Killian strolled down the wards while thinking of the notification he got.

Unless the realms shared the identical names, Realm of Daln had to be the training realm where he had met the anomaly.

Why did it become a C-tier realm? Did they evolve to something else again?

He knocked on Juda’s ward, and entered when there was no response. He folded his sleeves as he sat down beside him.

The second mission would be starting this evening and he still hadn’t made any attempt at waking up.

"Did you just take this as a long break or..." he trailed off when he noticed Juda’s finger move. His eyes narrowed at the movement.

No one mentioned that Juda has been showing signs of waking up.

Would it be fair to wake him up and then force him to join the second mission?

Killian checked his phone and it was nine hours till the mission would start. Also, as per the mission rules, all members didn’t have to actively participate.

Juda skipping a mission would reduce his count, so it was better he entered a realm with them. Whether they wheeled his bed in or he walked himself.

"Do you need help? Squeeze if you hear me."

There was nothing.

If he can move his finger then he can transfer stimuli to other parts of his body, right?" Killian looked up to remember, then shook his head. "We’ll try."

His index finger lit up with fire and gently tapped Juda’s finger. Two of Juda’s fingers reacted instantly and drew inward.

Killian took his hand closer and they flinched from the heat, but released a second later. He is close.

"The cold is better." The fire quenched on his finger and a small tendril wrapped around his finger. "Do you still feel anything?"

He touched Juda’s hand with his wrapped tendrils but only noticed that the wrist relaxed. No other reaction so he retracted the tendrils.

That makes a bit of sense.

His body is really hot so he needs a cool place to feel better.

Killian left the bed, to switch off the heater and turn on the AC. Juda had already been burning in the Holy Fire’s heat for a long time.

He stepped back, and checked outside the window. No one was coming this way. Okay.

<Shadow Writhe>

The tendrils shot out like they’d been waiting, covering every inch of the room in no time. Killian snapped the windows closed. "Cover him."

The tendrils obeyed, swarming Juda’s body and wrapping themselves over his limbs and torso, leaving only his neck and head free.

The temperature in the room dropped and Killian could tell it wasn’t the AC finally kicking in.

He also felt the drop of temperature as his Fire Element battled to keep up with his cold body.

He stepped towards Juda’s body, standing over him with folded arms. His body was more relaxed than when Killian first met it. This was what he needed.

"Juda? You have to wake up now. The next mission is in nine hours." Killian paused.

He rephrased. "Wake up because it’s quite sad for only Evelyn and I to go in there without you."

Juda’s wrist jerked.

Killian leaned in to touch Juda’s forehead. He is reacting to words now. He might get up today.

The tendrils sank into his skin further till there were slight marks.

"Loosen up."

A command from Killian and they undid themselves. Killian touched them to be sure they weren’t taking mana from Juda as they wrapped him. "Good."

He raised the jug of water besides and dripped it on Juda’s neck. He noticed his facial expression squeeze. Finally, he’s coming back.

"Wake up or it’s the whole—"

The jug tilted and spilled itself over Juda’s face. Shit. Killian picked the wipes, but just before he touched his face.

Juda suddenly jerked up.

The tendrils already zoomed away when they felt the slightest movement.

Killian froze, staring at Juda’s veined eyes. His knees almost gave out as he leaned towards him. "A-Are—"

"Argh!"

Killian flinched when Juda grabbed him and started crying. His shoulder relaxed and he exhaled a breath he didn’t know he had been holding.

He’s warm now. He’s alive. He gently patted his back. "Welcome back, Juda." Killian whispered, patting Juda’s back until the sobs slowed.

Relief washed over him from the thought that he wasn’t alone in that fight.

<Umbral Override>

As Killian pulled away, the tendrils brushed Juda’s leg— just a quick mark, for safety — before retracting.

Juda didn’t notice, and nodded.

Killian felt no tension in his shoulders anymore, as he sat on Juda’s bed. It was like he could actually breathe out after two long weeks.

I should’ve done this earlier if I knew it would work.

He looked upwards. Am I better than a doctor?

"Ki-Kill? Are you... alright?"

"Yeah, I’m alright." Killian helped him rest his head on pillows. "Are you? Can you remember anything?"

Juda’s eyes were unfocused, moving around the room but only stabilised whenever he looked at Killian, the only familiar presence in the room.

He shook his head slowly, and touched his leg.

Killian noticed that was where he was marked. Did he feel the sensation afterwards?

"I am alive... somehow. I heard you fighting for me. Thanks."

Those words lifted another burden off Killian’s chest.

At least, Juda didn’t think his actions— during the fight with the angel, and now— had murderous intentions. Killian’s expression relaxed and he smiled.

"I heard you were resisting too. We did it together. Do you think you’ll be okay now?"

"I will be okay." Juda sighed, touching his head. "I was heating up so badly, but I can breathe again."

Juda’s eyes shifted to the AC, and then back to Killian. He said nothing but a hum.

Killian raised a brow. "Is it too cold?"

"Not as cold as before, actually."

Killian adjusted his sitting posture. So the tendrils were what woke him up?

"Your body is still stabilising. Don’t worry. You might also need to prepare because we are going to that realm again."

Juda’s headache started after the training so it’s likely he was possessed by the angel there.

So if there’s an angel possession going on in there, it is best that George is aware of it.

"Killian, do you have... a possessed person inside of you too?"

Killian looked away from him. A sentient element wasn’t termed a possession. It wasn’t a person whose consciousness consumed another.

"No, I don’t."

Juda stared at him again, saying nothing, then hummed again.

Killian whipped out his phone and quickly texted Evelyn. They hadn’t really spoken since the duel, but this was good news.

[Killian Dom - 8:07]

’Juda’s up.’

Killian stared at his phone till he saw the ’seen’ label.

[Evelyn Const - 8:08]

’WHATTTT’

.

.

George looked at the team before tapping his tablet. "Let’s go."

The team of three walked into the portal, completely geared up and in uniform. The first sight they saw on entry, left everyone but George perplexed.

"Wha—" Killian turned around, checking the place in horror. "What happened here?"