The Wielder of Death Magic

“Lord Staxius, can I ask what treatment we can expect, is it long-term or short-term?” Stopped on a pathway of which went through a modest-sized park, Dei raised a good question.

“Short-term,” said he watching ducks float about the pond, “-we’re going to forget the traditional way of practicing medicine. The knowledge they have will but allow for the pain to be made bearable, don’t think I didn’t notice,” a reference to her always changing expression, “-the left hand must ache – it’s destroyed and we need it renewed. It’s a miracle the arm wasn’t amputated.”

“Didn’t we come here to get healed?” whispered a tired Sugar.

“Let me finish,” turned to stare the two, “-traditional won’t work. However, I can say with confidence the injuries which are more of a disability will be healed. The treatment will last a little more than a few hours. After that, both of thee will be able to sing and play the guitar as if it never happened,” direct and fearless, they nodded in agreement.

“Master, a message from Lady Clarise, ‘-we’ll be at Rotherham in three to four days. People have grown rather attached to the papers you sent. Princess Eira has taken a liking to the elders in the crowd, I think it best we stay,’ end of message.”

‘There’s no way I’ll wait four days,’ taking a deep breath, “-Dei, Sugar, there’s a change in plan. I thought of handing thy cases to a friend of mine, but she’ll be gone for a while. Therefore,” he stepped to a few inches away from Sugar, “-I’m going to treat thee personally.”

.....

“Really?” expecting them to disagree, the expression was of relief – the brows relaxed, the tensed lips gave to a listless posture. “I would much prefer you as our doctor,” smiled Dei with Sugar nodding.

“Glad to hear it,” back on the stone path, “-let’s go, we’ll start the treatment right away.”

“Right away?”

“You heard me,” he walked without stopping. Past the university, past the town, till the alchemic facility. Opposed to the subterranean laboratory, they stood before a hospital ran by alchemists who were also skilled doctors. Three stories high with spotless hallways and corridors, the workers here would tend to everyone with utmost care. It was necessary for an accident could happen at any time given the nature of the work. Once inside, he took to speak with the receptionist who kindly called upon a helper to show the way.

“Come on,” gestured he to approach. White all around – the cleanliness was remarkable. A few twists and turns later, they came to an empty room with a single bed and a table.

“Dei, come with me first,” ordered Staxius, “-Sugar, wait here,” to which the man sat on a bench.

“Isn’t healing him priority,” the doors shut, “-I mean, my injuries will take longer to treat,” said using common sense – the sentence was ignored.

“Take off the hoodie,” he ordered once she sat.

“Just the hoodie or?” her eyes couldn’t lift off the floor.

“There’s no need to be bashful, take off the hoodie, I want to take a look at the arm,” explained he calmly.

“B-but,” she seemed reclusive as her right arm move to cover her chest.

“Don’t tell me,” he shook his head, “-there are no clothes under there.”

“L-leave m-me alone, m-money is hard to c-come by,” her explanation was less to be desired.

“Fine,” the door reopened for she needed a robe. Blue and rather free, she was quick to change. Her left hand till the elbow was broken, blackened, and in a weird shape. No longer was it something humane – faint traces of mana were sensed. ‘Mana poisoning, Cimier must have a talented mage in their ranks. To inflict such an injury, haven’t seen this kind since the war between mages. Even if the curse is lifted, the victim would most likely lose usage of the limb, a very effective way of neutralizing the enemy. An injured soldier was nothing more of a burden the kingdom is obliged to pay. To care for them as if babes or elder folk – they provide naught but take. Two birds with one stone; there were reported cases where kingdoms would mercilessly kill the injured to not cause trouble in the economy.’

“Is it that bad?” said she.

“Sorry, was lost in thought. Don’t worry, I’ll get to healing.” The arm rested openly on the bed as she sat on a chair. ‘The first method I considered was Alchemy – she would be operated and be fixed from the inside out. Now, there’s an even simpler method, one I never thought I’d obtain – the rule over time. I can reverse her arm to where it was normal; then forward time so as the limb match’s her body’s age.”

He pressed against her arm to which she yelped. *Present and never changing, present and never yielding. All who wait break and all made are subjected to thine will. I, God of Death, the humble inheritor of thy power; call upon thee to have mine will answered: Time Control – Reversal.* A greenish orb enveloped the arm, lines of various symbol spiraled – the intensity of the light grew. Time turned back, her arm healed, *By the power bestowed upon I by the god of time, I, the god of death, order thee, entity of which none knows, entity who which all sees to move in accordance to mine will: Time Control: Acceleration.* Once healed, the limbed returned to the present.

“And it’s done,” said he proudly, the process took less than ten minutes.

“What did you do?” it felt weird to suddenly have her arm normal, “-what in the hell happened?”

“Magic,” returned he rather smugly, “-go on, tell Sugar to come in, we don’t have all day.” The same procedure was performed, instead of the voice, the whole body turned back time. From messy and sick to a time before the fateful day; Sugar was once more in his prime.

“I haven’t felt this good in forever,” commented he, “-I can breathe using my chest; my throat doesn’t feel sore, it’s not hurting when I speak, Lord Staxius, what did you do?”

