As long as you rest properly when you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded, and do not continue to push yourself to such a limit in a short period of ti, crystal fatigue has no negative long-term effects. However, if it becos a habit, then your ability to ground will beco affected. Mostly, it starts to weaken.
What about crystal shock? Tori had asked Master Ramos the day after she managed to use aquamarine properly. Crystal shock was a boogieman of a term the way Instructor Ignatius used it.
The temporary consequences go beyond dizziness and fatigue, and will last three tis longer or more. Dont ever push yourself to that point.
Tori had squinted and leaned forward. But...what if it happens?
Master Ramos had given her a stern, disapproving look. If it happens often or is simply serious enough, your physical health will deteriorate, and you could lose your ability to ground completely.
That shouldve been enough to scare a student into knowing and abiding by their limits, but most students did not drain their energy consecutively trying to find and then save people. Yet, all her reasoning to validate her decision to push herself beyond her limits would not stop the onset of crystal shock.
Tears were in her eyes as she tried to move her legs only to find that they laid there, unable to move on command. Tori couldnt even feel them when she pressed down on her legs. Dizziness she could accept. Fatigue and sleeping for three days, not a problem. With how busy she was, a legitimate reason to sleep was welcod.
But loss of her mobility? Master Ramos didnt tell her she could lose her ability to use her legs.
Its crystal shock. Piers knelt beside her and placed his borrowed sword on the floor next to him. He prepared to move aside the crystals and charms around her, but she held out her arm.
Dont! The air crystal is triggered to continue filtering the air, she said. It was a tiny crystal, but it was better than nothing. The quartz is funneling energy stored from the sacred geotry I drew to power it.
Can you move? Piers said. His arms hovered above her, as if wanting to help her sit, but unsure how to touch her.
I can from the hips up...I can feel my butt a bit, but after that.... She stared at her pale, unmoving legs. Shed pulled up the skirt of her dress to her knees and willed her legs to move. Nothing. Tori shook her head and her eyes watered. This helplessness was legitimately terrifying, and she couldnt contain her shaking voice. I cant move them....Piers, I cant walk!
Crystal shock is temporary, he said, his voice soft and placating. And this is your first ti reaching this point. Its more severe, but similar to crystal fatigue in that it forces your body to stop from grounding.
Tori lowered her eyes and knit her brows together. She focused and couldnt feel any sort of energy collecting. She wanted to slap the floor in frustration. I can understand not grounding, but why cant I move my legs?!
I dont know, Piers said. I only know that so cases of crystal shock cause users to be bedridden and unable to move parts of their body. Sotis, they cant move at all and can barely do basic functions. You can still talk and move your arms.
Tori wanted to glare at him, but she didnt have the strength. She took a deep breath and tugged down her mask. Then how long does it last?
Piers shook his head, reluctantly. I dont know.
She drew her lips inward and bit them. So, Im just going to lay here like this? What if soone attacks?
Theyre all dead.
Tori snapped her head towards him. What?
There were ten people who ca out from the surrounding forest and two more who fled, and I chased. His eyes narrowed. They cannot attack us any longer.
For a mont, Tori tried to connect the Piers who fed her cake and was too embarrassed to sleep on the sa bed with the implication that he killed twelve people in a matter of minutes.
When the action happened far from her, it didnt hit as hard as when it happened ten paces outside the door. The result was a possibility from the beginning, but it was a bit difficult for her to see Piers killing soone. Seeing bodies around him while he was amid a fight, was one thing, but the actual act of doing so seed out of place.
Tori shook her head. If he didnt do so, then theyd all be slaughtered when they were vulnerable.
She lowered her eyes and stared at the floor. Are you sure that was all of them? Twelve people dead should be enough to scare others away, right? It would certainly make her turn around.
If there are more, then I will stop them, Piers said. He remained kneeling beside her. Are you tired?
Now that he said it, she could feel the familiar weight against her body and the heaviness in her eyes. She closed them and swallowed hard. She couldnt fight the drowsiness of crystal shock. Im going to sleep...but what if sothing else happens?
Her sleep this ti was bound to be longer than her first one. A day and half? Shed be lucky if she woke up in a week.
Piers adjusted his position so he was seated beside her and had the sword on his other side. He reached forward and grasped her arms, gently sliding her towards him.
I am here, he told her in a calm voice. Rest. He patted his legs with one hand and helped her roll on to her back so that her head could rest on his lap. I will keep you safe.
Toris blue eyes were wide and staring up at him. For a mont, the sleepiness subsided. Her arms were limp at her sides and if her legs could move, they would be stiff. Piers as a lap pillow was an unexpected turn. This is weird.
He raised a brow. Are my legs uncomfortable?
