The blade moved effortlessly, cleaving off Billy's arm at the shoulder. Jack, already in forward motion, grabbed onto his body and pulled him in like a clamp. Billy's shriek rang through Jack's ears and buckled his knees. He felt the weight of his friend's body fall on his. This weight was heavy. How could he let this happen? Jack threw his hand back and shot as much green light as he could.

Billy drags on the ground still unconscious. Jack couldn't get a landing. His feet couldn't form a step under him until he crashed to the ground a fair distance away from his bloodied friend.

"Help! Please help! He lost his arm!" Jack dragged the ground with his fingers to get to his friend. He grabs Billy's body and pulls into him. "Help! I need a doctor!" Jack only caught a glimpse of the cloaked figure heading back into the alley before the crowd of people surrounded him. Space. He needed space. He couldn't hear anything. All he could see was red.

"Help!" He ripped the straps to his sword and shield. Next was his shirt that he pressed against the remainder of arm attached to Billy's body. It was soaked already. He didn't realise people were leaned over the body already checking vitals. Jack took off his headband and began to tie it around his shirt. Why can't this knot? His hands can't stop shaking. A hand finishes the tie.

"...Hall on the left—"

"What?" Jack said, looking around for a quick second before fumbling to press on Billy's arm.

"Doctor Hocho is the best we have. He is three houses away from the town hall on the left!" The voice getting louder. Jack looked up, but everyone's mouths were moving. It didn't matter.

"Hocho...town hall...left." Jack pulled Billy's body onto his. He picked him up trying to keep his arm pressed against his chest as much as possible. Damnit, he won't be able to Wind Walk. It was taking all his mana just to carry Billy. How long was he running now? Town Hall? Why is it not there? No that's it! Left! Left!

The few people outside the house all parted. Jack rushed through the open door.

"Doctor Hocho! Doctor! Help!"

A small oldish man wearing thick glasses opened the door and jaw dropped immediately.

"Doctor! Thank the three! We were fighting...not with me...he is a soldier...ummm...he was—"

The doctor accompanied by a tall female dragged everything off a nearby table. "Put him on here! Grind the Yarrow! You boy, take that shirt off and raise his arm upwards."

The assistant ran to the cabinet as Jack fumbled to get the shirt off. "It was cut off...It has been bleeding a lot." The doctor came and helped Jack take off the soaked shirt. He began wiping the wound and soaking it with some material.

"Anila! Check his vitals. He looks flushed."

"Doctor! We don't have any blood packs!"

"Damnit! Boy what is your blood type?" The doctor continued moving and dressing the wound with the herb. "Is the arm here?"

"Boy what is your blood type?" This time he looked up.

Jack face was flushed of colour. His eyes were sporadic. "Blood type? I...I...d-don't know."

"Damnit, your eyes. Are you bleeding too? Anilia, get him to lie down immediately. I think he is wounded! He might go into shock hurry!"

Jack was being carried away. His feet were moving under him, but the room didn't feel right. It wasn't straight anymore, it wasn't steady. He had to stay with Billy! He had to be there. His thoughts focused, but his sight wasn't, he didn't even realise he was pushing Miss Anila to get to his friend.

"Stop. You need to sit down."

"I have to st..."

"Doctor! I have the arm here. That is a lot of blood. I am universal. Hook me up if you need any."

Jack felt his body go relaxed. Anila held up his entire weight. She began to drag him on the chair. Her shoulder began collecting Jack's tears. Her white top smeared with red.

"Ace! I'm so sorry! I shou—" His lips trembled. His hands trying to clear his blurred vision. The image of his teacher and friend swirled together.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. Get treated. Everyone is going to be okay," Ace reinforced while sitting on a chair as a needle went into his arm. Jack let himself be dragged away. He was placed on a chair as Miss Anila began to look at his wound.

"This was clean, and with all the blood we didn't notice. I will get you patched right up. The doctor has already stabilised Billy, don't worry. Hold this here."

"Thank you."

"What happened?" Ace questioned from the other side of a screen.

"Billy found a lead. He rushed over to tell me, and I didn't want to disappoint Stella again, so I went to check it out. We ended up catching them, but they had someone who was really strong, and they got both of us. When I rushed out, it caused a crowd and I guess that's why they didn't finish us off."

"Damn. It's good that you got out with just losing an arm. You did good to get him out of there Jack. Don't beat yourself up. He knew the risks that comes with being a soldier."

"Ace, I am so sorry. I know you said to be careful and I...I went and got Billy—" Jack's chest tightened. His fist followed suit.

"I did say that didn't I? I am pretty wise huh." Ace chuckled through the situation. "It's not like I said that because I knew this would happen. It's not like you went out just to get someone hurt. You both did what you think was right. You just lacked experience and that's okay. You both are breathing Jack. Now you understand the risks a little more. Try and calm down, I know next time will be better."

"Wise words, young one. You have seen a fair share of battles over the years haven't you." Dr. Hocho butted in.

"Even though you are living in a peaceful town like this, something tells me that you have as well old man." Jack hears the doctor chuckle.

"Ace, how did you find...ouch!" Jack jumped at the herbs stinging his shoulder.

"Sorry, it's to help numb the spot for stitches. We are going to start now, okay?" Anila cheerfully brought out her needles.

