Retnan lay on a hospital bed, staring at the white ceiling with half-lidded eyes. The oxygen mask over his face misted with each breath weaker than the last.
The constant mechanical beeping of his life support was the only thing that filled the room.
Last month, a specialist from India walked into his room. Retnan remembered the other doctors praising their colleague.
The doctor looked into his eyes and said with a big smile, "Don't worry, you'll be well soon."
Retnan held a bored look. The voice of his previous specialist still echoed in his head the same words.
'CT scan, blood work, ECG…' He paused, unable to remember the remaining tests he had taken. Not long after, the doctor who had assured him with a smile struggled to look him in the eyes. The same scene played again.
"I've reviewed your labs, and I'm afraid the results weren't what we wished for. I'm still unable to determine the cause of your system degradation. But I'm committed to uncovering the root cause."
That was last month. Today the same doctor hadn't walked into his room with any good news.
The bed sheet ruffled as Retnan sat up, he reached for a frame sitting on the nightstand. His fingers trembled under the simple weight of a picture frame.
Memories of when he won a gold medal in his college games. In the picture he possessed an athletic build toned abs and muscle.
But now, a medium-sized hospital gown hung over his collar bone like an oversized tent. He sighed and set the picture aside.
'Six different specialists. And none could find what's wrong with me... I believe Mom was right… I'm truly cursed.'
His mother had called for a priest not long ago. The incense brought by the priest still burned, seated on the nightstand. While his condition remained the same.
For the first two weeks the chair beside his bed was never empty. Then later on visits became calls. Yet he was content.
Two weeks passed. No visits. No calls.
She never turned off the machines. Mercy or guilt he wasn't sure. But one thing he was sure of he's dead to her.
'At least I get to live another day,' the corner of his lips twitched. He rested on the headboard anticipating for his nurse to walk through the door and take his regular checkup. He found her presence warming.
She would always encourage him to keep a positive mindset, knew what fruit he preferred and always willing to sit down and listen to what was on his mind.
Knock Knock
Retnan's smile widened. "Come in"
The door swung open. A nurse he doesn't recognize stepped in.
"Retnan Cain. You have a visitor."
He stared blankly at the nurse like she'd said something impossible. His mom was a busy person who visited him only in the evening. It was still dawn.
"My mom?"
"No, a woman named Mava. A friend of yours?"
'Mava? Do I know anyone named Mava… a classmate? No, I know all my classmates' names. I don't recall anyone with such a name. I'm also sure she is not from the neighborhood too. Most of my female friends aren't that close to visit. My girlfriend never even visited. I don't know who this Mava is.'
But he wasn't troubled at all. Someone came to check on him. That alone lifted a burden from his chest.
"Let her in," He said.
The nurse nodded and left the room to fetch the visitor.
Retnan held his gaze on the door. He straightened his spine and adjusted his gown properly as he heard sharp footsteps draw closer to the door.
"Excuse me."
His jaw went slack as he saw a woman with goddess-like beauty walk in.
She had a porcelain like skin. Symmetrical features. Her curly baby pink hair obscured her left eye, giving her an alluring charm. Her dark purple satin dress clinging to her curvy figure.
His eyes traced her body before making eye contact.
She adjusted her hair by hooking it behind her ear.
"Nice to meet you, Ret. I'm Mava,"
"Nice… Nice to... meet you too," Retnan stammered, his voice muffled by the oxygen mask. "Do I... know you from somewhere?"
Mava first scanned his life support, something shifted in her eyes, her gaze lingered before she flashed a smile at Retnan. "Yes… and no."
"What do you mean by that?" Curious, Retnan asked.
Mava walked over to the empty chair beside his bed and got seated. She cleared her throat first.
"I'll tell you all you need to know, starting from what your 'sickness' is."
Retnan withdrew his attention from her. looking out the window instead. "Doctors and priests have tried, what difference would you make?"
"Those you have mentioned don't possess mana. But we do. It's not a sickness Ret. Your body is failing to hold a tremendous amount of mana in it. You can never find a cure in this world."
"Mana? What's that? And why do I have a tremendous amount?"
"Mana is the energy that fuels magic."
Retnan laughed. "Magic? What are you, a witch?"
The room went silent.
With no words from Mava he snapped away from the window. And their eyes locked. For a second Retnan could swear her eyes glowed purple.
His pulse quickened. The way she looked at him. Like she glimpsed something deep inside his soul.
"What I'm about to say is important. The faster you believe and accept your fate, the faster you can be cured."
"You're serious?"
Mava nodded.
"You'll need the help of six artifacts. Each of them carries ancient power. Merge with them, and it will grant your body the physique it needs to contain your power.
Retnan studied her looking for the signs he'd seen in the doctors. The over-explaining, forced smiles, the way they'd glance at the door when they ran out of lies. Mava crossed her legs perfectly, waiting for Retnan's answer.
"How does it work?" Retnan asked not hiding his suspicion.
Mava sighed. "I can seal the mana in you, but the seal would last only a month. You'll need to collect the artifacts before the seal breaks. If you haven't collected any artifacts before the seal breaks completely, you'll die instantly."
"There has to be a way."
Mava relaxed back in her chair. "...If you truly master the abilities. You will be able to adapt to your mana level. It's up to you."
Retnan jaw set. 'This power kept me bedridden. I can't just sit back. He shook his head. '..Never! I'll do it.'
He faced Mava. "How do you know all this?"
Mava raised her shoulder slightly. "Because I'm the goddess of fate."
"Prove it."
"Yes I'll. First have you decided"
"I'm willing! So this better not be a joke."
Retnan then caught a slip in Mava perfect composure. She avoided eye contact and looked somewhat guilty. He wished she wasn't about to admit it's a joke.
"Why are you helping me?"
"I just couldn't let an innocent soul suffer,"
Retnan lips parted to speak.
Mava stood up abruptly. "You asked for proof, right? Can I get started."
"...of course."
After receiving a response, Mava stretched out her hand toward him, and energy began to swell from her. A lavender translucent energy that swarmed around her body like water. The glow was so intense it bathed the room beautifully in its color.
Retnan's jaw dropped. "That energy around her... is that... mana?"
She whispered. "Fate-craft: Seal of Fate."
Three crosses appeared above Retnan. Their form was unknown, like made of steel and light. Their surface gleamed and beamed a bright ray of light that connected into a triangle.
'Witchcraft.'
In the form of threads, the light began sinking into the body.
Retnan jerked. 'What's the feeling? It's like it's messing with my soul.'
In an instant, his body felt lighter.
His fingers trembled as he reached for the oxygen mask. He removed it and took a deep breath without wheezing or burning in his lungs.
A single tear rolled down his cheeks. "It doesn't... hurt."
He wiped his tears, noting mana around him. His was multicolored, with colors he couldn't quite name, floating and swimming through his fingers like living smoke.
"It's finished." Mava lowered her hand. 'It worked?' She studied the mana emitted from him. It was stable, not overwhelming.
He had access to mana but a manageable amount.
Just as Mava completed the procedure, another screen materialized in Retnan's vision.
[ WELCOME BACK! ]
[???]