“Alright everyone, let’s begin.” Max shouted using mana to augment his voice.

He and the rest of the Healers currently staying in Lesterwood were patiently waiting in the atrium for everyone to find their seats. To the side, Vel, Reep, Bishop, and Clammy waited along with Manus and Fen. Normally these lessons were closed events, but an exception was made for Max’s team, but today especially was supposed to be tight lipped. As it turns out, Subuntu, the God of Healing, does not want CPR to be spread to the general population without first going through field testing done by the Healers.

This was mainly in part to Max’s fears of killing a downed adventurer or soldier. When Max was first being taught CPR, his teacher emphasize that the resurrection technique was highly damaging to one’s chest. If a person with mainly stats in Strength started pushing on a citizen’s chest, then they could easily burst their heart. But then again, if the person was going to die anyways, then why not try. Max tried not to think about it, along with if other races biology changed significantly to Humans. Do Nagas have lungs? Do Devils? For these reasons, Max felt that limiting the knowledge to only the Healers would be wise, at least until Subuntu could devise a manual for the rest of the world.

“I’m going to start with a personal memory of mine from about a month ago. This happened at Esmel, an Elven city north of here and is the reason why you all are here.”

Max slid the memory globe into the runic projector. The atrium was filled with silent images of war. Undead marched while volleys of projectiles littered their ranks from a barricaded wall. Suddenly a massive fireball lit up the sky, before descending in a blaze of heat and flame. A large chunk of the wall could be seen before the memory focused on a single electrified arrow surging through the air. The memory suddenly skipped forward a few minutes, to Max traversing through a parted crowd. An injured soldier laid bleeding out. Water began to heal his wounds, but it was obvious to all present the man did not have much longer on this world.

The memory seemed to linger on the dead Elf for just a moment before a watery privacy screen appeared and water began to heal again. The memory skipped forward again, as the privacy screen fell. Max remembered his cries for Reep, something that was lost in the silent film. Reep traveled through the gathered crowd, kneeling before Max and the soldier. She placed her hands against the Elf’s chest and waited. Meanwhile Vel kept a rhythmic beat, pumping the man’s heart while also breaking his ribs. The memory leaned in as to give the Elf a long-drawn-out kiss before a shock caused spasms through the corpse.

No pulse was felt, and again a shock contorted the man, but this time was different. The memory didn’t convey what Max felt when he touched the man’s neck. A pulse, a beat of life, a glimmer of hope. The man coughed blood and bile as his breath found its place in his lungs. Magic healed the remainder of his injuries before the memory faded. The atrium was silent, as was Max and his friends who had view the event in person. The faces of the Healers varied from wonder to suspicion, but before anyone could voice their opinions, Max spoke.

“In this memory, the Elf was dead. Two water affinity healers, one of high renown, declared this man dead. But he lived. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the technique I used, and no, it is not resurrection. As I have taught previously, when a person dies, their body continues to work for a small time after. In these critical moments someone can be revived.” Max took a breath.

“If the heart can be restarted, and the brain is not damaged too badly, this technique has a relatively high success rate. If the brain is fully functional and the person is breathing, then even better.”

“Relative to what?” Someone shouted.

Max spun in the direction of the Healer, “Relative to doing nothing.”

This statement seemed to cause discord through the group. It seemed that cultural background was causing issues for some. A dead body is important for all, but some believed that when one’s time was up, there was nothing to do but to let them pass on respectfully. A similar stance to some on Earth, but Max disregarded the ethics of culture and instead continued.

“I used four smaller techniques to achieve the results. First was feeling for a pulse. Again, this may change race to race, but for Humans and Elves you can feel a small beat when pressing a finger against arteries. Wrist, neck and inside of the elbow are the best places but even placing your ear to someone’s chest can work.”

The memory globe rewound to an image of Max placing his hand against the Elf’s neck.

“I felt no pulse, this means his heart was stopped. Without blood circulating he would soon die, so I began technique number two, chest compressions. The idea is to push rather hard to pump his heart, but not hard enough to destroy it. Two inches is standard depth. With his blood pumping again, I called for my teammate Reep, an electric [Archer] hybrid.”

Max gestured to his friend sitting nearby. “I asked her to be here so she could explain the power of her electricity, but we’ll get to that soon. Using an electric current can cause a heart to restart pumping by itself. Think of a frozen water wheel that you have to kick to break the frost hindering its movement. The water wheel is the heart, and the kick is the electricity. Lastly, the kiss of life.”

The memory changed again to a looping clip of Max leaning in to kiss the dead Elf. “The body needs oxygen, and since it is currently dead that burden falls to someone else. Two breaths pushed firmly into the mouth about a second apart, after tilting the chin up. Then continue chest compressions. When that did not work, Reep shocked him.”

The memory swapped to the spasming man. “It’s not pretty, but it works. From there it was repeating until I felt a pulse, then magic took over and healed him the rest of the way. Reep, how strong was your zap?”

Reep stood to address the room. “I used half the power I would normally use in an electrified stunning arrow.”

“Would you mind demonstrating your arrow?” Someone asked.

