Free Web NovelChapter 8: Chapter 8: Sandstorm (2)
The remaining bandages from his subject’s bodies loosened and flew towards the holes. They wrapped over the holes, covering them and protecting them from the blazing sand particles.
But more areas of the dome began to burn, creating more holes. Even those holes were covered by the subjects’ bandages.
However, a few moments later the old bandages began to burn rapidly, and then the newly applied bandages also started to burn, creating more and more holes.
Overwhelmed, his subjects tried to cover every single hole but they couldn’t keep up. The blazing sand particles and heat swept into the dome, burning them.
Worse, the inside of the dome became so hot that even breathing became difficult. Riven felt his nose burning and lungs burning from the inside.
So he held his breath since continuing to breathe would literally cook his lungs and nose from the inside.
Suddenly, the shaking of the walls of the dome decreased and the speed of the burning bandages decreased. It allowed his subjects to rapidly close holes. Hence the temperature dropped allowing him to breathe.
It seemed like the intensity of the storm had decreased...
Suddenly, the intensity increased again. The walls started to burn rapidly again creating more holes and the temperature inside soared.
So he was forced to hold his breath again but some time later it decreased. So he took a deep breath but then increased again.
Every once in a while, the intensity of the storm would die down and the holes would be covered. Using this period, he took a deep breath.
This continued for the next 12 minutes.
Afterwards, the bandages stopped moving violently. The sound of strong wind slamming onto the dome also disappeared.
Riven and Ayala stared at each other. Their bodies were covered in burns and Ayala added that she inhaled and exhaled sharply.
"Mister... I think it’s over. We should go out now..."
Riven nodded as he inhaled and exhaled deeply. He studied the burnt walls of the dome around him and asked.
"Can we go out now?"
Ayala shook her head and replied, her voice not steady.
"Can you... wait in the dome... for a few hours?"
"Hmm... but why?"
"Look at... ou... condition mister. Our bodies are full of painful bur... if I rest for a while... I will be able to heal you... This will boost our chances of success."
Riven didn’t reply immediately since what she said was true. But there was a major problem...
It wasn’t about maintaining the dome, the problem was Ayala herself... in particular spending hours with their bodies super close to one another. He didn’t want to do that with a young woman.
He wasn’t really comfortable spending time with females since childhood.
But then again...
"Survival is all that matters."
He sighed, turned towards Ayala, and replied.
"Fine, have it your way then."
Ayala didn’t speak; instead, she closed her eyes in the cramped space and went still. Riven didn’t sleep; instead, he took a look at his subjects.
After the walls of the dome had stopped burning he hadn’t paid them any attention. The bandages no longer covered every part of their bodies. Sturdy sand engulfed in a blue aura beneath the bandages was exposed.
However, the bandages around their bodies were regenerating but it wasn’t using his mana. Instead, the sand beneath them flew towards the remaining bandages on their body like metals attracted to magnets and started to regenerate.
Realization dawned upon him.
"They can regenerate bandages."
It looked like it was their ability since he wasn’t supplying mana to them to heal themselves instead they were automatically using the sand to regenerate the bandages wrapped around their bodies.
His gaze didn’t linger on their bodies for too long since he had already acquired the information he needed to know. Instead, he stared at his current mana levels.
(Mana Reserves: 111/210)
Riven sighed... his mana reserves were too low but he didn’t panic since as far as he knew the body automatically replenishes the mana. He just didn’t know how long it would take.
"Let’s just rest."
He closed his eyes. As he did, he mentally commanded his subject.
"Protect us. Wake me up if you spot danger."
Then he closed his eyes and fell asleep...
An unknown period of time passed by...
***
Riven felt someone nudging his back slowly. His eyes slowly crept open, greeted by the darkness and dim blue light of the blue aura engulfing his subjects.
He turned around and saw Ayala nudging him with the back of her arm.
"What?"
"Mister... I have enough mana. I can heal you."
"Then heal me."
Ayala nodded and fell silent. For a moment nothing happened but when she put her hand on his body, a golden aura traveled from her arm to his body, completely engulfing him from top to bottom.
He heard the whisper of the system.
(You are being healed.)
Riven paid the system’s words no attention instead he lowered his gaze — remaining focused on the changes occurring in his body.
The tissue of his body shifted and started to move. The burns covering his body began to heal and close up, slowly but surely disappearing.
By the time the burn had completely disappeared from his body, the system whispered into his ears once again.
(You have been healed.)
He inspected his body carefully. Not even a single burn remained on his body, his skin was pristine and clear. He no longer felt any pain.
Ayala’s voice resounded through his ears.
"Mister are you at your peak?"
Riven didn’t reply instead he stared at his mana level.
(Current Mana Reserve: 189/210)
It wasn’t completely replenished despite hours passing. However, it was nearly full so he nodded.
Ayala asked.
"Let’s head out then?"
Riven stared at the burns covering her body but didn’t say a word since if she could make it to her base then who was he to question her.
Instead, he stared at his subjects and commanded.
"Create an exit."
The moment he said those words, the walls of the dome around him began to crumble and slammed onto the ground a few seconds later. No light came from the outside... There was only darkness and the faint blue glow of his subjects.
Riven’s eyebrows knitted together.
"Are we buried under sand?"