This entire situation is uncomfortable. Piers seed to think for a mont before lifting his hand. She saw him move it towards her head and she took in a sharp breath. Do not touch if you have blood on your hands, Piers. If you want to comfort , you wash your hands first.
He paused over her head and looked at his hand. She couldnt tell if it was wet or not. Its clean. My cuts were neat.
Swear it.
I swear.
Tori narrowed her eyes at him. If I wake up with blood in my hair....
No blood, Piers held out his hand in front of her. She squinted and couldnt see any dark or glistening liquid. See?
Her demanding look bore into his face above hers. Better not be any blood.... She shifted her shoulders to try to get into a better position and closed her eyes. She felt a large, warm hand move aside so hair from her face and before she could grumble about it, she fell asleep.
Sleep was a fleeting mont. She didnt know how long it lasted this ti.
When she woke up, it was daylight. Tori was back in the master suite, and not only did she still feel tired, but she was hungry. She wasnt this hungry the last ti she woke up from crystal fatigue. She moved beneath the sheet and felt her heart sink as she realized she still couldnt move her legs.
She took in a sharp breath as her trembling hand touched the side of her leg.
Master Cervantes says that it will likely be two weeks until you start to feel them and another few weeks to regain enough control to use them properly, a familiar mans voice spoke gently to her right, and she turned her head. On the chair where Piers was seated when she woke up last, was a middle-aged man with short, curly dark hair and blue eyes.
A wave of relief swept through her seeing the familiar face and a pressure at the bridge of her nose collected. Papa.... Her throat was dry and her voice hoarse.
The mans eyes reddened, and he leaned forward and pulled her against him. Gods have blessed to keep you safe, he said in a breathy voice. She could feel her fathers strong arms tremble a bit as he held her. My daughter is so strong. She saved so many lives. I am proud of you. You did very well, Tori.
Tori found herself nodding her head as she shut her eyes tight and grabbed onto her fathers shirt so she could silently cry against his shoulder. Seeing her father, she felt safer and more reassured than she had in days. She released the stress, frustration, and exhaustion of the last week. She remained coddled for a few more monts before her father eased her back onto the bed and reached for a glass so she could drink.
Honey water, he said, sounding encouraging. Drink it slowly.
He held the cup against her, and Tori opened her mouth to drink the sweetened warm water. It coursed down her throat, and it felt much better at once. She paused every few gulps to take a breath, but finished the cup.
Marquis Guevera placed the cup back on the table and lifted his hand to stroke back her hair.
Tori looked back at him, tired. How long was I asleep? She lifted her hand to rub her throat.
Almost five days, her father said, still stroking her hair back in reassurance. Tori rubbed her stomach. No wonder she was hungry. I arrived four days ago. You were downstairs on the floor and His Highness was guarding you.
A wry smile tugged at Toris lips. The first prince guarded ...I am a failure of a march.
Her father shook his head and gave her a pained look. It is good that he guarded you, he said. He remained by the door to protect everyone.
Tori frowned. Were there more people to attack us?
No, our knights did a sweep of the area when we arrived, her father said. We found twelve bodies and so horses nearby. They were part of the poaching ring. We doubt that this is all of them and have alerted Siobhan. We suspect this was a deep, far-reaching network.
That was not comforting in the least.
How is everyone? Tori asked. That shouldve been the first thing she asked but she always preferred to figure out her situation first. Then she could act.
Her father took a deep breath. Your brother told us that he needed more heliotropes for his injury, and I was worried about you being here with your incompetent brother bedridden.
Papa, he was almost mauled by a tiger. Its a large cat-
I know what a tiger is, Tori. Papa isnt stupid, he told her knowingly. He told us that you were unconscious because of crystal fatigue. Your Mama was frantic and was ready to co, but I stopped her. I ca with our n on horseback as soon as we could.
Papa moved fast, Tori said with a weak, but warm smile.
Well, Papas little girl was injured, he said, his voice shaking a bit as he said it. Im glad we got here as soon as we did. I brought two crystal masters from Presidio for assistance. Benedict can only do so much without straining his own body. It was a good decision to bring them. They began to work on the unconscious knights and others quickly.
Tori frowned. Were they still asleep when you arrived?
He gave her a disappointed nod. They are awake now, but the poison has worn away at their lungs. They can only stay in bed to recover with heliotrope, aurora, and air crystals.
Her shoulders shrank. Will they have permanent damage? I dont know how long the poison was in the air.
From what the crystal masters estimated, an hour. We...do not yet know if they will have permanent health issues as a result, but if we are basing it on what happened when you were an infant, they should be fine. Especially those who were behind closed doors.
Tori chewed on her lower lip. Fucking Alessa, Dimitri, and Montan lucked out. How are Sebby, Idunn, and Instructor Ignatius?
