Inherited (EDITING)

Chapter 3

Seto had rushed up apparently, his robe was draped on a chair to the side, and his uniform was stained with blood. He was breathing heavily, his hand tucked behind Ashley's head, supporting her. Sky rushed over, other medical staff moving out of the way. He looked down at her and gasped.

Parts of her body were hastily bandaged to stop the bleeding, but the bandages were still soaked. Some medical staff were applying pressure, doing their best. Sky saw a couple of healing potions on the side, empty. They were waiting for the potions to kick in. Her hair was matted with dried blood, and her eyes were pale.

Sky asked softly, "What happened, Ashley?"

The poor girl shut her eyes and rasped, "A-A man. One moment, he was a... A spider, then the next... An enderman. He kept changing and changing, sir. I-I was alone. Hunting."

Before Sky could respond, she kept going, coughing in between her words, "He was crazy, not... Not human. He bled turquoise."

She opened her quivering palm, and sure enough, there was a smear of dried turquoise liquid. Seto's eyes widened in awe.

Ashley continued, "I couldn't... Couldn't react in time. B-But... A man came in. Saved me. He-He made the creature run away, then called for help. He came to me, Sky. I-I saw his face. I couldn't believe my eyes."

She turned her head to the side, a small smile on her face. Sky held her hand, urging her to continue, "Who was it?"

She shook her head and whispered ever so softly, "He's not a monster. Not a murderer. He gave me time. S-Said I would do good in the Aether."

She wheezed a final breath, and everyone who surrounded her gasped softly. Sky felt her hand become colder, before gently letting it go. He softly said, "Get one of her dog tags and send it together with a letter to her family. Ask if they want her buried in the Royal Burial Ground or wherever they want her to be."

The Royal Burial Ground is many acres of land bought by the Persson family. Those who had fallen during the rebellion for Minecraftia's independence were buried there. Since then, soldiers who die have the choice of getting buried there, together with an honorable funeral. The burial ground is closely guarded, as it too is reserved for the royal family to rest when they pass away. Sky's own father was buried there, he visits his grave every few months with his mother.

The medical staff stopped applying pressure to the wounds and went to prepare everything. Seto remained cradling Ashley's head. He wasn't close to her, but he always felt like he played a part whenever a soldier passes under his care.

Seto spoke, his voice almost too quiet to hear, "I-I'm sorry, sir. I did what I could. The potion could only kick in so fast."

He looked to the side, avoiding contact with Ashley or Sky, "I should've used magic."

Sky narrowed his eyes, "That's illegal, Seto. You said it yourself, it's dangerous for the giver. You're giving your own life energy to someone, in other words giving them a few years of your life."

He leaned closer, hoping he could convince Seto that he didn't need to do that, "I wouldn't want to risk my soldier's life for another. No matter how bad that sounds."

Sky feels a little guilty for splitting Seto and Brice apart. They've always gone on shifts together, but recently Sky wanted to test their relationship out and see if they could work without the other.

"Go and clean up."

"Yes, sir."

Seto left Ashley's body, moving to pick up his robes and walk to the nearest bathrooms. Sky's gaze lingered on Ashley before he left her side, wishing her a safe journey to the Aether.