"Rowan…" Iris said as Alister placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder, trying to comfort her as she didn't quite understand why something like this was happening to her. She knew she'd been hurt on an expedition some time before, but seeing the effects of whatever happened, left her dumbfounded.
"Is mommy…going to be okay…?"
Alister looked down to her as she held her mothers book firmly in her small arms. His eyes stared intently before Marie spoke out to the two of them.
"Iris…could you come over…"
"Y-yes mommy…"
"You're such a cutie…you're slowly starting to figure out magic right…?"
"With Rowan's help…and reading your notes…I'm getting better…"
"Good! You've listened to your…mother. That's good."
"I don't know everything…but I'll figure out a way to fix your issue…I swear…!"
Marie let out a small yet pained chuckle as she placed her hand on her stomach. Trying to withstand the pain she was feeling within herself. Her groan was sharp, yet subtle. It was as if she was trying to be strong for her family in front of her.
"You're gonna be a great spellcaster…I have something for you…"
"Huh…?"
"Hand me the book…"
Iris quickly put out the book in front of her, allowing Marie to take it into her hands. She looked over the pages within, giving a small smirk as her eyes looked over the scribblings within the book. Seeing notes not only from herself, but Iris as well, she placed her hand on a free page and closed her eyes.
"...What are you doing…?"
"Let me give you something…I'm sorry…I haven't been able to teach you this myself…"
"Teach me—?"
A bright green light emanated from Marie suddenly, as if a burst of light began to shine on her. She'd been known for her skill throughout the region, though even in a weakened state, she was able to expend so much mana that it filled the room, shocking the men who had begun to enter the room.
Iris tensed up from the energy surrounding her mother, but was able to see that her hands were slowly changing color. The pale tones on her mothers skin slowly dissipated to a deeper purple, as if she was draining herself of her mana. Her eyes widened as she went to place her hands onto the book to stop her mom.
"Mommy, stop! You're hurting yourself!"
She moved forward to reach but was pulled back by two hands. She looked back to see it was her father, who'd turned away and held her close. She began to try to fight her way out of his big arms, but much to no avail, she couldn't free herself from his grasp. Tears began to fill her eyes once more as she yelled out for her mother to stop what she was doing, as it seemed to be hurting her more than helping her condition.
"MOMMY!" she yelled as the mana slowly dissipated and she laid back in the bed, panting heavily as the book fell on the ground from her grip. Hitting the ground as the men began to rush to her bedside, beginning to try to bring her back to health quickly.
"Iris…I love you very much…that spell, I specially made for you."
"Mommy…!"
"Please, learn it and master it…Mama will always be with you."
Her eyes slowly closed as the men continued their efforts and Iris was left with the book, which held a new page. She rushed to pick up the book after freeing herself from her fathers grasp. Picking it up and not being able to see her mother anymore because of the men. Alister picked up the two children in his arms as he looked at his wife once more in the bed, smiling as she always did. Yet allowing a tear to fall as she kept her eyes closed as the men frantically tried to help.
Rowan and Iris were held closely as they slowly began to leave the room in his arms, Iris turned back to try to see her mothers face once more before being separated by the door slowly closing in front of her.
"Mommy..."