"Okay," Jack agreed. "Yea, how did you know what happened?"

"I was still cooking at Billy's place, when someone from the town came to tell Miss Monica that someone attacked her husband, and he lost an arm. They said he had gone to Dr. Hocho, so I asked them where it was and where he was attacked. I rushed to the spot and then here and well it wouldn't take me long to get here. I didn't even know you were with him until I saw your gear. Tenny stayed with Monica to escort her in case the attack was personal. They should be here in a couple of minutes."

"Monica...damnit." Every pore in his body opened. His throat felt like it was closing in. His heart sank and everything in his stomach raised.

"All done! You should try and get some rest. If you want to stay, you can take a nap on this chair, we aren't busy today," Anila said.

"Okay. Thank you very much," Jack replied while Anila excused herself. Jack sat there and closed his eyes. He couldn't sleep, but he couldn't face anyone right now. He knows he is running away, but it's only for a moment.

"Is that all the blood you need? Times have really changed." Ace laughed. It sounded like they are finishing up with Billy. Doctor Hocho must have really been good.

Jack listened to Ace tell jokes with the doctor as he worked. The doctor would chuckle and tell a story about strange things he has treated over the years. He said that he had seen a lot when he was a butterfly, before abruptly stopping. It seemed Ace didn't know what that meant either because he questioned him. The doctor said that he will save it for when they can share a drink.

Jack heard Monica's gasp. His hands clenched again. He shut his eyes tighter. There is no going back. They will all hate him.

"Monica, he will be alright. I put something to keep him asleep, but he will wake up in a couple of hours. I couldn't reattach the arm, but with it I was able to cover the wound. Take a seat."

"I see. Thank The Three. Mitchell scared the shit out of me when he burst in like that. It was hard just getting here, everyone is in a frenzy outside. Mitchell mentioned there was an outsider carrying him. Is it who I think it is?"

"Yea, I think he is sleeping behind that screen. He is okay too," Ace answered.

"Damnit, if I was there, I would have beat all of them. I'm sorry I couldn't help Monica," Tenny said.

"Look how beat up he is! It must have been a crazy battle. Billy was bragging how strong he was." Jack felt his throat closing again hearing Monica's words. "Who could do this to both of them? It was a good thing Jack was there. I could have lost Billy. He was so excited to have finally have a big case. At least he can now tell stories about it." Monica chuckled.

Jack felt fresh breath flow into his body. Was she laughing? Did she not hate him? How could she laugh in this situation?

"Yea, he really is one hell of a soldier. Jack mentioned that he recently fell in love with the job. I feel bad, but from the short time I spent with him, I know this isn't going to stop him," Ace said.

"He really did, and you are right. My Billy wouldn't let anything stop him from protecting this town anymore. He changed a lot after working, but it was good. It was like he found the place he was searching for. I am sure they will all look out for him too."

"Probably, with charisma like his. On the bright side, he will get a bump up on the ledger for some time and he can stay home with you to welcome the child into the world."

"You are right, I didn't even think of that. Damnit, now I will have to change all the diapers. I'm starting to think he did this on purpose."

Jack heard everyone laughing. It was strange, but what else could they do? It was already done. He already made the mistake. What was he even doing? He wrestled his thoughts, but the sound of them laughing on the other side of the screen made him calm. He didn't notice when he drifted asleep.

***

Jack opened his eyes to absolute silence. The place was cool, a gentle breeze blowing through the open window. It was already night. He peeked behind the screen to see Billy still sound asleep. Ace sitting there writing down notes in a book.

"How long was I asleep?" Jack took a seat at the foot of the bed.

"A couple of hours. You weren't out for that long."

"What are you doing? Where is Monica and Tenny?"

"I'm just writing down some notes on herbs. The doctor gave me some interesting stuff to try when I was cooking a meal for him and Miss Anila. They are eating right now. Monica needed some rest, so she went back to the house. She has to be careful how she is carrying a child. She didn't want to go but everyone suggested it and she knew we would be here for him. Tenny is staying with her just in case anything happens. We still don't know how Eclipse operates."

"Oh, well I can stay—"

"There you guys are! I have been looking everywhere! Mr. Lundred told me after that something happened, and you guys might be here. What is going on?" Stella crossed her arms like a mother would while scolding children. Jack told her what happened as he watched her hands slowly unfold and eyes changed. She looked at Billy who was covered with a blanket from his neck down.

"I'm sorr—" she started.

"No. I am done with the apologies for today. We all make our own decisions and I bet you a drink that Billy will say the same when he wakes up. We still have a mission, and this is just a part of it. I understand how you can feel guilty, and I am not saying your feelings are unwarranted. It's just we have to keep our heads up, otherwise it makes everything harder. We believe in what we are doing, and we can't regret our fight," Ace said while standing up and placing a hand on both of their shoulders.

"Okay. I understand. It is my fight too, so you guys go get some rest at the inn. I will stay with Billy." Stella took Ace's seat.

"You sure? I don't really sleep much at night. I can stay." Ace fought back.

"All the more reason. We all didn't get much sleep last night. We aren't sure what tomorrow will bring, we all have to rest as much as possible."

"She is right Ace. You even gave blood. Let's go back."

"Okay. Make sure and get something to eat Stella," Ace said before grabbing a roll of bandages from the table. "Don't tell the old man I swiped these."