“Hey, don't get defensive. I was just curious.” Lephas grinned, holding up his palms apologetically.
“It would never work out.” Raxx shook his head.
“Maybe you're right.” The commander paused. “Hey, I've been meaning to ask – what does healing majick feel like?”
“Why?” Raxx fixed him with a curious stare.
“Just humour me.” Lephas continued. “Does it hurt?”
“It doesn't hurt the person being healed, no, but it can be uncomfortable for the healer on occasion. It depends how much majick you need to use.”
“How much could you heal? I know you and Haros have patched me up when I've been in some sorry states before now, but I'm just wondering how far the limit is?” Lephas swallowed.
“With certainty, it's death,” Raxx replied grimly. “You can, in theory, heal anything if you have enough juice, provided the body you are imbuing the majick into is still living.”
“And what is classed as dead or alive?” Lephaspushed.
“A still heart and no brain activity, I would guess.” Raxx shrugged. He turned to face the commander. “Now tell me, why are you asking?”
“You won't believe me. Hell, I'm not even sureIbelieve me.” Lephas scratched the back of his head.
“Try me.”
“Well, when we were out there Lori an I got into a bit of trouble. We crossed paths with a sable bear,” he explained.
The shadow demon's face fell. “Shit. How the hell did you get out of that?”
“I didn't.” Lephas gave a short laugh. “I died, Raxx.”
There was a long pause.
“...You mean I'm too late with my funeral plans?”
“You fucking dick.” Lephas laughed. “I'm being serious. The bear ripped me to pieces. I was looking down at my own forearm in tatters, I felt its claws piercing my organs. It was over.”
“Well, you look pretty good for a dead guy. A vision maybe?”
“Nope, cold as day. I died Raxx, I swear it.”
“So, what happened?”
“Lori. She brought me back.”
Another long pause.
“Okay, so let me get this straight – she's not majborne, is she?” Raxx asked.
“No, not at all. Lazuli barely taught those girls anything. I think she knows a few basic defence spells and that's about it. I haven't seen her use any majick since I've been with her, even when it could have really come in handy,” Lephas replied.
“Are you sure it was Lori? No one else–”
“It was just us, Raxx. I woke, alive and well, in a pool of my own blood. It was even still warm. The poor girl has been a mess. She slept for days, barely eating or drinking. Whatever she did completely wiped her out. She's still not fully recovered now.”
“I did notice she was a little unsteady when I was stalking her through the forest.” Raxx mused.
“Please tell me you've heard of this happening before? It's been driving me insane with worry.”
“Honestly, no. I've never heard of it happening.” The shadow demon paused. “But I have read about it.”
