Ranma slowly opened her eyes as a sunbeam moved across her face. Blinking several times, she noticed immediately that few parts of her didn’t hurt. Her ribs felt like they were broken and her left arm was restrained by something hard. Rolling her head to the side, she looked out the window, and saw that it was a cloudless day. ‘Guess I’m alive.’ Honestly she was a little surprised. Lifting her head up enough to look around she saw only a generic room. Aside from the bed, there was a small table with several drawers, and on top of that was a metal tray containing some medical supplies and a pitcher of water.
Attempting to sit up was a mistake and she hastily dropped back down on the bed. “Hey.” She called out, trying to reach someone out the open door. Her voice coming out in a dry whisper. “Anybody there?” She tried again with more force. From outside the room she heard a chair slide across the floor and a moment later an older woman dressed in a white nurse’s outfit entered the room.
“You’re up.” The gray haired woman noticed happily. Bustling over to the side of the bed and giving her a quick visual exam. “How are you feeling?”
“Not well.” She answered briefly, considering it equivalent to the beating she took once from a troll.
“You’re going to be fine.” The nurse patted her gently on the shoulder. “You have been asleep for two days now.”
“Where’s Kasumi?”
“Your friend left just an hour ago. Poor dear has been at your side most of the time.” Heading over to the table, the nurse poured her a cup of water.
“Thanks.” Ranma had been just about to ask for something to drink. Gritting her teeth, she forcibly hauled herself up to a sitting position. The blanket that had been covering her fell away revealing a generic white gown and that her left arm was covered by a cast at a ninety degree angle.
“Easy.” The woman quickly supported Ranma’s back before tying a piece of fabric around her neck and arm to form a sling. “Dr. Nuara said that you have several bruised ribs and your left arm is fractured in several places. He was able to heal your wings and your broken ribs but it can be difficult with tieflings.”
“What about Kasumi?” She was thankful that her wings had been healed, realizing that with how much they moved, she would be in constant pain. Ranma tried to give them a stretch but the action quickly aggravated her ribs so she stopped.
“She’s fine, only some minor bruising now. You’re both very lucky that you were inside the protective zone. Those horrible dead would have been waiting otherwise.”
Since Ranma wasn’t having the easiest time sitting up without help, the woman quickly moved over to the table, and pulled out an extra pillow to help prop her up. Ranma would never admit it but she was grateful for it, just sitting was proving to be very difficult. ‘Of course, I have wings, and it’s a fall that nearly does me in.’
“I’m going to go send for the doctor.”
“Alright.” Ranma nodded and watched the woman go. Alone, she had nothing to do but sit and notice the constant ache that would be plaguing her while she healed. Looking out the window again, she could see some of the city. Constructed from heavy stone and painted white, it reflected sunlight to appear even brighter.
‘I made it, now what?’ Ranma realized that she had not exactly planned past getting to this place. There was the magical academy here that would have to be the first stop after she secured lodging. Kasumi seemed to have that in hand if she had been here for two days.
She dropped her gaze to her lap, realizing that she didn’t even know when the next airship off the island would come. This may have been how she traveled with Genma but after inadvertently shifting her wings, she was reminded that she wasn’t human at the moment. She would just have to make herself appear to be which would allow her to find a job easily.
Growing bored with waiting and feeling weak from her forced slumber, Ranma carefully swung her legs out from the covers, and tried to stand up. Wavering on her hooves, her head spun, and she braced herself against the wall with her right arm. “I’m going to have to kick the necromancer’s ass for this.” She grimaced as speaking aggravated her ribs.
“Get back in bed.” A male voice commanded and Ranma was startled out of her thoughts enough to nearly fall over. Storming into the room was a short man with graying hair wearing a long white coat. “I hate treating infernals, every last one of you thinks you’re unbreakable, and you can just walk out after a little rest.” The man ranted and nearly shoved her back on to the bed. Before she could protest, he was pulling back her eyelids to inspect each of her eyes before feeling around at the back of her head.
“What gives?” She pushed his hands away.
“What gives?” He asked sarcastically, moving rapidly over to the table, and fretting with his hands over the various things on it before coming back to stand in front of her. “Two days ago I had to spend seven hours healing you away from the brink of death so if I say sit you should ask how long?”
‘I couldn’t have been that bad.’ Ranma thought sourly.
