Poison heal

"There is a toxin coating their lances that paralyzes humans. Soon, you'll be unable to move. Before that happens, you must hurry to a fountain."

"A fountain? Where is it?"

Link scanned the area around him. He only found boulders. There wasn't any chance that he would find water of any kind.

"Look in the direction where the sun sets. It's only a short walk from there. It will be near the Dew Tree."

"Great. Fantastic."

Link stood and immediately realized that the control he once had over his body was waning. With how unsteady he was on his feet, there was a chance that he would once again awaken an armos. Dizziness overtook him, and he collapsed. He had no chance of escaping the rocky landscape he found himself in, much less make it to the fountain.

"Pull yourself together!"

"I can't... I can't move my body." Link was face-up on the ground gazing at the cloudy sky. Grey clouds were swirling in the sky. "Just let me rest a little longer. I'll go to the fountain once I've woken up."

"You dummy. If the toxin reaches your heart, you'll die. Now, keep your wits about you and stand up. The fountain isn't that far. Crawl here if you have to. I'm the only one that can cure you of the toxin."

(...)

Link continued to walk while being urged on by the voice. By this point, far from his vision becoming blurry, he was now seeing a faint shimmer like haze in the desert. His gait was a stumble as he continued on to the Dew Tree. As he moved deeper and deeper into the grove, he could smell fresh, clear water in the air. He felt as if he had stepped into the realm of the gods.

He continued to drag his injured leg behind him as he proceeded. He pushed through the shrubbery and weaved through the trees. He saw a crystal-clear spring past the thick undergrowth. The water was dribbling up like a small fountain.

(...)

"Thank you for saving me," the fairy said as it grabbed its skirt and curtsied.

"Are you... the one with... that voice from before...?"

Link could feel his vision growing ever blurrier, and allowed unconsciousness to overtake him.

(...)

And then, finally, he woke up. He was at the edge of the fountain gurgling its clear water in the middle of a patch of grass and red and yellow flowers. He was on his back looking up at the sky. As usual, there were heavy clouds floating by, but the surrounding flowers did much to brighten the scene.

"You're awake," came a girl's voice.

Link jumped. It wasn't the voice of the girl he had just seen. This was a voice he was familiar with; he was sure of that. He could see a small fairy sat atop the boulder in front of him. She had wavy blond hair and plump cheeks. She wore a red skirt and from her back sprouted transparent wings.

"You're..."

Link sat up and was immediately assaulted by a straining headache. The toxin that had entered him through the armos's lance had not fully been expunged, it seemed. He tested his wounded leg to find it wounded no more. The gash was nearly completely closed.

"Is this...?"

The fairy flew from the boulder and rested on his shoulder.

"My name is Fanny. And yes, I'm the one that healed you. That was thanks for reciting the spell that freed me from the bottom of this fountain."

***

The Count of Black Shadows, Chapter 2