Shadows of Atlantis: Emergence of the Engi by Donsha Hatch Page A

you’ll do in coming months.” smiled Glover as he walked off.
    “That’s amazing Eiris. This makes you the first fresh start to ever become a guild leader! Reizen didn’t even do that!” exalted Kezzy.
    “Well deserved my friend.” beamed Dex.
    “Ditto.” nodded Azonei with a smile.
    The others congratulated Eiris and walked over to watch other matches while the medical personnel finished working on his wound. Then he gave Eiris a recommendation.
    “I put a temporary cooling patch on your wound but I suggest you immediately go over to the medical wing and get a full treatment. Other than that, you’re good to go.” said the medic as he packed his things up.
    Eiris followed the medic’s advice and went to the medical wing after speaking to a few Blue Storm members. He was greeted and congratulated by dozens of admirers on the way. Entering the building, he was quickly processed and sent to an empty examination room. As he waited on the examination bed, he was surprised to see who walked in with a doctor’s lab coat.
    Wearing smart glasses, Dr. Dahlia Arabella walked in with a kind smile. Stunned with admiration, Eiris couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He had wondered why he didn’t see her in the gauntlet arena.
    “Hello Mr. Penatia.” she smiled.
    “............Oh. Um, hey. Uh, you can call me Eiris by the way.” he smiled in reply.
    “Dr. Everson sent me the details about your wounds. May I take a look?”
    “Um. Uh yeah, yeah sure.” stammered Eiris nervously as he removed his bioflex shirt, revealing his intensely muscular torso.
    He was so self-conscious around Dahlia-how could he ever deal with her being his doctor? He stole a glimpse of her face as she examined his wounds and realized she was blushing! This at once put him more at ease.
    “Thank you.” she suddenly said.
    “Um……. for what?” asked a nervous Eiris.
    “For sticking up for me on the Lost Island.” she smiled.
    “Oh. You’re very welcome.” he smiled in return.
    “You have beautiful Turan markings.” noted Dahlia as she examined the black tattoo-like markings covering his arms like sleeves.
    “Thanks. I’m not sure I fully understand them yet.” Eiris replied.
    “They’re like a written genetic code, but on the outside.” she explained as she continued to examine his wounds.
    “That makes a lot of sense actually. I didn’t know you were in medical school.”
    “You didn’t ask.” smiled Dahlia.
    “Right. Well, it’s pretty xeno that you focus on healing rather than hurting.”.
    “Thanks.” she replied.
    “What’s your Maltese tiger’s name?”
    “Nava’.” she replied as she began putting a teal ointment on his burns.
    “What’s this?” he asked as she rubbed the ointment onto his chest.
    “This is called unguent balm. It’s derived from an enzyme secreted from a rare species of kelp found in the Pluvian Sea called leeching kelp. The components within the enzyme speed up the healing process. Everything should be back to normal by tomorrow.” she explained.
    “That’s great.” smiled Eiris in relief.
    “I heard about your match with Reizen. It was very impressive.”
    “Really? I feel like I could’ve done better.” he said with his eyes downcast.
    “That’s good, because you’re right.” she smiled.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You were afraid.” replied Dahlia. “Fear leads to doubt and you were doubting your abilities. I could sense it back on the Lost Island. If I could, so could Reizen. You have to find a way to let go of that emotion. Or channel it.” she said.
    “Channel? I didn’t know that was possible.”
    “Most Undarians don’t, but there’s another way to bond. That way is the reason why the shadows are so powerful.” she said.
    “Could you help me learn?” asked Eiris eagerly.
    “Sure.” Dahlia replied. “Can you meet me at the sanctuary after Electroball practice tomorrow?”
    “Yeah, definitely.”
    “Okay.” she smiled.
    “Okay.” he smiled in