“Yes you were that bad.” The doctor seemed to read her mind and reached out a hand to poke at her ribs. Ranma immediately doubled over in pain. “To start, six of these weren’t broken when you came in.”
‘Bastard!’ Ranma cursed to herself, unable to unclench her jaw.
“If it wasn’t for Lord Favian I wouldn’t have even bothered. But no, he has some kind of interest in you. So live you shall.”
‘I don’t know any Favian.’ She didn’t feel like talking to the doctor, who went about prodding her left arm without a care to its broken status.
“Yes yes, you appear to be healing nicely, all that work won’t go to waste. Two weeks at most and it’ll be impossible to tell you were injured.” Straightening up the man seemed very pleased with himself. “Of course you have me to thank for that. Even with your infernal constitution hindering my direct healing spells.”
“Gee thanks.” Ranma would have been thankful if the guy didn’t rub her the wrong way.
“Now be a good little infernal and stay in bed or I will have you strapped to it.” He proclaimed and practically patted her on the head before storming back out of the room.
“I’ll get out of bed if I want to.” Ranma said haughtily and stood up just to show that. Unfortunately she ended up falling flat on her face as her exercised starved legs failed to hold her up. “Ouch.” She moaned.
X x x x x x
Kasumi sipped at her tea briefly before setting the cup down and looking out over the city from her seat on a balcony. Lutansk itself was such a beautiful city that she was deeply saddened by the threat it was under. Rolling plains surrounded the city leading into two different mountain ranges at the North East and South West sides. The Northern were dark and foreboding with several active volcanoes belching smoke up into the sky. To the South was the former home of the Phoenix, a race of avian humanoids who had recently been overtaken and all but wiped out by the undead.
“I don’t know how I can thank you, Lord Favian. If it wasn’t for you--.” She looked down at the fancy pastry on her plate and sighed. Kasumi was still shaken up over the events on the airship. It had been a miracle that only six had been lost in the attack. Most passengers had taken refuge within the cargo hold while Kasumi had panicked. The back two neutral stones had been enough to keep the ship from crashing to the ground.
“Nonsense.” The older man’s strange orange eyes twinkled with good natured amusement. “Your friend is a-- hero. Seeing that she and her friends get taken care of is only right.”
“Still-- I feel indebted to you in a way that I fear I can never repay.” Since being found near the crash with Ranma crushed and broken beneath her body, Favian had ensured that Ranma was not simply left for dead and that Kasumi had wanted for nothing.
Pepa had awoken shortly after being moved to the hospital and Kasumi was just as worried about the spell creature. The fairy had said nothing, choosing to stare intently at any object that caught her eye for hours at a time. But she seemed to be in good condition physically and was even eating and sleeping now.
“Then it is a good thing I will not ask for it.” He turned to a servant who crouched down to whisper in his ear. “It seems your friend is awake.”
X x x x x x
Favian scratched at his chin and allowed the two tieflings to be reunited. Kasumi was asking Ranma questions about her condition and the small red head was trying to play off nearly dying as an everyday occurrence. He remembered his visitor from several nights ago, and had discretely searched her for any magical spells. The results of the search were that this girl had encountered some powerful magic before arriving in Lutansk.
The first was an absurdly powerful protection spell that would resist any magic used to change the girl’s physical form. This contrasted with the shape changing magic that had been all but dissolved by the protection spell. The one he was concerned about was a nasty piece of work that he had removed as soon as possible. It wasn’t a mind control spell per se but it would eventually break down the victim by depriving them of sleep and assaulting their mind with terrifying visions.
He remembered the figure telling him that the girl had a problem mortal magic could not solve but he saw nothing mortal, divine, or infernal magic would need to fix. Especially with the powerful divine protection spell in place. ‘Dark figures who appear in the middle of the night should learn to be more specific.’ He simmered but kept himself from showing his anger outwardly.
“Sorry to interrupt.” He broke into their reunion before Kasumi could say anything about what had happened after Ranma had been injured.
“Oh-- I’m sorry.” Kasumi quickly moved to the side from her position on the bed so Ranma could see him better. “This is Lord Favian.”
“I’m an instructor here at the magical academy.” He inclined his head slightly towards the girl. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got into a fight with a troll-- again.” The girl answered. “The doctor said you’re the one who had him fix me.”