“Nothing much,” he held a mirror, “-I only made sure thy body is healthy to start a new journey.”

“Healthy, *Crack,* he knocked over the bed which pushed against a cabinet on which rested a flower-pot. The reason being his visage, in no way was it possible. “I’m not healthy, I’m back to how I was a few years ago.”

“It’s the least I can do. My comrades need to be in top shape to perform,” they exited the room. A man born anew stood before Dei, her face melted into a warm paste of salty tears.

“The gods must have been gracious today,” said she, “-they returned you to I. My lover, my life, I’m glad you’re back,” she took his hand and held it close to her chest, “-how is the throat, can you speak without pain?”

“Yes, dearest Dei, I’m so sorry for what I became after I saw you in pain. I was selfish, I thought I was the only one hurting, but, but you were suffering alongside me, and I still thought it best for you to go away. I promise, I will never leave your side,” the charm and uniqueness of his voice rekindled. “Your arm,” he caressed her, “-it’s fixed, we can both return to the world of music, I want to start anew, I want to prove myself.”

“I will follow you till the ends of the earth,” an overwhelmingly emotional reunion brought by a single change.

“Excuse me,” coughed Staxius, “-tis not the time for melodramatics. Dei, Sugar, we have a job to do.”

“Lord Staxius, pardon my asking, what do we do?”

“Well, at the moment, Phantom doesn’t have an affiliation to any idol agencies, there’s no way we can break into the market. The sole reason I had thee both was to accompany a will be star, someone with the potential to rival Aceline.”

“Then?” inquired Dei impatiently.

“Then, I thought it be a waste to have Sugar not use his talents. Your voice has been motivational for the youth, it would be a shame to have it not used.”

“My lord,” said he, “-I had my fame in singing, I’ve been in the spotlight; the experience is known to me. I may look young – but you know tis not true. Please, let me be a guitarist opposite to the main vocalist, I’ll help the girl, Emi Muko was it?”

“Dei told you about it?”

“Yes, she did, and I’m happy to help however way we can,” to which he wrapped his arms around her shoulders playfully, “-I want to be with my lover and make music.”

“A very pleasant thought. Dei, Sugar, I’ll have 10,000 Exa transferred to thy accounts. Go and enjoy; consider this a gift for being recovered. There should be a train on the outskirts of Rotherham, I’ll have a car ready. I’ll call on thee soon; for now, go out and enjoy.”

“Boss,” voiced Dei, “-that amount of money is too much.”

“I see you used Boss,” the motion of touching the earlobe cut, “-said title is used with diligence. Use my first name, we’re friends; there’s no need for title and such.”

“éclair, have transport readied,” to which, a few minutes later, a jet-black car arrived.

“Thank you so much,” skipped Sugar to the car, they were energetic, ready to begin anew.

‘This has taken a change. The plan was to have a somewhat renowned idol model for Meldorino and attract attention. I have Sugar, Aceline, and Emi; two of them arguably being the better-known stars of the industry. There might be a chance to break into the entertainment industry. Meldorino is still new, it’s the fire of which needs to spread, to that end, Operation Malk runs. We need influence in Alphia; Aceline had her shot at glory. The industry there is much more profitable than Iqeavea and Hidros. Besides, I suspect it is run by Cimier, the Patek’s, or some other hidden organization. There’s no way Phantom will be welcomed. The only thing to do is fight,’ the strong afternoon sun glared, ‘-Hidros is where Phantom is strong, Alphia is far. I need to consider this as a conquest; the goal is breaking apart the Patek’s and Cimier. My son-in-law called on my help to solve the monster trouble; there’s no way to help, I’ve explained it already – the AHA must be the ones who do so. If the adventuring guild gets involved, the backlash might break the building trust. There’s one thing to do,’ he sighed, ‘-Phantom needs to acquire an Idol Agency.’

“Call Cake.”

“Order confirmed.”

“Hello boss,” answered she with heavier noise in the background.

“Did I disturb?”

“No, how can I help?”

“I’m thinking of acquiring an Idol Agency.”

“Another company?” her voice didn’t seem surprised, “-we have GateSix, Midas, Meldorino, Phantom itself, and a few companies I can’t seem to remember. I suppose adding more won’t help. I do have to warn you, there will be trouble.”

“How so?”

“We’ll have too much money,” she laughed, “-between the legit and, ahem,” she cleared her throat, “-Phantom’s total profit last year was around 1.5 Billion Exa.”

“That much?” he coughed, “-how in the hell did we grow so much?”

“Partly due to thy whimsical nature, boss, not that I say it in a bad way. It’s weird how thee always manages to invest on the right companies; I forgot to mention, we hold shares in a lot more other companies including the Gaso Group and Patek.”

“Cake,” the speech slowed.

“What’s the matter, boss, why so serious?”

“I’ve relied on you for ages, don’t you get tired?”

“No, god no,” she laughed, “-I love this job, but I’m scared. I’m scared one day I’ll die and leave all this behind; I don’t want to go, I want to stay and help you as long as I can. You know, I want to stay and watch Phantom grow.”

“Consider thy wish granted,” he licked his fangs.