Benedict is resting. Dont worry, he has a silence ring around him. Her father motioned to the sofa across the room. He has worked hard for your brother; he should rest. Sebastian and Idunn are also resting in their room downstairs. Idunn had gone to try to find the sll, but inhaled too much and passed out before she could find it. He cocked his head and looked at his daughter carefully. How did you find the source?
I copied one of the charms in Kaseys old notebook and modified it to detect the source by how strong it was, Tori said. Piers and I covered our noses and mouths with my scarves, and I put air crystals inside to filter the air.
Her fathers brows rose, and he nodded, impressed with her answer. It was good you woke up on ti.
She turned her head to the other side and saw the wall of pillows and cushions still in place. Is he there?
She almost didnt catch the corner of her fathers eye twitch. He said that is his side of the bed. Tori shrank back into her pillow as her father let out a disapproving sigh. Tori. I know you and the Prince are good friends-
Papa, he stayed awake guarding when I passed out from crystal shock. How could I make him sleep on Instructor's sofa? Tori said, as innocently as she could. Besides, this bed is huge. Hes on the other side of this pillow wall, and I bet hes wearing his eye mask.
Her father squinted and craned his neck to glance over. She was right. I will allow it this ti due to the desperate situation, but you will not share a bed like this again. You are fifteen years old. Marquis Guevera looked vastly uncomfortable and disapproving of the situation.
She bit her tongue to stop herself from reminding him that her birthday was in a few weeks, and shed be sixteen. Not that it made the situation any better.
I wont, Tori said. She tried not to shift her eyes away. When can we leave? She decided to change the subject.
Her fathers lips pulled into a line. Your brother asked the sa thing. I told him you havent woken up yet and we will consider it when you wake.
Everyone who was affected by the poison: can they move?
Her father nodded. Ive arranged for additional carriages as it would be more comfortable and allow them to rest. We will take you part way and imperial knights will et us. Well take our own back to Presidio, and you and your brother will return to Horizon. Ewan must be done with his exams now and Im certain hes passed.
Tori nodded. If Sebby can, he should go first to be there for the interview. I can wait a little longer.
Her fathers brows knit together. I requested several female imperial knights to assist you. Your legs...will make it difficult for you to go about your daily...routine. Sir Iturralde and Sir Aguilar are recovering and cannot aid you at this ti. He frowned, appearing regretful. I didnt think to bring two more female knights when we left.
Its fine, Tori said. I will manage. I can still use my arms and upper body.
You will go to the imperial palace first. The Empress has prepared a wheelchair for you, her father told her. Along with knights, she will have so maids to assist you when you go to the delta...at least until you recover.
Tori nodded. I will thank her properly.
Her father stared at her a bit longer. I am glad you are safe, Tori, he said with unconcealed relief in his voice. When your brother told us you were unconscious...even knowing its crystal fatigue.... He ran a hand down his face and Tori noticed just how tired he looked. And then your brother...what was he thinking? Fighting a tiger?
I know, Tori said with a nod.
Its just one tiger! He cant even kill one?
Tori pursed her lips. This conversation did not go as she thought. He was trying to protect the missing girl.
At the reminder, her fathers face darkened once more. He opened his mouth to speak out about it when a knock ca from the door.
My lord, the Pri Minister seeks an audience with you, a knight said from the other side.
Marquis Gueveras jaw clenched. As I told him before, I will not see him! Send him away!
Her father was angry, and Tori reached for his hand to try to calm him. Papa, why will you not see them? When did they arrive?
The day after we arrived, her father said in a low, bitter voice. Because of his negligence and the negligence of Baron Hart, their children ran off and you were pulled in to find them! If they had better control of their children, this wouldnt have happened!
Tori nodded. She agreed to an extent. I did agree to use the resources at my hands to try to find those three.
Her father looked pained. Tori, I know they are your schoolmates...but you neednt have pushed yourself so far for them. He gritted his teeth. Especially that Hart girl and the Pri Ministers little bas-
I didnt get involved to save them, Tori cut him off and her father tilted his head, giving her a quizzical look.
What?
I never said I wanted to save them. I said I wanted to find them, but it wasnt because I like them, Tori said, her voice sowhat sharp. Her father knit his brows.
Then...why did you get involved if you dont like them?
Tori took a deep breath. She looked away and stared up at the beds canopy. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Their mothers called for help. They didnt know where their children went. They were scared and desperate. You and Mama mustve been like that when I was taken, she said softly. She glanced at her father and saw the acknowledgent in his eyes. I dont like them Papa. I regret that I got involved and caused Sebby to be wounded and...and with the poison gas I regret it even more. I dont even want to see them right now, and thinking about them.... She trailed off as her hands clenched at her sides. I didnt get involved because I wanted to save them or because I like them. I got involved because I couldnt bring myself to ignore Madam Voss and Madam Guthry, terrified and crying like Mama mustve been when I was kidnapped.
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