|Unknown Place|

"Pardon me, sire, for the intrusion." The shadowy butler bowed as he entered the room. Sweat was already starting to form on his forehead just below his sleek black hair, combed and well groomed for the required high standards.

"WHAT! Do you want?" The words sounded a knife sliding down a metal sheet. The harsh sound of his master's voice made the butler wince.

"Sire, tester 09 has entered a critical condition. He advanced too quickly and is suffering from severe backlashes. If something isn't don--"

"DAMN IT!! DO ANY OF THE TESTER'S HAVE A SHRED OF SENSE!!! IF I -- "

The man seated at the desk stopped and took a deep breath.

"Apologies, Butler. I lost my control there. Will tester 09 survive? I can't afford to lose another tester during the beginning phase of the Otherworld Ortus Project, the Corporation won't be happy with me."

The Butler cleared his throat, knowing full well the consequences of failure. Rumors of Surveyors and their Butlers leaving for vacation were common in the break room. Permanent vacations.

"The situation is dire, sire, but I will work on setting things up in testor 09's favor."

"What is his test grounds?"

"Camiare, sire."

"Ah, site 01. Get him to the monks in the Acutalis Mountains. They should be able to keep him alive as he recovers. How long is his estimated recovery?"

The butler's sweat trailed down his nose shakily, till it dripped to the dark floor.

"3 years, sire."

|Cree Village|

Lufis POV

After the lightning strike, Arthur quickly formed a tight rateh barrier around Nathaniel, which hoisted his unconscious body into the air. My mother arrived and she went to help Mrs. Armis calm down. My dad offered to head down to the village where he would look for help or a skilled doctor to lessen the effects of the xetral poisoning. He dragged me along to give the Armis family some space.

Arriving in Cree, my father went around knocking on doors and asking people on streets if they could help with Nathaniel's condition. Conversations varied, but all were brief and fruitless.

After knocking at nearly every door, my father decided to send a letter to an old friend who he kept muttering under his breath might help. And no, I have no idea what he was talking about.

Next thing I now, we arrive at the Letre building.

My dad was writing a note on a piece of parchment for the messenger letre bird, while I was left standing outside in the street. The festival was still going on, with lots of lights and sound; and it honestly made me uncomfortable. It was different being alone in a festival than with someone.

As I watched the crowded street, I noticed a family of five standing near one of the food stalls. The father was talking to his wife, who looked like they were ordering food. Their daughter was trying to play peek-a-boo with the youngest, while the third child covered her head with a cloak. The youngest, a boy probably three-four years younger than me, was asking his father for more food as he grabbed onto his cloak.

"Pawpa, I want a triapop!!!!!!"

"Now, now George, calm down. I already got all four of us the chicken skewers."

"But . . . . . Pawpa!!!"

Suddenly, my vision was blocked by a man as he stepped into my vision.

"Hello . . . . . . Lufis Lantideniz right?"

"Yes, that is me. Who are you?"

The man held out his hand.

"You can call Mr. Argud. I am a member of the village guard. I heard of your situation, and I think I can be of some help you."

I shook his hand.

"Thanks, we could use any help. DAD!"

My father came out of the letre building, ink on his hand.

"Richard, thank goodness. What can you do? We have a serious problem on our hand."

"Don't worry, you won't need to tell me the situation. I already talked to some of the villagers who already spoke to you. I have a brother who is a monk of the Acutalis Order. They are renowned healers and should be able to stabilize Nathaniel."

The Acutalis Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commonly referred to the Monks of Acutalis, the order is based in the Acutalis Mountains. The Acutalis Mountains are a mountain range that covers the entire northern border of Camiare, from coast to coast. In fact, there is nothing beyond the vast mountain range. Ships actually would have to sail around the Acutalis mountain range to get to the opposite coast, but now most ships just take Godrick's canal. Much of the mountain range is uncharted and no lives there, as it is home to many dangerous creatures. The only ones who live there are the monks. Ancient temples carved thousands of years ago provide a peaceful shelter for the monks, who are acclaimed healers. However, the Monks of Aculatis are most widely known as scribes. It's thanks to the monks that we have such a rich written history in Camiare.

"Of course! But how are we supposed to get there with Nathaniel in such a critical condition? It would take weeks to get there in a carriage, one week even if we took a wagamo in a full sprint."

Mr. Argud put his hand on my Dad's shoulder.

"Calm down, your in luck. Me and my brother have made an ianuae gamic connection from my house to his room at the Acutalis Sanctuary. My brother likes to come and have some fun and visit from time to time. Actually, he is here right now. Triapops are a favorite of his and he couldn't help but come. I will go and get him. I will meet you at Arthur's house."

My father nodded, and then proceeded to pick me up and sprint back to Nathaniel's house. It was the second time in one night that this had happened, and I was hoping it wouldn't happen again.

Soon after my father had explained the situation to Arthur, Mr. Argud and a man I could only assume was his brother came running toward us. The monk was overweight, and I can only guess that his xetral control allowed him to keep up with his brother.

Upon reaching us, the monk nodded to Nathaniel's parents before standing in front of Nathaniel. Then, his hands began to weave in the air, forming complex patterns I couldn't keep up with. He began to hum, weaving the xetral strands tighter and tighter till Nathaniel disappeared in a xetral cocoon surrounded by the retah barrier that Arthur reformed.

Wiping the sweat off his bald forehead, the monk turned toward us.

"He should be fine now, you can relax for a moment. I will need to take him with me, there are better facilities and healers back at the Sanctuary. "

"Thank you so much for saving my son. Mr. . . . . . ."

"Crinitus. Monk Crinitus. You don't have to thank me yet. Nathaniel still is in a critical condition. Full recover, could take up to anywhere to 4 years. Don't worry, he will have the best watching over him."

I stepped forward.

"Um, Monk Crinitus, I have a question."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Does Nathaniel have any idea what is going on? What is happening to his mind in this dangerous situation?"

Crinitus looked around uncomfortably.

"Honestly, I have no idea. However, since this is a case of xetral poisoning with a deviant at the age of seven, it is very possible Nathaniel will retain control of his mind. Most likely, his mind was protected from the damage caused to his body by his familix and his xetral core. Nathaniel is probably trapped in his own head, with no idea what is truly going on."