Sebastian and Benette moved Dorin under the table after Octavius summoned his first creature. Seb fumbled under his suit for vials to try to awaken Dorin. It was a good thing he didn’t put on the undershirt which came with the tux, and insisted in wearing his own vest instead.
[Have you determined the kind of potion they used?] he asked Benette.
“It’s a sleeping potion, a potent one made of valerian and strengthened with dark magic.” replied the medic, “I may be able to break the valerian potion, but we will need a strong cleansing agent to get rid of the miasma from the dark magic.”
“How is Dorin doing?”
Seb hit his head on the table in surprise. [What are you doing here?] he asked Mar who suddenly appeared beside him.
“Well, it’s starting to get real weird out there, so I decided to join you guys here instead.” Replied Mar.
“What about your friends Johan and Vincent?” Benette asked.
“Oh, don’t worry about that guy.” said Johan, who appeared beneath the table as well. “He knows what he’s doing,” he continued, “In fact, he’s the reason why we’re hiding here in the first place.
“But 4 against one...”
“Actually, the 4 Morels are down, or rather, currently pinned to the walls. It’s now 7 against 4, with Vincent on the lead.”
“Seven...?” said Benette wide eyed. Seb risked a quick look outside.
The shield was half way down. The two Morels had moved into the middle of the hall. Both held long swords made of darkness and were busy fighting each other while surrounded by their own demons.
[You think perhaps we can slip out without them noticing us?] wrote Seb.
“We can’t just leave Vincent, he just fed us!” Johan said incredulously. “He even bought me a new jacket!” he suddenly remembered, “And I still have to get the stuff I bought from the locker room!”
“Well, first of all, we need to try and wake Dorin up...” said Benette as he cradled the sleeping mage.
[I’m not sure if this will work,] wrote Seb as he took a vial out of his coat. [Benette, try to wake up Dorin with your valerian antidote.]
He handed the vial to Johan as he said this.
“What’s this?” Johan asked as he took the seemingly empty bottle.
[This is a white flame I’ve been keeping.] Seb answered [It can combat black magic. Problem is, I don’t think it’s enough to wake Dorin up.]
What if he doesn’t wake up?” asked Mar.
Seb looked at her with his usual blank stare. [Then we’ll have to carry Dorin and jump off the balcony.]
Mar remembered how high up they were and turned pale.
[Don’t worry I still have translocation spells to spare. But first...] he looked back at the combat medic.
[Are you ready Benette?] the medic nodded back at him.
Bennette placed a hand over Dorin’s chest and clenched it to a fist. Trailing his fist towards Dorin’s face, he seemed to be pulling at something until some dark liquid dripped out of Dorin’s mouth.
“That’s the valerian.” Benette told them, “But the miasma have already seeped into his system...”
[Johan, take the vial] instructed Seb. He took Dorin’s hand and placed it on Johan’s lap, setting it palm down on a torn piece of his pants where it was in contact with Johan’s bare thigh. [White fire is also known as divine or holy fire. It is a fire that does not burn, but cleanses the darkness. As you open it, I want you to feel the flame, and try to duplicate it.]
He looked straight at the fire mage.
[Do you understand?]
“Understood.” replied Johan, his face serious. He held the vial in both hands and broke it open on top of Dorin.
The flame was almost invisible. It seemed to cover his hands then spread down to Dorin’s face, entering his gaping mouth. Dorin stirred, but his eyes remained close.
[Feel the flame, Johan. Can you make the same?] Seb asked him. [Remember, it purifies, but does not burn.]
“Purify and does not burn...” repeated Johan. With his eyes closed, he felt the warmth of the unburning fire. Instead of destroying, it flows through the veins and fills the body with a comfortable warmth that heals and cleanses. He is suddenly filled with thoughts of his grandmother, holding him close in a cold winter night.
“Hurry up, it’s about to go out!” Johan heard Mar say.
“A fire that heals and does not burn.” Johan whispered as he opened his eyes.