The Reaper's New Beginning

23. Thank you, Asher Williams

"Come, Kio! Sit with me," Asher said with a smile as he patted his bed. Kio nodded silently and walked towards him before gently sitting down, not wanting to cause unnecessary movements that would cause Asher pain.

Pithos stared at the two brothers before curling up on Asher's lap and closing his eyes. He was sure that the conversation that would soon follow would be serious. He didn't want to be a busy-body and listen in to their conversation. And finally, Pithos knew that Kio would never hurt his little human. Kio is quite level-headed and calm for a teenager his age. Pithos believed that Kio, unlike Nikola, would have a much better time understanding Asher's situation. Knowing all of this, Pithos was rest assured that no harm would befall his little human.

"There's something important I need to tell you."

"Before that," Kio started. "Why did you put yourself in harm's way two days ago? You could've died!"

Unlike the Kio Asher usually saw, this Kio was rather emotional. Kio tightly grasped the bed's comforter in frustration as his eyes brilliantly expressed his endless worry and concern towards Asher's current condition. Asher felt as if that concern wasn't needed. He did what he did because he wanted to; because he wanted to protect his brother. Asher felt warm because of his brother's feelings.

Asher smiled. "I told you I'll become strong, didn't I? I became strong when I was battling against Kirkley. I didn't need to use weapons."

"Most importantly, two days ago? I've been unconscious for two days?"

"A day and a half, actually," Kio unclenched his fists while frowning. Asher was left in a pitiful state. Because his magical core was so small, he is unable to receive large amounts of healing magic. This was a well-known fact. However, it seemed as if Lyxio was either unaware of the size of Asher's magical core or that he noticed an abnormality in Asher's core. Asher's magical core was actually able to withstand the large amount of healing magic being used on him. Asher's body also didn't seem to burn out because of this. Despite this, his magical core had been strained to such an extent that he was unable to receive any more healing magic. If his body received any more than what it already had, Asher's magical core would've been destroyed, thus prematurely ending his life.

Being unable to receive healing magic, doctors were immediately called to tend to his wounds. Zara was also called back and she fed Asher some special medicine that she had worked on to help Asher recover faster. The contents of the medicine itself were unknown. It was also unknown how the medicine worked and how it affected a human's body. However, seeing that the one who created this medicine was Zara, no one hesitated in feeding Asher the medicine.

Kio sighed and shook his head. "You would've woken up earlier if you had only suffered injuries. However, since your magical core was almost to the brink of collapsing, you ended up being unconscious for a day and a half."

Kio decided not to bother with the conversation anymore. He wouldn't know what to do if Asher suddenly asked him who had visited him while he was unconscious. What could he say when only Zara, Archer, and himself were the only ones who had visited? Kio has asked his mother to visit Asher, but she only mumbled something about eradicating a demon, so he left her alone.

"What were you going to say?"

"Ah," Asher widened his eyes. His fingers traced circles in Pithos' fur as a way to calm himself down. "Will you do something for me first?"

Kio nodded without hesitation, causing Asher smile. He can rely on Kio.

"Sit behind me and act as support."

Yes. Kio will also become a pillar that will support Asher.

Kio thought that Asher's back had begun to hurt since after sitting for so long, so he agreed. After shuffling around for a few seconds, Kio finally managed to position himself in a way that neither he nor Asher would be uncomfortable.