Reep nodded, creating a bow of arcing electricity. An arrow was formed and fired at a bare wall. It stuck firmly, burning a black ring around the now dented metal.

“Forty-five Intellect, I would guess” The same Healer asked.

“Thirty.” Reep replied.

“Impressive spell work then.” The Healer tipped his hat.

“Fifteen Intellect shock?” Someone else shouted. “I cannot believe that. I’m coming down, I need a better look.”

A Human Healer clad in grey robes fumbled across the rows of seats, finding an aisle and his way down to the center. At first Max assumed the man to be rude, but as the man approached, Max could tell his expression was deeply interested. The man actually wanted to know the power of a fifteen Intellect shock.

“Shock me.” The man said.

Max had to hand it to Reep, she did not hesitate or look for confirmation, she just placed her hands on the man’s chest and shocked. The man crumbled to the floor, fighting to remain standing. As his muscles settled down, and the pain erased thanks to multiple subtle spells, the man spoke.

“That did not feel like a fifteen Intellect shock.” But the woman who caused his suffering was no longer listening.

Reep was looking off into the distance, a familiar sight on Nava. She was reading a notification.

“Huh.” She said after a moment. “What is a dee fib-ylater?”

“Defibrillator?” Max asked quieting the noisy room.

“I seem to have made a signature spell, but during the review process it was renamed to Defibrillator and removed from my system.” Reep said.

“Wha-“ Max tried before being interrupted.

“Allow me, Max.” A heavenly and powerful voice said, pulling all eyes. Subuntu stood wearing his normal get-up. A beaded necklace that cascaded down robes and soft looking pants. A collective gasp sounded from the room as the Healers realized who they were in the presence of.

“I am sorry to say, Reep, but that spell is no longer yours…” Subuntu said. “The spell is too powerful and unique. Elrin, Goddess of Lightning and Peneil, God of Death, have tried to lay claim to the spell. Stating that since the spell directly relates to their respective orders, they should have it. But, as I do not believe Elrin or Peneil will distribute the knowledge of such a spell freely, I was forced to enact my claim as well.”

“Meaning what?” Vel asked finding a spot to stand next to Reep.

“Meaning, the spell is going to remain unusable until a Court can be made.”

“A Court, seriously?”

“That is the protocol when two or more of the Divine claims a newly created spell.” Subuntu said.

“But I thought the review process did not allow for claims.” Max said.

“Under normal circumstances with normal spells. But this spell’s rank is considered… Special.”

“What was the rank?” Vel asked.

“Legendary.” Reep said causing a gasp to sound through the atrium.

“What? How can it be Legendary?” Max said. “This is a common technology on Earth.”

“Ah, that is one of the reasons why both Elrin and Peneil are staking their claim so strongly. The spell will always work if the recipient is not truly dead, healing them instantly to the frailest point of life.”

“I could see how the God of Death would want that…” Max said. “But what about Elrin? I’ve never heard of her.”

“She is a minor Goddess and thinks this spell could raise her rank.” Subuntu offered.

“I see.” Max turned to the crowd. “This proves my words to be correct, does it not? The spell being removed hardly matters. Shocking will still work regardless of a system box, along with the rest of CPR.”

“Indeed.” Subuntu said with a deep smirk. “I have been paying close attention to the words Max has said over these last weeks. Everything he has said has been true. I have had Healers around the world testing his words, all coming to the same conclusion; a new age is starting. An Age of Healing, of medical knowledge, and of science.” A worldwide blue system box appeared in everyone’s periphery.

The God of Healing, Subuntu, has deemed the start of a new age.

The Age of Healing.

When the metaphorical dust settled in the atrium, Subuntu was gone. In his place was the utter confusion and gleeful cheers from the Healers.

What have I done? Max asked Emi who tackle-headbutted him.

Something extraordinary. She replied in a familiar and joyous way.

Max scanned the atrium. Healers were dancing, hugging, standing in silence, and praying. Almost everyone had a smile on their face and nearly all were stealing glances at the one-armed mage.

“I guess you’re right.” Max said as a tight smile found his lips.

The first to approach was Vel. She said nothing, opting for a gentle but oddly firm pat on the back. Vel was one of the few that knew the full extent of Max and Subuntu’s relationship. She had been there when he was first summoned, when he showed up to the first meeting, and has been around every time Manus spoke on his God’s behalf. Vel had her own problems with the Divine. And for her own reasons she always played the cynic, thinking about all of the potential trouble a New Age will cause. But as the cheers rang through the air, it was becoming hard not to smile.

Manus and Fen were next, each shaking Max and Reep’s hands. Manus told Max they would ‘speak later’, and quickly left to organize his people. Fen stayed around a few moments longer, but also found an excuse to find her own Healers. That left Bishop and Clammy. Both slowly walked over, Bishop obviously not paying attention to his surroundings as he reread the notification again and again. Clammy hugged both Max and Reep before levitating Emi to Max’s shoulder. By now, illusionary fireworks were exploding without sound in the air of the atrium. Healers shuffled by, forming a perimeter around the one-armed mage. They kneeled, bowing their heads in a respectful and almost repenting kind of way.

