Serene’s POV

The arrow hit the creature straight in its head. Nothing happened for a few seconds. All of us held our breaths and waited in anticipation, I could feel my palms going all sweaty and my body turning cold.

Thinking I had failed but the creature stirred and lifted its head. It slowly opened its eyes to reveal golden-orange orbs. They were the most magnificent eyes I had ever seen and they stared right back at me.

"Yesssss," I punched the air, happiness washing all over me. Zeph gave me a warm hug and said:

"I knew you could do it."

"Well done, Serene." Mariela and Artins Sensei beamed at me. "You have outdone yourself, once again. I am proud of you." Artins Sensei praised me, a hint of pride his eyes held for me, it made my heart melt.

"Thank you, this means the world to me." I couldn’t contain my smile. This meant that I could heal Kilamin.

~Howl~

All of us turned around at the sound, the creature was howling at me. Its eyes held tenderness. Did it know I had healed it?

"It wants to thank you, Serene." Mariela Sensei told me with an appreciative smile.

"Can I touch him?" I asked with a bit of apprehension.

"I think you can, don’t think it will hurt you." I nodded and slowly approached the creature. It looked at me with its big golden eyes.

"Hey! I just want to touch your head." I spoke calmly and extended my hand to touch the top of its head. It bowed its head for me and whimpered in appreciation. The fur was so soft as if it was sprinkled with gold. It nuzzled its nose along my arm, sniffing me. I didn’t feel afraid of it, instead, it filled my heart with joy.

I stroked its shoulders and belly and it purred with my touch, its eyes closed as if finding peace. I didn’t want to stop but I knew I had to go help Kilamin. So I withdrew my hand and said with a smile: "I will visit you again." It appeared sad and lowered its head, placing it on the table.

"Let’s go, Serene." Artins Sensei instructed and we left it with Mariela Sensei, as we rushed back to the Infirmary.

"It liked you, it knew you were the one who had saved it," Zeph whispered as we were going back. It made my heart swell, thinking I saved a life and would probably be able to save Kilamin too.

Reaching the Infirmary Artins Sensei opened the door and we stepped inside. Lavaria Sensei was sitting beside him and he was laying in the same posture as I had left him.

Lavaria Sensei glanced in our direction and quickly stood up and asked with urgency: "Any luck?"

"Yes, I think Serene will be able to pull it off." Artins Sensei replied while advancing to his bed. I inched closer with heavy steps, dread falling over me as I thought what if it won’t work on him? Artins Sensei understood my expressions and spoke:

"Serene put all negative thoughts out of your mind. Focus only on positive ones, particularly on how you are going to heal his brain. Clear?"

"Yes," everyone moved back a bit to give me space. I stood a few feet from him and aimed for his brain, focusing all my energy just to heal him. The same emerald green arrow began to formulate but I could feel it was much more vibrant than the one I had conjured a few moments ago.

This had a lot more energy and I could feel it pulsating. I shot it and it hit right in the temple. I felt completely drained as the arrow left my bow and crumbled to the ground. My head spun and I could see Zeph running toward me in slow motion. The bow dropped from my hand and clattered on the floor.

"Serene..." I could see his mouth moving but couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. His arms held me by my shoulders. My ears were ringing. I closed my eyes for a few seconds and felt something pressed against my lips. I opened my eyes to see Lavaria Sensei giving me water to drink. I quickly gulped it down and remembered Kilamin.

"Kilamin?" I inquired with questioning eyes and tried to stand but my legs had no strength and they refused to carry my weight.

"Zeph, carry her to the other bed." Artins Sensei ordered Zeph, his expression solemn. Zeph picked me up, supporting my back and legs and carried me to an empty bed, and laid me down.

My eyes drifted off to Kilamin, did it not work? All of us watched him in anticipation, every second felt heavy and I couldn’t get enough oxygen in my lungs, my chest pained.

He finally stirred and his eyes flew open. I was about to rush over to him but Artins Sensei placed his finger on his lips indicating me to be quiet and stay there.

"Lavaria, fetch Mariela." Lavaria Sensei left instantly.

Kilamin blinked several times and then asked Artins Sensei who was standing near him:

"What happened and where am I?"

"Kilamin, what do you remember last?" Artins Sensei asked in a monotonous tone.

"I was training Serene and then something unseen hit me and rendered me unconscious. Is Serene alright?" He shot up from his bed and then his eyes fell on me and he tried to get up from the bed.

"No, not before Mariela inspects you. Stay here." Artins Sensei stopped him with his hand and asked him to lie down.

"Serene, why are you in bed? What happened? Are you injured?" Kilamin threw strings of questions at me. His ever-expressionless face held concern today.

"I am fine, just precautionary measures." I tried to smile at him so he wouldn’t worry, he had just recovered, and I didn’t want his brain to become overwhelmed. His eyes narrowed and his forehead got creased, I knew he didn’t believe me.

Mariela and Lavaria Sensei had arrived and she rushed to his side. She checked his vitals and asked him a few questions. His answers were short and curt, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with his brain.