The Medallion

Rocky arrived at the battlefields of northeast military camp, having followed Thor and Sheridan the whole way. The battlefields were teeming with personnel, from ranks of soldiers to spirit manipulators. Many of the soldiers and spirit manipulators were gathered around a creature of immense size, pointing and whispering.

"Back off and step aside...! What is going on here?!" Sheridan demanded loudly, seeing the commotion and unhappy at the conduct.

Solders and spirit manipulators looked up to see that it was Sheridan who spoke. All of them stepped aside and cleared the way for him, knowing his temper was infamous throughout the whole northeast military camp. Sheridan was, after all, the administrator of beast farm. If they irritated him, then the spirit-manipulated beasts, their closest friends, would get in trouble. It was in their best interests to respect him and his authority.

Standing behind Sheridan, Rocky cast his eyes on the enormous figure in battlefield. He realized that it was none other than Marin's war dragon named Verdanim. Verdanim was stretched out on its side. It looked as though it was in serious pain. Its lower abdomen bulged out, distended like a ball, almost as though it'd been pregnant for a few months. But its left rear limb which was badly deformed was bloody. The limb was black and blue all over. While outwardly, the injury looked horrible, the internal injuries were likely much worse than that.

"Sheridan..." Marin choked as she gently patted Verdanim's head from where she was squatted. She was desperately trying to soothe her injured dragon. With tears in her eyes, she rose to her feet to implore Sheridan. "Hurry, please, save Verdanim, I beg you!" she begged.

"Calm down, Marin; don't worry. I'll save it, I promise you," Sheridan replied calmly, patting her shoulder and trying to reassure her. Verdanim had been his gift to Marin, and he had raised the dragon himself. Hence, he understood her feelings about Verdanim in this situation, and sympathized with her.

For Marin, Verdanim was more than just a dragon; it was like a sibling to her. Her sadness and her joys were things she would share with it. She adored this dragon and prized it above all else, and her heart broke to see it so injured.

Rocky had never seen Marin look so weak and helpless before. Often, she behaved as though she were a man: strong, impartial, and clear-sighted. She was a fine Commander that looked as steady as any other. But now, it seemed as though a mere breeze could send Marin down.

Sheridan approaching, she felt some of her anxiousness drain from her body. She was confident that he had every ability to cure her spirit-manipulated beast. But then she felt a stare upon her and found Rocky

deepened, as though he were clearly having some

how is Verdanim?" Marin asked anxiously. "Can you cure it...?" She was wringing her

at Marin, and his hesitation worried her.

seeing Sheridan's expression, Marin's heart leapt to her throat, her stomach

on its left leg bone. Even I can't understand how it could've suffered such a serious injury. I am so sorry, Marin, but... I'm not sure I'll be able to save Verdanim this time," Sheridan told her quietly, apologetically. He knew that

"This is all my fault, I knew it...it's all my fault! If I hadn't tried to win...if I hadn't tried to win so hard, Verdanim wouldn't have gotten hurt trying to save me! I did this, this is

of pity for her, and knew they

please, can't you save Verdanim?!" Marin begged shrilly, heart in her throat and desperate. She seemed to have lost control of herself as she grasped Sheridan's grey hand. It was too

way to save Verdanim's life. Even if I could somehow manage it, it would be crippled. It'd no longer be able to fight for you, and it'd remain in a stable for the rest of its life." Sheridan sighed heavily. Though there was that slim chance that he could save the war dragon, Verdanim would simply never be the same again, and would never be able to go to war again. And

matter--you must cure Verdanim, you must! You must know what to do, a treatment, a cure, something...!"

more shrill and pleading. He understood that this was going to break her heart, but there was really no

Please cure Verdanim," Marin begged, inconsolable as tears flowed

with his own grief. He knew that even if he did cure Verdanim, the dragon could suffer significant disabilities. Its movement would become slow and difficult due to the serious internal injuries and its crippled left limb. It would be a lifetime of suffering until the dragon passed away. Instead of putting it through so much pain, it might be better to let Verdanim rest, away