Max’s first thought was to stop them, but he knew that was rather rude in Nava’s culture. He had told multiple people multiple times to refer to him as just ‘Max’ rather than Lord or Lost Lord, but after a few of those interactions, he began to understand he was not showing respect back. So, Max said the only thing he could think of.

“See you all next week!”

The Humble Titans and their mentors, walked through the ecstatic streets. It seemed that it was not only the Healers who were celebrating. Taverns were overflowing along with [Bards] playing on the streets to rather large tips. Workers and guards alike seemed to move with more grace, finding rhythmic steps in the moonlit city. The cold hardly mattered as rounds of drinks were being served without payment and without slowing down. Money was being tossed around, making up for the free drinks, as [Dancers] and other talented personnel created impromptu acts.

The markets were filled with late night hot grills as many food venders remained open past their normal hours. The group bought plenty for themselves and the others waiting back in the mansion. The noise seemed to die down by the time they found themselves walking across the bridge, as the party remained near the food and drink establishments rather than trade stores and harbors. Bishop was explaining what was happing to the best of his ability, but he never claimed to know everything.

“Legendary spells are special. They had different rules as the spell itself is special. Normally these spells are very niche and heavily related to the Divine. Which pertains to why the Divine can claim the spell as their own. I don’t think we will ever know more than what Subuntu told us. Usually, these things are highly secretive as they are a part of the inner workings of respective Churches.”

“Okay, but what about Subuntu creating a New Age?” Clammy asked.

“That… Is something I have my own questions about. As far as I know, the system does not classify Ages, the people of Nava do.”

The students of the group kept asking similar questions in different ways, but Bishop answered the same manner. When they reached the front door of the mansion, it was apparent that neither Vel nor Bishop knew what was going on. Icarus greeted them at the door looking rather disturbed.

“There is a guest waiting in the dining room.” Icarus said before fading away.

The group looked at each other, before entering. They all figured it was Manus or the mayor but sitting at the head of the large oak dinner table was God Subuntu. He was actively ripping apart greasy chicken, or hen, licking his fingers and savoring every bite. Celenia and Belopi sat a few seats away, both completely weirded-out with the situation. Under a normal situation, Max would have laughed at the mother-daughter duo and their strange facial expressions, but the mood was less than funny.

“Ah, good, everyone is back.” Subuntu said before his plate of food fell out of existence. “Sorry, about showing up unannounced, I often forget how slow foot travel truly is.”

“Its fine.” Max said after everyone looked to him for a response. He took his seat next to the God while Vel took the other. “I take it you are going to explain somethings.”

“Indeed. But before, Max, I must admit something to you. I used you.” Subuntu said.

“Yes, you did.”

“And for that I apologize. But I had good reason, allow me to explain. First of all, the Defibrillator spell is something I’ve only ever dreamed of. Congratulations, Reep, you should receive payment as the spell was taken from you. I hope you find it adequate.”

Reep nodded, signaling the God to continue. “In fact, the spell was better than I expected. So much so it caused a three-way power struggle between me, a minor Goddess, and one of the Three. I do not believe I will win the spell. I cannot go into the details of Divine events, but I have used up too much ‘power’ lately while the God of Death rarely uses his.”

“And you used the creation of a New Age as a way to get ahead.” Bishop said.

“Correct. A play for power, but a welcome one. An Age of Healing will only be beneficial to Nava. Max, your teachings and knowledge have been immeasurable in progressing our knowledge and magic. Even I have felt its effects in my most basic healing spells. I’ve known this for a long time, but healing is more efficient and powerful when more knowledge is known about the target. This is true in many spells, I’m sure you know what I speak of.”

Max nodded. “I thought it was because I was using water life force rather than something else.”

“Partially true, but not fully. Baseline Divine healing is the most powerful, then life, water, then fire healing. Yes, water life force is one of the lowest. But when it comes to bodily knowledge, the Deep Strider Clan is leagues above everyone.”

“Thus, allowing them to heal faster.” Vel finished.

“Correct again. I have been petitioning the leaders of the Clan to share their knowledge with me for generations, but I have always been turned away.”

Vel scoffed, “Not surprising.”

“What does the New Age mean, though? How did you create a system notification like that?”

“An abuse of power, one I will see reprimanding for. The Age itself means nothing, similar to the previous ones in Nava’s history. But it gets people talking. It gets more potential Healers to investigate the Church. It gets more to think about healing.”

“Where does Max fit into all of this?” Vel asked.

The God shrugged. “That is up to him. As far as I and the rest of my Church is concerned, he is the reason all of this was possible. He already held high renown in my circle of peers, and I suspect even more now than yesterday.” Subuntu turned to Max, “A spot is open if you want the seat.”

Max took no time to think. “Thanks, but no thanks. I cannot make that commitment at this time.”

“I understand, until next time, Max, everyone.” Subuntu vanished in his seat.

The lights suddenly flickered before Icarus materialized on the backrest of the chair the God had once sat on. “Anyone care to explain what the fuck is going on?”