“And I’ve secured a room for you two to stay at the academy.” Favian was amused by the surprised looks on both of their faces. Kasumi had been staying in a nearby inn and he had debated on whether it was a good idea to take her as a student as well.
“You what?” Ranma asked incredulously.
“That is why you’re here isn’t it?” He looked between them.
“No, I’m under a curse.” The red head answered.
“And you?” He looked to Kasumi.
“Well-- I originally just wanted to be able to talk to teachers here who knew my mother. But I would be honored to receive any instruction you would be willing to give.”
“I see.” These two were certainly different than the usual travelers to Lutansk. “What is your curse?” Ranma stiffened in response to his question and glanced nervously at Kasumi. “If you mean that shape changing one girl then you don’t need to worry about that much longer.”
“That’s my curse, I’m not a girl, or a tiefling. I’m a guy.” She finally answered. “Although my mom is a Succubus so I am plane touched but I never knew it until I met her a while ago.”
“Really?” His interest in this girl was definitely piqued now. “Tell me how this came about.”
X x x x x x
Ranma stared forward blankly and barely noticed the world around her. A few words from Favian had utterly decimated her optimism for finding a way back. She had explained how it had happened and he had flat out told her it was impossible to break the protection spell. Obviously the man couldn’t know everything but to be told without any reservations that it was impossible to find a cure with mortal magic had hit her hard. Even though she was still battered and bruised, she had walked out of the hospital to wander the city.
She had spent all day visiting every temple she could find, begging and pleading for one of them to help her. Nothing she had ever done could possibly deserve this kind of punishment. If the divine were so great why did they remain silent? Why did one of their own do this?
It was getting late and night had fallen some time ago, but she had no clue how to return to the hospital. So she just sat alone on a wooden bench seat, in a small temple, and occasionally trying to communicate with the deity it was dedicated to. There was no response, the God known as Razu remaining silent to her pleas.
“Excuse me, but I’m closing up now.” A gentle voice drew her attention and she found an older man wearing a simple gray robe snuffing out the candles lighting the room.
“Could I-- just sit here a little while longer?” She asked, not wanting to go face Kasumi and be pitied.
“Problems?” He asked and his eyes widened when he finally took a good look at her. “Oh-- I’m sorry, I just wasn’t expecting a tiefling to be here. Especially not in Lutansk.”
“Is that a problem?” Ranma half expected a yes answer to that question. Part infernal? Get out and go back to whatever hole you crawled out of fiend.
“A house of Razu does not turn away visitors.” The man answered and took a seat a respectable distance away. “I imagine that there is a reason for you being here.” He paused, his eyes going down to her arm held in a sling. “Word spreads quickly, you must be the one who helped defend the airship. I do not think you traveled all this way just to visit this humble temple.”
“Does your God ever talk to you?” She asked.
“Not with words. But I can feel his presence when I am doing something good.”
“I don’t feel anything here.” Ranma’s eyes went down to her lap.
“Not everyone does. Is this your first time seeking advice from the Gods?”
“Yes.” There had never been a reason for her to as a human and even less of one after becoming a tiefling. Finding out that there was no hope to be had in mortal magic was as good as reason as any to seek divine help.
“I’ve lived in this city for a long time. When the dead first started attacking there was a sudden influx of people seeking guidance and comfort. Far too many forced themselves to find what they were looking for, to justify whatever they wished.”
‘That’s not helpful at all. These are the guys I have to find the answers from.’ Ranma simmered, angry over the inability to find a quick response. “Is there a way to be more direct?”
“No one here works with such things. If your prayers are to be answered then you need to be willing to listen. Shouting, screaming, and demanding attention is the surest way to get only the answer you want.”
She didn’t pursue that line of questioning further, deciding that she would have to look for worshipers of other Gods and see if they knew of a way. Ranma remembered how Kuno always talked as if his Goddess actually spoke to him but then again, Kuno wasn’t completely right in the head.
“Maybe I could be of some help? What is it that brings you to Lutansk?” The man asked helpfully.
“A fool’s errand.” She answered before standing up and wincing as her bruised ribs protested the movement. “I should be going, sorry I kept you.”
“No need to apologize. Have a nice evening young lady and I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
X x x x x x
Stepping out from a back chamber, the caretaker for Razu’s temple paused and looked around at the candles that he had just been coming to extinguish. “Well that is odd.” Shrugging, he went to make sure the temple was locked up for the night.