strange, but he’s good… most of the time,” Kayla voiced her opinion last, though her words were rather bittersweet.

Well, it is her after all, I shouldn’t be surprised. He thought. If anything, that’s probably the nicest thing she’s ever said. Her remarks also didn’t escape the ears of the other two women, who gave her a peculiar gaze which caused Kayla to shift her head away as she felt a burning in her face.

The women’s words didn’t go in vain as the girl loosened her grip on Marilyn and peeked glances at the man before her. All Dante could do was give a forced smile as he retrieved the disinfectant and bandages.

“This will hurt a bit, just bear with it alright, it’ll be over quick,” Dante said, while he treated injuries before, dealing with a child was new territory for him. That’s why he was really grateful that the others were around. “Hold on I’m almost done.”

“But it stings.” The girl flinched as Dante sprayed the disinfectant.

“Here, I’ll make the bad pain go away,” Marilyn said as she activated her healing spell. The girl settled down as the magical light radiated onto her, and the burning sensation numbed away. “There we go, see no more pain.” As she said that the girl returned a smile to the gentle Marilyn.

“I’m almost done, if you can keep that up, then that would be great,” Dante said. Marilyn gave an enthusiastic nod as they continued to treat the young Tina.

After wrapping up her treatment everyone turned their attention to the clouds of smoke dead ahead of them.

“So, what’s our move now.” Kayla was the first to speak.

“I heard a few cries up ahead, but it’s been silent for a while now,” Dante said.

“I didn’t find anyone else on the way either,” Lacey spoke.

“What about her?” Marilyn asked as everyone turned back to the young girl.

“One of us should stay here and watch her, the rest will head to the village,” Dante said. Everyone glanced at each other and nodded.

“Then Kayla you should stay,” Lacey turned to her fellow knight maiden and began to give orders, “The rest of us will go on ahead.” With no words of objection, Kayla stayed with the girl as everyone else headed for the village.

The flames consumed the remaining buildings as dead bodies littered the ground. It truly was a grim scene, even Dante couldn’t help but gain flashbacks to when he was on tour. The most taken in by it all was Marilyn, she gazed wide-eyed at the surroundings.

“This, it’s just like…” she mumbled to herself, “then she must be here!” Marilyn suddenly bolted off.

“Marilyn!”

“Hey!” both Lacey and Dante shouted out, but she was already sprinting on without them. The two quickly followed behind, then suddenly Dante reached out and grabbed Lacey.

“Watch out!”-he pulled her into him as a burning tree collapsed onto the path before them.

“Um…thank you,” Lacey said with a flustered face.

“Don’t mention it, but we have to find a way back to her.”

“Ah yes, you’re right.” As they lost sight of her, Marilyn continued forward, powering through the heat and noxious fumes.

She’s here. I know she is! Marilyn voiced in her head as she shouted out, “Moyra!” she continued to shout as she ran through the burning village, “I’m here! Moyra! If you hear my voice, answer me!” Her steps however were halted as a burning branch fell before her. The radiating heat forced her to step back as she looked about the blazing area for another way or signs of someone. Then from the corner of her eyes, something launched up into the air. Marilyn tried to see what it was, only for a crimson beam to enter her view. She quickly summoned a barrier, but the force was too strong and with a loud boom it shattered her magical shield and sent her into the hot ground. A strong thud sounded in front of her and as she fought the disorientation and pain to raise up, that sinister figure stood before her.  “You…” she said as she looked upon the black-armored woman, the same as the one from that vision. The woman stood silent as she pointed her glowing red blade toward Marilyn.