It was rare for Khal to get sick. Or more accurately, it was rare with espers in general. Outside of their mana exhaustion and mana toxin accumulation, they almost never got a natural cause of sickness in their entire lives after they awakened.

Naturally, both Ayen and Devion were caught off guard when Khal suddenly erupted with a higher fever after a few minutes of resting. His temperature, which usually exuded a natural chill, was now too hot to the touch.

They did not need to take his temperature for this.

Both were at a loss. Ayen was in a daze, still experiencing a backlash symptom. While Devion was the one always being taken care of, not the other way around.

Now that Khal was the one who was sick, it was his time to take care of him. It should not be hard... right?

Fortunately, Ayen was sober enough to give some instructions. Although he himself was inexperienced with this kind of situation.

Khal’s flushed face and overall bad condition made them panic for a good few seconds before they had to calm down.

Since Khal, the resident ice provider, was sick, they could only do it the common way. Ayen was left behind to look for the shivering Khal, and he also needed the physical touch for his symptoms.

Devion went to get busy. They had to lower Khal’s increasing temperature, at least. He returned not long after.

"How is he?" Devion asked in worry, putting a basin on the side table.

Ayen brushed Khal’s head, which was now damp with sweat, holding his hand firmly.

He pursed his lips. "Not getting better."

Devion nodded. His expression was solemn as he watched Khal’s face and the obvious pain in his expression. He swallowed and averted his gaze, not wanting to be distracted.

He had to take care of Khal.

To at least try to lower Khal’s temperature, Devion put a small towel on Khal’s forehead. His temperature was higher than average; a normal person’s fever was incomparable to this one.

Ayen also helped in wiping Khal’s body, almost scalded by the other’s temperature. Devion was about to stop him, but Ayen already shook his head when he noticed it.

Devion let out a sigh and let him. The two silently wiped Khal’s body to try to lower his temperature. Of course, this was not enough.

If worse comes to worst, Devion thought of preparing the tub with huge chunks of ice. They could not do what Khal had done before when Ayen had a high fever like this one.

Even with what they were doing, the temperature was not decreasing at all, and Khal’s expression now twisted in pain as though he were having a nightmare.

Khal’s eyelids moved slightly, and he suddenly groaned; his body continued to shiver.

Devion’s heart sank.

He had never seen Khal this vulnerable before. He bit his lips and caressed the other’s face.

"Khal," he called softly, hoping the other could hear him. "Are you in pain? What do you want?" Devion’s face turned ashen, not knowing what to do.

"Devion..." Ayen sighed and called for him. He was also worried, but if Devion lost control, then who would take care of them?

Thankfully, Ayen’s words snapped Devion out of his panic thoughts. He paused and looked at Ayen apologetically.

"I’m sorry..."

Ayen grasped his hand.

"No need to be sorry. I can understand."

Their conversation was cut short as Khal let out another painful groan, his eyes shut tight, and his lips started to quiver.

Devion bit his lips and rubbed Khal’s arm, feeling the heat in them. He took a deep breath and looked at Ayen.

"I’ll prepare a cold bath." He did not wait for Ayen’s answer as he already stood up, scrambling to his feet.

Ayen did not stop him either. He watched Devion’s back for a moment before he returned his attention to the shivering Khal.

He softly grasped his hand and kissed the back of it, as though it could help lower the fever or lessen the pain he was experiencing.

"Khal." Ayen gently called his name.

Ayen could not believe he would see Khal in this situation. He had always been that towering figure that provided security within him, like everything would be alright as long as he was around.

He could understand why Devion was so distraught.

Ayen kissed the almost scalding skin and closed his eyes.

He wished... Khal was not having a hard time in his dream... and that he was not alone.

Khal was not really having a nightmare, but it could be called one. In such a circumstance, most of his childhood memories were.

He found himself in such a scene, floating indescribably and watching the endless fire engulf the red zone where he grew up.

This started Khal’s ’bad’ memories. It was childish to call it as such, but Khal still calls it that sometimes. Although he had already forgotten most of it.

In fact, Khal’s up to this moment; they were living a hard time, but they could barely be felt because of his parents. Khal was an only child.

In the red zone, it was more common to see a family of three than of four or more. It was obvious as to why that was the case. None of them were selfish enough to create another child in an already chaotic life unless they had the capability to raise another one.

Desire and anything—it was hard to lose control when tomorrow was uncertain.

And it happened. The uncertainty that everyone in the red zone anticipated, somehow.

Khal was seven years old when it happened. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The fire engulfed the red zone; everyone was scrambling to escape. The espers, the soldiers, and the citizens alike. The latter was the weakest bunch that needed to be protected.

Khal had grown up listening to espers saving them, like a hero in a story. In the red zone, they were more respectful of espers as they knew the real situation of the world.

Yet, this worldview had been shattered by that one night.

The administration was the first to escape, followed by the espers and soldiers. None actually thought of the civilians; maybe some could be considered, but not all.

Khal’s family was the latter.

He watched as his father shielded them from incoming monsters and let the mother and son escape. His mother ran toward the cars and pleaded with an esper to save them.

"Please, save us." Khal watched his expression. And even the seven-year-old him knew it was a lost cause.

His mother cried and offered Khal to him.

"Just my child. Please, save my child."