Ascension Of The Villain

Vyan stood outside the ward of the old medical facility, his heart a storm of emotions battering against his ribs. Blood from his own injuries mixed with mud and dirt, soaking into his clothes.

"Why did you protect me…" he murmured, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. Each inhale was a struggle against the crushing weight of his guilt.

He stared at the ward door, willing it to open, willing someone to come out and tell him that Iyana would be alright. The image of her lying motionless flashed before his eyes, her body broken and battered, and a fresh wave of anguish surged through him.

She had thrown herself in harm's way—purely out of instinct—to protect him, and now she lay fighting for her life because of her sacrifice.

"I should have been the one to protect you." His hands trembled as he clenched his fists, trying to keep himself together.

A dark voice in his head whispered, It's all your fault. You shouldn't have been so slow to react. As a man, you should have been the one to take the brunt of the impact, but you failed.

Vyan sank onto a wobbly wooden chair, burying his face in his hands. Tears burned in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.

He had to believe she would pull through. She was strong, stronger than anyone he had ever known.

But the fear still gnawed at him, the uncertainty eating away at his resolve.

The minutes dragged on, each one stretching into an eternity. Finally, the doctor emerged, and Vyan shot up from his seat, his eyes wide with desperation.

"What's her condition?" Vyan asked, his voice raw with emotion.

The doctor shook his head solemnly. "I have bandaged her head and other injuries, but there is nothing I can do about the wooden plank that pierced her shoulder."

Vyan's eyes blazed with a mix of fear and anger. "What do you mean you can't do anything about it?"

The doctor sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone. "If I remove the plank, she will bleed to death in minutes."

"So, can't you treat her quickly enough to stop the bleeding?" Vyan's voice was almost a shout, desperation clawing at his throat.

The doctor scoffed, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "If I were that skilled, I wouldn't be stuck in this no-name village."

"Isn't there anybody else who can treat her then?" Vyan's voice trembled, hope slipping through his fingers like sand.

The doctor shook his head. "No one I know of. Only an expert from the main town or capital could handle this. For now, I will do my best to keep her alive, but there is nothing more I can do."

With that, the doctor turned and disappeared back into the ward, leaving Vyan standing in the dimly lit hallway, feeling the crushing weight of hopelessness.

"If only there were something I could do…"

There is nothing you can do, whispered the same negative voice in his head. You can't even use your mana at this moment.

He clenched his fists, his fingers digging into his palm, knowing that voice spoke the painful truth.

His typically substantial mana reserves were dangerously low after yesterday's mishap.

The time travel had taken a massive toll—equivalent to the mana an average mage would use in a lifetime. And he had done it six times in total, including the return trips. That was why he had burned out and fainted.

Of course, such a vast amount of mana wouldn't be restored overnight.

"What do I do…" His voice broke, a quiet plea to the universe.

Memories of their time together flooded his mind—her laughter, her fiery spirit, the way she looked at him with those piercing eyes. Each memory cut deeper than the last.

He couldn't lose her. Not now, not ever. The thought of a world without her was unbearable, a void too dark and empty to comprehend.

"Please help…" Vyan's voice cracked, uncertain of whom to call upon. He couldn't use telepathy with Clyde from such a distance, and obviously, Clyde was right now busy doing damage control at the accident site.

He almost felt like asking his dead parents or brother to help him, but what could they do? They were not even alive, and he for sure did not know how to communicate with ghosts.

Then, a name surfaced in his mind, one synonymous with miracles. This was the only one who could help him. "Goddess Hecate, help please."

There was a beat of silence until…

'About time,' came the serene yet slightly amused voice of the nation's guardian. 'I was wondering when you would finally call on me.'

"Please, save Iyana's life," Vyan prayed, his cold hands trembling as he clasped them together.

Hecate sighed, the sound echoing in his mind. 'I knew you would ask that, but I make it a rule not to interfere with those on the brink of death.'

"Can't you make an exception? Perform a miracle or something?" Desperation seeped into his voice.

'No, my child. That would anger the God of Death.'

"No, please, there must be some other way!" His plea was frantic, each word laden with distress.

'There is,' she admitted, 'but I doubt you can do it.'

"You don't know that," he protested, his voice raw and determined. "I would do anything to save her life."

'Interesting,' Hecate mused, a hint of amusement coloring her tone. 'What you need is an expert doctor, right? And for that, you need enough mana for two rounds of long-distance teleportation.'

"Are you suggesting there are ways I can restore my mana?"

'Not just restore,' she chirped, 'but also expand your mana reserve in one go. It is quite the deal, isn't it? Especially considering how crucial a mana reserve is for a mage.'

She was right. A mage's only true weakness was their mana reserve. No matter how powerful or omnipotent they might seem, they were only as effective as the amount of mana they possessed.

Unfortunately, mana reserves were determined at birth, and there was usually no way to expand them. Vyan had never felt the need to—until now, that is.

"So what is it that I have to do for that?" His stomach churned, dread gnawing at his insides. He didn't have a good feeling about this.

'Well, all you have to do is make a sacrifice,' her voice sounded almost playful.

Vyan's mouth went dry as he gulped, "What kind of sacrifice?"

'Actually, there are quite a few options,' Hecate replied, her tone casual, 'Let's say a few years of your life. Or perhaps, one of your inherent magical abilities? Or a fragment of your soul?'

"Are you sure you are a goddess, not a demon? Why would you want part of my soul?" Vyan deadpanned. Because what the hell? These options were simply ridiculous.

'You are amusing, my child,' Hecate laughed, a sound as cold and distant as a winter's night. 'It's not about the specifics of the sacrifice; it's about your willingness to surrender something precious. Do you realize how much stronger you will become with an expanded mana reserve?'

Vyan's heart pounded in his chest. He was not particularly bursting with the desire to get stronger, but...

He needed help. He needed to save Iyana, and to call for that help, he needed mana. But the things Hecate was asking for were too much. They were things he could never reclaim.

However, could he really live with himself if he didn't do everything possible to save her? Even if it meant giving up something irreplaceable?

Hecate's voice was now a dark and insistent presence in his mind as she whispered, 'So, my child, have you made a decision yet?'

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