Chapter 8: Who is we? Its just you...
Klein stumbled backward and collapsed onto the grassy shoulder beside the highway, barely catching himself with one hand.
The world around him spun violently as a flood of memories crashed into his mind.
"Urgh...!"
He clutched his head as sharp pain exploded behind his eyes. Flashes of images and sensations bombarded him mercilessly.
He saw blood-soaked battlefields.
A black spear spinning in his hand as he cut down divine beings one after another.
’Again. You are my Acolyte, Irakiel. You must become stronger.’
He saw golden blood spraying across his body as a woman punctured a spear through her own heart.
"If this life has no you in it... then I don’t want it."
"Ha... Haa...!" Klein gasped as sweat rolled down his face.
The memories weren’t just images... he could feel them.
The pain of every wound, the despair of every loss, and the burning devotion he once held as Irakiel.
He slowly forced himself up from the grass with blurry vision "Huff..."
Arwen wrapped her arms around his waist to support him.
"Klein, talk to me! What’s happening?!"
He could barely register her words as the memories kept coming.
He clutched his head with one hand while leaning heavily on Arwen.
Arwen quickly pulled him up "I know a doctor. We’re going there right now."
Klein gave a faint, dazed nod. He didn’t have the strength to argue.
Cynthia had already started the car again and kept glancing back at them through the mirror in worry.
Arwen helped Klein into the backseat, and the moment he sat down, the world tilted violently.
The flood of memories intensified, and his breathing grew shallower.
Suddenly, he fainted, and his body slumped sideways onto Arwen’s lap.
"Klein!" Arwen cried out, catching his head before it hit the seat.
She gently cradled his face with trembling hands "Cynthia! Drive to Martha!"
Cynthia’s knuckles turned white on the steering wheel as she floored the accelerator.
"Hold on!" she shouted. "I’m driving as fast as I can! Just... just keep him stable!"
Klein remained unconscious in Arwen’s arms.
Inside his body, the black heart continued to throb violently, forcing centuries-old memories into his 21-year-old mind and soul.
---
The door to the examination room finally opened.
A woman in her early 50s stepped out, wearing a white coat over a simple blouse.
Arwen immediately stood up, "Martha, is he alright?"
Dr. Martha gave both women a reassuring nod as she closed the door behind her.
"Yes, he is stable. There is nothing physically wrong with his body. His vitals are strong, and there’s no internal bleeding or organ damage."
Arwen let out a shaky breath of relief, while Cynthia’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
"But...?" Cynthia pressed, sensing there was more.
Dr. Martha sighed softly and adjusted her glasses.
"You said he awakened something related to spirit energy, correct? And quite powerfully at that."
Arwen nodded her head "Yes."
With a thoughtful look, Martha spoke "Spirit energy is naturally more compatible with female mana cores. Women’s bodies are generally better suited to channel and stabilize it."
"For a man to awaken such a high level of spirit affinity... it’s extremely rare. His body is likely struggling to adapt to the sudden influx of such pure spiritual power."
"I’ve asked the nurse to run a full body scan and mana resonance test,"
"For now, his body is in good health. He’s just unconscious due to the overwhelming stress on both his mind and mana pathways. He should wake up within a few hours."
Arwen stepped closer, "Is there anything we can do? Any medicine? Or treatment?"
Dr. Martha smiled faintly "Rest is the best medicine right now. Keep him hydrated."
With a chuckle, she spoke "This reminds me of the old days. You used to come here all the time, covered in injuries after fighting in dungeons. Sometimes you looked half-dead, but you’d still smile and say ’It’s just a scratch, Martha.’"
Arwen let out a small, bittersweet smile as she remembered the old days.
Martha continued, tilting her head slightly. "It’s been so long. Are you still diving into the same dungeon? The one near the southern border?"
Arwen shook her head "No. I quit everything about that life."
Dr. Martha was surprised to hear that "What? You quit?"
She looked almost disappointed "You were a genius, Arwen. One of the most talented young Arbiters I’ve ever treated. I always thought you’d become one of the strongest in the region... maybe even join one of the top guilds or climb the Tower ranks."
Smiling, Arwen replied "I thought so too, once upon a time. But life changed."
"I’m happy with the life I have now. I have a good job, a home, and the two people I love most in the world. That’s enough for me."
Martha’s gaze softened "I see, you are all grown up. It’s good to see you building a life that makes you happy."
"Well," she said as her tone became more professional again, "he should wake up in a few hours. When he does, make sure he eats something light and rests. If the headaches or vomiting return, bring him back immediately."
As Dr. Martha left, Cynthia tilted her head slightly "That was good acting of yours. ’I am happy with the life I have now.’ You even fooled me. "
Arwen shot her a sharp look and lightly hit her shoulder.
"No one needs to know I’m still in the Awakener circle," she said in a low voice, glancing toward the closed door.
"We kill people for a living, Cynthia. The less people know, the better."
Cynthia shook her head dramatically "Woah, woah, woman. What do you mean ’we’? It’s just you. There is no we."
Arwen let out a long sigh and crossed her arms "Yeah? Then don’t come with me for my next mission."
"Oh, I will. Who is gonna watch your back when you get reckless?"
"You’re such a pain in the ass," Arwen said fondly.
Cynthia grinned. "And you love me for it."
After a few seconds, they both turned toward the small glass window in the door of the medical room.
They glanced inside at Klein, who was still lying unconscious on the bed,.
Arwen’s expression softened, "Good thing he’s alright..."
Cynthia nodded as she stared at Klein’s sleeping face "Yeah. For a second back there on the highway, I thought... I don’t even want to think about it."
She glanced at Arwen and asked "What would you have done if something happened to him today?"
"I would have killed Evelyne and Martha to vent my frustration."
"What?"
"I am joking."
"...You have a terrible sense of humor."
