Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 232: Book 3: Chapter 82: Royal Aftermath

Read chapter 232 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 3: Chapter 82: Royal Aftermath Chapter 82: Royal Aftermath Alex felt the price of his final strike the moment the arms dissolved. The sting of the impossible backlash tearing through every nerve of his being. The large demonic arms faded and the Demon Asura’s power ripped free of him, leaving only ruin in its wake. His chest seized up. The last of his strength guttered out like a candle snuffed by the hand of a god. His body folded and collapsed in on itself, his blood pouring from the mangled wreck of his arm. He hit the ground hard. “Allie!” Holly shouted. “I’ve got him. Cole, hold him still!” Allie’s hands were already glowing as her magic surged into his torn flesh. Cole pressed his hands against Alex’s shoulder, pinning him as Alex thrashed weakly, his body spasming under the backlash. “His vitals are crashing!” Allie said, sweat slick on her brow. “I need you still—stay still damn you!” But Alex couldn't hear her; his movements weren't his own. They were the throes of a magically enhanced body dying under the stress he had subjected it to. Each twitch and shudder performed by every muscles in his body clenching and spasming over and over again. He was vaguely aware as another presence pressed close to them, Myrae. Her own movements by comparison to everyone elses, were graceful and efficient as she started to assist. Her moved her palm and hovered it over Alex’s chest. Inscriptions of blue healing light wove into being, wrapping around him. “I’ll stabilize the blood flow and his heart. Keep him alive, Allie.” The half-elf's magic brought his heart under control, and began trying to guide his blood. It was a tricky attempt, as his wyrm-blood kept attacking and eating the aether she injected into him. But it was enough to calm his body to the point his consciousness swam in and out of reality. In Alex’s mind heard their voices of the others as blurry versions of themselves, the sounds muffled by the pounding in his ears. His vision pulsed, with blackness swallowing the edges. He thought he heard someone else too, perhaps Garret, maybe Lance, cursing under their breath. The others just stood in silence around them in a grim and hollow quiet. Their faces turned toward him as though watching a court verdict being given. He tried to form words, but they tangled uselessly on his tongue. Then everything went dark. *** He woke to the rasp of fabric against his skin. His body felt like it had been shredded and stitched back together with fiery wires. He found that bandages wrapped him from throat to ankle, and were tied tight enough he could barely draw a breath without wincing. His arm was swathed in thicker layers of material, so stiff he couldn’t tell if it was even there beneath the wrappings. Warmth infused his fingers at his other hand drew his gaze. Holly sat beside him, her fingers laced gently through his. Her head was bowed, and her eyes heavy with fatigue from sitting be his side for gods knew how long now. Even then, she was still awake. “...Holly?” His voice was a cracked, bare whisper. Her head snapped up and he saw relief flash across her face. “You’re awake," she sighed. He blinked his eyes blearily and tried to move, only to instantly regret it. Pain lanced through every inch of him, the agony stark enough to blind him for a few seconds. He gritted his teeth and managed a stuttering breath. “The others…?” “They’re fine,” Holly said quickly. He felt as she squeezed his hand to reassure him. “Already out there, cleaning up the battlefield. The chimera are being burned. Every last one of them. Scouting teams are sweeping the forest and mountain tunnels, just to be sure.” Her words sounded calm, but her eyes betrayed the weight still clinging to her shoulders. “Rynel. Sarson… Eric?” Holly’s shoulders sagged. For a moment she didn’t answer, then she simply nodded. “They’re gone. We burned their bodies already.” She reached into her cloak and withdrew a small scrap of parchment with slightly blood smudged edges. Al