Both men were struggling a little, so Hime stepped in and carried the bulk of the weight. The three of them carefully placed Francis on a bed, Jenny hovering behind, nervously. Leonides summoned his staff and placed a hand on Francis’ head to try and locate the problem. Green magic surrounded Leon as he worked his spell, magic pulling at his hair gently, as if being pulled by a breeze. Francis’ body started to lightly glow green as the magic was transferred from Leonides to Francis.
In the bed next door Feliciano was being attended to. Chero unbuttoned his shirt to examine the wound. She grabbed the bandages from Danni and got to work. She closed her eyes holding a bandage between her fingers, muttering under her breath. She started to emit magic, a light blue, surrounding her pulling at her curls, making her hair look weightless. The magic traveled into the bandages she held, making them glow as well. Chero opened her eyes and started to wrap Feliciano with the magic infused bandages. Her eyes glowed like warm candle light.
Dino stared in awe at Chero. It had been so long since he had last seen her perform such a feat in magic. She was beautiful.
“It’s because the mansion is weakening…” Hime said, watching Chero as well.
“What do you mean?”
“The mansion is weakening…so Chero’s powers are slowly getting stronger. You feel it too right?” Hime asked and then added, “Though…I suppose having Leon here helps as well. Mages tend to build on one another’s strength.”
Dino nodded, “I suppose you are right…”
Chero finished wrapping Feliciano and started to work on the rest of the healing process by sending magic into him, causing him to glow lightly.
Feliciano’s eyes opened slowly, blinded by the light. He looked over at Chero whose glow started to fade away as she stopped the flow of magic. He smiled and reached out to touch her face…because he was not sure if this was real or just another dream.
When his hand reached her cheek and felt a soft gentleness his smile widened, “Una angela…”
Chero’s eyes filled with tears as she smiled softly.
“Non piangere angela…”he whispered, wiping away her tears.
“I’m so glad you are okay…”she said, placing her hand over his.
Dino continued to watch Chero and Feliciano. A sick feeling settled in his stomach and dread seemed to settle into his heart. Hime patted his shoulder.
“Jealous?” she smirked.
“No!” he replied too quickly.
Hime raised a questioning eyebrow, completing her doubting expression.
“Alright…fine. I am jealous. But, how can I not be? You see the way he is looking at her and the way she looks at him…” Dino sighed.
“Did you ever stop to think about how Feliciano is the only person in the universe who knows what Chero is going through right now?” Hime replied, crossing her arms, her irritation slowly rising.
“I know, but…”
“She loves you!” Hime insisted, “You may not remember the former time loops, but whenever you…whenever you died Chero was the most broken up. She would scream and cry…She always would go back to save you, even if you were the only one who died. During all this time her feelings never changed for you.”
Dino was unsure if he could believe her.
“She’s my best friend. You can trust what I say about her feelings.”
Dino closed his eyes, “I know…but I can’t help but feel like she is drifting away and I am struggling to keep up.”
“Then don’t let go of the raft, Jack!” Hime teased.
“She cut her hair Hime…She’s always had long hair for as long as I have known her and for as long as you’ve known her! Hell, I don’t think Tsukino has seen her with short hair in a long time…” he frowned.
Hime whacked the back of his head, “She’s been through a lot, Dino! Stuff like this changes a person. You have to keep supporting her or else…you really will lose her.”
Hime paused as Dino rubbed his head.
“At the same time…”she continued, “If you really love her you will have to let her go if the time is ever right. I am not just saying this because she and I are friends. I want you both to be happy.”
Dino nodded, “You might be right…But that does not mean I will give up without a fight.”
Hime placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Fair enough….but of you hurt her…” Hime squeezed his shoulder tighter and tighter with each word, “I will end you.”
Dino paled a little, “I know!”
